Rick patted the kitten in his pocket. He had replaced the one turned over to the intruder the night before. Now, as he told Scotty, only two orphan kittens needed homes. But placing the kittens didn't answer the questions that puzzled him. Why was the Egyptian cat important? And who were the people that wanted it?
There were things about the mystery that didn't add up. For instance, Fuad Moustafa had written a polite letter claiming the cat, but strictly impolite and violent efforts had been made to get it. And where were the brothers Moustafa?
Hassan drew to a stop before the great pyramid of Khufu. "We here. Want to go in?"
"In a while," Rick answered. "We'll take a look around outside, first."
The boys got out of the car and gazed upward at the incredible pile of masonry. The blocks were huge, weathered by centuries of wind and sand. Once the whole pyramid had been covered with a smooth facing of stone, but much of it had been destroyed by thieves trying to find the entrance to the Pharaoh's tomb.
Rick saw that the top of the lowermost course of blocks was covered with chips of the weathered stone. He picked up a couple and put them in his pocket. His rock collection at home could use a genuine piece of pyramid, and his sister Barby would like one for a paperweight.
"This could be climbed," Scotty said, gazing upward.
"Oh, yes," Hassan affirmed. "Some guides go up to top all the time. Can show you best way. You want to go?"
"Not now," Scotty said. "Let's look around first. But I'm going to climb this before we leave."
"And I'll be with you," Rick said.