As Emily considers how she'll spend her time on this year's summer vacation, her father presents her with a very interesting prospect. Mr. Witherspoon, a very important man, is on his way, and he may have a surprise in store for her. Al-though he doesn't look very important when he arrives, Mr. Witherspoon offers Emily the chance to embark on the adventure of a lifetime—if her mother agrees, that is.

Unsure at first, Emily finally summons her courage and sets off on a voyage of mystery, danger, and discovery with Mr. Witherspoon to uncover the hidden secrets of Arabia's ancient ruins. Their journey leads them to the lost Egyptian city of Urgup—home to an ancient pyramid with inner chambers full of jeweled statues and lost history.

But she and her companions are not alone on their search. A band of shady thieves is out to claim the riches of lost city, and they will stop at nothing to learn the whereabouts of her discovery.