Mystery of the Mummy's Curse by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page B

large Egyptian painting and a bookcase. Crowded in with the books were Egyptian pots and sculptures.
    â€œHas the mummy arrived?” the man asked.
    â€œI was just going to check now,” Pete said. “These are the grandchildren of my father’s good friend.” Then he turned to the Aldens. “This is the director of the museum, Dr. Reginald Snood.”
    Pete turned back to Dr. Snood, who was putting papers into his briefcase. “I’m bringing the kids to see the mummy, if you’d like to join us ...”
    Dr. Snood didn’t seem to hear what Pete had said. He seemed to be deep in thought for a moment. Then he shook his head and seemed to see the Aldens for the first time. “I hope these children know not to touch anything,” Dr. Snood said. “In my opinion, children don’t belong in museums.”
    â€œThey’re very well behaved,” Pete assured him.
    â€œWe’re very excited to ‘Enter the Mummy’s Tomb,’” Jessie said.
    â€œI just hope we haven’t taken on more than we can handle with that exhibit,” Dr. Snood said, snapping his briefcase shut and standing up.
    â€œIt looks like you’re interested in Egypt,” Henry said, motioning toward the artwork all around them.
    â€œDr. Snood is one of the world’s leading Egyptologists,” Pete told them. “That means he’s an expert on ancient Egypt. He collects all kinds of—”
    â€œThat was years ago,” Dr. Snood said, cutting Pete off, “before I became the director here. Now I have a museum to run. I have to make sure we don’t waste all our time and money on one exhibit.”
    â€œThis was expensive, but it will be such a hit,” Pete insisted. “Sam Dickerson, the Egyptologist we’ve hired, will handle all the details.”
    â€œWe’re paying Dr. Dickerson too much,” Dr. Snood said sharply. “We should have let the Carson City Museum have this exhibit.”
    Pete took a deep breath. “Well, anyway, as I mentioned before, we’re expecting the mummy to be delivered soon. Would you like to come see it?”
    A strange look passed over Dr. Snood’s face again. Then he seemed to change his mind about something. “No, I can’t ...” he said. “I have ...a meeting. This is a very busy week.” And he quickly left the office.
    The Aldens looked at each other. Why had Dr. Snood left so quickly?
    After a moment, Benny said quietly, “I don’t think he likes us.”
    Pete laughed. “He takes a little getting used to. He has a very big job, running the museum. He has to make sure the museum has enough money to pay for all the exhibits and the people who work here.”
    They walked slowly out of Dr. Snood’s office and headed down the hall.
    â€œWhat did he mean about the Carson City Museum?” Henry asked.
    â€œWhen the Egyptian Museum offered to rent out this exhibit, the Carson City Museum wanted it,” Pete told the children. “But the Egyptian Museum decided to send it here instead. The director of the Carson City Museum was very upset.”
    â€œI didn’t know museums fight over their exhibits,” said Jessie.
    â€œSometimes they do,” Pete said. He looked at his watch. “Come on, we’ve got a mummy to meet.”
    Pete led the children upstairs and down a long hallway to a room filled with tables and cardboard boxes. There was a desk in one corner with a computer on it and several neat stacks of papers and notecards. “This is the prep or ‘preparation’ room,” Pete said.
    At the back of the room were two large crates. Next to the crates stood two women. One was tall with lots of curly red hair. The other woman was short and blond.
    â€œDr. Dickerson,” Pete said, walking to the back of the room and putting out his hand to the tall, redheaded woman.
    â€œBut, but—I thought you said Sam