The Wheaten Princess left Greece and headed out to sea. The passengers and crew eagerly awaited the big event – the Swimming Championship Contest. But there were lots of interesting things that were set to take place before that important competition.

In the last chapter it was seen where Miss USA – Morgan – won the Miss Wheaten World Pageant for 2008.

We also saw the debut of Special Agent Guinny into the story, and how he was following a top criminal onto the Wheaten Princess. He, along with Agent Dasher and Art Specialist Bailey, were hot on the trail, and had a nasty surprise planned for the Art Forgery Ring when they met up in Cairo!

On another 'note' (pun definitely intended!) our 'singing nun', Sister Killian, and her companion Sister Ella, had been invited to attend a musical evening in the suite of Senore Tuckerotti,  and the invitation had been graciously accepted.

The French-Canadian sleuth, Inspector Griffin, had set a trap for the two criminals who were attempting to rob Professor Boomer of his treasure map, and this was soon to take an interesting turn.

The two 'would-be' confidence tricksters, Jethro and Harry, had an experience that brought about a change of heart, and now they were following those rich girls from Boston, Lexi and Tess, for quite a different reason!

Having revised all those details, we can now watch the story unfold as the Wheaten Princess sails for Egypt

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                                                     THOSE BEAUTIFUL DOGS!


On their first night after leaving port, a special celebration was held in the Main Lounge as a tribute to the winner of the Miss Wheaten World Pageant, 2008 – Morgan – Miss USA.  All of her 5 companions were also honoured, as Keeva, Miss Canada, had been the runner up, and the other girls had all been selected as finalists. The Band performed special music for the occasion.

While Morgan looked on, blushing with pride and delight, they gave a unique rendition of the old song 'Oh You Beautiful Doll' (with Kramer, the drummer, making an amusing alteration to the lyrics)

Then Abby called for all six contestants to approach the stage, and the Band and Singers repeated the song, using the plural - 'Dolls' and  'Dogs' –  much to the delight of the audience, who rose to their feet to applaud the 6 Beauties with a standing ovation.

A THOUGHT- PROVOKING INTERMEZZO!

Tuckerotti had invited the two nuns, the Passionate Pooches, and Shadow (the pianist with the Band), to share a musical evening in his Suite.

The great Operatic Tenor had immediately recognized Shadow as the excellent classical pianist he had heard a couple of years ago, performing with the New York Symphony Orchestra in the Grieg Piano Concerto. He had wondered what had caused him to postpone what was a brilliant future as a concert pianist, to take up his present position as leader of a small band on a cruise ship! Perhaps the young man had just wanted to take a break from the demanding life he had been living. He reflected with a smile how often he had, himself, considered a less demanding career in perhaps, Musical Comedy on Broadway! 

Anyway, Tuckerotti had arranged for Shadow to accompany Sister Killian at the piano, and the Passionate Pooches would provide the 'chorus' background to Sister Killian's selections of:

After the necessary introductions and Tuckerotti's other guests were all seated, Sister Killian discussed the selected music with Shadow, who nodded his head understandingly. She took her position confidently, and the opening bars of The Nun's Chorus  began. 

                  Killian opened her mouth, and the most beautiful notes poured forth – entrancing all who listened.

Tuckerotti sat with his eyes closed in bliss as the beauty of Killian's voice flowed over him like a divine experience. It was the sunburst of a glorious dawn, and it was also the soft blue velvet of a gentle night.

He knew then that the angelic voice he had heard on that very first day, was the voice of Sister Killian.

He wanted to nurture that glorious soprano voice and train it to perfection.   Yes!  He had at last found his TOSCA'

After the performance and the supper that followed, he took Sister Killian aside. He told how impressed he was with her truly remarkable talent, and what a magnificent future stretched out before her if she chose to study under his direction. He pleaded with her to allow him to be her mentor and her teacher.

Killian smilingly explained that she had taken vows, and that it was her divine calling to be a nun.

He nodded his head comprehendingly, but told her that she was the greatest vocal talent he had ever heard, and hers was a Divine Gift. Did she not feel that she should develop this gift for the glory of God?

Killian was torn between her desire to give of herself as a nun, and another desire to be the singer she had always dreamed of becoming, but which she never before believed was even a remote possibility!

Sister Ella watched her little friend with great compassion. What a terrible choice had been placed before her! Her heart broke for Killian because she had always had the feeling that one day - something like this might happen.

She wisely kept her thoughts to herself and did not interfere. This was for Killian alone to decide. She simply supported her with her love, and encouraged her to give the matter considerable thought – not making any swift decisions, but praying for guidance.

It was a very quiet and thoughtful Killian who climbed wearily into bed that night.

Our ten champion swimmers had been training vigorously, and now the big day had arrived. It was time for the finals that would decide the male and female winners of the following:

Abby, the Entertainment Officer took this group picture just before the competitions began. Finnegan P and Shana were demonstrating how to do the 'Wheaten Greetin Jig' – a dance they had created to show off their talents on board ship.

Just about everyone on the Wheaten Princess rolled up to watch the swimmers. Jimmy, the Lifeguard, kept a close watch out for any signs of swimmers in difficulty, or spectators fainting in the heat or being overcome with excitement!

Here are pictures taken of several races as they began, or were in progress:

Seated with the judges, Boogie and Mia, were Captain Guiness, Lt Abby, and Seamus the New York Banker who had sponsored this event and donated the prize money.

The competition was strong and every swimmer had an equal chance. The sprints were so close that the spectators were on their feet cheering for their particular favourite. Male and female events were judged separately.

                         The winners of the 100 meters Butterfly were RUDY and Miss REILLY.

                        The 100 meters Freestyle went to BAILEY BEACHBOY and BELLA BEACHBUNNY.

                        MURPHY and SHANA won the 100 meters Backstroke.

                        RILEY and MAEVE won the 200 meters Medley.

                        The team headed by SWEETIE won the 200 meters Female Relay, and,

                        The team headed by FINNEGAN P won the 200 meters Male Relay.

Meanwhile, Agents Dasher and Guinny, along with Bailey, were hot on the heels of the man SA Guinny was tailing.

He was a rich criminal who had escaped justice so far in his wicked career, but all that was about to end when he kept his appointment with the other leaders of the Forgery Syndicate in Cairo. He was known to the FBI and Interpol as 'Mr DOOM' – and that was exactly where he was headed!

"I will follow Mr Doom, and contact you on your cell phone as soon as I learn where he's going," Guinny told Dasher. "Then," he continued, "it is for you to notify the FBI and see that they have the place surrounded."

"Got it!" replied Dasher with a brisk nod of his head.

"What shall I do?" asked Bailey, hoping he wasn't to be left out of this operation!

"You stick with me, Bailey," was Guinny's reply. "Just in case something should go wrong."

He thought for a minute then added seriously,   "I might need your help if he should twig to the fact that he's being tailed."

Bailey grinned. "I'll stick to you like a flea!" he assured him.

At the Pyramid Bar another mystery was unfolding.

Griffin, Sydney, Boomer and Kelsie were talking with Dr Charlie, RN Scooch, Lexi, Tess and the two boys who saved them, Jethro and Harry.

"The trap is sprung!" declared Griffin triumphantly. "The rats have taken the bait and now they cannot escape their day of reckoning!"  (These last words were announced with a dramatic flourish)

"They stole the false map that Boomer had hidden in his hiking shoes?" asked Charlie excitedly.

"WELL," said Scooch dryly, "He DID sort of spread that story all over the ship!"

"Ah, yes, indeed!" boomed Major Sydney in his usual aristocratic tone. "My esteemed friend intercepted a call to Cairo – informing the other scoundrels of the exact position on the map, so …"

"Soon, we shall HAVE THEM!"  interjected Griffin as he tweaked his moustache and grunted in satisfaction.

"But how shall we catch them at the false site Sir?" asked Jethro.

Griffin did not miss the challenge and smiled in amusement. "Don't fret, Mon Ami, for I, the Great Griffin, will have a welcoming party to meet them – with pistols and the handcuffs!"

Sydney slapped Griffin approvingly on the shoulder and exclaimed: "Oh, I say old chap, how jolly thrilling!"

Everyone laughed but the ex-Grenadier Guard never did quite understand the joke!

They were only a day away now from Alexandria, so Boomer and Kelsie had gathered all the students around to give them a final 'run-down' on the arrangements for their tour of Egypt.

He explained that they had two missions. One was to discover the burial place of a valuable artefact, and the other was to help Miss Queenie in her search for her ancestor's tomb and any other information.

Everyone was literally buzzing with anticipation and enthusiasm.

Morgan was sitting in Cody's bar having a private chat, when they were joined by Madame Stella, Queenie, Seamus and Boogie.

Queenie explained to Seamus that she was going with Boomer, Kelsie and the students. Seamus thought that sounded like too much walking, and he opted to stay with Madame Stella, Boogie and the others who were going by coach and river boat.

So the Wheaten Princess approached Alexandria, and very soon passengers and crew alike would be exploring the ancient and haunting ruins of Egypt.