Now back in her bedroom at Moreways Meet, reading by the light from her desk lamp while Milly slept peacefully in the bed across the room, she could hardly believe that just a few hours ago she had been caught up in life-threatening danger in Egypt. Already it felt like a fading dream. But it was real, she thought, looking at the broken and dusty feather on her desk, and at the neat pile of costumes Milly had washed. With a shiver, she remembered the final look the Sun Bird priest had given her. Such a knowing look in his dark, watchful eyes… There is always one who watches, Skribble had said. “That priest is long gone,” she told herself firmly, and looked again at her history book: John Hancock (1737–93) was president of the Continental Congress. He used his wealth to help finance the American Revolution. Jess leaned her forehead on her hand. There was so much to learn. She had history first thing the next morning and her teacher, Mrs. Riley, was bound to give them a test. She always did.
