Free The Adventures of Phineas Frakture by Joseph Gatch Page A

average run-of-the-mill mummy that other explorers have found. Although finding gold and treasures would be fine for some greedy grave robbers, I believe that our find surpassed those ten-fold. Runes deciphered at the dig site showed this man to be one of remarkable means and talent; inasmuch that his importance had actually surpassed the pharaoh himself.
    “Now, what mummy wouldn’t be complete without a curse?” Cavanaugh looked around, building suspense while running his hand down the hieroglyphics inscribed on the lid. For effect, a stagehand made the lights flicker, and Cavanaugh gasped dramatically. “The inscription reads: ‘Rest in eternal slumber. For the key to eternal life shall bring despair in disturbing him’. It was apparent from the moment that we unearthed this treasure of treasures that we were going to be facing difficulty at every turn. First, tunnels collapsed as we tried to remove the sarcophagus, trapping myself and several of my assistants inside the tomb! It was only through my valiant and heroic efforts that I led my team to safety! Then, storms, power failures, and even unexplained deaths of members of my team plagued our endeavor! Even my faithful companion, Mitzi, was not immune to the curse. My poor baby was struck down for a week with a case of dysentery.”
    A photo of a small, white, fluffy dog appeared on the screen, invoking a round of ‘awws’ from the audience, while Cavanaugh held his hand over his heart and tried to look sad. He indicated to the men to stand ready at the sides of the sarcophagus, and, with a flourish of his hand, they took hold of the lid and pulled it from its base.
    “Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Steamhotep, Machinist of the Pharaohs!”

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    There was a collective gasp from the crowd as the mummy was revealed. A few cries from some of the ladies, faint of heart, rang out as they collapsed from the sight before them. Abigail and Phineas, on the other hand, were already out of their seats and leaning on the stage to get a closer look at the body before them.
    Steamhotep, as Cavanaugh called him, was a blend of both man and machine. Clockwork was visible through ragged holes in his desiccated, mummified flesh underneath the ancient bandage wraps. An ocular implant covered his left eye, and his left arm had been replaced below the elbow by a prosthetic limb, ending in a spanner wrench that matched the decoration on the sarcophagus lid.
    “Amazing,” murmured Abigail as she took in the sight before them.
    “Simply amazing,” said Cavanaugh’s voice above them.
    Phineas looked up to see Cavanaugh leering down at them, or rather at Abigail. Phineas scowled and pulled her back to their seats.
    “Yes, simply amazing,” Cavanaugh repeated, much louder this time. “The scientific community now has its proof that the Egyptians were far ahead of their time in technology. But was this man a normal sample of their technology or something far more? This is the question that now plagues us. If there is one, there are bound to be others. We need to find out if this is true. Based on the evidence before you, I intend to embark upon a new expedition to further our knowledge of these ancient inventors so that we may surpass what they knew!”
    “What a dolt,” said Phineas to William. “We already have surpassed those primitives a hundred-fold, and he acts like they held the secrets of Atlantis.”
    Cavanaugh continued by giving the audience a huge smile. “Of course, an expedition of this magnitude will not be cheap. Although I am a man of affluent means, I cannot fund such an undertaking on my own, and benefactors are an important part of the discovery process. You can further science and our understanding of history by finding it in your hearts to assist us. In return, you will receive a certificate and an autographed photograph of me , suitable for framing! Donations for the expedition will be taken on your way out. Please give generously to further