Chapter 2

Chapter 2 One of the coffins was lying on a stone table. The other two were leaning upright against the

walls to either side. Dink noticed that the coffin on the table was smaller than the other two. "You are standing in an actual Egyptian tomb," Dr. Tweed said in a hushed voice. "It was brought here in pieces and then reconstructed." He pointed at the coffins. "An ancient Egyptian coffin is called a sarcophagus. Each sarcophagus holds a mummy. In a moment, I will open the lids. But first, take a moment to appreciate the fine artwork." On each lid, jewels and gold had been used to create a mask. The faces look peaceful, almost happy, thought Dink. "The Egyptians believed that people who died would need their money in the next life," Dr. Tweed said. "So rich people were often buried near their wealth." He pointed through an arch into another room. "That is the treasure chamber," he said. "You'll get a chance to look in there after we view the mummies." Ruth Rose raised her hand. "How come one of the coffins is so small?" she asked. Dr. Tweed walked over to the sarcophagus on the table. "This sarcophagus contains a child

mummy," he explained. "The little boy died with his parents, who now stand beside him for eternity." Dr. Tweed placed his hand on a standing sarcophagus. "This is the boy's mother," he said. Using both hands, he swung the lid open. "And the father." Dr. Tweed opened the other standing sarcophagus. Without saying another word, he removed the lid of the smallest sarcophagus and leaned it against the wall. The kids stared at the three mummies. Each was covered with some kind of cloth, yellowed with age. Dink realized that Dr. Tweed was right— there was no smell at all. "Each mummy is wrapped in strips of linen," Dr. Tweed said. "Beneath the cloth-" Suddenly, a woman with long blond hair who was wearing a baggy dress darted forward. She snatched the child and raced out of the tomb. "Stop!" Dr. Tweed shouted, bolting after the woman. Everyone in the room began talking at once. Before the kids could figure out what to do, Dr. Tweed hurried back into the tomb. "Quiet,

please," he said. "Um, it seems Mummy Monday will have to be postponed. We'll have it tomorrow." "But tomorrow is Tyrannosaurus Tuesday!" someone said. Dr. Tweed looked flustered. His tanned face had turned pale, and one of his eyelids was twitching. "Yes, of course, you're right," he said. "I'll schedule another mummy day for next week. Now you'll have to leave the tomb. I'm very sorry." Kids mumbled, "No fair" as they filed out. Dr. Tweed stepped aside to let them pass. "Why would anyone steal a mummy?" Josh asked as he, Dink, and Ruth Rose followed the other kids. "I read somewhere that gold and jewels were wrapped up with the bodies," Ruth Rose said. "Maybe that mummy has valuable stuff inside the cloth." "You mean that woman is gonna unwrap the mummy?" Josh asked. "Gross!" Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose were the last kids out of the tomb. A moment later, Dr. Tweed hurried past. Behind them, the tomb door closed with a rumble.

"This is so bogus," Josh said. "Should we just go home?" "I have to use the rest room first," Ruth Rose said. The kids found the rest rooms around the corner from the tomb. The door to the ladies' room opened, and a smartly dressed woman with short dark hair stepped out. She was carrying a briefcase and talking on a cell phone. "We'll wait for you here," Dink said as Ruth Rose slipped into the rest room. "I wonder what the thief did with the mummy," Josh said. "I mean, she couldn't exactly carry it down Main Street!" Suddenly, the rest room door crashed open. Ruth Rose stood there looking as if she'd seen a ghost. "Ruth Rose, what's the matter?" Dink said. "G-get Dr. Tweed," she answered. "It's in the rest room!" "What's in the rest room?" Josh asked. Ruth Rose took a deep breath. "The missing mummy!" she said.