Theodosia & the Eyes of Horus Read Online Free PDF Page A

Antiquities; it might even put us on the same footing as the British Museum.
    Father called a staff meeting first thing.
    "Very well," he said, clapping his hands together awkwardly to get everyone's attention. Father was brilliant but
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    not at his best when directing people. "Two weeks," he said. "That's how much time we have to finish putting this exhibit together, the finest exhibit of the decade, I might add. The board has allowed us to close for two weeks so we may devote our full attention to this matter, so let's make the most of it, shall we? Weems?"
    The priggish first Assistant Curator pranced forward, his feeble little mustache twitching as he said, "Yes, sir?"
    Vicary Weems is the sort of grownup who believes children should not be seen and not heard. At all. He also dresses rather above his station, always wearing loud patterned vests that make my eyes ache and--of all the ridiculous things--spats. I don't care if King Edward himself wears them, they are still ridiculous looking, like bibs for one's feet.
    "You have the floor plans I gave you for the new display cases, correct?"
    Weems patted the pocket of his scarlet and gold vest. "Right here, sir."
    "Good. You'll direct Dolge and Sweeny with the placement of the cases." He paused a moment, then turned to Dolge. "They have been delivered, haven't they?"
    "Aye, sir."
    "Fagenbush?" Father continued.
    The loathsome Second Assistant Curator stepped forward,
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    bringing a small cloud of boiled-cabbage-and-pickled-onion fumes with him. His thick black eyebrows were drawn together in a V. Whatever did Lord Wigmere see in him?
    "We'll need you up in the workroom so you can start packing the artifacts for transport down here."
    Fagenbush nodded.
    "Stilton?"
    My favorite curator, Edgar Stilton, sprang to attention, a faint tic beginning in his left cheek. "Right here, sir."
    Father consulted his list. "Let's see, you're to ..."
    "I'm to visit the draper this morning and approve the material for the display backing," Stilton said, then blinked rapidly, as if surprised by his own boldness.
    "Oh, that's right. Very well, then. I guess that's it. Any questions? Let's get to it." The others began to trickle away, and he turned to me. "Theodosia?"
    "Yes, Father?"
    "How's that inventory coming along down in long-term storage?"
    "Nearly done," I said cheerfully, waving my ledger book. "Excellent." He turned to go, but I stopped him. "Are you sure there's nothing I can do to assist you and Mother with the upcoming exhibit?"
    "Not right at the moment, no. Perhaps later ..."
    I sighed. "Very well." It was beastly unfair, if you asked
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    me, especially since it had been my discovery of the annex to Thutmose Ill's tomb that had given them this idea for the exhibit in the first place. It seemed as if I should at least be able to help. However, I am sad to say, that I have found there to be little justice in the world.
    Feeling somewhat sorry for myself, I cast one last longing glance at all the commotion going on in the foyer then, resigned to my fate, headed for the catacombs.
    Of course, they weren't really catacombs, merely long-term storage space for the museum, but it felt as creepy as catacombs. I clutched the three amulets around my neck and reached for the door.
    A shadow loomed in front of me and I jumped. "Stilton!" I said, rather louder than I'd intended. "What are you doing here? You gave me quite a start."
    The entire left side of the Third Assistant Curator's body twitched as he held his finger to his lips. "Shh." His eyes were bright, his cheeks slightly flushed.
    "What is it?" I whispered.
    "The grand master wants to see you."
    My sense of victory at having evaded him yesterday evaporated. "Now?"
    "Yes, miss. He's called a meeting of the Black Sun. Everyone will be there."
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    That was Stilton's one glaring fault. He belonged to the Arcane Order of the Black Sun. "Well, I'm very busy. I'm afraid it's not a good time."
    Stilton blinked twice and looked