The Mummy's Curse by Penny Warner

hand.
    â€œI said, let me see that,” Dr. Jordan repeated.
    â€œWhy?” Ms. Cassatt said.
    â€œI just want to make sure it’s authentic.”
    Ms. Cassatt looked like a frightened cat trapped by a threatening dog. Her green eyes widened to the size of quarters. Slowly she opened her hand, revealing the artifact.
    Dr. Jordan took it from her and flipped it over. Underneath were tiny carved hieroglyphs. But this Eye was different from the Eye the kids had first seen in the Life Studies room.

    Code Buster’s Key and Solution found on this page , this page .
    â€œHmm,” he muttered. He reached into his deep lab coat pocket, brought out his magnifying glasses, and put them on. After studying the small insignia, he withdrew a knife and scraped a small piece off the back. Then he removed his glasses and frowned. “There’s real infiltration of the corrosion on the epidermis of the bronze metal, which cannot be faked.”
    Cody had no clue what he’d just said, other than the words “cannot be faked.”
    â€œThis symbol,” he continued, looking at theinscription, “is the name of the god of hieroglyphs.” He steadied his gaze on Ms. Cassatt. “I’d still have to do a few more tests, but I think this Eye of Horus is authentic. Where’s your necklace, Mirabel?”
    Ms. Cassatt gave a nervous laugh. “I don’t know. The chain broke and I put it down somewhere. It’s only a replica. You know that.”
    â€œCheck your pockets,” Dr. Jordan said.
    â€œWhat? I’m not going to—”
    â€œYou made Cody do it,” Luke said. “Now you should, too.”
    â€œThere’s nothing in my pockets,” Ms. Cassatt said. Her face had gone white.
    â€œYes, there is,” M.E. said, pointing to the small bulge in Ms. Cassatt’s pants pocket.
    Ms. Cassatt shook her head, then reached into her pocket and withdrew a gold chain. But no pendant.
    â€œIt’s the chain,” Ms. Cassatt said, glaring at M.E. “So what?”
    â€œSo where’s the Eye that was hanging from it?” Quinn asked.
    â€œI told you a minute ago, I put it down somewherewhen the chain broke. You’re not implying that—”
    Dr. Jordan took the chain from Ms. Cassatt’s hand and examined it. “There’s nothing wrong with this chain.”
    â€œI’m telling you, it broke! I took the amulet off and set it down. I must have lost it. As I said, it was only a replica. It may have looked real, but I have a friend who makes excellent copies.”
    Dr. Jordan stared at Ms. Cassatt. “You know a forger?”
    Ms. Cassatt grunted. “I wouldn’t call him that. He’s an artist.”
    â€œMost forgers are artists, Mirabel,” Dr. Jordan said. He shook his head, as if disappointed in his colleague.
    â€œDon’t twist this around, Malik,” Ms. Cassatt said. “I mean, maybe it was
you
who stole the Eye from the case and switched it with a fake. You have a key, just like me. And you know a lot about forgeries. Maybe
you
slipped the real one into that poor girl’s pocket to make it look like she did it. Yes, maybe
you’re
the thief, Malik Jordan.”
    â€œWell, let’s call the police and have them settle this, then, shall we?” Dr. Jordan said.
    But before he could get out his cell phone, Ms. Cassatt grabbed the amulet and ran from the room.

L ock down!” Dr. Jordan called out as he ran after Ms. Cassatt. The kids and Ms. Stad followed him. Dr. Jordan grabbed the phone from the reception desk and repeated the urgent phrase through the intercom. His voice echoed throughout the museum.
    Within seconds, two security guards arrived, keys jangling from their hands. The one with SIMON WOOD on his name tag ran to the front door and locked it,while the other one, DEBORAH WEINSTEIN , said, “Back doors are secure. What’s happened?”
    â€œHave you seen