The Mission to Find Max: Egypt (3 page)
Read The Mission to Find Max: Egypt Online
Authors: Elizabeth Singer Hunt
Laser Burst:
The GPF's Laser Burst is a handheld laser that emits a powerful white light capable of slicing through almost anything. Perfect when you need to burn a quick hole, start a campfire or cut through something hard.
Map Mate:
When you're lost or need to get somewhere fast, use the GPF's Map Mate. This clever gadget receives signals from satellites in space to give you a map of any country or city in the world. It can also show you how to get from one place to another using directional arrows to guide the way.
Long-tail Boat:
The GPF's Long-tail Boat is perfect when you need to travel across long distances on water. Modelled after riverboats in Southeast Asia that use a long pole at the back for steering, the GPF's Long-tail Boat can travel at speeds of 50mph. After dropping the toy version into the water, it transforms to the real, full-sized thing. As soon as you step out it changes back to a toy.
Time Release Vapors:
Whenever another secret agent or trusted contact has been knocked out, use the Time Release Vapors to restore them to consciousness. Just open the tub, place a small amount of cream on your finger and rub it under the agent's nose. The vapors should work within seconds.
The Treasure Hunt
It was a Friday afternoon and Jack Stalwart was standing with his Fourth Grade class in the lobby of the British Museum in London. Not only did the British Museum hold more than one million artifacts from the ancient world, it didn't cost a thing to visit. Jack and his classmates were on a field trip studying its treasures.
âOK, everyone,' said Jack's history teacher, Mr Marshall. He was handing out pieces of paper to each pupil. âThe curator of the museum has arranged a treasure hunt for us.'
The students cheered and clapped.
âWe're going to split you into six teams,' he said. âThe first team to find all thirteen objects wins a prize.'
Mr Marshall organized his class into groups of three. Luckily for Jack, he was paired up with two of the cleverest pupils in the class, his best friends Richard and Charlie.
âLet's crush 'em,' said Richard.
âYeah,' said Charlie. âThey don't stand a chance.'
Mr Marshall looked at his watch. âTime starts'â he said as he waited for the second hand to pass the twelveâ ânow!'
Jack, Richard and Charlie quickly looked at the first clue on the paper:
A
VALUABLE KEY IN DECIPHERING
E
GYPTIAN HIEROGLYPHIC WRITING CAN BE FOUND IN
R
OOM
4. W
HAT IS IT CALLED?
âI know,' whispered Charlie, so the other teams couldn't hear. âIt's the Rosetta Stone.'
Not having to find Room 4 saved them some time. Jack scribbled the answer in the space next to question one. The second clue, however, was much harder.
W
HICH ISLAND IS FAMOUS FOR ITS STONE STATUES CALLED âMOAI'
? Y
OU CAN FIND THE ANSWER IN
R
OOM
24.
Jack, Richard and Charlie looked at each other blankly. According to the map, Room 24 was down the corridor ahead, next to the bookshop. They raced for it, and when they got there, they saw an enormous stone statue with the face of a man. Underneath it was a sign that said:
H
OA
H
AKANANAI'A
S
TATUE
F
ROM
E
ASTE
R I
SLAND
Richard noted the name âEaster' in the blank next to question two. Charlie read question three out loud:
I
N
31 BC
THIS EMPEROR CAPTURED
E
GYPT FOR THE
R
OMANS
. W
HO WAS HE
? V
ISIT
R
OOM 70 TO FIND OUT
.
Unfortunately Jack didn't know much about Greek or Roman history. The junior crime-fighting agency that Jack worked for, the GPF, had taught him many things, but most of it was practical stuff, like how to stop a bad guy from coming at you with a poison pen. He shrugged his shoulders at his friends and took the lead, climbing the stairs to the upper floor.
When the boys got to Room 70, they found themselves in the Roman Empire section. Perched on a pedestal in the middle of the room was the marble head of a man with glass eyes.
The sign underneath said:
A
UGUSTUS, WHO DEFEATED
M
ARK
A
NTONY AND
C
LEOPATRA
TO CLAIM
E
GYPT FOR THE
R
OMANS
âThat's it!' said Richard, scribbling down the name âAugustus'.
The boys carried on scouring the museum and finding the answers to the next nine questions. It took nearly forty-five minutes, but finally they were staring at question thirteen.
D
URING MUMMIFICATION, ANCIENT
E
GYPTIAN EMBALMERS PLACED THE ORGANS OF THE DECEASED IN âCANOPIC' JARS
. W
HICH BABOON-HEADED GOD'S JAR CONTAINED THE LIVER
? Y
OU CAN FIND THE ANSWER IN
R
OOM
62.
The trio were in a hurry now. There were at least four other groups nearby who were close to finishing the treasure hunt as well.
Jack, Richard and Charlie dashed up the steps to the third floor. Out of breath, they frantically looked for the answer to the question. But there was nothing obvious.
âLet's split up,' said Charlie. âI'll look over here,' he said, pointing to a collection of tall glass cases. âYou guys take the other side of the room.'
The boys separated. Soon Jack found himself gazing at treasures from the tombs of ancient Egyptian kings. One of them was a gilded chair from the tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamun, or King Tut. At the sight of that name, the hairs on Jack's arms stood straight up.