The Cairo Code Read Online Free PDF

constructed around it, a ladder leading down into the shaft. “We’re well on our way. Just the last of the tunnel equipment to be brought up and then we’ll concentrate on tidying up the site face. You picked up the post?”
    Weaver lifted the satchel. “It’s all here, the last mail run. And I made sure the Ministry of Antiquities had the list of forwarding addresses you gave me for the crew, just in case any more mail turns up for us after we’ve gone.”
    â€œExcellent.” Stern put his hands on his hips, squinted in the strong sunlight as he gazed around the site. “So, our time at Sakkara is coming to an end. How do you feel about that, Harry?”
    Weaver looked sad. “To tell you the truth, I haven’t been looking forward to it. It’s not often a guy like me gets the opportunity to visit Egypt and take part in something like this. I’ve a feeling this adventure could be the highlight of my life.”
    Stern smiled, slapped a hand on Weaver’s shoulder. “Nonsense. You’re a young man. What age are you, Harry? The same as most of the rest of the crew—twenty-three, twenty-four?”
    â€œTwenty-three, sir.”
    â€œThen it’s all ahead of you. And there are a lot more interesting adventures to come, I’m certain of it.”
    â€œWhat about you, Professor? You’re still leaving for Istanbul?”
    Stern nodded. “In four days’ time. The temporary lecturing position I’ve accepted came out of the blue, but Istanbul’s a wonderful city, so I’m sure my wife and Rachel will find it interesting. All in all, it should keep me busy for a while.” He dabbed sweat from his forehead, held out his hand for the mail satchel, and nodded towards the shaft. “Rachel and Jack, plus a few of the others, are still below. This heat is unbearable, so why don’t you go down and help them tidy up and I’ll hand out the letters to the crew.”
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    Weaver descended the ladder into the shaft. It was solid rock in parts, a drop of almost fifty feet, and when he came to the bottom several narrow passageways led off in different directions.
    The yellow clay walls and ceilings were lined with timber supports, and lit by strings of bulbs, fed from the electric generator up above. The passageways led to the three individual tombs that had been discovered, the ceilings so low in places that a man had to hunch his shoulders as he walked. Compared to the sizzling temperature above ground, the tunnel air was pleasantly cool, chilly almost, and there was a slightly eerie atmosphere, but Weaver had become used to that, and he cheerfully made his way along one of the passageways until he came to the end and heard voices.
    A large sarcophagus, once the tomb of a relatively unknown princess from Zoser’s dynasty, was set into a recess in the far wall. The mummified remains had been removed after their discovery. The stone coffin lid lay propped against the wall, its surface beautifully carved with hieroglyphics, and several of the crew were in the process of removing digging equipment and electric cables from the immediate area. Weaver saw Jack Halder and Rachel Stern busily working away, their clothes covered in fine dust, and then Rachel turned and saw him.
    Her blond hair was tied back, accentuating her high cheekbones, and there were tiny beads of perspiration on her tanned face and neck. Even though she wore a loose khaki shirt and pants, her figure was evident, and she looked startlingly pretty, as always. She offered Weaver a perfect smile, one that affected him instantly. “Harry. We were just talking about you.”
    â€œNothing bad, I hope.”
    â€œOf course not. We were simply wondering what had kept you so long.” She moved to kiss him on the cheek, smudging his face with dust. “Now look what I’ve done.”
    She wiped the dust away, laughing, and at