What is the main conflict in The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers?

It is 1802 and Amenophis Fikee and Doctor Romany, both magical gypsies, attempt to open a gate and summon Anubis for their master, who wants to purge Egypt of all foreign powers. Doctor Romany is a magical duplicate, or ka, of Doctor Romanelli in Egypt. Their magic, however, disappears and leaves Fikee a howling animal who runs from camp. In current times, Brendan Doyle, the main character, finds himself commissioned for a position with J. Cochran Darrow, an ill, yet still powerful man.