“Every year year you say it will not be so, Sitt,” Abdullah pronounced glumly, “but every year it is the same — every year, another dead body.”

“But it isn’t the same!” Amelia cried, feeling the thrilling shadow of mystery momentarily eclipse the burning sun of archaeological fervor, “because this time there are two dead bodies — mere hours old! — overlapping in an 18th dynasty mummy case! And isn’t it fascinating how they are wrapped together in mimicry of ancient mummification techniques? We certainly don’t see that every year.”