The adventures of Tintin, Malory and Snowy.

Tintin, Malory and the cigars of the Pharaoh. (2)

Some vacation...

No One POV:

"Just think, Thomson! We've flown all this way to arrest our friends." One of the men in the little motorboat told his friend as the rope ladder reached them.

"There are no friends in our line of work, Thompson." The other man replied as his partner started climbing up and he hurried to follow him.

"So true, Thomson, so true! WHOA!" Thompson replied as he stopped for a minute and suddenly lost his balance, landing on Thomson and almost causing the both of them to fall as they gasped in surprise and fright.

Malory POV:

"Did you hear that?" I asked Tintin as I looked up from the photo and the book in my hand.

"Hear what?" Tintin asked as he looked up from his stuff.

I tried listening more for a few moments but the noise was gone.

"Nothing, I thought I just heard the detectives." I told him and we went back to our works.

"So, did you figure out what's bothering you about the doctor's papyrus yet?" He asked as he put another shirt in his suitcase.

"Mmm... no, not really... I'm just wondering why out of all the symbols this one was marked like that. I mean, look at this, Tintin! It doesn't even look like an Egyptian symbol!" I told him.

He walked towards me and took the photo from me to examine.

"Mmm... so what do you think?" He asked me, waiting to see how I'll handle this.

"Look." I said and showed him where the book was open, "This is a translation for some hieroglyphs. It's a weak one! But it's still something... what if this symbol is a few other REAL symbols all combined to create another meaning?"

"That would mean the symbol is fake." Tintin replied.

"And that the papyrus is fake as well!... Do you think we should tell Dr. Sarcophagus?" I asked.

"Maybe." Tintin said and turned back to his stuff.

"But I mean... he's an archaeologist and this book is not really a reliable source... what if it IS a symbol that we're just not aware of its' existence?" I asked, now in doubt.

"Remember the rule: Always go with your gut feelings! You heard Dr. Sarcophagus, even he's not really sure what is the meaning of this symbol but maybe it is the Pharaoh's symbol. Either way, we'll go with him." He replied.

"Yeah..."

Tintin POV:

I turned to look at Malory when she said that and saw that she went back to her habit of chewing on the ends of her hair again. She's still not sure about her doubts.

"Hey." I called to get her attention and she looked up at me, "You're doing great, it's really good that you don't let doubts and thoughts go this easily. That's what makes you a good reporter."

I put my arm on her shoulder and gave it a little reassuring squeeze, which made her smile and let go of her hair.

"Thanks Tintin... I needed that." She told me and I smiled.

"No problem." I told her and went back to my stuff, picking another shirt when suddenly a knock was heard.

"Come in!" I called and shut the drawer.

"Don't make a move!" Was shouted into the room as by surprise, the detectives burst in with canes pointing at us.

"Thomson and Thompson? What are you doing here?" I asked as Malory jumped from the bed and joined my side.