Lost in a Pyramid or the Mummy's Curse

Louisa May Alcott (1832 – 1888) was an American novelist and poet best known as the author of the novel Little Women (1868).

Extract:
“And what are these, Paul?” asked Evelyn, opening a tarnished gold box and examining its contents curiously.
“Seeds of some unknown Egyptian plant,” replied Forsyth, with a sudden shadow on his dark face, as he looked down at the three scarlet grains lying in the white hand lifted to him.
“Where did you get them?” asked the girl.
“That is a weird story, which will only haunt you if I tell it,” said Forsyth, with an absent expression that strongly excited the girl’s curiosity.