Ardeth Bay was in the final stages of collating a stack of papers when Alex, Yanit and Fadil entered his room. Ardeth put the papers into his desk drawer before fixing his three visitors with a look.

'Alex, I suppose it would be useless to say that it was just you yourself that I wanted to talk to?' he said.

'It sure would,' said Alex. 'If you send a message telling me that you want to talk about something incredibly important, you shouldn't be surprised when the entire Supreme Council turns up in response.'

'No, I'm not surprised,' said Ardeth. 'I actually have two pieces of news for you, Alex, and at least one of them might easily be classed as a private matter, but I don't suppose that makes a difference?'

'There's nothing you can tell me that I don't want Yanit and Fadil to hear,' Alex said firmly.

'Very well, then,' said Ardeth. 'The two pieces of information fall rather nicely into the categories of good news and bad news.'

'Oh no,' said Fadil, 'that's never a good start to a conversation!'

'These hot-off-the-press news items were brought to my attention while I was at the telegraph office in Cairo this morning, in two separate telegrams,' said Ardeth. 'I'll tell you about the good-news telegram first. It was from your father, and it informed me that your mother gave birth to a healthy baby boy yesterday morning.'

Alex gasped, and clutched at Yanit for support. Yanit and Fadil both adopted large grins, and started to squeeze and pat Alex in congratulation.

'Oh my God,' Alex breathed. 'I... I have a brother! And I am a brother! You're right, Ardeth – that really is good news!'

'Your father went on to suggest that he should take you back to London for an extended stay, as you and your parents have previously discussed,' said Ardeth. 'He proposed to pick you up in the Zephyr at first light the day after tomorrow, so I took the liberty of sending a reply saying that you would be pleased to fall in with this arrangement. I trust that I did the right thing?'

'Um... yes,' said Alex. 'Yes, I'll certainly be pleased to do that. You won't mind if I stay away for a few weeks, will you? Ardeth, you can take my place on the Supreme Council. I'll come straight back if there's an emergency, of course, but -'

'Alex, we can cope without you for as long as you need us to,' said Ardeth. 'It's time you went home for a while anyway. Go and meet your brother, and spend some quality time with your parents and your uncle. We can deal with any situation that might arise. And while we're on that subject, it's time for the bad news.'

'I knew it,' said Fadil. 'One moment we're all jumping for joy; the next...'

'The second telegram was from an old friend of mine who works for the Egyptian military near the ruined city of Hamanaptra,' said Ardeth. 'I'm sure you well remember the significance of that place, Alex.'

'The City of the Dead,' said Alex.

'Exactly,' said Ardeth. 'My friend tells me that there has been some activity around Imhotep's tomb over the past few days. Nothing that's obviously mummy-related, mind you – just figures moving around and strange lights coming from the crypt and that sort of thing. I replied to the telegram to say that the Medjai would investigate immediately.'

'I'll say we will!' said Alex, punching his right fist into his left palm. 'Ardeth, I can't possibly go home until this is straightened out! The Minotaur said we hadn't seen the last of Imhotep, even after I threw him into the Underworld, and now -'

'It may not be Imhotep, Alex,' said Ardeth. 'It may just be tomb robbers, or career-driven Egyptologists making an in-depth documentary for the newsreels, or -'

'It's Imhotep – I can feel it!' said Alex. 'We obviously need to find a more permanent way of dealing with him, and we need to do it right now!'

'I propose that I myself should lead an expedition of twenty Medjai to Hamanaptra at first light tomorrow,' said Ardeth. 'We shall investigate the situation fully, then report back to you.'

'That's a pretty good plan, Ardeth,' said Alex, 'but I think it just needs one small adjustment. You will take your posse to Hamanaptra at first light tomorrow, but Yanit, Fadil and I will already be there, and we'll report back to you about what's going on!'

'I had a feeling you'd say something like that,' Ardeth sighed. 'Alex, I -'

'Yanit, will you fly me to Hamanaptra right now?' said Alex. 'I can navigate – I know exactly where it is. We have about two hours of daylight left; it should be plenty of time.'

'Yes, Alex,' Yanit said, without any sign of hesitation. 'Yes, I'll certainly do that for you.'

'Fadil, will you come with us?' Alex asked.

'Of course I will, Alex,' said Fadil, 'if you're sure you want me along.'

'I'm sure, buddy,' said Alex, clapping Fadil on the shoulder. 'Okay, let's get ourselves ready and then rendezvous in Rupert's hangar as soon as possible. Ardeth, we'll see you in Hamanaptra tomorrow morning, okay?'

'I'll be there, Alex,' said Ardeth, 'but are you sure -'

'There's no time for me not to be sure!' said Alex. 'If Imhotep's back then I have to find him and I have to deal with him, and that's all there is to it!'

'I wish you bon voyage, then,' said Ardeth.

'Thanks, Ardeth,' said Alex.

Fadil was pulling on a pair of boots whilst looking down at a large book in his lap. Safin was sitting on the edge of Fadil's bed, watching him closely.

'So, you're going to fight that mummy who made the cave fall on me when he wanted to get the giant spider?' Safin ventured.

'Um... possibly,' said Fadil, adjusting the position of his right leg to prevent his book from falling on the floor. 'We're going to find out what's happening at his tomb, anyway.'

'Are you taking that book with you?' asked Safin.

'No,' said Fadil, 'but Alex said we needed to find a way to put Imhotep out of action for good, and I was reminded of something in the Medjai Encyclopedia that could be of use.'

'What is it?'

'One of the Medjai artefacts that Alex's grandfather brought back with him a few months ago. I might be completely wrong, of course – that wouldn't surprise me at all – but if I'm right, it could be just what Alex is looking for.'

'You must tell him about it, then,' said Safin.

'Yes,' said Fadil, as he finally finished worming his feet into his boots. 'Yes, I must. It's just that he was in such a hurry to leave, and I think perhaps -'

'Fadil, aren't you ready yet?' Alex asked with a hint of impatience, as he stuck his head around the door. 'Yanit's got the plane ticking over and I've loaded the weapons, so we're just waiting for you.'

'Yes, I am ready, Alex,' said Fadil. 'But you know, I think I may have the beginnings of a plan to -'

'I don't have time for plans!' Alex cut in. 'Just haul your butt down to that hangar right now!'

Alex disappeared into the corridor. Fadil looked at the book he had been studying, shrugged, and made to follow Alex.

'You need to tell him what you've found out,' said Safin. 'I'm sure it is a good plan, Fadil.'

'Oh, I don't know so much,' said Fadil. 'Maybe I am barking up the wrong tree. I'll tell Alex about it in the plane and see what he thinks.'

'But then you'll have to come back here to get the artefact,' said Safin. 'It would save time in the long run if you told him right now.'

'But he... he won't listen to me! He's just not in the mood at the moment.'

'You must make him listen to you, bro. It is important he does so, and I think you know that really.'

Fadil nodded, adopted a determined expression and ran out into the corridor.

'Alex!' he called. 'Alex, you need to come back here right now! I have an excellent plan that could help us defeat Imhotep for good! We shouldn't just rush in blindly, right?'

Fadil came back into the room, and fixed Safin with an uncertain look.

'He is coming back,' said Fadil, 'but he doesn't look happy.'

'Just stick to your guns, Fadil,' Safin advised. 'I believe in you, my brother.'

'Fadil, what the hell are you going on about?' said Alex, as he stormed into the room. 'We don't have time to -'

'We don't have time to make any mistakes where Imhotep is concerned!' said Fadil. 'Alex, if he really is there, and we really can stop him for good...'

'What's your plan?' said Alex, raising one eyebrow.

'When you mentioned that we needed a permanent way to deal with Imhotep, I was reminded of one of the artefacts that your grandfather brought back,' said Fadil. 'Look, here is its entry in the Medjai Encyclopedia – the Sceptre of Djed! Isn't Djed supposed to make dead things – like Imhotep – stay dead permanently?'

'Um... yes,' said Alex. 'Everyone knows that Ankh is the Ancient Egyptian symbol for eternal life, but not everyone knows that Djed is kind of the opposite of Ankh. It symbolises the order and harmony that's achieved when life runs into death, like it's supposed to. It's sometimes known as the Spine of Osiris.'

'And so the Sceptre of Djed has the power to stop the undead, because they have ruined the order and harmony of our world by refusing to stay dead!' said Fadil. 'Look at this illustration, Alex – it shows the Sceptre being placed on top of a sarcophagus, then it seems to have sprouted these metal bands and wrapped itself around the casket, presumably to keep imprisoned whatever undead monster is inside! It's a confining structure working in conjunction with a powerful magic symbol, you see.'

'Imhotep has a stone sarcophagus very like that one at Hamanaptra,' Alex mused. 'If he is there, and we can get him into it and place the Sceptre of Djed on top...'

'It may seem like a stab in the dark,' said Fadil, 'but surely it would be worth taking the Sceptre along with us, just in case? Who knows, maybe we'll end up bringing Imhotep back here in a Djed-locked sarcophagus and we can bury him in concrete, just like the Scarab Amulet and the Black Egg!'

'Fadil, I... I'm sorry I didn't listen to you before,' said Alex. 'It's an excellent plan and it's definitely worth trying. You go down to the treasury and get the Sceptre, then come along to the hangar to join me and Yanit.'

Alex clapped Fadil on the back, then he went on his way. Safin smiled.

'There,' he said, 'I knew Alex would like your plan!'

'Thank you for your help, Saf,' said Fadil. 'I'll see you when we get back.'

'Yes, well just make sure that you do, okay?' said Safin. 'I want you to promise me you'll be careful out there, Fadil. It would break my heart if you were the one who came back in a sarcophagus.'

Fadil dropped to his knees by the bed and threw his arms around his brother, who hugged him tightly in return.

'Oh, Safin,' Fadil exhaled into his ear, 'I promise you I will be most careful, and that you and I shall be together again very soon.'

'I believe you, Fadil,' Safin whispered back. 'Go, then – save the world from Imhotep!'

Alex entered the hangar and came up to Yanit, who had just finished opening the external doors.

'Is Rupert ready to roll?' said Alex.

'As ready as he'll ever be,' said Yanit. 'Where's Fadil? We're wasting daylight.'

'He's fetching something that could help us,' said Alex. 'We need to wait for him, Yanit – you'll have to trust me on this one.'

'I trust you on every one, Alex,' said Yanit, smiling at him.

'I know you do,' said Alex, smiling back. 'Listen, Yanit, now that we have a moment alone together, there's something I want to ask you. I mean, there's something I'm wondering if you'd want to do with me.'

'Whatever you're going to suggest, Alex, I can pretty much guarantee that I will want to do it with you.'

'I sure hope so. Yanit, when I go home to meet my baby brother and spend some time with my family – whether it's the day after tomorrow or a little later than that, depending on how things go at Hamanaptra – how would you like to come with me?'

Yanit was nonplussed. She stared at Alex for several seconds, then she reached up to stroke his cheek.

'Alex, it's a wonderful idea and I'd dearly love to say yes,' said Yanit, 'but to be honest with you, I'm not so sure that it's the right thing to do. You're going to meet your baby brother for the first time – that's a very special experience for you and I'm sure you don't really want me hanging around while you're having it!'

'Yanit, I want you hanging around me all the time, for the rest of my life!'

'But what about your family? They haven't really spent any time with you for the best part of a year! They'll want you to themselves for a while, I'm sure.'

'You're my family now, Yanit. Don't you know that?'

'Yes, I do know that, Alex. But still, I think I would feel out of place on this occasion. The four of you will be together as a family for the very first time – your parents and their two sons – and I can't help thinking that I would be... well, an intruder.'

'I'm sure Uncle Jonathan doesn't see it like that,' said Alex. 'He'll certainly be there with the rest of us, so why shouldn't you?'

'Alex, I do want to meet your family properly, and I do want to be a part of it, but perhaps this occasion is not the right time to start,' said Yanit. 'I know that your offer is completely sincere and that my presence would not be resented by your kind and loving relatives, but I really do feel that I should... well, that I should leave you alone this first time.'

'Okay; I won't keep going on about it if you feel that way,' said Alex. 'But I want you to know that the offer will remain open until the Zephyr actually takes off with me in it... no, until it disappears over the horizon and we can't see the Academy anymore!'

'Then I'll refrain from giving you my final answer until after we've dealt with Imhotep,' said Yanit. 'If, indeed, that's what we end up having to do in Hamanaptra! Of course, if I do come to England with you, we'll have to consider the matter of who will take my place on the Supreme Council. Ardeth can't do it because he's already taking yours, and I don't think it would quite be the Minotaur's cup of tea!'

'Rashid can do it,' said Alex. 'I'm sure he's ready for a challenge like that, and he'd definitely thrive on the responsibility.'

'Yeah, well... I guess so,' said Yanit. 'Come on, let's get inside Rupert, then we'll be ready to take off as soon as Fadil arrives.'

'Okay,' said Alex.

'What are you looking for?'

Fadil turned away from the array of treasure to see the Minotaur approaching him.

'The Sceptre of Djed,' said Fadil. 'We're taking it to Hamanaptra – Alex, Yanit and I. There's been some activity around Imhotep's tomb, so we're going to check it out.'

'Imhotep...' the Minotaur muttered. 'Yes, that could indeed develop into a very serious situation. Does Alex have plans to use the Sceptre to trap him?'

'It's my plan, actually,' said Fadil.

'It is an excellent plan, at least potentially – I congratulate you.'

'Thanks. So, er... where's the Sceptre?'

The Minotaur stepped back into the shadows of the cave, then emerged a few seconds later with the Sceptre of Djed in his hand.

'Be careful with it, won't you?' he said. 'It may have hidden powers in addition to those outlined in the Medjai Encyclopedia.'

'We'll take great care,' said Fadil, 'I promise.'

The Minotaur nodded, then he handed the Sceptre of Djed to Fadil. Fadil flashed him a grateful smile and then dashed from the cave.

Alex peered over the side of the plane, desperately willing his eyes to adjust to the encroaching darkness.

'That's it!' Alex yelled over the sound of the plane's engine. 'That must be it! It's right down there, Yanit!'

'I'll have to take your word for that, Alex!' Yanit called over her shoulder. 'We're out of light! I can't see a damn thing!'

'It's my fault!' Fadil exclaimed. 'I spent too long devising my plan and fetching the Sceptre!'

'It's a good plan, Fadil, and I just bet we'll be able to use it!' said Alex, squeezing Fadil's shoulder reassuringly. 'We managed to fly to Hamanaptra in the daylight – that was our goal, and we did it!'

'Unfortunately we don't have nearly enough fuel to keep circling until it's light enough to actually land again!' Yanit pointed out. 'I can't just take us in blind like this – we might crash into a building or... or anything might happen, really!'

'Any alternative suggestions?' Alex called to her.

'I need some kind of a flare to light up the ground below, if only for a few seconds!' said Yanit. 'Then at least I'd know vaguely where to aim for!'

'Alex, can you shoot a beam of light from the Manacle of Osiris?' said Fadil.

'Um... yeah, I don't see why not!' Alex replied. 'Good plan, Fadil! You're just full of them today, aren't you?'

Alex stuck his right hand out of the plane and pointed it towards the ground.

'Show us the way!' Alex yelled at his wrist. 'Show us now, I command you!'

A shower of golden light exploded from the Manacle and illuminated the scene below. Yanit peered over the side of the plane and tried to get her bearings. The light quickly faded away.

'That trick didn't last very long!' Fadil remarked.

'Was it long enough, Yanit?' said Alex.

'Oh God, I hope so!' Yanit called back. 'Okay, I'm bringing us in now!'

Yanit pulled the plane around in a semicircle and then rapidly started to reduce the vehicle's altitude. The wheels made contact with the desert sand and Yanit slammed on the brakes. Alex and Fadil winced as several ruined buildings rushed past them on either side, but Yanit kept her eyes trained straight ahead. A few seconds later, the plane came to a smooth stop and Yanit switched off the engine.

'Wow,' said Alex, 'well done, Yanit!'

'Piece of cake,' said Yanit, flashing him a grin. 'So, should we go exploring and see what we can find?'

'Yes, let's do that,' said Alex.

'Shall I bring the Sceptre of Djed, Alex?' asked Fadil.

'No; leave it in Rupert for now,' said Alex. 'We'll do a little reconnaissance first, but let's each take a staff and a dagger, okay?'

'Okay, Alex,' said Yanit and Fadil.

Alex came to a sudden stop and pulled Yanit and Fadil against a wall.

'What's up?' said Yanit.

'I thought I heard a voice,' said Alex.

They all listened intently. Sure enough, the sound of a human voice was becoming more and more audible by the second. Alex ushered his companions around the other side of the wall, then they all peered around the corner to see a figure coming into view.

'Investigate that engine noise, discover the origin of that flash of light, do this, do that!' it was muttering to itself as it trudged through the ruins. 'Treats me like a bloody slave!'

'Oh my God, it's Colin Weasler!' Alex breathed. 'That's a sure sign that Imhotep's around here if ever there was one!'

'So... so what do we do?' said Fadil.

'We ask our friend there a few questions,' said Alex. 'You two go around the back and cut him off.'

Yanit and Fadil nodded, then they slunk away behind the wall. Alex gave them a few seconds to get into position, then he leapt out from behind the wall and placed himself directly in Weasler's path.

'Argh! Oh, no!' Weasler wailed, as he came to a grinding halt. 'This is impossible – it wasn't supposed to happen this way!'

He turned to run, but found that his path was blocked by Yanit and Fadil. He let out a whimper. Alex grabbed him by the shoulder and turned him round.

'Where is he?' Alex asked coolly.

'You... you don't know what you're getting yourself into here, kid!' Weasler said. 'You'll never defeat him – not permanently! The Master and I are just about to bring the world to its knees! We shall -'

Weasler was forced to stop speaking as Alex grabbed him by the throat and hoisted him into the air.

'I said,' Alex purred in the same untroubled tone, 'where is he?'

Weasler's legs flailed in the air and he let out a series of high-pitched whimpers. Alex tightened his grip on his captive's throat, causing him to choke and gasp for air.

'Where is he?' he said again.

'Alex,' Yanit said gently, 'he won't be able to answer you if you choke him to death first.'

Alex hurled Weasler to the ground, where he lay in a crumpled heap.

'Answer my question, Weasler,' said Alex.

'You... you got lucky in Gibraltar, O'Connell,' Weasler choked out, staring up at Alex with a hate-filled expression. 'Did you really think a few Medjai magic tricks would get rid of the mighty Imhotep for good? I knew we could still rule the world together, the Master and I. So I came back to Hamanaptra, and after months of tireless searching, I found it!'

'What did you find?' Alex demanded.

'The Book of the Dead!' Weasler declared triumphantly.

'I thought it was destroyed,' said Alex.

'No,' said Weasler. 'Just lost, deep underground. But I found it, didn't I? And I found a way to use it to bring Imhotep back to life via his eternal resting place! Whoever said that Colin Weasler is a useless worm was sorely mistaken!'

'Half-mistaken,' said Alex. 'You're clearly not useless, but you definitely are a worm.'

Yanit and Fadil laughed. Weasler scowled.

'I don't get why you'd want to bring Imhotep back anyway,' said Alex. 'He treats you like crap!'

'At least he treats me like something!' said Weasler. 'That's more than anyone else ever did. My life has no meaning without him... but with him, I can bring the world to its knees!'

'You're deluded, Weasler,' said Alex. 'You always have been and you probably always will be. We'll have to work out what to do with you later, but in the meantime, you still haven't answered my question. Where is he?'

Weasler made a big show of closing his mouth and turning his eyes away. Alex kicked him in the stomach. Weasler yelled.

'You can tell me where he is right now,' said Alex, 'or I'll totally kick your ass and then go find him anyway. What's it to be?'

'He's in the tomb!' Weasler spat. 'You know the place, O'Connell – the one where he tied you to the altar and tried to remove the Manacle of Osiris from your wrist. How I wish my dear Master had gotten around to cutting you into pieces that day, and saved us all a heap of trouble!'

Alex gave Weasler a withering look, then he kicked him in the stomach again. Weasler went skidding across the sand and crashed into a wall.

'You know where he means, Alex?' said Yanit.

'Yeah, I know the place,' said Alex. 'Can one of you take Weasler back to the plane? I put some rope in the hold – tie him up and stick him in there for now, okay?'

'Er... where is he?' said Fadil.

'Oh, God damn it!' said Alex, noticing that Weasler had slipped away.

'I'll go after him, Alex,' said Yanit. 'Don't worry – I'll soon have him back in Rupert.'

'You go with her, Fadil,' said Alex.

'No, Fadil, you should go with Alex,' said Yanit. 'Imhotep is the greater threat – you shouldn't go to face him alone, Alex. I can deal with Weasler.'

Alex nodded, and squeezed Yanit's shoulder. They set off in different directions, with Fadil following closely behind Alex.

Alex and Fadil peered around the doorway of Imhotep's tomb. The large stone chamber was flooded with torchlight, revealing the open sarcophagus at the far end. Imhotep himself was curled up on the floor, apparently asleep.

'The sarcophagus!' Fadil exclaimed. 'It looks so simple, Alex! All we have to do is dump him in the casket and then -'

'I agree that it looks simple,' said Alex, 'but that's just when things are likely to start getting tough. Fadil, I want you to go back to Rupert and fetch the Sceptre of Djed.'

'But Imhotep -'

'I'll deal with Imhotep,' said Alex. 'I just need you to be ready with the Sceptre when the moment comes, okay?'

Fadil nodded, clapped Alex on the back and went on his way. Adopting a determined expression, Alex entered the tomb and stalked towards Imhotep. When he was about five metres away, the mummy's eyes snapped open.

'What?' he growled. 'No! No, this is impossible! You can't be here! It doesn't make sense for you to be here! I refuse to accept that you are here!'

'That was always your problem, refusing to accept the reality of the situation when you're beaten,' said Alex. 'Now why don't you make this easier on both of us and just surrender without a fight, huh?'

'A fight?' said Imhotep. 'You mock me with your words, boy. I am not in a fit state to oppose the Supreme Medjai in a physical fight – how could I even consider taking you on under these circumstances?'

'Well,' Alex said with a confident smile, 'I'm glad to see you've finally come to terms with your own limitations.'

In a sudden flurry of movement, Imhotep leapt to his feet, grabbed hold of Alex and hurled him across the room. Alex slammed chest-first into the wall and felt all the breath being driven from his body.

'And I am equally glad to see that you have not!'

Imhotep launched himself across the cave and sliced his claw-like fingers into Alex's shoulder-blades. The skin and muscle were penetrated as Imhotep burrowed through to the bone. Alex cried out in agony; Imhotep sneered.

'I knew you would come here,' the mummy whispered into his captive's ear, 'and I knew you would underestimate me! You may be the Supreme Medjai, but I am Imhotep, many times the conqueror of death... and now, at last, the instrument of your long overdue demise!'

Imhotep wrenched Alex away from the wall and launched him into the air again. Alex's agonised shrieks filled the tomb as a large amount of flesh was torn from his back by the mummy's claws.

'Ah, that I should live again to see this day!' Imhotep chuckled. 'Finally we shall both fulfil our destinies – mine has always been to kill you, and yours has always been to die at my hand!'