Alex was quickly learning that the first step in hunting down a Death Walker or lost Egyptian antiquities was a stop at the closest museum. They skirted the edge of Tahrir Square and then hustled across the courtyard. It wasn’t safe to be out in the open for long, even so early in the morning. This was The Order’s home turf.

Still, Alex stared in wonder. Palm trees swayed overhead and the mighty Egyptian Museum loomed before them.

His mom had told him stories of this place the way other moms told stories of Winnie the Pooh, but its massive redbrick walls looked even more striking than he’d imagined. Large marble plaques along the front listed the dynasties of ancient Egypt. And inside, he knew, was an unmatched collection of the art and artifacts of that lost world.

“Yes, it’s beautiful,” said Todtman, clacking up behind him. “Now hurry!”

As they started up the steps to the grand archway at the entrance, the massive front door swung open like a bank vault. A stocky man in a rumpled suit appeared inside. “Quickly,” he said.

Alex looked behind him, checking to see if they were being followed. But then he realized that this man’s body language — blocking the door as if trying to keep a dog inside — indicated that he was less concerned about what might get into the museum than what might slip out.

The little group left the bright light and rising heat of Egypt’s present and was ushered into the cool, shadowy realm of Egypt’s past.

“I am Mr. Hesaan, and on behalf of the Supreme Council of Antiquities I welcome you!” said the man, stepping forward to shake Todtman’s hand. “Especially you, my old friend.”

But the welcome was cut short as the big door swung shut and a chorus of dry, skittering whispers rose up and faded like a swirl of dead leaves.

“Yes,” said the man, diligently turning a series of large locks with a ring of keys. “This place is haunted now. Quite haunted. The whole city is, but especially” — he clicked the last lock shut and turned back toward the massive hall — “this place.”

Alex’s eyes had adjusted to the dim light now, but the shadows remained deep, the silence charged, and the air heavy.

“Are we alone?” said Todtman.

Hesaan frowned. “We are never alone, I fear,” he said. “But there are no other people here. The other entrances are boarded shut, and that is the first time I’ve opened the main door today.”

Alex understood the rumpled suit now. “You slept here?”

“The treasures of Egypt must be protected,” said Hesaan with a shrug. “And no one else will stay. I sleep in my office with a cricket bat and swat away the shadows.”

Alex saw Ren shudder slightly and took a step closer to her.

“But now you are here!” said Hesaan, clapping Todtman on the back in a way that made him wince. “All of you. And you have more than cricket bats.”

“Cricket’s like baseball, right?” said Luke.

“Far superior,” said Hesaan, but his eyes were on everyone except Luke. “Three amulets in one place. I never thought I’d see this day.”

Hesaan’s eyes flicked toward the amulets hanging from Todtman’s and Ren’s necks. Alex wore his under his shirt. The polished stone and copper beetle was chunkier and more conspicuous than the others. Plus, he liked to think of it as a concealed weapon: the only one that could activate the Book of the Dead and banish the Death Walkers.

Hesaan’s eyes lingered for just a moment on the spot where the scarab rested under Alex’s shirt, then he straightened up and got to business. “So,” he said. “What is it you need from the Supreme Council?”

He was addressing Todtman, but the doctor had turned to look back at the front door for some reason. It unnerved Alex. The falcon amulet was known as the Watcher for a reason. If Todtman wasn’t ready to answer, though, Alex was.

“We are looking for the Lost Spells!” he said. But at exactly the same moment, Ren said: “We need the Book of the Dead.”

“You seem to need a great many things,” said Hesaan.

“Perhaps I can clarify,” said Todtman. Everyone listened carefully as the man who had led them this far laid out their next steps.

“We have already found and sent back two Death Walkers. There is another one in Cairo, that much seems clear, and to battle it, we would need the Book of the Dead.” He nodded toward Ren, who couldn’t resist giving a triumphant little nod in return.

But faster than Alex could say “teacher’s pet,” Todtman continued: “But I believe that without the Lost Spells — the spells that started all of this — we can only send the Walkers back to where they were before, clinging to the edge of the afterlife … waiting for another door to open …”

Alex risked a quick glance at Ren, who now looked slightly betrayed.

“You think they could come back,” said Hesaan.

The thought was like an icicle down Alex’s back.

“Yes,” said Todtman. “If our enemies get to the Lost Spells first, the Walkers will be beyond harm. The Order will be unstoppable.”

“I see,” said Hesaan as he began walking again, leading the little group deeper into the large, shadowy room.

“You said you might have some information?” asked Todtman.

“Yes,” Hesaan said, taking a look around to confirm that they were alone. “Dr. Bauer is here, in Egypt. Or at least she was.”

“Wait, what, where?” Alex blurted. His mother was here!

Hesaan looked at him, something like pity in his expression, and answered, “Her passport was scanned in Luxor, ten days ago. In the little airport there.”

“And then?” demanded Alex.

“And then nothing,” said Hesaan. “It is a much smaller city than Cairo — half empty these days with the trouble in the country — and the council has many people there, but there has been no further sign of her.”

“Why was she in Luxor?” said Todtman.

“I have a guess,” said Hesaan. “I believe she first found the Lost Spells near Luxor — in the Valley of the Kings.” Hesaan gestured down at a large table in front of him.

It was covered by a large, intricately detailed replica of a desert landscape, the hillsides and valleys cut away in places to reveal side views of underground chambers. Tombs. As Alex scanned the model, he recognized famous landmarks: the tomb chapel of Hatshepsut, cutaway views of the largest and most ornate tombs, and then one of the smallest but most important. The tomb of King Tutankhamun.

“Maggie got the Lost Spells from the Valley of the Kings?” said Todtman.

“I can’t say for sure,” admitted Hesaan. “But when she first brought them in, she arrived on an overnight train from the valley. She would not say exactly where she found the Spells when I asked. The spot had kept them safely hidden for thousands of years. She was protecting it.”

Todtman sized up Hesaan carefully. “You think she’s gone back to Luxor to return the Spells to their hiding place.”

Hesaan looked over at him. “Why else would she come back?”

A sudden, sharp noise echoed through the room. It was no phantom whisper this time. The big front door was swinging open!

Hesaan looked down at the keys he’d used to lock it, still in his hand.

Morning sun spilled into the murky gray of the museum. For a brief moment it clearly outlined a single figure: very thin, the skull of a lioness on her head.

“Peshwar,” Todtman whispered.

Then other figures rose up to join her.