英语小说网

"For a thousand years," said the ghost-queen, "I have waited for help."

"My brother hid the Book of the Dead. So tomb robbers would not steal it," said the ghost-queen. "Then he carved this secret message on the wall, telling me how to find it." She pointed to the wall.

"Poisonous snakes," said the ghost-queen. "Lakes of fire. Monsters. Demons."

"Before I journey on to the Next Life, I must pass through the horrors of the Underworld."

"Why do you need the Book of the Dead?" asked Annie. She didn't sound scared at all.

But Jack could only stare in horror.

Jack's heart was pounding so hard he thought he might faint.

"A ghost," Annie whispered.

"Yes," said Annie.

Jack still couldn't speak.

The ghost began to speak. She spoke in a hollow, echoing voice.

"It will tell me the magic spells I need to get through the Underworld," said the ghost-queen.

"What kinds of horrors?" Annie asked.

"I am Hutepi," she said. "Queen of the Nile. Is it true that you have come to help me?"

"The Underworld?" said Annie.

"Oh." Annie stepped closer to Jack.

"Someone must find my Book of the Dead," she said. "I need it to go on to the Next Life."

Jack was still in shock. He couldn't move.

"Oh, man," he whispered.

"Oh, that's not a strange problem," said Annie. "Jack can't see anything either. That's why he wears glasses."

"Jack, lend her your glasses," said Annie.

The ghost-queen stared in wonder at Jack.

"Hieroglyphs!" said Jack, finally finding his voice. "It's the ancient Egyptian way of writing. It's like writing with pictures."

Jack took his glasses off his nose. He held them out to the ghost-queen.

"Where?" asked Annie. "Here?" She squinted at the wall. "What do these tiny pictures mean?"

Jack smiled back at her. He put his glasses on. Then he stepped toward the wall and took a good long look.

The ghost-queen smiled at him. "Thank you, Jack," she said.

"But perhaps you will describe the hieroglyphs on these walls," said the ghost-queen.

She backed away from him. "I fear I cannot wear your glasses, Jack," she said. "I am made of air."

"Hi-row-who?" said Annie.

The ghost-queen smiled sadly. "Alas, my brother forgot my strange problem. I cannot see clearly that which is close to my eyes. I have not been able to read his message for a thousand years."

"Oh. I forgot," said Annie.