‘Really, Lockland, didn’t you do this at school? You know – Carter and his discoveries?’

‘Of course I did it at school, but it was a long time ago and I never thought I’d actually be here.’

‘So what about the treasury?’

She looked around. There were no other doors. ‘What treasury?’

‘The last room.’

‘There aren’t any more doors.’

‘No – you can only access the treasury through the burial chamber.’

‘And you know that from your private visit, I suppose?’

‘Well, yes, but it is common knowledge.’

She flashed up the display on her visor. He was right.

Her heart started up again. ‘I’m going to have to go in there, aren’t I? Into the burial chamber. With . . .’

‘’Fraid so.’

‘Can’t I just stay here and . . . ?’ She tailed off as the implications sank in.

‘Exactly. So when Grint asks if you’ve cleared the tomb, you’ll say – in front of everyone – “Yes, I mostly cleared it.” Then he’ll say, “What do you mean, you mostly cleared it?” and you’ll have to admit – in front of everyone – that you wimped out and left the last room – the room most likely to be occupied – unchecked. He won’t say anything, but he won’t have to, because that’s the moment he – and everyone else – will decide you’re not worth bothering with. I don’t suppose you’ve yet done much in your young and blameless life to be ashamed of, but on those long, dark nights when you can’t sleep, you’ll remember and regret this moment. Trust me, Jane, this is the moment that will define you for the rest of your life.’

Something flared inside her. ‘That’s all very well for you to say. You’re . . .’ She stopped. Luke was out there all alone, facing whatever might come out of the night. He was as exposed as she was.

She sighed, moved aside a probably priceless wooden chest and scrambled through the entrance, down into the burial chamber itself.

His voice was sharp with alarm. ‘I’m what? For God’s sake, Lockland, don’t break off like that. I thought the jackal god had got you.’

The burial chamber was filled with Tutankhamun’s shrine. She left one lightstick behind her to light the way out and cautiously edged her way around the wall. It still felt damp to her touch. The smell of mould was very strong in here. She wiped her hand on her trousers and worked her way slowly around the shrine until she arrived at the dark entrance to the treasury.

Taking a deep breath, she snapped another stick and tremblingly thrust it through the opening. If there was anyone in here with her, then this was his or her last hiding place.

She held the stick high and found herself eye to eye with a black-faced jackal.