Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris-Theo 2 by R. L. Lafevers, Yoko Tanaka Page A

private collections. That leaves thirteen more, exactly the number we had on display."
    "Biggs!" Inspector Turnbull barked out.
    "Yes sir?" The constable in charge hurried over.
    "You said there was a night watchman. Fetch him."
    "Of course, sir." The constable disappeared down the hallway while the rest of us waited in silence. Or tried to, anyway.
    "Hsst!"
    I whirled around, wondering what on earth could be making that sound.
    "Hsst!" came again, only this time I detected it was coming from behind one of the marble pillars. Glancing over my shoulder to make sure no one was paying any attention to
me, I sidled toward the column—cautiously, mind you, as I had no idea who (or what) was hissing at me.
    As I drew closer, a hand snaked out and grabbed me. The grimy hand sported an even grimier fingerless glove, but I bit back my surprised scream as I recognized the blue eyes dancing above a dirty button nose.
    Sticky Will.

CHAPTER SIX
That's the Way the Mummy Tumbles
    "W HAT ARE YOU DOING HERE ?" I hissed back at him. Instead of answering, Sticky Will pulled me behind the pillar, out of view of the others.
    With one last glance toward the foyer, he tugged his cap. "Ol' Wiggy sent me."
    "You mean Lord Wigmere?"
    "Aye. 'E wonts to talk to you." He grabbed my arm again and began pulling me down the south hallway.
    "You don't have to drag me! I would like to see Wigmere as much as he'd like to see me, you know."
    Will dropped my arm. "Right, then. This way. 'E's waiting just outside."
    When we reached the east entrance, my heart jerked against my ribs. It was unlocked. Was this how the mummies had gotten in?
    Will saw me eyeing the lock. "Couldn't come in the front, miss. Not with all them coppers in there," he added apologetically.
    "You picked the lock?"
    Will shuffled his feet and had the grace to blush a little. "Aye."
    I leaned closer to him and lowered my voice. "Could you teach me how to do that?"
    Will drew back in surprise. "Ye mean ye aren't mad at me?"
    "Goodness, no! As you said, Wigmere and I must talk. And you were on official business." My head reeled with the potential forbidden knowledge I'd have access to if I could pick locks.
    "Come on, miss. We shouldn't keep him waiting too long."
    "Right. But you will teach me? About the locks, I mean?"
    "Sure. Now come on."
    The air was cold and brisk, and since it was still early yet, there was little traffic out on the street. A tall, rather greasy-looking man in a tattered undertaker's coat and battered top hat was buying a pie from a pie seller's cart. Farther down,
an urchin loitered in a doorway. But other than that, no one was about, which was perfect.
    The Brotherhood's carriage lurked on the far side of the street, it's hulking form a deep, shiny black unmarked by any crest or insignia. I glanced once more around me, then hurried across to the carriage. When we reached it, Will rapped smartly on the door, then opened it.
    The head of the Brotherhood of the Chosen Keepers sat back against the cushion, his hands resting on his cane. The lines on his face seemed deeper this morning, and his eyes were serious. Here was someone who was very good at taking charge and knew just what to do about predicaments. "Good morning, sir."
    "Good morning, Theodosia," he said, motioning me inside. As I clambered up into the carriage and settled onto the plush velvet seat, he said to Will, "Keep an eye out. If anyone from the museum or police shows up, give two quick raps, then a hard knock."
    Wigmere turned his attention fully to me. "We received some news last night that I thought you ought to know. Plus, with this morning's unpleasantness all over the newspapers, it seemed a visit was in order."
    "oh, thank you, sir! This morning has been a bit dicey. Do you know who piled all those mummies up in our foyer?"
    "Well, no. Not exactly. But we do have confirmation that the Serpents of Chaos are back in London, just as we feared. In fact, I'd lay odds that someone from the Serpents of