A terrible misfortune happened in the family of professor of historical sciences Vikenty Sobolev - the scientist’s only son died from a rare disease. St. Petersburg police investigator Serdyukov, an excellent analyst and heart expert, is sure: this fatal infection has a completely criminal explanation, and he has to find out who Pyotr Sobolev interfered with. Many people come under suspicion, including the mother of the late Seraphim, whose fantastic beauty is spoken of by the whole city. Seraphim’s behavior has been strange and unusual for a long time. Immediately after the return of the whole family from Egypt, the professor’s wife became practically unrecognizable: she constantly sits in her room, not noticing her loved ones, and she definitely has something to hide from the investigation and from her family. Sometimes only in moments of complete despair Seraphima comes to the Neva embankment to the Egyptian sphinxes, repeating only one word - “Alkhor”. But what does all this mysticism and the ancient mysterious city of Alkhor have to do with the death of Peter?... Previously, the novel “The Bride of the Sphinx” was published under the titles “Flamingo Feather” and “Hieroglyph”