Charlie Chan in Egypt

Charlie Chan is summoned to Egypt to investigate the disappearance of the archaeologist. He begins by sorting through the conflicting stories of the expedition and gathering clues from the operation's players. The case sets the tone for a mystery that blends scientific deduction with a hint of danger.

Chan travels by rickety biplane and then a desert mule trek to the dig site. The journey highlights the isolation and peril surrounding the expedition. Chan remains focused on separating fact from folklore as he moves toward a solution.

At Professor Arnold's mansion, Chan meets Carol, the professor's daughter, who defends her father against charges of dishonesty. The scene introduces the family tensions and raises the stakes of the missing archaeologist. Carol's loyalty hints at deeper motives behind the mystery.

Dr. Racine has loaned the expedition money when funds ran low, and Professor Thurston confesses that items turning up in museums had been sold by him to replenish funds. The admission reveals a motive tied to financial strain and deception. The web of illicit dealings begins to unfold.

Carol's brother Barry, crippled from a site accident, plays somber tunes on his violin, adding mood to the investigation. Barry dies when a high note from his violin shatters a glass vial of poison gas, exposing the murderous scheme. The tragedy raises the immediacy of danger around the family.

Carol experiences unexplained sleepiness and anxiety, and Chan discovers that her cigarettes were laced with a hallucinogenic drug. This discovery deepens the mystery by showing someone has manipulated her physical state. The plot thickens as more players reveal hidden agendas.

Chan examines the sealed sarcophagus and orders a medical X-ray. The images reveal a 20th-century bullet lodged in the mummy, which turns out to be Professor Arnold's corpse, drained of blood and mummified. The supernatural elements give way to a grim scientific explanation.

Butler Ahmed flees rather than be questioned, raising suspicion about loyalty within the household. Snowshoes is described as 'weak but willing' as danger approaches. The tension among the staff signals a human-driven conspiracy rather than a haunting.

Tom Evans and Chan explore the tomb at night and discover a secret room accessible only while swimming underwater. The chamber holds looted treasures and elaborate ghost disguises, and reveals a hidden murderer lurking among the displays. The discovery shifts the investigation from superstition to incriminating evidence.

The killer shoots Tom point-blank in the secret room. Chan and Snowshoes rush Tom back to the mansion, where he hovers between life and death. The peril intensifies as the killer's plan nears completion.

Chan identifies the killer, and Egyptian police await to take the suspect into custody. The arrest closes the case, confirming Chan's methodical approach over superstition. The community breathes a sigh of relief as justice is served.

The case ends with Chan observing Carol and Tom embracing, signaling his quiet satisfaction with a job well done. He notes that science and deduction triumph over fear and superstition. The adventure closes on a careful, restrained victory.