Archaeologist Howard Carter is recruited by amateur Egyptologist Lord Carnarvon to explore the Valley of the Kings. Carter discovers tantalising evidence of the final resting place of the boy-king but world events threaten to halt his work.

Carter returns to the Valley of the Kings as the First World War draws to a close, hoping to complete his search for the lost tomb. Maggie also arrives in Egypt hoping to resume their relationship, but Carter finds himself smitten with Lord Carnarvon's daughter Evelyn. The excavation is threatened by a tide of Anti-British sentiment sweeping across Egypt. Carnarvon is in financial difficulties, and cannot afford to fund Carter's seemingly hopeless search.

As the stairway is cleared, a doorway is revealed. Carter is vindicated: it is Tutankhamun's tomb. The question is: is there anything left inside? Carter and Evelyn continue their secret romance. Evelyn sees no barrier to their love, but Carter's more realistic. She's an heiress. He's lowly archaeologist. But they cannot let anyone get wind of their affair. Especially as heightened political tensions mean Carnarvon is keeping a watchful eye over his daughter.

Evelyn tries to heal the breach between her father and Carter. But Carter is stubbornly proud and won't even speak to his former patron. He's hiding out back in his tomb, feeling like the whole world has turned against him.