Read Mystery of the Mummy's Curse for Free Online Page B

the hall and looked around slowly.
    â€œI’m going to get Pete to come up and see how great it looks,” said Violet.
    â€œI’ll come with you,” said Benny.
    The two went downstairs to Pete’s office. His door was closed and it looked dark inside. Violet knocked. As the children waited for an answer, they couldn’t help overhearing the conversation in Dr. Snood’s office next door, as his door was open.
    â€œI’m worried because Ms. Delaney, the director of the Carson City Museum, called again. They’re quite upset over there,” Dr. Snood was saying.
    â€œWhat did she say?” the children heard Pete ask.
    â€œShe said the Carson City Museum isn’t happy about working with us on next year’s festival. They feel we stole the Egypt exhibit away from them,” said Dr. Snood.
    Violet and Benny looked at each other, their eyes wide.
    â€œThat’s crazy” Pete was saying.
    â€œWell, that’s how they feel,” said Dr. Snood. “You know, for the past few years we’ve always worked well with them. That is, before you started here and suggested this exhibit.”
    â€œMaybe there’s something we can do,” Pete suggested.
    â€œYou work on it,” said Dr. Snood. His voice sounded angry.
    A moment later, Pete emerged from Dr. Snood’s office. His face looked serious until he spotted the Aldens. “Violet, Benny,” Pete said with a smile. “How’s everything going?”
    â€œWe’ve put up all the paintings—want to come see?” Violet asked.
    â€œI’d love to,” said Pete. He turned back into Dr. Snood’s office. “Reginald, would you like to come see how the Egyptian exhibit is going?”
    â€œI’ve got to make a phone call,” Dr. Snood said. “Then I’ll come up for a quick look before my lunch meeting.”
    When they entered the exhibit hall a few minutes later, Pete broke into a huge grin. “This looks fantastic. I’m sure Dr. Snood will be pleased when he sees it.”
    Sam, who had been waiting with Jessie and Henry, said, “Oh, is he coming up?”
    â€œYes, he said he’d come up for a few minutes before his lunch meeting,” Pete said.
    Sam looked at her watch. “Is it lunchtime already? I’ve got to run.”
    â€œCan’t you stay a few minutes to talk to Dr. Snood?” asked Pete.
    â€œNo, I’m meeting with the man who’s designing the guide for the exhibit, and it may take all afternoon. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She went quickly into the prep room and grabbed her things. Then she was gone.
    Dr. Snood appeared in the doorway a moment later. He walked slowly around the room, looking at the freshly painted walls, the clean glass cases, and the paintings the children had helped put up.
    â€œI must admit, it does look nice in here,” he said in a tight voice, as if it were hard for him to say something nice. “And where is Dr. Dickerson?”
    â€œSam had to leave in a hurry,” Pete explained.
    â€œYou’d think our expensive Egyptian expert could make time to meet with me. We’re certainly paying enough,” he said. “Why are all the display cases empty?”
    â€œWe just cleaned them yesterday,” Jessie said. “Sam is going to arrange the pieces soon.”
    â€œSo I assume the artifacts are still in the prep room,” Dr. Snood said, heading in that direction.
    Pete turned to the kids. “I think he’s pleased. You’ve done a great job. Why don’t you take the afternoon off, and we’ll see you back here tomorrow.”
    â€œOkay,” Violet said. The Aldens went into the prep room to get their backpacks.

    Dr. Snood was there, standing beside one of the tables of artifacts. He was holding one of the gold cat statues, turning it slowly around in his hands. He had a dreamy smile on his face, as if he were thinking of something far