Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris-Theo 2 by R. L. Lafevers, Yoko Tanaka Page A

museum at night. "My room, so to speak. Listen, we haven't any time to waste. I've got an important message for Wigmere, but I've got a governess now—"
    "Whatcher got one of them for, anyway?"
    "Believe me, it wasn't my idea. Now, I need you to tell Wigmere that I found out why the mummies are here."
    His eyes grew wide. "Ye did?"
    "Yes. Tell Wigmere that I think I found the Staff of Osiris. Here. In our museum. Can you repeat that to be sure you've got it straight?"
    "Sure. You fink you found an Iris Staff—"
    "No, no. The Staff of Osiris. Oh-sigh-ris. Say it for me."
    "Oh-sigh-ris. Got it. What's that got to do wif the mummies, anyway?"
    Even though we were all alone in the room, I couldn't help but lower my voice. "It wields power over the dead, and that's what's calling the mummies. Although ... they seem to only be able to move at night."
    "The dead!" Will squeaked, glancing nervously at the sarcophagus.
    "Shhh! Yes, the dead. And I think that's why Chaos wants the staff. Now, can you remember all that or do I need to write it down?"
    "Wot's wrong wi' my mem'ry, I'd like to know?"
    "Nothing! I was just checking, that's all. Now—"
    There was a rap at the door. "Theodosia!" We both froze.
    "I say, Theodosia? Are you in there?" Stilton called out.
    "Yes, I am. Just a second."
    I motioned Will toward the sarcophagus. He looked at me as if I were crazy. "I'm not gettin' in that thing!" he hissed.
    "You most certainly are," I hissed back. "If you don't, you'll be found out. What if they turn you in to the police?"
    Will paled but shook his head. "I ain't gettin' in no stone coffin."
    "Oh, don't be ridiculous! I sleep in there all the time, and nothing's ever happened to me."
    Will's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "You 'ave?"
    Stilton rapped again. "Theodosia?"
    "Yes," I said loudly, then whispered, "Now, get in!"
    Looking none too pleased, Will gingerly scrambled over the side and settled himself in the bottom of the sarcophagus. "Now, keep quiet!" I warned, then turned to open the door. "Hullo, Stilton."
    "I say, were you talking to someone?" he asked, trying to peer into the room.
    I maneuvered myself so that I partially blocked his view. "No, why do you ask?"
    "I thought I heard voices." Still not convinced, his gaze wandered to the far corners of the closet.
    "Oh, that. Now that I'm to have lessons again, I was practicing my Latin verb conjugating for Miss Sharpe." Remembering how he had seemed stricken with her the day before, I added, "You haven't seen her, by the way, have you? She should be here by now."
    He pulled his gaze from the walls back to my face, a frown of concern wrinkling his features. "Now that you mention it, I haven't seen her. I wonder if she's stuck up in that mess out front?"
    "Most likely," I said.
    "Perhaps I'd better go check." Eager to help the lovely Miss Sharpe, Stilton turned to leave, then stopped. "Oh, I almost forgot. Your father would like to see you in his office. Right away."
    "I'll be right there. But do please see if you can find Miss Sharpe. I'd so hate for her to get put out with all this horrid business going on this morning."
    "Yes, of course," he said, then hurried away. I closed the door and breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay," I whispered. "It's clear. You can come out now."
    Shakily, Will climbed out of his hiding place. "I ain't never doing that again. That was downright creepy, it was."
    "Never mind that! We've got to get you out of here and safely on your way back to Wigmere, and I've got to go see what my father wants."
    Will was only too glad to leave my little closet and scurried out into the hallway. I led him back to the side entrance. "Now, you're sure you can remember everything I told you?"
    "Yes, miss. I ain't going soft in the 'ead."
    "Sorry. It's just excruciatingly important."
    "So you said. More 'n once."
    "Right. Well, goodbye." Will opened the door, looked out, then jerked back inside and slammed it behind him.
    "'Ave you got another exit, miss?"
    "Yes,