The scene shifts to autumn 1914, after the outbreak of war, when women give out white feathers for cowardice to any young man not in uniform, like Ramses.

David Todros, grandson to the late Abdullah, is married to Lia, and he is a fully qualified artist and Egyptologist.

Emerson accepts a role as adviser on Egyptian affairs with the army, continuing the dig close to Cairo, in Giza.

Amelia reflects on the abrupt change in their life when little Sennia and her mother were brought to their house two years earlier, with a procurer hoping to embarrass Ramses with the child, who has the eyes of a Peabody.

Thomas Russell of the Cairo police tells Emerson how much he wants Wardani, leader of the Egyptian nationalists, to hold his followers at bay, turn himself in, to delay civil disturbance in Cairo while control of the Suez Canal was still threatened.

Called away from the dig to rescue a girl stuck climbing a tall pyramid, Ramses and Emerson meet Melinda "Molly" Hamilton and her governess.

The plan for getting Farouk out on the street for police capture fails, and Emerson agrees to a deal with a delay of two days.

Three days later, Russell tells Emerson and Ramses that Farouk's body was found; he was murdered by the Turks.

Emerson and Ramses trek east toward a relic in the desert, first reporting to the British military post where Hamilton is stationed.

The same afternoon, Amelia visits the French Count de Sevigny, who she knows is Sethos in disguise.

David appears at their house with a bullet wound, tells them where to find Ramses after Nefret stabilizes him.

The Great War has begun, which adds "a surprising jolt of realism" to the plot, as Giza is not far from the Suez Canal.

Amelia and Emerson "are soon prowling the mean streets of Cairo in odd disguises, searching out spies and foreign agents.

"[1] Publishers Weekly said of the author that "Peters still writes a deeply satisfying story that combines elements of espionage, mystery and romance.

"[2] They were impressed by this novel, still about archaeology in Egypt, with the start of The Great War not stopping Amelia and Emerson and family from their dig.

The British are determined to hold the Suez Canal, as the Turks, allied with Germany, want to seize it.