Mystery of the Mummy's Curse by Gertrude Chandler Warner

CHAPTER 1
A Secret at the Museum
    â€œWow, look over there! Is that a T-rex?” Six-year-old Benny Alden was pointing toward a giant skull with long, pointed teeth.
    â€œYes, Benny, I think it is,” said his twelve-year-old sister, Jessie.
    â€œCool,” said their sister Violet, who was ten. She came over for a closer look.
    â€œAnd look at this triceratops skull,” said Henry, their fourteen-year-old brother. He pointed to another skull with horns coming out of the top.

    The children were visiting the Dinosaur Room at the Greenfield Museum. “I always loved this room when I was a kid,” said their grandfather, James Alden.
    The children had lived with their grandfather ever since their parents died. At first, afraid that he would be mean to them, the children had run away. They had lived in an old boxcar they’d found in the woods. But once they met their grandfather, they found that he was a kind man, and they came to live in his large house. They had been happy there ever since. Grandfather had even moved the boxcar to their backyard, so the children could play in it. And today they were visiting the local museum.
    When the Aldens had seen all the dinosaur bones, Grandfather asked what they would like to do next.
    â€œHave lunch!” cried Benny.
    â€œWe should have guessed,” said Jessie. “It’s been at least an hour since breakfast.”
    Everyone laughed. They knew Benny was always hungry.
    â€œMaybe soon, Benny,” Grandfather said. “But first there’s someone I’d like you to meet.” He led them down the hall to a door that read, MUSEUM CURATOR.
    â€œCome in,” called a voice inside, after they knocked.
    Grandfather pushed open the door to reveal a small office where a dark-haired man was sitting behind a desk. The man was tall and thin with a friendly smile on his face. He stood up when he saw the Aldens and came over to say hello.
    â€œJames Alden!” the man said, reaching out to shake Grandfather’s hand. “My father told me you still lived in Greenfield.”
    â€œIt’s good to see you, Pete,” Mr. Alden said. “Children, this is Peter Miller. I’ve known him since he was born. His father is an old friend of mine. When he told me Pete had come to the museum to work as the curator, I had to stop by and say hello.”
    â€œAnd these must be your grandchildren,” said Mr. Miller. “Don’t tell me—the tall one is Henry, Jessie is over here, Violet has the purple shirt on, and this must be Benny.”
    Benny grinned. “You got it!”
    â€œWould you like to join us for some lunch, Mr. Miller?” Henry asked.
    â€œThat sounds great,” Pete said. “But please don’t call me ‘Mr. Miller.’ I’m Pete.”
    â€œWhen did you become the curator here?” Grandfather asked as they walked down the hallway to the museum cafe.
    â€œAnd what is a cur—what’s that word again?” Benny asked.
    â€œA cu-ra-tor,” Pete said slowly. “It’s the person at the museum who puts together the exhibits.”
    â€œWhich exhibits did you put together?” asked Jessie.
    â€œI’m working on my first one,” Pete said. “It’s very exciting.”
    â€œWhat’s it about?” Violet asked.
    Before Pete could answer, Benny called out, “Hey, look! A mummy!” Everyone turned to see where Benny was pointing. On the wall was a poster of an Egyptian mummy.
    â€œThat answers Violet’s question,” Pete said. “That poster is for our new exhibit about ancient Egypt. It’s called ‘Enter the Mummy’s Tomb.’”
    â€œWill there really be a mummy?” Benny wanted to know.
    â€œYou bet,” Pete said as they reached the café. “Let’s get some lunch and I’ll tell you all about it.”
    A few minutes later, Pete and the Aldens sat down to eat. The children had