{"id":17188,"date":"2025-04-23T09:56:18","date_gmt":"2025-04-23T01:56:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/?p=17188"},"modified":"2025-04-23T09:56:18","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T01:56:18","slug":"%e8%be%be%e8%8a%ac%e5%a5%87%e5%af%86%e7%a0%81-%e4%bd%9c%e8%80%85-%e7%be%8e-%e4%b8%b9%c2%b7%e5%b8%83%e6%9c%97%e8%8b%b1%e6%96%87%e7%89%88","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/?p=17188","title":{"rendered":"\u8fbe\u82ac\u5947\u5bc6\u7801 \u4f5c\u8005: \u7f8e \u4e39\u00b7\u5e03\u6717(\u82f1\u6587\u7248)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n BY\uff1aDan\u3000Brown
\n______________________________________________
\nFOR\u3000BLYTHE\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000AGAIN\u3002\u3000MORE\u3000THAN\u3000EVER\u3002
\nAcknowledgments
\nFirst\u3000and\u3000foremost\uff1b\u3000to\u3000my\u3000friend\u3000and\u3000editor\uff1b\u3000Jason\u3000Kaufman\uff1b\u3000for\u3000working\u3000so\u3000hard\u3000on\u3000this\u3000project\u3000and\u3000for\u3000truly\u3000understanding\u3000what\u3000this\u3000book\u3000is\u3000all\u3000about\u3002\u3000And\u3000to\u3000the\u3000inparable\u3000Heide\u3000Lange\u2014tireless\u3000champion\u3000of\u3000The\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000Code\uff1b\u3000agent\u3000extraordinaire\uff1b\u3000and\u3000trusted\u3000friend\u3002
\nI\u3000cannot\u3000fully\u3000express\u3000my\u3000gratitude\u3000to\u3000the\u3000exceptional\u3000team\u3000at\u3000Doubleday\uff1b\u3000for\u3000their\u3000generosity\uff1b\u3000faith\uff1b\u3000and\u3000superb\u3000guidance\u3002\u3000Thank\u3000you\u3000especially\u3000to\u3000Bill\u3000Thomas\u3000and\u3000Steve\u3000Rubin\uff1b\u3000who\u3000believed\u3000in\u3000this\u3000book\u3000from\u3000the\u3000start\u3002\u3000My\u3000thanks\u3000also\u3000to\u3000the\u3000initial\u3000core\u3000of\u3000early\u3000in\u2026house\u3000supporters\uff1b\u3000headed\u3000by\u3000Michael\u3000Palgon\uff1b\u3000Suzanne\u3000Herz\uff1b\u3000Janelle\u3000Moburg\uff1b\u3000Jackie\u3000Everly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Adrienne\u3000Sparks\uff1b\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000to\u3000the\u3000talented\u3000people\u3000of\u3000Doubleday’s\u3000sales\u3000force\u3002
\nFor\u3000their\u3000generous\u3000assistance\u3000in\u3000the\u3000research\u3000of\u3000the\u3000book\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000like\u3000to\u3000acknowledge\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000Museum\uff1b\u3000the\u3000French\u3000Ministry\u3000of\u3000Culture\uff1b\u3000Project\u3000Gutenberg\uff1b\u3000Biblioth\u00e8que\u3000Nationale\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Gnostic\u3000Society\u3000Library\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Department\u3000of\u3000Paintings\u3000Study\u3000and\u3000Documentation\u3000Service\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Louvre\uff1b\u3000Catholic\u3000World\u3000News\uff1b\u3000Royal\u3000Observatory\u3000Greenwich\uff1b\u3000London\u3000Record\u3000Society\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Muniment\u3000Collection\u3000at\u3000Westminster\u3000Abbey\uff1b\u3000John\u3000Pike\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Federation\u3000of\u3000American\u3000Scientists\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000five\u3000members\u3000of\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000\uff08three\u3000active\uff1b\u3000two\u3000former\uff09\u3000who\u3000recounted\u3000their\u3000stories\uff1b\u3000both\u3000positive\u3000and\u3000negative\uff1b\u3000regarding\u3000their\u3000experiences\u3000inside\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3002
\nMy\u3000gratitude\u3000also\u3000to\u3000Water\u3000Street\u3000Bookstore\u3000for\u3000tracking\u3000down\u3000so\u3000many\u3000of\u3000my\u3000research\u3000books\uff1b\u3000my\u3000father\u3000Richard\u3000Brown\u2014mathematics\u3000teacher\u3000and\u3000author\u2014for\u3000his\u3000assistance\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Divine\u3000Proportion\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Fibonacci\u3000Sequence\uff1b\u3000Stan\u3000Planton\uff1b\u3000Sylvie\u3000Baudeloque\uff1b\u3000Peter\u3000McGuigan\uff1b\u3000Francis\u3000McInerney\uff1b\u3000Margie\u3000Wachtel\uff1b\u3000Andr\u00e9\u3000Vernet\uff1b\u3000Ken\u3000Kelleher\u3000at\u3000Anchorball\u3000Web\u3000Media\uff1b\u3000Cara\u3000Sottak\uff1b\u3000Karyn\u3000Popham\uff1b\u3000Esther\u3000Sung\uff1b\u3000Miriam\u3000Abramowitz\uff1b\u3000William\u3000Tunstall\u2026Pedoe\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Griffin\u3000Wooden\u3000Brown\u3002
\nAnd\u3000finally\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000novel\u3000drawing\u3000so\u3000heavily\u3000on\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000be\u3000remiss\u3000if\u3000I\u3000did\u3000not\u3000mention\u3000the\u3000two\u3000extraordinary\u3000women\u3000who\u3000have\u3000touched\u3000my\u3000life\u3002\u3000First\uff1b\u3000my\u3000mother\uff1b\u3000Connie\u3000Brown\u2014fellow\u3000scribe\uff1b\u3000nurturer\uff1b\u3000musician\uff1b\u3000and\u3000role\u3000model\u3002\u3000And\u3000my\u3000wife\uff1b\u3000Blythe\u2014art\u3000historian\uff1b\u3000painter\uff1b\u3000front\u2026line\u3000editor\uff1b\u3000and\u3000without\u3000a\u3000doubt\u3000the\u3000most\u3000astonishingly\u3000talented\u3000woman\u3000I\u3000have\u3000ever\u3000known\u3002
\n\u3000
\nFACT\uff1a
\nThe\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u2014a\u3000European\u3000secret\u3000society\u3000founded\u3000in\u30001099\u2014is\u3000a\u3000real\u3000organization\u3002\u3000In\u30001975\u3000Paris’s\u3000Biblioth\u00e8que\u3000Nationale\u3000discovered\u3000parchments\u3000known\u3000as\u3000Les\u3000Dossiers\u3000Secrets\uff1b\u3000identifying\u3000numerous\u3000members\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\uff1b\u3000including\u3000Sir\u3000Isaac\u3000Newton\uff1b\u3000Botticelli\uff1b\u3000Victor\u3000Hugo\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Leonardo\u3000da\u3000Vinci\u3002
\nThe\u3000Vatican\u3000prelature\u3000known\u3000as\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000is\u3000a\u3000deeply\u3000devout\u3000Catholic\u3000sect\u3000that\u3000has\u3000been\u3000the\u3000topic\u3000of\u3000recent\u3000controversy\u3000due\u3000to\u3000reports\u3000of\u3000brainwashing\uff1b\u3000coercion\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000dangerous\u3000practice\u3000known\u3000as\u3000\u3003corporal\u3000mortification\u3002\u3003\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000has\u3000just\u3000pleted\u3000construction\u3000of\u3000a\u300047\u3000million\u3000World\u3000Headquarters\u3000at\u3000243\u3000Lexington\u3000Avenue\u3000in\u3000New\u3000York\u3000City\u3002
\nAll\u3000descriptions\u3000of\u3000artwork\uff1b\u3000architecture\uff1b\u3000documents\uff1b\u3000and\u3000secret\u3000rituals\u3000in\u3000this\u3000novel\u3000are\u3000accurate\u3002
\n_______________________________________________\u3000
\nPrologue
\nLouvre\u3000Museum\uff1b\u3000Paris\u300010\uff1a46\u3000P\u3002M\u3002
\n
\nRenowned\u3000curator\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000staggered\u3000through\u3000the\u3000vaulted\u3000archway\u3000of\u3000the\u3000museum’s\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\u3002\u3000He\u3000lunged\u3000for\u3000the\u3000nearest\u3000painting\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\uff1b\u3000a\u3000Caravaggio\u3002\u3000Grabbing\u3000the\u3000gilded\u3000frame\uff1b\u3000the\u3000seventy\u2026six\u2026year\u2026old\u3000man\u3000heaved\u3000the\u3000masterpiece\u3000toward\u3000himself\u3000until\u3000it\u3000tore\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000and\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000collapsed\u3000backward\u3000in\u3000a\u3000heap\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000canvas\u3002
\nAs\u3000he\u3000had\u3000anticipated\uff1b\u3000a\u3000thundering\u3000iron\u3000gate\u3000fell\u3000nearby\uff1b\u3000barricading\u3000the\u3000entrance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000suite\u3002\u3000The\u3000parquet\u3000floor\u3000shook\u3002\u3000Far\u3000off\uff1b\u3000an\u3000alarm\u3000began\u3000to\u3000ring\u3002
\nThe\u3000curator\u3000lay\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000gasping\u3000for\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000stock\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000still\u3000alive\u3002\u3000He\u3000crawled\u3000out\u3000from\u3000under\u3000the\u3000canvas\u3000and\u3000scanned\u3000the\u3000cavernous\u3000space\u3000for\u3000someplace\u3000to\u3000hide\u3002
\nA\u3000voice\u3000spoke\uff1b\u3000chillingly\u3000close\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000not\u3000move\u3002\u3003
\nOn\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000the\u3000curator\u3000froze\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000his\u3000head\u3000slowly\u3002
\nOnly\u3000fifteen\u3000feet\u3000away\uff1b\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000sealed\u3000gate\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mountainous\u3000silhouette\u3000of\u3000his\u3000attacker\u3000stared\u3000through\u3000the\u3000iron\u3000bars\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000broad\u3000and\u3000tall\uff1b\u3000with\u3000ghost\u2026pale\u3000skin\u3000and\u3000thinning\u3000white\u3000hair\u3002\u3000His\u3000irises\u3000were\u3000pink\u3000with\u3000dark\u3000red\u3000pupils\u3002\u3000The\u3000albino\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000pistol\u3000from\u3000his\u3000coat\u3000and\u3000aimed\u3000the\u3000barrel\u3000through\u3000the\u3000bars\uff1b\u3000directly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000curator\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000should\u3000not\u3000have\u3000run\u3002\u3003\u3000His\u3000accent\u3000was\u3000not\u3000easy\u3000to\u3000place\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000where\u3000it\u3000is\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000told\u3000you\u3000already\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000curator\u3000stammered\uff1b\u3000kneeling\u3000defenseless\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gallery\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000what\u3000you\u3000are\u3000talking\u3000about\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000are\u3000lying\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000man\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000perfectly\u3000immobile\u3000except\u3000for\u3000the\u3000glint\u3000in\u3000his\u3000ghostly\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000and\u3000your\u3000brethren\u3000possess\u3000something\u3000that\u3000is\u3000not\u3000yours\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000curator\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000surge\u3000of\u3000adrenaline\u3002\u3000How\u3000could\u3000he\u3000possibly\u3000know\u3000this\uff1f
\n\u3003Tonight\u3000the\u3000rightful\u3000guardians\u3000will\u3000be\u3000restored\u3002\u3000Tell\u3000me\u3000where\u3000it\u3000is\u3000hidden\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\u3000will\u3000live\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000man\u3000leveled\u3000his\u3000gun\u3000at\u3000the\u3000curator’s\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000it\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000you\u3000will\u3000die\u3000for\uff1f\u3003
\nSauni\u00e8re\u3000could\u3000not\u3000breathe\u3002
\nThe\u3000man\u3000tilted\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000peering\u3000down\u3000the\u3000barrel\u3000of\u3000his\u3000gun\u3002
\nSauni\u00e8re\u3000held\u3000up\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000in\u3000defense\u3002\u3000\u3003Wait\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000slowly\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000what\u3000you\u3000need\u3000to\u3000know\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000curator\u3000spoke\u3000his\u3000next\u3000words\u3000carefully\u3002\u3000The\u3000lie\u3000he\u3000told\u3000was\u3000one\u3000he\u3000had\u3000rehearsed\u3000many\u3000times\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000each\u3000time\u3000praying\u3000he\u3000would\u3000never\u3000have\u3000to\u3000use\u3000it\u3002
\nWhen\u3000the\u3000curator\u3000had\u3000finished\u3000speaking\uff1b\u3000his\u3000assailant\u3000smiled\u3000smugly\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000the\u3000others\u3000told\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\nSauni\u00e8re\u3000recoiled\u3002\u3000The\u3000others\uff1f
\n\u3003I\u3000found\u3000them\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000man\u3000taunted\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000three\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000They\u3000confirmed\u3000what\u3000you\u3000have\u3000just\u3000said\u3002\u3003
\nIt\u3000cannot\u3000be\uff01\u3000The\u3000curator’s\u3000true\u3000identity\uff1b\u3000along\u3000with\u3000the\u3000identities\u3000of\u3000his\u3000three\u3000s\u00e9n\u00e9chaux\uff1b\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000sacred\u3000as\u3000the\u3000ancient\u3000secret\u3000they\u3000protected\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000now\u3000realized\u3000his\u3000s\u00e9n\u00e9chaux\uff1b\u3000following\u3000strict\u3000procedure\uff1b\u3000had\u3000told\u3000the\u3000same\u3000lie\u3000before\u3000their\u3000own\u3000deaths\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000protocol\u3002
\nThe\u3000attacker\u3000aimed\u3000his\u3000gun\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003When\u3000you\u3000are\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000be\u3000the\u3000only\u3000one\u3000who\u3000knows\u3000the\u3000truth\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000truth\u3002\u3000In\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000the\u3000curator\u3000grasped\u3000the\u3000true\u3000horror\u3000of\u3000the\u3000situation\u3002\u3000If\u3000I\u3000die\uff1b\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000will\u3000be\u3000lost\u3000forever\u3002\u3000Instinctively\uff1b\u3000he\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000scramble\u3000for\u3000cover\u3002
\nThe\u3000gun\u3000roared\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000curator\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000searing\u3000heat\u3000as\u3000the\u3000bullet\u3000lodged\u3000in\u3000his\u3000stomach\u3002\u3000He\u3000fell\u3000forward\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000struggling\u3000against\u3000the\u3000pain\u3002\u3000Slowly\uff1b\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000rolled\u3000over\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000back\u3000through\u3000the\u3000bars\u3000at\u3000his\u3000attacker\u3002
\nThe\u3000man\u3000was\u3000now\u3000taking\u3000dead\u3000aim\u3000at\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000head\u3002
\nSauni\u00e8re\u3000closed\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000his\u3000thoughts\u3000a\u3000swirling\u3000tempest\u3000of\u3000fear\u3000and\u3000regret\u3002
\nThe\u3000click\u3000of\u3000an\u3000empty\u3000chamber\u3000echoed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000corridor\u3002
\nThe\u3000curator’s\u3000eyes\u3000flew\u3000open\u3002
\nThe\u3000man\u3000glanced\u3000down\u3000at\u3000his\u3000weapon\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000almost\u3000amused\u3002\u3000He\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000a\u3000second\u3000clip\uff1b\u3000but\u3000then\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000reconsider\uff1b\u3000smirking\u3000calmly\u3000at\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000gut\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000work\u3000here\u3000is\u3000done\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000curator\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000bullet\u3000hole\u3000in\u3000his\u3000white\u3000linen\u3000shirt\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000framed\u3000by\u3000a\u3000small\u3000circle\u3000of\u3000blood\u3000a\u3000few\u3000inches\u3000below\u3000his\u3000breastbone\u3002\u3000My\u3000stomach\u3002\u3000Almost\u3000cruelly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bullet\u3000had\u3000missed\u3000his\u3000heart\u3002\u3000As\u3000a\u3000veteran\u3000of\u3000la\u3000Guerre\u3000d’Alg\u00e9rie\uff1b\u3000the\u3000curator\u3000had\u3000witnessed\u3000this\u3000horribly\u3000drawn\u2026out\u3000death\u3000before\u3002\u3000For\u3000fifteen\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000survive\u3000as\u3000his\u3000stomach\u3000acids\u3000seeped\u3000into\u3000his\u3000chest\u3000cavity\uff1b\u3000slowly\u3000poisoning\u3000him\u3000from\u3000within\u3002
\n\u3003Pain\u3000is\u3000good\uff1b\u3000monsieur\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000man\u3000said\u3002
\nThen\u3000he\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002
\nAlone\u3000now\uff1b\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000gaze\u3000again\u3000to\u3000the\u3000iron\u3000gate\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000trapped\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000doors\u3000could\u3000not\u3000be\u3000reopened\u3000for\u3000at\u3000least\u3000twenty\u3000minutes\u3002\u3000By\u3000the\u3000time\u3000anyone\u3000got\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000dead\u3002\u3000Even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fear\u3000that\u3000now\u3000gripped\u3000him\u3000was\u3000a\u3000fear\u3000far\u3000greater\u3000than\u3000that\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000death\u3002
\nI\u3000must\u3000pass\u3000on\u3000the\u3000secret\u3002
\nStaggering\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000he\u3000pictured\u3000his\u3000three\u3000murdered\u3000brethren\u3002\u3000He\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000the\u3000generations\u3000who\u3000had\u3000e\u3000before\u3000them\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mission\u3000with\u3000which\u3000they\u3000had\u3000all\u3000been\u3000entrusted\u3002
\nAn\u3000unbroken\u3000chain\u3000of\u3000knowledge\u3002
\nSuddenly\uff1b\u3000now\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000all\u3000the\u3000precautions\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000despite\u3000all\u3000the\u3000fail\u2026safes\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000was\u3000the\u3000only\u3000remaining\u3000link\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sole\u3000guardian\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000most\u3000powerful\u3000secrets\u3000ever\u3000kept\u3002
\nShivering\uff1b\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002
\nI\u3000must\u3000find\u3000some\u3000way\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3002
\nHe\u3000was\u3000trapped\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000existed\u3000only\u3000one\u3000person\u3000on\u3000earth\u3000to\u3000whom\u3000he\u3000could\u3000pass\u3000the\u3000torch\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000gazed\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000his\u3000opulent\u3000prison\u3002\u3000A\u3000collection\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world’s\u3000most\u3000famous\u3000paintings\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000smile\u3000down\u3000on\u3000him\u3000like\u3000old\u3000friends\u3002
\nWincing\u3000in\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000he\u3000summoned\u3000all\u3000of\u3000his\u3000faculties\u3000and\u3000strength\u3002\u3000The\u3000desperate\u3000task\u3000before\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000would\u3000require\u3000every\u3000remaining\u3000second\u3000of\u3000his\u3000life\u3002
\n
\n
\n
\n\u2026\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u30001
\n\u2026
\nRobert\u3000Langdon\u3000awoke\u3000slowly\u3002
\nA\u3000telephone\u3000was\u3000ringing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000darkness\u2014a\u3000tinny\uff1b\u3000unfamiliar\u3000ring\u3002\u3000He\u3000fumbled\u3000for\u3000the\u3000bedside\u3000lamp\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000it\u3000on\u3002\u3000Squinting\u3000at\u3000his\u3000surroundings\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000plush\u3000Renaissance\u3000bedroom\u3000with\u3000Louis\u3000XVI\u3000furniture\uff1b\u3000hand\u2026frescoed\u3000walls\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000colossal\u3000mahogany\u3000four\u2026poster\u3000bed\u3002
\nWhere\u3000the\u3000hell\u3000am\u3000I\uff1f
\nThe\u3000jacquard\u3000bathrobe\u3000hanging\u3000on\u3000his\u3000bedpost\u3000bore\u3000the\u3000monogram\uff1a\u3000HOTEL\u3000RITZ\u3000PARIS\u3002
\nSlowly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fog\u3000began\u3000to\u3000lift\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000receiver\u3002\u3000\u3003Hello\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Monsieur\u3000Langdon\uff1f\u3003\u3000a\u3000man’s\u3000voice\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000hope\u3000I\u3000have\u3000not\u3000awoken\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\nDazed\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bedside\u3000clock\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u300012\uff1a32\u3000A\u3002M\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000been\u3000asleep\u3000only\u3000an\u3000hour\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000the\u3000dead\u3002
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3000the\u3000concierge\uff1b\u3000monsieur\u3002\u3000I\u3000apologize\u3000for\u3000this\u3000intrusion\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you\u3000have\u3000a\u3000visitor\u3002\u3000He\u3000insists\u3000it\u3000is\u3000urgent\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000still\u3000felt\u3000fuzzy\u3002\u3000A\u3000visitor\uff1f\u3000His\u3000eyes\u3000focused\u3000now\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n Langdon\u3000still\u3000felt\u3000fuzzy\u3002\u3000A\u3000visitor\uff1f\u3000His\u3000eyes\u3000focused\u3000now\u3000on\u3000a\u3000crumpled\u3000flyer\u3000on\u3000his\u3000bedside\u3000table\u3002
\nTHE\u3000AMERICAN\u3000UNIVERSITY\u3000OF\u3000PARIS
\nproudly\u3000presents
\nAN\u3000EVENING\u3000WITH\u3000ROBERT\u3000LANGDON
\nPROFESSOR\u3000OF\u3000RELIGIOUS\u3000SYMBOLOGY\uff1b
\nHARVARD\u3000UNIVERSITY
\n\u3000
\nLangdon\u3000groaned\u3002\u3000Tonight’s\u3000lecture\u2014a\u3000slide\u3000show\u3000about\u3000pagan\u3000symbolism\u3000hidden\u3000in\u3000the\u3000stones\u3000of\u3000Chartres\u3000Cathedral\u2014had\u3000probably\u3000ruffled\u3000some\u3000conservative\u3000feathers\u3000in\u3000the\u3000audience\u3002\u3000Most\u3000likely\uff1b\u3000some\u3000religious\u3000scholar\u3000had\u3000trailed\u3000him\u3000home\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000a\u3000fight\u3002
\n\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000I’m\u3000very\u3000tired\u3000and\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003Mais\uff1b\u3000monsieur\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000concierge\u3000pressed\uff1b\u3000lowering\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000to\u3000an\u3000urgent\u3000whisper\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000guest\u3000is\u3000an\u3000important\u3000man\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000little\u3000doubt\u3002\u3000His\u3000books\u3000on\u3000religious\u3000paintings\u3000and\u3000cult\u3000symbology\u3000had\u3000made\u3000him\u3000a\u3000reluctant\u3000celebrity\u3000in\u3000the\u3000art\u3000world\uff1b\u3000and\u3000last\u3000year\u3000Langdon’s\u3000visibility\u3000had\u3000increased\u3000a\u3000hundredfold\u3000after\u3000his\u3000involvement\u3000in\u3000a\u3000widely\u3000publicized\u3000incident\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3002\u3000Since\u3000then\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stream\u3000of\u3000self\u2026important\u3000historians\u3000and\u3000art\u3000buffs\u3000arriving\u3000at\u3000his\u3000door\u3000had\u3000seemed\u3000never\u2026ending\u3002
\n\u3003If\u3000you\u3000would\u3000be\u3000so\u3000kind\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000doing\u3000his\u3000best\u3000to\u3000remain\u3000polite\uff1b\u3000\u3003could\u3000you\u3000take\u3000the\u3000man’s\u3000name\u3000and\u3000number\uff1b\u3000and\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000I’ll\u3000try\u3000to\u3000call\u3000him\u3000before\u3000I\u3000leave\u3000Paris\u3000on\u3000Tuesday\uff1f\u3000Thank\u3000you\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000hung\u3000up\u3000before\u3000the\u3000concierge\u3000could\u3000protest\u3002
\nSitting\u3000up\u3000now\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000frowned\u3000at\u3000his\u3000bedside\u3000Guest\u3000Relations\u3000Handbook\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000cover\u3000boasted\uff1a\u3000SLEEP\u3000LIKE\u3000A\u3000BABY\u3000IN\u3000THE\u3000CITY\u3000OF\u3000LIGHTS\u3002\u3000SLUMBER\u3000AT\u3000THE\u3000PARIS\u3000RITZ\u3002\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000gazed\u3000tiredly\u3000into\u3000the\u3000full\u2026length\u3000mirror\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000The\u3000man\u3000staring\u3000back\u3000at\u3000him\u3000was\u3000a\u3000stranger\u2014tousled\u3000and\u3000weary\u3002
\nYou\u3000need\u3000a\u3000vacation\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3002
\nThe\u3000past\u3000year\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000a\u3000heavy\u3000toll\u3000on\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000appreciate\u3000seeing\u3000proof\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mirror\u3002\u3000His\u3000usually\u3000sharp\u3000blue\u3000eyes\u3000looked\u3000hazy\u3000and\u3000drawn\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000A\u3000dark\u3000stubble\u3000was\u3000shrouding\u3000his\u3000strong\u3000jaw\u3000and\u3000dimpled\u3000chin\u3002\u3000Around\u3000his\u3000temples\uff1b\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000highlights\u3000were\u3000advancing\uff1b\u3000making\u3000their\u3000way\u3000deeper\u3000into\u3000his\u3000thicket\u3000of\u3000coarse\u3000black\u3000hair\u3002\u3000Although\u3000his\u3000female\u3000colleagues\u3000insisted\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000only\u3000accentuated\u3000his\u3000bookish\u3000appeal\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000knew\u3000better\u3002
\nIf\u3000Boston\u3000Magazine\u3000could\u3000see\u3000me\u3000now\u3002
\nLast\u3000month\uff1b\u3000much\u3000to\u3000Langdon’s\u3000embarrassment\uff1b\u3000Boston\u3000Magazine\u3000had\u3000listed\u3000him\u3000as\u3000one\u3000of\u3000that\u3000city’s\u3000top\u3000ten\u3000most\u3000intriguing\u3000people\u2014a\u3000dubious\u3000honor\u3000that\u3000made\u3000him\u3000the\u3000brunt\u3000of\u3000endless\u3000ribbing\u3000by\u3000his\u3000Harvard\u3000colleagues\u3002\u3000Tonight\uff1b\u3000three\u3000thousand\u3000miles\u3000from\u3000home\uff1b\u3000the\u3000accolade\u3000had\u3000resurfaced\u3000to\u3000haunt\u3000him\u3000at\u3000the\u3000lecture\u3000he\u3000had\u3000given\u3002
\n\u3003Ladies\u3000and\u3000gentlemen\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000the\u3000hostess\u3000had\u3000announced\u3000to\u3000a\u3000full\u3000house\u3000at\u3000the\u3000American\u3000University\u3000of\u3000Paris’s\u3000Pavilion\u3000Dauphine\uff1b\u3000\u3003Our\u3000guest\u3000tonight\u3000needs\u3000no\u3000introduction\u3002\u3000He\u3000is\u3000the\u3000author\u3000of\u3000numerous\u3000books\uff1a\u3000The\u3000Symbology\u3000of\u3000Secret\u3000Sects\uff1b\u3000The\u3000An\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Illuminati\uff1b\u3000The\u3000Lost\u3000Language\u3000of\u3000Ideograms\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000I\u3000say\u3000he\u3000wrote\u3000the\u3000book\u3000on\u3000Religious\u3000Iconology\uff1b\u3000I\u3000mean\u3000that\u3000quite\u3000literally\u3002\u3000Many\u3000of\u3000you\u3000use\u3000his\u3000textbooks\u3000in\u3000class\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000students\u3000in\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000nodded\u3000enthusiastically\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000had\u3000planned\u3000to\u3000introduce\u3000him\u3000tonight\u3000by\u3000sharing\u3000his\u3000impressive\u3000curriculum\u3000vitae\u3002\u3000However\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000glanced\u3000playfully\u3000at\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000seated\u3000onstage\u3002\u3000\u3003An\u3000audience\u3000member\u3000has\u3000just\u3000handed\u3000me\u3000a\u3000far\u3000more\uff1b\u3000shall\u3000we\u3000say\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000intriguing\u3000introduction\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000held\u3000up\u3000a\u3000copy\u3000of\u3000Boston\u3000Magazine\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000cringed\u3002\u3000Where\u3000the\u3000hell\u3000did\u3000she\u3000get\u3000that\uff1f
\nThe\u3000hostess\u3000began\u3000reading\u3000choice\u3000excerpts\u3000from\u3000the\u3000inane\u3000article\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000himself\u3000sinking\u3000lower\u3000and\u3000lower\u3000in\u3000his\u3000chair\u3002\u3000Thirty\u3000seconds\u3000later\uff1b\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000was\u3000grinning\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000showed\u3000no\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000letting\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon’s\u3000refusal\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000publicly\u3000about\u3000his\u3000unusual\u3000role\u3000in\u3000last\u3000year’s\u3000Vatican\u3000conclave\u3000certainly\u3000wins\u3000him\u3000points\u3000on\u3000our\u3000intrigue\u2026o\u2026meter\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000hostess\u3000goaded\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3002\u3000\u3003Would\u3000you\u3000like\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000more\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000crowd\u3000applauded\u3002
\nSomebody\u3000stop\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000pleaded\u3000as\u3000she\u3000dove\u3000into\u3000the\u3000article\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3003Although\u3000Professor\u3000Langdon\u3000might\u3000not\u3000be\u3000considered\u3000hunk\u2026handsome\u3000like\u3000some\u3000of\u3000our\u3000younger\u3000awardees\uff1b\u3000this\u3000forty\u2026something\u3000academic\u3000has\u3000more\u3000than\u3000his\u3000share\u3000of\u3000scholarly\u3000allure\u3002\u3000His\u3000captivating\u3000presence\u3000is\u3000punctuated\u3000by\u3000an\u3000unusually\u3000low\uff1b\u3000baritone\u3000speaking\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000which\u3000his\u3000female\u3000students\u3000describe\u3000as\u3000’chocolate\u3000for\u3000the\u3000ears\u3002’\u3000\u3003
\nThe\u3000hall\u3000erupted\u3000in\u3000laughter\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000forced\u3000an\u3000awkward\u3000smile\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000came\u3000next\u2014some\u3000ridiculous\u3000line\u3000about\u3000\u3003Harrison\u3000Ford\u3000in\u3000Harris\u3000tweed\u3003\u2014and\u3000because\u3000this\u3000evening\u3000he\u3000had\u3000figured\u3000it\u3000was\u3000finally\u3000safe\u3000again\u3000to\u3000wear\u3000his\u3000Harris\u3000tweed\u3000and\u3000Burberry\u3000turtleneck\uff1b\u3000he\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000take\u3000action\u3002
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Monique\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000prematurely\u3000and\u3000edging\u3000her\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000podium\u3002\u3000\u3003Boston\u3000Magazine\u3000clearly\u3000has\u3000a\u3000gift\u3000for\u3000fiction\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000with\u3000an\u3000embarrassed\u3000sigh\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000if\u3000I\u3000find\u3000which\u3000one\u3000of\u3000you\u3000provided\u3000that\u3000article\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000have\u3000the\u3000consulate\u3000deport\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000crowd\u3000laughed\u3002
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000folks\uff1b\u3000as\u3000you\u3000all\u3000know\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000here\u3000tonight\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000about\u3000the\u3000power\u3000of\u3000symbols\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nThe\u3000ringing\u3000of\u3000Langdon’s\u3000hotel\u3000phone\u3000once\u3000again\u3000broke\u3000the\u3000silence\u3002
\nGroaning\u3000in\u3000disbelief\uff1b\u3000he\u3000picked\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1f\u3003
\nAs\u3000expected\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000concierge\u3002\u3000\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000again\u3000my\u3000apologies\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000calling\u3000to\u3000inform\u3000you\u3000that\u3000your\u3000guest\u3000is\u3000now\u3000en\u3000route\u3000to\u3000your\u3000room\u3002\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000I\u3000should\u3000alert\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000wide\u3000awake\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000sent\u3000someone\u3000to\u3000my\u3000room\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000apologize\uff1b\u3000monsieur\uff1b\u3000but\u3000a\u3000man\u3000like\u3000this\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000I\u3000cannot\u3000presume\u3000the\u3000authority\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Who\u3000exactly\u3000is\u3000he\uff1f\u3003
\nBut\u3000the\u3000concierge\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002
\nAlmost\u3000immediately\uff1b\u3000a\u3000heavy\u3000fist\u3000pounded\u3000on\u3000Langdon’s\u3000door\u3002
\nUncertain\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000slid\u3000off\u3000the\u3000bed\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000his\u3000toes\u3000sink\u3000deep\u3000into\u3000the\u3000savonniere\u3000carpet\u3002\u3000He\u3000donned\u3000the\u3000hotel\u3000bathrobe\u3000and\u3000moved\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000\u3003Who\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1f\u3000I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000man’s\u3000English\u3000was\u3000accented\u2014a\u3000sharp\uff1b\u3000authoritative\u3000bark\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000name\u3000is\u3000Lieutenant\u3000Jerome\u3000Collet\u3002\u3000Direction\u3000Centrale\u3000Police\u3000Judiciaire\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000paused\u3002\u3000The\u3000Judicial\u3000Police\uff1f\u3000The\u3000DCPJ\u3000was\u3000the\u3000rough\u3000equivalent\u3000of\u3000the\u3000U\u3002S\u3002\u3000FBI\u3002
\nLeaving\u3000the\u3000security\u3000chain\u3000in\u3000place\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000door\u3000a\u3000few\u3000inches\u3002\u3000The\u3000face\u3000staring\u3000back\u3000at\u3000him\u3000was\u3000thin\u3000and\u3000washed\u3000out\u3002\u3000The\u3000man\u3000was\u3000exceptionally\u3000lean\uff1b\u3000dressed\u3000in\u3000an\u3000official\u2026looking\u3000blue\u3000uniform\u3002
\n\u3003May\u3000I\u3000e\u3000in\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000agent\u3000asked\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000hesitated\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000uncertain\u3000as\u3000the\u3000stranger’s\u3000sallow\u3000eyes\u3000studied\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000is\u3000this\u3000all\u3000about\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003My\u3000capitaine\u3000requires\u3000your\u3000expertise\u3000in\u3000a\u3000private\u3000matter\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Now\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000managed\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000after\u3000midnight\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Am\u3000I\u3000correct\u3000that\u3000you\u3000were\u3000scheduled\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000with\u3000the\u3000curator\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000this\u3000evening\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000surge\u3000of\u3000uneasiness\u3002\u3000He\u3000and\u3000the\u3000revered\u3000curator\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000been\u3000slated\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000for\u3000drinks\u3000after\u3000Langdon’s\u3000lecture\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000never\u3000shown\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000How\u3000did\u3000you\u3000know\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000found\u3000your\u3000name\u3000in\u3000his\u3000daily\u3000planner\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000trust\u3000nothing\u3000is\u3000wrong\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000agent\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000dire\u3000sigh\u3000and\u3000slid\u3000a\u3000Polaroid\u3000snapshot\u3000through\u3000the\u3000narrow\u3000opening\u3000in\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\nWhen\u3000Langdon\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000photo\uff1b\u3000his\u3000entire\u3000body\u3000went\u3000rigid\u3002
\n\u3003This\u3000photo\u3000was\u3000taken\u3000less\u3000than\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000ago\u3002\u3000Inside\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3002\u3003
\nAs\u3000Langdon\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bizarre\u3000image\uff1b\u3000his\u3000initial\u3000revulsion\u3000and\u3000shock\u3000gave\u3000way\u3000to\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000upwelling\u3000of\u3000anger\u3002\u3000\u3003Who\u3000would\u3000do\u3000this\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000had\u3000hoped\u3000that\u3000you\u3000might\u3000help\u3000us\u3000answer\u3000that\u3000very\u3000question\uff1b\u3000considering\u3000your\u3000knowledge\u3000in\u3000symbology\u3000and\u3000your\u3000plans\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000with\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000picture\uff1b\u3000his\u3000horror\u3000now\u3000laced\u3000with\u3000fear\u3002\u3000The\u3000image\u3000was\u3000gruesome\u3000and\u3000profoundly\u3000strange\uff1b\u3000bringing\u3000with\u3000it\u3000an\u3000unsettling\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000d\u00e9j\u00e0\u3000vu\u3002\u3000A\u3000little\u3000over\u3000a\u3000year\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000received\u3000a\u3000photograph\u3000of\u3000a\u3000corpse\u3000and\u3000a\u3000similar\u3000request\u3000for\u3000help\u3002\u3000Twenty\u2026four\u3000hours\u3000later\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000almost\u3000lost\u3000his\u3000life\u3000inside\u3000Vatican\u3000City\u3002\u3000This\u3000photo\u3000was\u3000entirely\u3000different\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000something\u3000about\u3000the\u3000scenario\u3000felt\u3000disquietingly\u3000familiar\u3002
\nThe\u3000agent\u3000checked\u3000his\u3000watch\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000capitaine\u3000is\u3000waiting\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000barely\u3000heard\u3000him\u3002\u3000His\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000still\u3000riveted\u3000on\u3000the\u3000picture\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000symbol\u3000here\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000way\u3000his\u3000body\u3000is\u3000so\u3000oddly\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Positioned\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000agent\u3000offered\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000a\u3000chill\u3000as\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000imagine\u3000who\u3000would\u3000do\u3000this\u3000to\u3000someone\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000agent\u3000looked\u3000grim\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000don’t\u3000understand\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000What\u3000you\u3000see\u3000in\u3000this\u3000photograph\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003Monsieur\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000did\u3000that\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\n\u2026\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u30002
\n\u2026
\nOne\u3000mile\u3000away\uff1b\u3000the\u3000hulking\u3000albino\u3000named\u3000Silas\u3000limped\u3000through\u3000the\u3000front\u3000gate\u3000of\u3000the\u3000luxurious\u3000brownstone\u3000residence\u3000on\u3000Rue\u3000La\u3000Bruy\u00e8re\u3002\u3000The\u3000spiked\u3000cilice\u3000belt\u3000that\u3000he\u3000wore\u3000around\u3000his\u3000thigh\u3000cut\u3000into\u3000his\u3000flesh\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000his\u3000soul\u3000sang\u3000with\u3000satisfaction\u3000of\u3000service\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Lord\u3002
\nPain\u3000is\u3000good\u3002
\nHis\u3000red\u3000eyes\u3000scanned\u3000the\u3000lobby\u3000as\u3000he\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000residence\u3002\u3000Empty\u3002\u3000He\u3000climbed\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000quietly\uff1b\u3000not\u3000wanting\u3000to\u3000awaken\u3000any\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fellow\u3000numeraries\u3002\u3000His\u3000bedroom\u3000door\u3000was\u3000open\uff1b\u3000locks\u3000were\u3000forbidden\u3000here\u3002\u3000He\u3000entered\uff1b\u3000closing\u3000the\u3000door\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002
\nThe\u3000room\u3000was\u3000spartan\u2014hardwood\u3000floors\uff1b\u3000a\u3000pine\u3000dresser\uff1b\u3000a\u3000canvas\u3000mat\u3000in\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000that\u3000served\u3000as\u3000his\u3000bed\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000a\u3000visitor\u3000here\u3000this\u3000week\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000for\u3000many\u3000years\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000blessed\u3000with\u3000a\u3000similar\u3000sanctuary\u3000in\u3000New\u3000York\u3000City\u3002
\nThe\u3000Lord\u3000has\u3000provided\u3000me\u3000shelter\u3000and\u3000purpose\u3000in\u3000my\u3000life\u3002
\nTonight\uff1b\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000felt\u3000he\u3000had\u3000begun\u3000to\u3000repay\u3000his\u3000debt\u3002\u3000Hurrying\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dresser\uff1b\u3000he\u3000found\u3000the\u3000cell\u3000phone\u3000hidden\u3000in\u3000his\u3000bottom\u3000drawer\u3000and\u3000placed\u3000a\u3000call\u3002
\n\u3003Yes\uff1f\u3003\u3000a\u3000male\u3000voice\u3000answered\u3002
\n\u3003Teacher\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000returned\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Speak\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000voice\u3000manded\uff1b\u3000sounding\u3000pleased\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000from\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3003All\u3000four\u3000are\u3000gone\u3002\u3000The\u3000three\u3000s\u00e9n\u00e9chaux\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Master\u3000himself\u3002\u3003
\nThere\u3000was\u3000a\u3000momentary\u3000pause\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000for\u3000prayer\u3002\u3000\u3003Then\u3000I\u3000assume\u3000you\u3000have\u3000the\u3000information\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003All\u3000fou \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000momentary\u3000pause\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000for\u3000prayer\u3002\u3000\u3003Then\u3000I\u3000assume\u3000you\u3000have\u3000the\u3000information\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003All\u3000four\u3000concurred\u3002\u3000Independently\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000you\u3000believed\u3000them\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Their\u3000agreement\u3000was\u3000too\u3000great\u3000for\u3000coincidence\u3002\u3003
\nAn\u3000excited\u3000breath\u3002\u3000\u3003Excellent\u3002\u3000I\u3000had\u3000feared\u3000the\u3000brotherhood’s\u3000reputation\u3000for\u3000secrecy\u3000might\u3000prevail\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000prospect\u3000of\u3000death\u3000is\u3000strong\u3000motivation\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003So\uff1b\u3000my\u3000pupil\uff1b\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000what\u3000I\u3000must\u3000know\u3002\u3003
\nSilas\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000information\u3000he\u3000had\u3000gleaned\u3000from\u3000his\u3000victims\u3000would\u3000e\u3000as\u3000a\u3000shock\u3002\u3000\u3003Teacher\uff1b\u3000all\u3000four\u3000confirmed\u3000the\u3000existence\u3000of\u3000the\u3000clef\u3000de\u3000vo\uff1fte\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000legendary\u3000keystone\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000intake\u3000of\u3000breath\u3000over\u3000the\u3000phone\u3000and\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000Teacher’s\u3000excitement\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000keystone\u3002\u3000Exactly\u3000as\u3000we\u3000suspected\u3002\u3003
\nAccording\u3000to\u3000lore\uff1b\u3000the\u3000brotherhood\u3000had\u3000created\u3000a\u3000map\u3000of\u3000stone\u2014a\u3000clef\u3000de\u3000vo\uff1fte\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000or\u3000keystone\u2014an\u3000engraved\u3000tablet\u3000that\u3000revealed\u3000the\u3000final\u3000resting\u3000place\u3000of\u3000the\u3000brotherhood’s\u3000greatest\u3000secret\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000information\u3000so\u3000powerful\u3000that\u3000its\u3000protection\u3000was\u3000the\u3000reason\u3000for\u3000the\u3000brotherhood’s\u3000very\u3000existence\u3002
\n\u3003When\u3000we\u3000possess\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003we\u3000will\u3000be\u3000only\u3000one\u3000step\u3000away\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000are\u3000closer\u3000than\u3000you\u3000think\u3002\u3000The\u3000keystone\u3000is\u3000here\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Paris\uff1f\u3000Incredible\u3002\u3000It\u3000is\u3000almost\u3000too\u3000easy\u3002\u3003
\nSilas\u3000relayed\u3000the\u3000earlier\u3000events\u3000of\u3000the\u3000evening\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000how\u3000all\u3000four\u3000of\u3000his\u3000victims\uff1b\u3000moments\u3000before\u3000death\uff1b\u3000had\u3000desperately\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000buy\u3000back\u3000their\u3000godless\u3000lives\u3000by\u3000telling\u3000their\u3000secret\u3002\u3000Each\u3000had\u3000told\u3000Silas\u3000the\u3000exact\u3000same\u3000thing\u2014that\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000was\u3000ingeniously\u3000hidden\u3000at\u3000a\u3000precise\u3000location\u3000inside\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Paris’s\u3000ancient\u3000churches\u2014the\u3000Eglise\u3000de\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\u3002
\n\u3003Inside\u3000a\u3000house\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Lord\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000exclaimed\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000they\u3000mock\u3000us\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003As\u3000they\u3000have\u3000for\u3000centuries\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000Teacher\u3000fell\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000letting\u3000the\u3000triumph\u3000of\u3000this\u3000moment\u3000settle\u3000over\u3000him\u3002\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000he\u3000spoke\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000have\u3000done\u3000a\u3000great\u3000service\u3000to\u3000God\u3002\u3000We\u3000have\u3000waited\u3000centuries\u3000for\u3000this\u3002\u3000You\u3000must\u3000retrieve\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000for\u3000me\u3002\u3000Immediately\u3002\u3000Tonight\u3002\u3000You\u3000understand\u3000the\u3000stakes\u3002\u3003
\nSilas\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000stakes\u3000were\u3000incalculable\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000what\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000was\u3000now\u3000manding\u3000seemed\u3000impossible\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000the\u3000church\uff1b\u3000it\u3000is\u3000a\u3000fortress\u3002\u3000Especially\u3000at\u3000night\u3002\u3000How\u3000will\u3000I\u3000enter\uff1f\u3003
\nWith\u3000the\u3000confident\u3000tone\u3000of\u3000a\u3000man\u3000of\u3000enormous\u3000influence\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000explained\u3000what\u3000was\u3000to\u3000be\u3000done\u3002
\n\u3000
\nWhen\u3000Silas\u3000hung\u3000up\u3000the\u3000phone\uff1b\u3000his\u3000skin\u3000tingled\u3000with\u3000anticipation\u3002
\nOne\u3000hour\uff1b\u3000he\u3000told\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000grateful\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000given\u3000him\u3000time\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000out\u3000the\u3000necessary\u3000penance\u3000before\u3000entering\u3000a\u3000house\u3000of\u3000God\u3002\u3000I\u3000must\u3000purge\u3000my\u3000soul\u3000of\u3000today’s\u3000sins\u3002\u3000The\u3000sins\u3000mitted\u3000today\u3000had\u3000been\u3000holy\u3000in\u3000purpose\u3002\u3000Acts\u3000of\u3000war\u3000against\u3000the\u3000enemies\u3000of\u3000God\u3000had\u3000been\u3000mitted\u3000for\u3000centuries\u3002\u3000Forgiveness\u3000was\u3000assured\u3002
\nEven\u3000so\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000absolution\u3000required\u3000sacrifice\u3002
\nPulling\u3000his\u3000shades\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stripped\u3000naked\u3000and\u3000knelt\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000his\u3000room\u3002\u3000Looking\u3000down\uff1b\u3000he\u3000examined\u3000the\u3000spiked\u3000cilice\u3000belt\u3000clamped\u3000around\u3000his\u3000thigh\u3002\u3000All\u3000true\u3000followers\u3000of\u3000The\u3000Way\u3000wore\u3000this\u3000device\u2014a\u3000leather\u3000strap\uff1b\u3000studded\u3000with\u3000sharp\u3000metal\u3000barbs\u3000that\u3000cut\u3000into\u3000the\u3000flesh\u3000as\u3000a\u3000perpetual\u3000reminder\u3000of\u3000Christ’s\u3000suffering\u3002\u3000The\u3000pain\u3000caused\u3000by\u3000the\u3000device\u3000also\u3000helped\u3000counteract\u3000the\u3000desires\u3000of\u3000the\u3000flesh\u3002
\nAlthough\u3000Silas\u3000already\u3000had\u3000worn\u3000his\u3000cilice\u3000today\u3000longer\u3000than\u3000the\u3000requisite\u3000two\u3000hours\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000today\u3000was\u3000no\u3000ordinary\u3000day\u3002\u3000Grasping\u3000the\u3000buckle\uff1b\u3000he\u3000cinched\u3000it\u3000one\u3000notch\u3000tighter\uff1b\u3000wincing\u3000as\u3000the\u3000barbs\u3000dug\u3000deeper\u3000into\u3000his\u3000flesh\u3002\u3000Exhaling\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000savored\u3000the\u3000cleansing\u3000ritual\u3000of\u3000his\u3000pain\u3002
\nPain\u3000is\u3000good\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000repeating\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000mantra\u3000of\u3000Father\u3000Josemar\u00eda\u3000Escriv\u00e1\u2014the\u3000Teacher\u3000of\u3000all\u3000Teachers\u3002\u3000Although\u3000Escriv\u00e1\u3000had\u3000died\u3000in\u30001975\uff1b\u3000his\u3000wisdom\u3000lived\u3000on\uff1b\u3000his\u3000words\u3000still\u3000whispered\u3000by\u3000thousands\u3000of\u3000faithful\u3000servants\u3000around\u3000the\u3000globe\u3000as\u3000they\u3000knelt\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000and\u3000performed\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000practice\u3000known\u3000as\u3000\u3003corporal\u3000mortification\u3002\u3003
\nSilas\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000now\u3000to\u3000a\u3000heavy\u3000knotted\u3000rope\u3000coiled\u3000neatly\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000beside\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000Discipline\u3002\u3000The\u3000knots\u3000were\u3000caked\u3000with\u3000dried\u3000blood\u3002\u3000Eager\u3000for\u3000the\u3000purifying\u3000effects\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000agony\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000said\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000prayer\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000gripping\u3000one\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rope\uff1b\u3000he\u3000closed\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000swung\u3000it\u3000hard\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000the\u3000knots\u3000slap\u3000against\u3000his\u3000back\u3002\u3000He\u3000whipped\u3000it\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000again\uff1b\u3000slashing\u3000at\u3000his\u3000flesh\u3002\u3000Again\u3000and\u3000again\uff1b\u3000he\u3000lashed\u3002
\nCastigo\u3000corpus\u3000meum\u3002
\nFinally\uff1b\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000begin\u3000to\u3000flow\u3002
\n\u2026\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u30003
\n\u2026
\nThe\u3000crisp\u3000April\u3000air\u3000whipped\u3000through\u3000the\u3000open\u3000window\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Citro\uff1fn\u3000ZX\u3000as\u3000it\u3000skimmed\u3000south\u3000past\u3000the\u3000Opera\u3000House\u3000and\u3000crossed\u3000Place\u3000Vend\uff1fme\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000passenger\u3000seat\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000city\u3000tear\u3000past\u3000him\u3000as\u3000he\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000clear\u3000his\u3000thoughts\u3002\u3000His\u3000quick\u3000shower\u3000and\u3000shave\u3000had\u3000left\u3000him\u3000looking\u3000reasonably\u3000presentable\u3000but\u3000had\u3000done\u3000little\u3000to\u3000ease\u3000his\u3000anxiety\u3002\u3000The\u3000frightening\u3000image\u3000of\u3000the\u3000curator’s\u3000body\u3000remained\u3000locked\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002
\nJacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000is\u3000dead\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000could\u3000not\u3000help\u3000but\u3000feel\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000loss\u3000at\u3000the\u3000curator’s\u3000death\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000reputation\u3000for\u3000being\u3000reclusive\uff1b\u3000his\u3000recognition\u3000for\u3000dedication\u3000to\u3000the\u3000arts\u3000made\u3000him\u3000an\u3000easy\u3000man\u3000to\u3000revere\u3002\u3000His\u3000books\u3000on\u3000the\u3000secret\u3000codes\u3000hidden\u3000in\u3000the\u3000paintings\u3000of\u3000Poussin\u3000and\u3000Teniers\u3000were\u3000some\u3000of\u3000Langdon’s\u3000favorite\u3000classroom\u3000texts\u3002\u3000Tonight’s\u3000meeting\u3000had\u3000been\u3000one\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000very\u3000much\u3000looking\u3000forward\u3000to\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000disappointed\u3000when\u3000the\u3000curator\u3000had\u3000not\u3000shown\u3002
\nAgain\u3000the\u3000image\u3000of\u3000the\u3000curator’s\u3000body\u3000flashed\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000did\u3000that\u3000to\u3000himself\uff1f\u3000Langdon\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000out\u3000the\u3000window\uff1b\u3000forcing\u3000the\u3000picture\u3000from\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002
\nOutside\uff1b\u3000the\u3000city\u3000was\u3000just\u3000now\u3000winding\u3000down\u2014street\u3000vendors\u3000wheeling\u3000carts\u3000of\u3000candied\u3000amandes\uff1b\u3000waiters\u3000carrying\u3000bags\u3000of\u3000garbage\u3000to\u3000the\u3000curb\uff1b\u3000a\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000late\u3000night\u3000lovers\u3000cuddling\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000warm\u3000in\u3000a\u3000breeze\u3000scented\u3000with\u3000jasmine\u3000blossom\u3002\u3000The\u3000Citro\uff1fn\u3000navigated\u3000the\u3000chaos\u3000with\u3000authority\uff1b\u3000its\u3000dissonant\u3000two\u2026tone\u3000siren\u3000parting\u3000the\u3000traffic\u3000like\u3000a\u3000knife\u3002
\n\u3003Le\u3000capitaine\u3000was\u3000pleased\u3000to\u3000discover\u3000you\u3000were\u3000still\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000agent\u3000said\uff1b\u3000speaking\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000since\u3000they’d\u3000left\u3000the\u3000hotel\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000fortunate\u3000coincidence\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000feeling\u3000anything\u3000but\u3000fortunate\uff1b\u3000and\u3000coincidence\u3000was\u3000a\u3000concept\u3000he\u3000did\u3000not\u3000entirely\u3000trust\u3002\u3000As\u3000someone\u3000who\u3000had\u3000spent\u3000his\u3000life\u3000exploring\u3000the\u3000hidden\u3000interconnectivity\u3000of\u3000disparate\u3000emblems\u3000and\u3000ideologies\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000viewed\u3000the\u3000world\u3000as\u3000a\u3000web\u3000of\u3000profoundly\u3000intertwined\u3000histories\u3000and\u3000events\u3002\u3000The\u3000connections\u3000may\u3000be\u3000invisible\uff1b\u3000he\u3000often\u3000preached\u3000to\u3000his\u3000symbology\u3000classes\u3000at\u3000Harvard\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000are\u3000always\u3000there\uff1b\u3000buried\u3000just\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000surface\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000assume\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000the\u3000American\u3000University\u3000of\u3000Paris\u3000told\u3000you\u3000where\u3000I\u3000was\u3000staying\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000driver\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Interpol\u3002\u3003
\nInterpol\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000forgotten\u3000that\u3000the\u3000seemingly\u3000innocuous\u3000request\u3000of\u3000all\u3000European\u3000hotels\u3000to\u3000see\u3000a\u3000passport\u3000at\u3000check\u2026in\u3000was\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000quaint\u3000formality\u2014it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000law\u3002\u3000On\u3000any\u3000given\u3000night\uff1b\u3000all\u3000across\u3000Europe\uff1b\u3000Interpol\u3000officials\u3000could\u3000pinpoint\u3000exactly\u3000who\u3000was\u3000sleeping\u3000where\u3002\u3000Finding\u3000Langdon\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Ritz\u3000had\u3000probably\u3000taken\u3000all\u3000of\u3000five\u3000seconds\u3002
\nAs\u3000the\u3000Citro\uff1fn\u3000accelerated\u3000southward\u3000across\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000the\u3000illuminated\u3000profile\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Eiffel\u3000Tower\u3000appeared\uff1b\u3000shooting\u3000skyward\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000right\u3002\u3000Seeing\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000Vittoria\uff1b\u3000recalling\u3000their\u3000playful\u3000promise\u3000a\u3000year\u3000ago\u3000that\u3000every\u3000six\u3000months\u3000they\u3000would\u3000meet\u3000again\u3000at\u3000a\u3000different\u3000romantic\u3000spot\u3000on\u3000the\u3000globe\u3002\u3000The\u3000Eiffel\u3000Tower\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000suspected\uff1b\u3000would\u3000have\u3000made\u3000their\u3000list\u3002\u3000Sadly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000last\u3000kissed\u3000Vittoria\u3000in\u3000a\u3000noisy\u3000airport\u3000in\u3000Rome\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000year\u3000ago\u3002
\n\u3003Did\u3000you\u3000mount\u3000her\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000agent\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000over\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000glanced\u3000up\uff1b\u3000certain\u3000he\u3000had\u3000misunderstood\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000beg\u3000your\u3000pardon\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003She\u3000is\u3000lovely\uff1b\u3000no\uff1f\u3003\u3000The\u3000agent\u3000motioned\u3000through\u3000the\u3000windshield\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000Eiffel\u3000Tower\u3002\u3000\u3003Have\u3000you\u3000mounted\u3000her\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000rolled\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000I\u3000haven’t\u3000climbed\u3000the\u3000tower\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003She\u3000is\u3000the\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000France\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000she\u3000is\u3000perfect\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000nodded\u3000absently\u3002\u3000Symbologists\u3000often\u3000remarked\u3000that\u3000France\u2014a\u3000country\u3000renowned\u3000for\u3000machismo\uff1b\u3000womanizing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000diminutive\u3000insecure\u3000leaders\u3000like\u3000Napoleon\u3000and\u3000Pepin\u3000the\u3000Short\u2014could\u3000not\u3000have\u3000chosen\u3000a\u3000more\u3000apt\u3000national\u3000emblem\u3000than\u3000a\u3000thousand\u2026foot\u3000phallus\u3002
\nWhen\u3000they\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000intersection\u3000at\u3000Rue\u3000de\u3000Rivoli\uff1b\u3000the\u3000traffic\u3000light\u3000was\u3000red\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Citro\uff1fn\u3000didn’t\u3000slow\u3002\u3000The\u3000agent\u3000gunned\u3000the\u3000sedan\u3000across\u3000the\u3000junction\u3000and\u3000sped\u3000onto\u3000a\u3000wooded\u3000section\u3000of\u3000Rue\u3000Castiglione\uff1b\u3000which\u3000served\u3000as\u3000the\u3000northern\u3000entrance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000famed\u3000Tuileries\u3000Gardens\u2014Paris’s\u3000own\u3000version\u3000of\u3000Central\u3000Park\u3002\u3000Most\u3000tourists\u3000mistranslated\u3000Jardins\u3000des\u3000Tuileries\u3000as\u3000relating\u3000to\u3000the\u3000thousands\u3000of\u3000tulips\u3000that\u3000bloomed\u3000here\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Tuileries\u3000was\u3000actually\u3000a\u3000literal\u3000reference\u3000to\u3000something\u3000far\u3000less\u3000romantic\u3002\u3000This\u3000park\u3000had\u3000once\u3000been\u3000an\u3000enormous\uff1b\u3000polluted\u3000excavation\u3000pit\u3000from\u3000which\u3000Parisian\u3000contractors\u3000mined\u3000clay\u3000to\u3000manufacture\u3000the\u3000city’s\u3000famous\u3000red\u3000roofing\u3000tiles\u2014or\u3000tuiles\u3002
\nAs\u3000they\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000deserted\u3000park\uff1b\u3000the\u3000agent\u3000reached\u3000under\u3000the\u3000dash\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000off\u3000the\u3000blaring\u3000siren\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000exhaled\uff1b\u3000savoring\u3000the\u3000sudden\u3000quiet\u3002\u3000Outside\u3000the\u3000car\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pale\u3000wash\u3000of\u3000halogen\u3000headlights\u3000skimmed\u3000over\u3000the\u3000crushed\u3000gravel\u3000parkway\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rugged\u3000whir\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tires\u3000intoning\u3000a\u3000hypnotic\u3000rhythm\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000always\u3000considered\u3000the\u3000Tuileries\u3000to\u3000be\u3000sacred\u3000ground\u3002\u3000These\u3000were\u3000the\u3000gardens\u3000in\u3000which\u3000Claude\u3000Monet\u3000had\u3000experimented\u3000with\u3000form\u3000and\u3000color\uff1b\u3000and\u3000literally\u3000inspired\u3000the\u3000birth\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Impressionist\u3000movement\u3002\u3000Tonight\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000this\u3000place\u3000held\u3000a\u3000strange\u3000aura\u3000of\u3000foreboding\u3002
\nThe\u3000Citro\uff1fn\u3000swerved\u3000left\u3000now\uff1b\u3000angling\u3000west\u3000down\u3000the\u3000park’s\u3000central\u3000boulevard\u3002\u3000Curling\u3000around\u3000a\u3000circular\u3000pond\uff1b\u3000the\u3000driver\u3000cut\u3000across\u3000a\u3000desolate\u3000avenue\u3000out\u3000into\u3000a\u3000wide\u3000quadrangle\u3000beyond\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000now\u3000see\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Tuileries\u3000Gardens \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ngle\u3000beyond\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000now\u3000see\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Tuileries\u3000Gardens\uff1b\u3000marked\u3000by\u3000a\u3000giant\u3000stone\u3000archway\u3002
\nArc\u3000du\u3000Carrousel\u3002
\nDespite\u3000the\u3000orgiastic\u3000rituals\u3000once\u3000held\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Arc\u3000du\u3000Carrousel\uff1b\u3000art\u3000aficionados\u3000revered\u3000this\u3000place\u3000for\u3000another\u3000reason\u3000entirely\u3002\u3000From\u3000the\u3000esplanade\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Tuileries\uff1b\u3000four\u3000of\u3000the\u3000finest\u3000art\u3000museums\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3000could\u3000be\u3000seen\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000one\u3000at\u3000each\u3000point\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pass\u3002
\nOut\u3000the\u3000right\u2026hand\u3000window\uff1b\u3000south\u3000across\u3000the\u3000Seine\u3000and\u3000Quai\u3000Voltaire\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000dramatically\u3000lit\u3000facade\u3000of\u3000the\u3000old\u3000train\u3000station\u2014now\u3000the\u3000esteemed\u3000Mus\u00e9e\u3000d’Orsay\u3002\u3000Glancing\u3000left\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000make\u3000out\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ultramodern\u3000Pompidou\u3000Center\uff1b\u3000which\u3000housed\u3000the\u3000Museum\u3000of\u3000Modern\u3000Art\u3002\u3000Behind\u3000him\u3000to\u3000the\u3000west\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000ancient\u3000obelisk\u3000of\u3000Ramses\u3000rose\u3000above\u3000the\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000marking\u3000the\u3000Mus\u00e9e\u3000du\u3000Jeu\u3000de\u3000Paume\u3002
\nBut\u3000it\u3000was\u3000straight\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000east\uff1b\u3000through\u3000the\u3000archway\uff1b\u3000that\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000now\u3000see\u3000the\u3000monolithic\u3000Renaissance\u3000palace\u3000that\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000the\u3000most\u3000famous\u3000art\u3000museum\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3002
\nMus\u00e9e\u3000du\u3000Louvre\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000familiar\u3000tinge\u3000of\u3000wonder\u3000as\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000made\u3000a\u3000futile\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000absorb\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000the\u3000edifice\u3002\u3000Across\u3000a\u3000staggeringly\u3000expansive\u3000plaza\uff1b\u3000the\u3000imposing\u3000facade\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000rose\u3000like\u3000a\u3000citadel\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Paris\u3000sky\u3002\u3000Shaped\u3000like\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000horseshoe\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000was\u3000the\u3000longest\u3000building\u3000in\u3000Europe\uff1b\u3000stretching\u3000farther\u3000than\u3000three\u3000Eiffel\u3000Towers\u3000laid\u3000end\u3000to\u3000end\u3002\u3000Not\u3000even\u3000the\u3000million\u3000square\u3000feet\u3000of\u3000open\u3000plaza\u3000between\u3000the\u3000museum\u3000wings\u3000could\u3000challenge\u3000the\u3000majesty\u3000of\u3000the\u3000facade’s\u3000breadth\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000once\u3000walked\u3000the\u3000Louvre’s\u3000entire\u3000perimeter\uff1b\u3000an\u3000astonishing\u3000three\u2026mile\u3000journey\u3002
\nDespite\u3000the\u3000estimated\u3000five\u3000days\u3000it\u3000would\u3000take\u3000a\u3000visitor\u3000to\u3000properly\u3000appreciate\u3000the\u300065\uff1b300\u3000pieces\u3000of\u3000art\u3000in\u3000this\u3000building\uff1b\u3000most\u3000tourists\u3000chose\u3000an\u3000abbreviated\u3000experience\u3000Langdon\u3000referred\u3000to\u3000as\u3000\u3003Louvre\u3000Lite\u3003\u2014a\u3000full\u3000sprint\u3000through\u3000the\u3000museum\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000three\u3000most\u3000famous\u3000objects\uff1a\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\uff1b\u3000Venus\u3000de\u3000Milo\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Winged\u3000Victory\u3002\u3000Art\u3000Buchwald\u3000had\u3000once\u3000boasted\u3000he’d\u3000seen\u3000all\u3000three\u3000masterpieces\u3000in\u3000five\u3000minutes\u3000and\u3000fifty\u2026six\u3000seconds\u3002
\nThe\u3000driver\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000a\u3000handheld\u3000walkie\u2026talkie\u3000and\u3000spoke\u3000in\u3000rapid\u2026fire\u3000French\u3002\u3000\u3003Monsieur\u3000Langdon\u3000est\u3000arriv\u00e9\u3002\u3000Deux\u3000minutes\u3002\u3003
\nAn\u3000indecipherable\u3000confirmation\u3000came\u3000crackling\u3000back\u3002
\nThe\u3000agent\u3000stowed\u3000the\u3000device\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000now\u3000to\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000will\u3000meet\u3000the\u3000capitaine\u3000at\u3000the\u3000main\u3000entrance\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000driver\u3000ignored\u3000the\u3000signs\u3000prohibiting\u3000auto\u3000traffic\u3000on\u3000the\u3000plaza\uff1b\u3000revved\u3000the\u3000engine\uff1b\u3000and\u3000gunned\u3000the\u3000Citro\uff1fn\u3000up\u3000over\u3000the\u3000curb\u3002\u3000The\u3000Louvre’s\u3000main\u3000entrance\u3000was\u3000visible\u3000now\uff1b\u3000rising\u3000boldly\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000encircled\u3000by\u3000seven\u3000triangular\u3000pools\u3000from\u3000which\u3000spouted\u3000illuminated\u3000fountains\u3002
\nLa\u3000Pyramide\u3002
\nThe\u3000new\u3000entrance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Paris\u3000Louvre\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000famous\u3000as\u3000the\u3000museum\u3000itself\u3002\u3000The\u3000controversial\uff1b\u3000neomodern\u3000glass\u3000pyramid\u3000designed\u3000by\u3000Chinese\u2026born\u3000American\u3000architect\u3000I\u3002\u3000M\u3002\u3000Pei\u3000still\u3000evoked\u3000scorn\u3000from\u3000traditionalists\u3000who\u3000felt\u3000it\u3000destroyed\u3000the\u3000dignity\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Renaissance\u3000courtyard\u3002\u3000Goethe\u3000had\u3000described\u3000architecture\u3000as\u3000frozen\u3000music\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pei’s\u3000critics\u3000described\u3000this\u3000pyramid\u3000as\u3000fingernails\u3000on\u3000a\u3000chalkboard\u3002\u3000Progressive\u3000admirers\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000hailed\u3000Pei’s\u3000seventy\u2026one\u2026foot\u2026tall\u3000transparent\u3000pyramid\u3000as\u3000a\u3000dazzling\u3000synergy\u3000of\u3000ancient\u3000structure\u3000and\u3000modern\u3000method\u2014a\u3000symbolic\u3000link\u3000between\u3000the\u3000old\u3000and\u3000new\u2014helping\u3000usher\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000into\u3000the\u3000next\u3000millennium\u3002
\n\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000like\u3000our\u3000pyramid\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000agent\u3000asked\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000The\u3000French\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\uff1b\u3000loved\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000Americans\u3000this\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000loaded\u3000question\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3000Admitting\u3000you\u3000liked\u3000the\u3000pyramid\u3000made\u3000you\u3000a\u3000tasteless\u3000American\uff1b\u3000and\u3000expressing\u3000dislike\u3000was\u3000an\u3000insult\u3000to\u3000the\u3000French\u3002
\n\u3003Mitterrand\u3000was\u3000a\u3000bold\u3000man\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000splitting\u3000the\u3000difference\u3002\u3000The\u3000late\u3000French\u3000president\u3000who\u3000had\u3000missioned\u3000the\u3000pyramid\u3000was\u3000said\u3000to\u3000have\u3000suffered\u3000from\u3000a\u3000\u3003Pharaoh\u3000plex\u3002\u3003\u3000Singlehandedly\u3000responsible\u3000for\u3000filling\u3000Paris\u3000with\u3000Egyptian\u3000obelisks\uff1b\u3000art\uff1b\u3000and\u3000artifacts\u3002
\nFran\uff1fois\u3000Mitterrand\u3000had\u3000an\u3000affinity\u3000for\u3000Egyptian\u3000culture\u3000that\u3000was\u3000so\u3000all\u2026consuming\u3000that\u3000the\u3000French\u3000still\u3000referred\u3000to\u3000him\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Sphinx\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000is\u3000the\u3000captain’s\u3000name\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000changing\u3000topics\u3002
\n\u3003Bezu\u3000Fache\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000driver\u3000said\uff1b\u3000approaching\u3000the\u3000pyramid’s\u3000main\u3000entrance\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000call\u3000him\u3000le\u3000Taureau\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000every\u3000Frenchman\u3000had\u3000a\u3000mysterious\u3000animal\u3000epithet\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000call\u3000your\u3000captain\u3000the\u3000Bull\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000man\u3000arched\u3000his\u3000eyebrows\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000French\u3000is\u3000better\u3000than\u3000you\u3000admit\uff1b\u3000Monsieur\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3003
\nMy\u3000French\u3000stinks\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000but\u3000my\u3000zodiac\u3000iconography\u3000is\u3000pretty\u3000good\u3002\u3000Taurus\u3000was\u3000always\u3000the\u3000bull\u3002\u3000Astrology\u3000was\u3000a\u3000symbolic\u3000constant\u3000all\u3000over\u3000the\u3000world\u3002
\nThe\u3000agent\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000car\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\u3000and\u3000pointed\u3000between\u3000two\u3000fountains\u3000to\u3000a\u3000large\u3000door\u3000in\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pyramid\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000is\u3000the\u3000entrance\u3002\u3000Good\u3000luck\uff1b\u3000monsieur\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You’re\u3000not\u3000ing\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003My\u3000orders\u3000are\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000you\u3000here\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000other\u3000business\u3000to\u3000attend\u3000to\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000heaved\u3000a\u3000sigh\u3000and\u3000climbed\u3000out\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000your\u3000circus\u3002
\nThe\u3000agent\u3000revved\u3000his\u3000engine\u3000and\u3000sped\u3000off\u3002
\nAs\u3000Langdon\u3000stood\u3000alone\u3000and\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000departing\u3000taillights\uff1b\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000he\u3000could\u3000easily\u3000reconsider\uff1b\u3000exit\u3000the\u3000courtyard\uff1b\u3000grab\u3000a\u3000taxi\uff1b\u3000and\u3000head\u3000home\u3000to\u3000bed\u3002\u3000Something\u3000told\u3000him\u3000it\u3000was\u3000probably\u3000a\u3000lousy\u3000idea\u3002
\nAs\u3000he\u3000moved\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000mist\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fountains\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000the\u3000uneasy\u3000sense\u3000he\u3000was\u3000crossing\u3000an\u3000imaginary\u3000threshold\u3000into\u3000another\u3000world\u3002\u3000The\u3000dreamlike\u3000quality\u3000of\u3000the\u3000evening\u3000was\u3000settling\u3000around\u3000him\u3000again\u3002\u3000Twenty\u3000minutes\u3000ago\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000asleep\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hotel\u3000room\u3002\u3000Now\u3000he\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000a\u3000transparent\u3000pyramid\u3000built\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Sphinx\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000a\u3000policeman\u3000they\u3000called\u3000the\u3000Bull\u3002
\nI’m\u3000trapped\u3000in\u3000a\u3000Salvador\u3000Dali\u3000painting\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000strode\u3000to\u3000the\u3000main\u3000entrance\u2014an\u3000enormous\u3000revolving\u3000door\u3002\u3000The\u3000foyer\u3000beyond\u3000was\u3000dimly\u3000lit\u3000and\u3000deserted\u3002
\nDo\u3000I\u3000knock\uff1f
\nLangdon\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000any\u3000of\u3000Harvard’s\u3000revered\u3000Egyptologists\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000knocked\u3000on\u3000the\u3000front\u3000door\u3000of\u3000a\u3000pyramid\u3000and\u3000expected\u3000an\u3000answer\u3002\u3000He\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000bang\u3000on\u3000the\u3000glass\uff1b\u3000but\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3000below\uff1b\u3000a\u3000figure\u3000appeared\uff1b\u3000striding\u3000up\u3000the\u3000curving\u3000staircase\u3002\u3000The\u3000man\u3000was\u3000stocky\u3000and\u3000dark\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000Neanderthal\uff1b\u3000dressed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000double\u2026breasted\u3000suit\u3000that\u3000strained\u3000to\u3000cover\u3000his\u3000wide\u3000shoulders\u3002\u3000He\u3000advanced\u3000with\u3000unmistakable\u3000authority\u3000on\u3000squat\uff1b\u3000powerful\u3000legs\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000speaking\u3000on\u3000his\u3000cell\u3000phone\u3000but\u3000finished\u3000the\u3000call\u3000as\u3000he\u3000arrived\u3002\u3000He\u3000motioned\u3000for\u3000Langdon\u3000to\u3000enter\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000am\u3000Bezu\u3000Fache\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000announced\u3000as\u3000Langdon\u3000pushed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000revolving\u3000door\u3002\u3000\u3003Captain\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Central\u3000Directorate\u3000Judicial\u3000Police\u3002\u3003\u3000His\u3000tone\u3000was\u3000fitting\u2014a\u3000guttural\u3000rumble\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000like\u3000a\u3000gathering\u3000storm\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000held\u3000out\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000shake\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3003
\nFache’s\u3000enormous\u3000palm\u3000wrapped\u3000around\u3000Langdon’s\u3000with\u3000crushing\u3000force\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000photo\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000agent\u3000said\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000himself\u3000did\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache’s\u3000ebony\u3000eyes\u3000locked\u3000on\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000you\u3000see\u3000in\u3000the\u3000photo\u3000is\u3000only\u3000the\u3000beginning\u3000of\u3000what\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000did\u3002\u3003
\n\u2026\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u30004
\n\u2026
\nCaptain\u3000Bezu\u3000Fache\u3000carried\u3000himself\u3000like\u3000an\u3000angry\u3000ox\uff1b\u3000with\u3000his\u3000wide\u3000shoulders\u3000thrown\u3000back\u3000and\u3000his\u3000chin\u3000tucked\u3000hard\u3000into\u3000his\u3000chest\u3002\u3000His\u3000dark\u3000hair\u3000was\u3000slicked\u3000back\u3000with\u3000oil\uff1b\u3000accentuating\u3000an\u3000arrow\u2026like\u3000widow’s\u3000peak\u3000that\u3000divided\u3000his\u3000jutting\u3000brow\u3000and\u3000preceded\u3000him\u3000like\u3000the\u3000prow\u3000of\u3000a\u3000battleship\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000advanced\uff1b\u3000his\u3000dark\u3000eyes\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000scorch\u3000the\u3000earth\u3000before\u3000him\uff1b\u3000radiating\u3000a\u3000fiery\u3000clarity\u3000that\u3000forecast\u3000his\u3000reputation\u3000for\u3000unblinking\u3000severity\u3000in\u3000all\u3000matters\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000down\u3000the\u3000famous\u3000marble\u3000staircase\u3000into\u3000the\u3000sunken\u3000atrium\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000glass\u3000pyramid\u3002\u3000As\u3000they\u3000descended\uff1b\u3000they\u3000passed\u3000between\u3000two\u3000armed\u3000Judicial\u3000Police\u3000guards\u3000with\u3000machine\u3000guns\u3002\u3000The\u3000message\u3000was\u3000clear\uff1a\u3000Nobody\u3000goes\u3000in\u3000or\u3000out\u3000tonight\u3000without\u3000the\u3000blessing\u3000of\u3000Captain\u3000Fache\u3002
\nDescending\u3000below\u3000ground\u3000level\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000fought\u3000a\u3000rising\u3000trepidation\u3002\u3000Fache’s\u3000presence\u3000was\u3000anything\u3000but\u3000weling\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000itself\u3000had\u3000an\u3000almost\u3000sepulchral\u3000aura\u3000at\u3000this\u3000hour\u3002\u3000The\u3000staircase\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000aisle\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000movie\u3000theater\uff1b\u3000was\u3000illuminated\u3000by\u3000subtle\u3000tread\u2026lighting\u3000embedded\u3000in\u3000each\u3000step\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000his\u3000own\u3000footsteps\u3000reverberating\u3000off\u3000the\u3000glass\u3000overhead\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000glanced\u3000up\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000faint\u3000illuminated\u3000wisps\u3000of\u3000mist\u3000from\u3000the\u3000fountains\u3000fading\u3000away\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000transparent\u3000roof\u3002
\n\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000approve\uff1f\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000nodding\u3000upward\u3000with\u3000his\u3000broad\u3000chin\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000sighed\uff1b\u3000too\u3000tired\u3000to\u3000play\u3000games\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000your\u3000pyramid\u3000is\u3000magnificent\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000grunted\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000scar\u3000on\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000Paris\u3002\u3003
\nStrike\u3000one\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000sensed\u3000his\u3000host\u3000was\u3000a\u3000hard\u3000man\u3000to\u3000please\u3002\u3000He\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000Fache\u3000had\u3000any\u3000idea\u3000that\u3000this\u3000pyramid\uff1b\u3000at\u3000President\u3000Mitterrand’s\u3000explicit\u3000demand\uff1b\u3000had\u3000been\u3000constructed\u3000of\u3000exactly\u3000666\u3000panes\u3000of\u3000glass\u2014a\u3000bizarre\u3000request\u3000that\u3000had\u3000always\u3000been\u3000a\u3000hot\u3000topic\u3000among\u3000conspiracy\u3000buffs\u3000who\u3000claimed\u3000666\u3000was\u3000the\u3000number\u3000of\u3000Satan\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000decided\u3000not\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000it\u3000up\u3002
\nAs\u3000they\u3000dropped\u3000farther\u3000into\u3000the\u3000subterranean\u3000foyer\uff1b\u3000the\u3000yawning\u3000space\u3000slowly\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3002\u3000Built\u3000fifty\u2026seven\u3000feet\u3000beneath\u3000ground\u3000level\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Louvre’s\u3000newly\u3000constructed\u300070\uff1b000\u2026square\u2026foot\u3000lobby\u3000spread\u3000out\u3000like\u3000an\u3000endless\u3000grotto\u3002\u3000Constructed\u3000in\u3000warm\u3000ocher\u3000marble\u3000to\u3000be\u3000patible\u3000with\u3000the\u3000honey\u2026colored\u3000stone\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000facade\u3000above\uff1b\u3000the\u3000subterranean\u3000hall\u3000was\u3000usually\u3000vibrant\u3000with\u3000sunlight\u3000and\u3000tourists\u3002\u3000Tonight\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000the\u3000lobby\u3000was\u3000barren\u3000and\u3000dark\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000space\u3000a\u3000cold\u3000and\u3000crypt\u2026like\u3000atmosphere\u3002
\n\u3003And\u3000the\u3000museum’s\u3000regular\u3000security\u3000staff\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003En\u3000quarantaine\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000sounding\u3000as\u3000if\u3000Langdon\u3000were\u3000questioning\u3000the\u3000integrity\u3000of\u3000Fache’s\u3000team\u3002\u3000\u3003Obviously\uff1b\u3000someone\u3000gained\u3000entry\u3000tonight\u3000who\u3000should\u3000not\u3000have\u3002\u3000All\u3000Louvre\u3000night\u3000wardens\u3000are\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Sully\u3000Wing\u3000being\u3000questioned\u3002\u3000My\u3000own\u3000agents\u3000ha \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n o\u3000should\u3000not\u3000have\u3002\u3000All\u3000Louvre\u3000night\u3000wardens\u3000are\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Sully\u3000Wing\u3000being\u3000questioned\u3002\u3000My\u3000own\u3000agents\u3000have\u3000taken\u3000over\u3000museum\u3000security\u3000for\u3000the\u3000evening\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000quickly\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000pace\u3000with\u3000Fache\u3002
\n\u3003How\u3000well\u3000did\u3000you\u3000know\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003Actually\uff1b\u3000not\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000We’d\u3000never\u3000met\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000looked\u3000surprised\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000first\u3000meeting\u3000was\u3000to\u3000be\u3000tonight\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000We’d\u3000planned\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000at\u3000the\u3000American\u3000University\u3000reception\u3000following\u3000my\u3000lecture\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000never\u3000showed\u3000up\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000scribbled\u3000some\u3000notes\u3000in\u3000a\u3000little\u3000book\u3002\u3000As\u3000they\u3000walked\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000caught\u3000a\u3000glimpse\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Louvre’s\u3000lesser\u2026known\u3000pyramid\u2014La\u3000Pyramide\u3000Invers\u00e9e\u2014a\u3000huge\u3000inverted\u3000skylight\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000like\u3000a\u3000stalactite\u3000in\u3000an\u3000adjoining\u3000section\u3000of\u3000the\u3000entresol\u3002\u3000Fache\u3000guided\u3000Langdon\u3000up\u3000a\u3000short\u3000set\u3000of\u3000stairs\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000of\u3000an\u3000arched\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000over\u3000which\u3000a\u3000sign\u3000read\uff1a\u3000DENON\u3002\u3000The\u3000Denon\u3000Wing\u3000was\u3000the\u3000most\u3000famous\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Louvre’s\u3000three\u3000main\u3000sections\u3002
\n\u3003Who\u3000requested\u3000tonight’s\u3000meeting\uff1f\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000asked\u3000suddenly\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000or\u3000he\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000question\u3000seemed\u3000odd\u3002\u3000\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000did\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000replied\u3000as\u3000they\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3002\u3000\u3003His\u3000secretary\u3000contacted\u3000me\u3000a\u3000few\u3000weeks\u3000ago\u3000via\u3000e\u2026mail\u3002\u3000She\u3000said\u3000the\u3000curator\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000I\u3000would\u3000be\u3000lecturing\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3000this\u3000month\u3000and\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000discuss\u3000something\u3000with\u3000me\u3000while\u3000I\u3000was\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Discuss\u3000what\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3002\u3000Art\uff1b\u3000I\u3000imagine\u3002\u3000We\u3000share\u3000similar\u3000interests\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000looked\u3000skeptical\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000have\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000what\u3000your\u3000meeting\u3000was\u3000about\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000did\u3000not\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000been\u3000curious\u3000at\u3000the\u3000time\u3000but\u3000had\u3000not\u3000felt\u3000fortable\u3000demanding\u3000specifics\u3002\u3000The\u3000venerated\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000a\u3000renowned\u3000penchant\u3000for\u3000privacy\u3000and\u3000granted\u3000very\u3000few\u3000meetings\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000grateful\u3000simply\u3000for\u3000the\u3000opportunity\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000can\u3000you\u3000at\u3000least\u3000guess\u3000what\u3000our\u3000murder\u3000victim\u3000might\u3000have\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000discuss\u3000with\u3000you\u3000on\u3000the\u3000night\u3000he\u3000was\u3000killed\uff1f\u3000It\u3000might\u3000be\u3000helpful\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000pointedness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000question\u3000made\u3000Langdon\u3000unfortable\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000really\u3000can’t\u3000imagine\u3002\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000ask\u3002\u3000I\u3000felt\u3000honored\u3000to\u3000have\u3000been\u3000contacted\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000an\u3000admirer\u3000of\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000work\u3002\u3000I\u3000use\u3000his\u3000texts\u3000often\u3000in\u3000my\u3000classes\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000made\u3000note\u3000of\u3000that\u3000fact\u3000in\u3000his\u3000book\u3002
\nThe\u3000two\u3000men\u3000were\u3000now\u3000halfway\u3000up\u3000the\u3000Denon\u3000Wing’s\u3000entry\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000twin\u3000ascending\u3000escalators\u3000at\u3000the\u3000far\u3000end\uff1b\u3000both\u3000motionless\u3002
\n\u3003So\u3000you\u3000shared\u3000interests\u3000with\u3000him\uff1f\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000I’ve\u3000spent\u3000much\u3000of\u3000the\u3000last\u3000year\u3000writing\u3000the\u3000draft\u3000for\u3000a\u3000book\u3000that\u3000deals\u3000with\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000primary\u3000area\u3000of\u3000expertise\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000picking\u3000his\u3000brain\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000glanced\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003Pardon\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000idiom\u3000apparently\u3000didn’t\u3000translate\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000learning\u3000his\u3000thoughts\u3000on\u3000the\u3000topic\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000see\u3002\u3000And\u3000what\u3000is\u3000the\u3000topic\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000hesitated\uff1b\u3000uncertain\u3000exactly\u3000how\u3000to\u3000put\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003Essentially\uff1b\u3000the\u3000manuscript\u3000is\u3000about\u3000the\u3000iconography\u3000of\u3000goddess\u3000worship\u2014the\u3000concept\u3000of\u3000female\u3000sanctity\u3000and\u3000the\u3000art\u3000and\u3000symbols\u3000associated\u3000with\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000ran\u3000a\u3000meaty\u3000hand\u3000across\u3000his\u3000hair\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000was\u3000knowledgeable\u3000about\u3000this\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Nobody\u3000more\u3000so\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000see\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000sensed\u3000Fache\u3000did\u3000not\u3000see\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000was\u3000considered\u3000the\u3000premiere\u3000goddess\u3000iconographer\u3000on\u3000earth\u3002\u3000Not\u3000only\u3000did\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000have\u3000a\u3000personal\u3000passion\u3000for\u3000relics\u3000relating\u3000to\u3000fertility\uff1b\u3000goddess\u3000cults\uff1b\u3000Wicca\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\uff1b\u3000but\u3000during\u3000his\u3000twenty\u2026year\u3000tenure\u3000as\u3000curator\uff1b\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000helped\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000amass\u3000the\u3000largest\u3000collection\u3000of\u3000goddess\u3000art\u3000on\u3000earth\u2014labrys\u3000axes\u3000from\u3000the\u3000priestesses’\u3000oldest\u3000Greek\u3000shrine\u3000in\u3000Delphi\uff1b\u3000gold\u3000caducei\u3000wands\uff1b\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000Tjet\u3000ankhs\u3000resembling\u3000small\u3000standing\u3000angels\uff1b\u3000sistrum\u3000rattles\u3000used\u3000in\u3000ancient\u3000Egypt\u3000to\u3000dispel\u3000evil\u3000spirits\uff1b\u3000and\u3000an\u3000astonishing\u3000array\u3000of\u3000statues\u3000depicting\u3000Horus\u3000being\u3000nursed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000Isis\u3002
\n\u3003Perhaps\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000knew\u3000of\u3000your\u3000manuscript\uff1f\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000offered\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000he\u3000called\u3000the\u3000meeting\u3000to\u3000offer\u3000his\u3000help\u3000on\u3000your\u3000book\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Actually\uff1b\u3000nobody\u3000yet\u3000knows\u3000about\u3000my\u3000manuscript\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000still\u3000in\u3000draft\u3000form\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000haven’t\u3000shown\u3000it\u3000to\u3000anyone\u3000except\u3000my\u3000editor\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000fell\u3000silent\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000did\u3000not\u3000add\u3000the\u3000reason\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000yet\u3000shown\u3000the\u3000manuscript\u3000to\u3000anyone\u3000else\u3002\u3000The\u3000three\u2026hundred\u2026page\u3000draft\u2014tentatively\u3000titled\u3000Symbols\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Lost\u3000Sacred\u3000Feminine\u2014proposed\u3000some\u3000very\u3000unconventional\u3000interpretations\u3000of\u3000established\u3000religious\u3000iconography\u3000which\u3000would\u3000certainly\u3000be\u3000controversial\u3002
\nNow\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Langdon\u3000approached\u3000the\u3000stationary\u3000escalators\uff1b\u3000he\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000realizing\u3000Fache\u3000was\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000beside\u3000him\u3002\u3000Turning\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000saw\u3000Fache\u3000standing\u3000several\u3000yards\u3000back\u3000at\u3000a\u3000service\u3000elevator\u3002
\n\u3003We’ll\u3000take\u3000the\u3000elevator\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\u3000as\u3000the\u3000lift\u3000doors\u3000opened\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000you’re\u3000aware\uff1b\u3000the\u3000gallery\u3000is\u3000quite\u3000a\u3000distance\u3000on\u3000foot\u3002\u3003
\nAlthough\u3000Langdon\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000elevator\u3000would\u3000expedite\u3000the\u3000long\uff1b\u3000two\u2026story\u3000climb\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Denon\u3000Wing\uff1b\u3000he\u3000remained\u3000motionless\u3002
\n\u3003Is\u3000something\u3000wrong\uff1f\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000impatient\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000exhaled\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000a\u3000longing\u3000glance\u3000back\u3000up\u3000the\u3000open\u2026air\u3000escalator\u3002\u3000Nothing’s\u3000wrong\u3000at\u3000all\uff1b\u3000he\u3000lied\u3000to\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000trudging\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000elevator\u3002\u3000As\u3000a\u3000boy\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000down\u3000an\u3000abandoned\u3000well\u3000shaft\u3000and\u3000almost\u3000died\u3000treading\u3000water\u3000in\u3000the\u3000narrow\u3000space\u3000for\u3000hours\u3000before\u3000being\u3000rescued\u3002\u3000Since\u3000then\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000suffered\u3000a\u3000haunting\u3000phobia\u3000of\u3000enclosed\u3000spaces\u2014elevators\uff1b\u3000subways\uff1b\u3000squash\u3000courts\u3002\u3000The\u3000elevator\u3000is\u3000a\u3000perfectly\u3000safe\u3000machine\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000continually\u3000told\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000never\u3000believing\u3000it\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000metal\u3000box\u3000hanging\u3000in\u3000an\u3000enclosed\u3000shaft\uff01\u3000Holding\u3000his\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stepped\u3000into\u3000the\u3000lift\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000the\u3000familiar\u3000tingle\u3000of\u3000adrenaline\u3000as\u3000the\u3000doors\u3000slid\u3000shut\u3002\u3000Two\u3000floors\u3002\u3000Ten\u3000seconds\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000and\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\u3000as\u3000the\u3000lift\u3000began\u3000to\u3000move\uff1b\u3000\u3003you\u3000never\u3000spoke\u3000at\u3000all\uff1f\u3000Never\u3000corresponded\uff1f\u3000Never\u3000sent\u3000each\u3000other\u3000anything\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mail\uff1f\u3003
\nAnother\u3000odd\u3000question\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3002\u3000Never\u3002\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000cocked\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000making\u3000a\u3000mental\u3000note\u3000of\u3000that\u3000fact\u3002\u3000Saying\u3000nothing\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stared\u3000dead\u3000ahead\u3000at\u3000the\u3000chrome\u3000doors\u3002
\nAs\u3000they\u3000ascended\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000focus\u3000on\u3000anything\u3000other\u3000than\u3000the\u3000four\u3000walls\u3000around\u3000him\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000reflection\u3000of\u3000the\u3000shiny\u3000elevator\u3000door\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000captain’s\u3000tie\u3000clip\u2014a\u3000silver\u3000crucifix\u3000with\u3000thirteen\u3000embedded\u3000pieces\u3000of\u3000black\u3000onyx\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000found\u3000it\u3000vaguely\u3000surprising\u3002\u3000The\u3000symbol\u3000was\u3000known\u3000as\u3000a\u3000crux\u3000gemmata\u2014a\u3000cross\u3000bearing\u3000thirteen\u3000gems\u2014a\u3000Christian\u3000ideogram\u3000for\u3000Christ\u3000and\u3000His\u3000twelve\u3000apostles\u3002\u3000Somehow\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000not\u3000expected\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000of\u3000the\u3000French\u3000police\u3000to\u3000broadcast\u3000his\u3000religion\u3000so\u3000openly\u3002\u3000Then\u3000again\uff1b\u3000this\u3000was\u3000France\uff1b\u3000Christianity\u3000was\u3000not\u3000a\u3000religion\u3000here\u3000so\u3000much\u3000as\u3000a\u3000birthright\u3002
\n\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000crux\u3000gemmata\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\u3000suddenly\u3002
\nStartled\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000glanced\u3000up\u3000to\u3000find\u3000Fache’s\u3000eyes\u3000on\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000reflection\u3002
\nThe\u3000elevator\u3000jolted\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000doors\u3000opened\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000stepped\u3000quickly\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hallway\uff1b\u3000eager\u3000for\u3000the\u3000wide\u2026open\u3000space\u3000afforded\u3000by\u3000the\u3000famous\u3000high\u3000ceilings\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000galleries\u3002\u3000The\u3000world\u3000into\u3000which\u3000he\u3000stepped\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000like\u3000he\u3000expected\u3002
\nSurprised\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000stopped\u3000short\u3002
\nFache\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000gather\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000you\u3000have\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000after\u3000hours\uff1f\u3003
\nI\u3000guess\u3000not\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000get\u3000his\u3000bearings\u3002
\nUsually\u3000impeccably\u3000illuminated\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000galleries\u3000were\u3000startlingly\u3000dark\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000of\u3000the\u3000customary\u3000flat\u2026white\u3000light\u3000flowing\u3000down\u3000from\u3000above\uff1b\u3000a\u3000muted\u3000red\u3000glow\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000emanate\u3000upward\u3000from\u3000the\u3000baseboards\u2014intermittent\u3000patches\u3000of\u3000red\u3000light\u3000spilling\u3000out\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000tile\u3000floors\u3002
\nAs\u3000Langdon\u3000gazed\u3000down\u3000the\u3000murky\u3000corridor\uff1b\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000he\u3000should\u3000have\u3000anticipated\u3000this\u3000scene\u3002\u3000Virtually\u3000all\u3000major\u3000galleries\u3000employed\u3000red\u3000service\u3000lighting\u3000at\u3000night\u2014strategically\u3000placed\uff1b\u3000low\u2026level\uff1b\u3000noninvasive\u3000lights\u3000that\u3000enabled\u3000staff\u3000members\u3000to\u3000navigate\u3000hallways\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000kept\u3000the\u3000paintings\u3000in\u3000relative\u3000darkness\u3000to\u3000slow\u3000the\u3000fading\u3000effects\u3000of\u3000overexposure\u3000to\u3000light\u3002\u3000Tonight\uff1b\u3000the\u3000museum\u3000possessed\u3000an\u3000almost\u3000oppressive\u3000quality\u3002\u3000Long\u3000shadows\u3000encroached\u3000everywhere\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000usually\u3000soaring\u3000vaulted\u3000ceilings\u3000appeared\u3000as\u3000a\u3000low\uff1b\u3000black\u3000void\u3002
\n\u3003This\u3000way\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000sharply\u3000right\u3000and\u3000setting\u3000out\u3000through\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000interconnected\u3000galleries\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000followed\uff1b\u3000his\u3000vision\u3000slowly\u3000adjusting\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dark\u3002\u3000All\u3000around\uff1b\u3000large\u2026format\u3000oils\u3000began\u3000to\u3000materialize\u3000like\u3000photos\u3000developing\u3000before\u3000him\u3000in\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000darkroom\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000their\u3000eyes\u3000following\u3000as\u3000he\u3000moved\u3000through\u3000the\u3000rooms\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000taste\u3000the\u3000familiar\u3000tang\u3000of\u3000museum\u3000air\u2014an\u3000arid\uff1b\u3000deionized\u3000essence\u3000that\u3000carried\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000hint\u3000of\u3000carbon\u2014the\u3000product\u3000of\u3000industrial\uff1b\u3000coal\u2026filter\u3000dehumidifiers\u3000that\u3000ran\u3000around\u3000the\u3000clock\u3000to\u3000counteract\u3000the\u3000corrosive\u3000carbon\u3000dioxide\u3000exhaled\u3000by\u3000visitors\u3002
\nMounted\u3000high\u3000on\u3000the\u3000walls\uff1b\u3000the\u3000visible\u3000security\u3000cameras\u3000sent\u3000a\u3000clear\u3000message\u3000to\u3000visitors\uff1a\u3000We\u3000see\u3000you\u3002\u3000Do\u3000not\u3000touch\u3000anything\u3002
\n\u3003Any\u3000of\u3000them\u3000real\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000motioning\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cameras\u3002
\nFache\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Of\u3000course\u3000not\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000not\u3000surprised\u3002\u3000Video\u3000surveillance\u3000in\u3000museums\u3000this\u3000size\u3000was\u3000cost\u2026prohibitive\u3000and\u3000ineffective\u3002\u3000With\u3000acres\u3000of\u3000galleries\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000over\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000would\u3000require\u3000several\u3000hundred\u3000technicians\u3000simply\u3000to\u3000monitor\u3000the\u3000feeds\u3002\u3000Most\u3000large\u3000museums\u3000now\u3000used\u3000\u3003containment\u3000security\u3002\u3003\u3000Forget\u3000keeping\u3000thieves\u3000out\u3002\u3000Keep\u3000them\u3000in\u3002\u3000Containment\u3000was\u3000activated\u3000after\u3000hours\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000an\u3000intruder\u3000removed\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000artwork\uff1b\u3000partmentalized\u3000exits\u3000would\u3000seal\u3000around\u3000that\u3000gallery\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000thief\u3000would\u3000find\u3000himself\u3000behind\u3000bars\u3000even\u3000before\u3000the\u3000police\u3000arrived\u3002
\nThe\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000voices\u3000echoed\u3000down\u3000the\u3000marble\u3000corridor\u3000up\u3000ahead\u3002\u3000The\u3000noise\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000a\u3000large\u3000recessed\u3000alcove\u3000that\u3000lay\u3000ahead\u3000on\u3000the\u3000right\u3002\u3000A\u3000bright\u3000light\u3000spilled\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hallway\u3002
\n\u3003Office\u3000of\u3000the\u3000curator\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000sa \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000on\u3000the\u3000right\u3002\u3000A\u3000bright\u3000light\u3000spilled\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hallway\u3002
\n\u3003Office\u3000of\u3000the\u3000curator\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000said\u3002
\nAs\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Fache\u3000drew\u3000nearer\u3000the\u3000alcove\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000peered\u3000down\u3000a\u3000short\u3000hallway\uff1b\u3000into\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000luxurious\u3000study\u2014warm\u3000wood\uff1b\u3000Old\u3000Master\u3000paintings\uff1b\u3000and\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000antique\u3000desk\u3000on\u3000which\u3000stood\u3000a\u3000two\u2026foot\u2026tall\u3000model\u3000of\u3000a\u3000knight\u3000in\u3000full\u3000armor\u3002\u3000A\u3000handful\u3000of\u3000police\u3000agents\u3000bustled\u3000about\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000talking\u3000on\u3000phones\u3000and\u3000taking\u3000notes\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000them\u3000was\u3000seated\u3000at\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000desk\uff1b\u3000typing\u3000into\u3000a\u3000laptop\u3002\u3000Apparently\uff1b\u3000the\u3000curator’s\u3000private\u3000office\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000DCPJ’s\u3000makeshift\u3000mand\u3000post\u3000for\u3000the\u3000evening\u3002
\n\u3003Messieurs\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000called\u3000out\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000men\u3000turned\u3002\u3000\u3003Ne\u3000nous\u3000d\u00e9rangez\u3000pas\u3000sous\u3000aucun\u3000pr\u00e9texte\u3002\u3000Entendu\uff1f\u3003
\nEveryone\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000office\u3000nodded\u3000their\u3000understanding\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000hung\u3000enough\u3000NE\u3000PAS\u3000DERANGER\u3000signs\u3000on\u3000hotel\u3000room\u3000doors\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000the\u3000gist\u3000of\u3000the\u3000captain’s\u3000orders\u3002\u3000Fache\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000were\u3000not\u3000to\u3000be\u3000disturbed\u3000under\u3000any\u3000circumstances\u3002
\nLeaving\u3000the\u3000small\u3000congregation\u3000of\u3000agents\u3000behind\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000led\u3000Langdon\u3000farther\u3000down\u3000the\u3000darkened\u3000hallway\u3002\u3000Thirty\u3000yards\u3000ahead\u3000loomed\u3000the\u3000gateway\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Louvre’s\u3000most\u3000popular\u3000section\u2014la\u3000Grande\u3000Galerie\u2014a\u3000seemingly\u3000endless\u3000corridor\u3000that\u3000housed\u3000the\u3000Louvre’s\u3000most\u3000valuable\u3000Italian\u3000masterpieces\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000already\u3000discerned\u3000that\u3000this\u3000was\u3000where\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000body\u3000lay\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery’s\u3000famous\u3000parquet\u3000floor\u3000had\u3000been\u3000unmistakable\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Polaroid\u3002
\nAs\u3000they\u3000approached\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000entrance\u3000was\u3000blocked\u3000by\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000steel\u3000grate\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000something\u3000used\u3000by\u3000medieval\u3000castles\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000out\u3000marauding\u3000armies\u3002
\n\u3003Containment\u3000security\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\uff1b\u3000as\u3000they\u3000neared\u3000the\u3000grate\u3002
\nEven\u3000in\u3000the\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000the\u3000barricade\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000it\u3000could\u3000have\u3000restrained\u3000a\u3000tank\u3002\u3000Arriving\u3000outside\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000peered\u3000through\u3000the\u3000bars\u3000into\u3000the\u3000dimly\u3000lit\u3000caverns\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\u3002
\n\u3003After\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000turned\u3002\u3000After\u3000me\uff1b\u3000where\uff1f
\nFache\u3000motioned\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000at\u3000the\u3000base\u3000of\u3000the\u3000grate\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000looked\u3000down\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000noticed\u3002\u3000The\u3000barricade\u3000was\u3000raised\u3000about\u3000two\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000providing\u3000an\u3000awkward\u3000clearance\u3000underneath\u3002
\n\u3003This\u3000area\u3000is\u3000still\u3000off\u3000limits\u3000to\u3000Louvre\u3000security\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000team\u3000from\u3000Police\u3000Technique\u3000et\u3000Scientifique\u3000has\u3000just\u3000finished\u3000their\u3000investigation\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000motioned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000opening\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\u3000slide\u3000under\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000narrow\u3000crawl\u3000space\u3000at\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000then\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000massive\u3000iron\u3000grate\u3002\u3000He’s\u3000kidding\uff1b\u3000right\uff1f\u3000The\u3000barricade\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000guillotine\u3000waiting\u3000to\u3000crush\u3000intruders\u3002
\nFache\u3000grumbled\u3000something\u3000in\u3000French\u3000and\u3000checked\u3000his\u3000watch\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000dropped\u3000to\u3000his\u3000knees\u3000and\u3000slithered\u3000his\u3000bulky\u3000frame\u3000underneath\u3000the\u3000grate\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stood\u3000up\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000back\u3000through\u3000the\u3000bars\u3000at\u3000Langdon\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000Placing\u3000his\u3000palms\u3000flat\u3000on\u3000the\u3000polished\u3000parquet\uff1b\u3000he\u3000lay\u3000on\u3000his\u3000stomach\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000himself\u3000forward\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000slid\u3000underneath\uff1b\u3000the\u3000nape\u3000of\u3000his\u3000Harris\u3000tweed\u3000snagged\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000grate\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000cracked\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000his\u3000head\u3000on\u3000the\u3000iron\u3002
\nVery\u3000suave\uff1b\u3000Robert\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000fumbling\u3000and\u3000then\u3000finally\u3000pulling\u3000himself\u3000through\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000stood\u3000up\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000suspect\u3000it\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000very\u3000long\u3000night\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u30005
\n
\nMurray\u3000Hill\u3000Place\u2014the\u3000new\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000World\u3000Headquarters\u3000and\u3000conference\u3000center\u2014is\u3000located\u3000at\u3000243\u3000Lexington\u3000Avenue\u3000in\u3000New\u3000York\u3000City\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000price\u3000tag\u3000of\u3000just\u3000over\u300047\u3000million\uff1b\u3000the\u3000133\uff1b000\u2026square\u2026foot\u3000tower\u3000is\u3000clad\u3000in\u3000red\u3000brick\u3000and\u3000Indiana\u3000limestone\u3002\u3000Designed\u3000by\u3000May\u3000&\u3000Pinska\uff1b\u3000the\u3000building\u3000contains\u3000over\u3000one\u3000hundred\u3000bedrooms\uff1b\u3000six\u3000dining\u3000rooms\uff1b\u3000libraries\uff1b\u3000living\u3000rooms\uff1b\u3000meeting\u3000rooms\uff1b\u3000and\u3000offices\u3002\u3000The\u3000second\uff1b\u3000eighth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sixteenth\u3000floors\u3000contain\u3000chapels\uff1b\u3000ornamented\u3000with\u3000mill\u2026work\u3000and\u3000marble\u3002\u3000The\u3000seventeenth\u3000floor\u3000is\u3000entirely\u3000residential\u3002\u3000Men\u3000enter\u3000the\u3000building\u3000through\u3000the\u3000main\u3000doors\u3000on\u3000Lexington\u3000Avenue\u3002\u3000Women\u3000enter\u3000through\u3000a\u3000side\u3000street\u3000and\u3000are\u3000\u3003acoustically\u3000and\u3000visually\u3000separated\u3003\u3000from\u3000the\u3000men\u3000at\u3000all\u3000times\u3000within\u3000the\u3000building\u3002
\nEarlier\u3000this\u3000evening\uff1b\u3000within\u3000the\u3000sanctuary\u3000of\u3000his\u3000penthouse\u3000apartment\uff1b\u3000Bishop\u3000Manuel\u3000Aringarosa\u3000had\u3000packed\u3000a\u3000small\u3000travel\u3000bag\u3000and\u3000dressed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000traditional\u3000black\u3000cassock\u3002\u3000Normally\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000wrapped\u3000a\u3000purple\u3000cincture\u3000around\u3000his\u3000waist\uff1b\u3000but\u3000tonight\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000traveling\u3000among\u3000the\u3000public\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000preferred\u3000not\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000his\u3000high\u3000office\u3002\u3000Only\u3000those\u3000with\u3000a\u3000keen\u3000eye\u3000would\u3000notice\u3000his\u300014\u2026karat\u3000gold\u3000bishop’s\u3000ring\u3000with\u3000purple\u3000amethyst\uff1b\u3000large\u3000diamonds\uff1b\u3000and\u3000hand\u2026tooled\u3000mitre\u2026crozier\u3000appliqu\u00e9\u3002\u3000Throwing\u3000the\u3000travel\u3000bag\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000he\u3000said\u3000a\u3000silent\u3000prayer\u3000and\u3000left\u3000his\u3000apartment\uff1b\u3000descending\u3000to\u3000the\u3000lobby\u3000where\u3000his\u3000driver\u3000was\u3000waiting\u3000to\u3000take\u3000him\u3000to\u3000the\u3000airport\u3002
\nNow\uff1b\u3000sitting\u3000aboard\u3000a\u3000mercial\u3000airliner\u3000bound\u3000for\u3000Rome\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000gazed\u3000out\u3000the\u3000window\u3000at\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000Atlantic\u3002\u3000The\u3000sun\u3000had\u3000already\u3000set\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Aringarosa\u3000knew\u3000his\u3000own\u3000star\u3000was\u3000on\u3000the\u3000rise\u3002\u3000Tonight\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000will\u3000be\u3000won\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000amazed\u3000that\u3000only\u3000months\u3000ago\u3000he\u3000had\u3000felt\u3000powerless\u3000against\u3000the\u3000hands\u3000that\u3000threatened\u3000to\u3000destroy\u3000his\u3000empire\u3002
\nAs\u3000president\u2026general\u3000of\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\uff1b\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3000had\u3000spent\u3000the\u3000last\u3000decade\u3000of\u3000his\u3000life\u3000spreading\u3000the\u3000message\u3000of\u3000\u3003God’s\u3000Work\u3003\u2014literally\uff1b\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3002\u3000The\u3000congregation\uff1b\u3000founded\u3000in\u30001928\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Spanish\u3000priest\u3000Josemar\u00eda\u3000Escriv\u00e1\uff1b\u3000promoted\u3000a\u3000return\u3000to\u3000conservative\u3000Catholic\u3000values\u3000and\u3000encouraged\u3000its\u3000members\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sweeping\u3000sacrifices\u3000in\u3000their\u3000own\u3000lives\u3000in\u3000order\u3000to\u3000do\u3000the\u3000Work\u3000of\u3000God\u3002
\nOpus\u3000Dei’s\u3000traditionalist\u3000philosophy\u3000initially\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000root\u3000in\u3000Spain\u3000before\u3000Franco’s\u3000regime\uff1b\u3000but\u3000with\u3000the\u30001934\u3000publication\u3000of\u3000Josemar\u00eda\u3000Escriv\u00e1’s\u3000spiritual\u3000book\u3000The\u3000Way\u2014999\u3000points\u3000of\u3000meditation\u3000for\u3000doing\u3000God’s\u3000Work\u3000in\u3000one’s\u3000own\u3000life\u2014Escriv\u00e1’s\u3000message\u3000exploded\u3000across\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000with\u3000over\u3000four\u3000million\u3000copies\u3000of\u3000The\u3000Way\u3000in\u3000circulation\u3000in\u3000forty\u2026two\u3000languages\uff1b\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000was\u3000a\u3000global\u3000force\u3002\u3000Its\u3000residence\u3000halls\uff1b\u3000teaching\u3000centers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000universities\u3000could\u3000be\u3000found\u3000in\u3000almost\u3000every\u3000major\u3000metropolis\u3000on\u3000earth\u3002\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000was\u3000the\u3000fastest\u2026growing\u3000and\u3000most\u3000financially\u3000secure\u3000Catholic\u3000organization\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000had\u3000learned\uff1b\u3000in\u3000an\u3000age\u3000of\u3000religious\u3000cynicism\uff1b\u3000cults\uff1b\u3000and\u3000televangelists\uff1b\u3000Opus\u3000Dei’s\u3000escalating\u3000wealth\u3000and\u3000power\u3000was\u3000a\u3000magnet\u3000for\u3000suspicion\u3002
\n\u3003Many\u3000call\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000a\u3000brainwashing\u3000cult\uff1b\u3003\u3000reporters\u3000often\u3000challenged\u3002\u3000\u3003Others\u3000call\u3000you\u3000an\u3000ultraconservative\u3000Christian\u3000secret\u3000society\u3002\u3000Which\u3000are\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Opus\u3000Dei\u3000is\u3000neither\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000bishop\u3000would\u3000patiently\u3000reply\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000are\u3000a\u3000Catholic\u3000Church\u3002\u3000We\u3000are\u3000a\u3000congregation\u3000of\u3000Catholics\u3000who\u3000have\u3000chosen\u3000as\u3000our\u3000priority\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000Catholic\u3000doctrine\u3000as\u3000rigorously\u3000as\u3000we\u3000can\u3000in\u3000our\u3000own\u3000daily\u3000lives\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Does\u3000God’s\u3000Work\u3000necessarily\u3000include\u3000vows\u3000of\u3000chastity\uff1b\u3000tithing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000atonement\u3000for\u3000sins\u3000through\u3000self\u2026flagellation\u3000and\u3000the\u3000cilice\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000are\u3000describing\u3000only\u3000a\u3000small\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000population\uff1b\u3003\u3000Aringarosa\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000are\u3000many\u3000levels\u3000of\u3000involvement\u3002\u3000Thousands\u3000of\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000members\u3000are\u3000married\uff1b\u3000have\u3000families\uff1b\u3000and\u3000do\u3000God’s\u3000Work\u3000in\u3000their\u3000own\u3000munities\u3002\u3000Others\u3000choose\u3000lives\u3000of\u3000asceticism\u3000within\u3000our\u3000cloistered\u3000residence\u3000halls\u3002\u3000These\u3000choices\u3000are\u3000personal\uff1b\u3000but\u3000everyone\u3000in\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000shares\u3000the\u3000goal\u3000of\u3000bettering\u3000the\u3000world\u3000by\u3000doing\u3000the\u3000Work\u3000of\u3000God\u3002\u3000Surely\u3000this\u3000is\u3000an\u3000admirable\u3000quest\u3002\u3003
\nReason\u3000seldom\u3000worked\uff1b\u3000though\u3002\u3000The\u3000media\u3000always\u3000gravitated\u3000toward\u3000scandal\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\uff1b\u3000like\u3000most\u3000large\u3000organizations\uff1b\u3000had\u3000within\u3000its\u3000membership\u3000a\u3000few\u3000misguided\u3000souls\u3000who\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000shadow\u3000over\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000group\u3002
\nTwo\u3000months\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000an\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000group\u3000at\u3000a\u3000midwestern\u3000university\u3000had\u3000been\u3000caught\u3000drugging\u3000new\u3000recruits\u3000with\u3000mescaline\u3000in\u3000an\u3000effort\u3000to\u3000induce\u3000a\u3000euphoric\u3000state\u3000that\u3000neophytes\u3000would\u3000perceive\u3000as\u3000a\u3000religious\u3000experience\u3002\u3000Another\u3000university\u3000student\u3000had\u3000used\u3000his\u3000barbed\u3000cilice\u3000belt\u3000more\u3000often\u3000than\u3000the\u3000remended\u3000two\u3000hours\u3000a\u3000day\u3000and\u3000had\u3000given\u3000himself\u3000a\u3000near\u3000lethal\u3000infection\u3002\u3000In\u3000Boston\u3000not\u3000long\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000a\u3000disillusioned\u3000young\u3000investment\u3000banker\u3000had\u3000signed\u3000over\u3000his\u3000entire\u3000life\u3000savings\u3000to\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000before\u3000attempting\u3000suicide\u3002
\nMisguided\u3000sheep\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000his\u3000heart\u3000going\u3000out\u3000to\u3000them\u3002
\nOf\u3000course\u3000the\u3000ultimate\u3000embarrassment\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000widely\u3000publicized\u3000trial\u3000of\u3000FBI\u3000spy\u3000Robert\u3000Hanssen\uff1b\u3000who\uff1b\u3000in\u3000addition\u3000to\u3000being\u3000a\u3000prominent\u3000member\u3000of\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\uff1b\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000sexual\u3000deviant\uff1b\u3000his\u3000trial\u3000uncovering\u3000evidence\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000rigged\u3000hidden\u3000video\u3000cameras\u3000in\u3000his\u3000own\u3000bedroom\u3000so\u3000his\u3000friends\u3000could\u3000watch\u3000him\u3000having\u3000sex\u3000with\u3000his\u3000wife\u3002\u3000\u3003Hardly\u3000the\u3000pastime\u3000of\u3000a\u3000devout\u3000Catholic\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000judge\u3000had\u3000noted\u3002
\nSadly\uff1b\u3000all\u3000of\u3000these\u3000events\u3000had\u3000helped\u3000spawn\u3000the\u3000new\u3000watch\u3000group\u3000known\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000Awareness\u3000Network\u3000\uff08ODAN\uff09\u3002\u3000The\u3000group’s\u3000popular\u3000website\u2014odan\u2014relayed\u3000frightening\u3000stories\u3000from\u3000former\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000members\u3000who\u3000warned\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dangers\u3000of\u3000joining\u3002\u3000The\u3000media\u3000was\u3000now\u3000referring\u3000to\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000as\u3000\u3003God’s\u3000Mafia\u3003\u3000and\u3000\u3003the\u3000Cult\u3000of\u3000Christ\u3002\u3003
\nWe\u3000fear\u3000what\u3000we\u3000do\u3000not\u3000understand\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000these\u3000critics\u3000had\u3000any\u3000idea\u3000how\u3000many\u3000lives\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000had\u3000enriched\u3002\u3000The\u3000group\u3000enjoyed\u3000the\u3000full\u3000endorsement\u3000and\u3000blessing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3002\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000is\u3000a\u3000personal\u3000prelature\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Pope\u3000himself\u3002
\nRecently\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000had\u3000found\u3000itself\u3000threatened\u3000by\u3000a\u3000force\u3000infinitely\u3000more\u3000powerful\u3000than\u3000the\u3000media\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000an\u3000unexpected\u3000foe\u3000from\u3000which\u3000Aringarosa\u3000could\u3000not\u3000possibly\u3000hide\u3002\u3000Five\u3000months\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000the\u3000kaleidoscope\u3000of\u3000power\u3000had\u3000been\u3000shaken\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Aringarosa\u3000was\u3000still\u3000reeling\u3000from\u3000the\u3000blow\u3002
\n\u3003They\u3000know\u3000not\u3000the\u3000war\u3000they\u3000have\u3000begun\uff1b\u3003\u3000Aringarosa\u3000whispered\u3000to\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000out\u3000the\u3000plane’s\u3000window\u3000at\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ocean\u3000below\u3002\u3000For\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000refocused\uff1b\u3000lingering\u3000on\u3000the\u3000reflection\u3000of\u3000his\u3000awkward\u3000face\u2014dark\u3000and\u3000oblong\uff1b\u3000dominated\u3000by\u3000a\u3000flat\uff1b\u3000crooked\u3000nose\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000shat \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n eflection\u3000of\u3000his\u3000awkward\u3000face\u2014dark\u3000and\u3000oblong\uff1b\u3000dominated\u3000by\u3000a\u3000flat\uff1b\u3000crooked\u3000nose\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000shattered\u3000by\u3000a\u3000fist\u3000in\u3000Spain\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000a\u3000young\u3000missionary\u3002\u3000The\u3000physical\u3000flaw\u3000barely\u3000registered\u3000now\u3002\u3000Aringarosa’s\u3000was\u3000a\u3000world\u3000of\u3000the\u3000soul\uff1b\u3000not\u3000of\u3000the\u3000flesh\u3002
\nAs\u3000the\u3000jet\u3000passed\u3000over\u3000the\u3000coast\u3000of\u3000Portugal\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cell\u3000phone\u3000in\u3000Aringarosa’s\u3000cassock\u3000began\u3000vibrating\u3000in\u3000silent\u3000ring\u3000mode\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000airline\u3000regulations\u3000prohibiting\u3000the\u3000use\u3000of\u3000cell\u3000phones\u3000during\u3000flights\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000knew\u3000this\u3000was\u3000a\u3000call\u3000he\u3000could\u3000not\u3000miss\u3002\u3000Only\u3000one\u3000man\u3000possessed\u3000this\u3000number\uff1b\u3000the\u3000man\u3000who\u3000had\u3000mailed\u3000Aringarosa\u3000the\u3000phone\u3002
\nExcited\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bishop\u3000answered\u3000quietly\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Silas\u3000has\u3000located\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000caller\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000is\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3002\u3000Within\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000of\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\u3002\u3003
\nBishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003Then\u3000we\u3000are\u3000close\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000can\u3000obtain\u3000it\u3000immediately\u3002\u3000But\u3000we\u3000need\u3000your\u3000influence\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3002\u3000Tell\u3000me\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\nWhen\u3000Aringarosa\u3000switched\u3000off\u3000the\u3000phone\uff1b\u3000his\u3000heart\u3000was\u3000pounding\u3002\u3000He\u3000gazed\u3000once\u3000again\u3000into\u3000the\u3000void\u3000of\u3000night\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000dwarfed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000events\u3000he\u3000had\u3000put\u3000into\u3000motion\u3002
\n\u3000
\nFive\u3000hundred\u3000miles\u3000away\uff1b\u3000the\u3000albino\u3000named\u3000Silas\u3000stood\u3000over\u3000a\u3000small\u3000basin\u3000of\u3000water\u3000and\u3000dabbed\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000from\u3000his\u3000back\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000patterns\u3000of\u3000red\u3000spinning\u3000in\u3000the\u3000water\u3002\u3000Purge\u3000me\u3000with\u3000hyssop\u3000and\u3000I\u3000shall\u3000be\u3000clean\uff1b\u3000he\u3000prayed\uff1b\u3000quoting\u3000Psalms\u3002\u3000Wash\u3000me\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000shall\u3000be\u3000whiter\u3000than\u3000snow\u3002
\nSilas\u3000was\u3000feeling\u3000an\u3000aroused\u3000anticipation\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000not\u3000felt\u3000since\u3000his\u3000previous\u3000life\u3002\u3000It\u3000both\u3000surprised\u3000and\u3000electrified\u3000him\u3002\u3000For\u3000the\u3000last\u3000decade\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000following\u3000The\u3000Way\uff1b\u3000cleansing\u3000himself\u3000of\u3000sins\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000rebuilding\u3000his\u3000life\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000erasing\u3000the\u3000violence\u3000in\u3000his\u3000past\u3002\u3000Tonight\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000all\u3000e\u3000rushing\u3000back\u3002\u3000The\u3000hatred\u3000he\u3000had\u3000fought\u3000so\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000bury\u3000had\u3000been\u3000summoned\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000been\u3000startled\u3000how\u3000quickly\u3000his\u3000past\u3000had\u3000resurfaced\u3002\u3000And\u3000with\u3000it\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000had\u3000e\u3000his\u3000skills\u3002\u3000Rusty\u3000but\u3000serviceable\u3002
\nJesus’\u3000message\u3000is\u3000one\u3000of\u3000peace\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000of\u3000nonviolence\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000of\u3000love\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\u3000the\u3000message\u3000Silas\u3000had\u3000been\u3000taught\u3000from\u3000the\u3000beginning\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000message\u3000he\u3000held\u3000in\u3000his\u3000heart\u3002\u3000And\u3000yet\u3000this\u3000was\u3000the\u3000message\u3000the\u3000enemies\u3000of\u3000Christ\u3000now\u3000threatened\u3000to\u3000destroy\u3002\u3000Those\u3000who\u3000threaten\u3000God\u3000with\u3000force\u3000will\u3000be\u3000met\u3000with\u3000force\u3002\u3000Immovable\u3000and\u3000steadfast\u3002
\nFor\u3000two\u3000millennia\uff1b\u3000Christian\u3000soldiers\u3000had\u3000defended\u3000their\u3000faith\u3000against\u3000those\u3000who\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000displace\u3000it\u3002\u3000Tonight\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000had\u3000been\u3000called\u3000to\u3000battle\u3002
\nDrying\u3000his\u3000wounds\uff1b\u3000he\u3000donned\u3000his\u3000ankle\u2026length\uff1b\u3000hooded\u3000robe\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000plain\uff1b\u3000made\u3000of\u3000dark\u3000wool\uff1b\u3000accentuating\u3000the\u3000whiteness\u3000of\u3000his\u3000skin\u3000and\u3000hair\u3002\u3000Tightening\u3000the\u3000rope\u2026tie\u3000around\u3000his\u3000waist\uff1b\u3000he\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000hood\u3000over\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000allowed\u3000his\u3000red\u3000eyes\u3000to\u3000admire\u3000his\u3000reflection\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mirror\u3002\u3000The\u3000wheels\u3000are\u3000in\u3000motion\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u30006
\n
\nHaving\u3000squeezed\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000security\u3000gate\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3000now\u3000stood\u3000just\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000entrance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000staring\u3000into\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000of\u3000a\u3000long\uff1b\u3000deep\u3000canyon\u3002\u3000On\u3000either\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gallery\uff1b\u3000stark\u3000walls\u3000rose\u3000thirty\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000evaporating\u3000into\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3000above\u3002\u3000The\u3000reddish\u3000glow\u3000of\u3000the\u3000service\u3000lighting\u3000sifted\u3000upward\uff1b\u3000casting\u3000an\u3000unnatural\u3000smolder\u3000across\u3000a\u3000staggering\u3000collection\u3000of\u3000Da\u3000Vincis\uff1b\u3000Titians\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Caravaggios\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000suspended\u3000from\u3000ceiling\u3000cables\u3002\u3000Still\u3000lifes\uff1b\u3000religious\u3000scenes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000landscapes\u3000acpanied\u3000portraits\u3000of\u3000nobility\u3000and\u3000politicians\u3002
\nAlthough\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\u3000housed\u3000the\u3000Louvre’s\u3000most\u3000famous\u3000Italian\u3000art\uff1b\u3000many\u3000visitors\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000wing’s\u3000most\u3000stunning\u3000offering\u3000was\u3000actually\u3000its\u3000famous\u3000parquet\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Laid\u3000out\u3000in\u3000a\u3000dazzling\u3000geometric\u3000design\u3000of\u3000diagonal\u3000oak\u3000slats\uff1b\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000produced\u3000an\u3000ephemeral\u3000optical\u3000illusion\u2014a\u3000multi\u2026dimensional\u3000network\u3000that\u3000gave\u3000visitors\u3000the\u3000sense\u3000they\u3000were\u3000floating\u3000through\u3000the\u3000gallery\u3000on\u3000a\u3000surface\u3000that\u3000changed\u3000with\u3000every\u3000step\u3002
\nAs\u3000Langdon’s\u3000gaze\u3000began\u3000to\u3000trace\u3000the\u3000inlay\uff1b\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000stopped\u3000short\u3000on\u3000an\u3000unexpected\u3000object\u3000lying\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000just\u3000a\u3000few\u3000yards\u3000to\u3000his\u3000left\uff1b\u3000surrounded\u3000by\u3000police\u3000tape\u3002\u3000He\u3000spun\u3000toward\u3000Fache\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000that\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000Caravaggio\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1f\u3003
\nFache\u3000nodded\u3000without\u3000even\u3000looking\u3002
\nThe\u3000painting\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000guessed\uff1b\u3000was\u3000worth\u3000upward\u3000of\u3000two\u3000million\u3000dollars\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000it\u3000was\u3000lying\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000like\u3000a\u3000discarded\u3000poster\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000the\u3000devil\u3000is\u3000it\u3000doing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff01\u3003
\nFache\u3000glowered\uff1b\u3000clearly\u3000unmoved\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000a\u3000crime\u3000scene\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000We\u3000have\u3000touched\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000That\u3000canvas\u3000was\u3000pulled\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000by\u3000the\u3000curator\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000how\u3000he\u3000activated\u3000the\u3000security\u3000system\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000looked\u3000back\u3000at\u3000the\u3000gate\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000picture\u3000what\u3000had\u3000happened\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000curator\u3000was\u3000attacked\u3000in\u3000his\u3000office\uff1b\u3000fled\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\uff1b\u3000and\u3000activated\u3000the\u3000security\u3000gate\u3000by\u3000pulling\u3000that\u3000painting\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002\u3000The\u3000gate\u3000fell\u3000immediately\uff1b\u3000sealing\u3000off\u3000all\u3000access\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000the\u3000only\u3000door\u3000in\u3000or\u3000out\u3000of\u3000this\u3000gallery\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000confused\u3002\u3000\u3003So\u3000the\u3000curator\u3000actually\u3000captured\u3000his\u3000attacker\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\uff1f\u3003
\nFache\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000security\u3000gate\u3000separated\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000from\u3000his\u3000attacker\u3002\u3000The\u3000killer\u3000was\u3000locked\u3000out\u3000there\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hallway\u3000and\u3000shot\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000through\u3000this\u3000gate\u3002\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000pointed\u3000toward\u3000an\u3000orange\u3000tag\u3000hanging\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bars\u3000on\u3000the\u3000gate\u3000under\u3000which\u3000they\u3000had\u3000just\u3000passed\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000PTS\u3000team\u3000found\u3000flashback\u3000residue\u3000from\u3000a\u3000gun\u3002\u3000He\u3000fired\u3000through\u3000the\u3000bars\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000died\u3000in\u3000here\u3000alone\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000pictured\u3000the\u3000photograph\u3000of\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000body\u3002\u3000They\u3000said\u3000he\u3000did\u3000that\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000looked\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000enormous\u3000corridor\u3000before\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003So\u3000where\u3000is\u3000his\u3000body\uff1f\u3003
\nFache\u3000straightened\u3000his\u3000cruciform\u3000tie\u3000clip\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000walk\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000you\u3000probably\u3000know\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\u3000is\u3000quite\u3000long\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000exact\u3000length\uff1b\u3000if\u3000Langdon\u3000recalled\u3000correctly\uff1b\u3000was\u3000around\u3000fifteen\u3000hundred\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000the\u3000length\u3000of\u3000three\u3000Washington\u3000Monuments\u3000laid\u3000end\u3000to\u3000end\u3002\u3000Equally\u3000breathtaking\u3000was\u3000the\u3000corridor’s\u3000width\uff1b\u3000which\u3000easily\u3000could\u3000have\u3000acmodated\u3000a\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000side\u2026by\u2026side\u3000passenger\u3000trains\u3002\u3000The\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hallway\u3000was\u3000dotted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000occasional\u3000statue\u3000or\u3000colossal\u3000porcelain\u3000urn\uff1b\u3000which\u3000served\u3000as\u3000a\u3000tasteful\u3000divider\u3000and\u3000kept\u3000the\u3000flow\u3000of\u3000traffic\u3000moving\u3000down\u3000one\u3000wall\u3000and\u3000up\u3000the\u3000other\u3002
\nFache\u3000was\u3000silent\u3000now\uff1b\u3000striding\u3000briskly\u3000up\u3000the\u3000right\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000corridor\u3000with\u3000his\u3000gaze\u3000dead\u3000ahead\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000almost\u3000disrespectful\u3000to\u3000be\u3000racing\u3000past\u3000so\u3000many\u3000masterpieces\u3000without\u3000pausing\u3000for\u3000so\u3000much\u3000as\u3000a\u3000glance\u3002
\nNot\u3000that\u3000I\u3000could\u3000see\u3000anything\u3000in\u3000this\u3000lighting\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3002
\nThe\u3000muted\u3000crimson\u3000lighting\u3000unfortunately\u3000conjured\u3000memories\u3000of\u3000Langdon’s\u3000last\u3000experience\u3000in\u3000noninvasive\u3000lighting\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3000Secret\u3000Archives\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\u3000tonight’s\u3000second\u3000unsettling\u3000parallel\u3000with\u3000his\u3000near\u2026death\u3000in\u3000Rome\u3002\u3000He\u3000flashed\u3000on\u3000Vittoria\u3000again\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000been\u3000absent\u3000from\u3000his\u3000dreams\u3000for\u3000months\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000not\u3000believe\u3000Rome\u3000had\u3000been\u3000only\u3000a\u3000year\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000it\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000decades\u3002\u3000Another\u3000life\u3002\u3000His\u3000last\u3000correspondence\u3000from\u3000Vittoria\u3000had\u3000been\u3000in\u3000December\u2014a\u3000postcard\u3000saying\u3000she\u3000was\u3000headed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Java\u3000Sea\u3000to\u3000continue\u3000her\u3000research\u3000in\u3000entanglement\u3000physics\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000something\u3000about\u3000using\u3000satellites\u3000to\u3000track\u3000manta\u3000ray\u3000migrations\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000never\u3000harbored\u3000delusions\u3000that\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000like\u3000Vittoria\u3000Vetra\u3000could\u3000have\u3000been\u3000happy\u3000living\u3000with\u3000him\u3000on\u3000a\u3000college\u3000campus\uff1b\u3000but\u3000their\u3000encounter\u3000in\u3000Rome\u3000had\u3000unlocked\u3000in\u3000him\u3000a\u3000longing\u3000he\u3000never\u3000imagined\u3000he\u3000could\u3000feel\u3002\u3000His\u3000lifelong\u3000affinity\u3000for\u3000bachelorhood\u3000and\u3000the\u3000simple\u3000freedoms\u3000it\u3000allowed\u3000had\u3000been\u3000shaken\u3000somehow\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000replaced\u3000by\u3000an\u3000unexpected\u3000emptiness\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000grown\u3000over\u3000the\u3000past\u3000year\u3002
\nThey\u3000continued\u3000walking\u3000briskly\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000Langdon\u3000still\u3000saw\u3000no\u3000corpse\u3002\u3000\u3003Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000went\u3000this\u3000far\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000suffered\u3000a\u3000bullet\u3000wound\u3000to\u3000his\u3000stomach\u3002\u3000He\u3000died\u3000very\u3000slowly\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000over\u3000fifteen\u3000or\u3000twenty\u3000minutes\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000obviously\u3000a\u3000man\u3000of\u3000great\u3000personal\u3000strength\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000appalled\u3002\u3000\u3003Security\u3000took\u3000fifteen\u3000minutes\u3000to\u3000get\u3000here\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3000not\u3002\u3000Louvre\u3000security\u3000responded\u3000immediately\u3000to\u3000the\u3000alarm\u3000and\u3000found\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\u3000sealed\u3002\u3000Through\u3000the\u3000gate\uff1b\u3000they\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000someone\u3000moving\u3000around\u3000at\u3000the\u3000far\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000corridor\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000could\u3000not\u3000see\u3000who\u3000it\u3000was\u3002\u3000They\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000got\u3000no\u3000answer\u3002\u3000Assuming\u3000it\u3000could\u3000only\u3000be\u3000a\u3000criminal\uff1b\u3000they\u3000followed\u3000protocol\u3000and\u3000called\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Judicial\u3000Police\u3002\u3000We\u3000took\u3000up\u3000positions\u3000within\u3000fifteen\u3000minutes\u3002\u3000When\u3000we\u3000arrived\uff1b\u3000we\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000barricade\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000slip\u3000underneath\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000sent\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000armed\u3000agents\u3000inside\u3002\u3000They\u3000swept\u3000the\u3000length\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gallery\u3000to\u3000corner\u3000the\u3000intruder\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003They\u3000found\u3000no\u3000one\u3000inside\u3002\u3000Except\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000pointed\u3000farther\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hall\u3002\u3000\u3003Him\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000lifted\u3000his\u3000gaze\u3000and\u3000followed\u3000Fache’s\u3000outstretched\u3000finger\u3002\u3000At\u3000first\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000Fache\u3000was\u3000pointing\u3000to\u3000a\u3000large\u3000marble\u3000statue\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hallway\u3002\u3000As\u3000they\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000began\u3000to\u3000see\u3000past\u3000the\u3000statue\u3002\u3000Thirty\u3000yards\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hall\uff1b\u3000a\u3000single\u3000spotlight\u3000on\u3000a\u3000portable\u3000pole\u3000stand\u3000shone\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000creating\u3000a\u3000stark\u3000island\u3000of\u3000white\u3000light\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000crimson\u3000gallery\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000light\uff1b\u3000like\u3000an\u3000insect\u3000under\u3000a\u3000microscope\uff1b\u3000the\u3000corpse\u3000of\u3000the\u3000curator\u3000lay\u3000naked\u3000on\u3000the\u3000parquet\u3000floor\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000photograph\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003so\u3000this\u3000should\u3000be\u3000of\u3000no\u3000surprise\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000chill\u3000as\u3000they\u3000approached\u3000the\u3000body\u3002\u3000Before\u3000him\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000strangest\u3000images\u3000he\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000seen\u3002
\n\u3000
\nThe\u3000pallid\u3000corpse\u3000of\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000lay\u3000on\u3000the\u3000parquet\u3000floor\u3000exactly\u3000as\u3000it\u3000appeared\u3000in\u3000the\u3000photograph\u3002\u3000As\u3000Langdon\u3000stood\u3000over\u3000the\u3000body\u3000and\u3000squinted\u3000in\u3000the\u3000harsh\u3000light\uff1b\u3000he\u3000reminded\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000his\u3000amazement\u3000that\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000spent\u3000his\u3000last\u3000minutes\u3000of\u3000life\u3000arranging\u3000his\u3000own\u3000body\u3000in\u3000this\u3000strange\u3000fashion\u3002
\nSauni\u00e8re\u3000looked\u3000remarkably\u3000fit\u3000for\u3000a\u3000man\u3000of\u3000his\u3000years\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\u3000all\u3000of\u3000his\u3000musculature\u3000was\u3000in\u3000plain\u3000view\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000stripped\u3000off\u3000every\u3000shred\u3000of\u3000clothing\uff1b\u3000placed\u3000it\u3000neatly\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000and\u3000laid\u3000down\u3000on\u3000his\u3000back\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wi \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000shred\u3000of\u3000clothing\uff1b\u3000placed\u3000it\u3000neatly\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000and\u3000laid\u3000down\u3000on\u3000his\u3000back\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wide\u3000corridor\uff1b\u3000perfectly\u3000aligned\u3000with\u3000the\u3000long\u3000axis\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000His\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000legs\u3000were\u3000sprawled\u3000outward\u3000in\u3000a\u3000wide\u3000spread\u3000eagle\uff1b\u3000like\u3000those\u3000of\u3000a\u3000child\u3000making\u3000a\u3000snow\u3000angel\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000or\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000more\u3000appropriately\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000man\u3000being\u3000drawn\u3000and\u3000quartered\u3000by\u3000some\u3000invisible\u3000force\u3002
\nJust\u3000below\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000breastbone\uff1b\u3000a\u3000bloody\u3000smear\u3000marked\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000the\u3000bullet\u3000had\u3000pierced\u3000his\u3000flesh\u3002\u3000The\u3000wound\u3000had\u3000bled\u3000surprisingly\u3000little\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000only\u3000a\u3000small\u3000pool\u3000of\u3000blackened\u3000blood\u3002
\nSauni\u00e8re’s\u3000left\u3000index\u3000finger\u3000was\u3000also\u3000bloody\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000having\u3000been\u3000dipped\u3000into\u3000the\u3000wound\u3000to\u3000create\u3000the\u3000most\u3000unsettling\u3000aspect\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000macabre\u3000deathbed\uff1b\u3000using\u3000his\u3000own\u3000blood\u3000as\u3000ink\uff1b\u3000and\u3000employing\u3000his\u3000own\u3000naked\u3000abdomen\u3000as\u3000a\u3000canvas\uff1b\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000drawn\u3000a\u3000simple\u3000symbol\u3000on\u3000his\u3000flesh\u2014five\u3000straight\u3000lines\u3000that\u3000intersected\u3000to\u3000form\u3000a\u3000five\u2026pointed\u3000star\u3002
\nThe\u3000pentacle\u3002
\nThe\u3000bloody\u3000star\uff1b\u3000centered\u3000on\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000navel\uff1b\u3000gave\u3000his\u3000corpse\u3000a\u3000distinctly\u3000ghoulish\u3000aura\u3002\u3000The\u3000photo\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000was\u3000chilling\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000but\u3000now\uff1b\u3000witnessing\u3000the\u3000scene\u3000in\u3000person\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000deepening\u3000uneasiness\u3002
\nHe\u3000did\u3000this\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002
\n\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1f\u3003\u3000Fache’s\u3000dark\u3000eyes\u3000settled\u3000on\u3000him\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000pentacle\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000offered\uff1b\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000feeling\u3000hollow\u3000in\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000space\u3002\u3000\u3003One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000oldest\u3000symbols\u3000on\u3000earth\u3002\u3000Used\u3000over\u3000four\u3000thousand\u3000years\u3000before\u3000Christ\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000what\u3000does\u3000it\u3000mean\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000always\u3000hesitated\u3000when\u3000he\u3000got\u3000this\u3000question\u3002\u3000Telling\u3000someone\u3000what\u3000a\u3000symbol\u3000\u3003meant\u3003\u3000was\u3000like\u3000telling\u3000them\u3000how\u3000a\u3000song\u3000should\u3000make\u3000them\u3000feel\u2014it\u3000was\u3000different\u3000for\u3000all\u3000people\u3002\u3000A\u3000white\u3000Ku\u3000Klux\u3000Klan\u3000headpiece\u3000conjured\u3000images\u3000of\u3000hatred\u3000and\u3000racism\u3000in\u3000the\u3000United\u3000States\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000the\u3000same\u3000costume\u3000carried\u3000a\u3000meaning\u3000of\u3000religious\u3000faith\u3000in\u3000Spain\u3002
\n\u3003Symbols\u3000carry\u3000different\u3000meanings\u3000in\u3000different\u3000settings\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Primarily\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pentacle\u3000is\u3000a\u3000pagan\u3000religious\u3000symbol\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003Devil\u3000worship\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000corrected\uff1b\u3000immediately\u3000realizing\u3000his\u3000choice\u3000of\u3000vocabulary\u3000should\u3000have\u3000been\u3000clearer\u3002
\nNowadays\uff1b\u3000the\u3000term\u3000pagan\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000almost\u3000synonymous\u3000with\u3000devil\u3000worship\u2014a\u3000gross\u3000misconception\u3002\u3000The\u3000word’s\u3000roots\u3000actually\u3000reached\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Latin\u3000paganus\uff1b\u3000meaning\u3000country\u2026dwellers\u3002\u3000\u3003Pagans\u3003\u3000were\u3000literally\u3000unindoctrinated\u3000country\u2026folk\u3000who\u3000clung\u3000to\u3000the\u3000old\uff1b\u3000rural\u3000religions\u3000of\u3000Nature\u3000worship\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000so\u3000strong\u3000was\u3000the\u3000Church’s\u3000fear\u3000of\u3000those\u3000who\u3000lived\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rural\u3000villes\u3000that\u3000the\u3000once\u3000innocuous\u3000word\u3000for\u3000\u3003villager\u3003\u2014villain\u2014came\u3000to\u3000mean\u3000a\u3000wicked\u3000soul\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000pentacle\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000clarified\uff1b\u3000\u3003is\u3000a\u3000pre\u2026Christian\u3000symbol\u3000that\u3000relates\u3000to\u3000Nature\u3000worship\u3002\u3000The\u3000ancients\u3000envisioned\u3000their\u3000world\u3000in\u3000two\u3000halves\u2014masculine\u3000and\u3000feminine\u3002\u3000Their\u3000gods\u3000and\u3000goddesses\u3000worked\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000a\u3000balance\u3000of\u3000power\u3002\u3000Yin\u3000and\u3000yang\u3002\u3000When\u3000male\u3000and\u3000female\u3000were\u3000balanced\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000harmony\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3000When\u3000they\u3000were\u3000unbalanced\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000chaos\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000motioned\u3000to\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000stomach\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000pentacle\u3000is\u3000representative\u3000of\u3000the\u3000female\u3000half\u3000of\u3000all\u3000things\u2014a\u3000concept\u3000religious\u3000historians\u3000call\u3000the\u3000’sacred\u3000feminine’\u3000or\u3000the\u3000’divine\u3000goddess\u3002’\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\uff1b\u3000of\u3000all\u3000people\uff1b\u3000would\u3000know\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Sauni\u00e8re\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000goddess\u3000symbol\u3000on\u3000his\u3000stomach\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000to\u3000admit\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000odd\u3002\u3000\u3003In\u3000its\u3000most\u3000specific\u3000interpretation\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pentacle\u3000symbolizes\u3000Venus\u2014the\u3000goddess\u3000of\u3000female\u3000sexual\u3000love\u3000and\u3000beauty\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000eyed\u3000the\u3000naked\u3000man\uff1b\u3000and\u3000grunted\u3002
\n\u3003Early\u3000religion\u3000was\u3000based\u3000on\u3000the\u3000divine\u3000order\u3000of\u3000Nature\u3002\u3000The\u3000goddess\u3000Venus\u3000and\u3000the\u3000planet\u3000Venus\u3000were\u3000one\u3000and\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3000The\u3000goddess\u3000had\u3000a\u3000place\u3000in\u3000the\u3000nighttime\u3000sky\u3000and\u3000was\u3000known\u3000by\u3000many\u3000names\u2014Venus\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Eastern\u3000Star\uff1b\u3000Ishtar\uff1b\u3000Astarte\u2014all\u3000of\u3000them\u3000powerful\u3000female\u3000concepts\u3000with\u3000ties\u3000to\u3000Nature\u3000and\u3000Mother\u3000Earth\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000looked\u3000more\u3000troubled\u3000now\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000somehow\u3000preferred\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000devil\u3000worship\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000decided\u3000not\u3000to\u3000share\u3000the\u3000pentacle’s\u3000most\u3000astonishing\u3000property\u2014the\u3000graphic\u3000origin\u3000of\u3000its\u3000ties\u3000to\u3000Venus\u3002\u3000As\u3000a\u3000young\u3000astronomy\u3000student\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000been\u3000stunned\u3000to\u3000learn\u3000the\u3000planet\u3000Venus\u3000traced\u3000a\u3000perfect\u3000pentacle\u3000across\u3000the\u3000ecliptic\u3000sky\u3000every\u3000four\u3000years\u3002\u3000So\u3000astonished\u3000were\u3000the\u3000ancients\u3000to\u3000observe\u3000this\u3000phenomenon\uff1b\u3000that\u3000Venus\u3000and\u3000her\u3000pentacle\u3000became\u3000symbols\u3000of\u3000perfection\uff1b\u3000beauty\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000cyclic\u3000qualities\u3000of\u3000sexual\u3000love\u3002\u3000As\u3000a\u3000tribute\u3000to\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000of\u3000Venus\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Greeks\u3000used\u3000her\u3000four\u2026year\u3000cycle\u3000to\u3000organize\u3000their\u3000Olympiads\u3002\u3000Nowadays\uff1b\u3000few\u3000people\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000the\u3000four\u2026year\u3000schedule\u3000of\u3000modern\u3000Olympic\u3000Games\u3000still\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000cycles\u3000of\u3000Venus\u3002\u3000Even\u3000fewer\u3000people\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000the\u3000five\u2026pointed\u3000star\u3000had\u3000almost\u3000bee\u3000the\u3000official\u3000Olympic\u3000seal\u3000but\u3000was\u3000modified\u3000at\u3000the\u3000last\u3000moment\u2014its\u3000five\u3000points\u3000exchanged\u3000for\u3000five\u3000intersecting\u3000rings\u3000to\u3000better\u3000reflect\u3000the\u3000games’\u3000spirit\u3000of\u3000inclusion\u3000and\u3000harmony\u3002
\n\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\u3000abruptly\u3002\u3000\u3003Obviously\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pentacle\u3000must\u3000also\u3000relate\u3000to\u3000the\u3000devil\u3002\u3000Your\u3000American\u3000horror\u3000movies\u3000make\u3000that\u3000point\u3000clearly\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Hollywood\u3002\u3000The\u3000five\u2026pointed\u3000star\u3000was\u3000now\u3000a\u3000virtual\u3000clich\u00e9\u3000in\u3000Satanic\u3000serial\u3000killer\u3000movies\uff1b\u3000usually\u3000scrawled\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000some\u3000Satanist’s\u3000apartment\u3000along\u3000with\u3000other\u3000alleged\u3000demonic\u3000symbology\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000always\u3000frustrated\u3000when\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000symbol\u3000in\u3000this\u3000context\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pentacle’s\u3000true\u3000origins\u3000were\u3000actually\u3000quite\u3000godly\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000assure\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003despite\u3000what\u3000you\u3000see\u3000in\u3000the\u3000movies\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pentacle’s\u3000demonic\u3000interpretation\u3000is\u3000historically\u3000inaccurate\u3002\u3000The\u3000original\u3000feminine\u3000meaning\u3000is\u3000correct\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000symbolism\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pentacle\u3000has\u3000been\u3000distorted\u3000over\u3000the\u3000millennia\u3002\u3000In\u3000this\u3000case\uff1b\u3000through\u3000bloodshed\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000sure\u3000I\u3000follow\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000Fache’s\u3000crucifix\uff1b\u3000uncertain\u3000how\u3000to\u3000phrase\u3000his\u3000next\u3000point\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Church\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000Symbols\u3000are\u3000very\u3000resilient\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000pentacle\u3000was\u3000altered\u3000by\u3000the\u3000early\u3000Roman\u3000Catholic\u3000Church\u3002\u3000As\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Vatican’s\u3000campaign\u3000to\u3000eradicate\u3000pagan\u3000religions\u3000and\u3000convert\u3000the\u3000masses\u3000to\u3000Christianity\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000launched\u3000a\u3000smear\u3000campaign\u3000against\u3000the\u3000pagan\u3000gods\u3000and\u3000goddesses\uff1b\u3000recasting\u3000their\u3000divine\u3000symbols\u3000as\u3000evil\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Go\u3000on\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3000very\u3000mon\u3000in\u3000times\u3000of\u3000turmoil\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000continued\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000newly\u3000emerging\u3000power\u3000will\u3000take\u3000over\u3000the\u3000existing\u3000symbols\u3000and\u3000degrade\u3000them\u3000over\u3000time\u3000in\u3000an\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000erase\u3000their\u3000meaning\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000between\u3000the\u3000pagan\u3000symbols\u3000and\u3000Christian\u3000symbols\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pagans\u3000lost\uff1b\u3000Poseidon’s\u3000trident\u3000became\u3000the\u3000devil’s\u3000pitchfork\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wise\u3000crone’s\u3000pointed\u3000hat\u3000became\u3000the\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000a\u3000witch\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Venus’s\u3000pentacle\u3000became\u3000a\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000the\u3000devil\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000the\u3000United\u3000States\u3000military\u3000has\u3000also\u3000perverted\u3000the\u3000pentacle\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000now\u3000our\u3000foremost\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000war\u3002\u3000We\u3000paint\u3000it\u3000on\u3000all\u3000our\u3000fighter\u3000jets\u3000and\u3000hang\u3000it\u3000on\u3000the\u3000shoulders\u3000of\u3000all\u3000our\u3000generals\u3002\u3003\u3000So\u3000much\u3000for\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000of\u3000love\u3000and\u3000beauty\u3002
\n\u3003Interesting\u3002\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000nodded\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000spread\u2026eagle\u3000corpse\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000the\u3000positioning\u3000of\u3000the\u3000body\uff1f\u3000What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000make\u3000of\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000position\u3000simply\u3000reinforces\u3000the\u3000reference\u3000to\u3000the\u3000pentacle\u3000and\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u3002\u3003
\nFache’s\u3000expression\u3000clouded\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000beg\u3000your\u3000pardon\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Replication\u3002\u3000Repeating\u3000a\u3000symbol\u3000is\u3000the\u3000simplest\u3000way\u3000to\u3000strengthen\u3000its\u3000meaning\u3002\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000positioned\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shape\u3000of\u3000a\u3000five\u2026pointed\u3000star\u3002\u3003\u3000If\u3000one\u3000pentacle\u3000is\u3000good\uff1b\u3000two\u3000is\u3000better\u3002
\nFache’s\u3000eyes\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000five\u3000points\u3000of\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000and\u3000head\u3000as\u3000he\u3000again\u3000ran\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000across\u3000his\u3000slick\u3000hair\u3002\u3000\u3003Interesting\u3000analysis\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000the\u3000nudity\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000grumbled\u3000as\u3000he\u3000spoke\u3000the\u3000word\uff1b\u3000sounding\u3000repulsed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000an\u3000aging\u3000male\u3000body\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000did\u3000he\u3000remove\u3000his\u3000clothing\uff1f\u3003
\nDamned\u3000good\u3000question\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000been\u3000wondering\u3000the\u3000same\u3000thing\u3000ever\u3000since\u3000he\u3000first\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000Polaroid\u3002\u3000His\u3000best\u3000guess\u3000was\u3000that\u3000a\u3000naked\u3000human\u3000form\u3000was\u3000yet\u3000another\u3000endorsement\u3000of\u3000Venus\u2014the\u3000goddess\u3000of\u3000human\u3000sexuality\u3002\u3000Although\u3000modern\u3000culture\u3000had\u3000erased\u3000much\u3000of\u3000Venus’s\u3000association\u3000with\u3000the\u3000male\/female\u3000physical\u3000union\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sharp\u3000etymological\u3000eye\u3000could\u3000still\u3000spot\u3000a\u3000vestige\u3000of\u3000Venus’s\u3000original\u3000meaning\u3000in\u3000the\u3000word\u3000\u3003venereal\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000decided\u3000not\u3000to\u3000go\u3000there\u3002
\n\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Fache\uff1b\u3000I\u3000obviously\u3000can’t\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000why\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000drew\u3000that\u3000symbol\u3000on\u3000himself\u3000or\u3000placed\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000this\u3000way\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000can\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000that\u3000a\u3000man\u3000like\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000would\u3000consider\u3000the\u3000pentacle\u3000a\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000the\u3000female\u3000deity\u3002\u3000The\u3000correlation\u3000between\u3000this\u3000symbol\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u3000is\u3000widely\u3000known\u3000by\u3000art\u3000historians\u3000and\u3000symbologists\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Fine\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000use\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000blood\u3000as\u3000ink\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Obviously\u3000he\u3000had\u3000nothing\u3000else\u3000to\u3000write\u3000with\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000was\u3000silent\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000\u3003Actually\uff1b\u3000I\u3000believe\u3000he\u3000used\u3000blood\u3000such\u3000that\u3000the\u3000police\u3000would\u3000follow\u3000certain\u3000forensic\u3000procedures\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Look\u3000at\u3000his\u3000left\u3000hand\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon’s\u3000eyes\u3000traced\u3000the\u3000length\u3000of\u3000the\u3000curator’s\u3000pale\u3000arm\u3000to\u3000his\u3000left\u3000hand\u3000but\u3000saw\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000Uncertain\uff1b\u3000he\u3000circled\u3000the\u3000corpse\u3000and\u3000crouched\u3000down\uff1b\u3000now\u3000noting\u3000with\u3000surprise\u3000that\u3000the\u3000curator\u3000was\u3000clutching\u3000a\u3000large\uff1b\u3000felt\u2026tipped\u3000marker\u3002
\n\u3003Sauni\u00e8re\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000it\u3000when\u3000we\u3000found\u3000him\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000moving\u3000several\u3000yards\u3000to\u3000a\u3000portable\u3000table\u3000covered\u3000with\u3000investigation\u3000tools\uff1b\u3000cables\uff1b\u3000and\u3000assorted\u3000electronic\u3000gear\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000I\u3000told\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000rummaging\u3000around\u3000the\u3000table\uff1b\u3000\u3003we\u3000have\u3000touched\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000Are\u3000you\u3000familiar\u3000with\u3000this\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000pen\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000knelt\u3000down\u3000farther\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000pen’s\u3000label\u3002
\nSTYLO\u3000DE\u3000LUMIERE\u3000NOIRE\u3002
\nHe\u3000glanced\u3000up\u3000in\u3000surprise\u3002
\nThe\u3000black\u2026light\u3000pen\u3000or\u3000watermark\u3000stylus\u3000was\u3000a\u3000specialized\u3000felt\u2026tipped\u3000marker\u3000originally\u3000designed\u3000by\u3000museums\uff1b\u3000restorers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000forgery\u3000police\u3000to\u3000place\u3000invisible\u3000marks\u3000on\u3000items\u3002\u3000The\u3000stylus\u3000wrote\u3000in\u3000a\u3000noncorrosive\uff1b\u3000alcohol\u2026based\u3000fluorescent\u3000ink\u3000that\u3000was\u3000visible\u3000only\u3000under\u3000black\u3000light\u3002\u3000Nowadays\uff1b\u3000museum\u3000maintenance\u3000staffs\u3000carried\u3000these\u3000m \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ent\u3000ink\u3000that\u3000was\u3000visible\u3000only\u3000under\u3000black\u3000light\u3002\u3000Nowadays\uff1b\u3000museum\u3000maintenance\u3000staffs\u3000carried\u3000these\u3000markers\u3000on\u3000their\u3000daily\u3000rounds\u3000to\u3000place\u3000invisible\u3000\u3003tick\u3000marks\u3003\u3000on\u3000the\u3000frames\u3000of\u3000paintings\u3000that\u3000needed\u3000restoration\u3002
\nAs\u3000Langdon\u3000stood\u3000up\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000walked\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000spotlight\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000it\u3000off\u3002\u3000The\u3000gallery\u3000plunged\u3000into\u3000sudden\u3000darkness\u3002
\nMomentarily\u3000blinded\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000rising\u3000uncertainty\u3002\u3000Fache’s\u3000silhouette\u3000appeared\uff1b\u3000illuminated\u3000in\u3000bright\u3000purple\u3002\u3000He\u3000approached\u3000carrying\u3000a\u3000portable\u3000light\u3000source\uff1b\u3000which\u3000shrouded\u3000him\u3000in\u3000a\u3000violet\u3000haze\u3002
\n\u3003As\u3000you\u3000may\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\uff1b\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000luminescing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000violet\u3000glow\uff1b\u3000\u3003police\u3000use\u3000black\u2026light\u3000illumination\u3000to\u3000search\u3000crime\u3000scenes\u3000for\u3000blood\u3000and\u3000other\u3000forensic\u3000evidence\u3002\u3000So\u3000you\u3000can\u3000imagine\u3000our\u3000surprise\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000Abruptly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000pointed\u3000the\u3000light\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000corpse\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000and\u3000jumped\u3000back\u3000in\u3000shock\u3002
\nHis\u3000heart\u3000pounded\u3000as\u3000he\u3000took\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bizarre\u3000sight\u3000now\u3000glowing\u3000before\u3000him\u3000on\u3000the\u3000parquet\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Scrawled\u3000in\u3000luminescent\u3000handwriting\uff1b\u3000the\u3000curator’s\u3000final\u3000words\u3000glowed\u3000purple\u3000beside\u3000his\u3000corpse\u3002\u3000As\u3000Langdon\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000shimmering\u3000text\uff1b\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000fog\u3000that\u3000had\u3000surrounded\u3000this\u3000entire\u3000night\u3000growing\u3000thicker\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000read\u3000the\u3000message\u3000again\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Fache\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000the\u3000hell\u3000does\u3000this\u3000mean\uff01\u3003
\nFache’s\u3000eyes\u3000shone\u3000white\u3002\u3000\u3003That\uff1b\u3000monsieur\uff1b\u3000is\u3000precisely\u3000the\u3000question\u3000you\u3000are\u3000here\u3000to\u3000answer\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nNot\u3000far\u3000away\uff1b\u3000inside\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000office\uff1b\u3000Lieutenant\u3000Collet\u3000had\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000and\u3000was\u3000huddled\u3000over\u3000an\u3000audio\u3000console\u3000set\u3000up\u3000on\u3000the\u3000curator’s\u3000enormous\u3000desk\u3002\u3000With\u3000the\u3000exception\u3000of\u3000the\u3000eerie\uff1b\u3000robot\u2026like\u3000doll\u3000of\u3000a\u3000medieval\u3000knight\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000him\u3000from\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000desk\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000was\u3000fortable\u3002\u3000He\u3000adjusted\u3000his\u3000AKG\u3000headphones\u3000and\u3000checked\u3000the\u3000input\u3000levels\u3000on\u3000the\u3000hard\u2026disk\u3000recording\u3000system\u3002\u3000All\u3000systems\u3000were\u3000go\u3002\u3000The\u3000microphones\u3000were\u3000functioning\u3000flawlessly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000audio\u3000feed\u3000was\u3000crystal\u3000clear\u3002
\nLe\u3000moment\u3000de\u3000v\u00e9rit\u00e9\uff1b\u3000he\u3000mused\u3002
\nSmiling\uff1b\u3000he\u3000closed\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000settled\u3000in\u3000to\u3000enjoy\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000conversation\u3000now\u3000being\u3000taped\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\u3002
\n\u2026\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u30007
\n\u2026
\nThe\u3000modest\u3000dwelling\u3000within\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000of\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\u3000was\u3000located\u3000on\u3000the\u3000second\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000church\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000left\u3000of\u3000the\u3000choir\u3000balcony\u3002\u3000A\u3000two\u2026room\u3000suite\u3000with\u3000a\u3000stone\u3000floor\u3000and\u3000minimal\u3000furnishings\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000home\u3000to\u3000Sister\u3000Sandrine\u3000Bieil\u3000for\u3000over\u3000a\u3000decade\u3002\u3000The\u3000nearby\u3000convent\u3000was\u3000her\u3000formal\u3000residence\uff1b\u3000if\u3000anyone\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000preferred\u3000the\u3000quiet\u3000of\u3000the\u3000church\u3000and\u3000had\u3000made\u3000herself\u3000quite\u3000fortable\u3000upstairs\u3000with\u3000a\u3000bed\uff1b\u3000phone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000hot\u3000plate\u3002
\nAs\u3000the\u3000church’s\u3000conservatrice\u3000d’affaires\uff1b\u3000Sister\u3000Sandrine\u3000was\u3000responsible\u3000for\u3000overseeing\u3000all\u3000nonreligious\u3000aspects\u3000of\u3000church\u3000operations\u2014general\u3000maintenance\uff1b\u3000hiring\u3000support\u3000staff\u3000and\u3000guides\uff1b\u3000securing\u3000the\u3000building\u3000after\u3000hours\uff1b\u3000and\u3000ordering\u3000supplies\u3000like\u3000munion\u3000wine\u3000and\u3000wafers\u3002
\nTonight\uff1b\u3000asleep\u3000in\u3000her\u3000small\u3000bed\uff1b\u3000she\u3000awoke\u3000to\u3000the\u3000shrill\u3000of\u3000her\u3000telephone\u3002\u3000Tiredly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000lifted\u3000the\u3000receiver\u3002
\n\u3003Soeur\u3000Sandrine\u3002\u3000Eglise\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Hello\uff1b\u3000Sister\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000man\u3000said\u3000in\u3000French\u3002
\nSister\u3000Sandrine\u3000sat\u3000up\u3002\u3000What\u3000time\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3000Although\u3000she\u3000recognized\u3000her\u3000boss’s\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000in\u3000fifteen\u3000years\u3000she\u3000had\u3000never\u3000been\u3000awoken\u3000by\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000abb\u00e9\u3000was\u3000a\u3000deeply\u3000pious\u3000man\u3000who\u3000went\u3000home\u3000to\u3000bed\u3000immediately\u3000after\u3000mass\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000apologize\u3000if\u3000I\u3000have\u3000awoken\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Sister\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000abb\u00e9\u3000said\uff1b\u3000his\u3000own\u3000voice\u3000sounding\u3000groggy\u3000and\u3000on\u3000edge\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000favor\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000of\u3000you\u3002\u3000I\u3000just\u3000received\u3000a\u3000call\u3000from\u3000an\u3000influential\u3000American\u3000bishop\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000you\u3000know\u3000him\uff1f\u3000Manuel\u3000Aringarosa\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000head\u3000of\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\uff1f\u3003\u3000Of\u3000course\u3000I\u3000know\u3000of\u3000him\u3002\u3000Who\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000doesn’t\uff1f\u3000Aringarosa’s\u3000conservative\u3000prelature\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000powerful\u3000in\u3000recent\u3000years\u3002\u3000Their\u3000ascension\u3000to\u3000grace\u3000was\u3000jump\u2026started\u3000in\u30001982\u3000when\u3000Pope\u3000John\u3000Paul\u3000II\u3000unexpectedly\u3000elevated\u3000them\u3000to\u3000a\u3000\u3003personal\u3000prelature\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Pope\uff1b\u3003\u3000officially\u3000sanctioning\u3000all\u3000of\u3000their\u3000practices\u3002\u3000Suspiciously\uff1b\u3000Opus\u3000Dei’s\u3000elevation\u3000occurred\u3000the\u3000same\u3000year\u3000the\u3000wealthy\u3000sect\u3000allegedly\u3000had\u3000transferred\u3000almost\u3000one\u3000billion\u3000dollars\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Vatican’s\u3000Institute\u3000for\u3000Religious\u3000Works\u2014monly\u3000known\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3000Bank\u2014bailing\u3000it\u3000out\u3000of\u3000an\u3000embarrassing\u3000bankruptcy\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000second\u3000maneuver\u3000that\u3000raised\u3000eyebrows\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Pope\u3000placed\u3000the\u3000founder\u3000of\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000on\u3000the\u3000\u3003fast\u3000track\u3003\u3000for\u3000sainthood\uff1b\u3000accelerating\u3000an\u3000often\u3000century\u2026long\u3000waiting\u3000period\u3000for\u3000canonization\u3000to\u3000a\u3000mere\u3000twenty\u3000years\u3002\u3000Sister\u3000Sandrine\u3000could\u3000not\u3000help\u3000but\u3000feel\u3000that\u3000Opus\u3000Dei’s\u3000good\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000Rome\u3000was\u3000suspect\uff1b\u3000but\u3000one\u3000did\u3000not\u3000argue\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000See\u3002
\n\u3003Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3000called\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000me\u3000a\u3000favor\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000abb\u00e9\u3000told\u3000her\uff1b\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000nervous\u3002\u3000\u3003One\u3000of\u3000his\u3000numeraries\u3000is\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3000tonight\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\nAs\u3000Sister\u3000Sandrine\u3000listened\u3000to\u3000the\u3000odd\u3000request\uff1b\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000deepening\u3000confusion\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3000you\u3000say\u3000this\u3000visiting\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000numerary\u3000cannot\u3000wait\u3000until\u3000morning\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000afraid\u3000not\u3002\u3000His\u3000plane\u3000leaves\u3000very\u3000early\u3002\u3000He\u3000has\u3000always\u3000dreamed\u3000of\u3000seeing\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000the\u3000church\u3000is\u3000far\u3000more\u3000interesting\u3000by\u3000day\u3002\u3000The\u3000sun’s\u3000rays\u3000through\u3000the\u3000oculus\uff1b\u3000the\u3000graduated\u3000shadows\u3000on\u3000the\u3000gnomon\uff1b\u3000this\u3000is\u3000what\u3000makes\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\u3000unique\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Sister\uff1b\u3000I\u3000agree\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000I\u3000would\u3000consider\u3000it\u3000a\u3000personal\u3000favor\u3000if\u3000you\u3000could\u3000let\u3000him\u3000in\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000He\u3000can\u3000be\u3000there\u3000at\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000say\u3000one\u3000o’clock\uff1f\u3000That’s\u3000in\u3000twenty\u3000minutes\u3002\u3003
\nSister\u3000Sandrine\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000\u3003Of\u3000course\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000be\u3000my\u3000pleasure\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000abb\u00e9\u3000thanked\u3000her\u3000and\u3000hung\u3000up\u3002
\nPuzzled\uff1b\u3000Sister\u3000Sandrine\u3000remained\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000in\u3000the\u3000warmth\u3000of\u3000her\u3000bed\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000shake\u3000off\u3000the\u3000cobwebs\u3000of\u3000sleep\u3002\u3000Her\u3000sixty\u2026year\u2026old\u3000body\u3000did\u3000not\u3000awake\u3000as\u3000fast\u3000as\u3000it\u3000used\u3000to\uff1b\u3000although\u3000tonight’s\u3000phone\u3000call\u3000had\u3000certainly\u3000roused\u3000her\u3000senses\u3002\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000had\u3000always\u3000made\u3000her\u3000uneasy\u3002\u3000Beyond\u3000the\u3000prelature’s\u3000adherence\u3000to\u3000the\u3000arcane\u3000ritual\u3000of\u3000corporal\u3000mortification\uff1b\u3000their\u3000views\u3000on\u3000women\u3000were\u3000medieval\u3000at\u3000best\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000been\u3000shocked\u3000to\u3000learn\u3000that\u3000female\u3000numeraries\u3000were\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000clean\u3000the\u3000men’s\u3000residence\u3000halls\u3000for\u3000no\u3000pay\u3000while\u3000the\u3000men\u3000were\u3000at\u3000mass\uff1b\u3000women\u3000slept\u3000on\u3000hardwood\u3000floors\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000men\u3000had\u3000straw\u3000mats\uff1b\u3000and\u3000women\u3000were\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000endure\u3000additional\u3000requirements\u3000of\u3000corporal\u3000mortification\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000all\u3000as\u3000added\u3000penance\u3000for\u3000original\u3000sin\u3002\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000Eve’s\u3000bite\u3000from\u3000the\u3000apple\u3000of\u3000knowledge\u3000was\u3000a\u3000debt\u3000women\u3000were\u3000doomed\u3000to\u3000pay\u3000for\u3000eternity\u3002\u3000Sadly\uff1b\u3000while\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Catholic\u3000Church\u3000was\u3000gradually\u3000moving\u3000in\u3000the\u3000right\u3000direction\u3000with\u3000respect\u3000to\u3000women’s\u3000rights\uff1b\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000threatened\u3000to\u3000reverse\u3000the\u3000progress\u3002\u3000Even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000Sister\u3000Sandrine\u3000had\u3000her\u3000orders\u3002
\nSwinging\u3000her\u3000legs\u3000off\u3000the\u3000bed\uff1b\u3000she\u3000stood\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000chilled\u3000by\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000stone\u3000on\u3000the\u3000soles\u3000of\u3000her\u3000bare\u3000feet\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000chill\u3000rose\u3000through\u3000her\u3000flesh\uff1b\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000an\u3000unexpected\u3000apprehension\u3002
\nWomen’s\u3000intuition\uff1f
\nA\u3000follower\u3000of\u3000God\uff1b\u3000Sister\u3000Sandrine\u3000had\u3000learned\u3000to\u3000find\u3000peace\u3000in\u3000the\u3000calming\u3000voices\u3000of\u3000her\u3000own\u3000soul\u3002\u3000Tonight\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000those\u3000voices\u3000were\u3000as\u3000silent\u3000as\u3000the\u3000empty\u3000church\u3000around\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u30008
\n
\nLangdon\u3000couldn’t\u3000tear\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000from\u3000the\u3000glowing\u3000purple\u3000text\u3000scrawled\u3000across\u3000the\u3000parquet\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000final\u3000munication\u3000seemed\u3000as\u3000unlikely\u3000a\u3000departing\u3000message\u3000as\u3000any\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000imagine\u3002
\nThe\u3000message\u3000read\uff1a
\n13\u20263\u20262\u202621\u20261\u20261\u20268\u20265
\nO\uff1b\u3000Draconian\u3000devil\uff01
\nOh\uff1b\u3000lame\u3000saint\uff01
\n\u3000
\nAlthough\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000not\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3000idea\u3000what\u3000it\u3000meant\uff1b\u3000he\u3000did\u3000understand\u3000Fache’s\u3000instinct\u3000that\u3000the\u3000pentacle\u3000had\u3000something\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000devil\u3000worship\u3002
\nO\uff1b\u3000Draconian\u3000devil\uff01
\nSauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000left\u3000a\u3000literal\u3000reference\u3000to\u3000the\u3000devil\u3002\u3000Equally\u3000as\u3000bizarre\u3000was\u3000the\u3000series\u3000of\u3000numbers\u3002\u3000\u3003Part\u3000of\u3000it\u3000looks\u3000like\u3000a\u3000numeric\u3000cipher\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Our\u3000cryptographers\u3000are\u3000already\u3000working\u3000on\u3000it\u3002\u3000We\u3000believe\u3000these\u3000numbers\u3000may\u3000be\u3000the\u3000key\u3000to\u3000who\u3000killed\u3000him\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000a\u3000telephone\u3000exchange\u3000or\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000social\u3000identification\u3002\u3000Do\u3000the\u3000numbers\u3000have\u3000any\u3000symbolic\u3000meaning\u3000to\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000looked\u3000again\u3000at\u3000the\u3000digits\uff1b\u3000sensing\u3000it\u3000would\u3000take\u3000him\u3000hours\u3000to\u3000extract\u3000any\u3000symbolic\u3000meaning\u3002\u3000If\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000even\u3000intended\u3000any\u3002\u3000To\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000the\u3000numbers\u3000looked\u3000totally\u3000random\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000accustomed\u3000to\u3000symbolic\u3000progressions\u3000that\u3000made\u3000some\u3000semblance\u3000of\u3000sense\uff1b\u3000but\u3000everything\u3000here\u2014the\u3000pentacle\uff1b\u3000the\u3000text\uff1b\u3000the\u3000numbers\u2014seemed\u3000disparate\u3000at\u3000the\u3000most\u3000fundamental\u3000level\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000alleged\u3000earlier\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000actions\u3000here\u3000were\u3000all\u3000in\u3000an\u3000effort\u3000to\u3000send\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000message\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000goddess\u3000worship\u3000or\u3000something\u3000in\u3000that\u3000vein\uff1f\u3000How\u3000does\u3000this\u3000message\u3000fit\u3000in\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000question\u3000was\u3000rhetorical\u3002\u3000This\u3000bizarre\u3000muniqu\u00e9\u3000obviously\u3000did\u3000not\u3000fit\u3000Langdon’s\u3000scenario\u3000of\u3000goddess\u3000worship\u3000at\u3000all\u3002
\nO\uff1b\u3000Draconian\u3000devil\uff1f\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000lame\u3000saint\uff1f
\nFache\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003This\u3000text\u3000appears\u3000to\u3000be\u3000an\u3000accusation\u3000of\u3000some\u3000sort\u3002\u3000Wouldn’t\u3000you\u3000agree\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000imagine\u3000the\u3000curator’s\u3000final\u3000minutes\u3000trapped\u3000alone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000he\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000die\u3002\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000logical\u3002\u3000\u3003An\u3000accusation\u3000against\u3000his\u3000murderer\u3000makes\u3000sense\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003My\u3000job\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000is\u3000to\u3000put\u3000a\u3000name\u3000to\u3000that\u3000person\u3002\u3000Let\u3000me\u3000ask\u3000you\u3000this\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000To\u3000your\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000numbers\uff1b\u3000what\u3000about\u3000this\u3000message\u3000is\u3000most\u3000strange\uff1f\u3003
\nMost\u3000strange\uff1f\u3000A\u3000dying\u3000man\u3000had\u3000barricaded\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000gallery\uff1b\u3000drawn\u3000a\u3000pentacle\u3000on\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000and\u3000scrawled\u3000a\u3000mysterious\u3000accusation\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000What\u3000about\u3000the\u3000scenario\u3000wasn’t\u3000strange\uff1f
\n\u3003The\u3000word\u3000’Draconian’\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000ventured\uff1b\u3000offering\u3000the\u3000first\u3000thing\u3000that\u3000came\u3000to\u3000mind\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000fairly\u3000certain\u3000that\u3000a\u3000reference\u3000to\u3000Draco\u2014the\u3000ruthless\u3000seventh\u2026century\u3000B\u3002C\u3002\u3000politician\u2014was\u3000an\u3000unlikely\u3000dying\u3000thought\u3002\u3000\u3003\u3000’Draconian\u3000devil’\u3000seems\u3000an\u3000odd\u3000choice\u3000of\u3000vocabulary\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Draconian\uff1f\u3003\u3000Fache’s\u3000tone\u3000came\u3000with\u3000a\u3000tinge\u3000of\u3000impatience\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000choice\u3000of\u3000vocabulary\u3000hardly\u3000seems\u3000the\u3000primary\u3000issue\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\u3000what\u3000issue\u3000Fache\u3000had\u3000in\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000suspect\u3000that\u3000Draco\u3000and\u3000Fache\u3000would\u3000have\u3000gotten\u3000along\u3000well\u3002
\n \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n Langdon\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\u3000what\u3000issue\u3000Fache\u3000had\u3000in\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000suspect\u3000that\u3000Draco\u3000and\u3000Fache\u3000would\u3000have\u3000gotten\u3000along\u3000well\u3002
\n\u3003Sauni\u00e8re\u3000was\u3000a\u3000Frenchman\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\u3000flatly\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000lived\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3002\u3000And\u3000yet\u3000he\u3000chose\u3000to\u3000write\u3000this\u3000message\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003In\u3000English\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000now\u3000realizing\u3000the\u3000captain’s\u3000meaning\u3002
\nFache\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003Pr\u00e9cis\u00e9ment\u3002\u3000Any\u3000idea\u3000why\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000knew\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000spoke\u3000impeccable\u3000English\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000the\u3000reason\u3000he\u3000had\u3000chosen\u3000English\u3000as\u3000the\u3000language\u3000in\u3000which\u3000to\u3000write\u3000his\u3000final\u3000words\u3000escaped\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000He\u3000shrugged\u3002
\nFache\u3000motioned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000pentacle\u3000on\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000abdomen\u3002\u3000\u3003Nothing\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000devil\u3000worship\uff1f\u3000Are\u3000you\u3000still\u3000certain\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000of\u3000nothing\u3000anymore\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000symbology\u3000and\u3000text\u3000don’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000coincide\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000sorry\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000of\u3000more\u3000help\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Perhaps\u3000this\u3000will\u3000clarify\u3002\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000backed\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000body\u3000and\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000black\u3000light\u3000again\uff1b\u3000letting\u3000the\u3000beam\u3000spread\u3000out\u3000in\u3000a\u3000wider\u3000angle\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000now\uff1f\u3003
\nTo\u3000Langdon’s\u3000amazement\uff1b\u3000a\u3000rudimentary\u3000circle\u3000glowed\u3000around\u3000the\u3000curator’s\u3000body\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000apparently\u3000lay\u3000down\u3000and\u3000swung\u3000the\u3000pen\u3000around\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000several\u3000long\u3000arcs\uff1b\u3000essentially\u3000inscribing\u3000himself\u3000inside\u3000a\u3000circle\u3002
\nIn\u3000a\u3000flash\uff1b\u3000the\u3000meaning\u3000became\u3000clear\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000Vitruvian\u3000Man\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000gasped\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000created\u3000a\u3000life\u2026sized\u3000replica\u3000of\u3000Leonardo\u3000da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000most\u3000famous\u3000sketch\u3002
\nConsidered\u3000the\u3000most\u3000anatomically\u3000correct\u3000drawing\u3000of\u3000its\u3000day\uff1b\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000The\u3000Vitruvian\u3000Man\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000a\u3000modern\u2026day\u3000icon\u3000of\u3000culture\uff1b\u3000appearing\u3000on\u3000posters\uff1b\u3000mouse\u3000pads\uff1b\u3000and\u3000T\u2026shirts\u3000around\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3000The\u3000celebrated\u3000sketch\u3000consisted\u3000of\u3000a\u3000perfect\u3000circle\u3000in\u3000which\u3000was\u3000inscribed\u3000a\u3000nude\u3000male\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000legs\u3000outstretched\u3000in\u3000a\u3000naked\u3000spread\u3000eagle\u3002
\nDa\u3000Vinci\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000shiver\u3000of\u3000amazement\u3002\u3000The\u3000clarity\u3000of\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000intentions\u3000could\u3000not\u3000be\u3000denied\u3002\u3000In\u3000his\u3000final\u3000moments\u3000of\u3000life\uff1b\u3000the\u3000curator\u3000had\u3000stripped\u3000off\u3000his\u3000clothing\u3000and\u3000arranged\u3000his\u3000body\u3000in\u3000a\u3000clear\u3000image\u3000of\u3000Leonardo\u3000da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000Vitruvian\u3000Man\u3002
\nThe\u3000circle\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000missing\u3000critical\u3000element\u3002\u3000A\u3000feminine\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000protection\uff1b\u3000the\u3000circle\u3000around\u3000the\u3000naked\u3000man’s\u3000body\u3000pleted\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000intended\u3000message\u2014male\u3000and\u3000female\u3000harmony\u3002\u3000The\u3000question\u3000now\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000was\u3000why\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000would\u3000imitate\u3000a\u3000famous\u3000drawing\u3002
\n\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003certainly\u3000a\u3000man\u3000like\u3000yourself\u3000is\u3000aware\u3000that\u3000Leonardo\u3000da\u3000Vinci\u3000had\u3000a\u3000tendency\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000darker\u3000arts\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000by\u3000Fache’s\u3000knowledge\u3000of\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000certainly\u3000went\u3000a\u3000long\u3000way\u3000toward\u3000explaining\u3000the\u3000captain’s\u3000suspicions\u3000about\u3000devil\u3000worship\u3002\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000had\u3000always\u3000been\u3000an\u3000awkward\u3000subject\u3000for\u3000historians\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Christian\u3000tradition\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000the\u3000visionary’s\u3000genius\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000a\u3000flamboyant\u3000homosexual\u3000and\u3000worshipper\u3000of\u3000Nature’s\u3000divine\u3000order\uff1b\u3000both\u3000of\u3000which\u3000placed\u3000him\u3000in\u3000a\u3000perpetual\u3000state\u3000of\u3000sin\u3000against\u3000God\u3002\u3000Moreover\uff1b\u3000the\u3000artist’s\u3000eerie\u3000eccentricities\u3000projected\u3000an\u3000admittedly\u3000demonic\u3000aura\uff1a\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000exhumed\u3000corpses\u3000to\u3000study\u3000human\u3000anatomy\uff1b\u3000he\u3000kept\u3000mysterious\u3000journals\u3000in\u3000illegible\u3000reverse\u3000handwriting\uff1b\u3000he\u3000believed\u3000he\u3000possessed\u3000the\u3000alchemic\u3000power\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000lead\u3000into\u3000gold\u3000and\u3000even\u3000cheat\u3000God\u3000by\u3000creating\u3000an\u3000elixir\u3000to\u3000postpone\u3000death\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000inventions\u3000included\u3000horrific\uff1b\u3000never\u2026before\u2026imagined\u3000weapons\u3000of\u3000war\u3000and\u3000torture\u3002
\nMisunderstanding\u3000breeds\u3000distrust\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\u3002
\nEven\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000enormous\u3000output\u3000of\u3000breathtaking\u3000Christian\u3000art\u3000only\u3000furthered\u3000the\u3000artist’s\u3000reputation\u3000for\u3000spiritual\u3000hypocrisy\u3002\u3000Accepting\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000lucrative\u3000Vatican\u3000missions\uff1b\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000painted\u3000Christian\u3000themes\u3000not\u3000as\u3000an\u3000expression\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000beliefs\u3000but\u3000rather\u3000as\u3000a\u3000mercial\u3000venture\u2014a\u3000means\u3000of\u3000funding\u3000a\u3000lavish\u3000lifestyle\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000was\u3000a\u3000prankster\u3000who\u3000often\u3000amused\u3000himself\u3000by\u3000quietly\u3000gnawing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hand\u3000that\u3000fed\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000incorporated\u3000in\u3000many\u3000of\u3000his\u3000Christian\u3000paintings\u3000hidden\u3000symbolism\u3000that\u3000was\u3000anything\u3000but\u3000Christian\u2014tributes\u3000to\u3000his\u3000own\u3000beliefs\u3000and\u3000a\u3000subtle\u3000thumbing\u3000of\u3000his\u3000nose\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Church\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000even\u3000given\u3000a\u3000lecture\u3000once\u3000at\u3000the\u3000National\u3000Gallery\u3000in\u3000London\u3000entitled\uff1a\u3000\u3003The\u3000Secret\u3000Life\u3000of\u3000Leonardo\uff1a\u3000Pagan\u3000Symbolism\u3000in\u3000Christian\u3000Art\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000understand\u3000your\u3000concerns\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000now\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000never\u3000really\u3000practiced\u3000any\u3000dark\u3000arts\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000an\u3000exceptionally\u3000spiritual\u3000man\uff1b\u3000albeit\u3000one\u3000in\u3000constant\u3000conflict\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Church\u3002\u3003\u3000As\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3000this\uff1b\u3000an\u3000odd\u3000thought\u3000popped\u3000into\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000message\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000again\u3002\u3000O\uff1b\u3000Draconian\u3000devil\uff01\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000lame\u3000saint\uff01
\n\u3003Yes\uff1f\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000weighed\u3000his\u3000words\u3000carefully\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000just\u3000thinking\u3000that\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000shared\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000spiritual\u3000ideologies\u3000with\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\uff1b\u3000including\u3000a\u3000concern\u3000over\u3000the\u3000Church’s\u3000elimination\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u3000from\u3000modern\u3000religion\u3002\u3000Maybe\uff1b\u3000by\u3000imitating\u3000a\u3000famous\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000drawing\uff1b\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000was\u3000simply\u3000echoing\u3000some\u3000of\u3000their\u3000shared\u3000frustrations\u3000with\u3000the\u3000modern\u3000Church’s\u3000demonization\u3000of\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3002\u3003
\nFache’s\u3000eyes\u3000hardened\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000think\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000is\u3000calling\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000a\u3000lame\u3000saint\u3000and\u3000a\u3000Draconian\u3000devil\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000to\u3000admit\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000far\u2026fetched\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000the\u3000pentacle\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000endorse\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000on\u3000some\u3000level\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000I\u3000am\u3000saying\u3000is\u3000that\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000dedicated\u3000his\u3000life\u3000to\u3000studying\u3000the\u3000history\u3000of\u3000the\u3000goddess\uff1b\u3000and\u3000nothing\u3000has\u3000done\u3000more\u3000to\u3000erase\u3000that\u3000history\u3000than\u3000the\u3000Catholic\u3000Church\u3002\u3000It\u3000seems\u3000reasonable\u3000that\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000might\u3000have\u3000chosen\u3000to\u3000express\u3000his\u3000disappointment\u3000in\u3000his\u3000final\u3000good\u2026bye\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Disappointment\uff1f\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000demanded\uff1b\u3000sounding\u3000hostile\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000message\u3000sounds\u3000more\u3000enraged\u3000than\u3000disappointed\uff1b\u3000wouldn’t\u3000you\u3000say\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000reaching\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000his\u3000patience\u3002\u3000\u3003Captain\uff1b\u3000you\u3000asked\u3000for\u3000my\u3000instincts\u3000as\u3000to\u3000what\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000is\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000say\u3000here\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that’s\u3000what\u3000I’m\u3000giving\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003That\u3000this\u3000is\u3000an\u3000indictment\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Church\uff1f\u3003\u3000Fache’s\u3000jaw\u3000tightened\u3000as\u3000he\u3000spoke\u3000through\u3000clenched\u3000teeth\u3002\u3000\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000seen\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000death\u3000in\u3000my\u3000work\uff1b\u3000and\u3000let\u3000me\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000something\u3002\u3000When\u3000a\u3000man\u3000is\u3000murdered\u3000by\u3000another\u3000man\uff1b\u3000I\u3000do\u3000not\u3000believe\u3000his\u3000final\u3000thoughts\u3000are\u3000to\u3000write\u3000an\u3000obscure\u3000spiritual\u3000statement\u3000that\u3000no\u3000one\u3000will\u3000understand\u3002\u3000I\u3000believe\u3000he\u3000is\u3000thinking\u3000of\u3000one\u3000thing\u3000only\u3002\u3003\u3000Fache’s\u3000whispery\u3000voice\u3000sliced\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000\u3003La\u3000vengeance\u3002\u3000I\u3000believe\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000wrote\u3000this\u3000note\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000us\u3000who\u3000killed\u3000him\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000stared\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000that\u3000makes\u3000no\u3000sense\u3000whatsoever\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000fired\u3000back\uff1b\u3000tired\u3000and\u3000frustrated\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000told\u3000me\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000was\u3000attacked\u3000in\u3000his\u3000office\u3000by\u3000someone\u3000he\u3000had\u3000apparently\u3000invited\u3000in\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003So\u3000it\u3000seems\u3000reasonable\u3000to\u3000conclude\u3000that\u3000the\u3000curator\u3000knew\u3000his\u3000attacker\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003Go\u3000on\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003So\u3000if\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000person\u3000who\u3000killed\u3000him\uff1b\u3000what\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000indictment\u3000is\u3000this\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000pointed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000\u3003Numeric\u3000codes\uff1f\u3000Lame\u3000saints\uff1f\u3000Draconian\u3000devils\uff1f\u3000Pentacles\u3000on\u3000his\u3000stomach\uff1f\u3000It’s\u3000all\u3000too\u3000cryptic\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000frowned\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000had\u3000never\u3000occurred\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000have\u3000a\u3000point\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Considering\u3000the\u3000circumstances\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000would\u3000assume\u3000that\u3000if\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000who\u3000killed\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000written\u3000down\u3000somebody’s\u3000name\u3002\u3003
\nAs\u3000Langdon\u3000spoke\u3000those\u3000words\uff1b\u3000a\u3000smug\u3000smile\u3000crossed\u3000Fache’s\u3000lips\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000all\u3000night\u3002\u3000\u3003Pr\u00e9cis\u00e9ment\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Pr\u00e9cis\u00e9ment\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nI\u3000am\u3000witnessing\u3000the\u3000work\u3000of\u3000a\u3000master\uff1b\u3000mused\u3000Lieutenant\u3000Collet\u3000as\u3000he\u3000tweaked\u3000his\u3000audio\u3000gear\u3000and\u3000listened\u3000to\u3000Fache’s\u3000voice\u3000ing\u3000through\u3000the\u3000headphones\u3002\u3000The\u3000agent\u3000sup\u00e9rieur\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000was\u3000moments\u3000like\u3000these\u3000that\u3000had\u3000lifted\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000to\u3000the\u3000pinnacle\u3000of\u3000French\u3000law\u3000enforcement\u3002
\nFache\u3000will\u3000do\u3000what\u3000no\u3000one\u3000else\u3000dares\u3002
\nThe\u3000delicate\u3000art\u3000of\u3000cajoler\u3000was\u3000a\u3000lost\u3000skill\u3000in\u3000modern\u3000law\u3000enforcement\uff1b\u3000one\u3000that\u3000required\u3000exceptional\u3000poise\u3000under\u3000pressure\u3002\u3000Few\u3000men\u3000possessed\u3000the\u3000necessary\u3000sangfroid\u3000for\u3000this\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000operation\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Fache\u3000seemed\u3000born\u3000for\u3000it\u3002\u3000His\u3000restraint\u3000and\u3000patience\u3000bordered\u3000on\u3000the\u3000robotic\u3002
\nFache’s\u3000sole\u3000emotion\u3000this\u3000evening\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000one\u3000of\u3000intense\u3000resolve\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000this\u3000arrest\u3000were\u3000somehow\u3000personal\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000Fache’s\u3000briefing\u3000of\u3000his\u3000agents\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000ago\u3000had\u3000been\u3000unusually\u3000succinct\u3000and\u3000assured\u3002\u3000I\u3000know\u3000who\u3000murdered\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000had\u3000said\u3002\u3000You\u3000know\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000No\u3000mistakes\u3000tonight\u3002
\nAnd\u3000so\u3000far\uff1b\u3000no\u3000mistakes\u3000had\u3000been\u3000made\u3002
\nCollet\u3000was\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000privy\u3000to\u3000the\u3000evidence\u3000that\u3000had\u3000cemented\u3000Fache’s\u3000certainty\u3000of\u3000their\u3000suspect’s\u3000guilt\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000better\u3000than\u3000to\u3000question\u3000the\u3000instincts\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Bull\u3002\u3000Fache’s\u3000intuition\u3000seemed\u3000almost\u3000supernatural\u3000at\u3000times\u3002\u3000God\u3000whispers\u3000in\u3000his\u3000ear\uff1b\u3000one\u3000agent\u3000had\u3000insisted\u3000after\u3000a\u3000particularly\u3000impressive\u3000display\u3000of\u3000Fache’s\u3000sixth\u3000sense\u3002\u3000Collet\u3000had\u3000to\u3000admit\uff1b\u3000if\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000God\uff1b\u3000Bezu\u3000Fache\u3000would\u3000be\u3000on\u3000His\u3000A\u2026list\u3002\u3000The\u3000captain\u3000attended\u3000mass\u3000and\u3000confession\u3000with\u3000zealous\u3000regularity\u2014far\u3000more\u3000than\u3000the\u3000requisite\u3000holiday\u3000attendance\u3000fulfilled\u3000by\u3000other\u3000officials\u3000in\u3000the\u3000name\u3000of\u3000good\u3000public\u3000relations\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000Pope\u3000visited\u3000Paris\u3000a\u3000few\u3000years\u3000back\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000had\u3000used\u3000all\u3000his\u3000muscle\u3000to\u3000obtain\u3000the\u3000honor\u3000of\u3000an\u3000audience\u3002\u3000A\u3000photo\u3000of\u3000Fache\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Pope\u3000now\u3000hung\u3000in\u3000his\u3000office\u3002\u3000The\u3000Papal\u3000Bull\uff1b\u3000the\u3000agents\u3000secretly\u3000called\u3000it\u3002
\nCollet\u3000found\u3000it\u3000ironic\u3000that\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Fache’s\u3000rare\u3000popular\u3000public\u3000stances\u3000in\u3000recent\u3000years\u3000had\u3000been\u3000his\u3000outspoken\u3000reaction\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Catholic\u3000pedophilia\u3000scandal\u3002\u3000These\u3000priests\u3000should\u3000be\u3000hanged\u3000twice\uff01\u3000Fache\u3000had\u3000declared\u3002\u3000Once\u3000for\u3000their\u3000crimes\u3000against\u3000children\u3002\u3000And\u3000once\u3000for\u3000shaming\u3000the\u3000good\u3000name\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Catholic\u3000Church\u3002\u3000Collet\u3000had\u3000the\u3000odd\u3000sense\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000latter\u3000that\u3000angered\u3000Fache\u3000more\u3002
\nTurning\u3000now\u3000to\u3000his\u3000laptop\u3000puter\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000attended\u3000to\u3000the\u3000other\u3000half\u3000of\u3000his\u3000responsibilities\u3000here\u3000tonight\u2014the\u3000GPS\u3000tracking\u3000system\u3002\u3000The\u3000image\u3000onscreen\u3000revealed\u3000a\u3000detailed\u3000floor\u3000plan\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Denon\u3000Wing\uff1b\u3000a\u3000structural\u3000schematic\u3000uploaded\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000Security\u3000Office\u3002\u3000Letting\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000trace\u3000the\u3000maze\u3000of\u3000galleries\u3000and\u3000hallways\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000found\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n e\u3000maze\u3000of\u3000galleries\u3000and\u3000hallways\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000found\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000for\u3002
\nDeep\u3000in\u3000the\u3000heart\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\u3000blinked\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000red\u3000dot\u3002
\nLa\u3000marque\u3002
\nFache\u3000was\u3000keeping\u3000his\u3000prey\u3000on\u3000a\u3000very\u3000tight\u3000leash\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000Wisely\u3000so\u3002\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000proven\u3000himself\u3000one\u3000cool\u3000customer\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u30009
\n
\nTo\u3000ensure\u3000his\u3000conversation\u3000with\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000would\u3000not\u3000be\u3000interrupted\uff1b\u3000Bezu\u3000Fache\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000off\u3000his\u3000cellular\u3000phone\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000an\u3000expensive\u3000model\u3000equipped\u3000with\u3000a\u3000two\u2026way\u3000radio\u3000feature\uff1b\u3000which\uff1b\u3000contrary\u3000to\u3000his\u3000orders\uff1b\u3000was\u3000now\u3000being\u3000used\u3000by\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000agents\u3000to\u3000page\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3003Capitaine\uff1f\u3003\u3000The\u3000phone\u3000crackled\u3000like\u3000a\u3000walkie\u2026talkie\u3002
\nFache\u3000felt\u3000his\u3000teeth\u3000clench\u3000in\u3000rage\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000imagine\u3000nothing\u3000important\u3000enough\u3000that\u3000Collet\u3000would\u3000interrupt\u3000this\u3000surveillance\u3000cach\u00e9e\u2014especially\u3000at\u3000this\u3000critical\u3000juncture\u3002
\nHe\u3000gave\u3000Langdon\u3000a\u3000calm\u3000look\u3000of\u3000apology\u3002\u3000\u3003One\u3000moment\u3000please\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000phone\u3000from\u3000his\u3000belt\u3000and\u3000pressed\u3000the\u3000radio\u3000transmission\u3000button\u3002\u3000\u3003Oui\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Capitaine\uff1b\u3000un\u3000agent\u3000du\u3000D\u00e9partement\u3000de\u3000Cryptographie\u3000est\u3000arriv\u00e9\u3002\u3003
\nFache’s\u3000anger\u3000stalled\u3000momentarily\u3002\u3000A\u3000cryptographer\uff1f\u3000Despite\u3000the\u3000lousy\u3000timing\uff1b\u3000this\u3000was\u3000probably\u3000good\u3000news\u3002\u3000Fache\uff1b\u3000after\u3000finding\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000cryptic\u3000text\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000had\u3000uploaded\u3000photographs\u3000of\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000crime\u3000scene\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Cryptography\u3000Department\u3000in\u3000hopes\u3000someone\u3000there\u3000could\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000what\u3000the\u3000hell\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000say\u3002\u3000If\u3000a\u3000code\u3000breaker\u3000had\u3000now\u3000arrived\uff1b\u3000it\u3000most\u3000likely\u3000meant\u3000someone\u3000had\u3000decrypted\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000message\u3002
\n\u3003I’m\u3000busy\u3000at\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000radioed\u3000back\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000in\u3000his\u3000tone\u3000that\u3000a\u3000line\u3000had\u3000been\u3000crossed\u3002\u3000\u3003Ask\u3000the\u3000cryptographer\u3000to\u3000wait\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000post\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000speak\u3000to\u3000him\u3000when\u3000I’m\u3000done\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Her\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000voice\u3000corrected\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000Agent\u3000Neveu\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000was\u3000being\u3000less\u3000amused\u3000with\u3000this\u3000call\u3000every\u3000passing\u3000moment\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000DCPJ’s\u3000biggest\u3000mistakes\u3002\u3000A\u3000young\u3000Parisian\u3000d\u00e9chiffreuse\u3000who\u3000had\u3000studied\u3000cryptography\u3000in\u3000England\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Royal\u3000Holloway\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000had\u3000been\u3000foisted\u3000on\u3000Fache\u3000two\u3000years\u3000ago\u3000as\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ministry’s\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000incorporate\u3000more\u3000women\u3000into\u3000the\u3000police\u3000force\u3002\u3000The\u3000ministry’s\u3000ongoing\u3000foray\u3000into\u3000political\u3000correctness\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000argued\uff1b\u3000was\u3000weakening\u3000the\u3000department\u3002\u3000Women\u3000not\u3000only\u3000lacked\u3000the\u3000physicality\u3000necessary\u3000for\u3000police\u3000work\uff1b\u3000but\u3000their\u3000mere\u3000presence\u3000posed\u3000a\u3000dangerous\u3000distraction\u3000to\u3000the\u3000men\u3000in\u3000the\u3000field\u3002\u3000As\u3000Fache\u3000had\u3000feared\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000was\u3000proving\u3000far\u3000more\u3000distracting\u3000than\u3000most\u3002
\nAt\u3000thirty\u2026two\u3000years\u3000old\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000a\u3000dogged\u3000determination\u3000that\u3000bordered\u3000on\u3000obstinate\u3002\u3000Her\u3000eager\u3000espousal\u3000of\u3000Britain’s\u3000new\u3000cryptologic\u3000methodology\u3000continually\u3000exasperated\u3000the\u3000veteran\u3000French\u3000cryptographers\u3000above\u3000her\u3002\u3000And\u3000by\u3000far\u3000the\u3000most\u3000troubling\u3000to\u3000Fache\u3000was\u3000the\u3000inescapable\u3000universal\u3000truth\u3000that\u3000in\u3000an\u3000office\u3000of\u3000middle\u2026aged\u3000men\uff1b\u3000an\u3000attractive\u3000young\u3000woman\u3000always\u3000drew\u3000eyes\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000work\u3000at\u3000hand\u3002
\nThe\u3000man\u3000on\u3000the\u3000radio\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Agent\u3000Neveu\u3000insisted\u3000on\u3000speaking\u3000to\u3000you\u3000immediately\uff1b\u3000Captain\u3002\u3000I\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she’s\u3000on\u3000her\u3000way\u3000into\u3000the\u3000gallery\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000recoiled\u3000in\u3000disbelief\u3002\u3000\u3003Unacceptable\uff01\u3000I\u3000made\u3000it\u3000very\u3000clear\u2014\u3003
\n\u3000
\nFor\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\u3000Bezu\u3000Fache\u3000was\u3000suffering\u3000a\u3000stroke\u3002\u3000The\u3000captain\u3000was\u3000mid\u2026sentence\u3000when\u3000his\u3000jaw\u3000stopped\u3000moving\u3000and\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000bulged\u3002\u3000His\u3000blistering\u3000gaze\u3000seemed\u3000fixated\u3000on\u3000something\u3000over\u3000Langdon’s\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000Before\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000turn\u3000to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000woman’s\u3000voice\u3000chime\u3000out\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3003Excusez\u2026moi\uff1b\u3000messieurs\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000see\u3000a\u3000young\u3000woman\u3000approaching\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000moving\u3000down\u3000the\u3000corridor\u3000toward\u3000them\u3000with\u3000long\uff1b\u3000fluid\u3000strides\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000haunting\u3000certainty\u3000to\u3000her\u3000gait\u3002\u3000Dressed\u3000casually\u3000in\u3000a\u3000knee\u2026length\uff1b\u3000cream\u2026colored\u3000Irish\u3000sweater\u3000over\u3000black\u3000leggings\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000attractive\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000to\u3000be\u3000about\u3000thirty\u3002\u3000Her\u3000thick\u3000burgundy\u3000hair\u3000fell\u3000unstyled\u3000to\u3000her\u3000shoulders\uff1b\u3000framing\u3000the\u3000warmth\u3000of\u3000her\u3000face\u3002\u3000Unlike\u3000the\u3000waifish\uff1b\u3000cookie\u2026cutter\u3000blondes\u3000that\u3000adorned\u3000Harvard\u3000dorm\u3000room\u3000walls\uff1b\u3000this\u3000woman\u3000was\u3000healthy\u3000with\u3000an\u3000unembellished\u3000beauty\u3000and\u3000genuineness\u3000that\u3000radiated\u3000a\u3000striking\u3000personal\u3000confidence\u3002
\nTo\u3000Langdon’s\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000walked\u3000directly\u3000up\u3000to\u3000him\u3000and\u3000extended\u3000a\u3000polite\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003Monsieur\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3000Agent\u3000Neveu\u3000from\u3000DCPJ’s\u3000Cryptology\u3000Department\u3002\u3003\u3000Her\u3000words\u3000curved\u3000richly\u3000around\u3000her\u3000muted\u3000Anglo\u2026Franco\u3000accent\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000is\u3000a\u3000pleasure\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000took\u3000her\u3000soft\u3000palm\u3000in\u3000his\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000himself\u3000momentarily\u3000fixed\u3000in\u3000her\u3000strong\u3000gaze\u3002\u3000Her\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000olive\u2026green\u2014incisive\u3000and\u3000clear\u3002
\nFache\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000seething\u3000inhalation\uff1b\u3000clearly\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000launch\u3000into\u3000a\u3000reprimand\u3002
\n\u3003Captain\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000quickly\u3000and\u3000beating\u3000him\u3000to\u3000the\u3000punch\uff1b\u3000\u3003please\u3000excuse\u3000the\u3000interruption\uff1b\u3000but\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003Ce\u3000n’est\u3000pas\u3000le\u3000moment\uff01\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000sputtered\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000phone\u3000you\u3002\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000continued\u3000in\u3000English\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000out\u3000of\u3000courtesy\u3000to\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000your\u3000cell\u3000phone\u3000was\u3000turned\u3000off\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000turned\u3000it\u3000off\u3000for\u3000a\u3000reason\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000hissed\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000speaking\u3000to\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’ve\u3000deciphered\u3000the\u3000numeric\u3000code\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000flatly\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000pulse\u3000of\u3000excitement\u3002\u3000She\u3000broke\u3000the\u3000code\uff1f
\nFache\u3000looked\u3000uncertain\u3000how\u3000to\u3000respond\u3002
\n\u3003Before\u3000I\u3000explain\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000an\u3000urgent\u3000message\u3000for\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3003
\nFache’s\u3000expression\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000one\u3000of\u3000deepening\u3000concern\u3002\u3000\u3003For\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1f\u3003
\nShe\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000need\u3000to\u3000contact\u3000the\u3000U\u3002S\u3002\u3000Embassy\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000They\u3000have\u3000a\u3000message\u3000for\u3000you\u3000from\u3000the\u3000States\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000reacted\u3000with\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000his\u3000excitement\u3000over\u3000the\u3000code\u3000giving\u3000way\u3000to\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000ripple\u3000of\u3000concern\u3002\u3000A\u3000message\u3000from\u3000the\u3000States\uff1f\u3000He\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000imagine\u3000who\u3000could\u3000be\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000him\u3002\u3000Only\u3000a\u3000few\u3000of\u3000his\u3000colleagues\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000was\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3002
\nFache’s\u3000broad\u3000jaw\u3000had\u3000tightened\u3000with\u3000the\u3000news\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000U\u3002S\u3002\u3000Embassy\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000demanded\uff1b\u3000sounding\u3000suspicious\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000would\u3000they\u3000know\u3000to\u3000find\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000here\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003Apparently\u3000they\u3000called\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon’s\u3000hotel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000concierge\u3000told\u3000them\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000been\u3000collected\u3000by\u3000a\u3000DCPJ\u3000agent\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000looked\u3000troubled\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000the\u3000embassy\u3000contacted\u3000DCPJ\u3000Cryptography\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000firm\u3002\u3000\u3003When\u3000I\u3000called\u3000the\u3000DCPJ\u3000switchboard\u3000in\u3000an\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000contact\u3000you\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000a\u3000message\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000asked\u3000me\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000it\u3000along\u3000if\u3000I\u3000got\u3000through\u3000to\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nFache’s\u3000brow\u3000furrowed\u3000in\u3000apparent\u3000confusion\u3002\u3000He\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000to\u3000speak\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000already\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Langdon\u3002
\n\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000declared\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000a\u3000small\u3000slip\u3000of\u3000paper\u3000from\u3000her\u3000pocket\uff1b\u3000\u3003this\u3000is\u3000the\u3000number\u3000for\u3000your\u3000embassy’s\u3000messaging\u3000service\u3002\u3000They\u3000asked\u3000that\u3000you\u3000phone\u3000in\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000possible\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000handed\u3000him\u3000the\u3000paper\u3000with\u3000an\u3000intent\u3000gaze\u3002\u3000\u3003While\u3000I\u3000explain\u3000the\u3000code\u3000to\u3000Captain\u3000Fache\uff1b\u3000you\u3000need\u3000to\u3000make\u3000this\u3000call\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000studied\u3000the\u3000slip\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000a\u3000Paris\u3000phone\u3000number\u3000and\u3000extension\u3000on\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000worried\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003Where\u3000do\u3000I\u3000find\u3000a\u3000phone\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000began\u3000to\u3000pull\u3000a\u3000cell\u3000phone\u3000from\u3000her\u3000sweater\u3000pocket\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Fache\u3000waved\u3000her\u3000off\u3002\u3000He\u3000now\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000Mount\u3000Vesuvius\u3000about\u3000to\u3000erupt\u3002\u3000Without\u3000taking\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000off\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000he\u3000produced\u3000his\u3000own\u3000cell\u3000phone\u3000and\u3000held\u3000it\u3000out\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000line\u3000is\u3000secure\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000You\u3000may\u3000use\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000mystified\u3000by\u3000Fache’s\u3000anger\u3000with\u3000the\u3000young\u3000woman\u3002\u3000Feeling\u3000uneasy\uff1b\u3000he\u3000accepted\u3000the\u3000captain’s\u3000phone\u3002\u3000Fache\u3000immediately\u3000marched\u3000Sophie\u3000several\u3000steps\u3000away\u3000and\u3000began\u3000chastising\u3000her\u3000in\u3000hushed\u3000tones\u3002\u3000Disliking\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000more\u3000and\u3000more\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000turned\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000odd\u3000confrontation\u3000and\u3000switched\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cell\u3000phone\u3002\u3000Checking\u3000the\u3000slip\u3000of\u3000paper\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000given\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000dialed\u3000the\u3000number\u3002
\nThe\u3000line\u3000began\u3000to\u3000ring\u3002
\nOne\u3000ring\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000two\u3000rings\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000three\u3000rings\u3002\u3002\u3002
\nFinally\u3000the\u3000call\u3000connected\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000expected\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000an\u3000embassy\u3000operator\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000instead\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000an\u3000answering\u3000machine\u3002\u3000Oddly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000voice\u3000on\u3000the\u3000tape\u3000was\u3000familiar\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000that\u3000of\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3002
\n\u3003Bonjour\uff1b\u3000vous\u3000\u00eates\u3000bien\u3000chez\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000woman’s\u3000voice\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Je\u3000suis\u3000absenle\u3000pour\u3000le\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000mais\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\nConfused\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3000Ms\u3002\u3000Neveu\uff1f\u3000I\u3000think\u3000you\u3000may\u3000have\u3000given\u3000me\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000the\u3000right\u3000number\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000interjected\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000anticipating\u3000Langdon’s\u3000confusion\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000embassy\u3000has\u3000an\u3000automated\u3000message\u3000system\u3002\u3000You\u3000have\u3000to\u3000dial\u3000an\u3000access\u3000code\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000up\u3000your\u3000messages\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000stared\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000the\u3000three\u2026digit\u3000code\u3000on\u3000the\u3000paper\u3000I\u3000gave\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000to\u3000explain\u3000the\u3000bizarre\u3000error\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Sophie\u3000flashed\u3000him\u3000a\u3000silencing\u3000glare\u3000that\u3000lasted\u3000only\u3000an\u3000instant\u3002\u3000Her\u3000green\u3000eyes\u3000sent\u3000a\u3000crystal\u2026clear\u3000message\u3002
\nDon’t\u3000ask\u3000questions\u3002\u3000Just\u3000do\u3000it\u3002
\nBewildered\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000punched\u3000in\u3000the\u3000extension\u3000on\u3000the\u3000slip\u3000of\u3000paper\uff1a\u3000454\u3002
\nSophie’s\u3000outgoing\u3000message\u3000immediately\u3000cut\u3000off\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000heard\u3000an\u3000electronic\u3000voice\u3000announce\u3000in\u3000French\uff1a\u3000\u3003You\u3000have\u3000one\u3000new\u3000message\u3002\u3003\u3000Apparently\uff1b\u3000454\u3000was\u3000Sophie’s\u3000remote\u3000access\u3000code\u3000for\u3000picking\u3000up\u3000her\u3000messages\u3000while\u3000away\u3000from\u3000home\u3002
\nI’m\u3000picking\u3000up\u3000this\u3000woman’s\u3000messages\uff1f
\nLangdon\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000tape\u3000rewinding\u3000now\u3002\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000it\u3000stopped\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000machine\u3000engaged\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000listened\u3000as\u3000the\u3000message\u3000began\u3000to\u3000play\u3002\u3000Again\uff1b\u3000the\u3000voice\u3000on\u3000the\u3000line\u3000was\u3000Sophie’s\u3002
\n\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000message\u3000began\u3000in\u3000a\u3000fearful\u3000whisper\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000not\u3000react\u3000to\u3000this\u3000message\u3002\u3000Just\u3000listen\u3000calmly\u3002\u3000You\u3000are\u3000in\u3000danger\u3000right\u3000now\u3002\u3000Follow\u3000my\u3000directions\u3000very\u3000closely\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300010
\n
\nSilas\u3000sat\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000wheel\u3000of\u3000the\u3000black\u3000Audi\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000arranged\u3000for\u3000him\u3000and\u3000gazed\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000great\u3000Church\u3000of\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\u3002\u3000Lit\u3000from\u3000beneath\u3000by\u3000banks\u3000of\u3000floodlights\uff1b\u3000the\u3000church’s\u3000two\u3000bell\u3000towers\u3000rose\u3000like\u3000stalwart\u3000sentinels\u3000above\u3000the\u3000building’s\u3000long\u3000body\u3002\u3000On\u3000either\u3000flank\uff1b\u3000a\u3000shadowy\u3000row\u3000of\u3000sleek\u3000buttresses\u3000jutted\u3000out\u3000like\u3000the\u3000ribs\u3000of\u3000a\u3000beautiful\u3000beast\u3002
\nThe\u3000heathens\u3000used\u3000a\u3000house\u3000of\u3000God\u3000to\u3000conceal\u3000their\u3000keystone\u3002 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n out\u3000like\u3000the\u3000ribs\u3000of\u3000a\u3000beautiful\u3000beast\u3002
\nThe\u3000heathens\u3000used\u3000a\u3000house\u3000of\u3000God\u3000to\u3000conceal\u3000their\u3000keystone\u3002\u3000Again\u3000the\u3000brotherhood\u3000had\u3000confirmed\u3000their\u3000legendary\u3000reputation\u3000for\u3000illusion\u3000and\u3000deceit\u3002\u3000Silas\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000finding\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000and\u3000giving\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000so\u3000they\u3000could\u3000recover\u3000what\u3000the\u3000brotherhood\u3000had\u3000long\u3000ago\u3000stolen\u3000from\u3000the\u3000faithful\u3002
\nHow\u3000powerful\u3000that\u3000will\u3000make\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3002
\nParking\u3000the\u3000Audi\u3000on\u3000the\u3000deserted\u3000Place\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000exhaled\uff1b\u3000telling\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000clear\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000for\u3000the\u3000task\u3000at\u3000hand\u3002\u3000His\u3000broad\u3000back\u3000still\u3000ached\u3000from\u3000the\u3000corporal\u3000mortification\u3000he\u3000had\u3000endured\u3000earlier\u3000today\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000the\u3000pain\u3000was\u3000inconsequential\u3000pared\u3000with\u3000the\u3000anguish\u3000of\u3000his\u3000life\u3000before\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000had\u3000saved\u3000him\u3002
\nStill\uff1b\u3000the\u3000memories\u3000haunted\u3000his\u3000soul\u3002
\nRelease\u3000your\u3000hatred\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000manded\u3000himself\u3002\u3000Forgive\u3000those\u3000who\u3000trespassed\u3000against\u3000you\u3002
\nLooking\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000towers\u3000of\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000fought\u3000that\u3000familiar\u3000undertow\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000that\u3000force\u3000that\u3000often\u3000dragged\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000back\u3000in\u3000time\uff1b\u3000locking\u3000him\u3000once\u3000again\u3000in\u3000the\u3000prison\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000his\u3000world\u3000as\u3000a\u3000young\u3000man\u3002\u3000The\u3000memories\u3000of\u3000purgatory\u3000came\u3000as\u3000they\u3000always\u3000did\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000tempest\u3000to\u3000his\u3000senses\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000reek\u3000of\u3000rotting\u3000cabbage\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stench\u3000of\u3000death\uff1b\u3000human\u3000urine\u3000and\u3000feces\u3002\u3000The\u3000cries\u3000of\u3000hopelessness\u3000against\u3000the\u3000howling\u3000wind\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Pyrenees\u3000and\u3000the\u3000soft\u3000sobs\u3000of\u3000forgotten\u3000men\u3002
\nAndorra\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000his\u3000muscles\u3000tighten\u3002
\nIncredibly\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000in\u3000that\u3000barren\u3000and\u3000forsaken\u3000suzerain\u3000between\u3000Spain\u3000and\u3000France\uff1b\u3000shivering\u3000in\u3000his\u3000stone\u3000cell\uff1b\u3000wanting\u3000only\u3000to\u3000die\uff1b\u3000that\u3000Silas\u3000had\u3000been\u3000saved\u3002
\nHe\u3000had\u3000not\u3000realized\u3000it\u3000at\u3000the\u3000time\u3002
\nThe\u3000light\u3000came\u3000long\u3000after\u3000the\u3000thunder\u3002
\nHis\u3000name\u3000was\u3000not\u3000Silas\u3000then\uff1b\u3000although\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000recall\u3000the\u3000name\u3000his\u3000parents\u3000had\u3000given\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000left\u3000home\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000seven\u3002\u3000His\u3000drunken\u3000father\uff1b\u3000a\u3000burly\u3000dockworker\uff1b\u3000enraged\u3000by\u3000the\u3000arrival\u3000of\u3000an\u3000albino\u3000son\uff1b\u3000beat\u3000his\u3000mother\u3000regularly\uff1b\u3000blaming\u3000her\u3000for\u3000the\u3000boy’s\u3000embarrassing\u3000condition\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000her\uff1b\u3000he\u3000too\u3000was\u3000badly\u3000beaten\u3002
\nOne\u3000night\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000horrific\u3000fight\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000mother\u3000never\u3000got\u3000up\u3002\u3000The\u3000boy\u3000stood\u3000over\u3000his\u3000lifeless\u3000mother\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000an\u3000unbearable\u3000up\u2026welling\u3000of\u3000guilt\u3000for\u3000permitting\u3000it\u3000to\u3000happen\u3002
\nThis\u3000is\u3000my\u3000fault\uff01
\nAs\u3000if\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000demon\u3000were\u3000controlling\u3000his\u3000body\uff1b\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000walked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000kitchen\u3000and\u3000grasped\u3000a\u3000butcher\u3000knife\u3002\u3000Hypnotically\uff1b\u3000he\u3000moved\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bedroom\u3000where\u3000his\u3000father\u3000lay\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000drunken\u3000stupor\u3002\u3000Without\u3000a\u3000word\uff1b\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000stabbed\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3002\u3000His\u3000father\u3000cried\u3000out\u3000in\u3000pain\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000roll\u3000over\uff1b\u3000but\u3000his\u3000son\u3000stabbed\u3000him\u3000again\uff1b\u3000over\u3000and\u3000over\u3000until\u3000the\u3000apartment\u3000fell\u3000quiet\u3002
\nThe\u3000boy\u3000fled\u3000home\u3000but\u3000found\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000of\u3000Marseilles\u3000equally\u3000unfriendly\u3002\u3000His\u3000strange\u3000appearance\u3000made\u3000him\u3000an\u3000outcast\u3000among\u3000the\u3000other\u3000young\u3000runaways\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000live\u3000alone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000basement\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dilapidated\u3000factory\uff1b\u3000eating\u3000stolen\u3000fruit\u3000and\u3000raw\u3000fish\u3000from\u3000the\u3000dock\u3002\u3000His\u3000only\u3000panions\u3000were\u3000tattered\u3000magazines\u3000he\u3000found\u3000in\u3000the\u3000trash\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000taught\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000read\u3000them\u3002\u3000Over\u3000time\uff1b\u3000he\u3000grew\u3000strong\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000was\u3000twelve\uff1b\u3000another\u3000drifter\u2014a\u3000girl\u3000twice\u3000his\u3000age\u2014mocked\u3000him\u3000on\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000and\u3000attempted\u3000to\u3000steal\u3000his\u3000food\u3002\u3000The\u3000girl\u3000found\u3000herself\u3000pummeled\u3000to\u3000within\u3000inches\u3000of\u3000her\u3000life\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000authorities\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000off\u3000her\uff1b\u3000they\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000an\u3000ultimatum\u2014leave\u3000Marseilles\u3000or\u3000go\u3000to\u3000juvenile\u3000prison\u3002
\nThe\u3000boy\u3000moved\u3000down\u3000the\u3000coast\u3000to\u3000Toulon\u3002\u3000Over\u3000time\uff1b\u3000the\u3000looks\u3000of\u3000pity\u3000on\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000looks\u3000of\u3000fear\u3002\u3000The\u3000boy\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000to\u3000a\u3000powerful\u3000young\u3000man\u3002\u3000When\u3000people\u3000passed\u3000by\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000them\u3000whispering\u3000to\u3000one\u3000another\u3002\u3000A\u3000ghost\uff1b\u3000they\u3000would\u3000say\uff1b\u3000their\u3000eyes\u3000wide\u3000with\u3000fright\u3000as\u3000they\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000his\u3000white\u3000skin\u3002\u3000A\u3000ghost\u3000with\u3000the\u3000eyes\u3000of\u3000a\u3000devil\uff01
\nAnd\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000a\u3000ghost\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000transparent\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000floating\u3000from\u3000seaport\u3000to\u3000seaport\u3002
\nPeople\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000look\u3000right\u3000through\u3000him\u3002
\nAt\u3000eighteen\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000port\u3000town\uff1b\u3000while\u3000attempting\u3000to\u3000steal\u3000a\u3000case\u3000of\u3000cured\u3000ham\u3000from\u3000a\u3000cargo\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000caught\u3000by\u3000a\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000crewmen\u3002\u3000The\u3000two\u3000sailors\u3000who\u3000began\u3000to\u3000beat\u3000him\u3000smelled\u3000of\u3000beer\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000his\u3000father\u3000had\u3002\u3000The\u3000memories\u3000of\u3000fear\u3000and\u3000hatred\u3000surfaced\u3000like\u3000a\u3000monster\u3000from\u3000the\u3000deep\u3002\u3000The\u3000young\u3000man\u3000broke\u3000the\u3000first\u3000sailor’s\u3000neck\u3000with\u3000his\u3000bare\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000and\u3000only\u3000the\u3000arrival\u3000of\u3000the\u3000police\u3000saved\u3000the\u3000second\u3000sailor\u3000from\u3000a\u3000similar\u3000fate\u3002
\nTwo\u3000months\u3000later\uff1b\u3000in\u3000shackles\uff1b\u3000he\u3000arrived\u3000at\u3000a\u3000prison\u3000in\u3000Andorra\u3002
\nYou\u3000are\u3000as\u3000white\u3000as\u3000a\u3000ghost\uff1b\u3000the\u3000inmates\u3000ridiculed\u3000as\u3000the\u3000guards\u3000marched\u3000him\u3000in\uff1b\u3000naked\u3000and\u3000cold\u3002\u3000Mira\u3000el\u3000espectro\uff01\u3000Perhaps\u3000the\u3000ghost\u3000will\u3000pass\u3000right\u3000through\u3000these\u3000walls\uff01
\nOver\u3000the\u3000course\u3000of\u3000twelve\u3000years\uff1b\u3000his\u3000flesh\u3000and\u3000soul\u3000withered\u3000until\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000transparent\u3002
\nI\u3000am\u3000a\u3000ghost\u3002
\nI\u3000am\u3000weightless\u3002
\nYo\u3000soy\u3000un\u3000espectro\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000palido\u3000a\u3000una\u3000fantasma\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000caminando\u3000este\u3000mundo\u3000a\u3000solas\u3002
\nOne\u3000night\u3000the\u3000ghost\u3000awoke\u3000to\u3000the\u3000screams\u3000of\u3000other\u3000inmates\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000invisible\u3000force\u3000was\u3000shaking\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000on\u3000which\u3000he\u3000slept\uff1b\u3000nor\u3000what\u3000mighty\u3000hand\u3000was\u3000trembling\u3000the\u3000mortar\u3000of\u3000his\u3000stone\u3000cell\uff1b\u3000but\u3000as\u3000he\u3000jumped\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000a\u3000large\u3000boulder\u3000toppled\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000very\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000sleeping\u3002\u3000Looking\u3000up\u3000to\u3000see\u3000where\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000had\u3000e\u3000from\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000hole\u3000in\u3000the\u3000trembling\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000and\u3000beyond\u3000it\uff1b\u3000a\u3000vision\u3000he\u3000had\u3000not\u3000seen\u3000in\u3000over\u3000ten\u3000years\u3002\u3000The\u3000moon\u3002
\nEven\u3000while\u3000the\u3000earth\u3000still\u3000shook\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ghost\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000scrambling\u3000through\u3000a\u3000narrow\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000staggering\u3000out\u3000into\u3000an\u3000expansive\u3000vista\uff1b\u3000and\u3000tumbling\u3000down\u3000a\u3000barren\u3000mountainside\u3000into\u3000the\u3000woods\u3002\u3000He\u3000ran\u3000all\u3000night\uff1b\u3000always\u3000downward\uff1b\u3000delirious\u3000with\u3000hunger\u3000and\u3000exhaustion\u3002
\nSkirting\u3000the\u3000edges\u3000of\u3000consciousness\uff1b\u3000he\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000at\u3000dawn\u3000in\u3000a\u3000clearing\u3000where\u3000train\u3000tracks\u3000cut\u3000a\u3000swath\u3000across\u3000the\u3000forest\u3002\u3000Following\u3000the\u3000rails\uff1b\u3000he\u3000moved\u3000on\u3000as\u3000if\u3000dreaming\u3002\u3000Seeing\u3000an\u3000empty\u3000freight\u3000car\uff1b\u3000he\u3000crawled\u3000in\u3000for\u3000shelter\u3000and\u3000rest\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000awoke\u3000the\u3000train\u3000was\u3000moving\u3002\u3000How\u3000long\uff1f\u3000How\u3000far\uff1f\u3000A\u3000pain\u3000was\u3000growing\u3000in\u3000his\u3000gut\u3002\u3000Am\u3000I\u3000dying\uff1f\u3000He\u3000slept\u3000again\u3002\u3000This\u3000time\u3000he\u3000awoke\u3000to\u3000someone\u3000yelling\uff1b\u3000beating\u3000him\uff1b\u3000throwing\u3000him\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000freight\u3000car\u3002\u3000Bloody\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wandered\u3000the\u3000outskirts\u3000of\u3000a\u3000small\u3000village\u3000looking\u3000in\u3000vain\u3000for\u3000food\u3002\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000his\u3000body\u3000too\u3000weak\u3000to\u3000take\u3000another\u3000step\uff1b\u3000he\u3000lay\u3000down\u3000by\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000road\u3000and\u3000slipped\u3000into\u3000unconsciousness\u3002
\nThe\u3000light\u3000came\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000ghost\u3000wondered\u3000how\u3000long\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000dead\u3002\u3000A\u3000day\uff1f\u3000Three\u3000days\uff1f\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000matter\u3002\u3000His\u3000bed\u3000was\u3000soft\u3000like\u3000a\u3000cloud\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000air\u3000around\u3000him\u3000smelled\u3000sweet\u3000with\u3000candles\u3002\u3000Jesus\u3000was\u3000there\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000down\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000here\uff1b\u3000Jesus\u3000said\u3002\u3000The\u3000stone\u3000has\u3000been\u3000rolled\u3000aside\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\u3000are\u3000born\u3000again\u3002
\nHe\u3000slept\u3000and\u3000awoke\u3002\u3000Fog\u3000shrouded\u3000his\u3000thoughts\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000never\u3000believed\u3000in\u3000heaven\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000Jesus\u3000was\u3000watching\u3000over\u3000him\u3002\u3000Food\u3000appeared\u3000beside\u3000his\u3000bed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000ghost\u3000ate\u3000it\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000able\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000flesh\u3000materializing\u3000on\u3000his\u3000bones\u3002\u3000He\u3000slept\u3000again\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000awoke\uff1b\u3000Jesus\u3000was\u3000still\u3000smiling\u3000down\uff1b\u3000speaking\u3002\u3000You\u3000are\u3000saved\uff1b\u3000my\u3000son\u3002\u3000Blessed\u3000are\u3000those\u3000who\u3000follow\u3000my\u3000path\u3002
\nAgain\uff1b\u3000he\u3000slept\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000a\u3000scream\u3000of\u3000anguish\u3000that\u3000startled\u3000the\u3000ghost\u3000from\u3000his\u3000slumber\u3002\u3000His\u3000body\u3000leapt\u3000out\u3000of\u3000bed\uff1b\u3000staggered\u3000down\u3000a\u3000hallway\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000shouting\u3002\u3000He\u3000entered\u3000into\u3000a\u3000kitchen\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000large\u3000man\u3000beating\u3000a\u3000smaller\u3000man\u3002\u3000Without\u3000knowing\u3000why\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ghost\u3000grabbed\u3000the\u3000large\u3000man\u3000and\u3000hurled\u3000him\u3000backward\u3000against\u3000a\u3000wall\u3002\u3000The\u3000man\u3000fled\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000ghost\u3000standing\u3000over\u3000the\u3000body\u3000of\u3000a\u3000young\u3000man\u3000in\u3000priest’s\u3000robes\u3002\u3000The\u3000priest\u3000had\u3000a\u3000badly\u3000shattered\u3000nose\u3002\u3000Lifting\u3000the\u3000bloody\u3000priest\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ghost\u3000carried\u3000him\u3000to\u3000a\u3000couch\u3002
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000my\u3000friend\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000priest\u3000said\u3000in\u3000awkward\u3000French\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000offertory\u3000money\u3000is\u3000tempting\u3000for\u3000thieves\u3002\u3000You\u3000speak\u3000French\u3000in\u3000your\u3000sleep\u3002\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000also\u3000speak\u3000Spanish\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000ghost\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000is\u3000your\u3000name\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000continued\u3000in\u3000broken\u3000French\u3002
\nThe\u3000ghost\u3000could\u3000not\u3000remember\u3000the\u3000name\u3000his\u3000parents\u3000had\u3000given\u3000him\u3002\u3000All\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000were\u3000the\u3000taunting\u3000gibes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000prison\u3000guards\u3002
\nThe\u3000priest\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3000hay\u3000problema\u3002\u3000My\u3000name\u3000is\u3000Manuel\u3000Aringarosa\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000a\u3000missionary\u3000from\u3000Madrid\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000sent\u3000here\u3000to\u3000build\u3000a\u3000church\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Obra\u3000de\u3000Dios\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Where\u3000am\u3000I\uff1f\u3003\u3000His\u3000voice\u3000sounded\u3000hollow\u3002
\n\u3003Oviedo\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000north\u3000of\u3000Spain\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003How\u3000did\u3000I\u3000get\u3000here\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Someone\u3000left\u3000you\u3000on\u3000my\u3000doorstep\u3002\u3000You\u3000were\u3000ill\u3002\u3000I\u3000fed\u3000you\u3002\u3000You’ve\u3000been\u3000here\u3000many\u3000days\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000ghost\u3000studied\u3000his\u3000young\u3000caretaker\u3002\u3000Years\u3000had\u3000passed\u3000since\u3000anyone\u3000had\u3000shown\u3000any\u3000kindness\u3002\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Father\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000priest\u3000touched\u3000his\u3000bloody\u3000lip\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000is\u3000I\u3000who\u3000am\u3000thankful\uff1b\u3000my\u3000friend\u3002\u3003
\nWhen\u3000the\u3000ghost\u3000awoke\u3000in\u3000the\u3000morning\uff1b\u3000his\u3000world\u3000felt\u3000clearer\u3002\u3000He\u3000gazed\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000crucifix\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000above\u3000his\u3000bed\u3002\u3000Although\u3000it\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000spoke\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000forting\u3000aura\u3000in\u3000its\u3000presence\u3002\u3000Sitting\u3000up\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000to\u3000find\u3000a\u3000newspaper\u3000clipping\u3000on\u3000his\u3000bedside\u3000table\u3002\u3000The\u3000article\u3000was\u3000in\u3000French\uff1b\u3000a\u3000week\u3000old\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000read\u3000the\u3000story\uff1b\u3000he\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000fear\u3002\u3000It\u3000told\u3000of\u3000an\u3000earthquake\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mountains\u3000that\u3000had\u3000destroyed\u3000a\u3000prison\u3000and\u3000freed\u3000many\u3000dangerous\u3000criminals\u3002
\nHis\u3000heart\u3000began\u3000pounding\u3002\u3000The\u3000priest\u3000knows\u3000who\u3000I\u3000am\uff01\u3000The\u3000emotion\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000was\u3000one\u3000he\u3000had\u3000not\u3000felt\u3000for\u3000some\u3000time\u3002\u3000Shame\u3002\u3000Guilt\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000acpanied\u3000by\u3000the\u3000fear\u3000of\u3000being\u3000caught\u3002\u3000He\u3000jumped\u3000from\u3000his\u3000bed\u3002\u3000Where\u3000do\u3000I\u3000run\uff1f
\n\u3003The\u3000Book\u3000of\u3000Acts\uff1b\u3003\u3000a\u3000voice\u3000said\u3000from\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\nThe\u3000ghost\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000frightened\u3002
\nThe\u3000young\u3000priest\u3000was\u3000smiling\u3000as\u3000he\u3000entered\u3002\u3000His\u3000nose\u3000was\u3000awkwardly\u3000bandaged\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000out\u3000an\u3000old\u3000Bible\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000found\u3000one\u3000in\u3000French\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3000The\u3000chapter\u3000is\u3000marked\u3002\u3003
\nUncertain\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ghost\u3000took\u3000the\u3000Bible\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000chapter\u3000the\u3000priest\u3000had\u3000marked\u3002
\nActs\u300016\u3002
\nThe\u3000verses\u3000told\u3000of\u3000a\u3000prisoner\u3000named\u3000Silas\u3000who\u3000lay\u3000naked\u3000and\u3000beaten\u3000in\u3000his\u3000cell\uff1b\u3000singing\u3000hymns\u3000to\u3000God\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000ghost\u3000reached\u3000Verse\u300026\uff1b\u3000he\u3000gasped\u3000in\u3000shock\u3002
\n\u3003\u3002\u3002\u3002And\u3000suddenly\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000great\u3000earthquake\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u3000the\u3000foundations\u3000of\u3000the\u3000prison\u3000were\u3000shaken\uff1b\u3000and\u3000all\u3000the\u3000doors\u3000fell\u3000o \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003\u3002\u3002\u3002And\u3000suddenly\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000great\u3000earthquake\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u3000the\u3000foundations\u3000of\u3000the\u3000prison\u3000were\u3000shaken\uff1b\u3000and\u3000all\u3000the\u3000doors\u3000fell\u3000open\u3002\u3003
\nHis\u3000eyes\u3000shot\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000priest\u3002
\nThe\u3000priest\u3000smiled\u3000warmly\u3002\u3000\u3003From\u3000now\u3000on\uff1b\u3000my\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000have\u3000no\u3000other\u3000name\uff1b\u3000I\u3000shall\u3000call\u3000you\u3000Silas\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000ghost\u3000nodded\u3000blankly\u3002\u3000Silas\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000been\u3000given\u3000flesh\u3002\u3000My\u3000name\u3000is\u3000Silas\u3002
\n\u3003It’s\u3000time\u3000for\u3000breakfast\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000priest\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000will\u3000need\u3000your\u3000strength\u3000if\u3000you\u3000are\u3000to\u3000help\u3000me\u3000build\u3000this\u3000church\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nTwenty\u3000thousand\u3000feet\u3000above\u3000the\u3000Mediterranean\uff1b\u3000Alitalia\u3000flight\u30001618\u3000bounced\u3000in\u3000turbulence\uff1b\u3000causing\u3000passengers\u3000to\u3000shift\u3000nervously\u3002\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3000barely\u3000noticed\u3002\u3000His\u3000thoughts\u3000were\u3000with\u3000the\u3000future\u3000of\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3002\u3000Eager\u3000to\u3000know\u3000how\u3000plans\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3000were\u3000progressing\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wished\u3000he\u3000could\u3000phone\u3000Silas\u3002\u3000But\u3000he\u3000could\u3000not\u3002\u3000The\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000to\u3000that\u3002
\n\u3003It\u3000is\u3000for\u3000your\u3000own\u3000safety\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000explained\uff1b\u3000speaking\u3000in\u3000English\u3000with\u3000a\u3000French\u3000accent\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000familiar\u3000enough\u3000with\u3000electronic\u3000munications\u3000to\u3000know\u3000they\u3000can\u3000be\u3000intercepted\u3002\u3000The\u3000results\u3000could\u3000be\u3000disastrous\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000was\u3000right\u3002\u3000The\u3000Teacher\u3000seemed\u3000an\u3000exceptionally\u3000careful\u3000man\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000not\u3000revealed\u3000his\u3000own\u3000identity\u3000to\u3000Aringarosa\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000he\u3000had\u3000proven\u3000himself\u3000a\u3000man\u3000well\u3000worth\u3000obeying\u3002\u3000After\u3000all\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000somehow\u3000obtained\u3000very\u3000secret\u3000information\u3002\u3000The\u3000names\u3000of\u3000the\u3000brotherhood’s\u3000four\u3000top\u3000members\uff01\u3000This\u3000had\u3000been\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000coups\u3000that\u3000convinced\u3000the\u3000bishop\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000was\u3000truly\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000delivering\u3000the\u3000astonishing\u3000prize\u3000he\u3000claimed\u3000he\u3000could\u3000unearth\u3002
\n\u3003Bishop\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000told\u3000him\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000made\u3000all\u3000the\u3000arrangements\u3002\u3000For\u3000my\u3000plan\u3000to\u3000succeed\uff1b\u3000you\u3000must\u3000allow\u3000Silas\u3000to\u3000answer\u3000only\u3000to\u3000me\u3000for\u3000several\u3000days\u3002\u3000The\u3000two\u3000of\u3000you\u3000will\u3000not\u3000speak\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000municate\u3000with\u3000him\u3000through\u3000secure\u3000channels\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000will\u3000treat\u3000him\u3000with\u3000respect\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003A\u3000man\u3000of\u3000faith\u3000deserves\u3000the\u3000highest\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Excellent\u3002\u3000Then\u3000I\u3000understand\u3002\u3000Silas\u3000and\u3000I\u3000shall\u3000not\u3000speak\u3000until\u3000this\u3000is\u3000over\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000do\u3000this\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000your\u3000identity\uff1b\u3000Silas’s\u3000identity\uff1b\u3000and\u3000my\u3000investment\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Your\u3000investment\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Bishop\uff1b\u3000if\u3000your\u3000own\u3000eagerness\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000abreast\u3000of\u3000progress\u3000puts\u3000you\u3000in\u3000jail\uff1b\u3000then\u3000you\u3000will\u3000be\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000pay\u3000me\u3000my\u3000fee\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000bishop\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000fine\u3000point\u3002\u3000Our\u3000desires\u3000are\u3000in\u3000accord\u3002\u3000Godspeed\u3002\u3003
\nTwenty\u3000million\u3000euro\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bishop\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000now\u3000gazing\u3000out\u3000the\u3000plane’s\u3000window\u3002\u3000The\u3000sum\u3000was\u3000approximately\u3000the\u3000same\u3000number\u3000of\u3000U\u3002S\u3002\u3000dollars\u3002\u3000A\u3000pittance\u3000for\u3000something\u3000so\u3000powerful\u3002
\nHe\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000renewed\u3000confidence\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000and\u3000Silas\u3000would\u3000not\u3000fail\u3002\u3000Money\u3000and\u3000faith\u3000were\u3000powerful\u3000motivators\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300011
\n
\n\u3003Une\u3000plaisanterie\u3000num\u00e9rique\uff1f\u3003\u3000Bezu\u3000Fache\u3000was\u3000livid\uff1b\u3000glaring\u3000at\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000in\u3000disbelief\u3002\u3000A\u3000numeric\u3000joke\uff1f\u3000\u3003Your\u3000professional\u3000assessment\u3000of\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000code\u3000is\u3000that\u3000it\u3000is\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000mathematical\u3000prank\uff1f\u3003
\nFache\u3000was\u3000in\u3000utter\u3000inprehension\u3000of\u3000this\u3000woman’s\u3000gall\u3002\u3000Not\u3000only\u3000had\u3000she\u3000just\u3000barged\u3000in\u3000on\u3000Fache\u3000without\u3000permission\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000now\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000convince\u3000him\u3000that\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\uff1b\u3000in\u3000his\u3000final\u3000moments\u3000of\u3000life\uff1b\u3000had\u3000been\u3000inspired\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000a\u3000mathematical\u3000gag\uff1f
\n\u3003This\u3000code\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000explained\u3000in\u3000rapid\u3000French\uff1b\u3000\u3003is\u3000simplistic\u3000to\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000absurdity\u3002\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000must\u3000have\u3000known\u3000we\u3000would\u3000see\u3000through\u3000it\u3000immediately\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000pulled\u3000a\u3000scrap\u3000of\u3000paper\u3000from\u3000her\u3000sweater\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000handed\u3000it\u3000to\u3000Fache\u3002\u3000\u3003Here\u3000is\u3000the\u3000decryption\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000card\u3002
\n1\u20261\u20262\u20263\u20265\u20268\u202613\u202621
\n\u3000
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000snapped\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000you\u3000did\u3000was\u3000put\u3000the\u3000numbers\u3000in\u3000increasing\u3000order\uff01\u3003
\nSophie\u3000actually\u3000had\u3000the\u3000nerve\u3000to\u3000give\u3000a\u3000satisfied\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003Exactly\u3002\u3003
\nFache’s\u3000tone\u3000lowered\u3000to\u3000a\u3000guttural\u3000rumble\u3002\u3000\u3003Agent\u3000Neveu\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000where\u3000the\u3000hell\u3000you’re\u3000going\u3000with\u3000this\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000suggest\u3000you\u3000get\u3000there\u3000fast\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000shot\u3000an\u3000anxious\u3000glance\u3000at\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000who\u3000stood\u3000nearby\u3000with\u3000the\u3000phone\u3000pressed\u3000to\u3000his\u3000ear\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000still\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000his\u3000phone\u3000message\u3000from\u3000the\u3000U\u3002S\u3002\u3000Embassy\u3002\u3000From\u3000Langdon’s\u3000ashen\u3000expression\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000sensed\u3000the\u3000news\u3000was\u3000bad\u3002
\n\u3003Captain\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000her\u3000tone\u3000dangerously\u3000defiant\uff1b\u3000\u3003the\u3000sequence\u3000of\u3000numbers\u3000you\u3000have\u3000in\u3000your\u3000hand\u3000happens\u3000to\u3000be\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000most\u3000famous\u3000mathematical\u3000progressions\u3000in\u3000history\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000was\u3000not\u3000aware\u3000there\u3000even\u3000existed\u3000a\u3000mathematical\u3000progression\u3000that\u3000qualified\u3000as\u3000famous\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000certainly\u3000didn’t\u3000appreciate\u3000Sophie’s\u3000off\u2026handed\u3000tone\u3002
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3000the\u3000Fibonacci\u3000sequence\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000declared\uff1b\u3000nodding\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000paper\u3000in\u3000Fache’s\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000progression\u3000in\u3000which\u3000each\u3000term\u3000is\u3000equal\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sum\u3000of\u3000the\u3000two\u3000preceding\u3000terms\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000studied\u3000the\u3000numbers\u3002\u3000Each\u3000term\u3000was\u3000indeed\u3000the\u3000sum\u3000of\u3000the\u3000two\u3000previous\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000Fache\u3000could\u3000not\u3000imagine\u3000what\u3000the\u3000relevance\u3000of\u3000all\u3000this\u3000was\u3000to\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000death\u3002
\n\u3003Mathematician\u3000Leonardo\u3000Fibonacci\u3000created\u3000this\u3000succession\u3000of\u3000numbers\u3000in\u3000the\u3000thirteenth\u2026century\u3002\u3000Obviously\u3000there\u3000can\u3000be\u3000no\u3000coincidence\u3000that\u3000all\u3000of\u3000the\u3000numbers\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000wrote\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000belong\u3000to\u3000Fibonacci’s\u3000famous\u3000sequence\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000young\u3000woman\u3000for\u3000several\u3000moments\u3002\u3000\u3003Fine\uff1b\u3000if\u3000there\u3000is\u3000no\u3000coincidence\uff1b\u3000would\u3000you\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000why\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000chose\u3000to\u3000do\u3000this\u3002\u3000What\u3000is\u3000he\u3000saying\uff1f\u3000What\u3000does\u3000this\u3000mean\uff1f\u3003
\nShe\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003Absolutely\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000the\u3000point\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000a\u3000simplistic\u3000cryptographic\u3000joke\u3002\u3000Like\u3000taking\u3000the\u3000words\u3000of\u3000a\u3000famous\u3000poem\u3000and\u3000shuffling\u3000them\u3000at\u3000random\u3000to\u3000see\u3000if\u3000anyone\u3000recognizes\u3000what\u3000all\u3000the\u3000words\u3000have\u3000in\u3000mon\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000took\u3000a\u3000menacing\u3000step\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000placing\u3000his\u3000face\u3000only\u3000inches\u3000from\u3000Sophie’s\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000certainly\u3000hope\u3000you\u3000have\u3000a\u3000much\u3000more\u3000satisfying\u3000explanation\u3000than\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\nSophie’s\u3000soft\u3000features\u3000grew\u3000surprisingly\u3000stern\u3000as\u3000she\u3000leaned\u3000in\u3002\u3000\u3003Captain\uff1b\u3000considering\u3000what\u3000you\u3000have\u3000at\u3000stake\u3000here\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000you\u3000might\u3000appreciate\u3000knowing\u3000that\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000might\u3000be\u3000playing\u3000games\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3000Apparently\u3000not\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000inform\u3000the\u3000director\u3000of\u3000Cryptography\u3000you\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000need\u3000our\u3000services\u3002\u3003
\nWith\u3000that\uff1b\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000on\u3000her\u3000heel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000marched\u3000off\u3000the\u3000way\u3000she\u3000had\u3000e\u3002
\nStunned\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000watched\u3000her\u3000disappear\u3000into\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3002\u3000Is\u3000she\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mind\uff1f\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000had\u3000just\u3000redefined\u3000le\u3000suicide\u3000professionnel\u3002
\nFache\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000still\u3000on\u3000the\u3000phone\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000more\u3000concerned\u3000than\u3000before\uff1b\u3000listening\u3000intently\u3000to\u3000his\u3000phone\u3000message\u3002\u3000The\u3000U\u3002S\u3002\u3000Embassy\u3002\u3000Bezu\u3000Fache\u3000despised\u3000many\u3000things\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000but\u3000few\u3000drew\u3000more\u3000wrath\u3000than\u3000the\u3000U\u3002S\u3002\u3000Embassy\u3002
\nFache\u3000and\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3000locked\u3000horns\u3000regularly\u3000over\u3000shared\u3000affairs\u3000of\u3000state\u2014their\u3000most\u3000mon\u3000battleground\u3000being\u3000law\u3000enforcement\u3000for\u3000visiting\u3000Americans\u3002\u3000Almost\u3000daily\uff1b\u3000DCPJ\u3000arrested\u3000American\u3000exchange\u3000students\u3000in\u3000possession\u3000of\u3000drugs\uff1b\u3000U\u3002S\u3002\u3000businessmen\u3000for\u3000soliciting\u3000underage\u3000Prostitutes\uff1b\u3000American\u3000tourists\u3000for\u3000shoplifting\u3000or\u3000destruction\u3000of\u3000property\u3002\u3000Legally\uff1b\u3000the\u3000U\u3002S\u3002\u3000Embassy\u3000could\u3000intervene\u3000and\u3000extradite\u3000guilty\u3000citizens\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000United\u3000States\uff1b\u3000where\u3000they\u3000received\u3000nothing\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000slap\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wrist\u3002
\nAnd\u3000the\u3000embassy\u3000invariably\u3000did\u3000just\u3000that\u3002
\nL’\u00e9masculation\u3000de\u3000la\u3000Police\u3000Judiciaire\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000called\u3000it\u3002\u3000Paris\u3000Match\u3000had\u3000run\u3000a\u3000cartoon\u3000recently\u3000depicting\u3000Fache\u3000as\u3000a\u3000police\u3000dog\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000bite\u3000an\u3000American\u3000criminal\uff1b\u3000but\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000because\u3000it\u3000was\u3000chained\u3000to\u3000the\u3000U\u3002S\u3002\u3000Embassy\u3002
\nNot\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000told\u3000himself\u3002\u3000There\u3000is\u3000far\u3000too\u3000much\u3000at\u3000stake\u3002
\nBy\u3000the\u3000time\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3000hung\u3000up\u3000the\u3000phone\uff1b\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000ill\u3002
\n\u3003Is\u3000everything\u3000all\u3000right\uff1f\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000asked\u3002
\nWeakly\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002
\nBad\u3000news\u3000from\u3000home\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000sensed\uff1b\u3000noticing\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000sweating\u3000slightly\u3000as\u3000Fache\u3000took\u3000back\u3000his\u3000cell\u3000phone\u3002
\n\u3003An\u3000accident\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000stammered\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000Fache\u3000with\u3000a\u3000strange\u3000expression\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000friend\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000hesitated\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000need\u3000to\u3000fly\u3000home\u3000first\u3000thing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000morning\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000had\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000the\u3000shock\u3000on\u3000Langdon’s\u3000face\u3000was\u3000genuine\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000he\u3000sensed\u3000another\u3000emotion\u3000there\u3000too\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000a\u3000distant\u3000fear\u3000were\u3000suddenly\u3000simmering\u3000in\u3000the\u3000American’s\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000that\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000Langdon\u3000closely\u3002\u3000\u3003Would\u3000you\u3000like\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000down\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000motioned\u3000toward\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000viewing\u3000benches\u3000in\u3000the\u3000gallery\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000nodded\u3000absently\u3000and\u3000took\u3000a\u3000few\u3000steps\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000bench\u3002\u3000He\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000more\u3000confused\u3000with\u3000every\u3000moment\u3002\u3000\u3003Actually\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\u3000I’d\u3000like\u3000to\u3000use\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000room\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000frowned\u3000inwardly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000delay\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000rest\u3000room\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\u3002\u3000Let’s\u3000take\u3000a\u3000break\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000minutes\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000motioned\u3000back\u3000down\u3000the\u3000long\u3000hallway\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000they\u3000had\u3000e\u3000from\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000rest\u3000rooms\u3000are\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000curator’s\u3000office\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000hesitated\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000other\u3000direction\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000far\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\u3000corridor\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000believe\u3000there’s\u3000a\u3000much\u3000closer\u3000rest\u3000room\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000realized\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000right\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000two\u3000thirds\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3000down\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\u3000dead\u2026ended\u3000at\u3000a\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000rest\u3000rooms\u3002\u3000\u3003Shall\u3000I\u3000acpany\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000already\u3000moving\u3000deeper\u3000into\u3000the\u3000gallery\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000necessary\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000I’d\u3000like\u3000a\u3000few\u3000minutes\u3000alone\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000was\u3000not\u3000wild\u3000about\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000Langdon\u3000wandering\u3000alone\u3000down\u3000the\u3000remaining\u3000length\u3000of\u3000corridor\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000took\u3000fort\u3000in\u3000knowing\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\u3000was\u3000a\u3000dead\u3000end\u3000whose\u3000only\u3000exit\u3000was\u3000at\u3000the\u3000other\u3000end\u2014the\u3000gate\u3000under\u3000which\u3000they\u3000had\u3000entered\u3002\u3000Although\u3000French\u3000fire\u3000regulations\u3000required\u3000several\u3000emergency\u3000stairwells\u3000for\u3000a\u3000space\u3000this\u3000large\uff1b\u3000those\u3000stairwells\u3000had\u3000been\u3000sealed\u3000automatically\u3000when\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000tripped\u3000the\u3000security\u3000system\u3002\u3000Granted\uff1b\u3000that\u3000system\u3000had\u3000now\u3000been\u3000reset\uff1b\u3000unlocking\u3000the\u3000stairwells\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000matter\u2014the\u3000external\u3000doors\uff1b\u3000if\u3000opened\uff1b\u3000would\u3000set\u3000off\u3000fire\u3000alarms\u3000and\u3000were\u3000guarded\u3000outside\u3000by\u3000DCPJ\u3000agents\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000not\u3000possibly\u3000leave\u3000without\u3000Fache\u3000knowing\u3000about\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000return\u3000to\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000office\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\u3000e\u3000find\u3000me\u3000directly\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000There\u3000is\u3000more\u3000we\u3000need\u3000to\u3000discuss\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000quiet\u3000wave\u3000as\u3000he\u3000disappeared\u3000into\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3002
\nTurning\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000marched\u3000angrily \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n Langdon\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000quiet\u3000wave\u3000as\u3000he\u3000disappeared\u3000into\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3002
\nTurning\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000marched\u3000angrily\u3000in\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000direction\u3002\u3000Arriving\u3000at\u3000the\u3000gate\uff1b\u3000he\u3000slid\u3000under\uff1b\u3000exited\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\uff1b\u3000marched\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hall\uff1b\u3000and\u3000stormed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000center\u3000at\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000office\u3002
\n\u3003Who\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000approval\u3000to\u3000let\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000into\u3000this\u3000building\uff01\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000bellowed\u3002
\nCollet\u3000was\u3000the\u3000first\u3000to\u3000answer\u3002\u3000\u3003She\u3000told\u3000the\u3000guards\u3000outside\u3000she’d\u3000broken\u3000the\u3000code\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000looked\u3000around\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000she\u3000gone\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003She’s\u3000not\u3000with\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003She\u3000left\u3002\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000glanced\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000darkened\u3000hallway\u3002\u3000Apparently\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000been\u3000in\u3000no\u3000mood\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000by\u3000and\u3000chat\u3000with\u3000the\u3000other\u3000officers\u3000on\u3000her\u3000way\u3000out\u3002
\nFor\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000considered\u3000radioing\u3000the\u3000guards\u3000in\u3000the\u3000entresol\u3000and\u3000telling\u3000them\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000Sophie\u3000and\u3000drag\u3000her\u3000back\u3000up\u3000here\u3000before\u3000she\u3000could\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000premises\u3002\u3000He\u3000thought\u3000better\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000only\u3000his\u3000pride\u3000talking\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000wanting\u3000the\u3000last\u3000word\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000had\u3000enough\u3000distractions\u3000tonight\u3002
\nDeal\u3000with\u3000Agent\u3000Neveu\u3000later\uff1b\u3000he\u3000told\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000already\u3000looking\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000firing\u3000her\u3002
\nPushing\u3000Sophie\u3000from\u3000his\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000stared\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000at\u3000the\u3000miniature\u3000knight\u3000standing\u3000on\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000desk\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Collet\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000have\u3000him\uff1f\u3003
\nCollet\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000curt\u3000nod\u3000and\u3000spun\u3000the\u3000laptop\u3000toward\u3000Fache\u3002\u3000The\u3000red\u3000dot\u3000was\u3000clearly\u3000visible\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000plan\u3000overlay\uff1b\u3000blinking\u3000methodically\u3000in\u3000a\u3000room\u3000marked\u3000TOILETTES\u3000PUBLIQUES\u3002
\n\u3003Good\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\uff1b\u3000lighting\u3000a\u3000cigarette\u3000and\u3000stalking\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hall\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000got\u3000a\u3000phone\u3000call\u3000to\u3000make\u3002\u3000Be\u3000damned\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000room\u3000is\u3000the\u3000only\u3000place\u3000Langdon\u3000goes\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300012
\n
\nRobert\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000light\u2026headed\u3000as\u3000he\u3000trudged\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\u3002\u3000Sophie’s\u3000phone\u3000message\u3000played\u3000over\u3000and\u3000over\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000corridor\uff1b\u3000illuminated\u3000signs\u3000bearing\u3000the\u3000international\u3000stick\u2026figure\u3000symbols\u3000for\u3000rest\u3000rooms\u3000guided\u3000him\u3000through\u3000a\u3000maze\u2026like\u3000series\u3000of\u3000dividers\u3000displaying\u3000Italian\u3000drawings\u3000and\u3000hiding\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000rooms\u3000from\u3000sight\u3002
\nFinding\u3000the\u3000men’s\u3000room\u3000door\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000entered\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000on\u3000the\u3000lights\u3002
\nThe\u3000room\u3000was\u3000empty\u3002
\nWalking\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sink\uff1b\u3000he\u3000splashed\u3000cold\u3000water\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000wake\u3000up\u3002\u3000Harsh\u3000fluorescent\u3000lights\u3000glared\u3000off\u3000the\u3000stark\u3000tile\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000room\u3000smelled\u3000of\u3000ammonia\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000toweled\u3000off\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000room’s\u3000door\u3000creaked\u3000open\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000spun\u3002
\nSophie\u3000Neveu\u3000entered\uff1b\u3000her\u3000green\u3000eyes\u3000flashing\u3000fear\u3002\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000God\u3000you\u3000came\u3002\u3000We\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000much\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000stood\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000sinks\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000in\u3000bewilderment\u3000at\u3000DCPJ\u3000cryptographer\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3002\u3000Only\u3000minutes\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000listened\u3000to\u3000her\u3000phone\u3000message\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3000the\u3000newly\u3000arrived\u3000cryptographer\u3000must\u3000be\u3000insane\u3002\u3000And\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000the\u3000more\u3000he\u3000listened\uff1b\u3000the\u3000more\u3000he\u3000sensed\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000was\u3000speaking\u3000in\u3000earnest\u3002\u3000Do\u3000not\u3000react\u3000to\u3000this\u3000message\u3002\u3000Just\u3000listen\u3000calmly\u3002\u3000You\u3000are\u3000in\u3000danger\u3000right\u3000now\u3002\u3000Follow\u3000my\u3000directions\u3000very\u3000closely\u3002\u3000Filled\u3000with\u3000uncertainty\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000do\u3000exactly\u3000as\u3000Sophie\u3000advised\u3002\u3000He\u3000told\u3000Fache\u3000that\u3000the\u3000phone\u3000message\u3000was\u3000regarding\u3000an\u3000injured\u3000friend\u3000back\u3000home\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000had\u3000asked\u3000to\u3000use\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000room\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\u3002
\nSophie\u3000stood\u3000before\u3000him\u3000now\uff1b\u3000still\u3000catching\u3000her\u3000breath\u3000after\u3000doubling\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000room\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000fluorescent\u3000lights\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000to\u3000see\u3000that\u3000her\u3000strong\u3000air\u3000actually\u3000radiated\u3000from\u3000unexpectedly\u3000soft\u3000features\u3002\u3000Only\u3000her\u3000gaze\u3000was\u3000sharp\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000juxtaposition\u3000conjured\u3000images\u3000of\u3000a\u3000multilayered\u3000Renoir\u3000portrait\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000veiled\u3000but\u3000distinct\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000boldness\u3000that\u3000somehow\u3000retained\u3000its\u3000shroud\u3000of\u3000mystery\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000warn\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000began\uff1b\u3000still\u3000catching\u3000her\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000you\u3000are\u3000sous\u3000surveillance\u3000cach\u00e9e\u3002\u3000Under\u3000a\u3000guarded\u3000observation\u3002\u3003\u3000As\u3000she\u3000spoke\uff1b\u3000her\u3000accented\u3000English\u3000resonated\u3000off\u3000the\u3000tile\u3000walls\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000a\u3000hollow\u3000quality\u3002
\n\u3003But\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000why\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000demanded\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000already\u3000given\u3000him\u3000an\u3000explanation\u3000on\u3000the\u3000phone\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000it\u3000from\u3000her\u3000lips\u3002
\n\u3003Because\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000stepping\u3000toward\u3000him\uff1b\u3000\u3003Fache’s\u3000primary\u3000suspect\u3000in\u3000this\u3000murder\u3000is\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000braced\u3000for\u3000the\u3000words\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000they\u3000still\u3000sounded\u3000utterly\u3000ridiculous\u3002\u3000According\u3000to\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000been\u3000called\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000tonight\u3000not\u3000as\u3000a\u3000symbologist\u3000but\u3000rather\u3000as\u3000a\u3000suspect\u3000and\u3000was\u3000currently\u3000the\u3000unwitting\u3000target\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000DCPJ’s\u3000favorite\u3000interrogation\u3000methods\u2014surveillance\u3000cach\u00e9e\u2014a\u3000deft\u3000deception\u3000in\u3000which\u3000the\u3000police\u3000calmly\u3000invited\u3000a\u3000suspect\u3000to\u3000a\u3000crime\u3000scene\u3000and\u3000interviewed\u3000him\u3000in\u3000hopes\u3000he\u3000would\u3000get\u3000nervous\u3000and\u3000mistakenly\u3000incriminate\u3000himself\u3002
\n\u3003Look\u3000in\u3000your\u3000jacket’s\u3000left\u3000pocket\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003You’ll\u3000find\u3000proof\u3000they\u3000are\u3000watching\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000his\u3000apprehension\u3000rising\u3002\u3000Look\u3000in\u3000my\u3000pocket\uff1f\u3000It\u3000sounded\u3000like\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000cheap\u3000magic\u3000trick\u3002
\n\u3003Just\u3000look\u3002\u3003
\nBewildered\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000reached\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000into\u3000his\u3000tweed\u3000jacket’s\u3000left\u3000pocket\u2014one\u3000he\u3000never\u3000used\u3002\u3000Feeling\u3000around\u3000inside\uff1b\u3000he\u3000found\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000What\u3000the\u3000devil\u3000did\u3000you\u3000expect\uff1f\u3000He\u3000began\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000Sophie\u3000might\u3000just\u3000be\u3000insane\u3000after\u3000all\u3002\u3000Then\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000brushed\u3000something\u3000unexpected\u3002\u3000Small\u3000and\u3000hard\u3002\u3000Pinching\u3000the\u3000tiny\u3000object\u3000between\u3000his\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000pulled\u3000it\u3000out\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000in\u3000astonishment\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000metallic\uff1b\u3000button\u2026shaped\u3000disk\uff1b\u3000about\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000a\u3000watch\u3000battery\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000it\u3000before\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000the\u3002\u3002\u3002\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003GPS\u3000tracking\u3000dot\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Continuously\u3000transmits\u3000its\u3000location\u3000to\u3000a\u3000Global\u3000Positioning\u3000System\u3000satellite\u3000that\u3000DCPJ\u3000can\u3000monitor\u3002\u3000We\u3000use\u3000them\u3000to\u3000monitor\u3000people’s\u3000locations\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000accurate\u3000within\u3000two\u3000feet\u3000anywhere\u3000on\u3000the\u3000globe\u3002\u3000They\u3000have\u3000you\u3000on\u3000an\u3000electronic\u3000leash\u3002\u3000The\u3000agent\u3000who\u3000picked\u3000you\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hotel\u3000slipped\u3000it\u3000inside\u3000your\u3000pocket\u3000before\u3000you\u3000left\u3000your\u3000room\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000flashed\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hotel\u3000room\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000his\u3000quick\u3000shower\uff1b\u3000getting\u3000dressed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000DCPJ\u3000agent\u3000politely\u3000holding\u3000out\u3000Langdon’s\u3000tweed\u3000coat\u3000as\u3000they\u3000left\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000cool\u3000outside\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000the\u3000agent\u3000had\u3000said\u3002\u3000Spring\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3000is\u3000not\u3000all\u3000your\u3000song\u3000boasts\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000thanked\u3000him\u3000and\u3000donned\u3000the\u3000jacket\u3002
\nSophie’s\u3000olive\u3000gaze\u3000was\u3000keen\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000didn’t\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000about\u3000the\u3000tracking\u3000dot\u3000earlier\u3000because\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000you\u3000checking\u3000your\u3000pocket\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000Fache\u3002\u3000He\u3000can’t\u3000know\u3000you’ve\u3000found\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000how\u3000to\u3000respond\u3002
\n\u3003They\u3000tagged\u3000you\u3000with\u3000GPS\u3000because\u3000they\u3000thought\u3000you\u3000might\u3000run\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000they\u3000hoped\u3000you\u3000would\u3000run\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000make\u3000their\u3000case\u3000stronger\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Why\u3000would\u3000I\u3000run\uff01\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000demanded\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000innocent\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003Fache\u3000feels\u3000otherwise\u3002\u3003
\nAngrily\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000stalked\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000trash\u3000receptacle\u3000to\u3000dispose\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tracking\u3000dot\u3002
\n\u3003No\uff01\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000grabbed\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000and\u3000stopped\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Leave\u3000it\u3000in\u3000your\u3000pocket\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000throw\u3000it\u3000out\uff1b\u3000the\u3000signal\u3000will\u3000stop\u3000moving\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they’ll\u3000know\u3000you\u3000found\u3000the\u3000dot\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000reason\u3000Fache\u3000left\u3000you\u3000alone\u3000is\u3000because\u3000he\u3000can\u3000monitor\u3000where\u3000you\u3000are\u3002\u3000If\u3000he\u3000thinks\u3000you’ve\u3000discovered\u3000what\u3000he’s\u3000doing\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000did\u3000not\u3000finish\u3000the\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Instead\uff1b\u3000she\u3000pried\u3000the\u3000metallic\u3000disk\u3000from\u3000Langdon’s\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000slid\u3000it\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000tweed\u3000coat\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000dot\u3000stays\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\u3000for\u3000the\u3000moment\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000lost\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000the\u3000hell\u3000could\u3000Fache\u3000actually\u3000believe\u3000I\u3000killed\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003He\u3000has\u3000some\u3000fairly\u3000persuasive\u3000reasons\u3000to\u3000suspect\u3000you\u3002\u3003\u3000Sophie’s\u3000expression\u3000was\u3000grim\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000is\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000evidence\u3000here\u3000that\u3000you\u3000have\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000seen\u3002\u3000Fache\u3000has\u3000kept\u3000it\u3000carefully\u3000hidden\u3000from\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000could\u3000only\u3000stare\u3002
\n\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000recall\u3000the\u3000three\u3000lines\u3000of\u3000text\u3000that\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000wrote\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000The\u3000numbers\u3000and\u3000words\u3000were\u3000imprinted\u3000on\u3000Langdon’s\u3000mind\u3002
\nSophie’s\u3000voice\u3000dropped\u3000to\u3000a\u3000whisper\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000what\u3000you\u3000saw\u3000was\u3000not\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000message\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000fourth\u3000line\u3000that\u3000Fache\u3000photographed\u3000and\u3000then\u3000wiped\u3000clean\u3000before\u3000you\u3000arrived\u3002\u3003
\nAlthough\u3000Langdon\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000soluble\u3000ink\u3000of\u3000a\u3000watermark\u3000stylus\u3000could\u3000easily\u3000be\u3000wiped\u3000away\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000not\u3000imagine\u3000why\u3000Fache\u3000would\u3000erase\u3000evidence\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000last\u3000line\u3000of\u3000the\u3000message\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003was\u3000something\u3000Fache\u3000did\u3000not\u3000want\u3000you\u3000to\u3000know\u3000about\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003At\u3000least\u3000not\u3000until\u3000he\u3000was\u3000done\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000produced\u3000a\u3000puter\u3000printout\u3000of\u3000a\u3000photo\u3000from\u3000her\u3000sweater\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000began\u3000unfolding\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003Fache\u3000uploaded\u3000images\u3000of\u3000the\u3000crime\u3000scene\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Cryptology\u3000Department\u3000earlier\u3000tonight\u3000in\u3000hopes\u3000we\u3000could\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000what\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000message\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000say\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000a\u3000photo\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plete\u3000message\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000handed\u3000the\u3000page\u3000to\u3000Langdon\u3002
\nBewildered\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000image\u3002\u3000The\u3000close\u2026up\u3000photo\u3000revealed\u3000the\u3000glowing\u3000message\u3000on\u3000the\u3000parquet\u3000floor\u3002\u3000The\u3000final\u3000line\u3000hit\u3000Langdon\u3000like\u3000a\u3000kick\u3000in\u3000the\u3000gut\u3002
\n13\u20263\u20262\u202621\u20261\u20261\u20268\u20265
\nO\uff1b\u3000Draconian\u3000devil\uff01
\nOh\uff1b\u3000lame\u3000saint\uff01
\nP\u3002S\u3002\u3000Find\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon
\n\u3000
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300013
\n
\nFor\u3000several\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000stared\u3000in\u3000wonder\u3000at\u3000the\u3000photograph\u3000of\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000postscript\u3002\u3000P\u3002S\u3002\u3000Find\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000He\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000were\u3000tilting\u3000beneath\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000left\u3000a\u3000postscript\u3000with\u3000my\u3000name\u3000on\u3000it\uff1f\u3000In\u3000his\u3000wildest\u3000dreams\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000not\u3000fathom\u3000why\u3002
\n\u3003Now\u3000do\u3000you\u3000understand\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000urgent\uff1b\u3000\u3003why\u3000Fache\u3000ordered\u3000you\u3000here\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000and\u3000why\u3000you\u3000are\u3000his\u3000primary\u3000suspect\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000only\u3000thing\u3000Langdon\u3000understood\u3000at\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000was\u3000why\u3000Fache\u3000had\u3000looked\u3000so\u3000smug\u3000when\u3000Langdon\u3000suggested\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000would\u3000have\u3000accused\u3000his\u3000killer\u3000by\u3000name\u3002
\nFind\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3002
\n\u3003Why\u3000would\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000write\u3000this\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000demanded\uff1b\u3000his\u3000confusion\u3000now\u3000giving\u3000way\u3000to\u3000anger\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000would\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Fache\u3000has\u3000yet\u3000to\u3000uncover\u3000a\u3000motive\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000has\u3000been\u3000recording\u3000his\u3000entire\u3000conversation\u3000with\u3000you\u3000tonight\u3000in\u3000hopes\u3000you\u3000might\u3000reveal\u3000one\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000but\u3000still\u3000no\u3000words\u3000came\u3002
\n\u3003He’s\u3000fitted\u3000with\u3000a\u3000miniature\u3000microphone\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000explained\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000connected\u3000to\u3000a\u3000transmitter\u3000in\u3000his\u3000pocket\u3000that\u3000radios\u3000the\u3000signal\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mand \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003He’s\u3000fitted\u3000with\u3000a\u3000miniature\u3000microphone\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000explained\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000connected\u3000to\u3000a\u3000transmitter\u3000in\u3000his\u3000pocket\u3000that\u3000radios\u3000the\u3000signal\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000post\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3000impossible\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000stammered\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000an\u3000alibi\u3002\u3000I\u3000went\u3000directly\u3000back\u3000to\u3000my\u3000hotel\u3000after\u3000my\u3000lecture\u3002\u3000You\u3000can\u3000ask\u3000the\u3000hotel\u3000desk\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Fache\u3000already\u3000did\u3002\u3000His\u3000report\u3000shows\u3000you\u3000retrieving\u3000your\u3000room\u3000key\u3000from\u3000the\u3000concierge\u3000at\u3000about\u3000ten\u2026thirty\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000the\u3000time\u3000of\u3000the\u3000murder\u3000was\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000eleven\u3002\u3000You\u3000easily\u3000could\u3000have\u3000left\u3000your\u3000hotel\u3000room\u3000unseen\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3000insanity\uff01\u3000Fache\u3000has\u3000no\u3000evidence\uff01\u3003
\nSophie’s\u3000eyes\u3000widened\u3000as\u3000if\u3000to\u3000say\uff1a\u3000No\u3000evidence\uff1f\u3000\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000your\u3000name\u3000is\u3000written\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000body\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000date\u3000book\u3000says\u3000you\u3000were\u3000with\u3000him\u3000at\u3000approximately\u3000the\u3000time\u3000of\u3000the\u3000murder\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003Fache\u3000has\u3000more\u3000than\u3000enough\u3000evidence\u3000to\u3000take\u3000you\u3000into\u3000custody\u3000for\u3000questioning\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000suddenly\u3000sensed\u3000that\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000a\u3000lawyer\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000didn’t\u3000do\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000not\u3000American\u3000television\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000In\u3000France\uff1b\u3000the\u3000laws\u3000protect\u3000the\u3000police\uff1b\u3000not\u3000criminals\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000in\u3000this\u3000case\uff1b\u3000there\u3000is\u3000also\u3000the\u3000media\u3000consideration\u3002\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000was\u3000a\u3000very\u3000prominent\u3000and\u3000well\u2026loved\u3000figure\u3000in\u3000Paris\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000murder\u3000will\u3000be\u3000news\u3000in\u3000the\u3000morning\u3002\u3000Fache\u3000will\u3000be\u3000under\u3000immediate\u3000pressure\u3000to\u3000make\u3000a\u3000statement\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000looks\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000better\u3000having\u3000a\u3000suspect\u3000in\u3000custody\u3000already\u3002\u3000Whether\u3000or\u3000not\u3000you\u3000are\u3000guilty\uff1b\u3000you\u3000most\u3000certainly\u3000will\u3000be\u3000held\u3000by\u3000DCPJ\u3000until\u3000they\u3000can\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000what\u3000really\u3000happened\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000a\u3000caged\u3000animal\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000are\u3000you\u3000telling\u3000me\u3000all\u3000this\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Because\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000I\u3000believe\u3000you\u3000are\u3000innocent\u3002\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000looked\u3000away\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000and\u3000then\u3000back\u3000into\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000also\u3000because\u3000it\u3000is\u3000partially\u3000my\u3000fault\u3000that\u3000you’re\u3000in\u3000trouble\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1f\u3000It’s\u3000your\u3000fault\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000is\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000frame\u3000me\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Sauni\u00e8re\u3000wasn’t\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000frame\u3000you\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000mistake\u3002\u3000That\u3000message\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000was\u3000meant\u3000for\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000needed\u3000a\u3000minute\u3000to\u3000process\u3000that\u3000one\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000beg\u3000your\u3000pardon\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003That\u3000message\u3000wasn’t\u3000for\u3000the\u3000police\u3002\u3000He\u3000wrote\u3000it\u3000for\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000he\u3000was\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000do\u3000everything\u3000in\u3000such\u3000a\u3000hurry\u3000that\u3000he\u3000just\u3000didn’t\u3000realize\u3000how\u3000it\u3000would\u3000look\u3000to\u3000the\u3000police\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000numbered\u3000code\u3000is\u3000meaningless\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000wrote\u3000it\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000investigation\u3000included\u3000cryptographers\uff1b\u3000ensuring\u3000that\u3000I\u3000would\u3000know\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000possible\u3000what\u3000had\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000himself\u3000losing\u3000touch\u3000fast\u3002\u3000Whether\u3000or\u3000not\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000was\u3000at\u3000this\u3000point\u3000up\u3000for\u3000grabs\uff1b\u3000but\u3000at\u3000least\u3000Langdon\u3000now\u3000understood\u3000why\u3000she\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000help\u3000him\u3002\u3000P\u3002S\u3002\u3000Find\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000She\u3000apparently\u3000believed\u3000the\u3000curator\u3000had\u3000left\u3000her\u3000a\u3000cryptic\u3000postscript\u3000telling\u3000her\u3000to\u3000find\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000why\u3000do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000his\u3000message\u3000was\u3000for\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000Vitruvian\u3000Man\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000flatly\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000particular\u3000sketch\u3000has\u3000always\u3000been\u3000my\u3000favorite\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000work\u3002\u3000Tonight\u3000he\u3000used\u3000it\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000my\u3000attention\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Hold\u3000on\u3002\u3000You’re\u3000saying\u3000the\u3000curator\u3000knew\u3000your\u3000favorite\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000art\uff1f\u3003\u3000She\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000all\u3000ing\u3000out\u3000of\u3000order\u3002\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000and\u3000I\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\nSophie’s\u3000voice\u3000caught\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000melancholy\u3000there\uff1b\u3000a\u3000painful\u3000past\uff1b\u3000simmering\u3000just\u3000below\u3000the\u3000surface\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000and\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000apparently\u3000had\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000special\u3000relationship\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000studied\u3000the\u3000beautiful\u3000young\u3000woman\u3000before\u3000him\uff1b\u3000well\u3000aware\u3000that\u3000aging\u3000men\u3000in\u3000France\u3000often\u3000took\u3000young\u3000mistresses\u3002\u3000Even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000as\u3000a\u3000\u3003kept\u3000woman\u3003\u3000somehow\u3000didn’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000fit\u3002
\n\u3003We\u3000had\u3000a\u3000falling\u2026out\u3000ten\u3000years\u3000ago\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000a\u3000whisper\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000barely\u3000spoken\u3000since\u3002\u3000Tonight\uff1b\u3000when\u3000Crypto\u3000got\u3000the\u3000call\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000murdered\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000images\u3000of\u3000his\u3000body\u3000and\u3000text\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000I\u3000realized\u3000he\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000send\u3000me\u3000a\u3000message\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Because\u3000of\u3000The\u3000Vitruvian\u3000Man\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000letters\u3000P\u3002S\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Post\u3000Script\uff1f\u3003
\nShe\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003P\u3002S\u3002\u3000are\u3000my\u3000initials\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000your\u3000name\u3000is\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000looked\u3000away\u3002\u3000\u3003P\u3002S\u3002\u3000is\u3000the\u3000nickname\u3000he\u3000called\u3000me\u3000when\u3000I\u3000lived\u3000with\u3000him\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000blushed\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000stood\u3000for\u3000Princesse\u3000Sophie\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000no\u3000response\u3002
\n\u3003Silly\uff1b\u3000I\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000it\u3000was\u3000years\u3000ago\u3002\u3000When\u3000I\u3000was\u3000a\u3000little\u3000girl\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000knew\u3000him\u3000when\u3000you\u3000were\u3000a\u3000little\u3000girl\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Quite\u3000well\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000welling\u3000now\u3000with\u3000emotion\u3002\u3000\u3003Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000was\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300014
\n
\n\u3003Where’s\u3000Langdon\uff1f\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000demanded\uff1b\u3000exhaling\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000a\u3000cigarette\u3000as\u3000he\u3000paced\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000post\u3002
\n\u3003Still\u3000in\u3000the\u3000men’s\u3000room\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003\u3000Lieutenant\u3000Collet\u3000had\u3000been\u3000expecting\u3000the\u3000question\u3002
\nFache\u3000grumbled\uff1b\u3000\u3003Taking\u3000his\u3000time\uff1b\u3000I\u3000see\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000captain\u3000eyed\u3000the\u3000GPS\u3000dot\u3000over\u3000Collet’s\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Collet\u3000could\u3000almost\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000wheels\u3000turning\u3002\u3000Fache\u3000was\u3000fighting\u3000the\u3000urge\u3000to\u3000go\u3000check\u3000on\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000Ideally\uff1b\u3000the\u3000subject\u3000of\u3000an\u3000observation\u3000was\u3000allowed\u3000the\u3000most\u3000time\u3000and\u3000freedom\u3000possible\uff1b\u3000lulling\u3000him\u3000into\u3000a\u3000false\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000security\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000return\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000volition\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000almost\u3000ten\u3000minutes\u3002
\nToo\u3000long\u3002
\n\u3003Any\u3000chance\u3000Langdon\u3000is\u3000onto\u3000us\uff1f\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000asked\u3002
\nCollet\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000still\u3000seeing\u3000small\u3000movements\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000men’s\u3000room\uff1b\u3000so\u3000the\u3000GPS\u3000dot\u3000is\u3000obviously\u3000still\u3000on\u3000him\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000he\u3000feels\u3000ill\uff1f\u3000If\u3000he\u3000had\u3000found\u3000the\u3000dot\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000removed\u3000it\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000run\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000checked\u3000his\u3000watch\u3002\u3000\u3003Fine\u3002\u3003
\nStill\u3000Fache\u3000seemed\u3000preoccupied\u3002\u3000All\u3000evening\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000had\u3000sensed\u3000an\u3000atypical\u3000intensity\u3000in\u3000his\u3000captain\u3002\u3000Usually\u3000detached\u3000and\u3000cool\u3000under\u3000pressure\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000tonight\u3000seemed\u3000emotionally\u3000engaged\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000this\u3000were\u3000somehow\u3000a\u3000personal\u3000matter\u3000for\u3000him\u3002
\nNot\u3000surprising\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Fache\u3000needs\u3000this\u3000arrest\u3000desperately\u3002\u3000Recently\u3000the\u3000Board\u3000of\u3000Ministers\u3000and\u3000the\u3000media\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000more\u3000openly\u3000critical\u3000of\u3000Fache’s\u3000aggressive\u3000tactics\uff1b\u3000his\u3000clashes\u3000with\u3000powerful\u3000foreign\u3000embassies\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000gross\u3000overbudgeting\u3000on\u3000new\u3000technologies\u3002\u3000Tonight\uff1b\u3000a\u3000high\u2026tech\uff1b\u3000high\u2026profile\u3000arrest\u3000of\u3000an\u3000American\u3000would\u3000go\u3000a\u3000long\u3000way\u3000to\u3000silence\u3000Fache’s\u3000critics\uff1b\u3000helping\u3000him\u3000secure\u3000the\u3000job\u3000a\u3000few\u3000more\u3000years\u3000until\u3000he\u3000could\u3000retire\u3000with\u3000the\u3000lucrative\u3000pension\u3002\u3000God\u3000knows\u3000he\u3000needs\u3000the\u3000pension\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Fache’s\u3000zeal\u3000for\u3000technology\u3000had\u3000hurt\u3000him\u3000both\u3000professionally\u3000and\u3000personally\u3002\u3000Fache\u3000was\u3000rumored\u3000to\u3000have\u3000invested\u3000his\u3000entire\u3000savings\u3000in\u3000the\u3000technology\u3000craze\u3000a\u3000few\u3000years\u3000back\u3000and\u3000lost\u3000his\u3000shirt\u3002\u3000And\u3000Fache\u3000is\u3000a\u3000man\u3000who\u3000wears\u3000only\u3000the\u3000finest\u3000shirts\u3002
\nTonight\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000still\u3000plenty\u3000of\u3000time\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu’s\u3000odd\u3000interruption\uff1b\u3000though\u3000unfortunate\uff1b\u3000had\u3000been\u3000only\u3000a\u3000minor\u3000wrinkle\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000gone\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Fache\u3000still\u3000had\u3000cards\u3000to\u3000play\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000yet\u3000to\u3000inform\u3000Langdon\u3000that\u3000his\u3000name\u3000had\u3000been\u3000scrawled\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000by\u3000the\u3000victim\u3002\u3000P\u3002S\u3002\u3000Find\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000The\u3000American’s\u3000reaction\u3000to\u3000that\u3000little\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000evidence\u3000would\u3000be\u3000telling\u3000indeed\u3002
\n\u3003Captain\uff1f\u3003\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000DCPJ\u3000agents\u3000now\u3000called\u3000from\u3000across\u3000the\u3000office\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000you\u3000better\u3000take\u3000this\u3000call\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000out\u3000a\u3000telephone\u3000receiver\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000concerned\u3002
\n\u3003Who\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\u3002
\nThe\u3000agent\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000the\u3000director\u3000of\u3000our\u3000Cryptology\u3000Department\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000about\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000Something\u3000is\u3000not\u3000quite\u3000right\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300015
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000time\u3002
\nSilas\u3000felt\u3000strong\u3000as\u3000he\u3000stepped\u3000from\u3000the\u3000black\u3000Audi\uff1b\u3000the\u3000nighttime\u3000breeze\u3000rustling\u3000his\u3000loose\u2026fitting\u3000robe\u3002\u3000The\u3000winds\u3000of\u3000change\u3000are\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000task\u3000before\u3000him\u3000would\u3000require\u3000more\u3000finesse\u3000than\u3000force\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000left\u3000his\u3000handgun\u3000in\u3000the\u3000car\u3002\u3000The\u3000thirteen\u2026round\u3000Heckler\u3000Koch\u3000USP\u300040\u3000had\u3000been\u3000provided\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3002
\nA\u3000weapon\u3000of\u3000death\u3000has\u3000no\u3000place\u3000in\u3000a\u3000house\u3000of\u3000God\u3002
\nThe\u3000plaza\u3000before\u3000the\u3000great\u3000church\u3000was\u3000deserted\u3000at\u3000this\u3000hour\uff1b\u3000the\u3000only\u3000visible\u3000souls\u3000on\u3000the\u3000far\u3000side\u3000of\u3000Place\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000teenage\u3000hookers\u3000showing\u3000their\u3000wares\u3000to\u3000the\u3000late\u3000night\u3000tourist\u3000traffic\u3002\u3000Their\u3000nubile\u3000bodies\u3000sent\u3000a\u3000familiar\u3000longing\u3000to\u3000Silas’s\u3000loins\u3002\u3000His\u3000thigh\u3000flexed\u3000instinctively\uff1b\u3000causing\u3000the\u3000barbed\u3000cilice\u3000belt\u3000to\u3000cut\u3000painfully\u3000into\u3000his\u3000flesh\u3002
\nThe\u3000lust\u3000evaporated\u3000instantly\u3002\u3000For\u3000ten\u3000years\u3000now\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000had\u3000faithfully\u3000denied\u3000himself\u3000all\u3000sexual\u3000indulgence\uff1b\u3000even\u3000self\u2026administered\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000The\u3000Way\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000had\u3000sacrificed\u3000much\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000had\u3000received\u3000much\u3000more\u3000in\u3000return\u3002\u3000A\u3000vow\u3000of\u3000celibacy\u3000and\u3000the\u3000relinquishment\u3000of\u3000all\u3000personal\u3000assets\u3000hardly\u3000seemed\u3000a\u3000sacrifice\u3002\u3000Considering\u3000the\u3000poverty\u3000from\u3000which\u3000he\u3000had\u3000e\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sexual\u3000horrors\u3000he\u3000had\u3000endured\u3000in\u3000prison\uff1b\u3000celibacy\u3000was\u3000a\u3000wele\u3000change\u3002
\nNow\uff1b\u3000having\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000France\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000since\u3000being\u3000arrested\u3000and\u3000shipped\u3000to\u3000prison\u3000in\u3000Andorra\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000his\u3000homeland\u3000testing\u3000him\uff1b\u3000dragging\u3000violent\u3000memories\u3000from\u3000his\u3000redeemed\u3000soul\u3002\u3000You\u3000have\u3000been\u3000reborn\uff1b\u3000he\u3000reminded\u3000himself\u3002\u3000His\u3000service\u3000to\u3000God\u3000today\u3000had\u3000required\u3000the\u3000sin\u3000of\u3000murder\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000sacrifice\u3000Silas\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000silently\u3000in\u3000his\u3000heart\u3000for\u3000all\u3000eternity\u3002
\nThe\u3000measure\u3000of\u3000your\u3000faith\u3000is\u3000the\u3000measure\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pain\u3000you\u3000can\u3000endure\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3000Silas\u3000was\u3000no\u3000stranger\u3000to\u3000pain\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000prove\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Teacher\uff1b\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000had\u3000assured\u3000him\u3000his\u3000actions\u3000were\u3000ordained\u3000by\u3000a\u3000higher\u3000power\u3002
\n\u3003Hago\u3000la\u3000obra\u3000de\u3000Dios\uff1b\u3003\u3000Silas\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000now\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000church\u3000entrance\u3002
\nPausing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shadow\u3000of\u3000the\u3000massive\u3000doorway\uff1b\u3000he\u3000took\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000not\u3000until\u3000this\u3000instant\u3000that\u3000he\u3000truly\u3000realized\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000do\uff1b\u3000and\u3000what\u3000awaited\u3000him\u3000inside\u3002
\nThe\u3000keystone\u3002\u3000It\u3000will\u3000lead\u3000us\u3000to\u3000our\u3000final\u3000goal\u3002
\nHe\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000ghost\u2026white\u3000fist\u3000and\u3000banged\u3000three\u3000times\u3000on\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\nMoments\u3000later\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bolts\u3000of\u3000the\u3000enormous\u3000wooden\u3000portal\u3000began\u3000to\u3000move\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300016
\n
\nSophie\u3000wondered\u3000how\u3000long\u3000it\u3000would\u3000take\u3000Fache\u3000to\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000she\u3000had\u3000not\u3000left\u3000the\u3000building\u3002\u3000Seeing\u3000that\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000clearly\u3000overwhelmed\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000questioned\u3000whether\u3000she\u3000had\u3000done\u3000the\u3000rig \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n stioned\u3000whether\u3000she\u3000had\u3000done\u3000the\u3000right\u3000thing\u3000by\u3000cornering\u3000him\u3000here\u3000in\u3000the\u3000men’s\u3000room\u3002
\nWhat\u3000else\u3000was\u3000I\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000do\uff1f
\nShe\u3000pictured\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000body\uff1b\u3000naked\u3000and\u3000spread\u2026eagle\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000time\u3000when\u3000he\u3000had\u3000meant\u3000the\u3000world\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000almost\u3000no\u3000sadness\u3000for\u3000the\u3000man\u3002\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000was\u3000a\u3000stranger\u3000to\u3000her\u3000now\u3002\u3000Their\u3000relationship\u3000had\u3000evaporated\u3000in\u3000a\u3000single\u3000instant\u3000one\u3000March\u3000night\u3000when\u3000she\u3000was\u3000twenty\u2026two\u3002\u3000Ten\u3000years\u3000ago\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000e\u3000home\u3000a\u3000few\u3000days\u3000early\u3000from\u3000graduate\u3000university\u3000in\u3000England\u3000and\u3000mistakenly\u3000witnessed\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000engaged\u3000in\u3000something\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000obviously\u3000not\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000see\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000an\u3000image\u3000she\u3000barely\u3000could\u3000believe\u3000to\u3000this\u3000day\u3002
\nIf\u3000I\u3000hadn’t\u3000seen\u3000it\u3000with\u3000my\u3000own\u3000eyes\u3002\u3002\u3002
\nToo\u3000ashamed\u3000and\u3000stunned\u3000to\u3000endure\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000pained\u3000attempts\u3000to\u3000explain\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000immediately\u3000moved\u3000out\u3000on\u3000her\u3000own\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000money\u3000she\u3000had\u3000saved\uff1b\u3000and\u3000getting\u3000a\u3000small\u3000flat\u3000with\u3000some\u3000roommates\u3002\u3000She\u3000vowed\u3000never\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000to\u3000anyone\u3000about\u3000what\u3000she\u3000had\u3000seen\u3002\u3000Her\u3000grandfather\u3000tried\u3000desperately\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000her\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000cards\u3000and\u3000letters\uff1b\u3000begging\u3000Sophie\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000him\u3000so\u3000he\u3000could\u3000explain\u3002\u3000Explain\u3000how\uff01\uff1f\u3000Sophie\u3000never\u3000responded\u3000except\u3000once\u2014to\u3000forbid\u3000him\u3000ever\u3000to\u3000call\u3000her\u3000or\u3000try\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000her\u3000in\u3000public\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000afraid\u3000his\u3000explanation\u3000would\u3000be\u3000more\u3000terrifying\u3000than\u3000the\u3000incident\u3000itself\u3002
\nIncredibly\uff1b\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000never\u3000given\u3000up\u3000on\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000now\u3000possessed\u3000a\u3000decade’s\u3000worth\u3000of\u3000correspondence\u3000unopened\u3000in\u3000a\u3000dresser\u3000drawer\u3002\u3000To\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000credit\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000never\u3000once\u3000disobeyed\u3000her\u3000request\u3000and\u3000phoned\u3000her\u3002
\nUntil\u3000this\u3000afternoon\u3002
\n\u3003Sophie\uff1f\u3003\u3000His\u3000voice\u3000had\u3000sounded\u3000startlingly\u3000old\u3000on\u3000her\u3000answering\u3000machine\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000abided\u3000by\u3000your\u3000wishes\u3000for\u3000so\u3000long\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\u3000it\u3000pains\u3000me\u3000to\u3000call\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000must\u3000speak\u3000to\u3000you\u3002\u3000Something\u3000terrible\u3000has\u3000happened\u3002\u3003
\nStanding\u3000in\u3000the\u3000kitchen\u3000of\u3000her\u3000Paris\u3000flat\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000chill\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000him\u3000again\u3000after\u3000all\u3000these\u3000years\u3002\u3000His\u3000gentle\u3000voice\u3000brought\u3000back\u3000a\u3000flood\u3000of\u3000fond\u3000childhood\u3000memories\u3002
\n\u3003Sophie\uff1b\u3000please\u3000listen\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000was\u3000speaking\u3000English\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000always\u3000did\u3000when\u3000she\u3000was\u3000a\u3000little\u3000girl\u3002\u3000Practice\u3000French\u3000at\u3000school\u3002\u3000Practice\u3000English\u3000at\u3000home\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000cannot\u3000be\u3000mad\u3000forever\u3002\u3000Have\u3000you\u3000not\u3000read\u3000the\u3000letters\u3000that\u3000I’ve\u3000sent\u3000all\u3000these\u3000years\uff1f\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000understand\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000must\u3000speak\u3000at\u3000once\u3002\u3000Please\u3000grant\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3000this\u3000one\u3000wish\u3002\u3000Call\u3000me\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3002\u3000Right\u3000away\u3002\u3000I\u3000believe\u3000you\u3000and\u3000I\u3000are\u3000in\u3000grave\u3000danger\u3002\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000answering\u3000machine\u3002\u3000Danger\uff1f\u3000What\u3000was\u3000he\u3000talking\u3000about\uff1f
\n\u3003Princess\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000Her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000voice\u3000cracked\u3000with\u3000an\u3000emotion\u3000Sophie\u3000could\u3000not\u3000place\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000I’ve\u3000kept\u3000things\u3000from\u3000you\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000know\u3000it\u3000has\u3000cost\u3000me\u3000your\u3000love\u3002\u3000But\u3000it\u3000was\u3000for\u3000your\u3000own\u3000safety\u3002\u3000Now\u3000you\u3000must\u3000know\u3000the\u3000truth\u3002\u3000Please\uff1b\u3000I\u3000must\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000about\u3000your\u3000family\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000suddenly\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000her\u3000own\u3000heart\u3002\u3000My\u3000family\uff1f\u3000Sophie’s\u3000parents\u3000had\u3000died\u3000when\u3000she\u3000was\u3000only\u3000four\u3002\u3000Their\u3000car\u3000went\u3000off\u3000a\u3000bridge\u3000into\u3000fast\u2026moving\u3000water\u3002\u3000Her\u3000grandmother\u3000and\u3000younger\u3000brother\u3000had\u3000also\u3000been\u3000in\u3000the\u3000car\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Sophie’s\u3000entire\u3000family\u3000had\u3000been\u3000erased\u3000in\u3000an\u3000instant\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000a\u3000box\u3000of\u3000newspaper\u3000clippings\u3000to\u3000confirm\u3000it\u3002
\nHis\u3000words\u3000had\u3000sent\u3000an\u3000unexpected\u3000surge\u3000of\u3000longing\u3000through\u3000her\u3000bones\u3002\u3000My\u3000family\uff01\u3000In\u3000that\u3000fleeting\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000saw\u3000images\u3000from\u3000the\u3000dream\u3000that\u3000had\u3000awoken\u3000her\u3000countless\u3000times\u3000when\u3000she\u3000was\u3000a\u3000little\u3000girl\uff1a\u3000My\u3000family\u3000is\u3000alive\uff01\u3000They\u3000are\u3000ing\u3000home\uff01\u3000But\uff1b\u3000as\u3000in\u3000her\u3000dream\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pictures\u3000evaporated\u3000into\u3000oblivion\u3002
\nYour\u3000family\u3000is\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000They\u3000are\u3000not\u3000ing\u3000home\u3002
\n\u3003Sophie\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000said\u3000on\u3000the\u3000machine\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000been\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000years\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000you\u3002\u3000Waiting\u3000for\u3000the\u3000right\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000but\u3000now\u3000time\u3000has\u3000run\u3000out\u3002\u3000Call\u3000me\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3002\u3000As\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000you\u3000get\u3000this\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000wait\u3000here\u3000all\u3000night\u3002\u3000I\u3000fear\u3000we\u3000both\u3000may\u3000be\u3000in\u3000danger\u3002\u3000There’s\u3000so\u3000much\u3000you\u3000need\u3000to\u3000know\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000message\u3000ended\u3002
\nIn\u3000the\u3000silence\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000stood\u3000trembling\u3000for\u3000what\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000minutes\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000considered\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000message\uff1b\u3000only\u3000one\u3000possibility\u3000made\u3000sense\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000true\u3000intent\u3000dawned\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000bait\u3002
\nObviously\uff1b\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000wanted\u3000desperately\u3000to\u3000see\u3000her\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000anything\u3002\u3000Her\u3000disgust\u3000for\u3000the\u3000man\u3000deepened\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000maybe\u3000he\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000terminally\u3000ill\u3000and\u3000had\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000attempt\u3000any\u3000ploy\u3000he\u3000could\u3000think\u3000of\u3000to\u3000get\u3000Sophie\u3000to\u3000visit\u3000him\u3000one\u3000last\u3000time\u3002\u3000If\u3000so\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000chosen\u3000wisely\u3002
\nMy\u3000family\u3002
\nNow\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000men’s\u3000room\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000echoes\u3000of\u3000this\u3000afternoon’s\u3000phone\u3000message\u3002\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000we\u3000both\u3000may\u3000be\u3000in\u3000danger\u3002\u3000Call\u3000me\u3002
\nShe\u3000had\u3000not\u3000called\u3000him\u3002\u3000Nor\u3000had\u3000she\u3000planned\u3000to\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000her\u3000skepticism\u3000had\u3000been\u3000deeply\u3000challenged\u3002\u3000Her\u3000grandfather\u3000lay\u3000murdered\u3000inside\u3000his\u3000own\u3000museum\u3002\u3000And\u3000he\u3000had\u3000written\u3000a\u3000code\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\nA\u3000code\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3000Of\u3000this\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000certain\u3002
\nDespite\u3000not\u3000understanding\u3000the\u3000meaning\u3000of\u3000his\u3000message\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000its\u3000cryptic\u3000nature\u3000was\u3000additional\u3000proof\u3000that\u3000the\u3000words\u3000were\u3000intended\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3000Sophie’s\u3000passion\u3000and\u3000aptitude\u3000for\u3000cryptography\u3000were\u3000a\u3000product\u3000of\u3000growing\u3000up\u3000with\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u2014a\u3000fanatic\u3000himself\u3000for\u3000codes\uff1b\u3000word\u3000games\uff1b\u3000and\u3000puzzles\u3002\u3000How\u3000many\u3000Sundays\u3000did\u3000we\u3000spend\u3000doing\u3000the\u3000cryptograms\u3000and\u3000crosswords\u3000in\u3000the\u3000newspaper\uff1f
\nAt\u3000the\u3000age\u3000of\u3000twelve\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000could\u3000finish\u3000the\u3000Le\u3000Monde\u3000crossword\u3000without\u3000any\u3000help\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000graduated\u3000her\u3000to\u3000crosswords\u3000in\u3000English\uff1b\u3000mathematical\u3000puzzles\uff1b\u3000and\u3000substitution\u3000ciphers\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000devoured\u3000them\u3000all\u3002\u3000Eventually\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000her\u3000passion\u3000into\u3000a\u3000profession\u3000by\u3000being\u3000a\u3000codebreaker\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Judicial\u3000Police\u3002
\nTonight\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cryptographer\u3000in\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000respect\u3000the\u3000efficiency\u3000with\u3000which\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000had\u3000used\u3000a\u3000simple\u3000code\u3000to\u3000unite\u3000two\u3000total\u3000strangers\u2014Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000and\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3002
\nThe\u3000question\u3000was\u3000why\uff1f
\nUnfortunately\uff1b\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bewildered\u3000look\u3000in\u3000Langdon’s\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000sensed\u3000the\u3000American\u3000had\u3000no\u3000more\u3000idea\u3000than\u3000she\u3000did\u3000why\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000had\u3000thrown\u3000them\u3000together\u3002
\nShe\u3000pressed\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000and\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3000had\u3000planned\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000What\u3000about\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000looked\u3000truly\u3000perplexed\u3002\u3000\u3003His\u3000secretary\u3000set\u3000the\u3000meeting\u3000and\u3000didn’t\u3000offer\u3000any\u3000specific\u3000reason\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000ask\u3002\u3000I\u3000assumed\u3000he’d\u3000heard\u3000I\u3000would\u3000be\u3000lecturing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000pagan\u3000iconography\u3000of\u3000French\u3000cathedrals\uff1b\u3000was\u3000interested\u3000in\u3000the\u3000topic\uff1b\u3000and\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000fun\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000for\u3000drinks\u3000after\u3000the\u3000talk\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000didn’t\u3000buy\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000connection\u3000was\u3000flimsy\u3002\u3000Her\u3000grandfather\u3000knew\u3000more\u3000about\u3000pagan\u3000iconography\u3000than\u3000anyone\u3000else\u3000on\u3000earth\u3002\u3000Moreover\uff1b\u3000he\u3000an\u3000exceptionally\u3000private\u3000man\uff1b\u3000not\u3000someone\u3000prone\u3000to\u3000chatting\u3000with\u3000random\u3000American\u3000professors\u3000unless\u3000there\u3000were\u3000an\u3000important\u3000reason\u3002
\nSophie\u3000took\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\u3000and\u3000probed\u3000further\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000grandfather\u3000called\u3000me\u3000this\u3000afternoon\u3000and\u3000told\u3000me\u3000he\u3000and\u3000I\u3000were\u3000in\u3000grave\u3000danger\u3002\u3000Does\u3000that\u3000mean\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon’s\u3000blue\u3000eyes\u3000now\u3000clouded\u3000with\u3000concern\u3002\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000but\u3000considering\u3000what\u3000just\u3000happened\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000Considering\u3000tonight’s\u3000events\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000be\u3000a\u3000fool\u3000not\u3000to\u3000be\u3000frightened\u3002\u3000Feeling\u3000drained\uff1b\u3000she\u3000walked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000small\u3000plate\u2026glass\u3000window\u3000at\u3000the\u3000far\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bathroom\u3000and\u3000gazed\u3000out\u3000in\u3000silence\u3000through\u3000the\u3000mesh\u3000of\u3000alarm\u3000tape\u3000embedded\u3000in\u3000the\u3000glass\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000high\u3000up\u2014forty\u3000feet\u3000at\u3000least\u3002
\nSighing\uff1b\u3000she\u3000raised\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000gazed\u3000out\u3000at\u3000Paris’s\u3000dazzling\u3000landscape\u3002\u3000On\u3000her\u3000left\uff1b\u3000across\u3000the\u3000Seine\uff1b\u3000the\u3000illuminated\u3000Eiffel\u3000Tower\u3002\u3000Straight\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Arc\u3000de\u3000Triomphe\u3002\u3000And\u3000to\u3000the\u3000right\uff1b\u3000high\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000sloping\u3000rise\u3000of\u3000Montmartre\uff1b\u3000the\u3000graceful\u3000arabesque\u3000dome\u3000of\u3000Sacr\u00e9\u2026Coeur\uff1b\u3000its\u3000polished\u3000stone\u3000glowing\u3000white\u3000like\u3000a\u3000resplendent\u3000sanctuary\u3002
\nHere\u3000at\u3000the\u3000westernmost\u3000tip\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Denon\u3000Wing\uff1b\u3000the\u3000north\u2026south\u3000thoroughfare\u3000of\u3000Place\u3000du\u3000Carrousel\u3000ran\u3000almost\u3000flush\u3000with\u3000the\u3000building\u3000with\u3000only\u3000a\u3000narrow\u3000sidewalk\u3000separating\u3000it\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Louvre’s\u3000outer\u3000wall\u3002\u3000Far\u3000below\uff1b\u3000the\u3000usual\u3000caravan\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city’s\u3000nighttime\u3000delivery\u3000trucks\u3000sat\u3000idling\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000the\u3000signals\u3000to\u3000change\uff1b\u3000their\u3000running\u3000lights\u3000seeming\u3000to\u3000twinkle\u3000mockingly\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Sophie\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000ing\u3000up\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000grandfather\u3000is\u3000obviously\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000us\u3000something\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000sorry\u3000I’m\u3000so\u3000little\u3000help\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000turned\u3000from\u3000the\u3000window\uff1b\u3000sensing\u3000a\u3000sincere\u3000regret\u3000in\u3000Langdon’s\u3000deep\u3000voice\u3002\u3000Even\u3000with\u3000all\u3000the\u3000trouble\u3000around\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000obviously\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000help\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000teacher\u3000in\u3000him\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000having\u3000read\u3000DCPJ’s\u3000workup\u3000on\u3000their\u3000suspect\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\u3000an\u3000academic\u3000who\u3000clearly\u3000despised\u3000not\u3000understanding\u3002
\nWe\u3000have\u3000that\u3000in\u3000mon\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3002
\nAs\u3000a\u3000codebreaker\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000made\u3000her\u3000living\u3000extracting\u3000meaning\u3000from\u3000seemingly\u3000senseless\u3000data\u3002\u3000Tonight\uff1b\u3000her\u3000best\u3000guess\u3000was\u3000that\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000whether\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000or\u3000not\uff1b\u3000possessed\u3000information\u3000that\u3000she\u3000desperately\u3000needed\u3002\u3000Princesse\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000Find\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000How\u3000much\u3000clearer\u3000could\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000message\u3000be\uff1f\u3000Sophie\u3000needed\u3000more\u3000time\u3000with\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000Time\u3000to\u3000think\u3002\u3000Time\u3000to\u3000sort\u3000out\u3000this\u3000mystery\u3000together\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000time\u3000was\u3000running\u3000out\u3002
\nGazing\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000made\u3000the\u3000only\u3000play\u3000she\u3000could\u3000think\u3000of\u3002\u3000\u3003Bezu\u3000Fache\u3000will\u3000be\u3000taking\u3000you\u3000into\u3000custody\u3000at\u3000any\u3000minute\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u3000get\u3000you\u3000out\u3000of\u3000this\u3000museum\u3002\u3000But\u3000we\u3000need\u3000to\u3000act\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon’s\u3000eyes\u3000went\u3000wide\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000want\u3000me\u3000to\u3000run\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000the\u3000smartest\u3000thing\u3000you\u3000could\u3000do\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000let\u3000Fache\u3000take\u3000you\u3000into\u3000custody\u3000now\uff1b\u3000you’ll\u3000spend\u3000weeks\u3000in\u3000a\u3000French\u3000jail\u3000while\u3000DCPJ\u3000and\u3000the\u3000U\u3002S\u3002\u3000Embassy\u3000fight\u3000over\u3000which\u3000courts\u3000try\u3000your\u3000case\u3002\u3000But\u3000if\u3000we\u3000get\u3000you\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\uff1b\u3000and\u3000make\u3000it\u3000to\u3000your\u3000embassy\uff1b\u3000then\u3000your\u3000government\u3000will\u3000protect\u3000your\u3000rights\u3000while\u3000you\u3000and\u3000I\u3000prove\u3000you\u3000had\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000this\u3000murder\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000looked\u3000not\u3000even\u3000vaguely\u3000convinced\u3002\u3000\u3003Forget\u3000it\uff01\u3000Fache\u3000has\u3000armed\u3000guards\u3000on\u3000every\u3000single\u3000exit\uff01\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000we\u3000escape\u3000without\u3000being\u3000shot\uff1b\u3000running\u3000away\u3000only\u3000mak \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n Langdon\u3000looked\u3000not\u3000even\u3000vaguely\u3000convinced\u3002\u3000\u3003Forget\u3000it\uff01\u3000Fache\u3000has\u3000armed\u3000guards\u3000on\u3000every\u3000single\u3000exit\uff01\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000we\u3000escape\u3000without\u3000being\u3000shot\uff1b\u3000running\u3000away\u3000only\u3000makes\u3000me\u3000look\u3000guilty\u3002\u3000You\u3000need\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000Fache\u3000that\u3000the\u3000message\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000was\u3000for\u3000you\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000my\u3000name\u3000is\u3000not\u3000there\u3000as\u3000an\u3000accusation\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000will\u3000do\u3000that\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000speaking\u3000hurriedly\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000after\u3000you’re\u3000safely\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000U\u3002S\u3002\u3000Embassy\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000only\u3000about\u3000a\u3000mile\u3000from\u3000here\uff1b\u3000and\u3000my\u3000car\u3000is\u3000parked\u3000just\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000museum\u3002\u3000Dealing\u3000with\u3000Fache\u3000from\u3000here\u3000is\u3000too\u3000much\u3000of\u3000a\u3000gamble\u3002\u3000Don’t\u3000you\u3000see\uff1f\u3000Fache\u3000has\u3000made\u3000it\u3000his\u3000mission\u3000tonight\u3000to\u3000prove\u3000you\u3000are\u3000guilty\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000reason\u3000he\u3000postponed\u3000your\u3000arrest\u3000was\u3000to\u3000run\u3000this\u3000observance\u3000in\u3000hopes\u3000you\u3000did\u3000something\u3000that\u3000made\u3000his\u3000case\u3000stronger\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Exactly\u3002\u3000Like\u3000running\uff01\u3003
\nThe\u3000cell\u3000phone\u3000in\u3000Sophie’s\u3000sweater\u3000pocket\u3000suddenly\u3000began\u3000ringing\u3002\u3000Fache\u3000probably\u3002\u3000She\u3000reached\u3000in\u3000her\u3000sweater\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000off\u3000the\u3000phone\u3002
\n\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000hurriedly\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000you\u3000one\u3000last\u3000question\u3002\u3003\u3000And\u3000your\u3000entire\u3000future\u3000may\u3000depend\u3000on\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000writing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000is\u3000obviously\u3000not\u3000proof\u3000of\u3000your\u3000guilt\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000Fache\u3000told\u3000our\u3000team\u3000he\u3000is\u3000certain\u3000you\u3000are\u3000his\u3000man\u3002\u3000Can\u3000you\u3000think\u3000of\u3000any\u3000other\u3000reason\u3000he\u3000might\u3000be\u3000convinced\u3000you’re\u3000guilty\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000silent\u3000for\u3000several\u3000seconds\u3002\u3000\u3003None\u3000whatsoever\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000Which\u3000means\u3000Fache\u3000is\u3000lying\u3002\u3000Why\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000could\u3000not\u3000begin\u3000to\u3000imagine\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000was\u3000hardly\u3000the\u3000issue\u3000at\u3000this\u3000point\u3002\u3000The\u3000fact\u3000remained\u3000that\u3000Bezu\u3000Fache\u3000was\u3000determined\u3000to\u3000put\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3000behind\u3000bars\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000at\u3000any\u3000cost\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000needed\u3000Langdon\u3000for\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000this\u3000dilemma\u3000that\u3000left\u3000Sophie\u3000only\u3000one\u3000logical\u3000conclusion\u3002
\nI\u3000need\u3000to\u3000get\u3000Langdon\u3000to\u3000the\u3000U\u3002S\u3002\u3000Embassy\u3002
\nTurning\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000window\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000gazed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000alarm\u3000mesh\u3000embedded\u3000in\u3000the\u3000plate\u3000glass\uff1b\u3000down\u3000the\u3000dizzying\u3000forty\u3000feet\u3000to\u3000the\u3000pavement\u3000below\u3002\u3000A\u3000leap\u3000from\u3000this\u3000height\u3000would\u3000leave\u3000Langdon\u3000with\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000broken\u3000legs\u3002\u3000At\u3000best\u3002
\nNonetheless\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000made\u3000her\u3000decision\u3002
\nRobert\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000escape\u3000the\u3000Louvre\uff1b\u3000whether\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000or\u3000not\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300017
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000mean\u3000she’s\u3000not\u3000answering\uff1f\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000looked\u3000incredulous\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000calling\u3000her\u3000cell\u3000phone\uff1b\u3000right\uff1f\u3000I\u3000know\u3000she’s\u3000carrying\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000had\u3000been\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000Sophie\u3000now\u3000for\u3000several\u3000minutes\u3002\u3000\u3003Maybe\u3000her\u3000batteries\u3000are\u3000dead\u3002\u3000Or\u3000her\u3000ringer’s\u3000off\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000had\u3000looked\u3000distressed\u3000ever\u3000since\u3000talking\u3000to\u3000the\u3000director\u3000of\u3000Cryptology\u3000on\u3000the\u3000phone\u3002\u3000After\u3000hanging\u3000up\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000marched\u3000over\u3000to\u3000Collet\u3000and\u3000demanded\u3000he\u3000get\u3000Agent\u3000Neveu\u3000on\u3000the\u3000line\u3002\u3000Now\u3000Collet\u3000had\u3000failed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Fache\u3000was\u3000pacing\u3000like\u3000a\u3000caged\u3000lion\u3002
\n\u3003Why\u3000did\u3000Crypto\u3000call\uff1f\u3003\u3000Collet\u3000now\u3000ventured\u3002
\nFache\u3000turned\u3002\u3000\u3003To\u3000tell\u3000us\u3000they\u3000found\u3000no\u3000references\u3000to\u3000Draconian\u3000devils\u3000and\u3000lame\u3000saints\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003That’s\u3000all\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000also\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000us\u3000that\u3000they\u3000had\u3000just\u3000identified\u3000the\u3000numerics\u3000as\u3000Fibonacci\u3000numbers\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000suspected\u3000the\u3000series\u3000was\u3000meaningless\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000was\u3000confused\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000they\u3000already\u3000sent\u3000Agent\u3000Neveu\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000us\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000didn’t\u3000send\u3000Neveu\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003According\u3000to\u3000the\u3000director\uff1b\u3000at\u3000my\u3000orders\u3000he\u3000paged\u3000his\u3000entire\u3000team\u3000to\u3000look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000images\u3000I’d\u3000wired\u3000him\u3002\u3000When\u3000Agent\u3000Neveu\u3000arrived\uff1b\u3000she\u3000took\u3000one\u3000look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000photos\u3000of\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000and\u3000the\u3000code\u3000and\u3000left\u3000the\u3000office\u3000without\u3000a\u3000word\u3002\u3000The\u3000director\u3000said\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000question\u3000her\u3000behavior\u3000because\u3000she\u3000was\u3000understandably\u3000upset\u3000by\u3000the\u3000photos\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Upset\uff1f\u3000She’s\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000a\u3000picture\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dead\u3000body\uff1f\u3003
\nFache\u3000was\u3000silent\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000not\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000this\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000seems\u3000neither\u3000was\u3000the\u3000director\u3000until\u3000a\u3000coworker\u3000informed\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000apparently\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000is\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000granddaughter\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000was\u3000speechless\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000director\u3000said\u3000she\u3000never\u3000once\u3000mentioned\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000assumed\u3000it\u3000was\u3000because\u3000she\u3000probably\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000preferential\u3000treatment\u3000for\u3000having\u3000a\u3000famous\u3000grandfather\u3002\u3003
\nNo\u3000wonder\u3000she\u3000was\u3000upset\u3000by\u3000the\u3000pictures\u3002\u3000Collet\u3000could\u3000barely\u3000conceive\u3000of\u3000the\u3000unfortunate\u3000coincidence\u3000that\u3000called\u3000in\u3000a\u3000young\u3000woman\u3000to\u3000decipher\u3000a\u3000code\u3000written\u3000by\u3000a\u3000dead\u3000family\u3000member\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000her\u3000actions\u3000made\u3000no\u3000sense\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000she\u3000obviously\u3000recognized\u3000the\u3000numbers\u3000as\u3000Fibonacci\u3000numbers\u3000because\u3000she\u3000came\u3000here\u3000and\u3000told\u3000us\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000understand\u3000why\u3000she\u3000would\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000office\u3000without\u3000telling\u3000anyone\u3000she\u3000had\u3000figured\u3000it\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000could\u3000think\u3000of\u3000only\u3000one\u3000scenario\u3000to\u3000explain\u3000the\u3000troubling\u3000developments\uff1a\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000written\u3000a\u3000numeric\u3000code\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000in\u3000hopes\u3000Fache\u3000would\u3000involve\u3000cryptographers\u3000in\u3000the\u3000investigation\uff1b\u3000and\u3000therefore\u3000involve\u3000his\u3000own\u3000granddaughter\u3002\u3000As\u3000for\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000message\uff1b\u3000was\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000municating\u3000in\u3000some\u3000way\u3000with\u3000his\u3000granddaughter\uff1f\u3000If\u3000so\uff1b\u3000what\u3000did\u3000the\u3000message\u3000tell\u3000her\uff1f\u3000And\u3000how\u3000did\u3000Langdon\u3000fit\u3000in\uff1f
\nBefore\u3000Collet\u3000could\u3000ponder\u3000it\u3000any\u3000further\uff1b\u3000the\u3000silence\u3000of\u3000the\u3000deserted\u3000museum\u3000was\u3000shattered\u3000by\u3000an\u3000alarm\u3002\u3000The\u3000bell\u3000sounded\u3000like\u3000it\u3000was\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\u3002
\n\u3003Alarme\uff01\u3003\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000agents\u3000yelled\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000his\u3000feed\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000security\u3000center\u3002\u3000\u3003Grande\u3000Galerie\uff01\u3000Toilettes\u3000Messieurs\uff01\u3003
\nFache\u3000wheeled\u3000to\u3000Collet\u3002\u3000\u3003Where’s\u3000Langdon\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Still\u3000in\u3000the\u3000men’s\u3000room\uff01\u3003\u3000Collet\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000blinking\u3000red\u3000dot\u3000on\u3000his\u3000laptop\u3000schematic\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000must\u3000have\u3000broken\u3000the\u3000window\uff01\u3003\u3000Collet\u3000knew\u3000Langdon\u3000wouldn’t\u3000get\u3000far\u3002\u3000Although\u3000Paris\u3000fire\u3000codes\u3000required\u3000windows\u3000above\u3000fifteen\u3000meters\u3000in\u3000public\u3000buildings\u3000be\u3000breakable\u3000in\u3000case\u3000of\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000exiting\u3000a\u3000Louvre\u3000second\u2026story\u3000window\u3000without\u3000the\u3000help\u3000of\u3000a\u3000hook\u3000and\u3000ladder\u3000would\u3000be\u3000suicide\u3002\u3000Furthermore\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000no\u3000trees\u3000or\u3000grass\u3000on\u3000the\u3000western\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Denon\u3000Wing\u3000to\u3000cushion\u3000a\u3000fall\u3002\u3000Directly\u3000beneath\u3000that\u3000rest\u3000room\u3000window\uff1b\u3000the\u3000two\u2026lane\u3000Place\u3000du\u3000Carrousel\u3000ran\u3000within\u3000a\u3000few\u3000feet\u3000of\u3000the\u3000outer\u3000wall\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000God\uff1b\u3003\u3000Collet\u3000exclaimed\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000the\u3000screen\u3002\u3000\u3003Langdon’s\u3000moving\u3000to\u3000the\u3000window\u3000ledge\uff01\u3003
\nBut\u3000Fache\u3000was\u3000already\u3000in\u3000motion\u3002\u3000Yanking\u3000his\u3000Manurhin\u3000MR\u202693\u3000revolver\u3000from\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000holster\uff1b\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000dashed\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000office\u3002
\nCollet\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000screen\u3000in\u3000bewilderment\u3000as\u3000the\u3000blinking\u3000dot\u3000arrived\u3000at\u3000the\u3000window\u3000ledge\u3000and\u3000then\u3000did\u3000something\u3000utterly\u3000unexpected\u3002\u3000The\u3000dot\u3000moved\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000perimeter\u3000of\u3000the\u3000building\u3002
\nWhat’s\u3000going\u3000on\uff1f\u3000he\u3000wondered\u3002\u3000Is\u3000Langdon\u3000out\u3000on\u3000a\u3000ledge\u3000or\u2014
\n\u3003Jesu\uff01\u3003\u3000Collet\u3000jumped\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000as\u3000the\u3000dot\u3000shot\u3000farther\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002\u3000The\u3000signal\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000shudder\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000the\u3000blinking\u3000dot\u3000came\u3000to\u3000an\u3000abrupt\u3000stop\u3000about\u3000ten\u3000yards\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000perimeter\u3000of\u3000the\u3000building\u3002
\nFumbling\u3000with\u3000the\u3000controls\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000called\u3000up\u3000a\u3000Paris\u3000street\u3000map\u3000and\u3000recalibrated\u3000the\u3000GPS\u3002\u3000Zooming\u3000in\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000now\u3000see\u3000the\u3000exact\u3000location\u3000of\u3000the\u3000signal\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000moving\u3002
\nIt\u3000lay\u3000at\u3000a\u3000dead\u3000stop\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000Place\u3000du\u3000Carrousel\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000jumped\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300018
\n
\nFache\u3000sprinted\u3000down\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\u3000as\u3000Collet’s\u3000radio\u3000blared\u3000over\u3000the\u3000distant\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000the\u3000alarm\u3002
\n\u3003He\u3000jumped\uff01\u3003\u3000Collet\u3000was\u3000yelling\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000showing\u3000the\u3000signal\u3000out\u3000on\u3000Place\u3000du\u3000Carrousel\uff01\u3000Outside\u3000the\u3000bathroom\u3000window\uff01\u3000And\u3000it’s\u3000not\u3000moving\u3000at\u3000all\uff01\u3000Jesus\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\u3000Langdon\u3000has\u3000just\u3000mitted\u3000suicide\uff01\u3003
\nFache\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000words\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000made\u3000no\u3000sense\u3002\u3000He\u3000kept\u3000running\u3002\u3000The\u3000hallway\u3000seemed\u3000never\u2026ending\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000sprinted\u3000past\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000body\uff1b\u3000he\u3000set\u3000his\u3000sights\u3000on\u3000the\u3000partitions\u3000at\u3000the\u3000far\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Denon\u3000Wing\u3002\u3000The\u3000alarm\u3000was\u3000getting\u3000louder\u3000now\u3002
\n\u3003Wait\uff01\u3003\u3000Collet’s\u3000voice\u3000blared\u3000again\u3000over\u3000the\u3000radio\u3002\u3000\u3003He’s\u3000moving\uff01\u3000My\u3000God\uff1b\u3000he’s\u3000alive\u3002\u3000Langdon’s\u3000moving\uff01\u3003
\nFache\u3000kept\u3000running\uff1b\u3000cursing\u3000the\u3000length\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hallway\u3000with\u3000every\u3000step\u3002
\n\u3003Langdon’s\u3000moving\u3000faster\uff01\u3003\u3000Collet\u3000was\u3000still\u3000yelling\u3000on\u3000the\u3000radio\u3002\u3000\u3003He’s\u3000running\u3000down\u3000Carrousel\u3002\u3000Wait\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000he’s\u3000picking\u3000up\u3000speed\u3002\u3000He’s\u3000moving\u3000too\u3000fast\uff01\u3003
\nArriving\u3000at\u3000the\u3000partitions\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000snaked\u3000his\u3000way\u3000through\u3000them\uff1b\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000room\u3000door\uff1b\u3000and\u3000ran\u3000for\u3000it\u3002
\nThe\u3000walkie\u2026talkie\u3000was\u3000barely\u3000audible\u3000now\u3000over\u3000the\u3000alarm\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000must\u3000be\u3000in\u3000a\u3000car\uff01\u3000I\u3000think\u3000he’s\u3000in\u3000a\u3000car\uff01\u3000I\u3000can’t\u2014\u3003
\nCollet’s\u3000words\u3000were\u3000swallowed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000alarm\u3000as\u3000Fache\u3000finally\u3000burst\u3000into\u3000the\u3000men’s\u3000room\u3000with\u3000his\u3000gun\u3000drawn\u3002\u3000Wincing\u3000against\u3000the\u3000piercing\u3000shrill\uff1b\u3000he\u3000scanned\u3000the\u3000area\u3002
\nThe\u3000stalls\u3000were\u3000empty\u3002\u3000The\u3000bathroom\u3000deserted\u3002\u3000Fache’s\u3000eyes\u3000moved\u3000immediately\u3000to\u3000the\u3000shattered\u3000window\u3000at\u3000the\u3000far\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000He\u3000ran\u3000to\u3000the\u3000opening\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000over\u3000the\u3000edge\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000nowhere\u3000to\u3000be\u3000seen\u3002\u3000Fache\u3000could\u3000not\u3000imagine\u3000anyone\u3000risking\u3000a\u3000stunt\u3000like\u3000this\u3002\u3000Certainly\u3000if\u3000he\u3000had\u3000dropped\u3000that\u3000far\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000badly\u3000injured\u3002
\nThe\u3000alarm\u3000cut\u3000off\u3000finally\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Collet’s\u3000voice\u3000became\u3000audible\u3000again\u3000over\u3000the\u3000walkie\u2026talkie\u3002
\n\u3003\u3002\u3002\u3002moving\u3000south\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000faster\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000crossing\u3000the\u3000Seine\u3000on\u3000Pont\u3000du\u3000Carrousel\uff01\u3003
\nFache\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000his\u3000left\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000vehicle\u3000on\u3000Pont\u3000du\u3000Carrousel\u3000was\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000twin\u2026bed\u3000Trailor\u3000delivery\u3000truck\u3000moving\u3000southward\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3002\u3000The\u3000truck’s\u3000open\u2026air\u3000bed\u3000was\u3000covered\u3000with\u3000a\u3000vinyl\u3000tarp\uff1b\u3000roughly\u3000resembling\u3000a\u3000giant\u3000hammock\u3002\u3000Fache\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000shiver\u3000of\u3000apprehension\u3002\u3000That\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000only\u3000moments\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000had\u3000probably\u3000been\u3000stopped\u3000at\u3000a\u3000red\u3000light\u3000directly\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000room\u3000window\u3002
\nAn\u3000insane\u3000risk\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000told\u3000himself\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000no\u3000way\u3000of\u3000knowing\u3000what\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000was\u3000carrying\u3000beneath\u3000that\u3000tarp\u3002\u3000What\u3000if\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000were\u3000carrying\u3000steel\uff1f\u3000Or\u3000cement\uff1f\u3000Or\u3000even\u3000garbage\uff1f\u3000A\u3000forty\u2026foot\u3000leap\uff1f\u3000It\u3000was\u3000madness\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000dot\u3000is\u3000turning\uff01\u3003\u3000Collet\u3000called\u3002\u3000\u3003He’s\u3000turning\u3000right\u3000on\u3000Pont\u3000des\u3000Saints\u2026Peres\uff01\u3003
\nSure\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Trailor\u3000truck\u3000that\u3000had\u3000crossed\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3000was\u3000slowing\u3000down\u3000and\u3000making\u3000a\u3000right\u3000turn\u3000onto\u3000Pont\u3000des\u3000Saints\u2026Peres\u3002\u3000So\u3000be\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Amazed\uff1b\u3000he\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000disappear\u3000around\u3000the\u3000corner\u3002\u3000Collet\u3000was\u3000already\u3000radioing\u3000the\u3000agents\u3000outside\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000them\u3000off\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000perimeter\u3000and\u3000sending\u3000them\u3000to\u3000their\u3000patrol\u3000cars\u3000in\u3000pursuit\uff1b\u3000all\u3000the\u3000while\u3000broadcasting\u3000the\u3000truck’s\u3000changing\u3000location\u3000like\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000bizarre\u3000play\u2026by\u2026play\u3002
\nIt’s\u3000over\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000knew\u3002\u3000His\u3000men\u3000w \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n y\u2026play\u3002
\nIt’s\u3000over\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000knew\u3002\u3000His\u3000men\u3000would\u3000have\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000surrounded\u3000within\u3000minutes\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000not\u3000going\u3000anywhere\u3002
\nStowing\u3000his\u3000weapon\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000exited\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000room\u3000and\u3000radioed\u3000Collet\u3002\u3000\u3003Bring\u3000my\u3000car\u3000around\u3002\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000be\u3000there\u3000when\u3000we\u3000make\u3000the\u3000arrest\u3002\u3003
\nAs\u3000Fache\u3000jogged\u3000back\u3000down\u3000the\u3000length\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000even\u3000survived\u3000the\u3000fall\u3002
\nNot\u3000that\u3000it\u3000mattered\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000ran\u3002\u3000Guilty\u3000as\u3000charged\u3002
\n\u3000
\nOnly\u3000fifteen\u3000yards\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000room\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\uff1b\u3000their\u3000backs\u3000pressed\u3000to\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000large\u3000partitions\u3000that\u3000hid\u3000the\u3000bathrooms\u3000from\u3000the\u3000gallery\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000barely\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000themselves\u3000before\u3000Fache\u3000had\u3000darted\u3000past\u3000them\uff1b\u3000gun\u3000drawn\uff1b\u3000and\u3000disappeared\u3000into\u3000the\u3000bathroom\u3002
\nThe\u3000last\u3000sixty\u3000seconds\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000blur\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000been\u3000standing\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000men’s\u3000room\u3000refusing\u3000to\u3000run\u3000from\u3000a\u3000crime\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000mit\uff1b\u3000when\u3000Sophie\u3000began\u3000eyeing\u3000the\u3000plate\u2026glass\u3000window\u3000and\u3000examining\u3000the\u3000alarm\u3000mesh\u3000running\u3000through\u3000it\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000peered\u3000downward\u3000into\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000measuring\u3000the\u3000drop\u3002
\n\u3003With\u3000a\u3000little\u3000aim\uff1b\u3000you\u3000can\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002
\nAim\uff1f\u3000Uneasy\uff1b\u3000he\u3000peered\u3000out\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000room\u3000window\u3002
\nUp\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000twin\u2026bed\u3000eighteen\u2026wheeler\u3000was\u3000headed\u3000for\u3000the\u3000stoplight\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000window\u3002\u3000Stretched\u3000across\u3000the\u3000truck’s\u3000massive\u3000cargo\u3000bay\u3000was\u3000a\u3000blue\u3000vinyl\u3000tarp\uff1b\u3000loosely\u3000covering\u3000the\u3000truck’s\u3000load\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000hoped\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000not\u3000thinking\u3000what\u3000she\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000thinking\u3002
\n\u3003Sophie\uff1b\u3000there’s\u3000no\u3000way\u3000I’m\u3000jump\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003Take\u3000out\u3000the\u3000tracking\u3000dot\u3002\u3003
\nBewildered\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000fumbled\u3000in\u3000his\u3000pocket\u3000until\u3000he\u3000found\u3000the\u3000tiny\u3000metallic\u3000disk\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000took\u3000it\u3000from\u3000him\u3000and\u3000strode\u3000immediately\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sink\u3002\u3000She\u3000grabbed\u3000a\u3000thick\u3000bar\u3000of\u3000soap\uff1b\u3000placed\u3000the\u3000tracking\u3000dot\u3000on\u3000top\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000used\u3000her\u3000thumb\u3000to\u3000push\u3000the\u3000disk\u3000down\u3000hard\u3000into\u3000the\u3000bar\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000disk\u3000sank\u3000into\u3000the\u3000soft\u3000surface\uff1b\u3000she\u3000pinched\u3000the\u3000hole\u3000closed\uff1b\u3000firmly\u3000embedding\u3000the\u3000device\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bar\u3002
\nHanding\u3000the\u3000bar\u3000to\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000retrieved\u3000a\u3000heavy\uff1b\u3000cylindrical\u3000trash\u3000can\u3000from\u3000under\u3000the\u3000sinks\u3002\u3000Before\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000protest\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000ran\u3000at\u3000the\u3000window\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000can\u3000before\u3000her\u3000like\u3000a\u3000battering\u3000ram\u3002\u3000Driving\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000trash\u3000can\u3000into\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000window\uff1b\u3000she\u3000shattered\u3000the\u3000glass\u3002
\nAlarms\u3000erupted\u3000overhead\u3000at\u3000earsplitting\u3000decibel\u3000levels\u3002
\n\u3003Give\u3000me\u3000the\u3000soap\uff01\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000yelled\uff1b\u3000barely\u3000audible\u3000over\u3000the\u3000alarm\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000thrust\u3000the\u3000bar\u3000into\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002
\nPalming\u3000the\u3000soap\uff1b\u3000she\u3000peered\u3000out\u3000the\u3000shattered\u3000window\u3000at\u3000the\u3000eighteen\u2026wheeler\u3000idling\u3000below\u3002\u3000The\u3000target\u3000was\u3000plenty\u3000big\u2014an\u3000expansive\uff1b\u3000stationary\u3000tarp\u2014and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000less\u3000than\u3000ten\u3000feet\u3000from\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000building\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000traffic\u3000lights\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000change\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000took\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\u3000and\u3000lobbed\u3000the\u3000bar\u3000of\u3000soap\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000night\u3002
\nThe\u3000soap\u3000plummeted\u3000downward\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000landing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tarp\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sliding\u3000downward\u3000into\u3000the\u3000cargo\u3000bay\u3000just\u3000as\u3000the\u3000traffic\u3000light\u3000turned\u3000green\u3002
\n\u3003Congratulations\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000dragging\u3000him\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000just\u3000escaped\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3002\u3003
\nFleeing\u3000the\u3000men’s\u3000room\uff1b\u3000they\u3000moved\u3000into\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3000just\u3000as\u3000Fache\u3000rushed\u3000past\u3002
\n\u3000
\nNow\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000alarm\u3000silenced\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000DCPJ\u3000sirens\u3000tearing\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3002\u3000A\u3000police\u3000exodus\u3002\u3000Fache\u3000had\u3000hurried\u3000off\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\u3000deserted\u3002
\n\u3003There’s\u3000an\u3000emergency\u3000stairwell\u3000about\u3000fifty\u3000meters\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\u3000that\u3000the\u3000guards\u3000are\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000perimeter\uff1b\u3000we\u3000can\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000decided\u3000not\u3000to\u3000say\u3000another\u3000word\u3000all\u3000evening\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000was\u3000clearly\u3000a\u3000hell\u3000of\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000smarter\u3000than\u3000he\u3000was\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300019
\n
\nThe\u3000Church\u3000of\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\uff1b\u3000it\u3000is\u3000said\uff1b\u3000has\u3000the\u3000most\u3000eccentric\u3000history\u3000of\u3000any\u3000building\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3002\u3000Built\u3000over\u3000the\u3000ruins\u3000of\u3000an\u3000ancient\u3000temple\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Egyptian\u3000goddess\u3000Isis\uff1b\u3000the\u3000church\u3000possesses\u3000an\u3000architectural\u3000footprint\u3000matching\u3000that\u3000of\u3000Notre\u3000Dame\u3000to\u3000within\u3000inches\u3002\u3000The\u3000sanctuary\u3000has\u3000played\u3000host\u3000to\u3000the\u3000baptisms\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Marquis\u3000de\u3000Sade\u3000and\u3000Baudelaire\uff1b\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000the\u3000marriage\u3000of\u3000Victor\u3000Hugo\u3002\u3000The\u3000attached\u3000seminary\u3000has\u3000a\u3000well\u2026documented\u3000history\u3000of\u3000unorthodoxy\u3000and\u3000was\u3000once\u3000the\u3000clandestine\u3000meeting\u3000hall\u3000for\u3000numerous\u3000secret\u3000societies\u3002
\nTonight\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cavernous\u3000nave\u3000of\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\u3000was\u3000as\u3000silent\u3000as\u3000a\u3000tomb\uff1b\u3000the\u3000only\u3000hint\u3000of\u3000life\u3000the\u3000faint\u3000smell\u3000of\u3000incense\u3000from\u3000mass\u3000earlier\u3000that\u3000evening\u3002\u3000Silas\u3000sensed\u3000an\u3000uneasiness\u3000in\u3000Sister\u3000Sandrine’s\u3000demeanor\u3000as\u3000she\u3000led\u3000him\u3000into\u3000the\u3000sanctuary\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000not\u3000surprised\u3000by\u3000this\u3002\u3000Silas\u3000was\u3000accustomed\u3000to\u3000people\u3000being\u3000unfortable\u3000with\u3000his\u3000appearance\u3002
\n\u3003You’re\u3000an\u3000American\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003French\u3000by\u3000birth\uff1b\u3003\u3000Silas\u3000responded\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000had\u3000my\u3000calling\u3000in\u3000Spain\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000now\u3000study\u3000in\u3000the\u3000United\u3000States\u3002\u3003
\nSister\u3000Sandrine\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000a\u3000small\u3000woman\u3000with\u3000quiet\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000you\u3000have\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000realize\u3000this\u3000is\u3000almost\u3000a\u3000sin\u3000in\u3000itself\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003She\u3000is\u3000more\u3000beautiful\u3000by\u3000day\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000am\u3000certain\u3002\u3000Nonetheless\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3000grateful\u3000that\u3000you\u3000would\u3000provide\u3000me\u3000this\u3000opportunity\u3000tonight\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000abb\u00e9\u3000requested\u3000it\u3002\u3000You\u3000obviously\u3000have\u3000powerful\u3000friends\u3002\u3003
\nYou\u3000have\u3000no\u3000idea\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000thought\u3002
\nAs\u3000he\u3000followed\u3000Sister\u3000Sandrine\u3000down\u3000the\u3000main\u3000aisle\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000by\u3000the\u3000austerity\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sanctuary\u3002\u3000Unlike\u3000Notre\u3000Dame\u3000with\u3000its\u3000colorful\u3000frescoes\uff1b\u3000gilded\u3000altar\u2026work\uff1b\u3000and\u3000warm\u3000wood\uff1b\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\u3000was\u3000stark\u3000and\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000conveying\u3000an\u3000almost\u3000barren\u3000quality\u3000reminiscent\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ascetic\u3000cathedrals\u3000of\u3000Spain\u3002\u3000The\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000decor\u3000made\u3000the\u3000interior\u3000look\u3000even\u3000more\u3000expansive\uff1b\u3000and\u3000as\u3000Silas\u3000gazed\u3000up\u3000into\u3000the\u3000soaring\u3000ribbed\u3000vault\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000he\u3000imagined\u3000he\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000hull\u3000of\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000overturned\u3000ship\u3002
\nA\u3000fitting\u3000image\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3002\u3000The\u3000brotherhood’s\u3000ship\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000be\u3000capsized\u3000forever\u3002\u3000Feeling\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000work\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000wished\u3000Sister\u3000Sandrine\u3000would\u3000leave\u3000him\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000a\u3000small\u3000woman\u3000whom\u3000Silas\u3000could\u3000incapacitate\u3000easily\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000had\u3000vowed\u3000not\u3000to\u3000use\u3000force\u3000unless\u3000absolutely\u3000necessary\u3002\u3000She\u3000is\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cloth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000is\u3000not\u3000her\u3000fault\u3000the\u3000brotherhood\u3000chose\u3000her\u3000church\u3000as\u3000a\u3000hiding\u3000place\u3000for\u3000their\u3000keystone\u3002\u3000She\u3000should\u3000not\u3000be\u3000punished\u3000for\u3000the\u3000sins\u3000of\u3000others\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000am\u3000embarrassed\uff1b\u3000Sister\uff1b\u3000that\u3000you\u3000were\u3000awoken\u3000on\u3000my\u3000behalf\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Not\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000You\u3000are\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3000a\u3000short\u3000time\u3002\u3000You\u3000should\u3000not\u3000miss\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\u3002\u3000Are\u3000your\u3000interests\u3000in\u3000the\u3000church\u3000more\u3000architectural\u3000or\u3000historical\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Actually\uff1b\u3000Sister\uff1b\u3000my\u3000interests\u3000are\u3000spiritual\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000pleasant\u3000laugh\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000goes\u3000without\u3000saying\u3002\u3000I\u3000simply\u3000wondered\u3000where\u3000to\u3000begin\u3000your\u3000tour\u3002\u3003
\nSilas\u3000felt\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000focus\u3000on\u3000the\u3000altar\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000tour\u3000is\u3000unnecessary\u3002\u3000You\u3000have\u3000been\u3000more\u3000than\u3000kind\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u3000show\u3000myself\u3000around\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It\u3000is\u3000no\u3000trouble\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003After\u3000all\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3000awake\u3002\u3003
\nSilas\u3000stopped\u3000walking\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000front\u3000pew\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000altar\u3000was\u3000only\u3000fifteen\u3000yards\u3000away\u3002\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000massive\u3000body\u3000fully\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000small\u3000woman\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000could\u3000sense\u3000her\u3000recoil\u3000as\u3000she\u3000gazed\u3000up\u3000into\u3000his\u3000red\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000it\u3000does\u3000not\u3000seem\u3000too\u3000rude\uff1b\u3000Sister\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3000not\u3000accustomed\u3000to\u3000simply\u3000walking\u3000into\u3000a\u3000house\u3000of\u3000God\u3000and\u3000taking\u3000a\u3000tour\u3002\u3000Would\u3000you\u3000mind\u3000if\u3000I\u3000took\u3000some\u3000time\u3000alone\u3000to\u3000pray\u3000before\u3000I\u3000look\u3000around\uff1f\u3003
\nSister\u3000Sandrine\u3000hesitated\u3002\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3000I\u3000shall\u3000wait\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000church\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nSilas\u3000put\u3000a\u3000soft\u3000but\u3000heavy\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3000and\u3000peered\u3000down\u3002\u3000\u3003Sister\uff1b\u3000I\u3000feel\u3000guilty\u3000already\u3000for\u3000having\u3000awoken\u3000you\u3002\u3000To\u3000ask\u3000you\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000awake\u3000is\u3000too\u3000much\u3002\u3000Please\uff1b\u3000you\u3000should\u3000return\u3000to\u3000bed\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u3000enjoy\u3000your\u3000sanctuary\u3000and\u3000then\u3000let\u3000myself\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000looked\u3000uneasy\u3002\u3000\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000sure\u3000you\u3000won’t\u3000feel\u3000abandoned\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Not\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000Prayer\u3000is\u3000a\u3000solitary\u3000joy\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003As\u3000you\u3000wish\u3002\u3003
\nSilas\u3000took\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000from\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000\u3003Sleep\u3000well\uff1b\u3000Sister\u3002\u3000May\u3000the\u3000peace\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Lord\u3000be\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000also\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3003\u3000Sister\u3000Sandrine\u3000headed\u3000for\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\u3000be\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000door\u3000closes\u3000tightly\u3000on\u3000your\u3000way\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000will\u3000be\u3000sure\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3003\u3000Silas\u3000watched\u3000her\u3000climb\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000knelt\u3000in\u3000the\u3000front\u3000pew\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000the\u3000cilice\u3000cut\u3000into\u3000his\u3000leg\u3002
\nDear\u3000God\uff1b\u3000I\u3000offer\u3000up\u3000to\u3000you\u3000this\u3000work\u3000I\u3000do\u3000today\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCrouching\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3000of\u3000the\u3000choir\u3000balcony\u3000high\u3000above\u3000the\u3000altar\uff1b\u3000Sister\u3000Sandrine\u3000peered\u3000silently\u3000through\u3000the\u3000balustrade\u3000at\u3000the\u3000cloaked\u3000monk\u3000kneeling\u3000alone\u3002\u3000The\u3000sudden\u3000dread\u3000in\u3000her\u3000soul\u3000made\u3000it\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000still\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000fleeting\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000this\u3000mysterious\u3000visitor\u3000could\u3000be\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000they\u3000had\u3000warned\u3000her\u3000about\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000tonight\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000out\u3000the\u3000orders\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000holding\u3000all\u3000these\u3000years\u3002\u3000She\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000there\u3000in\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3000and\u3000watch\u3000his\u3000every\u3000move\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300020
\n
\nEmerging\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shadows\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000moved\u3000stealthily\u3000up\u3000the\u3000deserted\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\u3000corridor\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000emergency\u3000exit\u3000stairwell\u3002
\nAs\u3000he\u3000moved\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000he\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000assemble\u3000a\u3000jigsaw\u3000puzzle\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dark\u3002\u3000The\u3000newest\u3000aspect\u3000of\u3000this\u3000mystery\u3000was\u3000a\u3000deeply\u3000troubling\u3000one\uff1a\u3000The\u3000captain\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Judicial\u3000Police\u3000is\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000frame\u3000me\u3000for\u3000murder
\n\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000think\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000maybe\u3000Fache\u3000wrote\u3000that\u3000message\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000turn\u3002\u3000\u3003Impossible\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000wasn’t\u3000so\u3000sure\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000seems\u3000pretty\u3000intent\u3000on\u3000making\u3000me\u3000look\u3000guilty\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000writing\u3000my\u3000name\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000would\u3000help\u3000his\u3000case\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000Fibonacci\u3000sequence\uff1f\u3000The\u3000P\u3002S\u3002\uff1f\u3000All\u3000the\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000and\u3000goddess\u3000symbolism\uff1f\u3000That\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000was\u3000right\u3002\u3000The\u3000symbolism\u3000of\u3000the\u3000clues\u3000meshed\u3000too\u3000perfectly\u2014the\u3000pentacle\uff1b\u3000The\u3000Vitruvian\u3000Man\uff1b\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\uff1b\u3000the\u3000goddess\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000the\u3000Fibonacci\u3000sequence\u3002\u3000A\u3000coherent\u3000symbolic\u3000set\uff1b\u3000as\u3000iconographers\u3000would\u3000call\u3000it\u3002\u3000All\u3000inextricably\u3000tied\u3002
\n\u3003And\u3000his\u3000phone\u3000call\u3000to\u3000me\u3000this\u3000afternoon\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000added\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000said\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000something\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000certain\u3000his\u3000message\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000was\u3000his\u3000fin \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003And\u3000his\u3000phone\u3000call\u3000to\u3000me\u3000this\u3000afternoon\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000added\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000said\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000something\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000certain\u3000his\u3000message\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000was\u3000his\u3000final\u3000effort\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000something\u3000important\uff1b\u3000something\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000you\u3000could\u3000help\u3000me\u3000understand\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000O\uff1b\u3000Draconian\u3000devil\uff01\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000lame\u3000saint\u3002\uff01\u3000He\u3000wished\u3000he\u3000could\u3000prehend\u3000the\u3000message\uff1b\u3000both\u3000for\u3000Sophie’s\u3000well\u2026being\u3000and\u3000for\u3000his\u3000own\u3002\u3000Things\u3000had\u3000definitely\u3000gotten\u3000worse\u3000since\u3000he\u3000first\u3000laid\u3000eyes\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cryptic\u3000words\u3002\u3000His\u3000fake\u3000leap\u3000out\u3000the\u3000bathroom\u3000window\u3000was\u3000not\u3000going\u3000to\u3000help\u3000Langdon’s\u3000popularity\u3000with\u3000Fache\u3000one\u3000bit\u3002\u3000Somehow\u3000he\u3000doubted\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000of\u3000the\u3000French\u3000police\u3000would\u3000see\u3000the\u3000humor\u3000in\u3000chasing\u3000down\u3000and\u3000arresting\u3000a\u3000bar\u3000of\u3000soap\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000doorway\u3000isn’t\u3000much\u3000farther\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000there’s\u3000a\u3000possibility\u3000that\u3000the\u3000numbers\u3000in\u3000your\u3000grandfather’s\u3000message\u3000hold\u3000the\u3000key\u3000to\u3000understanding\u3000the\u3000other\u3000lines\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000once\u3000worked\u3000on\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000Baconian\u3000manuscripts\u3000that\u3000contained\u3000epigraphical\u3000ciphers\u3000in\u3000which\u3000certain\u3000lines\u3000of\u3000code\u3000were\u3000clues\u3000as\u3000to\u3000how\u3000to\u3000decipher\u3000the\u3000other\u3000lines\u3002
\n\u3003I’ve\u3000been\u3000thinking\u3000about\u3000the\u3000numbers\u3000all\u3000night\u3002\u3000Sums\uff1b\u3000quotients\uff1b\u3000products\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000see\u3000anything\u3002\u3000Mathematically\uff1b\u3000they’re\u3000arranged\u3000at\u3000random\u3002\u3000Cryptographic\u3000gibberish\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000yet\u3000they’re\u3000all\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Fibonacci\u3000sequence\u3002\u3000That\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000coincidence\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000not\u3002\u3000Using\u3000Fibonacci\u3000numbers\u3000was\u3000my\u3000grandfather’s\u3000way\u3000of\u3000waving\u3000another\u3000flag\u3000at\u3000me\u2014like\u3000writing\u3000the\u3000message\u3000in\u3000English\uff1b\u3000or\u3000arranging\u3000himself\u3000like\u3000my\u3000favorite\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000art\uff1b\u3000or\u3000drawing\u3000a\u3000pentacle\u3000on\u3000himself\u3002\u3000All\u3000of\u3000it\u3000was\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000my\u3000attention\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000pentacle\u3000has\u3000meaning\u3000to\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000get\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000you\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000pentacle\u3000was\u3000a\u3000special\u3000symbol\u3000between\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3000and\u3000me\u3000when\u3000I\u3000was\u3000growing\u3000up\u3002\u3000We\u3000used\u3000to\u3000play\u3000Tarot\u3000cards\u3000for\u3000fun\uff1b\u3000and\u3000my\u3000indicator\u3000card\u3000always\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000to\u3000be\u3000from\u3000the\u3000suit\u3000of\u3000pentacles\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000he\u3000stacked\u3000the\u3000deck\uff1b\u3000but\u3000pentacles\u3000got\u3000to\u3000be\u3000our\u3000little\u3000joke\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000chill\u3002\u3000They\u3000played\u3000Tarot\uff1f\u3000The\u3000medieval\u3000Italian\u3000card\u3000game\u3000was\u3000so\u3000replete\u3000with\u3000hidden\u3000heretical\u3000symbolism\u3000that\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000dedicated\u3000an\u3000entire\u3000chapter\u3000in\u3000his\u3000new\u3000manuscript\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Tarot\u3002\u3000The\u3000game’s\u3000twenty\u2026two\u3000cards\u3000bore\u3000names\u3000like\u3000The\u3000Female\u3000Pope\uff1b\u3000The\u3000Empress\uff1b\u3000and\u3000The\u3000Star\u3002\u3000Originally\uff1b\u3000Tarot\u3000had\u3000been\u3000devised\u3000as\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000means\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000along\u3000ideologies\u3000banned\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Church\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000Tarot’s\u3000mystical\u3000qualities\u3000were\u3000passed\u3000on\u3000by\u3000modern\u3000fortune\u2026tellers\u3002
\nThe\u3000Tarot\u3000indicator\u3000suit\u3000for\u3000feminine\u3000divinity\u3000is\u3000pentacles\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000realizing\u3000that\u3000if\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000been\u3000stacking\u3000his\u3000granddaughter’s\u3000deck\u3000for\u3000fun\uff1b\u3000pentacles\u3000was\u3000an\u3000apropos\u3000inside\u3000joke\u3002
\nThey\u3000arrived\u3000at\u3000the\u3000emergency\u3000stairwell\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000carefully\u3000pulled\u3000open\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000No\u3000alarm\u3000sounded\u3002\u3000Only\u3000the\u3000doors\u3000to\u3000the\u3000outside\u3000were\u3000wired\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000led\u3000Langdon\u3000down\u3000a\u3000tight\u3000set\u3000of\u3000switchback\u3000stairs\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000level\uff1b\u3000picking\u3000up\u3000speed\u3000as\u3000they\u3000went\u3002
\n\u3003Your\u3000grandfather\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000hurrying\u3000behind\u3000her\uff1b\u3000\u3003when\u3000he\u3000told\u3000you\u3000about\u3000the\u3000pentacle\uff1b\u3000did\u3000he\u3000mention\u3000goddess\u3000worship\u3000or\u3000any\u3000resentment\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Catholic\u3000Church\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000more\u3000interested\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mathematics\u3000of\u3000it\u2014the\u3000Divine\u3000Proportion\uff1b\u3000PHI\uff1b\u3000Fibonacci\u3000sequences\uff1b\u3000that\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000thing\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000grandfather\u3000taught\u3000you\u3000about\u3000the\u3000number\u3000PHI\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3002\u3000The\u3000Divine\u3000Proportion\u3002\u3003\u3000Her\u3000expression\u3000turned\u3000sheepish\u3002\u3000\u3003In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000he\u3000used\u3000to\u3000joke\u3000that\u3000I\u3000was\u3000half\u3000divine\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000you\u3000know\uff1b\u3000because\u3000of\u3000the\u3000letters\u3000in\u3000my\u3000name\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000considered\u3000it\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000and\u3000then\u3000groaned\u3002
\ns\u2026o\u2026PHI\u2026e\u3002
\nStill\u3000descending\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000refocused\u3000on\u3000PHI\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000clues\u3000were\u3000even\u3000more\u3000consistent\u3000than\u3000he\u3000had\u3000first\u3000imagined\u3002
\nDa\u3000Vinci\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000Fibonacci\u3000numbers\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000pentacle\u3002
\nIncredibly\uff1b\u3000all\u3000of\u3000these\u3000things\u3000were\u3000connected\u3000by\u3000a\u3000single\u3000concept\u3000so\u3000fundamental\u3000to\u3000art\u3000history\u3000that\u3000Langdon\u3000often\u3000spent\u3000several\u3000class\u3000periods\u3000on\u3000the\u3000topic\u3002
\nPHI\u3002
\nHe\u3000felt\u3000himself\u3000suddenly\u3000reeling\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Harvard\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000his\u3000\u3003Symbolism\u3000in\u3000Art\u3003\u3000class\uff1b\u3000writing\u3000his\u3000favorite\u3000number\u3000on\u3000the\u3000chalkboard\u3002
\n
\n1\u3002618
\n
\nLangdon\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000face\u3000his\u3000sea\u3000of\u3000eager\u3000students\u3002\u3000\u3003Who\u3000can\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000what\u3000this\u3000number\u3000is\uff1f\u3003
\nA\u3000long\u2026legged\u3000math\u3000major\u3000in\u3000back\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000the\u3000number\u3000PHI\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000pronounced\u3000it\u3000fee\u3002
\n\u3003Nice\u3000job\uff1b\u3000Stettner\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Everyone\uff1b\u3000meet\u3000PHI\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Not\u3000to\u3000be\u3000confused\u3000with\u3000PI\uff1b\u3003\u3000Stettner\u3000added\uff1b\u3000grinning\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000we\u3000mathematicians\u3000like\u3000to\u3000say\uff1a\u3000PHI\u3000is\u3000one\u3000H\u3000of\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000cooler\u3000than\u3000PI\uff01\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000laughed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000nobody\u3000else\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000get\u3000the\u3000joke\u3002
\nStettner\u3000slumped\u3002
\n\u3003This\u3000number\u3000PHI\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003one\u2026point\u2026six\u2026one\u2026eight\uff1b\u3000is\u3000a\u3000very\u3000important\u3000number\u3000in\u3000art\u3002\u3000Who\u3000can\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000why\uff1f\u3003
\nStettner\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000redeem\u3000himself\u3002\u3000\u3003Because\u3000it’s\u3000so\u3000pretty\uff1f\u3003
\nEveryone\u3000laughed\u3002
\n\u3003Actually\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Stettner’s\u3000right\u3000again\u3002\u3000PHI\u3000is\u3000generally\u3000considered\u3000the\u3000most\u3000beautiful\u3000number\u3000in\u3000the\u3000universe\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000laughter\u3000abruptly\u3000stopped\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Stettner\u3000gloated\u3002
\nAs\u3000Langdon\u3000loaded\u3000his\u3000slide\u3000projector\uff1b\u3000he\u3000explained\u3000that\u3000the\u3000number\u3000PHI\u3000was\u3000derived\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Fibonacci\u3000sequence\u2014a\u3000progression\u3000famous\u3000not\u3000only\u3000because\u3000the\u3000sum\u3000of\u3000adjacent\u3000terms\u3000equaled\u3000the\u3000next\u3000term\uff1b\u3000but\u3000because\u3000the\u3000quotients\u3000of\u3000adjacent\u3000terms\u3000possessed\u3000the\u3000astonishing\u3000property\u3000of\u3000approaching\u3000the\u3000number\u30001\u3002618\u2014PHI\uff01
\nDespite\u3000PHI’s\u3000seemingly\u3000mystical\u3000mathematical\u3000origins\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000explained\uff1b\u3000the\u3000truly\u3000mind\u2026boggling\u3000aspect\u3000of\u3000PHI\u3000was\u3000its\u3000role\u3000as\u3000a\u3000fundamental\u3000building\u3000block\u3000in\u3000nature\u3002\u3000Plants\uff1b\u3000animals\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000human\u3000beings\u3000all\u3000possessed\u3000dimensional\u3000properties\u3000that\u3000adhered\u3000with\u3000eerie\u3000exactitude\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ratio\u3000of\u3000PHI\u3000to\u30001\u3002
\n\u3003PHI’s\u3000ubiquity\u3000in\u3000nature\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000killing\u3000the\u3000lights\uff1b\u3000\u3003clearly\u3000exceeds\u3000coincidence\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000the\u3000ancients\u3000assumed\u3000the\u3000number\u3000PHI\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000preordained\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Creator\u3000of\u3000the\u3000universe\u3002\u3000Early\u3000scientists\u3000heralded\u3000one\u2026point\u2026six\u2026one\u2026eight\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Divine\u3000Proportion\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Hold\u3000on\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000a\u3000young\u3000woman\u3000in\u3000the\u3000front\u3000row\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000a\u3000bio\u3000major\u3000and\u3000I’ve\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000this\u3000Divine\u3000Proportion\u3000in\u3000nature\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000\u3003Ever\u3000study\u3000the\u3000relationship\u3000between\u3000females\u3000and\u3000males\u3000in\u3000a\u3000honeybee\u3000munity\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Sure\u3002\u3000The\u3000female\u3000bees\u3000always\u3000outnumber\u3000the\u3000male\u3000bees\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Correct\u3002\u3000And\u3000did\u3000you\u3000know\u3000that\u3000if\u3000you\u3000divide\u3000the\u3000number\u3000of\u3000female\u3000bees\u3000by\u3000the\u3000number\u3000of\u3000male\u3000bees\u3000in\u3000any\u3000beehive\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\uff1b\u3000you\u3000always\u3000get\u3000the\u3000same\u3000number\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000do\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Yup\u3002\u3000PHI\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000girl\u3000gaped\u3002\u3000\u3003NO\u3000WAY\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003Way\uff01\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000fired\u3000back\uff1b\u3000smiling\u3000as\u3000he\u3000projected\u3000a\u3000slide\u3000of\u3000a\u3000spiral\u3000seashell\u3002\u3000\u3003Recognize\u3000this\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000nautilus\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000bio\u3000major\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000cephalopod\u3000mollusk\u3000that\u3000pumps\u3000gas\u3000into\u3000its\u3000chambered\u3000shell\u3000to\u3000adjust\u3000its\u3000buoyancy\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Correct\u3002\u3000And\u3000can\u3000you\u3000guess\u3000what\u3000the\u3000ratio\u3000is\u3000of\u3000each\u3000spiral’s\u3000diameter\u3000to\u3000the\u3000next\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000girl\u3000looked\u3000uncertain\u3000as\u3000she\u3000eyed\u3000the\u3000concentric\u3000arcs\u3000of\u3000the\u3000nautilus\u3000spiral\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003PHI\u3002\u3000The\u3000Divine\u3000Proportion\u3002\u3000One\u2026point\u2026six\u2026one\u2026eight\u3000to\u3000one\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000girl\u3000looked\u3000amazed\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000advanced\u3000to\u3000the\u3000next\u3000slide\u2014a\u3000close\u2026up\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sunflower’s\u3000seed\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Sunflower\u3000seeds\u3000grow\u3000in\u3000opposing\u3000spirals\u3002\u3000Can\u3000you\u3000guess\u3000the\u3000ratio\u3000of\u3000each\u3000rotation’s\u3000diameter\u3000to\u3000the\u3000next\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003PHI\uff1f\u3003\u3000everyone\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003Bingo\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000began\u3000racing\u3000through\u3000slides\u3000now\u2014spiraled\u3000pinecone\u3000petals\uff1b\u3000leaf\u3000arrangement\u3000on\u3000plant\u3000stalks\uff1b\u3000insect\u3000segmentation\u2014all\u3000displaying\u3000astonishing\u3000obedience\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Divine\u3000Proportion\u3002
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3000amazing\uff01\u3003\u3000someone\u3000cried\u3000out\u3002
\n\u3003Yeah\uff1b\u3003\u3000someone\u3000else\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000what\u3000does\u3000it\u3000have\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000art\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Aha\uff01\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Glad\u3000you\u3000asked\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000pulled\u3000up\u3000another\u3000slide\u2014a\u3000pale\u3000yellow\u3000parchment\u3000displaying\u3000Leonardo\u3000da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000famous\u3000male\u3000nude\u2014The\u3000Vitruvian\u3000Man\u2014named\u3000for\u3000Marcus\u3000Vitruvius\uff1b\u3000the\u3000brilliant\u3000Roman\u3000architect\u3000who\u3000praised\u3000the\u3000Divine\u3000Proportion\u3000in\u3000his\u3000text\u3000De\u3000Architectura\u3002
\n\u3003Nobody\u3000understood\u3000better\u3000than\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000the\u3000divine\u3000structure\u3000of\u3000the\u3000human\u3000body\u3002\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000actually\u3000exhumed\u3000corpses\u3000to\u3000measure\u3000the\u3000exact\u3000proportions\u3000of\u3000human\u3000bone\u3000structure\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000the\u3000first\u3000to\u3000show\u3000that\u3000the\u3000human\u3000body\u3000is\u3000literally\u3000made\u3000of\u3000building\u3000blocks\u3000whose\u3000proportional\u3000ratios\u3000always\u3000equal\u3000PHI\u3002\u3003
\nEveryone\u3000in\u3000class\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000dubious\u3000look\u3002
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000believe\u3000me\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000challenged\u3002\u3000\u3003Next\u3000time\u3000you’re\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shower\uff1b\u3000take\u3000a\u3000tape\u3000measure\u3002\u3003
\nA\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000football\u3000players\u3000snickered\u3002
\n\u3003Not\u3000just\u3000you\u3000insecure\u3000jocks\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000prompted\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000of\u3000you\u3002\u3000Guys\u3000and\u3000girls\u3002\u3000Try\u3000it\u3002\u3000Measure\u3000the\u3000distance\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tip\u3000of\u3000your\u3000head\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Then\u3000divide\u3000that\u3000by\u3000the\u3000distance\u3000from\u3000your\u3000belly\u3000button\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Guess\u3000what\u3000number\u3000you\u3000get\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Not\u3000PHI\uff01\u3003\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000jocks\u3000blurted\u3000out\u3000in\u3000disbelief\u3002
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000PHI\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003One\u2026point\u2026six\u2026one\u2026eight\u3002\u3000Want\u3000another\u3000example\uff1f\u3000Measure\u3000the\u3000distance\u3000from\u3000your\u3000shoulder\u3000to\u3000your\u3000fingertips\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000divide\u3000it\u3000by\u3000the\u3000distance\u3000from\u3000your\u3000elbow\u3000to\u3000your\u3000fingertips\u3002\u3000PHI\u3000again\u3002\u3000Another\uff1f\u3000Hip\u3000to\u3000floor\u3000divided\u3000by\u3000knee\u3000to\u3000floor\u3002\u3000PHI\u3000again\u3002\u3000Finger\u3000joints\u3002\u3000Toes\u3002\u3000Spinal\u3000divisions\u3002\u3000PHI\u3002\u3000PHI\u3002\u3000PHI\u3002\u3000My\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000each\u3000of\u3000you\u3000is\u3000a\u3000walking\u3000tribute\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Divine\u3000Proportion\u3002\u3003
\nEven\u3000in\u3000the\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000see\u3000they\u3000were\u3000all\u3000astounded\u3002\u3000He\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000familiar\u3000warmth\u3000inside\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000why\u3000he\u3000taught\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000as\u3000you\u3000can\u3000see\uff1b\u3000the\u3000chaos\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world\u3000has\u3000an\u3000underlying\u3000order\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000ancients\u3000discovered\u3000PHI\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000certain\u3000they\u3000had\u3000stumbled\u3000across\u3000God’s\u3000building\u3000block\u3000for\u3000the\u3000world\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000worshipped\u3000Nature\u3000because\u3000of\u3000that\u3002\u3000And\u3000one\u3000can\u3000understand\u3000why\u3002\u3000God’s\u3000hand\u3000is\u3000evident\u3000in\u3000Nature\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000to\u3000this\u3000day\u3000there\u3000exist\u3000pagan\uff1b\u3000Mother\u3000Earth\u2026revering\u3000religions\u3002\u3000Many\u3000of\u3000us\u3000celebrate\u3000nature\u3000the\u3000way\u3000the\u3000pagans\u3000did\uff1b\u3000and\u3000don’t\u3000even\u3000know\u3000it\u3002\u3000May\u3000Day\u3000is\u3000a\u3000perfect\u3000example\uff1b\u3000the\u3000celebration\u3000of\u3000spring\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000earth\u3000ing\u3000back\u3000to\u3000life\u3000to\u3000produce\u3000he \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n on\u3000of\u3000spring\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000earth\u3000ing\u3000back\u3000to\u3000life\u3000to\u3000produce\u3000her\u3000bounty\u3002\u3000The\u3000mysterious\u3000magic\u3000inherent\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Divine\u3000Proportion\u3000was\u3000written\u3000at\u3000the\u3000beginning\u3000of\u3000time\u3002\u3000Man\u3000is\u3000simply\u3000playing\u3000by\u3000Nature’s\u3000rules\uff1b\u3000and\u3000because\u3000art\u3000is\u3000man’s\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000imitate\u3000the\u3000beauty\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Creator’s\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000you\u3000can\u3000imagine\u3000we\u3000might\u3000be\u3000seeing\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000instances\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Divine\u3000Proportion\u3000in\u3000art\u3000this\u3000semester\u3002\u3003
\nOver\u3000the\u3000next\u3000half\u3000hour\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000showed\u3000them\u3000slides\u3000of\u3000artwork\u3000by\u3000Michelangelo\uff1b\u3000Albrecht\u3000D\u00fcrer\uff1b\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\uff1b\u3000and\u3000many\u3000others\uff1b\u3000demonstrating\u3000each\u3000artist’s\u3000intentional\u3000and\u3000rigorous\u3000adherence\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Divine\u3000Proportion\u3000in\u3000the\u3000layout\u3000of\u3000his\u3000positions\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000unveiled\u3000PHI\u3000in\u3000the\u3000architectural\u3000dimensions\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Greek\u3000Parthenon\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pyramids\u3000of\u3000Egypt\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000the\u3000United\u3000Nations\u3000Building\u3000in\u3000New\u3000York\u3002\u3000PHI\u3000appeared\u3000in\u3000the\u3000organizational\u3000structures\u3000of\u3000Mozart’s\u3000sonatas\uff1b\u3000Beethoven’s\u3000Fifth\u3000Symphony\uff1b\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000the\u3000works\u3000of\u3000Bart\u00f3k\uff1b\u3000Debussy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Schubert\u3002\u3000The\u3000number\u3000PHI\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000told\u3000them\uff1b\u3000was\u3000even\u3000used\u3000by\u3000Stradivarius\u3000to\u3000calculate\u3000the\u3000exact\u3000placement\u3000of\u3000the\u3000f\u2026holes\u3000in\u3000the\u3000construction\u3000of\u3000his\u3000famous\u3000violins\u3002
\n\u3003In\u3000closing\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000walking\u3000to\u3000the\u3000chalkboard\uff1b\u3000\u3003we\u3000return\u3000to\u3000symbols\u3003\u3000He\u3000drew\u3000five\u3000intersecting\u3000lines\u3000that\u3000formed\u3000a\u3000five\u2026pointed\u3000star\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000symbol\u3000is\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000most\u3000powerful\u3000images\u3000you\u3000will\u3000see\u3000this\u3000term\u3002\u3000Formally\u3000known\u3000as\u3000a\u3000pentagram\u2014or\u3000pentacle\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000ancients\u3000called\u3000it\u2014this\u3000symbol\u3000is\u3000considered\u3000both\u3000divine\u3000and\u3000magical\u3000by\u3000many\u3000cultures\u3002\u3000Can\u3000anyone\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000why\u3000that\u3000might\u3000be\uff1f\u3003
\nStettner\uff1b\u3000the\u3000math\u3000major\uff1b\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003Because\u3000if\u3000you\u3000draw\u3000a\u3000pentagram\uff1b\u3000the\u3000lines\u3000automatically\u3000divide\u3000themselves\u3000into\u3000segments\u3000according\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Divine\u3000Proportion\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000kid\u3000a\u3000proud\u3000nod\u3002\u3000\u3003Nice\u3000job\u3002\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ratios\u3000of\u3000line\u3000segments\u3000in\u3000a\u3000pentacle\u3000all\u3000equal\u3000PHI\uff1b\u3000making\u3000this\u3000symbol\u3000the\u3000ultimate\u3000expression\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Divine\u3000Proportion\u3002\u3000For\u3000this\u3000reason\uff1b\u3000the\u3000five\u2026pointed\u3000star\u3000has\u3000always\u3000been\u3000the\u3000symbol\u3000for\u3000beauty\u3000and\u3000perfection\u3000associated\u3000with\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000girls\u3000in\u3000class\u3000beamed\u3002
\n\u3003One\u3000note\uff1b\u3000folks\u3002\u3000We’ve\u3000only\u3000touched\u3000on\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000today\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we’ll\u3000be\u3000seeing\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000more\u3000of\u3000him\u3000this\u3000semester\u3002\u3000Leonardo\u3000was\u3000a\u3000well\u2026documented\u3000devotee\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ancient\u3000ways\u3000of\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3002\u3000Tomorrow\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000show\u3000you\u3000his\u3000fresco\u3000The\u3000Last\u3000Supper\uff1b\u3000which\u3000is\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000most\u3000astonishing\u3000tributes\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u3000you\u3000will\u3000ever\u3000see\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You’re\u3000kidding\uff1b\u3000right\uff1f\u3003\u3000somebody\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000The\u3000Last\u3000Supper\u3000was\u3000about\u3000Jesus\uff01\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000winked\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000are\u3000symbols\u3000hidden\u3000in\u3000places\u3000you\u3000would\u3000never\u3000imagine\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3003e\u3000on\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000whispered\u3002\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000wrong\uff1f\u3000We’re\u3000almost\u3000there\u3002\u3000Hurry\uff01\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000glanced\u3000up\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000himself\u3000return\u3000from\u3000faraway\u3000thoughts\u3002\u3000He\u3000realized\u3000he\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000at\u3000a\u3000dead\u3000stop\u3000on\u3000the\u3000stairs\uff1b\u3000paralyzed\u3000by\u3000sudden\u3000revelation\u3002
\nO\uff1b\u3000Draconian\u3000devil\uff01\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000lame\u3000saint\uff01
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000back\u3000at\u3000him\u3002
\nIt\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000that\u3000simple\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\u3002
\nBut\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000of\u3000course\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3002
\nThere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bowels\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000with\u3000images\u3000of\u3000PHI\u3000and\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000swirling\u3000through\u3000his\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3000suddenly\u3000and\u3000unexpectedly\u3000deciphered\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000code\u3002
\n\u3003O\uff1b\u3000Draconian\u3000devil\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000lame\u3000saint\uff01\u3000It’s\u3000the\u3000simplest\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000code\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000stopped\u3000on\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000below\u3000him\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000up\u3000in\u3000confusion\u3002\u3000A\u3000code\uff1f\u3000She\u3000had\u3000been\u3000pondering\u3000the\u3000words\u3000all\u3000night\u3000and\u3000had\u3000not\u3000seen\u3000a\u3000code\u3002\u3000Especially\u3000a\u3000simple\u3000one\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000said\u3000it\u3000yourself\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon’s\u3000voice\u3000reverberated\u3000with\u3000excitement\u3002\u3000\u3003Fibonacci\u3000numbers\u3000only\u3000have\u3000meaning\u3000in\u3000their\u3000proper\u3000order\u3002\u3000Otherwise\u3000they’re\u3000mathematical\u3000gibberish\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000talking\u3000about\u3002\u3000The\u3000Fibonacci\u3000numbers\uff1f\u3000She\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000intended\u3000as\u3000nothing\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000means\u3000to\u3000get\u3000the\u3000Cryptography\u3000Department\u3000involved\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000They\u3000have\u3000another\u3000purpose\uff1f\u3000She\u3000plunged\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000into\u3000her\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000the\u3000printout\uff1b\u3000studying\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000message\u3000again\u3002
\n13\u20263\u20262\u202621\u20261\u20261\u20268\u20265
\nO\uff1b\u3000Draconian\u3000devil\uff01
\nOh\uff1b\u3000lame\u3000saint\uff01
\n\u3000
\nWhat\u3000about\u3000the\u3000numbers\uff1f
\n\u3003The\u3000scrambled\u3000Fibonacci\u3000sequence\u3000is\u3000a\u3000clue\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000the\u3000printout\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000numbers\u3000are\u3000a\u3000hint\u3000as\u3000to\u3000how\u3000to\u3000decipher\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000message\u3002\u3000He\u3000wrote\u3000the\u3000sequence\u3000out\u3000of\u3000order\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000us\u3000to\u3000apply\u3000the\u3000same\u3000concept\u3000to\u3000the\u3000text\u3002\u3000O\uff1b\u3000Draconian\u3000devil\uff1f\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000lame\u3000saint\uff1f\u3000Those\u3000lines\u3000mean\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000They\u3000are\u3000simply\u3000letters\u3000written\u3000out\u3000of\u3000order\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000needed\u3000only\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000to\u3000process\u3000Langdon’s\u3000implication\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000laughably\u3000simple\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000think\u3000this\u3000message\u3000is\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000une\u3000anagramme\uff1f\u3003\u3000She\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Like\u3000a\u3000word\u3000jumble\u3000from\u3000a\u3000newspaper\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000skepticism\u3000on\u3000Sophie’s\u3000face\u3000and\u3000certainly\u3000understood\u3002\u3000Few\u3000people\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000anagrams\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000being\u3000a\u3000trite\u3000modern\u3000amusement\uff1b\u3000had\u3000a\u3000rich\u3000history\u3000of\u3000sacred\u3000symbolism\u3002
\nThe\u3000mystical\u3000teachings\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Kabbala\u3000drew\u3000heavily\u3000on\u3000anagrams\u2014rearranging\u3000the\u3000letters\u3000of\u3000Hebrew\u3000words\u3000to\u3000derive\u3000new\u3000meanings\u3002\u3000French\u3000kings\u3000throughout\u3000the\u3000Renaissance\u3000were\u3000so\u3000convinced\u3000that\u3000anagrams\u3000held\u3000magic\u3000power\u3000that\u3000they\u3000appointed\u3000royal\u3000anagrammatists\u3000to\u3000help\u3000them\u3000make\u3000better\u3000decisions\u3000by\u3000analyzing\u3000words\u3000in\u3000important\u3000documents\u3002\u3000The\u3000Romans\u3000actually\u3000referred\u3000to\u3000the\u3000study\u3000of\u3000anagrams\u3000as\u3000ars\u3000magna\u2014\u3003the\u3000great\u3000art\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000locking\u3000eyes\u3000with\u3000her\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000grandfather’s\u3000meaning\u3000was\u3000right\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000us\u3000all\u3000along\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000left\u3000us\u3000more\u3000than\u3000enough\u3000clues\u3000to\u3000see\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nWithout\u3000another\u3000word\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000pulled\u3000a\u3000pen\u3000from\u3000his\u3000jacket\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000rearranged\u3000the\u3000letters\u3000in\u3000each\u3000line\u3002
\nO\uff1b\u3000Draconian\u3000devil\uff01\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000lame\u3000saint\uff01
\nwas\u3000a\u3000perfect\u3000anagram\u3000of\u3002\u3002\u3002
\nLeonardo\u3000da\u3000Vinci\uff01\u3000The\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\uff01
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300021
\n
\nThe\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3002
\nFor\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000exit\u3000stairwell\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000forgot\u3000all\u3000about\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3002
\nHer\u3000shock\u3000over\u3000the\u3000anagram\u3000was\u3000matched\u3000only\u3000by\u3000her\u3000embarrassment\u3000at\u3000not\u3000having\u3000deciphered\u3000the\u3000message\u3000herself\u3002\u3000Sophie’s\u3000expertise\u3000in\u3000plex\u3000cryptanalysis\u3000had\u3000caused\u3000her\u3000to\u3000overlook\u3000simplistic\u3000word\u3000games\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000should\u3000have\u3000seen\u3000it\u3002\u3000After\u3000all\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000no\u3000stranger\u3000to\u3000anagrams\u2014especially\u3000in\u3000English\u3002
\nWhen\u3000she\u3000was\u3000young\uff1b\u3000often\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000would\u3000use\u3000anagram\u3000games\u3000to\u3000hone\u3000her\u3000English\u3000spelling\u3002\u3000Once\u3000he\u3000had\u3000written\u3000the\u3000English\u3000word\u3000\u3003planets\u3003\u3000and\u3000told\u3000Sophie\u3000that\u3000an\u3000astonishing\u3000sixty\u2026two\u3000other\u3000English\u3000words\u3000of\u3000varying\u3000lengths\u3000could\u3000be\u3000formed\u3000using\u3000those\u3000same\u3000letters\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000spent\u3000three\u3000days\u3000with\u3000an\u3000English\u3000dictionary\u3000until\u3000she\u3000found\u3000them\u3000all\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000imagine\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000the\u3000printout\uff1b\u3000\u3003how\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3000created\u3000such\u3000an\u3000intricate\u3000anagram\u3000in\u3000the\u3000minutes\u3000before\u3000he\u3000died\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000explanation\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000realization\u3000made\u3000her\u3000feel\u3000even\u3000worse\u3002\u3000I\u3000should\u3000have\u3000seen\u3000this\uff01\u3000She\u3000now\u3000recalled\u3000that\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u2014a\u3000wordplay\u3000aficionado\u3000and\u3000art\u3000lover\u2014had\u3000entertained\u3000himself\u3000as\u3000a\u3000young\u3000man\u3000by\u3000creating\u3000anagrams\u3000of\u3000famous\u3000works\u3000of\u3000art\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000anagrams\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000him\u3000in\u3000trouble\u3000once\u3000when\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000a\u3000little\u3000girl\u3002\u3000While\u3000being\u3000interviewed\u3000by\u3000an\u3000American\u3000art\u3000magazine\uff1b\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000expressed\u3000his\u3000distaste\u3000for\u3000the\u3000modernist\u3000Cubist\u3000movement\u3000by\u3000noting\u3000that\u3000Picasso’s\u3000masterpiece\u3000Les\u3000Demoiselles\u3000d’Avignon\u3000was\u3000a\u3000perfect\u3000anagram\u3000of\u3000vile\u3000meaningless\u3000doodles\u3002\u3000Picasso\u3000fans\u3000were\u3000not\u3000amused\u3002
\n\u3003My\u3000grandfather\u3000probably\u3000created\u3000this\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3000anagram\u3000long\u3000ago\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000glancing\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000And\u3000tonight\u3000he\u3000was\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000use\u3000it\u3000as\u3000a\u3000makeshift\u3000code\u3002\u3000Her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000voice\u3000had\u3000called\u3000out\u3000from\u3000beyond\u3000with\u3000chilling\u3000precision\u3002
\nLeonardo\u3000da\u3000Vinci\uff01
\nThe\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\uff01
\nWhy\u3000his\u3000final\u3000words\u3000to\u3000her\u3000referenced\u3000the\u3000famous\u3000painting\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000could\u3000think\u3000of\u3000only\u3000one\u3000possibility\u3002\u3000A\u3000disturbing\u3000one\u3002
\nThose\u3000were\u3000not\u3000his\u3000final\u3000words\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3002
\nWas\u3000she\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000visit\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\uff1f\u3000Had\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000left\u3000her\u3000a\u3000message\u3000there\uff1f\u3000The\u3000idea\u3000seemed\u3000perfectly\u3000plausible\u3002\u3000After\u3000all\uff1b\u3000the\u3000famous\u3000painting\u3000hung\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Salle\u3000des\u3000Etats\u2014a\u3000private\u3000viewing\u3000chamber\u3000accessible\u3000only\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000now\u3000realized\uff1b\u3000the\u3000doors\u3000that\u3000opened\u3000into\u3000the\u3000chamber\u3000were\u3000situated\u3000only\u3000twenty\u3000meters\u3000from\u3000where\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000had\u3000been\u3000found\u3000dead\u3002
\nHe\u3000easily\u3000could\u3000have\u3000visited\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3000before\u3000he\u3000died\u3002
\nSophie\u3000gazed\u3000back\u3000up\u3000the\u3000emergency\u3000stairwell\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000torn\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000should\u3000usher\u3000Langdon\u3000from\u3000the\u3000museum\u3000immediately\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000instinct\u3000urged\u3000her\u3000to\u3000the\u3000contrary\u3002\u3000As\u3000Sophie\u3000recalled\u3000her\u3000first\u3000childhood\u3000visit\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Denon\u3000Wing\uff1b\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000if\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000had\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000her\uff1b\u3000few\u3000places\u3000on\u3000earth\u3000made\u3000a\u3000more\u3000apt\u3000rendezvous\u3000than\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3003She’s\u3000just\u3000a\u3000little\u3000bit\u3000farther\uff1b\u3003\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000had\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000clutching\u3000Sophie’s\u3000tiny\u3000hand\u3000as\u3000he\u3000led\u3000her\u3000through\u3000the\u3000deserted\u3000museum\u3000after\u3000hours\u3002
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000six\u3000years\u3000old\u3002\u3000She\u3000felt\u3000small\u3000and\u3000insignificant\u3000as\u3000she\u3000gazed\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000enormous\u3000ceilings\u3000and\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000dizzying\u3000floor\u3002\u3000The\u3000empty\u3000museum\u3000frightened\u3000her\uff1b\u3000although\u3000she\u3000was\u3000not\u3000about\u3000to\u3000let\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000know\u3000that\u3002\u3000She\u3000set\u3000her\u3000jaw\u3000firmly\u3000and\u3000let\u3000go\u3000of\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002
\n\u3003Up\u3000ahead\u3000is\u3000the\u3000Salle\u3000des\u3000Etats\uff1b\u3003\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000said\u3000as\u3000they\u3000approached\u3000the\u3000Louvre’s\u3000most\u3000famous\u3000room\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000obvious\u3000excitement\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000go\u3000home\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000pictures\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3000in\u3000books\u3000and\u3000didn’t\u3000like\u3000it\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000She\u3000couldn’t\u3000understand\u3000why\u3000everyone\u3000made\u3000such\u3000a\u3000fuss\u3002
\n\u3003C’est\u3000ennuyeux\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000grumbled\u3002
\n\u3003Boring\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000corrected\u3002\u3000\u3003French\u3000at\u3000school\u3002\u3000English\u3000at\u3000home\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Le\u3000Louvre\uff1b\u3000c’est\u3000pas\u3000chez\u3000moi\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000challenged\u3002
\nHe\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000a\u3000tired\u3000laugh\u3002\u3000\u3003Right\u3000you\u3000are\u3002\u3000Then\u3000let’s\u3000speak\u3000English\u3000just\u3000for\u3000fun\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000pouted\u3000and\u3000kept\u3000walking\u3002\u3000As\u3000they\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000Salle\u3000des\u3000Etats\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000sc \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n He\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000a\u3000tired\u3000laugh\u3002\u3000\u3003Right\u3000you\u3000are\u3002\u3000Then\u3000let’s\u3000speak\u3000English\u3000just\u3000for\u3000fun\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000pouted\u3000and\u3000kept\u3000walking\u3002\u3000As\u3000they\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000Salle\u3000des\u3000Etats\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000scanned\u3000the\u3000narrow\u3000room\u3000and\u3000settled\u3000on\u3000the\u3000obvious\u3000spot\u3000of\u3000honor\u2014the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000right\u2026hand\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000where\u3000a\u3000lone\u3000portrait\u3000hung\u3000behind\u3000a\u3000protective\u3000Plexiglas\u3000wall\u3002\u3000Her\u3000grandfather\u3000paused\u3000in\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3000and\u3000motioned\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000painting\u3002
\n\u3003Go\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000Not\u3000many\u3000people\u3000get\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000visit\u3000her\u3000alone\u3002\u3003
\nSwallowing\u3000her\u3000apprehension\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000moved\u3000slowly\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000After\u3000everything\u3000she’d\u3000heard\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\uff1b\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000were\u3000approaching\u3000royalty\u3002\u3000Arriving\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000protective\u3000Plexiglas\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000held\u3000her\u3000breath\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000up\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000it\u3000in\u3000all\u3000at\u3000once\u3002
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000not\u3000sure\u3000what\u3000she\u3000had\u3000expected\u3000to\u3000feel\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000most\u3000certainly\u3000was\u3000not\u3000this\u3002\u3000No\u3000jolt\u3000of\u3000amazement\u3002\u3000No\u3000instant\u3000of\u3000wonder\u3002\u3000The\u3000famous\u3000face\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000it\u3000did\u3000in\u3000books\u3002\u3000She\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000silence\u3000for\u3000what\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000forever\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000something\u3000to\u3000happen\u3002
\n\u3003So\u3000what\u3000do\u3000you\u3000think\uff1f\u3003\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000arriving\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Beautiful\uff1b\u3000yes\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003She’s\u3000too\u3000little\u3002\u3003
\nSauni\u00e8re\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000little\u3000and\u3000you’re\u3000beautiful\u3002\u3003
\nI\u3000am\u3000not\u3000beautiful\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000hated\u3000her\u3000red\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000freckles\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000bigger\u3000than\u3000all\u3000the\u3000boys\u3000in\u3000her\u3000class\u3002\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000back\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3000and\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003She’s\u3000even\u3000worse\u3000than\u3000in\u3000the\u3000books\u3002\u3000Her\u3000face\u3000is\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000brumeux\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Foggy\uff1b\u3003\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000tutored\u3002
\n\u3003Foggy\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000repeated\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000the\u3000conversation\u3000would\u3000not\u3000continue\u3000until\u3000she\u3000repeated\u3000her\u3000new\u3000vocabulary\u3000word\u3002
\n\u3003That’s\u3000called\u3000the\u3000sfumato\u3000style\u3000of\u3000painting\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000her\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000it’s\u3000very\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000Leonardo\u3000da\u3000Vinci\u3000was\u3000better\u3000at\u3000it\u3000than\u3000anyone\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000still\u3000didn’t\u3000like\u3000the\u3000painting\u3002\u3000\u3003She\u3000looks\u3000like\u3000she\u3000knows\u3000something\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000like\u3000when\u3000kids\u3000at\u3000school\u3000have\u3000a\u3000secret\u3002\u3003
\nHer\u3000grandfather\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000part\u3000of\u3000why\u3000she\u3000is\u3000so\u3000famous\u3002\u3000People\u3000like\u3000to\u3000guess\u3000why\u3000she\u3000is\u3000smiling\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000why\u3000she’s\u3000smiling\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Maybe\u3002\u3003\u3000Her\u3000grandfather\u3000winked\u3002\u3000\u3003Someday\u3000I’ll\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000all\u3000about\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000stamped\u3000her\u3000foot\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000told\u3000you\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000like\u3000secrets\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003Princess\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003Life\u3000is\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000secrets\u3002\u3000You\u3000can’t\u3000learn\u3000them\u3000all\u3000at\u3000once\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3003I’m\u3000going\u3000back\u3000up\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000declared\uff1b\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000hollow\u3000in\u3000the\u3000stairwell\u3002
\n\u3003To\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000recoiled\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000considered\u3000the\u3000risk\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000a\u3000murder\u3000suspect\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000take\u3000my\u3000chances\u3002\u3000I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000understand\u3000what\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000about\u3000the\u3000embassy\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000felt\u3000guilty\u3000turning\u3000Langdon\u3000into\u3000a\u3000fugitive\u3000only\u3000to\u3000abandon\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000no\u3000other\u3000option\u3002\u3000She\u3000pointed\u3000down\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000to\u3000a\u3000metal\u3000door\u3002\u3000\u3003Go\u3000through\u3000that\u3000door\uff1b\u3000and\u3000follow\u3000the\u3000illuminated\u3000exit\u3000signs\u3002\u3000My\u3000grandfather\u3000used\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000me\u3000down\u3000here\u3002\u3000The\u3000signs\u3000will\u3000lead\u3000you\u3000to\u3000a\u3000security\u3000turnstile\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000monodirectional\u3000and\u3000opens\u3000out\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000handed\u3000Langdon\u3000her\u3000car\u3000keys\u3002\u3000\u3003Mine\u3000is\u3000the\u3000red\u3000SmartCar\u3000in\u3000the\u3000employee\u3000lot\u3002\u3000Directly\u3000outside\u3000this\u3000bulkhead\u3002\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000how\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000the\u3000embassy\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000the\u3000keys\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002
\n\u3003Listen\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000softening\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3000may\u3000have\u3000left\u3000me\u3000a\u3000message\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u2014some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000clue\u3000as\u3000to\u3000who\u3000killed\u3000him\u3002\u3000Or\u3000why\u3000I’m\u3000in\u3000danger\u3002\u3003\u3000Or\u3000what\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000my\u3000family\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000to\u3000go\u3000see\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000if\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000why\u3000you\u3000were\u3000in\u3000danger\uff1b\u3000why\u3000wouldn’t\u3000he\u3000simply\u3000write\u3000it\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000where\u3000he\u3000died\uff1f\u3000Why\u3000this\u3000plicated\u3000word\u3000game\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Whatever\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000me\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000think\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000anyone\u3000else\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000it\u3002\u3000Not\u3000even\u3000the\u3000police\u3002\u3003\u3000Clearly\uff1b\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000had\u3000done\u3000everything\u3000in\u3000his\u3000power\u3000to\u3000send\u3000a\u3000confidential\u3000transmission\u3000directly\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000written\u3000it\u3000in\u3000code\uff1b\u3000included\u3000her\u3000secret\u3000initials\uff1b\u3000and\u3000told\u3000her\u3000to\u3000find\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u2014a\u3000wise\u3000mand\uff1b\u3000considering\u3000the\u3000American\u3000symbologist\u3000had\u3000deciphered\u3000his\u3000code\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000strange\u3000as\u3000it\u3000may\u3000sound\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000he\u3000wants\u3000me\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3000before\u3000anyone\u3000else\u3000does\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’ll\u3000e\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff01\u3000We\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000how\u3000long\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\u3000will\u3000stay\u3000empty\u3002\u3000You\u3000have\u3000to\u3000go\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000seemed\u3000hesitant\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000his\u3000own\u3000academic\u3000curiosity\u3000were\u3000threatening\u3000to\u3000override\u3000sound\u3000judgment\u3000and\u3000drag\u3000him\u3000back\u3000into\u3000Fache’s\u3000hands\u3002
\n\u3003Go\u3002\u3000Now\u3002\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000grateful\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000see\u3000you\u3000at\u3000the\u3000embassy\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000looked\u3000displeased\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000meet\u3000you\u3000there\u3000on\u3000one\u3000condition\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000stern\u3002
\nShe\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000startled\u3002\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003That\u3000you\u3000stop\u3000calling\u3000me\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000detected\u3000the\u3000faint\u3000hint\u3000of\u3000a\u3000lopsided\u3000grin\u3000growing\u3000across\u3000Langdon’s\u3000face\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000herself\u3000smile\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003Good\u3000luck\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nWhen\u3000Langdon\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000landing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stairs\uff1b\u3000the\u3000unmistakable\u3000smell\u3000of\u3000linseed\u3000oil\u3000and\u3000plaster\u3000dust\u3000assaulted\u3000his\u3000nostrils\u3002\u3000Ahead\uff1b\u3000an\u3000illuminated\u3000SORTIE\/EXIT\u3000displayed\u3000an\u3000arrow\u3000pointing\u3000down\u3000a\u3000long\u3000corridor\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000stepped\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hallway\u3002
\nTo\u3000the\u3000right\u3000gaped\u3000a\u3000murky\u3000restoration\u3000studio\u3000out\u3000of\u3000which\u3000peered\u3000an\u3000army\u3000of\u3000statues\u3000in\u3000various\u3000states\u3000of\u3000repair\u3002\u3000To\u3000the\u3000left\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000suite\u3000of\u3000studios\u3000that\u3000resembled\u3000Harvard\u3000art\u3000classrooms\u2014rows\u3000of\u3000easels\uff1b\u3000paintings\uff1b\u3000palettes\uff1b\u3000framing\u3000tools\u2014an\u3000art\u3000assembly\u3000line\u3002
\nAs\u3000he\u3000moved\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hallway\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000at\u3000any\u3000moment\u3000he\u3000might\u3000awake\u3000with\u3000a\u3000start\u3000in\u3000his\u3000bed\u3000in\u3000Cambridge\u3002\u3000The\u3000entire\u3000evening\u3000had\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000a\u3000bizarre\u3000dream\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000about\u3000to\u3000dash\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000fugitive\u3002
\nSauni\u00e8re’s\u3000clever\u3000anagrammatic\u3000message\u3000was\u3000still\u3000on\u3000his\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000wondered\u3000what\u3000Sophie\u3000would\u3000find\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000if\u3000anything\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000seemed\u3000certain\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000meant\u3000for\u3000her\u3000to\u3000visit\u3000the\u3000famous\u3000painting\u3000one\u3000more\u3000time\u3002\u3000As\u3000plausible\u3000an\u3000interpretation\u3000as\u3000this\u3000seemed\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000haunted\u3000now\u3000by\u3000a\u3000troubling\u3000paradox\u3002
\nP\u3002S\u3002\u3000Find\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3002
\nSauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000written\u3000Langdon’s\u3000name\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000manding\u3000Sophie\u3000to\u3000find\u3000him\u3002\u3000But\u3000why\uff1f\u3000Merely\u3000so\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000help\u3000her\u3000break\u3000an\u3000anagram\uff1f
\nIt\u3000seemed\u3000quite\u3000unlikely\u3002
\nAfter\u3000all\uff1b\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000no\u3000reason\u3000to\u3000think\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000especially\u3000skilled\u3000at\u3000anagrams\u3002\u3000We’ve\u3000never\u3000even\u3000met\u3002\u3000More\u3000important\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000stated\u3000flat\u3000out\u3000that\u3000she\u3000should\u3000have\u3000broken\u3000the\u3000anagram\u3000on\u3000her\u3000own\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000been\u3000Sophie\u3000who\u3000spotted\u3000the\u3000Fibonacci\u3000sequence\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000no\u3000doubt\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000who\uff1b\u3000if\u3000given\u3000a\u3000little\u3000more\u3000time\uff1b\u3000would\u3000have\u3000deciphered\u3000the\u3000message\u3000with\u3000no\u3000help\u3000from\u3000Langdon\u3002
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000break\u3000that\u3000anagram\u3000on\u3000her\u3000own\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000suddenly\u3000feeling\u3000more\u3000certain\u3000about\u3000this\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000the\u3000conclusion\u3000left\u3000an\u3000obvious\u3000gaping\u3000lapse\u3000in\u3000the\u3000logic\u3000of\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000actions\u3002
\nWhy\u3000me\uff1f\u3000Langdon\u3000wondered\uff1b\u3000heading\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hall\u3002\u3000Why\u3000was\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000dying\u3000wish\u3000that\u3000his\u3000estranged\u3000granddaughter\u3000find\u3000me\uff1f\u3000What\u3000is\u3000it\u3000that\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000thinks\u3000I\u3000know\uff1f
\nWith\u3000an\u3000unexpected\u3000jolt\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000stopped\u3000short\u3002\u3000Eyes\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000he\u3000dug\u3000in\u3000his\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000yanked\u3000out\u3000the\u3000puter\u3000printout\u3002\u3000He\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000last\u3000line\u3000of\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000message\u3002
\nP\u3002S\u3002\u3000Find\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3002
\nHe\u3000fixated\u3000on\u3000two\u3000letters\u3002
\nP\u3002S\u3002
\nIn\u3000that\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000puzzling\u3000mix\u3000of\u3000symbolism\u3000fall\u3000into\u3000stark\u3000focus\u3002\u3000Like\u3000a\u3000peal\u3000of\u3000thunder\uff1b\u3000a\u3000career’s\u3000worth\u3000of\u3000symbology\u3000and\u3000history\u3000came\u3000crashing\u3000down\u3000around\u3000him\u3002\u3000Everything\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000done\u3000tonight\u3000suddenly\u3000made\u3000perfect\u3000sense\u3002
\nLangdon’s\u3000thoughts\u3000raced\u3000as\u3000he\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000assemble\u3000the\u3000implications\u3000of\u3000what\u3000this\u3000all\u3000meant\u3002\u3000Wheeling\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stared\u3000back\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000from\u3000which\u3000he\u3000had\u3000e\u3002
\nIs\u3000there\u3000time\uff1f
\nHe\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000matter\u3002
\nWithout\u3000hesitation\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000broke\u3000into\u3000a\u3000sprint\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300022
\n
\nKneeling\u3000in\u3000the\u3000first\u3000pew\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000pretended\u3000to\u3000pray\u3000as\u3000he\u3000scanned\u3000the\u3000layout\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sanctuary\u3002\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\uff1b\u3000like\u3000most\u3000churches\uff1b\u3000had\u3000been\u3000built\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shape\u3000of\u3000a\u3000giant\u3000Roman\u3000cross\u3002\u3000Its\u3000long\u3000central\u3000section\u2014the\u3000nave\u2014led\u3000directly\u3000to\u3000the\u3000main\u3000altar\uff1b\u3000where\u3000it\u3000was\u3000transversely\u3000intersected\u3000by\u3000a\u3000shorter\u3000section\uff1b\u3000known\u3000as\u3000the\u3000transept\u3002\u3000The\u3000intersection\u3000of\u3000nave\u3000and\u3000transept\u3000occurred\u3000directly\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000main\u3000cupola\u3000and\u3000was\u3000considered\u3000the\u3000heart\u3000of\u3000the\u3000church\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000her\u3000most\u3000sacred\u3000and\u3000mystical\u3000point\u3002
\nNot\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\u3000hides\u3000her\u3000secrets\u3000elsewhere\u3002
\nTurning\u3000his\u3000head\u3000to\u3000the\u3000right\uff1b\u3000he\u3000gazed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000south\u3000transept\uff1b\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000open\u3000area\u3000of\u3000floor\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pews\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000object\u3000his\u3000victims\u3000had\u3000described\u3002
\nThere\u3000it\u3000is\u3002
\nEmbedded\u3000in\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000granite\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000a\u3000thin\u3000polished\u3000strip\u3000of\u3000brass\u3000glistened\u3000in\u3000the\u3000stone\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000golden\u3000line\u3000slanting\u3000across\u3000the\u3000church’s\u3000floor\u3002\u3000The\u3000line\u3000bore\u3000graduated\u3000markings\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000ruler\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000gnomon\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000had\u3000been\u3000told\uff1b\u3000a\u3000pagan\u3000astronomical\u3000device\u3000like\u3000a\u3000sundial\u3002\u3000Tourists\uff1b\u3000scientists\uff1b\u3000historians\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pagans\u3000from\u3000around\u3000the\u3000world\u3000came\u3000to\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\u3000to\u3000gaze\u3000upon\u3000this\u3000famous\u3000line\u3002
\nThe\u3000Rose\u3000Line\u3002
\nSlowly\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000let\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000trace\u3000the\u3000path\u3000of\u3000the\u3000brass\u3000strip\u3000as\u3000it\u3000made\u3000its\u3000way\u3000across\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000from\u3000his\u3000right\u3000to\u3000left\uff1b\u3000slanting\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000him\u3000at\u3000an\u3000awkward\u3000angle\uff1b\u3000entirely\u3000at\u3000odds\u3000with\u3000the\u3000symmetry\u3000of\u3000the\u3000church\u3002\u3000Slicing\u3000across\u3000the\u3000main\u3000altar\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000the\u3000line\u3000looked\u3000to\u3000Silas\u3000like\u3000a\u3000slash\u3000wound\u3000across\u3000a\u3000beautiful\u3000face\u3002\u3000The\u3000strip\u3000cleaved\u3000the\u3000munion\u3000rail\u3000in\u3000two\u3000and\u3000then\u3000crossed\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000width\u3000of\u3000the\u3000church\uff1b\u3000finally\u3000reaching\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000the\u3000north\u3000transept\uff1b\u3000where\u3000it\u3000arrived\u3000at\u3000the\u3000base\u3000of\u3000a\u3000most\u3000unexpected\u3000structure\u3002
\nA\u3000colossal\u3000Egyptian\u3000obelisk\u3002
\nHere\uff1b\u3000the\u3000glistening\u3000Rose\u3000Line\u3000took\u3000a\u3000ninety\u2026degree\u3000vertical\u3000turn\u3000and\u3000continued\u3000directly\u3000up\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000the\u3000obelisk\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000ascending\u3000thirty\u2026three\u3000feet\u3000to\u3000the\u3000very\u3000tip\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pyramidical\u3000apex\uff1b\u3000where\u3000it\u3000finally\u3000ceased\u3002
\nThe\u3000Rose\u3000Line\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000thought\u3002\u3000The\u3000brotherhood\u3000hid\u3000the\u3000k \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n The\u3000Rose\u3000Line\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000thought\u3002\u3000The\u3000brotherhood\u3000hid\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3000Line\u3002
\nEarlier\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000when\u3000Silas\u3000told\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000keystone\u3000was\u3000hidden\u3000inside\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000sounded\u3000doubtful\u3002\u3000But\u3000when\u3000Silas\u3000added\u3000that\u3000the\u3000brothers\u3000had\u3000all\u3000given\u3000him\u3000a\u3000precise\u3000location\uff1b\u3000with\u3000relation\u3000to\u3000a\u3000brass\u3000line\u3000running\u3000through\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000gasped\u3000with\u3000revelation\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000speak\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3000Line\uff01\u3003
\nThe\u3000Teacher\u3000quickly\u3000told\u3000Silas\u3000of\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice’s\u3000famed\u3000architectural\u3000oddity\u2014a\u3000strip\u3000of\u3000brass\u3000that\u3000segmented\u3000the\u3000sanctuary\u3000on\u3000a\u3000perfect\u3000north\u2026south\u3000axis\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000an\u3000ancient\u3000sundial\u3000of\u3000sorts\uff1b\u3000a\u3000vestige\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pagan\u3000temple\u3000that\u3000had\u3000once\u3000stood\u3000on\u3000this\u3000very\u3000spot\u3002\u3000The\u3000sun’s\u3000rays\uff1b\u3000shining\u3000through\u3000the\u3000oculus\u3000on\u3000the\u3000south\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000moved\u3000farther\u3000down\u3000the\u3000line\u3000every\u3000day\uff1b\u3000indicating\u3000the\u3000passage\u3000of\u3000time\uff1b\u3000from\u3000solstice\u3000to\u3000solstice\u3002
\nThe\u3000north\u2026south\u3000stripe\u3000had\u3000been\u3000known\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3000Line\u3002\u3000For\u3000centuries\uff1b\u3000the\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3000had\u3000been\u3000associated\u3000with\u3000maps\u3000and\u3000guiding\u3000souls\u3000in\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000direction\u3002\u3000The\u3000pass\u3000Rose\u2014drawn\u3000on\u3000almost\u3000every\u3000map\u2014indicated\u3000North\uff1b\u3000East\uff1b\u3000South\uff1b\u3000and\u3000West\u3002\u3000Originally\u3000known\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Wind\u3000Rose\uff1b\u3000it\u3000denoted\u3000the\u3000directions\u3000of\u3000the\u3000thirty\u2026two\u3000winds\uff1b\u3000blowing\u3000from\u3000the\u3000directions\u3000of\u3000eight\u3000major\u3000winds\uff1b\u3000eight\u3000half\u2026winds\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sixteen\u3000quarter\u2026winds\u3002\u3000When\u3000diagrammed\u3000inside\u3000a\u3000circle\uff1b\u3000these\u3000thirty\u2026two\u3000points\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pass\u3000perfectly\u3000resembled\u3000a\u3000traditional\u3000thirty\u2026two\u3000petal\u3000rose\u3000bloom\u3002\u3000To\u3000this\u3000day\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fundamental\u3000navigational\u3000tool\u3000was\u3000still\u3000known\u3000as\u3000a\u3000pass\u3000Rose\uff1b\u3000its\u3000northernmost\u3000direction\u3000still\u3000marked\u3000by\u3000an\u3000arrowhead\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000or\uff1b\u3000more\u3000monly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fleur\u2026de\u2026lis\u3002
\nOn\u3000a\u3000globe\uff1b\u3000a\u3000Rose\u3000Line\u2014also\u3000called\u3000a\u3000meridian\u3000or\u3000longitude\u2014was\u3000any\u3000imaginary\u3000line\u3000drawn\u3000from\u3000the\u3000North\u3000Pole\u3000to\u3000the\u3000South\u3000Pole\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000an\u3000infinite\u3000number\u3000of\u3000Rose\u3000Lines\u3000because\u3000every\u3000point\u3000on\u3000the\u3000globe\u3000could\u3000have\u3000a\u3000longitude\u3000drawn\u3000through\u3000it\u3000connecting\u3000north\u3000and\u3000south\u3000poles\u3002\u3000The\u3000question\u3000for\u3000early\u3000navigators\u3000was\u3000which\u3000of\u3000these\u3000lines\u3000would\u3000be\u3000called\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3000Line\u2014the\u3000zero\u3000longitude\u2014the\u3000line\u3000from\u3000which\u3000all\u3000other\u3000longitudes\u3000on\u3000earth\u3000would\u3000be\u3000measured\u3002
\nToday\u3000that\u3000line\u3000was\u3000in\u3000Greenwich\uff1b\u3000England\u3002
\nBut\u3000it\u3000had\u3000not\u3000always\u3000been\u3002
\nLong\u3000before\u3000the\u3000establishment\u3000of\u3000Greenwich\u3000as\u3000the\u3000prime\u3000meridian\uff1b\u3000the\u3000zero\u3000longitude\u3000of\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000world\u3000had\u3000passed\u3000directly\u3000through\u3000Paris\uff1b\u3000and\u3000through\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000of\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\u3002\u3000The\u3000brass\u3000marker\u3000in\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\u3000was\u3000a\u3000memorial\u3000to\u3000the\u3000world’s\u3000first\u3000prime\u3000meridian\uff1b\u3000and\u3000although\u3000Greenwich\u3000had\u3000stripped\u3000Paris\u3000of\u3000the\u3000honor\u3000in\u30001888\uff1b\u3000the\u3000original\u3000Rose\u3000Line\u3000was\u3000still\u3000visible\u3000today\u3002
\n\u3003And\u3000so\u3000the\u3000legend\u3000is\u3000true\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000told\u3000Silas\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Priory\u3000keystone\u3000has\u3000been\u3000said\u3000to\u3000lie\u3000’beneath\u3000the\u3000Sign\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3002’\u3000\u3003
\nNow\uff1b\u3000still\u3000on\u3000his\u3000knees\u3000in\u3000a\u3000pew\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000glanced\u3000around\u3000the\u3000church\u3000and\u3000listened\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000no\u3000one\u3000was\u3000there\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000rustling\u3000in\u3000the\u3000choir\u3000balcony\u3002\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000gazed\u3000up\u3000for\u3000several\u3000seconds\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3002
\nI\u3000am\u3000alone\u3002
\nStanding\u3000now\uff1b\u3000he\u3000faced\u3000the\u3000altar\u3000and\u3000genuflected\u3000three\u3000times\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000left\u3000and\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000brass\u3000line\u3000due\u3000north\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000obelisk\u3002
\n\u3000
\nAt\u3000that\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000at\u3000Leonardo\u3000da\u3000Vinci\u3000International\u3000Airport\u3000in\u3000Rome\uff1b\u3000the\u3000jolt\u3000of\u3000tires\u3000hitting\u3000the\u3000runway\u3000startled\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3000from\u3000his\u3000slumber\u3002
\nI\u3000drifted\u3000off\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000impressed\u3000he\u3000was\u3000relaxed\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000sleep\u3002
\n\u3003Benvenuto\u3000a\u3000Roma\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000inter\u3000announced\u3002
\nSitting\u3000up\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000straightened\u3000his\u3000black\u3000cassock\u3000and\u3000allowed\u3000himself\u3000a\u3000rare\u3000smile\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\u3000one\u3000trip\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000happy\u3000to\u3000make\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000been\u3000on\u3000the\u3000defensive\u3000for\u3000too\u3000long\u3002\u3000Tonight\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rules\u3000had\u3000changed\u3002\u3000Only\u3000five\u3000months\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000had\u3000feared\u3000for\u3000the\u3000future\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Faith\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000by\u3000the\u3000will\u3000of\u3000God\uff1b\u3000the\u3000solution\u3000had\u3000presented\u3000itself\u3002
\nDivine\u3000intervention\u3002
\nIf\u3000all\u3000went\u3000as\u3000planned\u3000tonight\u3000in\u3000Paris\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000would\u3000soon\u3000be\u3000in\u3000possession\u3000of\u3000something\u3000that\u3000would\u3000make\u3000him\u3000the\u3000most\u3000powerful\u3000man\u3000in\u3000Christendom\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300023
\n
\nSophie\u3000arrived\u3000breathless\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000large\u3000wooden\u3000doors\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Salle\u3000des\u3000Etats\u2014the\u3000room\u3000that\u3000housed\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3002\u3000Before\u3000entering\uff1b\u3000she\u3000gazed\u3000reluctantly\u3000farther\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hall\uff1b\u3000twenty\u3000yards\u3000or\u3000so\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000body\u3000still\u3000lay\u3000under\u3000the\u3000spotlight\u3002
\nThe\u3000remorse\u3000that\u3000gripped\u3000her\u3000was\u3000powerful\u3000and\u3000sudden\uff1b\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000sadness\u3000laced\u3000with\u3000guilt\u3002\u3000The\u3000man\u3000had\u3000reached\u3000out\u3000to\u3000her\u3000so\u3000many\u3000times\u3000over\u3000the\u3000past\u3000ten\u3000years\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000remained\u3000immovable\u2014leaving\u3000his\u3000letters\u3000and\u3000packages\u3000unopened\u3000in\u3000a\u3000bottom\u3000drawer\u3000and\u3000denying\u3000his\u3000efforts\u3000to\u3000see\u3000her\u3002\u3000He\u3000lied\u3000to\u3000me\uff01\u3000Kept\u3000appalling\u3000secrets\uff01\u3000What\u3000was\u3000I\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000do\uff1f\u3000And\u3000so\u3000she\u3000had\u3000blocked\u3000him\u3000out\u3002\u3000pletely\u3002
\nNow\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000was\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000talking\u3000to\u3000her\u3000from\u3000the\u3000grave\u3002
\nThe\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3002
\nShe\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000wooden\u3000doors\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pushed\u3002\u3000The\u3000entryway\u3000yawned\u3000open\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000stood\u3000on\u3000the\u3000threshold\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000scanning\u3000the\u3000large\u3000rectangular\u3000chamber\u3000beyond\u3002\u3000It\u3000too\u3000was\u3000bathed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000soft\u3000red\u3000light\u3002\u3000The\u3000Salle\u3000des\u3000Etats\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000this\u3000museum’s\u3000rare\u3000culs\u2026de\u2026sac\u2014a\u3000dead\u3000end\u3000and\u3000the\u3000only\u3000room\u3000off\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\u3002\u3000This\u3000door\uff1b\u3000the\u3000chamber’s\u3000sole\u3000point\u3000of\u3000entry\uff1b\u3000faced\u3000a\u3000dominating\u3000fifteen\u2026foot\u3000Botticelli\u3000on\u3000the\u3000far\u3000wall\u3002\u3000Beneath\u3000it\uff1b\u3000centered\u3000on\u3000the\u3000parquet\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000an\u3000immense\u3000octagonal\u3000viewing\u3000divan\u3000served\u3000as\u3000a\u3000wele\u3000respite\u3000for\u3000thousands\u3000of\u3000visitors\u3000to\u3000rest\u3000their\u3000legs\u3000while\u3000they\u3000admired\u3000the\u3000Louvre’s\u3000most\u3000valuable\u3000asset\u3002
\nEven\u3000before\u3000Sophie\u3000entered\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000was\u3000missing\u3000something\u3002\u3000A\u3000black\u3000light\u3002\u3000She\u3000gazed\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000at\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000under\u3000the\u3000lights\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000surrounded\u3000by\u3000electronic\u3000gear\u3002\u3000If\u3000he\u3000had\u3000written\u3000anything\u3000in\u3000here\uff1b\u3000he\u3000almost\u3000certainly\u3000would\u3000have\u3000written\u3000it\u3000with\u3000the\u3000watermark\u3000stylus\u3002
\nTaking\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000hurried\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000well\u2026lit\u3000crime\u3000scene\u3002\u3000Unable\u3000to\u3000look\u3000at\u3000her\u3000grandfather\uff1b\u3000she\u3000focused\u3000solely\u3000on\u3000the\u3000PTS\u3000tools\u3002\u3000Finding\u3000a\u3000small\u3000ultraviolet\u3000penlight\uff1b\u3000she\u3000slipped\u3000it\u3000in\u3000the\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000her\u3000sweater\u3000and\u3000hurried\u3000back\u3000up\u3000the\u3000hallway\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000open\u3000doors\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Salle\u3000des\u3000Etats\u3002
\nSophie\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000and\u3000stepped\u3000over\u3000the\u3000threshold\u3002\u3000Her\u3000entrance\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000was\u3000met\u3000by\u3000an\u3000unexpected\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000muffled\u3000footsteps\u3000racing\u3000toward\u3000her\u3000from\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000chamber\u3002\u3000There’s\u3000someone\u3000in\u3000here\uff01\u3000A\u3000ghostly\u3000figure\u3000emerged\u3000suddenly\u3000from\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000reddish\u3000haze\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000jumped\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3003There\u3000you\u3000are\uff01\u3003\u3000Langdon’s\u3000hoarse\u3000whisper\u3000cut\u3000the\u3000air\u3000as\u3000his\u3000silhouette\u3000slid\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\u3002
\nHer\u3000relief\u3000was\u3000only\u3000momentary\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000I\u3000told\u3000you\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\uff01\u3000If\u3000Fache\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003Where\u3000were\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000had\u3000to\u3000get\u3000the\u3000black\u3000light\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000it\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3000left\u3000me\u3000a\u3000message\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003Sophie\uff1b\u3000listen\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000caught\u3000his\u3000breath\u3000as\u3000his\u3000blue\u3000eyes\u3000held\u3000her\u3000firmly\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000letters\u3000P\u3002S\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000do\u3000they\u3000mean\u3000anything\u3000else\u3000to\u3000you\uff1f\u3000Anything\u3000at\u3000all\uff1f\u3003
\nAfraid\u3000their\u3000voices\u3000might\u3000echo\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hall\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000pulled\u3000him\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Salle\u3000des\u3000Etats\u3000and\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000enormous\u3000twin\u3000doors\u3000silently\uff1b\u3000sealing\u3000them\u3000inside\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000told\u3000you\uff1b\u3000the\u3000initials\u3000mean\u3000Princess\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000know\uff1b\u3000but\u3000did\u3000you\u3000ever\u3000see\u3000them\u3000anywhere\u3000else\uff1f\u3000Did\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3000ever\u3000use\u3000P\u3002S\u3002\u3000in\u3000any\u3000other\u3000way\uff1f\u3000As\u3000a\u3000monogram\uff1b\u3000or\u3000maybe\u3000on\u3000stationery\u3000or\u3000a\u3000personal\u3000item\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000question\u3000startled\u3000her\u3002\u3000How\u3000would\u3000Robert\u3000know\u3000that\uff1f\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000indeed\u3000seen\u3000the\u3000initials\u3000P\u3002S\u3002\u3000once\u3000before\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000monogram\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000day\u3000before\u3000her\u3000ninth\u3000birthday\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000secretly\u3000bing\u3000the\u3000house\uff1b\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000hidden\u3000birthday\u3000presents\u3002\u3000Even\u3000then\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000bear\u3000secrets\u3000kept\u3000from\u3000her\u3002\u3000What\u3000did\u3000Grand\u2026p\u00e8re\u3000get\u3000for\u3000me\u3000this\u3000year\uff1f\u3000She\u3000dug\u3000through\u3000cupboards\u3000and\u3000drawers\u3002\u3000Did\u3000he\u3000get\u3000me\u3000the\u3000doll\u3000I\u3000wanted\uff1f\u3000Where\u3000would\u3000he\u3000hide\u3000it\uff1f
\nFinding\u3000nothing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000house\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000mustered\u3000the\u3000courage\u3000to\u3000sneak\u3000into\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000bedroom\u3002\u3000The\u3000room\u3000was\u3000off\u2026limits\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000was\u3000downstairs\u3000asleep\u3000on\u3000the\u3000couch\u3002
\nI’ll\u3000just\u3000take\u3000a\u3000fast\u3000peek\uff01
\nTiptoeing\u3000across\u3000the\u3000creaky\u3000wood\u3000floor\u3000to\u3000his\u3000closet\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000peered\u3000on\u3000the\u3000shelves\u3000behind\u3000his\u3000clothing\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3002\u3000Next\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000under\u3000the\u3000bed\u3002\u3000Still\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000Moving\u3000to\u3000his\u3000bureau\uff1b\u3000she\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000drawers\u3000and\u3000one\u3000by\u3000one\u3000began\u3000pawing\u3000carefully\u3000through\u3000them\u3002\u3000There\u3000must\u3000be\u3000something\u3000for\u3000me\u3000here\uff01\u3000As\u3000she\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000drawer\uff1b\u3000she\u3000still\u3000had\u3000not\u3000found\u3000any\u3000hint\u3000of\u3000a\u3000doll\u3002\u3000Dejected\uff1b\u3000she\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000final\u3000drawer\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000aside\u3000some\u3000black\u3000clothes\u3000she\u3000had\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000him\u3000wear\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000close\u3000the\u3000drawer\u3000when\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000caught\u3000a\u3000glint\u3000of\u3000gold\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000drawer\u3002\u3000It\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000watch\u3000chain\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000wear\u3000one\u3002\u3000Her\u3000heart\u3000raced\u3000as\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000what\u3000it\u3000must\u3000be\u3002
\nA\u3000necklace\uff01
\nSophie\u3000carefully\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000chain\u3000from\u3000the\u3000drawer\u3002\u3000To\u3000her\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000end\u3000was\u3000a\u3000brilliant\u3000gold\u3000key\u3002\u3000Heavy\u3000and\u3000shimmering\u3002\u3000Spellbound\uff1b\u3000she\u3000held\u3000it\u3000up\u3002\u3000It\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000no\u3000key\u3000she\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000seen\u3002\u3000Most\u3000keys\u3000were\u3000flat\u3000with\u3000jagged\u3000teeth\uff1b\u3000but\u3000this\u3000one\u3000had\u3000a\u3000triangular\u3000column\u3000with\u3000little\u3000pockmarks\u3000all\u3000over\u3000it\u3002\u3000Its\u3000large\u3000golden\u3000head\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shape\u3000of\u3000a\u3000cross\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000a\u3000normal\u3000cross\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\u3000an\u3000even\u2026armed\u3000one\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000plus\u3000sign\u3002\u3000Embossed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cross\u3000was\u3000a\u3000strange\u3000symbol\u2014two\u3000letters\u3000intertwined\u3000with\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000flowery\u3000design\u3002
\n\u3003P\u3002S\u3002\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000scowling\u3000as\u3000she\u3000read\u3000the\u3000letters\u3002\u3000Whatever\u3000could\u3000this\u3000be\uff1f
\n\u3003Sophie\uff1f\u3003\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000spoke\u3000from\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3002
\nStartled\uff1b\u3000she\u3000spun\uff1b\u3000dropping\u3000the\u3000key\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000with\u3000a\u3000loud\u3000clang\u3002\u3000She\u3000stared\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000key\uff1b\u3000afraid\u3000to\u3000look\u3000up\u3000at\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000face\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000my\u3000birthday\u3000present\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000hanging\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000she\u3000had\u3000betrayed\u3000his\u3000trust\u3002
\nFor\u3000what\u3000seemed\u3000like\u3000an\u3000eternity\uff1b\u3000her \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000head\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000she\u3000had\u3000betrayed\u3000his\u3000trust\u3002
\nFor\u3000what\u3000seemed\u3000like\u3000an\u3000eternity\uff1b\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000stood\u3000silently\u3000in\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3002\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000he\u3000let\u3000out\u3000a\u3000long\u3000troubled\u3000breath\u3002\u3000\u3003Pick\u3000up\u3000the\u3000key\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000retrieved\u3000the\u3000key\u3002
\nHer\u3000grandfather\u3000walked\u3000in\u3002\u3000\u3003Sophie\uff1b\u3000you\u3000need\u3000to\u3000respect\u3000other\u3000people’s\u3000privacy\u3002\u3003\u3000Gently\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knelt\u3000down\u3000and\u3000took\u3000the\u3000key\u3000from\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000key\u3000is\u3000very\u3000special\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000it\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\nHer\u3000grandfather’s\u3000quiet\u3000voice\u3000made\u3000Sophie\u3000feel\u3000even\u3000worse\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3000Grand\u2026p\u00e8re\u3002\u3000I\u3000really\u3000am\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000necklace\u3000for\u3000my\u3000birthday\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000gazed\u3000at\u3000her\u3000for\u3000several\u3000seconds\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000say\u3000this\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000because\u3000it’s\u3000important\u3002\u3000You\u3000need\u3000to\u3000learn\u3000to\u3000respect\u3000other\u3000people’s\u3000privacy\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Grand\u2026p\u00e8re\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003We’ll\u3000talk\u3000about\u3000this\u3000some\u3000other\u3000time\u3002\u3000Right\u3000now\uff1b\u3000the\u3000garden\u3000needs\u3000to\u3000be\u3000weeded\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000hurried\u3000outside\u3000to\u3000do\u3000her\u3000chores\u3002
\nThe\u3000next\u3000morning\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000received\u3000no\u3000birthday\u3000present\u3000from\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3002\u3000She\u3000hadn’t\u3000expected\u3000one\uff1b\u3000not\u3000after\u3000what\u3000she\u3000had\u3000done\u3002\u3000But\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000wish\u3000her\u3000happy\u3000birthday\u3000all\u3000day\u3002\u3000Sadly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000trudged\u3000up\u3000to\u3000bed\u3000that\u3000night\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000climbed\u3000in\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000she\u3000found\u3000a\u3000note\u3000card\u3000lying\u3000on\u3000her\u3000pillow\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000card\u3000was\u3000written\u3000a\u3000simple\u3000riddle\u3002\u3000Even\u3000before\u3000she\u3000solved\u3000the\u3000riddle\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000smiling\u3002\u3000I\u3000know\u3000what\u3000this\u3000is\uff01\u3000Her\u3000grandfather\u3000had\u3000done\u3000this\u3000for\u3000her\u3000last\u3000Christmas\u3000morning\u3002
\nA\u3000treasure\u3000hunt\uff01
\nEagerly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000pored\u3000over\u3000the\u3000riddle\u3000until\u3000she\u3000solved\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000solution\u3000pointed\u3000her\u3000to\u3000another\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000house\uff1b\u3000where\u3000she\u3000found\u3000another\u3000card\u3000and\u3000another\u3000riddle\u3002\u3000She\u3000solved\u3000this\u3000one\u3000too\uff1b\u3000racing\u3000on\u3000to\u3000the\u3000next\u3000card\u3002\u3000Running\u3000wildly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000darted\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000across\u3000the\u3000house\uff1b\u3000from\u3000clue\u3000to\u3000clue\uff1b\u3000until\u3000at\u3000last\u3000she\u3000found\u3000a\u3000clue\u3000that\u3000directed\u3000her\u3000back\u3000to\u3000her\u3000own\u3000bedroom\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000dashed\u3000up\u3000the\u3000stairs\uff1b\u3000rushed\u3000into\u3000her\u3000room\uff1b\u3000and\u3000stopped\u3000in\u3000her\u3000tracks\u3002\u3000There\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3000sat\u3000a\u3000shining\u3000red\u3000bicycle\u3000with\u3000a\u3000ribbon\u3000tied\u3000to\u3000the\u3000handlebars\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000shrieked\u3000with\u3000delight\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000know\u3000you\u3000asked\u3000for\u3000a\u3000doll\uff1b\u3003\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000said\uff1b\u3000smiling\u3000in\u3000the\u3000corner\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000you\u3000might\u3000like\u3000this\u3000even\u3000better\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000next\u3000day\uff1b\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000taught\u3000her\u3000to\u3000ride\uff1b\u3000running\u3000beside\u3000her\u3000down\u3000the\u3000walkway\u3002\u3000When\u3000Sophie\u3000steered\u3000out\u3000over\u3000the\u3000thick\u3000lawn\u3000and\u3000lost\u3000her\u3000balance\uff1b\u3000they\u3000both\u3000went\u3000tumbling\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000grass\uff1b\u3000rolling\u3000and\u3000laughing\u3002
\n\u3003Grand\u2026p\u00e8re\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000hugging\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000really\u3000sorry\u3000about\u3000the\u3000key\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000know\uff1b\u3000sweetie\u3002\u3000You’re\u3000forgiven\u3002\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000possibly\u3000stay\u3000mad\u3000at\u3000you\u3002\u3000Grandfathers\u3000and\u3000granddaughters\u3000always\u3000forgive\u3000each\u3000other\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000shouldn’t\u3000ask\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000help\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000does\u3000it\u3000open\uff1f\u3000I\u3000never\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000key\u3000like\u3000that\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000very\u3000pretty\u3002\u3003
\nHer\u3000grandfather\u3000was\u3000silent\u3000a\u3000long\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000could\u3000see\u3000he\u3000was\u3000uncertain\u3000how\u3000to\u3000answer\u3002\u3000Grand\u2026p\u00e8re\u3000never\u3000lies\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000opens\u3000a\u3000box\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000finally\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Where\u3000I\u3000keep\u3000many\u3000secrets\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000pouted\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000hate\u3000secrets\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000know\uff1b\u3000but\u3000these\u3000are\u3000important\u3000secrets\u3002\u3000And\u3000someday\uff1b\u3000you’ll\u3000learn\u3000to\u3000appreciate\u3000them\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000I\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000saw\u3000letters\u3000on\u3000the\u3000key\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000flower\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000my\u3000favorite\u3000flower\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000called\u3000a\u3000fleur\u2026de\u2026lis\u3002\u3000We\u3000have\u3000them\u3000in\u3000the\u3000garden\u3002\u3000The\u3000white\u3000ones\u3002\u3000In\u3000English\u3000we\u3000call\u3000that\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000flower\u3000a\u3000lily\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000know\u3000those\uff01\u3000They’re\u3000my\u3000favorite\u3000too\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003Then\u3000I’ll\u3000make\u3000a\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3003\u3000Her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000eyebrows\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000way\u3000they\u3000always\u3000did\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000give\u3000her\u3000a\u3000challenge\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000can\u3000keep\u3000my\u3000key\u3000a\u3000secret\uff1b\u3000and\u3000never\u3000talk\u3000about\u3000it\u3000ever\u3000again\uff1b\u3000to\u3000me\u3000or\u3000anybody\uff1b\u3000then\u3000someday\u3000I\u3000will\u3000give\u3000it\u3000to\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000couldn’t\u3000believe\u3000her\u3000ears\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000will\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000promise\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000time\u3000es\uff1b\u3000the\u3000key\u3000will\u3000be\u3000yours\u3002\u3000It\u3000has\u3000your\u3000name\u3000on\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000scowled\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3000it\u3000doesn’t\u3002\u3000It\u3000said\u3000P\u3002S\u3002\u3000My\u3000name\u3000isn’t\u3000P\u3002S\u3002\uff01\u3003
\nHer\u3000grandfather\u3000lowered\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000as\u3000if\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000no\u3000one\u3000was\u3000listening\u3002\u3000\u3003Okay\uff1b\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000must\u3000know\uff1b\u3000P\u3002S\u3002\u3000is\u3000a\u3000code\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000your\u3000secret\u3000initials\u3002\u3003
\nHer\u3000eyes\u3000went\u3000wide\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000secret\u3000initials\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3002\u3000Granddaughters\u3000always\u3000have\u3000secret\u3000initials\u3000that\u3000only\u3000their\u3000grandfathers\u3000know\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003P\u3002S\u3002\uff1f\u3003
\nHe\u3000tickled\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Princesse\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000giggled\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000a\u3000princess\uff01\u3003
\nHe\u3000winked\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000are\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\nFrom\u3000that\u3000day\u3000on\uff1b\u3000they\u3000never\u3000again\u3000spoke\u3000of\u3000the\u3000key\u3002\u3000And\u3000she\u3000became\u3000his\u3000Princess\u3000Sophie\u3002
\n\u3000
\nInside\u3000the\u3000Salle\u3000des\u3000Etats\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000silence\u3000and\u3000endured\u3000the\u3000sharp\u3000pang\u3000of\u3000loss\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000initials\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000her\u3000strangely\u3002\u3000\u3003Have\u3000you\u3000seen\u3000them\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000sensed\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000voice\u3000whispering\u3000in\u3000the\u3000corridors\u3000of\u3000the\u3000museum\u3002\u3000Never\u3000speak\u3000of\u3000this\u3000key\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000To\u3000me\u3000or\u3000to\u3000anyone\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000had\u3000failed\u3000him\u3000in\u3000forgiveness\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000she\u3000could\u3000break\u3000his\u3000trust\u3000again\u3002\u3000P\u3002S\u3002\u3000Find\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000Her\u3000grandfather\u3000wanted\u3000Langdon\u3000to\u3000help\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000initials\u3000P\u3002S\u3002\u3000once\u3002\u3000When\u3000I\u3000was\u3000very\u3000young\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Where\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000hesitated\u3002\u3000\u3003On\u3000something\u3000very\u3000important\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000locked\u3000eyes\u3000with\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Sophie\uff1b\u3000this\u3000is\u3000crucial\u3002\u3000Can\u3000you\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000if\u3000the\u3000initials\u3000appeared\u3000with\u3000a\u3000symbol\uff1f\u3000A\u3000fleur\u2026de\u2026lis\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000felt\u3000herself\u3000staggering\u3000backward\u3000in\u3000amazement\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000how\u3000could\u3000you\u3000possibly\u3000know\u3000that\uff01\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000exhaled\u3000and\u3000lowered\u3000his\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000fairly\u3000certain\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3000was\u3000a\u3000member\u3000of\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000society\u3002\u3000A\u3000very\u3000old\u3000covert\u3000brotherhood\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000knot\u3000tighten\u3000in\u3000her\u3000stomach\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000of\u3000it\u3000too\u3002\u3000For\u3000ten\u3000years\u3000she\u3000had\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000forget\u3000the\u3000incident\u3000that\u3000had\u3000confirmed\u3000that\u3000horrifying\u3000fact\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000witnessed\u3000something\u3000unthinkable\u3002\u3000Unforgivable\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000fleur\u2026de\u2026lis\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003bined\u3000with\u3000the\u3000initials\u3000P\u3002S\u3002\uff1b\u3000that\u3000is\u3000the\u3000brotherhood’s\u3000official\u3000device\u3002\u3000Their\u3000coat\u3000of\u3000arms\u3002\u3000Their\u3000logo\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003How\u3000do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000this\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000praying\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000not\u3000going\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000her\u3000that\u3000he\u3000himself\u3000was\u3000a\u3000member\u3002
\n\u3003I’ve\u3000written\u3000about\u3000this\u3000group\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000tremulous\u3000with\u3000excitement\u3002\u3000\u3003Researching\u3000the\u3000symbols\u3000of\u3000secret\u3000societies\u3000is\u3000a\u3000specialty\u3000of\u3000mine\u3002\u3000They\u3000call\u3000themselves\u3000the\u3000Prieur\u00e9\u3000de\u3000Sion\u2014the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u3002\u3000They’re\u3000based\u3000here\u3000in\u3000France\u3000and\u3000attract\u3000powerful\u3000members\u3000from\u3000all\u3000over\u3000Europe\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000they\u3000are\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000oldest\u3000surviving\u3000secret\u3000societies\u3000on\u3000earth\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000had\u3000never\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000them\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000talking\u3000in\u3000rapid\u3000bursts\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Priory’s\u3000membership\u3000has\u3000included\u3000some\u3000of\u3000history’s\u3000most\u3000cultured\u3000individuals\uff1a\u3000men\u3000like\u3000Botticelli\uff1b\u3000Sir\u3000Isaac\u3000Newton\uff1b\u3000Victor\u3000Hugo\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000brimming\u3000now\u3000with\u3000academic\u3000zeal\u3002\u3000\u3003And\uff1b\u3000Leonardo\u3000da\u3000Vinci\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000stared\u3002\u3000\u3003Da\u3000Vinci\u3000was\u3000in\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000society\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Da\u3000Vinci\u3000presided\u3000over\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000between\u30001510\u3000and\u30001519\u3000as\u3000the\u3000brotherhood’s\u3000Grand\u3000Master\uff1b\u3000which\u3000might\u3000help\u3000explain\u3000your\u3000grandfather’s\u3000passion\u3000for\u3000Leonardo’s\u3000work\u3002\u3000The\u3000two\u3000men\u3000share\u3000a\u3000historical\u3000fraternal\u3000bond\u3002\u3000And\u3000it\u3000all\u3000fits\u3000perfectly\u3000with\u3000their\u3000fascination\u3000for\u3000goddess\u3000iconology\uff1b\u3000paganism\uff1b\u3000feminine\u3000deities\uff1b\u3000and\u3000contempt\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Church\u3002\u3000The\u3000Priory\u3000has\u3000a\u3000well\u2026documented\u3000history\u3000of\u3000reverence\u3000for\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You’re\u3000telling\u3000me\u3000this\u3000group\u3000is\u3000a\u3000pagan\u3000goddess\u3000worship\u3000cult\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003More\u3000like\u3000the\u3000pagan\u3000goddess\u3000worship\u3000cult\u3002\u3000But\u3000more\u3000important\uff1b\u3000they\u3000are\u3000known\u3000as\u3000the\u3000guardians\u3000of\u3000an\u3000ancient\u3000secret\u3002\u3000One\u3000that\u3000made\u3000them\u3000immeasurably\u3000powerful\u3002\u3003
\nDespite\u3000the\u3000total\u3000conviction\u3000in\u3000Langdon’s\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000Sophie’s\u3000gut\u3000reaction\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000stark\u3000disbelief\u3002\u3000A\u3000secret\u3000pagan\u3000cult\uff1f\u3000Once\u3000headed\u3000by\u3000Leonardo\u3000da\u3000Vinci\uff1f\u3000It\u3000all\u3000sounded\u3000utterly\u3000absurd\u3002\u3000And\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000even\u3000as\u3000she\u3000dismissed\u3000it\uff1b\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000reeling\u3000back\u3000ten\u3000years\u2014to\u3000the\u3000night\u3000she\u3000had\u3000mistakenly\u3000surprised\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000and\u3000witnessed\u3000what\u3000she\u3000still\u3000could\u3000not\u3000accept\u3002\u3000Could\u3000that\u3000explain\u2014\uff1f
\n\u3003The\u3000identities\u3000of\u3000living\u3000Priory\u3000members\u3000are\u3000kept\u3000extremely\u3000secret\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000the\u3000P\u3002S\u3002\u3000and\u3000fleur\u2026de\u2026lis\u3000that\u3000you\u3000saw\u3000as\u3000a\u3000child\u3000are\u3000proof\u3002\u3000It\u3000could\u3000only\u3000have\u3000been\u3000related\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000realized\u3000now\u3000that\u3000Langdon\u3000knew\u3000far\u3000more\u3000about\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000than\u3000she\u3000had\u3000previously\u3000imagined\u3002\u3000This\u3000American\u3000obviously\u3000had\u3000volumes\u3000to\u3000share\u3000with\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000this\u3000was\u3000not\u3000the\u3000place\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000afford\u3000to\u3000let\u3000them\u3000catch\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3002\u3000There’s\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000we\u3000need\u3000to\u3000discuss\u3002\u3000You\u3000need\u3000to\u3000go\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000
\nLangdon\u3000heard\u3000only\u3000the\u3000faint\u3000murmur\u3000of\u3000her\u3000voice\u3002\u3000He\u3000wasn’t\u3000going\u3000anywhere\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000lost\u3000in\u3000another\u3000place\u3000now\u3002\u3000A\u3000place\u3000where\u3000ancient\u3000secrets\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000the\u3000surface\u3002\u3000A\u3000place\u3000where\u3000forgotten\u3000histories\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3002
\nSlowly\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000moving\u3000underwater\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000gazed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000reddish\u3000haze\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3002
\nThe\u3000fleur\u2026de\u2026lis\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000flower\u3000of\u3000Lisa\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000all\u3000intertwined\uff1b\u3000a\u3000silent\u3000symphony\u3000echoing\u3000the\u3000deepest\u3000secrets\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u3000and\u3000Leonardo\u3000da\u3000Vinci\u3002
\n\u3000
\nA\u3000few\u3000miles\u3000away\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000riverbank\u3000beyond\u3000Les\u3000Invalides\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bewildered\u3000driver\u3000of\u3000a\u3000twin\u2026bed\u3000Trailor\u3000truck\u3000stood\u3000at\u3000gunpoint\u3000and\u3000watched\u3000as\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Judicial\u3000Police\u3000let\u3000out\u3000a\u3000guttural\u3000roar\u3000of\u3000rage\u3000and\u3000heaved\u3000a\u3000bar\u3000of\u3000soap\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000turgid\u3000waters\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Seine\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300024
\n
\nSilas\u3000gazed\u3000upward\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\u3000obelisk\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000in\u3000the\u3000length\u3000of\u3000the\u3000massive\u3000marble\u3000shaft\u3002\u3000His\u3000sinews\u3000felt\u3000taut\u3000with\u3000exhilaration\u3002\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000around\u3000the\u3000church\u3000one\u3000more\u3000time\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000he\u3000was\u3000alone\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000knelt\u3000at\u3000the\u3000base\u3000of\u3000the\u3000structure\uff1b\u3000not\u3000out\u3000of\u3000reverence\uff1b\u3000but\u3000out\u3000of\u3000necessity\u3002
\nThe\u3000keystone\u3000is\u3000hidden\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3000Line\u3002
\nAt\u3000the\u3000base\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Sulpice\u3000obelisk\u3002
\nAll\u3000the\u3000brothers\u3000had\u3000concurred\u3002
\nOn\u3000his\u3000knees\u3000now\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000ran\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000across\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000floor\u3002\u3000He\u3000saw\u3000no\u3000cracks\u3000or\u3000markings\u3000to\u3000indicate\u3000a\u3000movable\u3000tile\uff1b\u3000so\u3000he\u3000began\u3000rapping\u3000softly\u3000with\u3000his\u3000knuckles\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Following\u3000the\u3000brass\u3000line\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000the\u3000obelisk\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knocked\u3000on\u3000each\u3000tile\u3000adjacent\u3000to\u3000the\u3000brass\u3000line\u3002\u3000Finally\uff1b \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n g\u3000the\u3000brass\u3000line\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000the\u3000obelisk\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knocked\u3000on\u3000each\u3000tile\u3000adjacent\u3000to\u3000the\u3000brass\u3000line\u3002\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000echoed\u3000strangely\u3002
\nThere’s\u3000a\u3000hollow\u3000area\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000floor\uff01
\nSilas\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000His\u3000victims\u3000had\u3000spoken\u3000the\u3000truth\u3002
\nStanding\uff1b\u3000he\u3000searched\u3000the\u3000sanctuary\u3000for\u3000something\u3000with\u3000which\u3000to\u3000break\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000tile\u3002
\n\u3000
\nHigh\u3000above\u3000Silas\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000balcony\uff1b\u3000Sister\u3000Sandrine\u3000stifled\u3000a\u3000gasp\u3002\u3000Her\u3000darkest\u3000fears\u3000had\u3000just\u3000been\u3000confirmed\u3002\u3000This\u3000visitor\u3000was\u3000not\u3000who\u3000he\u3000seemed\u3002\u3000The\u3000mysterious\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000monk\u3000had\u3000e\u3000to\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\u3000for\u3000another\u3000purpose\u3002
\nA\u3000secret\u3000purpose\u3002
\nYou\u3000are\u3000not\u3000the\u3000only\u3000one\u3000with\u3000secrets\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3002
\nSister\u3000Sandrine\u3000Bieil\u3000was\u3000more\u3000than\u3000the\u3000keeper\u3000of\u3000this\u3000church\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000a\u3000sentry\u3002\u3000And\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ancient\u3000wheels\u3000had\u3000been\u3000set\u3000in\u3000motion\u3002\u3000The\u3000arrival\u3000of\u3000this\u3000stranger\u3000at\u3000the\u3000base\u3000of\u3000the\u3000obelisk\u3000was\u3000a\u3000signal\u3000from\u3000the\u3000brotherhood\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000a\u3000silent\u3000call\u3000of\u3000distress\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300025
\n
\nThe\u3000U\u3002S\u3002\u3000Embassy\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3000is\u3000a\u3000pact\u3000plex\u3000on\u3000Avenue\u3000Gabriel\uff1b\u3000just\u3000north\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Champs\u2026Elys\u00e9es\u3002\u3000The\u3000three\u2026acre\u3000pound\u3000is\u3000considered\u3000U\u3002S\u3002\u3000soil\uff1b\u3000meaning\u3000all\u3000those\u3000who\u3000stand\u3000on\u3000it\u3000are\u3000subject\u3000to\u3000the\u3000same\u3000laws\u3000and\u3000protections\u3000as\u3000they\u3000would\u3000encounter\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000United\u3000States\u3002
\nThe\u3000embassy’s\u3000night\u3000operator\u3000was\u3000reading\u3000Time\u3000magazine’s\u3000International\u3000Edition\u3000when\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000her\u3000phone\u3000interrupted\u3002
\n\u3003U\u3002S\u3002\u3000Embassy\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000answered\u3002
\n\u3003Good\u3000evening\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000caller\u3000spoke\u3000English\u3000accented\u3000with\u3000French\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000need\u3000some\u3000assistance\u3002\u3003\u3000Despite\u3000the\u3000politeness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000man’s\u3000words\uff1b\u3000his\u3000tone\u3000sounded\u3000gruff\u3000and\u3000official\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000told\u3000you\u3000had\u3000a\u3000phone\u3000message\u3000for\u3000me\u3000on\u3000your\u3000automated\u3000system\u3002\u3000The\u3000name\u3000is\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000forgotten\u3000my\u3000three\u2026digit\u3000access\u3000code\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000could\u3000help\u3000me\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000be\u3000most\u3000grateful\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000operator\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000confused\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000Your\u3000message\u3000must\u3000be\u3000quite\u3000old\u3002\u3000That\u3000system\u3000was\u3000removed\u3000two\u3000years\u3000ago\u3000for\u3000security\u3000precautions\u3002\u3000Moreover\uff1b\u3000all\u3000the\u3000access\u3000codes\u3000were\u3000five\u2026digit\u3002\u3000Who\u3000told\u3000you\u3000we\u3000had\u3000a\u3000message\u3000for\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000have\u3000no\u3000automated\u3000phone\u3000system\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000Any\u3000message\u3000for\u3000you\u3000would\u3000be\u3000handwritten\u3000in\u3000our\u3000services\u3000department\u3002\u3000What\u3000was\u3000your\u3000name\u3000again\uff1f\u3003
\nBut\u3000the\u3000man\u3000had\u3000hung\u3000up\u3002
\n\u3000
\nBezu\u3000Fache\u3000felt\u3000dumbstruck\u3000as\u3000he\u3000paced\u3000the\u3000banks\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Seine\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000Langdon\u3000dial\u3000a\u3000local\u3000number\uff1b\u3000enter\u3000a\u3000three\u2026digit\u3000code\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000listen\u3000to\u3000a\u3000recording\u3002\u3000But\u3000if\u3000Langdon\u3000didn’t\u3000phone\u3000the\u3000embassy\uff1b\u3000then\u3000who\u3000the\u3000hell\u3000did\u3000he\u3000call\uff1f
\nIt\u3000was\u3000at\u3000that\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000his\u3000cellular\u3000phone\uff1b\u3000that\u3000Fache\u3000realized\u3000the\u3000answers\u3000were\u3000in\u3000the\u3000palm\u3000of\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000used\u3000my\u3000phone\u3000to\u3000place\u3000that\u3000call\u3002
\nKeying\u3000into\u3000the\u3000cell\u3000phone’s\u3000menu\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000pulled\u3000up\u3000the\u3000list\u3000of\u3000recently\u3000dialed\u3000numbers\u3000and\u3000found\u3000the\u3000call\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000placed\u3002
\nA\u3000Paris\u3000exchange\uff1b\u3000followed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000three\u2026digit\u3000code\u3000454\u3002
\nRedialing\u3000the\u3000phone\u3000number\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000waited\u3000as\u3000the\u3000line\u3000began\u3000ringing\u3002
\nFinally\u3000a\u3000woman’s\u3000voice\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003Bonjour\uff1b\u3000vous\u3000\u00eates\u3000bien\u3000chez\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000recording\u3000announced\u3002\u3000\u3003Je\u3000suis\u3000absente\u3000pour\u3000le\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000mais\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\nFache’s\u3000blood\u3000was\u3000boiling\u3000as\u3000he\u3000typed\u3000the\u3000numbers\u30004\u3002\u3002\u3002\u30005\u3002\u3002\u3002\u30004\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300026
\n
\nDespite\u3000her\u3000monumental\u3000reputation\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3000was\u3000a\u3000mere\u3000thirty\u2026one\u3000inches\u3000by\u3000twenty\u2026one\u3000inches\u2014smaller\u3000even\u3000than\u3000the\u3000posters\u3000of\u3000her\u3000sold\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000gift\u3000shop\u3002\u3000She\u3000hung\u3000on\u3000the\u3000northwest\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Salle\u3000des\u3000Etats\u3000behind\u3000a\u3000two\u2026inch\u2026thick\u3000pane\u3000of\u3000protective\u3000Plexiglas\u3002\u3000Painted\u3000on\u3000a\u3000poplar\u3000wood\u3000panel\uff1b\u3000her\u3000ethereal\uff1b\u3000mist\u2026filled\u3000atmosphere\u3000was\u3000attributed\u3000to\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000mastery\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sfumato\u3000style\uff1b\u3000in\u3000which\u3000forms\u3000appear\u3000to\u3000evaporate\u3000into\u3000one\u3000another\u3002
\nSince\u3000taking\u3000up\u3000residence\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Louvre\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u2014or\u3000La\u3000Jaconde\u3000as\u3000they\u3000call\u3000her\u3000in\u3000France\u2014had\u3000been\u3000stolen\u3000twice\uff1b\u3000most\u3000recently\u3000in\u30001911\uff1b\u3000when\u3000she\u3000disappeared\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Louvre’s\u3000\u3003satte\u3000imp\u00e9n\u00e9trable\u3003\u2014Le\u3000Salon\u3000Carre\u3002\u3000Parisians\u3000wept\u3000in\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000and\u3000wrote\u3000newspaper\u3000articles\u3000begging\u3000the\u3000thieves\u3000for\u3000the\u3000painting’s\u3000return\u3002\u3000Two\u3000years\u3000later\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3000was\u3000discovered\u3000hidden\u3000in\u3000the\u3000false\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000a\u3000trunk\u3000in\u3000a\u3000Florence\u3000hotel\u3000room\u3002
\nLangdon\uff1b\u3000now\u3000having\u3000made\u3000it\u3000clear\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000no\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000leaving\uff1b\u3000moved\u3000with\u3000her\u3000across\u3000the\u3000Salle\u3000des\u3000Etats\u3002\u3000The\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3000was\u3000still\u3000twenty\u3000yards\u3000ahead\u3000when\u3000Sophie\u3000turned\u3000on\u3000the\u3000black\u3000light\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000bluish\u3000crescent\u3000of\u3000penlight\u3000fanned\u3000out\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000She\u3000swung\u3000the\u3000beam\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000across\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000like\u3000a\u3000minesweeper\uff1b\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000any\u3000hint\u3000of\u3000luminescent\u3000ink\u3002
\nWalking\u3000beside\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000already\u3000feeling\u3000the\u3000tingle\u3000of\u3000anticipation\u3000that\u3000acpanied\u3000his\u3000face\u2026to\u2026face\u3000reunions\u3000with\u3000great\u3000works\u3000of\u3000art\u3002\u3000He\u3000strained\u3000to\u3000see\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000cocoon\u3000of\u3000purplish\u3000light\u3000emanating\u3000from\u3000the\u3000black\u3000light\u3000in\u3000Sophie’s\u3000hand\u3002\u3000To\u3000the\u3000left\uff1b\u3000the\u3000room’s\u3000octagonal\u3000viewing\u3000divan\u3000emerged\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000like\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000island\u3000on\u3000the\u3000empty\u3000sea\u3000of\u3000parquet\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000could\u3000now\u3000begin\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000panel\u3000of\u3000dark\u3000glass\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002\u3000Behind\u3000it\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000confines\u3000of\u3000her\u3000own\u3000private\u3000cell\uff1b\u3000hung\u3000the\u3000most\u3000celebrated\u3000painting\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3002
\nThe\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa’s\u3000status\u3000as\u3000the\u3000most\u3000famous\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000art\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000had\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000her\u3000enigmatic\u3000smile\u3002\u3000Nor\u3000was\u3000it\u3000due\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mysterious\u3000interpretations\u3000attributed\u3000her\u3000by\u3000many\u3000art\u3000historians\u3000and\u3000conspiracy\u3000buffs\u3002\u3000Quite\u3000simply\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3000was\u3000famous\u3000because\u3000Leonardo\u3000da\u3000Vinci\u3000claimed\u3000she\u3000was\u3000his\u3000finest\u3000acplishment\u3002\u3000He\u3000carried\u3000the\u3000painting\u3000with\u3000him\u3000whenever\u3000he\u3000traveled\u3000and\uff1b\u3000if\u3000asked\u3000why\uff1b\u3000would\u3000reply\u3000that\u3000he\u3000found\u3000it\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000part\u3000with\u3000his\u3000most\u3000sublime\u3000expression\u3000of\u3000female\u3000beauty\u3002
\nEven\u3000so\uff1b\u3000many\u3000art\u3000historians\u3000suspected\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000reverence\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3000had\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000its\u3000artistic\u3000mastery\u3002\u3000In\u3000actuality\uff1b\u3000the\u3000painting\u3000was\u3000a\u3000surprisingly\u3000ordinary\u3000sfumato\u3000portrait\u3002\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000veneration\u3000for\u3000this\u3000work\uff1b\u3000many\u3000claimed\uff1b\u3000stemmed\u3000from\u3000something\u3000far\u3000deeper\uff1a\u3000a\u3000hidden\u3000message\u3000in\u3000the\u3000layers\u3000of\u3000paint\u3002\u3000The\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3000was\uff1b\u3000in\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world’s\u3000most\u3000documented\u3000inside\u3000jokes\u3002\u3000The\u3000painting’s\u3000well\u2026documented\u3000collage\u3000of\u3000double\u3000entendres\u3000and\u3000playful\u3000allusions\u3000had\u3000been\u3000revealed\u3000in\u3000most\u3000art\u3000history\u3000tomes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000incredibly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000public\u3000at\u3000large\u3000still\u3000considered\u3000her\u3000smile\u3000a\u3000great\u3000mystery\u3002
\nNo\u3000mystery\u3000at\u3000all\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000forward\u3000and\u3000watching\u3000as\u3000the\u3000faint\u3000outline\u3000of\u3000the\u3000painting\u3000began\u3000to\u3000take\u3000shape\u3002\u3000No\u3000mystery\u3000at\u3000all\u3002
\nMost\u3000recently\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000shared\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa’s\u3000secret\u3000with\u3000a\u3000rather\u3000unlikely\u3000group\u2014a\u3000dozen\u3000inmates\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Essex\u3000County\u3000Penitentiary\u3002\u3000Langdon’s\u3000jail\u3000seminar\u3000was\u3000part\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Harvard\u3000outreach\u3000program\u3000attempting\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000education\u3000into\u3000the\u3000prison\u3000system\u2014Culture\u3000for\u3000Convicts\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Langdon’s\u3000colleagues\u3000liked\u3000to\u3000call\u3000it\u3002
\nStanding\u3000at\u3000an\u3000overhead\u3000projector\u3000in\u3000a\u3000darkened\u3000penitentiary\u3000library\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000shared\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa’s\u3000secret\u3000with\u3000the\u3000prisoners\u3000attending\u3000class\uff1b\u3000men\u3000whom\u3000he\u3000found\u3000surprisingly\u3000engaged\u2014rough\uff1b\u3000but\u3000sharp\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000may\u3000notice\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000told\u3000them\uff1b\u3000walking\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000projected\u3000image\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3000on\u3000the\u3000library\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000the\u3000background\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000face\u3000is\u3000uneven\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000motioned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000glaring\u3000discrepancy\u3002\u3000\u3003Da\u3000Vinci\u3000painted\u3000the\u3000horizon\u3000line\u3000on\u3000the\u3000left\u3000significantly\u3000lower\u3000than\u3000the\u3000right\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003He\u3000screwed\u3000it\u3000up\uff1f\u3003\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000inmates\u3000asked\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000chuckled\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3002\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000didn’t\u3000do\u3000that\u3000too\u3000often\u3002\u3000Actually\uff1b\u3000this\u3000is\u3000a\u3000little\u3000trick\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000played\u3002\u3000By\u3000lowering\u3000the\u3000countryside\u3000on\u3000the\u3000left\uff1b\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000made\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3000look\u3000much\u3000larger\u3000from\u3000the\u3000left\u3000side\u3000than\u3000from\u3000the\u3000right\u3000side\u3002\u3000A\u3000little\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000inside\u3000joke\u3002\u3000Historically\uff1b\u3000the\u3000concepts\u3000of\u3000male\u3000and\u3000female\u3000have\u3000assigned\u3000sides\u2014left\u3000is\u3000female\uff1b\u3000and\u3000right\u3000is\u3000male\u3002\u3000Because\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000was\u3000a\u3000big\u3000fan\u3000of\u3000feminine\u3000principles\uff1b\u3000he\u3000made\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3000look\u3000more\u3000majestic\u3000from\u3000the\u3000left\u3000than\u3000the\u3000right\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000heard\u3000he\u3000was\u3000a\u3000fag\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000a\u3000small\u3000man\u3000with\u3000a\u3000goatee\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000winced\u3002\u3000\u3003Historians\u3000don’t\u3000generally\u3000put\u3000it\u3000quite\u3000that\u3000way\uff1b\u3000but\u3000yes\uff1b\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000was\u3000a\u3000homosexual\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Is\u3000that\u3000why\u3000he\u3000was\u3000into\u3000that\u3000whole\u3000feminine\u3000thing\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Actually\uff1b\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000was\u3000in\u3000tune\u3000with\u3000the\u3000balance\u3000between\u3000male\u3000and\u3000female\u3002\u3000He\u3000believed\u3000that\u3000a\u3000human\u3000soul\u3000could\u3000not\u3000be\u3000enlightened\u3000unless\u3000it\u3000had\u3000both\u3000male\u3000and\u3000female\u3000elements\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000mean\u3000like\u3000chicks\u3000with\u3000dicks\uff1f\u3003\u3000someone\u3000called\u3002
\nThis\u3000elicited\u3000a\u3000hearty\u3000round\u3000of\u3000laughs\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000considered\u3000offering\u3000an\u3000etymological\u3000sidebar\u3000about\u3000the\u3000word\u3000hermaphrodite\u3000and\u3000its\u3000ties\u3000to\u3000Hermes\u3000and\u3000Aphrodite\uff1b\u3000but\u3000something\u3000told\u3000him\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000lost\u3000on\u3000this\u3000crowd\u3002
\n\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langford\uff1b\u3003\u3000a\u3000muscle\u2026bound\u3000man\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000it\u3000true\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3000is\u3000a\u3000picture\u3000of\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000in\u3000drag\uff1f\u3000I\u3000heard\u3000that\u3000was\u3000true\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000quite\u3000possible\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Da\u3000Vinci\u3000was\u3000a\u3000prankster\uff1b\u3000and\u3000puterized\u3000analysis\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3000and\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000self\u2026portraits\u3000confirm\u3000some\u3000startling\u3000points\u3000of\u3000congruency\u3000in\u3000their\u3000faces\u3002\u3000Whatever\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000was\u3000up\u3000to\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003his\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3000is\u3000neither\u3000male\u3000nor\u3000female\u3002\u3000It\u3000carries\u3000a\u3000subtle\u3000message\u3000of\u3000androgyny\u3002\u3000It\u3000is\u3000a\u3000fusing\u3000of\u3000both\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000sure\u3000that’s\u3000not\u3000just\u3000some\u3000Harvard\u3000bullshit\u3000way\u3000of\u3000saying\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3000is\u3000one\u3000ugly\u3000chick\u3002\u3003
\nNow\u3000Langdon\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000may\u3000be\u3000right\u3002\u3000But\u3000actually\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000left\u3000a\u3000big\u3000clue\u3000that\u3000the\u3000painting\u3000was\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000androgynous\u3002\u3000Has\u3000anyone\u3000here\u3000ever\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000an\u3000Egyptian\u3000god\u3000named\u3000Amon\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Hell\u3000yes\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000big\u3000guy\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003God\u3000of\u3000masculine\u3000fertility\uff01\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000stunned\u3002
\n\u3003It\u3000says\u3000so\u3000on\u3000every\u3000box\u3000of\u3000Amon\u3000condoms\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000muscular\u3000man\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000wide\u3000grin\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000got\u3000a\u3000guy\u3000with\u3000a\u3000ram’s\u3000head\u3000on\u3000the\u3000front\u3000and\u3000says\u3000he’s\u3000the\u3000Egyptian\u3000god\u3000of\u3000fertility\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000not\u3000familiar\u3000with\u3000the\u3000brand\u3000name\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000glad\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000prophylactic\u3000manufacturers\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000their\u3000hieroglyphs\u3000right\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\u3000done\u3002\u3000Amon\u3000is\u3000indeed\u3000represented\u3000as\u3000a\u3000man\u3000with\u3000a\u3000ram’s\u3000head\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000pro \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ir\u3000hieroglyphs\u3000right\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\u3000done\u3002\u3000Amon\u3000is\u3000indeed\u3000represented\u3000as\u3000a\u3000man\u3000with\u3000a\u3000ram’s\u3000head\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000promiscuity\u3000and\u3000curved\u3000horns\u3000are\u3000related\u3000to\u3000our\u3000modern\u3000sexual\u3000slang\u3000’horny\u3002’\u3000\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3000shit\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3000shit\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000who\u3000Amon’s\u3000counterpart\u3000was\uff1f\u3000The\u3000Egyptian\u3000goddess\u3000of\u3000fertility\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000question\u3000met\u3000with\u3000several\u3000seconds\u3000of\u3000silence\u3002
\n\u3003It\u3000was\u3000Isis\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000told\u3000them\uff1b\u3000grabbing\u3000a\u3000grease\u3000pen\u3002\u3000\u3003So\u3000we\u3000have\u3000the\u3000male\u3000god\uff1b\u3000Amon\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000wrote\u3000it\u3000down\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000the\u3000female\u3000goddess\uff1b\u3000Isis\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000ancient\u3000pictogram\u3000was\u3000once\u3000called\u3000L’ISA\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000finished\u3000writing\u3000and\u3000stepped\u3000back\u3000from\u3000the\u3000projector\u3002
\nAMON\u3000L’ISA
\n\u3000
\n\u3003Ring\u3000any\u3000bells\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003Mona\u3000Lisa\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000holy\u3000crap\uff1b\u3003\u3000somebody\u3000gasped\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003Gentlemen\uff1b\u3000not\u3000only\u3000does\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3000look\u3000androgynous\uff1b\u3000but\u3000her\u3000name\u3000is\u3000an\u3000anagram\u3000of\u3000the\u3000divine\u3000union\u3000of\u3000male\u3000and\u3000female\u3002\u3000And\u3000that\uff1b\u3000my\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000is\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000little\u3000secret\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000reason\u3000for\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa’s\u3000knowing\u3000smile\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3003My\u3000grandfather\u3000was\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000dropping\u3000suddenly\u3000to\u3000her\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000now\u3000only\u3000ten\u3000feet\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3002\u3000She\u3000pointed\u3000the\u3000black\u3000light\u3000tentatively\u3000to\u3000a\u3000spot\u3000on\u3000the\u3000parquet\u3000floor\u3002
\nAt\u3000first\u3000Langdon\u3000saw\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000knelt\u3000beside\u3000her\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000droplet\u3000of\u3000dried\u3000liquid\u3000that\u3000was\u3000luminescing\u3002\u3000Ink\uff1f\u3000Suddenly\u3000he\u3000recalled\u3000what\u3000black\u3000lights\u3000were\u3000actually\u3000used\u3000for\u3002\u3000Blood\u3002\u3000His\u3000senses\u3000tingled\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000right\u3002\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000indeed\u3000paid\u3000a\u3000visit\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3000before\u3000he\u3000died\u3002
\n\u3003He\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000e\u3000here\u3000without\u3000a\u3000reason\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000he\u3000left\u3000a\u3000message\u3000for\u3000me\u3000here\u3002\u3003\u3000Quickly\u3000striding\u3000the\u3000final\u3000few\u3000steps\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\uff1b\u3000she\u3000illuminated\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000directly\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000painting\u3002\u3000She\u3000waved\u3000the\u3000light\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000across\u3000the\u3000bare\u3000parquet\u3002
\n\u3003There’s\u3000nothing\u3000here\uff01\u3003
\nAt\u3000that\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000purple\u3000glimmer\u3000on\u3000the\u3000protective\u3000glass\u3000before\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3002\u3000Reaching\u3000down\uff1b\u3000he\u3000took\u3000Sophie’s\u3000wrist\u3000and\u3000slowly\u3000moved\u3000the\u3000light\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000painting\u3000itself\u3002
\nThey\u3000both\u3000froze\u3002
\nOn\u3000the\u3000glass\uff1b\u3000six\u3000words\u3000glowed\u3000in\u3000purple\uff1b\u3000scrawled\u3000directly\u3000across\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa’s\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300027
\n
\nSeated\u3000at\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000desk\uff1b\u3000Lieutenant\u3000Collet\u3000pressed\u3000the\u3000phone\u3000to\u3000his\u3000ear\u3000in\u3000disbelief\u3002\u3000Did\u3000I\u3000hear\u3000Fache\u3000correctly\uff1f\u3000\u3003A\u3000bar\u3000of\u3000soap\uff1f\u3000But\u3000how\u3000could\u3000Langdon\u3000have\u3000known\u3000about\u3000the\u3000GPS\u3000dot\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Sophie\u3000Neveu\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003She\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\uff01\u3000Why\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Damned\u3000good\u3000question\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000just\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000recording\u3000that\u3000confirms\u3000she\u3000tipped\u3000him\u3000off\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000was\u3000speechless\u3002\u3000What\u3000was\u3000Neveu\u3000thinking\uff1f\u3000Fache\u3000had\u3000proof\u3000that\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000interfered\u3000with\u3000a\u3000DCPJ\u3000sting\u3000operation\uff1f\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000was\u3000not\u3000only\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000fired\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000also\u3000going\u3000to\u3000jail\u3002\u3000\u3003But\uff1b\u3000Captain\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000then\u3000where\u3000is\u3000Langdon\u3000now\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Have\u3000any\u3000fire\u3000alarms\u3000gone\u3000off\u3000there\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000no\u3000one\u3000has\u3000e\u3000out\u3000under\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\u3000gate\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3002\u3000We’ve\u3000got\u3000a\u3000Louvre\u3000security\u3000officer\u3000on\u3000the\u3000gate\u3002\u3000Just\u3000as\u3000you\u3000requested\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Okay\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000must\u3000still\u3000be\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Inside\uff1f\u3000But\u3000what\u3000is\u3000he\u3000doing\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Is\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000security\u3000guard\u3000armed\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000He’s\u3000a\u3000senior\u3000warden\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Send\u3000him\u3000in\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000manded\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000get\u3000my\u3000men\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000perimeter\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000Langdon\u3000breaking\u3000for\u3000an\u3000exit\u3002\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000you’d\u3000better\u3000tell\u3000the\u3000guard\u3000Agent\u3000Neveu\u3000is\u3000probably\u3000in\u3000there\u3000with\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Agent\u3000Neveu\u3000left\uff1b\u3000I\u3000thought\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Did\u3000you\u3000actually\u3000see\u3000her\u3000leave\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1b\u3000but\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000nobody\u3000on\u3000the\u3000perimeter\u3000saw\u3000her\u3000leave\u3000either\u3002\u3000They\u3000only\u3000saw\u3000her\u3000go\u3000in\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000was\u3000flabbergasted\u3000by\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu’s\u3000bravado\u3002\u3000She’s\u3000still\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000building\uff1f
\n\u3003Handle\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000ordered\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000want\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Neveu\u3000at\u3000gunpoint\u3000by\u3000the\u3000time\u3000I\u3000get\u3000back\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nAs\u3000the\u3000Trailor\u3000truck\u3000drove\u3000off\uff1b\u3000Captain\u3000Fache\u3000rounded\u3000up\u3000his\u3000men\u3002\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000proven\u3000an\u3000elusive\u3000quarry\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000and\u3000with\u3000Agent\u3000Neveu\u3000now\u3000helping\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000might\u3000be\u3000far\u3000harder\u3000to\u3000corner\u3000than\u3000expected\u3002
\nFache\u3000decided\u3000not\u3000to\u3000take\u3000any\u3000chances\u3002
\nHedging\u3000his\u3000bets\uff1b\u3000he\u3000ordered\u3000half\u3000of\u3000his\u3000men\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000perimeter\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000half\u3000he\u3000sent\u3000to\u3000guard\u3000the\u3000only\u3000location\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3000where\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000find\u3000safe\u3000harbor\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300028
\n
\nInside\u3000the\u3000Salle\u3000des\u3000Etats\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000stared\u3000in\u3000astonishment\u3000at\u3000the\u3000six\u3000words\u3000glowing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Plexiglas\u3002\u3000The\u3000text\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000hover\u3000in\u3000space\uff1b\u3000casting\u3000a\u3000jagged\u3000shadow\u3000across\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa’s\u3000mysterious\u3000smile\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000Priory\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000whispered\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000proves\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3000was\u3000a\u3000member\uff01\u3003
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000him\u3000in\u3000confusion\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000understand\u3000this\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000flawless\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000nodding\u3000as\u3000his\u3000thoughts\u3000churned\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000proclamation\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory’s\u3000most\u3000fundamental\u3000philosophies\uff01\u3003
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000baffled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000glow\u3000of\u3000the\u3000message\u3000scrawled\u3000across\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa’s\u3000face\u3002
\nSO\u3000DARK\u3000THE\u3000CON\u3000OF\u3000MAN
\n\u3000
\n\u3003Sophie\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003the\u3000Priory’s\u3000tradition\u3000of\u3000perpetuating\u3000goddess\u3000worship\u3000is\u3000based\u3000on\u3000a\u3000belief\u3000that\u3000powerful\u3000men\u3000in\u3000the\u3000early\u3000Christian\u3000church\u3000’conned’\u3000the\u3000world\u3000by\u3000propagating\u3000lies\u3000that\u3000devalued\u3000the\u3000female\u3000and\u3000tipped\u3000the\u3000scales\u3000in\u3000favor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000masculine\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000remained\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000the\u3000words\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000Priory\u3000believes\u3000that\u3000Constantine\u3000and\u3000his\u3000male\u3000successors\u3000successfully\u3000converted\u3000the\u3000world\u3000from\u3000matriarchal\u3000paganism\u3000to\u3000patriarchal\u3000Christianity\u3000by\u3000waging\u3000a\u3000campaign\u3000of\u3000propaganda\u3000that\u3000demonized\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\uff1b\u3000obliterating\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000from\u3000modern\u3000religion\u3000forever\u3002\u3003
\nSophie’s\u3000expression\u3000remained\u3000uncertain\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000grandfather\u3000sent\u3000me\u3000to\u3000this\u3000spot\u3000to\u3000find\u3000this\u3002\u3000He\u3000must\u3000be\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000more\u3000than\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000understood\u3000her\u3000meaning\u3002\u3000She\u3000thinks\u3000this\u3000is\u3000another\u3000code\u3002\u3000Whether\u3000a\u3000hidden\u3000meaning\u3000existed\u3000here\u3000or\u3000not\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000not\u3000immediately\u3000say\u3002\u3000His\u3000mind\u3000was\u3000still\u3000grappling\u3000with\u3000the\u3000bold\u3000clarity\u3000of\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000outward\u3000message\u3002
\nSo\u3000dark\u3000the\u3000con\u3000of\u3000man\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3002\u3000So\u3000dark\u3000indeed\u3002
\nNobody\u3000could\u3000deny\u3000the\u3000enormous\u3000good\u3000the\u3000modern\u3000Church\u3000did\u3000in\u3000today’s\u3000troubled\u3000world\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000had\u3000a\u3000deceitful\u3000and\u3000violent\u3000history\u3002\u3000Their\u3000brutal\u3000crusade\u3000to\u3000\u3003reeducate\u3003\u3000the\u3000pagan\u3000and\u3000feminine\u2026worshipping\u3000religions\u3000spanned\u3000three\u3000centuries\uff1b\u3000employing\u3000methods\u3000as\u3000inspired\u3000as\u3000they\u3000were\u3000horrific\u3002
\nThe\u3000Catholic\u3000Inquisition\u3000published\u3000the\u3000book\u3000that\u3000arguably\u3000could\u3000be\u3000called\u3000the\u3000most\u3000blood\u2026soaked\u3000publication\u3000in\u3000human\u3000history\u3002\u3000Malleus\u3000Maleficarum\u2014or\u3000The\u3000Witches’\u3000Hammer\u2014indoctrinated\u3000the\u3000world\u3000to\u3000\u3003the\u3000dangers\u3000of\u3000freethinking\u3000women\u3003\u3000and\u3000instructed\u3000the\u3000clergy\u3000how\u3000to\u3000locate\uff1b\u3000torture\uff1b\u3000and\u3000destroy\u3000them\u3002\u3000Those\u3000deemed\u3000\u3003witches\u3003\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000included\u3000all\u3000female\u3000scholars\uff1b\u3000priestesses\uff1b\u3000gypsies\uff1b\u3000mystics\uff1b\u3000nature\u3000lovers\uff1b\u3000herb\u3000gatherers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000any\u3000women\u3000\u3003suspiciously\u3000attuned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000natural\u3000world\u3002\u3003\u3000Midwives\u3000also\u3000were\u3000killed\u3000for\u3000their\u3000heretical\u3000practice\u3000of\u3000using\u3000medical\u3000knowledge\u3000to\u3000ease\u3000the\u3000pain\u3000of\u3000childbirth\u2014a\u3000suffering\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000claimed\uff1b\u3000that\u3000was\u3000God’s\u3000rightful\u3000punishment\u3000for\u3000Eve’s\u3000partaking\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Apple\u3000of\u3000Knowledge\uff1b\u3000thus\u3000giving\u3000birth\u3000to\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000Original\u3000Sin\u3002\u3000During\u3000three\u3000hundred\u3000years\u3000of\u3000witch\u3000hunts\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000burned\u3000at\u3000the\u3000stake\u3000an\u3000astounding\u3000five\u3000million\u3000women\u3002
\nThe\u3000propaganda\u3000and\u3000bloodshed\u3000had\u3000worked\u3002
\nToday’s\u3000world\u3000was\u3000living\u3000proof\u3002
\nWomen\uff1b\u3000once\u3000celebrated\u3000as\u3000an\u3000essential\u3000half\u3000of\u3000spiritual\u3000enlightenment\uff1b\u3000had\u3000been\u3000banished\u3000from\u3000the\u3000temples\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000no\u3000female\u3000Orthodox\u3000rabbis\uff1b\u3000Catholic\u3000priests\uff1b\u3000nor\u3000Islamic\u3000clerics\u3002\u3000The\u3000once\u3000hallowed\u3000act\u3000of\u3000Hieros\u3000Gamos\u2014the\u3000natural\u3000sexual\u3000union\u3000between\u3000man\u3000and\u3000woman\u3000through\u3000which\u3000each\u3000became\u3000spiritually\u3000whole\u2014had\u3000been\u3000recast\u3000as\u3000a\u3000shameful\u3000act\u3002\u3000Holy\u3000men\u3000who\u3000had\u3000once\u3000required\u3000sexual\u3000union\u3000with\u3000their\u3000female\u3000counterparts\u3000to\u3000mune\u3000with\u3000God\u3000now\u3000feared\u3000their\u3000natural\u3000sexual\u3000urges\u3000as\u3000the\u3000work\u3000of\u3000the\u3000devil\uff1b\u3000collaborating\u3000with\u3000his\u3000favorite\u3000acplice\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000woman\u3002
\nNot\u3000even\u3000the\u3000feminine\u3000association\u3000with\u3000the\u3000left\u2026hand\u3000side\u3000could\u3000escape\u3000the\u3000Church’s\u3000defamation\u3002\u3000In\u3000France\u3000and\u3000Italy\uff1b\u3000the\u3000words\u3000for\u3000\u3003left\u3003\u2014gauche\u3000and\u3000sinistra\u2014came\u3000to\u3000have\u3000deeply\u3000negative\u3000overtones\uff1b\u3000while\u3000their\u3000right\u2026hand\u3000counterparts\u3000rang\u3000of\u3000righteousness\uff1b\u3000dexterity\uff1b\u3000and\u3000correctness\u3002\u3000To\u3000this\u3000day\uff1b\u3000radical\u3000thought\u3000was\u3000considered\u3000left\u3000wing\uff1b\u3000irrational\u3000thought\u3000was\u3000left\u3000brain\uff1b\u3000and\u3000anything\u3000evil\uff1b\u3000sinister\u3002
\nThe\u3000days\u3000of\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000were\u3000over\u3002\u3000The\u3000pendulum\u3000had\u3000swung\u3002\u3000Mother\u3000Earth\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000a\u3000man’s\u3000world\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000gods\u3000of\u3000destruction\u3000and\u3000war\u3000were\u3000taking\u3000their\u3000toll\u3002\u3000The\u3000male\u3000ego\u3000had\u3000spent\u3000two\u3000millennia\u3000running\u3000unchecked\u3000by\u3000its\u3000female\u3000counterpart\u3002\u3000The\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u3000believed\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000this\u3000obliteration\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u3000in\u3000modern\u3000life\u3000that\u3000had\u3000caused\u3000what\u3000the\u3000Hopi\u3000Native\u3000Americans\u3000called\u3000koyanisquatsi\u2014\u3003life\u3000out\u3000of\u3000balance\u3003\u2014an\u3000unstable\u3000situation\u3000marked\u3000by\u3000testosterone\u2026fueled\u3000wars\uff1b\u3000a\u3000plethora\u3000of\u3000misogynistic\u3000societies\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000growing\u3000disrespect\u3000for\u3000Mother\u3000Earth\u3002
\n\u3003Robert\uff01\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000her\u3000whisper\u3000yanking\u3000him\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003Someone’s\u3000ing\uff01\u3003
\nHe\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000approaching\u3000footsteps\u3000out\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hallway\u3002
\n\u3003Over\u3000here\uff01\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000extinguished\u3000the\u3000black\u3000light\u3000and\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000evaporate\u3000before\u3000Langdon’s\u3000eyes\u3002
\nFor\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000totally\u3000blind\u3002\u3000Over\u3000where\uff01\u3000As\u3000his\u3000vision\u3000cleared\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000Sophie’s\u3000silhouette\u3000racing\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3000and\u3000ducking\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000octagonal\u3000viewing\u3000bench\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000dash\u3000after\u3000her\u3000when\u3000a\u3000booming\u3000voice\u3000stopped\u3000him\u3000cold\u3002
\n\u3003Arr\u00eatez\uff01\u3003\u3000a\u3000man\u3000manded\u3000from\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3002
\nThe\u3000Louvre\u3000security\u3000agent\u3000advanced\u3000through\u3000the\u3000entrance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Salle\u3000des\u3000Etats\uff1b\u3000his\u3000pistol\u3000outstretched\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000deadly\u3000aim\u3000at\u3000Langdon’s\u3000chest\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000raise\u3000instinctively\u3000for\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3002
\n\u3003Couchez\u2026vous\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000guard\u3000manded\u3002\u3000\u3003Lie\u3000down\uff01\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000face\u3000first\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000in\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000seconds\u3002\u3000The\u3000guard\u3000hurried\u3000over\u3000and\u3000kicked\u3000his\u3000legs\u3000apart\uff1b\u3000spreading\u3000Langdon\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003Couchez\u2026vous\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000guard\u3000manded\u3002\u3000\u3003Lie\u3000down\uff01\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000face\u3000first\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000in\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000seconds\u3002\u3000The\u3000guard\u3000hurried\u3000over\u3000and\u3000kicked\u3000his\u3000legs\u3000apart\uff1b\u3000spreading\u3000Langdon\u3000out\u3002
\n\u3003Mauvaise\u3000id\u00e9e\uff1b\u3000Monsieur\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000pressing\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000hard\u3000into\u3000Langdon’s\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003Mauvaise\u3000id\u00e9e\u3002\u3003
\nFace\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000parquet\u3000floor\u3000with\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000legs\u3000spread\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000found\u3000little\u3000humor\u3000in\u3000the\u3000irony\u3000of\u3000his\u3000position\u3002\u3000The\u3000Vitruvian\u3000Man\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Face\u3000down\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300029
\n
\nInside\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000carried\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000iron\u3000votive\u3000candle\u3000holder\u3000from\u3000the\u3000altar\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000obelisk\u3002\u3000The\u3000shaft\u3000would\u3000do\u3000nicely\u3000as\u3000a\u3000battering\u3000ram\u3002\u3000Eyeing\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000marble\u3000panel\u3000that\u3000covered\u3000the\u3000apparent\u3000hollow\u3000in\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000he\u3000could\u3000not\u3000possibly\u3000shatter\u3000the\u3000covering\u3000without\u3000making\u3000considerable\u3000noise\u3002
\nIron\u3000on\u3000marble\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000echo\u3000off\u3000the\u3000vaulted\u3000ceilings\u3002
\nWould\u3000the\u3000nun\u3000hear\u3000him\uff1f\u3000She\u3000should\u3000be\u3000asleep\u3000by\u3000now\u3002\u3000Even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000Silas\u3000preferred\u3000not\u3000to\u3000take\u3002\u3000Looking\u3000around\u3000for\u3000a\u3000cloth\u3000to\u3000wrap\u3000around\u3000the\u3000tip\u3000of\u3000the\u3000iron\u3000pole\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000nothing\u3000except\u3000the\u3000altar’s\u3000linen\u3000mantle\uff1b\u3000which\u3000he\u3000refused\u3000to\u3000defile\u3002\u3000My\u3000cloak\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Knowing\u3000he\u3000was\u3000alone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000great\u3000church\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000untied\u3000his\u3000cloak\u3000and\u3000slipped\u3000it\u3000off\u3000his\u3000body\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000removed\u3000it\uff1b\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000sting\u3000as\u3000the\u3000wool\u3000fibers\u3000stuck\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fresh\u3000wounds\u3000on\u3000his\u3000back\u3002
\nNaked\u3000now\uff1b\u3000except\u3000for\u3000his\u3000loin\u3000swaddle\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000wrapped\u3000his\u3000cloak\u3000over\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000iron\u3000rod\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000aiming\u3000at\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000tile\uff1b\u3000he\u3000drove\u3000the\u3000tip\u3000into\u3000it\u3002\u3000A\u3000muffled\u3000thud\u3002\u3000The\u3000stone\u3000did\u3000not\u3000break\u3002\u3000He\u3000drove\u3000the\u3000pole\u3000into\u3000it\u3000again\u3002\u3000Again\u3000a\u3000dull\u3000thud\uff1b\u3000but\u3000this\u3000time\u3000acpanied\u3000by\u3000a\u3000crack\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000third\u3000swing\uff1b\u3000the\u3000covering\u3000finally\u3000shattered\uff1b\u3000and\u3000stone\u3000shards\u3000fell\u3000into\u3000a\u3000hollow\u3000area\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\nA\u3000partment\uff01
\nQuickly\u3000pulling\u3000the\u3000remaining\u3000pieces\u3000from\u3000the\u3000opening\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000gazed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000void\u3002\u3000His\u3000blood\u3000pounded\u3000as\u3000he\u3000knelt\u3000down\u3000before\u3000it\u3002\u3000Raising\u3000his\u3000pale\u3000bare\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000inside\u3002
\nAt\u3000first\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000The\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000partment\u3000was\u3000bare\uff1b\u3000smooth\u3000stone\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000deeper\uff1b\u3000reaching\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000in\u3000under\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3000Line\uff1b\u3000he\u3000touched\u3000something\uff01\u3000A\u3000thick\u3000stone\u3000tablet\u3002\u3000Getting\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000around\u3000the\u3000edge\uff1b\u3000he\u3000gripped\u3000it\u3000and\u3000gently\u3000lifted\u3000the\u3000tablet\u3000out\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000stood\u3000and\u3000examined\u3000his\u3000find\uff1b\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000he\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000a\u3000rough\u2026hewn\u3000stone\u3000slab\u3000with\u3000engraved\u3000words\u3002\u3000He\u3000felt\u3000for\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000like\u3000a\u3000modern\u2026day\u3000Moses\u3002
\nAs\u3000Silas\u3000read\u3000the\u3000words\u3000on\u3000the\u3000tablet\uff1b\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000surprise\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000expected\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000map\uff1b\u3000or\u3000a\u3000plex\u3000series\u3000of\u3000directions\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000even\u3000encoded\u3002\u3000The\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000bore\u3000the\u3000simplest\u3000of\u3000inscriptions\u3002
\nJob\u300038\uff1a11
\nA\u3000Bible\u3000verse\uff1f\u3000Silas\u3000was\u3000stunned\u3000with\u3000the\u3000devilish\u3000simplicity\u3002\u3000The\u3000secret\u3000location\u3000of\u3000that\u3000which\u3000they\u3000sought\u3000was\u3000revealed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000Bible\u3000verse\uff1f\u3000The\u3000brotherhood\u3000stopped\u3000at\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000mock\u3000the\u3000righteous\uff01
\nJob\u3002\u3000Chapter\u3000thirty\u2026eight\u3002\u3000Verse\u3000eleven\u3002
\nAlthough\u3000Silas\u3000did\u3000not\u3000recall\u3000the\u3000exact\u3000contents\u3000of\u3000verse\u3000eleven\u3000by\u3000heart\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000Book\u3000of\u3000Job\u3000told\u3000the\u3000story\u3000of\u3000a\u3000man\u3000whose\u3000faith\u3000in\u3000God\u3000survived\u3000repeated\u3000tests\u3002\u3000Appropriate\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000barely\u3000able\u3000to\u3000contain\u3000his\u3000excitement\u3002
\nLooking\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000he\u3000gazed\u3000down\u3000the\u3000shimmering\u3000Rose\u3000Line\u3000and\u3000couldn’t\u3000help\u3000but\u3000smile\u3002\u3000There\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000main\u3000altar\uff1b\u3000propped\u3000open\u3000on\u3000a\u3000gilded\u3000book\u3000stand\uff1b\u3000sat\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000leather\u2026bound\u3000Bible\u3002
\n\u3000
\nUp\u3000in\u3000the\u3000balcony\uff1b\u3000Sister\u3000Sandrine\u3000was\u3000shaking\u3002\u3000Moments\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000about\u3000to\u3000flee\u3000and\u3000carry\u3000out\u3000her\u3000orders\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000man\u3000below\u3000suddenly\u3000removed\u3000his\u3000cloak\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000his\u3000alabaster\u2026white\u3000flesh\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000overe\u3000with\u3000a\u3000horrified\u3000bewilderment\u3002\u3000His\u3000broad\uff1b\u3000pale\u3000back\u3000was\u3000soaked\u3000with\u3000blood\u2026red\u3000slashes\u3002\u3000Even\u3000from\u3000here\u3000she\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000wounds\u3000were\u3000fresh\u3002
\nThis\u3000man\u3000has\u3000been\u3000mercilessly\u3000whipped\uff01
\nShe\u3000also\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000bloody\u3000cilice\u3000around\u3000his\u3000thigh\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wound\u3000beneath\u3000it\u3000dripping\u3002\u3000What\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000God\u3000would\u3000want\u3000a\u3000body\u3000punished\u3000this\u3000way\uff1f\u3000The\u3000rituals\u3000of\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\uff1b\u3000Sister\u3000Sandrine\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000were\u3000not\u3000something\u3000she\u3000would\u3000ever\u3000understand\u3002\u3000But\u3000that\u3000was\u3000hardly\u3000her\u3000concern\u3000at\u3000this\u3000instant\u3002\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000is\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3002\u3000How\u3000they\u3000knew\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Sister\u3000Sandrine\u3000could\u3000not\u3000imagine\uff1b\u3000although\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000have\u3000time\u3000to\u3000think\u3002
\nThe\u3000bloody\u3000monk\u3000was\u3000now\u3000quietly\u3000donning\u3000his\u3000cloak\u3000again\uff1b\u3000clutching\u3000his\u3000prize\u3000as\u3000he\u3000moved\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000altar\uff1b\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000Bible\u3002
\nIn\u3000breathless\u3000silence\uff1b\u3000Sister\u3000Sandrine\u3000left\u3000the\u3000balcony\u3000and\u3000raced\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000to\u3000her\u3000quarters\u3002\u3000Getting\u3000on\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000she\u3000reached\u3000beneath\u3000her\u3000wooden\u3000bed\u3000frame\u3000and\u3000retrieved\u3000the\u3000sealed\u3000envelope\u3000she\u3000had\u3000hidden\u3000there\u3000years\u3000ago\u3002
\nTearing\u3000it\u3000open\uff1b\u3000she\u3000found\u3000four\u3000Paris\u3000phone\u3000numbers\u3002
\nTrembling\uff1b\u3000she\u3000began\u3000to\u3000dial\u3002
\n\u3000
\nDownstairs\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000laid\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000tablet\u3000on\u3000the\u3000altar\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000eager\u3000hands\u3000to\u3000the\u3000leather\u3000Bible\u3002\u3000His\u3000long\u3000white\u3000fingers\u3000were\u3000sweating\u3000now\u3000as\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000pages\u3002\u3000Flipping\u3000through\u3000the\u3000Old\u3000Testament\uff1b\u3000he\u3000found\u3000the\u3000Book\u3000of\u3000Job\u3002\u3000He\u3000located\u3000chapter\u3000thirty\u2026eight\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000ran\u3000his\u3000finger\u3000down\u3000the\u3000column\u3000of\u3000text\uff1b\u3000he\u3000anticipated\u3000the\u3000words\u3000he\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000read\u3002
\nThey\u3000will\u3000lead\u3000the\u3000way\uff01
\nFinding\u3000verse\u3000number\u3000eleven\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000read\u3000the\u3000text\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000only\u3000seven\u3000words\u3002\u3000Confused\uff1b\u3000he\u3000read\u3000it\u3000again\uff1b\u3000sensing\u3000something\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000terribly\u3000wrong\u3002\u3000The\u3000verse\u3000simply\u3000read\uff1a
\nHITHERTO\u3000SHALT\u3000THOU\u3000E\uff1b\u3000BUT\u3000NO\u3000FURTHER\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300030
\n
\nSecurity\u3000warden\u3000Claude\u3000Grouard\u3000simmered\u3000with\u3000rage\u3000as\u3000he\u3000stood\u3000over\u3000his\u3000prostrate\u3000captive\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3002\u3000This\u3000bastard\u3000killed\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\uff01\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000been\u3000like\u3000a\u3000well\u2026loved\u3000father\u3000to\u3000Grouard\u3000and\u3000his\u3000security\u3000team\u3002
\nGrouard\u3000wanted\u3000nothing\u3000more\u3000than\u3000to\u3000pull\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3000and\u3000bury\u3000a\u3000bullet\u3000in\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon’s\u3000back\u3002\u3000As\u3000senior\u3000warden\uff1b\u3000Grouard\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000few\u3000guards\u3000who\u3000actually\u3000carried\u3000a\u3000loaded\u3000weapon\u3002\u3000He\u3000reminded\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000that\u3000killing\u3000Langdon\u3000would\u3000be\u3000a\u3000generous\u3000fate\u3000pared\u3000to\u3000the\u3000misery\u3000about\u3000to\u3000be\u3000municated\u3000by\u3000Bezu\u3000Fache\u3000and\u3000the\u3000French\u3000prison\u3000system\u3002
\nGrouard\u3000yanked\u3000his\u3000walkie\u2026talkie\u3000off\u3000his\u3000belt\u3000and\u3000attempted\u3000to\u3000radio\u3000for\u3000backup\u3002\u3000All\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000was\u3000static\u3002\u3000The\u3000additional\u3000electronic\u3000security\u3000in\u3000this\u3000chamber\u3000always\u3000wrought\u3000havoc\u3000with\u3000the\u3000guards’\u3000munications\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000to\u3000move\u3000to\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3002\u3000Still\u3000aiming\u3000his\u3000weapon\u3000at\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000Grouard\u3000began\u3000backing\u3000slowly\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000entrance\u3002\u3000On\u3000his\u3000third\u3000step\uff1b\u3000he\u3000spied\u3000something\u3000that\u3000made\u3000him\u3000stop\u3000short\u3002
\nWhat\u3000the\u3000hell\u3000is\u3000that\uff01
\nAn\u3000inexplicable\u3000mirage\u3000was\u3000materializing\u3000near\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000A\u3000silhouette\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000someone\u3000else\u3000in\u3000the\u3000room\uff1f\u3000A\u3000woman\u3000was\u3000moving\u3000through\u3000the\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000walking\u3000briskly\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000far\u3000left\u3000wall\u3002\u3000In\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\uff1b\u3000a\u3000purplish\u3000beam\u3000of\u3000light\u3000swung\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000across\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000were\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000something\u3000with\u3000a\u3000colored\u3000flashlight\u3002
\n\u3003Qui\u3000est\u3000l\u00e0\uff1f\u3003\u3000Grouard\u3000demanded\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000his\u3000adrenaline\u3000spike\u3000for\u3000a\u3000second\u3000time\u3000in\u3000the\u3000last\u3000thirty\u3000seconds\u3002\u3000He\u3000suddenly\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000where\u3000to\u3000aim\u3000his\u3000gun\u3000or\u3000what\u3000direction\u3000to\u3000move\u3002
\n\u3003PTS\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000replied\u3000calmly\uff1b\u3000still\u3000scanning\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000with\u3000her\u3000light\u3002
\nPolice\u3000Technique\u3000et\u3000Scientifique\u3002\u3000Grouard\u3000was\u3000sweating\u3000now\u3002\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000all\u3000the\u3000agents\u3000were\u3000gone\uff01\u3000He\u3000now\u3000recognized\u3000the\u3000purple\u3000light\u3000as\u3000ultraviolet\uff1b\u3000consistent\u3000with\u3000a\u3000PTS\u3000team\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000he\u3000could\u3000not\u3000understand\u3000why\u3000DCPJ\u3000would\u3000be\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000evidence\u3000in\u3000here\u3002
\n\u3003Votre\u3000nom\uff01\u3003\u3000Grouard\u3000yelled\uff1b\u3000instinct\u3000telling\u3000him\u3000something\u3000was\u3000amiss\u3002\u3000\u3003R\u00e9pondez\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003C’est\u3000mot\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000voice\u3000responded\u3000in\u3000calm\u3000French\u3002\u3000\u3003Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3002\u3003
\nSomewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distant\u3000recesses\u3000of\u3000Grouard’s\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000the\u3000name\u3000registered\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\uff1f\u3000That\u3000was\u3000the\u3000name\u3000of\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000granddaughter\uff1b\u3000wasn’t\u3000it\uff1f\u3000She\u3000used\u3000to\u3000e\u3000in\u3000here\u3000as\u3000a\u3000little\u3000kid\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000was\u3000years\u3000ago\u3002\u3000This\u3000couldn’t\u3000possibly\u3000be\u3000her\uff01\u3000And\u3000even\u3000if\u3000it\u3000were\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\uff1b\u3000that\u3000was\u3000hardly\u3000a\u3000reason\u3000to\u3000trust\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Grouard\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000rumors\u3000of\u3000the\u3000painful\u3000falling\u2026out\u3000between\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000and\u3000his\u3000granddaughter\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000know\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000called\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3000did\u3000not\u3000kill\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3002\u3000Believe\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\nWarden\u3000Grouard\u3000was\u3000not\u3000about\u3000to\u3000take\u3000that\u3000on\u3000faith\u3002\u3000I\u3000need\u3000backup\uff01\u3000Trying\u3000his\u3000walkie\u2026talkie\u3000again\uff1b\u3000he\u3000got\u3000only\u3000static\u3002\u3000The\u3000entrance\u3000was\u3000still\u3000a\u3000good\u3000twenty\u3000yards\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Grouard\u3000began\u3000backing\u3000up\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000choosing\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000his\u3000gun\u3000trained\u3000on\u3000the\u3000man\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000As\u3000Grouard\u3000inched\u3000backward\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\u3000raising\u3000her\u3000UV\u3000light\u3000and\u3000scrutinizing\u3000a\u3000large\u3000painting\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000on\u3000the\u3000far\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Salle\u3000des\u3000Etats\uff1b\u3000directly\u3000opposite\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3002
\nGrouard\u3000gasped\uff1b\u3000realizing\u3000which\u3000painting\u3000it\u3000was\u3002
\nWhat\u3000in\u3000the\u3000name\u3000of\u3000God\u3000is\u3000she\u3000doing\uff1f
\n\u3000
\nAcross\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000cold\u3000sweat\u3000breaking\u3000across\u3000her\u3000forehead\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000still\u3000spread\u2026eagle\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Hold\u3000on\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3002\u3000Almost\u3000there\u3002\u3000Knowing\u3000the\u3000guard\u3000would\u3000never\u3000actually\u3000shoot\u3000either\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000now\u3000turned\u3000her\u3000attention\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000matter\u3000at\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000scanning\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000area\u3000around\u3000one\u3000masterpiece\u3000in\u3000particular\u2014another\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000UV\u3000light\u3000revealed\u3000nothing\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ordinary\u3002\u3000Not\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000walls\uff1b\u3000or\u3000even\u3000on\u3000the\u3000canvas\u3000itself\u3002
\nThere\u3000must\u3000be\u3000something\u3000here\uff01
\nSophie\u3000felt\u3000totally\u3000certain\u3000she\u3000had\u3000deciphered\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000intentions\u3000correctly\u3002
\nWhat\u3000else\u3000could\u3000he\u3000possibly\u3000intend\uff1f
\nThe\u3000masterpiece\u3000she\u3000was\u3000examining\u3000was\u3000a\u3000five\u2026foot\u2026tall\u3000canvas\u3002\u3000The\u3000bizarre\u3000scene\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000had\u3000painted\u3000included\u3000an\u3000awkwardly\u3000posed\u3000Virgin\u3000Mary\u3000sitting\u3000with\u3000Baby\u3000Jesus\uff1b\u3000John\u3000the\u3000Baptist\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Angel\u3000Uriel\u3000on\u3000a\u3000perilous\u3000outcropping\u3000of\u3000rocks\u3002\u3000When\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000a\u3000little\u3000girl\uff1b\u3000no\u3000trip\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3000had\u3000been\u3000plete\u3000without\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000dragging\u3000her\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\u3000to\u3000see\u3000this\u3000second\u3000painting\u3002
\nGrand\u2026p\u00e8re\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000here\uff01\u3000But\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000see\u3000it\uff01
\nBehind\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000guard\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000rad \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n Grand\u2026p\u00e8re\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000here\uff01\u3000But\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000see\u3000it\uff01
\nBehind\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000guard\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000radio\u3000again\u3000for\u3000help\u3002
\nThink\uff01
\nShe\u3000pictured\u3000the\u3000message\u3000scrawled\u3000on\u3000the\u3000protective\u3000glass\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3002\u3000So\u3000dark\u3000the\u3000con\u3000of\u3000man\u3002\u3000The\u3000painting\u3000before\u3000her\u3000had\u3000no\u3000protective\u3000glass\u3000on\u3000which\u3000to\u3000write\u3000a\u3000message\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000knew\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000would\u3000never\u3000have\u3000defaced\u3000this\u3000masterpiece\u3000by\u3000writing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000painting\u3000itself\u3002\u3000She\u3000paused\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\u3000not\u3000on\u3000the\u3000front\u3002\u3000Her\u3000eyes\u3000shot\u3000upward\uff1b\u3000climbing\u3000the\u3000long\u3000cables\u3000that\u3000dangled\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000to\u3000support\u3000the\u3000canvas\u3002
\nCould\u3000that\u3000be\u3000it\uff1f\u3000Grabbing\u3000the\u3000left\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000carved\u3000wood\u3000frame\uff1b\u3000she\u3000pulled\u3000it\u3000toward\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000painting\u3000was\u3000large\u3000and\u3000the\u3000backing\u3000flexed\u3000as\u3000she\u3000swung\u3000it\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000slipped\u3000her\u3000head\u3000and\u3000shoulders\u3000in\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000painting\u3000and\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000black\u3000light\u3000to\u3000inspect\u3000the\u3000back\u3002
\nIt\u3000took\u3000only\u3000seconds\u3000to\u3000realize\u3000her\u3000instinct\u3000had\u3000been\u3000wrong\u3002\u3000The\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000painting\u3000was\u3000pale\u3000and\u3000blank\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000purple\u3000text\u3000here\uff1b\u3000only\u3000the\u3000mottled\u3000brown\u3000backside\u3000of\u3000aging\u3000canvas\u3000and\u2014
\nWait\u3002
\nSophie’s\u3000eyes\u3000locked\u3000on\u3000an\u3000incongruous\u3000glint\u3000of\u3000lustrous\u3000metal\u3000lodged\u3000near\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000frame’s\u3000wooden\u3000armature\u3002\u3000The\u3000object\u3000was\u3000small\uff1b\u3000partially\u3000wedged\u3000in\u3000the\u3000slit\u3000where\u3000the\u3000canvas\u3000met\u3000the\u3000frame\u3002\u3000A\u3000shimmering\u3000gold\u3000chain\u3000dangled\u3000off\u3000it\u3002
\nTo\u3000Sophie’s\u3000utter\u3000amazement\uff1b\u3000the\u3000chain\u3000was\u3000affixed\u3000to\u3000a\u3000familiar\u3000gold\u3000key\u3002\u3000The\u3000broad\uff1b\u3000sculpted\u3000head\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shape\u3000of\u3000a\u3000cross\u3000and\u3000bore\u3000an\u3000engraved\u3000seal\u3000she\u3000had\u3000not\u3000seen\u3000since\u3000she\u3000was\u3000nine\u3000years\u3000old\u3002\u3000A\u3000fleur\u2026de\u2026lis\u3000with\u3000the\u3000initials\u3000P\u3002S\u3002\u3000In\u3000that\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000ghost\u3000of\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000whispering\u3000in\u3000her\u3000ear\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000time\u3000es\uff1b\u3000the\u3000key\u3000will\u3000be\u3000yours\u3002\u3000A\u3000tightness\u3000gripped\u3000her\u3000throat\u3000as\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000her\u3000grandfather\uff1b\u3000even\u3000in\u3000death\uff1b\u3000had\u3000kept\u3000his\u3000promise\u3002\u3000This\u3000key\u3000opens\u3000a\u3000box\uff1b\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000where\u3000I\u3000keep\u3000many\u3000secrets\u3002
\nSophie\u3000now\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000purpose\u3000of\u3000tonight’s\u3000word\u3000game\u3000had\u3000been\u3000this\u3000key\u3002\u3000Her\u3000grandfather\u3000had\u3000it\u3000with\u3000him\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000killed\u3002\u3000Not\u3000wanting\u3000it\u3000to\u3000fall\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hands\u3000of\u3000the\u3000police\uff1b\u3000he\u3000hid\u3000it\u3000behind\u3000this\u3000painting\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000devised\u3000an\u3000ingenious\u3000treasure\u3000hunt\u3000to\u3000ensure\u3000only\u3000Sophie\u3000would\u3000find\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3003Au\u3000secours\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000guard’s\u3000voice\u3000yelled\u3002
\nSophie\u3000snatched\u3000the\u3000key\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000painting\u3000and\u3000slipped\u3000it\u3000deep\u3000in\u3000her\u3000pocket\u3000along\u3000with\u3000the\u3000UV\u3000penlight\u3002\u3000Peering\u3000out\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000canvas\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000guard\u3000was\u3000still\u3000trying\u3000desperately\u3000to\u3000raise\u3000someone\u3000on\u3000the\u3000walkie\u2026talkie\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000backing\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000entrance\uff1b\u3000still\u3000aiming\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000firmly\u3000at\u3000Langdon\u3002
\n\u3003Au\u3000secours\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000shouted\u3000again\u3000into\u3000his\u3000radio\u3002
\nStatic\u3002
\nHe\u3000can’t\u3000transmit\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000realized\uff1b\u3000recalling\u3000that\u3000tourists\u3000with\u3000cell\u3000phones\u3000often\u3000got\u3000frustrated\u3000in\u3000here\u3000when\u3000they\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000call\u3000home\u3000to\u3000brag\u3000about\u3000seeing\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3002\u3000The\u3000extra\u3000surveillance\u3000wiring\u3000in\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000made\u3000it\u3000virtually\u3000impossible\u3000to\u3000get\u3000a\u3000carrier\u3000unless\u3000you\u3000stepped\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hall\u3002\u3000The\u3000guard\u3000was\u3000backing\u3000quickly\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000exit\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000act\u3000immediately\u3002
\nGazing\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000large\u3000painting\u3000behind\u3000which\u3000she\u3000was\u3000partially\u3000ensconced\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000Leonardo\u3000da\u3000Vinci\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000second\u3000time\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000was\u3000there\u3000to\u3000help\u3002
\n\u3000
\nAnother\u3000few\u3000meters\uff1b\u3000Grouard\u3000told\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000keeping\u3000his\u3000gun\u3000leveled\u3002
\n\u3003Arr\u00eatez\uff01\u3000Ou\u3000je\u3000la\u3000d\u00e9truis\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000woman’s\u3000voice\u3000echoed\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\u3002
\nGrouard\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000and\u3000stopped\u3000in\u3000his\u3000tracks\u3002\u3000\u3003Mon\u3000dieu\uff1b\u3000non\uff01\u3003
\nThrough\u3000the\u3000reddish\u3000haze\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000had\u3000actually\u3000lifted\u3000the\u3000large\u3000painting\u3000off\u3000its\u3000cables\u3000and\u3000propped\u3000it\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\u3002\u3000At\u3000five\u3000feet\u3000tall\uff1b\u3000the\u3000canvas\u3000almost\u3000entirely\u3000hid\u3000her\u3000body\u3002\u3000Grouard’s\u3000first\u3000thought\u3000was\u3000to\u3000wonder\u3000why\u3000the\u3000painting’s\u3000trip\u3000wires\u3000hadn’t\u3000set\u3000off\u3000alarms\uff1b\u3000but\u3000of\u3000course\u3000the\u3000artwork\u3000cable\u3000sensors\u3000had\u3000yet\u3000to\u3000be\u3000reset\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000What\u3000is\u3000she\u3000doing\uff01
\nWhen\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000it\uff1b\u3000his\u3000blood\u3000went\u3000cold\u3002
\nThe\u3000canvas\u3000started\u3000to\u3000bulge\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fragile\u3000outlines\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Virgin\u3000Mary\uff1b\u3000Baby\u3000Jesus\uff1b\u3000and\u3000John\u3000the\u3000Baptist\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000distort\u3002
\n\u3003Non\uff01\u3003\u3000Grouard\u3000screamed\uff1b\u3000frozen\u3000in\u3000horror\u3000as\u3000he\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000priceless\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000stretching\u3002\u3000The\u3000woman\u3000was\u3000pushing\u3000her\u3000knee\u3000into\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000canvas\u3000from\u3000behind\uff01\u3000\u3003NON\uff01\u3003
\nGrouard\u3000wheeled\u3000and\u3000aimed\u3000his\u3000gun\u3000at\u3000her\u3000but\u3000instantly\u3000realized\u3000it\u3000was\u3000an\u3000empty\u3000threat\u3002\u3000The\u3000canvas\u3000was\u3000only\u3000fabric\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000utterly\u3000impenetrable\u2014a\u3000six\u2026million\u2026dollar\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000body\u3000armor\u3002
\nI\u3000can’t\u3000put\u3000a\u3000bullet\u3000through\u3000a\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\uff01
\n\u3003Set\u3000down\u3000your\u3000gun\u3000and\u3000radio\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000said\u3000in\u3000calm\u3000French\uff1b\u3000\u3003or\u3000I’ll\u3000put\u3000my\u3000knee\u3000through\u3000this\u3000painting\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000you\u3000know\u3000how\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3000would\u3000feel\u3000about\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\nGrouard\u3000felt\u3000dizzy\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000no\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000Madonna\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rocks\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000dropped\u3000his\u3000gun\u3000and\u3000radio\uff1b\u3000raising\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000over\u3000his\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\u3000do\u3000exactly\u3000as\u3000I\u3000tell\u3000you\uff1b\u3000and\u3000everything\u3000will\u3000work\u3000out\u3000fine\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nMoments\u3000later\uff1b\u3000Langdon’s\u3000pulse\u3000was\u3000still\u3000thundering\u3000as\u3000he\u3000ran\u3000beside\u3000Sophie\u3000down\u3000the\u3000emergency\u3000stairwell\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000level\u3002\u3000Neither\u3000of\u3000them\u3000had\u3000said\u3000a\u3000word\u3000since\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000trembling\u3000Louvre\u3000guard\u3000lying\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Salle\u3000des\u3000Etats\u3002\u3000The\u3000guard’s\u3000pistol\u3000was\u3000now\u3000clutched\u3000tightly\u3000in\u3000Langdon’s\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000wait\u3000to\u3000get\u3000rid\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000weapon\u3000felt\u3000heavy\u3000and\u3000dangerously\u3000foreign\u3002
\nTaking\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000two\u3000at\u3000a\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000any\u3000idea\u3000how\u3000valuable\u3000a\u3000painting\u3000she\u3000had\u3000almost\u3000ruined\u3002\u3000Her\u3000choice\u3000in\u3000art\u3000seemed\u3000eerily\u3000pertinent\u3000to\u3000tonight’s\u3000adventure\u3002\u3000The\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000she\u3000had\u3000grabbed\uff1b\u3000much\u3000like\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\uff1b\u3000was\u3000notorious\u3000among\u3000art\u3000historians\u3000for\u3000its\u3000plethora\u3000of\u3000hidden\u3000pagan\u3000symbolism\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000chose\u3000a\u3000valuable\u3000hostage\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000as\u3000they\u3000ran\u3002
\n\u3003Madonna\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rocks\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000choose\u3000it\uff1b\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3000did\u3002\u3000He\u3000left\u3000me\u3000a\u3000little\u3000something\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000painting\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000shot\u3000her\u3000a\u3000startled\u3000look\u3002\u3000\u3003What\uff01\uff1f\u3000But\u3000how\u3000did\u3000you\u3000know\u3000which\u3000painting\uff1f\u3000Why\u3000Madonna\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rocks\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003So\u3000dark\u3000the\u3000con\u3000of\u3000man\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000flashed\u3000a\u3000triumphant\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000missed\u3000the\u3000first\u3000two\u3000anagrams\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3002\u3000I\u3000wasn’t\u3000about\u3000to\u3000miss\u3000the\u3000third\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300031
\n
\n\u3003They’re\u3000dead\uff01\u3003\u3000Sister\u3000Sandrine\u3000stammered\u3000into\u3000the\u3000telephone\u3000in\u3000her\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\u3000residence\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000leaving\u3000a\u3000message\u3000on\u3000an\u3000answering\u3000machine\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\u3000pick\u3000up\uff01\u3000They’re\u3000all\u3000dead\uff01\u3003
\nThe\u3000first\u3000three\u3000phone\u3000numbers\u3000on\u3000the\u3000list\u3000had\u3000produced\u3000terrifying\u3000results\u2014a\u3000hysterical\u3000widow\uff1b\u3000a\u3000detective\u3000working\u3000late\u3000at\u3000a\u3000murder\u3000scene\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000somber\u3000priest\u3000consoling\u3000a\u3000bereaved\u3000family\u3002\u3000All\u3000three\u3000contacts\u3000were\u3000dead\u3002\u3000And\u3000now\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000called\u3000the\u3000fourth\u3000and\u3000final\u3000number\u2014the\u3000number\u3000she\u3000was\u3000not\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000call\u3000unless\u3000the\u3000first\u3000three\u3000could\u3000not\u3000be\u3000reached\u2014she\u3000got\u3000an\u3000answering\u3000machine\u3002\u3000The\u3000outgoing\u3000message\u3000offered\u3000no\u3000name\u3000but\u3000simply\u3000asked\u3000the\u3000caller\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000a\u3000message\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000floor\u3000panel\u3000has\u3000been\u3000broken\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000pleaded\u3000as\u3000she\u3000left\u3000the\u3000message\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000other\u3000three\u3000are\u3000dead\uff01\u3003
\nSister\u3000Sandrine\u3000did\u3000not\u3000know\u3000the\u3000identities\u3000of\u3000the\u3000four\u3000men\u3000she\u3000protected\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000private\u3000phone\u3000numbers\u3000stashed\u3000beneath\u3000her\u3000bed\u3000were\u3000for\u3000use\u3000on\u3000only\u3000one\u3000condition\u3002
\nIf\u3000that\u3000floor\u3000panel\u3000is\u3000ever\u3000broken\uff1b\u3000the\u3000faceless\u3000messenger\u3000had\u3000told\u3000her\uff1b\u3000it\u3000means\u3000the\u3000upper\u3000echelon\u3000has\u3000been\u3000breached\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000us\u3000has\u3000been\u3000mortally\u3000threatened\u3000and\u3000been\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000a\u3000desperate\u3000lie\u3002\u3000Call\u3000the\u3000numbers\u3002\u3000Warn\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000Do\u3000not\u3000fail\u3000us\u3000in\u3000this\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000a\u3000silent\u3000alarm\u3002\u3000Foolproof\u3000in\u3000its\u3000simplicity\u3002\u3000The\u3000plan\u3000had\u3000amazed\u3000her\u3000when\u3000she\u3000first\u3000heard\u3000it\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000identity\u3000of\u3000one\u3000brother\u3000was\u3000promised\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000tell\u3000a\u3000lie\u3000that\u3000would\u3000start\u3000in\u3000motion\u3000a\u3000mechanism\u3000to\u3000warn\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000Tonight\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000that\u3000more\u3000than\u3000one\u3000had\u3000been\u3000promised\u3002
\n\u3003Please\u3000answer\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\u3000in\u3000fear\u3002\u3000\u3003Where\u3000are\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Hang\u3000up\u3000the\u3000phone\uff1b\u3003\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000voice\u3000said\u3000from\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3002
\nTurning\u3000in\u3000terror\uff1b\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000massive\u3000monk\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000clutching\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000iron\u3000candle\u3000stand\u3002\u3000Shaking\uff1b\u3000she\u3000set\u3000the\u3000phone\u3000back\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cradle\u3002
\n\u3003They\u3000are\u3000dead\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000monk\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000four\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000And\u3000they\u3000have\u3000played\u3000me\u3000for\u3000a\u3000fool\u3002\u3000Tell\u3000me\u3000where\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000is\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\uff01\u3003\u3000Sister\u3000Sandrine\u3000said\u3000truthfully\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000secret\u3000is\u3000guarded\u3000by\u3000others\u3002\u3003\u3000Others\u3000who\u3000are\u3000dead\uff01
\nThe\u3000man\u3000advanced\uff1b\u3000his\u3000white\u3000fists\u3000gripping\u3000the\u3000iron\u3000stand\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000are\u3000a\u3000sister\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Church\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000you\u3000serve\u3000them\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Jesus\u3000had\u3000but\u3000one\u3000true\u3000message\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sister\u3000Sandrine\u3000said\u3000defiantly\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000cannot\u3000see\u3000that\u3000message\u3000in\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3002\u3003
\nA\u3000sudden\u3000explosion\u3000of\u3000rage\u3000erupted\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000monk’s\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000He\u3000lunged\uff1b\u3000lashing\u3000out\u3000with\u3000the\u3000candle\u3000stand\u3000like\u3000a\u3000club\u3002\u3000As\u3000Sister\u3000Sandrine\u3000fell\uff1b\u3000her\u3000last\u3000feeling\u3000was\u3000an\u3000overwhelming\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000foreboding\u3002
\nAll\u3000four\u3000are\u3000dead\u3002
\nThe\u3000precious\u3000truth\u3000is\u3000lost\u3000forever\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300032
\n
\nThe\u3000security\u3000alarm\u3000on\u3000the\u3000west\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Denon\u3000Wing\u3000sent\u3000the\u3000pigeons\u3000in\u3000the\u3000nearby\u3000Tuileries\u3000Gardens\u3000scattering\u3000as\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000dashed\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bulkhead\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Paris\u3000night\u3002\u3000As\u3000they\u3000ran\u3000across\u3000the\u3000plaza\u3000to\u3000Sophie’s\u3000car\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000police\u3000sirens\u3000wailing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distance\u3002
\n\u3003That’s\u3000it\u3000there\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000called\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000to\u3000a\u3000red\u3000snub\u2026nosed\u3000two\u2026seater\u3000parked\u3000on\u3000the\u3000plaza\u3002
\nShe’s\u3000kidding\uff1b\u3000right\uff1f\u3000The\u3000vehicle\u3000was\u3000easily\u3000the\u3000smallest\u3000car\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000seen\u3002
\n\u3003SmartCar\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000hundred\u3000kilometers\u3000to\u3000the\u3000liter\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000barely\u3000thrown\u3000himself\u3000into\u3000the\u3000passenger\u3000seat\u3000before\u3000Sophie\u3000gunned\u3000the\u3000SmartCar\u3000up\u3000and\u3000over\u3000a\u3000curb\u3000onto\u3000a\u3000gravel\u3000divider\u3002\u3000He\u3000gripped\u3000the\u3000dash\u3000as\u3000the\u3000car\u3000shot\u3000out\u3000across\u3000a\u3000sidewalk\u3000and\u3000bounced\u3000back\u3000down\u3000over\u3000into\u3000the\u3000small\u3000rotary\u3000at\u3000Carrousel\u3000du\u3000Louvre\u3002
\nFor\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000consider\u3000taking\u3000the\u3000shortcut\u3000across\u3000the\u3000rotary\u3000by\u3000plowing\u3000straight\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000through\u3000the\u3000median’s\u3000perimeter\u3000hedge\uff1b\u3000and\u3000bisecting\u3000the\u3000large\u3000circle\u3000of\u3000grass\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3002
\n\u3003No\uff01\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000knowing \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003No\uff01\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000the\u3000hedges\u3000around\u3000Carrousel\u3000du\u3000Louvre\u3000were\u3000there\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000the\u3000perilous\u3000chasm\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u2014La\u3000Pyramide\u3000Invers\u00e9e\u2014the\u3000upside\u2026down\u3000pyramid\u3000skylight\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000earlier\u3000from\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000museum\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000large\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000swallow\u3000their\u3000Smart\u2026Car\u3000in\u3000a\u3000single\u3000gulp\u3002\u3000Fortunately\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000decided\u3000on\u3000the\u3000more\u3000conventional\u3000route\uff1b\u3000jamming\u3000the\u3000wheel\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000the\u3000right\uff1b\u3000circling\u3000properly\u3000until\u3000she\u3000exited\uff1b\u3000cut\u3000left\uff1b\u3000and\u3000swung\u3000into\u3000the\u3000northbound\u3000lane\uff1b\u3000accelerating\u3000toward\u3000Rue\u3000de\u3000Rivoli\u3002
\nThe\u3000two\u2026tone\u3000police\u3000sirens\u3000blared\u3000louder\u3000behind\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000lights\u3000now\u3000in\u3000his\u3000side\u3000view\u3000mirror\u3002\u3000The\u3000SmartCar\u3000engine\u3000whined\u3000in\u3000protest\u3000as\u3000Sophie\u3000urged\u3000it\u3000faster\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3002\u3000Fifty\u3000yards\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000the\u3000traffic\u3000light\u3000at\u3000Rivoli\u3000turned\u3000red\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000cursed\u3000under\u3000her\u3000breath\u3000and\u3000kept\u3000racing\u3000toward\u3000it\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000his\u3000muscles\u3000tighten\u3002
\n\u3003Sophie\uff1f\u3003
\nSlowing\u3000only\u3000slightly\u3000as\u3000they\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000intersection\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000flicked\u3000her\u3000headlights\u3000and\u3000stole\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000glance\u3000both\u3000ways\u3000before\u3000flooring\u3000the\u3000accelerator\u3000again\u3000and\u3000carving\u3000a\u3000sharp\u3000left\u3000turn\u3000through\u3000the\u3000empty\u3000intersection\u3000onto\u3000Rivoli\u3002\u3000Accelerating\u3000west\u3000for\u3000a\u3000quarter\u3000of\u3000a\u3000mile\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000banked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000right\u3000around\u3000a\u3000wide\u3000rotary\u3002\u3000Soon\u3000they\u3000were\u3000shooting\u3000out\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000wide\u3000avenue\u3000of\u3000Champs\u2026Elys\u00e9es\u3002
\nAs\u3000they\u3000straightened\u3000out\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000turned\u3000in\u3000his\u3000seat\uff1b\u3000craning\u3000his\u3000neck\u3000to\u3000look\u3000out\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000window\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3002\u3000The\u3000police\u3000did\u3000not\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000be\u3000chasing\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000sea\u3000of\u3000blue\u3000lights\u3000was\u3000assembling\u3000at\u3000the\u3000museum\u3002
\nHis\u3000heartbeat\u3000finally\u3000slowing\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000around\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000was\u3000interesting\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000didn’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000hear\u3002\u3000Her\u3000eyes\u3000remained\u3000fixed\u3000ahead\u3000down\u3000the\u3000long\u3000thoroughfare\u3000of\u3000Champs\u2026Elys\u00e9es\uff1b\u3000the\u3000two\u2026mile\u3000stretch\u3000of\u3000posh\u3000storefronts\u3000that\u3000was\u3000often\u3000called\u3000the\u3000Fifth\u3000Avenue\u3000of\u3000Paris\u3002\u3000The\u3000embassy\u3000was\u3000only\u3000about\u3000a\u3000mile\u3000away\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000settled\u3000into\u3000his\u3000seat\u3002\u3000So\u3000dark\u3000the\u3000con\u3000of\u3000man\u3002\u3000Sophie’s\u3000quick\u3000thinking\u3000had\u3000been\u3000impressive\u3002\u3000Madonna\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rocks\u3002
\nSophie\u3000had\u3000said\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000left\u3000her\u3000something\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000painting\u3002\u3000A\u3000final\u3000message\uff1f\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000not\u3000help\u3000but\u3000marvel\u3000over\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000brilliant\u3000hiding\u3000place\uff1b\u3000Madonna\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rocks\u3000was\u3000yet\u3000another\u3000fitting\u3000link\u3000in\u3000the\u3000evening’s\u3000chain\u3000of\u3000interconnected\u3000symbolism\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\uff1b\u3000at\u3000every\u3000turn\uff1b\u3000was\u3000reinforcing\u3000his\u3000fondness\u3000for\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000and\u3000mischievous\u3000side\u3000of\u3000Leonardo\u3000da\u3000Vinci\u3002
\nDa\u3000Vinci’s\u3000original\u3000mission\u3000for\u3000Madonna\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rocks\u3000had\u3000e\u3000from\u3000an\u3000organization\u3000known\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Confraternity\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Immaculate\u3000Conception\uff1b\u3000which\u3000needed\u3000a\u3000painting\u3000for\u3000the\u3000centerpiece\u3000of\u3000an\u3000altar\u3000triptych\u3000in\u3000their\u3000church\u3000of\u3000San\u3000Francesco\u3000in\u3000Milan\u3002\u3000The\u3000nuns\u3000gave\u3000Leonardo\u3000specific\u3000dimensions\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000desired\u3000theme\u3000for\u3000the\u3000painting\u2014the\u3000Virgin\u3000Mary\uff1b\u3000baby\u3000John\u3000the\u3000Baptist\uff1b\u3000Uriel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Baby\u3000Jesus\u3000sheltering\u3000in\u3000a\u3000cave\u3002\u3000Although\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000did\u3000as\u3000they\u3000requested\uff1b\u3000when\u3000he\u3000delivered\u3000the\u3000work\uff1b\u3000the\u3000group\u3000reacted\u3000with\u3000horror\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000painting\u3000with\u3000explosive\u3000and\u3000disturbing\u3000details\u3002
\nThe\u3000painting\u3000showed\u3000a\u3000blue\u2026robed\u3000Virgin\u3000Mary\u3000sitting\u3000with\u3000her\u3000arm\u3000around\u3000an\u3000infant\u3000child\uff1b\u3000presumably\u3000Baby\u3000Jesus\u3002\u3000Opposite\u3000Mary\u3000sat\u3000Uriel\uff1b\u3000also\u3000with\u3000an\u3000infant\uff1b\u3000presumably\u3000baby\u3000John\u3000the\u3000Baptist\u3002\u3000Oddly\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000the\u3000usual\u3000Jesus\u2026blessing\u2026John\u3000scenario\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000baby\u3000John\u3000who\u3000was\u3000blessing\u3000Jesus\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\u3000Jesus\u3000was\u3000submitting\u3000to\u3000his\u3000authority\uff01\u3000More\u3000troubling\u3000still\uff1b\u3000Mary\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000high\u3000above\u3000the\u3000head\u3000of\u3000infant\u3000John\u3000and\u3000making\u3000a\u3000decidedly\u3000threatening\u3000gesture\u2014her\u3000fingers\u3000looking\u3000like\u3000eagle’s\u3000talons\uff1b\u3000gripping\u3000an\u3000invisible\u3000head\u3002\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000the\u3000most\u3000obvious\u3000and\u3000frightening\u3000image\uff1a\u3000Just\u3000below\u3000Mary’s\u3000curled\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000Uriel\u3000was\u3000making\u3000a\u3000cutting\u3000gesture\u3000with\u3000his\u3000hand\u2014as\u3000if\u3000slicing\u3000the\u3000neck\u3000of\u3000the\u3000invisible\u3000head\u3000gripped\u3000by\u3000Mary’s\u3000claw\u2026like\u3000hand\u3002
\nLangdon’s\u3000students\u3000were\u3000always\u3000amused\u3000to\u3000learn\u3000that\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000eventually\u3000mollified\u3000the\u3000confraternity\u3000by\u3000painting\u3000them\u3000a\u3000second\uff1b\u3000\u3003watered\u2026down\u3003\u3000version\u3000of\u3000Madonna\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rocks\u3000in\u3000which\u3000everyone\u3000was\u3000arranged\u3000in\u3000a\u3000more\u3000orthodox\u3000manner\u3002\u3000The\u3000second\u3000version\u3000now\u3000hung\u3000in\u3000London’s\u3000National\u3000Gallery\u3000under\u3000the\u3000name\u3000Virgin\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rocks\uff1b\u3000although\u3000Langdon\u3000still\u3000preferred\u3000the\u3000Louvre’s\u3000more\u3000intriguing\u3000original\u3002
\nAs\u3000Sophie\u3000gunned\u3000the\u3000car\u3000up\u3000Champs\u2026Elys\u00e9es\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003The\u3000painting\u3002\u3000What\u3000was\u3000behind\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\nHer\u3000eyes\u3000remained\u3000on\u3000the\u3000road\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000show\u3000you\u3000once\u3000we’re\u3000safely\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000embassy\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You’ll\u3000show\u3000it\u3000to\u3000me\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000left\u3000you\u3000a\u3000physical\u3000object\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000curt\u3000nod\u3002\u3000\u3003Embossed\u3000with\u3000a\u3000fleur\u2026de\u2026lis\u3000and\u3000the\u3000initials\u3000P\u3002S\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000couldn’t\u3000believe\u3000his\u3000ears\u3002
\n\u3000
\nWe’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000make\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000thought\u3000as\u3000she\u3000swung\u3000the\u3000SmartCar’s\u3000wheel\u3000to\u3000the\u3000right\uff1b\u3000cutting\u3000sharply\u3000past\u3000the\u3000luxurious\u3000H\uff1ftel\u3000de\u3000Crillon\u3000into\u3000Paris’s\u3000tree\u2026lined\u3000diplomatic\u3000neighborhood\u3002\u3000The\u3000embassy\u3000was\u3000less\u3000than\u3000a\u3000mile\u3000away\u3000now\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000finally\u3000feeling\u3000like\u3000she\u3000could\u3000breathe\u3000normally\u3000again\u3002
\nEven\u3000as\u3000she\u3000drove\uff1b\u3000Sophie’s\u3000mind\u3000remained\u3000locked\u3000on\u3000the\u3000key\u3000in\u3000her\u3000pocket\uff1b\u3000her\u3000memories\u3000of\u3000seeing\u3000it\u3000many\u3000years\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000the\u3000gold\u3000head\u3000shaped\u3000as\u3000an\u3000equal\u2026armed\u3000cross\uff1b\u3000the\u3000triangular\u3000shaft\uff1b\u3000the\u3000indentations\uff1b\u3000the\u3000embossed\u3000flowery\u3000seal\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000letters\u3000P\u3002S\u3002
\nAlthough\u3000the\u3000key\u3000barely\u3000had\u3000entered\u3000Sophie’s\u3000thoughts\u3000through\u3000the\u3000years\uff1b\u3000her\u3000work\u3000in\u3000the\u3000intelligence\u3000munity\u3000had\u3000taught\u3000her\u3000plenty\u3000about\u3000security\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000the\u3000key’s\u3000peculiar\u3000tooling\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000looked\u3000so\u3000mystifying\u3002\u3000A\u3000laser\u2026tooled\u3000varying\u3000matrix\u3002\u3000Impossible\u3000to\u3000duplicate\u3002\u3000Rather\u3000than\u3000teeth\u3000that\u3000moved\u3000tumblers\uff1b\u3000this\u3000key’s\u3000plex\u3000series\u3000of\u3000laser\u2026burned\u3000pockmarks\u3000was\u3000examined\u3000by\u3000an\u3000electric\u3000eye\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000determined\u3000that\u3000the\u3000hexagonal\u3000pockmarks\u3000were\u3000correctly\u3000spaced\uff1b\u3000arranged\uff1b\u3000and\u3000rotated\uff1b\u3000then\u3000the\u3000lock\u3000would\u3000open\u3002
\nSophie\u3000could\u3000not\u3000begin\u3000to\u3000imagine\u3000what\u3000a\u3000key\u3000like\u3000this\u3000opened\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000sensed\u3000Robert\u3000would\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000her\u3002\u3000After\u3000all\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000described\u3000the\u3000key’s\u3000embossed\u3000seal\u3000without\u3000ever\u3000seeing\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000cruciform\u3000on\u3000top\u3000implied\u3000the\u3000key\u3000belonged\u3000to\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000Christian\u3000organization\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000Sophie\u3000knew\u3000of\u3000no\u3000churches\u3000that\u3000used\u3000laser\u2026tooled\u3000varying\u3000matrix\u3000keys\u3002
\nBesides\uff1b\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3000was\u3000no\u3000Christian\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3002
\nSophie\u3000had\u3000witnessed\u3000proof\u3000of\u3000that\u3000ten\u3000years\u3000ago\u3002\u3000Ironically\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000another\u3000key\u2014a\u3000far\u3000more\u3000normal\u3000one\u2014that\u3000had\u3000revealed\u3000his\u3000true\u3000nature\u3000to\u3000her\u3002
\nThe\u3000afternoon\u3000had\u3000been\u3000warm\u3000when\u3000she\u3000landed\u3000at\u3000Charles\u3000de\u3000Gaulle\u3000Airport\u3000and\u3000hailed\u3000a\u3000taxi\u3000home\u3002\u3000Grand\u2026p\u00e8re\u3000will\u3000be\u3000so\u3000surprised\u3000to\u3000see\u3000me\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Returning\u3000from\u3000graduate\u3000school\u3000in\u3000Britain\u3000for\u3000spring\u3000break\u3000a\u3000few\u3000days\u3000early\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000couldn’t\u3000wait\u3000to\u3000see\u3000him\u3000and\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000all\u3000about\u3000the\u3000encryption\u3000methods\u3000she\u3000was\u3000studying\u3002
\nWhen\u3000she\u3000arrived\u3000at\u3000their\u3000Paris\u3000home\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000was\u3000not\u3000there\u3002\u3000Disappointed\uff1b\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000had\u3000not\u3000been\u3000expecting\u3000her\u3000and\u3000was\u3000probably\u3000working\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3002\u3000But\u3000it’s\u3000Saturday\u3000afternoon\uff1b\u3000she\u3000realized\u3002\u3000He\u3000seldom\u3000worked\u3000on\u3000weekends\u3002\u3000On\u3000weekends\uff1b\u3000he\u3000usually\u2014
\nGrinning\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000ran\u3000out\u3000to\u3000the\u3000garage\u3002\u3000Sure\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000his\u3000car\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000weekend\u3002\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000despised\u3000city\u3000driving\u3000and\u3000owned\u3000a\u3000car\u3000for\u3000one\u3000destination\u3000only\u2014his\u3000vacation\u3000chateau\u3000in\u3000Normandy\uff1b\u3000north\u3000of\u3000Paris\u3002\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000after\u3000months\u3000in\u3000the\u3000congestion\u3000of\u3000London\uff1b\u3000was\u3000eager\u3000for\u3000the\u3000smells\u3000of\u3000nature\u3000and\u3000to\u3000start\u3000her\u3000vacation\u3000right\u3000away\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000still\u3000early\u3000evening\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000immediately\u3000and\u3000surprise\u3000him\u3002\u3000Borrowing\u3000a\u3000friend’s\u3000car\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000drove\u3000north\uff1b\u3000winding\u3000into\u3000the\u3000deserted\u3000moon\u2026swept\u3000hills\u3000near\u3000Creully\u3002\u3000She\u3000arrived\u3000just\u3000after\u3000ten\u3000o’clock\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000down\u3000the\u3000long\u3000private\u3000driveway\u3000toward\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000retreat\u3002\u3000The\u3000access\u3000road\u3000was\u3000over\u3000a\u3000mile\u3000long\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000halfway\u3000down\u3000it\u3000before\u3000she\u3000could\u3000start\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000house\u3000through\u3000the\u3000trees\u2014a\u3000mammoth\uff1b\u3000old\u3000stone\u3000chateau\u3000nestled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000on\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000a\u3000hill\u3002
\nSophie\u3000had\u3000half\u3000expected\u3000to\u3000find\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000asleep\u3000at\u3000this\u3000hour\u3000and\u3000was\u3000excited\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000house\u3000twinkling\u3000with\u3000lights\u3002\u3000Her\u3000delight\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000when\u3000she\u3000arrived\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000driveway\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000parked\u3000cars\u2014Mercedeses\uff1b\u3000BMWs\uff1b\u3000Audis\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000Rolls\u2026Royce\u3002
\nSophie\u3000stared\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000and\u3000then\u3000burst\u3000out\u3000laughing\u3002\u3000My\u3000grand\u2026p\u00e8re\uff1b\u3000the\u3000famous\u3000recluse\uff01\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\uff1b\u3000was\u3000far\u3000less\u3000reclusive\u3000than\u3000he\u3000liked\u3000to\u3000pretend\u3002\u3000Clearly\u3000he\u3000was\u3000hosting\u3000a\u3000party\u3000while\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000away\u3000at\u3000school\uff1b\u3000and\u3000from\u3000the\u3000looks\u3000of\u3000the\u3000automobiles\uff1b\u3000some\u3000of\u3000Paris’s\u3000most\u3000influential\u3000people\u3000were\u3000in\u3000attendance\u3002
\nEager\u3000to\u3000surprise\u3000him\uff1b\u3000she\u3000hurried\u3000to\u3000the\u3000front\u3000door\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000got\u3000there\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000she\u3000found\u3000it\u3000locked\u3002\u3000She\u3000knocked\u3002\u3000Nobody\u3000answered\u3002\u3000Puzzled\uff1b\u3000she\u3000walked\u3000around\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000the\u3000back\u3000door\u3002\u3000It\u3000too\u3000was\u3000locked\u3002\u3000No\u3000answer\u3002
\nConfused\uff1b\u3000she\u3000stood\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000and\u3000listened\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000sound\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000was\u3000the\u3000cool\u3000Normandy\u3000air\u3000letting\u3000out\u3000a\u3000low\u3000moan\u3000as\u3000it\u3000swirled\u3000through\u3000the\u3000valley\u3002
\nNo\u3000music\u3002
\nNo\u3000voices\u3002
\nNothing\u3002
\nIn\u3000the\u3000silence\u3000of\u3000the\u3000woods\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000hurried\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000house\u3000and\u3000clambered\u3000up\u3000on\u3000a\u3000woodpile\uff1b\u3000pressing\u3000her\u3000face\u3000to\u3000the\u3000living\u3000room\u3000window\u3002\u3000What\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000inside\u3000made\u3000no\u3000sense\u3000at\u3000all\u3002
\n\u3003Nobody’s\u3000here\uff01\u3003
\nThe\u3000entire\u3000first\u3000floor\u3000looked\u3000deserted\u3002
\nWhere\u3000are\u3000all\u3000the\u3000people\uff1f
\nHeart\u3000racing\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000ran\u3000to\u3000the\u3000woodshed\u3000and\u3000got\u3000the\u3000spare\u3000key\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000kept\u3000hidden\u3000under\u3000the\u3000kindling\u3000box\u3002\u3000She\u3000ran\u3000to\u3000the\u3000front\u3000door\u3000and\u3000let\u3000herself\u3000in\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000stepped\u3000into\u3000the\u3000deserted\u3000foyer\uff1b\u3000the\u3000control\u3000panel\u3000for\u3000the\u3000security\u3000system\u3000started\u3000blinking\u3000red\u2014a\u3000warning\u3000that\u3000the\u3000entrant\u3000had\u3000ten\u3000seconds\u3000to\u3000type\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000code\u3000before\u3000the\u3000security\u3000alarms\u3000went\u3000off\u3002
\nHe\u3000has\u3000the\u3000alarm\u3000on\u3000during\u3000a\u3000party\uff1f
\nSophie\u3000quickly\u3000typed\u3000the\u3000code\u3000and\u3000deactivated\u3000the\u3000system\u3002
\nEntering\uff1b\u3000she\u3000found\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000house\u3000uninhabited\u3002\u3000Upstairs\u3000too\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000des \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n He\u3000has\u3000the\u3000alarm\u3000on\u3000during\u3000a\u3000party\uff1f
\nSophie\u3000quickly\u3000typed\u3000the\u3000code\u3000and\u3000deactivated\u3000the\u3000system\u3002
\nEntering\uff1b\u3000she\u3000found\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000house\u3000uninhabited\u3002\u3000Upstairs\u3000too\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000descended\u3000again\u3000to\u3000the\u3000deserted\u3000living\u3000room\uff1b\u3000she\u3000stood\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000in\u3000the\u3000silence\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000what\u3000could\u3000possibly\u3000be\u3000happening\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000then\u3000that\u3000Sophie\u3000heard\u3000it\u3002
\nMuffled\u3000voices\u3002\u3000And\u3000they\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000underneath\u3000her\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000could\u3000not\u3000imagine\u3002\u3000Crouching\uff1b\u3000she\u3000put\u3000her\u3000ear\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000and\u3000listened\u3002\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000was\u3000definitely\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000below\u3002\u3000The\u3000voices\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000singing\uff1b\u3000or\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000chanting\uff1f\u3000She\u3000was\u3000frightened\u3002\u3000Almost\u3000more\u3000eerie\u3000than\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000itself\u3000was\u3000the\u3000realization\u3000that\u3000this\u3000house\u3000did\u3000not\u3000even\u3000have\u3000a\u3000basement\u3002
\nAt\u3000least\u3000none\u3000I’ve\u3000ever\u3000seen\u3002
\nTurning\u3000now\u3000and\u3000scanning\u3000the\u3000living\u3000room\uff1b\u3000Sophie’s\u3000eyes\u3000fell\u3000to\u3000the\u3000only\u3000object\u3000in\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000house\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000out\u3000of\u3000place\u2014her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000favorite\u3000antique\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sprawling\u3000Aubusson\u3000tapestry\u3002\u3000It\u3000usually\u3000hung\u3000on\u3000the\u3000east\u3000wall\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000fireplace\uff1b\u3000but\u3000tonight\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000pulled\u3000aside\u3000on\u3000its\u3000brass\u3000rod\uff1b\u3000exposing\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000behind\u3000it\u3002
\nWalking\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000bare\u3000wooden\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000sensed\u3000the\u3000chanting\u3000getting\u3000louder\u3002\u3000Hesitant\uff1b\u3000she\u3000leaned\u3000her\u3000ear\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wood\u3002\u3000The\u3000voices\u3000were\u3000clearer\u3000now\u3002\u3000People\u3000were\u3000definitely\u3000chanting\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000intoning\u3000words\u3000Sophie\u3000could\u3000not\u3000discern\u3002
\nThe\u3000space\u3000behind\u3000this\u3000wall\u3000is\u3000hollow\uff01
\nFeeling\u3000around\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000panels\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000found\u3000a\u3000recessed\u3000fingerhold\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000discreetly\u3000crafted\u3002\u3000A\u3000sliding\u3000door\u3002\u3000Heart\u3000pounding\uff1b\u3000she\u3000placed\u3000her\u3000finger\u3000in\u3000the\u3000slot\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000it\u3002\u3000With\u3000noiseless\u3000precision\uff1b\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000wall\u3000slid\u3000sideways\u3002\u3000From\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3000beyond\uff1b\u3000the\u3000voices\u3000echoed\u3000up\u3002
\nSophie\u3000slipped\u3000through\u3000the\u3000door\u3000and\u3000found\u3000herself\u3000on\u3000a\u3000rough\u2026hewn\u3000stone\u3000staircase\u3000that\u3000spiraled\u3000downward\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000been\u3000ing\u3000to\u3000this\u3000house\u3000since\u3000she\u3000was\u3000a\u3000child\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000this\u3000staircase\u3000even\u3000existed\uff01
\nAs\u3000she\u3000descended\uff1b\u3000the\u3000air\u3000grew\u3000cooler\u3002\u3000The\u3000voices\u3000clearer\u3002\u3000She\u3000heard\u3000men\u3000and\u3000women\u3000now\u3002\u3000Her\u3000line\u3000of\u3000sight\u3000was\u3000limited\u3000by\u3000the\u3000spiral\u3000of\u3000the\u3000staircase\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000last\u3000step\u3000was\u3000now\u3000rounding\u3000into\u3000view\u3002\u3000Beyond\u3000it\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000see\u3000a\u3000small\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000the\u3000basement\u3000floor\u2014stone\uff1b\u3000illuminated\u3000by\u3000the\u3000flickering\u3000orange\u3000blaze\u3000of\u3000firelight\u3002
\nHolding\u3000her\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000inched\u3000down\u3000another\u3000few\u3000steps\u3000and\u3000crouched\u3000down\u3000to\u3000look\u3002\u3000It\u3000took\u3000her\u3000several\u3000seconds\u3000to\u3000process\u3000what\u3000she\u3000was\u3000seeing\u3002
\nThe\u3000room\u3000was\u3000a\u3000grotto\u2014a\u3000coarse\u3000chamber\u3000that\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000have\u3000been\u3000hollowed\u3000from\u3000the\u3000granite\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hillside\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000light\u3000came\u3000from\u3000torches\u3000on\u3000the\u3000walls\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000glow\u3000of\u3000the\u3000flames\uff1b\u3000thirty\u3000or\u3000so\u3000people\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000a\u3000circle\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3002
\nI’m\u3000dreaming\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000told\u3000herself\u3002\u3000A\u3000dream\u3002\u3000What\u3000else\u3000could\u3000this\u3000be\uff1f
\nEveryone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000room\u3000was\u3000wearing\u3000a\u3000mask\u3002\u3000The\u3000women\u3000were\u3000dressed\u3000in\u3000white\u3000gossamer\u3000gowns\u3000and\u3000golden\u3000shoes\u3002\u3000Their\u3000masks\u3000were\u3000white\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000their\u3000hands\u3000they\u3000carried\u3000golden\u3000orbs\u3002\u3000The\u3000men\u3000wore\u3000long\u3000black\u3000tunics\uff1b\u3000and\u3000their\u3000masks\u3000were\u3000black\u3002\u3000They\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000pieces\u3000in\u3000a\u3000giant\u3000chess\u3000set\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000circle\u3000rocked\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000and\u3000chanted\u3000in\u3000reverence\u3000to\u3000something\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000before\u3000them\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000something\u3000Sophie\u3000could\u3000not\u3000see\u3002
\nThe\u3000chanting\u3000grew\u3000steady\u3000again\u3002\u3000Accelerating\u3002\u3000Thundering\u3000now\u3002\u3000Faster\u3002\u3000The\u3000participants\u3000took\u3000a\u3000step\u3000inward\u3000and\u3000knelt\u3002\u3000In\u3000that\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000could\u3000finally\u3000see\u3000what\u3000they\u3000all\u3000were\u3000witnessing\u3002\u3000Even\u3000as\u3000she\u3000staggered\u3000back\u3000in\u3000horror\uff1b\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000image\u3000searing\u3000itself\u3000into\u3000her\u3000memory\u3000forever\u3002\u3000Overtaken\u3000by\u3000nausea\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000spun\uff1b\u3000clutching\u3000at\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000walls\u3000as\u3000she\u3000clambered\u3000back\u3000up\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3002\u3000Pulling\u3000the\u3000door\u3000closed\uff1b\u3000she\u3000fled\u3000the\u3000deserted\u3000house\uff1b\u3000and\u3000drove\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tearful\u3000stupor\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Paris\u3002
\nThat\u3000night\uff1b\u3000with\u3000her\u3000life\u3000shattered\u3000by\u3000disillusionment\u3000and\u3000betrayal\uff1b\u3000she\u3000packed\u3000her\u3000belongings\u3000and\u3000left\u3000her\u3000home\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000dining\u3000room\u3000table\uff1b\u3000she\u3000left\u3000a\u3000note\u3002
\nI\u3000WAS\u3000THERE\u3002\u3000DON’T\u3000TRY\u3000TO\u3000FIND\u3000ME\u3002
\n\u3000
\nBeside\u3000the\u3000note\uff1b\u3000she\u3000laid\u3000the\u3000old\u3000spare\u3000key\u3000from\u3000the\u3000chateau’s\u3000woodshed\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3003Sophie\uff01\u3000Langdon’s\u3000voice\u3000intruded\u3002\u3000\u3003Stop\uff01\u3000Stop\uff01\u3003
\nEmerging\u3000from\u3000the\u3000memory\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000slammed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000brakes\uff1b\u3000skidding\u3000to\u3000a\u3000halt\u3002\u3000\u3003What\uff1f\u3000What\u3000happened\uff1f\uff01\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000pointed\u3000down\u3000the\u3000long\u3000street\u3000before\u3000them\u3002
\nWhen\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Sophie’s\u3000blood\u3000went\u3000cold\u3002\u3000A\u3000hundred\u3000yards\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000the\u3000intersection\u3000was\u3000blocked\u3000by\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000DCPJ\u3000police\u3000cars\uff1b\u3000parked\u3000askew\uff1b\u3000their\u3000purpose\u3000obvious\u3002\u3000They’ve\u3000sealed\u3000off\u3000Avenue\u3000Gabriel\uff01
\nLangdon\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000grim\u3000sigh\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000take\u3000it\u3000the\u3000embassy\u3000is\u3000off\u2026limits\u3000this\u3000evening\uff1f\u3003
\nDown\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000the\u3000two\u3000DCPJ\u3000officers\u3000who\u3000stood\u3000beside\u3000their\u3000cars\u3000were\u3000now\u3000staring\u3000in\u3000their\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000curious\u3000about\u3000the\u3000headlights\u3000that\u3000had\u3000halted\u3000so\u3000abruptly\u3000up\u3000the\u3000street\u3000from\u3000them\u3002
\nOkay\uff1b\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000turn\u3000around\u3000very\u3000slowly\u3002
\nPutting\u3000the\u3000SmartCar\u3000in\u3000reverse\uff1b\u3000she\u3000performed\u3000a\u3000posed\u3000three\u2026point\u3000turn\u3000and\u3000reversed\u3000her\u3000direction\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000drove\u3000away\uff1b\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000squealing\u3000tires\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002\u3000Sirens\u3000blared\u3000to\u3000life\u3002
\nCursing\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000slammed\u3000down\u3000the\u3000accelerator\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300033
\n
\nSophie’s\u3000SmartCar\u3000tore\u3000through\u3000the\u3000diplomatic\u3000quarter\uff1b\u3000weaving\u3000past\u3000embassies\u3000and\u3000consulates\uff1b\u3000finally\u3000racing\u3000out\u3000a\u3000side\u3000street\u3000and\u3000taking\u3000a\u3000right\u3000turn\u3000back\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000massive\u3000thoroughfare\u3000of\u3000Champs\u2026Elys\u00e9es\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000sat\u3000white\u2026knuckled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000passenger\u3000seat\uff1b\u3000twisted\u3000backward\uff1b\u3000scanning\u3000behind\u3000them\u3000for\u3000any\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000the\u3000police\u3002\u3000He\u3000suddenly\u3000wished\u3000he\u3000had\u3000not\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000run\u3002\u3000You\u3000didn’t\uff1b\u3000he\u3000reminded\u3000himself\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000made\u3000the\u3000decision\u3000for\u3000him\u3000when\u3000she\u3000threw\u3000the\u3000GPS\u3000dot\u3000out\u3000the\u3000bathroom\u3000window\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000as\u3000they\u3000sped\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000embassy\uff1b\u3000serpentining\u3000through\u3000sparse\u3000traffic\u3000on\u3000Champs\u2026Elys\u00e9es\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000his\u3000options\u3000deteriorating\u3002\u3000Although\u3000Sophie\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000lost\u3000the\u3000police\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000for\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000doubted\u3000their\u3000luck\u3000would\u3000hold\u3000for\u3000long\u3002
\nBehind\u3000the\u3000wheel\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000fishing\u3000in\u3000her\u3000sweater\u3000pocket\u3002\u3000She\u3000removed\u3000a\u3000small\u3000metal\u3000object\u3000and\u3000held\u3000it\u3000out\u3000for\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000you’d\u3000better\u3000have\u3000a\u3000look\u3000at\u3000this\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000what\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3000left\u3000me\u3000behind\u3000Madonna\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rocks\u3002\u3003
\nFeeling\u3000a\u3000shiver\u3000of\u3000anticipation\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000took\u3000the\u3000object\u3000and\u3000examined\u3000it\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000heavy\u3000and\u3000shaped\u3000like\u3000a\u3000cruciform\u3002\u3000His\u3000first\u3000instinct\u3000was\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000a\u3000funeral\u3000pieu\u2014a\u3000miniature\u3000version\u3000of\u3000a\u3000memorial\u3000spike\u3000designed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000stuck\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000at\u3000a\u3000gravesite\u3002\u3000But\u3000then\u3000he\u3000noted\u3000the\u3000shaft\u3000protruding\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cruciform\u3000was\u3000prismatic\u3000and\u3000triangular\u3002\u3000The\u3000shaft\u3000was\u3000also\u3000pockmarked\u3000with\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000tiny\u3000hexagons\u3000that\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000finely\u3000tooled\u3000and\u3000scattered\u3000at\u3000random\u3002
\n\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000laser\u2026cut\u3000key\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Those\u3000hexagons\u3000are\u3000read\u3000by\u3000an\u3000electric\u3000eye\u3002\u3003
\nA\u3000key\uff1f\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000anything\u3000like\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3003Look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000changing\u3000lanes\u3000and\u3000sailing\u3000through\u3000an\u3000intersection\u3002
\nWhen\u3000Langdon\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000key\uff1b\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000his\u3000jaw\u3000drop\u3002\u3000There\uff1b\u3000intricately\u3000embossed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cross\uff1b\u3000was\u3000a\u3000stylized\u3000fleur\u2026de\u2026lis\u3000with\u3000the\u3000initials\u3000P\u3002S\u3002\uff01\u3000\u3003Sophie\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003this\u3000is\u3000the\u3000seal\u3000I\u3000told\u3000you\u3000about\uff01\u3000The\u3000official\u3000device\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000I\u3000told\u3000you\uff1b\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000key\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\u3000ago\u3002\u3000He\u3000told\u3000me\u3000never\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000of\u3000it\u3000again\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon’s\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000still\u3000riveted\u3000on\u3000the\u3000embossed\u3000key\u3002\u3000Its\u3000high\u2026tech\u3000tooling\u3000and\u3000age\u2026old\u3000symbolism\u3000exuded\u3000an\u3000eerie\u3000fusion\u3000of\u3000ancient\u3000and\u3000modern\u3000worlds\u3002
\n\u3003He\u3000told\u3000me\u3000the\u3000key\u3000opened\u3000a\u3000box\u3000where\u3000he\u3000kept\u3000many\u3000secrets\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000chill\u3000to\u3000imagine\u3000what\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000secrets\u3000a\u3000man\u3000like\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000might\u3000keep\u3002\u3000What\u3000an\u3000ancient\u3000brotherhood\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000with\u3000a\u3000futuristic\u3000key\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3002\u3000The\u3000Priory\u3000existed\u3000for\u3000the\u3000sole\u3000purpose\u3000of\u3000protecting\u3000a\u3000secret\u3002\u3000A\u3000secret\u3000of\u3000incredible\u3000power\u3002\u3000Could\u3000this\u3000key\u3000have\u3000something\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000it\uff1f\u3000The\u3000thought\u3000was\u3000overwhelming\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000what\u3000it\u3000opens\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000disappointed\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000hoping\u3000you\u3000knew\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000remained\u3000silent\u3000as\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000cruciform\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000examining\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3003It\u3000looks\u3000Christian\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000pressed\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000not\u3000so\u3000sure\u3000about\u3000that\u3002\u3000The\u3000head\u3000of\u3000this\u3000key\u3000was\u3000not\u3000the\u3000traditional\u3000long\u2026stemmed\u3000Christian\u3000cross\u3000but\u3000rather\u3000was\u3000a\u3000square\u3000cross\u2014with\u3000four\u3000arms\u3000of\u3000equal\u3000length\u2014which\u3000predated\u3000Christianity\u3000by\u3000fifteen\u3000hundred\u3000years\u3002\u3000This\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000cross\u3000carried\u3000none\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Christian\u3000connotations\u3000of\u3000crucifixion\u3000associated\u3000with\u3000the\u3000longer\u2026stemmed\u3000Latin\u3000Cross\uff1b\u3000originated\u3000by\u3000Romans\u3000as\u3000a\u3000torture\u3000device\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000always\u3000surprised\u3000how\u3000few\u3000Christians\u3000who\u3000gazed\u3000upon\u3000\u3003the\u3000crucifix\u3003\u3000realized\u3000their\u3000symbol’s\u3000violent\u3000history\u3000was\u3000reflected\u3000in\u3000its\u3000very\u3000name\uff1a\u3000\u3003cross\u3003\u3000and\u3000\u3003crucifix\u3003\u3000came\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Latin\u3000verb\u3000cruciare\u2014to\u3000torture\u3002
\n\u3003Sophie\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003all\u3000I\u3000can\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000is\u3000that\u3000equal\u2026armed\u3000crosses\u3000like\u3000this\u3000one\u3000are\u3000considered\u3000peaceful\u3000crosses\u3002\u3000Their\u3000square\u3000configurations\u3000make\u3000them\u3000impractical\u3000for\u3000use\u3000in\u3000crucifixion\uff1b\u3000and\u3000their\u3000balanced\u3000vertical\u3000and\u3000horizontal\u3000elements\u3000convey\u3000a\u3000natural\u3000union\u3000of\u3000male\u3000and\u3000female\uff1b\u3000making\u3000them\u3000symbolically\u3000consistent\u3000with\u3000Priory\u3000philosophy\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000weary\u3000look\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000have\u3000no\u3000idea\uff1b\u3000do\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000a\u3000clue\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Okay\uff1b\u3000we\u3000have\u3000to\u3000get\u3000off\u3000the\u3000road\u3002\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000checked\u3000her\u3000rearview\u3000mirror\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000need\u3000a\u3000safe\u3000place\u3000to\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000what\u3000that\u3000key\u3000opens\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000thought\u3000longingly\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fortable\u3000room\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Ritz\u3002\u3000Obviously\uff1b\u3000that\u3000was\u3000not\u3000an\u3000option\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000about\u3000my\u3000hosts\u3000at\u3000the\u3000American\u3000University\u3000of\u3000Paris\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Too\u3000obvious\u3002\u3000Fache\u3000will\u3000check\u3000with\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000must\u3000know\u3000people\u3002\u3000You\u3000live\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Fache\u3000will\u3000run\u3000my\u3000phone\u3000and\u3000e\u2026mail\u3000records\uff1b\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000my\u3000coworkers\u3002\u3000My\u3000contacts\u3000are\u3000promised\uff1b\u3000and\u3000finding\u3000a\u3000hotel\u3000is\u3000no\u3000good\u3000because\u3000they\u3000all\u3000require\u3000identification\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000wondered\u3000again\u3000if\u3000he\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000better\u3000off\u3000taking\u3000his\u3000chances\u3000letting\u3000Fache\u3000arrest\u3000him\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3002\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000call\u3000the\u3000embassy\u3002\u3000I\u3000c \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003Let’s\u3000call\u3000the\u3000embassy\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u3000explain\u3000the\u3000situation\u3000and\u3000have\u3000the\u3000embassy\u3000send\u3000someone\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000us\u3000somewhere\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Meet\u3000us\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000him\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000were\u3000crazy\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000dreaming\u3002\u3000Your\u3000embassy\u3000has\u3000no\u3000jurisdiction\u3000except\u3000on\u3000their\u3000own\u3000property\u3002\u3000Sending\u3000someone\u3000to\u3000retrieve\u3000us\u3000would\u3000be\u3000considered\u3000aiding\u3000a\u3000fugitive\u3000of\u3000the\u3000French\u3000government\u3002\u3000It\u3000won’t\u3000happen\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000walk\u3000into\u3000your\u3000embassy\u3000and\u3000request\u3000temporary\u3000asylum\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000one\u3000thing\uff1b\u3000but\u3000asking\u3000them\u3000to\u3000take\u3000action\u3000against\u3000French\u3000law\u3000enforcement\u3000in\u3000the\u3000field\uff1f\u3003\u3000She\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Call\u3000your\u3000embassy\u3000right\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000are\u3000going\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000further\u3000damage\u3000and\u3000turn\u3000yourself\u3000over\u3000to\u3000Fache\u3002\u3000Then\u3000they’ll\u3000promise\u3000to\u3000pursue\u3000diplomatic\u3000channels\u3000to\u3000get\u3000you\u3000a\u3000fair\u3000trial\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000gazed\u3000up\u3000the\u3000line\u3000of\u3000elegant\u3000storefronts\u3000on\u3000Champs\u2026Elys\u00e9es\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000much\u3000cash\u3000do\u3000you\u3000have\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000checked\u3000his\u3000wallet\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000hundred\u3000dollars\u3002\u3000A\u3000few\u3000euro\u3002\u3000Why\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Credit\u3000cards\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3002\u3003
\nAs\u3000Sophie\u3000accelerated\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000sensed\u3000she\u3000was\u3000formulating\u3000a\u3000plan\u3002\u3000Dead\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000Champs\u2026Elys\u00e9es\uff1b\u3000stood\u3000the\u3000Arc\u3000de\u3000Triomphe\u2014Napoleon’s\u3000164\u2026foot\u2026tall\u3000tribute\u3000to\u3000his\u3000own\u3000military\u3000potency\u2014encircled\u3000by\u3000France’s\u3000largest\u3000rotary\uff1b\u3000a\u3000nine\u2026lane\u3000behemoth\u3002
\nSophie’s\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000on\u3000the\u3000rearview\u3000mirror\u3000again\u3000as\u3000they\u3000approached\u3000the\u3000rotary\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000lost\u3000them\u3000for\u3000the\u3000time\u3000being\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000we\u3000won’t\u3000last\u3000another\u3000five\u3000minutes\u3000if\u3000we\u3000stay\u3000in\u3000this\u3000car\u3002\u3003
\nSo\u3000steal\u3000a\u3000different\u3000one\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000mused\uff1b\u3000now\u3000that\u3000we’re\u3000criminals\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000are\u3000you\u3000going\u3000to\u3000do\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000gunned\u3000the\u3000SmartCar\u3000into\u3000the\u3000rotary\u3002\u3000\u3003Trust\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000made\u3000no\u3000response\u3002\u3000Trust\u3000had\u3000not\u3000gotten\u3000him\u3000very\u3000far\u3000this\u3000evening\u3002\u3000Pulling\u3000back\u3000the\u3000sleeve\u3000of\u3000his\u3000jacket\uff1b\u3000he\u3000checked\u3000his\u3000watch\u2014a\u3000vintage\uff1b\u3000collector’s\u2026edition\u3000Mickey\u3000Mouse\u3000wristwatch\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000gift\u3000from\u3000his\u3000parents\u3000on\u3000his\u3000tenth\u3000birthday\u3002\u3000Although\u3000its\u3000juvenile\u3000dial\u3000often\u3000drew\u3000odd\u3000looks\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000never\u3000owned\u3000any\u3000other\u3000watch\uff1b\u3000Disney\u3000animations\u3000had\u3000been\u3000his\u3000first\u3000introduction\u3000to\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000of\u3000form\u3000and\u3000color\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Mickey\u3000now\u3000served\u3000as\u3000Langdon’s\u3000daily\u3000reminder\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000young\u3000at\u3000heart\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000Mickey’s\u3000arms\u3000were\u3000skewed\u3000at\u3000an\u3000awkward\u3000angle\uff1b\u3000indicating\u3000an\u3000equally\u3000awkward\u3000hour\u3002
\n2\uff1a51\u3000A\u3002M\u3002
\n\u3003Interesting\u3000watch\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000glancing\u3000at\u3000his\u3000wrist\u3000and\u3000maneuvering\u3000the\u3000SmartCar\u3000around\u3000the\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000counterclockwise\u3000rotary\u3002
\n\u3003Long\u3000story\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000his\u3000sleeve\u3000back\u3000down\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000imagine\u3000it\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000be\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000smile\u3000and\u3000exited\u3000the\u3000rotary\uff1b\u3000heading\u3000due\u3000north\uff1b\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000city\u3000center\u3002\u3000Barely\u3000making\u3000two\u3000green\u3000lights\uff1b\u3000she\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000third\u3000intersection\u3000and\u3000took\u3000a\u3000hard\u3000right\u3000onto\u3000Boulevard\u3000Malesherbes\u3002\u3000They’d\u3000left\u3000the\u3000rich\uff1b\u3000tree\u2026lined\u3000streets\u3000of\u3000the\u3000diplomatic\u3000neighborhood\u3000and\u3000plunged\u3000into\u3000a\u3000darker\u3000industrial\u3000neighborhood\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000took\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000left\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000realized\u3000where\u3000they\u3000were\u3002
\nGare\u3000Saint\u2026Lazare\u3002
\nAhead\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000the\u3000glass\u2026roofed\u3000train\u3000terminal\u3000resembled\u3000the\u3000awkward\u3000offspring\u3000of\u3000an\u3000airplane\u3000hangar\u3000and\u3000a\u3000greenhouse\u3002\u3000European\u3000train\u3000stations\u3000never\u3000slept\u3002\u3000Even\u3000at\u3000this\u3000hour\uff1b\u3000a\u3000half\u2026dozen\u3000taxis\u3000idled\u3000near\u3000the\u3000main\u3000entrance\u3002\u3000Vendors\u3000manned\u3000carts\u3000of\u3000sandwiches\u3000and\u3000mineral\u3000water\u3000while\u3000grungy\u3000kids\u3000in\u3000backpacks\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000the\u3000station\u3000rubbing\u3000their\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000around\u3000as\u3000if\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000remember\u3000what\u3000city\u3000they\u3000were\u3000in\u3000now\u3002\u3000Up\u3000ahead\u3000on\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000city\u3000policemen\u3000stood\u3000on\u3000the\u3000curb\u3000giving\u3000directions\u3000to\u3000some\u3000confused\u3000tourists\u3002
\nSophie\u3000pulled\u3000her\u3000SmartCar\u3000in\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000line\u3000of\u3000taxis\u3000and\u3000parked\u3000in\u3000a\u3000red\u3000zone\u3000despite\u3000plenty\u3000of\u3000legal\u3000parking\u3000across\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3000Before\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000ask\u3000what\u3000was\u3000going\u3000on\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000car\u3002\u3000She\u3000hurried\u3000to\u3000the\u3000window\u3000of\u3000the\u3000taxi\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000them\u3000and\u3000began\u3000speaking\u3000to\u3000the\u3000driver\u3002
\nAs\u3000Langdon\u3000got\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000SmartCar\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000Sophie\u3000hand\u3000the\u3000taxi\u3000driver\u3000a\u3000big\u3000wad\u3000of\u3000cash\u3002\u3000The\u3000taxi\u3000driver\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000then\uff1b\u3000to\u3000Langdon’s\u3000bewilderment\uff1b\u3000sped\u3000off\u3000without\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000happened\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000demanded\uff1b\u3000joining\u3000Sophie\u3000on\u3000the\u3000curb\u3000as\u3000the\u3000taxi\u3000disappeared\u3002
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000already\u3000heading\u3000for\u3000the\u3000train\u3000station\u3000entrance\u3002\u3000\u3003e\u3000on\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000buying\u3000two\u3000tickets\u3000on\u3000the\u3000next\u3000train\u3000out\u3000of\u3000Paris\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000hurried\u3000along\u3000beside\u3000her\u3002\u3000What\u3000had\u3000begun\u3000as\u3000a\u3000one\u2026mile\u3000dash\u3000to\u3000the\u3000U\u3002S\u3002\u3000Embassy\u3000had\u3000now\u3000bee\u3000a\u3000full\u2026fledged\u3000evacuation\u3000from\u3000Paris\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000liking\u3000this\u3000idea\u3000less\u3000and\u3000less\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300034
\n
\nThe\u3000driver\u3000who\u3000collected\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3000from\u3000Leonardo\u3000da\u3000Vinci\u3000International\u3000Airport\u3000pulled\u3000up\u3000in\u3000a\u3000small\uff1b\u3000unimpressive\u3000black\u3000Fiat\u3000sedan\u3002\u3000Aringarosa\u3000recalled\u3000a\u3000day\u3000when\u3000all\u3000Vatican\u3000transports\u3000were\u3000big\u3000luxury\u3000cars\u3000that\u3000sported\u3000grille\u2026plate\u3000medallions\u3000and\u3000flags\u3000emblazoned\u3000with\u3000the\u3000seal\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000See\u3002\u3000Those\u3000days\u3000are\u3000gone\u3002\u3000Vatican\u3000cars\u3000were\u3000now\u3000less\u3000ostentatious\u3000and\u3000almost\u3000always\u3000unmarked\u3002\u3000The\u3000Vatican\u3000claimed\u3000this\u3000was\u3000to\u3000cut\u3000costs\u3000to\u3000better\u3000serve\u3000their\u3000dioceses\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Aringarosa\u3000suspected\u3000it\u3000was\u3000more\u3000of\u3000a\u3000security\u3000measure\u3002\u3000The\u3000world\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000mad\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000many\u3000parts\u3000of\u3000Europe\uff1b\u3000advertising\u3000your\u3000love\u3000of\u3000Jesus\u3000Christ\u3000was\u3000like\u3000painting\u3000a\u3000bull’s\u2026eye\u3000on\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000of\u3000your\u3000car\u3002
\nBundling\u3000his\u3000black\u3000cassock\u3000around\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000climbed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000back\u3000seat\u3000and\u3000settled\u3000in\u3000for\u3000the\u3000long\u3000drive\u3000to\u3000Castel\u3000Gandolfo\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000be\u3000the\u3000same\u3000ride\u3000he\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000five\u3000months\u3000ago\u3002
\nLast\u3000year’s\u3000trip\u3000to\u3000Rome\uff1b\u3000he\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000The\u3000longest\u3000night\u3000of\u3000my\u3000life\u3002
\nFive\u3000months\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3000had\u3000phoned\u3000to\u3000request\u3000Aringarosa’s\u3000immediate\u3000presence\u3000in\u3000Rome\u3002\u3000They\u3000offered\u3000no\u3000explanation\u3002\u3000Your\u3000tickets\u3000are\u3000at\u3000the\u3000airport\u3002\u3000The\u3000Holy\u3000See\u3000worked\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000retain\u3000a\u3000veil\u3000of\u3000mystery\uff1b\u3000even\u3000for\u3000its\u3000highest\u3000clergy\u3002
\nThe\u3000mysterious\u3000summons\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000suspected\uff1b\u3000was\u3000probably\u3000a\u3000photo\u3000opportunity\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Pope\u3000and\u3000other\u3000Vatican\u3000officials\u3000to\u3000piggyback\u3000on\u3000Opus\u3000Dei’s\u3000recent\u3000public\u3000success\u2014the\u3000pletion\u3000of\u3000their\u3000World\u3000Headquarters\u3000in\u3000New\u3000York\u3000City\u3002\u3000Architectural\u3000Digest\u3000had\u3000called\u3000Opus\u3000Dei’s\u3000building\u3000\u3003a\u3000shining\u3000beacon\u3000of\u3000Catholicism\u3000sublimely\u3000integrated\u3000with\u3000the\u3000modern\u3000landscape\uff1b\u3003\u3000and\u3000lately\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000drawn\u3000to\u3000anything\u3000and\u3000everything\u3000that\u3000included\u3000the\u3000word\u3000\u3003modern\u3002\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000had\u3000no\u3000choice\u3000but\u3000to\u3000accept\u3000the\u3000invitation\uff1b\u3000albeit\u3000reluctantly\u3002\u3000Not\u3000a\u3000fan\u3000of\u3000the\u3000current\u3000papal\u3000administration\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\uff1b\u3000like\u3000most\u3000conservative\u3000clergy\uff1b\u3000had\u3000watched\u3000with\u3000grave\u3000concern\u3000as\u3000the\u3000new\u3000Pope\u3000settled\u3000into\u3000his\u3000first\u3000year\u3000in\u3000office\u3002\u3000An\u3000unprecedented\u3000liberal\uff1b\u3000His\u3000Holiness\u3000had\u3000secured\u3000the\u3000papacy\u3000through\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000most\u3000controversial\u3000and\u3000unusual\u3000conclaves\u3000in\u3000Vatican\u3000history\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000being\u3000humbled\u3000by\u3000his\u3000unexpected\u3000rise\u3000to\u3000power\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Father\u3000had\u3000wasted\u3000no\u3000time\u3000flexing\u3000all\u3000the\u3000muscle\u3000associated\u3000with\u3000the\u3000highest\u3000office\u3000in\u3000Christendom\u3002\u3000Drawing\u3000on\u3000an\u3000unsettling\u3000tide\u3000of\u3000liberal\u3000support\u3000within\u3000the\u3000College\u3000of\u3000Cardinals\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Pope\u3000was\u3000now\u3000declaring\u3000his\u3000papal\u3000mission\u3000to\u3000be\u3000\u3003rejuvenation\u3000of\u3000Vatican\u3000doctrine\u3000and\u3000updating\u3000Catholicism\u3000into\u3000the\u3000third\u3000millennium\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000translation\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000feared\uff1b\u3000was\u3000that\u3000the\u3000man\u3000was\u3000actually\u3000arrogant\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000think\u3000he\u3000could\u3000rewrite\u3000God’s\u3000laws\u3000and\u3000win\u3000back\u3000the\u3000hearts\u3000of\u3000those\u3000who\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000demands\u3000of\u3000true\u3000Catholicism\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000too\u3000inconvenient\u3000in\u3000a\u3000modern\u3000world\u3002
\nAringarosa\u3000had\u3000been\u3000using\u3000all\u3000of\u3000his\u3000political\u3000sway\u2014substantial\u3000considering\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000constituency\u3000and\u3000their\u3000bankroll\u2014to\u3000persuade\u3000the\u3000Pope\u3000and\u3000his\u3000advisers\u3000that\u3000softening\u3000the\u3000Church’s\u3000laws\u3000was\u3000not\u3000only\u3000faithless\u3000and\u3000cowardly\uff1b\u3000but\u3000political\u3000suicide\u3002\u3000He\u3000reminded\u3000them\u3000that\u3000previous\u3000tempering\u3000of\u3000Church\u3000law\u2014the\u3000Vatican\u3000II\u3000fiasco\u2014had\u3000left\u3000a\u3000devastating\u3000legacy\uff1a\u3000Church\u3000attendance\u3000was\u3000now\u3000lower\u3000than\u3000ever\uff1b\u3000donations\u3000were\u3000drying\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000were\u3000not\u3000even\u3000enough\u3000Catholic\u3000priests\u3000to\u3000preside\u3000over\u3000their\u3000churches\u3002
\nPeople\u3000need\u3000structure\u3000and\u3000direction\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Church\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000insisted\uff1b\u3000not\u3000coddling\u3000and\u3000indulgence\uff01
\nOn\u3000that\u3000night\uff1b\u3000months\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Fiat\u3000had\u3000left\u3000the\u3000airport\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000to\u3000find\u3000himself\u3000heading\u3000not\u3000toward\u3000Vatican\u3000City\u3000but\u3000rather\u3000eastward\u3000up\u3000a\u3000sinuous\u3000mountain\u3000road\u3002\u3000\u3003Where\u3000are\u3000we\u3000going\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000had\u3000demanded\u3000of\u3000his\u3000driver\u3002
\n\u3003Alban\u3000Hills\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000man\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000meeting\u3000is\u3000at\u3000Castel\u3000Gandolfo\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000Pope’s\u3000summer\u3000residence\uff1f\u3000Aringarosa\u3000had\u3000never\u3000been\uff1b\u3000nor\u3000had\u3000he\u3000ever\u3000desired\u3000to\u3000see\u3000it\u3002\u3000In\u3000addition\u3000to\u3000being\u3000the\u3000Pope’s\u3000summer\u3000vacation\u3000home\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sixteenth\u2026century\u3000citadel\u3000housed\u3000the\u3000Specula\u3000Vaticana\u2014the\u3000Vatican\u3000Observatory\u2014one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000most\u3000advanced\u3000astronomical\u3000observatories\u3000in\u3000Europe\u3002\u3000Aringarosa\u3000had\u3000never\u3000been\u3000fortable\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Vatican’s\u3000historical\u3000need\u3000to\u3000dabble\u3000in\u3000science\u3002\u3000What\u3000was\u3000the\u3000rationale\u3000for\u3000fusing\u3000science\u3000and\u3000faith\uff1f\u3000Unbiased\u3000science\u3000could\u3000not\u3000possibly\u3000be\u3000performed\u3000by\u3000a\u3000man\u3000who\u3000possessed\u3000faith\u3000in\u3000God\u3002\u3000Nor\u3000did\u3000faith\u3000have\u3000any\u3000need\u3000for\u3000physical\u3000confirmation\u3000of\u3000its\u3000beliefs\u3002
\nNonetheless\uff1b\u3000there\u3000it\u3000is\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000as\u3000Castel\u3000Gandolfo\u3000came\u3000into\u3000view\uff1b\u3000rising\u3000against\u3000a\u3000star\u2026filled\u3000November\u3000sky\u3002\u3000From\u3000the\u3000access\u3000road\uff1b\u3000Gandolfo\u3000resembled\u3000a\u3000great\u3000stone\u3000monster\u3000pondering\u3000a\u3000suicidal\u3000leap\u3002\u3000Perched\u3000at\u3000the\u3000very\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000a\u3000cliff\uff1b\u3000the\u3000castle\u3000leaned\u3000out\u3000over\u3000the\u3000cradle\u3000of\u3000Italian\u3000civilization\u2014the\u3000valley\u3000where\u3000the\u3000Curiazi\u3000and\u3000Orazi\u3000clans\u3000fought\u3000long\u3000before\u3000the\u3000founding\u3000of\u3000Rome\u3002
\nEven\u3000in\u3000silhouette\uff1b\u3000Gandolfo\u3000was\u3000a\u3000sight\u3000to\u3000behold\u2014an\u3000impressive\u3000example\u3000of\u3000tiered\uff1b\u3000defensive\u3000architecture\uff1b\u3000echoing\u3000the\u3000potency\u3000of\u3000this\u3000dramatic\u3000cliffside\u3000setting\u3002\u3000Sadly\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000now\u3000saw\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3000had\u3000ruined\u3000the\u3000building\u3000by\u3000constructing\u3000two\u3000huge\u3000aluminum\u3000telescope\u3000domes\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000roof\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000this\u3000once\u3000dignified\u3000edifice\u3000looking\u3000like\u3000a\u3000proud\u3000warrior\u3000wearing\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000party\u3000hats\u3002
\nWhen\u3000Aringarosa\u3000got\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000car\uff1b\u3000a\u3000young\u3000Jesuit\u3000priest\u3000hurried\u3000out\u3000and\u3000greeted\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Bishop\uff1b\u3000wele\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000Father\u3000Man \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n When\u3000Aringarosa\u3000got\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000car\uff1b\u3000a\u3000young\u3000Jesuit\u3000priest\u3000hurried\u3000out\u3000and\u3000greeted\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Bishop\uff1b\u3000wele\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000Father\u3000Mangano\u3002\u3000An\u3000astronomer\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\nGood\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3000Aringarosa\u3000grumbled\u3000his\u3000hello\u3000and\u3000followed\u3000his\u3000host\u3000into\u3000the\u3000castle’s\u3000foyer\u2014a\u3000wide\u2026open\u3000space\u3000whose\u3000decor\u3000was\u3000a\u3000graceless\u3000blend\u3000of\u3000Renaissance\u3000art\u3000and\u3000astronomy\u3000images\u3002\u3000Following\u3000his\u3000escort\u3000up\u3000the\u3000wide\u3000travertine\u3000marble\u3000staircase\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000saw\u3000signs\u3000for\u3000conference\u3000centers\uff1b\u3000science\u3000lecture\u3000halls\uff1b\u3000and\u3000tourist\u3000information\u3000services\u3002\u3000It\u3000amazed\u3000him\u3000to\u3000think\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3000was\u3000failing\u3000at\u3000every\u3000turn\u3000to\u3000provide\u3000coherent\uff1b\u3000stringent\u3000guidelines\u3000for\u3000spiritual\u3000growth\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000somehow\u3000still\u3000found\u3000time\u3000to\u3000give\u3000astrophysics\u3000lectures\u3000to\u3000tourists\u3002
\n\u3003Tell\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Aringarosa\u3000said\u3000to\u3000the\u3000young\u3000priest\uff1b\u3000\u3003when\u3000did\u3000the\u3000tail\u3000start\u3000wagging\u3000the\u3000dog\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000priest\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000an\u3000odd\u3000look\u3002\u3000\u3003Sir\uff1f\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000waved\u3000it\u3000off\uff1b\u3000deciding\u3000not\u3000to\u3000launch\u3000into\u3000that\u3000particular\u3000offensive\u3000again\u3000this\u3000evening\u3002\u3000The\u3000Vatican\u3000has\u3000gone\u3000mad\u3002\u3000Like\u3000a\u3000lazy\u3000parent\u3000who\u3000found\u3000it\u3000easier\u3000to\u3000acquiesce\u3000to\u3000the\u3000whims\u3000of\u3000a\u3000spoiled\u3000child\u3000than\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000firm\u3000and\u3000teach\u3000values\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000just\u3000kept\u3000softening\u3000at\u3000every\u3000turn\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000reinvent\u3000itself\u3000to\u3000acmodate\u3000a\u3000culture\u3000gone\u3000astray\u3002
\nThe\u3000top\u3000floor’s\u3000corridor\u3000was\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000lushly\u3000appointed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000led\u3000in\u3000only\u3000one\u3000direction\u2014toward\u3000a\u3000huge\u3000set\u3000of\u3000oak\u3000doors\u3000with\u3000a\u3000brass\u3000sign\u3002
\nBIBLIOTECA\u3000ASTRONOMICA
\nAringarosa\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000this\u3000place\u2014the\u3000Vatican’s\u3000Astronomy\u3000Library\u2014rumored\u3000to\u3000contain\u3000more\u3000than\u3000twenty\u2026five\u3000thousand\u3000volumes\uff1b\u3000including\u3000rare\u3000works\u3000of\u3000Copernicus\uff1b\u3000Galileo\uff1b\u3000Kepler\uff1b\u3000Newton\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Secchi\u3002\u3000Allegedly\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000also\u3000the\u3000place\u3000in\u3000which\u3000the\u3000Pope’s\u3000highest\u3000officers\u3000held\u3000private\u3000meetings\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000those\u3000meetings\u3000they\u3000preferred\u3000not\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000within\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000Vatican\u3000City\u3002
\nApproaching\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3000would\u3000never\u3000have\u3000imagined\u3000the\u3000shocking\u3000news\u3000he\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000receive\u3000inside\uff1b\u3000or\u3000the\u3000deadly\u3000chain\u3000of\u3000events\u3000it\u3000would\u3000put\u3000into\u3000motion\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000not\u3000until\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000later\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000staggered\u3000from\u3000the\u3000meeting\uff1b\u3000that\u3000the\u3000devastating\u3000implications\u3000settled\u3000in\u3002\u3000Six\u3000months\u3000from\u3000now\uff01\u3000he\u3000had\u3000thought\u3002\u3000God\u3000help\u3000us\uff01
\n\u3000
\nNow\uff1b\u3000seated\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Fiat\uff1b\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3000realized\u3000his\u3000fists\u3000were\u3000clenched\u3000just\u3000thinking\u3000about\u3000that\u3000first\u3000meeting\u3002\u3000He\u3000released\u3000his\u3000grip\u3000and\u3000forced\u3000a\u3000slow\u3000inhalation\uff1b\u3000relaxing\u3000his\u3000muscles\u3002
\nEverything\u3000will\u3000be\u3000fine\uff1b\u3000he\u3000told\u3000himself\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Fiat\u3000wound\u3000higher\u3000into\u3000the\u3000mountains\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wished\u3000his\u3000cell\u3000phone\u3000would\u3000ring\u3002\u3000Why\u3000hasn’t\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000called\u3000me\uff1f\u3000Silas\u3000should\u3000have\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000by\u3000now\u3002
\nTrying\u3000to\u3000ease\u3000his\u3000nerves\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bishop\u3000meditated\u3000on\u3000the\u3000purple\u3000amethyst\u3000in\u3000his\u3000ring\u3002\u3000Feeling\u3000the\u3000textures\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mitre\u2026crozier\u3000appliqu\u00e9\u3000and\u3000the\u3000facets\u3000of\u3000the\u3000diamonds\uff1b\u3000he\u3000reminded\u3000himself\u3000that\u3000this\u3000ring\u3000was\u3000a\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000power\u3000far\u3000less\u3000than\u3000that\u3000which\u3000he\u3000would\u3000soon\u3000attain\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300035
\n
\nThe\u3000inside\u3000of\u3000Gare\u3000Saint\u2026Lazare\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000every\u3000other\u3000train\u3000station\u3000in\u3000Europe\uff1b\u3000a\u3000gaping\u3000indoor\u2026outdoor\u3000cavern\u3000dotted\u3000with\u3000the\u3000usual\u3000suspects\u2014homeless\u3000men\u3000holding\u3000cardboard\u3000signs\uff1b\u3000collections\u3000of\u3000bleary\u2026eyed\u3000college\u3000kids\u3000sleeping\u3000on\u3000backpacks\u3000and\u3000zoning\u3000out\u3000to\u3000their\u3000portable\u3000MP3\u3000players\uff1b\u3000and\u3000clusters\u3000of\u3000blue\u2026clad\u3000baggage\u3000porters\u3000smoking\u3000cigarettes\u3002
\nSophie\u3000raised\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000to\u3000the\u3000enormous\u3000departure\u3000board\u3000overhead\u3002\u3000The\u3000black\u3000and\u3000white\u3000tabs\u3000reshuffled\uff1b\u3000ruffling\u3000downward\u3000as\u3000the\u3000information\u3000refreshed\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000update\u3000was\u3000finished\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000eyed\u3000the\u3000offerings\u3002\u3000The\u3000topmost\u3000listing\u3000read\uff1a\u3000LYON\u2014RAPIDE\u20143\uff1a06
\n\u3003I\u3000wish\u3000it\u3000left\u3000sooner\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000Lyon\u3000will\u3000have\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3003\u3000Sooner\uff1f\u3000Langdon\u3000checked\u3000his\u3000watch\u30002\uff1a59\u3000A\u3002M\u3002\u3000The\u3000train\u3000left\u3000in\u3000seven\u3000minutes\u3000and\u3000they\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000have\u3000tickets\u3000yet\u3002
\nSophie\u3000guided\u3000Langdon\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000ticket\u3000window\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Buy\u3000us\u3000two\u3000tickets\u3000with\u3000your\u3000credit\u3000card\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000credit\u3000card\u3000usage\u3000could\u3000be\u3000traced\u3000by\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003Exactly\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3002\u3000Using\u3000his\u3000Visa\u3000card\uff1b\u3000he\u3000purchased\u3000two\u3000coach\u3000tickets\u3000to\u3000Lyon\u3000and\u3000handed\u3000them\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3002
\nSophie\u3000guided\u3000him\u3000out\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000tracks\uff1b\u3000where\u3000a\u3000familiar\u3000tone\u3000chimed\u3000overhead\u3000and\u3000a\u3000P\u3002A\u3002\u3000announcer\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000final\u3000boarding\u3000call\u3000for\u3000Lyon\u3002\u3000Sixteen\u3000separate\u3000tracks\u3000spread\u3000out\u3000before\u3000them\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000distance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000right\uff1b\u3000at\u3000quay\u3000three\uff1b\u3000the\u3000train\u3000to\u3000Lyon\u3000was\u3000belching\u3000and\u3000wheezing\u3000in\u3000preparation\u3000for\u3000departure\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Sophie\u3000already\u3000had\u3000her\u3000arm\u3000through\u3000Langdon’s\u3000and\u3000was\u3000guiding\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000exact\u3000opposite\u3000direction\u3002\u3000They\u3000hurried\u3000through\u3000a\u3000side\u3000lobby\uff1b\u3000past\u3000an\u3000all\u2026night\u3000cafe\uff1b\u3000and\u3000finally\u3000out\u3000a\u3000side\u3000door\u3000onto\u3000a\u3000quiet\u3000street\u3000on\u3000the\u3000west\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000station\u3002
\nA\u3000lone\u3000taxi\u3000sat\u3000idling\u3000by\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3002
\nThe\u3000driver\u3000saw\u3000Sophie\u3000and\u3000flicked\u3000his\u3000lights\u3002
\nSophie\u3000jumped\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000seat\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000got\u3000in\u3000after\u3000her\u3002
\nAs\u3000the\u3000taxi\u3000pulled\u3000away\u3000from\u3000station\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000took\u3000out\u3000their\u3000newly\u3000purchased\u3000train\u3000tickets\u3000and\u3000tore\u3000them\u3000up\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000Seventy\u3000dollars\u3000well\u3000spent\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000not\u3000until\u3000their\u3000taxi\u3000had\u3000settled\u3000into\u3000a\u3000monotonous\u3000northbound\u3000hum\u3000on\u3000Rue\u3000de\u3000Clichy\u3000that\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000they’d\u3000actually\u3000escaped\u3002\u3000Out\u3000the\u3000window\u3000to\u3000his\u3000right\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000Montmartre\u3000and\u3000the\u3000beautiful\u3000dome\u3000of\u3000Sacr\u00e9\u2026Coeur\u3002\u3000The\u3000image\u3000was\u3000interrupted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000police\u3000lights\u3000sailing\u3000past\u3000them\u3000in\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000direction\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000ducked\u3000down\u3000as\u3000the\u3000sirens\u3000faded\u3002
\nSophie\u3000had\u3000told\u3000the\u3000cab\u3000driver\u3000simply\u3000to\u3000head\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000and\u3000from\u3000her\u3000firmly\u3000set\u3000jaw\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000sensed\u3000she\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000their\u3000next\u3000move\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000examined\u3000the\u3000cruciform\u3000key\u3000again\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000window\uff1b\u3000bringing\u3000it\u3000close\u3000to\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000in\u3000an\u3000effort\u3000to\u3000find\u3000any\u3000markings\u3000on\u3000it\u3000that\u3000might\u3000indicate\u3000where\u3000the\u3000key\u3000had\u3000been\u3000made\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000intermittent\u3000glow\u3000of\u3000passing\u3000streetlights\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000no\u3000markings\u3000except\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000seal\u3002
\n\u3003It\u3000doesn’t\u3000make\u3000sense\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000finally\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003Which\u3000part\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003That\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3000would\u3000go\u3000to\u3000so\u3000much\u3000trouble\u3000to\u3000give\u3000you\u3000a\u3000key\u3000that\u3000you\u3000wouldn’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000agree\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000sure\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000write\u3000anything\u3000else\u3000on\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000painting\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000searched\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000area\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000all\u3000there\u3000was\u3002\u3000This\u3000key\uff1b\u3000wedged\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000painting\u3002\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000seal\uff1b\u3000stuck\u3000the\u3000key\u3000in\u3000my\u3000pocket\uff1b\u3000then\u3000we\u3000left\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000frowned\uff1b\u3000peering\u3000now\u3000at\u3000the\u3000blunt\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000triangular\u3000shaft\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3002\u3000Squinting\uff1b\u3000he\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000key\u3000close\u3000to\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000examined\u3000the\u3000rim\u3000of\u3000the\u3000head\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000there\u3000either\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000this\u3000key\u3000was\u3000cleaned\u3000recently\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Why\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003It\u3000smells\u3000like\u3000rubbing\u3000alcohol\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000turned\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003It\u3000smells\u3000like\u3000somebody\u3000polished\u3000it\u3000with\u3000a\u3000cleaner\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000held\u3000the\u3000key\u3000to\u3000his\u3000nose\u3000and\u3000sniffed\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000stronger\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000flipped\u3000it\u3000over\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000alcohol\u2026based\uff1b\u3000like\u3000it’s\u3000been\u3000buffed\u3000with\u3000a\u3000cleaner\u3000or\u2014\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000stopped\u3002
\n\u3003What\uff1f\u3003
\nHe\u3000angled\u3000the\u3000key\u3000to\u3000the\u3000light\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000smooth\u3000surface\u3000on\u3000the\u3000broad\u3000arm\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cross\u3002\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000shimmer\u3000in\u3000places\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000like\u3000it\u3000was\u3000wet\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000well\u3000did\u3000you\u3000look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000this\u3000key\u3000before\u3000you\u3000put\u3000it\u3000in\u3000your\u3000pocket\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003What\uff1f\u3000Not\u3000well\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000in\u3000a\u3000hurry\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000still\u3000have\u3000the\u3000black\u3000light\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000reached\u3000in\u3000her\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000produced\u3000the\u3000UV\u3000penlight\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000took\u3000it\u3000and\u3000switched\u3000it\u3000on\uff1b\u3000shining\u3000the\u3000beam\u3000on\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000key\u3002
\nThe\u3000back\u3000luminesced\u3000instantly\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000writing\u3000there\u3002\u3000In\u3000penmanship\u3000that\u3000was\u3000hurried\u3000but\u3000legible\u3002
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000smiling\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000guess\u3000we\u3000know\u3000what\u3000the\u3000alcohol\u3000smell\u3000was\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nSophie\u3000stared\u3000in\u3000amazement\u3000at\u3000the\u3000purple\u3000writing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000key\u3002
\n24\u3000Rue\u3000Haxo
\n\u3000
\nAn\u3000address\uff01\u3000My\u3000grandfather\u3000wrote\u3000down\u3000an\u3000address\uff01
\n\u3003Where\u3000is\u3000this\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000asked\u3002
\nSophie\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3002\u3000Facing\u3000front\u3000again\uff1b\u3000she\u3000leaned\u3000forward\u3000and\u3000excitedly\u3000asked\u3000the\u3000driver\uff1b\u3000\u3003Connaissez\u2026vous\u3000la\u3000Rue\u3000Haxo\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000driver\u3000thought\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000and\u3000then\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000He\u3000told\u3000Sophie\u3000it\u3000was\u3000out\u3000near\u3000the\u3000tennis\u3000stadium\u3000on\u3000the\u3000western\u3000outskirts\u3000of\u3000Paris\u3002\u3000She\u3000asked\u3000him\u3000to\u3000take\u3000them\u3000there\u3000immediately\u3002
\n\u3003Fastest\u3000route\u3000is\u3000through\u3000Bois\u3000de\u3000Boulogne\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000driver\u3000told\u3000her\u3000in\u3000French\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000that\u3000okay\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000think\u3000of\u3000far\u3000less\u3000scandalous\u3000routes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000tonight\u3000she\u3000was\u3000not\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000picky\u3002\u3000\u3003Oui\u3002\u3003\u3000We\u3000can\u3000shock\u3000the\u3000visiting\u3000American\u3002
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000back\u3000at\u3000the\u3000key\u3000and\u3000wondered\u3000what\u3000they\u3000would\u3000possibly\u3000find\u3000at\u300024\u3000Rue\u3000Haxo\u3002\u3000A\u3000church\uff1f\u3000Some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000Priory\u3000headquarters\uff1f
\nHer\u3000mind\u3000filled\u3000again\u3000with\u3000images\u3000of\u3000the\u3000secret\u3000ritual\u3000she\u3000had\u3000witnessed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000basement\u3000grotto\u3000ten\u3000years\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000heaved\u3000a\u3000long\u3000sigh\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000things\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000you\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000locking\u3000eyes\u3000with\u3000him\u3000as\u3000the\u3000taxi\u3000raced\u3000westward\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000first\u3000I\u3000want\u3000you\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000everything\u3000you\u3000know\u3000about\u3000this\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300036
\n
\nOutside\u3000the\u3000Salle\u3000des\u3000Etats\uff1b\u3000Bezu\u3000Fache\u3000was\u3000fuming\u3000as\u3000Louvre\u3000warden\u3000Grouard\u3000explained\u3000how\u3000Sophie\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000disarmed\u3000him\u3002\u3000Why\u3000didn’t\u3000you\u3000just\u3000shoot\u3000the\u3000blessed\u3000painting\uff01
\n\u3003Captain\uff1f\u3003\u3000Lieutenant\u3000Collet\u3000loped\u3000toward\u3000them\u3000from\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000post\u3002\u3000\u3003Captain\uff1b\u3000I\u3000just\u3000heard\u3002\u3000They\u3000located\u3000Agent\u3000Neveu’s\u3000car\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Did\u3000she\u3000make\u3000the\u3000embassy\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3002\u3000Train\u3000station\u3002\u3000Bought\u3000two\u3000tickets\u3002\u3000Train\u3000just\u3000left\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000waved\u3000off\u3000warden\u3000Grouard\u3000and\u3000led\u3000Collet\u3000to\u3000a\u3000nearby\u3000alcove\uff1b\u3000addressing\u3000him\u3000in\u3000hushed\u3000tones\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000was\u3000the\u3000destination\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Lyon\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Probably\u3000a\u3000decoy\u3002\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000exhaled\uff1b\u3000formulating\u3000a\u3000plan\u3002\u3000\u3003Okay\uff1b\u3000alert\u3000the\u3000next\u3000station\uff1b\u3000have\u3000the\u3000train\u3000stopped\u3000and\u3000searched\uff1b\u3000just\u3000in\u3000case\u3002\u3000Leave\u3000her\u3000car\u3000where\u3000it\u3000is\u3000and\u3000put\u3000plainclothes\u3000on\u3000watch\u3000in\u3000case\u3000they\u3000try\u3000to\u3000e\u3000back\u3000to\u3000it\u3002\u3000Send\u3000men\u3000to\u3000search\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000around\u3000the\u3000station\u3000in\u3000case\u3000they\u3000fled\u3000on\u3000foot\u3002\u3000Are\u3000buses\u3000running\u3000from\u3000the\u3000station\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Not\u3000at\u3000this\u3000hour\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000Only\u3000the\u3000taxi\u3000queue\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Good\u3002\u3000Question\u3000the\u3000drivers\u3002\u3000See\u3000if\u3000they\u3000saw\u3000anything\u3002\u3000Then\u3000contact\u3000the\u3000taxi\u3000pa \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003Not\u3000at\u3000this\u3000hour\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000Only\u3000the\u3000taxi\u3000queue\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Good\u3002\u3000Question\u3000the\u3000drivers\u3002\u3000See\u3000if\u3000they\u3000saw\u3000anything\u3002\u3000Then\u3000contact\u3000the\u3000taxi\u3000pany\u3000dispatcher\u3000with\u3000descriptions\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000calling\u3000Interpol\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000looked\u3000surprised\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000putting\u3000this\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wire\uff1f\u3003
\nFache\u3000regretted\u3000the\u3000potential\u3000embarrassment\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000no\u3000other\u3000choice\u3002
\nClose\u3000the\u3000net\u3000fast\uff1b\u3000and\u3000close\u3000it\u3000tight\u3002
\nThe\u3000first\u3000hour\u3000was\u3000critical\u3002\u3000Fugitives\u3000were\u3000predictable\u3000the\u3000first\u3000hour\u3000after\u3000escape\u3002\u3000They\u3000always\u3000needed\u3000the\u3000same\u3000thing\u3002\u3000Travel\u3002\u3000Lodging\u3002\u3000Cash\u3002\u3000The\u3000Holy\u3000Trinity\u3002\u3000Interpol\u3000had\u3000the\u3000power\u3000to\u3000make\u3000all\u3000three\u3000disappear\u3000in\u3000the\u3000blink\u3000of\u3000an\u3000eye\u3002\u3000By\u3000broadcast\u2026faxing\u3000photos\u3000of\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000to\u3000Paris\u3000travel\u3000authorities\uff1b\u3000hotels\uff1b\u3000and\u3000banks\uff1b\u3000Interpol\u3000would\u3000leave\u3000no\u3000options\u2014no\u3000way\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000no\u3000place\u3000to\u3000hide\uff1b\u3000and\u3000no\u3000way\u3000to\u3000withdraw\u3000cash\u3000without\u3000being\u3000recognized\u3002\u3000Usually\uff1b\u3000fugitives\u3000panicked\u3000on\u3000the\u3000street\u3000and\u3000did\u3000something\u3000stupid\u3002\u3000Stole\u3000a\u3000car\u3002\u3000Robbed\u3000a\u3000store\u3002\u3000Used\u3000a\u3000bank\u3000card\u3000in\u3000desperation\u3002\u3000Whatever\u3000mistake\u3000they\u3000mitted\uff1b\u3000they\u3000quickly\u3000made\u3000their\u3000whereabouts\u3000known\u3000to\u3000local\u3000authorities\u3002
\n\u3003Only\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000right\uff1f\u3003\u3000Collet\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000not\u3000flagging\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3002\u3000She’s\u3000our\u3000own\u3000agent\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3000I’m\u3000flagging\u3000her\uff01\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000snapped\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000good\u3000is\u3000flagging\u3000Langdon\u3000if\u3000she\u3000can\u3000do\u3000all\u3000his\u3000dirty\u3000work\uff1f\u3000I\u3000plan\u3000to\u3000run\u3000Neveu’s\u3000employment\u3000file\u2014friends\uff1b\u3000family\uff1b\u3000personal\u3000contacts\u2014anyone\u3000she\u3000might\u3000turn\u3000to\u3000for\u3000help\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000she\u3000thinks\u3000she’s\u3000doing\u3000out\u3000there\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it’s\u3000going\u3000to\u3000cost\u3000her\u3000one\u3000hell\u3000of\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000more\u3000than\u3000her\u3000job\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000want\u3000me\u3000on\u3000the\u3000phones\u3000or\u3000in\u3000the\u3000field\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Field\u3002\u3000Get\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000train\u3000station\u3000and\u3000coordinate\u3000the\u3000team\u3002\u3000You’ve\u3000got\u3000the\u3000reins\uff1b\u3000but\u3000don’t\u3000make\u3000a\u3000move\u3000without\u3000talking\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003\u3000Collet\u3000ran\u3000out\u3002
\nFache\u3000felt\u3000rigid\u3000as\u3000he\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000the\u3000alcove\u3002\u3000Outside\u3000the\u3000window\uff1b\u3000the\u3000glass\u3000pyramid\u3000shone\uff1b\u3000its\u3000reflection\u3000rippling\u3000in\u3000the\u3000windswept\u3000pools\u3002\u3000They\u3000slipped\u3000through\u3000my\u3000fingers\u3002\u3000He\u3000told\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000relax\u3002
\nEven\u3000a\u3000trained\u3000field\u3000agent\u3000would\u3000be\u3000lucky\u3000to\u3000withstand\u3000the\u3000pressure\u3000that\u3000Interpol\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000apply\u3002
\nA\u3000female\u3000cryptologist\u3000and\u3000a\u3000schoolteacher\uff1f
\nThey\u3000wouldn’t\u3000last\u3000till\u3000dawn\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300037
\n
\nThe\u3000heavily\u3000forested\u3000park\u3000known\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Bois\u3000de\u3000Boulogne\u3000was\u3000called\u3000many\u3000things\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Parisian\u3000cognoscenti\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000as\u3000\u3003the\u3000Garden\u3000of\u3000Earthly\u3000Delights\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000epithet\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000sounding\u3000flattering\uff1b\u3000was\u3000quite\u3000to\u3000the\u3000contrary\u3002\u3000Anyone\u3000who\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000the\u3000lurid\u3000Bosch\u3000painting\u3000of\u3000the\u3000same\u3000name\u3000understood\u3000the\u3000jab\uff1b\u3000the\u3000painting\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000forest\uff1b\u3000was\u3000dark\u3000and\u3000twisted\uff1b\u3000a\u3000purgatory\u3000for\u3000freaks\u3000and\u3000fetishists\u3002\u3000At\u3000night\uff1b\u3000the\u3000forest’s\u3000winding\u3000lanes\u3000were\u3000lined\u3000with\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000glistening\u3000bodies\u3000for\u3000hire\uff1b\u3000earthly\u3000delights\u3000to\u3000satisfy\u3000one’s\u3000deepest\u3000unspoken\u3000desires\u2014male\uff1b\u3000female\uff1b\u3000and\u3000everything\u3000in\u3000between\u3002
\nAs\u3000Langdon\u3000gathered\u3000his\u3000thoughts\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000Sophie\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\uff1b\u3000their\u3000taxi\u3000passed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000wooded\u3000entrance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000park\u3000and\u3000began\u3000heading\u3000west\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cobblestone\u3000crossfare\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000having\u3000trouble\u3000concentrating\u3000as\u3000a\u3000scattering\u3000of\u3000the\u3000park’s\u3000nocturnal\u3000residents\u3000were\u3000already\u3000emerging\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3000and\u3000flaunting\u3000their\u3000wares\u3000in\u3000the\u3000glare\u3000of\u3000the\u3000headlights\u3002\u3000Ahead\uff1b\u3000two\u3000topless\u3000teenage\u3000girls\u3000shot\u3000smoldering\u3000gazes\u3000into\u3000the\u3000taxi\u3002\u3000Beyond\u3000them\uff1b\u3000a\u3000well\u2026oiled\u3000black\u3000man\u3000in\u3000a\u3000G\u2026string\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000flexed\u3000his\u3000buttocks\u3002\u3000Beside\u3000him\uff1b\u3000a\u3000gorgeous\u3000blond\u3000woman\u3000lifted\u3000her\u3000miniskirt\u3000to\u3000reveal\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000not\uff1b\u3000in\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000a\u3000woman\u3002
\nHeaven\u3000help\u3000me\uff01\u3000Langdon\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000gaze\u3000back\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000cab\u3000and\u3000took\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\u3002
\n\u3003Tell\u3000me\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000imagine\u3000a\u3000less\u3000congruous\u3000a\u3000backdrop\u3000for\u3000the\u3000legend\u3000he\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000tell\u3002\u3000He\u3000wondered\u3000where\u3000to\u3000begin\u3002\u3000The\u3000brotherhood’s\u3000history\u3000spanned\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000millennium\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000an\u3000astonishing\u3000chronicle\u3000of\u3000secrets\uff1b\u3000blackmail\uff1b\u3000betrayal\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000brutal\u3000torture\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hands\u3000of\u3000an\u3000angry\u3000Pope\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000began\uff1b\u3000\u3003was\u3000founded\u3000in\u3000Jerusalem\u3000in\u30001099\u3000by\u3000a\u3000French\u3000king\u3000named\u3000Godefroi\u3000de\u3000Bouillon\uff1b\u3000immediately\u3000after\u3000he\u3000had\u3000conquered\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000riveted\u3000on\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3003King\u3000Godefroi\u3000was\u3000allegedly\u3000the\u3000possessor\u3000of\u3000a\u3000powerful\u3000secret\u2014a\u3000secret\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000in\u3000his\u3000family\u3000since\u3000the\u3000time\u3000of\u3000Christ\u3002\u3000Fearing\u3000his\u3000secret\u3000might\u3000be\u3000lost\u3000when\u3000he\u3000died\uff1b\u3000he\u3000founded\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000brotherhood\u2014the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u2014and\u3000charged\u3000them\u3000with\u3000protecting\u3000his\u3000secret\u3000by\u3000quietly\u3000passing\u3000it\u3000on\u3000from\u3000generation\u3000to\u3000generation\u3002\u3000During\u3000their\u3000years\u3000in\u3000Jerusalem\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000learned\u3000of\u3000a\u3000stash\u3000of\u3000hidden\u3000documents\u3000buried\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000ruins\u3000of\u3000Herod’s\u3000temple\uff1b\u3000which\u3000had\u3000been\u3000built\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000earlier\u3000ruins\u3000of\u3000Solomon’s\u3000Temple\u3002\u3000These\u3000documents\uff1b\u3000they\u3000believed\uff1b\u3000corroborated\u3000Godefroi’s\u3000powerful\u3000secret\u3000and\u3000were\u3000so\u3000explosive\u3000in\u3000nature\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000would\u3000stop\u3000at\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000get\u3000them\u3002\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000looked\u3000uncertain\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000Priory\u3000vowed\u3000that\u3000no\u3000matter\u3000how\u3000long\u3000it\u3000took\uff1b\u3000these\u3000documents\u3000must\u3000be\u3000recovered\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rubble\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000temple\u3000and\u3000protected\u3000forever\uff1b\u3000so\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000would\u3000never\u3000die\u3002\u3000In\u3000order\u3000to\u3000retrieve\u3000the\u3000documents\u3000from\u3000within\u3000the\u3000ruins\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000created\u3000a\u3000military\u3000arm\u2014a\u3000group\u3000of\u3000nine\u3000knights\u3000called\u3000the\u3000Order\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Poor\u3000Knights\u3000of\u3000Christ\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Temple\u3000of\u3000Solomon\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003More\u3000monly\u3000known\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000glanced\u3000up\u3000with\u3000a\u3000surprised\u3000look\u3000of\u3000recognition\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000lectured\u3000often\u3000enough\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\u3000to\u3000know\u3000that\u3000almost\u3000everyone\u3000on\u3000earth\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000abstractedly\u3002\u3000For\u3000academics\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Templars’\u3000history\u3000was\u3000a\u3000precarious\u3000world\u3000where\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000lore\uff1b\u3000and\u3000misinformation\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000so\u3000intertwined\u3000that\u3000extracting\u3000a\u3000pristine\u3000truth\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000impossible\u3002\u3000Nowadays\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000hesitated\u3000even\u3000to\u3000mention\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\u3000while\u3000lecturing\u3000because\u3000it\u3000invariably\u3000led\u3000to\u3000a\u3000barrage\u3000of\u3000convoluted\u3000inquiries\u3000into\u3000assorted\u3000conspiracy\u3000theories\u3002
\nSophie\u3000already\u3000looked\u3000troubled\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000saying\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\u3000were\u3000founded\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u3000to\u3000retrieve\u3000a\u3000collection\u3000of\u3000secret\u3000documents\uff1f\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000the\u3000Templars\u3000were\u3000created\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Land\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003A\u3000mon\u3000misconception\u3002\u3000The\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000protection\u3000of\u3000pilgrims\u3000was\u3000the\u3000guise\u3000under\u3000which\u3000the\u3000Templars\u3000ran\u3000their\u3000mission\u3002\u3000Their\u3000true\u3000goal\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Land\u3000was\u3000to\u3000retrieve\u3000the\u3000documents\u3000from\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000ruins\u3000of\u3000the\u3000temple\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000did\u3000they\u3000find\u3000them\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000\u3003Nobody\u3000knows\u3000for\u3000sure\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000one\u3000thing\u3000on\u3000which\u3000all\u3000academics\u3000agree\u3000is\u3000this\uff1a\u3000The\u3000Knights\u3000discovered\u3000something\u3000down\u3000there\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ruins\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000something\u3000that\u3000made\u3000them\u3000wealthy\u3000and\u3000powerful\u3000beyond\u3000anyone’s\u3000wildest\u3000imagination\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000quickly\u3000gave\u3000Sophie\u3000the\u3000standard\u3000academic\u3000sketch\u3000of\u3000the\u3000accepted\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\u3000history\uff1b\u3000explaining\u3000how\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000were\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Land\u3000during\u3000the\u3000Second\u3000Crusade\u3000and\u3000told\u3000King\u3000Baldwin\u3000II\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000there\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000Christian\u3000pilgrims\u3000on\u3000the\u3000roadways\u3002\u3000Although\u3000unpaid\u3000and\u3000sworn\u3000to\u3000poverty\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000told\u3000the\u3000king\u3000they\u3000required\u3000basic\u3000shelter\u3000and\u3000requested\u3000his\u3000permission\u3000to\u3000take\u3000up\u3000residence\u3000in\u3000the\u3000stables\u3000under\u3000the\u3000ruins\u3000of\u3000the\u3000temple\u3002\u3000King\u3000Baldwin\u3000granted\u3000the\u3000soldiers’\u3000request\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000took\u3000up\u3000their\u3000meager\u3000residence\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000devastated\u3000shrine\u3002
\nThe\u3000odd\u3000choice\u3000of\u3000lodging\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000explained\uff1b\u3000had\u3000been\u3000anything\u3000but\u3000random\u3002\u3000The\u3000Knights\u3000believed\u3000the\u3000documents\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000sought\u3000were\u3000buried\u3000deep\u3000under\u3000the\u3000ruins\u2014beneath\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000of\u3000Holies\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sacred\u3000chamber\u3000where\u3000God\u3000Himself\u3000was\u3000believed\u3000to\u3000reside\u3002\u3000Literally\uff1b\u3000the\u3000very\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Jewish\u3000faith\u3002\u3000For\u3000almost\u3000a\u3000decade\uff1b\u3000the\u3000nine\u3000Knights\u3000lived\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ruins\uff1b\u3000excavating\u3000in\u3000total\u3000secrecy\u3000through\u3000solid\u3000rock\u3002
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000over\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000you\u3000said\u3000they\u3000discovered\u3000something\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003They\u3000certainly\u3000did\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000explaining\u3000how\u3000it\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000nine\u3000years\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000had\u3000finally\u3000found\u3000what\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000searching\u3000for\u3002\u3000They\u3000took\u3000the\u3000treasure\u3000from\u3000the\u3000temple\u3000and\u3000traveled\u3000to\u3000Europe\uff1b\u3000where\u3000their\u3000influence\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000solidify\u3000overnight\u3002
\nNobody\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000whether\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000had\u3000blackmailed\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3000or\u3000whether\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000simply\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000buy\u3000the\u3000Knights’\u3000silence\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Pope\u3000Innocent\u3000II\u3000immediately\u3000issued\u3000an\u3000unprecedented\u3000papal\u3000bull\u3000that\u3000afforded\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\u3000limitless\u3000power\u3000and\u3000declared\u3000them\u3000\u3003a\u3000law\u3000unto\u3000themselves\u3003\u2014an\u3000autonomous\u3000army\u3000independent\u3000of\u3000all\u3000interference\u3000from\u3000kings\u3000and\u3000prelates\uff1b\u3000both\u3000religious\u3000and\u3000political\u3002
\nWith\u3000their\u3000new\u3000carte\u3000blanche\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Vatican\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\u3000expanded\u3000at\u3000a\u3000staggering\u3000rate\uff1b\u3000both\u3000in\u3000numbers\u3000and\u3000political\u3000force\uff1b\u3000amassing\u3000vast\u3000estates\u3000in\u3000over\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000countries\u3002\u3000They\u3000began\u3000extending\u3000credit\u3000to\u3000bankrupt\u3000royals\u3000and\u3000charging\u3000interest\u3000in\u3000return\uff1b\u3000thereby\u3000establishing\u3000modern\u3000banking\u3000and\u3000broadening\u3000their\u3000wealth\u3000and\u3000influence\u3000still\u3000further\u3002
\nBy\u3000the\u30001300s\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3000sanction\u3000had\u3000helped\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000amass\u3000so\u3000much\u3000power\u3000that\u3000Pope\u3000Clement\u3000V\u3000decided\u3000that\u3000something\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000done\u3002\u3000Working\u3000in\u3000concert\u3000with\u3000France’s\u3000King\u3000Philippe\u3000IV\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Pope\u3000devised\u3000an\u3000ingeniously\u3000planned\u3000sting\u3000operation\u3000to\u3000quash\u3000the\u3000Templars\u3000and\u3000seize\u3000their\u3000treasure\uff1b\u3000thus\u3000taking\u3000control\u3000of\u3000the\u3000secrets\u3000held\u3000over\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000military\u3000maneuver\u3000worthy\u3000of\u3000the\u3000CIA\uff1b\u3000Pope\u3000Clement\u3000issued\u3000secret\u3000sealed\u3000orders\u3000to\u3000be\u3000opened\u3000simultaneously\u3000by\u3000his\u3000soldiers\u3000all\u3000across\u3000Europe\u3000on\u3000Friday\uff1b\u3000October\u300013\u3000of\u30001307\u3002
\nAt\u3000dawn\u3000on\u3000the\u3000thirteenth\uff1b\u3000the\u3000documents\u3000were\u3000unsealed\u3000and\u3000their\u3000appalling\u3000contents\u3000revealed\u3002\u3000Clement’s\u3000letter\u3000claimed\u3000that\u3000God\u3000had\u3000visited\u3000him\u3000in\u3000a\u3000vision\u3000and\u3000warned\u3000him\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\u3000were\u3000heretics\u3000guilty\u3000of\u3000devil\u3000worship\uff1b\u3000homosexuality\uff1b\u3000defiling\u3000the\u3000cross\uff1b\u3000sodomy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000other\u3000blasphemous\u3000behavior\u3002\u3000Pope\u3000Clement\u3000had\u3000been\u3000asked\u3000by\u3000God\u3000to\u3000cleanse\u3000the\u3000earth\u3000by\u3000rounding\u3000up\u3000all\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000and\u3000torturing\u3000them\u3000u \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n earth\u3000by\u3000rounding\u3000up\u3000all\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000and\u3000torturing\u3000them\u3000until\u3000they\u3000confessed\u3000their\u3000crimes\u3000against\u3000God\u3002\u3000Clement’s\u3000Machiavellian\u3000operation\u3000came\u3000off\u3000with\u3000clockwork\u3000precision\u3002\u3000On\u3000that\u3000day\uff1b\u3000countless\u3000Knights\u3000were\u3000captured\uff1b\u3000tortured\u3000mercilessly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000finally\u3000burned\u3000at\u3000the\u3000stake\u3000as\u3000heretics\u3002\u3000Echoes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tragedy\u3000still\u3000resonated\u3000in\u3000modern\u3000culture\uff1b\u3000to\u3000this\u3000day\uff1b\u3000Friday\u3000the\u3000thirteenth\u3000was\u3000considered\u3000unlucky\u3002
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000confused\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\u3000were\u3000obliterated\uff1f\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000fraternities\u3000of\u3000Templars\u3000still\u3000exist\u3000today\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003They\u3000do\uff1b\u3000under\u3000a\u3000variety\u3000of\u3000names\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000Clement’s\u3000false\u3000charges\u3000and\u3000best\u3000efforts\u3000to\u3000eradicate\u3000them\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000had\u3000powerful\u3000allies\uff1b\u3000and\u3000some\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000escape\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3000purges\u3002\u3000The\u3000Templars’\u3000potent\u3000treasure\u3000trove\u3000of\u3000documents\uff1b\u3000which\u3000had\u3000apparently\u3000been\u3000their\u3000source\u3000of\u3000power\uff1b\u3000was\u3000Clement’s\u3000true\u3000objective\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000slipped\u3000through\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3002\u3000The\u3000documents\u3000had\u3000long\u3000since\u3000been\u3000entrusted\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Templars’\u3000shadowy\u3000architects\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000veil\u3000of\u3000secrecy\u3000had\u3000kept\u3000them\u3000safely\u3000out\u3000of\u3000range\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Vatican’s\u3000onslaught\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3000closed\u3000in\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000smuggled\u3000their\u3000documents\u3000from\u3000a\u3000Paris\u3000preceptory\u3000by\u3000night\u3000onto\u3000Templar\u3000ships\u3000in\u3000La\u3000Rochelle\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Where\u3000did\u3000the\u3000documents\u3000go\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000mystery’s\u3000answer\u3000is\u3000known\u3000only\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u3002\u3000Because\u3000the\u3000documents\u3000remain\u3000the\u3000source\u3000of\u3000constant\u3000investigation\u3000and\u3000speculation\u3000even\u3000today\uff1b\u3000they\u3000are\u3000believed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000been\u3000moved\u3000and\u3000rehidden\u3000several\u3000times\u3002\u3000Current\u3000speculation\u3000places\u3000the\u3000documents\u3000somewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000United\u3000Kingdom\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000uneasy\u3002
\n\u3003For\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000years\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003legends\u3000of\u3000this\u3000secret\u3000have\u3000been\u3000passed\u3000on\u3002\u3000The\u3000entire\u3000collection\u3000of\u3000documents\uff1b\u3000its\u3000power\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000secret\u3000it\u3000reveals\u3000have\u3000bee\u3000known\u3000by\u3000a\u3000single\u3000name\u2014Sangreal\u3002\u3000Hundreds\u3000of\u3000books\u3000have\u3000been\u3000written\u3000about\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000few\u3000mysteries\u3000have\u3000caused\u3000as\u3000much\u3000interest\u3000among\u3000historians\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000Sangreal\uff1f\u3000Does\u3000the\u3000word\u3000have\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000the\u3000French\u3000word\u3000sang\u3000or\u3000Spanish\u3000sangre\u2014meaning\u3000’blood’\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000Blood\u3000was\u3000the\u3000backbone\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000not\u3000in\u3000the\u3000way\u3000Sophie\u3000probably\u3000imagined\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000legend\u3000is\u3000plicated\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000important\u3000thing\u3000to\u3000remember\u3000is\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000guards\u3000the\u3000proof\uff1b\u3000and\u3000is\u3000purportedly\u3000awaiting\u3000the\u3000right\u3000moment\u3000in\u3000history\u3000to\u3000reveal\u3000the\u3000truth\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000truth\uff1f\u3000What\u3000secret\u3000could\u3000possibly\u3000be\u3000that\u3000powerful\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000took\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\u3000and\u3000gazed\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000underbelly\u3000of\u3000Paris\u3000leering\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3002\u3000\u3003Sophie\uff1b\u3000the\u3000word\u3000Sangreal\u3000is\u3000an\u3000ancient\u3000word\u3002\u3000It\u3000has\u3000evolved\u3000over\u3000the\u3000years\u3000into\u3000another\u3000term\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000more\u3000modern\u3000name\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003When\u3000I\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000its\u3000modern\u3000name\uff1b\u3000you’ll\u3000realize\u3000you\u3000already\u3000know\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000about\u3000it\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000everyone\u3000on\u3000earth\u3000has\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000story\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000skeptical\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000never\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Sure\u3000you\u3000have\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000just\u3000used\u3000to\u3000hearing\u3000it\u3000called\u3000by\u3000the\u3000name\u3000’Holy\u3000Grail\u3002’\u3000\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300038
\n
\nSophie\u3000scrutinized\u3000Langdon\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000taxi\u3002\u3000He’s\u3000joking\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000his\u3000expression\u3000serious\u3002\u3000\u3003Holy\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000the\u3000literal\u3000meaning\u3000of\u3000Sangreal\u3002\u3000The\u3000phrase\u3000derives\u3000from\u3000the\u3000French\u3000Sangraal\uff1b\u3000which\u3000evolved\u3000to\u3000Sangreal\uff1b\u3000and\u3000was\u3000eventually\u3000split\u3000into\u3000two\u3000words\uff1b\u3000San\u3000Greal\u3002\u3003
\nHoly\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000she\u3000had\u3000not\u3000spotted\u3000the\u3000linguistic\u3000ties\u3000immediately\u3002\u3000Even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000Langdon’s\u3000claim\u3000still\u3000made\u3000no\u3000sense\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000was\u3000a\u3000cup\u3002\u3000You\u3000just\u3000told\u3000me\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000is\u3000a\u3000collection\u3000of\u3000documents\u3000that\u3000reveals\u3000some\u3000dark\u3000secret\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3000are\u3000only\u3000half\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000treasure\u3002\u3000They\u3000are\u3000buried\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000itself\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\u3000reveal\u3000its\u3000true\u3000meaning\u3002\u3000The\u3000documents\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\u3000so\u3000much\u3000power\u3000because\u3000the\u3000pages\u3000revealed\u3000the\u3000true\u3000nature\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000true\u3000nature\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grail\uff1f\u3000Sophie\u3000felt\u3000even\u3000more\u3000lost\u3000now\u3002\u3000The\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000was\u3000the\u3000cup\u3000that\u3000Jesus\u3000drank\u3000from\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Last\u3000Supper\u3000and\u3000with\u3000which\u3000Joseph\u3000of\u3000Arimathea\u3000later\u3000caught\u3000His\u3000blood\u3000at\u3000the\u3000crucifixion\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000the\u3000Cup\u3000of\u3000Christ\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000much\u3000simpler\u3000could\u3000it\u3000be\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Sophie\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000leaning\u3000toward\u3000her\u3000now\uff1b\u3000\u3003according\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000not\u3000a\u3000cup\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000They\u3000claim\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000legend\u2014that\u3000of\u3000a\u3000chalice\u2014is\u3000actually\u3000an\u3000ingeniously\u3000conceived\u3000allegory\u3002\u3000That\u3000is\uff1b\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000story\u3000uses\u3000the\u3000chalice\u3000as\u3000a\u3000metaphor\u3000for\u3000something\u3000else\uff1b\u3000something\u3000far\u3000more\u3000powerful\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003Something\u3000that\u3000fits\u3000perfectly\u3000with\u3000everything\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3000has\u3000been\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000us\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000including\u3000all\u3000his\u3000symbologic\u3000references\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u3002\u3003
\nStill\u3000unsure\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000sensed\u3000in\u3000Langdon’s\u3000patient\u3000smile\u3000that\u3000he\u3000empathized\u3000with\u3000her\u3000confusion\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000remained\u3000earnest\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000if\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000not\u3000a\u3000cup\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003what\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000known\u3000this\u3000question\u3000was\u3000ing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000he\u3000still\u3000felt\u3000uncertain\u3000exactly\u3000how\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000her\u3002\u3000If\u3000he\u3000did\u3000not\u3000present\u3000the\u3000answer\u3000in\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000historical\u3000background\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000would\u3000be\u3000left\u3000with\u3000a\u3000vacant\u3000air\u3000of\u3000bewilderment\u2014the\u3000exact\u3000expression\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000on\u3000his\u3000own\u3000editor’s\u3000face\u3000a\u3000few\u3000months\u3000ago\u3000after\u3000Langdon\u3000handed\u3000him\u3000a\u3000draft\u3000of\u3000the\u3000manuscript\u3000he\u3000was\u3000working\u3000on\u3002
\n\u3003This\u3000manuscript\u3000claims\u3000what\uff1f\u3003\u3000his\u3000editor\u3000had\u3000choked\uff1b\u3000setting\u3000down\u3000his\u3000wineglass\u3000and\u3000staring\u3000across\u3000his\u3000half\u2026eaten\u3000power\u3000lunch\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000serious\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Serious\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000have\u3000spent\u3000a\u3000year\u3000researching\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nProminent\u3000New\u3000York\u3000editor\u3000Jonas\u3000Faukman\u3000tugged\u3000nervously\u3000at\u3000his\u3000goatee\u3002\u3000Faukman\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000some\u3000wild\u3000book\u3000ideas\u3000in\u3000his\u3000illustrious\u3000career\uff1b\u3000but\u3000this\u3000one\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000left\u3000the\u3000man\u3000flabbergasted\u3002
\n\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3003\u3000Faukman\u3000finally\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003don’t\u3000get\u3000me\u3000wrong\u3002\u3000I\u3000love\u3000your\u3000work\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we’ve\u3000had\u3000a\u3000great\u3000run\u3000together\u3002\u3000But\u3000if\u3000I\u3000agree\u3000to\u3000publish\u3000an\u3000idea\u3000like\u3000this\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000have\u3000people\u3000picketing\u3000outside\u3000my\u3000office\u3000for\u3000months\u3002\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000it\u3000will\u3000kill\u3000your\u3000reputation\u3002\u3000You’re\u3000a\u3000Harvard\u3000historian\uff1b\u3000for\u3000God’s\u3000sake\uff1b\u3000not\u3000a\u3000pop\u3000schlockmeister\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000buck\u3002\u3000Where\u3000could\u3000you\u3000possibly\u3000find\u3000enough\u3000credible\u3000evidence\u3000to\u3000support\u3000a\u3000theory\u3000like\u3000this\uff1f\u3003
\nWith\u3000a\u3000quiet\u3000smile\u3000Langdon\u3000pulled\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000paper\u3000from\u3000the\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000tweed\u3000coat\u3000and\u3000handed\u3000it\u3000to\u3000Faukman\u3002\u3000The\u3000page\u3000listed\u3000a\u3000bibliography\u3000of\u3000over\u3000fifty\u3000titles\u2014books\u3000by\u3000well\u2026known\u3000historians\uff1b\u3000some\u3000contemporary\uff1b\u3000some\u3000centuries\u3000old\u2014many\u3000of\u3000them\u3000academic\u3000bestsellers\u3002\u3000All\u3000the\u3000book\u3000titles\u3000suggested\u3000the\u3000same\u3000premise\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000just\u3000proposed\u3002\u3000As\u3000Faukman\u3000read\u3000down\u3000the\u3000list\uff1b\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000man\u3000who\u3000had\u3000just\u3000discovered\u3000the\u3000earth\u3000was\u3000actually\u3000flat\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000some\u3000of\u3000these\u3000authors\u3002\u3000They’re\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000real\u3000historians\uff01\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000you\u3000can\u3000see\uff1b\u3000Jonas\uff1b\u3000this\u3000is\u3000not\u3000only\u3000my\u3000theory\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000been\u3000around\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000simply\u3000building\u3000on\u3000it\u3002\u3000No\u3000book\u3000has\u3000yet\u3000explored\u3000the\u3000legend\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000from\u3000a\u3000symbologic\u3000angle\u3002\u3000The\u3000iconographic\u3000evidence\u3000I’m\u3000finding\u3000to\u3000support\u3000the\u3000theory\u3000is\uff1b\u3000well\uff1b\u3000staggeringly\u3000persuasive\u3002\u3003
\nFaukman\u3000was\u3000still\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000the\u3000list\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000God\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000these\u3000books\u3000was\u3000written\u3000by\u3000Sir\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u2014a\u3000British\u3000Royal\u3000Historian\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Teabing\u3000has\u3000spent\u3000much\u3000of\u3000his\u3000life\u3000studying\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000met\u3000with\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000actually\u3000a\u3000big\u3000part\u3000of\u3000my\u3000inspiration\u3002\u3000He’s\u3000a\u3000believer\uff1b\u3000Jonas\uff1b\u3000along\u3000with\u3000all\u3000of\u3000the\u3000others\u3000on\u3000that\u3000list\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You’re\u3000telling\u3000me\u3000all\u3000of\u3000these\u3000historians\u3000actually\u3000believe\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000Faukman\u3000swallowed\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000say\u3000the\u3000words\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000grinned\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000arguably\u3000the\u3000most\u3000sought\u2026after\u3000treasure\u3000in\u3000human\u3000history\u3002\u3000The\u3000Grail\u3000has\u3000spawned\u3000legends\uff1b\u3000wars\uff1b\u3000and\u3000lifelong\u3000quests\u3002\u3000Does\u3000it\u3000make\u3000sense\u3000that\u3000it\u3000is\u3000merely\u3000a\u3000cup\uff1f\u3000If\u3000so\uff1b\u3000then\u3000certainly\u3000other\u3000relics\u3000should\u3000generate\u3000similar\u3000or\u3000greater\u3000interest\u2014the\u3000Crown\u3000of\u3000Thorns\uff1b\u3000the\u3000True\u3000Cross\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Crucifixion\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Titulus\u2014and\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000they\u3000do\u3000not\u3002\u3000Throughout\u3000history\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000has\u3000been\u3000the\u3000most\u3000special\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\u3000you\u3000know\u3000why\u3002\u3003
\nFaukman\u3000was\u3000still\u3000shaking\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000with\u3000all\u3000these\u3000books\u3000written\u3000about\u3000it\uff1b\u3000why\u3000isn’t\u3000this\u3000theory\u3000more\u3000widely\u3000known\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003These\u3000books\u3000can’t\u3000possibly\u3000pete\u3000with\u3000centuries\u3000of\u3000established\u3000history\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000when\u3000that\u3000history\u3000is\u3000endorsed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000ultimate\u3000bestseller\u3000of\u3000all\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\nFaukman’s\u3000eyes\u3000went\u3000wide\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000Harry\u3000Potter\u3000is\u3000actually\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000was\u3000referring\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Bible\u3002\u3003
\nFaukman\u3000cringed\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000knew\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3003Laissez\u2026le\uff01\u3003\u3000Sophie’s\u3000shouts\u3000cut\u3000the\u3000air\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000taxi\u3002\u3000\u3003Put\u3000it\u3000down\uff01\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000jumped\u3000as\u3000Sophie\u3000leaned\u3000forward\u3000over\u3000the\u3000seat\u3000and\u3000yelled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000taxi\u3000driver\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000driver\u3000was\u3000clutching\u3000his\u3000radio\u3000mouthpiece\u3000and\u3000speaking\u3000into\u3000it\u3002
\nSophie\u3000turned\u3000now\u3000and\u3000plunged\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000into\u3000the\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000Langdon’s\u3000tweed\u3000jacket\u3002\u3000Before\u3000Langdon\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000had\u3000happened\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000yanked\u3000out\u3000the\u3000pistol\uff1b\u3000swung\u3000it\u3000around\uff1b\u3000and\u3000was\u3000pressing\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000driver’s\u3000head\u3002\u3000The\u3000driver\u3000instantly\u3000dropped\u3000his\u3000radio\uff1b\u3000raising\u3000his\u3000one\u3000free\u3000hand\u3000overhead\u3002
\n\u3003Sophie\uff01\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000choked\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000the\u3000hell\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003Arr\u00eatez\uff01\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000manded\u3000the\u3000driver\u3002
\nTrembling\uff1b\u3000the\u3000driver\u3000obeyed\uff1b\u3000stopping\u3000the\u3000car\u3000and\u3000putting\u3000it\u3000in\u3000park\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000then\u3000that\u3000Langdon\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000metallic\u3000voice\u3000of\u3000the\u3000taxi\u3000pany’s\u3000dispatcher\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000the\u3000dashboard\u3002\u3000\u3003\u3002\u3002\u3002qui\u3000s’appette\u3000Agent\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000the\u3000radio\u3000crackled\u3002\u3000\u3003Et\u3000un\u3000Am\u00e9ricain\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon’s\u3000muscles\u3000turned\u3000rigid\u3002\u3000They\u3000found\u3000us\u3000already\uff1f
\n\u3003Descendez\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000demanded\u3002
\nThe\u3000trembling\u3000driver\u3000kept\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000over\u3000his\u3000head\u3000as\u3000he\u3000got\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000taxi\u3000and\u3000took\u3000several\u3000steps\u3000backward\u3002
\nSophie\u3000had\u3000rolled\u3000down\u3000her\u3000window\u3000and\u3000now\u3000aimed\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000outside\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bewildered\u3000cabbie\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n Sophie\u3000had\u3000rolled\u3000down\u3000her\u3000window\u3000and\u3000now\u3000aimed\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000outside\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bewildered\u3000cabbie\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000quietly\uff1b\u3000\u3003take\u3000the\u3000wheel\u3002\u3000You’re\u3000driving\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000not\u3000about\u3000to\u3000argue\u3000with\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000wielding\u3000a\u3000gun\u3002\u3000He\u3000climbed\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000car\u3000and\u3000jumped\u3000back\u3000in\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000wheel\u3002\u3000The\u3000driver\u3000was\u3000yelling\u3000curses\uff1b\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000still\u3000raised\u3000over\u3000his\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3000from\u3000the\u3000back\u3000seat\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000trust\u3000you’ve\u3000seen\u3000enough\u3000of\u3000our\u3000magic\u3000forest\uff1f\u3003
\nHe\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000Plenty\u3002
\n\u3003Good\u3002\u3000Drive\u3000us\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000car’s\u3000controls\u3000and\u3000hesitated\u3002\u3000Shit\u3002\u3000He\u3000groped\u3000for\u3000the\u3000stick\u3000shift\u3000and\u3000clutch\u3002\u3000\u3003Sophie\uff1f\u3000Maybe\u3000you\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003Go\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000yelled\u3002
\nOutside\uff1b\u3000several\u3000hookers\u3000were\u3000walking\u3000over\u3000to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000was\u3000going\u3000on\u3002\u3000One\u3000woman\u3000was\u3000placing\u3000a\u3000call\u3000on\u3000her\u3000cell\u3000phone\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000depressed\u3000the\u3000clutch\u3000and\u3000jostled\u3000the\u3000stick\u3000into\u3000what\u3000he\u3000hoped\u3000was\u3000first\u3000gear\u3002\u3000He\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000accelerator\uff1b\u3000testing\u3000the\u3000gas\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000popped\u3000the\u3000clutch\u3002\u3000The\u3000tires\u3000howled\u3000as\u3000the\u3000taxi\u3000leapt\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000fishtailing\u3000wildly\u3000and\u3000sending\u3000the\u3000gathering\u3000crowd\u3000diving\u3000for\u3000cover\u3002\u3000The\u3000woman\u3000with\u3000the\u3000cell\u3000phone\u3000leapt\u3000into\u3000the\u3000woods\uff1b\u3000only\u3000narrowly\u3000avoiding\u3000being\u3000run\u3000down\u3002
\n\u3003Doucement\uff01\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000car\u3000lurched\u3000down\u3000the\u3000road\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000are\u3000you\u3000doing\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000warn\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000shouted\u3000over\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000gnashing\u3000gears\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000drive\u3000an\u3000automatic\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300039
\n
\nAlthough\u3000the\u3000spartan\u3000room\u3000in\u3000the\u3000brownstone\u3000on\u3000Rue\u3000La\u3000Bruy\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000witnessed\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000suffering\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000doubted\u3000anything\u3000could\u3000match\u3000the\u3000anguish\u3000now\u3000gripping\u3000his\u3000pale\u3000body\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000deceived\u3002\u3000Everything\u3000is\u3000lost\u3002
\nSilas\u3000had\u3000been\u3000tricked\u3002\u3000The\u3000brothers\u3000had\u3000lied\uff1b\u3000choosing\u3000death\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000revealing\u3000their\u3000true\u3000secret\u3002\u3000Silas\u3000did\u3000not\u3000have\u3000the\u3000strength\u3000to\u3000call\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3002\u3000Not\u3000only\u3000had\u3000Silas\u3000killed\u3000the\u3000only\u3000four\u3000people\u3000who\u3000knew\u3000where\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000was\u3000hidden\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000killed\u3000a\u3000nun\u3000inside\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000working\u3000against\u3000God\uff01\u3000She\u3000scorned\u3000the\u3000work\u3000of\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\uff01
\nA\u3000crime\u3000of\u3000impulse\uff1b\u3000the\u3000woman’s\u3000death\u3000plicated\u3000matters\u3000greatly\u3002\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3000had\u3000placed\u3000the\u3000phone\u3000call\u3000that\u3000got\u3000Silas\u3000into\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\uff1b\u3000what\u3000would\u3000the\u3000abb\u00e9\u3000think\u3000when\u3000he\u3000discovered\u3000the\u3000nun\u3000was\u3000dead\uff1f\u3000Although\u3000Silas\u3000had\u3000placed\u3000her\u3000back\u3000in\u3000her\u3000bed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wound\u3000on\u3000her\u3000head\u3000was\u3000obvious\u3002\u3000Silas\u3000had\u3000attempted\u3000to\u3000replace\u3000the\u3000broken\u3000tiles\u3000in\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000damage\u3000too\u3000was\u3000obvious\u3002\u3000They\u3000would\u3000know\u3000someone\u3000had\u3000been\u3000there\u3002
\nSilas\u3000had\u3000planned\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000within\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000when\u3000his\u3000task\u3000here\u3000was\u3000plete\u3002\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3000will\u3000protect\u3000me\u3002\u3000Silas\u3000could\u3000imagine\u3000no\u3000more\u3000blissful\u3000existence\u3000than\u3000a\u3000life\u3000of\u3000meditation\u3000and\u3000prayer\u3000deep\u3000within\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000Opus\u3000Dei’s\u3000headquarters\u3000in\u3000New\u3000York\u3000City\u3002\u3000He\u3000would\u3000never\u3000again\u3000set\u3000foot\u3000outside\u3002\u3000Everything\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000was\u3000within\u3000that\u3000sanctuary\u3002\u3000Nobody\u3000will\u3000miss\u3000me\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000a\u3000prominent\u3000man\u3000like\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3000could\u3000not\u3000disappear\u3000so\u3000easily\u3002
\nI\u3000have\u3000endangered\u3000the\u3000bishop\u3002\u3000Silas\u3000gazed\u3000blankly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000and\u3000pondered\u3000taking\u3000his\u3000own\u3000life\u3002\u3000After\u3000all\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000Aringarosa\u3000who\u3000gave\u3000Silas\u3000life\u3000in\u3000the\u3000first\u3000place\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000in\u3000that\u3000small\u3000rectory\u3000in\u3000Spain\uff1b\u3000educating\u3000him\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000him\u3000purpose\u3002
\n\u3003My\u3000friend\uff1b\u3003\u3000Aringarosa\u3000had\u3000told\u3000him\uff1b\u3000\u3003you\u3000were\u3000born\u3000an\u3000albino\u3002\u3000Do\u3000not\u3000let\u3000others\u3000shame\u3000you\u3000for\u3000this\u3002\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000not\u3000understand\u3000how\u3000special\u3000this\u3000makes\u3000you\uff1f\u3000Were\u3000you\u3000not\u3000aware\u3000that\u3000Noah\u3000himself\u3000was\u3000an\u3000albino\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Noah\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Ark\uff1f\u3003\u3000Silas\u3000had\u3000never\u3000heard\u3000this\u3002
\nAringarosa\u3000was\u3000smiling\u3002\u3000\u3003Indeed\uff1b\u3000Noah\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Ark\u3002\u3000An\u3000albino\u3002\u3000Like\u3000you\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000skin\u3000white\u3000like\u3000an\u3000angel\u3002\u3000Consider\u3000this\u3002\u3000Noah\u3000saved\u3000all\u3000of\u3000life\u3000on\u3000the\u3000planet\u3002\u3000You\u3000are\u3000destined\u3000for\u3000great\u3000things\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3002\u3000The\u3000Lord\u3000has\u3000freed\u3000you\u3000for\u3000a\u3000reason\u3002\u3000You\u3000have\u3000your\u3000calling\u3002\u3000The\u3000Lord\u3000needs\u3000your\u3000help\u3000to\u3000do\u3000His\u3000work\u3002\u3003
\nOver\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000learned\u3000to\u3000see\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000a\u3000new\u3000light\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000pure\u3002\u3000White\u3002\u3000Beautiful\u3002\u3000Like\u3000an\u3000angel\u3002
\nAt\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000in\u3000his\u3000room\u3000at\u3000the\u3000residence\u3000hall\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000his\u3000father’s\u3000disappointed\u3000voice\u3000that\u3000whispered\u3000to\u3000him\u3000from\u3000the\u3000past\u3002
\nTu\u3000es\u3000un\u3000d\u00e9sastre\u3002\u3000Un\u3000spectre\u3002
\nKneeling\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wooden\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000prayed\u3000for\u3000forgiveness\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000stripping\u3000off\u3000his\u3000robe\uff1b\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000again\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Discipline\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300040
\n
\nStruggling\u3000with\u3000the\u3000gear\u3000shift\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000maneuver\u3000the\u3000hijacked\u3000taxi\u3000to\u3000the\u3000far\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Bois\u3000de\u3000Boulogne\u3000while\u3000stalling\u3000only\u3000twice\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000the\u3000inherent\u3000humor\u3000in\u3000the\u3000situation\u3000was\u3000overshadowed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000taxi\u3000dispatcher\u3000repeatedly\u3000hailing\u3000their\u3000cab\u3000over\u3000the\u3000radio\u3002
\n\u3003Voiture\u3000cinq\u2026six\u2026trois\u3002\u3000O\u00f9\u3000\u00eates\u2026vous\uff1f\u3000R\u00e9pondez\uff01\u3003
\nWhen\u3000Langdon\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000exit\u3000of\u3000the\u3000park\uff1b\u3000he\u3000swallowed\u3000his\u3000machismo\u3000and\u3000jammed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000brakes\u3002\u3000\u3003You’d\u3000better\u3000drive\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000relieved\u3000as\u3000she\u3000jumped\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000wheel\u3002\u3000Within\u3000seconds\u3000she\u3000had\u3000the\u3000car\u3000humming\u3000smoothly\u3000westward\u3000along\u3000All\u00e9e\u3000de\u3000Longchamp\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000Garden\u3000of\u3000Earthly\u3000Delights\u3000behind\u3002
\n\u3003Which\u3000way\u3000is\u3000Rue\u3000Haxo\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000Sophie\u3000edge\u3000the\u3000speedometer\u3000over\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000kilometers\u3000an\u3000hour\u3002
\nSophie’s\u3000eyes\u3000remained\u3000focused\u3000on\u3000the\u3000road\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000cab\u3000driver\u3000said\u3000it’s\u3000adjacent\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Roland\u3000Garros\u3000tennis\u3000stadium\u3002\u3000I\u3000know\u3000that\u3000area\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000key\u3000from\u3000his\u3000pocket\u3000again\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000the\u3000weight\u3000in\u3000his\u3000palm\u3002\u3000He\u3000sensed\u3000it\u3000was\u3000an\u3000object\u3000of\u3000enormous\u3000consequence\u3002\u3000Quite\u3000possibly\u3000the\u3000key\u3000to\u3000his\u3000own\u3000freedom\u3002
\nEarlier\uff1b\u3000while\u3000telling\u3000Sophie\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000this\u3000key\uff1b\u3000in\u3000addition\u3000to\u3000having\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000seal\u3000embossed\u3000on\u3000it\uff1b\u3000possessed\u3000a\u3000more\u3000subtle\u3000tie\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u3002\u3000The\u3000equal\u2026armed\u3000cruciform\u3000was\u3000symbolic\u3000of\u3000balance\u3000and\u3000harmony\u3000but\u3000also\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000the\u3000paintings\u3000of\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\u3000wearing\u3000white\u3000tunics\u3000emblazoned\u3000with\u3000red\u3000equal\u2026armed\u3000crosses\u3002\u3000Granted\uff1b\u3000the\u3000arms\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Templar\u3000cross\u3000were\u3000slightly\u3000flared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ends\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000were\u3000still\u3000of\u3000equal\u3000length\u3002
\nA\u3000square\u3000cross\u3002\u3000Just\u3000like\u3000the\u3000one\u3000on\u3000this\u3000key\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000his\u3000imagination\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000run\u3000wild\u3000as\u3000he\u3000fantasized\u3000about\u3000what\u3000they\u3000might\u3000find\u3002\u3000The\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000He\u3000almost\u3000laughed\u3000out\u3000loud\u3000at\u3000the\u3000absurdity\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000Grail\u3000was\u3000believed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000somewhere\u3000in\u3000England\uff1b\u3000buried\u3000in\u3000a\u3000hidden\u3000chamber\u3000beneath\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000many\u3000Templar\u3000churches\uff1b\u3000where\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000hidden\u3000since\u3000at\u3000least\u30001500\u3002
\nThe\u3000era\u3000of\u3000Grand\u3000Master\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3002
\nThe\u3000Priory\uff1b\u3000in\u3000order\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000their\u3000powerful\u3000documents\u3000safe\uff1b\u3000had\u3000been\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000move\u3000them\u3000many\u3000times\u3000in\u3000the\u3000early\u3000centuries\u3002\u3000Historians\u3000now\u3000suspected\u3000as\u3000many\u3000as\u3000six\u3000different\u3000Grail\u3000relocations\u3000since\u3000its\u3000arrival\u3000in\u3000Europe\u3000from\u3000Jerusalem\u3002\u3000The\u3000last\u3000Grail\u3000\u3003sighting\u3003\u3000had\u3000been\u3000in\u30001447\u3000when\u3000numerous\u3000eyewitnesses\u3000described\u3000a\u3000fire\u3000that\u3000had\u3000broken\u3000out\u3000and\u3000almost\u3000engulfed\u3000the\u3000documents\u3000before\u3000they\u3000were\u3000carried\u3000to\u3000safety\u3000in\u3000four\u3000huge\u3000chests\u3000that\u3000each\u3000required\u3000six\u3000men\u3000to\u3000carry\u3002\u3000After\u3000that\uff1b\u3000nobody\u3000claimed\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000ever\u3000again\u3002\u3000All\u3000that\u3000remained\u3000were\u3000occasional\u3000whisperings\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000hidden\u3000in\u3000Great\u3000Britain\uff1b\u3000the\u3000land\u3000of\u3000King\u3000Arthur\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Round\u3000Table\u3002
\nWherever\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000two\u3000important\u3000facts\u3000remained\uff1a
\nLeonardo\u3000knew\u3000where\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000resided\u3000during\u3000his\u3000lifetime\u3002
\nThat\u3000hiding\u3000place\u3000had\u3000probably\u3000not\u3000changed\u3000to\u3000this\u3000day\u3002
\nFor\u3000this\u3000reason\uff1b\u3000Grail\u3000enthusiasts\u3000still\u3000pored\u3000over\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000art\u3000and\u3000diaries\u3000in\u3000hopes\u3000of\u3000unearthing\u3000a\u3000hidden\u3000clue\u3000as\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Grail’s\u3000current\u3000location\u3002\u3000Some\u3000claimed\u3000the\u3000mountainous\u3000backdrop\u3000in\u3000Madonna\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rocks\u3000matched\u3000the\u3000topography\u3000of\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000cave\u2026ridden\u3000hills\u3000in\u3000Scotland\u3002\u3000Others\u3000insisted\u3000that\u3000the\u3000suspicious\u3000placement\u3000of\u3000disciples\u3000in\u3000The\u3000Last\u3000Supper\u3000was\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000code\u3002\u3000Still\u3000others\u3000claimed\u3000that\u3000X\u3000rays\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3000revealed\u3000she\u3000originally\u3000had\u3000been\u3000painted\u3000wearing\u3000a\u3000lapis\u3000lazuli\u3000pendant\u3000of\u3000Isis\u2014a\u3000detail\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000purportedly\u3000later\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000paint\u3000over\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000any\u3000evidence\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pendant\uff1b\u3000nor\u3000could\u3000he\u3000imagine\u3000how\u3000it\u3000could\u3000possibly\u3000reveal\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000Grail\u3000aficionados\u3000still\u3000discussed\u3000it\u3000ad\u3000nauseum\u3000on\u3000Internet\u3000bulletin\u3000boards\u3000and\u3000worldwide\u2026web\u3000chat\u3000rooms\u3002
\nEveryone\u3000loves\u3000a\u3000conspiracy\u3002
\nAnd\u3000the\u3000conspiracies\u3000kept\u3000ing\u3002\u3000Most\u3000recently\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000earthshaking\u3000discovery\u3000that\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000famed\u3000Adoration\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Magi\u3000was\u3000hiding\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000secret\u3000beneath\u3000its\u3000layers\u3000of\u3000paint\u3002\u3000Italian\u3000art\u3000diagnostician\u3000Maurizio\u3000Seracini\u3000had\u3000unveiled\u3000the\u3000unsettling\u3000truth\uff1b\u3000which\u3000the\u3000New\u3000York\u3000Times\u3000Magazine\u3000carried\u3000prominently\u3000in\u3000a\u3000story\u3000titled\u3000\u3003The\u3000Leonardo\u3000Cover\u2026Up\u3002\u3003
\nSeracini\u3000had\u3000revealed\u3000beyond\u3000any\u3000doubt\u3000that\u3000while\u3000the\u3000Adoration’s\u3000gray\u2026green\u3000sketched\u3000underdrawing\u3000was\u3000indeed\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000work\uff1b\u3000the\u3000painting\u3000itself\u3000was\u3000not\u3002\u3000The\u3000truth\u3000was\u3000that\u3000some\u3000anonymous\u3000painter\u3000had\u3000filled\u3000in\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000sketch\u3000like\u3000a\u3000paint\u2026by\u2026numbers\u3000years\u3000after\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000death\u3002\u3000Far\u3000more\u3000troubling\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000was\u3000what\u3000lay\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000impostor’s\u3000paint\u3002\u3000Photographs\u3000taken\u3000with\u3000infrared\u3000reflectography\u3000and\u3000X\u3000ray\u3000suggested\u3000that\u3000this\u3000rogue\u3000painter\uff1b\u3000while\u3000filling\u3000in\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000sketched\u3000study\uff1b\u3000had\u3000made\u3000suspicious\u3000departures\u3000from\u3000the\u3000underdrawing\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000as\u3000if\u3000to\u3000subvert\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000true\u3000intention\u3002\u3000Whatever\u3000the\u3000true\u3000nature\u3000of\u3000the\u3000underdrawing\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000yet\u3000to\u3000be\u3000made\u3000public\u3002\u3000Even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000embarrassed\u3000officials\u3000at\u3000Florence’s\u3000Uffizi\u3000Gallery\u3000immediately\u3000banished\u3000the\u3000painting\u3000to\u3000a\u3000warehouse\u3000across\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3000Visitors\u3000at\u3000the\u3000gallery’s\u3000Leonardo\u3000Room\u3000now\u3000found\u3000a\u3000misleading\u3000and\u3000unapologetic\u3000plaque\u3000where\u3000the\u3000Adoration\u3000once\u3000hung\u3002
\nTHIS\u3000WORK\u3000IS\u3000UNDERGOING
\nDIAGNOSTIC\u3000TESTS\u3000IN\u3000PREPARATION
\nFOR\u3000RESTORATION\u3002
\n\u3000
\nIn\u3000the\u3000bizarre\u3000underworld\u3000of\u3000modern\u3000Grail\u3000seekers\uff1b\u3000Leonardo\u3000da\u3000Vinci\u3000remained\u3000the\u3000quest’s\u3000great\u3000enigma\u3002\u3000His\u3000artwork\u3000seemed\u3000bursting\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000a\u3000secret\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000whatever\u3000it\u3000was\u3000remained\u3000hidden\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000beneath\u3000a\u3000layer\u3000of\u3000paint\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000enciphered\u3000in\u3000plain\u3000view\uff1b\u3000or\u3000perhaps\u3000nowhere\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000plethora\u3000of\u3000ta \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n nt\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000enciphered\u3000in\u3000plain\u3000view\uff1b\u3000or\u3000perhaps\u3000nowhere\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000plethora\u3000of\u3000tantalizing\u3000clues\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000but\u3000an\u3000empty\u3000promise\u3000left\u3000behind\u3000to\u3000frustrate\u3000the\u3000curious\u3000and\u3000bring\u3000a\u3000smirk\u3000to\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000his\u3000knowing\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\u3002
\n\u3003Is\u3000it\u3000possible\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000drawing\u3000Langdon\u3000back\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000the\u3000key\u3000you’re\u3000holding\u3000unlocks\u3000the\u3000hiding\u3000place\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon’s\u3000laugh\u3000sounded\u3000forced\uff1b\u3000even\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000really\u3000can’t\u3000imagine\u3002\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000believed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000hidden\u3000in\u3000the\u3000United\u3000Kingdom\u3000somewhere\uff1b\u3000not\u3000France\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000the\u3000quick\u3000history\u3002
\n\u3003But\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000seems\u3000the\u3000only\u3000rational\u3000conclusion\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000insisted\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000have\u3000an\u3000extremely\u3000secure\u3000key\uff1b\u3000stamped\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u3000seal\uff1b\u3000delivered\u3000to\u3000us\u3000by\u3000a\u3000member\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u2014a\u3000brotherhood\u3000which\uff1b\u3000you\u3000just\u3000told\u3000me\uff1b\u3000are\u3000guardians\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000knew\u3000her\u3000contention\u3000was\u3000logical\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000intuitively\u3000he\u3000could\u3000not\u3000possibly\u3000accept\u3000it\u3002\u3000Rumors\u3000existed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000had\u3000vowed\u3000someday\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000back\u3000to\u3000France\u3000to\u3000a\u3000final\u3000resting\u3000place\uff1b\u3000but\u3000certainly\u3000no\u3000historical\u3000evidence\u3000existed\u3000to\u3000suggest\u3000that\u3000this\u3000indeed\u3000had\u3000happened\u3002\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000had\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000back\u3000to\u3000France\uff1b\u3000the\u3000address\u300024\u3000Rue\u3000Haxo\u3000near\u3000a\u3000tennis\u3000stadium\u3000hardly\u3000sounded\u3000like\u3000a\u3000noble\u3000final\u3000resting\u3000place\u3002\u3000\u3003Sophie\uff1b\u3000I\u3000really\u3000don’t\u3000see\u3000how\u3000this\u3000key\u3000could\u3000have\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Because\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000in\u3000England\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Not\u3000only\u3000that\u3002\u3000The\u3000location\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000best\u3000kept\u3000secrets\u3000in\u3000history\u3002\u3000Priory\u3000members\u3000wait\u3000decades\u3000proving\u3000themselves\u3000trustworthy\u3000before\u3000being\u3000elevated\u3000to\u3000the\u3000highest\u3000echelons\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fraternity\u3000and\u3000learning\u3000where\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3002\u3000That\u3000secret\u3000is\u3000protected\u3000by\u3000an\u3000intricate\u3000system\u3000of\u3000partmentalized\u3000knowledge\uff1b\u3000and\u3000although\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000brotherhood\u3000is\u3000very\u3000large\uff1b\u3000only\u3000four\u3000members\u3000at\u3000any\u3000given\u3000time\u3000know\u3000where\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000hidden\u2014the\u3000Grand\u3000Master\u3000and\u3000his\u3000three\u3000s\u00e9n\u00e9chaux\u3002\u3000The\u3000probability\u3000of\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3000being\u3000one\u3000of\u3000those\u3000four\u3000top\u3000people\u3000is\u3000very\u3000slim\u3002\u3003
\nMy\u3000grandfather\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000pressing\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000accelerator\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000an\u3000image\u3000stamped\u3000in\u3000her\u3000memory\u3000that\u3000confirmed\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000status\u3000within\u3000the\u3000brotherhood\u3000beyond\u3000any\u3000doubt\u3002
\n\u3003And\u3000even\u3000if\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3000were\u3000in\u3000the\u3000upper\u3000echelon\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000never\u3000be\u3000allowed\u3000to\u3000reveal\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000anyone\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000brotherhood\u3002\u3000It\u3000is\u3000inconceivable\u3000that\u3000he\u3000would\u3000bring\u3000you\u3000into\u3000the\u3000inner\u3000circle\u3002\u3003
\nI’ve\u3000already\u3000been\u3000there\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000picturing\u3000the\u3000ritual\u3000in\u3000the\u3000basement\u3002\u3000She\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000this\u3000were\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000Langdon\u3000what\u3000she\u3000had\u3000witnessed\u3000that\u3000night\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Normandy\u3000chateau\u3002\u3000For\u3000ten\u3000years\u3000now\uff1b\u3000simple\u3000shame\u3000had\u3000kept\u3000her\u3000from\u3000telling\u3000a\u3000soul\u3002\u3000Just\u3000thinking\u3000about\u3000it\uff1b\u3000she\u3000shuddered\u3002\u3000Sirens\u3000howled\u3000somewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000thickening\u3000shroud\u3000of\u3000fatigue\u3000settling\u3000over\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3003There\uff01\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000excited\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000plex\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Roland\u3000Garros\u3000tennis\u3000stadium\u3000looming\u3000ahead\u3002
\nSophie\u3000snaked\u3000her\u3000way\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000stadium\u3002\u3000After\u3000several\u3000passes\uff1b\u3000they\u3000located\u3000the\u3000intersection\u3000of\u3000Rue\u3000Haxo\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000onto\u3000it\uff1b\u3000driving\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lower\u3000numbers\u3002\u3000The\u3000road\u3000became\u3000more\u3000industrial\uff1b\u3000lined\u3000with\u3000businesses\u3002
\nWe\u3000need\u3000number\u3000twenty\u2026four\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000told\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000realizing\u3000he\u3000was\u3000secretly\u3000scanning\u3000the\u3000horizon\u3000for\u3000the\u3000spires\u3000of\u3000a\u3000church\u3002\u3000Don’t\u3000be\u3000ridiculous\u3002\u3000A\u3000forgotten\u3000Templar\u3000church\u3000in\u3000this\u3000neighborhood\uff1f
\n\u3003There\u3000it\u3000is\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000exclaimed\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3002
\nLangdon’s\u3000eyes\u3000followed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000structure\u3000ahead\u3002
\nWhat\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\uff1f
\nThe\u3000building\u3000was\u3000modern\u3002\u3000A\u3000squat\u3000citadel\u3000with\u3000a\u3000giant\uff1b\u3000neon\u3000equal\u2026armed\u3000cross\u3000emblazoned\u3000atop\u3000its\u3000facade\u3002\u3000Beneath\u3000the\u3000cross\u3000were\u3000the\u3000words\uff1a
\nDEPOSITORY\u3000BANK\u3000OF\u3000ZURICH
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000thankful\u3000not\u3000to\u3000have\u3000shared\u3000his\u3000Templar\u3000church\u3000hopes\u3000with\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000A\u3000career\u3000hazard\u3000of\u3000symbologists\u3000was\u3000a\u3000tendency\u3000to\u3000extract\u3000hidden\u3000meaning\u3000from\u3000situations\u3000that\u3000had\u3000none\u3002\u3000In\u3000this\u3000case\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000entirely\u3000forgotten\u3000that\u3000the\u3000peaceful\uff1b\u3000equal\u2026armed\u3000cross\u3000had\u3000been\u3000adopted\u3000as\u3000the\u3000perfect\u3000symbol\u3000for\u3000the\u3000flag\u3000of\u3000neutral\u3000Switzerland\u3002
\nAt\u3000least\u3000the\u3000mystery\u3000was\u3000solved\u3002
\nSophie\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000were\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000key\u3000to\u3000a\u3000Swiss\u3000bank\u3000deposit\u3000box\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300041
\n
\nOutside\u3000Castel\u3000Gandolfo\uff1b\u3000an\u3000updraft\u3000of\u3000mountain\u3000air\u3000gushed\u3000over\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cliff\u3000and\u3000across\u3000the\u3000high\u3000bluff\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000a\u3000chill\u3000through\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3000as\u3000he\u3000stepped\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Fiat\u3002\u3000I\u3000should\u3000have\u3000worn\u3000more\u3000than\u3000this\u3000cassock\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000fighting\u3000the\u3000reflex\u3000to\u3000shiver\u3002\u3000The\u3000last\u3000thing\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000appear\u3000tonight\u3000was\u3000weak\u3000or\u3000fearful\u3002
\nThe\u3000castle\u3000was\u3000dark\u3000save\u3000the\u3000windows\u3000at\u3000the\u3000very\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000building\uff1b\u3000which\u3000glowed\u3000ominously\u3002\u3000The\u3000library\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000thought\u3002\u3000They\u3000are\u3000awake\u3000and\u3000waiting\u3002\u3000He\u3000ducked\u3000his\u3000head\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000and\u3000continued\u3000on\u3000without\u3000so\u3000much\u3000as\u3000a\u3000glance\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000observatory\u3000domes\u3002
\nThe\u3000priest\u3000who\u3000greeted\u3000him\u3000at\u3000the\u3000door\u3000looked\u3000sleepy\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000the\u3000same\u3000priest\u3000who\u3000had\u3000greeted\u3000Aringarosa\u3000five\u3000months\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000albeit\u3000tonight\u3000he\u3000did\u3000so\u3000with\u3000much\u3000less\u3000hospitality\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000were\u3000worried\u3000about\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Bishop\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000priest\u3000said\uff1b\u3000checking\u3000his\u3000watch\u3000and\u3000looking\u3000more\u3000perturbed\u3000than\u3000worried\u3002
\n\u3003My\u3000apologies\u3002\u3000Airlines\u3000are\u3000so\u3000unreliable\u3000these\u3000days\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000priest\u3000mumbled\u3000something\u3000inaudible\u3000and\u3000then\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003They\u3000are\u3000waiting\u3000upstairs\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000escort\u3000you\u3000up\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000library\u3000was\u3000a\u3000vast\u3000square\u3000room\u3000with\u3000dark\u3000wood\u3000from\u3000floor\u3000to\u3000ceiling\u3002\u3000On\u3000all\u3000sides\uff1b\u3000towering\u3000bookcases\u3000burgeoned\u3000with\u3000volumes\u3002\u3000The\u3000floor\u3000was\u3000amber\u3000marble\u3000with\u3000black\u3000basalt\u3000trim\uff1b\u3000a\u3000handsome\u3000reminder\u3000that\u3000this\u3000building\u3000had\u3000once\u3000been\u3000a\u3000palace\u3002
\n\u3003Wele\uff1b\u3000Bishop\uff1b\u3003\u3000a\u3000man’s\u3000voice\u3000said\u3000from\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\u3002
\nAringarosa\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000see\u3000who\u3000had\u3000spoken\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000lights\u3000were\u3000ridiculously\u3000low\u2014much\u3000lower\u3000than\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000on\u3000his\u3000first\u3000visit\uff1b\u3000when\u3000everything\u3000was\u3000ablaze\u3002\u3000The\u3000night\u3000of\u3000stark\u3000awakening\u3002\u3000Tonight\uff1b\u3000these\u3000men\u3000sat\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shadows\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000they\u3000were\u3000somehow\u3000ashamed\u3000of\u3000what\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000transpire\u3002
\nAringarosa\u3000entered\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000regally\u3000even\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000shapes\u3000of\u3000three\u3000men\u3000at\u3000a\u3000long\u3000table\u3000on\u3000the\u3000far\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000The\u3000silhouette\u3000of\u3000the\u3000man\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000was\u3000immediately\u3000recognizable\u2014the\u3000obese\u3000Secretariat\u3000Vaticana\uff1b\u3000overlord\u3000of\u3000all\u3000legal\u3000matters\u3000within\u3000Vatican\u3000City\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000two\u3000were\u3000high\u2026ranking\u3000Italian\u3000cardinals\u3002
\nAringarosa\u3000crossed\u3000the\u3000library\u3000toward\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000humble\u3000apologies\u3000for\u3000the\u3000hour\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000on\u3000different\u3000time\u3000zones\u3002\u3000You\u3000must\u3000be\u3000tired\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Not\u3000at\u3000all\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000secretariat\u3000said\uff1b\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000folded\u3000on\u3000his\u3000enormous\u3000belly\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000are\u3000grateful\u3000you\u3000have\u3000e\u3000so\u3000far\u3002\u3000The\u3000least\u3000we\u3000can\u3000do\u3000is\u3000be\u3000awake\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000you\u3002\u3000Can\u3000we\u3000offer\u3000you\u3000some\u3000coffee\u3000or\u3000refreshments\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I’d\u3000prefer\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000pretend\u3000this\u3000is\u3000a\u3000social\u3000visit\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000another\u3000plane\u3000to\u3000catch\u3002\u3000Shall\u3000we\u3000get\u3000to\u3000business\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000secretariat\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000have\u3000acted\u3000more\u3000quickly\u3000than\u3000we\u3000imagined\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Have\u3000I\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000still\u3000have\u3000a\u3000month\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000made\u3000your\u3000concerns\u3000known\u3000five\u3000months\u3000ago\uff1b\u3003\u3000Aringarosa\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000should\u3000I\u3000wait\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Indeed\u3002\u3000We\u3000are\u3000very\u3000pleased\u3000with\u3000your\u3000expediency\u3002\u3003
\nAringarosa’s\u3000eyes\u3000traveled\u3000the\u3000length\u3000of\u3000the\u3000long\u3000table\u3000to\u3000a\u3000large\u3000black\u3000briefcase\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000that\u3000what\u3000I\u3000requested\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003It\u3000is\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000secretariat\u3000sounded\u3000uneasy\u3002\u3000\u3003Although\uff1b\u3000I\u3000must\u3000admit\uff1b\u3000we\u3000are\u3000concerned\u3000with\u3000the\u3000request\u3002\u3000It\u3000seems\u3000quite\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Dangerous\uff1b\u3003\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cardinals\u3000finished\u3002\u3000\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000certain\u3000we\u3000cannot\u3000wire\u3000it\u3000to\u3000you\u3000somewhere\uff1f\u3000The\u3000sum\u3000is\u3000exorbitant\u3002\u3003
\nFreedom\u3000is\u3000expensive\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000concerns\u3000for\u3000my\u3000own\u3000safety\u3002\u3000God\u3000is\u3000with\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000men\u3000actually\u3000looked\u3000doubtful\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000funds\u3000are\u3000exactly\u3000as\u3000I\u3000requested\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000secretariat\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003Large\u2026denomination\u3000bearer\u3000bonds\u3000drawn\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3000Bank\u3002\u3000Negotiable\u3000as\u3000cash\u3000anywhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000walked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000table\u3000and\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000briefcase\u3002\u3000Inside\u3000were\u3000two\u3000thick\u3000stacks\u3000of\u3000bonds\uff1b\u3000each\u3000embossed\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3000seal\u3000and\u3000the\u3000title\u3000PORTATORE\uff1b\u3000making\u3000the\u3000bonds\u3000redeemable\u3000to\u3000whoever\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000them\u3002
\nThe\u3000secretariat\u3000looked\u3000tense\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000must\u3000say\uff1b\u3000Bishop\uff1b\u3000all\u3000of\u3000us\u3000would\u3000feel\u3000less\u3000apprehensive\u3000if\u3000these\u3000funds\u3000were\u3000in\u3000cash\u3002\u3003
\nI\u3000could\u3000not\u3000lift\u3000that\u3000much\u3000cash\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000closing\u3000the\u3000case\u3002\u3000\u3003Bonds\u3000are\u3000negotiable\u3000as\u3000cash\u3002\u3000You\u3000said\u3000so\u3000yourself\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000cardinals\u3000exchanged\u3000uneasy\u3000looks\uff1b\u3000and\u3000finally\u3000one\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000these\u3000bonds\u3000are\u3000traceable\u3000directly\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3000Bank\u3002\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000smiled\u3000inwardly\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000precisely\u3000the\u3000reason\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000suggested\u3000Aringarosa\u3000get\u3000the\u3000money\u3000in\u3000Vatican\u3000Bank\u3000bonds\u3002\u3000It\u3000served\u3000as\u3000insurance\u3002\u3000We\u3000are\u3000all\u3000in\u3000this\u3000together\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000a\u3000perfectly\u3000legal\u3000transaction\uff1b\u3003\u3000Aringarosa\u3000defended\u3002\u3000\u3003Opus\u3000Dei\u3000is\u3000a\u3000personal\u3000prelature\u3000of\u3000Vatican\u3000City\uff1b\u3000and\u3000His\u3000Holiness\u3000can\u3000disperse\u3000monies\u3000however\u3000he\u3000sees\u3000fit\u3002\u3000No\u3000law\u3000has\u3000been\u3000broken\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003True\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000secretariat\u3000leaned\u3000forward\u3000and\u3000his\u3000chair\u3000creaked\u3000under\u3000the\u3000burden\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000have\u3000no\u3000knowledge\u3000of\u3000what\u3000you\u3000intend\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000these\u3000funds\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000it\u3000is\u3000in\u3000any\u3000way\u3000illegal\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Considering\u3000what\u3000you\u3000are\u3000asking\u3000of\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Aringarosa\u3000countered\uff1b\u3000\u3003what\u3000I\u3000do\u3000with\u3000this\u3000money\u3000is\u3000not\u3000your\u3000concern\u3002\u3003
\nThere\u3000was\u3000a\u3000long\u3000silence\u3002
\nThey\u3000know\u3000I’m\u3000right\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000thought\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\uff1b\u3000I\u3000imagine\u3000you\u3000have\u3000something\u3000for\u3000me\u3000to\u3000sign\uff1f\u3003
\nThey\u3000all\u3000jumped\uff1b\u3000eagerly\u3000pushing\u3000the\u3000paper\u3000toward\u3000him\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000they\u3000wished\u3000he\u3000would\u3000simply\u3000leave\u3002
\nAringarosa\u3000eyed\u3000the\u3000sheet\u3000before\u3000him\u3002\u3000It\u3000bore\u3000the\u3000papal\u3000seal\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000identical\u3000to\u3000the\u3000copy\u3000you\u3000sent\u3000me\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Exactly\u3002\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000how\u3000little\u3000emotion\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000he\u3000signed\u3000the\u3000document\u3002\u3000The\u3000three\u3000men\u3000present\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000sigh\u3000in\u3000relief\u3002
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Bishop\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000secretariat\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000service\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000will\u3000never\u3000be\u3000forgotten\u3002\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000briefcase\uff1b\u3000sensing\u3000promise\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Bishop\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000secretariat\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000service\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000will\u3000never\u3000be\u3000forgotten\u3002\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000briefcase\uff1b\u3000sensing\u3000promise\u3000and\u3000authority\u3000in\u3000its\u3000weight\u3002\u3000The\u3000four\u3000men\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000one\u3000another\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000as\u3000if\u3000there\u3000were\u3000something\u3000more\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000but\u3000apparently\u3000there\u3000was\u3000not\u3002\u3000Aringarosa\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000headed\u3000for\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\n\u3003Bishop\uff1f\u3003\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cardinals\u3000called\u3000out\u3000as\u3000Aringarosa\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000threshold\u3002
\nAringarosa\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000turning\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Where\u3000will\u3000you\u3000go\u3000from\u3000here\uff1f\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000sensed\u3000the\u3000query\u3000was\u3000more\u3000spiritual\u3000than\u3000geographical\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000he\u3000had\u3000no\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000discussing\u3000morality\u3000at\u3000this\u3000hour\u3002\u3000\u3003Paris\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000and\u3000walked\u3000out\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300042
\n
\nThe\u3000Depository\u3000Bank\u3000of\u3000Zurich\u3000was\u3000a\u3000twenty\u2026four\u2026hour\u3000Geldschrank\u3000bank\u3000offering\u3000the\u3000full\u3000modern\u3000array\u3000of\u3000anonymous\u3000services\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tradition\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Swiss\u3000numbered\u3000account\u3002\u3000Maintaining\u3000offices\u3000in\u3000Zurich\uff1b\u3000Kuala\u3000Lumpur\uff1b\u3000New\u3000York\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Paris\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bank\u3000had\u3000expanded\u3000its\u3000services\u3000in\u3000recent\u3000years\u3000to\u3000offer\u3000anonymous\u3000puter\u3000source\u3000code\u3000escrow\u3000services\u3000and\u3000faceless\u3000digitized\u3000backup\u3002
\nThe\u3000bread\u3000and\u3000butter\u3000of\u3000its\u3000operation\u3000was\u3000by\u3000far\u3000its\u3000oldest\u3000and\u3000simplest\u3000offering\u2014the\u3000anonyme\u3000Lager\u2014blind\u3000drop\u3000services\uff1b\u3000otherwise\u3000known\u3000as\u3000anonymous\u3000safe\u2026deposit\u3000boxes\u3002\u3000Clients\u3000wishing\u3000to\u3000store\u3000anything\u3000from\u3000stock\u3000certificates\u3000to\u3000valuable\u3000paintings\u3000could\u3000deposit\u3000their\u3000belongings\u3000anonymously\uff1b\u3000through\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000high\u2026tech\u3000veils\u3000of\u3000privacy\uff1b\u3000withdrawing\u3000items\u3000at\u3000any\u3000time\uff1b\u3000also\u3000in\u3000total\u3000anonymity\u3002
\nAs\u3000Sophie\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000taxi\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000their\u3000destination\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000gazed\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000building’s\u3000unpromising\u3000architecture\u3000and\u3000sensed\u3000the\u3000Depository\u3000Bank\u3000of\u3000Zurich\u3000was\u3000a\u3000firm\u3000with\u3000little\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000humor\u3002\u3000The\u3000building\u3000was\u3000a\u3000windowless\u3000rectangle\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000forged\u3000entirely\u3000of\u3000dull\u3000steel\u3002\u3000Resembling\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000metal\u3000brick\uff1b\u3000the\u3000edifice\u3000sat\u3000back\u3000from\u3000the\u3000road\u3000with\u3000a\u3000fifteen\u2026foot\u2026tall\uff1b\u3000neon\uff1b\u3000equilateral\u3000cross\u3000glowing\u3000over\u3000its\u3000facade\u3002
\nSwitzerland’s\u3000reputation\u3000for\u3000secrecy\u3000in\u3000banking\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000country’s\u3000most\u3000lucrative\u3000exports\u3002\u3000Facilities\u3000like\u3000this\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000controversial\u3000in\u3000the\u3000art\u3000munity\u3000because\u3000they\u3000provided\u3000a\u3000perfect\u3000place\u3000for\u3000art\u3000thieves\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000stolen\u3000goods\uff1b\u3000for\u3000years\u3000if\u3000necessary\uff1b\u3000until\u3000the\u3000heat\u3000was\u3000off\u3002\u3000Because\u3000deposits\u3000were\u3000protected\u3000from\u3000police\u3000inspection\u3000by\u3000privacy\u3000laws\u3000and\u3000were\u3000attached\u3000to\u3000numbered\u3000accounts\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000people’s\u3000names\uff1b\u3000thieves\u3000could\u3000rest\u3000easily\u3000knowing\u3000their\u3000stolen\u3000goods\u3000were\u3000safe\u3000and\u3000could\u3000never\u3000be\u3000traced\u3000to\u3000them\u3002
\nSophie\u3000stopped\u3000the\u3000taxi\u3000at\u3000an\u3000imposing\u3000gate\u3000that\u3000blocked\u3000the\u3000bank’s\u3000driveway\u2014a\u3000cement\u2026lined\u3000ramp\u3000that\u3000descended\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000building\u3002\u3000A\u3000video\u3000camera\u3000overhead\u3000was\u3000aimed\u3000directly\u3000at\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000the\u3000feeling\u3000that\u3000this\u3000camera\uff1b\u3000unlike\u3000those\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Louvre\uff1b\u3000was\u3000authentic\u3002
\nSophie\u3000rolled\u3000down\u3000the\u3000window\u3000and\u3000surveyed\u3000the\u3000electronic\u3000podium\u3000on\u3000the\u3000driver’s\u3000side\u3002\u3000An\u3000LCD\u3000screen\u3000provided\u3000directions\u3000in\u3000seven\u3000languages\u3002\u3000Topping\u3000the\u3000list\u3000was\u3000English\u3002
\nINSERT\u3000KEY\u3002
\n\u3000
\nSophie\u3000took\u3000the\u3000gold\u3000laser\u2026pocked\u3000key\u3000from\u3000her\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000her\u3000attention\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000podium\u3002\u3000Below\u3000the\u3000screen\u3000was\u3000a\u3000triangular\u3000hole\u3002
\n\u3003Something\u3000tells\u3000me\u3000it\u3000will\u3000fit\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002
\nSophie\u3000aligned\u3000the\u3000key’s\u3000triangular\u3000shaft\u3000with\u3000the\u3000hole\u3000and\u3000inserted\u3000it\uff1b\u3000sliding\u3000it\u3000in\u3000until\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000shaft\u3000had\u3000disappeared\u3002\u3000This\u3000key\u3000apparently\u3000required\u3000no\u3000turning\u3002\u3000Instantly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000gate\u3000began\u3000to\u3000swing\u3000open\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000took\u3000her\u3000foot\u3000off\u3000the\u3000brake\u3000and\u3000coasted\u3000down\u3000to\u3000a\u3000second\u3000gate\u3000and\u3000podium\u3002\u3000Behind\u3000her\uff1b\u3000the\u3000first\u3000gate\u3000closed\uff1b\u3000trapping\u3000them\u3000like\u3000a\u3000ship\u3000in\u3000a\u3000lock\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000disliked\u3000the\u3000constricted\u3000sensation\u3002\u3000Let’s\u3000hope\u3000this\u3000second\u3000gate\u3000works\u3000too\u3002
\nThis\u3000second\u3000podium\u3000bore\u3000familiar\u3000directions\u3002
\nINSERT\u3000KEY\u3002
\n\u3000
\nWhen\u3000Sophie\u3000inserted\u3000the\u3000key\uff1b\u3000the\u3000second\u3000gate\u3000immediately\u3000opened\u3002\u3000Moments\u3000later\u3000they\u3000were\u3000winding\u3000down\u3000the\u3000ramp\u3000into\u3000the\u3000belly\u3000of\u3000the\u3000structure\u3002
\nThe\u3000private\u3000garage\u3000was\u3000small\u3000and\u3000dim\uff1b\u3000with\u3000spaces\u3000for\u3000about\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000cars\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000far\u3000end\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000spied\u3000the\u3000building’s\u3000main\u3000entrance\u3002\u3000A\u3000red\u3000carpet\u3000stretched\u3000across\u3000the\u3000cement\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000weling\u3000visitors\u3000to\u3000a\u3000huge\u3000door\u3000that\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000forged\u3000of\u3000solid\u3000metal\u3002
\nTalk\u3000about\u3000mixed\u3000messages\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Wele\u3000and\u3000keep\u3000out\u3002
\nSophie\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000taxi\u3000into\u3000a\u3000parking\u3000space\u3000near\u3000the\u3000entrance\u3000and\u3000killed\u3000the\u3000engine\u3002\u3000\u3003You’d\u3000better\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\nWith\u3000pleasure\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000sliding\u3000the\u3000pistol\u3000under\u3000the\u3000seat\u3002
\nSophie\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000got\u3000out\u3000and\u3000walked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000red\u3000carpet\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000slab\u3000of\u3000steel\u3002\u3000The\u3000door\u3000had\u3000no\u3000handle\uff1b\u3000but\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000beside\u3000it\u3000was\u3000another\u3000triangular\u3000keyhole\u3002\u3000No\u3000directions\u3000were\u3000posted\u3000this\u3000time\u3002
\n\u3003Keeps\u3000out\u3000the\u3000slow\u3000learners\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002
\nSophie\u3000laughed\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000nervous\u3002\u3000\u3003Here\u3000we\u3000go\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000stuck\u3000the\u3000key\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hole\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000door\u3000swung\u3000inward\u3000with\u3000a\u3000low\u3000hum\u3002\u3000Exchanging\u3000glances\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000entered\u3002\u3000The\u3000door\u3000shut\u3000with\u3000a\u3000thud\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002
\nThe\u3000foyer\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Depository\u3000Bank\u3000of\u3000Zurich\u3000employed\u3000as\u3000imposing\u3000a\u3000decor\u3000as\u3000any\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000seen\u3002\u3000Where\u3000most\u3000banks\u3000were\u3000content\u3000with\u3000the\u3000usual\u3000polished\u3000marble\u3000and\u3000granite\uff1b\u3000this\u3000one\u3000had\u3000opted\u3000for\u3000wall\u2026to\u2026wall\u3000metal\u3000and\u3000rivets\u3002
\nWho’s\u3000their\u3000decorator\uff1f\u3000Langdon\u3000wondered\u3002\u3000Allied\u3000Steel\uff1f
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000equally\u3000intimidated\u3000as\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000scanned\u3000the\u3000lobby\u3002
\nThe\u3000gray\u3000metal\u3000was\u3000everywhere\u2014the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000walls\uff1b\u3000counters\uff1b\u3000doors\uff1b\u3000even\u3000the\u3000lobby\u3000chairs\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000fashioned\u3000of\u3000molded\u3000iron\u3002\u3000Nonetheless\uff1b\u3000the\u3000effect\u3000was\u3000impressive\u3002\u3000The\u3000message\u3000was\u3000clear\uff1a\u3000You\u3000are\u3000walking\u3000into\u3000a\u3000vault\u3002
\nA\u3000large\u3000man\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000counter\u3000glanced\u3000up\u3000as\u3000they\u3000entered\u3002\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000off\u3000the\u3000small\u3000television\u3000he\u3000was\u3000watching\u3000and\u3000greeted\u3000them\u3000with\u3000a\u3000pleasant\u3000smile\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000his\u3000enormous\u3000muscles\u3000and\u3000visible\u3000sidearm\uff1b\u3000his\u3000diction\u3000chimed\u3000with\u3000the\u3000polished\u3000courtesy\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Swiss\u3000bellhop\u3002
\n\u3003Bonsoir\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000may\u3000I\u3000help\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000dual\u2026language\u3000greeting\u3000was\u3000the\u3000newest\u3000hospitality\u3000trick\u3000of\u3000the\u3000European\u3000host\u3002\u3000It\u3000presumed\u3000nothing\u3000and\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000door\u3000for\u3000the\u3000guest\u3000to\u3000reply\u3000in\u3000whichever\u3000language\u3000was\u3000more\u3000fortable\u3002
\nSophie\u3000replied\u3000with\u3000neither\u3002\u3000She\u3000simply\u3000laid\u3000the\u3000gold\u3000key\u3000on\u3000the\u3000counter\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000man\u3002
\nThe\u3000man\u3000glanced\u3000down\u3000and\u3000immediately\u3000stood\u3000straighter\u3002\u3000\u3003Of\u3000course\u3002\u3000Your\u3000elevator\u3000is\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hall\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000alert\u3000someone\u3000that\u3000you\u3000are\u3000on\u3000your\u3000way\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000took\u3000her\u3000key\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003Which\u3000floor\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000man\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000an\u3000odd\u3000look\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000key\u3000instructs\u3000the\u3000elevator\u3000which\u3000floor\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003Ah\uff1b\u3000yes\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nThe\u3000guard\u3000watched\u3000as\u3000the\u3000two\u3000newers\u3000made\u3000their\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000elevators\uff1b\u3000inserted\u3000their\u3000key\uff1b\u3000boarded\u3000the\u3000lift\uff1b\u3000and\u3000disappeared\u3002\u3000As\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000the\u3000door\u3000had\u3000closed\uff1b\u3000he\u3000grabbed\u3000the\u3000phone\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000not\u3000calling\u3000to\u3000alert\u3000anyone\u3000of\u3000their\u3000arrival\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000need\u3000for\u3000that\u3002\u3000A\u3000vault\u3000greeter\u3000already\u3000had\u3000been\u3000alerted\u3000automatically\u3000when\u3000the\u3000client’s\u3000key\u3000was\u3000inserted\u3000outside\u3000in\u3000the\u3000entry\u3000gate\u3002
\nInstead\uff1b\u3000the\u3000guard\u3000was\u3000calling\u3000the\u3000bank’s\u3000night\u3000manager\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000line\u3000rang\uff1b\u3000the\u3000guard\u3000switched\u3000the\u3000television\u3000back\u3000on\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000news\u3000story\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000watching\u3000was\u3000just\u3000ending\u3002\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000matter\u3002\u3000He\u3000got\u3000another\u3000look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000two\u3000faces\u3000on\u3000the\u3000television\u3002
\nThe\u3000manager\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003Oui\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000have\u3000a\u3000situation\u3000down\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What’s\u3000happening\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000manager\u3000demanded\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000French\u3000police\u3000are\u3000tracking\u3000two\u3000fugitives\u3000tonight\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003So\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Both\u3000of\u3000them\u3000just\u3000walked\u3000into\u3000our\u3000bank\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000manager\u3000cursed\u3000quietly\u3002\u3000\u3003Okay\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000contact\u3000Monsieur\u3000Vernet\u3000immediately\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000guard\u3000then\u3000hung\u3000up\u3000and\u3000placed\u3000a\u3000second\u3000call\u3002\u3000This\u3000one\u3000to\u3000Interpol\u3002
\n\u3000
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000elevator\u3000dropping\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000climbing\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000how\u3000many\u3000floors\u3000they\u3000had\u3000descended\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000Depository\u3000Bank\u3000of\u3000Zurich\u3000before\u3000the\u3000door\u3000finally\u3000opened\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000care\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000happy\u3000to\u3000be\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000elevator\u3002
\nDisplaying\u3000impressive\u3000alacrity\uff1b\u3000a\u3000host\u3000was\u3000already\u3000standing\u3000there\u3000to\u3000greet\u3000them\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000elderly\u3000and\u3000pleasant\uff1b\u3000wearing\u3000a\u3000neatly\u3000pressed\u3000flannel\u3000suit\u3000that\u3000made\u3000him\u3000look\u3000oddly\u3000out\u3000of\u3000place\u2014an\u3000old\u2026world\u3000banker\u3000in\u3000a\u3000high\u2026tech\u3000world\u3002
\n\u3003Bonsoir\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000man\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Good\u3000evening\u3002\u3000Would\u3000you\u3000be\u3000so\u3000kind\u3000as\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000me\uff1b\u3000s’il\u3000vous\u3000plait\uff1f\u3003\u3000Without\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000a\u3000response\uff1b\u3000he\u3000spun\u3000on\u3000his\u3000heel\u3000and\u3000strode\u3000briskly\u3000down\u3000a\u3000narrow\u3000metal\u3000corridor\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000walked\u3000with\u3000Sophie\u3000down\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000corridors\uff1b\u3000past\u3000several\u3000large\u3000rooms\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000blinking\u3000mainframe\u3000puters\u3002
\n\u3003Voici\uff1b\u3003\u3000their\u3000host\u3000said\uff1b\u3000arriving\u3000at\u3000a\u3000steel\u3000door\u3000and\u3000opening\u3000it\u3000for\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003Here\u3000you\u3000are\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000stepped\u3000into\u3000another\u3000world\u3002\u3000The\u3000small\u3000room\u3000before\u3000them\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000lavish\u3000sitting\u3000room\u3000at\u3000a\u3000fine\u3000hotel\u3002\u3000Gone\u3000were\u3000the\u3000metal\u3000and\u3000rivets\uff1b\u3000replaced\u3000with\u3000oriental\u3000carpets\uff1b\u3000dark\u3000oak\u3000furniture\uff1b\u3000and\u3000cushioned\u3000chairs\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000broad\u3000desk\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000two\u3000crystal\u3000glasses\u3000sat\u3000beside\u3000an\u3000opened\u3000bottle\u3000of\u3000Perrier\uff1b\u3000its\u3000bubbles\u3000still\u3000fizzing\u3002\u3000A\u3000pewter\u3000pot\u3000of\u3000coffee\u3000steamed\u3000beside\u3000it\u3002
\nClockwork\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Leave\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Swiss\u3002
\nThe\u3000man\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000perceptive\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000sense\u3000this\u3000is\u3000your\u3000first\u3000visit\u3000to\u3000us\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000hesitated\u3000and\u3000then\u3000nodded\u3002
\n\u3003Understood\u3002\u3000Keys\u3000are\u3000often\u3000passed\u3000on\u3000as\u3000inheritance\uff1b\u3000and\u3000our\u3000first\u2026time\u3000users\u3000are\u3000invariably\u3000uncertain\u3000of\u3000the\u3000protocol\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000motioned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000table\u3000of\u3000drinks\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000room\u3000is\u3000yours\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000you\u3000care\u3000to\u3000use\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000say\u3000keys\u3000are\u3000sometimes\u3000inherited\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003Indeed\u3002\u3000Your\u3000key\u3000is\u3000like\u3000a\u3000Swiss\u3000numbered\u3000account\uff1b\u3000which\u3000are\u3000often\u3000willed\u3000through\u3000generations\u3002\u3000On\u3000our\u3000gold\u3000accounts\uff1b\u3000the\u3000shortest\u3000safety\u2026deposit\u3000box\u3000lease\u3000is\u3000fifty\u3000years\u3002\u3000Paid\u3000in\u3000advance\u3002\u3000So\u3000we\u3000see\u3000plenty\u3000of\u3000family\u3000turnover\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000stared\u3002\u3000\u3003Did\u3000you\u3000say\u3000fifty\u3000years\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003At\u3000a\u3000minimum\uff1b\u3003\u3000their\u3000host\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000you\u3000can\u3000purchase\u3000much\u3000longer\u3000leases\uff1b\u3000but\u3000barring\u3000further\u3000arrangements\uff1b\u3000if\u3000there\u3000i \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003At\u3000a\u3000minimum\uff1b\u3003\u3000their\u3000host\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000you\u3000can\u3000purchase\u3000much\u3000longer\u3000leases\uff1b\u3000but\u3000barring\u3000further\u3000arrangements\uff1b\u3000if\u3000there\u3000is\u3000no\u3000activity\u3000on\u3000an\u3000account\u3000for\u3000fifty\u3000years\uff1b\u3000the\u3000contents\u3000of\u3000that\u3000safe\u2026deposit\u3000box\u3000are\u3000automatically\u3000destroyed\u3002\u3000Shall\u3000I\u3000run\u3000through\u3000the\u3000process\u3000of\u3000accessing\u3000your\u3000box\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\u3002\u3003
\nTheir\u3000host\u3000swept\u3000an\u3000arm\u3000across\u3000the\u3000luxurious\u3000salon\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000your\u3000private\u3000viewing\u3000room\u3002\u3000Once\u3000I\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000you\u3000may\u3000spend\u3000all\u3000the\u3000time\u3000you\u3000need\u3000in\u3000here\u3000to\u3000review\u3000and\u3000modify\u3000the\u3000contents\u3000of\u3000your\u3000safe\u2026deposit\u3000box\uff1b\u3000which\u3000arrives\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000over\u3000here\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000walked\u3000them\u3000to\u3000the\u3000far\u3000wall\u3000where\u3000a\u3000wide\u3000conveyor\u3000belt\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000room\u3000in\u3000a\u3000graceful\u3000curve\uff1b\u3000vaguely\u3000resembling\u3000a\u3000baggage\u3000claim\u3000carousel\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000insert\u3000your\u3000key\u3000in\u3000that\u3000slot\u3000there\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000man\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000a\u3000large\u3000electronic\u3000podium\u3000facing\u3000the\u3000conveyor\u3000belt\u3002\u3000The\u3000podium\u3000had\u3000a\u3000familiar\u3000triangular\u3000hole\u3002\u3000\u3003Once\u3000the\u3000puter\u3000confirms\u3000the\u3000markings\u3000on\u3000your\u3000key\uff1b\u3000you\u3000enter\u3000your\u3000account\u3000number\uff1b\u3000and\u3000your\u3000safe\u2026deposit\u3000box\u3000will\u3000be\u3000retrieved\u3000robotically\u3000from\u3000the\u3000vault\u3000below\u3000for\u3000your\u3000inspection\u3002\u3000When\u3000you\u3000are\u3000finished\u3000with\u3000your\u3000box\uff1b\u3000you\u3000place\u3000it\u3000back\u3000on\u3000the\u3000conveyor\u3000belt\uff1b\u3000insert\u3000your\u3000key\u3000again\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000process\u3000is\u3000reversed\u3002\u3000Because\u3000everything\u3000is\u3000automated\uff1b\u3000your\u3000privacy\u3000is\u3000guaranteed\uff1b\u3000even\u3000from\u3000the\u3000staff\u3000of\u3000this\u3000bank\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000need\u3000anything\u3000at\u3000all\uff1b\u3000simply\u3000press\u3000the\u3000call\u3000button\u3000on\u3000the\u3000table\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000a\u3000question\u3000when\u3000a\u3000telephone\u3000rang\u3002\u3000The\u3000man\u3000looked\u3000puzzled\u3000and\u3000embarrassed\u3002\u3000\u3003Excuse\u3000me\uff1b\u3000please\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000walked\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000phone\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000sitting\u3000on\u3000the\u3000table\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000coffee\u3000and\u3000Perrier\u3002
\n\u3003Oui\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000answered\u3002
\nHis\u3000brow\u3000furrowed\u3000as\u3000he\u3000listened\u3000to\u3000the\u3000caller\u3002\u3000\u3003Oui\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000oui\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000d’accord\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000hung\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000them\u3000an\u3000uneasy\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3000I\u3000must\u3000leave\u3000you\u3000now\u3002\u3000Make\u3000yourselves\u3000at\u3000home\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000moved\u3000quickly\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\n\u3003Excuse\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000called\u3002\u3000\u3003Could\u3000you\u3000clarify\u3000something\u3000before\u3000you\u3000go\uff1f\u3000You\u3000mentioned\u3000that\u3000we\u3000enter\u3000an\u3000account\u3000number\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000man\u3000paused\u3000at\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000pale\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3000Like\u3000most\u3000Swiss\u3000banks\uff1b\u3000our\u3000safe\u2026deposit\u3000boxes\u3000are\u3000attached\u3000to\u3000a\u3000number\uff1b\u3000not\u3000a\u3000name\u3002\u3000You\u3000have\u3000a\u3000key\u3000and\u3000a\u3000personal\u3000account\u3000number\u3000known\u3000only\u3000to\u3000you\u3002\u3000Your\u3000key\u3000is\u3000only\u3000half\u3000of\u3000your\u3000identification\u3002\u3000Your\u3000personal\u3000account\u3000number\u3000is\u3000the\u3000other\u3000half\u3002\u3000Otherwise\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000lost\u3000your\u3000key\uff1b\u3000anyone\u3000could\u3000use\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000hesitated\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000if\u3000my\u3000benefactor\u3000gave\u3000me\u3000no\u3000account\u3000number\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000banker’s\u3000heart\u3000pounded\u3002\u3000Then\u3000you\u3000obviously\u3000have\u3000no\u3000business\u3000here\uff01\u3000He\u3000gave\u3000them\u3000a\u3000calm\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000ask\u3000someone\u3000to\u3000help\u3000you\u3002\u3000He\u3000will\u3000be\u3000in\u3000shortly\u3002\u3003
\nLeaving\uff1b\u3000the\u3000banker\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000door\u3000behind\u3000him\u3000and\u3000twisted\u3000a\u3000heavy\u3000lock\uff1b\u3000sealing\u3000them\u3000inside\u3002
\n\u3000
\nAcross\u3000town\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Gare\u3000du\u3000Nord\u3000train\u3000terminal\u3000when\u3000his\u3000phone\u3000rang\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000Fache\u3002\u3000\u3003Interpol\u3000got\u3000a\u3000tip\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Forget\u3000the\u3000train\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Neveu\u3000just\u3000walked\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Paris\u3000branch\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Depository\u3000Bank\u3000of\u3000Zurich\u3002\u3000I\u3000want\u3000your\u3000men\u3000over\u3000there\u3000right\u3000away\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Any\u3000leads\u3000yet\u3000on\u3000what\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000Agent\u3000Neveu\u3000and\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\uff1f\u3003
\nFache’s\u3000tone\u3000was\u3000cold\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000arrest\u3000them\uff1b\u3000Lieutenant\u3000Collet\uff1b\u3000then\u3000I\u3000can\u3000ask\u3000them\u3000personally\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000took\u3000the\u3000hint\u3002\u3000\u3003Twenty\u2026four\u3000Rue\u3000Haxo\u3002\u3000Right\u3000away\uff1b\u3000Captain\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000hung\u3000up\u3000and\u3000radioed\u3000his\u3000men\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300043
\n
\nAndr\u00e9\u3000Vernet\u2014president\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Paris\u3000branch\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Depository\u3000Bank\u3000of\u3000Zurich\u2014lived\u3000in\u3000a\u3000lavish\u3000flat\u3000above\u3000the\u3000bank\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000his\u3000plush\u3000acmodations\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000always\u3000dreamed\u3000of\u3000owning\u3000a\u3000riverside\u3000apartment\u3000on\u3000L’lle\u3000Saint\u2026Louis\uff1b\u3000where\u3000he\u3000could\u3000rub\u3000shoulders\u3000with\u3000the\u3000true\u3000cognoscenti\uff1b\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000here\uff1b\u3000where\u3000he\u3000simply\u3000met\u3000the\u3000filthy\u3000rich\u3002
\nWhen\u3000I\u3000retire\uff1b\u3000Vernet\u3000told\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000fill\u3000my\u3000cellar\u3000with\u3000rare\u3000Bordeaux\uff1b\u3000adorn\u3000my\u3000salon\u3000with\u3000a\u3000Fragonard\u3000and\u3000perhaps\u3000a\u3000Boucher\uff1b\u3000and\u3000spend\u3000my\u3000days\u3000hunting\u3000for\u3000antique\u3000furniture\u3000and\u3000rare\u3000books\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Quartier\u3000Latin\u3002
\nTonight\uff1b\u3000Vernet\u3000had\u3000been\u3000awake\u3000only\u3000six\u3000and\u3000a\u3000half\u3000minutes\u3002\u3000Even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000hurried\u3000through\u3000the\u3000bank’s\u3000underground\u3000corridor\uff1b\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000if\u3000his\u3000personal\u3000tailor\u3000and\u3000hairdresser\u3000had\u3000polished\u3000him\u3000to\u3000a\u3000fine\u3000sheen\u3002\u3000Impeccably\u3000dressed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000silk\u3000suit\uff1b\u3000Vernet\u3000sprayed\u3000some\u3000breath\u3000spray\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000and\u3000tightened\u3000his\u3000tie\u3000as\u3000he\u3000walked\u3002\u3000No\u3000stranger\u3000to\u3000being\u3000awoken\u3000to\u3000attend\u3000to\u3000his\u3000international\u3000clients\u3000arriving\u3000from\u3000different\u3000time\u3000zones\uff1b\u3000Vernet\u3000modeled\u3000his\u3000sleep\u3000habits\u3000after\u3000the\u3000Maasai\u3000warriors\u2014the\u3000African\u3000tribe\u3000famous\u3000for\u3000their\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000rise\u3000from\u3000the\u3000deepest\u3000sleep\u3000to\u3000a\u3000state\u3000of\u3000total\u3000battle\u3000readiness\u3000in\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000seconds\u3002
\nBattle\u3000ready\uff1b\u3000Vernet\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000fearing\u3000the\u3000parison\u3000might\u3000be\u3000uncharacteristically\u3000apt\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000The\u3000arrival\u3000of\u3000a\u3000gold\u3000key\u3000client\u3000always\u3000required\u3000an\u3000extra\u3000flurry\u3000of\u3000attention\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000arrival\u3000of\u3000a\u3000gold\u3000key\u3000client\u3000who\u3000was\u3000wanted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Judicial\u3000Police\u3000would\u3000be\u3000an\u3000extremely\u3000delicate\u3000matter\u3002\u3000The\u3000bank\u3000had\u3000enough\u3000battles\u3000with\u3000law\u3000enforcement\u3000over\u3000the\u3000privacy\u3000rights\u3000of\u3000their\u3000clients\u3000without\u3000proof\u3000that\u3000some\u3000of\u3000them\u3000were\u3000criminals\u3002
\nFive\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000Vernet\u3000told\u3000himself\u3002\u3000I\u3000need\u3000these\u3000people\u3000out\u3000of\u3000my\u3000bank\u3000before\u3000the\u3000police\u3000arrive\u3002
\nIf\u3000he\u3000moved\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000this\u3000impending\u3000disaster\u3000could\u3000be\u3000deftly\u3000sidestepped\u3002\u3000Vernet\u3000could\u3000tell\u3000the\u3000police\u3000that\u3000the\u3000fugitives\u3000in\u3000question\u3000had\u3000indeed\u3000walked\u3000into\u3000his\u3000bank\u3000as\u3000reported\uff1b\u3000but\u3000because\u3000they\u3000were\u3000not\u3000clients\u3000and\u3000had\u3000no\u3000account\u3000number\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000turned\u3000away\u3002\u3000He\u3000wished\u3000the\u3000damned\u3000watchman\u3000had\u3000not\u3000called\u3000Interpol\u3002\u3000Discretion\u3000was\u3000apparently\u3000not\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000vocabulary\u3000of\u3000a\u300015\u2026euro\u2026per\u2026hour\u3000watchman\u3002
\nStopping\u3000at\u3000the\u3000doorway\uff1b\u3000he\u3000took\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\u3000and\u3000loosened\u3000his\u3000muscles\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000forcing\u3000a\u3000balmy\u3000smile\uff1b\u3000he\u3000unlocked\u3000the\u3000door\u3000and\u3000swirled\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\u3000like\u3000a\u3000warm\u3000breeze\u3002
\n\u3003Good\u3000evening\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000finding\u3000his\u3000clients\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000Andr\u00e9\u3000Vernet\u3002\u3000How\u3000can\u3000I\u3000be\u3000of\u3000serv\u2014\u3003\u3000The\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sentence\u3000lodged\u3000somewhere\u3000beneath\u3000his\u3000Adam’s\u3000apple\u3002\u3000The\u3000woman\u3000before\u3000him\u3000was\u3000as\u3000unexpected\u3000a\u3000visitor\u3000as\u3000Vernet\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000had\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3000do\u3000we\u3000know\u3000each\u3000other\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\u3002\u3000She\u3000did\u3000not\u3000recognize\u3000the\u3000banker\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he’d\u3000seen\u3000a\u3000ghost\u3002
\n\u3003No\u3002\u3002\u3002\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000bank\u3000president\u3000fumbled\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000believe\u3000so\u3002\u3000Our\u3000services\u3000are\u3000anonymous\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000exhaled\u3000and\u3000forced\u3000a\u3000calm\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000assistant\u3000tells\u3000me\u3000you\u3000have\u3000a\u3000gold\u3000key\u3000but\u3000no\u3000account\u3000number\uff1f\u3000Might\u3000I\u3000ask\u3000how\u3000you\u3000came\u3000by\u3000this\u3000key\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003My\u3000grandfather\u3000gave\u3000it\u3000to\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000man\u3000closely\u3002\u3000His\u3000uneasiness\u3000seemed\u3000more\u3000evident\u3000now\u3002
\n\u3003Really\uff1f\u3000Your\u3000grandfather\u3000gave\u3000you\u3000the\u3000key\u3000but\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000give\u3000you\u3000the\u3000account\u3000number\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000think\u3000he\u3000had\u3000time\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000was\u3000murdered\u3000tonight\u3002\u3003
\nHer\u3000words\u3000sent\u3000the\u3000man\u3000staggering\u3000backward\u3002\u3000\u3003Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000is\u3000dead\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000demanded\uff1b\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000filling\u3000with\u3000horror\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000how\uff1f\uff01\u3003
\nNow\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Sophie\u3000who\u3000reeled\uff1b\u3000numb\u3000with\u3000shock\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000knew\u3000my\u3000grandfather\uff1f\u3003
\nBanker\u3000Andr\u00e9\u3000Vernet\u3000looked\u3000equally\u3000astounded\uff1b\u3000steadying\u3000himself\u3000by\u3000leaning\u3000on\u3000an\u3000end\u3000table\u3002\u3000\u3003Jacques\u3000and\u3000I\u3000were\u3000dear\u3000friends\u3002\u3000When\u3000did\u3000this\u3000happen\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Earlier\u3000this\u3000evening\u3002\u3000Inside\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3002\u3003
\nVernet\u3000walked\u3000to\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000leather\u3000chair\u3000and\u3000sank\u3000into\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000you\u3000both\u3000a\u3000very\u3000important\u3000question\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000then\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003Did\u3000either\u3000of\u3000you\u3000have\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000his\u3000death\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff01\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000declared\u3002\u3000\u3003Absolutely\u3000not\u3002\u3003
\nVernet’s\u3000face\u3000was\u3000grim\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000pondering\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000pictures\u3000are\u3000being\u3000circulated\u3000by\u3000Interpol\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000how\u3000I\u3000recognized\u3000you\u3002\u3000You’re\u3000wanted\u3000for\u3000a\u3000murder\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000slumped\u3002\u3000Fache\u3000ran\u3000an\u3000Interpol\u3000broadcast\u3000already\uff1f\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000was\u3000more\u3000motivated\u3000than\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000anticipated\u3002\u3000She\u3000quickly\u3000told\u3000Vernet\u3000who\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000and\u3000what\u3000had\u3000happened\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000tonight\u3002
\nVernet\u3000looked\u3000amazed\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000as\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3000was\u3000dying\uff1b\u3000he\u3000left\u3000you\u3000a\u3000message\u3000telling\u3000you\u3000to\u3000find\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000And\u3000this\u3000key\u3002\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000laid\u3000the\u3000gold\u3000key\u3000on\u3000the\u3000coffee\u3000table\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000Vernet\uff1b\u3000placing\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000seal\u3000face\u3000down\u3002
\nVernet\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000the\u3000key\u3000but\u3000made\u3000no\u3000move\u3000to\u3000touch\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000left\u3000you\u3000only\u3000this\u3000key\uff1f\u3000Nothing\u3000else\uff1f\u3000No\u3000slip\u3000of\u3000paper\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000in\u3000a\u3000hurry\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000Louvre\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000she\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000nothing\u3000else\u3000behind\u3000Madonna\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rocks\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3002\u3000Just\u3000the\u3000key\u3002\u3003
\nVernet\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000helpless\u3000sigh\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000afraid\u3000every\u3000key\u3000is\u3000electronically\u3000paired\u3000with\u3000a\u3000ten\u2026digit\u3000account\u3000number\u3000that\u3000functions\u3000as\u3000a\u3000password\u3002\u3000Without\u3000that\u3000number\uff1b\u3000your\u3000key\u3000is\u3000worthless\u3002\u3003
\nTen\u3000digits\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000reluctantly\u3000calculated\u3000the\u3000cryptographic\u3000odds\u3002\u3000Over\u3000ten\u3000billion\u3000possible\u3000choices\u3002\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000she\u3000could\u3000bring\u3000in\u3000DCPJ’s\u3000most\u3000powerful\u3000parallel\u3000processing\u3000puters\uff1b\u3000she\u3000still\u3000would\u3000need\u3000weeks\u3000to\u3000break\u3000the\u3000code\u3002\u3000\u3003Certainly\uff1b\u3000monsieur\uff1b\u3000considering\u3000the\u3000circumstances\uff1b\u3000you\u3000can\u3000help\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\u3002\u3000I\u3000truly\u3000can\u3000do\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000Clients\u3000select\u3000their\u3000own\u3000account\u3000numbers\u3000via\u3000a\u3000secure\u3000terminal\uff1b\u3000meaning\u3000account\u3000numbers\u3000are\u3000known\u3000only\u3000to\u3000the\u3000client\u3000and\u3000puter\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000one\u3000way\u3000we\u3000ensure\u3000anonymity\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000safety\u3000of\u3000our\u3000employees\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000understood\u3002\u3000Convenience\u3000stores\u3000did\u3000the\u3000same\u3000thing\u3002\u3000EMPLOYEES\u3000DO\u3000NOT\u3000HAVE\u3000KEYS\u3000TO\u3000THE\u3000SAFE\u3002\u3000This\u3000bank\u3000obviously\u3000did\u3000not\u3000want\u3000to\u3000risk\u3000someone\u3000stealing\u3000a\u3000key\u3000and\u3000then\u3000holding\u3000an\u3000employee\u3000hostage\u3000for\u3000the\u3000account\u3000number\u3002
\nSophie\u3000sat\u3000down\u3000beside\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000glanced\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000key\u3000and\u3000then\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Vernet\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000have\u3000any\u3000idea\u3000what\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3000is\u3000storing\u3000in\u3000your\u3000bank\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003None\u3000whatsoever\u3002\u3000That\u3000is\u3000the\u3000definition\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Geldschrank\u3000bank\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Monsieur\u3000Vernet\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000pressed\uff1b\u3000\u3003our\u3000time\u3000tonight\u3000is\u3000short\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000very\u3000direct\u3000if\u3000I\u3000may\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000reached\u3000out\u3000to\u3000the\u3000gold\u3000key\u3000and\u3000flipped\u3000it\u3000over\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000man’s\u3000eyes\u3000as\u3000she\u3000revealed\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u3000seal\u3002\u3000\u3003Does\u3000the\u3000symbol\u3000on\u3000this\u3000key\u3000mean\u3000anything\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n is\u3000key\u3000mean\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\nVernet\u3000glanced\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000fleur\u2026de\u2026lis\u3000seal\u3000and\u3000made\u3000no\u3000reaction\u3002\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000but\u3000many\u3000of\u3000our\u3000clients\u3000emboss\u3000corporate\u3000logos\u3000or\u3000initials\u3000onto\u3000their\u3000keys\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000sighed\uff1b\u3000still\u3000watching\u3000him\u3000carefully\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000seal\u3000is\u3000the\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000society\u3000known\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u3002\u3003
\nVernet\u3000again\u3000showed\u3000no\u3000reaction\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000nothing\u3000of\u3000this\u3002\u3000Your\u3000grandfather\u3000was\u3000a\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we\u3000spoke\u3000mostly\u3000of\u3000business\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000man\u3000adjusted\u3000his\u3000tie\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000nervous\u3000now\u3002
\n\u3003Monsieur\u3000Vernet\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000pressed\uff1b\u3000her\u3000tone\u3000firm\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000grandfather\u3000called\u3000me\u3000tonight\u3000and\u3000told\u3000me\u3000he\u3000and\u3000I\u3000were\u3000in\u3000grave\u3000danger\u3002\u3000He\u3000said\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000give\u3000me\u3000something\u3002\u3000He\u3000gave\u3000me\u3000a\u3000key\u3000to\u3000your\u3000bank\u3002\u3000Now\u3000he\u3000is\u3000dead\u3002\u3000Anything\u3000you\u3000can\u3000tell\u3000us\u3000would\u3000be\u3000helpful\u3002\u3003
\nVernet\u3000broke\u3000a\u3000sweat\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000need\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000building\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000afraid\u3000the\u3000police\u3000will\u3000arrive\u3000shortly\u3002\u3000My\u3000watchman\u3000felt\u3000obliged\u3000to\u3000call\u3000Interpol\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000had\u3000feared\u3000as\u3000much\u3002\u3000She\u3000took\u3000one\u3000last\u3000shot\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000grandfather\u3000said\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000about\u3000my\u3000family\u3002\u3000Does\u3000that\u3000mean\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Mademoiselle\uff1b\u3000your\u3000family\u3000died\u3000in\u3000a\u3000car\u3000accident\u3000when\u3000you\u3000were\u3000young\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000sorry\u3002\u3000I\u3000know\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3000loved\u3000you\u3000very\u3000much\u3002\u3000He\u3000mentioned\u3000to\u3000me\u3000several\u3000times\u3000how\u3000much\u3000it\u3000pained\u3000him\u3000that\u3000you\u3000two\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000out\u3000of\u3000touch\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000uncertain\u3000how\u3000to\u3000respond\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003Do\u3000the\u3000contents\u3000of\u3000this\u3000account\u3000have\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\uff1f\u3003
\nVernet\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000an\u3000odd\u3000look\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000what\u3000that\u3000is\u3002\u3003\u3000Just\u3000then\uff1b\u3000Vernet’s\u3000cell\u3000phone\u3000rang\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000snatched\u3000it\u3000off\u3000his\u3000belt\u3002\u3000\u3003Oui\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000listened\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000his\u3000expression\u3000one\u3000of\u3000surprise\u3000and\u3000growing\u3000concern\u3002\u3000\u3003La\u3000police\uff1f\u3000Si\u3000rapidement\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000cursed\uff1b\u3000gave\u3000some\u3000quick\u3000directions\u3000in\u3000French\uff1b\u3000and\u3000said\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000lobby\u3000in\u3000a\u3000minute\u3002
\nHanging\u3000up\u3000the\u3000phone\uff1b\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000police\u3000have\u3000responded\u3000far\u3000more\u3000quickly\u3000than\u3000usual\u3002\u3000They\u3000are\u3000arriving\u3000as\u3000we\u3000speak\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000had\u3000no\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000leaving\u3000empty\u2026handed\u3002\u3000\u3003Tell\u3000them\u3000we\u3000came\u3000and\u3000went\u3000already\u3002\u3000If\u3000they\u3000want\u3000to\u3000search\u3000the\u3000bank\uff1b\u3000demand\u3000a\u3000search\u3000warrant\u3002\u3000That\u3000will\u3000take\u3000them\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Listen\uff1b\u3003\u3000Vernet\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Jacques\u3000was\u3000a\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000and\u3000my\u3000bank\u3000does\u3000not\u3000need\u3000this\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000press\uff1b\u3000so\u3000for\u3000those\u3000two\u3000reasons\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000allowing\u3000this\u3000arrest\u3000to\u3000be\u3000made\u3000on\u3000my\u3000premises\u3002\u3000Give\u3000me\u3000a\u3000minute\u3000and\u3000I\u3000will\u3000see\u3000what\u3000I\u3000can\u3000do\u3000to\u3000help\u3000you\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000bank\u3000undetected\u3002\u3000Beyond\u3000that\uff1b\u3000I\u3000cannot\u3000get\u3000involved\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000stood\u3000up\u3000and\u3000hurried\u3000for\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000\u3003Stay\u3000here\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000make\u3000arrangements\u3000and\u3000be\u3000right\u3000back\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000the\u3000safe\u2026deposit\u3000box\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000declared\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000can’t\u3000just\u3000leave\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003There’s\u3000nothing\u3000I\u3000can\u3000do\uff1b\u3003\u3000Vernet\u3000said\uff1b\u3000hurrying\u3000out\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000stared\u3000after\u3000him\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000maybe\u3000the\u3000account\u3000number\u3000was\u3000buried\u3000in\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000countless\u3000letters\u3000and\u3000packages\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000had\u3000sent\u3000her\u3000over\u3000the\u3000years\u3000and\u3000which\u3000she\u3000had\u3000left\u3000unopened\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000stood\u3000suddenly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000sensed\u3000an\u3000unexpected\u3000glimmer\u3000of\u3000contentment\u3000in\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002
\n\u3003Robert\uff1f\u3000You’re\u3000smiling\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Your\u3000grandfather\u3000was\u3000a\u3000genius\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Ten\u3000digits\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000talking\u3000about\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000account\u3000number\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000a\u3000familiar\u3000lopsided\u3000grin\u3000now\u3000craning\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000pretty\u3000sure\u3000he\u3000left\u3000it\u3000for\u3000us\u3000after\u3000all\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Where\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000produced\u3000the\u3000printout\u3000of\u3000the\u3000crime\u3000scene\u3000photo\u3000and\u3000spread\u3000it\u3000out\u3000on\u3000the\u3000coffee\u3000table\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000needed\u3000only\u3000to\u3000read\u3000the\u3000first\u3000line\u3000to\u3000know\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000correct\u3002
\n13\u20263\u20262\u202621\u20261\u20261\u20268\u20265
\nO\uff1b\u3000Draconian\u3000devil\uff01
\nOh\uff1b\u3000lame\u3000saint\uff01
\nP\u3002S\u3002\u3000Find\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300044
\n
\n\u3003Ten\u3000digits\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000her\u3000cryptologic\u3000senses\u3000tingling\u3000as\u3000she\u3000studied\u3000the\u3000printout\u3002
\n13\u20263\u20262\u202621\u20261\u20261\u20268\u20265
\nGrand\u2026p\u00e8re\u3000wrote\u3000his\u3000account\u3000number\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000floor\uff01
\nWhen\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000first\u3000seen\u3000the\u3000scrambled\u3000Fibonacci\u3000sequence\u3000on\u3000the\u3000parquet\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000assumed\u3000its\u3000sole\u3000purpose\u3000was\u3000to\u3000encourage\u3000DCPJ\u3000to\u3000call\u3000in\u3000their\u3000cryptographers\u3000and\u3000get\u3000Sophie\u3000involved\u3002\u3000Later\uff1b\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000the\u3000numbers\u3000were\u3000also\u3000a\u3000clue\u3000as\u3000to\u3000how\u3000to\u3000decipher\u3000the\u3000other\u3000lines\u2014a\u3000sequence\u3000out\u3000of\u3000order\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000numeric\u3000anagram\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000utterly\u3000amazed\uff1b\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000numbers\u3000had\u3000a\u3000more\u3000important\u3000meaning\u3000still\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000almost\u3000certainly\u3000the\u3000final\u3000key\u3000to\u3000opening\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000mysterious\u3000safe\u2026deposit\u3000box\u3002
\n\u3003He\u3000was\u3000the\u3000master\u3000of\u3000double\u2026entendres\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000to\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000loved\u3000anything\u3000with\u3000multiple\u3000layers\u3000of\u3000meaning\u3002\u3000Codes\u3000within\u3000codes\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000already\u3000moving\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000electronic\u3000podium\u3000near\u3000the\u3000conveyor\u3000belt\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000grabbed\u3000the\u3000puter\u3000printout\u3000and\u3000followed\u3002
\nThe\u3000podium\u3000had\u3000a\u3000keypad\u3000similar\u3000to\u3000that\u3000of\u3000a\u3000bank\u3000ATM\u3000terminal\u3002\u3000The\u3000screen\u3000displayed\u3000the\u3000bank’s\u3000cruciform\u3000logo\u3002\u3000Beside\u3000the\u3000keypad\u3000was\u3000a\u3000triangular\u3000hole\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000wasted\u3000no\u3000time\u3000inserting\u3000the\u3000shaft\u3000of\u3000her\u3000key\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hole\u3002
\nThe\u3000screen\u3000refreshed\u3000instantly\u3002
\nACCOUNT\u3000NUMBER\uff1a\u3000_\u3000_\u3000_\u3000_\u3000_\u3000_\u3000_\u3000_\u3000_\u3000_
\n\u3000
\nThe\u3000cursor\u3000blinked\u3002\u3000Waiting\u3002
\nTen\u3000digits\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000read\u3000the\u3000numbers\u3000off\u3000the\u3000printout\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000typed\u3000them\u3000in\u3002
\nACCOUNT\u3000NUMBER\uff1a\u30001332211185
\n\u3000
\nWhen\u3000he\u3000had\u3000typed\u3000the\u3000last\u3000digit\uff1b\u3000the\u3000screen\u3000refreshed\u3000again\u3002\u3000A\u3000message\u3000in\u3000several\u3000languages\u3000appeared\u3002\u3000English\u3000was\u3000on\u3000top\u3002
\nCAUTION\uff1a
\nBefore\u3000you\u3000strike\u3000the\u3000enter\u3000key\uff1b\u3000please\u3000check\u3000the\u3000accuracy\u3000of\u3000your\u3000account\u3000number\u3002
\nFor\u3000your\u3000own\u3000security\uff1b\u3000if\u3000the\u3000puter\u3000does\u3000not\u3000recognize\u3000your\u3000account\u3000number\uff1b\u3000this\u3000system\u3000will\u3000automatically\u3000shut\u3000down\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3003Fonction\u3000terminer\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000frowning\u3002\u3000\u3003Looks\u3000like\u3000we\u3000only\u3000get\u3000one\u3000try\u3002\u3003\u3000Standard\u3000ATM\u3000machines\u3000allowed\u3000users\u3000three\u3000attempts\u3000to\u3000type\u3000a\u3000PIN\u3000before\u3000confiscating\u3000their\u3000bank\u3000card\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\u3000obviously\u3000no\u3000ordinary\u3000cash\u3000machine\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000number\u3000looks\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000confirmed\uff1b\u3000carefully\u3000checking\u3000what\u3000they\u3000had\u3000typed\u3000and\u3000paring\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000printout\u3002\u3000He\u3000motioned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ENTER\u3000key\u3002\u3000\u3003Fire\u3000away\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000extended\u3000her\u3000index\u3000finger\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000keypad\uff1b\u3000but\u3000hesitated\uff1b\u3000an\u3000odd\u3000thought\u3000now\u3000hitting\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3003Go\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000urged\u3002\u3000\u3003Vernet\u3000will\u3000be\u3000back\u3000soon\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000pulled\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000away\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000isn’t\u3000the\u3000right\u3000account\u3000number\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3000it\u3000is\uff01\u3000Ten\u3000digits\u3002\u3000What\u3000else\u3000would\u3000it\u3000be\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000too\u3000random\u3002\u3003
\nToo\u3000random\uff1f\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000not\u3000have\u3000disagreed\u3000more\u3002\u3000Every\u3000bank\u3000advised\u3000its\u3000customers\u3000to\u3000choose\u3000PINs\u3000at\u3000random\u3000so\u3000nobody\u3000could\u3000guess\u3000them\u3002\u3000Certainly\u3000clients\u3000here\u3000would\u3000be\u3000advised\u3000to\u3000choose\u3000their\u3000account\u3000numbers\u3000at\u3000random\u3002
\nSophie\u3000deleted\u3000everything\u3000she\u3000had\u3000just\u3000typed\u3000in\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000her\u3000gaze\u3000self\u2026assured\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000far\u3000too\u3000coincidental\u3000that\u3000this\u3000supposedly\u3000random\u3000account\u3000number\u3000could\u3000be\u3000rearranged\u3000to\u3000form\u3000the\u3000Fibonacci\u3000sequence\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000realized\u3000she\u3000had\u3000a\u3000point\u3002\u3000Earlier\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000rearranged\u3000this\u3000account\u3000number\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Fibonacci\u3000sequence\u3002\u3000What\u3000were\u3000the\u3000odds\u3000of\u3000being\u3000able\u3000to\u3000do\u3000that\uff1f
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000at\u3000the\u3000keypad\u3000again\uff1b\u3000entering\u3000a\u3000different\u3000number\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000from\u3000memory\u3002\u3000\u3003Moreover\uff1b\u3000with\u3000my\u3000grandfather’s\u3000love\u3000of\u3000symbolism\u3000and\u3000codes\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seems\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000that\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000chosen\u3000an\u3000account\u3000number\u3000that\u3000had\u3000meaning\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000something\u3000he\u3000could\u3000easily\u3000remember\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000finished\u3000typing\u3000the\u3000entry\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000sly\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003Something\u3000that\u3000appeared\u3000random\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000but\u3000was\u3000not\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000screen\u3002
\nACCOUNT\u3000NUMBER\uff1a\u30001123581321
\n\u3000
\nIt\u3000took\u3000him\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000Langdon\u3000spotted\u3000it\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000was\u3000right\u3002
\nThe\u3000Fibonacci\u3000sequence\u3002
\n1\u20261\u20262\u20263\u20265\u20268\u202613\u202621
\nWhen\u3000the\u3000Fibonacci\u3000sequence\u3000was\u3000melded\u3000into\u3000a\u3000single\u3000ten\u2026digit\u3000number\uff1b\u3000it\u3000became\u3000virtually\u3000unrecognizable\u3002\u3000Easy\u3000to\u3000remember\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000seemingly\u3000random\u3002\u3000A\u3000brilliant\u3000ten\u2026digit\u3000code\u3000that\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000would\u3000never\u3000forget\u3002\u3000Furthermore\uff1b\u3000it\u3000perfectly\u3000explained\u3000why\u3000the\u3000scrambled\u3000numbers\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000floor\u3000could\u3000be\u3000rearranged\u3000to\u3000form\u3000the\u3000famous\u3000progression\u3002
\nSophie\u3000reached\u3000down\u3000and\u3000pressed\u3000the\u3000ENTER\u3000key\u3002
\nNothing\u3000happened\u3002
\nAt\u3000least\u3000nothing\u3000they\u3000could\u3000detect\u3002
\n\u3000
\nAt\u3000that\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000beneath\u3000them\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bank’s\u3000cavernous\u3000subterranean\u3000vault\uff1b\u3000a\u3000robotic\u3000claw\u3000sprang\u3000to\u3000life\u3002\u3000Sliding\u3000on\u3000a\u3000double\u2026axis\u3000transport\u3000system\u3000attached\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000the\u3000claw\u3000headed\u3000off\u3000in\u3000search\u3000of\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000coordinates\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000cement\u3000floor\u3000below\uff1b\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000identical\u3000plastic\u3000crates\u3000lay\u3000aligned\u3000on\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000grid\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000like\u3000rows\u3000of\u3000small\u3000coffins\u3000in\u3000an\u3000underground\u3000crypt\u3002
\nWhirring\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\u3000over\u3000the\u3000correct\u3000spot\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000the\u3000claw\u3000dropped\u3000down\uff1b\u3000an\u3000electric\u3000eye\u3000confirming\u3000the\u3000bar\u3000code\u3000on\u3000the\u3000box\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000with\u3000puter\u3000precision\uff1b\u3000the\u3000claw\u3000grasped\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000handle\u3000and\u3000hoisted\u3000the\u3000crate\u3000vertically\u3002\u3000New\u3000gears\u3000engaged\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000claw\u3000transported\u3000the\u3000box\u3000to\u3000the\u3000far\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000vault\uff1b\u3000ing\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\u3000over\u3000a\u3000stationary\u3000conveyor\u3000belt\u3002
\nGently\u3000now\uff1b\u3000the\u3000retrieval\u3000arm\u3000set\u3000down\u3000the\u3000crate\u3000and\u3000retracted\u3002
\nOnce\u3000the\u3000arm\u3000was\u3000clear\uff1b\u3000the\u3000conveyor\u3000belt\u3000whirred\u3000to\u3000life\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n\u3000
\nUpstairs\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000exhaled\u3000in\u3000relief\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000conveyor\u3000belt\u3000move\u3002\u3000Standing\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000belt\uff1b\u3000they\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000weary\u3000travelers\u3000at\u3000baggage\u3000claim\u3000awaiting\u3000a\u3000mysterious\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000luggage\u3000whose\u3000contents\u3000were\u3000unknown\u3002
\nThe\u3000conveyor\u3000belt\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000room\u3000on\u3000their\u3000right\u3000through\u3000a\u3000narrow\u3000slit\u3000beneath\u3000a\u3000retractable\u3000door\u3002\u3000The\u3000metal\u3000door\u3000slid\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000huge\u3000plastic\u3000box\u3000appeared\uff1b\u3000emerging\u3000from\u3000the\u3000depths\u3000on\u3000the\u3000inclined\u3000conveyor\u3000belt\u3002\u3000The\u3000box\u3000was\u3000black\uff1b\u3000heavy\u3000molded\u3000plastic\uff1b\u3000and\u3000far\u3000larger\u3000than\u3000she\u3000imagined\u3002\u3000It\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000an\u3000air\u2026freight\u3000pet\u3000transport\u3000crate\u3000without\u3000any\u3000airholes\u3002
\nThe\u3000box\u3000coasted\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\u3000directly\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000them\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000stood\u3000there\uff1b\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mysterious\u3000container\u3002
\nLike\u3000everything\u3000else\u3000about\u3000this\u3000bank\uff1b\u3000this\u3000crate\u3000was\u3000industrial\u2014metal\u3000clasps\uff1b\u3000a\u3000bar\u3000code\u3000sticker\u3000on\u3000top\uff1b\u3000and\u3000molded\u3000heavy\u2026duty\u3000handle\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000giant\u3000toolbox\u3002
\nWasting\u3000no\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000unhooked\u3000the\u3000two\u3000buckles\u3000facing\u3000her\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000at\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000Together\uff1b\u3000they\u3000raise \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n Wasting\u3000no\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000unhooked\u3000the\u3000two\u3000buckles\u3000facing\u3000her\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000at\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000Together\uff1b\u3000they\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000lid\u3000and\u3000let\u3000it\u3000fall\u3000back\u3002
\nStepping\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000they\u3000peered\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000crate\u3002
\nAt\u3000first\u3000glance\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000thought\u3000the\u3000crate\u3000was\u3000empty\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000something\u3002\u3000Sitting\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000crate\u3002\u3000A\u3000lone\u3000item\u3002
\nThe\u3000polished\u3000wooden\u3000box\u3000was\u3000about\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000a\u3000shoebox\u3000and\u3000had\u3000ornate\u3000hinges\u3002\u3000The\u3000wood\u3000was\u3000a\u3000lustrous\u3000deep\u3000purple\u3000with\u3000a\u3000strong\u3000grain\u3002\u3000Rosewood\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000realized\u3002\u3000Her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000favorite\u3002\u3000The\u3000lid\u3000bore\u3000a\u3000beautiful\u3000inlaid\u3000design\u3000of\u3000a\u3000rose\u3002\u3000She\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000exchanged\u3000puzzled\u3000looks\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000leaned\u3000in\u3000and\u3000grabbed\u3000the\u3000box\uff1b\u3000lifting\u3000it\u3000out\u3002
\nMy\u3000God\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000heavy\uff01
\nShe\u3000carried\u3000it\u3000gingerly\u3000to\u3000a\u3000large\u3000receiving\u3000table\u3000and\u3000set\u3000it\u3000down\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000stood\u3000beside\u3000her\uff1b\u3000both\u3000of\u3000them\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000the\u3000small\u3000treasure\u3000chest\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000apparently\u3000had\u3000sent\u3000them\u3000to\u3000retrieve\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000stared\u3000in\u3000wonderment\u3000at\u3000the\u3000lid’s\u3000hand\u2026carved\u3000inlay\u2014a\u3000five\u2026petal\u3000rose\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000this\u3000type\u3000of\u3000rose\u3000many\u3000times\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000five\u2026petal\u3000rose\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000\u3003is\u3000a\u3000Priory\u3000symbol\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000see\u3000what\u3000she\u3000was\u3000thinking\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000thinking\u3000it\u3000too\u3002\u3000The\u3000dimensions\u3000of\u3000the\u3000box\uff1b\u3000the\u3000apparent\u3000weight\u3000of\u3000its\u3000contents\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000Priory\u3000symbol\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000all\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000imply\u3000one\u3000unfathomable\u3000conclusion\u3002\u3000The\u3000Cup\u3000of\u3000Christ\u3000is\u3000in\u3000this\u3000wooden\u3000box\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000again\u3000told\u3000himself\u3000it\u3000was\u3000impossible\u3002
\n\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000perfect\u3000size\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000\u3003to\u3000hold\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000chalice\u3002\u3003
\nIt\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000a\u3000chalice\u3002
\nSophie\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000box\u3000toward\u3000her\u3000across\u3000the\u3000table\uff1b\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000open\u3000it\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000moved\u3000it\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000something\u3000unexpected\u3000happened\u3002\u3000The\u3000box\u3000let\u3000out\u3000an\u3000odd\u3000gurgling\u3000sound\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000did\u3000a\u3000double\u3000take\u3002\u3000There’s\u3000liquid\u3000inside\uff1f
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000equally\u3000confused\u3002\u3000\u3003Did\u3000you\u3000just\u3000hear\u3002\u3002\u3002\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000lost\u3002\u3000\u3003Liquid\u3002\u3003
\nReaching\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000slowly\u3000unhooked\u3000the\u3000clasp\u3000and\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000lid\u3002
\nThe\u3000object\u3000inside\u3000was\u3000unlike\u3000anything\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000seen\u3002\u3000One\u3000thing\u3000was\u3000immediately\u3000clear\u3000to\u3000both\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000however\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\u3000definitely\u3000not\u3000the\u3000Cup\u3000of\u3000Christ\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300045
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000police\u3000are\u3000blocking\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3003\u3000Andr\u00e9\u3000Vernet\u3000said\uff1b\u3000walking\u3000into\u3000the\u3000waiting\u3000room\u3002\u3000\u3003Getting\u3000you\u3000out\u3000will\u3000be\u3000difficult\u3002\u3003\u3000As\u3000he\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000door\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Vernet\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000heavy\u2026duty\u3000plastic\u3000case\u3000on\u3000the\u3000conveyor\u3000belt\u3000and\u3000halted\u3000in\u3000his\u3000tracks\u3002\u3000My\u3000God\uff01\u3000They\u3000accessed\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000account\uff1f
\nSophie\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000were\u3000at\u3000the\u3000table\uff1b\u3000huddling\u3000over\u3000what\u3000looked\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000large\u3000wooden\u3000jewelry\u3000box\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000immediately\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000lid\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000had\u3000the\u3000account\u3000number\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002
\nVernet\u3000was\u3000speechless\u3002\u3000This\u3000changed\u3000everything\u3002\u3000He\u3000respectfully\u3000diverted\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000from\u3000the\u3000box\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000his\u3000next\u3000move\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000to\u3000get\u3000them\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bank\uff01\u3000But\u3000with\u3000the\u3000police\u3000already\u3000having\u3000set\u3000up\u3000a\u3000roadblock\uff1b\u3000Vernet\u3000could\u3000imagine\u3000only\u3000one\u3000way\u3000to\u3000do\u3000that\u3002\u3000\u3003Mademoiselle\u3000Neveu\uff1b\u3000if\u3000I\u3000can\u3000get\u3000you\u3000safely\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bank\uff1b\u3000will\u3000you\u3000be\u3000taking\u3000the\u3000item\u3000with\u3000you\u3000or\u3000returning\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000vault\u3000before\u3000you\u3000leave\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000then\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Vernet\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000need\u3000to\u3000take\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nVernet\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003Very\u3000well\u3002\u3000Then\u3000whatever\u3000the\u3000item\u3000is\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suggest\u3000you\u3000wrap\u3000it\u3000in\u3000your\u3000jacket\u3000as\u3000we\u3000move\u3000through\u3000the\u3000hallways\u3002\u3000I\u3000would\u3000prefer\u3000nobody\u3000else\u3000see\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nAs\u3000Langdon\u3000shed\u3000his\u3000jacket\uff1b\u3000Vernet\u3000hurried\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000conveyor\u3000belt\uff1b\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000now\u3000empty\u3000crate\uff1b\u3000and\u3000typed\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000simple\u3000mands\u3002\u3000The\u3000conveyor\u3000belt\u3000began\u3000moving\u3000again\uff1b\u3000carrying\u3000the\u3000plastic\u3000container\u3000back\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000vault\u3002\u3000Pulling\u3000the\u3000gold\u3000key\u3000from\u3000the\u3000podium\uff1b\u3000he\u3000handed\u3000it\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3002
\n\u3003This\u3000way\u3000please\u3002\u3000Hurry\u3002\u3003
\nWhen\u3000they\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000loading\u3000dock\uff1b\u3000Vernet\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000police\u3000lights\u3000filtering\u3000through\u3000the\u3000underground\u3000garage\u3002\u3000He\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000probably\u3000blocking\u3000the\u3000ramp\u3002\u3000Am\u3000I\u3000really\u3000going\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000pull\u3000this\u3000off\uff1f\u3000He\u3000was\u3000sweating\u3000now\u3002
\nVernet\u3000motioned\u3000to\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bank’s\u3000small\u3000armored\u3000trucks\u3002\u3000Transport\u3000s\uff1fr\u3000was\u3000another\u3000service\u3000offered\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Depository\u3000Bank\u3000of\u3000Zurich\u3002
\n\u3003Get\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cargo\u3000hold\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000heaving\u3000open\u3000the\u3000massive\u3000rear\u3000door\u3000and\u3000motioning\u3000to\u3000the\u3000glistening\u3000steel\u3000partment\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000be\u3000right\u3000back\u3002\u3003
\nAs\u3000Sophie\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000climbed\u3000in\uff1b\u3000Vernet\u3000hurried\u3000across\u3000the\u3000loading\u3000dock\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dock\u3000overseer’s\u3000office\uff1b\u3000let\u3000himself\u3000in\uff1b\u3000collected\u3000the\u3000keys\u3000for\u3000the\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000and\u3000found\u3000a\u3000driver’s\u3000uniform\u3000jacket\u3000and\u3000cap\u3002\u3000Shedding\u3000his\u3000own\u3000suit\u3000coat\u3000and\u3000tie\uff1b\u3000he\u3000began\u3000to\u3000put\u3000on\u3000the\u3000driver’s\u3000jacket\u3002\u3000Reconsidering\uff1b\u3000he\u3000donned\u3000a\u3000shoulder\u3000holster\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000uniform\u3002\u3000On\u3000his\u3000way\u3000out\uff1b\u3000he\u3000grabbed\u3000a\u3000driver’s\u3000pistol\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rack\uff1b\u3000put\u3000in\u3000a\u3000clip\uff1b\u3000and\u3000stuffed\u3000it\u3000in\u3000the\u3000holster\uff1b\u3000buttoning\u3000his\u3000uniform\u3000over\u3000it\u3002\u3000Returning\u3000to\u3000the\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000Vernet\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000driver’s\u3000cap\u3000down\u3000low\u3000and\u3000peered\u3000in\u3000at\u3000Sophie\u3000and\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000who\u3000were\u3000standing\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000empty\u3000steel\u3000box\u3002
\n\u3003You’ll\u3000want\u3000this\u3000on\uff1b\u3003\u3000Vernet\u3000said\uff1b\u3000reaching\u3000inside\u3000and\u3000flicking\u3000a\u3000wall\u3000switch\u3000to\u3000illuminate\u3000the\u3000lone\u3000courtesy\u3000bulb\u3000on\u3000the\u3000hold’s\u3000ceiling\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000you’d\u3000better\u3000sit\u3000down\u3002\u3000Not\u3000a\u3000sound\u3000on\u3000our\u3000way\u3000out\u3000the\u3000gate\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000sat\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000metal\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000cradled\u3000the\u3000treasure\u3000wadded\u3000in\u3000his\u3000tweed\u3000jacket\u3002\u3000Swinging\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000doors\u3000closed\uff1b\u3000Vernet\u3000locked\u3000them\u3000inside\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000got\u3000in\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000wheel\u3000and\u3000revved\u3000the\u3000engine\u3002
\nAs\u3000the\u3000armored\u3000truck\u3000lumbered\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ramp\uff1b\u3000Vernet\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000sweat\u3000already\u3000collecting\u3000beneath\u3000his\u3000driver’s\u3000cap\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000see\u3000there\u3000were\u3000far\u3000more\u3000police\u3000lights\u3000in\u3000front\u3000than\u3000he\u3000had\u3000imagined\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000powered\u3000up\u3000the\u3000ramp\uff1b\u3000the\u3000interior\u3000gate\u3000swung\u3000inward\u3000to\u3000let\u3000him\u3000pass\u3002\u3000Vernet\u3000advanced\u3000and\u3000waited\u3000while\u3000the\u3000gate\u3000behind\u3000him\u3000closed\u3000before\u3000pulling\u3000forward\u3000and\u3000tripping\u3000the\u3000next\u3000sensor\u3002\u3000The\u3000second\u3000gate\u3000opened\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000exit\u3000beckoned\u3002
\nExcept\u3000for\u3000the\u3000police\u3000car\u3000blocking\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ramp\u3002
\nVernet\u3000dabbed\u3000his\u3000brow\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000forward\u3002
\nA\u3000lanky\u3000officer\u3000stepped\u3000out\u3000and\u3000waved\u3000him\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\u3000a\u3000few\u3000meters\u3000from\u3000the\u3000roadblock\u3002\u3000Four\u3000patrol\u3000cars\u3000were\u3000parked\u3000out\u3000front\u3002
\nVernet\u3000stopped\u3002\u3000Pulling\u3000his\u3000driver’s\u3000cap\u3000down\u3000farther\uff1b\u3000he\u3000effected\u3000as\u3000rough\u3000a\u3000facade\u3000as\u3000his\u3000cultured\u3000upbringing\u3000would\u3000allow\u3002\u3000Not\u3000budging\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000wheel\uff1b\u3000he\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000door\u3000and\u3000gazed\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000agent\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000face\u3000was\u3000stern\u3000and\u3000sallow\u3002
\n\u3003Qu’est\u2026ce\u3000qui\u3000se\u3000passe\uff1f\u3003\u3000Vernet\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000his\u3000tone\u3000rough\u3002
\n\u3003Je\u3000suis\u3000J\u00e9rome\u3000Collet\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000agent\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Lieutenant\u3000Police\u3000Judiciaire\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000motioned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000truck’s\u3000cargo\u3000hold\u3002\u3000\u3003Qu’est\u2026ce\u3000qu’ily\u3000a\u3000l\u00e0\u3000dedans\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Hell\u3000if\u3000I\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000Vernet\u3000replied\u3000in\u3000crude\u3000French\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000only\u3000a\u3000driver\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000looked\u3000unimpressed\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000two\u3000criminals\u3002\u3003
\nVernet\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000\u3003Then\u3000you\u3000came\u3000to\u3000the\u3000right\u3000spot\u3002\u3000Some\u3000of\u3000these\u3000bastards\u3000I\u3000drive\u3000for\u3000have\u3000so\u3000much\u3000money\u3000they\u3000must\u3000be\u3000criminals\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000agent\u3000held\u3000up\u3000a\u3000passport\u3000picture\u3000of\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000\u3003Was\u3000this\u3000man\u3000in\u3000your\u3000bank\u3000tonight\uff1f\u3003
\nVernet\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3000clue\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000a\u3000dock\u3000rat\u3002\u3000They\u3000don’t\u3000let\u3000us\u3000anywhere\u3000near\u3000the\u3000clients\u3002\u3000You\u3000need\u3000to\u3000go\u3000in\u3000and\u3000ask\u3000the\u3000front\u3000desk\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Your\u3000bank\u3000is\u3000demanding\u3000a\u3000search\u3000warrant\u3000before\u3000we\u3000can\u3000enter\u3002\u3003
\nVernet\u3000put\u3000on\u3000a\u3000disgusted\u3000look\u3002\u3000\u3003Administrators\u3002\u3000Don’t\u3000get\u3000me\u3000started\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Open\u3000your\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000please\u3002\u3003\u3000Collet\u3000motioned\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000cargo\u3000hold\u3002
\nVernet\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000agent\u3000and\u3000forced\u3000an\u3000obnoxious\u3000laugh\u3002\u3000\u3003Open\u3000the\u3000truck\uff1f\u3000You\u3000think\u3000I\u3000have\u3000keys\uff1f\u3000You\u3000think\u3000they\u3000trust\u3000us\uff1f\u3000You\u3000should\u3000see\u3000the\u3000crap\u3000wages\u3000I\u3000get\u3000paid\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000agent’s\u3000head\u3000tilted\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\uff1b\u3000his\u3000skepticism\u3000evident\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000telling\u3000me\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000keys\u3000to\u3000your\u3000own\u3000truck\uff1f\u3003
\nVernet\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000the\u3000cargo\u3000area\u3002\u3000Ignition\u3000only\u3002\u3000These\u3000trucks\u3000get\u3000sealed\u3000by\u3000overseers\u3000on\u3000the\u3000loading\u3000dock\u3002\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000sits\u3000in\u3000dock\u3000while\u3000someone\u3000drives\u3000the\u3000cargo\u3000keys\u3000to\u3000the\u3000drop\u2026off\u3002\u3000Once\u3000we\u3000get\u3000the\u3000call\u3000that\u3000the\u3000cargo\u3000keys\u3000are\u3000with\u3000the\u3000recipient\uff1b\u3000then\u3000I\u3000get\u3000the\u3000okay\u3000to\u3000drive\u3002\u3000Not\u3000a\u3000second\u3000before\u3002\u3000I\u3000never\u3000know\u3000what\u3000the\u3000hell\u3000I’m\u3000lugging\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003When\u3000was\u3000this\u3000truck\u3000sealed\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000hours\u3000ago\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000driving\u3000all\u3000the\u3000way\u3000up\u3000to\u3000St\u3002\u3000Thurial\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000Cargo\u3000keys\u3000are\u3000already\u3000up\u3000there\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000agent\u3000made\u3000no\u3000response\uff1b\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000probing\u3000as\u3000if\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000read\u3000Vernet’s\u3000mind\u3002
\nA\u3000drop\u3000of\u3000sweat\u3000was\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000slide\u3000down\u3000Vernet’s\u3000nose\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000mind\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000wiping\u3000his\u3000nose\u3000with\u3000his\u3000sleeve\u3000and\u3000motioning\u3000to\u3000the\u3000police\u3000car\u3000blocking\u3000his\u3000way\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000on\u3000a\u3000tight\u3000schedule\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Do\u3000all\u3000the\u3000drivers\u3000wear\u3000Rolexes\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000agent\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000to\u3000Vernet’s\u3000wrist\u3002
\nVernet\u3000glanced\u3000down\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000glistening\u3000band\u3000of\u3000his\u3000absurdly\u3000expensive\u3000watch\u3000peeking\u3000out\u3000from\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000sleeve\u3000of\u3000his\u3000jacket\u3002\u3000Merde\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000shit\uff1f\u3000Bought\u3000it\u3000for\u3000twenty\u3000euro\u3000from\u3000a\u3000Taiwanese\u3000street\u3000vendor\u3000in\u3000St\u3002\u3000Germain\u3000des\u3000Pr\u00e9s\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000sell\u3000it\u3000to\u3000you\u3000for\u3000forty\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000agent\u3000paused\u3000and\u3000finally\u3000stepped\u3000aside\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3000thanks\u3002\u3000Have\u3000a\u3000safe\u3000trip\u3002\u3003
\nVernet\u3000did\u3000not\u3000breathe\u3000again\u3000until\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000was\u3000a\u3000good\u3000fifty\u3000meters\u3000down\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3000And\u3000now\u3000he\u3000had\u3000another\u3000problem\u3002\u3000His\u3000cargo\u3002\u3000Where\u3000do\u3000I\u3000take\u3000them\uff1f
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300046
\n
\nSilas\u3000lay\u3000prone\u3000on\u3000the\u3000canvas\u3000mat\u3000in\u3000his\u3000room\uff1b\u3000allowing\u3000the\u3000lash\u3000wounds\u3000on\u3000his\u3000back\u3000to\u3000clot\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000Tonight’s\u3000second\u3000session\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Discipline\u3000had\u3000left\u3000him\u3000dizzy\u3000and\u3000weak\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000yet\u3000to\u3000remove\u3000the\u3000cilice\u3000belt\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000trickling\u3000down\u3000his\u3000inner\u3000thigh\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000not\u3000justify\u3000removing\u3000the\u3000strap\u3002
\nI\u3000have\u3000failed\u3000the\u3000Church\u3002
\nFar\u3000worse\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000failed\u3000the\u3000bishop\u3002
\nTonight\u3000was\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa’s\u3000salvation\u3002\u3000Five\u3000months\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bishop\u3000had\u3000returned\u3000from\u3000a\u3000meeting\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3000Observatory\uff1b\u3000where\u3000he\u3000had\u3000learned\u3000something\u3000that\u3000left\u3000him\u3000deeply\u3000changed\u3002\u3000Depressed\u3000for\u3000weeks\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000had\u3000finally\u3000shared\u3000the\u3000news\u3000with\u3000Silas\u3002
\n\u3003But\u3000this\u3000is\u3000impossible\uff01\u3003\u3000Silas\u3000had\u3000cried\u3000out\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000cannot\u3000accep \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000the\u3000news\u3000with\u3000Silas\u3002
\n\u3003But\u3000this\u3000is\u3000impossible\uff01\u3003\u3000Silas\u3000had\u3000cried\u3000out\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000cannot\u3000accept\u3000it\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003It\u3000is\u3000true\uff1b\u3003\u3000Aringarosa\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Unthinkable\uff1b\u3000but\u3000true\u3002\u3000In\u3000only\u3000six\u3000months\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000bishop’s\u3000words\u3000terrified\u3000Silas\u3002\u3000He\u3000prayed\u3000for\u3000deliverance\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000in\u3000those\u3000dark\u3000days\uff1b\u3000his\u3000trust\u3000in\u3000God\u3000and\u3000The\u3000Way\u3000never\u3000wavered\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000only\u3000a\u3000month\u3000later\u3000that\u3000the\u3000clouds\u3000parted\u3000miraculously\u3000and\u3000the\u3000light\u3000of\u3000possibility\u3000shone\u3000through\u3002
\nDivine\u3000intervention\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000had\u3000called\u3000it\u3002
\nThe\u3000bishop\u3000had\u3000seemed\u3000hopeful\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3002\u3000\u3003Silas\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000\u3003God\u3000has\u3000bestowed\u3000upon\u3000us\u3000an\u3000opportunity\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000The\u3000Way\u3002\u3000Our\u3000battle\uff1b\u3000like\u3000all\u3000battles\uff1b\u3000will\u3000take\u3000sacrifice\u3002\u3000Will\u3000you\u3000be\u3000a\u3000soldier\u3000of\u3000God\uff1f\u3003
\nSilas\u3000fell\u3000to\u3000his\u3000knees\u3000before\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\u2014the\u3000man\u3000who\u3000had\u3000given\u3000him\u3000a\u3000new\u3000life\u2014and\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000a\u3000lamb\u3000of\u3000God\u3002\u3000Shepherd\u3000me\u3000as\u3000your\u3000heart\u3000mands\u3002\u3003
\nWhen\u3000Aringarosa\u3000described\u3000the\u3000opportunity\u3000that\u3000had\u3000presented\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000could\u3000only\u3000be\u3000the\u3000hand\u3000of\u3000God\u3000at\u3000work\u3002\u3000Miraculous\u3000fate\uff01\u3000Aringarosa\u3000put\u3000Silas\u3000in\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000the\u3000man\u3000who\u3000had\u3000proposed\u3000the\u3000plan\u2014a\u3000man\u3000who\u3000called\u3000himself\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3002\u3000Although\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000and\u3000Silas\u3000never\u3000met\u3000face\u2026to\u2026face\uff1b\u3000each\u3000time\u3000they\u3000spoke\u3000by\u3000phone\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000was\u3000awed\uff1b\u3000both\u3000by\u3000the\u3000profundity\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Teacher’s\u3000faith\u3000and\u3000by\u3000the\u3000scope\u3000of\u3000his\u3000power\u3002\u3000The\u3000Teacher\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000man\u3000who\u3000knew\u3000all\uff1b\u3000a\u3000man\u3000with\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000ears\u3000in\u3000all\u3000places\u3002\u3000How\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000gathered\u3000his\u3000information\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000did\u3000not\u3000know\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Aringarosa\u3000had\u3000placed\u3000enormous\u3000trust\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Teacher\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000had\u3000told\u3000Silas\u3000to\u3000do\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000mands\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000bishop\u3000told\u3000Silas\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000we\u3000will\u3000be\u3000victorious\u3002\u3003
\nVictorious\u3002\u3000Silas\u3000now\u3000gazed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bare\u3000floor\u3000and\u3000feared\u3000victory\u3000had\u3000eluded\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000been\u3000tricked\u3002\u3000The\u3000keystone\u3000was\u3000a\u3000devious\u3000dead\u3000end\u3002\u3000And\u3000with\u3000the\u3000deception\uff1b\u3000all\u3000hope\u3000had\u3000vanished\u3002
\nSilas\u3000wished\u3000he\u3000could\u3000call\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3000and\u3000warn\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000removed\u3000all\u3000their\u3000lines\u3000of\u3000direct\u3000munication\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000For\u3000our\u3000safety\u3002
\nFinally\uff1b\u3000overing\u3000enormous\u3000trepidation\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000crawled\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000found\u3000his\u3000robe\uff1b\u3000which\u3000lay\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000He\u3000dug\u3000his\u3000cell\u3000phone\u3000from\u3000the\u3000pocket\u3002\u3000Hanging\u3000his\u3000head\u3000in\u3000shame\uff1b\u3000he\u3000dialed\u3002
\n\u3003Teacher\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000\u3003all\u3000is\u3000lost\u3002\u3003\u3000Silas\u3000truthfully\u3000told\u3000the\u3000man\u3000how\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000tricked\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000lose\u3000your\u3000faith\u3000too\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000just\u3000received\u3000news\u3002\u3000Most\u3000unexpected\u3000and\u3000wele\u3002\u3000The\u3000secret\u3000lives\u3002\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000transferred\u3000information\u3000before\u3000he\u3000died\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000call\u3000you\u3000soon\u3002\u3000Our\u3000work\u3000tonight\u3000is\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000done\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300047
\n
\nRiding\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000dimly\u3000lit\u3000cargo\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000the\u3000armored\u3000truck\u3000was\u3000like\u3000being\u3000transported\u3000inside\u3000a\u3000cell\u3000for\u3000solitary\u3000confinement\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000fought\u3000the\u3000all\u3000too\u3000familiar\u3000anxiety\u3000that\u3000haunted\u3000him\u3000in\u3000confined\u3000spaces\u3002\u3000Vernet\u3000said\u3000he\u3000would\u3000take\u3000us\u3000a\u3000safe\u3000distance\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000Where\uff1f\u3000How\u3000far\uff1f
\nLangdon’s\u3000legs\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000stiff\u3000from\u3000sitting\u3000cross\u2026legged\u3000on\u3000the\u3000metal\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000shifted\u3000his\u3000position\uff1b\u3000wincing\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000pouring\u3000back\u3000into\u3000his\u3000lower\u3000body\u3002\u3000In\u3000his\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000he\u3000still\u3000clutched\u3000the\u3000bizarre\u3000treasure\u3000they\u3000had\u3000extricated\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bank\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000think\u3000we’re\u3000on\u3000the\u3000highway\u3000now\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000whispered\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000sensed\u3000the\u3000same\u3000thing\u3002\u3000The\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000after\u3000an\u3000unnerving\u3000pause\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000bank\u3000ramp\uff1b\u3000had\u3000moved\u3000on\uff1b\u3000snaking\u3000left\u3000and\u3000right\u3000for\u3000a\u3000minute\u3000or\u3000two\uff1b\u3000and\u3000was\u3000now\u3000accelerating\u3000to\u3000what\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000top\u3000speed\u3002\u3000Beneath\u3000them\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bulletproof\u3000tires\u3000hummed\u3000on\u3000smooth\u3000pavement\u3002\u3000Forcing\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rosewood\u3000box\u3000in\u3000his\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000laid\u3000the\u3000precious\u3000bundle\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000unwrapped\u3000his\u3000jacket\uff1b\u3000and\u3000extracted\u3000the\u3000box\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000it\u3000toward\u3000him\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000shifted\u3000her\u3000position\u3000so\u3000they\u3000were\u3000sitting\u3000side\u3000by\u3000side\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000suddenly\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000they\u3000were\u3000two\u3000kids\u3000huddled\u3000over\u3000a\u3000Christmas\u3000present\u3002
\nIn\u3000contrast\u3000to\u3000the\u3000warm\u3000colors\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rosewood\u3000box\uff1b\u3000the\u3000inlaid\u3000rose\u3000had\u3000been\u3000crafted\u3000of\u3000a\u3000pale\u3000wood\uff1b\u3000probably\u3000ash\uff1b\u3000which\u3000shone\u3000clearly\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dim\u3000light\u3002\u3000The\u3000Rose\u3002\u3000Entire\u3000armies\u3000and\u3000religions\u3000had\u3000been\u3000built\u3000on\u3000this\u3000symbol\uff1b\u3000as\u3000had\u3000secret\u3000societies\u3002\u3000The\u3000Rosicrucians\u3002\u3000The\u3000Knights\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rosy\u3000Cross\u3002
\n\u3003Go\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Open\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000took\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\u3002\u3000Reaching\u3000for\u3000the\u3000lid\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stole\u3000one\u3000more\u3000admiring\u3000glance\u3000at\u3000the\u3000intricate\u3000woodwork\u3000and\u3000then\uff1b\u3000unhooking\u3000the\u3000clasp\uff1b\u3000he\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000lid\uff1b\u3000revealing\u3000the\u3000object\u3000within\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000harbored\u3000several\u3000fantasies\u3000about\u3000what\u3000they\u3000might\u3000find\u3000inside\u3000this\u3000box\uff1b\u3000but\u3000clearly\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000wrong\u3000on\u3000every\u3000account\u3002\u3000Nestled\u3000snugly\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000box’s\u3000heavily\u3000padded\u3000interior\u3000of\u3000crimson\u3000silk\u3000lay\u3000an\u3000object\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000not\u3000even\u3000begin\u3000to\u3000prehend\u3002
\nCrafted\u3000of\u3000polished\u3000white\u3000marble\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000stone\u3000cylinder\u3000approximately\u3000the\u3000dimensions\u3000of\u3000a\u3000tennis\u3000ball\u3000can\u3002\u3000More\u3000plicated\u3000than\u3000a\u3000simple\u3000column\u3000of\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cylinder\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000have\u3000been\u3000assembled\u3000in\u3000many\u3000pieces\u3002\u3000Six\u3000doughnut\u2026sized\u3000disks\u3000of\u3000marble\u3000had\u3000been\u3000stacked\u3000and\u3000affixed\u3000to\u3000one\u3000another\u3000within\u3000a\u3000delicate\u3000brass\u3000framework\u3002\u3000It\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000tubular\uff1b\u3000multiwheeled\u3000kaleidoscope\u3002\u3000Each\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cylinder\u3000was\u3000affixed\u3000with\u3000an\u3000end\u3000cap\uff1b\u3000also\u3000marble\uff1b\u3000making\u3000it\u3000impossible\u3000to\u3000see\u3000inside\u3002\u3000Having\u3000heard\u3000liquid\u3000within\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000assumed\u3000the\u3000cylinder\u3000was\u3000hollow\u3002
\nAs\u3000mystifying\u3000as\u3000the\u3000construction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cylinder\u3000was\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000engravings\u3000around\u3000the\u3000tube’s\u3000circumference\u3000that\u3000drew\u3000Langdon’s\u3000primary\u3000focus\u3002\u3000Each\u3000of\u3000the\u3000six\u3000disks\u3000had\u3000been\u3000carefully\u3000carved\u3000with\u3000the\u3000same\u3000unlikely\u3000series\u3000of\u3000letters\u2014the\u3000entire\u3000alphabet\u3002\u3000The\u3000lettered\u3000cylinder\u3000reminded\u3000Langdon\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000childhood\u3000toys\u2014a\u3000rod\u3000threaded\u3000with\u3000lettered\u3000tumblers\u3000that\u3000could\u3000be\u3000rotated\u3000to\u3000spell\u3000different\u3000words\u3002
\n\u3003Amazing\uff1b\u3000isn’t\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000whispered\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000glanced\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3002\u3000What\u3000the\u3000hell\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\nNow\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000glint\u3000in\u3000Sophie’s\u3000eye\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000grandfather\u3000used\u3000to\u3000craft\u3000these\u3000as\u3000a\u3000hobby\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000invented\u3000by\u3000Leonardo\u3000da\u3000Vinci\u3002\u3003
\nEven\u3000in\u3000the\u3000diffuse\u3000light\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000could\u3000see\u3000Langdon’s\u3000surprise\u3002
\n\u3003Da\u3000Vinci\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000muttered\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000again\u3000at\u3000the\u3000canister\u3002
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000called\u3000a\u3000cryptex\u3002\u3000According\u3000to\u3000my\u3000grandfather\uff1b\u3000the\u3000blueprints\u3000e\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000secret\u3000diaries\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000is\u3000it\u3000for\uff1f\u3003
\nConsidering\u3000tonight’s\u3000events\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000answer\u3000might\u3000have\u3000some\u3000interesting\u3000implications\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000vault\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003For\u3000storing\u3000secret\u3000information\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon’s\u3000eyes\u3000widened\u3000further\u3002
\nSophie\u3000explained\u3000that\u3000creating\u3000models\u3000of\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000inventions\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000best\u2026loved\u3000hobbies\u3002\u3000A\u3000talented\u3000craftsman\u3000who\u3000spent\u3000hours\u3000in\u3000his\u3000wood\u3000and\u3000metal\u3000shop\uff1b\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000enjoyed\u3000imitating\u3000master\u3000craftsmen\u2014Faberg\u00e9\uff1b\u3000assorted\u3000cloisonne\u3000artisans\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000less\u3000artistic\uff1b\u3000but\u3000far\u3000more\u3000practical\uff1b\u3000Leonardo\u3000da\u3000Vinci\u3002
\nEven\u3000a\u3000cursory\u3000glance\u3000through\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000journals\u3000revealed\u3000why\u3000the\u3000luminary\u3000was\u3000as\u3000notorious\u3000for\u3000his\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000follow\u2026through\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\u3000famous\u3000for\u3000his\u3000brilliance\u3002\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000had\u3000drawn\u3000up\u3000blueprints\u3000for\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000inventions\u3000he\u3000had\u3000never\u3000built\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000favorite\u3000pastimes\u3000was\u3000bringing\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000more\u3000obscure\u3000brainstorms\u3000to\u3000life\u2014timepieces\uff1b\u3000water\u3000pumps\uff1b\u3000cryptexes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000a\u3000fully\u3000articulated\u3000model\u3000of\u3000a\u3000medieval\u3000French\u3000knight\uff1b\u3000which\u3000now\u3000stood\u3000proudly\u3000on\u3000the\u3000desk\u3000in\u3000his\u3000office\u3002\u3000Designed\u3000by\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000in\u30001495\u3000as\u3000an\u3000outgrowth\u3000of\u3000his\u3000earliest\u3000anatomy\u3000and\u3000kinesiology\u3000studies\uff1b\u3000the\u3000internal\u3000mechanism\u3000of\u3000the\u3000robot\u3000knight\u3000possessed\u3000accurate\u3000joints\u3000and\u3000tendons\uff1b\u3000and\u3000was\u3000designed\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000up\uff1b\u3000wave\u3000its\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000and\u3000move\u3000its\u3000head\u3000via\u3000a\u3000flexible\u3000neck\u3000while\u3000opening\u3000and\u3000closing\u3000an\u3000anatomically\u3000correct\u3000jaw\u3002\u3000This\u3000armor\u2026clad\u3000knight\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000always\u3000believed\uff1b\u3000was\u3000the\u3000most\u3000beautiful\u3000object\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000built\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000that\u3000was\uff1b\u3000until\u3000she\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000in\u3000this\u3000rosewood\u3000box\u3002
\n\u3003He\u3000made\u3000me\u3000one\u3000of\u3000these\u3000when\u3000I\u3000was\u3000little\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000I’ve\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000one\u3000so\u3000ornate\u3000and\u3000large\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon’s\u3000eyes\u3000had\u3000never\u3000left\u3000the\u3000box\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000never\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000a\u3000cryptex\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000not\u3000surprised\u3002\u3000Most\u3000of\u3000Leonardo’s\u3000unbuilt\u3000inventions\u3000had\u3000never\u3000been\u3000studied\u3000or\u3000even\u3000named\u3002\u3000The\u3000term\u3000cryptex\u3000possibly\u3000had\u3000been\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000creation\uff1b\u3000an\u3000apt\u3000title\u3000for\u3000this\u3000device\u3000that\u3000used\u3000the\u3000science\u3000of\u3000cryptology\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000information\u3000written\u3000on\u3000the\u3000contained\u3000scroll\u3000or\u3000codex\u3002
\nDa\u3000Vinci\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000cryptology\u3000pioneer\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000although\u3000he\u3000was\u3000seldom\u3000given\u3000credit\u3002\u3000Sophie’s\u3000university\u3000instructors\uff1b\u3000while\u3000presenting\u3000puter\u3000encryption\u3000methods\u3000for\u3000securing\u3000data\uff1b\u3000praised\u3000modern\u3000cryptologists\u3000like\u3000Zimmerman\u3000and\u3000Schneier\u3000but\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000mention\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Leonardo\u3000who\u3000had\u3000invented\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000first\u3000rudimentary\u3000forms\u3000of\u3000public\u3000key\u3000encryption\u3000centuries\u3000ago\u3002\u3000Sophie’s\u3000grandfather\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000one\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000her\u3000all\u3000about\u3000that\u3002
\nAs\u3000their\u3000armored\u3000truck\u3000roared\u3000down\u3000the\u3000highway\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000explained\u3000to\u3000Langdon\u3000that\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000had\u3000been\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000solution\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dilemma\u3000of\u3000sending\u3000secure\u3000messages\u3000over\u3000long\u3000distances\u3002\u3000In\u3000an\u3000era\u3000without\u3000telephones\u3000or\u3000e\u2026mail\uff1b\u3000anyone\u3000wanting\u3000to\u3000convey\u3000private\u3000information\u3000to\u3000someone\u3000far\u3000away\u3000had\u3000no\u3000option\u3000but\u3000to\u3000write\u3000it\u3000down\u3000and\u3000then\u3000trust\u3000a\u3000messenger\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000the\u3000letter\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000if\u3000a\u3000messenger\u3000suspected\u3000the\u3000letter\u3000might\u3000contain\u3000valuable\u3000information\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000make\u3000far\u3000more\u3000money\u3000selling\u3000the\u3000information\u3000to\u3000adversaries\u3000than\u3000he\u3000could\u3000delivering\u3000the\u3000letter\u3000properly\u3002
\nMany\u3000great\u3000minds\u3000in\u3000history\u3000had\u3000invented\u3000cryptologic\u3000solutions\u3000to\u3000the\u3000challenge\u3000of\u3000data\u3000protection\uff1a\u3000Julius\u3000Caesar\u3000devised\u3000a\u3000code\u2026writing\u3000scheme\u3000called\u3000the\u3000Caesar\u3000Box\uff1b\u3000Mary\uff1b\u3000Queen\u3000of\u3000Scots\u3000created\u3000a\u3000transposition\u3000cipher\u3000and\u3000sent\u3000secret\u3000muniqu\u00e9s\u3000from\u3000prison\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000brilliant\u3000Arab\u3000scientist\u3000Abu\u3000Yusuf\u3000Ismail\u3000al\u2026Kindi\u3000protected\u3000his\u3000secrets\u3000with\u3000an\u3000ingeniously\u3000conceived\u3000polyalphabeti \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n cientist\u3000Abu\u3000Yusuf\u3000Ismail\u3000al\u2026Kindi\u3000protected\u3000his\u3000secrets\u3000with\u3000an\u3000ingeniously\u3000conceived\u3000polyalphabetic\u3000substitution\u3000cipher\u3002
\nDa\u3000Vinci\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000eschewed\u3000mathematics\u3000and\u3000cryptology\u3000for\u3000a\u3000mechanical\u3000solution\u3002\u3000The\u3000cryptex\u3002\u3000A\u3000portable\u3000container\u3000that\u3000could\u3000safeguard\u3000letters\uff1b\u3000maps\uff1b\u3000diagrams\uff1b\u3000anything\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000Once\u3000information\u3000was\u3000sealed\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000cryptex\uff1b\u3000only\u3000the\u3000individual\u3000with\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000password\u3000could\u3000access\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3003We\u3000require\u3000a\u3000password\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000out\u3000the\u3000lettered\u3000dials\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000cryptex\u3000works\u3000much\u3000like\u3000a\u3000bicycle’s\u3000bination\u3000lock\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000align\u3000the\u3000dials\u3000in\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000position\uff1b\u3000the\u3000lock\u3000slides\u3000open\u3002\u3000This\u3000cryptex\u3000has\u3000five\u3000lettered\u3000dials\u3002\u3000When\u3000you\u3000rotate\u3000them\u3000to\u3000their\u3000proper\u3000sequence\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tumblers\u3000inside\u3000align\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000cylinder\u3000slides\u3000apart\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000inside\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Once\u3000the\u3000cylinder\u3000slides\u3000apart\uff1b\u3000you\u3000have\u3000access\u3000to\u3000a\u3000hollow\u3000central\u3000partment\uff1b\u3000which\u3000can\u3000hold\u3000a\u3000scroll\u3000of\u3000paper\u3000on\u3000which\u3000is\u3000the\u3000information\u3000you\u3000want\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000private\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000looked\u3000incredulous\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000you\u3000say\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3000built\u3000these\u3000for\u3000you\u3000when\u3000you\u3000were\u3000younger\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Some\u3000smaller\u3000ones\uff1b\u3000yes\u3002\u3000A\u3000couple\u3000times\u3000for\u3000my\u3000birthday\uff1b\u3000he\u3000gave\u3000me\u3000a\u3000cryptex\u3000and\u3000told\u3000me\u3000a\u3000riddle\u3002\u3000The\u3000answer\u3000to\u3000the\u3000riddle\u3000was\u3000the\u3000password\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cryptex\uff1b\u3000and\u3000once\u3000I\u3000figured\u3000it\u3000out\uff1b\u3000I\u3000could\u3000open\u3000it\u3000up\u3000and\u3000find\u3000my\u3000birthday\u3000card\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003A\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000work\u3000for\u3000a\u3000card\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cards\u3000always\u3000contained\u3000another\u3000riddle\u3000or\u3000clue\u3002\u3000My\u3000grandfather\u3000loved\u3000creating\u3000elaborate\u3000treasure\u3000hunts\u3000around\u3000our\u3000house\uff1b\u3000a\u3000string\u3000of\u3000clues\u3000that\u3000eventually\u3000led\u3000to\u3000my\u3000real\u3000gift\u3002\u3000Each\u3000treasure\u3000hunt\u3000was\u3000a\u3000test\u3000of\u3000character\u3000and\u3000merit\uff1b\u3000to\u3000ensure\u3000I\u3000earned\u3000my\u3000rewards\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000tests\u3000were\u3000never\u3000simple\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000eyed\u3000the\u3000device\u3000again\uff1b\u3000still\u3000looking\u3000skeptical\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000why\u3000not\u3000just\u3000pry\u3000it\u3000apart\uff1f\u3000Or\u3000smash\u3000it\uff1f\u3000The\u3000metal\u3000looks\u3000delicate\uff1b\u3000and\u3000marble\u3000is\u3000a\u3000soft\u3000rock\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003Because\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000is\u3000too\u3000smart\u3000for\u3000that\u3002\u3000He\u3000designed\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000so\u3000that\u3000if\u3000you\u3000try\u3000to\u3000force\u3000it\u3000open\u3000in\u3000any\u3000way\uff1b\u3000the\u3000information\u3000self\u2026destructs\u3002\u3000Watch\u3002\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000reached\u3000into\u3000the\u3000box\u3000and\u3000carefully\u3000lifted\u3000out\u3000the\u3000cylinder\u3002\u3000\u3003Any\u3000information\u3000to\u3000be\u3000inserted\u3000is\u3000first\u3000written\u3000on\u3000a\u3000papyrus\u3000scroll\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Not\u3000vellum\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Papyrus\u3002\u3000I\u3000know\u3000sheep’s\u3000vellum\u3000was\u3000more\u3000durable\u3000and\u3000more\u3000mon\u3000in\u3000those\u3000days\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000papyrus\u3002\u3000The\u3000thinner\u3000the\u3000better\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Okay\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Before\u3000the\u3000papyrus\u3000was\u3000inserted\u3000into\u3000the\u3000cryptex’s\u3000partment\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000rolled\u3000around\u3000a\u3000delicate\u3000glass\u3000vial\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000tipped\u3000the\u3000cryptex\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000liquid\u3000inside\u3000gurgled\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000vial\u3000of\u3000liquid\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Liquid\u3000what\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003Vinegar\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000hesitated\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000and\u3000then\u3000began\u3000nodding\u3002\u3000\u3003Brilliant\u3002\u3003
\nVinegar\u3000and\u3000papyrus\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000thought\u3002\u3000If\u3000someone\u3000attempted\u3000to\u3000force\u3000open\u3000the\u3000cryptex\uff1b\u3000the\u3000glass\u3000vial\u3000would\u3000break\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000vinegar\u3000would\u3000quickly\u3000dissolve\u3000the\u3000papyrus\u3002\u3000By\u3000the\u3000time\u3000anyone\u3000extracted\u3000the\u3000secret\u3000message\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000a\u3000glob\u3000of\u3000meaningless\u3000pulp\u3002
\n\u3003As\u3000you\u3000can\u3000see\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000told\u3000him\uff1b\u3000\u3003the\u3000only\u3000way\u3000to\u3000access\u3000the\u3000information\u3000inside\u3000is\u3000to\u3000know\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000five\u2026letter\u3000password\u3002\u3000And\u3000with\u3000five\u3000dials\uff1b\u3000each\u3000with\u3000twenty\u2026six\u3000letters\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000twenty\u2026six\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fifth\u3000power\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000quickly\u3000estimated\u3000the\u3000permutations\u3002\u3000\u3003Approximately\u3000twelve\u3000million\u3000possibilities\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003If\u3000you\u3000say\u3000so\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000like\u3000he\u3000had\u3000approximately\u3000twelve\u3000million\u3000questions\u3000running\u3000through\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000information\u3000do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000is\u3000inside\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Whatever\u3000it\u3000is\uff1b\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3000obviously\u3000wanted\u3000very\u3000badly\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000it\u3000secret\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000closing\u3000the\u3000box\u3000lid\u3000and\u3000eyeing\u3000the\u3000five\u2026petal\u3000Rose\u3000inlaid\u3000on\u3000it\u3002\u3000Something\u3000was\u3000bothering\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Did\u3000you\u3000say\u3000earlier\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3000is\u3000a\u3000symbol\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Grail\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Exactly\u3002\u3000In\u3000Priory\u3000symbolism\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000are\u3000synonymous\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000furrowed\u3000her\u3000brow\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000strange\uff1b\u3000because\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3000always\u3000told\u3000me\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3000meant\u3000secrecy\u3002\u3000He\u3000used\u3000to\u3000hang\u3000a\u3000rose\u3000on\u3000his\u3000office\u3000door\u3000at\u3000home\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000having\u3000a\u3000confidential\u3000phone\u3000call\u3000and\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000me\u3000to\u3000disturb\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000encouraged\u3000me\u3000to\u3000do\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3003\u3000Sweetie\uff1b\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000said\uff1b\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000lock\u3000each\u3000other\u3000out\uff1b\u3000we\u3000can\u3000each\u3000hang\u3000a\u3000rose\u2014la\u3000fleur\u3000des\u3000secrets\u2014on\u3000our\u3000door\u3000when\u3000we\u3000need\u3000privacy\u3002\u3000This\u3000way\u3000we\u3000learn\u3000to\u3000respect\u3000and\u3000trust\u3000each\u3000other\u3002\u3000Hanging\u3000a\u3000rose\u3000is\u3000an\u3000ancient\u3000Roman\u3000custom\u3002
\n\u3003Sub\u3000rosa\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Romans\u3000hung\u3000a\u3000rose\u3000over\u3000meetings\u3000to\u3000indicate\u3000the\u3000meeting\u3000was\u3000confidential\u3002\u3000Attendees\u3000understood\u3000that\u3000whatever\u3000was\u3000said\u3000under\u3000the\u3000rose\u2014or\u3000sub\u3000rosa\u2014had\u3000to\u3000remain\u3000a\u3000secret\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000quickly\u3000explained\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Rose’s\u3000overtone\u3000of\u3000secrecy\u3000was\u3000not\u3000the\u3000only\u3000reason\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000used\u3000it\u3000as\u3000a\u3000symbol\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000Rosa\u3000rugosa\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000oldest\u3000species\u3000of\u3000rose\uff1b\u3000had\u3000five\u3000petals\u3000and\u3000pentagonal\u3000symmetry\uff1b\u3000just\u3000like\u3000the\u3000guiding\u3000star\u3000of\u3000Venus\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3000strong\u3000iconographic\u3000ties\u3000to\u3000womanhood\u3002\u3000In\u3000addition\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3000had\u3000close\u3000ties\u3000to\u3000the\u3000concept\u3000of\u3000\u3003true\u3000direction\u3003\u3000and\u3000navigating\u3000one’s\u3000way\u3002\u3000The\u3000pass\u3000Rose\u3000helped\u3000travelers\u3000navigate\uff1b\u3000as\u3000did\u3000Rose\u3000Lines\uff1b\u3000the\u3000longitudinal\u3000lines\u3000on\u3000maps\u3002\u3000For\u3000this\u3000reason\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3000was\u3000a\u3000symbol\u3000that\u3000spoke\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000on\u3000many\u3000levels\u2014secrecy\uff1b\u3000womanhood\uff1b\u3000and\u3000guidance\u2014the\u3000feminine\u3000chalice\u3000and\u3000guiding\u3000star\u3000that\u3000led\u3000to\u3000secret\u3000truth\u3002
\nAs\u3000Langdon\u3000finished\u3000his\u3000explanation\uff1b\u3000his\u3000expression\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000tighten\u3000suddenly\u3002
\n\u3003Robert\uff1f\u3000Are\u3000you\u3000okay\uff1f\u3003
\nHis\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000riveted\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rosewood\u3000box\u3002\u3000\u3003Sub\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000rosa\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000choked\uff1b\u3000a\u3000fearful\u3000bewilderment\u3000sweeping\u3000across\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000slowly\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u3003Under\u3000the\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rose\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000cryptex\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000I\u3000know\u3000what\u3000it\u3000is\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300048
\n
\nLangdon\u3000could\u3000scarcely\u3000believe\u3000his\u3000own\u3000supposition\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000considering\u3000who\u3000had\u3000given\u3000this\u3000stone\u3000cylinder\u3000to\u3000them\uff1b\u3000how\u3000he\u3000had\u3000given\u3000it\u3000to\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\uff1b\u3000the\u3000inlaid\u3000Rose\u3000on\u3000the\u3000container\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000formulate\u3000only\u3000one\u3000conclusion\u3002
\nI\u3000am\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000keystone\u3002
\nThe\u3000legend\u3000was\u3000specific\u3002
\nThe\u3000keystone\u3000is\u3000an\u3000encoded\u3000stone\u3000that\u3000lies\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3002
\n\u3003Robert\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000watching\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000going\u3000on\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000needed\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000to\u3000gather\u3000his\u3000thoughts\u3002\u3000\u3003Did\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3000ever\u3000speak\u3000to\u3000you\u3000of\u3000something\u3000called\u3000la\u3000clef\u3000de\u3000vo\uff1fte\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000key\u3000to\u3000the\u3000vault\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000translated\u3002
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000the\u3000literal\u3000translation\u3002\u3000Clef\u3000de\u3000vo\uff1fte\u3000is\u3000a\u3000mon\u3000architectural\u3000term\u3002\u3000Vo\uff1fte\u3000refers\u3000not\u3000to\u3000a\u3000bank\u3000vault\uff1b\u3000but\u3000to\u3000a\u3000vault\u3000in\u3000an\u3000archway\u3002\u3000Like\u3000a\u3000vaulted\u3000ceiling\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000vaulted\u3000ceilings\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000keys\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Actually\u3000they\u3000do\u3002\u3000Every\u3000stone\u3000archway\u3000requires\u3000a\u3000central\uff1b\u3000wedge\u2026shaped\u3000stone\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000which\u3000locks\u3000the\u3000pieces\u3000together\u3000and\u3000carries\u3000all\u3000the\u3000weight\u3002\u3000This\u3000stone\u3000is\uff1b\u3000in\u3000an\u3000architectural\u3000sense\uff1b\u3000the\u3000key\u3000to\u3000the\u3000vault\u3002\u3000In\u3000English\u3000we\u3000call\u3000it\u3000a\u3000keystone\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000watched\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000for\u3000any\u3000spark\u3000of\u3000recognition\u3002
\nSophie\u3000shrugged\uff1b\u3000glancing\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000this\u3000obviously\u3000is\u3000not\u3000a\u3000keystone\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000where\u3000to\u3000begin\u3002\u3000Keystones\u3000as\u3000a\u3000masonry\u3000technique\u3000for\u3000building\u3000stone\u3000archways\u3000had\u3000been\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000best\u2026kept\u3000secrets\u3000of\u3000the\u3000early\u3000Masonic\u3000brotherhood\u3002\u3000The\u3000Royal\u3000Arch\u3000Degree\u3002\u3000Architecture\u3002\u3000Keystones\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000all\u3000interconnected\u3002\u3000The\u3000secret\u3000knowledge\u3000of\u3000how\u3000to\u3000use\u3000a\u3000wedged\u3000keystone\u3000to\u3000build\u3000a\u3000vaulted\u3000archway\u3000was\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wisdom\u3000that\u3000had\u3000made\u3000the\u3000Masons\u3000such\u3000wealthy\u3000craftsmen\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000they\u3000guarded\u3000carefully\u3002\u3000Keystones\u3000had\u3000always\u3000had\u3000a\u3000tradition\u3000of\u3000secrecy\u3002\u3000And\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000cylinder\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rosewood\u3000box\u3000was\u3000obviously\u3000something\u3000quite\u3000different\u3002\u3000The\u3000Priory\u3000keystone\u2014if\u3000this\u3000was\u3000indeed\u3000what\u3000they\u3000were\u3000holding\u2014was\u3000not\u3000at\u3000all\u3000what\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000imagined\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000Priory\u3000keystone\u3000is\u3000not\u3000my\u3000specialty\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000admitted\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000interest\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000primarily\u3000symbologic\uff1b\u3000so\u3000I\u3000tend\u3000to\u3000ignore\u3000the\u3000plethora\u3000of\u3000lore\u3000regarding\u3000how\u3000to\u3000actually\u3000find\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nSophie’s\u3000eyebrows\u3000arched\u3002\u3000\u3003Find\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000gave\u3000an\u3000uneasy\u3000nod\uff1b\u3000speaking\u3000his\u3000next\u3000words\u3000carefully\u3002\u3000\u3003Sophie\uff1b\u3000according\u3000to\u3000Priory\u3000lore\uff1b\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000is\u3000an\u3000encoded\u3000map\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000map\u3000that\u3000reveals\u3000the\u3000hiding\u3000place\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3003
\nSophie’s\u3000face\u3000went\u3000blank\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000you\u3000think\u3000this\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000to\u3000say\u3002\u3000Even\u3000to\u3000him\u3000it\u3000sounded\u3000unbelievable\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000was\u3000the\u3000only\u3000logical\u3000conclusion\u3000he\u3000could\u3000muster\u3002\u3000An\u3000encrypted\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000hidden\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3002
\nThe\u3000idea\u3000that\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000had\u3000been\u3000designed\u3000by\u3000Leonardo\u3000da\u3000Vinci\u2014former\u3000Grand\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u2014shone\u3000as\u3000another\u3000tantalizing\u3000indicator\u3000that\u3000this\u3000was\u3000indeed\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000keystone\u3002\u3000A\u3000former\u3000Grand\u3000Master’s\u3000blueprint\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000brought\u3000to\u3000life\u3000centuries\u3000later\u3000by\u3000another\u3000Priory\u3000member\u3002\u3000The\u3000bond\u3000was\u3000too\u3000palpable\u3000to\u3000dismiss\u3002
\nFor\u3000the\u3000last\u3000decade\uff1b\u3000historians\u3000had\u3000been\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000in\u3000French\u3000churches\u3002\u3000Grail\u3000seekers\uff1b\u3000familiar\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Priory’s\u3000history\u3000of\u3000cryptic\u3000double\u2026talk\uff1b\u3000had\u3000concluded\u3000la\u3000clef\u3000de\u3000vo\uff1fte\u3000was\u3000a\u3000literal\u3000keystone\u2014an\u3000architectural\u3000wedge\u2014an\u3000engraved\uff1b\u3000encrypted\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000inserted\u3000into\u3000a\u3000vaulted\u3000archway\u3000in\u3000a\u3000church\u3002\u3000Beneath\u3000the\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3002\u3000In\u3000architecture\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000shortage\u3000of\u3000roses\u3002\u3000Rose\u3000windows\u3002\u3000Rosette\u3000reliefs\u3002\u3000And\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000an\u3000abundance\u3000of\u3000cinquefoils\u2014the\u3000five\u2026petaled\u3000decorative\u3000flowers\u3000often\u3000found\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000archways\uff1b\u3000directly\u3000over\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3002\u3000The\u3000hiding\u3000place\u3000seemed\u3000diabolically\u3000simple\u3002\u3000The\u3000map\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000was\u3000incorporated\u3000high\u3000in\u3000an\u3000archway\u3000of\u3000some\u3000forgotten\u3000church\uff1b\u3000mocking\u3000the\u3000blind\u3000churchgoers\u3000who\u3000wandered\u3000beneath\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3003This\u3000cryptex\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000argued\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000not\u3000old\u3000enough\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000certain\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3000made\u3000this\u3002\u3000It\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000part\u3000of\u3000any\u3000ancient\u3000Grail\u3000legend\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Actually\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000a\u3000tingle\u3000of\u3000excitement\u3000ripple\u3000through\u3000him\uff1b\u3000\u3003the\u3000keystone\u3000is\u3000believed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000been\u3000created\u3000by\u3000the\u3000P \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003Actually\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000a\u3000tingle\u3000of\u3000excitement\u3000ripple\u3000through\u3000him\uff1b\u3000\u3003the\u3000keystone\u3000is\u3000believed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000been\u3000created\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000sometime\u3000in\u3000the\u3000past\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000decades\u3002\u3003
\nSophie’s\u3000eyes\u3000flashed\u3000disbelief\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000if\u3000this\u3000cryptex\u3000reveals\u3000the\u3000hiding\u3000place\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000why\u3000would\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3000give\u3000it\u3000to\u3000me\uff1f\u3000I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000how\u3000to\u3000open\u3000it\u3000or\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000it\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000even\u3000know\u3000what\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000is\uff01\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000realized\u3000to\u3000his\u3000surprise\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000right\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000had\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000explain\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3000the\u3000true\u3000nature\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000That\u3000story\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000wait\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000focused\u3000on\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3002
\nIf\u3000that\u3000is\u3000indeed\u3000what\u3000this\u3000is\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3002
\nAgainst\u3000the\u3000hum\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bulletproof\u3000wheels\u3000beneath\u3000them\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000quickly\u3000explained\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3000everything\u3000he\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000about\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3002\u3000Allegedly\uff1b\u3000for\u3000centuries\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Priory’s\u3000biggest\u3000secret\u2014the\u3000location\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u2014was\u3000never\u3000written\u3000down\u3002\u3000For\u3000security’s\u3000sake\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000verbally\u3000transferred\u3000to\u3000each\u3000new\u3000rising\u3000s\u00e9n\u00e9chal\u3000at\u3000a\u3000clandestine\u3000ceremony\u3002\u3000However\uff1b\u3000at\u3000some\u3000point\u3000during\u3000the\u3000last\u3000century\uff1b\u3000whisperings\u3000began\u3000to\u3000surface\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000policy\u3000had\u3000changed\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000it\u3000was\u3000on\u3000account\u3000of\u3000new\u3000electronic\u3000eavesdropping\u3000capabilities\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000vowed\u3000never\u3000again\u3000even\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000the\u3000location\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000hiding\u3000place\u3002
\n\u3003But\u3000then\u3000how\u3000could\u3000they\u3000pass\u3000on\u3000the\u3000secret\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003That’s\u3000where\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000es\u3000in\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000explained\u3002\u3000\u3003When\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000top\u3000four\u3000members\u3000died\uff1b\u3000the\u3000remaining\u3000three\u3000would\u3000choose\u3000from\u3000the\u3000lower\u3000echelons\u3000the\u3000next\u3000candidate\u3000to\u3000ascend\u3000as\u3000s\u00e9n\u00e9chal\u3002\u3000Rather\u3000than\u3000telling\u3000the\u3000new\u3000s\u00e9n\u00e9chal\u3000where\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000was\u3000hidden\uff1b\u3000they\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000test\u3000through\u3000which\u3000he\u3000could\u3000prove\u3000he\u3000was\u3000worthy\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000unsettled\u3000by\u3000this\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000suddenly\u3000recalled\u3000her\u3000mentioning\u3000how\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000used\u3000to\u3000make\u3000treasure\u3000hunts\u3000for\u3000her\u2014preuves\u3000de\u3000m\u00e9rite\u3002\u3000Admittedly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000was\u3000a\u3000similar\u3000concept\u3002\u3000Then\u3000again\uff1b\u3000tests\u3000like\u3000this\u3000were\u3000extremely\u3000mon\u3000in\u3000secret\u3000societies\u3002\u3000The\u3000best\u3000known\u3000was\u3000the\u3000Masons’\uff1b\u3000wherein\u3000members\u3000ascended\u3000to\u3000higher\u3000degrees\u3000by\u3000proving\u3000they\u3000could\u3000keep\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000and\u3000by\u3000performing\u3000rituals\u3000and\u3000various\u3000tests\u3000of\u3000merit\u3000over\u3000many\u3000years\u3002\u3000The\u3000tasks\u3000became\u3000progressively\u3000harder\u3000until\u3000they\u3000culminated\u3000in\u3000a\u3000successful\u3000candidate’s\u3000induction\u3000as\u3000thirty\u2026second\u2026degree\u3000Mason\u3002
\n\u3003So\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000is\u3000a\u3000preuve\u3000de\u3000m\u00e9rite\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000a\u3000rising\u3000Priory\u3000s\u00e9n\u00e9chal\u3000can\u3000open\u3000it\uff1b\u3000he\u3000proves\u3000himself\u3000worthy\u3000of\u3000the\u3000information\u3000it\u3000holds\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000forgot\u3000you’d\u3000had\u3000experience\u3000with\u3000this\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000thing\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Not\u3000only\u3000with\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3002\u3000In\u3000cryptology\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000called\u3000a\u3000’self\u2026authorizing\u3000language\u3002’\u3000That\u3000is\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you’re\u3000smart\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000read\u3000it\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000permitted\u3000to\u3000know\u3000what\u3000is\u3000being\u3000said\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000hesitated\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000\u3003Sophie\uff1b\u3000you\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000if\u3000this\u3000is\u3000indeed\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3000your\u3000grandfather’s\u3000access\u3000to\u3000it\u3000implies\u3000he\u3000was\u3000exceptionally\u3000powerful\u3000within\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u3002\u3000He\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000have\u3000been\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000highest\u3000four\u3000members\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000was\u3000powerful\u3000in\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000society\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000certain\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u3000only\u3000assume\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000did\u3000a\u3000double\u3000take\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000was\u3000in\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000society\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000saw\u3000some\u3000things\u3000I\u3000wasn’t\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000see\u3000ten\u3000years\u3000ago\u3002\u3000We\u3000haven’t\u3000spoken\u3000since\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000grandfather\u3000was\u3000not\u3000only\u3000a\u3000ranking\u3000top\u3000member\u3000of\u3000the\u3000group\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000I\u3000believe\u3000he\u3000was\u3000the\u3000top\u3000member\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000could\u3000not\u3000believe\u3000what\u3000she\u3000had\u3000just\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Grand\u3000Master\uff1f\u3000But\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000there’s\u3000no\u3000way\u3000you\u3000could\u3000know\u3000that\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003I’d\u3000rather\u3000not\u3000talk\u3000about\u3000it\u3002\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000looked\u3000away\uff1b\u3000her\u3000expression\u3000as\u3000determined\u3000as\u3000it\u3000was\u3000pained\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000sat\u3000in\u3000stunned\u3000silence\u3002\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\uff1f\u3000Grand\u3000Master\uff1f\u3000Despite\u3000the\u3000astonishing\u3000repercussions\u3000if\u3000it\u3000were\u3000true\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000the\u3000eerie\u3000sensation\u3000it\u3000almost\u3000made\u3000perfect\u3000sense\u3002\u3000After\u3000all\uff1b\u3000previous\u3000Priory\u3000Grand\u3000Masters\u3000had\u3000also\u3000been\u3000distinguished\u3000public\u3000figures\u3000with\u3000artistic\u3000souls\u3002\u3000Proof\u3000of\u3000that\u3000fact\u3000had\u3000been\u3000uncovered\u3000years\u3000ago\u3000in\u3000Paris’s\u3000Biblioth\u00e8que\u3000Nationale\u3000in\u3000papers\u3000that\u3000became\u3000known\u3000as\u3000Les\u3000Dossiers\u3000Secrets\u3002
\nEvery\u3000Priory\u3000historian\u3000and\u3000Grail\u3000buff\u3000had\u3000read\u3000the\u3000Dossiers\u3002\u3000Cataloged\u3000under\u3000Number\u30004\u00b0\u3000lm1\u3000249\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Dossiers\u3000Secrets\u3000had\u3000been\u3000authenticated\u3000by\u3000many\u3000specialists\u3000and\u3000incontrovertibly\u3000confirmed\u3000what\u3000historians\u3000had\u3000suspected\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\uff1a\u3000Priory\u3000Grand\u3000Masters\u3000included\u3000Leonardo\u3000da\u3000Vinci\uff1b\u3000Botticelli\uff1b\u3000Sir\u3000Isaac\u3000Newton\uff1b\u3000Victor\u3000Hugo\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000more\u3000recently\uff1b\u3000Jean\u3000Cocteau\uff1b\u3000the\u3000famous\u3000Parisian\u3000artist\u3002
\nWhy\u3000not\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\uff1f
\nLangdon’s\u3000incredulity\u3000intensified\u3000with\u3000the\u3000realization\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000slated\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000The\u3000Priory\u3000Grand\u3000Master\u3000called\u3000a\u3000meeting\u3000with\u3000me\u3002\u3000Why\uff1f\u3000To\u3000make\u3000artistic\u3000small\u3000talk\uff1f\u3000It\u3000suddenly\u3000seemed\u3000unlikely\u3002\u3000After\u3000all\uff1b\u3000if\u3000Langdon’s\u3000instincts\u3000were\u3000correct\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u3000had\u3000just\u3000transferred\u3000the\u3000brotherhood’s\u3000legendary\u3000keystone\u3000to\u3000his\u3000granddaughter\u3000and\u3000simultaneously\u3000manded\u3000her\u3000to\u3000find\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3002
\nInconceivable\uff01
\nLangdon’s\u3000imagination\u3000could\u3000conjure\u3000no\u3000set\u3000of\u3000circumstances\u3000that\u3000would\u3000explain\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000behavior\u3002\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000feared\u3000his\u3000own\u3000death\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000three\u3000s\u00e9n\u00e9chaux\u3000who\u3000also\u3000possessed\u3000the\u3000secret\u3000and\u3000therefore\u3000guaranteed\u3000the\u3000Priory’s\u3000security\u3002\u3000Why\u3000would\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000take\u3000such\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000risk\u3000giving\u3000his\u3000granddaughter\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000when\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000didn’t\u3000get\u3000along\uff1f\u3000And\u3000why\u3000involve\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000total\u3000stranger\uff1f
\nA\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000this\u3000puzzle\u3000is\u3000missing\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\u3002
\nThe\u3000answers\u3000were\u3000apparently\u3000going\u3000to\u3000have\u3000to\u3000wait\u3002\u3000The\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000the\u3000slowing\u3000engine\u3000caused\u3000them\u3000both\u3000to\u3000look\u3000up\u3002\u3000Gravel\u3000crunched\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000tires\u3002\u3000Why\u3000is\u3000he\u3000pulling\u3000over\u3000already\uff1f\u3000Langdon\u3000wondered\u3002\u3000Vernet\u3000had\u3000told\u3000them\u3000he\u3000would\u3000take\u3000them\u3000well\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000city\u3000to\u3000safety\u3002\u3000The\u3000truck\u3000decelerated\u3000to\u3000a\u3000crawl\u3000and\u3000made\u3000its\u3000way\u3000over\u3000unexpectedly\u3000rough\u3000terrain\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000shot\u3000Langdon\u3000an\u3000uneasy\u3000look\uff1b\u3000hastily\u3000closing\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000box\u3000and\u3000latching\u3000it\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000slipped\u3000his\u3000jacket\u3000back\u3000on\u3002
\nWhen\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000came\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\uff1b\u3000the\u3000engine\u3000remained\u3000idling\u3000as\u3000the\u3000locks\u3000on\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000doors\u3000began\u3000to\u3000turn\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000doors\u3000swung\u3000open\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000to\u3000see\u3000they\u3000were\u3000parked\u3000in\u3000a\u3000wooded\u3000area\uff1b\u3000well\u3000off\u3000the\u3000road\u3002\u3000Vernet\u3000stepped\u3000into\u3000view\uff1b\u3000a\u3000strained\u3000look\u3000in\u3000his\u3000eye\u3002\u3000In\u3000his\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000he\u3000held\u3000a\u3000pistol\u3002
\n\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\u3000about\u3000this\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000really\u3000have\u3000no\u3000choice\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300049
\n
\nAndr\u00e9\u3000Vernet\u3000looked\u3000awkward\u3000with\u3000a\u3000pistol\uff1b\u3000but\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000shone\u3000with\u3000a\u3000determination\u3000that\u3000Langdon\u3000sensed\u3000would\u3000be\u3000unwise\u3000to\u3000test\u3002
\n\u3003I’m\u3000afraid\u3000I\u3000must\u3000insist\uff1b\u3003\u3000Vernet\u3000said\uff1b\u3000training\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000on\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000idling\u3000truck\u3002\u3000\u3003Set\u3000the\u3000box\u3000down\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000clutched\u3000the\u3000box\u3000to\u3000her\u3000chest\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000said\u3000you\u3000and\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3000were\u3000friends\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000duty\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000your\u3000grandfather’s\u3000assets\uff1b\u3003\u3000Vernet\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000that\u3000is\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000I\u3000am\u3000doing\u3002\u3000Now\u3000set\u3000the\u3000box\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003My\u3000grandfather\u3000entrusted\u3000this\u3000to\u3000me\uff01\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000declared\u3002
\n\u3003Do\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Vernet\u3000manded\uff1b\u3000raising\u3000the\u3000gun\u3002
\nSophie\u3000set\u3000the\u3000box\u3000at\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000barrel\u3000swing\u3000now\u3000in\u3000his\u3000direction\u3002
\n\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3003\u3000Vernet\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003you\u3000will\u3000bring\u3000the\u3000box\u3000over\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3000And\u3000be\u3000aware\u3000that\u3000I’m\u3000asking\u3000you\u3000because\u3000you\u3000I\u3000would\u3000not\u3000hesitate\u3000to\u3000shoot\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000banker\u3000in\u3000disbelief\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000are\u3000you\u3000doing\u3000this\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Why\u3000do\u3000you\u3000imagine\uff1f\u3003\u3000Vernet\u3000snapped\uff1b\u3000his\u3000accented\u3000English\u3000terse\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003To\u3000protect\u3000my\u3000client’s\u3000assets\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000are\u3000your\u3000clients\u3000now\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002
\nVernet’s\u3000visage\u3000turned\u3000ice\u2026cold\uff1b\u3000an\u3000eerie\u3000transformation\u3002\u3000\u3003Mademoiselle\u3000Neveu\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000how\u3000you\u3000got\u3000that\u3000key\u3000and\u3000account\u3000number\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000seems\u3000obvious\u3000that\u3000foul\u3000play\u3000was\u3000involved\u3002\u3000Had\u3000I\u3000known\u3000the\u3000extent\u3000of\u3000your\u3000crimes\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000never\u3000have\u3000helped\u3000you\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000bank\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000told\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003we\u3000had\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000my\u3000grandfather’s\u3000death\uff01\u3003
\nVernet\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000yet\u3000the\u3000radio\u3000claims\u3000you\u3000are\u3000wanted\u3000not\u3000only\u3000for\u3000the\u3000murder\u3000of\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000but\u3000for\u3000those\u3000of\u3000three\u3000other\u3000men\u3000as\u3000well\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003What\uff01\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000thunderstruck\u3002\u3000Three\u3000more\u3000murders\uff1f\u3000The\u3000coincidental\u3000number\u3000hit\u3000him\u3000harder\u3000than\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000the\u3000prime\u3000suspect\u3002\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000too\u3000unlikely\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000coincidence\u3002\u3000The\u3000three\u3000s\u00e9n\u00e9chaux\uff1f\u3000Langdon’s\u3000eyes\u3000dropped\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rosewood\u3000box\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000s\u00e9n\u00e9chaux\u3000were\u3000murdered\uff1b\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000no\u3000options\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000to\u3000transfer\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000to\u3000someone\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000police\u3000can\u3000sort\u3000that\u3000out\u3000when\u3000I\u3000turn\u3000you\u3000in\uff1b\u3003\u3000Vernet\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000gotten\u3000my\u3000bank\u3000involved\u3000too\u3000far\u3000already\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000glared\u3000at\u3000Vernet\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000obviously\u3000have\u3000no\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000turning\u3000us\u3000in\u3002\u3000You\u3000would\u3000have\u3000driven\u3000us\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bank\u3002\u3000And\u3000instead\u3000you\u3000bring\u3000us\u3000out\u3000here\u3000and\u3000hold\u3000us\u3000at\u3000gunpoint\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Your\u3000grandfather\u3000hired\u3000me\u3000for\u3000one\u3000reason\u2014to\u3000keep\u3000his\u3000possessions\u3000both\u3000safe\u3000and\u3000private\u3002\u3000Whatever\u3000this\u3000box\u3000contains\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000letting\u3000it\u3000bee\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000cataloged\u3000evidence\u3000in\u3000a\u3000police\u3000investigation\u3002\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000bring\u3000me\u3000the\u3000box\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000do\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nA\u3000gunshot\u3000roared\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000bullet\u3000tore\u3000into\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000above\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000reverberation\u3000shook\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000as\u3000a\u3000spent\u3000shell\u3000clinked\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000cargo\u3000floor\u3002
\nShit\uff01\u3000Langdon\u3000froze\u3002
\nVernet\u3000spoke\u3000more\u3000confidently\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000pick\u3000up\u3000the\u3000box\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000lifted\u3000the\u3000box\u3002
\n\u3003Now\u3000bring\u3000it\u3000over\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3003\u3000Vernet\u3000was\u3000taking\u3000dead\u3000aim\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000bumper\uff1b\u3000his\u3000gun\u3000outstretched\u3000into\u3000the\u3000cargo\u3000hold\u3000now\u3002
\nBox\u3000in\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000moved\u3000across\u3000the\u3000hold\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000open\u3000door\u3002
\nI’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000do\u3000something\uff01\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000about\u3000to\u3000hand\u3000over\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000keystone\uff01\u3000As\u3000Langdon\u3000moved\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000doorway\uff1b\u3000his\u3000position\u3000of\u3000higher\u3000ground\u3000became\u3000more\u3000pronounced\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000began \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n is\u3000position\u3000of\u3000higher\u3000ground\u3000became\u3000more\u3000pronounced\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000began\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000he\u3000could\u3000somehow\u3000use\u3000it\u3000to\u3000his\u3000advantage\u3002\u3000Vernet’s\u3000gun\uff1b\u3000though\u3000raised\uff1b\u3000was\u3000at\u3000Langdon’s\u3000knee\u3000level\u3002\u3000A\u3000well\u2026placed\u3000kick\u3000perhaps\uff1f\u3000Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Langdon\u3000neared\uff1b\u3000Vernet\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000sense\u3000the\u3000dangerous\u3000dynamic\u3000developing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000took\u3000several\u3000steps\u3000back\uff1b\u3000repositioning\u3000himself\u3000six\u3000feet\u3000away\u3002\u3000Well\u3000out\u3000of\u3000reach\u3002
\nVernet\u3000manded\uff1b\u3000\u3003Place\u3000the\u3000box\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3003
\nSeeing\u3000no\u3000options\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000knelt\u3000down\u3000and\u3000set\u3000the\u3000rosewood\u3000box\u3000at\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cargo\u3000hold\uff1b\u3000directly\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000open\u3000doors\u3002
\n\u3003Now\u3000stand\u3000up\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000began\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000up\u3000but\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000spying\u3000the\u3000small\uff1b\u3000spent\u3000pistol\u3000shell\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000truck’s\u3000precision\u2026crafted\u3000doorsill\u3002
\n\u3003Stand\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000step\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000box\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000paused\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000longer\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000the\u3000metal\u3000threshold\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000stood\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000did\uff1b\u3000he\u3000discreetly\u3000brushed\u3000the\u3000shell\u3000over\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000narrow\u3000ledge\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000door’s\u3000lower\u3000sill\u3002\u3000Fully\u3000upright\u3000now\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000stepped\u3000backward\u3002
\n\u3003Return\u3000to\u3000the\u3000back\u3000wall\u3000and\u3000turn\u3000around\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000obeyed\u3002
\n\u3000
\nVernet\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000his\u3000own\u3000heart\u3000pounding\u3002\u3000Aiming\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000with\u3000his\u3000right\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000now\u3000with\u3000his\u3000left\u3000for\u3000the\u3000wooden\u3000box\u3002\u3000He\u3000discovered\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000far\u3000too\u3000heavy\u3002\u3000I\u3000need\u3000two\u3000hands\u3002\u3000Turning\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000back\u3000to\u3000his\u3000captives\uff1b\u3000he\u3000calculated\u3000the\u3000risk\u3002\u3000Both\u3000were\u3000a\u3000good\u3000fifteen\u3000feet\u3000away\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000far\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cargo\u3000hold\uff1b\u3000facing\u3000away\u3000from\u3000him\u3002\u3000Vernet\u3000made\u3000up\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002\u3000Quickly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000laid\u3000down\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bumper\uff1b\u3000lifted\u3000the\u3000box\u3000with\u3000two\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000and\u3000set\u3000it\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000immediately\u3000grabbing\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000again\u3000and\u3000aiming\u3000it\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hold\u3002\u3000Neither\u3000of\u3000his\u3000prisoners\u3000had\u3000moved\u3002
\nPerfect\u3002\u3000Now\u3000all\u3000that\u3000remained\u3000was\u3000to\u3000close\u3000and\u3000lock\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000Leaving\u3000the\u3000box\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000for\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000he\u3000grabbed\u3000the\u3000metal\u3000door\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000heave\u3000it\u3000closed\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000door\u3000swung\u3000past\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Vernet\u3000reached\u3000up\u3000to\u3000grab\u3000the\u3000single\u3000bolt\u3000that\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000slid\u3000into\u3000place\u3002\u3000The\u3000door\u3000closed\u3000with\u3000a\u3000thud\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Vernet\u3000quickly\u3000grabbed\u3000the\u3000bolt\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000left\u3002\u3000The\u3000bolt\u3000slid\u3000a\u3000few\u3000inches\u3000and\u3000crunched\u3000to\u3000an\u3000unexpected\u3000halt\uff1b\u3000not\u3000lining\u3000up\u3000with\u3000its\u3000sleeve\u3002\u3000What’s\u3000going\u3000on\uff1f\u3000Vernet\u3000pulled\u3000again\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000bolt\u3000wouldn’t\u3000lock\u3002\u3000The\u3000mechanism\u3000was\u3000not\u3000properly\u3000aligned\u3002\u3000The\u3000door\u3000isn’t\u3000fully\u3000closed\uff01\u3000Feeling\u3000a\u3000surge\u3000of\u3000panic\uff1b\u3000Vernet\u3000shoved\u3000hard\u3000against\u3000the\u3000outside\u3000of\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000refused\u3000to\u3000budge\u3002\u3000Something\u3000is\u3000blocking\u3000it\uff01\u3000Vernet\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000throw\u3000full\u3000shoulder\u3000into\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000but\u3000this\u3000time\u3000the\u3000door\u3000exploded\u3000outward\uff1b\u3000striking\u3000Vernet\u3000in\u3000the\u3000face\u3000and\u3000sending\u3000him\u3000reeling\u3000backward\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000his\u3000nose\u3000shattering\u3000in\u3000pain\u3002\u3000The\u3000gun\u3000flew\u3000as\u3000Vernet\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000his\u3000face\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000warm\u3000blood\u3000running\u3000from\u3000his\u3000nose\u3002
\nRobert\u3000Langdon\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000somewhere\u3000nearby\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Vernet\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000get\u3000up\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000see\u3002\u3000His\u3000vision\u3000blurred\u3000and\u3000he\u3000fell\u3000backward\u3000again\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000was\u3000shouting\u3002\u3000Moments\u3000later\uff1b\u3000Vernet\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000cloud\u3000of\u3000dirt\u3000and\u3000exhaust\u3000billowing\u3000over\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000crunching\u3000of\u3000tires\u3000on\u3000gravel\u3000and\u3000sat\u3000up\u3000just\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000truck’s\u3000wide\u3000wheelbase\u3000fail\u3000to\u3000navigate\u3000a\u3000turn\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000crash\u3000as\u3000the\u3000front\u3000bumper\u3000clipped\u3000a\u3000tree\u3002\u3000The\u3000engine\u3000roared\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000tree\u3000bent\u3002\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000bumper\u3000that\u3000gave\uff1b\u3000tearing\u3000half\u3000off\u3002\u3000The\u3000armored\u3000car\u3000lurched\u3000away\uff1b\u3000its\u3000front\u3000bumper\u3000dragging\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000paved\u3000access\u3000road\uff1b\u3000a\u3000shower\u3000of\u3000sparks\u3000lit\u3000up\u3000the\u3000night\uff1b\u3000trailing\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000as\u3000it\u3000sped\u3000away\u3002
\nVernet\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000where\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000had\u3000been\u3000parked\u3002\u3000Even\u3000in\u3000the\u3000faint\u3000moonlight\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000there\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000there\u3002
\nThe\u3000wooden\u3000box\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300050
\n
\nThe\u3000unmarked\u3000Fiat\u3000sedan\u3000departing\u3000Castel\u3000Gandolfo\u3000snaked\u3000downward\u3000through\u3000the\u3000Alban\u3000Hills\u3000into\u3000the\u3000valley\u3000below\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000back\u3000seat\uff1b\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3000smiled\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000the\u3000weight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bearer\u3000bonds\u3000in\u3000the\u3000briefcase\u3000on\u3000his\u3000lap\u3000and\u3000wondering\u3000how\u3000long\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000before\u3000he\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000could\u3000make\u3000the\u3000exchange\u3002
\nTwenty\u3000million\u3000euro\u3002
\nThe\u3000sum\u3000would\u3000buy\u3000Aringarosa\u3000power\u3000far\u3000more\u3000valuable\u3000than\u3000that\u3002
\nAs\u3000his\u3000car\u3000sped\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000Rome\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000again\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000wondering\u3000why\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000contacted\u3000him\u3002\u3000Pulling\u3000his\u3000cell\u3000phone\u3000from\u3000his\u3000cassock\u3000pocket\uff1b\u3000he\u3000checked\u3000the\u3000carrier\u3000signal\u3002\u3000Extremely\u3000faint\u3002
\n\u3003Cell\u3000service\u3000is\u3000intermittent\u3000up\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000driver\u3000said\uff1b\u3000glancing\u3000at\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rearview\u3000mirror\u3002\u3000\u3003In\u3000about\u3000five\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000be\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mountains\uff1b\u3000and\u3000service\u3000improves\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\u3002\u3003\u3000Aringarosa\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000surge\u3000of\u3000concern\u3002\u3000No\u3000service\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mountains\uff1f\u3000Maybe\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000been\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000him\u3000all\u3000this\u3000time\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000something\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000terribly\u3000wrong\u3002
\nQuickly\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000checked\u3000the\u3000phone’s\u3000voice\u3000mail\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3002\u3000Then\u3000again\uff1b\u3000he\u3000realized\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000never\u3000would\u3000have\u3000left\u3000a\u3000recorded\u3000message\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000a\u3000man\u3000who\u3000took\u3000enormous\u3000care\u3000with\u3000his\u3000munications\u3002\u3000Nobody\u3000understood\u3000better\u3000than\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000the\u3000perils\u3000of\u3000speaking\u3000openly\u3000in\u3000this\u3000modern\u3000world\u3002\u3000Electronic\u3000eavesdropping\u3000had\u3000played\u3000a\u3000major\u3000role\u3000in\u3000how\u3000he\u3000had\u3000gathered\u3000his\u3000astonishing\u3000array\u3000of\u3000secret\u3000knowledge\u3002
\nFor\u3000this\u3000reason\uff1b\u3000he\u3000takes\u3000extra\u3000precautions\u3002
\nUnfortunately\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Teacher’s\u3000protocols\u3000for\u3000caution\u3000included\u3000a\u3000refusal\u3000to\u3000give\u3000Aringarosa\u3000any\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000contact\u3000number\u3002\u3000I\u3000alone\u3000will\u3000initiate\u3000contact\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000informed\u3000him\u3002\u3000So\u3000keep\u3000your\u3000phone\u3000close\u3002\u3000Now\u3000that\u3000Aringarosa\u3000realized\u3000his\u3000phone\u3000might\u3000not\u3000have\u3000been\u3000working\u3000properly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000feared\u3000what\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000might\u3000think\u3000if\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000repeatedly\u3000phoning\u3000with\u3000no\u3000answer\u3002
\nHe’ll\u3000think\u3000something\u3000is\u3000wrong\u3002
\nOr\u3000that\u3000I\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000get\u3000the\u3000bonds\u3002
\nThe\u3000bishop\u3000broke\u3000a\u3000light\u3000sweat\u3002
\nOr\u3000worse\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000that\u3000I\u3000took\u3000the\u3000money\u3000and\u3000ran\uff01
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300051
\n
\nEven\u3000at\u3000a\u3000modest\u3000sixty\u3000kilometers\u3000an\u3000hour\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dangling\u3000front\u3000bumper\u3000of\u3000the\u3000armored\u3000truck\u3000grated\u3000against\u3000the\u3000deserted\u3000suburban\u3000road\u3000with\u3000a\u3000grinding\u3000roar\uff1b\u3000spraying\u3000sparks\u3000up\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000hood\u3002
\nWe’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000get\u3000off\u3000the\u3000road\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\u3002
\nHe\u3000could\u3000barely\u3000even\u3000see\u3000where\u3000they\u3000were\u3000headed\u3002\u3000The\u3000truck’s\u3000lone\u3000working\u3000headlight\u3000had\u3000been\u3000knocked\u3000off\u2026center\u3000and\u3000was\u3000casting\u3000a\u3000skewed\u3000sidelong\u3000beam\u3000into\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000country\u3000highway\u3002\u3000Apparently\u3000the\u3000armor\u3000in\u3000this\u3000\u3003armored\u3000truck\u3003\u3000referred\u3000only\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cargo\u3000hold\u3000and\u3000not\u3000the\u3000front\u3000end\u3002
\nSophie\u3000sat\u3000in\u3000the\u3000passenger\u3000seat\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000blankly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000rosewood\u3000box\u3000on\u3000her\u3000lap\u3002
\n\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000okay\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000asked\u3002
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000shaken\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000believe\u3000him\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003About\u3000the\u3000three\u3000additional\u3000murders\uff1f\u3000Absolutely\u3002\u3000It\u3000answers\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000questions\u2014the\u3000issue\u3000of\u3000your\u3000grandfather’s\u3000desperation\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000on\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000the\u3000intensity\u3000with\u3000which\u3000Fache\u3000is\u3000hunting\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000I\u3000meant\u3000about\u3000Vernet\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000his\u3000bank\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000opposed\u3000to\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Taking\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000for\u3000himself\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000not\u3000even\u3000considered\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000would\u3000he\u3000even\u3000know\u3000what\u3000this\u3000box\u3000contains\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003His\u3000bank\u3000stored\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000things\u3002\u3000He\u3000might\u3000have\u3000decided\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000for\u3000himself\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000Vernet\u3000hardly\u3000seemed\u3000the\u3000type\u3002\u3000\u3003In\u3000my\u3000experience\uff1b\u3000there\u3000are\u3000only\u3000two\u3000reasons\u3000people\u3000seek\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000Either\u3000they\u3000are\u3000naive\u3000and\u3000believe\u3000they\u3000are\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000the\u3000long\u2026lost\u3000Cup\u3000of\u3000Christ\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Or\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Or\u3000they\u3000know\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000and\u3000are\u3000threatened\u3000by\u3000it\u3002\u3000Many\u3000groups\u3000throughout\u3000history\u3000have\u3000sought\u3000to\u3000destroy\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000silence\u3000between\u3000them\u3000accentuated\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000the\u3000scraping\u3000bumper\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000driven\u3000a\u3000few\u3000kilometers\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000as\u3000Langdon\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000cascade\u3000of\u3000sparks\u3000ing\u3000off\u3000the\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000dangerous\u3002\u3000Either\u3000way\uff1b\u3000if\u3000they\u3000passed\u3000another\u3000car\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000certainly\u3000draw\u3000attention\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000made\u3000up\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002
\n\u3003I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000see\u3000if\u3000I\u3000can\u3000bend\u3000this\u3000bumper\u3000back\u3002\u3003
\nPulling\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000he\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\u3002
\nSilence\u3000at\u3000last\u3002
\nAs\u3000Langdon\u3000walked\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000surprisingly\u3000alert\u3002\u3000Staring\u3000into\u3000the\u3000barrel\u3000of\u3000yet\u3000another\u3000gun\u3000tonight\u3000had\u3000given\u3000him\u3000a\u3000second\u3000wind\u3002\u3000He\u3000took\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\u3000of\u3000nighttime\u3000air\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000get\u3000his\u3000wits\u3000about\u3000him\u3002\u3000Acpanying\u3000the\u3000gravity\u3000of\u3000being\u3000a\u3000hunted\u3000man\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000ponderous\u3000weight\u3000of\u3000responsibility\uff1b\u3000the\u3000prospect\u3000that\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000might\u3000actually\u3000be\u3000holding\u3000an\u3000encrypted\u3000set\u3000of\u3000directions\u3000to\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000most\u3000enduring\u3000mysteries\u3000of\u3000all\u3000time\u3002
\nAs\u3000if\u3000this\u3000burden\u3000were\u3000not\u3000great\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000now\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000any\u3000possibility\u3000of\u3000finding\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000return\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000had\u3000just\u3000evaporated\u3002\u3000News\u3000of\u3000the\u3000three\u3000additional\u3000murders\u3000had\u3000dire\u3000implications\u3002\u3000The\u3000Priory\u3000has\u3000been\u3000infiltrated\u3002\u3000They\u3000are\u3000promised\u3002\u3000The\u3000brotherhood\u3000was\u3000obviously\u3000being\u3000watched\uff1b\u3000or\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000mole\u3000within\u3000the\u3000ranks\u3002\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000explain\u3000why\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000might\u3000have\u3000transferred\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u2014people\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000brotherhood\uff1b\u3000people\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000were\u3000not\u3000promised\u3002\u3000We\u3000can’t\u3000very\u3000well\u3000give\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000brotherhood\u3002\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000any\u3000idea\u3000how\u3000to\u3000find\u3000a\u3000Priory\u3000member\uff1b\u3000chances\u3000were\u3000good\u3000that\u3000whoever\u3000stepped\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000take\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000could\u3000be\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000himself\u3002\u3000For\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000was\u3000in\u3000Sophie\u3000and\u3000Langdon’s\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000whether\u3000they\u3000wanted\u3000it\u3000or\u3000not\u3002
\nThe\u3000truck’s\u3000front\u3000end\u3000looked\u3000worse\u3000than\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000imagined\u3002\u3000The\u3000left\u3000headlight\u3000was\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000right\u3000one\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000an\u3000eyeball\u3000dangling\u3000from\u3000its\u3000socket\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000straightened\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000dislodged\u3000again\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000good\u3000news\u3000was\u3000that\u3000the\u3000front\u3000bumper\u3000had\u3000been\u3000torn\u3000almost\u3000clean\u3000off\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000gave\u3000it\u3000a\u3000hard\u3000kick\u3000and\u3000sensed\u3000he\u3000might\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000break\u3000it\u3000off\u3000entirely\u3002
\nAs\u3000he\u3000repeatedly\u3000kicked\u3000the\u3000twisted\u3000metal\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000recalled\u3000his\u3000earlier\u3000conversation\u3000with\u3000Sophi \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ly\u3002
\nAs\u3000he\u3000repeatedly\u3000kicked\u3000the\u3000twisted\u3000metal\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000recalled\u3000his\u3000earlier\u3000conversation\u3000with\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000My\u3000grandfather\u3000left\u3000me\u3000a\u3000phone\u3000message\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000said\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000about\u3000my\u3000family\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000time\u3000it\u3000had\u3000meant\u3000nothing\uff1b\u3000but\u3000now\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u3000was\u3000involved\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000startling\u3000new\u3000possibility\u3000emerge\u3002
\nThe\u3000bumper\u3000broke\u3000off\u3000suddenly\u3000with\u3000a\u3000crash\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000paused\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000his\u3000breath\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000would\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000look\u3000like\u3000a\u3000Fourth\u3000of\u3000July\u3000sparkler\u3002\u3000He\u3000grabbed\u3000the\u3000bumper\u3000and\u3000began\u3000dragging\u3000it\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\u3000into\u3000the\u3000woods\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000where\u3000they\u3000should\u3000go\u3000next\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000how\u3000to\u3000open\u3000the\u3000cryptex\uff1b\u3000or\u3000why\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000given\u3000it\u3000to\u3000them\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000their\u3000survival\u3000tonight\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000depend\u3000on\u3000getting\u3000answers\u3000to\u3000those\u3000very\u3000questions\u3002
\nWe\u3000need\u3000help\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000decided\u3002\u3000Professional\u3000help\u3002
\nIn\u3000the\u3000world\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\uff1b\u3000that\u3000meant\u3000only\u3000one\u3000man\u3002\u3000The\u3000challenge\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000would\u3000be\u3000selling\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3002
\n\u3000
\nInside\u3000the\u3000armored\u3000car\uff1b\u3000while\u3000Sophie\u3000waited\u3000for\u3000Langdon\u3000to\u3000return\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000weight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rosewood\u3000box\u3000on\u3000her\u3000lap\u3000and\u3000resented\u3000it\u3002\u3000Why\u3000did\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3000give\u3000this\u3000to\u3000me\uff1f\u3000She\u3000had\u3000not\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3000idea\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000it\u3002
\nThink\uff1b\u3000Sophie\uff01\u3000Use\u3000your\u3000head\u3002\u3000Grand\u2026p\u00e8re\u3000is\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000something\uff01
\nOpening\u3000the\u3000box\uff1b\u3000she\u3000eyed\u3000the\u3000cryptex’s\u3000dials\u3002\u3000A\u3000proof\u3000of\u3000merit\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000hand\u3000at\u3000work\u3002\u3000The\u3000keystone\u3000is\u3000a\u3000map\u3000that\u3000can\u3000be\u3000followed\u3000only\u3000by\u3000the\u3000worthy\u3002\u3000It\u3000sounded\u3000like\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000to\u3000the\u3000core\u3002
\nLifting\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000box\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000ran\u3000her\u3000fingers\u3000over\u3000the\u3000dials\u3002\u3000Five\u3000letters\u3002\u3000She\u3000rotated\u3000the\u3000dials\u3000one\u3000by\u3000one\u3002\u3000The\u3000mechanism\u3000moved\u3000smoothly\u3002\u3000She\u3000aligned\u3000the\u3000disks\u3000such\u3000that\u3000her\u3000chosen\u3000letters\u3000lined\u3000up\u3000between\u3000the\u3000cryptex’s\u3000two\u3000brass\u3000alignment\u3000arrows\u3000on\u3000either\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cylinder\u3002\u3000The\u3000dials\u3000now\u3000spelled\u3000a\u3000five\u2026letter\u3000word\u3000that\u3000Sophie\u3000knew\u3000was\u3000absurdly\u3000obvious\u3002
\nG\u2026R\u2026A\u2026I\u2026L\u3002
\nGently\uff1b\u3000she\u3000held\u3000the\u3000two\u3000ends\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cylinder\u3000and\u3000pulled\uff1b\u3000applying\u3000pressure\u3000slowly\u3002\u3000The\u3000cryptex\u3000didn’t\u3000budge\u3002\u3000She\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000vinegar\u3000inside\u3000gurgle\u3000and\u3000stopped\u3000pulling\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000tried\u3000again\u3002
\nV\u2026I\u2026N\u2026C\u2026I
\nAgain\uff1b\u3000no\u3000movement\u3002
\nV\u2026O\u2026U\u2026T\u2026E
\nNothing\u3002\u3000The\u3000cryptex\u3000remained\u3000locked\u3000solid\u3002
\nFrowning\uff1b\u3000she\u3000replaced\u3000it\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rosewood\u3000box\u3000and\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000lid\u3002\u3000Looking\u3000outside\u3000at\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000felt\u3000grateful\u3000he\u3000was\u3000with\u3000her\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000P\u3002S\u3002\u3000Find\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000Her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000rationale\u3000for\u3000including\u3000him\u3000was\u3000now\u3000clear\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000not\u3000equipped\u3000to\u3000understand\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000intentions\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000he\u3000had\u3000assigned\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3000as\u3000her\u3000guide\u3002\u3000A\u3000tutor\u3000to\u3000oversee\u3000her\u3000education\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\u3000for\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000to\u3000be\u3000far\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000tutor\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000the\u3000target\u3000of\u3000Bezu\u3000Fache\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\u3000some\u3000unseen\u3000force\u3000intent\u3000on\u3000possessing\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002
\nWhatever\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000turns\u3000out\u3000to\u3000be\u3002
\nSophie\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000finding\u3000out\u3000was\u3000worth\u3000her\u3000life\u3002
\n\u3000
\nAs\u3000the\u3000armored\u3000truck\u3000accelerated\u3000again\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000pleased\u3000how\u3000much\u3000more\u3000smoothly\u3000it\u3000drove\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000how\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000Versailles\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000eyed\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Sightseeing\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000plan\u3002\u3000There’s\u3000a\u3000religious\u3000historian\u3000I\u3000know\u3000who\u3000lives\u3000near\u3000Versailles\u3002\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000remember\u3000exactly\u3000where\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we\u3000can\u3000look\u3000it\u3000up\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000been\u3000to\u3000his\u3000estate\u3000a\u3000few\u3000times\u3002\u3000His\u3000name\u3000is\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3002\u3000He’s\u3000a\u3000former\u3000British\u3000Royal\u3000Historian\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000he\u3000lives\u3000in\u3000Paris\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Teabing’s\u3000life\u3000passion\u3000is\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000When\u3000whisperings\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000keystone\u3000surfaced\u3000about\u3000fifteen\u3000years\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000he\u3000moved\u3000to\u3000France\u3000to\u3000search\u3000churches\u3000in\u3000hopes\u3000of\u3000finding\u3000it\u3002\u3000He’s\u3000written\u3000some\u3000books\u3000on\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000He\u3000may\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000help\u3000us\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000how\u3000to\u3000open\u3000it\u3000and\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nSophie’s\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000wary\u3002\u3000\u3003Can\u3000you\u3000trust\u3000him\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Trust\u3000him\u3000to\u3000what\uff1f\u3000Not\u3000steal\u3000the\u3000information\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000not\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000us\u3000in\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000intend\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000we’re\u3000wanted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000police\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000hoping\u3000he’ll\u3000take\u3000us\u3000in\u3000until\u3000we\u3000can\u3000sort\u3000all\u3000this\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000has\u3000it\u3000occurred\u3000to\u3000you\u3000that\u3000every\u3000television\u3000in\u3000France\u3000is\u3000probably\u3000getting\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000broadcast\u3000our\u3000pictures\uff1f\u3000Bezu\u3000Fache\u3000always\u3000uses\u3000the\u3000media\u3000to\u3000his\u3000advantage\u3002\u3000He’ll\u3000make\u3000it\u3000impossible\u3000for\u3000us\u3000to\u3000move\u3000around\u3000without\u3000being\u3000recognized\u3002\u3003
\nTerrific\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\u3002\u3000My\u3000French\u3000TV\u3000debut\u3000will\u3000be\u3000on\u3000\u3003Paris’s\u3000Most\u3000Wanted\u3002\u3003\u3000At\u3000least\u3000Jonas\u3000Faukman\u3000would\u3000be\u3000pleased\uff1b\u3000every\u3000time\u3000Langdon\u3000made\u3000the\u3000news\uff1b\u3000his\u3000book\u3000sales\u3000jumped\u3002
\n\u3003Is\u3000this\u3000man\u3000a\u3000good\u3000enough\u3000friend\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000doubted\u3000Teabing\u3000was\u3000someone\u3000who\u3000watched\u3000television\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000at\u3000this\u3000hour\uff1b\u3000but\u3000still\u3000the\u3000question\u3000deserved\u3000consideration\u3002\u3000Instinct\u3000told\u3000Langdon\u3000that\u3000Teabing\u3000would\u3000be\u3000totally\u3000trustworthy\u3002\u3000An\u3000ideal\u3000safe\u3000harbor\u3002\u3000Considering\u3000the\u3000circumstances\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000would\u3000probably\u3000trip\u3000over\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000help\u3000them\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000possible\u3002\u3000Not\u3000only\u3000did\u3000he\u3000owe\u3000Langdon\u3000a\u3000favor\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Teabing\u3000was\u3000a\u3000Grail\u3000researcher\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000claimed\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000was\u3000the\u3000actual\u3000Grand\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u3002\u3000If\u3000Teabing\u3000heard\u3000that\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000salivate\u3000at\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000helping\u3000them\u3000figure\u3000this\u3000out\u3002
\n\u3003Teabing\u3000could\u3000be\u3000a\u3000powerful\u3000ally\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000Depending\u3000on\u3000how\u3000much\u3000you\u3000want\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3003Fache\u3000probably\u3000will\u3000be\u3000offering\u3000a\u3000monetary\u3000reward\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000\u3003Believe\u3000me\uff1b\u3000money\u3000is\u3000the\u3000last\u3000thing\u3000this\u3000guy\u3000needs\u3002\u3003\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000was\u3000wealthy\u3000in\u3000the\u3000way\u3000small\u3000countries\u3000were\u3000wealthy\u3002\u3000A\u3000descendant\u3000of\u3000Britain’s\u3000First\u3000Duke\u3000of\u3000Lancaster\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000his\u3000money\u3000the\u3000old\u2026fashioned\u3000way\u2014he’d\u3000inherited\u3000it\u3002\u3000His\u3000estate\u3000outside\u3000of\u3000Paris\u3000was\u3000a\u3000seventeenth\u2026century\u3000palace\u3000with\u3000two\u3000private\u3000lakes\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000first\u3000met\u3000Teabing\u3000several\u3000years\u3000ago\u3000through\u3000the\u3000British\u3000Broadcasting\u3000Corporation\u3002\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000approached\u3000the\u3000BBC\u3000with\u3000a\u3000proposal\u3000for\u3000a\u3000historical\u3000documentary\u3000in\u3000which\u3000he\u3000would\u3000expose\u3000the\u3000explosive\u3000history\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000to\u3000a\u3000mainstream\u3000television\u3000audience\u3002\u3000The\u3000BBC\u3000producers\u3000loved\u3000Teabing’s\u3000hot\u3000premise\uff1b\u3000his\u3000research\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000credentials\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000had\u3000concerns\u3000that\u3000the\u3000concept\u3000was\u3000so\u3000shocking\u3000and\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000swallow\u3000that\u3000the\u3000network\u3000might\u3000end\u3000up\u3000tarnishing\u3000its\u3000reputation\u3000for\u3000quality\u3000journalism\u3002\u3000At\u3000Teabing’s\u3000suggestion\uff1b\u3000the\u3000BBC\u3000solved\u3000its\u3000credibility\u3000fears\u3000by\u3000soliciting\u3000three\u3000cameos\u3000from\u3000respected\u3000historians\u3000from\u3000around\u3000the\u3000world\uff1b\u3000all\u3000of\u3000whom\u3000corroborated\u3000the\u3000stunning\u3000nature\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000secret\u3000with\u3000their\u3000own\u3000research\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000been\u3000among\u3000those\u3000chosen\u3002
\nThe\u3000BBC\u3000had\u3000flown\u3000Langdon\u3000to\u3000Teabing’s\u3000Paris\u3000estate\u3000for\u3000the\u3000filming\u3002\u3000He\u3000sat\u3000before\u3000cameras\u3000in\u3000Teabing’s\u3000opulent\u3000drawing\u3000room\u3000and\u3000shared\u3000his\u3000story\uff1b\u3000admitting\u3000his\u3000initial\u3000skepticism\u3000on\u3000hearing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000alternate\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000story\uff1b\u3000then\u3000describing\u3000how\u3000years\u3000of\u3000research\u3000had\u3000persuaded\u3000him\u3000that\u3000the\u3000story\u3000was\u3000true\u3002\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000offered\u3000some\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000research\u2014a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000symbologic\u3000connections\u3000that\u3000strongly\u3000supported\u3000the\u3000seemingly\u3000controversial\u3000claims\u3002
\nWhen\u3000the\u3000program\u3000aired\u3000in\u3000Britain\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000its\u3000ensemble\u3000cast\u3000and\u3000well\u2026documented\u3000evidence\uff1b\u3000the\u3000premise\u3000rubbed\u3000so\u3000hard\u3000against\u3000the\u3000grain\u3000of\u3000popular\u3000Christian\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000it\u3000instantly\u3000confronted\u3000a\u3000firestorm\u3000of\u3000hostility\u3002\u3000It\u3000never\u3000aired\u3000in\u3000the\u3000States\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000repercussions\u3000echoed\u3000across\u3000the\u3000Atlantic\u3002\u3000Shortly\u3000afterward\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000received\u3000a\u3000postcard\u3000from\u3000an\u3000old\u3000friend\u2014the\u3000Catholic\u3000Bishop\u3000of\u3000Philadelphia\u3002\u3000The\u3000card\u3000simply\u3000read\uff1a\u3000Et\u3000tu\uff1b\u3000Robert\uff1f
\n\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003you’re\u3000certain\u3000we\u3000can\u3000trust\u3000this\u3000man\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Absolutely\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000colleagues\uff1b\u3000he\u3000doesn’t\u3000need\u3000money\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000happen\u3000to\u3000know\u3000he\u3000despises\u3000the\u3000French\u3000authorities\u3002\u3000The\u3000French\u3000government\u3000taxes\u3000him\u3000at\u3000absurd\u3000rates\u3000because\u3000he\u3000bought\u3000a\u3000historic\u3000landmark\u3002\u3000He’ll\u3000be\u3000in\u3000no\u3000hurry\u3000to\u3000cooperate\u3000with\u3000Fache\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000stared\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000roadway\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000we\u3000go\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000how\u3000much\u3000do\u3000you\u3000want\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000him\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000looked\u3000unconcerned\u3002\u3000\u3003Believe\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000knows\u3000more\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000than\u3000anyone\u3000on\u3000earth\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000eyed\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003More\u3000than\u3000my\u3000grandfather\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000meant\u3000more\u3000than\u3000anyone\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000brotherhood\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003How\u3000do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000Teabing\u3000isn’t\u3000a\u3000member\u3000of\u3000the\u3000brotherhood\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Teabing\u3000has\u3000spent\u3000his\u3000life\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000broadcast\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000The\u3000Priory’s\u3000oath\u3000is\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000its\u3000true\u3000nature\u3000hidden\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Sounds\u3000to\u3000me\u3000like\u3000a\u3000conflict\u3000of\u3000interest\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000understood\u3000her\u3000concerns\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000given\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000directly\u3000to\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000and\u3000although\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000it\u3000contained\u3000or\u3000what\u3000she\u3000was\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000it\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000hesitant\u3000to\u3000involve\u3000a\u3000total\u3000stranger\u3002\u3000Considering\u3000the\u3000information\u3000potentially\u3000enclosed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000instinct\u3000was\u3000probably\u3000a\u3000good\u3000one\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000don’t\u3000need\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000Teabing\u3000about\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000immediately\u3002\u3000Or\u3000at\u3000all\uff1b\u3000even\u3002\u3000His\u3000house\u3000will\u3000give\u3000us\u3000a\u3000place\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000and\u3000think\uff1b\u3000and\u3000maybe\u3000when\u3000we\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000him\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000you’ll\u3000start\u3000to\u3000have\u3000an\u3000idea\u3000why\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3000gave\u3000this\u3000to\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Us\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000reminded\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000humble\u3000pride\u3000and\u3000wondered\u3000yet\u3000again\u3000why\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000included\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000more\u3000or\u3000less\u3000where\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Teabing\u3000lives\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003His\u3000estate\u3000is\u3000called\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000turned\u3000with\u3000an\u3000incredulous\u3000look\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003That’s\u3000the\u3000one\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Nice\u3000friends\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000know\u3000the\u3000estate\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I’ve\u3000passed\u3000it\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000in\u3000the\u3000castle\u3000district\u3002\u3000Twenty\u3000minutes\u3000from\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000far\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000which\u3000will\u3000give\u3000you\u3000enough\u3000time\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000what\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000really\u3000is\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000at\u3000Teabing’s\u3002\u3000He\u3000and\u3000I\u3000specialize\u3000in\u3000different\u3000areas\u3000of\u3000the\u3000legend\uff1b\u3000so\u3000between\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000us\uff1b\u3000you’ll\u3000get\u3000the\u3000full\u3000story\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003Besides\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000has\u3000been\u3000Teabing’s\u3000life\uff1b\u3000and\u3000hearing\u3000the\u3000story\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000from\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000will\u3000be\u3000like\u3000hearing\u3000the\u3000theory\u3000of\u3000re \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n fe\uff1b\u3000and\u3000hearing\u3000the\u3000story\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000from\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000will\u3000be\u3000like\u3000hearing\u3000the\u3000theory\u3000of\u3000relativity\u3000from\u3000Einstein\u3000himself\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Let’s\u3000hope\u3000Leigh\u3000doesn’t\u3000mind\u3000late\u2026night\u3000visitors\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003For\u3000the\u3000record\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000Sir\u3000Leigh\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000made\u3000that\u3000mistake\u3000only\u3000once\u3002\u3000\u3003Teabing\u3000is\u3000quite\u3000a\u3000character\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000knighted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3000several\u3000years\u3000back\u3000after\u3000posing\u3000an\u3000extensive\u3000history\u3000on\u3000the\u3000House\u3000of\u3000York\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000over\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000kidding\uff1b\u3000right\uff1f\u3000We’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000visit\u3000a\u3000knight\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000gave\u3000an\u3000awkward\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000on\u3000a\u3000Grail\u3000quest\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000Who\u3000better\u3000to\u3000help\u3000us\u3000than\u3000a\u3000knight\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300052
\n
\nThe\u3000Sprawling\u3000185\u2026acre\u3000estate\u3000of\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\u3000was\u3000located\u3000twenty\u2026five\u3000minutes\u3000northwest\u3000of\u3000Paris\u3000in\u3000the\u3000environs\u3000of\u3000Versailles\u3002\u3000Designed\u3000by\u3000Fran\uff1fois\u3000Mansart\u3000in\u30001668\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Count\u3000of\u3000Aufflay\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Paris’s\u3000most\u3000significant\u3000historical\u3000chateaux\u3002\u3000plete\u3000with\u3000two\u3000rectangular\u3000lakes\u3000and\u3000gardens\u3000designed\u3000by\u3000Le\u3000N\uff1ftre\uff1b\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\u3000was\u3000more\u3000of\u3000a\u3000modest\u3000castle\u3000than\u3000a\u3000mansion\u3002\u3000The\u3000estate\u3000fondly\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000known\u3000as\u3000la\u3000Petite\u3000Versailles\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000armored\u3000truck\u3000to\u3000a\u3000shuddering\u3000stop\u3000at\u3000the\u3000foot\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mile\u2026long\u3000driveway\u3002\u3000Beyond\u3000the\u3000imposing\u3000security\u3000gate\uff1b\u3000Sir\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing’s\u3000residence\u3000rose\u3000on\u3000a\u3000meadow\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distance\u3002\u3000The\u3000sign\u3000on\u3000the\u3000gate\u3000was\u3000in\u3000English\uff1a\u3000PRIVATE\u3000PROPERTY\u3002\u3000NO\u3000TRESPASSING\u3002
\nAs\u3000if\u3000to\u3000proclaim\u3000his\u3000home\u3000a\u3000British\u3000Isle\u3000unto\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000not\u3000only\u3000posted\u3000his\u3000signs\u3000in\u3000English\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000had\u3000installed\u3000his\u3000gate’s\u3000inter\u3000entry\u3000system\u3000on\u3000the\u3000right\u2026hand\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000truck\u2014the\u3000passenger’s\u3000side\u3000everywhere\u3000in\u3000Europe\u3000except\u3000England\u3002
\nSophie\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000misplaced\u3000inter\u3000an\u3000odd\u3000look\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000if\u3000someone\u3000arrives\u3000without\u3000a\u3000passenger\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000ask\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000already\u3000been\u3000through\u3000that\u3000with\u3000Teabing\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000prefers\u3000things\u3000the\u3000way\u3000they\u3000are\u3000at\u3000home\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000rolled\u3000down\u3000her\u3000window\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000you’d\u3000better\u3000do\u3000the\u3000talking\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000shifted\u3000his\u3000position\uff1b\u3000leaning\u3000out\u3000across\u3000Sophie\u3000to\u3000press\u3000the\u3000inter\u3000button\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000did\uff1b\u3000an\u3000alluring\u3000whiff\u3000of\u3000Sophie’s\u3000perfume\u3000filled\u3000his\u3000nostrils\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000how\u3000close\u3000they\u3000were\u3002\u3000He\u3000waited\u3000there\uff1b\u3000awkwardly\u3000prone\uff1b\u3000while\u3000a\u3000telephone\u3000began\u3000ringing\u3000over\u3000the\u3000small\u3000speaker\u3002
\nFinally\uff1b\u3000the\u3000inter\u3000crackled\u3000and\u3000an\u3000irritated\u3000French\u3000accent\u3000spoke\u3002\u3000\u3003Chateau\u3000Villette\u3002\u3000Who\u3000is\u3000calling\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000called\u3000out\uff1b\u3000sprawled\u3000across\u3000Sophie’s\u3000lap\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000a\u3000friend\u3000of\u3000Sir\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3002\u3000I\u3000need\u3000his\u3000help\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003My\u3000master\u3000is\u3000sleeping\u3002\u3000As\u3000was\u3000I\u3002\u3000What\u3000is\u3000your\u3000business\u3000with\u3000him\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003It\u3000is\u3000a\u3000private\u3000matter\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000great\u3000interest\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Then\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000he\u3000will\u3000be\u3000pleased\u3000to\u3000receive\u3000you\u3000in\u3000the\u3000morning\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000shifted\u3000his\u3000weight\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000quite\u3000important\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003As\u3000is\u3000Sir\u3000Leigh’s\u3000sleep\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000are\u3000a\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000then\u3000you\u3000are\u3000aware\u3000he\u3000is\u3000in\u3000poor\u3000health\u3002\u3003
\nSir\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000suffered\u3000from\u3000polio\u3000as\u3000a\u3000child\u3000and\u3000now\u3000wore\u3000leg\u3000braces\u3000and\u3000walked\u3000with\u3000crutches\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000found\u3000him\u3000such\u3000a\u3000lively\u3000and\u3000colorful\u3000man\u3000on\u3000his\u3000last\u3000visit\u3000that\u3000it\u3000hardly\u3000seemed\u3000an\u3000infirmity\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000would\uff1b\u3000please\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000I\u3000have\u3000uncovered\u3000new\u3000information\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000Information\u3000that\u3000cannot\u3000wait\u3000until\u3000morning\u3002\u3003
\nThere\u3000was\u3000a\u3000long\u3000pause\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000waited\uff1b\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000idling\u3000loudly\u3002
\nA\u3000full\u3000minute\u3000passed\u3002
\nFinally\uff1b\u3000someone\u3000spoke\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000good\u3000man\uff1b\u3000I\u3000daresay\u3000you\u3000are\u3000still\u3000on\u3000Harvard\u3000Standard\u3000Time\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000crisp\u3000and\u3000light\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000grinned\uff1b\u3000recognizing\u3000the\u3000thick\u3000British\u3000accent\u3002\u3000\u3003Leigh\uff1b\u3000my\u3000apologies\u3000for\u3000waking\u3000you\u3000at\u3000this\u3000obscene\u3000hour\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003My\u3000manservant\u3000tells\u3000me\u3000that\u3000not\u3000only\u3000are\u3000you\u3000in\u3000Paris\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you\u3000speak\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000might\u3000get\u3000you\u3000out\u3000of\u3000bed\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000so\u3000it\u3000has\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Any\u3000chance\u3000you’d\u3000open\u3000the\u3000gate\u3000for\u3000an\u3000old\u3000friend\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Those\u3000who\u3000seek\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000are\u3000more\u3000than\u3000friends\u3002\u3000They\u3000are\u3000brothers\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000rolled\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000at\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000well\u3000accustomed\u3000to\u3000Teabing’s\u3000predilection\u3000for\u3000dramatic\u3000antics\u3002
\n\u3003Indeed\u3000I\u3000will\u3000open\u3000the\u3000gate\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000proclaimed\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000first\u3000I\u3000must\u3000confirm\u3000your\u3000heart\u3000is\u3000true\u3002\u3000A\u3000test\u3000of\u3000your\u3000honor\u3002\u3000You\u3000will\u3000answer\u3000three\u3000questions\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000groaned\uff1b\u3000whispering\u3000at\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003Bear\u3000with\u3000me\u3000here\u3002\u3000As\u3000I\u3000mentioned\uff1b\u3000he’s\u3000something\u3000of\u3000a\u3000character\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Your\u3000first\u3000question\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000declared\uff1b\u3000his\u3000tone\u3000Herculean\u3002\u3000\u3003Shall\u3000I\u3000serve\u3000you\u3000coffee\uff1b\u3000or\u3000tea\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000knew\u3000Teabing’s\u3000feelings\u3000about\u3000the\u3000American\u3000phenomenon\u3000of\u3000coffee\u3002\u3000\u3003Tea\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003Earl\u3000Grey\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Excellent\u3002\u3000Your\u3000second\u3000question\u3002\u3000Milk\u3000or\u3000sugar\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000hesitated\u3002
\n\u3003Milk\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000whispered\u3000in\u3000his\u3000ear\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000the\u3000British\u3000take\u3000milk\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Milk\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002
\nSilence\u3002
\n\u3003Sugar\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000made\u3000no\u3000reply\u3002
\nWait\uff01\u3000Langdon\u3000now\u3000recalled\u3000the\u3000bitter\u3000beverage\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000served\u3000on\u3000his\u3000last\u3000visit\u3000and\u3000realized\u3000this\u3000question\u3000was\u3000a\u3000trick\u3002\u3000\u3003Lemon\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000declared\u3002\u3000\u3003Earl\u3000Grey\u3000with\u3000lemon\u3003
\n\u3003Indeed\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000sounded\u3000deeply\u3000amused\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000finally\uff1b\u3000I\u3000must\u3000make\u3000the\u3000most\u3000grave\u3000of\u3000inquiries\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000paused\u3000and\u3000then\u3000spoke\u3000in\u3000a\u3000solemn\u3000tone\u3002\u3000\u3003In\u3000which\u3000year\u3000did\u3000a\u3000Harvard\u3000sculler\u3000last\u3000outrow\u3000an\u3000Oxford\u3000man\u3000at\u3000Henley\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000could\u3000imagine\u3000only\u3000one\u3000reason\u3000the\u3000question\u3000had\u3000been\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Surely\u3000such\u3000a\u3000travesty\u3000has\u3000never\u3000occurred\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000gate\u3000clicked\u3000open\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000heart\u3000is\u3000true\uff1b\u3000my\u3000friend\u3002\u3000You\u3000may\u3000pass\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300053
\n
\n\u3003Monsieur\u3000Vernet\uff01\u3003\u3000The\u3000night\u3000manager\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Depository\u3000Bank\u3000of\u3000Zurich\u3000felt\u3000relieved\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000bank\u3000president’s\u3000voice\u3000on\u3000the\u3000phone\u3002\u3000\u3003Where\u3000did\u3000you\u3000go\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1f\u3000The\u3000police\u3000are\u3000here\uff1b\u3000everyone\u3000is\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000you\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000little\u3000problem\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000bank\u3000president\u3000said\uff1b\u3000sounding\u3000distressed\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000need\u3000your\u3000help\u3000right\u3000away\u3002\u3003
\nYou\u3000have\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000little\u3000problem\uff1b\u3000the\u3000manager\u3000thought\u3002\u3000The\u3000police\u3000had\u3000entirely\u3000surrounded\u3000the\u3000bank\u3000and\u3000were\u3000threatening\u3000to\u3000have\u3000the\u3000DCPJ\u3000captain\u3000himself\u3000show\u3000up\u3000with\u3000the\u3000warrant\u3000the\u3000bank\u3000had\u3000demanded\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000can\u3000I\u3000help\u3000you\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Armored\u3000truck\u3000number\u3000three\u3002\u3000I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000find\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nPuzzled\uff1b\u3000the\u3000manager\u3000checked\u3000his\u3000delivery\u3000schedule\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000here\u3002\u3000Downstairs\u3000at\u3000the\u3000loading\u3000dock\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Actually\uff1b\u3000no\u3002\u3000The\u3000truck\u3000was\u3000stolen\u3000by\u3000the\u3000two\u3000individuals\u3000the\u3000police\u3000are\u3000tracking\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\uff1f\u3000How\u3000did\u3000they\u3000drive\u3000out\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000go\u3000into\u3000the\u3000specifics\u3000on\u3000the\u3000phone\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we\u3000have\u3000a\u3000situation\u3000here\u3000that\u3000could\u3000potentially\u3000be\u3000extremely\u3000unfortunate\u3000for\u3000the\u3000bank\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000need\u3000me\u3000to\u3000do\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I’d\u3000like\u3000you\u3000to\u3000activate\u3000the\u3000truck’s\u3000emergency\u3000transponder\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000night\u3000manager’s\u3000eyes\u3000moved\u3000to\u3000the\u3000LoJack\u3000control\u3000box\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000Like\u3000many\u3000armored\u3000cars\uff1b\u3000each\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bank’s\u3000trucks\u3000had\u3000been\u3000equipped\u3000with\u3000a\u3000radio\u2026controlled\u3000homing\u3000device\uff1b\u3000which\u3000could\u3000be\u3000activated\u3000remotely\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bank\u3002\u3000The\u3000manager\u3000had\u3000only\u3000used\u3000the\u3000emergency\u3000system\u3000once\uff1b\u3000after\u3000a\u3000hijacking\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000had\u3000worked\u3000flawlessly\u2014locating\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000and\u3000transmitting\u3000the\u3000coordinates\u3000to\u3000the\u3000authorities\u3000automatically\u3002\u3000Tonight\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000the\u3000manager\u3000had\u3000the\u3000impression\u3000the\u3000president\u3000was\u3000hoping\u3000for\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000more\u3000prudence\u3002\u3000\u3003Sir\uff1b\u3000you\u3000are\u3000aware\u3000that\u3000if\u3000I\u3000activate\u3000the\u3000LoJack\u3000system\uff1b\u3000the\u3000transponder\u3000will\u3000simultaneously\u3000inform\u3000the\u3000authorities\u3000that\u3000we\u3000have\u3000a\u3000problem\u3002\u3003
\nVernet\u3000was\u3000silent\u3000for\u3000several\u3000seconds\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000I\u3000know\u3002\u3000Do\u3000it\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000Truck\u3000number\u3000three\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000hold\u3002\u3000I\u3000need\u3000the\u3000exact\u3000location\u3000of\u3000that\u3000truck\u3000the\u3000instant\u3000you\u3000have\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Right\u3000away\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nThirty\u3000seconds\u3000later\uff1b\u3000forty\u3000kilometers\u3000away\uff1b\u3000hidden\u3000in\u3000the\u3000undercarriage\u3000of\u3000the\u3000armored\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000transponder\u3000blinked\u3000to\u3000life\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300054
\n
\nAs\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000drove\u3000the\u3000armored\u3000truck\u3000up\u3000the\u3000winding\uff1b\u3000poplar\u2026lined\u3000driveway\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000house\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000could\u3000already\u3000feel\u3000her\u3000muscles\u3000relaxing\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000relief\u3000to\u3000be\u3000off\u3000the\u3000road\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000could\u3000think\u3000of\u3000few\u3000safer\u3000places\u3000to\u3000get\u3000their\u3000feet\u3000under\u3000them\u3000than\u3000this\u3000private\uff1b\u3000gated\u3000estate\u3000owned\u3000by\u3000a\u3000good\u2026natured\u3000foreigner\u3002
\nThey\u3000turned\u3000into\u3000the\u3000sweeping\u3000circular\u3000driveway\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\u3000came\u3000into\u3000view\u3000on\u3000their\u3000right\u3002\u3000Three\u3000stories\u3000tall\u3000and\u3000at\u3000least\u3000sixty\u3000meters\u3000long\uff1b\u3000the\u3000edifice\u3000had\u3000gray\u3000stone\u3000facing\u3000illuminated\u3000by\u3000outside\u3000spotlights\u3002\u3000The\u3000coarse\u3000facade\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000stark\u3000juxtaposition\u3000to\u3000the\u3000immaculately\u3000landscaped\u3000gardens\u3000and\u3000glassy\u3000pond\u3002
\nThe\u3000inside\u3000lights\u3000were\u3000just\u3000now\u3000ing\u3000on\u3002
\nRather\u3000than\u3000driving\u3000to\u3000the\u3000front\u3000door\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000pulled\u3000into\u3000a\u3000parking\u3000area\u3000nestled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000evergreens\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3000reason\u3000to\u3000risk\u3000being\u3000spotted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000road\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Or\u3000having\u3000Leigh\u3000wonder\u3000why\u3000we\u3000arrived\u3000in\u3000a\u3000wrecked\u3000armored\u3000truck\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000do\u3000we\u3000do\u3000with\u3000the\u3000cryptex\uff1f\u3000We\u3000probably\u3000shouldn’t\u3000leave\u3000it\u3000out\u3000here\uff1b\u3000but\u3000if\u3000Leigh\u3000sees\u3000it\uff1b\u3000he’ll\u3000certainly\u3000want\u3000to\u3000know\u3000what\u3000it\u3000is\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Not\u3000to\u3000worry\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000removing\u3000his\u3000jacket\u3000as\u3000he\u3000stepped\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000car\u3002\u3000He\u3000wrapped\u3000the\u3000tweed\u3000coat\u3000around\u3000the\u3000box\u3000and\u3000held\u3000the\u3000bundle\u3000in\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000like\u3000a\u3000baby\u3002
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000dubious\u3002\u3000\u3003Subtle\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Teabing\u3000never\u3000answers\u3000his\u3000own\u3000door\uff1b\u3000he\u3000prefers\u3000to\u3000make\u3000an\u3000entrance\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000find\u3000somewhere\u3000inside\u3000to\u3000stash\u3000this\u3000before\u3000he\u3000joins\u3000us\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003Actually\uff1b\u3000I\u3000should\u3000probably\u3000warn\u3000you\u3000before\u3000you\u3000meet\u3000him\u3002\u3000Sir\u3000Leigh\u3000has\u3000a\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000humor\u3000that\u3000people\u3000often\u3000find\u3000a\u3000bit\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000strange\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000doubted\u3000anything\u3000tonight\u3000would\u3000strike\u3000her\u3000as\u3000strange\u3000anymore\u3002
\nThe\u3000pathway\u3000to\u3000the\u3000main\u3000entrance\u3000was\u3000hand\u2026laid\u3000cobblestone\u3002\u3000It\u3000curved\u3000to\u3000a\u3000door\u3000of\u3000carved\u3000oak\u3000and\u3000cherry\u3000with\u3000a\u3000brass\u3000knocker\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000a\u3000grapefruit\u3002\u3000Before\u3000Sophie\u3000could\u3000grasp\u3000the\u3000knocker\uff1b\u3000the\u3000door\u3000swung\u3000open\u3000from\u3000within\u3002
\nA\u3000prim\u3000and\u3000elegant\u3000butler\u3000stood\u3000before\u3000them\uff1b\u3000making\u3000final\u3000adjustments\u3000on\u3000the\u3000white\u3000tie\u3000and\u3000tuxedo\u3000he\u3000had\u3000apparently\u3000just\u3000donned\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000to\u3000be\u3000about\u3000fifty\uff1b\u3000with\u3000refined\u3000features\u3000and\u3000an\u3000austere\u3000expression\u3000that\u3000left\u3000little\u3000doubt\u3000he\u3000was\u3000unamused\u3000by\u3000their\u3000presence\u3000here\u3002
\n\u3003Sir\u3000Leigh\u3000will\u3000be\u3000down\u3000presently\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000declared\uff1b\u3000his\u3000accent\u3000thick\u3000French\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000is\u3000dressing\u3002\u3000He\u3000prefers\u3000not\u3000to\u3000greet\u3000visitors\u3000while\u3000wear \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003Sir\u3000Leigh\u3000will\u3000be\u3000down\u3000presently\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000declared\uff1b\u3000his\u3000accent\u3000thick\u3000French\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000is\u3000dressing\u3002\u3000He\u3000prefers\u3000not\u3000to\u3000greet\u3000visitors\u3000while\u3000wearing\u3000only\u3000a\u3000nightshirt\u3002\u3000May\u3000I\u3000take\u3000your\u3000coat\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000scowled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bunched\u2026up\u3000tweed\u3000in\u3000Langdon’s\u3000arms\u3002
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000fine\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3000you\u3000are\u3002\u3000Right\u3000this\u3000way\uff1b\u3000please\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000butler\u3000guided\u3000them\u3000through\u3000a\u3000lush\u3000marble\u3000foyer\u3000into\u3000an\u3000exquisitely\u3000adorned\u3000drawing\u3000room\uff1b\u3000softly\u3000lit\u3000by\u3000tassel\u2026draped\u3000Victorian\u3000lamps\u3002\u3000The\u3000air\u3000inside\u3000smelled\u3000antediluvian\uff1b\u3000regal\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000with\u3000traces\u3000of\u3000pipe\u3000tobacco\uff1b\u3000tea\u3000leaves\uff1b\u3000cooking\u3000sherry\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000earthen\u3000aroma\u3000of\u3000stone\u3000architecture\u3002\u3000Against\u3000the\u3000far\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000flanked\u3000between\u3000two\u3000glistening\u3000suits\u3000of\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000was\u3000a\u3000rough\u2026hewn\u3000fireplace\u3000large\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000roast\u3000an\u3000ox\u3002\u3000Walking\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hearth\uff1b\u3000the\u3000butler\u3000knelt\u3000and\u3000touched\u3000a\u3000match\u3000to\u3000a\u3000pre\u2026laid\u3000arrangement\u3000of\u3000oak\u3000logs\u3000and\u3000kindling\u3002\u3000A\u3000fire\u3000quickly\u3000crackled\u3000to\u3000life\u3002
\nThe\u3000man\u3000stood\uff1b\u3000straightening\u3000his\u3000jacket\u3002\u3000\u3003His\u3000master\u3000requests\u3000that\u3000you\u3000make\u3000yourselves\u3000at\u3000home\u3002\u3003\u3000With\u3000that\uff1b\u3000he\u3000departed\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000alone\u3002
\nSophie\u3000wondered\u3000which\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fireside\u3000antiques\u3000she\u3000was\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000on\u2014the\u3000Renaissance\u3000velvet\u3000divan\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rustic\u3000eagle\u2026claw\u3000rocker\uff1b\u3000or\u3000the\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000stone\u3000pews\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000they’d\u3000been\u3000lifted\u3000from\u3000some\u3000Byzantine\u3000temple\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000unwrapped\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000from\u3000his\u3000coat\uff1b\u3000walked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000velvet\u3000divan\uff1b\u3000and\u3000slid\u3000the\u3000wooden\u3000box\u3000deep\u3000underneath\u3000it\uff1b\u3000well\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000out\u3000his\u3000jacket\uff1b\u3000he\u3000put\u3000it\u3000back\u3000on\uff1b\u3000smoothed\u3000the\u3000lapels\uff1b\u3000and\u3000smiled\u3000at\u3000Sophie\u3000as\u3000he\u3000sat\u3000down\u3000directly\u3000over\u3000the\u3000stashed\u3000treasure\u3002
\nThe\u3000divan\u3000it\u3000is\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000a\u3000seat\u3000beside\u3000him\u3002
\nAs\u3000she\u3000stared\u3000into\u3000the\u3000growing\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000enjoying\u3000the\u3000warmth\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000the\u3000sensation\u3000that\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000would\u3000have\u3000loved\u3000this\u3000room\u3002\u3000The\u3000dark\u3000wood\u3000paneling\u3000was\u3000bedecked\u3000with\u3000Old\u3000Master\u3000paintings\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000which\u3000Sophie\u3000recognized\u3000as\u3000a\u3000Poussin\uff1b\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000second\u2026favorite\u3000painter\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000mantel\u3000above\u3000the\u3000fireplace\uff1b\u3000an\u3000alabaster\u3000bust\u3000of\u3000Isis\u3000watched\u3000over\u3000the\u3000room\u3002
\nBeneath\u3000the\u3000Egyptian\u3000goddess\uff1b\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000fireplace\uff1b\u3000two\u3000stone\u3000gargoyles\u3000served\u3000as\u3000andirons\uff1b\u3000their\u3000mouths\u3000gaping\u3000to\u3000reveal\u3000their\u3000menacing\u3000hollow\u3000throats\u3002\u3000Gargoyles\u3000had\u3000always\u3000terrified\u3000Sophie\u3000as\u3000a\u3000child\uff1b\u3000that\u3000was\uff1b\u3000until\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000cured\u3000her\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fear\u3000by\u3000taking\u3000her\u3000atop\u3000Notre\u3000Dame\u3000Cathedral\u3000in\u3000a\u3000rainstorm\u3002\u3000\u3003Princess\uff1b\u3000look\u3000at\u3000these\u3000silly\u3000creatures\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000had\u3000told\u3000her\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000to\u3000the\u3000gargoyle\u3000rainspouts\u3000with\u3000their\u3000mouths\u3000gushing\u3000water\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000hear\u3000that\u3000funny\u3000sound\u3000in\u3000their\u3000throats\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000having\u3000to\u3000smile\u3000at\u3000the\u3000burping\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000the\u3000water\u3000gurgling\u3000through\u3000their\u3000throats\u3002\u3000\u3003They’re\u3000gargling\uff1b\u3003\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000told\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Gargariser\uff01\u3000And\u3000that’s\u3000where\u3000they\u3000get\u3000the\u3000silly\u3000name\u3000’gargoyles\u3002’\u3000\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000never\u3000again\u3000been\u3000afraid\u3002
\nThe\u3000fond\u3000memory\u3000caused\u3000Sophie\u3000a\u3000pang\u3000of\u3000sadness\u3000as\u3000the\u3000harsh\u3000reality\u3000of\u3000the\u3000murder\u3000gripped\u3000her\u3000again\u3002\u3000Grand\u2026p\u00e8re\u3000is\u3000gone\u3002\u3000She\u3000pictured\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000under\u3000the\u3000divan\u3000and\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000would\u3000have\u3000any\u3000idea\u3000how\u3000to\u3000open\u3000it\u3002\u3000Or\u3000if\u3000we\u3000even\u3000should\u3000ask\u3000him\u3002\u3000Sophie’s\u3000grandfather’s\u3000final\u3000words\u3000had\u3000instructed\u3000her\u3000to\u3000find\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000said\u3000nothing\u3000about\u3000involving\u3000anyone\u3000else\u3002\u3000We\u3000needed\u3000somewhere\u3000to\u3000hide\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000deciding\u3000to\u3000trust\u3000Robert’s\u3000judgment\u3002
\n\u3003Sir\u3000Robert\uff01\u3003\u3000a\u3000voice\u3000bellowed\u3000somewhere\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000see\u3000you\u3000travel\u3000with\u3000a\u3000maiden\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000stood\u3000up\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000jumped\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000The\u3000voice\u3000had\u3000e\u3000from\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000a\u3000curled\u3000staircase\u3000that\u3000snaked\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3000of\u3000the\u3000second\u3000floor\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stairs\uff1b\u3000a\u3000form\u3000moved\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shadows\uff1b\u3000only\u3000his\u3000silhouette\u3000visible\u3002
\n\u3003Good\u3000evening\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000called\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003Sir\u3000Leigh\uff1b\u3000may\u3000I\u3000present\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003An\u3000honor\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000moved\u3000into\u3000the\u3000light\u3002
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\u3000for\u3000having\u3000us\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000now\u3000seeing\u3000the\u3000man\u3000wore\u3000metal\u3000leg\u3000braces\u3000and\u3000used\u3000crutches\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000ing\u3000down\u3000one\u3000stair\u3000at\u3000a\u3000time\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000realize\u3000it’s\u3000quite\u3000late\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It\u3000is\u3000so\u3000late\uff1b\u3000my\u3000dear\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000early\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000\u3003Vous\u3000n’\u00eates\u3000pas\u3000Am\u00e9ricaine\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Parisienne\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Your\u3000English\u3000is\u3000superb\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\u3002\u3000I\u3000studied\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Royal\u3000Holloway\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003So\u3000then\uff1b\u3000that\u3000explains\u3000it\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000hobbled\u3000lower\u3000through\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3002\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000Robert\u3000told\u3000you\u3000I\u3000schooled\u3000just\u3000down\u3000the\u3000road\u3000at\u3000Oxford\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000fixed\u3000Langdon\u3000with\u3000a\u3000devilish\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000I\u3000also\u3000applied\u3000to\u3000Harvard\u3000as\u3000my\u3000safety\u3000school\u3002\u3003
\nTheir\u3000host\u3000arrived\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stairs\uff1b\u3000appearing\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3000no\u3000more\u3000like\u3000a\u3000knight\u3000than\u3000Sir\u3000Elton\u3000John\u3002\u3000Portly\u3000and\u3000ruby\u2026faced\uff1b\u3000Sir\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000bushy\u3000red\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000jovial\u3000hazel\u3000eyes\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000twinkle\u3000as\u3000he\u3000spoke\u3002\u3000He\u3000wore\u3000pleated\u3000pants\u3000and\u3000a\u3000roomy\u3000silk\u3000shirt\u3000under\u3000a\u3000paisley\u3000vest\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000the\u3000aluminum\u3000braces\u3000on\u3000his\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000he\u3000carried\u3000himself\u3000with\u3000a\u3000resilient\uff1b\u3000vertical\u3000dignity\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000more\u3000a\u3000by\u2026product\u3000of\u3000noble\u3000ancestry\u3000than\u3000any\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000conscious\u3000effort\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000arrived\u3000and\u3000extended\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000you’ve\u3000lost\u3000weight\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000you’ve\u3000found\u3000some\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000laughed\u3000heartily\uff1b\u3000patting\u3000his\u3000rotund\u3000belly\u3002\u3000\u3003Touch\u00e9\u3002\u3000My\u3000only\u3000carnal\u3000pleasures\u3000these\u3000days\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000be\u3000culinary\u3002\u3003\u3000Turning\u3000now\u3000to\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000he\u3000gently\u3000took\u3000her\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000bowing\u3000his\u3000head\u3000slightly\uff1b\u3000breathing\u3000lightly\u3000on\u3000her\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000diverting\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u3003M’lady\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000uncertain\u3000whether\u3000she’d\u3000stepped\u3000back\u3000in\u3000time\u3000or\u3000into\u3000a\u3000nuthouse\u3002
\nThe\u3000butler\u3000who\u3000had\u3000answered\u3000the\u3000door\u3000now\u3000entered\u3000carrying\u3000a\u3000tea\u3000service\uff1b\u3000which\u3000he\u3000arranged\u3000on\u3000a\u3000table\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fireplace\u3002
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000Legaludec\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003my\u3000manservant\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000slender\u3000butler\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000stiff\u3000nod\u3000and\u3000disappeared\u3000yet\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3003R\u00e9my\u3000is\u3000Lyonais\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000were\u3000an\u3000unfortunate\u3000disease\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000he\u3000does\u3000sauces\u3000quite\u3000nicely\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000looked\u3000amused\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000would\u3000have\u3000thought\u3000you’d\u3000import\u3000an\u3000English\u3000staff\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Good\u3000heavens\uff1b\u3000no\uff01\u3000I\u3000would\u3000not\u3000wish\u3000a\u3000British\u3000chef\u3000on\u3000anyone\u3000except\u3000the\u3000French\u3000tax\u3000collectors\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000at\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003Pardonnez\u2026moi\uff1b\u3000Mademoiselle\u3000Neveu\u3002\u3000Please\u3000be\u3000assured\u3000that\u3000my\u3000distaste\u3000for\u3000the\u3000French\u3000extends\u3000only\u3000to\u3000politics\u3000and\u3000the\u3000soccer\u3000pitch\u3002\u3000Your\u3000government\u3000steals\u3000my\u3000money\uff1b\u3000and\u3000your\u3000football\u3000squad\u3000recently\u3000humiliated\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000offered\u3000an\u3000easy\u3000smile\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000eyed\u3000her\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000and\u3000then\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000\u3003Something\u3000has\u3000happened\u3002\u3000You\u3000both\u3000look\u3000shaken\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000had\u3000an\u3000interesting\u3000night\uff1b\u3000Leigh\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3000doubt\u3002\u3000You\u3000arrive\u3000on\u3000my\u3000doorstep\u3000unannounced\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000night\u3000speaking\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000Tell\u3000me\uff1b\u3000is\u3000this\u3000indeed\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000or\u3000did\u3000you\u3000simply\u3000say\u3000that\u3000because\u3000you\u3000know\u3000it\u3000is\u3000the\u3000lone\u3000topic\u3000for\u3000which\u3000I\u3000would\u3000rouse\u3000myself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000night\uff1f\u3003
\nA\u3000little\u3000of\u3000both\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000picturing\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000hidden\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000couch\u3002
\n\u3003Leigh\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003we’d\u3000like\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000you\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing’s\u3000bushy\u3000eyebrows\u3000arched\u3000with\u3000intrigue\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000keepers\u3002\u3000So\u3000this\u3000is\u3000indeed\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000You\u3000say\u3000you\u3000e\u3000with\u3000information\uff1f\u3000Something\u3000new\uff1b\u3000Robert\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Perhaps\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000not\u3000quite\u3000sure\u3002\u3000We\u3000might\u3000have\u3000a\u3000better\u3000idea\u3000if\u3000we\u3000could\u3000get\u3000some\u3000information\u3000from\u3000you\u3000first\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000wagged\u3000his\u3000finger\u3002\u3000\u3003Ever\u3000the\u3000wily\u3000American\u3002\u3000A\u3000game\u3000of\u3000quid\u3000pro\u3000quo\u3002\u3000Very\u3000well\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000at\u3000your\u3000service\u3002\u3000What\u3000is\u3000it\u3000I\u3000can\u3000tell\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000hoping\u3000you\u3000would\u3000be\u3000kind\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000explain\u3000to\u3000Ms\u3002\u3000Neveu\u3000the\u3000true\u3000nature\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000looked\u3000stunned\u3002\u3000\u3003She\u3000doesn’t\u3000know\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002
\nThe\u3000smile\u3000that\u3000grew\u3000on\u3000Teabing’s\u3000face\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000obscene\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000you’ve\u3000brought\u3000me\u3000a\u3000virgin\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000winced\uff1b\u3000glancing\u3000at\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003Virgin\u3000is\u3000the\u3000term\u3000Grail\u3000enthusiasts\u3000use\u3000to\u3000describe\u3000anyone\u3000who\u3000has\u3000never\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000true\u3000Grail\u3000story\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000turned\u3000eagerly\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000much\u3000do\u3000you\u3000know\uff1b\u3000my\u3000dear\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000quickly\u3000outlined\u3000what\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000explained\u3000earlier\u2014the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000which\u3000many\u3000claimed\u3000was\u3000not\u3000a\u3000cup\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000but\u3000rather\u3000something\u3000far\u3000more\u3000powerful\u3002
\n\u3003That’s\u3000all\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000fired\u3000Langdon\u3000a\u3000scandalous\u3000look\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000you\u3000were\u3000a\u3000gentleman\u3002\u3000You’ve\u3000robbed\u3000her\u3000of\u3000the\u3000climax\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000know\uff1b\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000perhaps\u3000you\u3000and\u3000I\u3000could\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000apparently\u3000decided\u3000the\u3000unseemly\u3000metaphor\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000far\u3000enough\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000already\u3000had\u3000Sophie\u3000locked\u3000in\u3000his\u3000twinkling\u3000gaze\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000are\u3000a\u3000Grail\u3000virgin\uff1b\u3000my\u3000dear\u3002\u3000And\u3000trust\u3000me\uff1b\u3000you\u3000will\u3000never\u3000forget\u3000your\u3000first\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300055
\n
\nSeated\u3000on\u3000the\u3000divan\u3000beside\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000drank\u3000her\u3000tea\u3000and\u3000ate\u3000a\u3000scone\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000the\u3000wele\u3000effects\u3000of\u3000caffeine\u3000and\u3000food\u3002\u3000Sir\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000was\u3000beaming\u3000as\u3000he\u3000awkwardly\u3000paced\u3000before\u3000the\u3000open\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000his\u3000leg\u3000braces\u3000clicking\u3000on\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000hearth\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000sermonic\u3002\u3000\u3003Most\u3000people\u3000ask\u3000me\u3000only\u3000where\u3000it\u3000is\u3002\u3000I\u3000fear\u3000that\u3000is\u3000a\u3000question\u3000I\u3000may\u3000never\u3000answer\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000directly\u3000at\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003However\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000far\u3000more\u3000relevant\u3000question\u3000is\u3000this\uff1a\u3000What\u3000is\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000sensed\u3000a\u3000rising\u3000air\u3000of\u3000academic\u3000anticipation\u3000now\u3000in\u3000both\u3000of\u3000her\u3000male\u3000panions\u3002
\n\u3003To\u3000fully\u3000understand\u3000the\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003we\u3000must\u3000first\u3000understand\u3000the\u3000Bible\u3002\u3000How\u3000well\u3000do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000the\u3000New\u3000Testament\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000at\u3000all\uff1b\u3000really\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000raised\u3000by\u3000a\u3000man\u3000who\u3000worshipped\u3000Leonardo\u3000da\u3000Vinci\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000looked\u3000both\u3000startled\u3000and\u3000pleased\u3002\u3000\u3003An\u3000enlightened\u3000soul\u3002\u3000Superb\uff01\u3000Then\u3000you\u3000must\u3000be\u3000aware\u3000that\u3000Leonardo\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000keepers\u3000of\u3000the\u3000secret\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000And\u3000he\u3000hid\u3000clues\u3000in\u3000his\u3000art\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Robert\u3000told\u3000me\u3000as\u3000much\uff1b\u3000yes\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000views\u3000on\u3000the\u3000New\u3000Testament\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000idea\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing’s\u3000eyes\u3000turned\u3000mirthful\u3000as\u3000he\u3000motioned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bookshelf\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000would\u3000you\u3000m \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003And\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000views\u3000on\u3000the\u3000New\u3000Testament\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000idea\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing’s\u3000eyes\u3000turned\u3000mirthful\u3000as\u3000he\u3000motioned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bookshelf\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000would\u3000you\u3000mind\uff1f\u3000On\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000shelf\u3002\u3000La\u3000Storia\u3000di\u3000Leonardo\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000went\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000found\u3000a\u3000large\u3000art\u3000book\uff1b\u3000and\u3000brought\u3000it\u3000back\uff1b\u3000setting\u3000it\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000table\u3000between\u3000them\u3002\u3000Twisting\u3000the\u3000book\u3000to\u3000face\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000flipped\u3000open\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000cover\u3000and\u3000pointed\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000cover\u3000to\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000quotations\u3002\u3000\u3003From\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000notebook\u3000on\u3000polemics\u3000and\u3000speculation\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000indicating\u3000one\u3000quote\u3000in\u3000particular\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000you’ll\u3000find\u3000this\u3000relevant\u3000to\u3000our\u3000discussion\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000read\u3000the\u3000words\u3002
\nMany\u3000have\u3000made\u3000a\u3000trade\u3000of\u3000delusions
\nand\u3000false\u3000miracles\uff1b\u3000deceiving\u3000the\u3000stupid\u3000multitude\u3002
\n\u2014LEONARDO\u3000DA\u3000VINCI
\n
\n\u3003Here’s\u3000another\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000to\u3000a\u3000different\u3000quote\u3002
\nBlinding\u3000ignorance\u3000does\u3000mislead\u3000us\u3002
\nO\uff01\u3000Wretched\u3000mortals\uff1b\u3000open\u3000your\u3000eyes\uff01
\n\u2014LEONARDO\u3000DA\u3000VINCI
\n\u3000
\nSophie\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000little\u3000chill\u3002\u3000\u3003Da\u3000Vinci\u3000is\u3000talking\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Bible\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003Leonardo’s\u3000feelings\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Bible\u3000relate\u3000directly\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000painted\u3000the\u3000true\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000which\u3000I\u3000will\u3000show\u3000you\u3000momentarily\uff1b\u3000but\u3000first\u3000we\u3000must\u3000speak\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Bible\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000everything\u3000you\u3000need\u3000to\u3000know\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Bible\u3000can\u3000be\u3000summed\u3000up\u3000by\u3000the\u3000great\u3000canon\u3000doctor\u3000Martyn\u3000Percy\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000cleared\u3000his\u3000throat\u3000and\u3000declared\uff1b\u3000\u3003The\u3000Bible\u3000did\u3000not\u3000arrive\u3000by\u3000fax\u3000from\u3000heaven\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000beg\u3000your\u3000pardon\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000Bible\u3000is\u3000a\u3000product\u3000of\u3000man\uff1b\u3000my\u3000dear\u3002\u3000Not\u3000of\u3000God\u3002\u3000The\u3000Bible\u3000did\u3000not\u3000fall\u3000magically\u3000from\u3000the\u3000clouds\u3002\u3000Man\u3000created\u3000it\u3000as\u3000a\u3000historical\u3000record\u3000of\u3000tumultuous\u3000times\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000has\u3000evolved\u3000through\u3000countless\u3000translations\uff1b\u3000additions\uff1b\u3000and\u3000revisions\u3002\u3000History\u3000has\u3000never\u3000had\u3000a\u3000definitive\u3000version\u3000of\u3000the\u3000book\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Okay\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Jesus\u3000Christ\u3000was\u3000a\u3000historical\u3000figure\u3000of\u3000staggering\u3000influence\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000the\u3000most\u3000enigmatic\u3000and\u3000inspirational\u3000leader\u3000the\u3000world\u3000has\u3000ever\u3000seen\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000prophesied\u3000Messiah\uff1b\u3000Jesus\u3000toppled\u3000kings\uff1b\u3000inspired\u3000millions\uff1b\u3000and\u3000founded\u3000new\u3000philosophies\u3002\u3000As\u3000a\u3000descendant\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lines\u3000of\u3000King\u3000Solomon\u3000and\u3000King\u3000David\uff1b\u3000Jesus\u3000possessed\u3000a\u3000rightful\u3000claim\u3000to\u3000the\u3000throne\u3000of\u3000the\u3000King\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Jews\u3002\u3000Understandably\uff1b\u3000His\u3000life\u3000was\u3000recorded\u3000by\u3000thousands\u3000of\u3000followers\u3000across\u3000the\u3000land\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000paused\u3000to\u3000sip\u3000his\u3000tea\u3000and\u3000then\u3000placed\u3000the\u3000cup\u3000back\u3000on\u3000the\u3000mantel\u3002\u3000\u3003More\u3000than\u3000eighty\u3000gospels\u3000were\u3000considered\u3000for\u3000the\u3000New\u3000Testament\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000only\u3000a\u3000relative\u3000few\u3000were\u3000chosen\u3000for\u3000inclusion\u2014Matthew\uff1b\u3000Mark\uff1b\u3000Luke\uff1b\u3000and\u3000John\u3000among\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3003Who\u3000chose\u3000which\u3000gospels\u3000to\u3000include\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003Aha\uff01\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000burst\u3000in\u3000with\u3000enthusiasm\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000fundamental\u3000irony\u3000of\u3000Christianity\uff01\u3000The\u3000Bible\uff1b\u3000as\u3000we\u3000know\u3000it\u3000today\uff1b\u3000was\u3000collated\u3000by\u3000the\u3000pagan\u3000Roman\u3000emperor\u3000Constantine\u3000the\u3000Great\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000Constantine\u3000was\u3000a\u3000Christian\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003Hardly\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000scoffed\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000was\u3000a\u3000lifelong\u3000pagan\u3000who\u3000was\u3000baptized\u3000on\u3000his\u3000deathbed\uff1b\u3000too\u3000weak\u3000to\u3000protest\u3002\u3000In\u3000Constantine’s\u3000day\uff1b\u3000Rome’s\u3000official\u3000religion\u3000was\u3000sun\u3000worship\u2014the\u3000cult\u3000of\u3000Sol\u3000Invictus\uff1b\u3000or\u3000the\u3000Invincible\u3000Sun\u2014and\u3000Constantine\u3000was\u3000its\u3000head\u3000priest\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\u3000for\u3000him\uff1b\u3000a\u3000growing\u3000religious\u3000turmoil\u3000was\u3000gripping\u3000Rome\u3002\u3000Three\u3000centuries\u3000after\u3000the\u3000crucifixion\u3000of\u3000Jesus\u3000Christ\uff1b\u3000Christ’s\u3000followers\u3000had\u3000multiplied\u3000exponentially\u3002\u3000Christians\u3000and\u3000pagans\u3000began\u3000warring\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000conflict\u3000grew\u3000to\u3000such\u3000proportions\u3000that\u3000it\u3000threatened\u3000to\u3000rend\u3000Rome\u3000in\u3000two\u3002\u3000Constantine\u3000decided\u3000something\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000done\u3002\u3000In\u3000325\u3000A\u3002D\u3002\uff1b\u3000he\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000unify\u3000Rome\u3000under\u3000a\u3000single\u3000religion\u3002\u3000Christianity\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000would\u3000a\u3000pagan\u3000emperor\u3000choose\u3000Christianity\u3000as\u3000the\u3000official\u3000religion\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000chuckled\u3002\u3000\u3003Constantine\u3000was\u3000a\u3000very\u3000good\u3000businessman\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000Christianity\u3000was\u3000on\u3000the\u3000rise\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000simply\u3000backed\u3000the\u3000winning\u3000horse\u3002\u3000Historians\u3000still\u3000marvel\u3000at\u3000the\u3000brilliance\u3000with\u3000which\u3000Constantine\u3000converted\u3000the\u3000sun\u2026worshipping\u3000pagans\u3000to\u3000Christianity\u3002\u3000By\u3000fusing\u3000pagan\u3000symbols\uff1b\u3000dates\uff1b\u3000and\u3000rituals\u3000into\u3000the\u3000growing\u3000Christian\u3000tradition\uff1b\u3000he\u3000created\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000hybrid\u3000religion\u3000that\u3000was\u3000acceptable\u3000to\u3000both\u3000parties\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Transmogrification\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000vestiges\u3000of\u3000pagan\u3000religion\u3000in\u3000Christian\u3000symbology\u3000are\u3000undeniable\u3002\u3000Egyptian\u3000sun\u3000disks\u3000became\u3000the\u3000halos\u3000of\u3000Catholic\u3000saints\u3002\u3000Pictograms\u3000of\u3000Isis\u3000nursing\u3000her\u3000miraculously\u3000conceived\u3000son\u3000Horus\u3000became\u3000the\u3000blueprint\u3000for\u3000our\u3000modern\u3000images\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Virgin\u3000Mary\u3000nursing\u3000Baby\u3000Jesus\u3002\u3000And\u3000virtually\u3000all\u3000the\u3000elements\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Catholic\u3000ritual\u2014the\u3000miter\uff1b\u3000the\u3000altar\uff1b\u3000the\u3000doxology\uff1b\u3000and\u3000munion\uff1b\u3000the\u3000act\u3000of\u3000\u3003God\u2026eating\u3003\u2014were\u3000taken\u3000directly\u3000from\u3000earlier\u3000pagan\u3000mystery\u3000religions\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000groaned\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000get\u3000a\u3000symbologist\u3000started\u3000on\u3000Christian\u3000icons\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000in\u3000Christianity\u3000is\u3000original\u3002\u3000The\u3000pre\u2026Christian\u3000God\u3000Mithras\u2014called\u3000the\u3000Son\u3000of\u3000God\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Light\u3000of\u3000the\u3000World\u2014was\u3000born\u3000on\u3000December\u300025\uff1b\u3000died\uff1b\u3000was\u3000buried\u3000in\u3000a\u3000rock\u3000tomb\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000resurrected\u3000in\u3000three\u3000days\u3002\u3000By\u3000the\u3000way\uff1b\u3000December\u300025\u3000is\u3000also\u3000the\u3000birthday\u3000of\u3000Osiris\uff1b\u3000Adonis\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Dionysus\u3002\u3000The\u3000newborn\u3000Krishna\u3000was\u3000presented\u3000with\u3000gold\uff1b\u3000frankincense\uff1b\u3000and\u3000myrrh\u3002\u3000Even\u3000Christianity’s\u3000weekly\u3000holy\u3000day\u3000was\u3000stolen\u3000from\u3000the\u3000pagans\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000mean\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Originally\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Christianity\u3000honored\u3000the\u3000Jewish\u3000Sabbath\u3000of\u3000Saturday\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Constantine\u3000shifted\u3000it\u3000to\u3000coincide\u3000with\u3000the\u3000pagan’s\u3000veneration\u3000day\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sun\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000grinning\u3002\u3000\u3003To\u3000this\u3000day\uff1b\u3000most\u3000churchgoers\u3000attend\u3000services\u3000on\u3000Sunday\u3000morning\u3000with\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000that\u3000they\u3000are\u3000there\u3000on\u3000account\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pagan\u3000sun\u3000god’s\u3000weekly\u3000tribute\u2014Sunday\u3002\u3003
\nSophie’s\u3000head\u3000was\u3000spinning\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000all\u3000of\u3000this\u3000relates\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Grail\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Indeed\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Stay\u3000with\u3000me\u3002\u3000During\u3000this\u3000fusion\u3000of\u3000religions\uff1b\u3000Constantine\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000strengthen\u3000the\u3000new\u3000Christian\u3000tradition\uff1b\u3000and\u3000held\u3000a\u3000famous\u3000ecumenical\u3000gathering\u3000known\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Council\u3000of\u3000Nicaea\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000it\u3000only\u3000insofar\u3000as\u3000its\u3000being\u3000the\u3000birthplace\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Nicene\u3000Creed\u3002
\n\u3003At\u3000this\u3000gathering\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003many\u3000aspects\u3000of\u3000Christianity\u3000were\u3000debated\u3000and\u3000voted\u3000upon\u2014the\u3000date\u3000of\u3000Easter\uff1b\u3000the\u3000role\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bishops\uff1b\u3000the\u3000administration\u3000of\u3000sacraments\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000the\u3000divinity\u3000of\u3000Jesus\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000follow\u3002\u3000His\u3000divinity\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003My\u3000dear\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000declared\uff1b\u3000\u3003until\u3000that\u3000moment\u3000in\u3000history\uff1b\u3000Jesus\u3000was\u3000viewed\u3000by\u3000His\u3000followers\u3000as\u3000a\u3000mortal\u3000prophet\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000great\u3000and\u3000powerful\u3000man\uff1b\u3000but\u3000a\u3000man\u3000nonetheless\u3002\u3000A\u3000mortal\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Not\u3000the\u3000Son\u3000of\u3000God\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Right\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Jesus’\u3000establishment\u3000as\u3000’the\u3000Son\u3000of\u3000God’\u3000was\u3000officially\u3000proposed\u3000and\u3000voted\u3000on\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Council\u3000of\u3000Nicaea\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Hold\u3000on\u3002\u3000You’re\u3000saying\u3000Jesus’\u3000divinity\u3000was\u3000the\u3000result\u3000of\u3000a\u3000vote\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003A\u3000relatively\u3000close\u3000vote\u3000at\u3000that\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000added\u3002\u3000\u3003Nonetheless\uff1b\u3000establishing\u3000Christ’s\u3000divinity\u3000was\u3000critical\u3000to\u3000the\u3000further\u3000unification\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Roman\u3000empire\u3000and\u3000to\u3000the\u3000new\u3000Vatican\u3000power\u3000base\u3002\u3000By\u3000officially\u3000endorsing\u3000Jesus\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Son\u3000of\u3000God\uff1b\u3000Constantine\u3000turned\u3000Jesus\u3000into\u3000a\u3000deity\u3000who\u3000existed\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000scope\u3000of\u3000the\u3000human\u3000world\uff1b\u3000an\u3000entity\u3000whose\u3000power\u3000was\u3000unchallengeable\u3002\u3000This\u3000not\u3000only\u3000precluded\u3000further\u3000pagan\u3000challenges\u3000to\u3000Christianity\uff1b\u3000but\u3000now\u3000the\u3000followers\u3000of\u3000Christ\u3000were\u3000able\u3000to\u3000redeem\u3000themselves\u3000only\u3000via\u3000the\u3000established\u3000sacred\u3000channel\u2014the\u3000Roman\u3000Catholic\u3000Church\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000a\u3000soft\u3000nod\u3000of\u3000concurrence\u3002
\n\u3003It\u3000was\u3000all\u3000about\u3000power\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000continued\u3002\u3000\u3003Christ\u3000as\u3000Messiah\u3000was\u3000critical\u3000to\u3000the\u3000functioning\u3000of\u3000Church\u3000and\u3000state\u3002\u3000Many\u3000scholars\u3000claim\u3000that\u3000the\u3000early\u3000Church\u3000literally\u3000stole\u3000Jesus\u3000from\u3000His\u3000original\u3000followers\uff1b\u3000hijacking\u3000His\u3000human\u3000message\uff1b\u3000shrouding\u3000it\u3000in\u3000an\u3000impenetrable\u3000cloak\u3000of\u3000divinity\uff1b\u3000and\u3000using\u3000it\u3000to\u3000expand\u3000their\u3000own\u3000power\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000written\u3000several\u3000books\u3000on\u3000the\u3000topic\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000I\u3000assume\u3000devout\u3000Christians\u3000send\u3000you\u3000hate\u3000mail\u3000on\u3000a\u3000daily\u3000basis\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Why\u3000would\u3000they\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000countered\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000vast\u3000majority\u3000of\u3000educated\u3000Christians\u3000know\u3000the\u3000history\u3000of\u3000their\u3000faith\u3002\u3000Jesus\u3000was\u3000indeed\u3000a\u3000great\u3000and\u3000powerful\u3000man\u3002\u3000Constantine’s\u3000underhanded\u3000political\u3000maneuvers\u3000don’t\u3000diminish\u3000the\u3000majesty\u3000of\u3000Christ’s\u3000life\u3002\u3000Nobody\u3000is\u3000saying\u3000Christ\u3000was\u3000a\u3000fraud\uff1b\u3000or\u3000denying\u3000that\u3000He\u3000walked\u3000the\u3000earth\u3000and\u3000inspired\u3000millions\u3000to\u3000better\u3000lives\u3002\u3000All\u3000we\u3000are\u3000saying\u3000is\u3000that\u3000Constantine\u3000took\u3000advantage\u3000of\u3000Christ’s\u3000substantial\u3000influence\u3000and\u3000importance\u3002\u3000And\u3000in\u3000doing\u3000so\uff1b\u3000he\u3000shaped\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000Christianity\u3000as\u3000we\u3000know\u3000it\u3000today\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000the\u3000art\u3000book\u3000before\u3000her\uff1b\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000move\u3000on\u3000and\u3000see\u3000the\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000painting\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000twist\u3000is\u3000this\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000talking\u3000faster\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003Because\u3000Constantine\u3000upgraded\u3000Jesus’\u3000status\u3000almost\u3000four\u3000centuries\u3000after\u3000Jesus’\u3000death\uff1b\u3000thousands\u3000of\u3000documents\u3000already\u3000existed\u3000chronicling\u3000His\u3000life\u3000as\u3000a\u3000mortal\u3000man\u3002\u3000To\u3000rewrite\u3000the\u3000history\u3000books\uff1b\u3000Constantine\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000would\u3000need\u3000a\u3000bold\u3000stroke\u3002\u3000From\u3000this\u3000sprang\u3000the\u3000most\u3000profound\u3000moment\u3000in\u3000Christian\u3000history\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003Constantine\u3000missioned\u3000and\u3000financed\u3000a\u3000new\u3000Bible\uff1b\u3000which\u3000omitted\u3000those\u3000gospels\u3000that\u3000spoke\u3000of\u3000Christ’s\u3000human\u3000traits\u3000and\u3000embellished\u3000those\u3000gospels\u3000that\u3000made\u3000Him\u3000godlike\u3002\u3000The\u3000earlier\u3000gospels\u3000were\u3000outlawed\uff1b\u3000gathered\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000burned\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003An\u3000interesting\u3000note\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000added\u3002\u3000\u3003Anyone\u3000who\u3000chose\u3000the\u3000forbidden\u3000gospels\u3000over\u3000Constantine’s\u3000version\u3000was\u3000deemed\u3000a\u3000heretic\u3002\u3000The\u3000word\u3000heretic\u3000derives\u3000from\u3000that\u3000moment\u3000in\u3000history\u3002\u3000The\u3000Latin\u3000word\u3000haereticus\u3000means\u3000’choice\u3002’\u3000Those\u3000who\u3000’chose’\u3000the\u3000original\u3000history\u3000of\u3000Christ\u3000were\u3000the\u3000world’s\u3000first\u3000heretics\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Fortunately\u3000for\u3000historians\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gospels\u3000that\u3000Constantine\u3000attempted\u3000to\u3000eradicate\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000survive\u3002\u3000The\u3000Dead\u3000Sea\u3000Scrolls\u3000were\u3000found\u3000in\u3000the\u30001950s\u3000hidden\u3000in\u3000a\u3000cave\u3000near\u3000Qumran\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Judean\u3000desert\u3002\u3000And\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Coptic\u3000Scrolls\u3000in\u30001945\u3000at\u3000Nag\u3000Hammadi\u3002\u3000In\u3000addition\u3000to\u3000telling\u3000the\u3000true\u3000Grail\u3000story\uff1b\u3000these\u3000documents\u3000speak\u3000of\u3000Christ’s\u3000ministry\u3000in\u3000very\u3000human\u3000t \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n terms\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Vatican\uff1b\u3000in\u3000keeping\u3000with\u3000their\u3000tradition\u3000of\u3000misinformation\uff1b\u3000tried\u3000very\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000suppress\u3000the\u3000release\u3000of\u3000these\u3000scrolls\u3002\u3000And\u3000why\u3000wouldn’t\u3000they\uff1f\u3000The\u3000scrolls\u3000highlight\u3000glaring\u3000historical\u3000discrepancies\u3000and\u3000fabrications\uff1b\u3000clearly\u3000confirming\u3000that\u3000the\u3000modern\u3000Bible\u3000was\u3000piled\u3000and\u3000edited\u3000by\u3000men\u3000who\u3000possessed\u3000a\u3000political\u3000agenda\u2014to\u3000promote\u3000the\u3000divinity\u3000of\u3000the\u3000man\u3000Jesus\u3000Christ\u3000and\u3000use\u3000His\u3000influence\u3000to\u3000solidify\u3000their\u3000own\u3000power\u3000base\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000yet\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000countered\uff1b\u3000\u3003it’s\u3000important\u3000to\u3000remember\u3000that\u3000the\u3000modern\u3000Church’s\u3000desire\u3000to\u3000suppress\u3000these\u3000documents\u3000es\u3000from\u3000a\u3000sincere\u3000belief\u3000in\u3000their\u3000established\u3000view\u3000of\u3000Christ\u3002\u3000The\u3000Vatican\u3000is\u3000made\u3000up\u3000of\u3000deeply\u3000pious\u3000men\u3000who\u3000truly\u3000believe\u3000these\u3000contrary\u3000documents\u3000could\u3000only\u3000be\u3000false\u3000testimony\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000chuckled\u3000as\u3000he\u3000eased\u3000himself\u3000into\u3000a\u3000chair\u3000opposite\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000you\u3000can\u3000see\uff1b\u3000our\u3000professor\u3000has\u3000a\u3000far\u3000softer\u3000heart\u3000for\u3000Rome\u3000than\u3000I\u3000do\u3002\u3000Nonetheless\uff1b\u3000he\u3000is\u3000correct\u3000about\u3000the\u3000modern\u3000clergy\u3000believing\u3000these\u3000opposing\u3000documents\u3000are\u3000false\u3000testimony\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000understandable\u3002\u3000Constantine’s\u3000Bible\u3000has\u3000been\u3000their\u3000truth\u3000for\u3000ages\u3002\u3000Nobody\u3000is\u3000more\u3000indoctrinated\u3000than\u3000the\u3000indoctrinator\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000he\u3000means\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003is\u3000that\u3000we\u3000worship\u3000the\u3000gods\u3000of\u3000our\u3000fathers\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000I\u3000mean\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000countered\uff1b\u3000\u3003is\u3000that\u3000almost\u3000everything\u3000our\u3000fathers\u3000taught\u3000us\u3000about\u3000Christ\u3000is\u3000false\u3002\u3000As\u3000are\u3000the\u3000stories\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000again\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000quote\u3000before\u3000her\u3002\u3000Blinding\u3000ignorance\u3000does\u3000mislead\u3000us\u3002\u3000O\uff01\u3000Wretched\u3000mortals\uff1b\u3000open\u3000your\u3000eyes\uff01
\nTeabing\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000the\u3000book\u3000and\u3000flipped\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000center\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000finally\uff1b\u3000before\u3000I\u3000show\u3000you\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000paintings\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000I’d\u3000like\u3000you\u3000to\u3000take\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000look\u3000at\u3000this\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000book\u3000to\u3000a\u3000colorful\u3000graphic\u3000that\u3000spanned\u3000both\u3000full\u3000pages\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000assume\u3000you\u3000recognize\u3000this\u3000fresco\uff1f\u3003
\nHe’s\u3000kidding\uff1b\u3000right\uff1f\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000the\u3000most\u3000famous\u3000fresco\u3000of\u3000all\u3000time\u2014The\u3000Last\u3000Supper\u2014Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000legendary\u3000painting\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000Santa\u3000Maria\u3000delle\u3000Grazie\u3000near\u3000Milan\u3002\u3000The\u3000decaying\u3000fresco\u3000portrayed\u3000Jesus\u3000and\u3000His\u3000disciples\u3000at\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000that\u3000Jesus\u3000announced\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000would\u3000betray\u3000Him\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000the\u3000fresco\uff1b\u3000yes\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Then\u3000perhaps\u3000you\u3000would\u3000indulge\u3000me\u3000this\u3000little\u3000game\uff1f\u3000Close\u3000your\u3000eyes\u3000if\u3000you\u3000would\u3002\u3003
\nUncertain\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000closed\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002
\n\u3003Where\u3000is\u3000Jesus\u3000sitting\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003In\u3000the\u3000center\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Good\u3002\u3000And\u3000what\u3000food\u3000are\u3000He\u3000and\u3000His\u3000disciples\u3000breaking\u3000and\u3000eating\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Bread\u3002\u3003\u3000Obviously\u3002
\n\u3003Superb\u3002\u3000And\u3000what\u3000drink\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Wine\u3002\u3000They\u3000drank\u3000wine\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Great\u3002\u3000And\u3000one\u3000final\u3000question\u3002\u3000How\u3000many\u3000wineglasses\u3000are\u3000on\u3000the\u3000table\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000realizing\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000trick\u3000question\u3002\u3000And\u3000after\u3000dinner\uff1b\u3000Jesus\u3000took\u3000the\u3000cup\u3000of\u3000wine\uff1b\u3000sharing\u3000it\u3000with\u3000His\u3000disciples\u3002\u3000\u3003One\u3000cup\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000chalice\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000Cup\u3000of\u3000Christ\u3002\u3000The\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000\u3003Jesus\u3000passed\u3000a\u3000single\u3000chalice\u3000of\u3000wine\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000modern\u3000Christians\u3000do\u3000at\u3000munion\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u3003Open\u3000your\u3000eyes\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000did\u3002\u3000Teabing\u3000was\u3000grinning\u3000smugly\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000painting\uff1b\u3000seeing\u3000to\u3000her\u3000astonishment\u3000that\u3000everyone\u3000at\u3000the\u3000table\u3000had\u3000a\u3000glass\u3000of\u3000wine\uff1b\u3000including\u3000Christ\u3002\u3000Thirteen\u3000cups\u3002\u3000Moreover\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cups\u3000were\u3000tiny\uff1b\u3000stemless\uff1b\u3000and\u3000made\u3000of\u3000glass\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000chalice\u3000in\u3000the\u3000painting\u3002\u3000No\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002
\nTeabing’s\u3000eyes\u3000twinkled\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000bit\u3000strange\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000you\u3000think\uff1b\u3000considering\u3000that\u3000both\u3000the\u3000Bible\u3000and\u3000our\u3000standard\u3000Grail\u3000legend\u3000celebrate\u3000this\u3000moment\u3000as\u3000the\u3000definitive\u3000arrival\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000Oddly\uff1b\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000appears\u3000to\u3000have\u3000forgotten\u3000to\u3000paint\u3000the\u3000Cup\u3000of\u3000Christ\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Surely\u3000art\u3000scholars\u3000must\u3000have\u3000noted\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000will\u3000be\u3000shocked\u3000to\u3000learn\u3000what\u3000anomalies\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000included\u3000here\u3000that\u3000most\u3000scholars\u3000either\u3000do\u3000not\u3000see\u3000or\u3000simply\u3000choose\u3000to\u3000ignore\u3002\u3000This\u3000fresco\uff1b\u3000in\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000is\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000key\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000mystery\u3002\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000lays\u3000it\u3000all\u3000out\u3000in\u3000the\u3000open\u3000in\u3000The\u3000Last\u3000Supper\u3003
\nSophie\u3000scanned\u3000the\u3000work\u3000eagerly\u3002\u3000\u3003Does\u3000this\u3000fresco\u3000tell\u3000us\u3000what\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000really\u3000is\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Not\u3000what\u3000it\u3000is\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000whispered\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000rather\u3000who\u3000it\u3000is\u3002\u3000The\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000not\u3000a\u3000thing\u3002\u3000It\u3000is\uff1b\u3000in\u3000fact\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000person\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300056
\n
\nSophie\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000Teabing\u3000a\u3000long\u3000moment\u3000and\u3000then\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000a\u3000person\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000woman\uff1b\u3000in\u3000fact\u3002\u3003\u3000From\u3000the\u3000blank\u3000look\u3000on\u3000Sophie’s\u3000face\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000tell\u3000they\u3000had\u3000already\u3000lost\u3000her\u3002\u3000He\u3000recalled\u3000having\u3000a\u3000similar\u3000reaction\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000statement\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000not\u3000until\u3000he\u3000understood\u3000the\u3000symbology\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000that\u3000the\u3000feminine\u3000connection\u3000became\u3000clear\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000apparently\u3000had\u3000a\u3000similar\u3000thought\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000this\u3000is\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000for\u3000the\u3000symbologist\u3000to\u3000clarify\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000went\u3000to\u3000a\u3000nearby\u3000end\u3000table\uff1b\u3000found\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000paper\uff1b\u3000and\u3000laid\u3000it\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000Langdon\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000pulled\u3000a\u3000pen\u3000from\u3000his\u3000pocket\u3002\u3000\u3003Sophie\uff1b\u3000are\u3000you\u3000familiar\u3000with\u3000the\u3000modern\u3000icons\u3000for\u3000male\u3000and\u3000female\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000drew\u3000the\u3000mon\u3000male\u3000symbol\u3000\u3000and\u3000female\u3000symbol\u3000\u3000\u3002
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003These\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000quietly\uff1b\u3000\u3003are\u3000not\u3000the\u3000original\u3000symbols\u3000for\u3000male\u3000and\u3000female\u3002\u3000Many\u3000people\u3000incorrectly\u3000assume\u3000the\u3000male\u3000symbol\u3000is\u3000derived\u3000from\u3000a\u3000shield\u3000and\u3000spear\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000female\u3000symbol\u3000represents\u3000a\u3000mirror\u3000reflecting\u3000beauty\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000the\u3000symbols\u3000originated\u3000as\u3000ancient\u3000astronomical\u3000symbols\u3000for\u3000the\u3000planet\u2026god\u3000Mars\u3000and\u3000planet\u2026goddess\u3000Venus\u3002\u3000The\u3000original\u3000symbols\u3000are\u3000far\u3000simpler\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000drew\u3000another\u3000icon\u3000on\u3000the\u3000paper\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3003This\u3000symbol\u3000is\u3000the\u3000original\u3000icon\u3000for\u3000male\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000rudimentary\u3000phallus\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Quite\u3000to\u3000the\u3000point\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003As\u3000it\u3000were\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000added\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000went\u3000on\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000icon\u3000is\u3000formally\u3000known\u3000as\u3000the\u3000blade\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000represents\u3000aggression\u3000and\u3000manhood\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000this\u3000exact\u3000phallus\u3000symbol\u3000is\u3000still\u3000used\u3000today\u3000on\u3000modern\u3000military\u3000uniforms\u3000to\u3000denote\u3000rank\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Indeed\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000more\u3000penises\u3000you\u3000have\uff1b\u3000the\u3000higher\u3000your\u3000rank\u3002\u3000Boys\u3000will\u3000be\u3000boys\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000winced\u3002\u3000\u3003Moving\u3000on\uff1b\u3000the\u3000female\u3000symbol\uff1b\u3000as\u3000you\u3000might\u3000imagine\uff1b\u3000is\u3000the\u3000exact\u3000opposite\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000drew\u3000another\u3000symbol\u3000on\u3000the\u3000page\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000called\u3000the\u3000chalice\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nSophie\u3000glanced\u3000up\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000surprised\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000could\u3000see\u3000she\u3000had\u3000made\u3000the\u3000connection\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000chalice\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003resembles\u3000a\u3000cup\u3000or\u3000vessel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000more\u3000important\uff1b\u3000it\u3000resembles\u3000the\u3000shape\u3000of\u3000a\u3000woman’s\u3000womb\u3002\u3000This\u3000symbol\u3000municates\u3000femininity\uff1b\u3000womanhood\uff1b\u3000and\u3000fertility\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000looked\u3000directly\u3000at\u3000her\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003Sophie\uff1b\u3000legend\u3000tells\u3000us\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000a\u3000chalice\u2014a\u3000cup\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000Grail’s\u3000description\u3000as\u3000a\u3000chalice\u3000is\u3000actually\u3000an\u3000allegory\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000the\u3000true\u3000nature\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000That\u3000is\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000the\u3000legend\u3000uses\u3000the\u3000chalice\u3000as\u3000a\u3000metaphor\u3000for\u3000something\u3000far\u3000more\u3000important\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003A\u3000woman\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003Exactly\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000literally\u3000the\u3000ancient\u3000symbol\u3000for\u3000womanhood\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000represents\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u3000and\u3000the\u3000goddess\uff1b\u3000which\u3000of\u3000course\u3000has\u3000now\u3000been\u3000lost\uff1b\u3000virtually\u3000eliminated\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Church\u3002\u3000The\u3000power\u3000of\u3000the\u3000female\u3000and\u3000her\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000produce\u3000life\u3000was\u3000once\u3000very\u3000sacred\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000posed\u3000a\u3000threat\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rise\u3000of\u3000the\u3000predominantly\u3000male\u3000Church\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u3000was\u3000demonized\u3000and\u3000called\u3000unclean\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000man\uff1b\u3000not\u3000God\uff1b\u3000who\u3000created\u3000the\u3000concept\u3000of\u3000’original\u3000sin\uff1b’\u3000whereby\u3000Eve\u3000tasted\u3000of\u3000the\u3000apple\u3000and\u3000caused\u3000the\u3000downfall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000human\u3000race\u3002\u3000Woman\uff1b\u3000once\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000giver\u3000of\u3000life\uff1b\u3000was\u3000now\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000should\u3000add\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000chimed\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000this\u3000concept\u3000of\u3000woman\u3000as\u3000life\u2026bringer\u3000was\u3000the\u3000foundation\u3000of\u3000ancient\u3000religion\u3002\u3000Childbirth\u3000was\u3000mystical\u3000and\u3000powerful\u3002\u3000Sadly\uff1b\u3000Christian\u3000philosophy\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000embezzle\u3000the\u3000female’s\u3000creative\u3000power\u3000by\u3000ignoring\u3000biological\u3000truth\u3000and\u3000making\u3000man\u3000the\u3000Creator\u3002\u3000Genesis\u3000tells\u3000us\u3000that\u3000Eve\u3000was\u3000created\u3000from\u3000Adam’s\u3000rib\u3002\u3000Woman\u3000became\u3000an\u3000offshoot\u3000of\u3000man\u3002\u3000And\u3000a\u3000sinful\u3000one\u3000at\u3000that\u3002\u3000Genesis\u3000was\u3000the\u3000beginning\u3000of\u3000the\u3000end\u3000for\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003is\u3000symbolic\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lost\u3000goddess\u3002\u3000When\u3000Christianity\u3000came\u3000along\uff1b\u3000the\u3000old\u3000pagan\u3000religions\u3000did\u3000not\u3000die\u3000easily\u3002\u3000Legends\u3000of\u3000chivalric\u3000quests\u3000for\u3000the\u3000lost\u3000Grail\u3000were\u3000in\u3000fact\u3000stories\u3000of\u3000forbidden\u3000quests\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000lost\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u3002\u3000Knights\u3000who\u3000claimed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000\u3003searching\u3000for\u3000the\u3000chalice\u3003\u3000were\u3000speaking\u3000in\u3000code\u3000as\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000themselves\u3000from\u3000a\u3000Church\u3000that\u3000had\u3000subjugated\u3000women\uff1b\u3000banished\u3000the\u3000Goddess\uff1b\u3000burned\u3000nonbelievers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000forbidden\u3000the\u3000pagan\u3000reverence\u3000for\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3000when\u3000you\u3000said\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000was\u3000a\u3000person\uff1b\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000you\u3000meant\u3000it\u3000was\u3000an\u3000actual\u3000person\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It\u3000is\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003And\u3000not\u3000just\u3000any\u3000person\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000blurted\uff1b\u3000clambering\u3000excitedly\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000woman\u3000who\u3000carried\u3000with\u3000her\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000so\u3000powerful\u3000that\uff1b\u3000if\u3000revealed\uff1b\u3000it\u3000threatened\u3000to\u3000devastate\u3000the\u3000very\u3000foundation\u3000of\u3000Christianity\uff01\u3003
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000overwhelmed\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000this\u3000woman\u3000well\u3000known\u3000in\u3000history\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Quite\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000collected\u3000his\u3000crutches\u3000and\u3000motioned\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hall\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000if\u3000we\u3000adjourn\u3000to\u3000the\u3000study\uff1b\u3000my\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000my\u3000honor\u3000to\u3000show\u3000you\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000painting\u3000of\u3000her\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nTwo\u3000rooms\u3000away\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000kitchen\uff1b\u3000manservant\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000Legaludec\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000silence\u3000before\u3000a\u3000television\u3002\u3000The\u3000news\u3000station\u3000was\u3000broadcasting\u3000photos\u3000of\u3000a\u3000man\u3000and\u3000woman\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000same\u3000two\u3000individuals\u3000to\u3000whom\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000had\u3000just\u3000served\u3000tea\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300057
\n
\nStanding\u3000at\u3000the\u3000roadblock\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000Depository\u3000Bank\u3000of\u3000Zurich\uff1b\u3000Lieutenant\u3000Collet\u3000wondered\u3000what\u3000was\u3000taking\u3000Fache\u3000so\u3000long\u3000to\u3000e\u3000up\u3000with\u3000the\u3000search\u3000warrant\u3002\u3000The\u3000bankers\u3000were\u3000obviously\u3000hiding\u3000something\u3002\u3000They\u3000claimed\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Neveu\u3000had\u3000arrived\u3000earlier\u3000and\u3000were\u3000turned\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bank\u3000because\u3000they\u3000did\u3000not\u3000have\u3000proper\u3000account\u3000identification\u3002
\nSo\u3000why\u3000won’t\u3000they\u3000let\u3000us\u3000inside\u3000for\u3000a\u3000look\uff1f
\nFinally\uff1b\u3000Collet’s\u3000cellular\u3000phone\u3000rang\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000post\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000we\u3000have\u3000a\u3000search\u3000warrant\u3000yet\uff1f\u3003\u3000Collet\u3000demanded\u3002
\n\u3003Forget\u3000about\u3000the\u3000bank\uff1b\u3000Lieutenant\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000agent\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000just\u3000got \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n Finally\uff1b\u3000Collet’s\u3000cellular\u3000phone\u3000rang\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000post\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000we\u3000have\u3000a\u3000search\u3000warrant\u3000yet\uff1f\u3003\u3000Collet\u3000demanded\u3002
\n\u3003Forget\u3000about\u3000the\u3000bank\uff1b\u3000Lieutenant\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000agent\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000just\u3000got\u3000a\u3000tip\u3002\u3000We\u3000have\u3000the\u3000exact\u3000location\u3000where\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Neveu\u3000are\u3000hiding\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000sat\u3000down\u3000hard\u3000on\u3000the\u3000hood\u3000of\u3000his\u3000car\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000kidding\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000have\u3000an\u3000address\u3000in\u3000the\u3000suburbs\u3002\u3000Somewhere\u3000near\u3000Versailles\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Does\u3000Captain\u3000Fache\u3000know\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Not\u3000yet\u3002\u3000He’s\u3000busy\u3000on\u3000an\u3000important\u3000call\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000on\u3000my\u3000way\u3002\u3000Have\u3000him\u3000call\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000he’s\u3000free\u3002\u3003\u3000Collet\u3000took\u3000down\u3000the\u3000address\u3000and\u3000jumped\u3000in\u3000his\u3000car\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000peeled\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bank\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000realized\u3000he\u3000had\u3000forgotten\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000who\u3000had\u3000tipped\u3000DCPJ\u3000off\u3000to\u3000Langdon’s\u3000location\u3002\u3000Not\u3000that\u3000it\u3000mattered\u3002\u3000Collet\u3000had\u3000been\u3000blessed\u3000with\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000redeem\u3000his\u3000skepticism\u3000and\u3000earlier\u3000blunders\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000most\u3000high\u2026profile\u3000arrest\u3000of\u3000his\u3000career\u3002
\nCollet\u3000radioed\u3000the\u3000five\u3000cars\u3000acpanying\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3000sirens\uff1b\u3000men\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000can’t\u3000know\u3000we’re\u3000ing\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nForty\u3000kilometers\u3000away\uff1b\u3000a\u3000black\u3000Audi\u3000pulled\u3000off\u3000a\u3000rural\u3000road\u3000and\u3000parked\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3000on\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000a\u3000field\u3002\u3000Silas\u3000got\u3000out\u3000and\u3000peered\u3000through\u3000the\u3000rungs\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wrought\u2026iron\u3000fence\u3000that\u3000encircled\u3000the\u3000vast\u3000pound\u3000before\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000gazed\u3000up\u3000the\u3000long\u3000moonlit\u3000slope\u3000to\u3000the\u3000chateau\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distance\u3002
\nThe\u3000downstairs\u3000lights\u3000were\u3000all\u3000ablaze\u3002\u3000Odd\u3000for\u3000this\u3000hour\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000smiling\u3002\u3000The\u3000information\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000given\u3000him\u3000was\u3000obviously\u3000accurate\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000not\u3000leave\u3000this\u3000house\u3000without\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3000he\u3000vowed\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000not\u3000fail\u3000the\u3000bishop\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3002
\nChecking\u3000the\u3000thirteen\u2026round\u3000clip\u3000in\u3000his\u3000Heckler\u3000Koch\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000pushed\u3000it\u3000through\u3000the\u3000bars\u3000and\u3000let\u3000it\u3000fall\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000mossy\u3000ground\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000pound\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000gripping\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fence\uff1b\u3000he\u3000heaved\u3000himself\u3000up\u3000and\u3000over\uff1b\u3000dropping\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3002\u3000Ignoring\u3000the\u3000slash\u3000of\u3000pain\u3000from\u3000his\u3000cilice\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000retrieved\u3000his\u3000gun\u3000and\u3000began\u3000the\u3000long\u3000trek\u3000up\u3000the\u3000grassy\u3000slope\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300058
\n
\nTeabing’s\u3000\u3003study\u3003\u3000was\u3000like\u3000no\u3000study\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000seen\u3002\u3000Six\u3000or\u3000seven\u3000times\u3000larger\u3000than\u3000even\u3000the\u3000most\u3000luxurious\u3000of\u3000office\u3000spaces\uff1b\u3000the\u3000knight’s\u3000cabinet\u3000de\u3000travail\u3000resembled\u3000an\u3000ungainly\u3000hybrid\u3000of\u3000science\u3000laboratory\uff1b\u3000archival\u3000library\uff1b\u3000and\u3000indoor\u3000flea\u3000market\u3002\u3000Lit\u3000by\u3000three\u3000overhead\u3000chandeliers\uff1b\u3000the\u3000boundless\u3000tile\u3000floor\u3000was\u3000dotted\u3000with\u3000clustered\u3000islands\u3000of\u3000worktables\u3000buried\u3000beneath\u3000books\uff1b\u3000artwork\uff1b\u3000artifacts\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000surprising\u3000amount\u3000of\u3000electronic\u3000gear\u2014puters\uff1b\u3000projectors\uff1b\u3000microscopes\uff1b\u3000copy\u3000machines\uff1b\u3000and\u3000flatbed\u3000scanners\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000converted\u3000the\u3000ballroom\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000sheepish\u3000as\u3000he\u3000shuffled\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000little\u3000occasion\u3000to\u3000dance\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000night\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000twilight\u3000zone\u3000where\u3000nothing\u3000was\u3000as\u3000she\u3000expected\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000all\u3000for\u3000your\u3000work\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Learning\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000has\u3000bee\u3000my\u3000life’s\u3000love\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000is\u3000my\u3000favorite\u3000mistress\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000a\u3000woman\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000a\u3000collage\u3000of\u3000interrelated\u3000ideas\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000make\u3000no\u3000sense\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000said\u3000you\u3000have\u3000a\u3000picture\u3000of\u3000this\u3000woman\u3000who\u3000you\u3000claim\u3000is\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000is\u3000not\u3000I\u3000who\u3000claim\u3000she\u3000is\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000Christ\u3000Himself\u3000made\u3000that\u3000claim\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Which\u3000one\u3000is\u3000the\u3000painting\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000scanning\u3000the\u3000walls\u3002
\n\u3003Hmmm\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000made\u3000a\u3000show\u3000of\u3000seeming\u3000to\u3000have\u3000forgotten\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000The\u3000Sangreal\u3002\u3000The\u3000Chalice\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000wheeled\u3000suddenly\u3000and\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000far\u3000wall\u3002\u3000On\u3000it\u3000hung\u3000an\u3000eight\u2026foot\u2026long\u3000print\u3000of\u3000The\u3000Last\u3000Supper\uff1b\u3000the\u3000same\u3000exact\u3000image\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000just\u3000been\u3000looking\u3000at\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000she\u3000is\uff01\u3003
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000she\u3000had\u3000missed\u3000something\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000the\u3000same\u3000painting\u3000you\u3000just\u3000showed\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000winked\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000enlargement\u3000is\u3000so\u3000much\u3000more\u3000exciting\u3002\u3000Don’t\u3000you\u3000think\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Langdon\u3000for\u3000help\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000lost\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000it\u3000turns\u3000out\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000does\u3000indeed\u3000make\u3000an\u3000appearance\u3000in\u3000The\u3000Last\u3000Supper\u3002\u3000Leonardo\u3000included\u3000her\u3000prominently\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Hold\u3000on\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000told\u3000me\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000a\u3000woman\u3002\u3000The\u3000Last\u3000Supper\u3000is\u3000a\u3000painting\u3000of\u3000thirteen\u3000men\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000arched\u3000his\u3000eyebrows\u3002\u3000\u3003Take\u3000a\u3000closer\u3000look\u3002\u3003
\nUncertain\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000made\u3000her\u3000way\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000the\u3000painting\uff1b\u3000scanning\u3000the\u3000thirteen\u3000figures\u2014Jesus\u3000Christ\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\uff1b\u3000six\u3000disciples\u3000on\u3000His\u3000left\uff1b\u3000and\u3000six\u3000on\u3000His\u3000right\u3002\u3000\u3003They’re\u3000all\u3000men\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000confirmed\u3002
\n\u3003Oh\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000about\u3000the\u3000one\u3000seated\u3000in\u3000the\u3000place\u3000of\u3000honor\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000right\u3000hand\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Lord\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000examined\u3000the\u3000figure\u3000to\u3000Jesus’\u3000immediate\u3000right\uff1b\u3000focusing\u3000in\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000studied\u3000the\u3000person’s\u3000face\u3000and\u3000body\uff1b\u3000a\u3000wave\u3000of\u3000astonishment\u3000rose\u3000within\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000individual\u3000had\u3000flowing\u3000red\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000delicate\u3000folded\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000hint\u3000of\u3000a\u3000bosom\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\uff1b\u3000without\u3000a\u3000doubt\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000female\u3002
\n\u3003That’s\u3000a\u3000woman\uff01\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000exclaimed\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000was\u3000laughing\u3002\u3000\u3003Surprise\uff1b\u3000surprise\u3002\u3000Believe\u3000me\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000no\u3000mistake\u3002\u3000Leonardo\u3000was\u3000skilled\u3000at\u3000painting\u3000the\u3000difference\u3000between\u3000the\u3000sexes\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000could\u3000not\u3000take\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000from\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000beside\u3000Christ\u3002\u3000The\u3000Last\u3000Supper\u3000is\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000thirteen\u3000men\u3002\u3000Who\u3000is\u3000this\u3000woman\uff1f\u3000Although\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000this\u3000classic\u3000image\u3000many\u3000times\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000not\u3000once\u3000noticed\u3000this\u3000glaring\u3000discrepancy\u3002
\n\u3003Everyone\u3000misses\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Our\u3000preconceived\u3000notions\u3000of\u3000this\u3000scene\u3000are\u3000so\u3000powerful\u3000that\u3000our\u3000mind\u3000blocks\u3000out\u3000the\u3000incongruity\u3000and\u3000overrides\u3000our\u3000eyes\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000known\u3000as\u3000skitoma\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000added\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000brain\u3000does\u3000it\u3000sometimes\u3000with\u3000powerful\u3000symbols\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Another\u3000reason\u3000you\u3000might\u3000have\u3000missed\u3000the\u3000woman\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003is\u3000that\u3000many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000photographs\u3000in\u3000art\u3000books\u3000were\u3000taken\u3000before\u30001954\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000details\u3000were\u3000still\u3000hidden\u3000beneath\u3000layers\u3000of\u3000grime\u3000and\u3000several\u3000restorative\u3000repaintings\u3000done\u3000by\u3000clumsy\u3000hands\u3000in\u3000the\u3000eighteenth\u3000century\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fresco\u3000has\u3000been\u3000cleaned\u3000down\u3000to\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000original\u3000layer\u3000of\u3000paint\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000motioned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000photograph\u3002\u3000\u3003Et\u3000voil\u00e0\uff01\u3003
\nSophie\u3000moved\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000the\u3000image\u3002\u3000The\u3000woman\u3000to\u3000Jesus’\u3000right\u3000was\u3000young\u3000and\u3000pious\u2026looking\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000demure\u3000face\uff1b\u3000beautiful\u3000red\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000and\u3000hands\u3000folded\u3000quietly\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000who\u3000singlehandedly\u3000could\u3000crumble\u3000the\u3000Church\uff1f
\n\u3003Who\u3000is\u3000she\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003That\uff1b\u3000my\u3000dear\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000\u3003is\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000turned\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000prostitute\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000short\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000word\u3000had\u3000injured\u3000him\u3000personally\u3002\u3000\u3003Magdalene\u3000was\u3000no\u3000such\u3000thing\u3002\u3000That\u3000unfortunate\u3000misconception\u3000is\u3000the\u3000legacy\u3000of\u3000a\u3000smear\u3000campaign\u3000launched\u3000by\u3000the\u3000early\u3000Church\u3002\u3000The\u3000Church\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000defame\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000in\u3000order\u3000to\u3000cover\u3000up\u3000her\u3000dangerous\u3000secret\u2014her\u3000role\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Her\u3000role\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003As\u3000I\u3000mentioned\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000clarified\uff1b\u3000\u3003the\u3000early\u3000Church\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000convince\u3000the\u3000world\u3000that\u3000the\u3000mortal\u3000prophet\u3000Jesus\u3000was\u3000a\u3000divine\u3000being\u3002\u3000Therefore\uff1b\u3000any\u3000gospels\u3000that\u3000described\u3000earthly\u3000aspects\u3000of\u3000Jesus’\u3000life\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000omitted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Bible\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\u3000for\u3000the\u3000early\u3000editors\uff1b\u3000one\u3000particularly\u3000troubling\u3000earthly\u3000theme\u3000kept\u3000recurring\u3000in\u3000the\u3000gospels\u3002\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003More\u3000specifically\uff1b\u3000her\u3000marriage\u3000to\u3000Jesus\u3000Christ\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000beg\u3000your\u3000pardon\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie’s\u3000eyes\u3000moved\u3000to\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000then\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Teabing\u3002
\n\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000historical\u3000record\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000was\u3000certainly\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000that\u3000fact\u3002\u3000The\u3000Last\u3000Supper\u3000practically\u3000shouts\u3000at\u3000the\u3000viewer\u3000that\u3000Jesus\u3000and\u3000Magdalene\u3000were\u3000a\u3000pair\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000glanced\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fresco\u3002
\n\u3003Notice\u3000that\u3000Jesus\u3000and\u3000Magdalene\u3000are\u3000clothed\u3000as\u3000mirror\u3000images\u3000of\u3000one\u3000another\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000two\u3000individuals\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fresco\u3002
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000mesmerized\u3002\u3000Sure\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000their\u3000clothes\u3000were\u3000inverse\u3000colors\u3002\u3000Jesus\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000red\u3000robe\u3000and\u3000blue\u3000cloak\uff1b\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000blue\u3000robe\u3000and\u3000red\u3000cloak\u3002\u3000Yin\u3000and\u3000yang\u3002
\n\u3003Venturing\u3000into\u3000the\u3000more\u3000bizarre\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003note\u3000that\u3000Jesus\u3000and\u3000His\u3000bride\u3000appear\u3000to\u3000be\u3000joined\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hip\u3000and\u3000are\u3000leaning\u3000away\u3000from\u3000one\u3000another\u3000as\u3000if\u3000to\u3000create\u3000this\u3000clearly\u3000delineated\u3000negative\u3000space\u3000between\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\nEven\u3000before\u3000Teabing\u3000traced\u3000the\u3000contour\u3000for\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000saw\u3000it\u2014the\u3000indisputable\u3000V\u3000shape\u3000at\u3000the\u3000focal\u3000point\u3000of\u3000the\u3000painting\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000same\u3000symbol\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000drawn\u3000earlier\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000the\u3000chalice\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000female\u3000womb\u3002
\n\u3003Finally\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003if\u3000you\u3000view\u3000Jesus\u3000and\u3000Magdalene\u3000as\u3000positional\u3000elements\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000as\u3000people\uff1b\u3000you\u3000will\u3000see\u3000another\u3000obvious\u3000shape\u3000leap\u3000out\u3000at\u3000you\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000letter\u3000of\u3000the\u3000alphabet\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000saw\u3000it\u3000at\u3000once\u3002\u3000To\u3000say\u3000the\u3000letter\u3000leapt\u3000out\u3000at\u3000her\u3000was\u3000an\u3000understatement\u3002\u3000The\u3000letter\u3000was\u3000suddenly\u3000all\u3000Sophie\u3000could\u3000see\u3002\u3000Glaring\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000painting\u3000was\u3000the\u3000unquestionable\u3000outline\u3000of\u3000an\u3000enormous\uff1b\u3000flawlessly\u3000formed\u3000letter\u3000M\u3002
\n\u3003A\u3000bit\u3000too\u3000perfect\u3000for\u3000coincidence\uff1b\u3000wouldn’t\u3000you\u3000say\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000asked\u3002
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000amazed\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000is\u3000it\u3000there\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003Conspiracy\u3000theorists\u3000will\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000it\u3000stands\u3000for\u3000Matrimonio\u3000or\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3002\u3000To\u3000be\u3000honest\uff1b\u3000nobody\u3000is\u3000certain\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000certainty\u3000is\u3000that\u3000the\u3000hidden\u3000M\u3000is\u3000no\u3000mistake\u3002\u3000Countless\u3000Grail\u2026related\u3000works\u3000contain\u3000the\u3000hidden\u3000letter\u3000M\u2014whether\u3000as\u3000watermarks\uff1b\u3000underpaintings\uff1b\u3000or\u3000positional\u3000allusions\u3002\u3000The\u3000most\u3000blatant\u3000M\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000is\u3000emblazoned\u3000on\u3000the\u3000altar\u3000at\u3000Our\u3000Lady\u3000of\u3000Paris\u3000in\u3000London\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000designed\u3000by\u3000a\u3000former\u3000Grand\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\uff1b\u3000Jean\u3000Cocteau\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000weighed\u3000the\u3000information\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000admit\uff1b\u3000the\u3000hidden\u3000M’s\u3000are\u3000intriguing\uff1b\u3000although\u3000I\u3000assume\u3000nobody\u3000is\u3000claiming\u3000they\u3000are\u3000proof\u3000of\u3000Jesus’\u3000marriage\u3000to\u3000Magdalene\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000no\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000going\u3000to\u3000a\u3000nearby\u3000table\u3000of\u3000books\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000I\u3000said\u3000earlier\uff1b\u3000the\u3000marriage\u3000of\u3000Jesus\u3000and\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000is\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000historical\u3000record\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000began\u3000pawing\u3000through\u3000his\u3000book\u3000collection\u3002\u3000\u3003Moreover\uff1b\u3000Jesus\u3000as\u3000a\u3000married\u3000man\u3000makes\u3000infinitely\u3000more\u3000sense\u3000than\u3000our\u3000standard\u3000biblical\u3000view\u3000of\u3000Jesus\u3000as\u3000a\u3000bachelor\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Why\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003Because\u3000Jesus\u3000was\u3000a\u3000Jew\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000taki \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003Why\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003Because\u3000Jesus\u3000was\u3000a\u3000Jew\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000over\u3000while\u3000Teabing\u3000searched\u3000for\u3000his\u3000book\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000the\u3000social\u3000decorum\u3000during\u3000that\u3000time\u3000virtually\u3000forbid\u3000a\u3000Jewish\u3000man\u3000to\u3000be\u3000unmarried\u3002\u3000According\u3000to\u3000Jewish\u3000custom\uff1b\u3000celibacy\u3000was\u3000condemned\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000obligation\u3000for\u3000a\u3000Jewish\u3000father\u3000was\u3000to\u3000find\u3000a\u3000suitable\u3000wife\u3000for\u3000his\u3000son\u3002\u3000If\u3000Jesus\u3000were\u3000not\u3000married\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Bible’s\u3000gospels\u3000would\u3000have\u3000mentioned\u3000it\u3000and\u3000offered\u3000some\u3000explanation\u3000for\u3000His\u3000unnatural\u3000state\u3000of\u3000bachelorhood\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000located\u3000a\u3000huge\u3000book\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000it\u3000toward\u3000him\u3000across\u3000the\u3000table\u3002\u3000The\u3000leather\u2026bound\u3000edition\u3000was\u3000poster\u2026sized\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000huge\u3000atlas\u3002\u3000The\u3000cover\u3000read\uff1a\u3000The\u3000Gnostic\u3000Gospels\u3002\u3000Teabing\u3000heaved\u3000it\u3000open\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000joined\u3000him\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000could\u3000see\u3000it\u3000contained\u3000photographs\u3000of\u3000what\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000magnified\u3000passages\u3000of\u3000ancient\u3000documents\u2014tattered\u3000papyrus\u3000with\u3000handwritten\u3000text\u3002\u3000She\u3000did\u3000not\u3000recognize\u3000the\u3000ancient\u3000language\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000facing\u3000pages\u3000bore\u3000typed\u3000translations\u3002
\n\u3003These\u3000are\u3000photocopies\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Nag\u3000Hammadi\u3000and\u3000Dead\u3000Sea\u3000scrolls\uff1b\u3000which\u3000I\u3000mentioned\u3000earlier\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000earliest\u3000Christian\u3000records\u3002\u3000Troublingly\uff1b\u3000they\u3000do\u3000not\u3000match\u3000up\u3000with\u3000the\u3000gospels\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Bible\u3002\u3003\u3000Flipping\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000book\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000a\u3000passage\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Gospel\u3000of\u3000Philip\u3000is\u3000always\u3000a\u3000good\u3000place\u3000to\u3000start\u3002\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000read\u3000the\u3000passage\uff1a
\nAnd\u3000the\u3000panion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Saviour\u3000is\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3002\u3000Christ\u3000loved\u3000her\u3000more\u3000than\u3000all\u3000the\u3000disciples\u3000and\u3000used\u3000to\u3000kiss\u3000her\u3000often\u3000on\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000The\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000disciples\u3000were\u3000offended\u3000by\u3000it\u3000and\u3000expressed\u3000disapproval\u3002\u3000They\u3000said\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000\u3003Why\u3000do\u3000you\u3000love\u3000her\u3000more\u3000than\u3000all\u3000of\u3000us\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000words\u3000surprised\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000they\u3000hardly\u3000seemed\u3000conclusive\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000says\u3000nothing\u3000of\u3000marriage\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Au\u3000contraire\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000smiled\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000to\u3000the\u3000first\u3000line\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000any\u3000Aramaic\u3000scholar\u3000will\u3000tell\u3000you\uff1b\u3000the\u3000word\u3000panion\uff1b\u3000in\u3000those\u3000days\uff1b\u3000literally\u3000meant\u3000spouse\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000concurred\u3000with\u3000a\u3000nod\u3002
\nSophie\u3000read\u3000the\u3000first\u3000line\u3000again\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000panion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Saviour\u3000is\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000flipped\u3000through\u3000the\u3000book\u3000and\u3000pointed\u3000out\u3000several\u3000other\u3000passages\u3000that\uff1b\u3000to\u3000Sophie’s\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000clearly\u3000suggested\u3000Magdalene\u3000and\u3000Jesus\u3000had\u3000a\u3000romantic\u3000relationship\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000read\u3000the\u3000passages\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000recalled\u3000an\u3000angry\u3000priest\u3000who\u3000had\u3000banged\u3000on\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000door\u3000when\u3000she\u3000was\u3000a\u3000schoolgirl\u3002
\n\u3003Is\u3000this\u3000the\u3000home\u3000of\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000priest\u3000had\u3000demanded\uff1b\u3000glaring\u3000down\u3000at\u3000young\u3000Sophie\u3000when\u3000she\u3000pulled\u3000open\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000him\u3000about\u3000this\u3000editorial\u3000he\u3000wrote\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000priest\u3000held\u3000up\u3000a\u3000newspaper\u3002
\nSophie\u3000summoned\u3000her\u3000grandfather\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000two\u3000men\u3000disappeared\u3000into\u3000his\u3000study\u3000and\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000My\u3000grandfather\u3000wrote\u3000something\u3000in\u3000the\u3000paper\uff1f\u3000Sophie\u3000immediately\u3000ran\u3000to\u3000the\u3000kitchen\u3000and\u3000flipped\u3000through\u3000that\u3000morning’s\u3000paper\u3002\u3000She\u3000found\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000name\u3000on\u3000an\u3000article\u3000on\u3000the\u3000second\u3000page\u3002\u3000She\u3000read\u3000it\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000didn’t\u3000understand\u3000all\u3000of\u3000what\u3000was\u3000said\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000sounded\u3000like\u3000the\u3000French\u3000government\uff1b\u3000under\u3000pressure\u3000from\u3000priests\uff1b\u3000had\u3000agreed\u3000to\u3000ban\u3000an\u3000American\u3000movie\u3000called\u3000The\u3000Last\u3000Temptation\u3000of\u3000Christ\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000about\u3000Jesus\u3000having\u3000sex\u3000with\u3000a\u3000lady\u3000called\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3002\u3000Her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000article\u3000said\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000was\u3000arrogant\u3000and\u3000wrong\u3000to\u3000ban\u3000it\u3002
\nNo\u3000wonder\u3000the\u3000priest\u3000is\u3000mad\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000thought\u3002
\n\u3003It’s\u3000pornography\uff01\u3000Sacrilege\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000priest\u3000yelled\uff1b\u3000emerging\u3000from\u3000the\u3000study\u3000and\u3000storming\u3000to\u3000the\u3000front\u3000door\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000can\u3000you\u3000possibly\u3000endorse\u3000that\uff01\u3000This\u3000American\u3000Martin\u3000Scorsese\u3000is\u3000a\u3000blasphemer\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000will\u3000permit\u3000him\u3000no\u3000pulpit\u3000in\u3000France\uff01\u3003\u3000The\u3000priest\u3000slammed\u3000the\u3000door\u3000on\u3000his\u3000way\u3000out\u3002
\nWhen\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000came\u3000into\u3000the\u3000kitchen\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000Sophie\u3000with\u3000the\u3000paper\u3000and\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000quick\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000think\u3000Jesus\u3000Christ\u3000had\u3000a\u3000girlfriend\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000dear\uff1b\u3000I\u3000said\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000should\u3000not\u3000be\u3000allowed\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000us\u3000what\u3000notions\u3000we\u3000can\u3000and\u3000can’t\u3000entertain\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Did\u3000Jesus\u3000have\u3000a\u3000girlfriend\uff1f\u3003
\nHer\u3000grandfather\u3000was\u3000silent\u3000for\u3000several\u3000moments\u3002\u3000\u3003Would\u3000it\u3000be\u3000so\u3000bad\u3000if\u3000He\u3000did\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000considered\u3000it\u3000and\u3000then\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000wouldn’t\u3000mind\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nSir\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000was\u3000still\u3000talking\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000shan’t\u3000bore\u3000you\u3000with\u3000the\u3000countless\u3000references\u3000to\u3000Jesus\u3000and\u3000Magdalene’s\u3000union\u3002\u3000That\u3000has\u3000been\u3000explored\u3000ad\u3000nauseum\u3000by\u3000modern\u3000historians\u3002\u3000I\u3000would\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000like\u3000to\u3000point\u3000out\u3000the\u3000following\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000motioned\u3000to\u3000another\u3000passage\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Gospel\u3000of\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000had\u3000not\u3000known\u3000a\u3000gospel\u3000existed\u3000in\u3000Magdalene’s\u3000words\u3002\u3000She\u3000read\u3000the\u3000text\uff1a
\nAnd\u3000Peter\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Did\u3000the\u3000Saviour\u3000really\u3000speak\u3000with\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000without\u3000our\u3000knowledge\uff1f\u3000Are\u3000we\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000about\u3000and\u3000all\u3000listen\u3000to\u3000her\uff1f\u3000Did\u3000he\u3000prefer\u3000her\u3000to\u3000us\uff1f\u3003
\nAnd\u3000Levi\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000\u3003Peter\uff1b\u3000you\u3000have\u3000always\u3000been\u3000hot\u2026tempered\u3002\u3000Now\u3000I\u3000see\u3000you\u3000contending\u3000against\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000like\u3000an\u3000adversary\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000Saviour\u3000made\u3000her\u3000worthy\uff1b\u3000who\u3000are\u3000you\u3000indeed\u3000to\u3000reject\u3000her\uff1f\u3000Surely\u3000the\u3000Saviour\u3000knows\u3000her\u3000very\u3000well\u3002\u3000That\u3000is\u3000why\u3000he\u3000loved\u3000her\u3000more\u3000than\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000woman\u3000they\u3000are\u3000speaking\u3000of\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000explained\uff1b\u3000\u3003is\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3002\u3000Peter\u3000is\u3000jealous\u3000of\u3000her\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Because\u3000Jesus\u3000preferred\u3000Mary\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Not\u3000only\u3000that\u3002\u3000The\u3000stakes\u3000were\u3000far\u3000greater\u3000than\u3000mere\u3000affection\u3002\u3000At\u3000this\u3000point\u3000in\u3000the\u3000gospels\uff1b\u3000Jesus\u3000suspects\u3000He\u3000will\u3000soon\u3000be\u3000captured\u3000and\u3000crucified\u3002\u3000So\u3000He\u3000gives\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000instructions\u3000on\u3000how\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000on\u3000His\u3000Church\u3000after\u3000He\u3000is\u3000gone\u3002\u3000As\u3000a\u3000result\uff1b\u3000Peter\u3000expresses\u3000his\u3000discontent\u3000over\u3000playing\u3000second\u3000fiddle\u3000to\u3000a\u3000woman\u3002\u3000I\u3000daresay\u3000Peter\u3000was\u3000something\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sexist\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000Saint\u3000Peter\u3002\u3000The\u3000rock\u3000on\u3000which\u3000Jesus\u3000built\u3000His\u3000Church\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000same\uff1b\u3000except\u3000for\u3000one\u3000catch\u3002\u3000According\u3000to\u3000these\u3000unaltered\u3000gospels\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000not\u3000Peter\u3000to\u3000whom\u3000Christ\u3000gave\u3000directions\u3000with\u3000which\u3000to\u3000establish\u3000the\u3000Christian\u3000Church\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000saying\u3000the\u3000Christian\u3000Church\u3000was\u3000to\u3000be\u3000carried\u3000on\u3000by\u3000a\u3000woman\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003That\u3000was\u3000the\u3000plan\u3002\u3000Jesus\u3000was\u3000the\u3000original\u3000feminist\u3002\u3000He\u3000intended\u3000for\u3000the\u3000future\u3000of\u3000His\u3000Church\u3000to\u3000be\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hands\u3000of\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000Peter\u3000had\u3000a\u3000problem\u3000with\u3000that\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000to\u3000The\u3000Last\u3000Supper\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000Peter\u3000there\u3002\u3000You\u3000can\u3000see\u3000that\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000was\u3000well\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000how\u3000Peter\u3000felt\u3000about\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3002\u3003
\nAgain\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000speechless\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000painting\uff1b\u3000Peter\u3000was\u3000leaning\u3000menacingly\u3000toward\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000and\u3000slicing\u3000his\u3000blade\u2026like\u3000hand\u3000across\u3000her\u3000neck\u3002\u3000The\u3000same\u3000threatening\u3000gesture\u3000as\u3000in\u3000Madonna\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rocks\uff01
\n\u3003And\u3000here\u3000too\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000now\u3000to\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000of\u3000disciples\u3000near\u3000Peter\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000bit\u3000ominous\uff1b\u3000no\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000squinted\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000emerging\u3000from\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000of\u3000disciples\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000that\u3000hand\u3000wielding\u3000a\u3000dagger\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000Stranger\u3000still\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000count\u3000the\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000you’ll\u3000see\u3000that\u3000this\u3000hand\u3000belongs\u3000to\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000no\u3000one\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000disembodied\u3002\u3000Anonymous\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000overwhelmed\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3000I\u3000still\u3000don’t\u3000understand\u3000how\u3000all\u3000of\u3000this\u3000makes\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Aha\uff01\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000exclaimed\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003Therein\u3000lies\u3000the\u3000rub\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000once\u3000more\u3000to\u3000the\u3000table\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000a\u3000large\u3000chart\uff1b\u3000spreading\u3000it\u3000out\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000an\u3000elaborate\u3000genealogy\u3002\u3000\u3003Few\u3000people\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\uff1b\u3000in\u3000addition\u3000to\u3000being\u3000Christ’s\u3000right\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000was\u3000a\u3000powerful\u3000woman\u3000already\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000could\u3000now\u3000see\u3000the\u3000title\u3000of\u3000the\u3000family\u3000tree\u3002
\nTHE\u3000TRIBE\u3000OF\u3000BENJAMIN
\n\u3000
\n\u3003Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000is\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000near\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000genealogy\u3002
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3002\u3000\u3003She\u3000was\u3000of\u3000the\u3000House\u3000of\u3000Benjamin\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Indeed\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000was\u3000of\u3000royal\u3000descent\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000I\u3000was\u3000under\u3000the\u3000impression\u3000Magdalene\u3000was\u3000poor\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Magdalene\u3000was\u3000recast\u3000as\u3000a\u3000whore\u3000in\u3000order\u3000to\u3000erase\u3000evidence\u3000of\u3000her\u3000powerful\u3000family\u3000ties\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000found\u3000herself\u3000again\u3000glancing\u3000at\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000who\u3000again\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Teabing\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000why\u3000would\u3000the\u3000early\u3000Church\u3000care\u3000if\u3000Magdalene\u3000had\u3000royal\u3000blood\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000Briton\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000dear\u3000child\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000not\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene’s\u3000royal\u3000blood\u3000that\u3000concerned\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000so\u3000much\u3000as\u3000it\u3000was\u3000her\u3000consorting\u3000with\u3000Christ\uff1b\u3000who\u3000also\u3000had\u3000royal\u3000blood\u3002\u3000As\u3000you\u3000know\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Book\u3000of\u3000Matthew\u3000tells\u3000us\u3000that\u3000Jesus\u3000was\u3000of\u3000the\u3000House\u3000of\u3000David\u3002\u3000A\u3000descendant\u3000of\u3000King\u3000Solomon\u2014King\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Jews\u3002\u3000By\u3000marrying\u3000into\u3000the\u3000powerful\u3000House\u3000of\u3000Benjamin\uff1b\u3000Jesus\u3000fused\u3000two\u3000royal\u3000bloodlines\uff1b\u3000creating\u3000a\u3000potent\u3000political\u3000union\u3000with\u3000the\u3000potential\u3000of\u3000making\u3000a\u3000legitimate\u3000claim\u3000to\u3000the\u3000throne\u3000and\u3000restoring\u3000the\u3000line\u3000of\u3000kings\u3000as\u3000it\u3000was\u3000under\u3000Solomon\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000sensed\u3000he\u3000was\u3000at\u3000last\u3000ing\u3000to\u3000his\u3000point\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000looked\u3000excited\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000legend\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000a\u3000legend\u3000about\u3000royal\u3000blood\u3002\u3000When\u3000Grail\u3000legend\u3000speaks\u3000of\u3000’the\u3000chalice\u3000that\u3000held\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000of\u3000Christ’\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000it\u3000speaks\uff1b\u3000in\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000of\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u2014the\u3000female\u3000womb\u3000that\u3000carried\u3000Jesus’\u3000royal\u3000bloodline\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000words\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000echo\u3000across\u3000the\u3000ballroom\u3000and\u3000back\u3000before\u3000they\u3000fully\u3000registered\u3000in\u3000Sophie’s\u3000mind\u3002\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000carried\u3000the\u3000royal\u3000bloodline\u3000of\u3000Jesus\u3000Christ\uff1f\u3000\u3003But\u3000how\u3000could\u3000Christ\u3000have\u3000a\u3000bloodline\u3000unless\u3002\u3002\u3002\uff1f\u3003\u3000She\u3000paused\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Langdon\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000smiled\u3000softly\u3002\u3000\u3003Unless\u3000they\u3000had\u3000a\u3000child\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000stood\u3000transfixed\u3002
\n\u3003Behold\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000proclaimed\uff1b\u3000\u3003the\u3000greatest\u3000cover\u2026up\u3000in\u3000human\u3000history\u3002\u3000Not\u3000only\u3000was\u3000Jesus\u3000Christ\u3000married\uff1b\u3000but\u3000He\u3000was\u3000a\u3000father\u3002\u3000My\u3000dear\uff1b\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000was\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Vessel\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000the\u3000chalice\u3000that\u3000bore\u3000the\u3000royal\u3000bloodline\u3000of\u3000Jesus\u3000Christ\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000the\u3000womb\u3000that\u3000bore\u3000the\u3000lineage\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000vine\u3000from\u3000which\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000fruit\u3000sprang\u3000forth\uff01\u3003
\nSophie\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000hairs\u3000stand\u3000up\u3000on\u3000her\u3000arms\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000how\u3000could\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000that\u3000big\u3000be\u3000kept\u3000quiet\u3000all\u3000of\u3000these\u3000years\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Heavens\uff01\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000has\u3000been\u3000anything\u3000but\u3000quiet\uff01\u3000The\u3000royal\u3000bloodline\u3000of\u3000Jesus\u3000Christ\u3000is\u3000the\u3000source\u3000of\u3000the\u3000most\u3000enduring\u3000legend\u3000of\u3000all\u3000time\u2014the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000Magdalene’s\u3000story\u3000has\u3000been\u3000shouted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rooftops\u3000for\u3000centuries\u3000in\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000from\u3000the\u3000rooftops\u3000for\u3000centuries\u3000in\u3000all\u3000kinds\u3000of\u3000metaphors\u3000and\u3000languages\u3002\u3000Her\u3000story\u3000is\u3000everywhere\u3000once\u3000you\u3000open\u3000your\u3000eyes\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000allegedly\u3000contain\u3000proof\u3000that\u3000Jesus\u3000had\u3000a\u3000royal\u3000bloodline\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003They\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003So\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000legend\u3000is\u3000all\u3000about\u3000royal\u3000blood\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Quite\u3000literally\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000word\u3000Sangreal\u3000derives\u3000from\u3000San\u3000Greal\u2014or\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000But\u3000in\u3000its\u3000most\u3000ancient\u3000form\uff1b\u3000the\u3000word\u3000Sangreal\u3000was\u3000divided\u3000in\u3000a\u3000different\u3000spot\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000wrote\u3000on\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000scrap\u3000paper\u3000and\u3000handed\u3000it\u3000to\u3000her\u3002
\nShe\u3000read\u3000what\u3000he\u3000had\u3000written\u3002
\nSang\u3000Real
\n\u3000
\nInstantly\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000recognized\u3000the\u3000translation\u3002\u3000Sang\u3000Real\u3000literally\u3000meant\u3000Royal\u3000Blood\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300059
\n
\nThe\u3000male\u3000receptionist\u3000in\u3000the\u3000lobby\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000headquarters\u3000on\u3000Lexington\u3000Avenue\u3000in\u3000New\u3000York\u3000City\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa’s\u3000voice\u3000on\u3000the\u3000line\u3002\u3000\u3003Good\u3000evening\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Have\u3000I\u3000had\u3000any\u3000messages\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000bishop\u3000demanded\uff1b\u3000sounding\u3000unusually\u3000anxious\u3002
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000very\u3000glad\u3000you\u3000called\u3000in\u3002\u3000I\u3000couldn’t\u3000reach\u3000you\u3000in\u3000your\u3000apartment\u3002\u3000You\u3000had\u3000an\u3000urgent\u3000phone\u3000message\u3000about\u3000half\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000ago\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000sounded\u3000relieved\u3000by\u3000the\u3000news\u3002\u3000\u3003Did\u3000the\u3000caller\u3000leave\u3000a\u3000name\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1b\u3000just\u3000a\u3000number\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000operator\u3000relayed\u3000the\u3000number\u3002
\n\u3003Prefix\u3000thirty\u2026three\uff1f\u3000That’s\u3000France\uff1b\u3000am\u3000I\u3000right\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000Paris\u3002\u3000The\u3000caller\u3000said\u3000it\u3000was\u3000critical\u3000you\u3000contact\u3000him\u3000immediately\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000been\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000that\u3000call\u3002\u3003\u3000Aringarosa\u3000quickly\u3000severed\u3000the\u3000connection\u3002
\nAs\u3000the\u3000receptionist\u3000hung\u3000up\u3000the\u3000receiver\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wondered\u3000why\u3000Aringarosa’s\u3000phone\u3000connection\u3000sounded\u3000so\u3000crackly\u3002\u3000The\u3000bishop’s\u3000daily\u3000schedule\u3000showed\u3000him\u3000in\u3000New\u3000York\u3000this\u3000weekend\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000he\u3000sounded\u3000a\u3000world\u3000away\u3002\u3000The\u3000receptionist\u3000shrugged\u3000it\u3000off\u3002\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3000had\u3000been\u3000acting\u3000very\u3000strangely\u3000the\u3000last\u3000few\u3000months\u3002
\n\u3000
\nMy\u3000cellular\u3000phone\u3000must\u3000not\u3000have\u3000been\u3000receiving\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000thought\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Fiat\u3000approached\u3000the\u3000exit\u3000for\u3000Rome’s\u3000Ciampino\u3000Charter\u3000Airport\u3002\u3000The\u3000Teacher\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000me\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000Aringarosa’s\u3000concern\u3000at\u3000having\u3000missed\u3000the\u3000call\uff1b\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000encouraged\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000felt\u3000confident\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000call\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000headquarters\u3000directly\u3002
\nThings\u3000must\u3000have\u3000gone\u3000well\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3000tonight\u3002
\nAs\u3000Aringarosa\u3000began\u3000dialing\u3000the\u3000number\uff1b\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000excited\u3000to\u3000know\u3000he\u3000would\u3000soon\u3000be\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000be\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000before\u3000dawn\u3002\u3000Aringarosa\u3000had\u3000a\u3000chartered\u3000turbo\u3000prop\u3000awaiting\u3000him\u3000here\u3000for\u3000the\u3000short\u3000flight\u3000to\u3000France\u3002\u3000mercial\u3000carriers\u3000were\u3000not\u3000an\u3000option\u3000at\u3000this\u3000hour\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000considering\u3000the\u3000contents\u3000of\u3000his\u3000briefcase\u3002
\nThe\u3000line\u3000began\u3000to\u3000ring\u3002
\nA\u3000female\u3000voice\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003Direction\u3000Centrale\u3000Police\u3000Judidaire\u3002\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000felt\u3000himself\u3000hesitate\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\u3000unexpected\u3002\u3000\u3003Ah\uff1b\u3000yes\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000asked\u3000to\u3000call\u3000this\u3000number\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Qui\u3000\u00eates\u2026vous\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000name\uff1f\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000was\u3000uncertain\u3000if\u3000he\u3000should\u3000reveal\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000French\u3000Judicial\u3000Police\uff1f
\n\u3003Your\u3000name\uff1b\u3000monsieur\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000pressed\u3002
\n\u3003Bishop\u3000Manuel\u3000Aringarosa\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Un\u3000moment\u3002\u3003\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000click\u3000on\u3000the\u3000line\u3002
\nAfter\u3000a\u3000long\u3000wait\uff1b\u3000another\u3000man\u3000came\u3000on\uff1b\u3000his\u3000tone\u3000gruff\u3000and\u3000concerned\u3002\u3000\u3003Bishop\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3000glad\u3000I\u3000finally\u3000reached\u3000you\u3002\u3000You\u3000and\u3000I\u3000have\u3000much\u3000to\u3000discuss\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300060
\n
\nSangreal\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000Sang\u3000Real\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000San\u3000Greal\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000Royal\u3000Blood\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000all\u3000intertwined\u3002
\nThe\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000mother\u3000of\u3000the\u3000royal\u3000bloodline\u3000of\u3000Jesus\u3000Christ\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000new\u3000wave\u3000of\u3000disorientation\u3000as\u3000she\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000the\u3000silence\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ballroom\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000The\u3000more\u3000pieces\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Teabing\u3000laid\u3000on\u3000the\u3000table\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000the\u3000more\u3000unpredictable\u3000this\u3000puzzle\u3000became\u3002
\n\u3003As\u3000you\u3000can\u3000see\uff1b\u3000my\u3000dear\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000hobbling\u3000toward\u3000a\u3000bookshelf\uff1b\u3000\u3003Leonardo\u3000is\u3000not\u3000the\u3000only\u3000one\u3000who\u3000has\u3000been\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000the\u3000world\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000The\u3000royal\u3000bloodline\u3000of\u3000Jesus\u3000Christ\u3000has\u3000been\u3000chronicled\u3000in\u3000exhaustive\u3000detail\u3000by\u3000scores\u3000of\u3000historians\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000ran\u3000a\u3000finger\u3000down\u3000a\u3000row\u3000of\u3000several\u3000dozen\u3000books\u3002
\nSophie\u3000tilted\u3000her\u3000head\u3000and\u3000scanned\u3000the\u3000list\u3000of\u3000titles\uff1a
\nTHE\u3000TEMPLAR\u3000REVELATION\uff1a
\nSecret\u3000Guardians\u3000of\u3000the\u3000True\u3000Identity\u3000of\u3000Christ
\n
\nTHE\u3000WOMAN\u3000WITH\u3000THE\u3000ALABASTER\u3000JAR\uff1a
\nMary\u3000Magdalene\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail
\n
\nTHE\u3000GODDESS\u3000IN\u3000THE\u3000GOSPELS
\nReclaiming\u3000the\u3000Sacred\u3000Feminine
\n
\n\u3003Here\u3000is\u3000perhaps\u3000the\u3000best\u2026known\u3000tome\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000a\u3000tattered\u3000hardcover\u3000from\u3000the\u3000stack\u3000and\u3000handing\u3000it\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000cover\u3000read\uff1a
\nHOLY\u3000BLOOD\uff1b\u3000HOLY\u3000GRAIL
\nThe\u3000Acclaimed\u3000International\u3000Bestseller
\n
\nSophie\u3000glanced\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003An\u3000international\u3000bestseller\uff1f\u3000I’ve\u3000never\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000were\u3000young\u3002\u3000This\u3000caused\u3000quite\u3000a\u3000stir\u3000back\u3000in\u3000the\u3000nineteen\u3000eighties\u3002\u3000To\u3000my\u3000taste\uff1b\u3000the\u3000authors\u3000made\u3000some\u3000dubious\u3000leaps\u3000of\u3000faith\u3000in\u3000their\u3000analysis\uff1b\u3000but\u3000their\u3000fundamental\u3000premise\u3000is\u3000sound\uff1b\u3000and\u3000to\u3000their\u3000credit\uff1b\u3000they\u3000finally\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000Christ’s\u3000bloodline\u3000into\u3000the\u3000mainstream\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000was\u3000the\u3000Church’s\u3000reaction\u3000to\u3000the\u3000book\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Outrage\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3000But\u3000that\u3000was\u3000to\u3000be\u3000expected\u3002\u3000After\u3000all\uff1b\u3000this\u3000was\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3000had\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000bury\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fourth\u3000century\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000part\u3000of\u3000what\u3000the\u3000Crusades\u3000were\u3000about\u3002\u3000Gathering\u3000and\u3000destroying\u3000information\u3002\u3000The\u3000threat\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000posed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000men\u3000of\u3000the\u3000early\u3000Church\u3000was\u3000potentially\u3000ruinous\u3002\u3000Not\u3000only\u3000was\u3000she\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000to\u3000whom\u3000Jesus\u3000had\u3000assigned\u3000the\u3000task\u3000of\u3000founding\u3000the\u3000Church\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000also\u3000had\u3000physical\u3000proof\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Church’s\u3000newly\u3000proclaimed\u3000deity\u3000had\u3000spawned\u3000a\u3000mortal\u3000bloodline\u3002\u3000The\u3000Church\uff1b\u3000in\u3000order\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000itself\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Magdalene’s\u3000power\uff1b\u3000perpetuated\u3000her\u3000image\u3000as\u3000a\u3000whore\u3000and\u3000buried\u3000evidence\u3000of\u3000Christ’s\u3000marriage\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000thereby\u3000defusing\u3000any\u3000potential\u3000claims\u3000that\u3000Christ\u3000had\u3000a\u3000surviving\u3000bloodline\u3000and\u3000was\u3000a\u3000mortal\u3000prophet\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000who\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003Sophie\uff1b\u3000the\u3000historical\u3000evidence\u3000supporting\u3000this\u3000is\u3000substantial\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000admit\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003the\u3000assertions\u3000are\u3000dire\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you\u3000must\u3000understand\u3000the\u3000Church’s\u3000powerful\u3000motivations\u3000to\u3000conduct\u3000such\u3000a\u3000cover\u2026up\u3002\u3000They\u3000could\u3000never\u3000have\u3000survived\u3000public\u3000knowledge\u3000of\u3000a\u3000bloodline\u3002\u3000A\u3000child\u3000of\u3000Jesus\u3000would\u3000undermine\u3000the\u3000critical\u3000notion\u3000of\u3000Christ’s\u3000divinity\u3000and\u3000therefore\u3000the\u3000Christian\u3000Church\uff1b\u3000which\u3000declared\u3000itself\u3000the\u3000sole\u3000vessel\u3000through\u3000which\u3000humanity\u3000could\u3000access\u3000the\u3000divine\u3000and\u3000gain\u3000entrance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000kingdom\u3000of\u3000heaven\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000five\u2026petal\u3000rose\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000suddenly\u3000to\u3000the\u3000spine\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Teabing’s\u3000books\u3002\u3000The\u3000same\u3000exact\u3000design\u3000inlaid\u3000on\u3000the\u3000rosewood\u3000box\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000\u3003She\u3000has\u3000a\u3000good\u3000eye\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000is\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000symbol\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3002\u3000Because\u3000her\u3000name\u3000was\u3000forbidden\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Church\uff1b\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000became\u3000secretly\u3000known\u3000by\u3000many\u3000pseudonyms\u2014the\u3000Chalice\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Rose\u3000has\u3000ties\u3000to\u3000the\u3000five\u2026pointed\u3000pentacle\u3000of\u3000Venus\u3000and\u3000the\u3000guiding\u3000pass\u3000Rose\u3002\u3000By\u3000the\u3000way\uff1b\u3000the\u3000word\u3000rose\u3000is\u3000identical\u3000in\u3000English\uff1b\u3000French\uff1b\u3000German\uff1b\u3000and\u3000many\u3000other\u3000languages\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Rose\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003is\u3000also\u3000an\u3000anagram\u3000of\u3000Eros\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Greek\u3000god\u3000of\u3000sexual\u3000love\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000surprised\u3000look\u3000as\u3000Teabing\u3000plowed\u3000on\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000Rose\u3000has\u3000always\u3000been\u3000the\u3000premiere\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000female\u3000sexuality\u3002\u3000In\u3000primitive\u3000goddess\u3000cults\uff1b\u3000the\u3000five\u3000petals\u3000represented\u3000the\u3000five\u3000stations\u3000of\u3000female\u3000life\u2014birth\uff1b\u3000menstruation\uff1b\u3000motherhood\uff1b\u3000menopause\uff1b\u3000and\u3000death\u3002\u3000And\u3000in\u3000modern\u3000times\uff1b\u3000the\u3000flowering\u3000rose’s\u3000ties\u3000to\u3000womanhood\u3000are\u3000considered\u3000more\u3000visual\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000Robert\u3002\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000the\u3000symbologist\u3000could\u3000explain\uff1f\u3003
\nRobert\u3000hesitated\u3002\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000too\u3000long\u3002
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000heavens\uff01\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000huffed\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000Americans\u3000are\u3000such\u3000prudes\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000back\u3000at\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000Robert\u3000is\u3000fumbling\u3000with\u3000is\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000the\u3000blossoming\u3000flower\u3000resembles\u3000the\u3000female\u3000genitalia\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sublime\u3000blossom\u3000from\u3000which\u3000all\u3000mankind\u3000enters\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3000And\u3000if\u3000you’ve\u3000ever\u3000seen\u3000any\u3000paintings\u3000by\u3000Georgia\u3000O’Keeffe\uff1b\u3000you’ll\u3000know\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000I\u3000mean\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000point\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000motioning\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bookshelf\uff1b\u3000\u3003is\u3000that\u3000all\u3000of\u3000these\u3000books\u3000substantiate\u3000the\u3000same\u3000historical\u3000claim\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003That\u3000Jesus\u3000was\u3000a\u3000father\u3002\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000still\u3000uncertain\u3002
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000that\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000was\u3000the\u3000womb\u3000that\u3000carried\u3000His\u3000royal\u3000lineage\u3002\u3000The\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\uff1b\u3000to\u3000this\u3000day\uff1b\u3000still\u3000worships\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Goddess\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Rose\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Divine\u3000Mother\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000again\u3000flashed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ritual\u3000in\u3000the\u3000basement\u3002
\n\u3003According\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Priory\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000was\u3000pregnant\u3000at\u3000the\u3000time\u3000of\u3000the\u3000crucifixion\u3002\u3000For\u3000the\u3000safety\u3000of\u3000Christ’s\u3000unborn\u3000child\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000no\u3000choice\u3000but\u3000to\u3000flee\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Land\u3002\u3000With\u3000the\u3000help\u3000of\u3000Jesus’\u3000trusted\u3000uncle\uff1b\u3000Joseph\u3000of\u3000Arimathea\uff1b\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000secretly\u3000traveled\u3000to\u3000France\uff1b\u3000then\u3000known\u3000as\u3000Gaul\u3002\u3000There\u3000she\u3000found\u3000safe\u3000refuge\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Jewish\u3000munity\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000here\u3000in\u3000France\u3000that\u3000she\u3000gave\u3000birth\u3000to\u3000a\u3000daughter\u3002\u3000Her\u3000name\u3000was\u3000Sarah\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000glanced\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000actually\u3000know\u3000the\u3000child’s\u3000name\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Far\u3000more\u3000than\u3000that\u3002\u3000Magdalene’s\u3000and\u3000Sarah’s\u3000lives\u3000were\u3000scrutinously\u3000chronicled\u3000by\u3000their\u3000Jewish\u3000protectors\u3002\u3000Remember\u3000that\u3000Magdalene’s\u3000child\u3000belonged\u3000to\u3000the\u3000lineage\u3000of\u3000Jewish\u3000kings\u2014David\u3000and\u3000Solomon\u3002\u3000For\u3000this\u3000reason\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Jews\u3000in\u3000France\u3000considered\u3000Magdalene\u3000sacred\u3000royalty\u3000and\u3000revered\u3000her\u3000as\u3000the\u3000progenitor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000royal\u3000line\u3000of\u3000kings\u3002\u3000Countless\u3000scholars\u3000of\u3000that\u3000era\u3000chronicled\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene’s\u3000days\u3000in\u3000France\uff1b\u3000including\u3000the\u3000birth\u3000of\u3000Sarah\u3000and\u3000the\u3000subsequent\u3000family\u3000tree\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000startled\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000exists\u3000a\u3000family\u3000tree\u3000of\u3000Jesus\u3000Christ\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Indeed\u3002\u3000And\u3000it\u3000is\u3000purportedly\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cornerstones\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3002\u3000A\u3000plete\u3000genealogy\u3000of\u3000the\u3000early\u3000descendants\u3000of\u3000Christ\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000what\u3000good\u3000is\u3000a\u3000documented\u3000genealogy\u3000of\u3000Christ’s\u3000bloodline\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000not\u3000proof\u3002\u3000Historians\u3000could\u3000not\u3000possibly\u3000confirm\u3000its\u3000authenticity\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000chuckled\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3000more\u3000so\u3000than\u3000they\u3000can\u3000con \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n rians\u3000could\u3000not\u3000possibly\u3000confirm\u3000its\u3000authenticity\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000chuckled\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3000more\u3000so\u3000than\u3000they\u3000can\u3000confirm\u3000the\u3000authenticity\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Bible\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Meaning\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Meaning\u3000that\u3000history\u3000is\u3000always\u3000written\u3000by\u3000the\u3000winners\u3002\u3000When\u3000two\u3000cultures\u3000clash\uff1b\u3000the\u3000loser\u3000is\u3000obliterated\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000winner\u3000writes\u3000the\u3000history\u3000books\u2014books\u3000which\u3000glorify\u3000their\u3000own\u3000cause\u3000and\u3000disparage\u3000the\u3000conquered\u3000foe\u3002\u3000As\u3000Napoleon\u3000once\u3000said\uff1b\u3000’What\u3000is\u3000history\uff1b\u3000but\u3000a\u3000fable\u3000agreed\u3000upon\uff1f’\u3000\u3003\u3000He\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003By\u3000its\u3000very\u3000nature\uff1b\u3000history\u3000is\u3000always\u3000a\u3000one\u2026sided\u3000account\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000had\u3000never\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000it\u3000that\u3000way\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3000simply\u3000tell\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Christ\u3000story\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000end\uff1b\u3000which\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000story\u3000you\u3000believe\u3000bees\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000faith\u3000and\u3000personal\u3000exploration\uff1b\u3000but\u3000at\u3000least\u3000the\u3000information\u3000has\u3000survived\u3002\u3000The\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3000include\u3000tens\u3000of\u3000thousands\u3000of\u3000pages\u3000of\u3000information\u3002\u3000Eyewitness\u3000accounts\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000treasure\u3000describe\u3000it\u3000as\u3000being\u3000carried\u3000in\u3000four\u3000enormous\u3000trunks\u3002\u3000In\u3000those\u3000trunks\u3000are\u3000reputed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000Purist\u3000Documents\u2014thousands\u3000of\u3000pages\u3000of\u3000unaltered\uff1b\u3000pre\u2026Constantine\u3000documents\uff1b\u3000written\u3000by\u3000the\u3000early\u3000followers\u3000of\u3000Jesus\uff1b\u3000revering\u3000Him\u3000as\u3000a\u3000wholly\u3000human\u3000teacher\u3000and\u3000prophet\u3002\u3000Also\u3000rumored\u3000to\u3000be\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000treasure\u3000is\u3000the\u3000legendary\u3000\u3003Q\u3003\u3000Document\u2014a\u3000manuscript\u3000that\u3000even\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3000admits\u3000they\u3000believe\u3000exists\u3002\u3000Allegedly\uff1b\u3000it\u3000is\u3000a\u3000book\u3000of\u3000Jesus’\u3000teachings\uff1b\u3000possibly\u3000written\u3000in\u3000His\u3000own\u3000hand\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Writings\u3000by\u3000Christ\u3000Himself\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000wouldn’t\u3000Jesus\u3000have\u3000kept\u3000a\u3000chronicle\u3000of\u3000His\u3000ministry\uff1f\u3000Most\u3000people\u3000did\u3000in\u3000those\u3000days\u3002\u3000Another\u3000explosive\u3000document\u3000believed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000in\u3000the\u3000treasure\u3000is\u3000a\u3000manuscript\u3000called\u3000The\u3000Magdalene\u3000Diaries\u2014Mary\u3000Magdalene’s\u3000personal\u3000account\u3000of\u3000her\u3000relationship\u3000with\u3000Christ\uff1b\u3000His\u3000crucifixion\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000time\u3000in\u3000France\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000silent\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000moment\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000these\u3000four\u3000chests\u3000of\u3000documents\u3000were\u3000the\u3000treasure\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\u3000found\u3000under\u3000Solomon’s\u3000Temple\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Exactly\u3002\u3000The\u3000documents\u3000that\u3000made\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000so\u3000powerful\u3002\u3000The\u3000documents\u3000that\u3000have\u3000been\u3000the\u3000object\u3000of\u3000countless\u3000Grail\u3000quests\u3000throughout\u3000history\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000you\u3000said\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000was\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3002\u3000If\u3000people\u3000are\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000documents\uff1b\u3000why\u3000would\u3000you\u3000call\u3000it\u3000a\u3000search\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000eyed\u3000her\uff1b\u3000his\u3000expression\u3000softening\u3002\u3000\u3003Because\u3000the\u3000hiding\u3000place\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000includes\u3000a\u3000sarcophagus\u3002\u3003
\nOutside\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000howled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000trees\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000spoke\u3000more\u3000quietly\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000quest\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000literally\u3000the\u3000quest\u3000to\u3000kneel\u3000before\u3000the\u3000bones\u3000of\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3002\u3000A\u3000journey\u3000to\u3000pray\u3000at\u3000the\u3000feet\u3000of\u3000the\u3000outcast\u3000one\uff1b\u3000the\u3000lost\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000felt\u3000an\u3000unexpected\u3000wonder\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000hiding\u3000place\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000actually\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000tomb\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing’s\u3000hazel\u3000eyes\u3000got\u3000misty\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000is\u3002\u3000A\u3000tomb\u3000containing\u3000the\u3000body\u3000of\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000and\u3000the\u3000documents\u3000that\u3000tell\u3000the\u3000true\u3000story\u3000of\u3000her\u3000life\u3002\u3000At\u3000its\u3000heart\uff1b\u3000the\u3000quest\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000has\u3000always\u3000been\u3000a\u3000quest\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Magdalene\u2014the\u3000wronged\u3000Queen\uff1b\u3000entombed\u3000with\u3000proof\u3000of\u3000her\u3000family’s\u3000rightful\u3000claim\u3000to\u3000power\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000waited\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000as\u3000Teabing\u3000gathered\u3000himself\u3002\u3000So\u3000much\u3000about\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000was\u3000still\u3000not\u3000making\u3000sense\u3002\u3000\u3003Members\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000finally\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003all\u3000these\u3000years\u3000have\u3000answered\u3000the\u3000charge\u3000of\u3000protecting\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3000and\u3000the\u3000tomb\u3000of\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000brotherhood\u3000had\u3000another\uff1b\u3000more\u3000important\u3000duty\u3000as\u3000well\u2014to\u3000protect\u3000the\u3000bloodline\u3000itself\u3002\u3000Christ’s\u3000lineage\u3000was\u3000in\u3000perpetual\u3000danger\u3002\u3000The\u3000early\u3000Church\u3000feared\u3000that\u3000if\u3000the\u3000lineage\u3000were\u3000permitted\u3000to\u3000grow\uff1b\u3000the\u3000secret\u3000of\u3000Jesus\u3000and\u3000Magdalene\u3000would\u3000eventually\u3000surface\u3000and\u3000challenge\u3000the\u3000fundamental\u3000Catholic\u3000doctrine\u2014that\u3000of\u3000a\u3000divine\u3000Messiah\u3000who\u3000did\u3000not\u3000consort\u3000with\u3000women\u3000or\u3000engage\u3000in\u3000sexual\u3000union\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003Nonetheless\uff1b\u3000Christ’s\u3000line\u3000grew\u3000quietly\u3000under\u3000cover\u3000in\u3000France\u3000until\u3000making\u3000a\u3000bold\u3000move\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fifth\u3000century\uff1b\u3000when\u3000it\u3000intermarried\u3000with\u3000French\u3000royal\u3000blood\u3000and\u3000created\u3000a\u3000lineage\u3000known\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Merovingian\u3000bloodline\u3002\u3003
\nThis\u3000news\u3000surprised\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000Merovingian\u3000was\u3000a\u3000term\u3000learned\u3000by\u3000every\u3000student\u3000in\u3000France\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Merovingians\u3000founded\u3000Paris\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000reasons\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000legend\u3000is\u3000so\u3000rich\u3000in\u3000France\u3002\u3000Many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Vatican’s\u3000Grail\u3000quests\u3000here\u3000were\u3000in\u3000fact\u3000stealth\u3000missions\u3000to\u3000erase\u3000members\u3000of\u3000the\u3000royal\u3000bloodline\u3002\u3000Have\u3000you\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000King\u3000Dagobert\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000vaguely\u3000recalled\u3000the\u3000name\u3000from\u3000a\u3000grisly\u3000tale\u3000in\u3000history\u3000class\u3002\u3000\u3003Dagobert\u3000was\u3000a\u3000Merovingian\u3000king\uff1b\u3000wasn’t\u3000he\uff1f\u3000Stabbed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000while\u3000sleeping\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Exactly\u3002\u3000Assassinated\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3000in\u3000collusion\u3000with\u3000Pepin\u3000d’Heristal\u3002\u3000Late\u3000seventh\u3000century\u3002\u3000With\u3000Dagobert’s\u3000murder\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Merovingian\u3000bloodline\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000exterminated\u3002\u3000Fortunately\uff1b\u3000Dagobert’s\u3000son\uff1b\u3000Sigisbert\uff1b\u3000secretly\u3000escaped\u3000the\u3000attack\u3000and\u3000carried\u3000on\u3000the\u3000lineage\uff1b\u3000which\u3000later\u3000included\u3000Godefroi\u3000de\u3000Bouillon\u2014founder\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000same\u3000man\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003who\u3000ordered\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\u3000to\u3000recover\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3000from\u3000beneath\u3000Solomon’s\u3000Temple\u3000and\u3000thus\u3000provide\u3000the\u3000Merovingians\u3000proof\u3000of\u3000their\u3000hereditary\u3000ties\u3000to\u3000Jesus\u3000Christ\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000heaving\u3000a\u3000ponderous\u3000sigh\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000modern\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u3000has\u3000a\u3000momentous\u3000duty\u3002\u3000Theirs\u3000is\u3000a\u3000threefold\u3000charge\u3002\u3000The\u3000brotherhood\u3000must\u3000protect\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3002\u3000They\u3000must\u3000protect\u3000the\u3000tomb\u3000of\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3002\u3000And\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000they\u3000must\u3000nurture\u3000and\u3000protect\u3000the\u3000bloodline\u3000of\u3000Christ\u2014those\u3000few\u3000members\u3000of\u3000the\u3000royal\u3000Merovingian\u3000bloodline\u3000who\u3000have\u3000survived\u3000into\u3000modern\u3000times\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000words\u3000hung\u3000in\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000space\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000felt\u3000an\u3000odd\u3000vibration\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000her\u3000bones\u3000were\u3000reverberating\u3000with\u3000some\u3000new\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000truth\u3002\u3000Descendants\u3000of\u3000Jesus\u3000who\u3000survived\u3000into\u3000modern\u3000times\u3002\u3000Her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000voice\u3000again\u3000was\u3000whispering\u3000in\u3000her\u3000ear\u3002\u3000Princess\uff1b\u3000I\u3000must\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000about\u3000your\u3000family\u3002
\nA\u3000chill\u3000raked\u3000her\u3000flesh\u3002
\nRoyal\u3000blood\u3002
\nShe\u3000could\u3000not\u3000imagine\u3002
\nPrincess\u3000Sophie\u3002
\n\u3003Sir\u3000Leigh\uff1f\u3003\u3000The\u3000manservant’s\u3000words\u3000crackled\u3000through\u3000the\u3000inter\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000jumped\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000could\u3000join\u3000me\u3000in\u3000the\u3000kitchen\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000scowled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ill\u2026timed\u3000intrusion\u3002\u3000He\u3000went\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000inter\u3000and\u3000pressed\u3000the\u3000button\u3002\u3000\u3003R\u00e9my\uff1b\u3000as\u3000you\u3000know\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3000busy\u3000with\u3000my\u3000guests\u3002\u3000If\u3000we\u3000need\u3000anything\u3000else\u3000from\u3000the\u3000kitchen\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000we\u3000will\u3000help\u3000ourselves\u3002\u3000Thank\u3000you\u3000and\u3000good\u3000night\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003A\u3000word\u3000with\u3000you\u3000before\u3000I\u3000retire\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000would\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000grunted\u3000and\u3000pressed\u3000the\u3000button\u3002\u3000\u3003Make\u3000it\u3000quick\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It\u3000is\u3000a\u3000household\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1b\u3000hardly\u3000fare\u3000for\u3000guests\u3000to\u3000endure\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000looked\u3000incredulous\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000it\u3000cannot\u3000wait\u3000until\u3000morning\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000My\u3000question\u3000won’t\u3000take\u3000a\u3000minute\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000rolled\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003Sometimes\u3000I\u3000wonder\u3000who\u3000is\u3000serving\u3000whom\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000pressed\u3000the\u3000button\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000be\u3000right\u3000there\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3002\u3000Can\u3000I\u3000bring\u3000you\u3000anything\u3000when\u3000I\u3000e\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Only\u3000freedom\u3000from\u3000oppression\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003R\u00e9my\uff1b\u3000you\u3000realize\u3000your\u3000steak\u3000au\u3000poivre\u3000is\u3000the\u3000only\u3000reason\u3000you\u3000still\u3000work\u3000for\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003So\u3000you\u3000tell\u3000me\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000So\u3000you\u3000tell\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300061
\n
\nPrincess\u3000Sophie\u3002
\nSophie\u3000felt\u3000hollow\u3000as\u3000she\u3000listened\u3000to\u3000the\u3000clicking\u3000of\u3000Teabing’s\u3000crutches\u3000fade\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hallway\u3002\u3000Numb\uff1b\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000faced\u3000Langdon\u3000in\u3000the\u3000deserted\u3000ballroom\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000already\u3000shaking\u3000his\u3000head\u3000as\u3000if\u3000reading\u3000her\u3000mind\u3002
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000reassuring\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000same\u3000thought\u3000crossed\u3000my\u3000mind\u3000when\u3000I\u3000realized\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Priory\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\u3000said\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000about\u3000your\u3000family\u3002\u3000But\u3000it’s\u3000impossible\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003Sauni\u00e8re\u3000is\u3000not\u3000a\u3000Merovingian\u3000name\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\u3000whether\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000relieved\u3000or\u3000disappointed\u3002\u3000Earlier\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000asked\u3000an\u3000unusual\u3000passing\u3000question\u3000about\u3000Sophie’s\u3000mother’s\u3000maiden\u3000name\u3002\u3000Chauvel\u3002\u3000The\u3000question\u3000now\u3000made\u3000sense\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000Chauvel\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000anxious\u3002
\nAgain\u3000he\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\u3002\u3000I\u3000know\u3000that\u3000would\u3000have\u3000answered\u3000some\u3000questions\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3000Only\u3000two\u3000direct\u3000lines\u3000of\u3000Merovingians\u3000remain\u3002\u3000Their\u3000family\u3000names\u3000are\u3000Plantard\u3000and\u3000Saint\u2026Clair\u3002\u3000Both\u3000families\u3000live\u3000in\u3000hiding\uff1b\u3000probably\u3000protected\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000repeated\u3000the\u3000names\u3000silently\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000and\u3000then\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000one\u3000in\u3000her\u3000family\u3000named\u3000Plantard\u3000or\u3000Saint\u2026Clair\u3002\u3000A\u3000weary\u3000undertow\u3000was\u3000pulling\u3000at\u3000her\u3000now\u3002\u3000She\u3000realized\u3000she\u3000was\u3000no\u3000closer\u3000than\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000to\u3000understanding\u3000what\u3000truth\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000had\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000reveal\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000wished\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000had\u3000never\u3000mentioned\u3000her\u3000family\u3000this\u3000afternoon\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000torn\u3000open\u3000old\u3000wounds\u3000that\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000painful\u3000now\u3000as\u3000ever\u3002\u3000They\u3000are\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000They\u3000are\u3000not\u3000ing\u3000back\u3002\u3000She\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mother\u3000singing\u3000her\u3000to\u3000sleep\u3000at\u3000night\uff1b\u3000of\u3000her\u3000father\u3000giving\u3000her\u3000rides\u3000on\u3000his\u3000shoulders\uff1b\u3000and\u3000of\u3000her\u3000grandmother\u3000and\u3000younger\u3000brother\u3000smiling\u3000at\u3000her\u3000with\u3000their\u3000fervent\u3000green\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000All\u3000that\u3000was\u3000stolen\u3002\u3000And\u3000all\u3000she\u3000had\u3000left\u3000was\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3002
\nAnd\u3000now\u3000he\u3000is\u3000gone\u3000too\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000alone\u3002
\nSophie\u3000turned\u3000quietly\u3000back\u3000to\u3000The\u3000Last\u3000Supper\u3000and\u3000gazed\u3000at\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene’s\u3000long\u3000red\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000quiet\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000something\u3000in\u3000the\u3000woman’s\u3000expression\u3000that\u3000echoed\u3000the\u3000loss\u3000of\u3000a\u3000loved\u3000one\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000it\u3000too\u3002
\n\u3003Robert\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000softly\u3002
\nHe\u3000stepped\u3000closer\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000know\u3000Leigh\u3000said\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000story\u3000is\u3000all\u3000around\u3000us\uff1b\u3000but\u3000tonight\u3000is\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000I’ve\u3000ever\u3000heard\u3000any\u3000of\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000put\u3000a\u3000forting\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000her\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000refrained\u3002\u3000\u3003You’ve\u3000heard\u3000her\u3000story\u3000before\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000has\u3002\u3000We\u3000just\u3000don’t\u3000realize\u3000it\u3000when\u3000we\u3000hear\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000understand\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000Grail\u3000story\u3000is\u3000everywhere\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000is\u3000hidden\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000outlawed\u3000speaking\u3000of\u3000the\u3000shunned\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\uff1b\u3000her\u3000story\u3000and\u3000importance\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000passed\u3000on\u3000through\u3000more\u3000discreet\u3000channels\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000channels\u3000that\u3000supported\u3000metaphor\u3000and\u3000symbolism\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3002\u3000The\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n through\u3000more\u3000discreet\u3000channels\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000channels\u3000that\u3000supported\u3000metaphor\u3000and\u3000symbolism\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3002\u3000The\u3000arts\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000motioned\u3000to\u3000The\u3000Last\u3000Supper\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000perfect\u3000example\u3002\u3000Some\u3000of\u3000today’s\u3000most\u3000enduring\u3000art\uff1b\u3000literature\uff1b\u3000and\u3000music\u3000secretly\u3000tell\u3000the\u3000history\u3000of\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000and\u3000Jesus\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000quickly\u3000told\u3000her\u3000about\u3000works\u3000by\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\uff1b\u3000Botticelli\uff1b\u3000Poussin\uff1b\u3000Bernini\uff1b\u3000Mozart\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Victor\u3000Hugo\u3000that\u3000all\u3000whispered\u3000of\u3000the\u3000quest\u3000to\u3000restore\u3000the\u3000banished\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u3002\u3000Enduring\u3000legends\u3000like\u3000Sir\u3000Gawain\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Green\u3000Knight\uff1b\u3000King\u3000Arthur\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Sleeping\u3000Beauty\u3000were\u3000Grail\u3000allegories\u3002\u3000Victor\u3000Hugo’s\u3000Hunchback\u3000of\u3000Notre\u3000Dame\u3000and\u3000Mozart’s\u3000Magic\u3000Flute\u3000were\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000Masonic\u3000symbolism\u3000and\u3000Grail\u3000secrets\u3002
\n\u3003Once\u3000you\u3000open\u3000your\u3000eyes\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003you\u3000see\u3000her\u3000everywhere\u3002\u3000Paintings\u3002\u3000Music\u3002\u3000Books\u3002\u3000Even\u3000in\u3000cartoons\uff1b\u3000theme\u3000parks\uff1b\u3000and\u3000popular\u3000movies\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000held\u3000up\u3000his\u3000Mickey\u3000Mouse\u3000watch\u3000and\u3000told\u3000her\u3000that\u3000Walt\u3000Disney\u3000had\u3000made\u3000it\u3000his\u3000quiet\u3000life’s\u3000work\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000story\u3000to\u3000future\u3000generations\u3002\u3000Throughout\u3000his\u3000entire\u3000life\uff1b\u3000Disney\u3000had\u3000been\u3000hailed\u3000as\u3000\u3003the\u3000Modern\u2026Day\u3000Leonardo\u3000da\u3000Vinci\u3002\u3003\u3000Both\u3000men\u3000were\u3000generations\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000their\u3000times\uff1b\u3000uniquely\u3000gifted\u3000artists\uff1b\u3000members\u3000of\u3000secret\u3000societies\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000most\u3000notably\uff1b\u3000avid\u3000pranksters\u3002\u3000Like\u3000Leonardo\uff1b\u3000Walt\u3000Disney\u3000loved\u3000infusing\u3000hidden\u3000messages\u3000and\u3000symbolism\u3000in\u3000his\u3000art\u3002\u3000For\u3000the\u3000trained\u3000symbologist\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000an\u3000early\u3000Disney\u3000movie\u3000was\u3000like\u3000being\u3000barraged\u3000by\u3000an\u3000avalanche\u3000of\u3000allusion\u3000and\u3000metaphor\u3002
\nMost\u3000of\u3000Disney’s\u3000hidden\u3000messages\u3000dealt\u3000with\u3000religion\uff1b\u3000pagan\u3000myth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000stories\u3000of\u3000the\u3000subjugated\u3000goddess\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000no\u3000mistake\u3000that\u3000Disney\u3000retold\u3000tales\u3000like\u3000Cinderella\uff1b\u3000Sleeping\u3000Beauty\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Snow\u3000White\u2014all\u3000of\u3000which\u3000dealt\u3000with\u3000the\u3000incarceration\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u3002\u3000Nor\u3000did\u3000one\u3000need\u3000a\u3000background\u3000in\u3000symbolism\u3000to\u3000understand\u3000that\u3000Snow\u3000White\u2014a\u3000princess\u3000who\u3000fell\u3000from\u3000grace\u3000after\u3000partaking\u3000of\u3000a\u3000poisoned\u3000apple\u2014was\u3000a\u3000clear\u3000allusion\u3000to\u3000the\u3000downfall\u3000of\u3000Eve\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Garden\u3000of\u3000Eden\u3002\u3000Or\u3000that\u3000Sleeping\u3000Beauty’s\u3000Princess\u3000Aurora\u2014code\u2026named\u3000\u3003Rose\u3003\u3000and\u3000hidden\u3000deep\u3000in\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000her\u3000from\u3000the\u3000clutches\u3000of\u3000the\u3000evil\u3000witch\u2014was\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000story\u3000for\u3000children\u3002
\nDespite\u3000its\u3000corporate\u3000image\uff1b\u3000Disney\u3000still\u3000had\u3000a\u3000savvy\uff1b\u3000playful\u3000element\u3000among\u3000its\u3000employees\uff1b\u3000and\u3000their\u3000artists\u3000still\u3000amused\u3000themselves\u3000by\u3000inserting\u3000hidden\u3000symbolism\u3000in\u3000Disney\u3000products\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000would\u3000never\u3000forget\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000students\u3000bringing\u3000in\u3000a\u3000DVD\u3000of\u3000The\u3000Lion\u3000King\u3000and\u3000pausing\u3000the\u3000film\u3000to\u3000reveal\u3000a\u3000freeze\u2026frame\u3000in\u3000which\u3000the\u3000word\u3000SEX\u3000was\u3000clearly\u3000visible\uff1b\u3000spelled\u3000out\u3000by\u3000floating\u3000dust\u3000particles\u3000over\u3000Simba’s\u3000head\u3002\u3000Although\u3000Langdon\u3000suspected\u3000this\u3000was\u3000more\u3000of\u3000a\u3000cartoonist’s\u3000sophomoric\u3000prank\u3000than\u3000any\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000enlightened\u3000allusion\u3000to\u3000pagan\u3000human\u3000sexuality\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000learned\u3000not\u3000to\u3000underestimate\u3000Disney’s\u3000grasp\u3000of\u3000symbolism\u3002\u3000The\u3000Little\u3000Mermaid\u3000was\u3000a\u3000spellbinding\u3000tapestry\u3000of\u3000spiritual\u3000symbols\u3000so\u3000specifically\u3000goddess\u2026related\u3000that\u3000they\u3000could\u3000not\u3000be\u3000coincidence\u3002
\nWhen\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000first\u3000seen\u3000The\u3000Little\u3000Mermaid\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000actually\u3000gasped\u3000aloud\u3000when\u3000he\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000painting\u3000in\u3000Ariel’s\u3000underwater\u3000home\u3000was\u3000none\u3000other\u3000than\u3000seventeenth\u2026century\u3000artist\u3000Georges\u3000de\u3000la\u3000Tour’s\u3000The\u3000Penitent\u3000Magdalene\u2014a\u3000famous\u3000homage\u3000to\u3000the\u3000banished\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u2014fitting\u3000decor\u3000considering\u3000the\u3000movie\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000ninety\u2026minute\u3000collage\u3000of\u3000blatant\u3000symbolic\u3000references\u3000to\u3000the\u3000lost\u3000sanctity\u3000of\u3000Isis\uff1b\u3000Eve\uff1b\u3000Pisces\u3000the\u3000fish\u3000goddess\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000repeatedly\uff1b\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3002\u3000The\u3000Little\u3000Mermaid’s\u3000name\uff1b\u3000Ariel\uff1b\u3000possessed\u3000powerful\u3000ties\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u3000and\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Book\u3000of\u3000Isaiah\uff1b\u3000was\u3000synonymous\u3000with\u3000\u3003the\u3000Holy\u3000City\u3000besieged\u3002\u3003\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Little\u3000Mermaid’s\u3000flowing\u3000red\u3000hair\u3000was\u3000certainly\u3000no\u3000coincidence\u3000either\u3002
\nThe\u3000clicking\u3000of\u3000Teabing’s\u3000crutches\u3000approached\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hallway\uff1b\u3000his\u3000pace\u3000unusually\u3000brisk\u3002\u3000When\u3000their\u3000host\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000study\uff1b\u3000his\u3000expression\u3000was\u3000stern\u3002
\n\u3003You’d\u3000better\u3000explain\u3000yourself\uff1b\u3000Robert\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000coldly\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000have\u3000not\u3000been\u3000honest\u3000with\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300062
\n
\n\u3003I’m\u3000being\u3000framed\uff1b\u3000Leigh\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000calm\u3002\u3000You\u3000know\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u3000wouldn’t\u3000kill\u3000anyone\u3002
\nTeabing’s\u3000tone\u3000did\u3000not\u3000soften\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000on\u3000television\uff1b\u3000for\u3000Christ’s\u3000sake\u3002\u3000Did\u3000you\u3000know\u3000you\u3000were\u3000wanted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000authorities\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Then\u3000you\u3000abused\u3000my\u3000trust\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000astonished\u3000you\u3000would\u3000put\u3000me\u3000at\u3000risk\u3000by\u3000ing\u3000here\u3000and\u3000asking\u3000me\u3000to\u3000ramble\u3000on\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000so\u3000you\u3000could\u3000hide\u3000out\u3000in\u3000my\u3000home\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000didn’t\u3000kill\u3000anyone\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000is\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000police\u3000say\u3000you\u3000did\u3000it\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000looked\u3000saddened\u3002\u3000\u3003Such\u3000a\u3000contributor\u3000to\u3000the\u3000arts\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Sir\uff1f\u3003\u3000The\u3000manservant\u3000had\u3000appeared\u3000now\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000behind\u3000Teabing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000study\u3000doorway\uff1b\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000crossed\u3002\u3000\u3003Shall\u3000I\u3000show\u3000them\u3000out\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Allow\u3000me\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000hobbled\u3000across\u3000the\u3000study\uff1b\u3000unlocked\u3000a\u3000set\u3000of\u3000wide\u3000glass\u3000doors\uff1b\u3000and\u3000swung\u3000them\u3000open\u3000onto\u3000a\u3000side\u3000lawn\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\u3000find\u3000your\u3000car\uff1b\u3000and\u3000leave\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000did\u3000not\u3000move\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000have\u3000information\u3000about\u3000the\u3000clef\u3000de\u3000vo\uff1fte\u3002\u3000The\u3000Priory\u3000keystone\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000her\u3000for\u3000several\u3000seconds\u3000and\u3000scoffed\u3000derisively\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000desperate\u3000ploy\u3002\u3000Robert\u3000knows\u3000how\u3000I’ve\u3000sought\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003She’s\u3000telling\u3000the\u3000truth\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000why\u3000we\u3000came\u3000to\u3000you\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000To\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000you\u3000about\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000manservant\u3000intervened\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003Leave\uff1b\u3000or\u3000I\u3000shall\u3000call\u3000the\u3000authorities\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Leigh\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000\u3003we\u3000know\u3000where\u3000it\u3000is\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing’s\u3000balance\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000falter\u3000a\u3000bit\u3002
\nR\u00e9my\u3000now\u3000marched\u3000stiffly\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000\u3003Leave\u3000at\u3000once\uff01\u3000Or\u3000I\u3000will\u3000forcibly\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003R\u00e9my\uff01\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000spun\uff1b\u3000snapping\u3000at\u3000his\u3000servant\u3002\u3000\u3003Excuse\u3000us\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000servant’s\u3000jaw\u3000dropped\u3002\u3000\u3003Sir\uff1f\u3000I\u3000must\u3000protest\u3002\u3000These\u3000people\u3000are\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003I’ll\u3000handle\u3000this\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hallway\u3002
\nAfter\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000of\u3000stunned\u3000silence\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000skulked\u3000out\u3000like\u3000a\u3000banished\u3000dog\u3002
\nIn\u3000the\u3000cool\u3000night\u3000breeze\u3000ing\u3000through\u3000the\u3000open\u3000doors\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3000and\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000his\u3000expression\u3000still\u3000wary\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000better\u3000be\u3000good\u3002\u3000What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000of\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\nIn\u3000the\u3000thick\u3000brush\u3000outside\u3000Teabing’s\u3000study\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000clutched\u3000his\u3000pistol\u3000and\u3000gazed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000glass\u3000doors\u3002\u3000Only\u3000moments\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000circled\u3000the\u3000house\u3000and\u3000seen\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000talking\u3000in\u3000the\u3000large\u3000study\u3002\u3000Before\u3000he\u3000could\u3000move\u3000in\uff1b\u3000a\u3000man\u3000on\u3000crutches\u3000entered\uff1b\u3000yelled\u3000at\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000threw\u3000open\u3000the\u3000doors\uff1b\u3000and\u3000demanded\u3000his\u3000guests\u3000leave\u3002\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000mentioned\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000everything\u3000changed\u3002\u3000Shouts\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000whispers\u3002\u3000Moods\u3000softened\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000glass\u3000doors\u3000were\u3000quickly\u3000closed\u3002
\nNow\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000huddled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shadows\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000peered\u3000through\u3000the\u3000glass\u3002\u3000The\u3000keystone\u3000is\u3000somewhere\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000house\u3002\u3000Silas\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000it\u3002
\nStaying\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shadows\uff1b\u3000he\u3000inched\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000the\u3000glass\uff1b\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000what\u3000was\u3000being\u3000said\u3002\u3000He\u3000would\u3000give\u3000them\u3000five\u3000minutes\u3002\u3000If\u3000they\u3000did\u3000not\u3000reveal\u3000where\u3000they\u3000had\u3000placed\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000enter\u3000and\u3000persuade\u3000them\u3000with\u3000force\u3002
\n\u3000
\nInside\u3000the\u3000study\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000sense\u3000their\u3000host’s\u3000bewilderment\u3002
\n\u3003Grand\u3000Master\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000choked\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000seeing\u3000the\u3000shock\u3000in\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002
\n\u3003But\u3000you\u3000could\u3000not\u3000possibly\u3000know\u3000that\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000was\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000staggered\u3000back\u3000on\u3000his\u3000crutches\uff1b\u3000shooting\u3000a\u3000glance\u3000at\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000who\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000Teabing\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003Miss\u3000Neveu\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3000speechless\u3002\u3000If\u3000this\u3000is\u3000true\uff1b\u3000then\u3000I\u3000am\u3000truly\u3000sorry\u3000for\u3000your\u3000loss\u3002\u3000I\u3000should\u3000admit\uff1b\u3000for\u3000my\u3000research\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000kept\u3000lists\u3000of\u3000men\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3000whom\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000might\u3000be\u3000good\u3000candidates\u3000for\u3000involvement\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3002\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000was\u3000on\u3000that\u3000list\u3000along\u3000with\u3000many\u3000others\u3002\u3000But\u3000Grand\u3000Master\uff1b\u3000you\u3000say\uff1f\u3000It’s\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000fathom\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000was\u3000silent\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000and\u3000then\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000it\u3000still\u3000makes\u3000no\u3000sense\u3002\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3000were\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000Grand\u3000Master\u3000and\u3000created\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000never\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000how\u3000to\u3000find\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000keystone\u3000reveals\u3000the\u3000pathway\u3000to\u3000the\u3000brotherhood’s\u3000ultimate\u3000treasure\u3002\u3000Granddaughter\u3000or\u3000not\uff1b\u3000you\u3000are\u3000not\u3000eligible\u3000to\u3000receive\u3000such\u3000knowledge\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000was\u3000dying\u3000when\u3000he\u3000passed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000information\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000had\u3000limited\u3000options\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003He\u3000didn’t\u3000need\u3000options\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000argued\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000exist\u3000three\u3000s\u00e9n\u00e9chaux\u3000who\u3000also\u3000know\u3000the\u3000secret\u3002\u3000That\u3000is\u3000the\u3000beauty\u3000of\u3000their\u3000system\u3002\u3000One\u3000will\u3000rise\u3000to\u3000Grand\u3000Master\u3000and\u3000they\u3000will\u3000induct\u3000a\u3000new\u3000s\u00e9n\u00e9chal\u3000and\u3000share\u3000the\u3000secret\u3000of\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000guess\u3000you\u3000didn’t\u3000see\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000news\u3000broadcast\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003In\u3000addition\u3000to\u3000my\u3000grandfather\uff1b\u3000three\u3000other\u3000prominent\u3000Parisians\u3000were\u3000murdered\u3000today\u3002\u3000All\u3000in\u3000similar\u3000ways\u3002\u3000All\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000interrogated\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing’s\u3000jaw\u3000fell\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000you\u3000think\u3000they\u3000were\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000s\u00e9n\u00e9chaux\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003But\u3000how\uff1f\u3000A\u3000murderer\u3000could\u3000not\u3000possibly\u3000learn\u3000the\u3000identities\u3000of\u3000all\u3000four\u3000top\u3000members\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\uff01\u3000Look\u3000at\u3000me\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000been\u3000researching\u3000them\u3000for\u3000decades\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000even\u3000name\u3000one\u3000Priory\u3000member\u3002\u3000It\u3000seems\u3000inconceivable\u3000that\u3000all\u3000three\u3000s\u00e9n\u00e9chaux\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Master\u3000could\u3000be\u3000discovered\u3000and\u3000killed\u3000in\u3000one\u3000day\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000doubt\u3000the\u3000information\u3000was\u3000gathered\u3000in\u3000a\u3000single\u3000day\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000sounds\u3000like\u3000a\u3000well\u2026planned\u3000d\u00e9capiter\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000a\u3000technique\u3000we\u3000use\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000organized\u3000crime\u3000syndicates\u3002\u3000If\u3000DCPJ\u3000wants\u3000to\u3000move\u3000on\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000group\uff1b\u3000they\u3000will\u3000silently\u3000listen\u3000and\u3000watch\u3000for\u3000months\uff1b\u3000identify\u3000all\u3000the\u3000main\u3000players\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000move\u3000in\u3000and\u3000take\u3000them\u3000all\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000moment\u3002\u3000Decapitation\u3002\u3000With\u3000no\u3000leadership\uff1b\u3000the\u3000group\u3000falls\u3000into\u3000chaos\u3000and\u3000divulges\u3000other\u3000information\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000possible\u3000someone\u3000patiently\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000and\u3000then\u3000attacked\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000the\u3000top\u3000people\u3000would\u3000reveal\u3000the\u3000location\u3000of\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000looked\u3000unconvinced\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000the\u3000brothers\u3000would\u3000never\u3000talk\u3002\u3000They\u3000are\u3000sworn\u3000to\u3000secrecy\u3002\u3000Even\u3000in\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000death\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Exactly\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Meaning\uff1b\u3000if\u3000they\u3000nev \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n Teabing\u3000looked\u3000unconvinced\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000the\u3000brothers\u3000would\u3000never\u3000talk\u3002\u3000They\u3000are\u3000sworn\u3000to\u3000secrecy\u3002\u3000Even\u3000in\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000death\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Exactly\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Meaning\uff1b\u3000if\u3000they\u3000never\u3000divulged\u3000the\u3000secret\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000were\u3000killed\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000gasped\u3002\u3000\u3003Then\u3000the\u3000location\u3000of\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000would\u3000be\u3000lost\u3000forever\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000with\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003the\u3000location\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing’s\u3000body\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000sway\u3000with\u3000the\u3000weight\u3000of\u3000Langdon’s\u3000words\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000too\u3000tired\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000another\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000he\u3000flopped\u3000in\u3000a\u3000chair\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000out\u3000the\u3000window\u3002
\nSophie\u3000walked\u3000over\uff1b\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000soft\u3002\u3000\u3003Considering\u3000my\u3000grandfather’s\u3000predicament\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seems\u3000possible\u3000that\u3000in\u3000total\u3000desperation\u3000he\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000the\u3000secret\u3000on\u3000to\u3000someone\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000brotherhood\u3002\u3000Someone\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000could\u3000trust\u3002\u3000Someone\u3000in\u3000his\u3000family\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000was\u3000pale\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000someone\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000such\u3000an\u3000attack\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000of\u3000discovering\u3000so\u3000much\u3000about\u3000the\u3000brotherhood\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000radiating\u3000a\u3000new\u3000fear\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000could\u3000only\u3000be\u3000one\u3000force\u3002\u3000This\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000infiltration\u3000could\u3000only\u3000have\u3000e\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Priory’s\u3000oldest\u3000enemy\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000glanced\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Church\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Who\u3000else\uff1f\u3000Rome\u3000has\u3000been\u3000seeking\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000for\u3000centuries\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000skeptical\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000think\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000killed\u3000my\u3000grandfather\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000\u3003It\u3000would\u3000not\u3000be\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000in\u3000history\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000has\u3000killed\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000itself\u3002\u3000The\u3000documents\u3000that\u3000acpany\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000are\u3000explosive\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000has\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000destroy\u3000them\u3000for\u3000years\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000having\u3000trouble\u3000buying\u3000Teabing’s\u3000premise\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000would\u3000blatantly\u3000murder\u3000people\u3000to\u3000obtain\u3000these\u3000documents\u3002\u3000Having\u3000met\u3000the\u3000new\u3000Pope\u3000and\u3000many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cardinals\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000knew\u3000they\u3000were\u3000deeply\u3000spiritual\u3000men\u3000who\u3000would\u3000never\u3000condone\u3000assassination\u3002\u3000Regardless\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stakes\u3002
\nSophie\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000having\u3000similar\u3000thoughts\u3002\u3000\u3003Isn’t\u3000it\u3000possible\u3000that\u3000these\u3000Priory\u3000members\u3000were\u3000murdered\u3000by\u3000someone\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000Church\uff1f\u3000Someone\u3000who\u3000didn’t\u3000understand\u3000what\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000really\u3000is\uff1f\u3000The\u3000Cup\u3000of\u3000Christ\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000would\u3000be\u3000quite\u3000an\u3000enticing\u3000treasure\u3002\u3000Certainly\u3000treasure\u3000hunters\u3000have\u3000killed\u3000for\u3000less\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003In\u3000my\u3000experience\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003men\u3000go\u3000to\u3000far\u3000greater\u3000lengths\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000what\u3000they\u3000fear\u3000than\u3000to\u3000obtain\u3000what\u3000they\u3000desire\u3002\u3000I\u3000sense\u3000a\u3000desperation\u3000in\u3000this\u3000assault\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Leigh\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003the\u3000argument\u3000is\u3000paradoxical\u3002\u3000Why\u3000would\u3000members\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Catholic\u3000clergy\u3000murder\u3000Priory\u3000members\u3000in\u3000an\u3000effort\u3000to\u3000find\u3000and\u3000destroy\u3000documents\u3000they\u3000believe\u3000are\u3000false\u3000testimony\u3000anyway\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000chuckled\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000ivory\u3000towers\u3000of\u3000Harvard\u3000have\u3000made\u3000you\u3000soft\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3002\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000the\u3000clergy\u3000in\u3000Rome\u3000are\u3000blessed\u3000with\u3000potent\u3000faith\uff1b\u3000and\u3000because\u3000of\u3000this\uff1b\u3000their\u3000beliefs\u3000can\u3000weather\u3000any\u3000storm\uff1b\u3000including\u3000documents\u3000that\u3000contradict\u3000everything\u3000they\u3000hold\u3000dear\u3002\u3000But\u3000what\u3000about\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world\uff1f\u3000What\u3000about\u3000those\u3000who\u3000are\u3000not\u3000blessed\u3000with\u3000absolute\u3000certainty\uff1f\u3000What\u3000about\u3000those\u3000who\u3000look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000cruelty\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3000and\u3000say\uff1b\u3000where\u3000is\u3000God\u3000today\uff1f\u3000Those\u3000who\u3000look\u3000at\u3000Church\u3000scandals\u3000and\u3000ask\uff1b\u3000who\u3000are\u3000these\u3000men\u3000who\u3000claim\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000about\u3000Christ\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000lie\u3000to\u3000cover\u3000up\u3000the\u3000sexual\u3000abuse\u3000of\u3000children\u3000by\u3000their\u3000own\u3000priests\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000happens\u3000to\u3000those\u3000people\uff1b\u3000Robert\uff1b\u3000if\u3000persuasive\u3000scientific\u3000evidence\u3000es\u3000out\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Church’s\u3000version\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Christ\u3000story\u3000is\u3000inaccurate\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000the\u3000greatest\u3000story\u3000ever\u3000told\u3000is\uff1b\u3000in\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000the\u3000greatest\u3000story\u3000ever\u3000sold\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000did\u3000not\u3000respond\u3002
\n\u3003I’ll\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000what\u3000happens\u3000if\u3000the\u3000documents\u3000get\u3000out\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Vatican\u3000faces\u3000a\u3000crisis\u3000of\u3000faith\u3000unprecedented\u3000in\u3000its\u3000two\u2026millennia\u3000history\u3002\u3003
\nAfter\u3000a\u3000long\u3000silence\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003But\u3000if\u3000it\u3000is\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000who\u3000is\u3000responsible\u3000for\u3000this\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000why\u3000would\u3000they\u3000act\u3000now\uff1f\u3000After\u3000all\u3000these\u3000years\uff1f\u3000The\u3000Priory\u3000keeps\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3000hidden\u3002\u3000They\u3000pose\u3000no\u3000immediate\u3000threat\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Church\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000heaved\u3000an\u3000ominous\u3000sigh\u3000and\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000I\u3000assume\u3000you\u3000are\u3000familiar\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Priory’s\u3000final\u3000charge\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000his\u3000breath\u3000catch\u3000at\u3000the\u3000thought\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Miss\u3000Neveu\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003the\u3000Church\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000have\u3000had\u3000a\u3000tacit\u3000understanding\u3000for\u3000years\u3002\u3000That\u3000is\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000does\u3000not\u3000attack\u3000the\u3000Priory\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000keeps\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3000hidden\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003However\uff1b\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000history\u3000has\u3000always\u3000included\u3000a\u3000plan\u3000to\u3000unveil\u3000the\u3000secret\u3002\u3000With\u3000the\u3000arrival\u3000of\u3000a\u3000specific\u3000date\u3000in\u3000history\uff1b\u3000the\u3000brotherhood\u3000plans\u3000to\u3000break\u3000the\u3000silence\u3000and\u3000carry\u3000out\u3000its\u3000ultimate\u3000triumph\u3000by\u3000unveiling\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3000to\u3000the\u3000world\u3000and\u3000shouting\u3000the\u3000true\u3000story\u3000of\u3000Jesus\u3000Christ\u3000from\u3000the\u3000mountaintops\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000Teabing\u3000in\u3000silence\u3002\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000she\u3000too\u3000sat\u3000down\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000you\u3000think\u3000that\u3000date\u3000is\u3000approaching\uff1f\u3000And\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000knows\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003A\u3000speculation\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000it\u3000would\u3000certainly\u3000provide\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000motivation\u3000for\u3000an\u3000all\u2026out\u3000attack\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000documents\u3000before\u3000it\u3000was\u3000too\u3000late\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000the\u3000uneasy\u3000feeling\u3000that\u3000Teabing\u3000was\u3000making\u3000good\u3000sense\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000would\u3000actually\u3000be\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000uncovering\u3000hard\u3000evidence\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory’s\u3000date\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Why\u3000not\u2014if\u3000we’re\u3000assuming\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000was\u3000able\u3000to\u3000uncover\u3000the\u3000identities\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000members\uff1b\u3000then\u3000certainly\u3000they\u3000could\u3000have\u3000learned\u3000of\u3000their\u3000plans\u3002\u3000And\u3000even\u3000if\u3000they\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000the\u3000exact\u3000date\uff1b\u3000their\u3000superstitions\u3000may\u3000be\u3000getting\u3000the\u3000best\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Superstitions\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003In\u3000terms\u3000of\u3000prophecy\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003we\u3000are\u3000currently\u3000in\u3000an\u3000epoch\u3000of\u3000enormous\u3000change\u3002\u3000The\u3000millennium\u3000has\u3000recently\u3000passed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000with\u3000it\u3000has\u3000ended\u3000the\u3000two\u2026thousand\u2026year\u2026long\u3000astrological\u3000Age\u3000of\u3000Pisces\u2014the\u3000fish\uff1b\u3000which\u3000is\u3000also\u3000the\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000Jesus\u3002\u3000As\u3000any\u3000astrological\u3000symbologist\u3000will\u3000tell\u3000you\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Piscean\u3000ideal\u3000believes\u3000that\u3000man\u3000must\u3000be\u3000told\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3000by\u3000higher\u3000powers\u3000because\u3000man\u3000is\u3000incapable\u3000of\u3000thinking\u3000for\u3000himself\u3002\u3000Hence\u3000it\u3000has\u3000been\u3000a\u3000time\u3000of\u3000fervent\u3000religion\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000we\u3000are\u3000entering\u3000the\u3000Age\u3000of\u3000Aquarius\u2014the\u3000water\u3000bearer\u2014whose\u3000ideals\u3000claim\u3000that\u3000man\u3000will\u3000learn\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000and\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000think\u3000for\u3000himself\u3002\u3000The\u3000ideological\u3000shift\u3000is\u3000enormous\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000is\u3000occurring\u3000right\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000shiver\u3002\u3000Astrological\u3000prophecy\u3000never\u3000held\u3000much\u3000interest\u3000or\u3000credibility\u3000for\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000there\u3000were\u3000those\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000who\u3000followed\u3000it\u3000very\u3000closely\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Church\u3000calls\u3000this\u3000transitional\u3000period\u3000the\u3000End\u3000of\u3000Days\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000skeptical\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000in\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world\uff1f\u3000The\u3000Apocalypse\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000a\u3000mon\u3000misconception\u3002\u3000Many\u3000religions\u3000speak\u3000of\u3000the\u3000End\u3000of\u3000Days\u3002\u3000It\u3000refers\u3000not\u3000to\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world\uff1b\u3000but\u3000rather\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000our\u3000current\u3000age\u2014Pisces\uff1b\u3000which\u3000began\u3000at\u3000the\u3000time\u3000of\u3000Christ’s\u3000birth\uff1b\u3000spanned\u3000two\u3000thousand\u3000years\uff1b\u3000and\u3000waned\u3000with\u3000the\u3000passing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000millennium\u3002\u3000Now\u3000that\u3000we’ve\u3000passed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Age\u3000of\u3000Aquarius\uff1b\u3000the\u3000End\u3000of\u3000Days\u3000has\u3000arrived\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Many\u3000Grail\u3000historians\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003believe\u3000that\u3000if\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000is\u3000indeed\u3000planning\u3000to\u3000release\u3000this\u3000truth\uff1b\u3000this\u3000point\u3000in\u3000history\u3000would\u3000be\u3000a\u3000symbolically\u3000apt\u3000time\u3002\u3000Most\u3000Priory\u3000academics\uff1b\u3000myself\u3000included\uff1b\u3000anticipated\u3000the\u3000brotherhood’s\u3000release\u3000would\u3000coincide\u3000precisely\u3000with\u3000the\u3000millennium\u3002\u3000Obviously\uff1b\u3000it\u3000did\u3000not\u3002\u3000Admittedly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Roman\u3000calendar\u3000does\u3000not\u3000mesh\u3000perfectly\u3000with\u3000astrological\u3000markers\uff1b\u3000so\u3000there\u3000is\u3000some\u3000gray\u3000area\u3000in\u3000the\u3000prediction\u3002\u3000Whether\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000now\u3000has\u3000inside\u3000information\u3000that\u3000an\u3000exact\u3000date\u3000is\u3000looming\uff1b\u3000or\u3000whether\u3000they\u3000are\u3000just\u3000getting\u3000nervous\u3000on\u3000account\u3000of\u3000astrological\u3000prophecy\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3002\u3000Anyway\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000immaterial\u3002\u3000Either\u3000scenario\u3000explains\u3000how\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000might\u3000be\u3000motivated\u3000to\u3000launch\u3000a\u3000preemptive\u3000attack\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000believe\u3000me\uff1b\u3000if\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000finds\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000they\u3000will\u3000destroy\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000documents\u3000and\u3000the\u3000relics\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blessed\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3003\u3000His\u3000eyes\u3000grew\u3000heavy\u3002\u3000\u3003Then\uff1b\u3000my\u3000dear\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000all\u3000evidence\u3000will\u3000be\u3000lost\u3002\u3000The\u3000Church\u3000will\u3000have\u3000won\u3000their\u3000age\u2026old\u3000war\u3000to\u3000rewrite\u3000history\u3002\u3000The\u3000past\u3000will\u3000be\u3000erased\u3000forever\u3002\u3003
\nSlowly\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000cruciform\u3000key\u3000from\u3000her\u3000sweater\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000held\u3000it\u3000out\u3000to\u3000Teabing\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000took\u3000the\u3000key\u3000and\u3000studied\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000goodness\u3002\u3000The\u3000Priory\u3000seal\u3002\u3000Where\u3000did\u3000you\u3000get\u3000this\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003My\u3000grandfather\u3000gave\u3000it\u3000to\u3000me\u3000tonight\u3000before\u3000he\u3000died\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000ran\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000across\u3000the\u3000cruciform\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000key\u3000to\u3000a\u3000church\uff1f\u3003
\nShe\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000key\u3000provides\u3000access\u3000to\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing’s\u3000head\u3000snapped\u3000up\uff1b\u3000his\u3000face\u3000wild\u3000with\u3000disbelief\u3002\u3000\u3003Impossible\uff01\u3000What\u3000church\u3000did\u3000I\u3000miss\uff1f\u3000I’ve\u3000searched\u3000every\u3000church\u3000in\u3000France\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000not\u3000in\u3000a\u3000church\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000in\u3000a\u3000Swiss\u3000depository\u3000bank\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing’s\u3000look\u3000of\u3000excitement\u3000waned\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000keystone\u3000is\u3000in\u3000a\u3000bank\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003A\u3000vault\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000offered\u3002
\n\u3003A\u3000bank\u3000vault\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3000violently\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000impossible\u3002\u3000The\u3000keystone\u3000is\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000hidden\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It\u3000is\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000was\u3000stored\u3000in\u3000a\u3000rosewood\u3000box\u3000inlaid\u3000with\u3000a\u3000five\u2026petal\u3000Rose\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000looked\u3000thunderstruck\u3002\u3000\u3003You’ve\u3000seen\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000visited\u3000the\u3000bank\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000came\u3000over\u3000to\u3000them\uff1b\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000wild\u3000with\u3000fear\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000we\u3000must\u3000do\u3000something\u3002\u3000The\u3000keystone\u3000is\u3000in\u3000danger\uff01\u3000We\u3000have\u3000a\u3000duty\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000it\u3002\u3000What\u3000if\u3000there\u3000are\u3000other\u3000keys\uff1f\u3000Perhaps\u3000stolen\u3000from\u3000the\u3000murdered\u3000s\u00e9n\u00e9chaux\uff1f\u3000If\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000can\u3000gain\u3000access\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bank\u3000as\u3000you\u3000have\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003Then\u3000they\u3000will\u3000be\u3000too\u3000late\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000removed\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\uff01\u3000You\u3000removed\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000from\u3000its\u3000hiding\u3000place\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000worry\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000keystone\u3000is\u3000well\u3000hidden\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Extremely\u3000well\u3000hidden\uff1b\u3000I\u3000hope\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003Actually\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000his\u3000grin\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000depends\u3000on\u3000how\u3000often\u3000you\u3000dust\u3000under\u3000your\u3000couch\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nThe\u3000wind\u3000outside\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\u3000had\u3000picked\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Silas’s\u3000robe\u3000danced\u3000in\u3000the\u3000breeze\u3000as\u3000he\u3000crouched\u3000near\u3000the\u3000window\u3002\u3000Although\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000the\u3000window\u3002\u3000Although\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000much\u3000of\u3000the\u3000conversation\uff1b\u3000the\u3000word\u3000keystone\u3000had\u3000sifted\u3000through\u3000the\u3000glass\u3000on\u3000numerous\u3000occasions\u3002
\nIt\u3000is\u3000inside\u3002
\nThe\u3000Teacher’s\u3000words\u3000were\u3000fresh\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002\u3000Enter\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\u3002\u3000Take\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3002\u3000Hun\u3000no\u3000one\u3002
\nNow\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000had\u3000adjourned\u3000suddenly\u3000to\u3000another\u3000room\uff1b\u3000extinguishing\u3000the\u3000study\u3000lights\u3000as\u3000they\u3000went\u3002\u3000Feeling\u3000like\u3000a\u3000panther\u3000stalking\u3000prey\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000crept\u3000to\u3000the\u3000glass\u3000doors\u3002\u3000Finding\u3000them\u3000unlocked\uff1b\u3000he\u3000slipped\u3000inside\u3000and\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000doors\u3000silently\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000muffled\u3000voices\u3000from\u3000another\u3000room\u3002\u3000Silas\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000pistol\u3000from\u3000his\u3000pocket\uff1b\u3000turned\u3000off\u3000the\u3000safety\uff1b\u3000and\u3000inched\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hallway\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300063
\n
\nLieutenant\u3000Collet\u3000stood\u3000alone\u3000at\u3000the\u3000foot\u3000of\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing’s\u3000driveway\u3000and\u3000gazed\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000massive\u3000house\u3002\u3000Isolated\u3002\u3000Dark\u3002\u3000Good\u3000ground\u3000cover\u3002\u3000Collet\u3000watched\u3000his\u3000half\u2026dozen\u3000agents\u3000spreading\u3000silently\u3000out\u3000along\u3000the\u3000length\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fence\u3002\u3000They\u3000could\u3000be\u3000over\u3000it\u3000and\u3000have\u3000the\u3000house\u3000surrounded\u3000in\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000minutes\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000not\u3000have\u3000chosen\u3000a\u3000more\u3000ideal\u3000spot\u3000for\u3000Collet’s\u3000men\u3000to\u3000make\u3000a\u3000surprise\u3000assault\u3002
\nCollet\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000call\u3000Fache\u3000himself\u3000when\u3000at\u3000last\u3000his\u3000phone\u3000rang\u3002
\nFache\u3000sounded\u3000not\u3000nearly\u3000as\u3000pleased\u3000with\u3000the\u3000developments\u3000as\u3000Collet\u3000would\u3000have\u3000imagined\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000didn’t\u3000someone\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000we\u3000had\u3000a\u3000lead\u3000on\u3000Langdon\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000were\u3000on\u3000a\u3000phone\u3000call\u3000and\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003Where\u3000exactly\u3000are\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Lieutenant\u3000Collet\uff1f\u3003
\nCollet\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000the\u3000address\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000estate\u3000belongs\u3000to\u3000a\u3000British\u3000national\u3000named\u3000Teabing\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000drove\u3000a\u3000fair\u3000distance\u3000to\u3000get\u3000here\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000vehicle\u3000is\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000security\u3000gate\uff1b\u3000with\u3000no\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000forced\u3000entry\uff1b\u3000so\u3000chances\u3000are\u3000good\u3000that\u3000Langdon\u3000knows\u3000the\u3000occupant\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000ing\u3000out\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000make\u3000a\u3000move\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000handle\u3000this\u3000personally\u3002\u3003
\nCollet’s\u3000jaw\u3000dropped\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000Captain\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000twenty\u3000minutes\u3000away\uff01\u3000We\u3000should\u3000act\u3000immediately\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000him\u3000staked\u3000out\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000with\u3000eight\u3000men\u3000total\u3002\u3000Four\u3000of\u3000us\u3000have\u3000field\u3000rifles\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000have\u3000sidearms\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Wait\u3000for\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Captain\uff1b\u3000what\u3000if\u3000Langdon\u3000has\u3000a\u3000hostage\u3000in\u3000there\uff1f\u3000What\u3000if\u3000he\u3000sees\u3000us\u3000and\u3000decides\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000on\u3000foot\uff1f\u3000We\u3000need\u3000to\u3000move\u3000now\uff01\u3000My\u3000men\u3000are\u3000in\u3000position\u3000and\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000go\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Lieutenant\u3000Collet\uff1b\u3000you\u3000will\u3000wait\u3000for\u3000me\u3000to\u3000arrive\u3000before\u3000taking\u3000action\u3002\u3000That\u3000is\u3000an\u3000order\u3002\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000hung\u3000up\u3002
\nStunned\uff1b\u3000Lieutenant\u3000Collet\u3000switched\u3000off\u3000his\u3000phone\u3002\u3000Why\u3000the\u3000hell\u3000is\u3000Fache\u3000asking\u3000me\u3000to\u3000wait\uff1f\u3000Collet\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000answer\u3002\u3000Fache\uff1b\u3000though\u3000famous\u3000for\u3000his\u3000instinct\uff1b\u3000was\u3000notorious\u3000for\u3000his\u3000pride\u3002\u3000Fache\u3000wants\u3000credit\u3000for\u3000the\u3000arrest\u3002\u3000After\u3000putting\u3000the\u3000American’s\u3000face\u3000all\u3000over\u3000the\u3000television\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000be\u3000sure\u3000his\u3000own\u3000face\u3000got\u3000equal\u3000time\u3002\u3000Collet’s\u3000job\u3000was\u3000simply\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000down\u3000the\u3000fort\u3000until\u3000the\u3000boss\u3000showed\u3000up\u3000to\u3000save\u3000the\u3000day\u3002
\nAs\u3000he\u3000stood\u3000there\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000flashed\u3000on\u3000a\u3000second\u3000possible\u3000explanation\u3000for\u3000this\u3000delay\u3002\u3000Damage\u3000control\u3002\u3000In\u3000law\u3000enforcement\uff1b\u3000hesitating\u3000to\u3000arrest\u3000a\u3000fugitive\u3000only\u3000occurred\u3000when\u3000uncertainty\u3000had\u3000arisen\u3000regarding\u3000the\u3000suspect’s\u3000guilt\u3002\u3000Is\u3000Fache\u3000having\u3000second\u3000thoughts\u3000that\u3000Langdon\u3000is\u3000the\u3000right\u3000man\uff1f\u3000The\u3000thought\u3000was\u3000frightening\u3002\u3000Captain\u3000Fache\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000out\u3000on\u3000a\u3000limb\u3000tonight\u3000to\u3000arrest\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u2014surveillance\u3000cach\u00e9e\uff1b\u3000Interpol\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000television\u3002\u3000Not\u3000even\u3000the\u3000great\u3000Bezu\u3000Fache\u3000would\u3000survive\u3000the\u3000political\u3000fallout\u3000if\u3000he\u3000had\u3000mistakenly\u3000splashed\u3000a\u3000prominent\u3000American’s\u3000face\u3000all\u3000over\u3000French\u3000television\uff1b\u3000claiming\u3000he\u3000was\u3000a\u3000murderer\u3002\u3000If\u3000Fache\u3000now\u3000realized\u3000he’d\u3000made\u3000a\u3000mistake\uff1b\u3000then\u3000it\u3000made\u3000perfect\u3000sense\u3000that\u3000he\u3000would\u3000tell\u3000Collet\u3000not\u3000to\u3000make\u3000a\u3000move\u3002\u3000The\u3000last\u3000thing\u3000Fache\u3000needed\u3000was\u3000for\u3000Collet\u3000to\u3000storm\u3000an\u3000innocent\u3000Brit’s\u3000private\u3000estate\u3000and\u3000take\u3000Langdon\u3000at\u3000gunpoint\u3002
\nMoreover\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000realized\uff1b\u3000if\u3000Langdon\u3000were\u3000innocent\uff1b\u3000it\u3000explained\u3000one\u3000of\u3000this\u3000case’s\u3000strangest\u3000paradoxes\uff1a\u3000Why\u3000had\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\uff1b\u3000the\u3000granddaughter\u3000of\u3000the\u3000victim\uff1b\u3000helped\u3000the\u3000alleged\u3000killer\u3000escape\uff1f\u3000Unless\u3000Sophie\u3000knew\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000falsely\u3000charged\u3002\u3000Fache\u3000had\u3000posited\u3000all\u3000kinds\u3000of\u3000explanations\u3000tonight\u3000to\u3000explain\u3000Sophie’s\u3000odd\u3000behavior\uff1b\u3000including\u3000that\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000sole\u3000heir\uff1b\u3000had\u3000persuaded\u3000her\u3000secret\u3000lover\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000off\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000for\u3000the\u3000inheritance\u3000money\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\uff1b\u3000if\u3000he\u3000had\u3000suspected\u3000this\uff1b\u3000might\u3000have\u3000left\u3000the\u3000police\u3000the\u3000message\u3000P\u3002S\u3002\u3000Find\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000Collet\u3000was\u3000fairly\u3000certain\u3000something\u3000else\u3000was\u3000going\u3000on\u3000here\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000seemed\u3000far\u3000too\u3000solid\u3000of\u3000character\u3000to\u3000be\u3000mixed\u3000up\u3000in\u3000something\u3000that\u3000sordid\u3002
\n\u3003Lieutenant\uff1f\u3003\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000field\u3000agents\u3000came\u3000running\u3000over\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000found\u3000a\u3000car\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000agent\u3000about\u3000fifty\u3000yards\u3000past\u3000the\u3000driveway\u3002\u3000The\u3000agent\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000a\u3000wide\u3000shoulder\u3000on\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000road\u3002\u3000There\uff1b\u3000parked\u3000in\u3000the\u3000brush\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\uff1b\u3000was\u3000a\u3000black\u3000Audi\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000rental\u3000plates\u3002\u3000Collet\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000hood\u3002\u3000Still\u3000warm\u3002\u3000Hot\u3000even\u3002
\n\u3003That\u3000must\u3000be\u3000how\u3000Langdon\u3000got\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000Collet\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Call\u3000the\u3000rental\u3000pany\u3002\u3000Find\u3000out\u3000if\u3000it’s\u3000stolen\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003
\nAnother\u3000agent\u3000waved\u3000Collet\u3000back\u3000over\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fence\u3002\u3000\u3003Lieutenant\uff1b\u3000have\u3000a\u3000look\u3000at\u3000this\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000handed\u3000Collet\u3000a\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000night\u3000vision\u3000binoculars\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000grove\u3000of\u3000trees\u3000near\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000driveway\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000aimed\u3000the\u3000binoculars\u3000up\u3000the\u3000hill\u3000and\u3000adjusted\u3000the\u3000image\u3000intensifier\u3000dials\u3002\u3000Slowly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000greenish\u3000shapes\u3000came\u3000into\u3000focus\u3002\u3000He\u3000located\u3000the\u3000curve\u3000of\u3000the\u3000driveway\u3000and\u3000slowly\u3000followed\u3000it\u3000up\uff1b\u3000reaching\u3000the\u3000grove\u3000of\u3000trees\u3002\u3000All\u3000he\u3000could\u3000do\u3000was\u3000stare\u3002\u3000There\uff1b\u3000shrouded\u3000in\u3000the\u3000greenery\uff1b\u3000was\u3000an\u3000armored\u3000truck\u3002\u3000A\u3000truck\u3000identical\u3000to\u3000the\u3000one\u3000Collet\u3000had\u3000permitted\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000Depository\u3000Bank\u3000of\u3000Zurich\u3000earlier\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000He\u3000prayed\u3000this\u3000was\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000bizarre\u3000coincidence\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000could\u3000not\u3000be\u3002
\n\u3003It\u3000seems\u3000obvious\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000agent\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000this\u3000truck\u3000is\u3000how\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Neveu\u3000got\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bank\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000was\u3000speechless\u3002\u3000He\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000the\u3000armored\u3000truck\u3000driver\u3000he\u3000had\u3000stopped\u3000at\u3000the\u3000roadblock\u3002\u3000The\u3000Rolex\u3002\u3000His\u3000impatience\u3000to\u3000leave\u3002\u3000I\u3000never\u3000checked\u3000the\u3000cargo\u3000hold\u3002
\nIncredulous\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000someone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bank\u3000had\u3000actually\u3000lied\u3000to\u3000DCPJ\u3000about\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie’s\u3000whereabouts\u3000and\u3000then\u3000helped\u3000them\u3000escape\u3002\u3000But\u3000who\uff1f\u3000And\u3000why\uff1f\u3000Collet\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000maybe\u3000this\u3000were\u3000the\u3000reason\u3000Fache\u3000had\u3000told\u3000him\u3000not\u3000to\u3000take\u3000action\u3000yet\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000Fache\u3000realized\u3000there\u3000were\u3000more\u3000people\u3000involved\u3000tonight\u3000than\u3000just\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000And\u3000if\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Neveu\u3000arrived\u3000in\u3000the\u3000armored\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000then\u3000who\u3000drove\u3000the\u3000Audi\uff1f
\n\u3000
\nHundreds\u3000of\u3000miles\u3000to\u3000the\u3000south\uff1b\u3000a\u3000chartered\u3000Beechcraft\u3000Baron\u300058\u3000raced\u3000northward\u3000over\u3000the\u3000Tyrrhenian\u3000Sea\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000calm\u3000skies\uff1b\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3000clutched\u3000an\u3000airsickness\u3000bag\uff1b\u3000certain\u3000he\u3000could\u3000be\u3000ill\u3000at\u3000any\u3000moment\u3002\u3000His\u3000conversation\u3000with\u3000Paris\u3000had\u3000not\u3000at\u3000all\u3000been\u3000what\u3000he\u3000had\u3000imagined\u3002
\nAlone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000small\u3000cabin\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000twisted\u3000the\u3000gold\u3000ring\u3000on\u3000his\u3000finger\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000ease\u3000his\u3000overwhelming\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000fear\u3000and\u3000desperation\u3002\u3000Everything\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3000has\u3000gone\u3000terribly\u3000wrong\u3002\u3000Closing\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000said\u3000a\u3000prayer\u3000that\u3000Bezu\u3000Fache\u3000would\u3000have\u3000the\u3000means\u3000to\u3000fix\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300064
\n
\nTeabing\u3000sat\u3000on\u3000the\u3000divan\uff1b\u3000cradling\u3000the\u3000wooden\u3000box\u3000on\u3000his\u3000lap\u3000and\u3000admiring\u3000the\u3000lid’s\u3000intricate\u3000inlaid\u3000Rose\u3002\u3000Tonight\u3000has\u3000bee\u3000the\u3000strangest\u3000and\u3000most\u3000magical\u3000night\u3000of\u3000my\u3000life\u3002
\n\u3003Lift\u3000the\u3000lid\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000over\u3000him\uff1b\u3000beside\u3000Langdon\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000Do\u3000not\u3000rush\u3000me\u3002\u3000Having\u3000spent\u3000over\u3000a\u3000decade\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000this\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000savor\u3000every\u3000millisecond\u3000of\u3000this\u3000moment\u3002\u3000He\u3000ran\u3000a\u3000palm\u3000across\u3000the\u3000wooden\u3000lid\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000the\u3000texture\u3000of\u3000the\u3000inlaid\u3000flower\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000Rose\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\u3002\u3000The\u3000Rose\u3000is\u3000Magdalene\u3000is\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000The\u3000Rose\u3000is\u3000the\u3000pass\u3000that\u3000guides\u3000the\u3000way\u3002\u3000Teabing\u3000felt\u3000foolish\u3002\u3000For\u3000years\u3000he\u3000had\u3000traveled\u3000to\u3000cathedrals\u3000and\u3000churches\u3000all\u3000over\u3000France\uff1b\u3000paying\u3000for\u3000special\u3000access\uff1b\u3000examining\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000archways\u3000beneath\u3000rose\u3000windows\uff1b\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000an\u3000encrypted\u3000keystone\u3002\u3000La\u3000clef\u3000de\u3000vo\uff1fte\u2014a\u3000stone\u3000key\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000slowly\u3000unlatched\u3000the\u3000lid\u3000and\u3000raised\u3000it\u3002
\nAs\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000finally\u3000gazed\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000contents\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000in\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000it\u3000could\u3000only\u3000be\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000a\u3000stone\u3000cylinder\uff1b\u3000crafted\u3000of\u3000interconnecting\u3000lettered\u3000dials\u3002\u3000The\u3000device\u3000seemed\u3000surprisingly\u3000familiar\u3000to\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3003Designed\u3000from\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000diaries\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000grandfather\u3000made\u3000them\u3000as\u3000a\u3000hobby\u3002\u3003
\nOf\u3000course\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000realized\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000the\u3000sketches\u3000and\u3000blueprints\u3002\u3000The\u3000key\u3000to\u3000finding\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000lies\u3000inside\u3000this\u3000stone\u3002\u3000Teabing\u3000lifted\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000cryptex\u3000from\u3000the\u3000box\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000it\u3000gently\u3002\u3000Although\u3000he\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000how\u3000to\u3000open\u3000the\u3000cylinder\uff1b\u3000he\u3000sensed\u3000his\u3000own\u3000destiny\u3000lay\u3000inside\u3002\u3000In\u3000moments\u3000of\u3000failure\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000questioned\u3000whether\u3000his\u3000life’s\u3000quest\u3000would\u3000ever\u3000be\u3000rewarded\u3002\u3000Now\u3000those\u3000doubts\u3000were\u3000gone\u3000forever\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000ancient\u3000words\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000foundation\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000legend\uff1a
\nVous\u3000ne\u3000trouvez\u3000pas\u3000le\u3000Saint\u2026Graal\uff1b\u3000c’est\u3000le\u3000Saint\u2026Graal\u3000qui\u3000vous\u3000trouve\u3002
\nYou\u3000do\u3000not\u3000find\u3000the\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000finds\u3000you\u3002
\nAnd\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000incredibly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000key\u3000to\u3000finding\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000had\u3000walked\u3000right\u3000through\u3000his\u3000front\u3000door\u3002
\n\u3000
\nWhile\u3000Sophie\u3000and\u3000Teabing\u3000sat\u3000with\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000and\u3000talked\u3000about\u3000the\u3000vinegar\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dials\uff1b\u3000and\u3000what\u3000the\u3000password\u3000might\u3000be\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000carried\u3000the\u3000rosewood\u3000box\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\u3000to\u3000a\u3000well\u2026lit\u3000table\u3000to\u3000get\u3000a\u3000better\u3000look\u3000at\u3000it\u3002\u3000Something\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000just\u3000said\u3000was\u3000now\u3000running\u3000through\u3000Langdon’s\u3000mind\u3002
\nThe\u3000key\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000hidden\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000held\u3000the\u3000wooden\u3000box\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000light\u3000and\u3000examined\u3000the\u3000inlaid\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3002\u3000Although\u3000his\u3000familiarity\u3000with\u3000art\u3000did\u3000not\u3000include\u3000woodworking\u3000or\u3000inlaid\u3000furniture\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000just\u3000recalled\u3000the\u3000famous\u3000tiled\u3000ceiling\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Spanish\u3000monastery\u3000outside\u3000of\u3000Madrid\uff1b\u3000where\uff1b\u3000three\u3000centuries\u3000after\u3000its\u3000construction\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000tiles\u3000began\u3000to\u3000fall\u3000out\uff1b\u3000revealing\u3000sacred\u3000texts\u3000scrawled\u3000by\u3000monks\u3000on\u3000the\u3000plaster\u3000beneath\u3002
\nLangd \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ing\u3000tiles\u3000began\u3000to\u3000fall\u3000out\uff1b\u3000revealing\u3000sacred\u3000texts\u3000scrawled\u3000by\u3000monks\u3000on\u3000the\u3000plaster\u3000beneath\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000looked\u3000again\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3002
\nBeneath\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3002
\nSub\u3000Rosa\u3002
\nSecret\u3002
\nA\u3000bump\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hallway\u3000behind\u3000him\u3000made\u3000Langdon\u3000turn\u3002\u3000He\u3000saw\u3000nothing\u3000but\u3000shadows\u3002\u3000Teabing’s\u3000manservant\u3000most\u3000likely\u3000had\u3000passed\u3000through\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000box\u3002\u3000He\u3000ran\u3000his\u3000finger\u3000over\u3000the\u3000smooth\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000inlay\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000he\u3000could\u3000pry\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3000out\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000craftsmanship\u3000was\u3000perfect\u3002\u3000He\u3000doubted\u3000even\u3000a\u3000razor\u3000blade\u3000could\u3000fit\u3000in\u3000between\u3000the\u3000inlaid\u3000Rose\u3000and\u3000the\u3000carefully\u3000carved\u3000depression\u3000into\u3000which\u3000it\u3000was\u3000seated\u3002
\nOpening\u3000the\u3000box\uff1b\u3000he\u3000examined\u3000the\u3000inside\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lid\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000smooth\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000shifted\u3000its\u3000position\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000the\u3000light\u3000caught\u3000what\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000small\u3000hole\u3000on\u3000the\u3000underside\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lid\uff1b\u3000positioned\u3000in\u3000the\u3000exact\u3000center\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000lid\u3000and\u3000examined\u3000the\u3000inlaid\u3000symbol\u3000from\u3000the\u3000top\u3002\u3000No\u3000hole\u3002
\nIt\u3000doesn’t\u3000pass\u3000through\u3002
\nSetting\u3000the\u3000box\u3000on\u3000the\u3000table\uff1b\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000the\u3000room\u3000and\u3000spied\u3000a\u3000stack\u3000of\u3000papers\u3000with\u3000a\u3000paper\u3000clip\u3000on\u3000it\u3002\u3000Borrowing\u3000the\u3000clip\uff1b\u3000he\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000box\uff1b\u3000opened\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000studied\u3000the\u3000hole\u3000again\u3002\u3000Carefully\uff1b\u3000he\u3000unbent\u3000the\u3000paper\u3000clip\u3000and\u3000inserted\u3000one\u3000end\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hole\u3002\u3000He\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000gentle\u3000push\u3002\u3000It\u3000took\u3000almost\u3000no\u3000effort\u3002\u3000He\u3000heard\u3000something\u3000clatter\u3000quietly\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000table\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000lid\u3000to\u3000look\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000small\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000wood\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000puzzle\u3000piece\u3002\u3000The\u3000wooden\u3000Rose\u3000had\u3000popped\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lid\u3000and\u3000fallen\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000desk\u3002
\nSpeechless\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bare\u3000spot\u3000on\u3000the\u3000lid\u3000where\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3000had\u3000been\u3002\u3000There\uff1b\u3000engraved\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wood\uff1b\u3000written\u3000in\u3000an\u3000immaculate\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000were\u3000four\u3000lines\u3000of\u3000text\u3000in\u3000a\u3000language\u3000he\u3000had\u3000never\u3000seen\u3002
\nThe\u3000characters\u3000look\u3000vaguely\u3000Semitic\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\u3000to\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000recognize\u3000the\u3000language\uff01
\nA\u3000sudden\u3000movement\u3000behind\u3000him\u3000caught\u3000his\u3000attention\u3002\u3000Out\u3000of\u3000nowhere\uff1b\u3000a\u3000crushing\u3000blow\u3000to\u3000the\u3000head\u3000knocked\u3000Langdon\u3000to\u3000his\u3000knees\u3002
\nAs\u3000he\u3000fell\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000pale\u3000ghost\u3000hovering\u3000over\u3000him\uff1b\u3000clutching\u3000a\u3000gun\u3002\u3000Then\u3000everything\u3000went\u3000black\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300065
\n
\nSophie\u3000Neveu\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000working\u3000in\u3000law\u3000enforcement\uff1b\u3000had\u3000never\u3000found\u3000herself\u3000at\u3000gunpoint\u3000until\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000Almost\u3000inconceivably\uff1b\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000into\u3000which\u3000she\u3000was\u3000now\u3000staring\u3000was\u3000clutched\u3000in\u3000the\u3000pale\u3000hand\u3000of\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000albino\u3000with\u3000long\u3000white\u3000hair\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000her\u3000with\u3000red\u3000eyes\u3000that\u3000radiated\u3000a\u3000frightening\uff1b\u3000disembodied\u3000quality\u3002\u3000Dressed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000wool\u3000robe\u3000with\u3000a\u3000rope\u3000tie\uff1b\u3000he\u3000resembled\u3000a\u3000medieval\u3000cleric\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000could\u3000not\u3000imagine\u3000who\u3000he\u3000was\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000she\u3000was\u3000feeling\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000newfound\u3000respect\u3000for\u3000Teabing’s\u3000suspicions\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000was\u3000behind\u3000this\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000know\u3000what\u3000I\u3000have\u3000e\u3000for\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000monk\u3000said\uff1b\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000hollow\u3002
\nSophie\u3000and\u3000Teabing\u3000were\u3000seated\u3000on\u3000the\u3000divan\uff1b\u3000arms\u3000raised\u3000as\u3000their\u3000attacker\u3000had\u3000manded\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000lay\u3000groaning\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000The\u3000monk’s\u3000eyes\u3000fell\u3000immediately\u3000to\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000on\u3000Teabing’s\u3000lap\u3002
\nTeabing’s\u3000tone\u3000was\u3000defiant\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000will\u3000not\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000open\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003My\u3000Teacher\u3000is\u3000very\u3000wise\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000monk\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000inching\u3000closer\uff1b\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000shifting\u3000between\u3000Teabing\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3002
\nSophie\u3000wondered\u3000where\u3000Teabing’s\u3000manservant\u3000was\u3002\u3000Didn’t\u3000he\u3000hear\u3000Robert\u3000fall\uff1f
\n\u3003Who\u3000is\u3000your\u3000teacher\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000we\u3000can\u3000make\u3000a\u3000financial\u3000arrangement\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000priceless\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000moved\u3000closer\u3002
\n\u3003You’re\u3000bleeding\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000noted\u3000calmly\uff1b\u3000nodding\u3000to\u3000the\u3000monk’s\u3000right\u3000ankle\u3000where\u3000a\u3000trickle\u3000of\u3000blood\u3000had\u3000run\u3000down\u3000his\u3000leg\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000you’re\u3000limping\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003As\u3000do\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000monk\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000motioning\u3000to\u3000the\u3000metal\u3000crutches\u3000propped\u3000beside\u3000Teabing\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\uff1b\u3000hand\u3000me\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000know\u3000of\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000sounding\u3000surprised\u3002
\n\u3003Never\u3000mind\u3000what\u3000I\u3000know\u3002\u3000Stand\u3000up\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000give\u3000it\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Standing\u3000is\u3000difficult\u3000for\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Precisely\u3002\u3000I\u3000would\u3000prefer\u3000nobody\u3000attempt\u3000any\u3000quick\u3000moves\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000slipped\u3000his\u3000right\u3000hand\u3000through\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000crutches\u3000and\u3000grasped\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000in\u3000his\u3000left\u3002\u3000Lurching\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stood\u3000erect\uff1b\u3000palming\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000cylinder\u3000in\u3000his\u3000left\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000leaning\u3000unsteadily\u3000on\u3000his\u3000crutch\u3000with\u3000his\u3000right\u3002
\nThe\u3000monk\u3000closed\u3000to\u3000within\u3000a\u3000few\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000keeping\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000aimed\u3000directly\u3000at\u3000Teabing’s\u3000head\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000watched\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000helpless\u3000as\u3000the\u3000monk\u3000reached\u3000out\u3000to\u3000take\u3000the\u3000cylinder\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000will\u3000not\u3000succeed\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Only\u3000the\u3000worthy\u3000can\u3000unlock\u3000this\u3000stone\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nGod\u3000alone\u3000judges\u3000the\u3000worthy\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000thought\u3002
\n\u3003It’s\u3000quite\u3000heavy\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000man\u3000on\u3000crutches\u3000said\uff1b\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000wavering\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000take\u3000it\u3000soon\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000afraid\u3000I\u3000shall\u3000drop\u3000it\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000swayed\u3000perilously\u3002
\nSilas\u3000stepped\u3000quickly\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000take\u3000the\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000as\u3000he\u3000did\uff1b\u3000the\u3000man\u3000on\u3000crutches\u3000lost\u3000his\u3000balance\u3002\u3000The\u3000crutch\u3000slid\u3000out\u3000from\u3000under\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000began\u3000to\u3000topple\u3000sideways\u3000to\u3000his\u3000right\u3002\u3000No\uff01\u3000Silas\u3000lunged\u3000to\u3000save\u3000the\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000lowering\u3000his\u3000weapon\u3000in\u3000the\u3000process\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000was\u3000moving\u3000away\u3000from\u3000him\u3000now\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000man\u3000fell\u3000to\u3000his\u3000right\uff1b\u3000his\u3000left\u3000hand\u3000swung\u3000backward\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000cylinder\u3000tumbled\u3000from\u3000his\u3000palm\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000couch\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000same\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000the\u3000metal\u3000crutch\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000sliding\u3000out\u3000from\u3000under\u3000the\u3000man\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000accelerate\uff1b\u3000cutting\u3000a\u3000wide\u3000arc\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3000toward\u3000Silas’s\u3000leg\u3002
\nSplinters\u3000of\u3000pain\u3000tore\u3000up\u3000Silas’s\u3000body\u3000as\u3000the\u3000crutch\u3000made\u3000perfect\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000his\u3000cilice\uff1b\u3000crushing\u3000the\u3000barbs\u3000into\u3000his\u3000already\u3000raw\u3000flesh\u3002\u3000Buckling\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000crumpled\u3000to\u3000his\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000causing\u3000the\u3000belt\u3000to\u3000cut\u3000deeper\u3000still\u3002\u3000The\u3000pistol\u3000discharged\u3000with\u3000a\u3000deafening\u3000roar\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bullet\u3000burying\u3000itself\u3000harmlessly\u3000in\u3000the\u3000floorboards\u3000as\u3000Silas\u3000fell\u3002\u3000Before\u3000he\u3000could\u3000raise\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000and\u3000fire\u3000again\uff1b\u3000the\u3000woman’s\u3000foot\u3000caught\u3000him\u3000square\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000jaw\u3002
\n\u3000
\nAt\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000driveway\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000gunshot\u3002\u3000The\u3000muffled\u3000pop\u3000sent\u3000panic\u3000through\u3000his\u3000veins\u3002\u3000With\u3000Fache\u3000on\u3000the\u3000way\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000had\u3000already\u3000relinquished\u3000any\u3000hopes\u3000of\u3000claiming\u3000personal\u3000credit\u3000for\u3000finding\u3000Langdon\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000But\u3000Collet\u3000would\u3000be\u3000damned\u3000if\u3000Fache’s\u3000ego\u3000landed\u3000him\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Ministerial\u3000Review\u3000Board\u3000for\u3000negligent\u3000police\u3000procedure\u3002
\nA\u3000weapon\u3000was\u3000discharged\u3000inside\u3000a\u3000private\u3000home\uff01\u3000And\u3000you\u3000waited\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000driveway\uff1f
\nCollet\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000opportunity\u3000for\u3000a\u3000stealth\u3000approach\u3000had\u3000long\u3000since\u3000passed\u3002\u3000He\u3000also\u3000knew\u3000if\u3000he\u3000stood\u3000idly\u3000by\u3000for\u3000another\u3000second\uff1b\u3000his\u3000entire\u3000career\u3000would\u3000be\u3000history\u3000by\u3000morning\u3002\u3000Eyeing\u3000the\u3000estate’s\u3000iron\u3000gate\uff1b\u3000he\u3000made\u3000his\u3000decision\u3002
\n\u3003Tie\u3000on\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pull\u3000it\u3000down\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nIn\u3000the\u3000distant\u3000recesses\u3000of\u3000his\u3000groggy\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000gunshot\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000also\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000scream\u3000of\u3000pain\u3002\u3000His\u3000own\uff1f\u3000A\u3000jackhammer\u3000was\u3000boring\u3000a\u3000hole\u3000into\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000his\u3000cranium\u3002\u3000Somewhere\u3000nearby\uff1b\u3000people\u3000were\u3000talking\u3002
\n\u3003Where\u3000the\u3000devil\u3000were\u3000you\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000was\u3000yelling\u3002
\nThe\u3000manservant\u3000hurried\u3000in\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000happened\uff1f\u3000Oh\u3000my\u3000God\uff01\u3000Who\u3000is\u3000that\uff1f\u3000I’ll\u3000call\u3000the\u3000police\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003Bloody\u3000hell\uff01\u3000Don’t\u3000call\u3000the\u3000police\u3002\u3000Make\u3000yourself\u3000useful\u3000and\u3000get\u3000us\u3000something\u3000with\u3000which\u3000to\u3000restrain\u3000this\u3000monster\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000some\u3000ice\uff01\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000called\u3000after\u3000him\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000drifted\u3000out\u3000again\u3002\u3000More\u3000voices\u3002\u3000Movement\u3002\u3000Now\u3000he\u3000was\u3000seated\u3000on\u3000the\u3000divan\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000an\u3000ice\u3000pack\u3000to\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000His\u3000skull\u3000ached\u3002\u3000As\u3000Langdon’s\u3000vision\u3000finally\u3000began\u3000to\u3000clear\uff1b\u3000he\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000a\u3000body\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Am\u3000I\u3000hallucinating\uff1f\u3000The\u3000massive\u3000body\u3000of\u3000an\u3000albino\u3000monk\u3000lay\u3000bound\u3000and\u3000gagged\u3000with\u3000duct\u3000tape\u3002\u3000His\u3000chin\u3000was\u3000split\u3000open\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000robe\u3000over\u3000his\u3000right\u3000thigh\u3000was\u3000soaked\u3000with\u3000blood\u3002\u3000He\u3000too\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000just\u3000now\u3000ing\u3000to\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003Who\u3000is\u3000that\uff1f\u3000What\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000happened\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000hobbled\u3000over\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000were\u3000rescued\u3000by\u3000a\u3000knight\u3000brandishing\u3000an\u3000Excalibur\u3000made\u3000by\u3000Acme\u3000Orthopedic\u3002\u3003
\nHuh\uff1f\u3000Langdon\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000up\u3002
\nSophie’s\u3000touch\u3000was\u3000shaken\u3000but\u3000tender\u3002\u3000\u3003Just\u3000give\u3000yourself\u3000a\u3000minute\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000fear\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000I’ve\u3000just\u3000demonstrated\u3000for\u3000your\u3000lady\u3000friend\u3000the\u3000unfortunate\u3000benefit\u3000of\u3000my\u3000condition\u3002\u3000It\u3000seems\u3000everyone\u3000underestimates\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nFrom\u3000his\u3000seat\u3000on\u3000the\u3000divan\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000gazed\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000monk\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000imagine\u3000what\u3000had\u3000happened\u3002
\n\u3003He\u3000was\u3000wearing\u3000a\u3000cilice\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000explained\u3002
\n\u3003A\u3000what\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000a\u3000bloody\u3000strip\u3000of\u3000barbed\u3000leather\u3000that\u3000lay\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000Discipline\u3000belt\u3002\u3000He\u3000wore\u3000it\u3000on\u3000his\u3000thigh\u3002\u3000I\u3000took\u3000careful\u3000aim\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000rubbed\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000of\u3000Discipline\u3000belts\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000how\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000did\u3000you\u3000know\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000\u3003Christianity\u3000is\u3000my\u3000field\u3000of\u3000study\uff1b\u3000Robert\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000are\u3000certain\u3000sects\u3000who\u3000wear\u3000their\u3000hearts\u3000on\u3000their\u3000sleeves\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000pointed\u3000his\u3000crutch\u3000at\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000soaking\u3000through\u3000the\u3000monk’s\u3000cloak\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000it\u3000were\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Opus\u3000Dei\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000recalling\u3000recent\u3000media\u3000coverage\u3000of\u3000several\u3000prominent\u3000Boston\u3000businessmen\u3000who\u3000were\u3000members\u3000of\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3002\u3000Apprehensive\u3000coworkers\u3000had\u3000falsely\u3000and\u3000publicly\u3000accused\u3000the\u3000men\u3000of\u3000wearing\u3000Discipline\u3000belts\u3000beneath\u3000their\u3000three\u2026piece\u3000suits\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000the\u3000three\u3000men\u3000did\u3000no\u3000such\u3000thing\u3002\u3000Like\u3000many\u3000members\u3000of\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\uff1b\u3000these\u3000businessmen\u3000were\u3000at\u3000the\u3000\u3003supernumerary\u3003\u3000stage\u3000and\u3000practiced\u3000no\u3000corporal\u3000mortification\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000devout\u3000Catholics\uff1b\u3000caring\u3000fathers\u3000to\u3000their\u3000children\uff1b\u3000and\u3000deeply\u3000dedicated\u3000members\u3000of\u3000the\u3000munity\u3002\u3000Not\u3000surprisingly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000media\u3000spotlighted\u3000their\u3000spiritual\u3000mitment\u3000only\u3000briefly\u3000before\u3000moving\u3000on\u3000to\u3000the\u3000shock\u3000value\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sect’s\u3000more\u3000stringent\u3000\u3003numerary\u3003\u3000members\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000members\u3000like\u3000the\u3000monk\u3000now\u3000lying\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000before\u3000Langdon\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000closely\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bloody\u3000belt\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000why\u3000would\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000be\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000too\u3000groggy\u3000to\u3000consider\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000walking\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wooden\u3000box\u3002\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000this\uff1f\u3003\u3000She\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000small\u3000Rose\u3000inlay\u3000he\u3000had\u3000removed\u3000from\u3000the\u3000lid\u3002
\n\u3003It\u3000covered\u3000an\u3000engraving\u3000on\u3000the\u3000box\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000the\u3000text\u3000might\u3000tell\u3000us\u3000how\u3000to\u3000open\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3002\u3003
\nBefore\u3000Sophie\u3000and\u3000Teabing\u3000could\u3000respond\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sea\u3000of\u3000blue\u3000police\u3000lights\u3000and\u3000sirens\u3000erupted\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hill\u3000and\u3000began\u3000snaking\u3000up\u3000the\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n Before\u3000Sophie\u3000and\u3000Teabing\u3000could\u3000respond\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sea\u3000of\u3000blue\u3000police\u3000lights\u3000and\u3000sirens\u3000erupted\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hill\u3000and\u3000began\u3000snaking\u3000up\u3000the\u3000half\u2026mile\u3000driveway\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seems\u3000we\u3000have\u3000a\u3000decision\u3000to\u3000make\u3002\u3000And\u3000we’d\u3000better\u3000make\u3000it\u3000fast\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300066
\n
\nCollet\u3000and\u3000his\u3000agents\u3000burst\u3000through\u3000the\u3000front\u3000door\u3000of\u3000Sir\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing’s\u3000estate\u3000with\u3000their\u3000guns\u3000drawn\u3002\u3000Fanning\u3000out\uff1b\u3000they\u3000began\u3000searching\u3000all\u3000the\u3000rooms\u3000on\u3000the\u3000first\u3000level\u3002\u3000They\u3000found\u3000a\u3000bullet\u3000hole\u3000in\u3000the\u3000drawing\u3000room\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000a\u3000struggle\uff1b\u3000a\u3000small\u3000amount\u3000of\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000a\u3000strange\uff1b\u3000barbed\u3000leather\u3000belt\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000partially\u3000used\u3000roll\u3000of\u3000duct\u3000tape\u3002\u3000The\u3000entire\u3000level\u3000seemed\u3000deserted\u3002
\nJust\u3000as\u3000Collet\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000divide\u3000his\u3000men\u3000to\u3000search\u3000the\u3000basement\u3000and\u3000grounds\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000house\uff1b\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000voices\u3000on\u3000the\u3000level\u3000above\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3003They’re\u3000upstairs\uff01\u3003
\nRushing\u3000up\u3000the\u3000wide\u3000staircase\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000and\u3000his\u3000men\u3000moved\u3000room\u3000by\u3000room\u3000through\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000home\uff1b\u3000securing\u3000darkened\u3000bedrooms\u3000and\u3000hallways\u3000as\u3000they\u3000closed\u3000in\u3000on\u3000the\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000voices\u3002\u3000The\u3000sound\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000the\u3000last\u3000bedroom\u3000on\u3000an\u3000exceptionally\u3000long\u3000hallway\u3002\u3000The\u3000agents\u3000inched\u3000down\u3000the\u3000corridor\uff1b\u3000sealing\u3000off\u3000alternate\u3000exits\u3002
\nAs\u3000they\u3000neared\u3000the\u3000final\u3000bedroom\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000door\u3000was\u3000wide\u3000open\u3002\u3000The\u3000voices\u3000had\u3000stopped\u3000suddenly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000had\u3000been\u3000replaced\u3000by\u3000an\u3000odd\u3000rumbling\uff1b\u3000like\u3000an\u3000engine\u3002
\nSidearm\u3000raised\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000signal\u3002\u3000Reaching\u3000silently\u3000around\u3000the\u3000door\u3000frame\uff1b\u3000he\u3000found\u3000the\u3000light\u3000switch\u3000and\u3000flicked\u3000it\u3000on\u3002\u3000Spinning\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\u3000with\u3000men\u3000pouring\u3000in\u3000after\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000shouted\u3000and\u3000aimed\u3000his\u3000weapon\u3000at\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000nothing\u3002
\nAn\u3000empty\u3000guest\u3000bedroom\u3002\u3000Pristine\u3002
\nThe\u3000rumbling\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000an\u3000automobile\u3000engine\u3000poured\u3000from\u3000a\u3000black\u3000electronic\u3000panel\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000bed\u3002\u3000Collet\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000these\u3000elsewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000house\u3002\u3000Some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000inter\u3000system\u3002\u3000He\u3000raced\u3000over\u3002\u3000The\u3000panel\u3000had\u3000about\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000labeled\u3000buttons\uff1a
\nSTUDY\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000KITCHEN\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000LAUNDRY\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000CELLAR\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n\u3000
\nSo\u3000where\u3000the\u3000hell\u3000do\u3000I\u3000hear\u3000a\u3000car\uff1f
\nMASTER\u3000BEDROOM\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000SUN\u3000ROOM\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000BARN\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000LIBRARY\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n\u3000
\nBarn\uff01\u3000Collet\u3000was\u3000downstairs\u3000in\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000running\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000back\u3000door\uff1b\u3000grabbing\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000agents\u3000on\u3000the\u3000way\u3002\u3000The\u3000men\u3000crossed\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000lawn\u3000and\u3000arrived\u3000breathless\u3000at\u3000the\u3000front\u3000of\u3000a\u3000weathered\u3000gray\u3000barn\u3002\u3000Even\u3000before\u3000they\u3000entered\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000fading\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000a\u3000car\u3000engine\u3002\u3000He\u3000drew\u3000his\u3000weapon\uff1b\u3000rushed\u3000in\uff1b\u3000and\u3000flicked\u3000on\u3000the\u3000lights\u3002
\nThe\u3000right\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000barn\u3000was\u3000a\u3000rudimentary\u3000workshop\u2014lawn\u2026mowers\uff1b\u3000automotive\u3000tools\uff1b\u3000gardening\u3000supplies\u3002\u3000A\u3000familiar\u3000inter\u3000panel\u3000hung\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000nearby\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000its\u3000buttons\u3000was\u3000flipped\u3000down\uff1b\u3000transmitting\u3002
\nGUEST\u3000BEDROOM\u3000II\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCollet\u3000wheeled\uff1b\u3000anger\u3000brimming\u3002\u3000They\u3000lured\u3000us\u3000upstairs\u3000with\u3000the\u3000inter\uff01\u3000Searching\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000barn\uff1b\u3000he\u3000found\u3000a\u3000long\u3000line\u3000of\u3000horse\u3000stalls\u3002\u3000No\u3000horses\u3002\u3000Apparently\u3000the\u3000owner\u3000preferred\u3000a\u3000different\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000horsepower\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stalls\u3000had\u3000been\u3000converted\u3000into\u3000an\u3000impressive\u3000automotive\u3000parking\u3000facility\u3002\u3000The\u3000collection\u3000was\u3000astonishing\u2014a\u3000black\u3000Ferrari\uff1b\u3000a\u3000pristine\u3000Rolls\u2026Royce\uff1b\u3000an\u3000antique\u3000Astin\u3000Martin\u3000sports\u3000coupe\uff1b\u3000a\u3000vintage\u3000Porsche\u3000356\u3002
\nThe\u3000last\u3000stall\u3000was\u3000empty\u3002
\nCollet\u3000ran\u3000over\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000oil\u3000stains\u3000on\u3000the\u3000stall\u3000floor\u3002\u3000They\u3000can’t\u3000get\u3000off\u3000the\u3000pound\u3002\u3000The\u3000driveway\u3000and\u3000gate\u3000were\u3000barricaded\u3000with\u3000two\u3000patrol\u3000cars\u3000to\u3000prevent\u3000this\u3000very\u3000situation\u3002
\n\u3003Sir\uff1f\u3003\u3000The\u3000agent\u3000pointed\u3000down\u3000the\u3000length\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stalls\u3002
\nThe\u3000barn’s\u3000rear\u3000slider\u3000was\u3000wide\u3000open\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000way\u3000to\u3000a\u3000dark\uff1b\u3000muddy\u3000slope\u3000of\u3000rugged\u3000fields\u3000that\u3000stretched\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000night\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000barn\u3002\u3000Collet\u3000ran\u3000to\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000see\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3002\u3000All\u3000he\u3000could\u3000make\u3000out\u3000was\u3000the\u3000faint\u3000shadow\u3000of\u3000a\u3000forest\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distance\u3002\u3000No\u3000headlights\u3002\u3000This\u3000wooded\u3000valley\u3000was\u3000probably\u3000crisscrossed\u3000by\u3000dozens\u3000of\u3000unmapped\u3000fire\u3000roads\u3000and\u3000hunting\u3000trails\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Collet\u3000was\u3000confident\u3000his\u3000quarry\u3000would\u3000never\u3000make\u3000the\u3000woods\u3002\u3000\u3003Get\u3000some\u3000men\u3000spread\u3000out\u3000down\u3000there\u3002\u3000They’re\u3000probably\u3000already\u3000stuck\u3000somewhere\u3000nearby\u3002\u3000These\u3000fancy\u3000sports\u3000cars\u3000can’t\u3000handle\u3000terrain\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Um\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1f\u3003\u3000The\u3000agent\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000a\u3000nearby\u3000pegboard\u3000on\u3000which\u3000hung\u3000several\u3000sets\u3000of\u3000keys\u3002\u3000The\u3000labels\u3000above\u3000the\u3000keys\u3000bore\u3000familiar\u3000names\u3002
\nDAIMLER\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000ROLLS\u2026ROYCE\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000ASTIN\u3000MARTIN\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000PORSCHE\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n\u3000
\nThe\u3000last\u3000peg\u3000was\u3000empty\u3002
\nWhen\u3000Collet\u3000read\u3000the\u3000label\u3000above\u3000the\u3000empty\u3000peg\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000was\u3000in\u3000trouble\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300067
\n
\nThe\u3000Range\u3000Rover\u3000was\u3000Java\u3000Black\u3000Pearl\uff1b\u3000four\u2026wheel\u3000drive\uff1b\u3000standard\u3000transmission\uff1b\u3000with\u3000high\u2026strength\u3000polypropylene\u3000lamps\uff1b\u3000rear\u3000light\u3000cluster\u3000fittings\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000steering\u3000wheel\u3000on\u3000the\u3000right\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000pleased\u3000he\u3000was\u3000not\u3000driving\u3002
\nTeabing’s\u3000manservant\u3000R\u00e9my\uff1b\u3000on\u3000orders\u3000from\u3000his\u3000master\uff1b\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000an\u3000impressive\u3000job\u3000of\u3000maneuvering\u3000the\u3000vehicle\u3000across\u3000the\u3000moonlit\u3000fields\u3000behind\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\u3002\u3000With\u3000no\u3000headlights\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000crossed\u3000an\u3000open\u3000knoll\u3000and\u3000was\u3000now\u3000descending\u3000a\u3000long\u3000slope\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000farther\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000estate\u3002\u3000He\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000heading\u3000toward\u3000a\u3000jagged\u3000silhouette\u3000of\u3000wooded\u3000land\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distance\u3002
\nLangdon\uff1b\u3000cradling\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3000turned\u3000in\u3000the\u3000passenger\u3000seat\u3000and\u3000eyed\u3000Teabing\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000seat\u3002
\n\u3003How’s\u3000your\u3000head\uff1b\u3000Robert\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000sounding\u3000concerned\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000forced\u3000a\u3000pained\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003Better\uff1b\u3000thanks\u3002\u3003\u3000It\u3000was\u3000killing\u3000him\u3002
\nBeside\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bound\u3000and\u3000gagged\u3000monk\u3000lying\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cramped\u3000luggage\u3000area\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000back\u3000seat\u3002\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000the\u3000monk’s\u3000gun\u3000on\u3000his\u3000lap\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000an\u3000old\u3000photo\u3000of\u3000a\u3000British\u3000safari\u3000chap\u3000posing\u3000over\u3000his\u3000kill\u3002
\n\u3003So\u3000glad\u3000you\u3000popped\u3000in\u3000this\u3000evening\uff1b\u3000Robert\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000grinning\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000were\u3000having\u3000fun\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000in\u3000years\u3002
\n\u3003Sorry\u3000to\u3000get\u3000you\u3000involved\u3000in\u3000this\uff1b\u3000Leigh\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000please\uff1b\u3000I’ve\u3000waited\u3000my\u3000entire\u3000life\u3000to\u3000be\u3000involved\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000looked\u3000past\u3000Langdon\u3000out\u3000the\u3000windshield\u3000at\u3000the\u3000shadow\u3000of\u3000a\u3000long\u3000hedgerow\u3002\u3000He\u3000tapped\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000on\u3000the\u3000shoulder\u3000from\u3000behind\u3002\u3000\u3003Remember\uff1b\u3000no\u3000brake\u3000lights\u3002\u3000Use\u3000the\u3000emergency\u3000brake\u3000if\u3000you\u3000need\u3000it\u3002\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000get\u3000into\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000a\u3000bit\u3002\u3000No\u3000reason\u3000to\u3000risk\u3000them\u3000seeing\u3000us\u3000from\u3000the\u3000house\u3002\u3003
\nR\u00e9my\u3000coasted\u3000to\u3000a\u3000crawl\u3000and\u3000guided\u3000the\u3000Range\u3000Rover\u3000through\u3000an\u3000opening\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hedge\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000vehicle\u3000lurched\u3000onto\u3000an\u3000overgrown\u3000pathway\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000immediately\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000overhead\u3000blotted\u3000out\u3000the\u3000moonlight\u3002
\nI\u3000can’t\u3000see\u3000a\u3000thing\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000straining\u3000to\u3000distinguish\u3000any\u3000shapes\u3000at\u3000all\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000pitch\u3000black\u3002\u3000Branches\u3000rubbed\u3000against\u3000the\u3000left\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000vehicle\uff1b\u3000and\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000corrected\u3000in\u3000the\u3000other\u3000direction\u3002\u3000Keeping\u3000the\u3000wheel\u3000more\u3000or\u3000less\u3000straight\u3000now\uff1b\u3000he\u3000inched\u3000ahead\u3000about\u3000thirty\u3000yards\u3002
\n\u3003You’re\u3000doing\u3000beautifully\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000should\u3000be\u3000far\u3000enough\u3002\u3000Robert\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000could\u3000press\u3000that\u3000little\u3000blue\u3000button\u3000just\u3000below\u3000the\u3000vent\u3000there\u3002\u3000See\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000found\u3000the\u3000button\u3000and\u3000pressed\u3000it\u3002
\nA\u3000muted\u3000yellow\u3000glow\u3000fanned\u3000out\u3000across\u3000the\u3000path\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000revealing\u3000thick\u3000underbrush\u3000on\u3000either\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pathway\u3002\u3000Fog\u3000lights\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000realized\u3002\u3000They\u3000gave\u3000off\u3000just\u3000enough\u3000light\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000them\u3000on\u3000the\u3000path\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000they\u3000were\u3000deep\u3000enough\u3000into\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000now\u3000that\u3000the\u3000lights\u3000would\u3000not\u3000give\u3000them\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000chimed\u3000happily\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000lights\u3000are\u3000on\u3002\u3000Our\u3000lives\u3000are\u3000in\u3000your\u3000hands\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Where\u3000are\u3000we\u3000going\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003This\u3000trail\u3000continues\u3000about\u3000three\u3000kilometers\u3000into\u3000the\u3000forest\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Cutting\u3000across\u3000the\u3000estate\u3000and\u3000then\u3000arching\u3000north\u3002\u3000Provided\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000hit\u3000any\u3000standing\u3000water\u3000or\u3000fallen\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000we\u3000shall\u3000emerge\u3000unscathed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000shoulder\u3000of\u3000highway\u3000five\u3002\u3003
\nUnscathed\u3002\u3000Langdon’s\u3000head\u3000begged\u3000to\u3000differ\u3002\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000down\u3000to\u3000his\u3000own\u3000lap\uff1b\u3000where\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000was\u3000safely\u3000stowed\u3000in\u3000its\u3000wooden\u3000box\u3002\u3000The\u3000inlaid\u3000Rose\u3000on\u3000the\u3000lid\u3000was\u3000back\u3000in\u3000place\uff1b\u3000and\u3000although\u3000his\u3000head\u3000felt\u3000muddled\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000remove\u3000the\u3000inlay\u3000again\u3000and\u3000examine\u3000the\u3000engraving\u3000beneath\u3000more\u3000closely\u3002\u3000He\u3000unlatched\u3000the\u3000lid\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000raise\u3000it\u3000when\u3000Teabing\u3000laid\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000from\u3000behind\u3002
\n\u3003Patience\uff1b\u3000Robert\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000bumpy\u3000and\u3000dark\u3002\u3000God\u3000save\u3000us\u3000if\u3000we\u3000break\u3000anything\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000didn’t\u3000recognize\u3000the\u3000language\u3000in\u3000the\u3000light\uff1b\u3000you\u3000won’t\u3000do\u3000any\u3000better\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dark\u3002\u3000Let’s\u3000focus\u3000on\u3000getting\u3000away\u3000in\u3000one\u3000piece\uff1b\u3000shall\u3000we\uff1f\u3000There\u3000will\u3000be\u3000time\u3000for\u3000that\u3000very\u3000soon\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000knew\u3000Teabing\u3000was\u3000right\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000nod\uff1b\u3000he\u3000relatched\u3000the\u3000box\u3002
\nThe\u3000monk\u3000in\u3000back\u3000was\u3000moaning\u3000now\uff1b\u3000struggling\u3000against\u3000his\u3000trusses\u3002\u3000Suddenly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000began\u3000kicking\u3000wildly\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000spun\u3000around\u3000and\u3000aimed\u3000the\u3000pistol\u3000over\u3000the\u3000seat\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000imagine\u3000your\u3000plaint\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000You\u3000trespassed\u3000in\u3000my\u3000home\u3000and\u3000planted\u3000a\u3000nasty\u3000welt\u3000on\u3000the\u3000skull\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dear\u3000friend\u3002\u3000I\u3000would\u3000be\u3000well\u3000within\u3000my\u3000rights\u3000to\u3000shoot\u3000you\u3000right\u3000now\u3000and\u3000leave\u3000you\u3000to\u3000rot\u3000in\u3000the\u3000woods\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000monk\u3000fell\u3000silent\u3002
\n\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000sure\u3000we\u3000should\u3000have\u3000brought\u3000him\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003Bloody\u3000well\u3000positive\uff01\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000exclaimed\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000wanted\u3000for\u3000murder\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3002\u3000This\u3000scoundrel\u3000is\u3000your\u3000ticket\u3000to\u3000freedom\u3002\u3000The\u3000police\u3000apparently\u3000want\u3000you\u3000badly\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000have\u3000tailed\u3000you\u3000to\u3000my\u3000home\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003My\u3000fault\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000armored\u3000car\u3000probably\u3000had\u3000a\u3000transmitter\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Not\u3000the\u3000point\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000surprised\u3000the\u3000police\u3000found\u3000you\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000am\u3000surprised\u3000that\u3000this\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000character\u3000found\u3000you\u3002\u3000From\u3000all\u3000you’ve\u3000told\u3000me\uff1b\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000imagine\u3000how\u3000this\u3000man\u3000could\u3000have\u3000tailed\u3000you\u3000to\u3000my\u3000home\u3000unless\u3000he\u3000had\u3000a\u3000contact\u3000either\u3000within\u3000the\u3000Judicial\u3000Police\u3000or\u3000within\u3000the\u3000Zurich\u3000Depository\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000considered\u3000it\u3002\u3000Bezu\u3000Fache\u3000certainly\u3000seemed\u3000intent\u3000on\u3000finding\u3000a\u3000scapegoat\u3000for\u3000tonight’s\u3000murders\u3002\u3000And\u3000Vernet\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000on\u3000them\u3000rather\u3000suddenly\uff1b\u3000although\u3000considering\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000being\u3000charged\u3000with\u3000four\u3000murders\uff1b\u3000the\u3000banker’s\u3000change\u3000of\u3000heart\u3000seemed\u3000understandable\u3002
\n\u3003This\u3000monk\u3000is\u3000not\u3000working\u3000alone\uff1b\u3000Robert\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000until\u3000you\u3000learn\u3000who\u3000is\u3000behind\u3000all\u3000this\uff1b\u3000you\u3000both\u3000are\u3000in\u3000danger\u3002\u3000The\u3000good\u3000news\uff1b\u3000my\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000is\u3000that\u3000you\u3000are\u3000now\u3000in\u3000the\u3000position\u3000of\u3000p \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ood\u3000news\uff1b\u3000my\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000is\u3000that\u3000you\u3000are\u3000now\u3000in\u3000the\u3000position\u3000of\u3000power\u3002\u3000This\u3000monster\u3000behind\u3000me\u3000holds\u3000that\u3000information\uff1b\u3000and\u3000whoever\u3000is\u3000pulling\u3000his\u3000strings\u3000has\u3000got\u3000to\u3000be\u3000quite\u3000nervous\u3000right\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\nR\u00e9my\u3000was\u3000picking\u3000up\u3000speed\uff1b\u3000getting\u3000fortable\u3000with\u3000the\u3000trail\u3002\u3000They\u3000splashed\u3000through\u3000some\u3000water\uff1b\u3000climbed\u3000a\u3000small\u3000rise\uff1b\u3000and\u3000began\u3000descending\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000could\u3000you\u3000be\u3000so\u3000kind\u3000as\u3000to\u3000hand\u3000me\u3000that\u3000phone\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000car\u3000phone\u3000on\u3000the\u3000dash\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000handed\u3000it\u3000back\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Teabing\u3000dialed\u3000a\u3000number\u3002\u3000He\u3000waited\u3000for\u3000a\u3000very\u3000long\u3000time\u3000before\u3000someone\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003Richard\uff1f\u3000Did\u3000I\u3000wake\u3000you\uff1f\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000I\u3000did\u3002\u3000Silly\u3000question\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000sorry\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000small\u3000problem\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000feeling\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000off\u3002\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000and\u3000I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000pop\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Isles\u3000for\u3000my\u3000treatments\u3002\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000right\u3000away\uff1b\u3000actually\u3002\u3000Sorry\u3000for\u3000the\u3000short\u3000notice\u3002\u3000Can\u3000you\u3000have\u3000Elizabeth\u3000ready\u3000in\u3000about\u3000twenty\u3000minutes\uff1f\u3000I\u3000know\uff1b\u3000do\u3000the\u3000best\u3000you\u3000can\u3002\u3000See\u3000you\u3000shortly\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000hung\u3000up\u3002
\n\u3003Elizabeth\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003My\u3000plane\u3002\u3000She\u3000cost\u3000me\u3000a\u3000Queen’s\u3000ransom\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000turned\u3000full\u3000around\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3003What\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000demanded\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000two\u3000can’t\u3000expect\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000in\u3000France\u3000with\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000Judicial\u3000Police\u3000after\u3000you\u3002\u3000London\u3000will\u3000be\u3000much\u3000safer\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Teabing\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000think\u3000we\u3000should\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000country\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003My\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3000far\u3000more\u3000influential\u3000in\u3000the\u3000civilized\u3000world\u3000than\u3000here\u3000in\u3000France\u3002\u3000Furthermore\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000believed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000in\u3000Great\u3000Britain\u3002\u3000If\u3000we\u3000unlock\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3000certain\u3000we\u3000will\u3000discover\u3000a\u3000map\u3000that\u3000indicates\u3000we\u3000have\u3000moved\u3000in\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000direction\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You’re\u3000running\u3000a\u3000big\u3000risk\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003by\u3000helping\u3000us\u3002\u3000You\u3000won’t\u3000make\u3000any\u3000friends\u3000with\u3000the\u3000French\u3000police\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000wave\u3000of\u3000disgust\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000finished\u3000with\u3000France\u3002\u3000I\u3000moved\u3000here\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3002\u3000That\u3000work\u3000is\u3000now\u3000done\u3002\u3000I\u3000shan’t\u3000care\u3000if\u3000I\u3000ever\u3000again\u3000see\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000sounded\u3000uncertain\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000will\u3000we\u3000get\u3000through\u3000airport\u3000security\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000chuckled\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000fly\u3000from\u3000Le\u3000Bourget\u2014an\u3000executive\u3000airfield\u3000not\u3000far\u3000from\u3000here\u3002\u3000French\u3000doctors\u3000make\u3000me\u3000nervous\uff1b\u3000so\u3000every\u3000fortnight\uff1b\u3000I\u3000fly\u3000north\u3000to\u3000take\u3000my\u3000treatments\u3000in\u3000England\u3002\u3000I\u3000pay\u3000for\u3000certain\u3000special\u3000privileges\u3000at\u3000both\u3000ends\u3002\u3000Once\u3000we’re\u3000airborne\uff1b\u3000you\u3000can\u3000make\u3000a\u3000decision\u3000as\u3000to\u3000whether\u3000or\u3000not\u3000you’d\u3000like\u3000someone\u3000from\u3000the\u3000U\u3002S\u3002\u3000Embassy\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000suddenly\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000the\u3000embassy\u3002\u3000All\u3000he\u3000could\u3000think\u3000of\u3000was\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3000the\u3000inscription\uff1b\u3000and\u3000whether\u3000it\u3000would\u3000all\u3000lead\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000He\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000Teabing\u3000was\u3000right\u3000about\u3000Britain\u3002\u3000Admittedly\u3000most\u3000modern\u3000legends\u3000placed\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000somewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000United\u3000Kingdom\u3002\u3000Even\u3000King\u3000Arthur’s\u3000mythical\uff1b\u3000Grail\u2026rich\u3000Isle\u3000of\u3000Avalon\u3000was\u3000now\u3000believed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000none\u3000other\u3000than\u3000Glastonbury\uff1b\u3000England\u3002\u3000Wherever\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000lay\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000never\u3000imagined\u3000he\u3000would\u3000actually\u3000be\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3002\u3000The\u3000true\u3000history\u3000of\u3000Jesus\u3000Christ\u3002\u3000The\u3000tomb\u3000of\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3002\u3000He\u3000suddenly\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000were\u3000living\u3000in\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000limbo\u3000tonight\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000bubble\u3000where\u3000the\u3000real\u3000world\u3000could\u3000not\u3000reach\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3003Sir\uff1f\u3003\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000truly\u3000thinking\u3000of\u3000returning\u3000to\u3000England\u3000for\u3000good\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003R\u00e9my\uff1b\u3000you\u3000needn’t\u3000worry\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000assured\u3002\u3000\u3003Just\u3000because\u3000I\u3000am\u3000returning\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Queen’s\u3000realm\u3000does\u3000not\u3000mean\u3000I\u3000intend\u3000to\u3000subject\u3000my\u3000palate\u3000to\u3000bangers\u3000and\u3000mash\u3000for\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000my\u3000days\u3002\u3000I\u3000expect\u3000you\u3000will\u3000join\u3000me\u3000there\u3000permanently\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000planning\u3000to\u3000buy\u3000a\u3000splendid\u3000villa\u3000in\u3000Devonshire\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we’ll\u3000have\u3000all\u3000your\u3000things\u3000shipped\u3000up\u3000immediately\u3002\u3000An\u3000adventure\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3002\u3000I\u3000say\uff1b\u3000an\u3000adventure\uff01\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000to\u3000smile\u3002\u3000As\u3000Teabing\u3000railed\u3000on\u3000about\u3000his\u3000plans\u3000for\u3000a\u3000triumphant\u3000return\u3000to\u3000Britain\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000himself\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000man’s\u3000infectious\u3000enthusiasm\u3002
\nGazing\u3000absently\u3000out\u3000the\u3000window\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000passing\u3000by\uff1b\u3000ghostly\u3000pale\u3000in\u3000the\u3000yellow\u3000blush\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fog\u3000lights\u3002\u3000The\u3000side\u3000mirror\u3000was\u3000tipped\u3000inward\uff1b\u3000brushed\u3000askew\u3000by\u3000branches\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000reflection\u3000of\u3000Sophie\u3000sitting\u3000quietly\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000seat\u3002\u3000He\u3000watched\u3000her\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000while\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000an\u3000unexpected\u3000upwelling\u3000of\u3000contentment\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000his\u3000troubles\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000thankful\u3000to\u3000have\u3000landed\u3000in\u3000such\u3000good\u3000pany\u3002
\nAfter\u3000several\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000suddenly\u3000sensing\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000on\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000leaned\u3000forward\u3000and\u3000put\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000on\u3000his\u3000shoulders\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000him\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000rub\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000okay\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Yeah\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Somehow\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000sat\u3000back\u3000in\u3000her\u3000seat\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000quiet\u3000smile\u3000cross\u3000her\u3000lips\u3002\u3000He\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000he\u3000too\u3000was\u3000now\u3000grinning\u3002
\n\u3000
\nWedged\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Range\u3000Rover\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000could\u3000barely\u3000breathe\u3002\u3000His\u3000arms\u3000were\u3000wrenched\u3000backward\u3000and\u3000heavily\u3000lashed\u3000to\u3000his\u3000ankles\u3000with\u3000kitchen\u3000twine\u3000and\u3000duct\u3000tape\u3002\u3000Every\u3000bump\u3000in\u3000the\u3000road\u3000sent\u3000pain\u3000shooting\u3000through\u3000his\u3000twisted\u3000shoulders\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\u3000his\u3000captors\u3000had\u3000removed\u3000the\u3000cilice\u3002\u3000Unable\u3000to\u3000inhale\u3000through\u3000the\u3000strip\u3000of\u3000tape\u3000over\u3000his\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000only\u3000breathe\u3000through\u3000his\u3000nostrils\uff1b\u3000which\u3000were\u3000slowly\u3000clogging\u3000up\u3000due\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dusty\u3000rear\u3000cargo\u3000area\u3000into\u3000which\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000crammed\u3002\u3000He\u3000began\u3000coughing\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000think\u3000he’s\u3000choking\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000French\u3000driver\u3000said\uff1b\u3000sounding\u3000concerned\u3002
\nThe\u3000British\u3000man\u3000who\u3000had\u3000struck\u3000Silas\u3000with\u3000his\u3000crutch\u3000now\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000peered\u3000over\u3000the\u3000seat\uff1b\u3000frowning\u3000coldly\u3000at\u3000Silas\u3002\u3000\u3003Fortunately\u3000for\u3000you\uff1b\u3000we\u3000British\u3000judge\u3000man’s\u3000civility\u3000not\u3000by\u3000his\u3000passion\u3000for\u3000his\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000but\u3000by\u3000his\u3000passion\u3000for\u3000his\u3000enemies\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000Brit\u3000reached\u3000down\u3000and\u3000grabbed\u3000the\u3000duct\u3000tape\u3000on\u3000Silas’s\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000In\u3000one\u3000fast\u3000motion\uff1b\u3000he\u3000tore\u3000it\u3000off\u3002
\nSilas\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000if\u3000his\u3000lips\u3000had\u3000just\u3000caught\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000air\u3000pouring\u3000into\u3000his\u3000lungs\u3000was\u3000sent\u3000from\u3000God\u3002
\n\u3003Whom\u3000do\u3000you\u3000work\u3000for\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000British\u3000man\u3000demanded\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000do\u3000the\u3000work\u3000of\u3000God\uff1b\u3003\u3000Silas\u3000spat\u3000back\u3000through\u3000the\u3000pain\u3000in\u3000his\u3000jaw\u3000where\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000had\u3000kicked\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000belong\u3000to\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000man\u3000said\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000not\u3000a\u3000question\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000know\u3000nothing\u3000of\u3000who\u3000I\u3000am\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Why\u3000does\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000want\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1f\u3003
\nSilas\u3000had\u3000no\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000answering\u3002\u3000The\u3000keystone\u3000was\u3000the\u3000link\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000was\u3000the\u3000key\u3000to\u3000protecting\u3000the\u3000faith\u3002
\nI\u3000do\u3000the\u3000work\u3000of\u3000God\u3002\u3000The\u3000Way\u3000is\u3000in\u3000peril\u3002
\nNow\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Range\u3000Rover\uff1b\u3000struggling\u3000against\u3000his\u3000bonds\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000feared\u3000he\u3000had\u3000failed\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000and\u3000the\u3000bishop\u3000forever\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000no\u3000way\u3000even\u3000to\u3000contact\u3000them\u3000and\u3000tell\u3000them\u3000the\u3000terrible\u3000turn\u3000of\u3000events\u3002\u3000My\u3000captors\u3000have\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff01\u3000They\u3000will\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000before\u3000we\u3000do\uff01\u3000In\u3000the\u3000stifling\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000prayed\u3002\u3000He\u3000let\u3000the\u3000pain\u3000of\u3000his\u3000body\u3000fuel\u3000his\u3000supplications\u3002
\nA\u3000miracle\uff1b\u3000Lord\u3002\u3000I\u3000need\u3000a\u3000miracle\u3002\u3000Silas\u3000had\u3000no\u3000way\u3000of\u3000knowing\u3000that\u3000hours\u3000from\u3000now\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000get\u3000one\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3003Robert\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000still\u3000watching\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000funny\u3000look\u3000just\u3000crossed\u3000your\u3000face\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000glanced\u3000back\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000realizing\u3000his\u3000jaw\u3000was\u3000firmly\u3000set\u3000and\u3000his\u3000heart\u3000was\u3000racing\u3002\u3000An\u3000incredible\u3000notion\u3000had\u3000just\u3000occurred\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000Could\u3000it\u3000really\u3000be\u3000that\u3000simple\u3000an\u3000explanation\uff1f\u3000\u3003I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000use\u3000your\u3000cell\u3000phone\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Now\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000think\u3000I\u3000just\u3000figured\u3000something\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I’ll\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000in\u3000a\u3000minute\u3002\u3000I\u3000need\u3000your\u3000phone\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000wary\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000doubt\u3000Fache\u3000is\u3000tracing\uff1b\u3000but\u3000keep\u3000it\u3000under\u3000a\u3000minute\u3000just\u3000in\u3000case\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000her\u3000phone\u3002
\n\u3003How\u3000do\u3000I\u3000dial\u3000the\u3000States\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000need\u3000to\u3000reverse\u3000the\u3000charges\u3002\u3000My\u3000service\u3000doesn’t\u3000cover\u3000transatlantic\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000dialed\u3000zero\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000that\u3000the\u3000next\u3000sixty\u3000seconds\u3000might\u3000answer\u3000a\u3000question\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000puzzling\u3000him\u3000all\u3000night\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300068
\n
\nNew\u3000York\u3000editor\u3000Jonas\u3000Faukman\u3000had\u3000just\u3000climbed\u3000into\u3000bed\u3000for\u3000the\u3000night\u3000when\u3000the\u3000telephone\u3000rang\u3002\u3000A\u3000little\u3000late\u3000for\u3000callers\uff1b\u3000he\u3000grumbled\uff1b\u3000picking\u3000up\u3000the\u3000receiver\u3002
\nAn\u3000operator’s\u3000voice\u3000asked\u3000him\uff1b\u3000\u3003Will\u3000you\u3000accept\u3000charges\u3000for\u3000a\u3000collect\u3000call\u3000from\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\uff1f\u3003
\nPuzzled\uff1b\u3000Jonas\u3000turned\u3000on\u3000the\u3000light\u3002\u3000\u3003Uh\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000sure\uff1b\u3000okay\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000line\u3000clicked\u3002\u3000\u3003Jonas\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Robert\uff1f\u3000You\u3000wake\u3000me\u3000up\u3000and\u3000you\u3000charge\u3000me\u3000for\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Jonas\uff1b\u3000forgive\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000keep\u3000this\u3000very\u3000short\u3002\u3000I\u3000really\u3000need\u3000to\u3000know\u3002\u3000The\u3000manuscript\u3000I\u3000gave\u3000you\u3002\u3000Have\u3000you\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3000I\u3000know\u3000I\u3000said\u3000I’d\u3000send\u3000the\u3000edits\u3000out\u3000to\u3000you\u3000this\u3000week\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I’m\u3000swamped\u3002\u3000Next\u3000Monday\u3002\u3000I\u3000promise\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000worried\u3000about\u3000the\u3000edits\u3002\u3000I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000know\u3000if\u3000you\u3000sent\u3000any\u3000copies\u3000out\u3000for\u3000blurbs\u3000without\u3000telling\u3000me\uff1f\u3003
\nFaukman\u3000hesitated\u3002\u3000Langdon’s\u3000newest\u3000manuscript\u2014an\u3000exploration\u3000of\u3000the\u3000history\u3000of\u3000goddess\u3000worship\u2014included\u3000several\u3000sections\u3000about\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000that\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000raise\u3000some\u3000eyebrows\u3002\u3000Although\u3000the\u3000material\u3000was\u3000well\u3000documented\u3000and\u3000had\u3000been\u3000covered\u3000by\u3000others\uff1b\u3000Faukman\u3000had\u3000no\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000printing\u3000Advance\u3000Reading\u3000Copies\u3000of\u3000Langdon’s\u3000book\u3000without\u3000at\u3000least\u3000a\u3000few\u3000endorsements\u3000from\u3000serious\u3000historians\u3000and\u3000art\u3000luminaries\u3002\u3000Jonas\u3000had\u3000chosen\u3000ten\u3000big\u3000names\u3000in\u3000the\u3000art\u3000world\u3000and\u3000sent\u3000them\u3000all\u3000sections\u3000of\u3000the\u3000manuscript\u3000along\u3000with\u3000a\u3000polite\u3000letter\u3000asking\u3000if\u3000they\u3000would\u3000be\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000write\u3000a\u3000short\u3000endorsement\u3000for\u3000the\u3000jacket\u3002\u3000In\u3000Faukman’s\u3000experience\uff1b\u3000most\u3000people\u3000jumped\u3000at\u3000the\u3000opportunity\u3000to\u3000see\u3000their\u3000name\u3000in\u3000print\u3002
\n\u3003Jonas\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000pressed\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000sent\u3000out\u3000my\u3000manuscript\uff1b\u3000didn’t\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\nFaukman\u3000frowned\uff1b\u3000sensing\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000not\u3000happy\u3000about\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000manuscript\u3000was\u3000clean\uff1b\u3000Robert\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000surprise\u3000you\u3000with\u3000some\u3000terrific\u3000blurbs\u3002\u3003
\nA\u3000pause\u3002\u3000\u3003Did\u3000you\u3000send\u3000one\u3000to\u3000the\u3000curator\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Paris\u3000Louvre\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000think\uff1f\u3000Your\u3000manuscript\u3000referenced\u3000his\u3000Louvre\u3000collection\u3000several\u3000times\uff1b\u3000his\u3000books\u3000are\u3000in\u3000your\u3000bibliography\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000guy\u3000has\u3000some\u3000serious\u3000clout\u3000for\u3000foreign\u3000sales\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000was\u3000a\u3000no\u2026brainer\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000silence\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000end\u3000lasted\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\u3002\u3000\u3003When\u3000did\u3000you\u3000send\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003About\u3000a\u3000month\u3000ago\u3002\u3000I\u3000also\u3000mentioned\u3000you\u3000would\u3000be\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3000soon\u3000and\u3000suggested\u3000you\u3000two\u3000chat\u3002\u3000Did\u3000he\u3000ever\u3000call\u3000you\u3000to\u3000meet\uff1f\u3003\u3000Faukman\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000rubbing\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u3003Hold\u3000on\uff1b\u3000aren’t\u3000you\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3000this\u3000week\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000am\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3002\u3003
\nFaukman\u3000sat\u3000upright\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000called\u3000me\u3000collect\u3000from\u3000Paris\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Take\u3000it\u3000out\u3000of\u3000my\u3000roy \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000am\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3002\u3003
\nFaukman\u3000sat\u3000upright\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000called\u3000me\u3000collect\u3000from\u3000Paris\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Take\u3000it\u3000out\u3000of\u3000my\u3000royalties\uff1b\u3000Jonas\u3002\u3000Did\u3000you\u3000ever\u3000hear\u3000back\u3000from\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\uff1f\u3000Did\u3000he\u3000like\u3000the\u3000manuscript\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3002\u3000I\u3000haven’t\u3000yet\u3000heard\u3000from\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000hold\u3000your\u3000breath\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000run\uff1b\u3000but\u3000this\u3000explains\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000Thanks\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Robert\u2014\u3003
\nBut\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002
\nFaukman\u3000hung\u3000up\u3000the\u3000phone\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000his\u3000head\u3000in\u3000disbelief\u3000Authors\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Even\u3000the\u3000sane\u3000ones\u3000are\u3000nuts\u3002
\n\u3000
\nInside\u3000the\u3000Range\u3000Rover\uff1b\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000let\u3000out\u3000a\u3000guffaw\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000saying\u3000you\u3000wrote\u3000a\u3000manuscript\u3000that\u3000delves\u3000into\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000society\uff1b\u3000and\u3000your\u3000editor\u3000sent\u3000a\u3000copy\u3000to\u3000that\u3000secret\u3000society\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000slumped\u3002\u3000\u3003Evidently\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003A\u3000cruel\u3000coincidence\uff1b\u3000my\u3000friend\u3002\u3003
\nCoincidence\u3000has\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000knew\u3002\u3000Asking\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000to\u3000endorse\u3000a\u3000manuscript\u3000on\u3000goddess\u3000worship\u3000was\u3000as\u3000obvious\u3000as\u3000asking\u3000Tiger\u3000Woods\u3000to\u3000endorse\u3000a\u3000book\u3000on\u3000golf\u3002\u3000Moreover\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000virtually\u3000guaranteed\u3000that\u3000any\u3000book\u3000on\u3000goddess\u3000worship\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000mention\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u3002
\n\u3003Here’s\u3000the\u3000million\u2026dollar\u3000question\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000still\u3000chuckling\u3002\u3000\u3003Was\u3000your\u3000position\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000favorable\u3000or\u3000unfavorable\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000Teabing’s\u3000true\u3000meaning\u3000loud\u3000and\u3000clear\u3002\u3000Many\u3000historians\u3000questioned\u3000why\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000was\u3000still\u3000keeping\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3000hidden\u3002\u3000Some\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000information\u3000should\u3000have\u3000been\u3000shared\u3000with\u3000the\u3000world\u3000long\u3000ago\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000took\u3000no\u3000position\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Priory’s\u3000actions\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000mean\u3000lack\u3000thereof\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000Teabing\u3000was\u3000apparently\u3000on\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000making\u3000the\u3000documents\u3000public\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000simply\u3000provided\u3000history\u3000on\u3000the\u3000brotherhood\u3000and\u3000described\u3000them\u3000as\u3000a\u3000modern\u3000goddess\u3000worship\u3000society\uff1b\u3000keepers\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000and\u3000guardians\u3000of\u3000ancient\u3000documents\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Did\u3000you\u3000mention\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000winced\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3002\u3000Numerous\u3000times\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000talked\u3000about\u3000the\u3000supposed\u3000keystone\u3000as\u3000an\u3000example\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lengths\u3000to\u3000which\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000would\u3000go\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000amazed\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000guess\u3000that\u3000explains\u3000P\u3002S\u3002\u3000Find\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000sensed\u3000it\u3000was\u3000actually\u3000something\u3000else\u3000in\u3000the\u3000manuscript\u3000that\u3000had\u3000piqued\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000interest\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000topic\u3000was\u3000something\u3000he\u3000would\u3000discuss\u3000with\u3000Sophie\u3000when\u3000they\u3000were\u3000alone\u3002
\n\u3003So\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003you\u3000lied\u3000to\u3000Captain\u3000Fache\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000demanded\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000told\u3000him\u3000you\u3000had\u3000never\u3000corresponded\u3000with\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000didn’t\uff01\u3000My\u3000editor\u3000sent\u3000him\u3000a\u3000manuscript\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Think\u3000about\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3002\u3000If\u3000Captain\u3000Fache\u3000didn’t\u3000find\u3000the\u3000envelope\u3000in\u3000which\u3000your\u3000editor\u3000sent\u3000the\u3000manuscript\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000conclude\u3000that\u3000you\u3000sent\u3000it\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003Or\u3000worse\uff1b\u3000that\u3000you\u3000hand\u2026delivered\u3000it\u3000and\u3000lied\u3000about\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nWhen\u3000the\u3000Range\u3000Rover\u3000arrived\u3000at\u3000Le\u3000Bourget\u3000Airfield\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000drove\u3000to\u3000a\u3000small\u3000hangar\u3000at\u3000the\u3000far\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000airstrip\u3002\u3000As\u3000they\u3000approached\uff1b\u3000a\u3000tousled\u3000man\u3000in\u3000wrinkled\u3000khakis\u3000hurried\u3000from\u3000the\u3000hangar\uff1b\u3000waved\uff1b\u3000and\u3000slid\u3000open\u3000the\u3000enormous\u3000corrugated\u3000metal\u3000door\u3000to\u3000reveal\u3000a\u3000sleek\u3000white\u3000jet\u3000within\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000glistening\u3000fuselage\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000Elizabeth\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000\u3003Beats\u3000the\u3000bloody\u3000Chunnel\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000man\u3000in\u3000khakis\u3000hurried\u3000toward\u3000them\uff1b\u3000squinting\u3000into\u3000the\u3000headlights\u3002\u3000\u3003Almost\u3000ready\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000called\u3000in\u3000a\u3000British\u3000accent\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000apologies\u3000for\u3000the\u3000delay\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you\u3000took\u3000me\u3000by\u3000surprise\u3000and\u2014\u3003\u3000He\u3000stopped\u3000short\u3000as\u3000the\u3000group\u3000unloaded\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Sophie\u3000and\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000Teabing\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003My\u3000associates\u3000and\u3000I\u3000have\u3000urgent\u3000business\u3000in\u3000London\u3002\u3000We’ve\u3000no\u3000time\u3000to\u3000waste\u3002\u3000Please\u3000prepare\u3000to\u3000depart\u3000immediately\u3002\u3003\u3000As\u3000he\u3000spoke\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000took\u3000the\u3000pistol\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000vehicle\u3000and\u3000handed\u3000it\u3000to\u3000Langdon\u3002
\nThe\u3000pilot’s\u3000eyes\u3000bulged\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3002\u3000He\u3000walked\u3000over\u3000to\u3000Teabing\u3000and\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000\u3003Sir\uff1b\u3000my\u3000humble\u3000apologies\uff1b\u3000but\u3000my\u3000diplomatic\u3000flight\u3000allowance\u3000provides\u3000only\u3000for\u3000you\u3000and\u3000your\u3000manservant\u3002\u3000I\u3000cannot\u3000take\u3000your\u3000guests\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Richard\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000smiling\u3000warmly\uff1b\u3000\u3003two\u3000thousand\u3000pounds\u3000sterling\u3000and\u3000that\u3000loaded\u3000gun\u3000say\u3000you\u3000can\u3000take\u3000my\u3000guests\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000motioned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Range\u3000Rover\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000the\u3000unfortunate\u3000fellow\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300069
\n
\nThe\u3000Hawker\u3000731’s\u3000twin\u3000Garrett\u3000TFE\u2026731\u3000engines\u3000thundered\uff1b\u3000powering\u3000the\u3000plane\u3000skyward\u3000with\u3000gut\u2026wrenching\u3000force\u3002\u3000Outside\u3000the\u3000window\uff1b\u3000Le\u3000Bourget\u3000Airfield\u3000dropped\u3000away\u3000with\u3000startling\u3000speed\u3002
\nI’m\u3000fleeing\u3000the\u3000country\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000her\u3000body\u3000forced\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000leather\u3000seat\u3002\u3000Until\u3000this\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000believed\u3000her\u3000game\u3000of\u3000cat\u3000and\u3000mouse\u3000with\u3000Fache\u3000would\u3000be\u3000somehow\u3000justifiable\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Ministry\u3000of\u3000Defense\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000attempting\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000an\u3000innocent\u3000man\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000fulfill\u3000my\u3000grandfather’s\u3000dying\u3000wishes\u3002\u3000That\u3000window\u3000of\u3000opportunity\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000had\u3000just\u3000closed\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000country\uff1b\u3000without\u3000documentation\uff1b\u3000acpanying\u3000a\u3000wanted\u3000man\uff1b\u3000and\u3000transporting\u3000a\u3000bound\u3000hostage\u3002\u3000If\u3000a\u3000\u3003line\u3000of\u3000reason\u3003\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000existed\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000just\u3000crossed\u3000it\u3002\u3000At\u3000almost\u3000the\u3000speed\u3000of\u3000sound\u3002
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000seated\u3000with\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Teabing\u3000near\u3000the\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cabin\u2014the\u3000Fan\u3000Jet\u3000Executive\u3000Elite\u3000Design\uff1b\u3000according\u3000to\u3000the\u3000gold\u3000medallion\u3000on\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000Their\u3000plush\u3000swivel\u3000chairs\u3000were\u3000bolted\u3000to\u3000tracks\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000and\u3000could\u3000be\u3000repositioned\u3000and\u3000locked\u3000around\u3000a\u3000rectangular\u3000hardwood\u3000table\u3002\u3000A\u3000mini\u2026boardroom\u3002\u3000The\u3000dignified\u3000surroundings\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000did\u3000little\u3000to\u3000camouflage\u3000the\u3000less\u3000than\u3000dignified\u3000state\u3000of\u3000affairs\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plane\u3000where\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000separate\u3000seating\u3000area\u3000near\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000room\uff1b\u3000Teabing’s\u3000manservant\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000sat\u3000with\u3000the\u3000pistol\u3000in\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000begrudgingly\u3000carrying\u3000out\u3000Teabing’s\u3000orders\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000guard\u3000over\u3000the\u3000bloody\u3000monk\u3000who\u3000lay\u3000trussed\u3000at\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000like\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000luggage\u3002
\n\u3003Before\u3000we\u3000turn\u3000our\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000you\u3000would\u3000permit\u3000me\u3000a\u3000few\u3000words\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000sounded\u3000apprehensive\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000father\u3000about\u3000to\u3000give\u3000the\u3000birds\u2026and\u2026the\u2026bees\u3000lecture\u3000to\u3000his\u3000children\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000I\u3000realize\u3000I\u3000am\u3000but\u3000a\u3000guest\u3000on\u3000this\u3000journey\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000am\u3000honored\u3000as\u3000such\u3002\u3000And\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000as\u3000someone\u3000who\u3000has\u3000spent\u3000his\u3000life\u3000in\u3000search\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000I\u3000feel\u3000it\u3000is\u3000my\u3000duty\u3000to\u3000warn\u3000you\u3000that\u3000you\u3000are\u3000about\u3000to\u3000step\u3000onto\u3000a\u3000path\u3000from\u3000which\u3000there\u3000is\u3000no\u3000return\uff1b\u3000regardless\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dangers\u3000involved\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003Miss\u3000Neveu\uff1b\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3000gave\u3000you\u3000this\u3000cryptex\u3000in\u3000hopes\u3000you\u3000would\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000secret\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000alive\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Understandably\uff1b\u3000you\u3000feel\u3000obliged\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000the\u3000trail\u3000wherever\u3000it\u3000leads\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000although\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000second\u3000motivation\u3000still\u3000burning\u3000within\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000truth\u3000about\u3000my\u3000family\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000Langdon’s\u3000assurances\u3000that\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000had\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000her\u3000past\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000still\u3000sensed\u3000something\u3000deeply\u3000personal\u3000entwined\u3000within\u3000this\u3000mystery\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000this\u3000cryptex\uff1b\u3000forged\u3000by\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000own\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000were\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000to\u3000her\u3000and\u3000offer\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000resolution\u3000to\u3000the\u3000emptiness\u3000that\u3000had\u3000haunted\u3000her\u3000all\u3000these\u3000years\u3002
\n\u3003Your\u3000grandfather\u3000and\u3000three\u3000others\u3000died\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000they\u3000did\u3000so\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000this\u3000keystone\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Church\u3002\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000came\u3000within\u3000inches\u3000tonight\u3000of\u3000possessing\u3000it\u3002\u3000You\u3000understand\uff1b\u3000I\u3000hope\uff1b\u3000that\u3000this\u3000puts\u3000you\u3000in\u3000a\u3000position\u3000of\u3000exceptional\u3000responsibility\u3002\u3000You\u3000have\u3000been\u3000handed\u3000a\u3000torch\u3002\u3000A\u3000two\u2026thousand\u2026year\u2026old\u3000flame\u3000that\u3000cannot\u3000be\u3000allowed\u3000to\u3000go\u3000out\u3002\u3000This\u3000torch\u3000cannot\u3000fall\u3000into\u3000the\u3000wrong\u3000hands\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000glancing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000rosewood\u3000box\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000realize\u3000you\u3000have\u3000been\u3000given\u3000no\u3000choice\u3000in\u3000this\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Neveu\uff1b\u3000but\u3000considering\u3000what\u3000is\u3000at\u3000stake\u3000here\uff1b\u3000you\u3000must\u3000either\u3000fully\u3000embrace\u3000this\u3000responsibility\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000or\u3000you\u3000must\u3000pass\u3000that\u3000responsibility\u3000to\u3000someone\u3000else\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003My\u3000grandfather\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000I\u3000could\u3000handle\u3000the\u3000responsibility\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000looked\u3000encouraged\u3000but\u3000unconvinced\u3002\u3000\u3003Good\u3002\u3000A\u3000strong\u3000will\u3000is\u3000necessary\u3002\u3000And\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3000curious\u3000if\u3000you\u3000understand\u3000that\u3000successfully\u3000unlocking\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000will\u3000bring\u3000with\u3000it\u3000a\u3000far\u3000greater\u3000trial\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003How\u3000so\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003My\u3000dear\uff1b\u3000imagine\u3000that\u3000you\u3000are\u3000suddenly\u3000holding\u3000a\u3000map\u3000that\u3000reveals\u3000the\u3000location\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000In\u3000that\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000you\u3000will\u3000be\u3000in\u3000possession\u3000of\u3000a\u3000truth\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000altering\u3000history\u3000forever\u3002\u3000You\u3000will\u3000be\u3000the\u3000keeper\u3000of\u3000a\u3000truth\u3000that\u3000man\u3000has\u3000sought\u3000for\u3000centuries\u3002\u3000You\u3000will\u3000be\u3000faced\u3000with\u3000the\u3000responsibility\u3000of\u3000revealing\u3000that\u3000truth\u3000to\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3000The\u3000individual\u3000who\u3000does\u3000so\u3000will\u3000be\u3000revered\u3000by\u3000many\u3000and\u3000despised\u3000by\u3000many\u3002\u3000The\u3000question\u3000is\u3000whether\u3000you\u3000will\u3000have\u3000the\u3000necessary\u3000strength\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000out\u3000that\u3000task\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000sure\u3000that\u3000is\u3000my\u3000decision\u3000to\u3000make\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing’s\u3000eyebrows\u3000arched\u3002\u3000\u3003No\uff1f\u3000If\u3000not\u3000the\u3000possessor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3000then\u3000who\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000brotherhood\u3000who\u3000has\u3000successfully\u3000protected\u3000the\u3000secret\u3000for\u3000so\u3000long\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000Priory\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000looked\u3000skeptical\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000how\uff1f\u3000The\u3000brotherhood\u3000was\u3000shattered\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000Decapitated\uff1b\u3000as\u3000you\u3000so\u3000aptly\u3000put\u3000it\u3002\u3000Whether\u3000they\u3000were\u3000infiltrated\u3000by\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000eavesdropping\u3000or\u3000by\u3000a\u3000spy\u3000within\u3000their\u3000ranks\uff1b\u3000we\u3000will\u3000never\u3000know\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000remains\u3000that\u3000someone\u3000got\u3000to\u3000them\u3000and\u3000uncovered\u3000the\u3000identities\u3000of\u3000their\u3000four\u3000top\u3000members\u3002\u3000I\u3000would\u3000not\u3000trust\u3000anyone\u3000who\u3000stepped\u3000forward\u3000from\u3000the\u3000brotherhood\u3000at\u3000this\u3000point\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003So\u3000what\u3000do\u3000you\u3000suggest\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000you\u3000know\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000I\u3000do\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000has\u3000not\u3000protected\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000all\u3000these\u3000years\u3000to\u3000have\u3000it\u3000gather\u3000dust\u3000until\u3000eternity\u3002\u3000They\u3000have\u3000been\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000the\u3000right\u3000moment\u3000in\u3000history\u3000to\u3000share\u3000their\u3000secret\u3002\u3000A\u3000time\u3000when\u3000the\u3000world\u3000is\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000handle\u3000the\u3000truth\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000you\u3000believe\u3000that\u3000moment\u3000has\u3000arrived\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003Absolutely\u3002\u3000It\u3000could\u3000not\u3000be\u3000more\u3000obvious\u3002\u3000All\u3000the\u3000historical\u3000signs\u3000are\u3000in\u3000place\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000did\u3000not\u3000intend\u3000to\u3000make\u3000their\u3000secret\u3000known\u3000very\u3000soon\uff1b\u3000why\u3000has\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000now\u3000attacked\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000argued\uff1b\u3000\u3003The\u3000monk\u3000has\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000told\u3000us\u3000his\u3000purpose\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000monk’s\u3000purpose\u3000is\u3000the\u3000Church’s\u3000purpose\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000\u3003to\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n Sophie\u3000argued\uff1b\u3000\u3003The\u3000monk\u3000has\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000told\u3000us\u3000his\u3000purpose\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000monk’s\u3000purpose\u3000is\u3000the\u3000Church’s\u3000purpose\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000\u3003to\u3000destroy\u3000the\u3000documents\u3000that\u3000reveal\u3000the\u3000great\u3000deception\u3002\u3000The\u3000Church\u3000came\u3000closer\u3000tonight\u3000than\u3000they\u3000have\u3000ever\u3000e\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000has\u3000put\u3000its\u3000trust\u3000in\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Neveu\u3002\u3000The\u3000task\u3000of\u3000saving\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000clearly\u3000includes\u3000carrying\u3000out\u3000the\u3000Priory’s\u3000final\u3000wishes\u3000of\u3000sharing\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000with\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000intervened\u3002\u3000\u3003Leigh\uff1b\u3000asking\u3000Sophie\u3000to\u3000make\u3000that\u3000decision\u3000is\u3000quite\u3000a\u3000load\u3000to\u3000drop\u3000on\u3000someone\u3000who\u3000only\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000ago\u3000learned\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3000exist\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000apologize\u3000if\u3000I\u3000am\u3000pressing\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Neveu\u3002\u3000Clearly\u3000I\u3000have\u3000always\u3000believed\u3000these\u3000documents\u3000should\u3000be\u3000made\u3000public\uff1b\u3000but\u3000in\u3000the\u3000end\u3000the\u3000decision\u3000belongs\u3000to\u3000you\u3002\u3000I\u3000simply\u3000feel\u3000it\u3000is\u3000important\u3000that\u3000you\u3000begin\u3000to\u3000think\u3000about\u3000what\u3000happens\u3000should\u3000we\u3000succeed\u3000in\u3000opening\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Gentlemen\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000firm\u3002\u3000\u3003To\u3000quote\u3000your\u3000words\uff1b\u3000’You\u3000do\u3000not\u3000find\u3000the\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000finds\u3000you\u3002’\u3000I\u3000am\u3000going\u3000to\u3000trust\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000has\u3000found\u3000me\u3000for\u3000a\u3000reason\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000the\u3000time\u3000es\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000know\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\nBoth\u3000of\u3000them\u3000looked\u3000startled\u3002
\n\u3003So\u3000then\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000motioning\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rosewood\u3000box\u3002\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000move\u3000on\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300070
\n
\nStanding\u3000in\u3000the\u3000drawing\u3000room\u3000of\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\uff1b\u3000Lieutenant\u3000Collet\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000dying\u3000fire\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000despondent\u3002\u3000Captain\u3000Fache\u3000had\u3000arrived\u3000moments\u3000earlier\u3000and\u3000was\u3000now\u3000in\u3000the\u3000next\u3000room\uff1b\u3000yelling\u3000into\u3000the\u3000phone\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000coordinate\u3000the\u3000failed\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000locate\u3000the\u3000missing\u3000Range\u3000Rover\u3002
\nIt\u3000could\u3000be\u3000anywhere\u3000by\u3000now\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000thought\u3002
\nHaving\u3000disobeyed\u3000Fache’s\u3000direct\u3000orders\u3000and\u3000lost\u3000Langdon\u3000for\u3000a\u3000second\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000was\u3000grateful\u3000that\u3000PTS\u3000had\u3000located\u3000a\u3000bullet\u3000hole\u3000in\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000which\u3000at\u3000least\u3000corroborated\u3000Collet’s\u3000claims\u3000that\u3000a\u3000shot\u3000had\u3000been\u3000fired\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000Fache’s\u3000mood\u3000was\u3000sour\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Collet\u3000sensed\u3000there\u3000would\u3000be\u3000dire\u3000repercussions\u3000when\u3000the\u3000dust\u3000settled\u3002
\nUnfortunately\uff1b\u3000the\u3000clues\u3000they\u3000were\u3000turning\u3000up\u3000here\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000shed\u3000no\u3000light\u3000at\u3000all\u3000on\u3000what\u3000was\u3000going\u3000on\u3000or\u3000who\u3000was\u3000involved\u3002\u3000The\u3000black\u3000Audi\u3000outside\u3000had\u3000been\u3000rented\u3000in\u3000a\u3000false\u3000name\u3000with\u3000false\u3000credit\u3000card\u3000numbers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000prints\u3000in\u3000the\u3000car\u3000matched\u3000nothing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Interpol\u3000database\u3002
\nAnother\u3000agent\u3000hurried\u3000into\u3000the\u3000living\u3000room\uff1b\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000urgent\u3002\u3000\u3003Where’s\u3000Captain\u3000Fache\uff1f\u3003
\nCollet\u3000barely\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000from\u3000the\u3000burning\u3000embers\u3002\u3000\u3003He’s\u3000on\u3000the\u3000phone\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000off\u3000the\u3000phone\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000snapped\uff1b\u3000stalking\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000have\u3000you\u3000got\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000second\u3000agent\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Sir\uff1b\u3000Central\u3000just\u3000heard\u3000from\u3000Andr\u00e9\u3000Vernet\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Depository\u3000Bank\u3000of\u3000Zurich\u3002\u3000He\u3000wants\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000you\u3000privately\u3002\u3000He\u3000is\u3000changing\u3000his\u3000story\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Oh\uff1f\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\u3002
\nNow\u3000Collet\u3000looked\u3000up\u3002
\n\u3003Vernet\u3000is\u3000admitting\u3000that\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Neveu\u3000spent\u3000time\u3000inside\u3000his\u3000bank\u3000tonight\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000figured\u3000that\u3000out\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000did\u3000Vernet\u3000lie\u3000about\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003He\u3000said\u3000he’ll\u3000talk\u3000only\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he’s\u3000agreed\u3000to\u3000cooperate\u3000fully\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003In\u3000exchange\u3000for\u3000what\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003For\u3000our\u3000keeping\u3000his\u3000bank’s\u3000name\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000news\u3000and\u3000also\u3000for\u3000helping\u3000him\u3000recover\u3000some\u3000stolen\u3000property\u3002\u3000It\u3000sounds\u3000like\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Neveu\u3000stole\u3000something\u3000from\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000account\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\uff1f\u3003\u3000Collet\u3000blurted\u3002\u3000\u3003How\uff1f\u3003
\nFache\u3000never\u3000flinched\uff1b\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000riveted\u3000on\u3000the\u3000second\u3000agent\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000did\u3000they\u3000steal\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Vernet\u3000didn’t\u3000elaborate\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000sounds\u3000like\u3000he’s\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000do\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000get\u3000it\u3000back\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000imagine\u3000how\u3000this\u3000could\u3000happen\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Neveu\u3000had\u3000held\u3000a\u3000bank\u3000employee\u3000at\u3000gunpoint\uff1f\u3000Maybe\u3000they\u3000forced\u3000Vernet\u3000to\u3000open\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000account\u3000and\u3000facilitate\u3000an\u3000escape\u3000in\u3000the\u3000armored\u3000truck\u3002\u3000As\u3000feasible\u3000as\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000was\u3000having\u3000trouble\u3000believing\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000could\u3000be\u3000involved\u3000in\u3000anything\u3000like\u3000that\u3002
\nFrom\u3000the\u3000kitchen\uff1b\u3000another\u3000agent\u3000yelled\u3000to\u3000Fache\u3002\u3000\u3003Captain\uff1f\u3000I’m\u3000going\u3000through\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Teabing’s\u3000speed\u3000dial\u3000numbers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’m\u3000on\u3000the\u3000phone\u3000with\u3000Le\u3000Bourget\u3000Airfield\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000got\u3000some\u3000bad\u3000news\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nThirty\u3000seconds\u3000later\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000was\u3000packing\u3000up\u3000and\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000just\u3000learned\u3000that\u3000Teabing\u3000kept\u3000a\u3000private\u3000jet\u3000nearby\u3000at\u3000Le\u3000Bourget\u3000Airfield\u3000and\u3000that\u3000the\u3000plane\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000off\u3000about\u3000a\u3000half\u3000hour\u3000ago\u3002
\nThe\u3000Bourget\u3000representative\u3000on\u3000the\u3000phone\u3000had\u3000claimed\u3000not\u3000to\u3000know\u3000who\u3000was\u3000on\u3000the\u3000plane\u3000or\u3000where\u3000it\u3000was\u3000headed\u3002\u3000The\u3000takeoff\u3000had\u3000been\u3000unscheduled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000no\u3000flight\u3000plan\u3000had\u3000been\u3000logged\u3002\u3000Highly\u3000illegal\uff1b\u3000even\u3000for\u3000a\u3000small\u3000airfield\u3002\u3000Fache\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000that\u3000by\u3000applying\u3000the\u3000right\u3000pressure\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000get\u3000the\u3000answers\u3000he\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000for\u3002
\n\u3003Lieutenant\u3000Collet\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000barked\uff1b\u3000heading\u3000for\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000choice\u3000but\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000you\u3000in\u3000charge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000PTS\u3000investigation\u3000here\u3002\u3000Try\u3000to\u3000do\u3000something\u3000right\u3000for\u3000a\u3000change\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300071
\n
\nAs\u3000the\u3000Hawker\u3000leveled\u3000off\uff1b\u3000with\u3000its\u3000nose\u3000aimed\u3000for\u3000England\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000carefully\u3000lifted\u3000the\u3000rosewood\u3000box\u3000from\u3000his\u3000lap\uff1b\u3000where\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000protecting\u3000it\u3000during\u3000takeoff\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000set\u3000the\u3000box\u3000on\u3000the\u3000table\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000sense\u3000Sophie\u3000and\u3000Teabing\u3000leaning\u3000forward\u3000with\u3000anticipation\u3002
\nUnlatching\u3000the\u3000lid\u3000and\u3000opening\u3000the\u3000box\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000not\u3000to\u3000the\u3000lettered\u3000dials\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cryptex\uff1b\u3000but\u3000rather\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tiny\u3000hole\u3000on\u3000the\u3000underside\u3000of\u3000the\u3000box\u3000lid\u3002\u3000Using\u3000the\u3000tip\u3000of\u3000a\u3000pen\uff1b\u3000he\u3000carefully\u3000removed\u3000the\u3000inlaid\u3000Rose\u3000on\u3000top\u3000and\u3000revealed\u3000the\u3000text\u3000beneath\u3000it\u3002\u3000Sub\u3000Rosa\uff1b\u3000he\u3000mused\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000a\u3000fresh\u3000look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000text\u3000would\u3000bring\u3000clarity\u3002\u3000Focusing\u3000all\u3000his\u3000energies\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000studied\u3000the\u3000strange\u3000text\u3002
\n\u3000
\nAfter\u3000several\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000he\u3000began\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000initial\u3000frustration\u3000resurfacing\u3002\u3000\u3003Leigh\uff1b\u3000I\u3000just\u3000can’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000place\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nFrom\u3000where\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000seated\u3000across\u3000the\u3000table\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000see\u3000the\u3000text\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Langdon’s\u3000inability\u3000to\u3000immediately\u3000identify\u3000the\u3000language\u3000surprised\u3000her\u3002\u3000My\u3000grandfather\u3000spoke\u3000a\u3000language\u3000so\u3000obscure\u3000that\u3000even\u3000a\u3000symbologist\u3000can’t\u3000identify\u3000it\uff1f\u3000She\u3000quickly\u3000realized\u3000she\u3000should\u3000not\u3000find\u3000this\u3000surprising\u3002\u3000This\u3000would\u3000not\u3000be\u3000the\u3000first\u3000secret\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000kept\u3000from\u3000his\u3000granddaughter\u3002
\n\u3000
\nOpposite\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000felt\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000burst\u3002\u3000Eager\u3000for\u3000his\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000text\uff1b\u3000he\u3000quivered\u3000with\u3000excitement\uff1b\u3000leaning\u3000in\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000see\u3000around\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000still\u3000hunched\u3000over\u3000the\u3000box\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000whispered\u3000intently\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000first\u3000guess\u3000is\u3000a\u3000Semitic\uff1b\u3000but\u3000now\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000so\u3000sure\u3002\u3000Most\u3000primary\u3000Semitics\u3000include\u3000nekkudot\u3002\u3000This\u3000has\u3000none\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Probably\u3000ancient\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000offered\u3002
\n\u3003Nekkudot\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000inquired\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000never\u3000took\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000from\u3000the\u3000box\u3002\u3000\u3003Most\u3000modern\u3000Semitic\u3000alphabets\u3000have\u3000no\u3000vowels\u3000and\u3000use\u3000nekkudot\u2014tiny\u3000dots\u3000and\u3000dashes\u3000written\u3000either\u3000below\u3000or\u3000within\u3000the\u3000consonants\u2014to\u3000indicate\u3000what\u3000vowel\u3000sound\u3000acpanies\u3000them\u3002\u3000Historically\u3000speaking\uff1b\u3000nekkudot\u3000are\u3000a\u3000relatively\u3000modern\u3000addition\u3000to\u3000language\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000still\u3000hovering\u3000over\u3000the\u3000script\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000Sephardic\u3000transliteration\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3002\u3002\u3002\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000could\u3000bear\u3000it\u3000no\u3000longer\u3002\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000if\u3000I\u3000just\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000Reaching\u3000over\uff1b\u3000he\u3000edged\u3000the\u3000box\u3000away\u3000from\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000it\u3000toward\u3000himself\u3002\u3000No\u3000doubt\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000a\u3000solid\u3000familiarity\u3000with\u3000the\u3000standard\u3000ancients\u2014Greek\uff1b\u3000Latin\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Romances\u2014but\u3000from\u3000the\u3000fleeting\u3000glance\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000of\u3000this\u3000language\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000looked\u3000more\u3000specialized\uff1b\u3000possibly\u3000a\u3000Rashi\u3000script\u3000or\u3000a\u3000STA’M\u3000with\u3000crowns\u3002
\nTaking\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000feasted\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000engraving\u3002\u3000He\u3000said\u3000nothing\u3000for\u3000a\u3000very\u3000long\u3000time\u3002\u3000With\u3000each\u3000passing\u3000second\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000felt\u3000his\u3000confidence\u3000deflating\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000astonished\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000language\u3000looks\u3000like\u3000nothing\u3000I’ve\u3000ever\u3000seen\uff01\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000slumped\u3002
\n\u3003Might\u3000I\u3000see\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000pretended\u3000not\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000you\u3000said\u3000earlier\u3000that\u3000you\u3000thought\u3000you’d\u3000seen\u3000something\u3000like\u3000this\u3000before\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000looked\u3000vexed\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000so\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000sure\u3002\u3000The\u3000script\u3000looks\u3000familiar\u3000somehow\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Leigh\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000repeated\uff1b\u3000clearly\u3000not\u3000appreciating\u3000being\u3000left\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000discussion\u3002\u3000\u3003Might\u3000I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000box\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3000made\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000dear\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000pushing\u3000it\u3000over\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000He\u3000hadn’t\u3000meant\u3000to\u3000sound\u3000belittling\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000was\u3000light\u2026years\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000league\u3002\u3000If\u3000a\u3000British\u3000Royal\u3000Historian\u3000and\u3000a\u3000Harvard\u3000symbologist\u3000could\u3000not\u3000even\u3000identify\u3000the\u3000language\u2014
\n\u3003Aah\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000seconds\u3000after\u3000examining\u3000the\u3000box\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000should\u3000have\u3000guessed\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000turned\u3000in\u3000unison\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3003Guessed\u3000what\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000demanded\u3002
\nSophie\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003Guessed\u3000that\u3000this\u3000would\u3000be\u3000the\u3000language\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3000would\u3000have\u3000used\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You’re\u3000saying\u3000you\u3000can\u3000read\u3000this\u3000text\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000exclaimed\u3002
\n\u3003Quite\u3000easily\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000chimed\uff1b\u3000obviously\u3000enjoying\u3000herself\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000grandfather\u3000taught\u3000me\u3000this\u3000language\u3000when\u3000I\u3000was\u3000only\u3000six\u3000years\u3000old\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000fluent\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000leaned\u3000across\u3000the\u3000table\u3000and\u3000fixed\u3000Teabing\u3000with\u3000an\u3000admonishing\u3000glare\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000frankly\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1b\u3000considering\u3000your\u3000allegiance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Crown\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000a\u3000little\u3000surprised\u3000you\u3000didn’t\u3000recognize\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nIn\u3000a\u3000flash\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000knew\u3002
\nNo\u3000wonder\u3000the\u3000script\u3000looks\u3000so\u3000damned\u3000familiar\uff01
\nSeveral\u3000years\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000attended\u3000an\u3000event\u3000at\u3000Harvard’s\u3000Fogg\u3000Museum\u3002\u3000Harvard\u3000dropout\u3000Bill\u3000Gates\u3000had\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000his\u3000alma\u3000mater\u3000to\u3000lend\u3000to\u3000the\u3000museum\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000priceless\u3000acquisitions\u2014eighteen\u3000sheets\u3000of\u3000paper\u3000he\u3000had\u3000recently\u3000purchased\u3000at\u3000auction\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Armand\u3000Hammar\u3000Estate\u3002
\nHis\u3000winning\u3000bid\u2014a\u3000cool\u300030\u30028\u3000million\u3002
\nThe\u3000author\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pages\u2014Leonardo\u3000da\u3000Vinci\u3002
\nThe\u3000eighteen\u3000folios\u2014now\u3000known\u3000as\u3000Leonardo’s\u3000Codex\u3000Leicester\u3000after\u3000their\u3000famous\u3000owner\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Earl\u3000of\u3000Leicester\u2014were\u3000all\u3000that\u3000remained\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Leonardo’s\u3000most\u3000fascinating\u3000notebooks\uff1a\u3000essays\u3000and\u3000drawings\u3000outlining\u3000Da\u3000Vinci’s\u3000progressive\u3000theories\u3000on\u3000astronomy\uff1b\u3000geology\uff1b\u3000archaeology\uff1b\u3000and\u3000hydrology\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000would\u3000never\u3000forget\u3000his\u3000reaction\u3000after\u3000waiting\u3000in\u3000line\u3000and\u3000finally\u3000viewing\u3000the\u3000priceless\u3000parchment\u3002\u3000Utter\u3000letdown\u3002\u3000The\u3000pages\u3000were\u3000unintelligible\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000being\u3000beautifully\u3000prese \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n r\u3000letdown\u3002\u3000The\u3000pages\u3000were\u3000unintelligible\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000being\u3000beautifully\u3000preserved\u3000and\u3000written\u3000in\u3000an\u3000impeccably\u3000neat\u3000penmanship\u2014crimson\u3000ink\u3000on\u3000cream\u3000paper\u2014the\u3000codex\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000gibberish\u3002\u3000At\u3000first\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000could\u3000not\u3000read\u3000them\u3000because\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000wrote\u3000his\u3000notebooks\u3000in\u3000an\u3000archaic\u3000Italian\u3002\u3000But\u3000after\u3000studying\u3000them\u3000more\u3000closely\uff1b\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000he\u3000could\u3000not\u3000identify\u3000a\u3000single\u3000Italian\u3000word\uff1b\u3000or\u3000even\u3000one\u3000letter\u3002
\n\u3003Try\u3000this\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1b\u3003\u3000whispered\u3000the\u3000female\u3000docent\u3000at\u3000the\u3000display\u3000case\u3002\u3000She\u3000motioned\u3000to\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000mirror\u3000affixed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000display\u3000on\u3000a\u3000chain\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000picked\u3000it\u3000up\u3000and\u3000examined\u3000the\u3000text\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mirror’s\u3000surface\u3002
\nInstantly\u3000it\u3000was\u3000clear\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000been\u3000so\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000peruse\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000great\u3000thinker’s\u3000ideas\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000forgotten\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000man’s\u3000numerous\u3000artistic\u3000talents\u3000was\u3000an\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000write\u3000in\u3000a\u3000mirrored\u3000script\u3000that\u3000was\u3000virtually\u3000illegible\u3000to\u3000anyone\u3000other\u3000than\u3000himself\u3002\u3000Historians\u3000still\u3000debated\u3000whether\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000wrote\u3000this\u3000way\u3000simply\u3000to\u3000amuse\u3000himself\u3000or\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000people\u3000from\u3000peering\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000and\u3000stealing\u3000his\u3000ideas\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000point\u3000was\u3000moot\u3002\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000did\u3000as\u3000he\u3000pleased\u3002
\n\u3000
\nSophie\u3000smiled\u3000inwardly\u3000to\u3000see\u3000that\u3000Robert\u3000understood\u3000her\u3000meaning\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000can\u3000read\u3000the\u3000first\u3000few\u3000words\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000English\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000was\u3000still\u3000sputtering\u3002\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000going\u3000on\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Reverse\u3000text\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000need\u3000a\u3000mirror\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3000we\u3000don’t\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000bet\u3000this\u3000veneer\u3000is\u3000thin\u3000enough\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000lifted\u3000the\u3000rosewood\u3000box\u3000up\u3000to\u3000a\u3000canister\u3000light\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000and\u3000began\u3000examining\u3000the\u3000underside\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lid\u3002\u3000Her\u3000grandfather\u3000couldn’t\u3000actually\u3000write\u3000in\u3000reverse\uff1b\u3000so\u3000he\u3000always\u3000cheated\u3000by\u3000writing\u3000normally\u3000and\u3000then\u3000flipping\u3000the\u3000paper\u3000over\u3000and\u3000tracing\u3000the\u3000reversed\u3000impression\u3002\u3000Sophie’s\u3000guess\u3000was\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000wood\u2026burned\u3000normal\u3000text\u3000into\u3000a\u3000block\u3000of\u3000wood\u3000and\u3000then\u3000run\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000block\u3000through\u3000a\u3000sander\u3000until\u3000the\u3000wood\u3000was\u3000paper\u3000thin\u3000and\u3000the\u3000wood\u2026burning\u3000could\u3000be\u3000seen\u3000through\u3000the\u3000wood\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he’d\u3000simply\u3000flipped\u3000the\u3000piece\u3000over\uff1b\u3000and\u3000laid\u3000it\u3000in\u3002
\nAs\u3000Sophie\u3000moved\u3000the\u3000lid\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000the\u3000light\uff1b\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000she\u3000was\u3000right\u3002\u3000The\u3000bright\u3000beam\u3000sifted\u3000through\u3000the\u3000thin\u3000layer\u3000of\u3000wood\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000script\u3000appeared\u3000in\u3000reverse\u3000on\u3000the\u3000underside\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lid\u3002
\nInstantly\u3000legible\u3002
\n\u3003English\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000croaked\uff1b\u3000hanging\u3000his\u3000head\u3000in\u3000shame\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000native\u3000tongue\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nAt\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plane\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000Legaludec\u3000strained\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000rumbling\u3000engines\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000conversation\u3000up\u3000front\u3000was\u3000inaudible\u3002\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000did\u3000not\u3000like\u3000the\u3000way\u3000the\u3000night\u3000was\u3000progressing\u3002\u3000Not\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bound\u3000monk\u3000at\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000The\u3000man\u3000lay\u3000perfectly\u3000still\u3000now\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000in\u3000a\u3000trance\u3000of\u3000acceptance\uff1b\u3000or\u3000perhaps\uff1b\u3000in\u3000silent\u3000prayer\u3000for\u3000deliverance\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300072
\nFifteen\u3000thousand\u3000feet\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000physical\u3000world\u3000fade\u3000away\u3000as\u3000all\u3000of\u3000his\u3000thoughts\u3000converged\u3000on\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000mirror\u2026image\u3000poem\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000illuminated\u3000through\u3000the\u3000lid\u3000of\u3000the\u3000box\u3002
\n\u3000
\nSophie\u3000quickly\u3000found\u3000some\u3000paper\u3000and\u3000copied\u3000it\u3000down\u3000longhand\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000was\u3000done\uff1b\u3000the\u3000three\u3000of\u3000them\u3000took\u3000turns\u3000reading\u3000the\u3000text\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000like\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000archaeological\u3000crossword\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000riddle\u3000that\u3000promised\u3000to\u3000reveal\u3000how\u3000to\u3000open\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000read\u3000the\u3000verse\u3000slowly\u3002
\nAn\u3000ancient\u3000word\u3000of\u3000wisdom\u3000frees\u3000this\u3000scroll\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\u3000helps\u3000us\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000scatter’d\u3000family\u3000whole\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000headstone\u3000praised\u3000by\u3000templars\u3000is\u3000the\u3000key\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\u3000atbash\u3000will\u3000reveal\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000to\u3000thee\u3002
\nBefore\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000even\u3000ponder\u3000what\u3000ancient\u3000password\u3000the\u3000verse\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000reveal\uff1b\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000something\u3000far\u3000more\u3000fundamental\u3000resonate\u3000within\u3000him\u2014the\u3000meter\u3000of\u3000the\u3000poem\u3002\u3000Iambic\u3000pentameter\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000e\u3000across\u3000this\u3000meter\u3000often\u3000over\u3000the\u3000years\u3000while\u3000researching\u3000secret\u3000societies\u3000across\u3000Europe\uff1b\u3000including\u3000just\u3000last\u3000year\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3000Secret\u3000Archives\u3002\u3000For\u3000centuries\uff1b\u3000iambic\u3000pentameter\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000preferred\u3000poetic\u3000meter\u3000of\u3000outspoken\u3000literati\u3000across\u3000the\u3000globe\uff1b\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ancient\u3000Greek\u3000writer\u3000Archilochus\u3000to\u3000Shakespeare\uff1b\u3000Milton\uff1b\u3000Chaucer\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Voltaire\u2014bold\u3000souls\u3000who\u3000chose\u3000to\u3000write\u3000their\u3000social\u3000mentaries\u3000in\u3000a\u3000meter\u3000that\u3000many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000day\u3000believed\u3000had\u3000mystical\u3000properties\u3002\u3000The\u3000roots\u3000of\u3000iambic\u3000pentameter\u3000were\u3000deeply\u3000pagan\u3002
\nIambs\u3002\u3000Two\u3000syllables\u3000with\u3000opposite\u3000emphasis\u3002\u3000Stressed\u3000and\u3000unstressed\u3002\u3000Yin\u3000yang\u3002\u3000A\u3000balanced\u3000pair\u3002\u3000Arranged\u3000in\u3000strings\u3000of\u3000five\u3002\u3000Pentameter\u3002\u3000Five\u3000for\u3000the\u3000pentacle\u3000of\u3000Venus\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u3002
\n\u3003It’s\u3000pentameter\uff01\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000blurted\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000to\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000the\u3000verse\u3000is\u3000in\u3000English\uff01\u3000La\u3000lingua\u3000pura\uff01\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000The\u3000Priory\uff1b\u3000like\u3000many\u3000European\u3000secret\u3000societies\u3000at\u3000odds\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Church\uff1b\u3000had\u3000considered\u3000English\u3000the\u3000only\u3000European\u3000pure\u3000language\u3000for\u3000centuries\u3002\u3000Unlike\u3000French\uff1b\u3000Spanish\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Italian\uff1b\u3000which\u3000were\u3000rooted\u3000in\u3000Latin\u2014the\u3000tongue\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u2014English\u3000was\u3000linguistically\u3000removed\u3000from\u3000Rome’s\u3000propaganda\u3000machine\uff1b\u3000and\u3000therefore\u3000became\u3000a\u3000sacred\uff1b\u3000secret\u3000tongue\u3000for\u3000those\u3000brotherhoods\u3000educated\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000learn\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3003This\u3000poem\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000gushed\uff1b\u3000\u3003references\u3000not\u3000only\u3000the\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\u3000and\u3000the\u3000scattered\u3000family\u3000of\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\uff01\u3000What\u3000more\u3000could\u3000we\u3000ask\u3000for\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000password\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000again\u3000at\u3000the\u3000poem\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000sounds\u3000like\u3000we\u3000need\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000ancient\u3000word\u3000of\u3000wisdom\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Abracadabra\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000ventured\uff1b\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000twinkling\u3002
\nA\u3000word\u3000of\u3000five\u3000letters\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000pondering\u3000the\u3000staggering\u3000number\u3000of\u3000ancient\u3000words\u3000that\u3000might\u3000be\u3000considered\u3000words\u3000of\u3000wisdom\u2014selections\u3000from\u3000mystic\u3000chants\uff1b\u3000astrological\u3000prophecies\uff1b\u3000secret\u3000society\u3000inductions\uff1b\u3000Wicca\u3000incantations\uff1b\u3000Egyptian\u3000magic\u3000spells\uff1b\u3000pagan\u3000mantras\u2014the\u3000list\u3000was\u3000endless\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000password\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003appears\u3000to\u3000have\u3000something\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Templars\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000read\u3000the\u3000text\u3000aloud\u3002\u3000\u3003\u3000’A\u3000headstone\u3000praised\u3000by\u3000Templars\u3000is\u3000the\u3000key\u3002’\u3000\u3003
\n\u3003Leigh\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003you’re\u3000the\u3000Templar\u3000specialist\u3002\u3000Any\u3000ideas\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000was\u3000silent\u3000for\u3000several\u3000seconds\u3000and\u3000then\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000a\u3000headstone\u3000is\u3000obviously\u3000a\u3000grave\u3000marker\u3000of\u3000some\u3000sort\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000possible\u3000the\u3000poem\u3000is\u3000referencing\u3000a\u3000gravestone\u3000the\u3000Templars\u3000praised\u3000at\u3000the\u3000tomb\u3000of\u3000Magdalene\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000doesn’t\u3000help\u3000us\u3000much\u3000because\u3000we\u3000have\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000where\u3000her\u3000tomb\u3000is\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000last\u3000line\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003says\u3000that\u3000Atbash\u3000will\u3000reveal\u3000the\u3000truth\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000heard\u3000that\u3000word\u3002\u3000Atbash\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000surprised\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000probably\u3000heard\u3000it\u3000in\u3000Cryptology\u3000101\u3002\u3000The\u3000Atbash\u3000Cipher\u3000is\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000oldest\u3000codes\u3000known\u3000to\u3000man\u3002\u3003
\nOf\u3000course\uff01\u3000Sophie\u3000thought\u3002\u3000The\u3000famous\u3000Hebrew\u3000encoding\u3000system\u3002
\nThe\u3000Atbash\u3000Cipher\u3000had\u3000indeed\u3000been\u3000part\u3000of\u3000Sophie’s\u3000early\u3000cryptology\u3000training\u3002\u3000The\u3000cipher\u3000dated\u3000back\u3000to\u3000500\u3000B\u3002C\u3002\u3000and\u3000was\u3000now\u3000used\u3000as\u3000a\u3000classroom\u3000example\u3000of\u3000a\u3000basic\u3000rotational\u3000substitution\u3000scheme\u3002\u3000A\u3000mon\u3000form\u3000of\u3000Jewish\u3000cryptogram\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Atbash\u3000Cipher\u3000was\u3000a\u3000simple\u3000substitution\u3000code\u3000based\u3000on\u3000the\u3000twenty\u2026two\u2026letter\u3000Hebrew\u3000alphabet\u3002\u3000In\u3000Atbash\uff1b\u3000the\u3000first\u3000letter\u3000was\u3000substituted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000last\u3000letter\uff1b\u3000the\u3000second\u3000letter\u3000by\u3000the\u3000next\u3000to\u3000last\u3000letter\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000on\u3002
\n\u3003Atbash\u3000is\u3000sublimely\u3000appropriate\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Text\u3000encrypted\u3000with\u3000Atbash\u3000is\u3000found\u3000throughout\u3000the\u3000Kabbala\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Dead\u3000Sea\u3000Scrolls\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000the\u3000Old\u3000Testament\u3002\u3000Jewish\u3000scholars\u3000and\u3000mystics\u3000are\u3000still\u3000finding\u3000hidden\u3000meanings\u3000using\u3000Atbash\u3002\u3000The\u3000Priory\u3000certainly\u3000would\u3000include\u3000the\u3000Atbash\u3000Cipher\u3000as\u3000part\u3000of\u3000their\u3000teachings\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000only\u3000problem\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003is\u3000that\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000anything\u3000on\u3000which\u3000to\u3000apply\u3000the\u3000cipher\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000must\u3000be\u3000a\u3000code\u3000word\u3000on\u3000the\u3000headstone\u3002\u3000We\u3000must\u3000find\u3000this\u3000headstone\u3000praised\u3000by\u3000Templars\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000sensed\u3000from\u3000the\u3000grim\u3000look\u3000on\u3000Langdon’s\u3000face\u3000that\u3000finding\u3000the\u3000Templar\u3000headstone\u3000would\u3000be\u3000no\u3000small\u3000feat\u3002
\nAtbash\u3000is\u3000the\u3000key\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000thought\u3002\u3000But\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000a\u3000door\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000three\u3000minutes\u3000later\u3000that\u3000Teabing\u3000heaved\u3000a\u3000frustrated\u3000sigh\u3000and\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000stymied\u3002\u3000Let\u3000me\u3000ponder\u3000this\u3000while\u3000I\u3000get\u3000us\u3000some\u3000nibblies\u3000and\u3000check\u3000on\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000and\u3000our\u3000guest\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000stood\u3000up\u3000and\u3000headed\u3000for\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plane\u3002
\nSophie\u3000felt\u3000tired\u3000as\u3000she\u3000watched\u3000him\u3000go\u3002
\nOutside\u3000the\u3000window\uff1b\u3000the\u3000blackness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000predawn\u3000was\u3000absolute\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000were\u3000being\u3000hurtled\u3000through\u3000space\u3000with\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000where\u3000she\u3000would\u3000land\u3002\u3000Having\u3000grown\u3000up\u3000solving\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000riddles\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000the\u3000uneasy\u3000sense\u3000right\u3000now\u3000that\u3000this\u3000poem\u3000before\u3000them\u3000contained\u3000information\u3000they\u3000still\u3000had\u3000not\u3000seen\u3002
\nThere\u3000is\u3000more\u3000there\uff1b\u3000she\u3000told\u3000herself\u3002\u3000Ingeniously\u3000hidden\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000but\u3000present\u3000nonetheless\u3002
\nAlso\u3000plaguing\u3000her\u3000thoughts\u3000was\u3000a\u3000fear\u3000that\u3000what\u3000they\u3000eventually\u3000found\u3000inside\u3000this\u3000cryptex\u3000would\u3000not\u3000be\u3000as\u3000simple\u3000as\u3000\u3003a\u3000map\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3003\u3000Despite\u3000Teabing’s\u3000and\u3000Langdon’s\u3000confidence\u3000that\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000lay\u3000just\u3000within\u3000the\u3000marble\u3000cylinder\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000solved\u3000enough\u3000of\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000treasure\u3000hunts\u3000to\u3000know\u3000that\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000did\u3000not\u3000give\u3000up\u3000his\u3000secrets\u3000easily\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300073
\n
\nBourget\u3000Airfield’s\u3000night\u3000shift\u3000air\u3000traffic\u3000controller\u3000had\u3000been\u3000dozing\u3000before\u3000a\u3000blank\u3000radar\u3000screen\u3000when\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Judicial\u3000Police\u3000practically\u3000broke\u3000down\u3000his\u3000door\u3002
\n\u3003Teabing’s\u3000jet\uff1b\u3003\u3000Bezu\u3000Fache\u3000blared\uff1b\u3000marching\u3000into\u3000the\u3000small\u3000tower\uff1b\u3000\u3003where\u3000did\u3000it\u3000go\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000controller’s\u3000initial\u3000response\u3000was\u3000a\u3000babbling\uff1b\u3000lame\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000the\u3000privacy\u3000of\u3000their\u3000British\u3000client\u2014one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000airfield’s\u3000most\u3000respected\u3000customers\u3002\u3000It\u3000failed\u3000miserably\u3002
\n\u3003Okay\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000placing\u3000you\u3000under\u3000arrest\u3000for\u3000permitting\u3000a\u3000private\u3000plane\u3000to\u3000take\u3000off\u3000without\u3000registering\u3000a\u3000flight\u3000plan\u3002\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000motioned\u3000to\u3000another\u3000officer\uff1b\u3000who\u3000approached\u3000with\u3000handcuffs\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000traffic\u3000controller\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000surge\u3000of\u3000terror\u3002\u3000He\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000the\u3000newspaper\u3000articles\u3000debating\u3000whether\u3000the\u3000nation’s\u3000police\u3000captain\u3000was\u3000a\u3000hero\u3000or\u3000a\u3000menace\u3002\u3000That\u3000question\u3000had\u3000just\u3000been\u3000answered\u3002
\n\u3003Wait\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000controller\u3000heard\u3000himself\u3000whimper\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000handcuffs\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000can\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000this\u3000much\u3002\u3000Sir\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000makes\u3000frequent\u3000trips\u3000to\u3000Lo \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003Wait\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000controller\u3000heard\u3000himself\u3000whimper\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000handcuffs\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000can\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000this\u3000much\u3002\u3000Sir\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000makes\u3000frequent\u3000trips\u3000to\u3000London\u3000for\u3000medical\u3000treatments\u3002\u3000He\u3000has\u3000a\u3000hangar\u3000at\u3000Biggin\u3000Hill\u3000Executive\u3000Airport\u3000in\u3000Kent\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000outskirts\u3000of\u3000London\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000waved\u3000off\u3000the\u3000man\u3000with\u3000the\u3000cuffs\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000Biggin\u3000Hill\u3000his\u3000destination\u3000tonight\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000controller\u3000said\u3000honestly\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000plane\u3000left\u3000on\u3000its\u3000usual\u3000tack\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000last\u3000radar\u3000contact\u3000suggested\u3000the\u3000United\u3000Kingdom\u3002\u3000Biggin\u3000Hill\u3000is\u3000an\u3000extremely\u3000likely\u3000guess\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Did\u3000he\u3000have\u3000others\u3000onboard\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000swear\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1b\u3000there\u3000is\u3000no\u3000way\u3000for\u3000me\u3000to\u3000know\u3000that\u3002\u3000Our\u3000clients\u3000can\u3000drive\u3000directly\u3000to\u3000their\u3000hangars\uff1b\u3000and\u3000load\u3000as\u3000they\u3000please\u3002\u3000Who\u3000is\u3000onboard\u3000is\u3000the\u3000responsibility\u3000of\u3000the\u3000customs\u3000officials\u3000at\u3000the\u3000receiving\u3000airport\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000checked\u3000his\u3000watch\u3000and\u3000gazed\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000scattering\u3000of\u3000jets\u3000parked\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000terminal\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000they’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000Biggin\u3000Hill\uff1b\u3000how\u3000long\u3000until\u3000they\u3000land\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000controller\u3000fumbled\u3000through\u3000his\u3000records\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000short\u3000flight\u3002\u3000His\u3000plane\u3000could\u3000be\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000by\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000around\u3000six\u2026thirty\u3002\u3000Fifteen\u3000minutes\u3000from\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000frowned\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000men\u3002\u3000\u3003Get\u3000a\u3000transport\u3000up\u3000here\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000London\u3002\u3000And\u3000get\u3000me\u3000the\u3000Kent\u3000local\u3000police\u3002\u3000Not\u3000British\u3000MI5\u3002\u3000I\u3000want\u3000this\u3000quiet\u3002\u3000Kent\u3000local\u3002\u3000Tell\u3000them\u3000I\u3000want\u3000Teabing’s\u3000plane\u3000to\u3000be\u3000permitted\u3000to\u3000land\u3002\u3000Then\u3000I\u3000want\u3000it\u3000surrounded\u3000on\u3000the\u3000tarmac\u3002\u3000Nobody\u3000deplanes\u3000until\u3000I\u3000get\u3000there\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300074
\n
\n\u3003You’re\u3000quiet\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000gazing\u3000across\u3000the\u3000Hawker’s\u3000cabin\u3000at\u3000Sophie\u3002
\n\u3003Just\u3000tired\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000the\u3000poem\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000feeling\u3000the\u3000same\u3000way\u3002\u3000The\u3000hum\u3000of\u3000the\u3000engines\u3000and\u3000the\u3000gentle\u3000rocking\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plane\u3000were\u3000hypnotic\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000head\u3000still\u3000throbbed\u3000where\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000hit\u3000by\u3000the\u3000monk\u3002\u3000Teabing\u3000was\u3000still\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plane\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000take\u3000advantage\u3000of\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000alone\u3000with\u3000Sophie\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000her\u3000something\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000on\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000I\u3000know\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000reason\u3000why\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3000conspired\u3000to\u3000put\u3000us\u3000together\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000there’s\u3000something\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000me\u3000to\u3000explain\u3000to\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000history\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000and\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000isn’t\u3000enough\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000uncertain\u3000how\u3000to\u3000proceed\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000rift\u3000between\u3000you\u3002\u3000The\u3000reason\u3000you\u3000haven’t\u3000spoken\u3000to\u3000him\u3000in\u3000ten\u3000years\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000maybe\u3000he\u3000was\u3000hoping\u3000I\u3000could\u3000somehow\u3000make\u3000that\u3000right\u3000by\u3000explaining\u3000what\u3000drove\u3000you\u3000apart\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000squirmed\u3000in\u3000her\u3000seat\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000haven’t\u3000told\u3000you\u3000what\u3000drove\u3000us\u3000apart\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000eyed\u3000her\u3000carefully\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000witnessed\u3000a\u3000sex\u3000rite\u3002\u3000Didn’t\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000recoiled\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Sophie\uff1b\u3000you\u3000told\u3000me\u3000you\u3000witnessed\u3000something\u3000that\u3000convinced\u3000you\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3000was\u3000in\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000society\u3002\u3000And\u3000whatever\u3000you\u3000saw\u3000upset\u3000you\u3000enough\u3000that\u3000you\u3000haven’t\u3000spoken\u3000to\u3000him\u3000since\u3002\u3000I\u3000know\u3000a\u3000fair\u3000amount\u3000about\u3000secret\u3000societies\u3002\u3000It\u3000doesn’t\u3000take\u3000the\u3000brains\u3000of\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000to\u3000guess\u3000what\u3000you\u3000saw\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000stared\u3002
\n\u3003Was\u3000it\u3000in\u3000the\u3000spring\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Sometime\u3000around\u3000the\u3000equinox\uff1f\u3000Mid\u2026March\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000out\u3000the\u3000window\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000on\u3000spring\u3000break\u3000from\u3000university\u3002\u3000I\u3000came\u3000home\u3000a\u3000few\u3000days\u3000early\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000want\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000about\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I’d\u3000rather\u3000not\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000suddenly\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000welling\u3000with\u3000emotion\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000I\u3000saw\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Were\u3000both\u3000men\u3000and\u3000women\u3000present\uff1f\u3003
\nAfter\u3000a\u3000beat\uff1b\u3000she\u3000nodded\u3002
\n\u3003Dressed\u3000in\u3000white\u3000and\u3000black\uff1f\u3003
\nShe\u3000wiped\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000then\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000seeming\u3000to\u3000open\u3000up\u3000a\u3000little\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000women\u3000were\u3000in\u3000white\u3000gossamer\u3000gowns\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000with\u3000golden\u3000shoes\u3002\u3000They\u3000held\u3000golden\u3000orbs\u3002\u3000The\u3000men\u3000wore\u3000black\u3000tunics\u3000and\u3000black\u3000shoes\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000strained\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000his\u3000emotion\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000he\u3000could\u3000not\u3000believe\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000hearing\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000had\u3000unwittingly\u3000witnessed\u3000a\u3000two\u2026thousand\u2026year\u2026old\u3000sacred\u3000ceremony\u3002\u3000\u3003Masks\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000keeping\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000calm\u3002\u3000\u3003Androgynous\u3000masks\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3002\u3000Identical\u3000masks\u3002\u3000White\u3000on\u3000the\u3000women\u3002\u3000Black\u3000on\u3000the\u3000men\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000read\u3000descriptions\u3000of\u3000this\u3000ceremony\u3000and\u3000understood\u3000its\u3000mystic\u3000roots\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000called\u3000Hieros\u3000Gamos\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000softly\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000dates\u3000back\u3000more\u3000than\u3000two\u3000thousand\u3000years\u3002\u3000Egyptian\u3000priests\u3000and\u3000priestesses\u3000performed\u3000it\u3000regularly\u3000to\u3000celebrate\u3000the\u3000reproductive\u3000power\u3000of\u3000the\u3000female\uff1b\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000leaning\u3000toward\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000if\u3000you\u3000witnessed\u3000Hieros\u3000Gamos\u3000without\u3000being\u3000properly\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000understand\u3000its\u3000meaning\uff1b\u3000I\u3000imagine\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000pretty\u3000shocking\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000said\u3000nothing\u3002
\n\u3003Hieros\u3000Gamos\u3000is\u3000Greek\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000continued\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000means\u3000sacred\u3000marriage\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000ritual\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000was\u3000no\u3000marriage\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Marriage\u3000as\u3000in\u3000union\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000mean\u3000as\u3000in\u3000sex\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000her\u3000olive\u3000eyes\u3000testing\u3000him\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000backpedaled\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000yes\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000manner\u3000of\u3000speaking\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000as\u3000we\u3000understand\u3000it\u3000today\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000explained\u3000that\u3000although\u3000what\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000probably\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000sex\u3000ritual\uff1b\u3000Hieros\u3000Gamos\u3000had\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000eroticism\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000spiritual\u3000act\u3002\u3000Historically\uff1b\u3000intercourse\u3000was\u3000the\u3000act\u3000through\u3000which\u3000male\u3000and\u3000female\u3000experienced\u3000God\u3002\u3000The\u3000ancients\u3000believed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000male\u3000was\u3000spiritually\u3000inplete\u3000until\u3000he\u3000had\u3000carnal\u3000knowledge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u3002\u3000Physical\u3000union\u3000with\u3000the\u3000female\u3000remained\u3000the\u3000sole\u3000means\u3000through\u3000which\u3000man\u3000could\u3000bee\u3000spiritually\u3000plete\u3000and\u3000ultimately\u3000achieve\u3000gnosis\u2014knowledge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000divine\u3002\u3000Since\u3000the\u3000days\u3000of\u3000Isis\uff1b\u3000sex\u3000rites\u3000had\u3000been\u3000considered\u3000man’s\u3000only\u3000bridge\u3000from\u3000earth\u3000to\u3000heaven\u3002\u3000\u3003By\u3000muning\u3000with\u3000woman\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003man\u3000could\u3000achieve\u3000a\u3000climactic\u3000instant\u3000when\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000went\u3000totally\u3000blank\u3000and\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000God\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000skeptical\u3002\u3000\u3003Orgasm\u3000as\u3000prayer\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000nonmittal\u3000shrug\uff1b\u3000although\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000essentially\u3000correct\u3002\u3000Physiologically\u3000speaking\uff1b\u3000the\u3000male\u3000climax\u3000was\u3000acpanied\u3000by\u3000a\u3000split\u3000second\u3000entirely\u3000devoid\u3000of\u3000thought\u3002\u3000A\u3000brief\u3000mental\u3000vacuum\u3002\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000of\u3000clarity\u3000during\u3000which\u3000God\u3000could\u3000be\u3000glimpsed\u3002\u3000Meditation\u3000gurus\u3000achieved\u3000similar\u3000states\u3000of\u3000thoughtlessness\u3000without\u3000sex\u3000and\u3000often\u3000described\u3000Nirvana\u3000as\u3000a\u3000never\u2026ending\u3000spiritual\u3000orgasm\u3002
\n\u3003Sophie\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3000quietly\uff1b\u3000\u3003it’s\u3000important\u3000to\u3000remember\u3000that\u3000the\u3000ancients’\u3000view\u3000of\u3000sex\u3000was\u3000entirely\u3000opposite\u3000from\u3000ours\u3000today\u3002\u3000Sex\u3000begot\u3000new\u3000life\u2014the\u3000ultimate\u3000miracle\u2014and\u3000miracles\u3000could\u3000be\u3000performed\u3000only\u3000by\u3000a\u3000god\u3002\u3000The\u3000ability\u3000of\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000to\u3000produce\u3000life\u3000from\u3000her\u3000womb\u3000made\u3000her\u3000sacred\u3002\u3000A\u3000god\u3002\u3000Intercourse\u3000was\u3000the\u3000revered\u3000union\u3000of\u3000the\u3000two\u3000halves\u3000of\u3000the\u3000human\u3000spirit\u2014male\u3000and\u3000female\u2014through\u3000which\u3000the\u3000male\u3000could\u3000find\u3000spiritual\u3000wholeness\u3000and\u3000munion\u3000with\u3000God\u3002\u3000What\u3000you\u3000saw\u3000was\u3000not\u3000about\u3000sex\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000about\u3000spirituality\u3002\u3000The\u3000Hieros\u3000Gamos\u3000ritual\u3000is\u3000not\u3000a\u3000perversion\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000a\u3000deeply\u3000sacrosanct\u3000ceremony\u3002\u3003
\nHis\u3000words\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000strike\u3000a\u3000nerve\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000been\u3000remarkably\u3000poised\u3000all\u3000evening\uff1b\u3000but\u3000now\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000aura\u3000of\u3000posure\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000crack\u3002\u3000Tears\u3000materialized\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000again\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000dabbed\u3000them\u3000away\u3000with\u3000her\u3000sleeve\u3002
\nHe\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000Admittedly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000concept\u3000of\u3000sex\u3000as\u3000a\u3000pathway\u3000to\u3000God\u3000was\u3000mind\u2026boggling\u3000at\u3000first\u3002\u3000Langdon’s\u3000Jewish\u3000students\u3000always\u3000looked\u3000flabbergasted\u3000when\u3000he\u3000first\u3000told\u3000them\u3000that\u3000the\u3000early\u3000Jewish\u3000tradition\u3000involved\u3000ritualistic\u3000sex\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000Temple\uff1b\u3000no\u3000less\u3002\u3000Early\u3000Jews\u3000believed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000of\u3000Holies\u3000in\u3000Solomon’s\u3000Temple\u3000housed\u3000not\u3000only\u3000God\u3000but\u3000also\u3000His\u3000powerful\u3000female\u3000equal\uff1b\u3000Shekinah\u3002\u3000Men\u3000seeking\u3000spiritual\u3000wholeness\u3000came\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Temple\u3000to\u3000visit\u3000priestesses\u2014or\u3000hierodules\u2014with\u3000whom\u3000they\u3000made\u3000love\u3000and\u3000experienced\u3000the\u3000divine\u3000through\u3000physical\u3000union\u3002\u3000The\u3000Jewish\u3000tetragrammaton\u3000YHWH\u2014the\u3000sacred\u3000name\u3000of\u3000God\u2014in\u3000fact\u3000derived\u3000from\u3000Jehovah\uff1b\u3000an\u3000androgynous\u3000physical\u3000union\u3000between\u3000the\u3000masculine\u3000Jah\u3000and\u3000the\u3000pre\u2026Hebraic\u3000name\u3000for\u3000Eve\uff1b\u3000Havah\u3002
\n\u3003For\u3000the\u3000early\u3000Church\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000explained\u3000in\u3000a\u3000soft\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000\u3003mankind’s\u3000use\u3000of\u3000sex\u3000to\u3000mune\u3000directly\u3000with\u3000God\u3000posed\u3000a\u3000serious\u3000threat\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Catholic\u3000power\u3000base\u3002\u3000It\u3000left\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000loop\uff1b\u3000undermining\u3000their\u3000self\u2026proclaimed\u3000status\u3000as\u3000the\u3000sole\u3000conduit\u3000to\u3000God\u3002\u3000For\u3000obvious\u3000reasons\uff1b\u3000they\u3000worked\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000demonize\u3000sex\u3000and\u3000recast\u3000it\u3000as\u3000a\u3000disgusting\u3000and\u3000sinful\u3000act\u3002\u3000Other\u3000major\u3000religions\u3000did\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Langdon\u3000sensed\u3000she\u3000was\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000understand\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000better\u3002\u3000Ironically\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000made\u3000this\u3000same\u3000point\u3000in\u3000a\u3000class\u3000lecture\u3000earlier\u3000this\u3000semester\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000it\u3000surprising\u3000we\u3000feel\u3000conflicted\u3000about\u3000sex\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000his\u3000students\u3002\u3000\u3003Our\u3000ancient\u3000heritage\u3000and\u3000our\u3000very\u3000physiologies\u3000tell\u3000us\u3000sex\u3000is\u3000natural\u2014a\u3000cherished\u3000route\u3000to\u3000spiritual\u3000fulfillment\u2014and\u3000yet\u3000modern\u3000religion\u3000decries\u3000it\u3000as\u3000shameful\uff1b\u3000teaching\u3000us\u3000to\u3000fear\u3000our\u3000sexual\u3000desire\u3000as\u3000the\u3000hand\u3000of\u3000the\u3000devil\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000decided\u3000not\u3000to\u3000shock\u3000his\u3000students\u3000with\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000secret\u3000societies\u3000around\u3000the\u3000world\u2014many\u3000of\u3000them\u3000quite\u3000influential\u2014still\u3000practiced\u3000sex\u3000rites\u3000and\u3000kept\u3000the\u3000ancient\u3000traditions\u3000alive\u3002\u3000Tom\u3000Cruise’s\u3000character\u3000in\u3000the\u3000film\u3000Eyes\u3000Wide\u3000Shut\u3000discovered\u3000this\u3000the\u3000hard\u3000way\u3000when\u3000he\u3000sneaked\u3000into\u3000a\u3000private\u3000gathering\u3000of\u3000ultraelite\u3000Manhattanites\u3000only\u3000to\u3000find\u3000himself\u3000witnessing\u3000Hieros\u3000Gamos\u3002\u3000Sadly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000filmmakers\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000specifics\u3000wrong\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000basic\u3000gist\u3000was\u3000there\u2014a\u3000secret\u3000society\u3000muning\u3000to\u3000celebrate\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000of\u3000sexual\u3000union\u3002
\n\u3003Professor\u3000Langdon\uff1f\u3003\u3000A\u3000male\u3000student\u3000in\u3000back\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000sounding\u3000hopeful\u3002\u3000\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000saying\u3000that\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000going\u3000to\u3000chapel\uff1b\u3000we\u3000should\u3000have\u3000more\u3000sex\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000chuckled\uff1b\u3000not\u3000about\u3000to\u3000take\u3000the\u3000bait\u3002\u3000From\u3000what\u3000he’d\u3000heard\u3000about\u3000Harvard\u3000parties\uff1b\u3000these\u3000kids\u3000were\u3000having\u3000more\u3000than\u3000enough\u3000sex\u3002\u3000\u3003Gentlemen\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000he\u3000was\u3000on\u3000tender\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000\u3003might\u3000I\u3000offer\u3000a\u3000suggestion\u3000for\u3000all\u3000of\u3000you\u3002\u3000Without\u3000being\u3000so\u3000bold\u3000as\u3000to\u3000condone\u3000premarital\u3000sex\uff1b\u3000and\u3000without\u3000being\u3000so\u3000naive\u3000as\u3000to\u3000think\u3000you’re\u3000all\u3000chaste\u3000angels\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000give\u3000you\u3000this\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000advice\u3000about\u3000your\u3000sex\u3000lives\u3002\u3003
\nAll\u3000the\u3000men\u3000in\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000leaned\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000listening\u3000intently \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n All\u3000the\u3000men\u3000in\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000leaned\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000listening\u3000intently\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000next\u3000time\u3000you\u3000find\u3000yourself\u3000with\u3000a\u3000woman\uff1b\u3000look\u3000in\u3000your\u3000heart\u3000and\u3000see\u3000if\u3000you\u3000cannot\u3000approach\u3000sex\u3000as\u3000a\u3000mystical\uff1b\u3000spiritual\u3000act\u3002\u3000Challenge\u3000yourself\u3000to\u3000find\u3000that\u3000spark\u3000of\u3000divinity\u3000that\u3000man\u3000can\u3000only\u3000achieve\u3000through\u3000union\u3000with\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000women\u3000smiled\u3000knowingly\uff1b\u3000nodding\u3002
\nThe\u3000men\u3000exchanged\u3000dubious\u3000giggles\u3000and\u3000off\u2026color\u3000jokes\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000College\u3000men\u3000were\u3000still\u3000boys\u3002
\n\u3000
\nSophie’s\u3000forehead\u3000felt\u3000cold\u3000as\u3000she\u3000pressed\u3000it\u3000against\u3000the\u3000plane’s\u3000window\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000blankly\u3000into\u3000the\u3000void\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000process\u3000what\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000just\u3000told\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000new\u3000regret\u3000well\u3000within\u3000her\u3002\u3000Ten\u3000years\u3002\u3000She\u3000pictured\u3000the\u3000stacks\u3000of\u3000unopened\u3000letters\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000had\u3000sent\u3000her\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000tell\u3000Robert\u3000everything\u3002\u3000Without\u3000turning\u3000from\u3000the\u3000window\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000began\u3000to\u3000speak\u3002\u3000Quietly\u3002\u3000Fearfully\u3002
\nAs\u3000she\u3000began\u3000to\u3000recount\u3000what\u3000had\u3000happened\u3000that\u3000night\uff1b\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000herself\u3000drifting\u3000back\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000alighting\u3000in\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000outside\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000Normandy\u3000chateau\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000searching\u3000the\u3000deserted\u3000house\u3000in\u3000confusion\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000hearing\u3000the\u3000voices\u3000below\u3000her\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\u3000then\u3000finding\u3000the\u3000hidden\u3000door\u3002\u3000She\u3000inched\u3000down\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000staircase\uff1b\u3000one\u3000step\u3000at\u3000a\u3000time\uff1b\u3000into\u3000that\u3000basement\u3000grotto\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000taste\u3000the\u3000earthy\u3000air\u3002\u3000Cool\u3000and\u3000light\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000March\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3000of\u3000her\u3000hiding\u3000place\u3000on\u3000the\u3000staircase\uff1b\u3000she\u3000watched\u3000as\u3000the\u3000strangers\u3000swayed\u3000and\u3000chanted\u3000by\u3000flickering\u3000orange\u3000candles\u3002
\nI’m\u3000dreaming\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000told\u3000herself\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000a\u3000dream\u3002\u3000What\u3000else\u3000could\u3000this\u3000be\uff1f
\nThe\u3000women\u3000and\u3000men\u3000were\u3000staggered\uff1b\u3000black\uff1b\u3000white\uff1b\u3000black\uff1b\u3000white\u3002\u3000The\u3000women’s\u3000beautiful\u3000gossamer\u3000gowns\u3000billowed\u3000as\u3000they\u3000raised\u3000in\u3000their\u3000right\u3000hands\u3000golden\u3000orbs\u3000and\u3000called\u3000out\u3000in\u3000unison\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000with\u3000you\u3000in\u3000the\u3000beginning\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dawn\u3000of\u3000all\u3000that\u3000is\u3000holy\uff1b\u3000I\u3000bore\u3000you\u3000from\u3000the\u3000womb\u3000before\u3000the\u3000start\u3000of\u3000day\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000women\u3000lowered\u3000their\u3000orbs\uff1b\u3000and\u3000everyone\u3000rocked\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000as\u3000if\u3000in\u3000a\u3000trance\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000revering\u3000something\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000circle\u3002
\nWhat\u3000are\u3000they\u3000looking\u3000at\uff1f
\nThe\u3000voices\u3000accelerated\u3000now\u3002\u3000Louder\u3002\u3000Faster\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000woman\u3000whom\u3000you\u3000behold\u3000is\u3000love\uff01\u3003\u3000The\u3000women\u3000called\uff1b\u3000raising\u3000their\u3000orbs\u3000again\u3002
\nThe\u3000men\u3000responded\uff1b\u3000\u3003She\u3000has\u3000her\u3000dwelling\u3000in\u3000eternity\uff01\u3003
\nThe\u3000chanting\u3000grew\u3000steady\u3000again\u3002\u3000Accelerating\u3002\u3000Thundering\u3000now\u3002\u3000Faster\u3002\u3000The\u3000participants\u3000stepped\u3000inward\u3000and\u3000knelt\u3002
\nIn\u3000that\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000could\u3000finally\u3000see\u3000what\u3000they\u3000were\u3000all\u3000watching\u3002
\nOn\u3000a\u3000low\uff1b\u3000ornate\u3000altar\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000circle\u3000lay\u3000a\u3000man\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000naked\uff1b\u3000positioned\u3000on\u3000his\u3000back\uff1b\u3000and\u3000wearing\u3000a\u3000black\u3000mask\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000instantly\u3000recognized\u3000his\u3000body\u3000and\u3000the\u3000birthmark\u3000on\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000She\u3000almost\u3000cried\u3000out\u3002\u3000Grand\u2026p\u00e8re\uff01\u3000This\u3000image\u3000alone\u3000would\u3000have\u3000shocked\u3000Sophie\u3000beyond\u3000belief\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000there\u3000was\u3000more\u3002
\nStraddling\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000was\u3000a\u3000naked\u3000woman\u3000wearing\u3000a\u3000white\u3000mask\uff1b\u3000her\u3000luxuriant\u3000silver\u3000hair\u3000flowing\u3000out\u3000behind\u3000it\u3002\u3000Her\u3000body\u3000was\u3000plump\uff1b\u3000far\u3000from\u3000perfect\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000gyrating\u3000in\u3000rhythm\u3000to\u3000the\u3000chanting\u2014making\u3000love\u3000to\u3000Sophie’s\u3000grandfather\u3002
\nSophie\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000and\u3000run\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3002\u3000The\u3000stone\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000the\u3000grotto\u3000imprisoned\u3000her\u3000as\u3000the\u3000chanting\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000a\u3000fever\u3000pitch\u3002\u3000The\u3000circle\u3000of\u3000participants\u3000seemed\u3000almost\u3000to\u3000be\u3000singing\u3000now\uff1b\u3000the\u3000noise\u3000rising\u3000in\u3000crescendo\u3000to\u3000a\u3000frenzy\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000roar\uff1b\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000room\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000erupt\u3000in\u3000climax\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000could\u3000not\u3000breathe\u3002\u3000She\u3000suddenly\u3000realized\u3000she\u3000was\u3000quietly\u3000sobbing\u3002\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000staggered\u3000silently\u3000up\u3000the\u3000stairs\uff1b\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000house\uff1b\u3000and\u3000drove\u3000trembling\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Paris\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300075
\n
\nThe\u3000chartered\u3000turboprop\u3000was\u3000just\u3000passing\u3000over\u3000the\u3000twinkling\u3000lights\u3000of\u3000Monaco\u3000when\u3000Aringarosa\u3000hung\u3000up\u3000on\u3000Fache\u3000for\u3000the\u3000second\u3000time\u3002\u3000He\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000the\u3000airsickness\u3000bag\u3000again\u3000but\u3000felt\u3000too\u3000drained\u3000even\u3000to\u3000be\u3000sick\u3002
\nJust\u3000let\u3000it\u3000be\u3000over\uff01
\nFache’s\u3000newest\u3000update\u3000seemed\u3000unfathomable\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000almost\u3000nothing\u3000tonight\u3000made\u3000sense\u3000anymore\u3002\u3000What\u3000is\u3000going\u3000on\uff1f\u3000Everything\u3000had\u3000spiraled\u3000wildly\u3000out\u3000of\u3000control\u3002\u3000What\u3000have\u3000I\u3000gotten\u3000Silas\u3000into\uff1f\u3000What\u3000have\u3000I\u3000gotten\u3000myself\u3000into\uff01
\nOn\u3000shaky\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000walked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cockpit\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000change\u3000destinations\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000pilot\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000and\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000joking\uff1b\u3000right\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000London\u3000immediately\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Father\uff1b\u3000this\u3000is\u3000a\u3000charter\u3000flight\uff1b\u3000not\u3000a\u3000taxi\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000will\u3000pay\u3000you\u3000extra\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3000How\u3000much\uff1f\u3000London\u3000is\u3000only\u3000one\u3000hour\u3000farther\u3000north\u3000and\u3000requires\u3000almost\u3000no\u3000change\u3000of\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000so\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000not\u3000a\u3000question\u3000of\u3000money\uff1b\u3000Father\uff1b\u3000there\u3000are\u3000other\u3000issues\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Ten\u3000thousand\u3000euro\u3002\u3000Right\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000pilot\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000wide\u3000with\u3000shock\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000much\uff1f\u3000What\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000priest\u3000carries\u3000that\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000cash\uff1f\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000walked\u3000back\u3000to\u3000his\u3000black\u3000briefcase\uff1b\u3000opened\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000removed\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bearer\u3000bonds\u3002\u3000He\u3000handed\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000pilot\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000is\u3000this\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000pilot\u3000demanded\u3002
\n\u3003A\u3000ten\u2026thousand\u2026euro\u3000bearer\u3000bond\u3000drawn\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3000Bank\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000pilot\u3000looked\u3000dubious\u3002
\n\u3003It’s\u3000the\u3000same\u3000as\u3000cash\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Only\u3000cash\u3000is\u3000cash\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000pilot\u3000said\uff1b\u3000handing\u3000the\u3000bond\u3000back\u3002
\nAringarosa\u3000felt\u3000weak\u3000as\u3000he\u3000steadied\u3000himself\u3000against\u3000the\u3000cockpit\u3000door\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000life\u3000or\u3000death\u3002\u3000You\u3000must\u3000help\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000London\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000pilot\u3000eyed\u3000the\u3000bishop’s\u3000gold\u3000ring\u3002\u3000\u3003Real\u3000diamonds\uff1f\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ring\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000could\u3000not\u3000possibly\u3000part\u3000with\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000pilot\u3000shrugged\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000and\u3000focusing\u3000back\u3000out\u3000the\u3000windshield\u3002
\nAringarosa\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000deepening\u3000sadness\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ring\u3002\u3000Everything\u3000it\u3000represented\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000be\u3000lost\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bishop\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000long\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000he\u3000slid\u3000the\u3000ring\u3000from\u3000his\u3000finger\u3000and\u3000placed\u3000it\u3000gently\u3000on\u3000the\u3000instrument\u3000panel\u3002
\nAringarosa\u3000slunk\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cockpit\u3000and\u3000sat\u3000back\u3000down\u3002\u3000Fifteen\u3000seconds\u3000later\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000pilot\u3000banking\u3000a\u3000few\u3000more\u3000degrees\u3000to\u3000the\u3000north\u3002
\nEven\u3000so\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa’s\u3000moment\u3000of\u3000glory\u3000was\u3000in\u3000shambles\u3002
\nIt\u3000had\u3000all\u3000begun\u3000as\u3000a\u3000holy\u3000cause\u3002\u3000A\u3000brilliantly\u3000crafted\u3000scheme\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000house\u3000of\u3000cards\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000collapsing\u3000in\u3000on\u3000itself\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\u3000the\u3000end\u3000was\u3000nowhere\u3000in\u3000sight\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300076
\n
\nLangdon\u3000could\u3000see\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000still\u3000shaken\u3000from\u3000recounting\u3000her\u3000experience\u3000of\u3000Hieros\u3000Gamos\u3002\u3000For\u3000his\u3000part\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000amazed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000heard\u3000it\u3002\u3000Not\u3000only\u3000had\u3000Sophie\u3000witnessed\u3000the\u3000full\u2026blown\u3000ritual\uff1b\u3000but\u3000her\u3000own\u3000grandfather\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000celebrant\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000heady\u3000pany\u3002\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\uff1b\u3000Botticelli\uff1b\u3000Isaac\u3000Newton\uff1b\u3000Victor\u3000Hugo\uff1b\u3000Jean\u3000Cocteau\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000else\u3000I\u3000can\u3000tell\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3000softly\u3002
\nSophie’s\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000green\u3000now\uff1b\u3000tearful\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000raised\u3000me\u3000like\u3000his\u3000own\u3000daughter\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000now\u3000recognized\u3000the\u3000emotion\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000growing\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000as\u3000they\u3000spoke\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000remorse\u3002\u3000Distant\u3000and\u3000deep\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000had\u3000shunned\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000and\u3000was\u3000now\u3000seeing\u3000him\u3000in\u3000an\u3000entirely\u3000different\u3000light\u3002
\nOutside\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dawn\u3000was\u3000ing\u3000fast\uff1b\u3000its\u3000crimson\u3000aura\u3000gathering\u3000off\u3000the\u3000starboard\u3002\u3000The\u3000earth\u3000was\u3000still\u3000black\u3000beneath\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3003Victuals\uff1b\u3000my\u3000dears\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000rejoined\u3000them\u3000with\u3000a\u3000flourish\uff1b\u3000presenting\u3000several\u3000cans\u3000of\u3000Coke\u3000and\u3000a\u3000box\u3000of\u3000old\u3000crackers\u3002\u3000He\u3000apologized\u3000profusely\u3000for\u3000the\u3000limited\u3000fare\u3000as\u3000he\u3000doled\u3000out\u3000the\u3000goods\u3002\u3000\u3003Our\u3000friend\u3000the\u3000monk\u3000isn’t\u3000talking\u3000yet\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000chimed\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000give\u3000him\u3000time\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000bit\u3000into\u3000a\u3000cracker\u3000and\u3000eyed\u3000the\u3000poem\u3002\u3000\u3003So\uff1b\u3000my\u3000lovely\uff1b\u3000any\u3000headway\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000is\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000us\u3000here\uff1f\u3000Where\u3000the\u3000devil\u3000is\u3000this\u3000headstone\uff1f\u3000This\u3000headstone\u3000praised\u3000by\u3000Templars\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3000and\u3000remained\u3000silent\u3002
\nWhile\u3000Teabing\u3000again\u3000dug\u3000into\u3000the\u3000verse\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000popped\u3000a\u3000Coke\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000window\uff1b\u3000his\u3000thoughts\u3000awash\u3000with\u3000images\u3000of\u3000secret\u3000rituals\u3000and\u3000unbroken\u3000codes\u3002\u3000A\u3000headstone\u3000praised\u3000by\u3000Templars\u3000is\u3000the\u3000key\u3002\u3000He\u3000took\u3000a\u3000long\u3000sip\u3000from\u3000the\u3000can\u3002\u3000A\u3000headstone\u3000praised\u3000by\u3000Templars\u3002\u3000The\u3000cola\u3000was\u3000warm\u3002
\nThe\u3000dissolving\u3000veil\u3000of\u3000night\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000evaporate\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000as\u3000Langdon\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000transformation\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000shimmering\u3000ocean\u3000stretch\u3000out\u3000beneath\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000English\u3000Channel\u3002\u3000It\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000long\u3000now\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000willed\u3000the\u3000light\u3000of\u3000day\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000with\u3000it\u3000a\u3000second\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000illumination\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000lighter\u3000it\u3000became\u3000outside\uff1b\u3000the\u3000further\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000from\u3000the\u3000truth\u3002\u3000He\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000rhythms\u3000of\u3000iambic\u3000pentameter\u3000and\u3000chanting\uff1b\u3000Hieros\u3000Gamos\u3000and\u3000sacred\u3000rites\uff1b\u3000resonating\u3000with\u3000the\u3000rumble\u3000of\u3000the\u3000jet\u3002
\nA\u3000headstone\u3000praised\u3000by\u3000Templars\u3002
\nThe\u3000plane\u3000was\u3000over\u3000land\u3000again\u3000when\u3000a\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000enlightenment\u3000struck\u3000him\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000set\u3000down\u3000his\u3000empty\u3000can\u3000of\u3000Coke\u3000hard\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000won’t\u3000believe\u3000this\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000to\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Templar\u3000headstone\u2014I\u3000figured\u3000it\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing’s\u3000eyes\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000saucers\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000know\u3000where\u3000the\u3000headstone\u3000is\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000where\u3000it\u3000is\u3002\u3000What\u3000it\u3000is\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000leaned\u3000in\u3000to\u3000hear\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000think\u3000the\u3000headstone\u3000references\u3000a\u3000literal\u3000stone\u3000head\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000explained\uff1b\u3000savoring\u3000the\u3000familiar\u3000excitement\u3000of\u3000academic\u3000breakthrough\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000a\u3000grave\u3000marker\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003A\u3000stone\u3000head\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000demanded\u3002
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000equally\u3000confused\u3002
\n\u3003Leigh\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000turning\uff1b\u3000\u3003during\u3000the\u3000Inquisition\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000accused\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\u3000of\u3000all\u3000kinds\u3000of\u3000heresies\uff1b\u3000right\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Correct\u3002\u3000They\u3000fabricated\u3000all\u3000kinds\u3000of\u3000charges\u3002\u3000Sodomy\uff1b\u3000urination\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cross\uff1b\u3000devil\u3000worship\uff1b\u3000quite\u3000a\u3000list\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000on\u3000that\u3000list\u3000was\u3000the\u3000worship\u3000of\u3000false\u3000idols\uff1b\u3000right\uff1f\u3000Specifically\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000accused\u3000the\u3000Templars\u3000of\u3000secretly\u3000performing\u3000rituals\u3000in\u3000which\u3000they\u3000prayed\u3000to\u3000a\u3000carved\u3000stone\u3000head\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000pagan\u3000god\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003Baphomet\uff01\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000blurted\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000heavens\uff1b\u3000Robert\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000right\uff01\u3000A\u3000headstone\u3000praised\u3000by\u3000Templars\uff01\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000quickly\u3000explained\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3000that\u3000Baphomet\u3000was\u3000a\u3000pagan\u3000fertility\u3000god\u3000associated\u3000with\u3000the\u3000creative\u3000force\u3000of\u3000reproduction\u3002\u3000Baphomet’s\u3000head\u3000was\u3000represented\u3000as\u3000that\u3000of\u3000a\u3000ram\u3000or\u3000goat\uff1b\u3000a\u3000mon\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000procreation\u3000and\u3000fecundity\u3002\u3000The\u3000Templars\u3000honored\u3000Baphomet\u3000by\u3000encircling\u3000a\u3000stone\u3000replica\u3000of\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000and\u3000fecundity\u3002\u3000The\u3000Templars\u3000honored\u3000Baphomet\u3000by\u3000encircling\u3000a\u3000stone\u3000replica\u3000of\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000chanting\u3000prayers\u3002
\n\u3003Baphomet\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000tittered\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000ceremony\u3000honored\u3000the\u3000creative\u3000magic\u3000of\u3000sexual\u3000union\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Pope\u3000Clement\u3000convinced\u3000everyone\u3000that\u3000Baphomet’s\u3000head\u3000was\u3000in\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000of\u3000the\u3000devil\u3002\u3000The\u3000Pope\u3000used\u3000the\u3000head\u3000of\u3000Baphomet\u3000as\u3000the\u3000linchpin\u3000in\u3000his\u3000case\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Templars\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000concurred\u3002\u3000The\u3000modern\u3000belief\u3000in\u3000a\u3000horned\u3000devil\u3000known\u3000as\u3000Satan\u3000could\u3000be\u3000traced\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Baphomet\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Church’s\u3000attempts\u3000to\u3000recast\u3000the\u3000horned\u3000fertility\u3000god\u3000as\u3000a\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000evil\u3002\u3000The\u3000Church\u3000had\u3000obviously\u3000succeeded\uff1b\u3000although\u3000not\u3000entirely\u3002\u3000Traditional\u3000American\u3000Thanksgiving\u3000tables\u3000still\u3000bore\u3000pagan\uff1b\u3000horned\u3000fertility\u3000symbols\u3002\u3000The\u3000cornucopia\u3000or\u3000\u3003horn\u3000of\u3000plenty\u3003\u3000was\u3000a\u3000tribute\u3000to\u3000Baphomet’s\u3000fertility\u3000and\u3000dated\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Zeus\u3000being\u3000suckled\u3000by\u3000a\u3000goat\u3000whose\u3000horn\u3000broke\u3000off\u3000and\u3000magically\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000fruit\u3002\u3000Baphomet\u3000also\u3000appeared\u3000in\u3000group\u3000photographs\u3000when\u3000some\u3000joker\u3000raised\u3000two\u3000fingers\u3000behind\u3000a\u3000friend’s\u3000head\u3000in\u3000the\u3000V\u2026symbol\u3000of\u3000horns\uff1b\u3000certainly\u3000few\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pranksters\u3000realized\u3000their\u3000mocking\u3000gesture\u3000was\u3000in\u3000fact\u3000advertising\u3000their\u3000victim’s\u3000robust\u3000sperm\u3000count\u3002
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000was\u3000saying\u3000excitedly\u3002\u3000\u3003Baphomet\u3000must\u3000be\u3000what\u3000the\u3000poem\u3000is\u3000referring\u3000to\u3002\u3000A\u3000headstone\u3000praised\u3000by\u3000Templars\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Okay\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000if\u3000Baphomet\u3000is\u3000the\u3000headstone\u3000praised\u3000by\u3000Templars\uff1b\u3000then\u3000we\u3000have\u3000a\u3000new\u3000dilemma\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dials\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3002\u3000\u3003Baphomet\u3000has\u3000eight\u3000letters\u3002\u3000We\u3000only\u3000have\u3000room\u3000for\u3000five\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000grinned\u3000broadly\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000dear\uff1b\u3000this\u3000is\u3000where\u3000the\u3000Atbash\u3000Cipher\u3000es\u3000into\u3000play\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300077
\n
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000impressed\u3002\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000just\u3000finished\u3000writing\u3000out\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000twenty\u2026two\u2026letter\u3000Hebrew\u3000alphabet\u2014alef\u2026beit\u2014from\u3000memory\u3002\u3000Granted\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000used\u3000Roman\u3000equivalents\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000Hebrew\u3000characters\uff1b\u3000but\u3000even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000now\u3000reading\u3000through\u3000them\u3000with\u3000flawless\u3000pronunciation\u3002
\nA\u3000B\u3000G\u3000D\u3000H\u3000V\u3000Z\u3000Ch\u3000T\u3000Y\u3000K\u3000L\u3000M\u3000N\u3000S\u3000O\u3000P\u3000Tz\u3000Q\u3000R\u3000Sh\u3000Th
\n\u3003Alef\uff1b\u3000Beit\uff1b\u3000Gimel\uff1b\u3000Dalet\uff1b\u3000Hei\uff1b\u3000Vav\uff1b\u3000Zayin\uff1b\u3000Chet\uff1b\u3000Tet\uff1b\u3000Yud\uff1b\u3000Kaf\uff1b\u3000Lamed\uff1b\u3000Mem\uff1b\u3000Nun\uff1b\u3000Samech\uff1b\u3000Ayin\uff1b\u3000Pei\uff1b\u3000Tzadik\uff1b\u3000Kuf\uff1b\u3000Reish\uff1b\u3000Shin\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Tav\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000dramatically\u3000mopped\u3000his\u3000brow\u3000and\u3000plowed\u3000on\u3002\u3000\u3003In\u3000formal\u3000Hebrew\u3000spelling\uff1b\u3000the\u3000vowel\u3000sounds\u3000are\u3000not\u3000written\u3002\u3000Therefore\uff1b\u3000when\u3000we\u3000write\u3000the\u3000word\u3000Baphomet\u3000using\u3000the\u3000Hebrew\u3000alphabet\uff1b\u3000it\u3000will\u3000lose\u3000its\u3000three\u3000vowels\u3000in\u3000translation\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000us\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003Five\u3000letters\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000blurted\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000began\u3000writing\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003Okay\uff1b\u3000here\u3000is\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000spelling\u3000of\u3000Baphomet\u3000in\u3000Hebrew\u3000letters\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000sketch\u3000in\u3000the\u3000missing\u3000vowels\u3000for\u3000clarity’s\u3000sake\u3002
\nB\u3000a\u3000P\u3000V\u3000o\u3000M\u3000e\u3000Th
\n\u3000
\n\u3003Remember\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000Hebrew\u3000is\u3000normally\u3000written\u3000in\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we\u3000can\u3000just\u3000as\u3000easily\u3000use\u3000Atbash\u3000this\u3000way\u3002\u3000Next\uff1b\u3000all\u3000we\u3000have\u3000to\u3000do\u3000is\u3000create\u3000our\u3000substitution\u3000scheme\u3000by\u3000rewriting\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000alphabet\u3000in\u3000reverse\u3000order\u3000opposite\u3000the\u3000original\u3000alphabet\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003There’s\u3000an\u3000easier\u3000way\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000the\u3000pen\u3000from\u3000Teabing\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000works\u3000for\u3000all\u3000reflectional\u3000substitution\u3000ciphers\uff1b\u3000including\u3000the\u3000Atbash\u3002\u3000A\u3000little\u3000trick\u3000I\u3000learned\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Royal\u3000Holloway\u3002\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000wrote\u3000the\u3000first\u3000half\u3000of\u3000the\u3000alphabet\u3000from\u3000left\u3000to\u3000right\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\uff1b\u3000beneath\u3000it\uff1b\u3000wrote\u3000the\u3000second\u3000half\uff1b\u3000right\u3000to\u3000left\u3002\u3000\u3003Cryptanalysts\u3000call\u3000it\u3000the\u3000fold\u2026over\u3002\u3000Half\u3000as\u3000plicated\u3002\u3000Twice\u3000as\u3000clean\u3002\u3003
\nA\tB\tG\tD\tH\tV\tZ\tCh\tT\tY\tK
\nTh\tSh\tR\tQ\tTz\tP\tO\tS\tN\tM\tL
\n\u3000
\nTeabing\u3000eyed\u3000her\u3000handiwork\u3000and\u3000chuckled\u3002\u3000\u3003Right\u3000you\u3000are\u3002\u3000Glad\u3000to\u3000see\u3000those\u3000boys\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Holloway\u3000are\u3000doing\u3000their\u3000job\u3002\u3003
\nLooking\u3000at\u3000Sophie’s\u3000substitution\u3000matrix\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000rising\u3000thrill\u3000that\u3000he\u3000imagined\u3000must\u3000have\u3000rivaled\u3000the\u3000thrill\u3000felt\u3000by\u3000early\u3000scholars\u3000when\u3000they\u3000first\u3000used\u3000the\u3000Atbash\u3000Cipher\u3000to\u3000decrypt\u3000the\u3000now\u3000famous\u3000Mystery\u3000of\u3000Sheshach\u3002\u3000For\u3000years\uff1b\u3000religious\u3000scholars\u3000had\u3000been\u3000baffled\u3000by\u3000biblical\u3000references\u3000to\u3000a\u3000city\u3000called\u3000Sheshach\u3002\u3000The\u3000city\u3000did\u3000not\u3000appear\u3000on\u3000any\u3000map\u3000nor\u3000in\u3000any\u3000other\u3000documents\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000it\u3000was\u3000mentioned\u3000repeatedly\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Book\u3000of\u3000Jeremiah\u2014the\u3000king\u3000of\u3000Sheshach\uff1b\u3000the\u3000city\u3000of\u3000Sheshach\uff1b\u3000the\u3000people\u3000of\u3000Sheshach\u3002\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000a\u3000scholar\u3000applied\u3000the\u3000Atbash\u3000Cipher\u3000to\u3000the\u3000word\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000results\u3000were\u3000mind\u2026numbing\u3002\u3000The\u3000cipher\u3000revealed\u3000that\u3000Sheshach\u3000was\u3000in\u3000fact\u3000a\u3000code\u3000word\u3000for\u3000another\u3000very\u3000well\u2026known\u3000city\u3002\u3000The\u3000decryption\u3000process\u3000was\u3000simple\u3002
\nSheshach\uff1b\u3000in\u3000Hebrew\uff1b\u3000was\u3000spelled\uff1a\u3000Sh\u2026Sh\u2026K\u3002
\nSh\u2026Sh\u2026K\uff1b\u3000when\u3000placed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000substitution\u3000matrix\uff1b\u3000became\u3000B\u2026B\u2026L\u3002
\nB\u2026B\u2026L\uff1b\u3000in\u3000Hebrew\uff1b\u3000spelled\u3000Babel\u3002
\nThe\u3000mysterious\u3000city\u3000of\u3000Sheshach\u3000was\u3000revealed\u3000as\u3000the\u3000city\u3000of\u3000Babel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000frenzy\u3000of\u3000biblical\u3000examination\u3000ensued\u3002\u3000Within\u3000weeks\uff1b\u3000several\u3000more\u3000Atbash\u3000code\u3000words\u3000were\u3000uncovered\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Old\u3000Testament\uff1b\u3000unveiling\u3000myriad\u3000hidden\u3000meanings\u3000that\u3000scholars\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000were\u3000there\u3002
\n\u3003We’re\u3000getting\u3000close\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000control\u3000his\u3000excitement\u3002
\n\u3003Inches\uff1b\u3000Robert\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000at\u3000Sophie\u3000and\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000ready\uff1f\u3003
\nShe\u3000nodded\u3002
\n\u3003Okay\uff1b\u3000Baphomet\u3000in\u3000Hebrew\u3000without\u3000the\u3000vowels\u3000reads\uff1a\u3000B\u2026P\u2026V\u2026M\u2026Th\u3002\u3000Now\u3000we\u3000simply\u3000apply\u3000your\u3000Atbash\u3000substitution\u3000matrix\u3000to\u3000translate\u3000the\u3000letters\u3000into\u3000our\u3000five\u2026letter\u3000password\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon’s\u3000heart\u3000pounded\u3002\u3000B\u2026P\u2026V\u2026M\u2026Th\u3002\u3000The\u3000sun\u3000was\u3000pouring\u3000through\u3000the\u3000windows\u3000now\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Sophie’s\u3000substitution\u3000matrix\u3000and\u3000slowly\u3000began\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000conversion\u3002\u3000B\u3000is\u3000Sh\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000P\u3000is\u3000V\u3002\u3002\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000was\u3000grinning\u3000like\u3000a\u3000schoolboy\u3000at\u3000Christmas\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000the\u3000Atbash\u3000Cipher\u3000reveals\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000stopped\u3000short\u3002\u3000\u3003Good\u3000God\uff01\u3003\u3000His\u3000face\u3000went\u3000white\u3002
\nLangdon’s\u3000head\u3000snapped\u3000up\u3002
\n\u3003What’s\u3000wrong\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000demanded\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000won’t\u3000believe\u3000this\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003Especially\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000mean\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000ingenious\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\u3002\u3000\u3003Utterly\u3000ingenious\uff01\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000wrote\u3000again\u3000on\u3000the\u3000paper\u3002\u3000\u3003Drumroll\uff1b\u3000please\u3002\u3000Here\u3000is\u3000your\u3000password\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000showed\u3000them\u3000what\u3000he\u3000had\u3000written\u3002
\nSh\u2026V\u2026P\u2026Y\u2026A
\n\u3000
\nSophie\u3000scowled\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000didn’t\u3000recognize\u3000it\u3000either\u3002
\nTeabing’s\u3000voice\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000tremble\u3000with\u3000awe\u3002\u3000\u3003This\uff1b\u3000my\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000is\u3000actually\u3000an\u3000ancient\u3000word\u3000of\u3000wisdom\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000read\u3000the\u3000letters\u3000again\u3002\u3000An\u3000ancient\u3000word\u3000of\u3000wisdom\u3000frees\u3000this\u3000scroll\u3002\u3000An\u3000instant\u3000later\u3000he\u3000got\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000newer\u3000seen\u3000this\u3000ing\u3002\u3000\u3003An\u3000ancient\u3000word\u3000of\u3000wisdom\uff01\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000was\u3000laughing\u3002\u3000\u3003Quite\u3000literally\uff01\u3003
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000word\u3000and\u3000then\u3000at\u3000the\u3000dial\u3002\u3000Immediately\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000see\u3000a\u3000serious\u3000glitch\u3002\u3000\u3003Hold\u3000on\uff01\u3000This\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000the\u3000password\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000argued\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000cryptex\u3000doesn’t\u3000have\u3000an\u3000Sh\u3000on\u3000the\u3000dial\u3002\u3000It\u3000uses\u3000a\u3000traditional\u3000Roman\u3000alphabet\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Read\u3000the\u3000word\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000urged\u3002\u3000\u3003Keep\u3000in\u3000mind\u3000two\u3000things\u3002\u3000In\u3000Hebrew\uff1b\u3000the\u3000symbol\u3000for\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000Sh\u3000can\u3000also\u3000be\u3000pronounced\u3000as\u3000S\uff1b\u3000depending\u3000on\u3000the\u3000accent\u3002\u3000Just\u3000as\u3000the\u3000letter\u3000P\u3000can\u3000be\u3000pronounced\u3000F\u3002\u3003
\nSVFYA\uff1f\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000puzzled\u3002
\n\u3003Genius\uff01\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000added\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000letter\u3000Vav\u3000is\u3000often\u3000a\u3000placeholder\u3000for\u3000the\u3000vowel\u3000sound\u3000O\uff01\u3003
\nSophie\u3000again\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000letters\uff1b\u3000attempting\u3000to\u3000sound\u3000them\u3000out\u3002
\n\u3003S\u3002\u3002\u3002o\u3002\u3002\u3002f\u3002\u3002\u3002y\u3002\u3002\u3002a\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000her\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000and\u3000could\u3000not\u3000believe\u3000what\u3000she\u3000had\u3000just\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Sophia\uff1f\u3000This\u3000spells\u3000Sophia\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000nodding\u3000enthusiastically\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff01\u3000Sophia\u3000literally\u3000means\u3000wisdom\u3000in\u3000Greek\u3002\u3000The\u3000root\u3000of\u3000your\u3000name\uff1b\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000is\u3000literally\u3000a\u3000’word\u3000of\u3000wisdom\u3002’\u3000\u3003
\nSophie\u3000suddenly\u3000missed\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000immensely\u3002\u3000He\u3000encrypted\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000keystone\u3000with\u3000my\u3000name\u3002\u3000A\u3000knot\u3000caught\u3000in\u3000her\u3000throat\u3002\u3000It\u3000all\u3000seemed\u3000so\u3000perfect\u3002\u3000But\u3000as\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000her\u3000gaze\u3000to\u3000the\u3000five\u3000lettered\u3000dials\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cryptex\uff1b\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000a\u3000problem\u3000still\u3000existed\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000wait\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000word\u3000Sophia\u3000has\u3000six\u3000letters\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing’s\u3000smile\u3000never\u3000faded\u3002\u3000\u3003Look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000poem\u3000again\u3002\u3000Your\u3000grandfather\u3000wrote\uff1b\u3000’An\u3000ancient\u3000word\u3000of\u3000wisdom\u3002’\u3000\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000winked\u3002\u3000\u3003In\u3000ancient\u3000Greek\uff1b\u3000wisdom\u3000is\u3000spelled\u3000S\u2026O\u2026F\u2026I\u2026A\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300078
\n
\nSophie\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000wild\u3000excitement\u3000as\u3000she\u3000cradled\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000and\u3000began\u3000dialing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000letters\u3002\u3000An\u3000ancient\u3000word\u3000of\u3000wisdom\u3000frees\u3000this\u3000scroll\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Teabing\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000stopped\u3000breathing\u3000as\u3000they\u3000looked\u3000on\u3002
\nS\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000O\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000F\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n\u3003Carefully\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000urged\u3002\u3000\u3003Ever\u3000so\u3000carefully\u3002\u3003
\n\u3002\u3002\u3002I\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000A\u3002
\nSophie\u3000aligned\u3000the\u3000final\u3000dial\u3002\u3000\u3003Okay\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000glancing\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000pull\u3000it\u3000apart\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Remember\u3000the\u3000vinegar\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000whispered\u3000with\u3000fearful\u3000exhilaration\u3002\u3000\u3003Be\u3000careful\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000if\u3000this\u3000cryptex\u3000were\u3000like\u3000those\u3000she\u3000had\u3000opened\u3000in\u3000her\u3000youth\uff1b\u3000all\u3000she\u3000would\u3000need\u3000to\u3000do\u3000is\u3000grip\u3000the\u3000cylinder\u3000at\u3000both\u3000ends\uff1b\u3000just\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000dials\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pull\uff1b\u3000applying\u3000slow\uff1b\u3000steady\u3000pressure\u3000in\u3000opposite\u3000directions\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000dials\u3000were\u3000properly\u3000aligned\u3000with\u3000the\u3000password\uff1b\u3000then\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ends\u3000would\u3000slide\u3000off\uff1b\u3000much\u3000like\u3000a\u3000lens\u3000cap\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000could\u3000reach\u3000inside\u3000and\u3000remove\u3000the\u3000rolled\u3000papyrus\u3000document\uff1b\u3000which\u3000would\u3000be\u3000wrapped\u3000around\u3000the\u3000vial\u3000of\u3000vinegar\u3002\u3000However\uff1b\u3000if\u3000the\u3000password\u3000they\u3000had\u3000entered\u3000were\u3000incorrect\uff1b\u3000Sophie’s\u3000outward\u3000force\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ends\u3000would\u3000be\u3000transferred\u3000to\u3000a\u3000hinged\u3000lever\u3000inside\uff1b\u3000which\u3000would\u3000pivot\u3000downward\u3000into\u3000the\u3000cavity\u3000and\u3000apply\u3000pressure\u3000to\u3000the\u3000glass\u3000vial\uff1b\u3000eventually\u3000shattering\u3000it\u3000if\u3000she\u3000pulled\u3000too\u3000hard\u3002
\nPull\u3000gently\uff1b\u3000she\u3000told\u3000herself\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000both\u3000leaned\u3000in\u3000as\u3000Sophie\u3000wrapped\u3000her\u3000palms\u3000around\u3000the\u3000ends\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cylinder\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000excitement\u3000of\u3000deciphering\u3000the\u3000code\u3000word\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000almost\u3000forgotten\u3000what\u3000they\u3000expected\u3000to\u3000find\u3000inside\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000keystone\u3002\u3000According\u3000to\u3000Teabing\uff1b\u3000it\u3000contained\u3000a\u3000map\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000unveiling\u3000the\u3000tomb\u3000of\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000treasure\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000ultimate\u3000treasure\u3000trove\u3000of\u3000secret\u3000truth\u3002
\nNow\u3000gripping\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000tube\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000double\u2026checked\u3000that\u3000all\u3000of\u3000the\u3000letters\u3000were\u3000properly\u3000aligned\u3000with\u3000the\u3000indicator\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000pulled\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000happened\u3002\u3000She\u3000applied\u3000a\u3000little\u3000more\u3000force\u3002\u3000Suddenly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000slid\u3000apart\u3000like\u3000a\u3000well\u2026crafted\u3000telescope\u3002\u3000The\u3000heavy\u3000end\u3000piece\u3000detached\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Teabing\u3000almost\u3000jumped\u3000to\u3000their\u3000feet\u3002\u3000Sophie’s\u3000he \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n e\u3000heavy\u3000end\u3000piece\u3000detached\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Teabing\u3000almost\u3000jumped\u3000to\u3000their\u3000feet\u3002\u3000Sophie’s\u3000heart\u3000rate\u3000climbed\u3000as\u3000she\u3000set\u3000the\u3000end\u3000cap\u3000on\u3000the\u3000table\u3000and\u3000tipped\u3000the\u3000cylinder\u3000to\u3000peer\u3000inside\u3002
\nA\u3000scroll\uff01
\nPeering\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hollow\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rolled\u3000paper\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000could\u3000see\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000wrapped\u3000around\u3000a\u3000cylindrical\u3000object\u2014the\u3000vial\u3000of\u3000vinegar\uff1b\u3000she\u3000assumed\u3002\u3000Strangely\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000the\u3000paper\u3000around\u3000the\u3000vinegar\u3000was\u3000not\u3000the\u3000customary\u3000delicate\u3000papyrus\u3000but\u3000rather\uff1b\u3000vellum\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000odd\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000vinegar\u3000can’t\u3000dissolve\u3000a\u3000lambskin\u3000vellum\u3002\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000again\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hollow\u3000of\u3000the\u3000scroll\u3000and\u3000realized\u3000the\u3000object\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000was\u3000not\u3000a\u3000vial\u3000of\u3000vinegar\u3000after\u3000all\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000something\u3000else\u3000entirely\u3002
\n\u3003What’s\u3000wrong\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Pull\u3000out\u3000the\u3000scroll\u3002\u3003
\nFrowning\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000grabbed\u3000the\u3000rolled\u3000vellum\u3000and\u3000the\u3000object\u3000around\u3000which\u3000it\u3000was\u3000wrapped\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000them\u3000both\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000container\u3002
\n\u3003That’s\u3000not\u3000papyrus\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000too\u3000heavy\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000know\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000padding\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003For\u3000what\uff1f\u3000The\u3000vial\u3000of\u3000vinegar\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3002\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000unrolled\u3000the\u3000scroll\u3000and\u3000revealed\u3000what\u3000was\u3000wrapped\u3000inside\u3002\u3000\u3003For\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\nWhen\u3000Langdon\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000object\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000sheet\u3000of\u3000vellum\uff1b\u3000his\u3000heart\u3000sank\u3002
\n\u3003God\u3000help\u3000us\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000slumping\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000grandfather\u3000was\u3000a\u3000pitiless\u3000architect\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000stared\u3000in\u3000amazement\u3002\u3000I\u3000see\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000has\u3000no\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000making\u3000this\u3000easy\u3002
\nOn\u3000the\u3000table\u3000sat\u3000a\u3000second\u3000cryptex\u3002\u3000Smaller\u3002\u3000Made\u3000of\u3000black\u3000onyx\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000been\u3000nested\u3000within\u3000the\u3000first\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000passion\u3000for\u3000dualism\u3002\u3000Two\u3000cryptexes\u3002\u3000Everything\u3000in\u3000pairs\u3002\u3000Double\u3000entendres\u3002\u3000Male\u3000female\u3002\u3000Black\u3000nested\u3000within\u3000white\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000web\u3000of\u3000symbolism\u3000stretching\u3000onward\u3002\u3000White\u3000gives\u3000birth\u3000to\u3000black\u3002
\nEvery\u3000man\u3000sprang\u3000from\u3000woman\u3002
\nWhite\u2014female\u3002
\nBlack\u2014male\u3002
\nReaching\u3000over\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000lifted\u3000the\u3000smaller\u3000cryptex\u3002\u3000It\u3000looked\u3000identical\u3000to\u3000the\u3000first\uff1b\u3000except\u3000half\u3000the\u3000size\u3000and\u3000black\u3002\u3000He\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000familiar\u3000gurgle\u3002\u3000Apparently\uff1b\u3000the\u3000vial\u3000of\u3000vinegar\u3000they\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000earlier\u3000was\u3000inside\u3000this\u3000smaller\u3000cryptex\u3002
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000Robert\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000sliding\u3000the\u3000page\u3000of\u3000vellum\u3000over\u3000to\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3003You’ll\u3000be\u3000pleased\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000that\u3000at\u3000least\u3000we’re\u3000flying\u3000in\u3000the\u3000right\u3000direction\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000examined\u3000the\u3000thick\u3000vellum\u3000sheet\u3002\u3000Written\u3000in\u3000ornate\u3000penmanship\u3000was\u3000another\u3000four\u2026line\u3000verse\u3002\u3000Again\uff1b\u3000in\u3000iambic\u3000pentameter\u3002\u3000The\u3000verse\u3000was\u3000cryptic\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Langdon\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000read\u3000only\u3000as\u3000far\u3000as\u3000the\u3000first\u3000line\u3000to\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000Teabing’s\u3000plan\u3000to\u3000e\u3000to\u3000Britain\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000pay\u3000off\u3002
\nIN\u3000LONDON\u3000LIES\u3000A\u3000KNIGHT\u3000A\u3000POPE\u3000INTERRED\u3002
\n\u3000
\nThe\u3000remainder\u3000of\u3000the\u3000poem\u3000clearly\u3000implied\u3000that\u3000the\u3000password\u3000for\u3000opening\u3000the\u3000second\u3000cryptex\u3000could\u3000be\u3000found\u3000by\u3000visiting\u3000this\u3000knight’s\u3000tomb\uff1b\u3000somewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000city\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000turned\u3000excitedly\u3000to\u3000Teabing\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000have\u3000any\u3000idea\u3000what\u3000knight\u3000this\u3000poem\u3000is\u3000referring\u3000to\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000the\u3000foggiest\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000know\u3000in\u3000precisely\u3000which\u3000crypt\u3000we\u3000should\u3000look\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nAt\u3000that\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000fifteen\u3000miles\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000six\u3000Kent\u3000police\u3000cars\u3000streaked\u3000down\u3000rain\u2026soaked\u3000streets\u3000toward\u3000Biggin\u3000Hill\u3000Executive\u3000Airport\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300079
\n
\nLieutenant\u3000Collet\u3000helped\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000a\u3000Perrier\u3000from\u3000Teabing’s\u3000refrigerator\u3000and\u3000strode\u3000back\u3000out\u3000through\u3000the\u3000drawing\u3000room\u3002\u3000Rather\u3000than\u3000acpanying\u3000Fache\u3000to\u3000London\u3000where\u3000the\u3000action\u3000was\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000now\u3000baby\u2026sitting\u3000the\u3000PTS\u3000team\u3000that\u3000had\u3000spread\u3000out\u3000through\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\u3002
\nSo\u3000far\uff1b\u3000the\u3000evidence\u3000they\u3000had\u3000uncovered\u3000was\u3000unhelpful\uff1a\u3000a\u3000single\u3000bullet\u3000buried\u3000in\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000a\u3000paper\u3000with\u3000several\u3000symbols\u3000scrawled\u3000on\u3000it\u3000along\u3000with\u3000the\u3000words\u3000blade\u3000and\u3000chalice\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000bloody\u3000spiked\u3000belt\u3000that\u3000PTS\u3000had\u3000told\u3000Collet\u3000was\u3000associated\u3000with\u3000the\u3000conservative\u3000Catholic\u3000group\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\uff1b\u3000which\u3000had\u3000caused\u3000a\u3000stir\u3000recently\u3000when\u3000a\u3000news\u3000program\u3000exposed\u3000their\u3000aggressive\u3000recruiting\u3000practices\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3002
\nCollet\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000Good\u3000luck\u3000making\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000this\u3000unlikely\u3000m\u00e9lange\u3002
\nMoving\u3000down\u3000a\u3000lavish\u3000hallway\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000vast\u3000ballroom\u3000study\uff1b\u3000where\u3000the\u3000chief\u3000PTS\u3000examiner\u3000was\u3000busy\u3000dusting\u3000for\u3000fingerprints\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000a\u3000corpulent\u3000man\u3000in\u3000suspenders\u3002
\n\u3003Anything\uff1f\u3003\u3000Collet\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000entering\u3002
\nThe\u3000examiner\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Nothing\u3000new\u3002\u3000Multiple\u3000sets\u3000matching\u3000those\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000house\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003How\u3000about\u3000the\u3000prints\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cilice\u3000belt\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Interpol\u3000is\u3000still\u3000working\u3002\u3000I\u3000uploaded\u3000everything\u3000we\u3000found\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000motioned\u3000to\u3000two\u3000sealed\u3000evidence\u3000bags\u3000on\u3000the\u3000desk\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000this\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000man\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003Force\u3000of\u3000habit\u3002\u3000I\u3000bag\u3000anything\u3000peculiar\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000walked\u3000over\u3002\u3000Peculiar\uff1f
\n\u3003This\u3000Brit’s\u3000a\u3000strange\u3000one\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000examiner\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Have\u3000a\u3000look\u3000at\u3000this\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000sifted\u3000through\u3000the\u3000evidence\u3000bags\u3000and\u3000selected\u3000one\uff1b\u3000handing\u3000it\u3000to\u3000Collet\u3002
\nThe\u3000photo\u3000showed\u3000the\u3000main\u3000entrance\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Gothic\u3000cathedral\u2014the\u3000traditional\uff1b\u3000recessed\u3000archway\uff1b\u3000narrowing\u3000through\u3000multiple\uff1b\u3000ribbed\u3000layers\u3000to\u3000a\u3000small\u3000doorway\u3002
\nCollet\u3000studied\u3000the\u3000photo\u3000and\u3000turned\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000peculiar\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Turn\u3000it\u3000over\u3002\u3003
\nOn\u3000the\u3000back\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000found\u3000notations\u3000scrawled\u3000in\u3000English\uff1b\u3000describing\u3000a\u3000cathedral’s\u3000long\u3000hollow\u3000nave\u3000as\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000pagan\u3000tribute\u3000to\u3000a\u3000woman’s\u3000womb\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\u3000strange\u3002\u3000The\u3000notation\u3000describing\u3000the\u3000cathedral’s\u3000doorway\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000was\u3000what\u3000startled\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Hold\u3000on\uff01\u3000He\u3000thinks\u3000a\u3000cathedral’s\u3000entrance\u3000represents\u3000a\u3000woman’s\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000examiner\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003plete\u3000with\u3000receding\u3000labial\u3000ridges\u3000and\u3000a\u3000nice\u3000little\u3000cinquefoil\u3000clitoris\u3000above\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u3003Kind\u3000of\u3000makes\u3000you\u3000want\u3000to\u3000go\u3000back\u3000to\u3000church\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000second\u3000evidence\u3000bag\u3002\u3000Through\u3000the\u3000plastic\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000a\u3000large\u3000glossy\u3000photograph\u3000of\u3000what\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000an\u3000old\u3000document\u3002\u3000The\u3000heading\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000read\uff1a
\nLes\u3000Dossiers\u3000Secrets\u2014Number\u30004\u00b0\u3000lm1\u3000249
\n\u3003What’s\u3000this\uff1f\u3003\u3000Collet\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003No\u3000idea\u3002\u3000He’s\u3000got\u3000copies\u3000of\u3000it\u3000all\u3000over\u3000the\u3000place\uff1b\u3000so\u3000I\u3000bagged\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000studied\u3000the\u3000document\u3002
\nPRIEURE\u3000DE\u3000SIGN\u2014LES\u3000NAUTONIERS\/GRAND\u3000MASTERS
\nJEAN\u3000DE\u3000GISORS\t1188\u20261220
\nMARIE\u3000DE\u3000SAINT\u2026CLAIR\t1220\u20261266
\nGUILLAUME\u3000DE\u3000GlSORS\t1266\u20261307
\nEDOUARD\u3000DE\u3000BAR\t1307\u20261336
\nJEANNE\u3000DE\u3000BAR\t1336\u20261351
\nJEAN\u3000DE\u3000SAINT\u2026CLAIR\t1351\u20261366
\nBLANCE\u3000D’EVREUX\t1366\u20261398
\nNICOLAS\u3000FLAMEL\t1398\u20261418
\nRENE\u3000D’ANJOU\t1418\u20261480
\nIOLANDE\u3000DE\u3000BAR\t1480\u20261483
\nSANDRO\u3000BOTTICELLI\t1483\u20261510
\nLEONARDO\u3000DA\u3000VINCI\t1510\u20261519
\nCONNETABLE\u3000DE\u3000BOURBON\t1519\u20261527
\nFERDINAND\u3000DE\u3000GONZAQUE\t1527\u20261575
\nLOUIS\u3000DE\u3000NEVERS\t1575\u20261595
\nROBERT\u3000FLUDD\t1595\u20261637
\nJ\u3002\u3000VALENTIN\u3000ANDREA\t1637\u20261654
\nROBERT\u3000BOYLE\t1654\u20261691
\nISAAC\u3000NEWTON\t1691\u20261727
\nCHARLES\u3000RADCLYFFE\t1727\u20261746
\nCHARLES\u3000DE\u3000LORRAINE\t1746\u20261780
\nMAXIMILIAN\u3000DE\u3000LORRAINE\t1780\u20261801
\nCHARLES\u3000NODIER\t1801\u20261844
\nVICTOR\u3000HUGO\t1844\u20261885
\nCLAUDE\u3000DEBUSSY\t1885\u20261918
\nJEAN\u3000COCTEAU\t1918\u20261963
\n\u3000
\nPrieur\u00e9\u3000de\u3000Sion\uff1f\u3000Collet\u3000wondered\u3002
\n\u3003Lieutenant\uff1f\u3003\u3000Another\u3000agent\u3000stuck\u3000his\u3000head\u3000in\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000switchboard\u3000has\u3000an\u3000urgent\u3000call\u3000for\u3000Captain\u3000Fache\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000can’t\u3000reach\u3000him\u3002\u3000Will\u3000you\u3000take\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\nCollet\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000kitchen\u3000and\u3000took\u3000the\u3000call\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000Andr\u00e9\u3000Vernet\u3002
\nThe\u3000banker’s\u3000refined\u3000accent\u3000did\u3000little\u3000to\u3000mask\u3000the\u3000tension\u3000in\u3000his\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000Captain\u3000Fache\u3000said\u3000he\u3000would\u3000call\u3000me\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000have\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000heard\u3000from\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000captain\u3000is\u3000quite\u3000busy\uff1b\u3003\u3000Collet\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003May\u3000I\u3000help\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000was\u3000assured\u3000I\u3000would\u3000be\u3000kept\u3000abreast\u3000of\u3000your\u3000progress\u3000tonight\u3002\u3003
\nFor\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000recognized\u3000the\u3000timbre\u3000of\u3000the\u3000man’s\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000quite\u3000place\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003Monsieur\u3000Vernet\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3000currently\u3000in\u3000charge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Paris\u3000investigation\u3002\u3000My\u3000name\u3000is\u3000Lieutenant\u3000Collet\u3002\u3003
\nThere\u3000was\u3000a\u3000long\u3000pause\u3000on\u3000the\u3000line\u3002\u3000\u3003Lieutenant\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000another\u3000call\u3000ing\u3000in\u3002\u3000Please\u3000excuse\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000call\u3000you\u3000later\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000hung\u3000up\u3002
\nFor\u3000several\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000held\u3000the\u3000receiver\u3002\u3000Then\u3000it\u3000dawned\u3000on\u3000him\u3002\u3000I\u3000knew\u3000I\u3000recognized\u3000that\u3000voice\uff01\u3000The\u3000revelation\u3000made\u3000him\u3000gasp\u3002
\nThe\u3000armored\u3000car\u3000driver\u3002
\nWith\u3000the\u3000fake\u3000Rolex\u3002
\nCollet\u3000now\u3000understood\u3000why\u3000the\u3000banker\u3000had\u3000hung\u3000up\u3000so\u3000quickly\u3002\u3000Vernet\u3000had\u3000remembered\u3000the\u3000name\u3000Lieutenant\u3000Collet\u2014the\u3000officer\u3000he\u3000blatantly\u3000lied\u3000to\u3000earlier\u3000tonight\u3002
\nCollet\u3000pondered\u3000the\u3000implications\u3000of\u3000this\u3000bizarre\u3000development\u3002\u3000Vernet\u3000is\u3000involved\u3002\u3000Instinctively\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000should\u3000call\u3000Fache\u3002\u3000Emotionally\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000this\u3000lucky\u3000break\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000his\u3000moment\u3000to\u3000shine\u3002
\nHe\u3000immediately\u3000called\u3000Interpol\u3000and\u3000requested\u3000every\u3000shred\u3000of\u3000information\u3000they\u3000could\u3000find\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Depository\u3000Bank\u3000of\u3000Zurich\u3000and\u3000its\u3000president\uff1b\u3000Andr\u00e9\u3000Vernet\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300080
\n
\n\u3003Seat\u3000belts\uff1b\u3000please\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing’s\u3000pilot\u3000announced\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Hawker\u3000731\u3000descended\u3000into\u3000a\u3000gloomy\u3000morning\u3000drizzle\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000be\u3000landing\u3000in\u3000five\u3000minutes\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000joyous\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000homeing\u3000when\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000misty\u3000hills\u3000of\u3000Kent\u3000spreading\u3000wide\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000descending\u3000plane\u3002\u3000England\u3000was\u3000less\u3000than\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000from\u3000Paris\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000a\u3000world\u3000away\u3002\u3000This\u3000morning\uff1b\u3000the\u3000damp\uff1b\u3000spring\u3000green\u3000of\u3000his\u3000homeland\u3000looked\u3000particularly\u3000weling\u3002\u3000My\u3000time\u3000in\u3000France\u3000is\u3000over\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000returning\u3000to\u3000England\u3000victorious\u3002\u3000The\u3000keystone\u3000has\u3000been\u3000found\u3002\u3000The\u3000question\u3000remained\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000as\u3000to\u3000where\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000would\u3000ultimately\u3000lead\u3002\u3000Somewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000United\u3000Kingdom\u3002\u3000Where\u3000exactly\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000already\u3000tasting\u3000the\u3000glory\u3002
\nAs\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000looked\u3000on\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000got\u3000up\u3000and\u3000went\u3000to\u3000the\u3000far\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cabin\uff1b\u3000then\u3000slid\u3000aside\u3000a\u3000wall\u3000panel\u3000to\u3000reveal\u3000a\u3000discreetly\u3000hidden\u3000wall\u3000safe\u3002\u3000He\u3000dialed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bination\uff1b\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000safe\uff1b\u3000and\u3000extracted\u3000two\u3000passports\u3002\u3000\u3003Documentation\u3000for\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000and\u3000myself\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000then\u3000removed\u3000a\u3000thick\u3000stack\u3000of\u3000fifty\u2026pound\u3000notes\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000documentation\u3000for\u3000you\u3000two\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000leery\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000bribe\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Creative\u3000diplomacy\u3002\u3000Executive\u3000airfields\u3000make\u3000certain\u3000allowances\u3002\u3000A\u3000British\u3000customs\u3000official\u3000will\u3000greet\u3000us\u3000at\u3000my\u3000hangar\u3000and\u3000ask\u3000to\u3000board\u3000the\u3000plane\u3002\u3000Rather\u3000than\u3000permitting\u3000him\u3000to\u3000e\u3000on\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000I’m\u3000traveling\u3000with\u3000a\u3000French\u3000celebrity\u3000who\u3000prefers\u3000that\u3000nobody\u3000knows\u3000she\u3000is\u3000in\u3000England\u2014press\u3000considerations\uff1b\u3000you\u3000know\u2014and\u3000I’ll\u3000offer\u3000the\u3000official\u3000this\u3000generous\u3000tip\u3000as\u3000gratitude\u3000for\u3000his\u3000discretion\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000looked\u3000amazed\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000the\u3000official\u3000will\u3000accept\uff1f\u3003 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n nerous\u3000tip\u3000as\u3000gratitude\u3000for\u3000his\u3000discretion\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000looked\u3000amazed\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000the\u3000official\u3000will\u3000accept\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Not\u3000from\u3000anyone\uff1b\u3000they\u3000won’t\uff1b\u3000but\u3000these\u3000people\u3000all\u3000know\u3000me\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000an\u3000arms\u3000dealer\uff1b\u3000for\u3000heaven’s\u3000sake\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000knighted\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003Membership\u3000has\u3000its\u3000privileges\u3002\u3003
\nR\u00e9my\u3000approached\u3000up\u3000the\u3000aisle\u3000now\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Heckler\u3000Koch\u3000pistol\u3000cradled\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003Sir\uff1b\u3000my\u3000agenda\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000his\u3000servant\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000have\u3000you\u3000stay\u3000onboard\u3000with\u3000our\u3000guest\u3000until\u3000we\u3000return\u3002\u3000We\u3000can’t\u3000very\u3000well\u3000drag\u3000him\u3000all\u3000over\u3000London\u3000with\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000wary\u3002\u3000\u3003Leigh\uff1b\u3000I\u3000was\u3000serious\u3000about\u3000the\u3000French\u3000police\u3000finding\u3000your\u3000plane\u3000before\u3000we\u3000return\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000imagine\u3000their\u3000surprise\u3000if\u3000they\u3000board\u3000and\u3000find\u3000R\u00e9my\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000surprised\u3000by\u3000his\u3000cavalier\u3000attitude\u3002\u3000\u3003Leigh\uff1b\u3000you\u3000transported\u3000a\u3000bound\u3000hostage\u3000across\u3000international\u3000borders\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000serious\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003So\u3000are\u3000my\u3000lawyers\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000scowled\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000monk\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plane\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000animal\u3000broke\u3000into\u3000my\u3000home\u3000and\u3000almost\u3000killed\u3000me\u3002\u3000That\u3000is\u3000a\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000and\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000will\u3000corroborate\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000you\u3000tied\u3000him\u3000up\u3000and\u3000flew\u3000him\u3000to\u3000London\uff01\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000held\u3000up\u3000his\u3000right\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000feigned\u3000a\u3000courtroom\u3000oath\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000honor\uff1b\u3000forgive\u3000an\u3000eccentric\u3000old\u3000knight\u3000his\u3000foolish\u3000prejudice\u3000for\u3000the\u3000British\u3000court\u3000system\u3002\u3000I\u3000realize\u3000I\u3000should\u3000have\u3000called\u3000the\u3000French\u3000authorities\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I’m\u3000a\u3000snob\u3000and\u3000do\u3000not\u3000trust\u3000those\u3000laissez\u2026faire\u3000French\u3000to\u3000prosecute\u3000properly\u3002\u3000This\u3000man\u3000almost\u3000murdered\u3000me\u3002\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000I\u3000made\u3000a\u3000rash\u3000decision\u3000forcing\u3000my\u3000manservant\u3000to\u3000help\u3000me\u3000bring\u3000him\u3000to\u3000England\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000was\u3000under\u3000great\u3000stress\u3002\u3000Mea\u3000culpa\u3002\u3000Mea\u3000culpa\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000looked\u3000incredulous\u3002\u3000\u3003ing\u3000from\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Leigh\uff1b\u3000that\u3000just\u3000might\u3000fly\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Sir\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000pilot\u3000called\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000tower\u3000just\u3000radioed\u3002\u3000They’ve\u3000got\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000maintenance\u3000problem\u3000out\u3000near\u3000your\u3000hangar\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they’re\u3000asking\u3000me\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000the\u3000plane\u3000directly\u3000to\u3000the\u3000terminal\u3000instead\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000had\u3000been\u3000flying\u3000to\u3000Biggin\u3000Hill\u3000for\u3000over\u3000a\u3000decade\uff1b\u3000and\u3000this\u3000was\u3000a\u3000first\u3002\u3000\u3003Did\u3000they\u3000mention\u3000what\u3000the\u3000problem\u3000is\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000controller\u3000was\u3000vague\u3002\u3000Something\u3000about\u3000a\u3000gas\u3000leak\u3000at\u3000the\u3000pumping\u3000station\uff1f\u3000They\u3000asked\u3000me\u3000to\u3000park\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000terminal\u3000and\u3000keep\u3000everyone\u3000onboard\u3000until\u3000further\u3000notice\u3002\u3000Safety\u3000precaution\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000not\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000deplane\u3000until\u3000we\u3000get\u3000the\u3000all\u3000clear\u3000from\u3000airport\u3000authorities\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000was\u3000skeptical\u3002\u3000Must\u3000be\u3000one\u3000hell\u3000of\u3000a\u3000gas\u3000leak\u3002\u3000The\u3000pumping\u3000station\u3000was\u3000a\u3000good\u3000half\u3000mile\u3000from\u3000his\u3000hangar\u3002
\nR\u00e9my\u3000also\u3000looked\u3000concerned\u3002\u3000\u3003Sir\uff1b\u3000this\u3000sounds\u3000highly\u3000irregular\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000an\u3000unpleasant\u3000suspicion\u3000that\u3000we\u3000are\u3000about\u3000to\u3000be\u3000met\u3000by\u3000a\u3000weling\u3000mittee\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000bleak\u3000sigh\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000guess\u3000Fache\u3000still\u3000thinks\u3000I’m\u3000his\u3000man\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Either\u3000that\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003or\u3000he\u3000is\u3000too\u3000deep\u3000into\u3000this\u3000to\u3000admit\u3000his\u3000error\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000was\u3000not\u3000listening\u3002\u3000Regardless\u3000of\u3000Fache’s\u3000mind\u2026set\uff1b\u3000action\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000taken\u3000fast\u3002\u3000Don’t\u3000lose\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ultimate\u3000goal\u3002\u3000The\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000so\u3000dose\u3002\u3000Below\u3000them\uff1b\u3000the\u3000landing\u3000gear\u3000descended\u3000with\u3000a\u3000clunk\u3002
\n\u3003Leigh\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000sounding\u3000deeply\u3000remorseful\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000should\u3000turn\u3000myself\u3000in\u3000and\u3000sort\u3000this\u3000out\u3000legally\u3002\u3000Leave\u3000you\u3000all\u3000out\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000heavens\uff1b\u3000Robert\uff01\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000waved\u3000it\u3000off\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000really\u3000think\u3000they’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000let\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000us\u3000go\uff1f\u3000I\u3000just\u3000transported\u3000you\u3000illegally\u3002\u3000Miss\u3000Neveu\u3000assisted\u3000in\u3000your\u3000escape\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Louvre\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000have\u3000a\u3000man\u3000tied\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plane\u3002\u3000Really\u3000now\uff01\u3000We’re\u3000all\u3000in\u3000this\u3000together\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Maybe\u3000a\u3000different\u3000airport\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000we\u3000pull\u3000up\u3000now\uff1b\u3000by\u3000the\u3000time\u3000we\u3000get\u3000clearance\u3000anywhere\u3000else\uff1b\u3000our\u3000weling\u3000party\u3000will\u3000include\u3000army\u3000tanks\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000slumped\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000sensed\u3000that\u3000if\u3000they\u3000were\u3000to\u3000have\u3000any\u3000chance\u3000of\u3000postponing\u3000confrontation\u3000with\u3000the\u3000British\u3000authorities\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000bold\u3000action\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000taken\u3002\u3000\u3003Give\u3000me\u3000a\u3000minute\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000hobbling\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000cockpit\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000are\u3000you\u3000doing\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003Sales\u3000meeting\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000how\u3000much\u3000it\u3000would\u3000cost\u3000him\u3000to\u3000persuade\u3000his\u3000pilot\u3000to\u3000perform\u3000one\u3000highly\u3000irregular\u3000maneuver\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300081
\n
\nThe\u3000Hawker\u3000is\u3000on\u3000final\u3000approach\u3002
\nSimon\u3000Edwards\u2014Executive\u3000Services\u3000Officer\u3000at\u3000Biggin\u3000Hill\u3000Airport\u2014paced\u3000the\u3000control\u3000tower\uff1b\u3000squinting\u3000nervously\u3000at\u3000the\u3000rain\u2026drenched\u3000runway\u3002\u3000He\u3000never\u3000appreciated\u3000being\u3000awoken\u3000early\u3000on\u3000a\u3000Saturday\u3000morning\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000particularly\u3000distasteful\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000called\u3000in\u3000to\u3000oversee\u3000the\u3000arrest\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000most\u3000lucrative\u3000clients\u3002\u3000Sir\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000paid\u3000Biggin\u3000Hill\u3000not\u3000only\u3000for\u3000a\u3000private\u3000hangar\u3000but\u3000a\u3000\u3003per\u3000landing\u3000fee\u3003\u3000for\u3000his\u3000frequent\u3000arrivals\u3000and\u3000departures\u3002\u3000Usually\uff1b\u3000the\u3000airfield\u3000had\u3000advance\u3000warning\u3000of\u3000his\u3000schedule\u3000and\u3000was\u3000able\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000a\u3000strict\u3000protocol\u3000for\u3000his\u3000arrival\u3002\u3000Teabing\u3000liked\u3000things\u3000just\u3000so\u3002\u3000The\u3000custom\u2026built\u3000Jaguar\u3000stretch\u3000limousine\u3000that\u3000he\u3000kept\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hangar\u3000was\u3000to\u3000be\u3000fully\u3000gassed\uff1b\u3000polished\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000day’s\u3000London\u3000Times\u3000laid\u3000out\u3000on\u3000the\u3000back\u3000seat\u3002\u3000A\u3000customs\u3000official\u3000was\u3000to\u3000be\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000the\u3000plane\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hangar\u3000to\u3000expedite\u3000the\u3000mandatory\u3000documentation\u3000and\u3000luggage\u3000check\u3002\u3000Occasionally\uff1b\u3000customs\u3000agents\u3000accepted\u3000large\u3000tips\u3000from\u3000Teabing\u3000in\u3000exchange\u3000for\u3000turning\u3000a\u3000blind\u3000eye\u3000to\u3000the\u3000transport\u3000of\u3000harmless\u3000organics\u2014mostly\u3000luxury\u3000foods\u2014French\u3000escargots\uff1b\u3000a\u3000particularly\u3000ripe\u3000unprocessed\u3000Roquefort\uff1b\u3000certain\u3000fruits\u3002\u3000Many\u3000customs\u3000laws\u3000were\u3000absurd\uff1b\u3000anyway\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000Biggin\u3000Hill\u3000didn’t\u3000acmodate\u3000its\u3000clients\uff1b\u3000certainly\u3000peting\u3000airfields\u3000would\u3002\u3000Teabing\u3000was\u3000provided\u3000with\u3000what\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000here\u3000at\u3000Biggin\u3000Hill\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000employees\u3000reaped\u3000the\u3000benefits\u3002
\nEdwards’s\u3000nerves\u3000felt\u3000frayed\u3000now\u3000as\u3000he\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000jet\u3000ing\u3000in\u3002\u3000He\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000Teabing’s\u3000penchant\u3000for\u3000spreading\u3000the\u3000wealth\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000him\u3000in\u3000trouble\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000the\u3000French\u3000authorities\u3000seemed\u3000very\u3000intent\u3000on\u3000containing\u3000him\u3002\u3000Edwards\u3000had\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000been\u3000told\u3000what\u3000the\u3000charges\u3000were\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000were\u3000obviously\u3000serious\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000French\u3000authorities’\u3000request\uff1b\u3000Kent\u3000police\u3000had\u3000ordered\u3000the\u3000Biggin\u3000Hill\u3000air\u3000traffic\u3000controller\u3000to\u3000radio\u3000the\u3000Hawker’s\u3000pilot\u3000and\u3000order\u3000him\u3000directly\u3000to\u3000the\u3000terminal\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000to\u3000the\u3000client’s\u3000hangar\u3002\u3000The\u3000pilot\u3000had\u3000agreed\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000believing\u3000the\u3000far\u2026fetched\u3000story\u3000of\u3000a\u3000gas\u3000leak\u3002
\nThough\u3000the\u3000British\u3000police\u3000did\u3000not\u3000generally\u3000carry\u3000weapons\uff1b\u3000the\u3000gravity\u3000of\u3000the\u3000situation\u3000had\u3000brought\u3000out\u3000an\u3000armed\u3000response\u3000team\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000eight\u3000policemen\u3000with\u3000handguns\u3000stood\u3000just\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000terminal\u3000building\uff1b\u3000awaiting\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000when\u3000the\u3000plane’s\u3000engines\u3000powered\u3000down\u3002\u3000The\u3000instant\u3000this\u3000happened\uff1b\u3000a\u3000runway\u3000attendant\u3000would\u3000place\u3000safety\u3000wedges\u3000under\u3000the\u3000tires\u3000so\u3000the\u3000plane\u3000could\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000move\u3002\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000police\u3000would\u3000step\u3000into\u3000view\u3000and\u3000hold\u3000the\u3000occupants\u3000at\u3000bay\u3000until\u3000the\u3000French\u3000police\u3000arrived\u3000to\u3000handle\u3000the\u3000situation\u3002
\nThe\u3000Hawker\u3000was\u3000low\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000now\uff1b\u3000skimming\u3000the\u3000treetops\u3000to\u3000their\u3000right\u3002\u3000Simon\u3000Edwards\u3000went\u3000downstairs\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000the\u3000landing\u3000from\u3000tarmac\u3000level\u3002\u3000The\u3000Kent\u3000police\u3000were\u3000poised\uff1b\u3000just\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000maintenance\u3000man\u3000waited\u3000with\u3000his\u3000wedges\u3002\u3000Out\u3000on\u3000the\u3000runway\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Hawker’s\u3000nose\u3000tipped\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000tires\u3000touched\u3000down\u3000in\u3000a\u3000puff\u3000of\u3000smoke\u3002\u3000The\u3000plane\u3000settled\u3000in\u3000for\u3000deceleration\uff1b\u3000streaking\u3000from\u3000right\u3000to\u3000left\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000terminal\uff1b\u3000its\u3000white\u3000hull\u3000glistening\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wet\u3000weather\u3002\u3000But\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000braking\u3000and\u3000turning\u3000into\u3000the\u3000terminal\uff1b\u3000the\u3000jet\u3000coasted\u3000calmly\u3000past\u3000the\u3000access\u3000lane\u3000and\u3000continued\u3000on\u3000toward\u3000Teabing’s\u3000hangar\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distance\u3002
\nAll\u3000the\u3000police\u3000spun\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000Edwards\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000you\u3000said\u3000the\u3000pilot\u3000agreed\u3000to\u3000e\u3000to\u3000the\u3000terminal\uff01\u3003
\nEdwards\u3000was\u3000bewildered\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000did\uff01\u3003
\nSeconds\u3000later\uff1b\u3000Edwards\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000wedged\u3000in\u3000a\u3000police\u3000car\u3000racing\u3000across\u3000the\u3000tarmac\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000distant\u3000hangar\u3002\u3000The\u3000convoy\u3000of\u3000police\u3000was\u3000still\u3000a\u3000good\u3000five\u3000hundred\u3000yards\u3000away\u3000as\u3000Teabing’s\u3000Hawker\u3000taxied\u3000calmly\u3000into\u3000the\u3000private\u3000hangar\u3000and\u3000disappeared\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000cars\u3000finally\u3000arrived\u3000and\u3000skidded\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000gaping\u3000hangar\u3000door\uff1b\u3000the\u3000police\u3000poured\u3000out\uff1b\u3000guns\u3000drawn\u3002
\nEdwards\u3000jumped\u3000out\u3000too\u3002
\nThe\u3000noise\u3000was\u3000deafening\u3002
\nThe\u3000Hawker’s\u3000engines\u3000were\u3000still\u3000roaring\u3000as\u3000the\u3000jet\u3000finished\u3000its\u3000usual\u3000rotation\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000hangar\uff1b\u3000positioning\u3000itself\u3000nose\u2026out\u3000in\u3000preparation\u3000for\u3000later\u3000departure\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000plane\u3000pleted\u3000its\u3000180\u2026degree\u3000turn\u3000and\u3000rolled\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hangar\uff1b\u3000Edwards\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000pilot’s\u3000face\uff1b\u3000which\u3000understandably\u3000looked\u3000surprised\u3000and\u3000fearful\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000barricade\u3000of\u3000police\u3000cars\u3002
\nThe\u3000pilot\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000plane\u3000to\u3000a\u3000final\u3000stop\uff1b\u3000and\u3000powered\u3000down\u3000the\u3000engines\u3002\u3000The\u3000police\u3000streamed\u3000in\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000up\u3000positions\u3000around\u3000the\u3000jet\u3002\u3000Edwards\u3000joined\u3000the\u3000Kent\u3000chief\u3000inspector\uff1b\u3000who\u3000moved\u3000warily\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000hatch\u3002\u3000After\u3000several\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fuselage\u3000door\u3000popped\u3000open\u3002
\nLeigh\u3000Teabing\u3000appeared\u3000in\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3000as\u3000the\u3000plane’s\u3000electronic\u3000stairs\u3000smoothly\u3000dropped\u3000down\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000gazed\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sea\u3000of\u3000weapons\u3000aimed\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000propped\u3000himself\u3000on\u3000his\u3000crutches\u3000and\u3000scratched\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Simon\uff1b\u3000did\u3000I\u3000win\u3000the\u3000policemen’s\u3000lottery\u3000while\u3000I\u3000was\u3000away\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000sounded\u3000more\u3000bewildered\u3000than\u3000concerned\u3002
\nSimon\u3000Edwards\u3000stepped\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000swallowing\u3000the\u3000frog\u3000in\u3000his\u3000throat\u3002\u3000\u3003Good\u3000morning\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000I\u3000apologize\u3000for\u3000the\u3000confusion\u3002\u3000We’ve\u3000had\u3000a\u3000gas\u3000leak\u3000and\u3000your\u3000pilot\u3000said\u3000he\u3000was\u3000ing\u3000to\u3000the\u3000terminal\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000yes\uff1b\u3000well\uff1b\u3000I\u3000told\u3000him\u3000to\u3000e\u3000here\u3000instead\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000late\u3000for\u3000an\u3000appointment\u3002\u3000I\u3000pay\u3000for\u3000this\u3000hangar\uff1b\u3000and\u3000this\u3000rubbish\u3000about\u3000avoiding\u3000a\u3000gas\u3000leak\u3000sounded\u3000overcautious\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000afraid\u3000your\u3000arrival\u3000has\u3000taken\u3000us\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000off\u3000guard\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000know\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000off\u3000my\u3000schedule\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3002\u3000Between\u3000you\u3000and\u3000me\uff1b\u3000the\u3000new\u3000medication\u3000gives\u3000me\u3000the\u3000tinkles\u3002\u3000Thought\u3000I’d\u3000e\u3000over\u3000for\u3000a\u3000tune\u2026up\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000policemen\u3000all\u3000exchanged\u3000looks\u3002\u3000Edwards\u3000winced\u3002\u3000\u3003Very\u3000good\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Sir\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Kent\u3000chief\u3000inspector\u3000said\uff1b\u3000stepping\u3000forward\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000you\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000onboard\u3000for\u3000another\u3000half\u3000hour\u3000or\u3000so\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000looked\u3000unamused\u3000as\u3000he\u3000hobbled\u3000down\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3002\u3000\u3003 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003Sir\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Kent\u3000chief\u3000inspector\u3000said\uff1b\u3000stepping\u3000forward\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000you\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000onboard\u3000for\u3000another\u3000half\u3000hour\u3000or\u3000so\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000looked\u3000unamused\u3000as\u3000he\u3000hobbled\u3000down\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000afraid\u3000that\u3000is\u3000impossible\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000medical\u3000appointment\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000tarmac\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000cannot\u3000afford\u3000to\u3000miss\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000chief\u3000inspector\u3000repositioned\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000block\u3000Teabing’s\u3000progress\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000plane\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000here\u3000at\u3000the\u3000orders\u3000of\u3000the\u3000French\u3000Judicial\u3000Police\u3002\u3000They\u3000claim\u3000you\u3000are\u3000transporting\u3000fugitives\u3000from\u3000the\u3000law\u3000on\u3000this\u3000plane\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000chief\u3000inspector\u3000a\u3000long\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000burst\u3000out\u3000laughing\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000this\u3000one\u3000of\u3000those\u3000hidden\u3000camera\u3000programs\uff1f\u3000Jolly\u3000good\uff01\u3003
\nThe\u3000chief\u3000inspector\u3000never\u3000flinched\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000serious\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000The\u3000French\u3000police\u3000claim\u3000you\u3000also\u3000may\u3000have\u3000a\u3000hostage\u3000onboard\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing’s\u3000manservant\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000appeared\u3000in\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000feel\u3000like\u3000a\u3000hostage\u3000working\u3000for\u3000Sir\u3000Leigh\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000assures\u3000me\u3000I\u3000am\u3000free\u3000to\u3000go\u3002\u3003\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000checked\u3000his\u3000watch\u3002\u3000\u3003Master\uff1b\u3000we\u3000really\u3000are\u3000running\u3000late\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000nodded\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000Jaguar\u3000stretch\u3000limousine\u3000in\u3000the\u3000far\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hangar\u3002\u3000The\u3000enormous\u3000automobile\u3000was\u3000ebony\u3000with\u3000smoked\u3000glass\u3000and\u3000whitewall\u3000tires\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000bring\u3000the\u3000car\u3002\u3003\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000started\u3000down\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3002
\n\u3003I’m\u3000afraid\u3000we\u3000cannot\u3000let\u3000you\u3000leave\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000chief\u3000inspector\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\u3000return\u3000to\u3000your\u3000aircraft\u3002\u3000Both\u3000of\u3000you\u3002\u3000Representatives\u3000from\u3000the\u3000French\u3000police\u3000will\u3000be\u3000landing\u3000shortly\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000looked\u3000now\u3000toward\u3000Simon\u3000Edwards\u3002\u3000\u3003Simon\uff1b\u3000for\u3000heaven’s\u3000sake\uff1b\u3000this\u3000is\u3000ridiculous\uff01\u3000We\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000anyone\u3000else\u3000on\u3000board\u3002\u3000Just\u3000the\u3000usual\u2014R\u00e9my\uff1b\u3000our\u3000pilot\uff1b\u3000and\u3000myself\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000you\u3000could\u3000act\u3000as\u3000an\u3000intermediary\uff1f\u3000Go\u3000have\u3000a\u3000look\u3000onboard\uff1b\u3000and\u3000verify\u3000that\u3000the\u3000plane\u3000is\u3000empty\u3002\u3003
\nEdwards\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000was\u3000trapped\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u3000have\u3000a\u3000look\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000devil\u3000you\u3000will\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000Kent\u3000chief\u3000inspector\u3000declared\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000knowing\u3000enough\u3000about\u3000executive\u3000airfields\u3000to\u3000suspect\u3000Simon\u3000Edwards\u3000might\u3000well\u3000lie\u3000about\u3000the\u3000plane’s\u3000occupants\u3000in\u3000an\u3000effort\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000Teabing’s\u3000business\u3000at\u3000Biggin\u3000Hill\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000look\u3000myself\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3000you\u3000won’t\uff1b\u3000Inspector\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000private\u3000property\u3000and\u3000until\u3000you\u3000have\u3000a\u3000search\u3000warrant\uff1b\u3000you\u3000will\u3000stay\u3000off\u3000my\u3000plane\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000offering\u3000you\u3000a\u3000reasonable\u3000option\u3000here\u3002\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Edwards\u3000can\u3000perform\u3000the\u3000inspection\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3000deal\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing’s\u3000demeanor\u3000turned\u3000frosty\u3002\u3000\u3003Inspector\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000afraid\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000time\u3000to\u3000indulge\u3000in\u3000your\u3000games\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000late\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’m\u3000leaving\u3002\u3000If\u3000it\u3000is\u3000that\u3000important\u3000to\u3000you\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000me\uff1b\u3000you’ll\u3000just\u3000have\u3000to\u3000shoot\u3000me\u3002\u3003\u3000With\u3000that\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000and\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000walked\u3000around\u3000the\u3000chief\u3000inspector\u3000and\u3000headed\u3000across\u3000the\u3000hangar\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000parked\u3000limousine\u3002
\n\u3000
\nThe\u3000Kent\u3000chief\u3000inspector\u3000felt\u3000only\u3000distaste\u3000for\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000as\u3000the\u3000man\u3000hobbled\u3000around\u3000him\u3000in\u3000defiance\u3002\u3000Men\u3000of\u3000privilege\u3000always\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000they\u3000were\u3000above\u3000the\u3000law\u3002
\nThey\u3000are\u3000not\u3002\u3000The\u3000chief\u3000inspector\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000aimed\u3000at\u3000Teabing’s\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003Stop\uff01\u3000I\u3000will\u3000fire\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003Go\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3000without\u3000breaking\u3000stride\u3000or\u3000glancing\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000lawyers\u3000will\u3000fricassee\u3000your\u3000testicles\u3000for\u3000breakfast\u3002\u3000And\u3000if\u3000you\u3000dare\u3000board\u3000my\u3000plane\u3000without\u3000a\u3000warrant\uff1b\u3000your\u3000spleen\u3000will\u3000follow\u3002\u3003
\nNo\u3000stranger\u3000to\u3000power\u3000plays\uff1b\u3000the\u3000chief\u3000inspector\u3000was\u3000unimpressed\u3002\u3000Technically\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000was\u3000correct\u3000and\u3000the\u3000police\u3000needed\u3000a\u3000warrant\u3000to\u3000board\u3000his\u3000jet\uff1b\u3000but\u3000because\u3000the\u3000flight\u3000had\u3000originated\u3000in\u3000France\uff1b\u3000and\u3000because\u3000the\u3000powerful\u3000Bezu\u3000Fache\u3000had\u3000given\u3000his\u3000authority\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Kent\u3000chief\u3000inspector\u3000felt\u3000certain\u3000his\u3000career\u3000would\u3000be\u3000far\u3000better\u3000served\u3000by\u3000finding\u3000out\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\u3000on\u3000this\u3000plane\u3000that\u3000Teabing\u3000seemed\u3000so\u3000intent\u3000on\u3000hiding\u3002
\n\u3003Stop\u3000them\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000inspector\u3000ordered\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000searching\u3000the\u3000plane\u3002\u3003
\nHis\u3000men\u3000raced\u3000over\uff1b\u3000guns\u3000leveled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000physically\u3000blocked\u3000Teabing\u3000and\u3000his\u3000servant\u3000from\u3000reaching\u3000the\u3000limousine\u3002
\nNow\u3000Teabing\u3000turned\u3002\u3000\u3003Inspector\uff1b\u3000this\u3000is\u3000your\u3000last\u3000warning\u3002\u3000Do\u3000not\u3000even\u3000think\u3000of\u3000boarding\u3000that\u3000plane\u3002\u3000You\u3000will\u3000regret\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nIgnoring\u3000the\u3000threat\uff1b\u3000the\u3000chief\u3000inspector\u3000gripped\u3000his\u3000sidearm\u3000and\u3000marched\u3000up\u3000the\u3000plane’s\u3000gangway\u3002\u3000Arriving\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hatch\uff1b\u3000he\u3000peered\u3000inside\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stepped\u3000into\u3000the\u3000cabin\u3002\u3000What\u3000the\u3000devil\uff1f
\nWith\u3000the\u3000exception\u3000of\u3000the\u3000frightened\u2026looking\u3000pilot\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cockpit\uff1b\u3000the\u3000aircraft\u3000was\u3000empty\u3002\u3000Entirely\u3000devoid\u3000of\u3000human\u3000life\u3002\u3000Quickly\u3000checking\u3000the\u3000bathroom\uff1b\u3000the\u3000chairs\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000luggage\u3000areas\uff1b\u3000the\u3000inspector\u3000found\u3000no\u3000traces\u3000of\u3000anyone\u3000hiding\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000much\u3000less\u3000multiple\u3000individuals\u3002
\nWhat\u3000the\u3000hell\u3000was\u3000Bezu\u3000Fache\u3000thinking\uff1f\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000been\u3000telling\u3000the\u3000truth\u3002
\nThe\u3000Kent\u3000chief\u3000inspector\u3000stood\u3000alone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000deserted\u3000cabin\u3000and\u3000swallowed\u3000hard\u3002\u3000Shit\u3002\u3000His\u3000face\u3000flushed\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stepped\u3000back\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000gangway\uff1b\u3000gazing\u3000across\u3000the\u3000hangar\u3000at\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000and\u3000his\u3000servant\uff1b\u3000who\u3000were\u3000now\u3000under\u3000gunpoint\u3000near\u3000the\u3000limousine\u3002\u3000\u3003Let\u3000them\u3000go\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000inspector\u3000ordered\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000received\u3000a\u3000bad\u3000tip\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing’s\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000menacing\u3000even\u3000across\u3000the\u3000hangar\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000can\u3000expect\u3000a\u3000call\u3000from\u3000my\u3000lawyers\u3002\u3000And\u3000for\u3000future\u3000reference\uff1b\u3000the\u3000French\u3000police\u3000cannot\u3000be\u3000trusted\u3002\u3003
\nWith\u3000that\uff1b\u3000Teabing’s\u3000manservant\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000door\u3000at\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stretch\u3000limousine\u3000and\u3000helped\u3000his\u3000crippled\u3000master\u3000into\u3000the\u3000back\u3000seat\u3002\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000servant\u3000walked\u3000the\u3000length\u3000of\u3000the\u3000car\uff1b\u3000climbed\u3000in\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000wheel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000gunned\u3000the\u3000engine\u3002\u3000Policemen\u3000scattered\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Jaguar\u3000peeled\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hangar\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3003Well\u3000played\uff1b\u3000my\u3000good\u3000man\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000chimed\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000seat\u3000as\u3000the\u3000limousine\u3000accelerated\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000airport\u3002\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000now\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dimly\u3000lit\u3000front\u3000recesses\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spacious\u3000interior\u3002\u3000\u3003Everyone\u3000fy\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000weak\u3000nod\u3002\u3000He\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000were\u3000still\u3000crouched\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000bound\u3000and\u3000gagged\u3000albino\u3002
\nMoments\u3000earlier\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Hawker\u3000taxied\u3000into\u3000the\u3000deserted\u3000hangar\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000had\u3000popped\u3000the\u3000hatch\u3000as\u3000the\u3000plane\u3000jolted\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\u3000halfway\u3000through\u3000its\u3000turn\u3002\u3000With\u3000the\u3000police\u3000closing\u3000in\u3000fast\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000dragged\u3000the\u3000monk\u3000down\u3000the\u3000gangway\u3000to\u3000ground\u3000level\u3000and\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000limousine\u3002\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000jet\u3000engines\u3000had\u3000roared\u3000again\uff1b\u3000rotating\u3000the\u3000plane\u3000and\u3000pleting\u3000its\u3000turn\u3000as\u3000the\u3000police\u3000cars\u3000came\u3000skidding\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hangar\u3002
\nNow\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000limousine\u3000raced\u3000toward\u3000Kent\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000clambered\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000limo’s\u3000long\u3000interior\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000monk\u3000bound\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000They\u3000settled\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000long\u3000seat\u3000facing\u3000Teabing\u3002\u3000The\u3000Brit\u3000gave\u3000them\u3000both\u3000a\u3000roguish\u3000smile\u3000and\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000cabinet\u3000on\u3000the\u3000limo’s\u3000bar\u3002\u3000\u3003Could\u3000I\u3000offer\u3000you\u3000a\u3000drink\uff1f\u3000Some\u3000nibblies\uff1f\u3000Crisps\uff1f\u3000Nuts\uff1f\u3000Seltzer\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000both\u3000shook\u3000their\u3000heads\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000grinned\u3000and\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000bar\u3002\u3000\u3003So\u3000then\uff1b\u3000about\u3000this\u3000knight’s\u3000tomb\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300082
\n
\n\u3003Fleet\u3000Street\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000Teabing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000limo\u3002\u3000There’s\u3000a\u3000crypt\u3000on\u3000Fleet\u3000Street\uff1f\u3000So\u3000far\uff1b\u3000Leigh\u3000was\u3000being\u3000playfully\u3000cagey\u3000about\u3000where\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000they\u3000would\u3000find\u3000the\u3000\u3003knight’s\u3000tomb\uff1b\u3003\u3000which\uff1b\u3000according\u3000to\u3000the\u3000poem\uff1b\u3000would\u3000provide\u3000the\u3000password\u3000for\u3000opening\u3000the\u3000smaller\u3000cryptex\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000grinned\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003Miss\u3000Neveu\uff1b\u3000give\u3000the\u3000Harvard\u3000boy\u3000one\u3000more\u3000shot\u3000at\u3000the\u3000verse\uff1b\u3000will\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000fished\u3000in\u3000her\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000the\u3000black\u3000cryptex\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000wrapped\u3000in\u3000the\u3000vellum\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000had\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000rosewood\u3000box\u3000and\u3000larger\u3000cryptex\u3000behind\u3000in\u3000the\u3000plane’s\u3000strongbox\uff1b\u3000carrying\u3000with\u3000them\u3000only\u3000what\u3000they\u3000needed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000far\u3000more\u3000portable\u3000and\u3000discreet\u3000black\u3000cryptex\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000unwrapped\u3000the\u3000vellum\u3000and\u3000handed\u3000the\u3000sheet\u3000to\u3000Langdon\u3002
\nAlthough\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000read\u3000the\u3000poem\u3000several\u3000times\u3000onboard\u3000the\u3000jet\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000extract\u3000any\u3000specific\u3000location\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000read\u3000the\u3000words\u3000again\uff1b\u3000he\u3000processed\u3000them\u3000slowly\u3000and\u3000carefully\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000the\u3000pentametric\u3000rhythms\u3000would\u3000reveal\u3000a\u3000clearer\u3000meaning\u3000now\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002
\nIn\u3000London\u3000lies\u3000a\u3000knight\u3000a\u3000Pope\u3000interred\u3002
\nHis\u3000labor’s\u3000fruit\u3000a\u3000Holy\u3000wrath\u3000incurred\u3002
\nYou\u3000seek\u3000the\u3000orb\u3000that\u3000ought\u3000be\u3000on\u3000his\u3000tomb\u3002
\nIt\u3000speaks\u3000of\u3000Rosy\u3000flesh\u3000and\u3000seeded\u3000womb\u3002
\n\u3000
\nThe\u3000language\u3000seemed\u3000simple\u3000enough\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000knight\u3000buried\u3000in\u3000London\u3002\u3000A\u3000knight\u3000who\u3000labored\u3000at\u3000something\u3000that\u3000angered\u3000the\u3000Church\u3002\u3000A\u3000knight\u3000whose\u3000tomb\u3000was\u3000missing\u3000an\u3000orb\u3000that\u3000should\u3000be\u3000present\u3002\u3000The\u3000poem’s\u3000final\u3000reference\u2014Rosy\u3000flesh\u3000and\u3000seeded\u3000womb\u2014was\u3000a\u3000clear\u3000allusion\u3000to\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3000who\u3000bore\u3000the\u3000seed\u3000of\u3000Jesus\u3002
\nDespite\u3000the\u3000apparent\u3000straightforwardness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000verse\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000still\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000who\u3000this\u3000knight\u3000was\u3000or\u3000where\u3000he\u3000was\u3000buried\u3002\u3000Moreover\uff1b\u3000once\u3000they\u3000located\u3000the\u3000tomb\uff1b\u3000it\u3000sounded\u3000as\u3000if\u3000they\u3000would\u3000be\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000something\u3000that\u3000was\u3000absent\u3002\u3000The\u3000orb\u3000that\u3000ought\u3000be\u3000on\u3000his\u3000tomb\uff1f
\n\u3003No\u3000thoughts\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000clucked\u3000in\u3000disappointment\uff1b\u3000although\u3000Langdon\u3000sensed\u3000the\u3000Royal\u3000Historian\u3000was\u3000enjoying\u3000being\u3000one\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003Miss\u3000Neveu\uff1f\u3003
\nShe\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000would\u3000you\u3000two\u3000do\u3000without\u3000me\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Very\u3000well\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000walk\u3000you\u3000through\u3000it\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000quite\u3000simple\u3000really\u3002\u3000The\u3000first\u3000line\u3000is\u3000the\u3000key\u3002\u3000Would\u3000you\u3000read\u3000it\u3000please\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000read\u3000aloud\u3002\u3000\u3003\u3000’In\u3000London\u3000lies\u3000a\u3000knight\u3000a\u3000Pope\u3000interred\u3002’\u3000\u3003
\n\u3003Precisely\u3002\u3000A\u3000knight\u3000a\u3000Pope\u3000interred\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000eyed\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000does\u3000that\u3000mean\u3000to\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000knight\u3000buried\u3000by\u3000a\u3000Pope\uff1f\u3000A\u3000knight\u3000whose\u3000funeral\u3000was\u3000presided\u3000over\u3000by\u3000a\u3000Pope\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000laughed\u3000loudly\u3002\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000rich\u3002\u3000Always\u3000the\u3000optimist\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3002\u3000Look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000second\u3000line\u3002\u3000This\u3000knight\u3000obviously\u3000did\u3000something\u3000that\u3000incurred\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000wrath\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Church\u3002\u3000Think\u3000again\u3002\u3000Consider\u3000the\u3000dynamic\u3000between\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\u3002\u3000A\u3000knight\u3000a\u3000Pope\u3000interred\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003A\u3000knight\u3000a\u3000Pope\u3000killed\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000patted\u3000her\u3000knee\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\u3000done\uff1b\u3000my\u3000dear\u3002\u3000A\u3000knight\u3000a\u3000Pope\u3000buried\u3002\u3000Or\u3000killed\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000the\u3000notorious\u3000Templar\u3000round\u2026up\u3000in\u30001307\u2014unlucky\u3000Friday\u3000the\u3000thirteenth\u2014when\u3000Pope\u3000Clement\u3000killed\u3000and\u3000interred\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000there\u3000must\u3000be\u3000endless\u3000graves\u3000of\u3000’knights\u3000killed\u3000by\u3000Popes\u3002’\u3000\u3003
\n\u3003Aha\uff1b\u3000not\u3000so\uff01\u3000\u3003Teabin \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\n\u3003Aha\uff1b\u3000not\u3000so\uff01\u3000\u3003Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Many\u3000of\u3000them\u3000were\u3000burned\u3000at\u3000the\u3000stake\u3000and\u3000tossed\u3000unceremoniously\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Tiber\u3000River\u3002\u3000But\u3000this\u3000poem\u3000refers\u3000to\u3000a\u3000tomb\u3002\u3000A\u3000tomb\u3000in\u3000London\u3002\u3000And\u3000there\u3000are\u3000few\u3000knights\u3000buried\u3000in\u3000London\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000Langdon\u3000as\u3000if\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000light\u3000to\u3000dawn\u3002\u3000Finally\u3000he\u3000huffed\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000for\u3000heaven’s\u3000sake\uff01\u3000The\u3000church\u3000built\u3000in\u3000London\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Priory’s\u3000military\u3000arm\u2014the\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\u3000themselves\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000Temple\u3000Church\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000startled\u3000breath\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000has\u3000a\u3000crypt\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Ten\u3000of\u3000the\u3000most\u3000frightening\u3000tombs\u3000you\u3000will\u3000ever\u3000see\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000never\u3000actually\u3000visited\u3000the\u3000Temple\u3000Church\uff1b\u3000although\u3000he’d\u3000e\u3000across\u3000numerous\u3000references\u3000in\u3000his\u3000Priory\u3000research\u3002\u3000Once\u3000the\u3000epicenter\u3000of\u3000all\u3000Templar\/Priory\u3000activities\u3000in\u3000the\u3000United\u3000Kingdom\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Temple\u3000Church\u3000had\u3000been\u3000so\u3000named\u3000in\u3000honor\u3000of\u3000Solomon’s\u3000Temple\uff1b\u3000from\u3000which\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\u3000had\u3000extracted\u3000their\u3000own\u3000title\uff1b\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3000that\u3000gave\u3000them\u3000all\u3000their\u3000influence\u3000in\u3000Rome\u3002\u3000Tales\u3000abounded\u3000of\u3000knights\u3000performing\u3000strange\uff1b\u3000secretive\u3000rituals\u3000within\u3000the\u3000Temple\u3000Church’s\u3000unusual\u3000sanctuary\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Temple\u3000Church\u3000is\u3000on\u3000Fleet\u3000Street\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Actually\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000just\u3000off\u3000Fleet\u3000Street\u3000on\u3000Inner\u3000Temple\u3000Lane\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000looked\u3000mischievous\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000see\u3000you\u3000sweat\u3000a\u3000little\u3000more\u3000before\u3000I\u3000gave\u3000it\u3000away\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Thanks\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Neither\u3000of\u3000you\u3000has\u3000ever\u3000been\u3000there\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000shook\u3000their\u3000heads\u3002
\n\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000surprised\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000church\u3000is\u3000hidden\u3000now\u3000behind\u3000much\u3000larger\u3000buildings\u3002\u3000Few\u3000people\u3000even\u3000know\u3000it’s\u3000there\u3002\u3000Eerie\u3000old\u3000place\u3002\u3000The\u3000architecture\u3000is\u3000pagan\u3000to\u3000the\u3000core\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000surprised\u3002\u3000\u3003Pagan\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Pantheonically\u3000pagan\uff01\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000exclaimed\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000church\u3000is\u3000round\u3002\u3000The\u3000Templars\u3000ignored\u3000the\u3000traditional\u3000Christian\u3000cruciform\u3000layout\u3000and\u3000built\u3000a\u3000perfectly\u3000circular\u3000church\u3000in\u3000honor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sun\u3002\u3003\u3000His\u3000eyebrows\u3000did\u3000a\u3000devilish\u3000dance\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000not\u3000so\u3000subtle\u3000howdy\u2026do\u3000to\u3000the\u3000boys\u3000in\u3000Rome\u3002\u3000They\u3000might\u3000as\u3000well\u3000have\u3000resurrected\u3000Stonehenge\u3000in\u3000downtown\u3000London\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000eyed\u3000Teabing\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000about\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000poem\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000historian’s\u3000mirthful\u3000air\u3000faded\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000sure\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000puzzling\u3002\u3000We\u3000will\u3000need\u3000to\u3000examine\u3000each\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ten\u3000tombs\u3000carefully\u3002\u3000With\u3000luck\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000will\u3000have\u3000a\u3000conspicuously\u3000absent\u3000orb\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000realized\u3000how\u3000close\u3000they\u3000really\u3000were\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000missing\u3000orb\u3000revealed\u3000the\u3000password\uff1b\u3000they\u3000would\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000open\u3000the\u3000second\u3000cryptex\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000a\u3000hard\u3000time\u3000imagining\u3000what\u3000they\u3000might\u3000find\u3000inside\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000eyed\u3000the\u3000poem\u3000again\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000like\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000primordial\u3000crossword\u3000puzzle\u3002\u3000A\u3000five\u2026letter\u3000word\u3000that\u3000speaks\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grail\uff1f\u3000On\u3000the\u3000plane\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000already\u3000tried\u3000all\u3000the\u3000obvious\u3000passwords\u2014GRAIL\uff1b\u3000GRAAL\uff1b\u3000GREAL\uff1b\u3000VENUS\uff1b\u3000MARIA\uff1b\u3000JESUS\uff1b\u3000SARAH\u2014but\u3000the\u3000cylinder\u3000had\u3000not\u3000budged\u3002\u3000Far\u3000too\u3000obvious\u3002\u3000Apparently\u3000there\u3000existed\u3000some\u3000other\u3000five\u2026letter\u3000reference\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Rose’s\u3000seeded\u3000womb\u3002\u3000The\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000the\u3000word\u3000was\u3000eluding\u3000a\u3000specialist\u3000like\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000signified\u3000to\u3000Langdon\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000no\u3000ordinary\u3000Grail\u3000reference\u3002
\n\u3003Sir\u3000Leigh\uff1f\u3003\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000called\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000watching\u3000them\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rearview\u3000mirror\u3000through\u3000the\u3000open\u3000divider\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000said\u3000Fleet\u3000Street\u3000is\u3000near\u3000Blackfriars\u3000Bridge\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000take\u3000Victoria\u3000Embankment\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000sure\u3000where\u3000that\u3000is\u3002\u3000We\u3000usually\u3000go\u3000only\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hospital\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000rolled\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000at\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000and\u3000grumbled\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000swear\uff1b\u3000sometimes\u3000it’s\u3000like\u3000baby\u2026sitting\u3000a\u3000child\u3002\u3000One\u3000moment\u3000please\u3002\u3000Help\u3000yourself\u3000to\u3000a\u3000drink\u3000and\u3000savory\u3000snacks\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000left\u3000them\uff1b\u3000clambering\u3000awkwardly\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000open\u3000divider\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000R\u00e9my\u3002
\nSophie\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Langdon\u3000now\uff1b\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000quiet\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000nobody\u3000knows\u3000you\u3000and\u3000I\u3000are\u3000in\u3000England\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000realized\u3000she\u3000was\u3000right\u3002\u3000The\u3000Kent\u3000police\u3000would\u3000tell\u3000Fache\u3000the\u3000plane\u3000was\u3000empty\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Fache\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000assume\u3000they\u3000were\u3000still\u3000in\u3000France\u3002\u3000We\u3000are\u3000invisible\u3002\u3000Leigh’s\u3000little\u3000stunt\u3000had\u3000just\u3000bought\u3000them\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000time\u3002
\n\u3003Fache\u3000will\u3000not\u3000give\u3000up\u3000easily\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000has\u3000too\u3000much\u3000riding\u3000on\u3000this\u3000arrest\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000been\u3000trying\u3000not\u3000to\u3000think\u3000about\u3000Fache\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000promised\u3000she\u3000would\u3000do\u3000everything\u3000in\u3000her\u3000power\u3000to\u3000exonerate\u3000Langdon\u3000once\u3000this\u3000was\u3000over\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000fear\u3000it\u3000might\u3000not\u3000matter\u3002\u3000Fache\u3000could\u3000easily\u3000be\u3000pan\u3000of\u3000this\u3000plot\u3002\u3000Although\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000not\u3000imagine\u3000the\u3000Judicial\u3000Police\u3000tangled\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000he\u3000sensed\u3000too\u3000much\u3000coincidence\u3000tonight\u3000to\u3000disregard\u3000Fache\u3000as\u3000a\u3000possible\u3000acplice\u3002\u3000Fache\u3000is\u3000religions\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000is\u3000intent\u3000on\u3000pinning\u3000these\u3000murders\u3000on\u3000me\u3002\u3000Then\u3000again\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000argued\u3000that\u3000Fache\u3000might\u3000simply\u3000be\u3000overzealous\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000arrest\u3002\u3000After\u3000all\uff1b\u3000the\u3000evidence\u3000against\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000substantial\u3002\u3000In\u3000addition\u3000to\u3000Langdon’s\u3000name\u3000scrawled\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3000floor\u3000and\u3000in\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000date\u3000book\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000now\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000have\u3000lied\u3000about\u3000his\u3000manuscript\u3000and\u3000then\u3000run\u3000away\u3002\u3000At\u3000Sophie’s\u3000suggestion\u3002
\n\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000sorry\u3000you’re\u3000so\u3000deeply\u3000involved\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000placing\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000his\u3000knee\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000I’m\u3000very\u3000glad\u3000you’re\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000ment\u3000sounded\u3000more\u3000pragmatic\u3000than\u3000romantic\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000an\u3000unexpected\u3000flicker\u3000of\u3000attraction\u3000between\u3000them\u3002\u3000He\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000a\u3000tired\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000more\u3000fun\u3000when\u3000I’ve\u3000slept\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000silent\u3000for\u3000several\u3000seconds\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000grandfather\u3000asked\u3000me\u3000to\u3000trust\u3000you\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000glad\u3000I\u3000listened\u3000to\u3000him\u3000for\u3000once\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Your\u3000grandfather\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000know\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000help\u3000but\u3000think\u3000you’ve\u3000done\u3000everything\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000wanted\u3002\u3000You\u3000helped\u3000me\u3000find\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3000explained\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\uff1b\u3000told\u3000me\u3000about\u3000the\u3000ritual\u3000in\u3000the\u3000basement\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003Somehow\u3000I\u3000feel\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3000tonight\u3000than\u3000I\u3000have\u3000in\u3000years\u3002\u3000I\u3000know\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000happy\u3000about\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\nIn\u3000the\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000now\uff1b\u3000the\u3000skyline\u3000of\u3000London\u3000began\u3000to\u3000materialize\u3000through\u3000the\u3000dawn\u3000drizzle\u3002\u3000Once\u3000dominated\u3000by\u3000Big\u3000Ben\u3000and\u3000Tower\u3000Bridge\uff1b\u3000the\u3000horizon\u3000now\u3000bowed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Millennium\u3000Eye\u2014a\u3000colossal\uff1b\u3000ultramodern\u3000Ferris\u3000wheel\u3000that\u3000climbed\u3000five\u3000hundred\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000afforded\u3000breathtaking\u3000views\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000attempted\u3000to\u3000board\u3000it\u3000once\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000\u3003viewing\u3000capsules\u3003\u3000reminded\u3000him\u3000of\u3000sealed\u3000sarcophagi\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000opted\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000enjoy\u3000the\u3000view\u3000from\u3000the\u3000airy\u3000banks\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Thames\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000squeeze\u3000on\u3000his\u3000knee\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000him\u3000back\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Sophie’s\u3000green\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000on\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000realized\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000speaking\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000we\u3000should\u3000do\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3000if\u3000we\u3000ever\u3000find\u3000them\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000I\u3000think\u3000is\u3000immaterial\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000grandfather\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\u3000should\u3000do\u3000with\u3000it\u3000what\u3000your\u3000instinct\u3000tells\u3000you\u3000he\u3000would\u3000want\u3000done\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000asking\u3000for\u3000your\u3000opinion\u3002\u3000You\u3000obviously\u3000wrote\u3000something\u3000in\u3000that\u3000manuscript\u3000that\u3000made\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3000trust\u3000your\u3000judgment\u3002\u3000He\u3000scheduled\u3000a\u3000private\u3000meeting\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000rare\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Maybe\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000I\u3000have\u3000it\u3000all\u3000wrong\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Why\u3000would\u3000he\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000to\u3000find\u3000you\u3000unless\u3000he\u3000liked\u3000your\u3000ideas\uff1f\u3000In\u3000your\u3000manuscript\uff1b\u3000did\u3000you\u3000support\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3000should\u3000be\u3000revealed\u3000or\u3000stay\u3000buried\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Neither\u3002\u3000I\u3000made\u3000no\u3000judgment\u3000either\u3000way\u3002\u3000The\u3000manuscript\u3000deals\u3000with\u3000the\u3000symbology\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u2014tracing\u3000her\u3000iconography\u3000throughout\u3000history\u3002\u3000I\u3000certainly\u3000didn’t\u3000presume\u3000to\u3000know\u3000where\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000hidden\u3000or\u3000whether\u3000it\u3000should\u3000ever\u3000be\u3000revealed\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000yet\u3000you’re\u3000writing\u3000a\u3000book\u3000about\u3000it\uff1b\u3000so\u3000you\u3000obviously\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000information\u3000should\u3000be\u3000shared\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003There’s\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000difference\u3000between\u3000hypothetically\u3000discussing\u3000an\u3000alternate\u3000history\u3000of\u3000Christ\uff1b\u3000and\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\u3002
\n\u3003And\u3000what\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000presenting\u3000to\u3000the\u3000world\u3000thousands\u3000of\u3000ancient\u3000documents\u3000as\u3000scientific\u3000evidence\u3000that\u3000the\u3000New\u3000Testament\u3000is\u3000false\u3000testimony\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000you\u3000told\u3000me\u3000the\u3000New\u3000Testament\u3000is\u3000based\u3000on\u3000fabrications\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003Sophie\uff1b\u3000every\u3000faith\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3000is\u3000based\u3000on\u3000fabrication\u3002\u3000That\u3000is\u3000the\u3000definition\u3000of\u3000faith\u2014acceptance\u3000of\u3000that\u3000which\u3000we\u3000imagine\u3000to\u3000be\u3000true\uff1b\u3000that\u3000which\u3000we\u3000cannot\u3000prove\u3002\u3000Every\u3000religion\u3000describes\u3000God\u3000through\u3000metaphor\uff1b\u3000allegory\uff1b\u3000and\u3000exaggeration\uff1b\u3000from\u3000the\u3000early\u3000Egyptians\u3000through\u3000modern\u3000Sunday\u3000school\u3002\u3000Metaphors\u3000are\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000help\u3000our\u3000minds\u3000process\u3000the\u3000unprocessible\u3002\u3000The\u3000problems\u3000arise\u3000when\u3000we\u3000begin\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000literally\u3000in\u3000our\u3000own\u3000metaphors\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003So\u3000you\u3000are\u3000in\u3000favor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3000staying\u3000buried\u3000forever\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000a\u3000historian\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000opposed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000destruction\u3000of\u3000documents\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000would\u3000love\u3000to\u3000see\u3000religious\u3000scholars\u3000have\u3000more\u3000information\u3000to\u3000ponder\u3000the\u3000exceptional\u3000life\u3000of\u3000Jesus\u3000Christ\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You’re\u3000arguing\u3000both\u3000sides\u3000of\u3000my\u3000question\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Am\u3000I\uff1f\u3000The\u3000Bible\u3000represents\u3000a\u3000fundamental\u3000guidepost\u3000for\u3000millions\u3000of\u3000people\u3000on\u3000the\u3000planet\uff1b\u3000in\u3000much\u3000the\u3000same\u3000way\u3000the\u3000Koran\uff1b\u3000Torah\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pali\u3000Canon\u3000offer\u3000guidance\u3000to\u3000people\u3000of\u3000other\u3000religions\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000and\u3000I\u3000could\u3000dig\u3000up\u3000documentation\u3000that\u3000contradicted\u3000the\u3000holy\u3000stories\u3000of\u3000Islamic\u3000belief\uff1b\u3000Judaic\u3000belief\uff1b\u3000Buddhist\u3000belief\uff1b\u3000pagan\u3000belief\uff1b\u3000should\u3000we\u3000do\u3000that\uff1f\u3000Should\u3000we\u3000wave\u3000a\u3000flag\u3000and\u3000tell\u3000the\u3000Buddhists\u3000that\u3000we\u3000have\u3000proof\u3000the\u3000Buddha\u3000did\u3000not\u3000e\u3000from\u3000a\u3000lotus\u3000blossom\uff1f\u3000Or\u3000that\u3000Jesus\u3000was\u3000not\u3000born\u3000of\u3000a\u3000literal\u3000virgin\u3000birth\uff1f\u3000Those\u3000who\u3000truly\u3000understand\u3000their\u3000faiths\u3000understand\u3000the\u3000stories\u3000are\u3000metaphorical\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000skeptical\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000friends\u3000who\u3000are\u3000devout\u3000Christians\u3000definitely\u3000believe\u3000that\u3000Christ\u3000literally\u3000walked\u3000on\u3000water\uff1b\u3000literally\u3000turned\u3000water\u3000into\u3000wine\uff1b\u3000and\u3000was\u3000born\u3000of\u3000a\u3000literal\u3000virgin\u3000birth\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003My\u3000point\u3000exactly\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Religious\u3000allegory\u3000has\u3000bee\u3000a\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fabric\u3000of\u3000reality\u3002\u3000And\u3000living\u3000in\u3000that\u3000reality\u3000helps\u3000millions\u3000of\u3000people\u3000cope\u3000and\u3000be\u3000better\u3000people\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000it\u3000appears\u3000their\u3000reality\u3000is\u3000false\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000chuckled\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3000more\u3000false\u3000than\u3000that\u3000of\u3000a\u3000mathematical\u3000cryptographer\u3000who\u3000believes\u3000in\u3000the\u3000imaginary\u3000number\u3000’i’\u3000because\u3000it\u3000helps\u3000her\u3000break\u3000codes\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000not\u3000fair\u3002\u3003
\nA\u3000moment\u3000passed\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000was\u3000your\u3000question\u3000again\uff1f \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000break\u3000codes\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000not\u3000fair\u3002\u3003
\nA\u3000moment\u3000passed\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000was\u3000your\u3000question\u3000again\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000remember\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003Works\u3000every\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300083
\n
\nLangdon’s\u3000Mickey\u3000Mouse\u3000wristwatch\u3000read\u3000almost\u3000seven\u2026thirty\u3000when\u3000he\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Jaguar\u3000limousine\u3000onto\u3000Inner\u3000Temple\u3000Lane\u3000with\u3000Sophie\u3000and\u3000Teabing\u3002\u3000The\u3000threesome\u3000wound\u3000through\u3000a\u3000maze\u3000of\u3000buildings\u3000to\u3000a\u3000small\u3000courtyard\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000Temple\u3000Church\u3002\u3000The\u3000rough\u2026hewn\u3000stone\u3000shimmered\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rain\uff1b\u3000and\u3000doves\u3000cooed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000architecture\u3000overhead\u3002
\nLondon’s\u3000ancient\u3000Temple\u3000Church\u3000was\u3000constructed\u3000entirely\u3000of\u3000Caen\u3000stone\u3002\u3000A\u3000dramatic\uff1b\u3000circular\u3000edifice\u3000with\u3000a\u3000daunting\u3000facade\uff1b\u3000a\u3000central\u3000turret\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000protruding\u3000nave\u3000off\u3000one\u3000side\uff1b\u3000the\u3000church\u3000looked\u3000more\u3000like\u3000a\u3000military\u3000stronghold\u3000than\u3000a\u3000place\u3000of\u3000worship\u3002\u3000Consecrated\u3000on\u3000the\u3000tenth\u3000of\u3000February\u3000in\u30001185\u3000by\u3000Heraclius\uff1b\u3000Patriarch\u3000of\u3000Jerusalem\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Temple\u3000Church\u3000survived\u3000eight\u3000centuries\u3000of\u3000political\u3000turmoil\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Great\u3000Fire\u3000of\u3000London\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000First\u3000World\u3000War\uff1b\u3000only\u3000to\u3000be\u3000heavily\u3000damaged\u3000by\u3000Luftwaffe\u3000incendiary\u3000bombs\u3000in\u30001940\u3002\u3000After\u3000the\u3000war\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000restored\u3000to\u3000its\u3000original\uff1b\u3000stark\u3000grandeur\u3002
\nThe\u3000simplicity\u3000of\u3000the\u3000circle\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000admiring\u3000the\u3000building\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3002\u3000The\u3000architecture\u3000was\u3000coarse\u3000and\u3000simple\uff1b\u3000more\u3000reminiscent\u3000of\u3000Rome’s\u3000rugged\u3000Castel\u3000Sant’Angelo\u3000than\u3000the\u3000refined\u3000Pantheon\u3002\u3000The\u3000boxy\u3000annex\u3000jutting\u3000out\u3000to\u3000the\u3000right\u3000was\u3000an\u3000unfortunate\u3000eyesore\uff1b\u3000although\u3000it\u3000did\u3000little\u3000to\u3000shroud\u3000the\u3000original\u3000pagan\u3000shape\u3000of\u3000the\u3000primary\u3000structure\u3002
\n\u3003It’s\u3000early\u3000on\u3000a\u3000Saturday\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000hobbling\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000entrance\uff1b\u3000\u3003so\u3000I’m\u3000assuming\u3000we\u3000won’t\u3000have\u3000services\u3000to\u3000deal\u3000with\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000church’s\u3000entryway\u3000was\u3000a\u3000recessed\u3000stone\u3000niche\u3000inside\u3000which\u3000stood\u3000a\u3000large\u3000wooden\u3000door\u3002\u3000To\u3000the\u3000left\u3000of\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000entirely\u3000out\u3000of\u3000place\uff1b\u3000hung\u3000a\u3000bulletin\u3000board\u3000covered\u3000with\u3000concert\u3000schedules\u3000and\u3000religious\u3000service\u3000announcements\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000frowned\u3000as\u3000he\u3000read\u3000the\u3000board\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000don’t\u3000open\u3000to\u3000sightseers\u3000for\u3000another\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000hours\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000moved\u3000to\u3000the\u3000door\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000door\u3000didn’t\u3000budge\u3002\u3000Putting\u3000his\u3000ear\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wood\uff1b\u3000he\u3000listened\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000back\uff1b\u3000a\u3000scheming\u3000look\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\u3000as\u3000he\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bulletin\u3000board\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000check\u3000the\u3000service\u3000schedule\uff1b\u3000will\u3000you\uff1f\u3000Who\u3000is\u3000presiding\u3000this\u3000week\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\nInside\u3000the\u3000church\uff1b\u3000an\u3000altar\u3000boy\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000finished\u3000vacuuming\u3000the\u3000munion\u3000kneelers\u3000when\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000knocking\u3000on\u3000the\u3000sanctuary\u3000door\u3002\u3000He\u3000ignored\u3000it\u3002\u3000Father\u3000Harvey\u3000Knowles\u3000had\u3000his\u3000own\u3000keys\u3000and\u3000was\u3000not\u3000due\u3000for\u3000another\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000hours\u3002\u3000The\u3000knocking\u3000was\u3000probably\u3000a\u3000curious\u3000tourist\u3000or\u3000indigent\u3002\u3000The\u3000altar\u3000boy\u3000kept\u3000vacuuming\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000knocking\u3000continued\u3002\u3000Can’t\u3000you\u3000read\uff1f\u3000The\u3000sign\u3000on\u3000the\u3000door\u3000clearly\u3000stated\u3000that\u3000the\u3000church\u3000did\u3000not\u3000open\u3000until\u3000nine\u2026thirty\u3000on\u3000Saturday\u3002\u3000The\u3000altar\u3000boy\u3000remained\u3000with\u3000his\u3000chores\u3002
\nSuddenly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000knocking\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000a\u3000forceful\u3000banging\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000someone\u3000were\u3000hitting\u3000the\u3000door\u3000with\u3000a\u3000metal\u3000rod\u3002\u3000The\u3000young\u3000man\u3000switched\u3000off\u3000his\u3000vacuum\u3000cleaner\u3000and\u3000marched\u3000angrily\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000Unlatching\u3000it\u3000from\u3000within\uff1b\u3000he\u3000swung\u3000it\u3000open\u3002\u3000Three\u3000people\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000the\u3000entryway\u3002\u3000Tourists\uff1b\u3000he\u3000grumbled\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000open\u3000at\u3000nine\u2026thirty\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000heavyset\u3000man\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000the\u3000leader\uff1b\u3000stepped\u3000forward\u3000using\u3000metal\u3000crutches\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000Sir\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000his\u3000accent\u3000a\u3000highbrow\uff1b\u3000Saxonesque\u3000British\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000you\u3000are\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000aware\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3000escorting\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000and\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Christopher\u3000Wren\u3000the\u3000Fourth\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000stepped\u3000aside\uff1b\u3000flourishing\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000attractive\u3000couple\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000woman\u3000was\u3000soft\u2026featured\uff1b\u3000with\u3000lush\u3000burgundy\u3000hair\u3002\u3000The\u3000man\u3000was\u3000tall\uff1b\u3000dark\u2026haired\uff1b\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000vaguely\u3000familiar\u3002
\nThe\u3000altar\u3000boy\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000how\u3000to\u3000respond\u3002\u3000Sir\u3000Christopher\u3000Wren\u3000was\u3000the\u3000Temple\u3000Church’s\u3000most\u3000famous\u3000benefactor\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000made\u3000possible\u3000all\u3000the\u3000restorations\u3000following\u3000damage\u3000caused\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Great\u3000Fire\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000also\u3000been\u3000dead\u3000since\u3000the\u3000early\u3000eighteenth\u3000century\u3002\u3000\u3003Um\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000an\u3000honor\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000man\u3000on\u3000crutches\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000\u3003Good\u3000thing\u3000you’re\u3000not\u3000in\u3000sales\uff1b\u3000young\u3000man\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000not\u3000very\u3000convincing\u3002\u3000Where\u3000is\u3000Father\u3000Knowles\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000Saturday\u3002\u3000He’s\u3000not\u3000due\u3000in\u3000until\u3000later\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000crippled\u3000man’s\u3000scowl\u3000deepened\u3002\u3000\u3003There’s\u3000gratitude\u3002\u3000He\u3000assured\u3000us\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000here\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000looks\u3000like\u3000we’ll\u3000do\u3000it\u3000without\u3000him\u3002\u3000It\u3000won’t\u3000take\u3000long\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000altar\u3000boy\u3000remained\u3000blocking\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3000what\u3000won’t\u3000take\u3000long\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000visitor’s\u3000eyes\u3000sharpened\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000leaned\u3000forward\u3000whispering\u3000as\u3000if\u3000to\u3000save\u3000everyone\u3000some\u3000embarrassment\u3002\u3000\u3003Young\u3000man\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000you\u3000are\u3000new\u3000here\u3002\u3000Every\u3000year\u3000Sir\u3000Christopher\u3000Wren’s\u3000descendants\u3000bring\u3000a\u3000pinch\u3000of\u3000the\u3000old\u3000man’s\u3000ashes\u3000to\u3000scatter\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Temple\u3000sanctuary\u3002\u3000It\u3000is\u3000part\u3000of\u3000his\u3000last\u3000will\u3000and\u3000testament\u3002\u3000Nobody\u3000is\u3000particularly\u3000happy\u3000about\u3000making\u3000the\u3000trip\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what\u3000can\u3000we\u3000do\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000altar\u3000boy\u3000had\u3000been\u3000here\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000years\u3000but\u3000had\u3000never\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000this\u3000custom\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000would\u3000be\u3000better\u3000if\u3000you\u3000waited\u3000until\u3000nine\u2026thirty\u3002\u3000The\u3000church\u3000isn’t\u3000open\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000finished\u3000hoovering\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000man\u3000on\u3000crutches\u3000glared\u3000angrily\u3002\u3000\u3003Young\u3000man\uff1b\u3000the\u3000only\u3000reason\u3000there’s\u3000anything\u3000left\u3000of\u3000this\u3000building\u3000for\u3000you\u3000to\u3000hoover\u3000is\u3000on\u3000account\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gentleman\u3000in\u3000that\u3000woman’s\u3000pocket\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Mrs\u3002\u3000Wren\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000man\u3000on\u3000crutches\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003would\u3000you\u3000be\u3000so\u3000kind\u3000as\u3000to\u3000show\u3000this\u3000impertinent\u3000young\u3000man\u3000the\u3000reliquary\u3000of\u3000ashes\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000woman\u3000hesitated\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000and\u3000then\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000awaking\u3000from\u3000a\u3000trance\uff1b\u3000reached\u3000in\u3000her\u3000sweater\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000a\u3000small\u3000cylinder\u3000wrapped\u3000in\u3000protective\u3000fabric\u3002
\n\u3003There\uff1b\u3000you\u3000see\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000man\u3000on\u3000crutches\u3000snapped\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\uff1b\u3000you\u3000can\u3000either\u3000grant\u3000his\u3000dying\u3000wish\u3000and\u3000let\u3000us\u3000sprinkle\u3000his\u3000ashes\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sanctuary\uff1b\u3000or\u3000I\u3000tell\u3000Father\u3000Knowles\u3000how\u3000we’ve\u3000been\u3000treated\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000altar\u3000boy\u3000hesitated\uff1b\u3000well\u3000acquainted\u3000with\u3000Father\u3000Knowles’\u3000deep\u3000observance\u3000of\u3000church\u3000tradition\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\uff1b\u3000more\u3000importantly\uff1b\u3000with\u3000his\u3000foul\u3000temper\u3000when\u3000anything\u3000cast\u3000this\u3000time\u2026honored\u3000shrine\u3000in\u3000anything\u3000but\u3000favorable\u3000light\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000Father\u3000Knowles\u3000had\u3000simply\u3000forgotten\u3000these\u3000family\u3000members\u3000were\u3000ing\u3002\u3000If\u3000so\uff1b\u3000then\u3000there\u3000was\u3000far\u3000more\u3000risk\u3000in\u3000turning\u3000them\u3000away\u3000than\u3000in\u3000letting\u3000them\u3000in\u3002\u3000After\u3000all\uff1b\u3000they\u3000said\u3000it\u3000would\u3000only\u3000take\u3000a\u3000minute\u3002\u3000What\u3000harm\u3000could\u3000it\u3000do\uff1f
\nWhen\u3000the\u3000altar\u3000boy\u3000stepped\u3000aside\u3000to\u3000let\u3000the\u3000three\u3000people\u3000pass\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000have\u3000sworn\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000and\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Wren\u3000looked\u3000just\u3000as\u3000bewildered\u3000by\u3000all\u3000of\u3000this\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\u3002\u3000Uncertain\uff1b\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000his\u3000chores\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000them\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000his\u3000eye\u3002
\n\u3000
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000to\u3000smile\u3000as\u3000the\u3000threesome\u3000moved\u3000deeper\u3000into\u3000the\u3000church\u3002
\n\u3003Leigh\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000\u3003you\u3000lie\u3000entirely\u3000too\u3000well\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing’s\u3000eyes\u3000twinkled\u3002\u3000\u3003Oxford\u3000Theatre\u3000Club\u3002\u3000They\u3000still\u3000talk\u3000of\u3000my\u3000Julius\u3000Caesar\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000certain\u3000nobody\u3000has\u3000ever\u3000performed\u3000the\u3000first\u3000scene\u3000of\u3000Act\u3000Three\u3000with\u3000more\u3000dedication\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000Caesar\u3000was\u3000dead\u3000in\u3000that\u3000scene\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000smirked\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000my\u3000toga\u3000tore\u3000open\u3000when\u3000I\u3000fell\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000had\u3000to\u3000lie\u3000on\u3000stage\u3000for\u3000half\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000with\u3000my\u3000todger\u3000hanging\u3000out\u3002\u3000Even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000I\u3000never\u3000moved\u3000a\u3000muscle\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000brilliant\uff1b\u3000I\u3000tell\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000cringed\u3002\u3000Sorry\u3000I\u3000missed\u3000it\u3002
\nAs\u3000the\u3000group\u3000moved\u3000through\u3000the\u3000rectangular\u3000annex\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000archway\u3000leading\u3000into\u3000the\u3000main\u3000church\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000by\u3000the\u3000barren\u3000austerity\u3002\u3000Although\u3000the\u3000altar\u3000layout\u3000resembled\u3000that\u3000of\u3000a\u3000linear\u3000Christian\u3000chapel\uff1b\u3000the\u3000furnishings\u3000were\u3000stark\u3000and\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000bearing\u3000none\u3000of\u3000the\u3000traditional\u3000ornamentation\u3002\u3000\u3003Bleak\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000chuckled\u3002\u3000\u3003Church\u3000of\u3000England\u3002\u3000Anglicans\u3000drink\u3000their\u3000religion\u3000straight\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000to\u3000distract\u3000from\u3000their\u3000misery\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000motioned\u3000through\u3000the\u3000vast\u3000opening\u3000that\u3000gave\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000circular\u3000section\u3000of\u3000the\u3000church\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000looks\u3000like\u3000a\u3000fortress\u3000in\u3000there\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000agreed\u3002\u3000Even\u3000from\u3000here\uff1b\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000looked\u3000unusually\u3000robust\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\u3000were\u3000warriors\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000reminded\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000his\u3000aluminum\u3000crutches\u3000echoing\u3000in\u3000this\u3000reverberant\u3000space\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000religio\u2026military\u3000society\u3002\u3000Their\u3000churches\u3000were\u3000their\u3000strongholds\u3000and\u3000their\u3000banks\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Banks\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000glancing\u3000at\u3000Leigh\u3002
\n\u3003Heavens\uff1b\u3000yes\u3002\u3000The\u3000Templars\u3000invented\u3000the\u3000concept\u3000of\u3000modern\u3000banking\u3002\u3000For\u3000European\u3000nobility\uff1b\u3000traveling\u3000with\u3000gold\u3000was\u3000perilous\uff1b\u3000so\u3000the\u3000Templars\u3000allowed\u3000nobles\u3000to\u3000deposit\u3000gold\u3000in\u3000their\u3000nearest\u3000Temple\u3000Church\u3000and\u3000then\u3000draw\u3000it\u3000from\u3000any\u3000other\u3000Temple\u3000Church\u3000across\u3000Europe\u3002\u3000All\u3000they\u3000needed\u3000was\u3000proper\u3000documentation\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000winked\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000a\u3000small\u3000mission\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000the\u3000original\u3000ATMs\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000pointed\u3000toward\u3000a\u3000stained\u2026glass\u3000window\u3000where\u3000the\u3000breaking\u3000sun\u3000was\u3000refracting\u3000through\u3000a\u3000white\u2026clad\u3000knight\u3000riding\u3000a\u3000rose\u2026colored\u3000horse\u3002\u3000\u3003Alanus\u3000Marcel\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Master\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Temple\u3000in\u3000the\u3000early\u3000twelve\u3000hundreds\u3002\u3000He\u3000and\u3000his\u3000successors\u3000actually\u3000held\u3000the\u3000Parliamentary\u3000chair\u3000of\u3000Primus\u3000Baro\u3000Angiae\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3002\u3000\u3003First\u3000Baron\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Realm\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Temple\uff1b\u3000some\u3000claim\uff1b\u3000held\u3000more\u3000influence\u3000than\u3000the\u3000king\u3000himself\u3002\u3003\u3000As\u3000they\u3000arrived\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000circular\u3000chamber\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000shot\u3000a\u3000glance\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000at\u3000the\u3000altar\u3000boy\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000vacuuming\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distance\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000whispered\u3000to\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000\u3003the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000said\u3000to\u3000once\u3000have\u3000been\u3000stored\u3000in\u3000this\u3000church\u3000overnight\u3000while\u3000the\u3000Templars\u3000moved\u3000it\u3000from\u3000one\u3000hiding\u3000place\u3000to\u3000another\u3002\u3000Can\u3000you\u3000imagine\u3000the\u3000four\u3000chests\u3000of\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3000sitting\u3000right\u3000here\u3000with\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene’s\u3000sarcophagus\uff1f\u3000It\u3000gives\u3000me\u3000gooseflesh\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000feeling\u3000gooseflesh\u3000too\u3000as\u3000they\u3000stepped\u3000into\u3000the\u3000circular\u3000chamber\u3002\u3000His\u3000eye\u3000traced\u3000the\u3000curvature\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chamber’s\u3000pale\u3000stone\u3000perimeter\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000in\u3000the\u3000carvings\u3000of\u3000gargoyles\uff1b\u3000demons\uff1b\u3000monsters\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pained\u3000human\u3000faces\uff1b\u3000all\u3000staring\u3000inward\u3002\u3000Beneath\u3000the\u3000carvings\uff1b\u3000a\u3000single\u3000stone\u3000pew\u3000curled\u3000around\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000circumference\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3002
\n\u3003Theater\u3000in\u3000the\u3000round\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000whispered\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000raised\u3000a\u3000crutch\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n the\u3000room\u3002
\n\u3003Theater\u3000in\u3000the\u3000round\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000whispered\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000raised\u3000a\u3000crutch\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000far\u3000left\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3000and\u3000then\u3000to\u3000the\u3000far\u3000right\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000already\u3000seen\u3000them\u3002
\nTen\u3000stone\u3000knights\u3002
\nFive\u3000on\u3000the\u3000left\u3002\u3000Five\u3000on\u3000the\u3000right\u3002
\nLying\u3000prone\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000the\u3000carved\uff1b\u3000life\u2026sized\u3000figures\u3000rested\u3000in\u3000peaceful\u3000poses\u3002\u3000The\u3000knights\u3000were\u3000depicted\u3000wearing\u3000full\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000shields\uff1b\u3000and\u3000swords\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000tombs\u3000gave\u3000Langdon\u3000the\u3000uneasy\u3000sensation\u3000that\u3000someone\u3000had\u3000snuck\u3000in\u3000and\u3000poured\u3000plaster\u3000over\u3000the\u3000knights\u3000while\u3000they\u3000were\u3000sleeping\u3002\u3000All\u3000of\u3000the\u3000figures\u3000were\u3000deeply\u3000weathered\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000each\u3000was\u3000clearly\u3000unique\u2014different\u3000armory\u3000pieces\uff1b\u3000distinct\u3000leg\u3000and\u3000arm\u3000positions\uff1b\u3000facial\u3000features\uff1b\u3000and\u3000markings\u3000on\u3000their\u3000shields\u3002
\nIn\u3000London\u3000lies\u3000a\u3000knight\u3000a\u3000Pope\u3000interred\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000shaky\u3000as\u3000he\u3000inched\u3000deeper\u3000into\u3000the\u3000circular\u3000room\u3002
\nThis\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000place\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300084
\n
\nIn\u3000a\u3000rubbish\u2026strewn\u3000alley\u3000very\u3000close\u3000to\u3000Temple\u3000Church\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000Legaludec\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000Jaguar\u3000limousine\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\u3000behind\u3000a\u3000row\u3000of\u3000industrial\u3000waste\u3000bins\u3002\u3000Killing\u3000the\u3000engine\uff1b\u3000he\u3000checked\u3000the\u3000area\u3002\u3000Deserted\u3002\u3000He\u3000got\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000car\uff1b\u3000walked\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000rear\uff1b\u3000and\u3000climbed\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000limousine’s\u3000main\u3000cabin\u3000where\u3000the\u3000monk\u3000was\u3002
\nSensing\u3000R\u00e9my’s\u3000presence\uff1b\u3000the\u3000monk\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000a\u3000prayer\u2026like\u3000trance\uff1b\u3000his\u3000red\u3000eyes\u3000looking\u3000more\u3000curious\u3000than\u3000fearful\u3002\u3000All\u3000evening\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000had\u3000been\u3000impressed\u3000with\u3000this\u3000trussed\u3000man’s\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000calm\u3002\u3000After\u3000some\u3000initial\u3000struggles\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Range\u3000Rover\uff1b\u3000the\u3000monk\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000accepted\u3000his\u3000plight\u3000and\u3000given\u3000over\u3000his\u3000fate\u3000to\u3000a\u3000higher\u3000power\u3002
\nLoosening\u3000his\u3000bow\u3000tie\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000unbuttoned\u3000his\u3000high\uff1b\u3000starched\uff1b\u3000wing\u2026tipped\u3000collar\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000could\u3000breathe\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000in\u3000years\u3002\u3000He\u3000went\u3000to\u3000the\u3000limousine’s\u3000wet\u3000bar\uff1b\u3000where\u3000he\u3000poured\u3000himself\u3000a\u3000Smirnoff\u3000vodka\u3002\u3000He\u3000drank\u3000it\u3000in\u3000a\u3000single\u3000swallow\u3000and\u3000followed\u3000it\u3000with\u3000a\u3000second\u3002
\nSoon\u3000I\u3000will\u3000be\u3000a\u3000man\u3000of\u3000leisure\u3002
\nSearching\u3000the\u3000bar\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000found\u3000a\u3000standard\u3000service\u3000wine\u2026opener\u3000and\u3000flicked\u3000open\u3000the\u3000sharp\u3000blade\u3002\u3000The\u3000knife\u3000was\u3000usually\u3000employed\u3000to\u3000slice\u3000the\u3000lead\u3000foil\u3000from\u3000corks\u3000on\u3000fine\u3000bottles\u3000of\u3000wine\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000would\u3000serve\u3000a\u3000far\u3000more\u3000dramatic\u3000purpose\u3000this\u3000morning\u3002\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000faced\u3000Silas\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000up\u3000the\u3000glimmering\u3000blade\u3002
\nNow\u3000those\u3000red\u3000eyes\u3000flashed\u3000fear\u3002
\nR\u00e9my\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000moved\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000limousine\u3002\u3000The\u3000monk\u3000recoiled\uff1b\u3000struggling\u3000against\u3000his\u3000bonds\u3002
\n\u3003Be\u3000still\uff1b\u3003\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000raising\u3000the\u3000blade\u3002
\nSilas\u3000could\u3000not\u3000believe\u3000that\u3000God\u3000had\u3000forsaken\u3000him\u3002\u3000Even\u3000the\u3000physical\u3000pain\u3000of\u3000being\u3000bound\u3000Silas\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000into\u3000a\u3000spiritual\u3000exercise\uff1b\u3000asking\u3000the\u3000throb\u3000of\u3000his\u3000blood\u2026starved\u3000muscles\u3000to\u3000remind\u3000him\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pain\u3000Christ\u3000endured\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000been\u3000praying\u3000all\u3000night\u3000for\u3000liberation\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000knife\u3000descended\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000clenched\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000shut\u3002
\nA\u3000slash\u3000of\u3000pain\u3000tore\u3000through\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000blades\u3002\u3000He\u3000cried\u3000out\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000he\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000die\u3000here\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000this\u3000limousine\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000himself\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000God’s\u3000work\u3002\u3000The\u3000Teacher\u3000said\u3000he\u3000would\u3000protect\u3000me\u3002
\nSilas\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000biting\u3000warmth\u3000spreading\u3000across\u3000his\u3000back\u3000and\u3000shoulders\u3000and\u3000could\u3000picture\u3000his\u3000own\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000spilling\u3000out\u3000over\u3000his\u3000flesh\u3002\u3000A\u3000piercing\u3000pain\u3000cut\u3000through\u3000his\u3000thighs\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000onset\u3000of\u3000that\u3000familiar\u3000undertow\u3000of\u3000disorientation\u2014the\u3000body’s\u3000defense\u3000mechanism\u3000against\u3000the\u3000pain\u3002
\nAs\u3000the\u3000biting\u3000heat\u3000tore\u3000through\u3000all\u3000of\u3000his\u3000muscles\u3000now\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000clenched\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000tighter\uff1b\u3000determined\u3000that\u3000the\u3000final\u3000image\u3000of\u3000his\u3000life\u3000would\u3000not\u3000be\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000killer\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000he\u3000pictured\u3000a\u3000younger\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000before\u3000the\u3000small\u3000church\u3000in\u3000Spain\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000church\u3000that\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Silas\u3000had\u3000built\u3000with\u3000their\u3000own\u3000hands\u3002\u3000The\u3000beginning\u3000of\u3000my\u3000life\u3002
\nSilas\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000if\u3000his\u3000body\u3000were\u3000on\u3000fire\u3002
\n\u3003Take\u3000a\u3000drink\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000tuxedoed\u3000man\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000his\u3000accent\u3000French\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000will\u3000help\u3000with\u3000your\u3000circulation\u3002\u3003
\nSilas’s\u3000eyes\u3000flew\u3000open\u3000in\u3000surprise\u3002\u3000A\u3000blurry\u3000image\u3000was\u3000leaning\u3000over\u3000him\uff1b\u3000offering\u3000a\u3000glass\u3000of\u3000liquid\u3002\u3000A\u3000mound\u3000of\u3000shredded\u3000duct\u3000tape\u3000lay\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000bloodless\u3000knife\u3002
\n\u3003Drink\u3000this\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000repeated\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000pain\u3000you\u3000feel\u3000is\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000rushing\u3000into\u3000your\u3000muscles\u3002\u3003
\nSilas\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000fiery\u3000throb\u3000transforming\u3000now\u3000to\u3000a\u3000prickling\u3000sting\u3002\u3000The\u3000vodka\u3000tasted\u3000terrible\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000drank\u3000it\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000grateful\u3002\u3000Fate\u3000had\u3000dealt\u3000Silas\u3000a\u3000healthy\u3000share\u3000of\u3000bad\u3000luck\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000but\u3000God\u3000had\u3000solved\u3000it\u3000all\u3000with\u3000one\u3000miraculous\u3000twist\u3002
\nGod\u3000has\u3000not\u3000forsaken\u3000me\u3002
\nSilas\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3000would\u3000call\u3000it\u3002
\nDivine\u3000intervention\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000had\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000free\u3000you\u3000earlier\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000servant\u3000apologized\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000impossible\u3002\u3000With\u3000the\u3000police\u3000arriving\u3000at\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000at\u3000Biggin\u3000Hill\u3000airport\uff1b\u3000this\u3000was\u3000the\u3000first\u3000possible\u3000moment\u3002\u3000You\u3000understand\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Silas\uff1f\u3003
\nSilas\u3000recoiled\uff1b\u3000startled\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000know\u3000my\u3000name\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000servant\u3000smiled\u3002
\nSilas\u3000sat\u3000up\u3000now\uff1b\u3000rubbing\u3000his\u3000stiff\u3000muscles\uff1b\u3000his\u3000emotions\u3000a\u3000torrent\u3000of\u3000incredulity\uff1b\u3000appreciation\uff1b\u3000and\u3000confusion\u3002\u3000\u3003Are\u3000you\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000Teacher\uff1f\u3003
\nR\u00e9my\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000laughing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000proposition\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000wish\u3000I\u3000had\u3000that\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000power\u3002\u3000No\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3000not\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3002\u3000Like\u3000you\uff1b\u3000I\u3000serve\u3000him\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000speaks\u3000highly\u3000of\u3000you\u3002\u3000My\u3000name\u3000is\u3000R\u00e9my\u3002\u3003
\nSilas\u3000was\u3000amazed\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000understand\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000work\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Teacher\uff1b\u3000why\u3000did\u3000Langdon\u3000bring\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000to\u3000your\u3000home\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Not\u3000my\u3000home\u3002\u3000The\u3000home\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world’s\u3000foremost\u3000Grail\u3000historian\uff1b\u3000Sir\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000you\u3000live\u3000there\u3002\u3000The\u3000odds\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\nR\u00e9my\u3000smiled\uff1b\u3000seeming\u3000to\u3000have\u3000no\u3000trouble\u3000with\u3000the\u3000apparent\u3000coincidence\u3000of\u3000Langdon’s\u3000chosen\u3000refuge\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000was\u3000all\u3000utterly\u3000predictable\u3002\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000in\u3000possession\u3000of\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000help\u3002\u3000What\u3000more\u3000logical\u3000place\u3000to\u3000run\u3000than\u3000to\u3000the\u3000home\u3000of\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\uff1f\u3000That\u3000I\u3000happen\u3000to\u3000live\u3000there\u3000is\u3000why\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000approached\u3000me\u3000in\u3000the\u3000first\u3000place\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000knows\u3000so\u3000much\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Grail\uff1f\u3003
\nNow\u3000it\u3000dawned\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Silas\u3000was\u3000stunned\u3002\u3000The\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000recruited\u3000a\u3000servant\u3000who\u3000had\u3000access\u3000to\u3000all\u3000of\u3000Sir\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing’s\u3000research\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000brilliant\u3002
\n\u3003There\u3000is\u3000much\u3000I\u3000have\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000said\uff1b\u3000handing\u3000Silas\u3000the\u3000loaded\u3000Heckler\u3000Koch\u3000pistol\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000through\u3000the\u3000open\u3000partition\u3000and\u3000retrieved\u3000a\u3000small\uff1b\u3000palm\u2026sized\u3000revolver\u3000from\u3000the\u3000glove\u3000box\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000first\uff1b\u3000you\u3000and\u3000I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000job\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCaptain\u3000Fache\u3000descended\u3000from\u3000his\u3000transport\u3000plane\u3000at\u3000Biggin\u3000Hill\u3000and\u3000listened\u3000in\u3000disbelief\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Kent\u3000chief\u3000inspector’s\u3000account\u3000of\u3000what\u3000had\u3000happened\u3000in\u3000Teabing’s\u3000hangar\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000searched\u3000the\u3000plane\u3000myself\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000inspector\u3000insisted\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000one\u3000inside\u3002\u3003\u3000His\u3000tone\u3000turned\u3000haughty\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000I\u3000should\u3000add\u3000that\u3000if\u3000Sir\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000presses\u3000charges\u3000against\u3000me\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003Did\u3000you\u3000interrogate\u3000the\u3000pilot\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3000not\u3002\u3000He\u3000is\u3000French\uff1b\u3000and\u3000our\u3000jurisdiction\u3000requires\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003Take\u3000me\u3000to\u3000the\u3000plane\u3002\u3003
\nArriving\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hangar\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000needed\u3000only\u3000sixty\u3000seconds\u3000to\u3000locate\u3000an\u3000anomalous\u3000smear\u3000of\u3000blood\u3000on\u3000the\u3000pavement\u3000near\u3000where\u3000the\u3000limousine\u3000had\u3000been\u3000parked\u3002\u3000Fache\u3000walked\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000plane\u3000and\u3000rapped\u3000loudly\u3000on\u3000the\u3000fuselage\u3002
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000of\u3000the\u3000French\u3000Judicial\u3000Police\u3002\u3000Open\u3000the\u3000door\uff01\u3003
\nThe\u3000terrified\u3000pilot\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000hatch\u3000and\u3000lowered\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3002
\nFache\u3000ascended\u3002\u3000Three\u3000minutes\u3000later\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000help\u3000of\u3000his\u3000sidearm\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000a\u3000full\u3000confession\uff1b\u3000including\u3000a\u3000description\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bound\u3000albino\u3000monk\u3002\u3000In\u3000addition\uff1b\u3000he\u3000learned\u3000that\u3000the\u3000pilot\u3000saw\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000leave\u3000something\u3000behind\u3000in\u3000Teabing’s\u3000safe\uff1b\u3000a\u3000wooden\u3000box\u3000of\u3000some\u3000sort\u3002\u3000Although\u3000the\u3000pilot\u3000denied\u3000knowing\u3000what\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000box\uff1b\u3000he\u3000admitted\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000focus\u3000of\u3000Langdon’s\u3000full\u3000attention\u3000during\u3000the\u3000flight\u3000to\u3000London\u3002
\n\u3003Open\u3000the\u3000safe\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000demanded\u3002
\nThe\u3000pilot\u3000looked\u3000terrified\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000the\u3000bination\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003That’s\u3000too\u3000bad\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000offer\u3000to\u3000let\u3000you\u3000keep\u3000your\u3000pilot’s\u3000license\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000pilot\u3000wrung\u3000his\u3000hands\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000some\u3000men\u3000in\u3000maintenance\u3000here\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000they\u3000could\u3000drill\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000have\u3000half\u3000an\u3000hour\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000pilot\u3000leapt\u3000for\u3000his\u3000radio\u3002
\nFache\u3000strode\u3000to\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plane\u3000and\u3000poured\u3000himself\u3000a\u3000hard\u3000drink\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000early\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000had\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000slept\uff1b\u3000so\u3000this\u3000hardly\u3000counted\u3000as\u3000drinking\u3000before\u3000noon\u3002\u3000Sitting\u3000in\u3000a\u3000plush\u3000bucket\u3000seat\uff1b\u3000he\u3000closed\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000sort\u3000out\u3000what\u3000was\u3000going\u3000on\u3002\u3000The\u3000Kent\u3000police’s\u3000blunder\u3000could\u3000cost\u3000me\u3000dearly\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000was\u3000now\u3000on\u3000the\u3000lookout\u3000for\u3000a\u3000black\u3000Jaguar\u3000limousine\u3002
\nFache’s\u3000phone\u3000rang\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000wished\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment’s\u3000peace\u3002\u3000\u3003Allo\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000en\u3000route\u3000to\u3000London\u3002\u3003\u3000It\u3000was\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000be\u3000arriving\u3000in\u3000an\u3000hour\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000sat\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000you\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000Paris\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000am\u3000deeply\u3000concerned\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000changed\u3000my\u3000plans\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000should\u3000not\u3000have\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000have\u3000Silas\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3002\u3000His\u3000captors\u3000eluded\u3000the\u3000local\u3000police\u3000before\u3000I\u3000landed\u3002\u3003
\nAringarosa’s\u3000anger\u3000rang\u3000sharply\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000assured\u3000me\u3000you\u3000would\u3000stop\u3000that\u3000plane\uff01\u3003
\nFache\u3000lowered\u3000his\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003Bishop\uff1b\u3000considering\u3000your\u3000situation\uff1b\u3000I\u3000remend\u3000you\u3000not\u3000test\u3000my\u3000patience\u3000today\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000find\u3000Silas\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000possible\u3002\u3000Where\u3000are\u3000you\u3000landing\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003One\u3000moment\u3002\u3003\u3000Aringarosa\u3000covered\u3000the\u3000receiver\u3000and\u3000then\u3000came\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000pilot\u3000is\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000get\u3000clearance\u3000at\u3000Heathrow\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000his\u3000only\u3000passenger\uff1b\u3000but\u3000our\u3000redirect\u3000was\u3000unscheduled\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Tell\u3000him\u3000to\u3000e\u3000to\u3000Biggin\u3000Hill\u3000Executive\u3000Airport\u3000in\u3000Kent\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000get\u3000him\u3000clearance\u3002\u3000If\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000here\u3000when\u3000you\u3000land\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000have\u3000a\u3000car\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003As\u3000I\u3000expressed\u3000when\u3000we\u3000first\u3000spoke\uff1b\u3000Bishop\uff1b\u3000you\u3000would\u3000do\u3000well\u3000to\u3000remember\u3000that\u3000you\u3000are\u3000not\u3000the\u3000only\u3000man\u3000on\u3000the\u3000verge\u3000of\u3000losing\u3000everything\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300085
\n
\nYou\u3000seek\u3000the\u3000orb\u3000that\u3000ought\u3000be\u3000on\u3000his\u3000tomb\u3002
\nEach\u3000of\u3000the\u3000carved\u3000knights\u3000within\u3000the\u3000Temple\u3000Church\u3000lay\u3000on\u3000his\u3000back\u3000with\u3000his\u3000head\u3000resting\u3000on\u3000a\u3000rectangular\u3000stone\u3000pillow\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000chill\u3002\u3000The\u3000poem’s\u3000reference\u3000to\u3000an\u3000\u3003orb\u3003\u3000conjured\u3000images\u3000of\u3000the\u3000night\u3000in\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000basement\u3002
\nHieros\u3000Gamos\u3002\u3000T \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n s\u3000reference\u3000to\u3000an\u3000\u3003orb\u3003\u3000conjured\u3000images\u3000of\u3000the\u3000night\u3000in\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000basement\u3002
\nHieros\u3000Gamos\u3002\u3000The\u3000orbs\u3002
\nSophie\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000the\u3000ritual\u3000had\u3000been\u3000performed\u3000in\u3000this\u3000very\u3000sanctuary\u3002\u3000The\u3000circular\u3000room\u3000seemed\u3000custom\u2026built\u3000for\u3000such\u3000a\u3000pagan\u3000rite\u3002\u3000A\u3000stone\u3000pew\u3000encircled\u3000a\u3000bare\u3000expanse\u3000of\u3000floor\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3002\u3000A\u3000theater\u3000in\u3000the\u3000round\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Robert\u3000had\u3000called\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u3000imagined\u3000this\u3000chamber\u3000at\u3000night\uff1b\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000masked\u3000people\uff1b\u3000chanting\u3000by\u3000torchlight\uff1b\u3000all\u3000witnessing\u3000a\u3000\u3003sacred\u3000munion\u3003\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3002
\nForcing\u3000the\u3000image\u3000from\u3000her\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000she\u3000advanced\u3000with\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Teabing\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000first\u3000group\u3000of\u3000knights\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000Teabing’s\u3000insistence\u3000that\u3000their\u3000investigation\u3000should\u3000be\u3000conducted\u3000meticulously\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000felt\u3000eager\u3000and\u3000pushed\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000making\u3000a\u3000cursory\u3000walk\u2026through\u3000of\u3000the\u3000five\u3000knights\u3000on\u3000the\u3000left\u3002
\nScrutinizing\u3000these\u3000first\u3000tombs\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000noted\u3000the\u3000similarities\u3000and\u3000differences\u3000between\u3000them\u3002\u3000Every\u3000knight\u3000was\u3000on\u3000his\u3000back\uff1b\u3000but\u3000three\u3000of\u3000the\u3000knights\u3000had\u3000their\u3000legs\u3000extended\u3000straight\u3000out\u3000while\u3000two\u3000had\u3000their\u3000legs\u3000crossed\u3002\u3000The\u3000oddity\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000no\u3000relevance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000missing\u3000orb\u3002\u3000Examining\u3000their\u3000clothing\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000noted\u3000that\u3000two\u3000of\u3000the\u3000knights\u3000wore\u3000tunics\u3000over\u3000their\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000other\u3000three\u3000wore\u3000ankle\u2026length\u3000robes\u3002\u3000Again\uff1b\u3000utterly\u3000unhelpful\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000turned\u3000her\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000the\u3000only\u3000other\u3000obvious\u3000difference\u2014their\u3000hand\u3000positions\u3002\u3000Two\u3000knights\u3000clutched\u3000swords\uff1b\u3000two\u3000prayed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000one\u3000had\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000at\u3000his\u3000side\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000long\u3000moment\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000shrugged\uff1b\u3000having\u3000seen\u3000no\u3000hint\u3000anywhere\u3000of\u3000a\u3000conspicuously\u3000absent\u3000orb\u3002
\nFeeling\u3000the\u3000weight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000in\u3000her\u3000sweater\u3000pocket\uff1b\u3000she\u3000glanced\u3000back\u3000at\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Teabing\u3002\u3000The\u3000men\u3000were\u3000moving\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000still\u3000only\u3000at\u3000the\u3000third\u3000knight\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000having\u3000no\u3000luck\u3000either\u3002\u3000In\u3000no\u3000mood\u3000to\u3000wait\uff1b\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000away\u3000from\u3000them\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000second\u3000group\u3000of\u3000knights\u3002
\nAs\u3000she\u3000crossed\u3000the\u3000open\u3000space\uff1b\u3000she\u3000quietly\u3000recited\u3000the\u3000poem\u3000she\u3000had\u3000read\u3000so\u3000many\u3000times\u3000now\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000mitted\u3000to\u3000memory\u3002
\nIn\u3000London\u3000lies\u3000a\u3000knight\u3000a\u3000Pope\u3000interred\u3002
\nHis\u3000labor’s\u3000fruit\u3000a\u3000Holy\u3000wrath\u3000incurred\u3002
\nYou\u3000seek\u3000the\u3000orb\u3000that\u3000ought\u3000be\u3000on\u3000his\u3000tomb\u3002
\nIt\u3000speaks\u3000of\u3000Rosy\u3000flesh\u3000and\u3000seeded\u3000womb\u3002
\n\u3000
\nWhen\u3000Sophie\u3000arrived\u3000at\u3000the\u3000second\u3000group\u3000of\u3000knights\uff1b\u3000she\u3000found\u3000that\u3000this\u3000second\u3000group\u3000was\u3000similar\u3000to\u3000the\u3000first\u3002\u3000All\u3000lay\u3000with\u3000varied\u3000body\u3000positions\uff1b\u3000wearing\u3000armor\u3000and\u3000swords\u3002
\nThat\u3000was\uff1b\u3000all\u3000except\u3000the\u3000tenth\u3000and\u3000final\u3000tomb\u3002
\nHurrying\u3000over\u3000to\u3000it\uff1b\u3000she\u3000stared\u3000down\u3002
\nNo\u3000pillow\u3002\u3000No\u3000armor\u3002\u3000No\u3000tunic\u3002\u3000No\u3000sword\u3002
\n\u3003Robert\uff1f\u3000Leigh\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000called\uff1b\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000echoing\u3000around\u3000the\u3000chamber\u3002\u3000\u3003There’s\u3000something\u3000missing\u3000over\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\nBoth\u3000men\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000and\u3000immediately\u3000began\u3000to\u3000cross\u3000the\u3000room\u3000toward\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3003An\u3000orb\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000called\u3000excitedly\u3002\u3000His\u3000crutches\u3000clicked\u3000out\u3000a\u3000rapid\u3000staccato\u3000as\u3000he\u3000hurried\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000\u3003Are\u3000we\u3000missing\u3000an\u3000orb\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Not\u3000exactly\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000frowning\u3000at\u3000the\u3000tenth\u3000tomb\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000be\u3000missing\u3000an\u3000entire\u3000knight\u3002\u3003
\nArriving\u3000beside\u3000her\u3000both\u3000men\u3000gazed\u3000down\u3000in\u3000confusion\u3000at\u3000the\u3000tenth\u3000tomb\u3002\u3000Rather\u3000than\u3000a\u3000knight\u3000lying\u3000in\u3000the\u3000open\u3000air\uff1b\u3000this\u3000tomb\u3000was\u3000a\u3000sealed\u3000stone\u3000casket\u3002\u3000The\u3000casket\u3000was\u3000trapezoidal\uff1b\u3000tapered\u3000at\u3000the\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000widening\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000top\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000peaked\u3000lid\u3002
\n\u3003Why\u3000isn’t\u3000this\u3000knight\u3000shown\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003Fascinating\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000stroking\u3000his\u3000chin\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000had\u3000forgotten\u3000about\u3000this\u3000oddity\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000been\u3000years\u3000since\u3000I\u3000was\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003This\u3000coffin\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003looks\u3000like\u3000it\u3000was\u3000carved\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3000and\u3000by\u3000the\u3000same\u3000sculptor\u3000as\u3000the\u3000other\u3000nine\u3000tombs\u3002\u3000So\u3000why\u3000is\u3000this\u3000knight\u3000in\u3000a\u3000casket\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000in\u3000the\u3000open\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003One\u3000of\u3000this\u3000church’s\u3000mysteries\u3002\u3000To\u3000the\u3000best\u3000of\u3000my\u3000knowledge\uff1b\u3000nobody\u3000has\u3000ever\u3000found\u3000any\u3000explanation\u3000for\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Hello\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000altar\u3000boy\u3000said\uff1b\u3000arriving\u3000with\u3000a\u3000perturbed\u3000look\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000\u3003Forgive\u3000me\u3000if\u3000this\u3000seems\u3000rude\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you\u3000told\u3000me\u3000you\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000spread\u3000ashes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000you\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000be\u3000sightseeing\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000scowled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Wren\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000your\u3000family’s\u3000philanthropy\u3000does\u3000not\u3000buy\u3000you\u3000the\u3000time\u3000it\u3000used\u3000to\uff1b\u3000so\u3000perhaps\u3000we\u3000should\u3000take\u3000out\u3000the\u3000ashes\u3000and\u3000get\u3000on\u3000with\u3000it\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003Mrs\u3002\u3000Wren\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000played\u3000along\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000the\u3000vellum\u2026wrapped\u3000cryptex\u3000from\u3000her\u3000pocket\u3002
\n\u3003Now\u3000then\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000snapped\u3000at\u3000the\u3000boy\uff1b\u3000\u3003if\u3000you\u3000would\u3000give\u3000us\u3000some\u3000privacy\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000altar\u3000boy\u3000did\u3000not\u3000move\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000eyeing\u3000Langdon\u3000closely\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000look\u3000familiar\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000huffed\u3002\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000that\u3000is\u3000because\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Wren\u3000es\u3000here\u3000every\u3000year\uff01\u3003
\nOr\u3000perhaps\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000now\u3000feared\uff1b\u3000because\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000Langdon\u3000on\u3000television\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3000last\u3000year\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000have\u3000never\u3000met\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Wren\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000altar\u3000boy\u3000declared\u3002
\n\u3003You’re\u3000mistaken\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3000politely\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000believe\u3000you\u3000and\u3000I\u3000met\u3000in\u3000passing\u3000last\u3000year\u3002\u3000Father\u3000Knowles\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000formally\u3000introduce\u3000us\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000recognized\u3000your\u3000face\u3000as\u3000we\u3000came\u3000in\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000I\u3000realize\u3000this\u3000is\u3000an\u3000intrusion\uff1b\u3000but\u3000if\u3000you\u3000could\u3000afford\u3000me\u3000a\u3000few\u3000more\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000traveled\u3000a\u3000great\u3000distance\u3000to\u3000scatter\u3000ashes\u3000amongst\u3000these\u3000tombs\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000spoke\u3000his\u3000lines\u3000with\u3000Teabing\u2026esque\u3000believability\u3002
\nThe\u3000altar\u3000boy’s\u3000expression\u3000turned\u3000even\u3000more\u3000skeptical\u3002\u3000\u3003These\u3000are\u3000not\u3000tombs\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3000they\u3000are\u3000tombs\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000declared\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000are\u3000you\u3000talking\u3000about\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000altar\u3000boy\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Tombs\u3000contain\u3000bodies\u3002\u3000These\u3000are\u3000effigies\u3002\u3000Stone\u3000tributes\u3000to\u3000real\u3000men\u3002\u3000There\u3000are\u3000no\u3000bodies\u3000beneath\u3000these\u3000figures\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3000a\u3000crypt\uff01\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003Only\u3000in\u3000outdated\u3000history\u3000books\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\u3000believed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000crypt\u3000but\u3000was\u3000revealed\u3000as\u3000nothing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sort\u3000during\u3000the\u30001950\u3000renovation\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000I\u3000imagine\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Wren\u3000would\u3000know\u3000that\u3002\u3000Considering\u3000it\u3000was\u3000his\u3000family\u3000that\u3000uncovered\u3000that\u3000fact\u3002\u3003
\nAn\u3000uneasy\u3000silence\u3000fell\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000broken\u3000by\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000a\u3000door\u3000slamming\u3000out\u3000in\u3000the\u3000annex\u3002
\n\u3003That\u3000must\u3000be\u3000Father\u3000Knowles\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000you\u3000should\u3000go\u3000see\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000altar\u3000boy\u3000looked\u3000doubtful\u3000but\u3000stalked\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000annex\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Teabing\u3000to\u3000eye\u3000one\u3000another\u3000gloomily\u3002
\n\u3003Leigh\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000whispered\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3000bodies\uff1f\u3000What\u3000is\u3000he\u3000talking\u3000about\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000looked\u3000distraught\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3002\u3000I\u3000always\u3000thought\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000certainly\uff1b\u3000this\u3000must\u3000be\u3000the\u3000place\u3002\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000imagine\u3000he\u3000knows\u3000what\u3000he\u3000is\u3000talking\u3000about\u3002\u3000It\u3000makes\u3000no\u3000sense\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003Can\u3000I\u3000see\u3000the\u3000poem\u3000again\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002
\nSophie\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000from\u3000her\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000carefully\u3000handed\u3000it\u3000to\u3000him\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000unwrapped\u3000the\u3000vellum\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000while\u3000he\u3000examined\u3000the\u3000poem\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000the\u3000poem\u3000definitely\u3000references\u3000a\u3000tomb\u3002\u3000Not\u3000an\u3000effigy\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Could\u3000the\u3000poem\u3000be\u3000wrong\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Could\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000have\u3000made\u3000the\u3000same\u3000mistake\u3000I\u3000just\u3000did\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000considered\u3000it\u3000and\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Leigh\uff1b\u3000you\u3000said\u3000it\u3000yourself\u3002\u3000This\u3000church\u3000was\u3000built\u3000by\u3000Templars\uff1b\u3000the\u3000military\u3000arm\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3002\u3000Something\u3000tells\u3000me\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000would\u3000have\u3000a\u3000pretty\u3000good\u3000idea\u3000if\u3000there\u3000were\u3000knights\u3000buried\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000looked\u3000flabbergasted\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000this\u3000place\u3000is\u3000perfect\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000wheeled\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000knights\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000must\u3000be\u3000missing\u3000something\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000
\nEntering\u3000the\u3000annex\uff1b\u3000the\u3000altar\u3000boy\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000to\u3000find\u3000it\u3000deserted\u3002\u3000\u3003Father\u3000Knowles\uff1f\u3003\u3000I\u3000know\u3000I\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000forward\u3000until\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000entryway\u3002
\nA\u3000thin\u3000man\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tuxedo\u3000stood\u3000near\u3000the\u3000doorway\uff1b\u3000scratching\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000looking\u3000lost\u3002\u3000The\u3000altar\u3000boy\u3000gave\u3000an\u3000irritated\u3000huff\uff1b\u3000realizing\u3000he\u3000had\u3000forgotten\u3000to\u3000relock\u3000the\u3000door\u3000when\u3000he\u3000let\u3000the\u3000others\u3000in\u3002\u3000Now\u3000some\u3000pathetic\u3000sod\u3000had\u3000wandered\u3000in\u3000off\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000directions\u3000to\u3000some\u3000wedding\u3000from\u3000the\u3000looks\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000called\u3000out\uff1b\u3000passing\u3000a\u3000large\u3000pillar\uff1b\u3000\u3003we’re\u3000closed\u3002\u3003
\nA\u3000flurry\u3000of\u3000cloth\u3000ruffled\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000before\u3000the\u3000altar\u3000boy\u3000could\u3000turn\uff1b\u3000his\u3000head\u3000snapped\u3000backward\uff1b\u3000a\u3000powerful\u3000hand\u3000clamping\u3000hard\u3000over\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000from\u3000behind\uff1b\u3000muffling\u3000his\u3000scream\u3002\u3000The\u3000hand\u3000over\u3000the\u3000boy’s\u3000mouth\u3000was\u3000snow\u2026white\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000smelled\u3000alcohol\u3002
\nThe\u3000prim\u3000man\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tuxedo\u3000calmly\u3000produced\u3000a\u3000very\u3000small\u3000revolver\uff1b\u3000which\u3000he\u3000aimed\u3000directly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000boy’s\u3000forehead\u3002
\nThe\u3000altar\u3000boy\u3000felt\u3000his\u3000groin\u3000grow\u3000hot\u3000and\u3000realized\u3000he\u3000had\u3000wet\u3000himself\u3002
\n\u3003Listen\u3000carefully\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000tuxedoed\u3000man\u3000whispered\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000will\u3000exit\u3000this\u3000church\u3000silently\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\u3000will\u3000run\u3002\u3000You\u3000will\u3000not\u3000stop\u3002\u3000Is\u3000that\u3000clear\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000boy\u3000nodded\u3000as\u3000best\u3000he\u3000could\u3000with\u3000the\u3000hand\u3000over\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3002
\n\u3003If\u3000you\u3000call\u3000the\u3000police\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000tuxedoed\u3000man\u3000pressed\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000to\u3000his\u3000skin\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000find\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000next\u3000thing\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000sprinting\u3000across\u3000the\u3000outside\u3000courtyard\u3000with\u3000no\u3000plans\u3000of\u3000stopping\u3000until\u3000his\u3000legs\u3000gave\u3000out\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300086
\n
\nLike\u3000a\u3000ghost\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000drifted\u3000silently\u3000behind\u3000his\u3000target\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000sensed\u3000him\u3000too\u3000late\u3002\u3000Before\u3000she\u3000could\u3000turn\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000pressed\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000barrel\u3000into\u3000her\u3000spine\u3000and\u3000wrapped\u3000a\u3000powerful\u3000arm\u3000across\u3000her\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000her\u3000back\u3000against\u3000his\u3000hulking\u3000body\u3002\u3000She\u3000yelled\u3000in\u3000surprise\u3002\u3000Teabing\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000both\u3000turned\u3000now\uff1b\u3000their\u3000expressions\u3000astonished\u3000and\u3000fearful\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3002\u3002\u3002\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000choked\u3000out\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000did\u3000you\u3000do\u3000to\u3000R\u00e9my\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003Your\u3000only\u3000concern\uff1b\u3003\u3000Silas\u3000said\u3000calmly\uff1b\u3000\u3003is\u3000that\u3000I\u3000leave\u3000here\u3000with\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3002\u3003\u3000This\u3000recovery\u3000mission\uff1b\u3000as\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000had\u3000described\u3000it\uff1b\u3000was\u3000to\u3000be\u3000clean\u3000and\u3000simple\uff1a\u3000Enter\u3000the\u3000church\uff1b\u3000take\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000walk\u3000out\uff1b\u3000no\u3000killing\uff1b\u3000no\u3000struggle\u3002
\nHolding\u3000Sophie\u3000firm\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000dropped\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000from\u3000her\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000down\u3000to\u3000her\u3000waist\uff1b\u3000slipping\u3000it\u3000inside\u3000her\u3000deep\u3000sweater\u3000pockets\uff1b\u3000searching\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000smell\u3000the\u3000soft\u3000fragrance\u3000of\u3000her\u3000hair\u3000through\u3000his\u3000own\u3000alcohol\u2026laced\u3000breath\u3002\u3000\u3003Where\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\u3002\u3000The\u3000keystone\u3000was\u3000in\u3000her\u3000sweater\u3000pocket\u3000earlier\u3002\u3000So\u3000where\u3000is\u3000it\u3000now\uff1f
\n\u3003It’s\u3000over\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon’s\u3000deep\u3000voice\u3000resonated\u3000from\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\u3002
\nSilas\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Langdon\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000black\u3000cryptex\u3000before\u3000him\uff1b\u3000waving\u3000it\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000like\u3000a\u3000matad \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003It’s\u3000over\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon’s\u3000deep\u3000voice\u3000resonated\u3000from\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\u3002
\nSilas\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Langdon\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000black\u3000cryptex\u3000before\u3000him\uff1b\u3000waving\u3000it\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000like\u3000a\u3000matador\u3000tempting\u3000a\u3000dumb\u3000animal\u3002
\n\u3003Set\u3000it\u3000down\uff1b\u3003\u3000Silas\u3000demanded\u3002
\n\u3003Let\u3000Sophie\u3000and\u3000Leigh\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000church\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000and\u3000I\u3000can\u3000settle\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\nSilas\u3000pushed\u3000Sophie\u3000away\u3000from\u3000him\u3000and\u3000aimed\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000at\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000toward\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3003Not\u3000a\u3000step\u3000closer\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000until\u3000they\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000building\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000are\u3000in\u3000no\u3000position\u3000to\u3000make\u3000demands\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000disagree\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000high\u3000over\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000not\u3000hesitate\u3000to\u3000smash\u3000this\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000and\u3000break\u3000the\u3000vial\u3000inside\u3002\u3003
\nAlthough\u3000Silas\u3000sneered\u3000outwardly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000threat\uff1b\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000fear\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\u3000unexpected\u3002\u3000He\u3000aimed\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000at\u3000Langdon’s\u3000head\u3000and\u3000kept\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000as\u3000steady\u3000as\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000would\u3000never\u3000break\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3002\u3000You\u3000want\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000I\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You’re\u3000wrong\u3002\u3000You\u3000want\u3000it\u3000much\u3000more\u3002\u3000You’ve\u3000proven\u3000you’re\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000for\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nForty\u3000feet\u3000away\uff1b\u3000peering\u3000out\u3000from\u3000the\u3000annex\u3000pews\u3000near\u3000the\u3000archway\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000Legaludec\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000rising\u3000alarm\u3002\u3000The\u3000maneuver\u3000had\u3000not\u3000gone\u3000as\u3000planned\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000from\u3000here\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000Silas\u3000was\u3000uncertain\u3000how\u3000to\u3000handle\u3000the\u3000situation\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000Teacher’s\u3000orders\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000had\u3000forbidden\u3000Silas\u3000to\u3000fire\u3000his\u3000gun\u3002
\n\u3003Let\u3000them\u3000go\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000again\u3000demanded\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000high\u3000over\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000staring\u3000into\u3000Silas’s\u3000gun\u3002
\nThe\u3000monk’s\u3000red\u3000eyes\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000anger\u3000and\u3000frustration\uff1b\u3000and\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000tightened\u3000with\u3000fear\u3000that\u3000Silas\u3000might\u3000actually\u3000shoot\u3000Langdon\u3000while\u3000he\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3002\u3000The\u3000cryptex\u3000cannot\u3000fall\uff01
\nThe\u3000cryptex\u3000was\u3000to\u3000be\u3000R\u00e9my’s\u3000ticket\u3000to\u3000freedom\u3000and\u3000wealth\u3002\u3000A\u3000little\u3000over\u3000a\u3000year\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000simply\u3000a\u3000fifty\u2026five\u2026year\u2026old\u3000manservant\u3000living\u3000within\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\uff1b\u3000catering\u3000to\u3000the\u3000whims\u3000of\u3000the\u3000insufferable\u3000cripple\u3000Sir\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000was\u3000approached\u3000with\u3000an\u3000extraordinary\u3000proposition\u3002\u3000R\u00e9my’s\u3000association\u3000with\u3000Sir\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u2014the\u3000preeminent\u3000Grail\u3000historian\u3000on\u3000earth\u2014was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000everything\u3000he\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000dreamed\u3000of\u3000in\u3000life\u3002\u3000Since\u3000then\uff1b\u3000every\u3000moment\u3000he\u3000had\u3000spent\u3000inside\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\u3000had\u3000been\u3000leading\u3000him\u3000to\u3000this\u3000very\u3000instant\u3002
\nI\u3000am\u3000so\u3000close\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000told\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000gazing\u3000into\u3000the\u3000sanctuary\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Temple\u3000Church\u3000and\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000in\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon’s\u3000hand\u3002\u3000If\u3000Langdon\u3000dropped\u3000it\uff1b\u3000all\u3000would\u3000be\u3000lost\u3002
\nAm\u3000I\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000show\u3000my\u3000face\uff1f\u3000It\u3000was\u3000something\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000strictly\u3000forbidden\u3002\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000was\u3000the\u3000only\u3000one\u3000who\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000Teacher’s\u3000identity\u3002
\n\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000certain\u3000you\u3000want\u3000Silas\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000out\u3000this\u3000task\uff1f\u3003\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000had\u3000asked\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000less\u3000than\u3000half\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000upon\u3000getting\u3000orders\u3000to\u3000steal\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000myself\u3000am\u3000capable\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000Teacher\u3000was\u3000resolute\u3002\u3000\u3003Silas\u3000served\u3000us\u3000well\u3000with\u3000the\u3000four\u3000Priory\u3000members\u3002\u3000He\u3000will\u3000recover\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3002\u3000You\u3000must\u3000remain\u3000anonymous\u3002\u3000If\u3000others\u3000see\u3000you\uff1b\u3000they\u3000will\u3000need\u3000to\u3000be\u3000eliminated\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000has\u3000been\u3000enough\u3000killing\u3000already\u3002\u3000Do\u3000not\u3000reveal\u3000your\u3000face\u3002\u3003
\nMy\u3000face\u3000will\u3000change\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000thought\u3002\u3000With\u3000what\u3000you’ve\u3000promised\u3000to\u3000pay\u3000me\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000bee\u3000an\u3000entirely\u3000new\u3000man\u3002\u3000Surgery\u3000could\u3000even\u3000change\u3000his\u3000fingerprints\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3000Soon\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000free\u2014another\u3000unrecognizable\uff1b\u3000beautiful\u3000face\u3000soaking\u3000up\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000on\u3000the\u3000beach\u3002\u3000\u3003Understood\uff1b\u3003\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000assist\u3000Silas\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003For\u3000your\u3000own\u3000knowledge\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000told\u3000him\uff1b\u3000\u3003the\u3000tomb\u3000in\u3000question\u3000is\u3000not\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Temple\u3000Church\u3002\u3000So\u3000have\u3000no\u3000fear\u3002\u3000They\u3000are\u3000looking\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wrong\u3000place\u3002\u3003
\nR\u00e9my\u3000was\u3000stunned\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000you\u3000know\u3000where\u3000the\u3000tomb\u3000is\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3002\u3000Later\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000tell\u3000you\u3002\u3000For\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000you\u3000must\u3000act\u3000quickly\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000others\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000the\u3000true\u3000location\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tomb\u3000and\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000church\u3000before\u3000you\u3000take\u3000the\u3000cryptex\uff1b\u3000we\u3000could\u3000lose\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000forever\u3002\u3003
\nR\u00e9my\u3000didn’t\u3000give\u3000a\u3000damn\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000except\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000refused\u3000to\u3000pay\u3000him\u3000until\u3000it\u3000was\u3000found\u3002\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000felt\u3000giddy\u3000every\u3000time\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000the\u3000money\u3000he\u3000soon\u3000would\u3000have\u3002\u3000One\u3000third\u3000of\u3000twenty\u3000million\u3000euro\u3002\u3000Plenty\u3000to\u3000disappear\u3000forever\u3002\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000had\u3000pictured\u3000the\u3000beach\u3000towns\u3000on\u3000the\u3000C\uff1fte\u3000d’Azur\uff1b\u3000where\u3000he\u3000planned\u3000to\u3000live\u3000out\u3000his\u3000days\u3000basking\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000and\u3000letting\u3000others\u3000serve\u3000him\u3000for\u3000a\u3000change\u3002
\nNow\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000here\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Temple\u3000Church\uff1b\u3000with\u3000Langdon\u3000threatening\u3000to\u3000break\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my’s\u3000future\u3000was\u3000at\u3000risk\u3002\u3000Unable\u3000to\u3000bear\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000ing\u3000this\u3000close\u3000only\u3000to\u3000lose\u3000it\u3000all\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000made\u3000the\u3000decision\u3000to\u3000take\u3000bold\u3000action\u3002\u3000The\u3000gun\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000was\u3000a\u3000concealable\uff1b\u3000small\u2026caliber\uff1b\u3000J\u2026frame\u3000Medusa\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000plenty\u3000deadly\u3000at\u3000close\u3000range\u3002
\nStepping\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shadows\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000marched\u3000into\u3000the\u3000circular\u3000chamber\u3000and\u3000aimed\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000directly\u3000at\u3000Teabing’s\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Old\u3000man\uff1b\u3000I’ve\u3000been\u3000waiting\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\u3000to\u3000do\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nSir\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing’s\u3000heart\u3000practically\u3000stalled\u3000to\u3000see\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000aiming\u3000a\u3000gun\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000What\u3000is\u3000he\u3000doing\uff01\u3000Teabing\u3000recognized\u3000the\u3000tiny\u3000Medusa\u3000revolver\u3000as\u3000his\u3000own\uff1b\u3000the\u3000one\u3000he\u3000kept\u3000locked\u3000in\u3000the\u3000limousine\u3000glove\u3000box\u3000for\u3000safety\u3002
\n\u3003R\u00e9my\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000sputtered\u3000in\u3000shock\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000is\u3000going\u3000on\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000looked\u3000equally\u3000dumbstruck\u3002
\nR\u00e9my\u3000circled\u3000behind\u3000Teabing\u3000and\u3000rammed\u3000the\u3000pistol\u3000barrel\u3000into\u3000his\u3000back\uff1b\u3000high\u3000and\u3000on\u3000the\u3000left\uff1b\u3000directly\u3000behind\u3000his\u3000heart\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000felt\u3000his\u3000muscles\u3000seize\u3000with\u3000terror\u3002\u3000\u3003R\u00e9my\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don’t\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003I’ll\u3000make\u3000it\u3000simple\uff1b\u3003\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000snapped\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000Langdon\u3000over\u3000Teabing’s\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000\u3003Set\u3000down\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3000or\u3000I\u3000pull\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000seemed\u3000momentarily\u3000paralyzed\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000keystone\u3000is\u3000worthless\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000stammered\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000cannot\u3000possibly\u3000open\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Arrogant\u3000fools\uff1b\u3003\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000sneered\u3002\u3000\u3003Have\u3000you\u3000not\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000I\u3000have\u3000been\u3000listening\u3000tonight\u3000as\u3000you\u3000discussed\u3000these\u3000poems\uff1f\u3000Everything\u3000I\u3000heard\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000shared\u3000with\u3000others\u3002\u3000Others\u3000who\u3000know\u3000more\u3000than\u3000you\u3002\u3000You\u3000are\u3000not\u3000even\u3000looking\u3000in\u3000the\u3000right\u3000place\u3002\u3000The\u3000tomb\u3000you\u3000seek\u3000is\u3000in\u3000another\u3000location\u3000entirely\uff01\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000felt\u3000panicked\u3002\u3000What\u3000is\u3000he\u3000saying\uff01
\n\u3003Why\u3000do\u3000you\u3000want\u3000the\u3000Grail\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000demanded\u3002\u3000\u3003To\u3000destroy\u3000it\uff1f\u3000Before\u3000the\u3000End\u3000of\u3000Days\uff1f\u3003
\nR\u00e9my\u3000called\u3000to\u3000the\u3000monk\u3002\u3000\u3003Silas\uff1b\u3000take\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000from\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3003
\nAs\u3000the\u3000monk\u3000advanced\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000stepped\u3000back\uff1b\u3000raising\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000high\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000fully\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000hurl\u3000it\u3000at\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000would\u3000rather\u3000break\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003than\u3000see\u3000it\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wrong\u3000hands\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000now\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000wave\u3000of\u3000horror\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000see\u3000his\u3000life’s\u3000work\u3000evaporating\u3000before\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000All\u3000his\u3000dreams\u3000about\u3000to\u3000be\u3000shattered\u3002
\n\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000no\uff01\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000exclaimed\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\uff01\u3000That’s\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000you’re\u3000holding\uff01\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000would\u3000never\u3000shoot\u3000me\u3002\u3000We’ve\u3000known\u3000each\u3000other\u3000for\u3000ten\u2014\u3003
\nR\u00e9my\u3000aimed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000and\u3000fired\u3000the\u3000Medusa\u3002\u3000The\u3000blast\u3000was\u3000enormous\u3000for\u3000such\u3000a\u3000small\u3000weapon\uff1b\u3000the\u3000gunshot\u3000echoing\u3000like\u3000thunder\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000chamber\u3002
\nEveryone\u3000froze\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000am\u3000not\u3000playing\u3000games\uff1b\u3003\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000next\u3000one\u3000is\u3000in\u3000his\u3000back\u3002\u3000Hand\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000to\u3000Silas\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000reluctantly\u3000held\u3000out\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3002\u3000Silas\u3000stepped\u3000forward\u3000and\u3000took\u3000it\uff1b\u3000his\u3000red\u3000eyes\u3000gleaming\u3000with\u3000the\u3000self\u2026satisfaction\u3000of\u3000vengeance\u3002\u3000Slipping\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000robe\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000backed\u3000off\uff1b\u3000still\u3000holding\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000at\u3000gunpoint\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000felt\u3000R\u00e9my’s\u3000arm\u3000clamp\u3000hard\u3000around\u3000his\u3000neck\u3000as\u3000the\u3000servant\u3000began\u3000backing\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000building\uff1b\u3000dragging\u3000Teabing\u3000with\u3000him\uff1b\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000still\u3000pressed\u3000in\u3000his\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3003Let\u3000him\u3000go\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000demanded\u3002
\n\u3003We’re\u3000taking\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Teabing\u3000for\u3000a\u3000drive\uff1b\u3003\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000said\uff1b\u3000still\u3000backing\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000call\u3000the\u3000police\uff1b\u3000he\u3000will\u3000die\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000do\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000interfere\uff1b\u3000he\u3000will\u3000die\u3002\u3000Is\u3000that\u3000clear\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Take\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000demanded\uff1b\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000cracking\u3000with\u3000emotion\u3002\u3000\u3003Let\u3000Leigh\u3000go\u3002\u3003
\nR\u00e9my\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000think\u3000so\u3002\u3000He\u3000and\u3000I\u3000have\u3000such\u3000a\u3000nice\u3000history\u3002\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000he\u3000still\u3000might\u3000prove\u3000useful\u3002\u3003
\nSilas\u3000was\u3000backing\u3000up\u3000now\uff1b\u3000keeping\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000at\u3000gunpoint\u3000as\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000pulled\u3000Leigh\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000exit\uff1b\u3000his\u3000crutches\u3000dragging\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002
\nSophie’s\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000unwavering\u3002\u3000\u3003Who\u3000are\u3000you\u3000working\u3000for\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000question\u3000brought\u3000a\u3000smirk\u3000to\u3000the\u3000departing\u3000R\u00e9my’s\u3000face\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000would\u3000be\u3000surprised\uff1b\u3000Mademoiselle\u3000Neveu\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300087
\n
\nThe\u3000fireplace\u3000in\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette’s\u3000drawing\u3000room\u3000was\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Collet\u3000paced\u3000before\u3000it\u3000nonetheless\u3000as\u3000he\u3000read\u3000the\u3000faxes\u3000from\u3000Interpol\u3002
\nNot\u3000at\u3000all\u3000what\u3000he\u3000expected\u3002
\nAndr\u00e9\u3000Vernet\uff1b\u3000according\u3000to\u3000official\u3000records\uff1b\u3000was\u3000a\u3000model\u3000citizen\u3002\u3000No\u3000police\u3000record\u2014not\u3000even\u3000a\u3000parking\u3000ticket\u3002\u3000Educated\u3000at\u3000prep\u3000school\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Sorbonne\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000a\u3000cum\u3000laude\u3000degree\u3000in\u3000international\u3000finance\u3002\u3000Interpol\u3000said\u3000Vernet’s\u3000name\u3000appeared\u3000in\u3000the\u3000newspapers\u3000from\u3000time\u3000to\u3000time\uff1b\u3000but\u3000always\u3000in\u3000a\u3000positive\u3000light\u3002\u3000Apparently\u3000the\u3000man\u3000had\u3000helped\u3000design\u3000the\u3000security\u3000parameters\u3000that\u3000kept\u3000the\u3000Depository\u3000Bank\u3000of\u3000Zurich\u3000a\u3000leader\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ultramodern\u3000world\u3000of\u3000electronic\u3000security\u3002\u3000Vernet’s\u3000credit\u3000card\u3000records\u3000showed\u3000a\u3000penchant\u3000for\u3000art\u3000books\uff1b\u3000expensive\u3000wine\uff1b\u3000and\u3000classical\u3000CD’s\u2014mostly\u3000Brahms\u2014which\u3000he\u3000apparently\u3000enjoyed\u3000on\u3000an\u3000exceptionally\u3000high\u2026end\u3000stereo\u3000system\u3000he\u3000had\u3000purchased\u3000several\u3000years\u3000ago\u3002
\nZero\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000sighed\u3002
\nThe\u3000only\u3000red\u3000flag\u3000tonight\u3000from\u3000Interpol\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000set\u3000of\u3000fingerprints\u3000that\u3000apparently\u3000belonged\u3000to\u3000Teabing’s\u3000servant\u3002\u3000The\u3000chief\u3000PTS\u3000examiner\u3000was\u3000reading\u3000the\u3000report\u3000in\u3000a\u3000fortable\u3000chair\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\u3002
\nCollet\u3000looked\u3000over\u3002\u3000\u3003Anything\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000examiner\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003Prints\u3000belong\u3000to\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000Legaludec\u3002\u3000Wanted\u3000for\u3000petty\u3000crime\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000serious\u3002\u3000Looks\u3000like\u3000he\u3000got\u3000kicked\u3000out\u3000of\u3000university\u3000for\u3000rewiring\u3000phone\u3000jacks\u3000to\u3000get\u3000free\u3000service\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000later\u3000did\u3000some\u3000petty\u3000theft\u3002\u3000Breaking\u3000and\u3000entering\u3002\u3000Skipped\u3000out\u3000on\u3000a\u3000hospital\u3000bill\u3000once\u3000for\u3000an\u3000emergency\u3000tracheotomy\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000up\uff1b\u3000chuckling\u3002\u3000\u3003Peanut\u3000allergy\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000recalling\u3000a\u3000police\u3000investigation\u3000into\u3000a\u3000restaurant\u3000that\u3000had\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000notate\u3000on\u3000its\u3000menu\u3000that\u3000the\u3000chili\u3000recipe\u3000contained\u3000peanut \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n i\u3000recipe\u3000contained\u3000peanut\u3000oil\u3002\u3000An\u3000unsuspecting\u3000patron\u3000had\u3000died\u3000of\u3000anaphylactic\u3000shock\u3000at\u3000the\u3000table\u3000after\u3000a\u3000single\u3000bite\u3002
\n\u3003Legaludec\u3000is\u3000probably\u3000a\u3000live\u2026in\u3000here\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000getting\u3000picked\u3000up\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000examiner\u3000looked\u3000amused\u3002\u3000\u3003His\u3000lucky\u3000night\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000you\u3000better\u3000forward\u3000this\u3000info\u3000to\u3000Captain\u3000Fache\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000examiner\u3000headed\u3000off\u3000just\u3000as\u3000another\u3000PTS\u3000agent\u3000burst\u3000into\u3000the\u3000living\u3000room\u3002\u3000\u3003Lieutenant\uff01\u3000We\u3000found\u3000something\u3000in\u3000the\u3000barn\u3002\u3003
\nFrom\u3000the\u3000anxious\u3000look\u3000on\u3000the\u3000agent’s\u3000face\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000could\u3000only\u3000guess\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000body\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000Something\u3000more\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000hesitated\u3002\u3000\u3003Unexpected\u3002\u3003
\nRubbing\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000agent\u3000out\u3000to\u3000the\u3000barn\u3002\u3000As\u3000they\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000musty\uff1b\u3000cavernous\u3000space\uff1b\u3000the\u3000agent\u3000motioned\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000where\u3000a\u3000wooden\u3000ladder\u3000now\u3000ascended\u3000high\u3000into\u3000the\u3000rafters\uff1b\u3000propped\u3000against\u3000the\u3000ledge\u3000of\u3000a\u3000hayloft\u3000suspended\u3000high\u3000above\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3003That\u3000ladder\u3000wasn’t\u3000there\u3000earlier\uff1b\u3003\u3000Collet\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000I\u3000set\u3000that\u3000up\u3002\u3000We\u3000were\u3000dusting\u3000for\u3000prints\u3000near\u3000the\u3000Rolls\u3000when\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000ladder\u3000lying\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000I\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000given\u3000it\u3000a\u3000second\u3000thought\u3000except\u3000the\u3000rungs\u3000were\u3000worn\u3000and\u3000muddy\u3002\u3000This\u3000ladder\u3000gets\u3000regular\u3000use\u3002\u3000The\u3000height\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hayloft\u3000matched\u3000the\u3000ladder\uff1b\u3000so\u3000I\u3000raised\u3000it\u3000and\u3000climbed\u3000up\u3000to\u3000have\u3000a\u3000look\u3002\u3003
\nCollet’s\u3000eyes\u3000climbed\u3000the\u3000ladder’s\u3000steep\u3000incline\u3000to\u3000the\u3000soaring\u3000hayloft\u3002\u3000Someone\u3000goes\u3000up\u3000there\u3000regularly\uff1f\u3000From\u3000down\u3000here\uff1b\u3000the\u3000loft\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000deserted\u3000platform\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000admittedly\u3000most\u3000of\u3000it\u3000was\u3000invisible\u3000from\u3000this\u3000line\u3000of\u3000sight\u3002
\nA\u3000senior\u3000PTS\u3000agent\u3000appeared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ladder\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000down\u3002\u3000\u3003You’ll\u3000definitely\u3000want\u3000to\u3000see\u3000this\uff1b\u3000Lieutenant\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000waving\u3000Collet\u3000up\u3000with\u3000a\u3000latex\u2026gloved\u3000hand\u3002
\nNodding\u3000tiredly\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000walked\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000base\u3000of\u3000the\u3000old\u3000ladder\u3000and\u3000grasped\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000rungs\u3002\u3000The\u3000ladder\u3000was\u3000an\u3000antique\u3000tapered\u3000design\u3000and\u3000narrowed\u3000as\u3000Collet\u3000ascended\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000neared\u3000the\u3000top\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000almost\u3000lost\u3000his\u3000footing\u3000on\u3000a\u3000thin\u3000rung\u3002\u3000The\u3000barn\u3000below\u3000him\u3000spun\u3002\u3000Alert\u3000now\uff1b\u3000he\u3000moved\u3000on\uff1b\u3000finally\u3000reaching\u3000the\u3000top\u3002\u3000The\u3000agent\u3000above\u3000him\u3000reached\u3000out\uff1b\u3000offering\u3000his\u3000wrist\u3002\u3000Collet\u3000grabbed\u3000it\u3000and\u3000made\u3000the\u3000awkward\u3000transition\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000platform\u3002
\n\u3003It’s\u3000over\u3000there\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000PTS\u3000agent\u3000said\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000deep\u3000into\u3000the\u3000immaculately\u3000clean\u3000loft\u3002\u3000\u3003Only\u3000one\u3000set\u3000of\u3000prints\u3000up\u3000here\u3002\u3000We’ll\u3000have\u3000an\u3000ID\u3000shortly\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000squinted\u3000through\u3000the\u3000dim\u3000light\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000far\u3000wall\u3002\u3000What\u3000the\u3000hell\uff1f\u3000Nestled\u3000against\u3000the\u3000far\u3000wall\u3000sat\u3000an\u3000elaborate\u3000puter\u3000workstation\u2014two\u3000tower\u3000CPUs\uff1b\u3000a\u3000flat\u2026screen\u3000video\u3000monitor\u3000with\u3000speakers\uff1b\u3000an\u3000array\u3000of\u3000hard\u3000drives\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000multichannel\u3000audio\u3000console\u3000that\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000have\u3000its\u3000own\u3000filtered\u3000power\u3000supply\u3002
\nWhy\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3000would\u3000anyone\u3000work\u3000all\u3000the\u3000way\u3000up\u3000here\uff1f\u3000Collet\u3000moved\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000gear\u3002\u3000\u3003Have\u3000you\u3000examined\u3000the\u3000system\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000listening\u3000post\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000spun\u3002\u3000\u3003Surveillance\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000agent\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003Very\u3000advanced\u3000surveillance\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000motioned\u3000to\u3000a\u3000long\u3000project\u3000table\u3000strewn\u3000with\u3000electronic\u3000parts\uff1b\u3000manuals\uff1b\u3000tools\uff1b\u3000wires\uff1b\u3000soldering\u3000irons\uff1b\u3000and\u3000other\u3000electronic\u3000ponents\u3002\u3000\u3003Someone\u3000clearly\u3000knows\u3000what\u3000he’s\u3000doing\u3002\u3000A\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000this\u3000gear\u3000is\u3000as\u3000sophisticated\u3000as\u3000our\u3000own\u3000equipment\u3002\u3000Miniature\u3000microphones\uff1b\u3000photoelectric\u3000recharging\u3000cells\uff1b\u3000high\u2026capacity\u3000RAM\u3000chips\u3002\u3000He’s\u3000even\u3000got\u3000some\u3000of\u3000those\u3000new\u3000nano\u3000drives\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000was\u3000impressed\u3002
\n\u3003Here’s\u3000a\u3000plete\u3000system\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000agent\u3000said\uff1b\u3000handing\u3000Collet\u3000an\u3000assembly\u3000not\u3000much\u3000larger\u3000than\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000calculator\u3002\u3000Dangling\u3000off\u3000the\u3000contraption\u3000was\u3000a\u3000foot\u2026long\u3000wire\u3000with\u3000a\u3000stamp\u2026sized\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000wafer\u2026thin\u3000foil\u3000stuck\u3000on\u3000the\u3000end\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000base\u3000is\u3000a\u3000high\u2026capacity\u3000hard\u3000disk\u3000audio\u3000recording\u3000system\u3000with\u3000rechargeable\u3000battery\u3002\u3000That\u3000strip\u3000of\u3000foil\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wire\u3000is\u3000a\u3000bination\u3000microphone\u3000and\u3000photoelectric\u3000recharging\u3000cell\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000knew\u3000them\u3000well\u3002\u3000These\u3000foil\u2026like\uff1b\u3000photocell\u3000microphones\u3000had\u3000been\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000breakthrough\u3000a\u3000few\u3000years\u3000back\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000a\u3000hard\u3000disk\u3000recorder\u3000could\u3000be\u3000affixed\u3000behind\u3000a\u3000lamp\uff1b\u3000for\u3000example\uff1b\u3000with\u3000its\u3000foil\u3000microphone\u3000molded\u3000into\u3000the\u3000contour\u3000of\u3000the\u3000base\u3000and\u3000dyed\u3000to\u3000match\u3002\u3000As\u3000long\u3000as\u3000the\u3000microphone\u3000was\u3000positioned\u3000such\u3000that\u3000it\u3000received\u3000a\u3000few\u3000hours\u3000of\u3000sunlight\u3000per\u3000day\uff1b\u3000the\u3000photo\u3000cells\u3000would\u3000keep\u3000recharging\u3000the\u3000system\u3002\u3000Bugs\u3000like\u3000this\u3000one\u3000could\u3000listen\u3000indefinitely\u3002
\n\u3003Reception\u3000method\uff1f\u3003\u3000Collet\u3000asked\u3002
\nThe\u3000agent\u3000signaled\u3000to\u3000an\u3000insulated\u3000wire\u3000that\u3000ran\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000puter\uff1b\u3000up\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000through\u3000a\u3000hole\u3000in\u3000the\u3000barn\u3000roof\u3002\u3000\u3003Simple\u3000radio\u3000wave\u3002\u3000Small\u3000antenna\u3000on\u3000the\u3000roof\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000knew\u3000these\u3000recording\u3000systems\u3000were\u3000generally\u3000placed\u3000in\u3000offices\uff1b\u3000were\u3000voice\u2026activated\u3000to\u3000save\u3000hard\u3000disk\u3000space\uff1b\u3000and\u3000recorded\u3000snippets\u3000of\u3000conversation\u3000during\u3000the\u3000day\uff1b\u3000transmitting\u3000pressed\u3000audio\u3000files\u3000at\u3000night\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000detection\u3002\u3000After\u3000transmitting\uff1b\u3000the\u3000hard\u3000drive\u3000erased\u3000itself\u3000and\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000do\u3000it\u3000all\u3000over\u3000again\u3000the\u3000next\u3000day\u3002
\nCollet’s\u3000gaze\u3000moved\u3000now\u3000to\u3000a\u3000shelf\u3000on\u3000which\u3000were\u3000stacked\u3000several\u3000hundred\u3000audio\u3000cassettes\uff1b\u3000all\u3000labeled\u3000with\u3000dates\u3000and\u3000numbers\u3002\u3000Someone\u3000has\u3000been\u3000very\u3000busy\u3002\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000agent\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000have\u3000any\u3000idea\u3000what\u3000target\u3000is\u3000being\u3000bugged\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000Lieutenant\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000agent\u3000said\uff1b\u3000walking\u3000to\u3000the\u3000puter\u3000and\u3000launching\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000software\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000the\u3000strangest\u3000thing\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300088
\n
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000utterly\u3000spent\u3000as\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000hurdled\u3000a\u3000turnstile\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Temple\u3000tube\u3000station\u3000and\u3000dashed\u3000deep\u3000into\u3000the\u3000grimy\u3000labyrinth\u3000of\u3000tunnels\u3000and\u3000platforms\u3002\u3000The\u3000guilt\u3000ripped\u3000through\u3000him\u3002
\nI\u3000involved\u3000Leigh\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000he’s\u3000in\u3000enormous\u3000danger\u3002
\nR\u00e9my’s\u3000involvement\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000shock\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000it\u3000made\u3000sense\u3002\u3000Whoever\u3000was\u3000pursuing\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000had\u3000recruited\u3000someone\u3000on\u3000the\u3000inside\u3002\u3000They\u3000went\u3000to\u3000Teabing’s\u3000for\u3000the\u3000same\u3000reason\u3000I\u3000did\u3002\u3000Throughout\u3000history\uff1b\u3000those\u3000who\u3000held\u3000knowledge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000had\u3000always\u3000been\u3000magnets\u3000for\u3000thieves\u3000and\u3000scholars\u3000alike\u3002\u3000The\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000target\u3000all\u3000along\u3000should\u3000have\u3000made\u3000Langdon\u3000feel\u3000less\u3000guilty\u3000about\u3000involving\u3000him\u3002\u3000It\u3000did\u3000not\u3002\u3000We\u3000need\u3000to\u3000find\u3000Leigh\u3000and\u3000help\u3000him\u3002\u3000Immediately\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000followed\u3000Sophie\u3000to\u3000the\u3000westbound\u3000District\u3000and\u3000Circle\u3000Line\u3000platform\uff1b\u3000where\u3000she\u3000hurried\u3000to\u3000a\u3000pay\u3000phone\u3000to\u3000call\u3000the\u3000police\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000R\u00e9my’s\u3000warning\u3000to\u3000the\u3000contrary\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000sat\u3000on\u3000a\u3000grungy\u3000bench\u3000nearby\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000remorseful\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000best\u3000way\u3000to\u3000help\u3000Leigh\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000reiterated\u3000as\u3000she\u3000dialed\uff1b\u3000\u3003is\u3000to\u3000involve\u3000the\u3000London\u3000authorities\u3000immediately\u3002\u3000Trust\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000not\u3000initially\u3000agreed\u3000with\u3000this\u3000idea\uff1b\u3000but\u3000as\u3000they\u3000had\u3000hatched\u3000their\u3000plan\uff1b\u3000Sophie’s\u3000logic\u3000began\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sense\u3002\u3000Teabing\u3000was\u3000safe\u3000at\u3000the\u3000moment\u3002\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000knew\u3000where\u3000the\u3000knight’s\u3000tomb\u3000was\u3000located\uff1b\u3000they\u3000still\u3000might\u3000need\u3000Teabing’s\u3000help\u3000deciphering\u3000the\u3000orb\u3000reference\u3002\u3000What\u3000worried\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000what\u3000would\u3000happen\u3000after\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000map\u3000had\u3000been\u3000found\u3002\u3000Leigh\u3000will\u3000bee\u3000a\u3000huge\u3000liability\u3002
\nIf\u3000Langdon\u3000were\u3000to\u3000have\u3000any\u3000chance\u3000of\u3000helping\u3000Leigh\uff1b\u3000or\u3000of\u3000ever\u3000seeing\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000again\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000essential\u3000that\u3000he\u3000find\u3000the\u3000tomb\u3000first\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000has\u3000a\u3000big\u3000head\u3000start\u3002
\nSlowing\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000down\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000Sophie’s\u3000task\u3002
\nFinding\u3000the\u3000right\u3000tomb\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000Langdon’s\u3002
\nSophie\u3000would\u3000make\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000and\u3000Silas\u3000fugitives\u3000of\u3000the\u3000London\u3000police\uff1b\u3000forcing\u3000them\u3000into\u3000hiding\u3000or\uff1b\u3000better\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000catching\u3000them\u3002\u3000Langdon’s\u3000plan\u3000was\u3000less\u3000certain\u2014to\u3000take\u3000the\u3000tube\u3000to\u3000nearby\u3000King’s\u3000College\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000renowned\u3000for\u3000its\u3000electronic\u3000theological\u3000database\u3002\u3000The\u3000ultimate\u3000research\u3000tool\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000heard\u3002\u3000Instant\u3000answers\u3000to\u3000any\u3000religious\u3000historical\u3000question\u3002\u3000He\u3000wondered\u3000what\u3000the\u3000database\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000say\u3000about\u3000\u3003a\u3000knight\u3000a\u3000Pope\u3000interred\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000stood\u3000up\u3000and\u3000paced\uff1b\u3000wishing\u3000the\u3000train\u3000would\u3000hurry\u3002
\n\u3000
\nAt\u3000the\u3000pay\u3000phone\uff1b\u3000Sophie’s\u3000call\u3000finally\u3000connected\u3000to\u3000the\u3000London\u3000police\u3002
\n\u3003Snow\u3000Hill\u3000Division\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000dispatcher\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000may\u3000I\u3000direct\u3000your\u3000call\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000reporting\u3000a\u3000kidnapping\u3002\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000knew\u3000to\u3000be\u3000concise\u3002
\n\u3003Name\u3000please\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003Agent\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000with\u3000the\u3000French\u3000Judicial\u3000Police\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000title\u3000had\u3000the\u3000desired\u3000effect\u3002\u3000\u3003Right\u3000away\uff1b\u3000ma’am\u3002\u3000Let\u3000me\u3000get\u3000a\u3000detective\u3000on\u3000the\u3000line\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nAs\u3000the\u3000call\u3000went\u3000through\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000began\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000the\u3000police\u3000would\u3000even\u3000believe\u3000her\u3000description\u3000of\u3000Teabing’s\u3000captors\u3002\u3000A\u3000man\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tuxedo\u3002\u3000How\u3000much\u3000easier\u3000to\u3000identify\u3000could\u3000a\u3000suspect\u3000be\uff1f\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000changed\u3000clothes\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000partnered\u3000with\u3000an\u3000albino\u3000monk\u3002\u3000Impossible\u3000to\u3000miss\u3002\u3000Moreover\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000a\u3000hostage\u3000and\u3000could\u3000not\u3000take\u3000public\u3000transportation\u3002\u3000She\u3000wondered\u3000how\u3000many\u3000Jaguar\u3000stretch\u3000limos\u3000there\u3000could\u3000be\u3000in\u3000London\u3002
\nSophie’s\u3000connection\u3000to\u3000the\u3000detective\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000taking\u3000forever\u3002\u3000e\u3000on\uff01\u3000She\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000line\u3000clicking\u3000and\u3000buzzing\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000was\u3000being\u3000transferred\u3002
\nFifteen\u3000seconds\u3000passed\u3002
\nFinally\u3000a\u3000man\u3000came\u3000on\u3000the\u3000line\u3002\u3000\u3003Agent\u3000Neveu\uff1f\u3003
\nStunned\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000registered\u3000the\u3000gruff\u3000tone\u3000immediately\u3002
\n\u3003Agent\u3000Neveu\uff1b\u3003\u3000Bezu\u3000Fache\u3000demanded\u3002\u3000\u3003Where\u3000the\u3000hell\u3000are\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000speechless\u3002\u3000Captain\u3000Fache\u3000had\u3000apparently\u3000requested\u3000the\u3000London\u3000police\u3000dispatcher\u3000alert\u3000him\u3000if\u3000Sophie\u3000called\u3000in\u3002
\n\u3003Listen\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\uff1b\u3000speaking\u3000to\u3000her\u3000in\u3000terse\u3000French\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000made\u3000a\u3000terrible\u3000mistake\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3000is\u3000innocent\u3002\u3000All\u3000charges\u3000against\u3000him\u3000have\u3000been\u3000dropped\u3002\u3000Even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000both\u3000of\u3000you\u3000are\u3000in\u3000danger\u3002\u3000You\u3000need\u3000to\u3000e\u3000in\u3002\u3003
\nSophie’s\u3000jaw\u3000fell\u3000slack\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000how\u3000to\u3000respond\u3002\u3000Fache\u3000was\u3000not\u3000a\u3000man\u3000who\u3000apologized\u3000for\u3000anything\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000did\u3000not\u3000tell\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000was\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3002\u3000I\u3000fully\u3000intend\u3000to\u3000overlook\u3000your\u3000insubordination\u3000last\u3000night\u3000on\u3000account\u3000of\u3000the\u3000emotional\u3000stress\u3000you\u3000must\u3000be\u3000under\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000you\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000need\u3000to\u3000go\u3000to\u3000the\u3000nearest\u3000London\u3000police\u3000headquarters\u3000for\u3000refuge\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000knows\u3000I’m\u3000in\u3000London\uff1f\u3000What\u3000else\u3000does\u3000Fache\u3000know\uff1f\u3000Sophie\u3000heard\u3000what\u3000sounded\u3000like\u3000drilling\u3000or\u3000machinery\u3000in\u3000the\u3000background\u3002\u3000She\u3000also\u3000heard\u3000an\u3000odd\u3000clicking\u3000on\u3000the\u3000line\u3002\u3000\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000tracing\u3000this\u3000call\uff1b\u3000Captain\uff1f\u3003
\nFache’s\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000firm\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000and\u3000I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000on\u3000the\u3000line\u3002\u3000\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000tracing\u3000this\u3000call\uff1b\u3000Captain\uff1f\u3003
\nFache’s\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000firm\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000and\u3000I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000cooperate\uff1b\u3000Agent\u3000Neveu\u3002\u3000We\u3000both\u3000have\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000to\u3000lose\u3000here\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000damage\u3000control\u3002\u3000I\u3000made\u3000errors\u3000in\u3000judgment\u3000last\u3000night\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000those\u3000errors\u3000result\u3000in\u3000the\u3000deaths\u3000of\u3000an\u3000American\u3000professor\u3000and\u3000a\u3000DCPJ\u3000cryptologist\uff1b\u3000my\u3000career\u3000will\u3000be\u3000over\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000been\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000pull\u3000you\u3000back\u3000into\u3000safety\u3000for\u3000the\u3000last\u3000several\u3000hours\u3002\u3003
\nA\u3000warm\u3000wind\u3000was\u3000now\u3000pushing\u3000through\u3000the\u3000station\u3000as\u3000a\u3000train\u3000approached\u3000with\u3000a\u3000low\u3000rumble\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000every\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000being\u3000on\u3000it\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000apparently\u3000had\u3000the\u3000same\u3000idea\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000gathering\u3000himself\u3000together\u3000and\u3000moving\u3000toward\u3000her\u3000now\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000man\u3000you\u3000want\u3000is\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000Legaludec\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000is\u3000Teabing’s\u3000servant\u3002\u3000He\u3000just\u3000kidnapped\u3000Teabing\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000Temple\u3000Church\u3000and\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003Agent\u3000Neveu\uff01\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000bellowed\u3000as\u3000the\u3000train\u3000thundered\u3000into\u3000the\u3000station\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000not\u3000something\u3000to\u3000discuss\u3000on\u3000an\u3000open\u3000line\u3002\u3000You\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000will\u3000e\u3000in\u3000now\u3002\u3000For\u3000your\u3000own\u3000well\u2026being\uff01\u3000That\u3000is\u3000a\u3000direct\u3000order\uff01\u3003
\nSophie\u3000hung\u3000up\u3000and\u3000dashed\u3000with\u3000Langdon\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000train\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300089
\n
\nThe\u3000immaculate\u3000cabin\u3000of\u3000Teabing’s\u3000Hawker\u3000was\u3000now\u3000covered\u3000with\u3000steel\u3000shavings\u3000and\u3000smelled\u3000of\u3000pressed\u3000air\u3000and\u3000propane\u3002\u3000Bezu\u3000Fache\u3000had\u3000sent\u3000everyone\u3000away\u3000and\u3000sat\u3000alone\u3000with\u3000his\u3000drink\u3000and\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000wooden\u3000box\u3000found\u3000in\u3000Teabing’s\u3000safe\u3002
\nRunning\u3000his\u3000finger\u3000across\u3000the\u3000inlaid\u3000Rose\uff1b\u3000he\u3000lifted\u3000the\u3000ornate\u3000lid\u3002\u3000Inside\u3000he\u3000found\u3000a\u3000stone\u3000cylinder\u3000with\u3000lettered\u3000dials\u3002\u3000The\u3000five\u3000dials\u3000were\u3000arranged\u3000to\u3000spell\u3000SOFIA\u3002\u3000Fache\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000word\u3000a\u3000long\u3000moment\u3000and\u3000then\u3000lifted\u3000the\u3000cylinder\u3000from\u3000its\u3000padded\u3000resting\u3000place\u3000and\u3000examined\u3000every\u3000inch\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000slowly\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ends\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000slid\u3000off\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000end\u3000caps\u3002\u3000The\u3000cylinder\u3000was\u3000empty\u3002
\nFache\u3000set\u3000it\u3000back\u3000in\u3000the\u3000box\u3000and\u3000gazed\u3000absently\u3000out\u3000the\u3000jet’s\u3000window\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hangar\uff1b\u3000pondering\u3000his\u3000brief\u3000conversation\u3000with\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000the\u3000information\u3000he’d\u3000received\u3000from\u3000PTS\u3000in\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\u3002\u3000The\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000his\u3000phone\u3000shook\u3000him\u3000from\u3000his\u3000daydream\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000the\u3000DCPJ\u3000switchboard\u3002\u3000The\u3000dispatcher\u3000was\u3000apologetic\u3002\u3000The\u3000president\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Depository\u3000Bank\u3000of\u3000Zurich\u3000had\u3000been\u3000calling\u3000repeatedly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000although\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000told\u3000several\u3000times\u3000that\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000was\u3000in\u3000London\u3000on\u3000business\uff1b\u3000he\u3000just\u3000kept\u3000calling\u3002\u3000Begrudgingly\u3000Fache\u3000told\u3000the\u3000operator\u3000to\u3000forward\u3000the\u3000call\u3002
\n\u3003Monsieur\u3000Vernet\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\uff1b\u3000before\u3000the\u3000man\u3000could\u3000even\u3000speak\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000sorry\u3000I\u3000did\u3000not\u3000call\u3000you\u3000earlier\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000been\u3000busy\u3002\u3000As\u3000promised\uff1b\u3000the\u3000name\u3000of\u3000your\u3000bank\u3000has\u3000not\u3000appeared\u3000in\u3000the\u3000media\u3002\u3000So\u3000what\u3000precisely\u3000is\u3000your\u3000concern\uff1f\u3003
\nVernet’s\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000anxious\u3000as\u3000he\u3000told\u3000Fache\u3000how\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000extracted\u3000a\u3000small\u3000wooden\u3000box\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bank\u3000and\u3000then\u3000persuaded\u3000Vernet\u3000to\u3000help\u3000them\u3000escape\u3002\u3000\u3003Then\u3000when\u3000I\u3000heard\u3000on\u3000the\u3000radio\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000criminals\uff1b\u3003\u3000Vernet\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000pulled\u3000over\u3000and\u3000demanded\u3000the\u3000box\u3000back\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000attacked\u3000me\u3000and\u3000stole\u3000the\u3000truck\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000are\u3000concerned\u3000for\u3000a\u3000wooden\u3000box\uff1b\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000said\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3000inlay\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cover\u3000and\u3000again\u3000gently\u3000opening\u3000the\u3000lid\u3000to\u3000reveal\u3000the\u3000white\u3000cylinder\u3002\u3000\u3003Can\u3000you\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000what\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000box\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000contents\u3000are\u3000immaterial\uff1b\u3003\u3000Vernet\u3000fired\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000concerned\u3000with\u3000the\u3000reputation\u3000of\u3000my\u3000bank\u3002\u3000We\u3000have\u3000never\u3000had\u3000a\u3000robbery\u3002\u3000Ever\u3002\u3000It\u3000will\u3000ruin\u3000us\u3000if\u3000I\u3000cannot\u3000recover\u3000this\u3000property\u3000on\u3000behalf\u3000of\u3000my\u3000client\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000said\u3000Agent\u3000Neveu\u3000and\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000a\u3000password\u3000and\u3000a\u3000key\u3002\u3000What\u3000makes\u3000you\u3000say\u3000they\u3000stole\u3000the\u3000box\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003They\u3000murdered\u3000people\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000Including\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu’s\u3000grandfather\u3002\u3000The\u3000key\u3000and\u3000password\u3000were\u3000obviously\u3000ill\u2026gotten\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Vernet\uff1b\u3000my\u3000men\u3000have\u3000done\u3000some\u3000checking\u3000into\u3000your\u3000background\u3000and\u3000your\u3000interests\u3002\u3000You\u3000are\u3000obviously\u3000a\u3000man\u3000of\u3000great\u3000culture\u3000and\u3000refinement\u3002\u3000I\u3000would\u3000imagine\u3000you\u3000are\u3000a\u3000man\u3000of\u3000honor\uff1b\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000As\u3000am\u3000I\u3002\u3000That\u3000said\uff1b\u3000I\u3000give\u3000you\u3000my\u3000word\u3000as\u3000manding\u3000officer\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Police\u3000Judiciaire\u3000that\u3000your\u3000box\uff1b\u3000along\u3000with\u3000your\u3000bank’s\u3000reputation\uff1b\u3000are\u3000in\u3000the\u3000safest\u3000of\u3000hands\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300090
\n
\nHigh\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hayloft\u3000at\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\uff1b\u3000Collet\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000puter\u3000monitor\u3000in\u3000amazement\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000system\u3000is\u3000eavesdropping\u3000on\u3000all\u3000these\u3000locations\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000agent\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000looks\u3000like\u3000data\u3000has\u3000been\u3000collected\u3000for\u3000over\u3000a\u3000year\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000read\u3000the\u3000list\u3000again\uff1b\u3000speechless\u3002
\nCOLBERT\u3000SOSTAQUE\u2014Chairman\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Conseil\u3000Constitutionnel
\nJEAN\u3000CHAFF\u00e9E\u2014Curator\uff1b\u3000Mus\u00e9e\u3000du\u3000Jeu\u3000de\u3000Paume
\nEDOUARD\u3000DESROCHERS\u2014Senior\u3000Archivist\uff1b\u3000Mitterrand\u3000Library
\nJACQUES\u3000SAUNI\u00e8RE\u2014Curator\uff1b\u3000Mus\u00e9e\u3000du\u3000Louvre
\nMICHEL\u3000BRETON\u2014Head\u3000of\u3000DAS\u3000\uff08French\u3000Intelligence\uff09
\nThe\u3000agent\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000screen\u3002\u3000\u3003Number\u3000four\u3000is\u3000of\u3000obvious\u3000concern\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000nodded\u3000blankly\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000noticed\u3000it\u3000immediately\u3002\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000was\u3000being\u3000bugged\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000list\u3000again\u3002\u3000How\u3000could\u3000anyone\u3000possibly\u3000manage\u3000to\u3000bug\u3000these\u3000prominent\u3000people\uff1f\u3000\u3003Have\u3000you\u3000heard\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000audio\u3000files\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003A\u3000few\u3002\u3000Here’s\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000most\u3000recent\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000agent\u3000clicked\u3000a\u3000few\u3000puter\u3000keys\u3002\u3000The\u3000speakers\u3000crackled\u3000to\u3000life\u3002\u3000\u3003Capitaine\uff1b\u3000un\u3000agent\u3000du\u3000D\u00e9partement\u3000de\u3000Cryptographie\u3000est\u3000arriv\u00e9\u3002\u3003
\nCollet\u3000could\u3000not\u3000believe\u3000his\u3000ears\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000me\uff01\u3000That’s\u3000my\u3000voice\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000recalled\u3000sitting\u3000at\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000desk\u3000and\u3000radioing\u3000Fache\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\u3000to\u3000alert\u3000him\u3000of\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu’s\u3000arrival\u3002
\nThe\u3000agent\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000our\u3000Louvre\u3000investigation\u3000tonight\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000audible\u3000if\u3000someone\u3000had\u3000been\u3000interested\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Have\u3000you\u3000sent\u3000anyone\u3000in\u3000to\u3000sweep\u3000for\u3000the\u3000bug\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3000need\u3002\u3000I\u3000know\u3000exactly\u3000where\u3000it\u3000is\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000agent\u3000went\u3000to\u3000a\u3000pile\u3000of\u3000old\u3000notes\u3000and\u3000blueprints\u3000on\u3000the\u3000worktable\u3002\u3000He\u3000selected\u3000a\u3000page\u3000and\u3000handed\u3000it\u3000to\u3000Collet\u3002\u3000\u3003Look\u3000familiar\uff1f\u3003
\nCollet\u3000was\u3000amazed\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000a\u3000photocopy\u3000of\u3000an\u3000ancient\u3000schematic\u3000diagram\uff1b\u3000which\u3000depicted\u3000a\u3000rudimentary\u3000machine\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000read\u3000the\u3000handwritten\u3000Italian\u3000labels\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000at\u3002\u3000A\u3000model\u3000for\u3000a\u3000fully\u3000articulated\u3000medieval\u3000French\u3000knight\u3002
\nThe\u3000knight\u3000sitting\u3000on\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000desk\uff01
\nCollet’s\u3000eyes\u3000moved\u3000to\u3000the\u3000margins\uff1b\u3000where\u3000someone\u3000had\u3000scribbled\u3000notes\u3000on\u3000the\u3000photocopy\u3000in\u3000red\u3000felt\u2026tipped\u3000marker\u3002\u3000The\u3000notes\u3000were\u3000in\u3000French\u3000and\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000ideas\u3000outlining\u3000how\u3000best\u3000to\u3000insert\u3000a\u3000listening\u3000device\u3000into\u3000the\u3000knight\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300091
\n
\nSilas\u3000sat\u3000in\u3000the\u3000passenger\u3000seat\u3000of\u3000the\u3000parked\u3000Jaguar\u3000limousine\u3000near\u3000the\u3000Temple\u3000Church\u3002\u3000His\u3000hands\u3000felt\u3000damp\u3000on\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000as\u3000he\u3000waited\u3000for\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000to\u3000finish\u3000tying\u3000and\u3000gagging\u3000Teabing\u3000in\u3000back\u3000with\u3000the\u3000rope\u3000they\u3000had\u3000found\u3000in\u3000the\u3000trunk\u3002
\nFinally\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000climbed\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000limo\uff1b\u3000walked\u3000around\uff1b\u3000and\u3000slid\u3000into\u3000the\u3000driver’s\u3000seat\u3000beside\u3000Silas\u3002
\n\u3003Secure\uff1f\u3003\u3000Silas\u3000asked\u3002
\nR\u00e9my\u3000chuckled\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000off\u3000the\u3000rain\u3000and\u3000glancing\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000through\u3000the\u3000open\u3000partition\u3000at\u3000the\u3000crumpled\u3000form\u3000of\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000barely\u3000visible\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rear\u3002\u3000\u3003He’s\u3000not\u3000going\u3000anywhere\u3002\u3003
\nSilas\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000Teabing’s\u3000muffled\u3000cries\u3000and\u3000realized\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000had\u3000used\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000old\u3000duct\u3000tape\u3000to\u3000gag\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3003Ferme\u3000ta\u3000gueule\uff01\u3003\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000shouted\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000at\u3000Teabing\u3002\u3000Reaching\u3000to\u3000a\u3000control\u3000panel\u3000on\u3000the\u3000elaborate\u3000dash\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000pressed\u3000a\u3000button\u3002\u3000An\u3000opaque\u3000partition\u3000raised\u3000behind\u3000them\uff1b\u3000sealing\u3000off\u3000the\u3000back\u3002\u3000Teabing\u3000disappeared\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000silenced\u3002\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000Silas\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000been\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000his\u3000miserable\u3000whimpering\u3000long\u3000enough\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nMinutes\u3000later\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Jaguar\u3000stretch\u3000limo\u3000powered\u3000through\u3000the\u3000streets\uff1b\u3000Silas’s\u3000cell\u3000phone\u3000rang\u3002\u3000The\u3000Teacher\u3002\u3000He\u3000answered\u3000excitedly\u3002\u3000\u3003Hello\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Silas\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Teacher’s\u3000familiar\u3000French\u3000accent\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000relieved\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000your\u3000voice\u3002\u3000This\u3000means\u3000you\u3000are\u3000safe\u3002\u3003
\nSilas\u3000was\u3000equally\u3000forted\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000been\u3000hours\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000operation\u3000had\u3000veered\u3000wildly\u3000off\u3000course\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000back\u3000on\u3000track\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3000superb\u3000news\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000with\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\nSilas\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000use\u3000R\u00e9my’s\u3000name\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000freed\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003As\u3000I\u3000ordered\u3000him\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000only\u3000sorry\u3000you\u3000had\u3000to\u3000endure\u3000captivity\u3000for\u3000so\u3000long\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Physical\u3000disfort\u3000has\u3000no\u3000meaning\u3002\u3000The\u3000important\u3000thing\u3000is\u3000that\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000is\u3000ours\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000I\u3000need\u3000it\u3000delivered\u3000to\u3000me\u3000at\u3000once\u3002\u3000Time\u3000is\u3000of\u3000the\u3000essence\u3002\u3003
\nSilas\u3000was\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000face\u2026to\u2026face\u3000at\u3000last\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000be\u3000honored\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Silas\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000like\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000it\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\nR\u00e9my\uff1f\u3000Silas\u3000was\u3000crestfallen\u3002\u3000After\u3000everything\u3000Silas\u3000had\u3000done\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Teacher\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000believed\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000the\u3000one\u3000to\u3000hand\u3000over\u3000the\u3000prize\u3002\u3000The\u3000Teacher\u3000favors\u3000R\u00e9my\uff1f
\n\u3003I\u3000sense\u3000your\u3000disappointment\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003which\u3000tells\u3000me\u3000you\u3000do\u3000not\u3000understand\u3000my\u3000meaning\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000lowered\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000to\u3000a\u3000whisper\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000must\u3000believe\u3000that\u3000I\u3000would\u3000much\u3000prefer\u3000to\u3000receive\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000from\u3000you\u2014a\u3000man\u3000of\u3000God\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000a\u3000criminal\u2014but\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000must\u3000be\u3000dealt\u3000with\u3002\u3000He\u3000disobeyed\u3000my\u3000orders\u3000and\u3000made\u3000a\u3000grave\u3000mistake\u3000that\u3000has\u3000put\u3000our\u3000entire\u3000mission\u3000at\u3000risk\u3002\u3003
\nSilas\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000chill\u3000and\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000at\u3000R\u00e9my\u3002\u3000Kidnapping\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000not\u3000been\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plan\uff1b\u3000and\u3000deciding\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000him\u3000posed\u3000a\u3000new\u3000problem\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000and\u3000I\u3000are\u3000men\u3000of\u3000God\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000whispered\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000cannot\u3000be\u3000deterred\u3000from\u3000our\u3000goal\u3002\u3003\u3000There\u3000was\u3000an\u3000ominous\u3000pause\u3000on\u3000the\u3000line\u3002\u3000\u3003For\u3000this\u3000reason\u3000alone\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000ask\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000me\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3002\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000understand\uff1f\u3003
\nSilas\u3000sensed\u3000anger\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Teacher’s\u3000voice\u3000and\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000the\u3000man\u3000was\u3000not\u3000more\u3000understanding\u3002\u3000Showing\u3000his\u3000face\u3000could\u3000not\u3000be\u3000avoided\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000thought\u3002\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000did\u3000what\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000He\u3000saved\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000understand\uff1b\u3003\u3000Silas\u3000managed\u3002
\n\u3003Good\u3002\u3000For\u3000your\u3000own\u3000safety\uff1b\u3000you\u3000need\u3000to\u3000get\u3000off\u3000the\u3000street\u3000immediately\u3002\u3000The\u3000police\u3000will\u3000be\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000the\u3000limousine\u3000soon\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000do\u3000not\u3000want\u3000you\u3000caught\u3002\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000has\u3000a\u3000residence\u3000in\u3000London\uff1b\u3000no\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000you\u3000are\u3000wele\u3000there\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003As\u3000a\u3000brother\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Then\u3000go\u3000there\u3000and\u3000stay\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000call\u3000you\u3000the\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003Of\u3000course\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000you\u3000are\u3000wele\u3000there\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003As\u3000a\u3000brother\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Then\u3000go\u3000there\u3000and\u3000stay\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000call\u3000you\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000I\u3000am\u3000in\u3000possession\u3000of\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000and\u3000have\u3000attended\u3000to\u3000my\u3000current\u3000problem\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000are\u3000in\u3000London\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Do\u3000as\u3000I\u3000say\uff1b\u3000and\u3000everything\u3000will\u3000be\u3000fine\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000Teacher\u3000heaved\u3000a\u3000sigh\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000what\u3000he\u3000now\u3000had\u3000to\u3000do\u3000was\u3000profoundly\u3000regrettable\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000time\u3000I\u3000speak\u3000to\u3000R\u00e9my\u3002\u3003
\nSilas\u3000handed\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000the\u3000phone\uff1b\u3000sensing\u3000it\u3000might\u3000be\u3000the\u3000last\u3000call\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000Legaludec\u3000ever\u3000took\u3002
\n\u3000
\nAs\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000took\u3000the\u3000phone\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000this\u3000poor\uff1b\u3000twisted\u3000monk\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000what\u3000fate\u3000awaited\u3000him\u3000now\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000served\u3000his\u3000purpose\u3002
\nThe\u3000Teacher\u3000used\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3002
\nAnd\u3000your\u3000bishop\u3000is\u3000a\u3000pawn\u3002
\nR\u00e9my\u3000still\u3000marveled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Teacher’s\u3000powers\u3000of\u3000persuasion\u3002\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3000had\u3000trusted\u3000everything\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000been\u3000blinded\u3000by\u3000his\u3000own\u3000desperation\u3002\u3000Aringarosa\u3000was\u3000far\u3000too\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000believe\u3002\u3000Although\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000did\u3000not\u3000particularly\u3000like\u3000the\u3000Teacher\uff1b\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000pride\u3000at\u3000having\u3000gained\u3000the\u3000man’s\u3000trust\u3000and\u3000helped\u3000him\u3000so\u3000substantially\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000earned\u3000my\u3000payday\u3002
\n\u3003Listen\u3000carefully\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Take\u3000Silas\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000residence\u3000hall\u3000and\u3000drop\u3000him\u3000off\u3000a\u3000few\u3000streets\u3000away\u3002\u3000Then\u3000drive\u3000to\u3000St\u3002\u3000James’s\u3000Park\u3002\u3000It\u3000is\u3000adjacent\u3000to\u3000Parliament\u3000and\u3000Big\u3000Ben\u3002\u3000You\u3000can\u3000park\u3000the\u3000limousine\u3000on\u3000Horse\u3000Guards\u3000Parade\u3002\u3000We’ll\u3000talk\u3000there\u3002\u3003
\nWith\u3000that\uff1b\u3000the\u3000connection\u3000went\u3000dead\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300092
\n
\nKing’s\u3000College\uff1b\u3000established\u3000by\u3000King\u3000George\u3000IV\u3000in\u30001829\uff1b\u3000houses\u3000its\u3000Department\u3000of\u3000Theology\u3000and\u3000Religious\u3000Studies\u3000adjacent\u3000to\u3000Parliament\u3000on\u3000property\u3000granted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Crown\u3002\u3000King’s\u3000College\u3000Religion\u3000Department\u3000boasts\u3000not\u3000only\u3000150\u3000years’\u3000experience\u3000in\u3000teaching\u3000and\u3000research\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u30001982\u3000establishment\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Research\u3000Institute\u3000in\u3000Systematic\u3000Theology\uff1b\u3000which\u3000possesses\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000most\u3000plete\u3000and\u3000electronically\u3000advanced\u3000religious\u3000research\u3000libraries\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000still\u3000felt\u3000shaky\u3000as\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000came\u3000in\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rain\u3000and\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000library\u3002\u3000The\u3000primary\u3000research\u3000room\u3000was\u3000as\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000described\u3000it\u2014a\u3000dramatic\u3000octagonal\u3000chamber\u3000dominated\u3000by\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000round\u3000table\u3000around\u3000which\u3000King\u3000Arthur\u3000and\u3000his\u3000knights\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000fortable\u3000were\u3000it\u3000not\u3000for\u3000the\u3000presence\u3000of\u3000twelve\u3000flat\u2026screen\u3000puter\u3000workstations\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000far\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000a\u3000reference\u3000librarian\u3000was\u3000just\u3000pouring\u3000a\u3000pot\u3000of\u3000tea\u3000and\u3000settling\u3000in\u3000for\u3000her\u3000day\u3000of\u3000work\u3002
\n\u3003Lovely\u3000morning\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000cheerful\u3000British\u3000accent\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000tea\u3000and\u3000walking\u3000over\u3002\u3000\u3003May\u3000I\u3000help\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000name\u3000is\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003Robert\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000pleasant\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000who\u3000you\u3000are\u3002\u3003
\nFor\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000he\u3000feared\u3000Fache\u3000had\u3000put\u3000him\u3000on\u3000English\u3000television\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000librarian’s\u3000smile\u3000suggested\u3000otherwise\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000still\u3000had\u3000not\u3000gotten\u3000used\u3000to\u3000these\u3000moments\u3000of\u3000unexpected\u3000celebrity\u3002\u3000Then\u3000again\uff1b\u3000if\u3000anyone\u3000on\u3000earth\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000recognize\u3000his\u3000face\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000a\u3000librarian\u3000in\u3000a\u3000Religious\u3000Studies\u3000reference\u3000facility\u3002
\n\u3003Pamela\u3000Gettum\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000librarian\u3000said\uff1b\u3000offering\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000a\u3000genial\uff1b\u3000erudite\u3000face\u3000and\u3000a\u3000pleasingly\u3000fluid\u3000voice\u3002\u3000The\u3000horn\u2026rimmed\u3000glasses\u3000hanging\u3000around\u3000her\u3000neck\u3000were\u3000thick\u3002
\n\u3003A\u3000pleasure\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000my\u3000friend\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000two\u3000women\u3000greeted\u3000one\u3000another\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Gettum\u3000turned\u3000immediately\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000you\u3000were\u3000ing\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Neither\u3000did\u3000we\u3002\u3000If\u3000it’s\u3000not\u3000too\u3000much\u3000trouble\uff1b\u3000we\u3000could\u3000really\u3000use\u3000your\u3000help\u3000finding\u3000some\u3000information\u3002\u3003
\nGettum\u3000shifted\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000uncertain\u3002\u3000\u3003Normally\u3000our\u3000services\u3000are\u3000by\u3000petition\u3000and\u3000appointment\u3000only\uff1b\u3000unless\u3000of\u3000course\u3000you’re\u3000the\u3000guest\u3000of\u3000someone\u3000at\u3000the\u3000college\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000afraid\u3000we’ve\u3000e\u3000unannounced\u3002\u3000A\u3000friend\u3000of\u3000mine\u3000speaks\u3000very\u3000highly\u3000of\u3000you\u3002\u3000Sir\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000pang\u3000of\u3000gloom\u3000as\u3000he\u3000said\u3000the\u3000name\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000British\u3000Royal\u3000Historian\u3002\u3003
\nGettum\u3000brightened\u3000now\uff1b\u3000laughing\u3002\u3000\u3003Heavens\uff1b\u3000yes\u3002\u3000What\u3000a\u3000character\u3002\u3000Fanatical\uff01\u3000Every\u3000time\u3000he\u3000es\u3000in\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000always\u3000the\u3000same\u3000search\u3000strings\u3002\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000I\u3000swear\u3000that\u3000man\u3000will\u3000die\u3000before\u3000he\u3000gives\u3000up\u3000on\u3000that\u3000quest\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000winked\u3002\u3000\u3003Time\u3000and\u3000money\u3000afford\u3000one\u3000such\u3000lovely\u3000luxuries\uff1b\u3000wouldn’t\u3000you\u3000say\uff1f\u3000A\u3000regular\u3000Don\u3000Quixote\uff1b\u3000that\u3000one\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Is\u3000there\u3000any\u3000chance\u3000you\u3000can\u3000help\u3000us\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000quite\u3000important\u3002\u3003
\nGettum\u3000glanced\u3000around\u3000the\u3000deserted\u3000library\u3000and\u3000then\u3000winked\u3000at\u3000them\u3000both\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000very\u3000well\u3000claim\u3000I’m\u3000too\u3000busy\uff1b\u3000now\u3000can\u3000I\uff1f\u3000As\u3000long\u3000as\u3000you\u3000sign\u3000in\uff1b\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000imagine\u3000anyone\u3000being\u3000too\u3000upset\u3002\u3000What\u3000did\u3000you\u3000have\u3000in\u3000mind\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003We’re\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000find\u3000a\u3000tomb\u3000in\u3000London\u3002\u3003
\nGettum\u3000looked\u3000dubious\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000got\u3000about\u3000twenty\u3000thousand\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000Can\u3000you\u3000be\u3000a\u3000little\u3000more\u3000specific\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000the\u3000tomb\u3000of\u3000a\u3000knight\u3002\u3000We\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000a\u3000name\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003A\u3000knight\u3002\u3000That\u3000tightens\u3000the\u3000net\u3000substantially\u3002\u3000Much\u3000less\u3000mon\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000much\u3000information\u3000about\u3000the\u3000knight\u3000we’re\u3000looking\u3000for\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000this\u3000is\u3000what\u3000we\u3000know\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000produced\u3000a\u3000slip\u3000of\u3000paper\u3000on\u3000which\u3000she\u3000had\u3000written\u3000only\u3000the\u3000first\u3000two\u3000lines\u3000of\u3000the\u3000poem\u3002
\nHesitant\u3000to\u3000show\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000poem\u3000to\u3000an\u3000outsider\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000share\u3000just\u3000the\u3000first\u3000two\u3000lines\uff1b\u3000those\u3000that\u3000identified\u3000the\u3000knight\u3002\u3000partmentalized\u3000cryptography\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000called\u3000it\u3002\u3000When\u3000an\u3000intelligence\u3000agency\u3000intercepted\u3000a\u3000code\u3000containing\u3000sensitive\u3000data\uff1b\u3000cryptographers\u3000each\u3000worked\u3000on\u3000a\u3000discrete\u3000section\u3000of\u3000the\u3000code\u3002\u3000This\u3000way\uff1b\u3000when\u3000they\u3000broke\u3000it\uff1b\u3000no\u3000single\u3000cryptographer\u3000possessed\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000deciphered\u3000message\u3002
\nIn\u3000this\u3000case\uff1b\u3000the\u3000precaution\u3000was\u3000probably\u3000excessive\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000this\u3000librarian\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000poem\uff1b\u3000identified\u3000the\u3000knight’s\u3000tomb\uff1b\u3000and\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000orb\u3000was\u3000missing\uff1b\u3000the\u3000information\u3000was\u3000useless\u3000without\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3002
\n\u3000
\nGettum\u3000sensed\u3000an\u3000urgency\u3000in\u3000the\u3000eyes\u3000of\u3000this\u3000famed\u3000American\u3000scholar\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000if\u3000his\u3000finding\u3000this\u3000tomb\u3000quickly\u3000were\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000critical\u3000importance\u3002\u3000The\u3000green\u2026eyed\u3000woman\u3000acpanying\u3000him\u3000also\u3000seemed\u3000anxious\u3002
\nPuzzled\uff1b\u3000Gettum\u3000put\u3000on\u3000her\u3000glasses\u3000and\u3000examined\u3000the\u3000paper\u3000they\u3000had\u3000just\u3000handed\u3000her\u3002
\nIn\u3000London\u3000lies\u3000a\u3000knight\u3000a\u3000Pope\u3000interred\u3002
\nHis\u3000labor’s\u3000fruit\u3000a\u3000Holy\u3000wrath\u3000incurred\u3002
\n\u3000
\nShe\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000her\u3000guests\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000is\u3000this\uff1f\u3000Some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000Harvard\u3000scavenger\u3000hunt\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon’s\u3000laugh\u3000sounded\u3000forced\u3002\u3000\u3003Yeah\uff1b\u3000something\u3000like\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\nGettum\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000she\u3000was\u3000not\u3000getting\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000story\u3002\u3000Nonetheless\uff1b\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000intrigued\u3000and\u3000found\u3000herself\u3000pondering\u3000the\u3000verse\u3000carefully\u3002\u3000\u3003According\u3000to\u3000this\u3000rhyme\uff1b\u3000a\u3000knight\u3000did\u3000something\u3000that\u3000incurred\u3000displeasure\u3000with\u3000God\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000a\u3000Pope\u3000was\u3000kind\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000bury\u3000him\u3000in\u3000London\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003Does\u3000it\u3000ring\u3000any\u3000bells\uff1f\u3003
\nGettum\u3000moved\u3000toward\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000workstations\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000offhand\uff1b\u3000but\u3000let’s\u3000see\u3000what\u3000we\u3000can\u3000pull\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000database\u3002\u3003
\nOver\u3000the\u3000past\u3000two\u3000decades\uff1b\u3000King’s\u3000College\u3000Research\u3000Institute\u3000in\u3000Systematic\u3000Theology\u3000had\u3000used\u3000optical\u3000character\u3000recognition\u3000software\u3000in\u3000unison\u3000with\u3000linguistic\u3000translation\u3000devices\u3000to\u3000digitize\u3000and\u3000catalog\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000collection\u3000of\u3000texts\u2014encyclopedias\u3000of\u3000religion\uff1b\u3000religious\u3000biographies\uff1b\u3000sacred\u3000scriptures\u3000in\u3000dozens\u3000of\u3000languages\uff1b\u3000histories\uff1b\u3000Vatican\u3000letters\uff1b\u3000diaries\u3000of\u3000clerics\uff1b\u3000anything\u3000at\u3000all\u3000that\u3000qualified\u3000as\u3000writings\u3000on\u3000human\u3000spirituality\u3002\u3000Because\u3000the\u3000massive\u3000collection\u3000was\u3000now\u3000in\u3000the\u3000form\u3000of\u3000bits\u3000and\u3000bytes\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000physical\u3000pages\uff1b\u3000the\u3000data\u3000was\u3000infinitely\u3000more\u3000accessible\u3002
\nSettling\u3000into\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000workstations\uff1b\u3000Gettum\u3000eyed\u3000the\u3000slip\u3000of\u3000paper\u3000and\u3000began\u3000typing\u3002\u3000\u3003To\u3000begin\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000run\u3000a\u3000straight\u3000Boolean\u3000with\u3000a\u3000few\u3000obvious\u3000keywords\u3000and\u3000see\u3000what\u3000happens\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nGettum\u3000typed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000few\u3000words\uff1a
\nLONDON\uff1b\u3000KNIGHT\uff1b\u3000POPE
\n\u3000
\nAs\u3000she\u3000clicked\u3000the\u3000SEARCH\u3000button\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000hum\u3000of\u3000the\u3000massive\u3000mainframe\u3000downstairs\u3000scanning\u3000data\u3000at\u3000a\u3000rate\u3000of\u3000500\u3000MB\/sec\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000asking\u3000the\u3000system\u3000to\u3000show\u3000us\u3000any\u3000documents\u3000whose\u3000plete\u3000text\u3000contains\u3000all\u3000three\u3000of\u3000these\u3000keywords\u3002\u3000We’ll\u3000get\u3000more\u3000hits\u3000than\u3000we\u3000want\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it’s\u3000a\u3000good\u3000place\u3000to\u3000start\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000screen\u3000was\u3000already\u3000showing\u3000the\u3000first\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hits\u3000now\u3002
\nPainting\u3000the\u3000Pope\u3002\u3000The\u3000Collected\u3000Portraits\u3000of\u3000Sir\u3000Joshua\u3000Reynolds\u3002\u3000London\u3000University\u3000Press\u3002
\n\u3000
\nGettum\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Obviously\u3000not\u3000what\u3000you’re\u3000looking\u3000for\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000scrolled\u3000to\u3000the\u3000next\u3000hit\u3002
\nThe\u3000London\u3000Writings\u3000of\u3000Alexander\u3000Pope\u3000by\u3000G\u3002\u3000Wilson\u3000Knight\u3002
\n\u3000
\nAgain\u3000she\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002
\nAs\u3000the\u3000system\u3000churned\u3000on\uff1b\u3000the\u3000hits\u3000came\u3000up\u3000more\u3000quickly\u3000than\u3000usual\u3002\u3000Dozens\u3000of\u3000texts\u3000appeared\uff1b\u3000many\u3000of\u3000them\u3000referencing\u3000the\u3000eighteenth\u2026century\u3000British\u3000writer\u3000Alexander\u3000Pope\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000counterreligious\uff1b\u3000mock\u2026epic\u3000poetry\u3000apparently\u3000contained\u3000plenty\u3000of\u3000references\u3000to\u3000knights\u3000and\u3000London\u3002
\nGettum\u3000shot\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000glance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000numeric\u3000field\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000screen\u3002\u3000This\u3000puter\uff1b\u3000by\u3000calculating\u3000the\u3000current\u3000number\u3000of\u3000hits\u3000and\u3000multiplying\u3000by\u3000the\u3000percentage\u3000of\u3000the\u3000database\u3000left\u3000to\u3000search\uff1b\u3000provided\u3000a\u3000rough\u3000guess\u3000of\u3000how\u3000much\u3000information\u3000would\u3000be\u3000found\u3002\u3000This\u3000particular\u3000search\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000it\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000return\u3000an\u3000obscenely\u3000large\u3000amount\u3000of\u3000data\u3002
\nEstimated\u3000number\u3000of\u3000total\u3000hits\uff1a\u30002\uff1b692
\n\u3000
\n\u3003We\u3000need\u3000to\u3000refine\u3000the\u3000parameters\u3000further\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gettum\u3000said\uff1b\u3000stopping\u3000the\u3000search\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000this\u3000all\u3000the\u3000information\u3000you\u3000have\u3000regarding\u3000the\u3000tomb\uff1f\u3000There’s\u3000nothing\u3000else\u3000to\u3000go\u3000on\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000uncertain\u3002
\nThis\u3000is\u3000no\u3000scavenger\u3000hunt\uff1b\u3000Gettum\u3000sensed\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000whisperings\u3000of\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon’s\u3000experience\u3000in\u3000Rome\u3000last\u3000year\u3002\u3000This\u3000American\u3000had\u3000been\u3000granted\u3000access\u3000to\u3000the\u3000most\u3000secure\u3000library\u3000on\u3000earth\u2014the\u3000Vatican\u3000Secret\u3000Archives\u3002\u3000She\u3000wondered\u3000what\u3000kinds\u3000of\u3000secrets\u3000Langdon\u3000might\u3000have\u3000learned\u3000inside\u3000and\u3000if\u3000his\u3000current\u3000desperate\u3000hunt\u3000for\u3000a\u3000mysterious\u3000London\u3000tomb\u3000might\u3000relate\u3000to\u3000information\u3000he\u3000had\u3000gained\u3000within\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3002\u3000Gettum\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000librarian\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000know\u3000the\u3000most\u3000mon\u3000reason\u3000people\u3000came\u3000to\u3000London\u3000to\u3000look\u3000for\u3000knights\u3002\u3000The\u3000Grail\u3002
\nGettum\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000adjusted\u3000her\u3000glasses\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000are\u3000friends\u3000with \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n r\u3000knights\u3002\u3000The\u3000Grail\u3002
\nGettum\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000adjusted\u3000her\u3000glasses\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000are\u3000friends\u3000with\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\uff1b\u3000you\u3000are\u3000in\u3000England\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\u3000are\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000a\u3000knight\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000folded\u3000her\u3000hands\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000can\u3000only\u3000assume\u3000you\u3000are\u3000on\u3000a\u3000Grail\u3000quest\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000exchanged\u3000startled\u3000looks\u3002
\nGettum\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000this\u3000library\u3000is\u3000a\u3000base\u3000camp\u3000for\u3000Grail\u3000seekers\u3002\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000among\u3000them\u3002\u3000I\u3000wish\u3000I\u3000had\u3000a\u3000shilling\u3000for\u3000every\u3000time\u3000I’d\u3000run\u3000searches\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Rose\uff1b\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\uff1b\u3000Sangreal\uff1b\u3000Merovingian\uff1b\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\uff1b\u3000et\u3000cetera\uff1b\u3000et\u3000cetera\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000loves\u3000a\u3000conspiracy\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000took\u3000off\u3000her\u3000glasses\u3000and\u3000eyed\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000need\u3000more\u3000information\u3002\u3003
\nIn\u3000the\u3000silence\uff1b\u3000Gettum\u3000sensed\u3000her\u3000guests’\u3000desire\u3000for\u3000discretion\u3000was\u3000quickly\u3000being\u3000outweighed\u3000by\u3000their\u3000eagerness\u3000for\u3000a\u3000fast\u3000result\u3002
\n\u3003Here\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000blurted\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000everything\u3000we\u3000know\u3002\u3003\u3000Borrowing\u3000a\u3000pen\u3000from\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wrote\u3000two\u3000more\u3000lines\u3000on\u3000the\u3000slip\u3000of\u3000paper\u3000and\u3000handed\u3000it\u3000to\u3000Gettum\u3002
\nYou\u3000seek\u3000the\u3000orb\u3000that\u3000ought\u3000be\u3000on\u3000his\u3000tomb\u3002
\nIt\u3000speaks\u3000of\u3000Rosy\u3000flesh\u3000and\u3000seeded\u3000womb\u3002
\n\u3000
\nGettum\u3000gave\u3000an\u3000inward\u3000smile\u3002\u3000The\u3000Grail\u3000indeed\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000noting\u3000the\u3000references\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3000and\u3000her\u3000seeded\u3000womb\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000can\u3000help\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000up\u3000from\u3000the\u3000slip\u3000of\u3000paper\u3002\u3000\u3003Might\u3000I\u3000ask\u3000where\u3000this\u3000verse\u3000came\u3000from\uff1f\u3000And\u3000why\u3000you\u3000are\u3000seeking\u3000an\u3000orb\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000might\u3000ask\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000friendly\u3000smile\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000it’s\u3000a\u3000long\u3000story\u3000and\u3000we\u3000have\u3000very\u3000little\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Sounds\u3000like\u3000a\u3000polite\u3000way\u3000of\u3000saying\u3000’mind\u3000your\u3000own\u3000business\u3002’\u3000\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000would\u3000be\u3000forever\u3000in\u3000your\u3000debt\uff1b\u3000Pamela\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003if\u3000you\u3000could\u3000find\u3000out\u3000who\u3000this\u3000knight\u3000is\u3000and\u3000where\u3000he\u3000is\u3000buried\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Very\u3000well\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gettum\u3000said\uff1b\u3000typing\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000play\u3000along\u3002\u3000If\u3000this\u3000is\u3000a\u3000Grail\u2026related\u3000issue\uff1b\u3000we\u3000should\u3000cross\u2026reference\u3000against\u3000Grail\u3000keywords\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000add\u3000a\u3000proximity\u3000parameter\u3000and\u3000remove\u3000the\u3000title\u3000weighting\u3002\u3000That\u3000will\u3000limit\u3000our\u3000hits\u3000only\u3000to\u3000those\u3000instances\u3000of\u3000textual\u3000keywords\u3000that\u3000occur\u3000near\u3000a\u3000Grail\u2026related\u3000word\u3002\u3003
\nSearch\u3000for\uff1a\u3000KNIGHT\uff1b\u3000LONDON\uff1b\u3000POPE\uff1b\u3000TOMB
\nWithin\u3000100\u3000word\u3000proximity\u3000of\uff1a\u3000GRAIL\uff1b\u3000ROSE\uff1b\u3000SANGREAL\uff1b\u3000CHALICE
\n\u3000
\n\u3003How\u3000long\u3000will\u3000this\u3000take\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003A\u3000few\u3000hundred\u3000terabytes\u3000with\u3000multiple\u3000cross\u2026referencing\u3000fields\uff1f\u3003\u3000Gettum’s\u3000eyes\u3000glimmered\u3000as\u3000she\u3000clicked\u3000the\u3000SEARCH\u3000key\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000mere\u3000fifteen\u3000minutes\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3000nothing\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Gettum\u3000sensed\u3000this\u3000sounded\u3000like\u3000an\u3000eternity\u3000to\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3003Tea\uff1f\u3003\u3000Gettum\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000and\u3000walking\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000pot\u3000she\u3000had\u3000made\u3000earlier\u3002\u3000\u3003Leigh\u3000always\u3000loves\u3000my\u3000tea\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300093
\n
\nLondon’s\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000Centre\u3000is\u3000a\u3000modest\u3000brick\u3000building\u3000at\u30005\u3000Orme\u3000Court\uff1b\u3000overlooking\u3000the\u3000North\u3000Walk\u3000at\u3000Kensington\u3000Gardens\u3002\u3000Silas\u3000had\u3000never\u3000been\u3000here\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000rising\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000refuge\u3000and\u3000asylum\u3000as\u3000he\u3000approached\u3000the\u3000building\u3000on\u3000foot\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000the\u3000rain\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000had\u3000dropped\u3000him\u3000off\u3000a\u3000short\u3000distance\u3000away\u3000in\u3000order\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000limousine\u3000off\u3000the\u3000main\u3000streets\u3002\u3000Silas\u3000didn’t\u3000mind\u3000the\u3000walk\u3002\u3000The\u3000rain\u3000was\u3000cleansing\u3002
\nAt\u3000R\u00e9my’s\u3000suggestion\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000had\u3000wiped\u3000down\u3000his\u3000gun\u3000and\u3000disposed\u3000of\u3000it\u3000through\u3000a\u3000sewer\u3000grate\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000glad\u3000to\u3000get\u3000rid\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000felt\u3000lighter\u3002\u3000His\u3000legs\u3000still\u3000ached\u3000from\u3000being\u3000bound\u3000all\u3000that\u3000time\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Silas\u3000had\u3000endured\u3000far\u3000greater\u3000pain\u3002\u3000He\u3000wondered\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000about\u3000Teabing\uff1b\u3000whom\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000had\u3000left\u3000bound\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000limousine\u3002\u3000The\u3000Briton\u3000certainly\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000feeling\u3000the\u3000pain\u3000by\u3000now\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000will\u3000you\u3000do\u3000with\u3000him\uff1f\u3003\u3000Silas\u3000had\u3000asked\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000as\u3000they\u3000drove\u3000over\u3000here\u3002
\nR\u00e9my\u3000had\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000is\u3000a\u3000decision\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3002\u3003\u3000There\u3000was\u3000an\u3000odd\u3000finality\u3000in\u3000his\u3000tone\u3002
\nNow\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Silas\u3000approached\u3000the\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000building\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rain\u3000began\u3000to\u3000fall\u3000harder\uff1b\u3000soaking\u3000his\u3000heavy\u3000robe\uff1b\u3000stinging\u3000the\u3000wounds\u3000of\u3000the\u3000day\u3000before\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000sins\u3000of\u3000the\u3000last\u3000twenty\u2026four\u3000hours\u3000and\u3000purge\u3000his\u3000soul\u3002\u3000His\u3000work\u3000was\u3000done\u3002
\nMoving\u3000across\u3000a\u3000small\u3000courtyard\u3000to\u3000the\u3000front\u3000door\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000was\u3000not\u3000surprised\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000door\u3000unlocked\u3002\u3000He\u3000opened\u3000it\u3000and\u3000stepped\u3000into\u3000the\u3000minimalist\u3000foyer\u3002\u3000A\u3000muted\u3000electronic\u3000chime\u3000sounded\u3000upstairs\u3000as\u3000Silas\u3000stepped\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000carpet\u3002\u3000The\u3000bell\u3000was\u3000a\u3000mon\u3000feature\u3000in\u3000these\u3000halls\u3000where\u3000the\u3000residents\u3000spent\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000day\u3000in\u3000their\u3000rooms\u3000in\u3000prayer\u3002\u3000Silas\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000movement\u3000above\u3000on\u3000the\u3000creaky\u3000wood\u3000floors\u3002
\nA\u3000man\u3000in\u3000a\u3000cloak\u3000came\u3000downstairs\u3002\u3000\u3003May\u3000I\u3000help\u3000you\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000had\u3000kind\u3000eyes\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000not\u3000even\u3000to\u3000register\u3000Silas’s\u3000startling\u3000physical\u3000appearance\u3002
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\u3002\u3000My\u3000name\u3000is\u3000Silas\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000an\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000numerary\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003American\uff1f\u3003
\nSilas\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000in\u3000town\u3000only\u3000for\u3000the\u3000day\u3002\u3000Might\u3000I\u3000rest\u3000here\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000need\u3000not\u3000even\u3000ask\u3002\u3000There\u3000are\u3000two\u3000empty\u3000rooms\u3000on\u3000the\u3000third\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Shall\u3000I\u3000bring\u3000you\u3000some\u3000tea\u3000and\u3000bread\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\u3002\u3003\u3000Silas\u3000was\u3000famished\u3002
\nSilas\u3000went\u3000upstairs\u3000to\u3000a\u3000modest\u3000room\u3000with\u3000a\u3000window\uff1b\u3000where\u3000he\u3000took\u3000off\u3000his\u3000wet\u3000robe\u3000and\u3000knelt\u3000down\u3000to\u3000pray\u3000in\u3000his\u3000undergarments\u3002\u3000He\u3000heard\u3000his\u3000host\u3000e\u3000up\u3000and\u3000lay\u3000a\u3000tray\u3000outside\u3000his\u3000door\u3002\u3000Silas\u3000finished\u3000his\u3000prayers\uff1b\u3000ate\u3000his\u3000food\uff1b\u3000and\u3000lay\u3000down\u3000to\u3000sleep\u3002
\n\u3000
\nThree\u3000stories\u3000below\uff1b\u3000a\u3000phone\u3000was\u3000ringing\u3002\u3000The\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000numerary\u3000who\u3000had\u3000weled\u3000Silas\u3000answered\u3000the\u3000line\u3002
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3000the\u3000London\u3000police\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000caller\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000are\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000find\u3000an\u3000albino\u3000monk\u3002\u3000We’ve\u3000had\u3000a\u3000tip\u2026off\u3000that\u3000he\u3000might\u3000be\u3000there\u3002\u3000Have\u3000you\u3000seen\u3000him\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000numerary\u3000was\u3000startled\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000he\u3000is\u3000here\u3002\u3000Is\u3000something\u3000wrong\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003He\u3000is\u3000there\u3000now\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000upstairs\u3000praying\u3002\u3000What\u3000is\u3000going\u3000on\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Leave\u3000him\u3000precisely\u3000where\u3000he\u3000is\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000officer\u3000manded\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000say\u3000a\u3000word\u3000to\u3000anyone\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000sending\u3000officers\u3000over\u3000right\u3000away\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300094
\n
\nSt\u3002\u3000James’s\u3000Park\u3000is\u3000a\u3000sea\u3000of\u3000green\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000London\uff1b\u3000a\u3000public\u3000park\u3000bordering\u3000the\u3000palaces\u3000of\u3000Westminster\uff1b\u3000Buckingham\uff1b\u3000and\u3000St\u3002\u3000James’s\u3002\u3000Once\u3000enclosed\u3000by\u3000King\u3000Henry\u3000VIII\u3000and\u3000stocked\u3000with\u3000deer\u3000for\u3000the\u3000hunt\uff1b\u3000St\u3002\u3000James’s\u3000Park\u3000is\u3000now\u3000open\u3000to\u3000the\u3000public\u3002\u3000On\u3000sunny\u3000afternoons\uff1b\u3000Londoners\u3000picnic\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000willows\u3000and\u3000feed\u3000the\u3000pond’s\u3000resident\u3000pelicans\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000ancestors\u3000were\u3000a\u3000gift\u3000to\u3000Charles\u3000II\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Russian\u3000ambassador\u3002
\nThe\u3000Teacher\u3000saw\u3000no\u3000pelicans\u3000today\u3002\u3000The\u3000stormy\u3000weather\u3000had\u3000brought\u3000instead\u3000seagulls\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ocean\u3002\u3000The\u3000lawns\u3000were\u3000covered\u3000with\u3000them\u2014hundreds\u3000of\u3000white\u3000bodies\u3000all\u3000facing\u3000the\u3000same\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000patiently\u3000riding\u3000out\u3000the\u3000damp\u3000wind\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000the\u3000morning\u3000fog\uff1b\u3000the\u3000park\u3000afforded\u3000splendid\u3000views\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Houses\u3000of\u3000Parliament\u3000and\u3000Big\u3000Ben\u3002\u3000Gazing\u3000across\u3000the\u3000sloping\u3000lawns\uff1b\u3000past\u3000the\u3000duck\u3000pond\u3000and\u3000the\u3000delicate\u3000silhouettes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000weeping\u3000willows\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000spires\u3000of\u3000the\u3000building\u3000that\u3000housed\u3000the\u3000knight’s\u3000tomb\u2014the\u3000real\u3000reason\u3000he\u3000had\u3000told\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000to\u3000e\u3000to\u3000this\u3000spot\u3002
\nAs\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000approached\u3000the\u3000front\u3000passenger\u3000door\u3000of\u3000the\u3000parked\u3000limousine\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000leaned\u3000across\u3000and\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000The\u3000Teacher\u3000paused\u3000outside\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000a\u3000pull\u3000from\u3000the\u3000flask\u3000of\u3000cognac\u3000he\u3000was\u3000carrying\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000dabbing\u3000his\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000he\u3000slid\u3000in\u3000beside\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000and\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\nR\u00e9my\u3000held\u3000up\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000like\u3000a\u3000trophy\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000lost\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000have\u3000done\u3000well\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003We\u3000have\u3000done\u3000well\uff1b\u3003\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000laying\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Teacher’s\u3000eager\u3000hands\u3002
\nThe\u3000Teacher\u3000admired\u3000it\u3000a\u3000long\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000smiling\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000the\u3000gun\uff1f\u3000You\u3000wiped\u3000it\u3000down\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Back\u3000in\u3000the\u3000glove\u3000box\u3000where\u3000I\u3000found\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Excellent\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000Teacher\u3000took\u3000another\u3000drink\u3000of\u3000cognac\u3000and\u3000handed\u3000the\u3000flask\u3000to\u3000R\u00e9my\u3002\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000toast\u3000our\u3000success\u3002\u3000The\u3000end\u3000is\u3000near\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nR\u00e9my\u3000accepted\u3000the\u3000bottle\u3000gratefully\u3002\u3000The\u3000cognac\u3000tasted\u3000salty\uff1b\u3000but\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000didn’t\u3000care\u3002\u3000He\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000were\u3000truly\u3000partners\u3000now\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000himself\u3000ascending\u3000to\u3000a\u3000higher\u3000station\u3000in\u3000life\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000never\u3000be\u3000a\u3000servant\u3000again\u3002\u3000As\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000gazed\u3000down\u3000the\u3000embankment\u3000at\u3000the\u3000duck\u3000pond\u3000below\uff1b\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\u3000seemed\u3000miles\u3000away\u3002
\nTaking\u3000another\u3000swig\u3000from\u3000the\u3000flask\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000cognac\u3000warming\u3000his\u3000blood\u3002\u3000The\u3000warmth\u3000in\u3000R\u00e9my’s\u3000throat\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000mutated\u3000quickly\u3000to\u3000an\u3000unfortable\u3000heat\u3002\u3000Loosening\u3000his\u3000bow\u3000tie\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000tasted\u3000an\u3000unpleasant\u3000grittiness\u3000and\u3000handed\u3000the\u3000flask\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000probably\u3000had\u3000enough\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000managed\uff1b\u3000weakly\u3002
\nTaking\u3000the\u3000flask\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003R\u00e9my\uff1b\u3000as\u3000you\u3000are\u3000aware\uff1b\u3000you\u3000are\u3000the\u3000only\u3000one\u3000who\u3000knows\u3000my\u3000face\u3002\u3000I\u3000placed\u3000enormous\u3000trust\u3000in\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000feverish\u3000as\u3000he\u3000loosened\u3000his\u3000tie\u3000further\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000your\u3000identity\u3000shall\u3000go\u3000with\u3000me\u3000to\u3000the\u3000grave\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000Teacher\u3000was\u3000silent\u3000a\u3000long\u3000moment\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000believe\u3000you\u3002\u3003\u3000Pocketing\u3000the\u3000flask\u3000and\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000the\u3000glove\u3000box\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000the\u3000tiny\u3000Medusa\u3000revolver\u3002\u3000For\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000surge\u3000of\u3000fear\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000simply\u3000slipped\u3000it\u3000in\u3000his\u3000trousers\u3000pocket\u3002
\nWhat\u3000is\u3000he\u3000doing\uff1f\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000felt\u3000himself\u3000sweating\u3000suddenly\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000know\u3000I\u3000promised\u3000you\u3000freedom\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000said\uff1b\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000now\u3000sounding\u3000regretful\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000considering\u3000your\u3000circumstances\uff1b\u3000this\u3000is\u3000the\u3000best\u3000I\u3000can\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000swelling\u3000in\u3000R\u00e9my’s\u3000throat\u3000came\u3000on\u3000like\u3000an\u3000earthquake\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000lurched\u3000against\u3000the\u3000steering\u3000column\uff1b\u3000grabbing\u3000his\u3000throat\u3000and\u3000tasting\u3000vomit\u3000in\u3000his\u3000narrowing\u3000esophagus\u3002\u3000He\u3000let\u3000out\u3000a\u3000muted\u3000croak\u3000of\u3000a\u3000scream\uff1b\u3000not\u3000even\u3000loud\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000be\u3000heard\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000car\u3002\u3000The\u3000saltiness\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cognac\u3000now\u3000registered\u3002
\nI’m\u3000being\u3000murdered\uff01
\nIncredulous\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000sitting\u3000calmly\u3000beside\u3000him\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000straight\u3000ahead\u3000out\u3000the\u3000windshield\u3002\u3000R\u00e9my’s\u3000eyesight\u3000blurred\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000gasped\u3000for\u3000breath\u3002\u3000I\u3000made\u3000everything\u3000possible\u3000for\u3000him\uff01\u3000How\u3000could\u3000he\u3000do\u3000this\uff01\u3000Whether\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000all\u3000along\u3000or\u3000whether\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000R\u00e9my’s\u3000actions\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Temple\u3000Church\u3000that\u3000had\u3000made\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000lose\u3000faith\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000would\u3000never\u3000know\u3002\u3000Terror\u3000and\u3000rage\u3000coursed\u3000through\u3000him\u3000now\u3002\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000lunge\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Teacher\uff1b\u3000but\u3000his\u3000stiffening\u3000body\u3000could\u3000barely\u3000move\u3002\u3000I\u3000trusted\u3000you\u3000with\u3000everything\uff01
\nR\u00e9my\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000lift\u3000his\u3000clenched\u3000fists\u3000to\u3000blow\u3000the\u3000horn\uff1b\u3000but\u3000instead\u3000he\u3000slipped\u3000sideways\uff1b\u3000rolling\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000seat\uff1b\u3000lying\u3000on\u3000his\u3000side\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000Teacher\uff1b\u3000clutching \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n R\u00e9my\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000lift\u3000his\u3000clenched\u3000fists\u3000to\u3000blow\u3000the\u3000horn\uff1b\u3000but\u3000instead\u3000he\u3000slipped\u3000sideways\uff1b\u3000rolling\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000seat\uff1b\u3000lying\u3000on\u3000his\u3000side\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000Teacher\uff1b\u3000clutching\u3000at\u3000his\u3000throat\u3002\u3000The\u3000rain\u3000fell\u3000harder\u3000now\u3002\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000could\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000see\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000could\u3000sense\u3000his\u3000oxygen\u2026deprived\u3000brain\u3000straining\u3000to\u3000cling\u3000to\u3000his\u3000last\u3000faint\u3000shreds\u3000of\u3000lucidity\u3002\u3000As\u3000his\u3000world\u3000slowly\u3000went\u3000black\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000Legaludec\u3000could\u3000have\u3000sworn\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000the\u3000soft\u3000Riviera\u3000surf\u3002
\n\u3000
\nThe\u3000Teacher\u3000stepped\u3000from\u3000the\u3000limousine\uff1b\u3000pleased\u3000to\u3000see\u3000that\u3000nobody\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000in\u3000his\u3000direction\u3002\u3000I\u3000had\u3000no\u3000choice\uff1b\u3000he\u3000told\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000surprised\u3000how\u3000little\u3000remorse\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000for\u3000what\u3000he\u3000had\u3000just\u3000done\u3002\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000sealed\u3000his\u3000own\u3000fate\u3002\u3000The\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000feared\u3000all\u3000along\u3000that\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000might\u3000need\u3000to\u3000be\u3000eliminated\u3000when\u3000the\u3000mission\u3000was\u3000plete\uff1b\u3000but\u3000by\u3000brazenly\u3000showing\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Temple\u3000Church\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000had\u3000accelerated\u3000the\u3000necessity\u3000dramatically\u3002\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon’s\u3000unexpected\u3000visit\u3000to\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\u3000had\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000both\u3000a\u3000fortuitous\u3000windfall\u3000and\u3000an\u3000intricate\u3000dilemma\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000delivered\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000directly\u3000to\u3000the\u3000heart\u3000of\u3000the\u3000operation\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000a\u3000pleasant\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000he\u3000had\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000police\u3000on\u3000his\u3000tail\u3002\u3000R\u00e9my’s\u3000prints\u3000were\u3000all\u3000over\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\uff1b\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000in\u3000the\u3000barn’s\u3000listening\u3000post\uff1b\u3000where\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000had\u3000carried\u3000out\u3000the\u3000surveillance\u3002\u3000The\u3000Teacher\u3000was\u3000grateful\u3000he\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000so\u3000much\u3000care\u3000in\u3000preventing\u3000any\u3000ties\u3000between\u3000R\u00e9my’s\u3000activities\u3000and\u3000his\u3000own\u3002\u3000Nobody\u3000could\u3000implicate\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000unless\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000talked\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000was\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000a\u3000concern\u3002
\nOne\u3000more\u3000loose\u3000end\u3000to\u3000tie\u3000up\u3000here\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000now\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000door\u3000of\u3000the\u3000limousine\u3002\u3000The\u3000police\u3000will\u3000have\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000what\u3000happened\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\u3000no\u3000living\u3000witness\u3000left\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000them\u3002\u3000Glancing\u3000around\u3000to\u3000ensure\u3000nobody\u3000was\u3000watching\uff1b\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000open\u3000the\u3000door\u3000and\u3000climbed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000spacious\u3000rear\u3000partment\u3002
\n\u3000
\nMinutes\u3000later\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000was\u3000crossing\u3000St\u3002\u3000James’s\u3000Park\u3002\u3000Only\u3000two\u3000people\u3000now\u3000remain\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Neveu\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000more\u3000plicated\u3002\u3000But\u3000manageable\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000to\u3000attend\u3000to\u3002
\nGazing\u3000triumphantly\u3000across\u3000the\u3000park\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000his\u3000destination\u3002\u3000In\u3000London\u3000lies\u3000a\u3000knight\u3000a\u3000Pope\u3000interred\u3002\u3000As\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000poem\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000known\u3000the\u3000answer\u3002\u3000Even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000that\u3000the\u3000others\u3000had\u3000not\u3000figured\u3000it\u3000out\u3000was\u3000not\u3000surprising\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000an\u3000unfair\u3000advantage\u3002\u3000Having\u3000listened\u3000to\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000conversations\u3000for\u3000months\u3000now\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Master\u3000mention\u3000this\u3000famous\u3000knight\u3000on\u3000occasion\uff1b\u3000expressing\u3000esteem\u3000almost\u3000matching\u3000that\u3000he\u3000held\u3000for\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3002\u3000The\u3000poem’s\u3000reference\u3000to\u3000the\u3000knight\u3000was\u3000brutally\u3000simple\u3000once\u3000one\u3000saw\u3000it\u2014a\u3000credit\u3000to\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000wit\u2014and\u3000yet\u3000how\u3000this\u3000tomb\u3000would\u3000reveal\u3000the\u3000final\u3000password\u3000was\u3000still\u3000a\u3000mystery\u3002
\nYou\u3000seek\u3000the\u3000orb\u3000that\u3000ought\u3000be\u3000on\u3000his\u3000tomb\u3002
\nThe\u3000Teacher\u3000vaguely\u3000recalled\u3000photos\u3000of\u3000the\u3000famous\u3000tomb\u3000and\uff1b\u3000in\u3000particular\uff1b\u3000its\u3000most\u3000distinguishing\u3000feature\u3002\u3000A\u3000magnificent\u3000orb\u3002\u3000The\u3000huge\u3000sphere\u3000mounted\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000tomb\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000large\u3000as\u3000the\u3000tomb\u3000itself\u3002\u3000The\u3000presence\u3000of\u3000the\u3000orb\u3000seemed\u3000both\u3000encouraging\u3000and\u3000troubling\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3002\u3000On\u3000one\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000it\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000a\u3000signpost\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000according\u3000to\u3000the\u3000poem\uff1b\u3000the\u3000missing\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000the\u3000puzzle\u3000was\u3000an\u3000orb\u3000that\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000be\u3000on\u3000his\u3000tomb\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000not\u3000one\u3000that\u3000was\u3000already\u3000there\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000counting\u3000on\u3000his\u3000closer\u3000inspection\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tomb\u3000to\u3000unveil\u3000the\u3000answer\u3002
\nThe\u3000rain\u3000was\u3000getting\u3000heavier\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000tucked\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000deep\u3000in\u3000his\u3000right\u2026hand\u3000pocket\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000it\u3000from\u3000the\u3000dampness\u3002\u3000He\u3000kept\u3000the\u3000tiny\u3000Medusa\u3000revolver\u3000in\u3000his\u3000left\uff1b\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\u3002\u3000Within\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000stepping\u3000into\u3000the\u3000quiet\u3000sanctuary\u3000of\u3000London’s\u3000grandest\u3000nine\u2026hundred\u2026year\u2026old\u3000building\u3002
\n\u3000
\nJust\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000was\u3000stepping\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rain\uff1b\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3000was\u3000stepping\u3000into\u3000it\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000rainy\u3000tarmac\u3000at\u3000Biggin\u3000Hill\u3000Executive\u3000Airport\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000his\u3000cramped\u3000plane\uff1b\u3000bundling\u3000his\u3000cassock\u3000against\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000damp\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000hoped\u3000to\u3000be\u3000greeted\u3000by\u3000Captain\u3000Fache\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000a\u3000young\u3000British\u3000police\u3000officer\u3000approached\u3000with\u3000an\u3000umbrella\u3002
\n\u3003Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\uff1f\u3000Captain\u3000Fache\u3000had\u3000to\u3000leave\u3002\u3000He\u3000asked\u3000me\u3000to\u3000look\u3000after\u3000you\u3002\u3000He\u3000suggested\u3000I\u3000take\u3000you\u3000to\u3000Scotland\u3000Yard\u3002\u3000He\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000safest\u3002\u3003
\nSafest\uff1f\u3000Aringarosa\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000briefcase\u3000of\u3000Vatican\u3000bonds\u3000clutched\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000almost\u3000forgotten\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000thank\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000climbed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000police\u3000car\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000where\u3000Silas\u3000could\u3000be\u3002\u3000Minutes\u3000later\uff1b\u3000the\u3000police\u3000scanner\u3000crackled\u3000with\u3000the\u3000answer\u3002
\n5\u3000Orme\u3000Court\u3002
\nAringarosa\u3000recognized\u3000the\u3000address\u3000instantly\u3002
\nThe\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000Centre\u3000in\u3000London\u3002
\nHe\u3000spun\u3000to\u3000the\u3000driver\u3002\u3000\u3003Take\u3000me\u3000there\u3000at\u3000once\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300095
\n
\nLangdon’s\u3000eyes\u3000had\u3000not\u3000left\u3000the\u3000puter\u3000screen\u3000since\u3000the\u3000search\u3000began\u3002
\nFive\u3000minutes\u3002\u3000Only\u3000two\u3000hits\u3002\u3000Both\u3000irrelevant\u3002
\nHe\u3000was\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000get\u3000worried\u3002
\nPamela\u3000Gettum\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000adjoining\u3000room\uff1b\u3000preparing\u3000hot\u3000drinks\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000inquired\u3000unwisely\u3000if\u3000there\u3000might\u3000be\u3000some\u3000coffee\u3000brewing\u3000alongside\u3000the\u3000tea\u3000Gettum\u3000had\u3000offered\uff1b\u3000and\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000the\u3000microwave\u3000beeps\u3000in\u3000the\u3000next\u3000room\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000suspected\u3000their\u3000request\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000be\u3000rewarded\u3000with\u3000instant\u3000Nescafe\u3002
\nFinally\uff1b\u3000the\u3000puter\u3000pinged\u3000happily\u3002
\n\u3003Sounds\u3000like\u3000you\u3000got\u3000another\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gettum\u3000called\u3000from\u3000the\u3000next\u3000room\u3002\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000the\u3000title\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000eyed\u3000the\u3000screen\u3002
\nGrail\u3000Allegory\u3000in\u3000Medieval\u3000Literature\uff1a\u3000A\u3000Treatise\u3000on\u3000Sir\u3000Gawain\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Green\u3000Knight\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3003Allegory\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Green\u3000Knight\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000called\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3003No\u3000good\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gettum\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000many\u3000mythological\u3000green\u3000giants\u3000buried\u3000in\u3000London\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000sat\u3000patiently\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000screen\u3000and\u3000waited\u3000through\u3000two\u3000more\u3000dubious\u3000returns\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000puter\u3000pinged\u3000again\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000the\u3000offering\u3000was\u3000unexpected\u3002
\nDIE\u3000OPERN\u3000VON\u3000RICHARD\u3000WAGNER
\n\u3000
\n\u3003The\u3000operas\u3000of\u3000Wagner\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\u3002
\nGettum\u3000peeked\u3000back\u3000in\u3000the\u3000doorway\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000a\u3000packet\u3000of\u3000instant\u3000coffee\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000seems\u3000like\u3000a\u3000strange\u3000match\u3002\u3000Was\u3000Wagner\u3000a\u3000knight\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000intrigue\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000he\u3000was\u3000a\u3000well\u2026known\u3000Freemason\u3002\u3003\u3000Along\u3000with\u3000Mozart\uff1b\u3000Beethoven\uff1b\u3000Shakespeare\uff1b\u3000Gershwin\uff1b\u3000Houdini\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Disney\u3002\u3000Volumes\u3000had\u3000been\u3000written\u3000about\u3000the\u3000ties\u3000between\u3000the\u3000Masons\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000look\u3000at\u3000this\u3000one\u3002\u3000How\u3000do\u3000I\u3000see\u3000the\u3000full\u3000text\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000the\u3000full\u3000text\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gettum\u3000called\u3002\u3000\u3003Click\u3000on\u3000the\u3000hypertext\u3000title\u3002\u3000The\u3000puter\u3000will\u3000display\u3000your\u3000keyword\u3000hits\u3000along\u3000with\u3000mono\u3000prelogs\u3000and\u3000triple\u3000postlogs\u3000for\u3000context\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000what\u3000she\u3000had\u3000just\u3000said\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000clicked\u3000anyway\u3002
\nA\u3000new\u3000window\u3000popped\u3000up\u3002
\n\u3002\u3002\u3002mythological\u3000knight\u3000named\u3000Parsifal\u3000who\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n\u3002\u3002\u3002metaphorical\u3000Grail\u3000quest\u3000that\u3000arguably\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n\u3002\u3002\u3002the\u3000London\u3000Philharmonic\u3000in\u30001855\u3002\u3002\u3002
\nRebecca\u3000Pope’s\u3000opera\u3000anthology\u3000\u3003Diva’s\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n\u3002\u3002\u3002Wagner’s\u3000tomb\u3000in\u3000Bayreuth\uff1b\u3000Germany\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3003Wrong\u3000Pope\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000disappointed\u3002\u3000Even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000amazed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000system’s\u3000ease\u3000of\u3000use\u3002\u3000The\u3000keywords\u3000with\u3000context\u3000were\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000remind\u3000him\u3000that\u3000Wagner’s\u3000opera\u3000Parsifal\u3000was\u3000a\u3000tribute\u3000to\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000and\u3000the\u3000bloodline\u3000of\u3000Jesus\u3000Christ\uff1b\u3000told\u3000through\u3000the\u3000story\u3000of\u3000a\u3000young\u3000knight\u3000on\u3000a\u3000quest\u3000for\u3000truth\u3002
\n\u3003Just\u3000be\u3000patient\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gettum\u3000urged\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000numbers\u3000game\u3002\u3000Let\u3000the\u3000machine\u3000run\u3002\u3003
\nOver\u3000the\u3000next\u3000few\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000the\u3000puter\u3000returned\u3000several\u3000more\u3000Grail\u3000references\uff1b\u3000including\u3000a\u3000text\u3000about\u3000troubadours\u2014France’s\u3000famous\u3000wandering\u3000minstrels\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000was\u3000no\u3000coincidence\u3000that\u3000the\u3000word\u3000minstrel\u3000and\u3000minister\u3000shared\u3000an\u3000etymological\u3000root\u3002\u3000The\u3000troubadours\u3000were\u3000the\u3000traveling\u3000servants\u3000or\u3000\u3003ministers\u3003\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000of\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\uff1b\u3000using\u3000music\u3000to\u3000disseminate\u3000the\u3000story\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u3000among\u3000the\u3000mon\u3000folk\u3002\u3000To\u3000this\u3000day\uff1b\u3000the\u3000troubadours\u3000sang\u3000songs\u3000extolling\u3000the\u3000virtues\u3000of\u3000\u3003our\u3000Lady\u3003\u2014a\u3000mysterious\u3000and\u3000beautiful\u3000woman\u3000to\u3000whom\u3000they\u3000pledged\u3000themselves\u3000forever\u3002
\nEagerly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000checked\u3000the\u3000hypertext\u3000but\u3000found\u3000nothing\u3002
\nThe\u3000puter\u3000pinged\u3000again\u3002
\nKNIGHTS\uff1b\u3000KNAVES\uff1b\u3000POPES\uff1b\u3000AND\u3000PENTACLES\uff1a\u3000THE\u3000HISTORY\u3000OF\u3000THE\u3000HOLY\u3000GRAIL\u3000THROUGH\u3000TAROT
\n\u3000
\n\u3003Not\u3000surprising\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003Some\u3000of\u3000our\u3000keywords\u3000have\u3000the\u3000same\u3000names\u3000as\u3000individual\u3000cards\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000the\u3000mouse\u3000to\u3000click\u3000on\u3000a\u3000hyperlink\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000sure\u3000if\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3000ever\u3000mentioned\u3000it\u3000when\u3000you\u3000played\u3000Tarot\u3000with\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000but\u3000this\u3000game\u3000is\u3000a\u3000’flash\u2026card\u3000catechism’\u3000into\u3000the\u3000story\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Lost\u3000Bride\u3000and\u3000her\u3000subjugation\u3000by\u3000the\u3000evil\u3000Church\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000eyed\u3000him\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000incredulous\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003That’s\u3000the\u3000point\u3002\u3000By\u3000teaching\u3000through\u3000a\u3000metaphorical\u3000game\uff1b\u3000the\u3000followers\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000disguised\u3000their\u3000message\u3000from\u3000the\u3000watchful\u3000eye\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Church\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000often\u3000wondered\u3000how\u3000many\u3000modern\u3000card\u3000players\u3000had\u3000any\u3000clue\u3000that\u3000their\u3000four\u3000suits\u2014spades\uff1b\u3000hearts\uff1b\u3000clubs\uff1b\u3000diamonds\u2014were\u3000Grail\u2026related\u3000symbols\u3000that\u3000came\u3000directly\u3000from\u3000Tarot’s\u3000four\u3000suits\u3000of\u3000swords\uff1b\u3000cups\uff1b\u3000scepters\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pentacles\u3002
\nSpades\u3000were\u3000Swords\u2014The\u3000blade\u3002\u3000Male\u3002
\nHearts\u3000were\u3000Cups\u2014The\u3000chalice\u3002\u3000Feminine\u3002
\nClubs\u3000were\u3000Scepters\u2014The\u3000Royal\u3000Line\u3002\u3000The\u3000flowering\u3000staff\u3002
\nDiamonds\u3000were\u3000Pentacles\u2014The\u3000goddess\u3002\u3000The\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u3002
\n\u3000
\nFour\u3000minutes\u3000later\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Langdon\u3000began\u3000feeling\u3000fearful\u3000they\u3000would\u3000not\u3000find\u3000what\u3000they\u3000had\u3000e\u3000for\uff1b\u3000the\u3000puter\u3000produced\u3000another\u3000hit\u3002
\nThe\u3000Gravity\u3000of\u3000Genius\uff1a\u3000Biography\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Modern\u3000Knight\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3003Gravity\u3000of\u3000Genius\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000called\u3000out\u3000to\u3000Gettum\u3002\u3000\u3003Bio\u3000of\u3000a\u3000modern\u3000knight\uff1f\u3003
\nGettum\u3000stuck\u3000her\u3000head\u3000around\u3000the\u3000corner\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000modern\uff1f\u3000Please\u3000don’t\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000it’s\u3000your\u3000Sir\u3000Rudy\u3000Giuliani\u3002\u3000Personally\uff1b\u3000I\u3000found\u3000that\u3000one\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000off\u3000the\u3000mark\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000his\u3000own\u3000qualms\u3000about\u3000the\u3000newly\u3000knighted\u3000Sir\u3000Mick\u3000Jagger\uff1b\u3000but\u3000this\u3000hardly\u3000seemed\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000to\u3000debate\u3000the\u3000politics\u3000of\u3000modern\u3000British\u3000knighthood\u3002\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000have\u3000a\u3000look\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000summoned\u3000up\u3000the\u3000hypertext\u3000keywords\u3002
\n\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000honorable\u3000knight\uff1b\u3000Sir\u3000Isaac\u3000Ne \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n rds\u3002
\n\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000honorable\u3000knight\uff1b\u3000Sir\u3000Isaac\u3000Newton\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000in\u3000London\u3000in\u30001727\u3000and\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000his\u3000tomb\u3000in\u3000Westminster\u3000Abbey\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000Alexander\u3000Pope\uff1b\u3000friend\u3000and\u3000colleague\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3003I\u3000guess\u3000’modern’\u3000is\u3000a\u3000relative\u3000term\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000called\u3000to\u3000Gettum\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000an\u3000old\u3000book\u3002\u3000About\u3000Sir\u3000Isaac\u3000Newton\u3002\u3003
\nGettum\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3000in\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3000good\u3002\u3000Newton\u3000was\u3000buried\u3000in\u3000Westminster\u3000Abbey\uff1b\u3000the\u3000seat\u3000of\u3000English\u3000Protestantism\u3002\u3000There’s\u3000no\u3000way\u3000a\u3000Catholic\u3000Pope\u3000was\u3000present\u3002\u3000Cream\u3000and\u3000sugar\uff1f\u3003
\nSophie\u3000nodded\u3002
\nGettum\u3000waited\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon’s\u3000heart\u3000was\u3000hammering\u3002\u3000He\u3000pulled\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000from\u3000the\u3000screen\u3000and\u3000stood\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003Sir\u3000Isaac\u3000Newton\u3000is\u3000our\u3000knight\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000remained\u3000seated\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000are\u3000you\u3000talking\u3000about\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Newton\u3000is\u3000buried\u3000in\u3000London\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003His\u3000labors\u3000produced\u3000new\u3000sciences\u3000that\u3000incurred\u3000the\u3000wrath\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Church\u3002\u3000And\u3000he\u3000was\u3000a\u3000Grand\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\u3002\u3000What\u3000more\u3000could\u3000we\u3000want\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000more\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000poem\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000about\u3000a\u3000knight\u3000a\u3000Pope\u3000interred\uff1f\u3000You\u3000heard\u3000Ms\u3002\u3000Gettum\u3002\u3000Newton\u3000was\u3000not\u3000buried\u3000by\u3000a\u3000Catholic\u3000Pope\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000the\u3000mouse\u3002\u3000\u3003Who\u3000said\u3000anything\u3000about\u3000a\u3000Catholic\u3000Pope\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000clicked\u3000on\u3000the\u3000\u3003Pope\u3003\u3000hyperlink\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000plete\u3000sentence\u3000appeared\u3002
\nSir\u3000Isaac\u3000Newton’s\u3000burial\uff1b\u3000attended\u3000by\u3000kings\u3000and\u3000nobles\uff1b\u3000was\u3000presided\u3000over\u3000by\u3000Alexander\u3000Pope\uff1b\u3000friend\u3000and\u3000colleague\uff1b\u3000who\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000stirring\u3000eulogy\u3000before\u3000sprinkling\u3000dirt\u3000on\u3000the\u3000tomb\u3002
\n\u3000
\nLangdon\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000had\u3000the\u3000correct\u3000Pope\u3000on\u3000our\u3000second\u3000hit\u3002\u3000Alexander\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3002\u3000Pope\u3002\u3003
\nIn\u3000London\u3000lies\u3000a\u3000knight\u3000A\u3002\u3000Pope\u3000interred\u3002
\nSophie\u3000stood\u3000up\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000stunned\u3002
\nJacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\uff1b\u3000the\u3000master\u3000of\u3000double\u2026entendres\uff1b\u3000had\u3000proven\u3000once\u3000again\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000a\u3000frighteningly\u3000clever\u3000man\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300096
\n
\nSilas\u3000awoke\u3000with\u3000a\u3000start\u3002
\nHe\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000what\u3000had\u3000awoken\u3000him\u3000or\u3000how\u3000long\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000asleep\u3002\u3000Was\u3000I\u3000dreaming\uff1f\u3000Sitting\u3000up\u3000now\u3000on\u3000his\u3000straw\u3000mat\uff1b\u3000he\u3000listened\u3000to\u3000the\u3000quiet\u3000breathing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000residence\u3000hall\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stillness\u3000textured\u3000only\u3000by\u3000the\u3000soft\u3000murmurs\u3000of\u3000someone\u3000praying\u3000aloud\u3000in\u3000a\u3000room\u3000below\u3000him\u3002\u3000These\u3000were\u3000familiar\u3000sounds\u3000and\u3000should\u3000have\u3000forted\u3000him\u3002
\nAnd\u3000yet\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000and\u3000unexpected\u3000wariness\u3002
\nStanding\uff1b\u3000wearing\u3000only\u3000his\u3000undergarments\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000walked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000window\u3002\u3000Was\u3000I\u3000followed\uff1f\u3000The\u3000courtyard\u3000below\u3000was\u3000deserted\uff1b\u3000exactly\u3000as\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000it\u3000when\u3000he\u3000entered\u3002\u3000He\u3000listened\u3002\u3000Silence\u3002\u3000So\u3000why\u3000am\u3000I\u3000uneasy\uff1f\u3000Long\u3000ago\u3000Silas\u3000had\u3000learned\u3000to\u3000trust\u3000his\u3000intuition\u3002\u3000Intuition\u3000had\u3000kept\u3000him\u3000alive\u3000as\u3000a\u3000child\u3000on\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000of\u3000Marseilles\u3000long\u3000before\u3000prison\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000long\u3000before\u3000he\u3000was\u3000born\u3000again\u3000by\u3000the\u3000hand\u3000of\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3002\u3000Peering\u3000out\u3000the\u3000window\uff1b\u3000he\u3000now\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000faint\u3000outline\u3000of\u3000a\u3000car\u3000through\u3000the\u3000hedge\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000car’s\u3000roof\u3000was\u3000a\u3000police\u3000siren\u3002\u3000A\u3000floorboard\u3000creaked\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hallway\u3002\u3000A\u3000door\u3000latch\u3000moved\u3002
\nSilas\u3000reacted\u3000on\u3000instinct\uff1b\u3000surging\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\u3000and\u3000sliding\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\u3000just\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000door\u3000as\u3000it\u3000crashed\u3000open\u3002\u3000The\u3000first\u3000police\u3000officer\u3000stormed\u3000through\uff1b\u3000swinging\u3000his\u3000gun\u3000left\u3000then\u3000right\u3000at\u3000what\u3000appeared\u3000an\u3000empty\u3000room\u3002\u3000Before\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000where\u3000Silas\u3000was\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000had\u3000thrown\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000into\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000crushing\u3000a\u3000second\u3000officer\u3000as\u3000he\u3000came\u3000through\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000first\u3000officer\u3000wheeled\u3000to\u3000shoot\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000dove\u3000for\u3000his\u3000legs\u3002\u3000The\u3000gun\u3000went\u3000off\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bullet\u3000sailing\u3000above\u3000Silas’s\u3000head\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000he\u3000connected\u3000with\u3000the\u3000officer’s\u3000shins\uff1b\u3000driving\u3000his\u3000legs\u3000out\u3000from\u3000under\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sending\u3000the\u3000man\u3000down\uff1b\u3000his\u3000head\u3000hitting\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000The\u3000second\u3000officer\u3000staggered\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000in\u3000the\u3000doorway\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Silas\u3000drove\u3000a\u3000knee\u3000into\u3000his\u3000groin\uff1b\u3000then\u3000went\u3000clambering\u3000over\u3000the\u3000writhing\u3000body\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hall\u3002
\nAlmost\u3000naked\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000hurled\u3000his\u3000pale\u3000body\u3000down\u3000the\u3000staircase\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000betrayed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000by\u3000whom\uff1f\u3000When\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000foyer\uff1b\u3000more\u3000officers\u3000were\u3000surging\u3000through\u3000the\u3000front\u3000door\u3002\u3000Silas\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000other\u3000way\u3000and\u3000dashed\u3000deeper\u3000into\u3000the\u3000residence\u3000hall\u3002\u3000The\u3000women’s\u3000entrance\u3002\u3000Every\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000building\u3000has\u3000one\u3002\u3000Winding\u3000down\u3000narrow\u3000hallways\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000snaked\u3000through\u3000a\u3000kitchen\uff1b\u3000past\u3000terrified\u3000workers\uff1b\u3000who\u3000left\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000the\u3000naked\u3000albino\u3000as\u3000he\u3000knocked\u3000over\u3000bowls\u3000and\u3000silverware\uff1b\u3000bursting\u3000into\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000hallway\u3000near\u3000the\u3000boiler\u3000room\u3002\u3000He\u3000now\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000door\u3000he\u3000sought\uff1b\u3000an\u3000exit\u3000light\u3000gleaming\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3002
\nRunning\u3000full\u3000speed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000door\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000rain\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000leapt\u3000off\u3000the\u3000low\u3000landing\uff1b\u3000not\u3000seeing\u3000the\u3000officer\u3000ing\u3000the\u3000other\u3000way\u3000until\u3000it\u3000was\u3000too\u3000late\u3002\u3000The\u3000two\u3000men\u3000collided\uff1b\u3000Silas’s\u3000broad\uff1b\u3000naked\u3000shoulder\u3000grinding\u3000into\u3000the\u3000man’s\u3000sternum\u3000with\u3000crushing\u3000force\u3002\u3000He\u3000drove\u3000the\u3000officer\u3000backward\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000pavement\uff1b\u3000landing\u3000hard\u3000on\u3000top\u3000of\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000officer’s\u3000gun\u3000clattered\u3000away\u3002\u3000Silas\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000men\u3000running\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000shouting\u3002\u3000Rolling\uff1b\u3000he\u3000grabbed\u3000the\u3000loose\u3000gun\u3000just\u3000as\u3000the\u3000officers\u3000emerged\u3002\u3000A\u3000shot\u3000rang\u3000out\u3000on\u3000the\u3000stairs\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Silas\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000searing\u3000pain\u3000below\u3000his\u3000ribs\u3002\u3000Filled\u3000with\u3000rage\uff1b\u3000he\u3000opened\u3000fire\u3000at\u3000all\u3000three\u3000officers\uff1b\u3000their\u3000blood\u3000spraying\u3002
\nA\u3000dark\u3000shadow\u3000loomed\u3000behind\uff1b\u3000ing\u3000out\u3000of\u3000nowhere\u3002\u3000The\u3000angry\u3000hands\u3000that\u3000grabbed\u3000at\u3000his\u3000bare\u3000shoulders\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000if\u3000they\u3000were\u3000infused\u3000with\u3000the\u3000power\u3000of\u3000the\u3000devil\u3000himself\u3002\u3000The\u3000man\u3000roared\u3000in\u3000his\u3000ear\u3002\u3000SILAS\uff1b\u3000NO\uff01
\nSilas\u3000spun\u3000and\u3000fired\u3002\u3000Their\u3000eyes\u3000met\u3002\u3000Silas\u3000was\u3000already\u3000screaming\u3000in\u3000horror\u3000as\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3000fell\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300097
\n
\nMore\u3000than\u3000three\u3000thousand\u3000people\u3000are\u3000entombed\u3000or\u3000enshrined\u3000within\u3000Westminster\u3000Abbey\u3002\u3000The\u3000colossal\u3000stone\u3000interior\u3000burgeons\u3000with\u3000the\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000kings\uff1b\u3000statesmen\uff1b\u3000scientists\uff1b\u3000poets\uff1b\u3000and\u3000musicians\u3002\u3000Their\u3000tombs\uff1b\u3000packed\u3000into\u3000every\u3000last\u3000niche\u3000and\u3000alcove\uff1b\u3000range\u3000in\u3000grandeur\u3000from\u3000the\u3000most\u3000regal\u3000of\u3000mausoleums\u2014that\u3000of\u3000Queen\u3000Elizabeth\u3000I\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000canopied\u3000sarcophagus\u3000inhabits\u3000its\u3000own\u3000private\uff1b\u3000apsidal\u3000chapel\u2014down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000most\u3000modest\u3000etched\u3000floor\u3000tiles\u3000whose\u3000inscriptions\u3000have\u3000worn\u3000away\u3000with\u3000centuries\u3000of\u3000foot\u3000traffic\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000it\u3000to\u3000one’s\u3000imagination\u3000whose\u3000relics\u3000might\u3000lie\u3000below\u3000the\u3000tile\u3000in\u3000the\u3000undercroft\u3002
\nDesigned\u3000in\u3000the\u3000style\u3000of\u3000the\u3000great\u3000cathedrals\u3000of\u3000Amiens\uff1b\u3000Chartres\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Canterbury\uff1b\u3000Westminster\u3000Abbey\u3000is\u3000considered\u3000neither\u3000cathedral\u3000nor\u3000parish\u3000church\u3002\u3000It\u3000bears\u3000the\u3000classification\u3000of\u3000royal\u3000peculiar\uff1b\u3000subject\u3000only\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Sovereign\u3002\u3000Since\u3000hosting\u3000the\u3000coronation\u3000of\u3000William\u3000the\u3000Conqueror\u3000on\u3000Christmas\u3000Day\u3000in\u30001066\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dazzling\u3000sanctuary\u3000has\u3000witnessed\u3000an\u3000endless\u3000procession\u3000of\u3000royal\u3000ceremonies\u3000and\u3000affairs\u3000of\u3000state\u2014from\u3000the\u3000canonization\u3000of\u3000Edward\u3000the\u3000Confessor\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000marriage\u3000of\u3000Prince\u3000Andrew\u3000and\u3000Sarah\u3000Ferguson\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000funerals\u3000of\u3000Henry\u3000V\uff1b\u3000Queen\u3000Elizabeth\u3000I\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lady\u3000Diana\u3002
\nEven\u3000so\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3000currently\u3000felt\u3000no\u3000interest\u3000in\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000abbey’s\u3000ancient\u3000history\uff1b\u3000save\u3000one\u3000event\u2014the\u3000funeral\u3000of\u3000the\u3000British\u3000knight\u3000Sir\u3000Isaac\u3000Newton\u3002
\nIn\u3000London\u3000lies\u3000a\u3000knight\u3000a\u3000Pope\u3000interred\u3002
\nHurrying\u3000through\u3000the\u3000grand\u3000portico\u3000on\u3000the\u3000north\u3000transept\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000were\u3000met\u3000by\u3000guards\u3000who\u3000politely\u3000ushered\u3000them\u3000through\u3000the\u3000abbey’s\u3000newest\u3000addition\u2014a\u3000large\u3000walk\u2026through\u3000metal\u3000detector\u2014now\u3000present\u3000in\u3000most\u3000historic\u3000buildings\u3000in\u3000London\u3002\u3000They\u3000both\u3000passed\u3000through\u3000without\u3000setting\u3000off\u3000the\u3000alarm\u3000and\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000the\u3000abbey\u3000entrance\u3002
\nStepping\u3000across\u3000the\u3000threshold\u3000into\u3000Westminster\u3000Abbey\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000outside\u3000world\u3000evaporate\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000hush\u3002\u3000No\u3000rumble\u3000of\u3000traffic\u3002\u3000No\u3000hiss\u3000of\u3000rain\u3002\u3000Just\u3000a\u3000deafening\u3000silence\uff1b\u3000which\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000reverberate\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000building\u3000were\u3000whispering\u3000to\u3000itself\u3002
\nLangdon’s\u3000and\u3000Sophie’s\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000like\u3000those\u3000of\u3000almost\u3000every\u3000visitor\uff1b\u3000shifted\u3000immediately\u3000skyward\uff1b\u3000where\u3000the\u3000abbey’s\u3000great\u3000abyss\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000explode\u3000overhead\u3002\u3000Gray\u3000stone\u3000columns\u3000ascended\u3000like\u3000redwoods\u3000into\u3000the\u3000shadows\uff1b\u3000arching\u3000gracefully\u3000over\u3000dizzying\u3000expanses\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000shooting\u3000back\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Before\u3000them\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wide\u3000alley\u3000of\u3000the\u3000north\u3000transept\u3000stretched\u3000out\u3000like\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000canyon\uff1b\u3000flanked\u3000by\u3000sheer\u3000cliffs\u3000of\u3000stained\u3000glass\u3002\u3000On\u3000sunny\u3000days\uff1b\u3000the\u3000abbey\u3000floor\u3000was\u3000a\u3000prismatic\u3000patchwork\u3000of\u3000light\u3002\u3000Today\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rain\u3000and\u3000darkness\u3000gave\u3000this\u3000massive\u3000hollow\u3000a\u3000wraithlike\u3000aura\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000more\u3000like\u3000that\u3000of\u3000the\u3000crypt\u3000it\u3000truly\u3000was\u3002
\n\u3003It’s\u3000practically\u3000empty\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000whispered\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000disappointed\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000hoped\u3000for\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000more\u3000people\u3002\u3000A\u3000more\u3000public\u3000place\u3002\u3000Their\u3000earlier\u3000experience\u3000in\u3000the\u3000deserted\u3000Temple\u3000Church\u3000was\u3000not\u3000one\u3000Langdon\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000repeat\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000been\u3000anticipating\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000feeling\u3000of\u3000security\u3000in\u3000the\u3000popular\u3000tourist\u3000destination\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Langdon’s\u3000recollections\u3000of\u3000bustling\u3000throngs\u3000in\u3000a\u3000well\u2026lit\u3000abbey\u3000had\u3000been\u3000formed\u3000during\u3000the\u3000peak\u3000summer\u3000tourist\u3000season\u3002\u3000Today\u3000was\u3000a\u3000rainy\u3000April\u3000morning\u3002\u3000Rather\u3000than\u3000crowds\u3000and\u3000shimmering\u3000stained\u3000glass\uff1b\u3000all\u3000Langdon\u3000saw\u3000was\u3000acres\u3000of\u3000desolate\u3000floor\u3000and\u3000shadowy\uff1b\u3000empty\u3000alcoves\u3002
\n\u3003We\u3000passed\u3000through\u3000metal\u3000detectors\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000reminded\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000sensing\u3000Langdon’s\u3000apprehension\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000anyone\u3000is\u3000in\u3000here\uff1b\u3000they\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000armed\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000nodded\u3000but\u3000still\u3000felt\u3000circumspect\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000the\u3000London\u3000police\u3000with\u3000them\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Sophie’s\u3000fears\u3000of\u3000who\u3000might\u3000be\u3000involved\u3000put\u3000a\u3000damper\u3000on\u3000any\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000the\u3000authorities\u3002\u3000We\u3000need\u3000to\u3000recover\u3000the\u3000cryptex\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000insisted\u3002\u3000It\u3000is\u3000the\u3000key\u3000to\u3000everything\u3002
\nShe\u3000was\u3000right\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002
\nThe\u3000key\u3000to\u3000getting\u3000Leigh\u3000back\u3000alive\u3002
\nThe\u3000key\u3000to\u3000finding\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002
\nThe\u3000key\u3000to\u3000learning\u3000who\u3000is\u3000behind\u3000this\u3002
\nUnfortunately\uff1b\u3000their\u3000only\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000recover\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000here\u3000and\u3000now\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000at\u3000the\u3000tomb\u3000of\u3000Isaac\u3000Newton\u3002\u3000Whoever\u3000held\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000pay\u3000a\u3000visit\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tomb\u3000to\u3000decipher\u3000the\u3000final\u3000clue\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000they\u3000had\u3000not\u3000already\u3000e\u3000and\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000intercept\u3000them\u3002
\nStriding\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000left\u3000wall\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000open\uff1b\u3000they\u3000moved\u3000into\u3000an\u3000obscure\u3000side\u3000aisle\u3000behind\u3000a\u3000row\u3000of\u3000pilasters\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000couldn’t\u3000shake\u3000the\u3000image\u3000of\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000being\u3000held\u3000captive\uff1b\u3000probably\u3000tied\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000limousine\u3002\u3000Whoever\u3000had\u3000ordered\u3000the\u3000top\u3000Priory\u3000members\u3000killed\u3000would\u3000not\u3000hesitate\u3000to\u3000el \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ack\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000limousine\u3002\u3000Whoever\u3000had\u3000ordered\u3000the\u3000top\u3000Priory\u3000members\u3000killed\u3000would\u3000not\u3000hesitate\u3000to\u3000eliminate\u3000others\u3000who\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000the\u3000way\u3002\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000a\u3000cruel\u3000irony\u3000that\u3000Teabing\u2014a\u3000modern\u3000British\u3000knight\u2014was\u3000a\u3000hostage\u3000in\u3000the\u3000search\u3000for\u3000his\u3000own\u3000countryman\uff1b\u3000Sir\u3000Isaac\u3000Newton\u3002
\n\u3003Which\u3000way\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000around\u3002
\nThe\u3000tomb\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000should\u3000find\u3000a\u3000docent\u3000and\u3000ask\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000knew\u3000better\u3000than\u3000to\u3000wander\u3000aimlessly\u3000in\u3000here\u3002\u3000Westminster\u3000Abbey\u3000was\u3000a\u3000tangled\u3000warren\u3000of\u3000mausoleums\uff1b\u3000perimeter\u3000chambers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000walk\u2026in\u3000burial\u3000niches\u3002\u3000Like\u3000the\u3000Louvre’s\u3000Grand\u3000Gallery\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000a\u3000lone\u3000point\u3000of\u3000entry\u2014the\u3000door\u3000through\u3000which\u3000they\u3000had\u3000just\u3000passed\u2014easy\u3000to\u3000find\u3000your\u3000way\u3000in\uff1b\u3000but\u3000impossible\u3000to\u3000find\u3000your\u3000way\u3000out\u3002\u3000A\u3000literal\u3000tourist\u3000trap\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Langdon’s\u3000befuddled\u3000colleagues\u3000had\u3000called\u3000it\u3002\u3000Keeping\u3000architectural\u3000tradition\uff1b\u3000the\u3000abbey\u3000was\u3000laid\u3000out\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shape\u3000of\u3000a\u3000giant\u3000crucifix\u3002\u3000Unlike\u3000most\u3000churches\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000its\u3000entrance\u3000on\u3000the\u3000side\uff1b\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000the\u3000standard\u3000rear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000church\u3000via\u3000the\u3000narthex\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000nave\u3002\u3000Moreover\uff1b\u3000the\u3000abbey\u3000had\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000sprawling\u3000cloisters\u3000attached\u3002\u3000One\u3000false\u3000step\u3000through\u3000the\u3000wrong\u3000archway\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000visitor\u3000was\u3000lost\u3000in\u3000a\u3000labyrinth\u3000of\u3000outdoor\u3000passageways\u3000surrounded\u3000by\u3000high\u3000walls\u3002
\n\u3003Docents\u3000wear\u3000crimson\u3000robes\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000approaching\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000church\u3002\u3000Peering\u3000obliquely\u3000across\u3000the\u3000towering\u3000gilded\u3000altar\u3000to\u3000the\u3000far\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000south\u3000transept\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000saw\u3000several\u3000people\u3000crawling\u3000on\u3000their\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000knees\u3002\u3000This\u3000prostrate\u3000pilgrimage\u3000was\u3000a\u3000mon\u3000occurrence\u3000in\u3000Poets’\u3000Corner\uff1b\u3000although\u3000it\u3000was\u3000far\u3000less\u3000holy\u3000than\u3000it\u3000appeared\u3002\u3000Tourists\u3000doing\u3000grave\u3000rubbings\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000see\u3000any\u3000docents\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Maybe\u3000we\u3000can\u3000find\u3000the\u3000tomb\u3000on\u3000our\u3000own\uff1f\u3003
\nWithout\u3000a\u3000word\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000led\u3000her\u3000another\u3000few\u3000steps\u3000to\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000abbey\u3000and\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000right\u3002
\nSophie\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000startled\u3000breath\u3000as\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000the\u3000length\u3000of\u3000the\u3000abbey’s\u3000nave\uff1b\u3000the\u3000full\u3000magnitude\u3000of\u3000the\u3000building\u3000now\u3000visible\u3002\u3000\u3003Aah\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000find\u3000a\u3000docent\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nAt\u3000that\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000yards\u3000down\u3000the\u3000nave\uff1b\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000choir\u3000screen\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stately\u3000tomb\u3000of\u3000Sir\u3000Isaac\u3000Newton\u3000had\u3000a\u3000lone\u3000visitor\u3002\u3000The\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000been\u3000scrutinizing\u3000the\u3000monument\u3000for\u3000ten\u3000minutes\u3000now\u3002
\nNewton’s\u3000tomb\u3000consisted\u3000of\u3000a\u3000massive\u3000black\u2026marble\u3000sarcophagus\u3000on\u3000which\u3000reclined\u3000the\u3000sculpted\u3000form\u3000of\u3000Sir\u3000Isaac\u3000Newton\uff1b\u3000wearing\u3000classical\u3000costume\uff1b\u3000and\u3000leaning\u3000proudly\u3000against\u3000a\u3000stack\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000books\u2014Divinity\uff1b\u3000Chronology\uff1b\u3000Opticks\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Philosophiae\u3000Naturalis\u3000Principia\u3000Mathematica\u3002\u3000At\u3000Newton’s\u3000feet\u3000stood\u3000two\u3000winged\u3000boys\u3000holding\u3000a\u3000scroll\u3002\u3000Behind\u3000Newton’s\u3000recumbent\u3000body\u3000rose\u3000an\u3000austere\u3000pyramid\u3002\u3000Although\u3000the\u3000pyramid\u3000itself\u3000seemed\u3000an\u3000oddity\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000giant\u3000shape\u3000mounted\u3000halfway\u3000up\u3000the\u3000pyramid\u3000that\u3000most\u3000intrigued\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3002
\nAn\u3000orb\u3002
\nThe\u3000Teacher\u3000pondered\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000beguiling\u3000riddle\u3002\u3000You\u3000seek\u3000the\u3000orb\u3000that\u3000ought\u3000be\u3000on\u3000his\u3000tomb\u3002\u3000The\u3000massive\u3000orb\u3000protruding\u3000from\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pyramid\u3000was\u3000carved\u3000in\u3000basso\u2026relievo\u3000and\u3000depicted\u3000all\u3000kinds\u3000of\u3000heavenly\u3000bodies\u2014constellations\uff1b\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000the\u3000zodiac\uff1b\u3000ets\uff1b\u3000stars\uff1b\u3000and\u3000planets\u3002\u3000Above\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000image\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Goddess\u3000of\u3000Astronomy\u3000beneath\u3000a\u3000field\u3000of\u3000stars\u3002
\nCountless\u3000orbs\u3002
\nThe\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000been\u3000convinced\u3000that\u3000once\u3000he\u3000found\u3000the\u3000tomb\uff1b\u3000discerning\u3000the\u3000missing\u3000orb\u3000would\u3000be\u3000easy\u3002\u3000Now\u3000he\u3000was\u3000not\u3000so\u3000sure\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000gazing\u3000at\u3000a\u3000plicated\u3000map\u3000of\u3000the\u3000heavens\u3002\u3000Was\u3000there\u3000a\u3000missing\u3000planet\uff1f\u3000Had\u3000some\u3000astronomical\u3000orb\u3000been\u3000omitted\u3000from\u3000a\u3000constellation\uff1f\u3000He\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3002\u3000Even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000could\u3000not\u3000help\u3000but\u3000suspect\u3000that\u3000the\u3000solution\u3000would\u3000be\u3000ingeniously\u3000clean\u3000and\u3000simple\u2014\u3003a\u3000knight\u3000a\u3000pope\u3000interred\u3002\u3003\u3000What\u3000orb\u3000am\u3000I\u3000looking\u3000for\uff1f\u3000Certainly\uff1b\u3000an\u3000advanced\u3000knowledge\u3000of\u3000astrophysics\u3000was\u3000not\u3000a\u3000prerequisite\u3000for\u3000finding\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000was\u3000it\uff1f
\nIt\u3000speaks\u3000of\u3000Rosy\u3000flesh\u3000and\u3000seeded\u3000womb\u3002
\nThe\u3000Teacher’s\u3000concentration\u3000was\u3000broken\u3000by\u3000several\u3000approaching\u3000tourists\u3002\u3000He\u3000slipped\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000back\u3000in\u3000his\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000watched\u3000warily\u3000as\u3000the\u3000visitors\u3000went\u3000to\u3000a\u3000nearby\u3000table\uff1b\u3000left\u3000a\u3000donation\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cup\uff1b\u3000and\u3000restocked\u3000on\u3000the\u3000plimentary\u3000grave\u2026rubbing\u3000supplies\u3000set\u3000out\u3000by\u3000the\u3000abbey\u3002\u3000Armed\u3000with\u3000fresh\u3000charcoal\u3000pencils\u3000and\u3000large\u3000sheets\u3000of\u3000heavy\u3000paper\uff1b\u3000they\u3000headed\u3000off\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000abbey\uff1b\u3000probably\u3000to\u3000the\u3000popular\u3000Poets’\u3000Corner\u3000to\u3000pay\u3000their\u3000respects\u3000to\u3000Chaucer\uff1b\u3000Tennyson\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Dickens\u3000by\u3000rubbing\u3000furiously\u3000on\u3000their\u3000graves\u3002
\nAlone\u3000again\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stepped\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tomb\uff1b\u3000scanning\u3000it\u3000from\u3000bottom\u3000to\u3000top\u3002\u3000He\u3000began\u3000with\u3000the\u3000clawed\u3000feet\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000sarcophagus\uff1b\u3000moved\u3000upward\u3000past\u3000Newton\uff1b\u3000past\u3000his\u3000books\u3000on\u3000science\uff1b\u3000past\u3000the\u3000two\u3000boys\u3000with\u3000their\u3000mathematical\u3000scroll\uff1b\u3000up\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pyramid\u3000to\u3000the\u3000giant\u3000orb\u3000with\u3000its\u3000constellations\uff1b\u3000and\u3000finally\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000niche’s\u3000star\u2026filled\u3000canopy\u3002
\nWhat\u3000orb\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000be\u3000here\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000is\u3000missing\uff1f\u3000He\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000in\u3000his\u3000pocket\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000could\u3000somehow\u3000divine\u3000the\u3000answer\u3000from\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000crafted\u3000marble\u3002\u3000Only\u3000five\u3000letters\u3000separate\u3000me\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3002
\nPacing\u3000now\u3000near\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000the\u3000choir\u3000screen\uff1b\u3000he\u3000took\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\u3000and\u3000glanced\u3000up\u3000the\u3000long\u3000nave\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000main\u3000altar\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distance\u3002\u3000His\u3000gaze\u3000dropped\u3000from\u3000the\u3000gilded\u3000altar\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bright\u3000crimson\u3000robe\u3000of\u3000an\u3000abbey\u3000docent\u3000who\u3000was\u3000being\u3000waved\u3000over\u3000by\u3000two\u3000very\u3000familiar\u3000individuals\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000and\u3000Neveu\u3002
\nCalmly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000moved\u3000two\u3000steps\u3000back\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000choir\u3000screen\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000fast\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000anticipated\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000would\u3000eventually\u3000decipher\u3000the\u3000poem’s\u3000meaning\u3000and\u3000e\u3000to\u3000Newton’s\u3000tomb\uff1b\u3000but\u3000this\u3000was\u3000sooner\u3000than\u3000he\u3000had\u3000imagined\u3002\u3000Taking\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000considered\u3000his\u3000options\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000accustomed\u3000to\u3000dealing\u3000with\u3000surprises\u3002
\nI\u3000am\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3002
\nReaching\u3000down\u3000to\u3000his\u3000pocket\uff1b\u3000he\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000second\u3000object\u3000that\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000his\u3000confidence\uff1a\u3000the\u3000Medusa\u3000revolver\u3002\u3000As\u3000expected\uff1b\u3000the\u3000abbey’s\u3000metal\u3000detectors\u3000had\u3000blared\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000passed\u3000through\u3000with\u3000the\u3000concealed\u3000gun\u3002\u3000Also\u3000as\u3000expected\uff1b\u3000the\u3000guards\u3000had\u3000backed\u3000off\u3000at\u3000once\u3000when\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000glared\u3000indignantly\u3000and\u3000flashed\u3000his\u3000identification\u3000card\u3002\u3000Official\u3000rank\u3000always\u3000manded\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000respect\u3002
\nAlthough\u3000initially\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000had\u3000hoped\u3000to\u3000solve\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000alone\u3000and\u3000avoid\u3000any\u3000further\u3000plications\uff1b\u3000he\u3000now\u3000sensed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000arrival\u3000of\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Neveu\u3000was\u3000actually\u3000a\u3000wele\u3000development\u3002\u3000Considering\u3000the\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000success\u3000he\u3000was\u3000having\u3000with\u3000the\u3000\u3003orb\u3003\u3000reference\uff1b\u3000he\u3000might\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000use\u3000their\u3000expertise\u3002\u3000After\u3000all\uff1b\u3000if\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000deciphered\u3000the\u3000poem\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000tomb\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000reasonable\u3000chance\u3000he\u3000also\u3000knew\u3000something\u3000about\u3000the\u3000orb\u3002\u3000And\u3000if\u3000Langdon\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000password\uff1b\u3000then\u3000it\u3000was\u3000just\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000applying\u3000the\u3000right\u3000pressure\u3002
\nNot\u3000here\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002
\nSomewhere\u3000private\u3002
\nThe\u3000Teacher\u3000recalled\u3000a\u3000small\u3000announcement\u3000sign\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000on\u3000his\u3000way\u3000into\u3000the\u3000abbey\u3002\u3000Immediately\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000perfect\u3000place\u3000to\u3000lure\u3000them\u3002
\nThe\u3000only\u3000question\u3000now\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000what\u3000to\u3000use\u3000as\u3000bait\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300098
\n
\nLangdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000moved\u3000slowly\u3000down\u3000the\u3000north\u3000aisle\uff1b\u3000keeping\u3000to\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000ample\u3000pillars\u3000that\u3000separated\u3000it\u3000from\u3000the\u3000open\u3000nave\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000having\u3000traveled\u3000more\u3000than\u3000halfway\u3000down\u3000the\u3000nave\uff1b\u3000they\u3000still\u3000had\u3000no\u3000clear\u3000view\u3000of\u3000Newton’s\u3000tomb\u3002\u3000The\u3000sarcophagus\u3000was\u3000recessed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000niche\uff1b\u3000obscured\u3000from\u3000this\u3000oblique\u3000angle\u3002
\n\u3003At\u3000least\u3000there’s\u3000nobody\u3000over\u3000there\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000whispered\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000relieved\u3002\u3000The\u3000entire\u3000section\u3000of\u3000the\u3000nave\u3000near\u3000Newton’s\u3000tomb\u3000was\u3000deserted\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000go\u3000over\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000should\u3000stay\u3000hidden\u3000just\u3000in\u3000case\u3000someone\u2014\u3003
\nSophie\u3000had\u3000already\u3000stepped\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3000and\u3000was\u3000headed\u3000across\u3000the\u3000open\u3000floor\u3002
\n\u3003\u2014is\u3000watching\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000sighed\uff1b\u3000hurrying\u3000to\u3000join\u3000her\u3002
\nCrossing\u3000the\u3000massive\u3000nave\u3000on\u3000a\u3000diagonal\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000remained\u3000silent\u3000as\u3000the\u3000elaborate\u3000sepulchre\u3000revealed\u3000itself\u3000in\u3000tantalizing\u3000increments\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000black\u2026marble\u3000sarcophagus\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000reclining\u3000statue\u3000of\u3000Newton\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000two\u3000winged\u3000boys\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000huge\u3000pyramid\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000orb\u3002
\n\u3003Did\u3000you\u3000know\u3000about\u3000that\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000sounding\u3000startled\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000also\u3000surprised\u3002
\n\u3003Those\u3000look\u3000like\u3000constellations\u3000carved\u3000on\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002
\nAs\u3000they\u3000approached\u3000the\u3000niche\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000slow\u3000sinking\u3000sensation\u3002\u3000Newton’s\u3000tomb\u3000was\u3000covered\u3000with\u3000orbs\u2014stars\uff1b\u3000ets\uff1b\u3000planets\u3002\u3000You\u3000seek\u3000the\u3000orb\u3000that\u3000ought\u3000be\u3000on\u3000his\u3000tomb\uff1f\u3000It\u3000could\u3000turn\u3000out\u3000to\u3000be\u3000like\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000find\u3000a\u3000missing\u3000blade\u3000of\u3000grass\u3000on\u3000a\u3000golf\u3000course\u3002
\n\u3003Astronomical\u3000bodies\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000concerned\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000link\u3000between\u3000the\u3000planets\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000that\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000imagine\u3000was\u3000the\u3000pentacle\u3000of\u3000Venus\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000had\u3000already\u3000tried\u3000the\u3000password\u3000\u3003Venus\u3003\u3000en\u3000route\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Temple\u3000Church\u3002
\nSophie\u3000moved\u3000directly\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sarcophagus\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Langdon\u3000hung\u3000back\u3000a\u3000few\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000keeping\u3000an\u3000eye\u3000on\u3000the\u3000abbey\u3000around\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3003Divinity\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000tilting\u3000her\u3000head\u3000and\u3000reading\u3000the\u3000titles\u3000of\u3000the\u3000books\u3000on\u3000which\u3000Newton\u3000was\u3000leaning\u3002\u3000\u3003Chronology\u3002\u3000Opticks\u3002\u3000Philosophiae\u3000Naturalis\u3000Principia\u3000Mathematica\uff1f\u3003\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Ring\u3000any\u3000bells\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000stepped\u3000closer\uff1b\u3000considering\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003Principia\u3000Mathematica\uff1b\u3000as\u3000I\u3000remember\uff1b\u3000has\u3000something\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000the\u3000gravitation\u3000pull\u3000of\u3000planets\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000which\u3000admittedly\u3000are\u3000orbs\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000seems\u3000a\u3000little\u3000far\u2026fetched\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003How\u3000about\u3000the\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000the\u3000zodiac\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000to\u3000the\u3000constellations\u3000on\u3000the\u3000orb\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000were\u3000talking\u3000about\u3000Pisces\u3000and\u3000Aquarius\u3000earlier\uff1b\u3000weren’t\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000End\u3000of\u3000Days\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000end\u3000of\u3000Pisces\u3000and\u3000the\u3000beginning\u3000of\u3000Aquarius\u3000was\u3000allegedly\u3000the\u3000historical\u3000marker\u3000at\u3000which\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000planned\u3000to\u3000release\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3000to\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3003\u3000But\u3000the\u3000millennium\u3000came\u3000and\u3000went\u3000without\u3000incident\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000historians\u3000uncertain\u3000when\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000was\u3000ing\u3002
\n\u3003It\u3000seems\u3000possible\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000the\u3000Priory’s\u3000plans\u3000to\u3000revea \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n certain\u3000when\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000was\u3000ing\u3002
\n\u3003It\u3000seems\u3000possible\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000the\u3000Priory’s\u3000plans\u3000to\u3000reveal\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000might\u3000be\u3000related\u3000to\u3000the\u3000last\u3000line\u3000of\u3000the\u3000poem\u3002\u3003
\nIt\u3000speaks\u3000of\u3000Rosy\u3000flesh\u3000and\u3000seeded\u3000womb\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000shiver\u3000of\u3000potential\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000not\u3000considered\u3000the\u3000line\u3000that\u3000way\u3000before\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000told\u3000me\u3000earlier\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000the\u3000timing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory’s\u3000plans\u3000to\u3000unveil\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000about\u3000’the\u3000Rose’\u3000and\u3000her\u3000fertile\u3000womb\u3000was\u3000linked\u3000directly\u3000to\u3000the\u3000position\u3000of\u3000planets\u2014orbs\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000the\u3000first\u3000faint\u3000wisps\u3000of\u3000possibility\u3000materializing\u3002\u3000Even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000his\u3000intuition\u3000told\u3000him\u3000astronomy\u3000was\u3000not\u3000the\u3000key\u3002\u3000The\u3000Grand\u3000Master’s\u3000previous\u3000solutions\u3000had\u3000all\u3000possessed\u3000an\u3000eloquent\uff1b\u3000symbolic\u3000significance\u2014the\u3000Mona\u3000Lisa\uff1b\u3000Madonna\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rocks\uff1b\u3000SOFIA\u3002\u3000This\u3000eloquence\u3000was\u3000definitely\u3000lacking\u3000in\u3000the\u3000concept\u3000of\u3000planetary\u3000orbs\u3000and\u3000the\u3000zodiac\u3002\u3000Thus\u3000far\uff1b\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000proven\u3000himself\u3000a\u3000meticulous\u3000code\u3000writer\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000that\u3000his\u3000final\u3000password\u2014those\u3000five\u3000letters\u3000that\u3000unlocked\u3000the\u3000Priory’s\u3000ultimate\u3000secret\u2014would\u3000prove\u3000to\u3000be\u3000not\u3000only\u3000symbolically\u3000fitting\u3000but\u3000also\u3000crystal\u3000clear\u3002\u3000If\u3000this\u3000solution\u3000were\u3000anything\u3000like\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000painfully\u3000obvious\u3000once\u3000it\u3000dawned\u3002
\n\u3003Look\uff01\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000gasped\uff1b\u3000jarring\u3000his\u3000thoughts\u3000as\u3000she\u3000grabbed\u3000his\u3000arm\u3002\u3000From\u3000the\u3000fear\u3000in\u3000her\u3000touch\u3000Langdon\u3000sensed\u3000someone\u3000must\u3000be\u3000approaching\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000staring\u3000aghast\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000black\u3000marble\u3000sarcophagus\u3002\u3000\u3003Someone\u3000was\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000to\u3000a\u3000spot\u3000on\u3000the\u3000sarcophagus\u3000near\u3000Newton’s\u3000outstretched\u3000right\u3000foot\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000did\u3000not\u3000understand\u3000her\u3000concern\u3002\u3000A\u3000careless\u3000tourist\u3000had\u3000left\u3000a\u3000charcoal\uff1b\u3000grave\u2026rubbing\u3000pencil\u3000on\u3000the\u3000sarcophagus\u3000lid\u3000near\u3000Newton’s\u3000foot\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000reached\u3000out\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000it\u3000up\uff1b\u3000but\u3000as\u3000he\u3000leaned\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000sarcophagus\uff1b\u3000the\u3000light\u3000shifted\u3000on\u3000the\u3000polished\u3000black\u2026marble\u3000slab\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000froze\u3002\u3000Suddenly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000why\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000afraid\u3002
\nScrawled\u3000on\u3000the\u3000sarcophagus\u3000lid\uff1b\u3000at\u3000Newton’s\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000shimmered\u3000a\u3000barely\u3000visible\u3000charcoal\u2026pencil\u3000message\uff1a
\nI\u3000have\u3000Teabing\u3002
\nGo\u3000through\u3000Chapter\u3000House\uff1b
\nout\u3000south\u3000exit\uff1b\u3000to\u3000public\u3000garden\u3002
\n\u3000
\nLangdon\u3000read\u3000the\u3000words\u3000twice\uff1b\u3000his\u3000heart\u3000pounding\u3000wildly\u3002
\nSophie\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000scanned\u3000the\u3000nave\u3002
\nDespite\u3000the\u3000pall\u3000of\u3000trepidation\u3000that\u3000settled\u3000over\u3000him\u3000upon\u3000seeing\u3000the\u3000words\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000told\u3000himself\u3000this\u3000was\u3000good\u3000news\u3002\u3000Leigh\u3000is\u3000still\u3000alive\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000another\u3000implication\u3000here\u3000too\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000the\u3000password\u3000either\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\u3002
\nSophie\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000Otherwise\u3000why\u3000make\u3000their\u3000presence\u3000known\uff1f
\n\u3003They\u3000may\u3000want\u3000to\u3000trade\u3000Leigh\u3000for\u3000the\u3000password\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Or\u3000it’s\u3000a\u3000trap\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000think\u3000so\u3002\u3000The\u3000garden\u3000is\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000abbey\u3000walls\u3002\u3000A\u3000very\u3000public\u3000place\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000once\u3000visited\u3000the\u3000abbey’s\u3000famous\u3000College\u3000Garden\u2014a\u3000small\u3000fruit\u3000orchard\u3000and\u3000herb\u3000garden\u2014left\u3000over\u3000from\u3000the\u3000days\u3000when\u3000monks\u3000grew\u3000natural\u3000pharmacological\u3000remedies\u3000here\u3002\u3000Boasting\u3000the\u3000oldest\u3000living\u3000fruit\u3000trees\u3000in\u3000Great\u3000Britain\uff1b\u3000College\u3000Garden\u3000was\u3000a\u3000popular\u3000spot\u3000for\u3000tourists\u3000to\u3000visit\u3000without\u3000having\u3000to\u3000enter\u3000the\u3000abbey\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000sending\u3000us\u3000outside\u3000is\u3000a\u3000show\u3000of\u3000faith\u3002\u3000So\u3000we\u3000feel\u3000safe\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000looked\u3000dubious\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000mean\u3000outside\uff1b\u3000where\u3000there\u3000are\u3000no\u3000metal\u3000detectors\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000scowled\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000a\u3000point\u3002
\nGazing\u3000back\u3000at\u3000the\u3000orb\u2026filled\u3000tomb\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000wished\u3000he\u3000had\u3000some\u3000idea\u3000about\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000password\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000something\u3000with\u3000which\u3000to\u3000negotiate\u3002\u3000I\u3000got\u3000Leigh\u3000involved\u3000in\u3000this\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’ll\u3000do\u3000whatever\u3000it\u3000takes\u3000if\u3000there\u3000is\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000help\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000note\u3000says\u3000to\u3000go\u3000through\u3000the\u3000Chapter\u3000House\u3000to\u3000the\u3000south\u3000exit\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Maybe\u3000from\u3000the\u3000exit\u3000we\u3000would\u3000have\u3000a\u3000view\u3000of\u3000the\u3000garden\uff1f\u3000That\u3000way\u3000we\u3000could\u3000assess\u3000the\u3000situation\u3000before\u3000we\u3000walked\u3000out\u3000there\u3000and\u3000exposed\u3000ourselves\u3000to\u3000any\u3000danger\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000idea\u3000was\u3000a\u3000good\u3000one\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000vaguely\u3000recalled\u3000the\u3000Chapter\u3000House\u3000as\u3000a\u3000huge\u3000octagonal\u3000hall\u3000where\u3000the\u3000original\u3000British\u3000Parliament\u3000convened\u3000in\u3000the\u3000days\u3000before\u3000the\u3000modern\u3000Parliament\u3000building\u3000existed\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000been\u3000years\u3000since\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000there\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000remembered\u3000it\u3000being\u3000out\u3000through\u3000the\u3000cloister\u3000somewhere\u3002\u3000Taking\u3000several\u3000steps\u3000back\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tomb\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000peered\u3000around\u3000the\u3000choir\u3000screen\u3000to\u3000his\u3000right\uff1b\u3000across\u3000the\u3000nave\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\u3000opposite\u3000that\u3000which\u3000they\u3000had\u3000descended\u3002
\nA\u3000gaping\u3000vaulted\u3000passageway\u3000stood\u3000nearby\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000large\u3000sign\u3002
\nTHIS\u3000WAY\u3000TO\uff1a
\nCLOISTERS
\nDEANERY
\nCOLLEGE\u3000HALL
\nMUSEUM
\nPYX\u3000CHAMBER
\nST\u3002\u3000FAITH’S\u3000CHAPEL
\nCHAPTER\u3000HOUSE
\n\u3000
\nLangdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000were\u3000jogging\u3000as\u3000they\u3000passed\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000sign\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000too\u3000quickly\u3000to\u3000notice\u3000the\u3000small\u3000announcement\u3000apologizing\u3000that\u3000certain\u3000areas\u3000were\u3000closed\u3000for\u3000renovations\u3002
\nThey\u3000emerged\u3000immediately\u3000into\u3000a\u3000high\u2026walled\uff1b\u3000open\u2026roof\u3000courtyard\u3000through\u3000which\u3000morning\u3000rain\u3000was\u3000falling\u3002\u3000Above\u3000them\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000howled\u3000across\u3000the\u3000opening\u3000with\u3000a\u3000low\u3000drone\uff1b\u3000like\u3000someone\u3000blowing\u3000over\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000of\u3000a\u3000bottle\u3002\u3000Entering\u3000the\u3000narrow\uff1b\u3000low\u2026hanging\u3000walkways\u3000that\u3000bordered\u3000the\u3000courtyard\u3000perimeter\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000familiar\u3000uneasiness\u3000he\u3000always\u3000felt\u3000in\u3000enclosed\u3000spaces\u3002\u3000These\u3000walkways\u3000were\u3000called\u3000cloisters\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Langdon\u3000noted\u3000with\u3000uneasiness\u3000that\u3000these\u3000particular\u3000cloisters\u3000lived\u3000up\u3000to\u3000their\u3000Latin\u3000ties\u3000to\u3000the\u3000word\u3000claustrophobic\u3002
\nFocusing\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000straight\u3000ahead\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000signs\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Chapter\u3000House\u3002\u3000The\u3000rain\u3000was\u3000spitting\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000walkway\u3000was\u3000cold\u3000and\u3000damp\u3000with\u3000gusts\u3000of\u3000rain\u3000that\u3000blew\u3000through\u3000the\u3000lone\u3000pillared\u3000wall\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000cloister’s\u3000only\u3000source\u3000of\u3000light\u3002\u3000Another\u3000couple\u3000scurried\u3000past\u3000them\u3000the\u3000other\u3000way\uff1b\u3000hurrying\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000worsening\u3000weather\u3002\u3000The\u3000cloisters\u3000looked\u3000deserted\u3000now\uff1b\u3000admittedly\u3000the\u3000abbey’s\u3000least\u3000enticing\u3000section\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000and\u3000rain\u3002
\nForty\u3000yards\u3000down\u3000the\u3000east\u3000cloister\uff1b\u3000an\u3000archway\u3000materialized\u3000on\u3000their\u3000left\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000way\u3000to\u3000another\u3000hallway\u3002\u3000Although\u3000this\u3000was\u3000the\u3000entrance\u3000they\u3000were\u3000looking\u3000for\uff1b\u3000the\u3000opening\u3000was\u3000cordoned\u3000off\u3000by\u3000a\u3000swag\u3000and\u3000an\u3000official\u2026looking\u3000sign\u3002
\nCLOSED\u3000FOR\u3000RENOVATION
\nPYX\u3000CHAMBER
\nST\u3002\u3000FAITH’S\u3000CHAPEL
\nCHAPTER\u3000HOUSE
\n\u3000
\nThe\u3000long\uff1b\u3000deserted\u3000corridor\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000swag\u3000was\u3000littered\u3000with\u3000scaffolding\u3000and\u3000drop\u3000cloths\u3002\u3000Immediately\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000swag\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000entrances\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Pyx\u3000Chamber\u3000and\u3000St\u3002\u3000Faith’s\u3000Chapel\u3000on\u3000the\u3000right\u3000and\u3000left\u3002\u3000The\u3000entrance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Chapter\u3000House\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000was\u3000much\u3000farther\u3000away\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000far\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000long\u3000hallway\u3002\u3000Even\u3000from\u3000here\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000its\u3000heavy\u3000wooden\u3000door\u3000was\u3000wide\u3000open\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000spacious\u3000octagonal\u3000interior\u3000was\u3000bathed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000grayish\u3000natural\u3000light\u3000from\u3000the\u3000room’s\u3000enormous\u3000windows\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000out\u3000on\u3000College\u3000Garden\u3002\u3000Go\u3000through\u3000Chapter\u3000House\uff1b\u3000out\u3000south\u3000exit\uff1b\u3000to\u3000public\u3000garden\u3002
\n\u3003We\u3000just\u3000left\u3000the\u3000east\u3000cloister\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003so\u3000the\u3000south\u3000exit\u3000to\u3000the\u3000garden\u3000must\u3000be\u3000through\u3000there\u3000and\u3000to\u3000the\u3000right\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000already\u3000stepping\u3000over\u3000the\u3000swag\u3000and\u3000moving\u3000forward\u3002
\nAs\u3000they\u3000hurried\u3000down\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000corridor\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000and\u3000rain\u3000from\u3000the\u3000open\u3000cloister\u3000faded\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000Chapter\u3000House\u3000was\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000satellite\u3000structure\u2014a\u3000freestanding\u3000annex\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000long\u3000hallway\u3000to\u3000ensure\u3000the\u3000privacy\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Parliament\u3000proceedings\u3000housed\u3000there\u3002
\n\u3003It\u3000looks\u3000huge\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000whispered\u3000as\u3000they\u3000approached\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000forgotten\u3000just\u3000how\u3000large\u3000this\u3000room\u3000was\u3002\u3000Even\u3000from\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000entrance\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000gaze\u3000across\u3000the\u3000vast\u3000expanse\u3000of\u3000floor\u3000to\u3000the\u3000breathtaking\u3000windows\u3000on\u3000the\u3000far\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000octagon\uff1b\u3000which\u3000rose\u3000five\u3000stories\u3000to\u3000a\u3000vaulted\u3000ceiling\u3002\u3000They\u3000would\u3000certainly\u3000have\u3000a\u3000clear\u3000view\u3000of\u3000the\u3000garden\u3000from\u3000in\u3000here\u3002
\nCrossing\u3000the\u3000threshold\uff1b\u3000both\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000found\u3000themselves\u3000having\u3000to\u3000squint\u3002\u3000After\u3000the\u3000gloomy\u3000cloisters\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Chapter\u3000House\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000a\u3000solarium\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000a\u3000good\u3000ten\u3000feet\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000searching\u3000the\u3000south\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000when\u3000they\u3000realized\u3000the\u3000door\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000promised\u3000was\u3000not\u3000there\u3002
\nThey\u3000were\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000dead\u3000end\u3002
\nThe\u3000creaking\u3000of\u3000a\u3000heavy\u3000door\u3000behind\u3000them\u3000made\u3000them\u3000turn\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000the\u3000door\u3000closed\u3000with\u3000a\u3000resounding\u3000thud\u3000and\u3000the\u3000latch\u3000fell\u3000into\u3000place\u3002
\nThe\u3000lone\u3000man\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000standing\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000door\u3000looked\u3000calm\u3000as\u3000he\u3000aimed\u3000a\u3000small\u3000revolver\u3000at\u3000them\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000portly\u3000and\u3000was\u3000propped\u3000on\u3000a\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000aluminum\u3000crutches\u3002
\nFor\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000must\u3000be\u3000dreaming\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u300099
\n
\nSir\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000felt\u3000rueful\u3000as\u3000he\u3000gazed\u3000out\u3000over\u3000the\u3000barrel\u3000of\u3000his\u3000Medusa\u3000revolver\u3000at\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000friends\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003since\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000you\u3000walked\u3000into\u3000my\u3000home\u3000last\u3000night\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000done\u3000everything\u3000in\u3000my\u3000power\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000you\u3000out\u3000of\u3000harm’s\u3000way\u3002\u3000But\u3000your\u3000persistence\u3000has\u3000now\u3000put\u3000me\u3000in\u3000a\u3000difficult\u3000position\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000expressions\u3000of\u3000shock\u3000and\u3000betrayal\u3000on\u3000Sophie’s\u3000and\u3000Langdon’s\u3000faces\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000he\u3000was\u3000confident\u3000that\u3000soon\u3000they\u3000would\u3000both\u3000understand\u3000the\u3000chain\u3000of\u3000events\u3000that\u3000had\u3000guided\u3000the\u3000three\u3000of\u3000them\u3000to\u3000this\u3000unlikely\u3000crossroads\u3002
\nThere\u3000is\u3000so\u3000much\u3000I\u3000have\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000both\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000so\u3000much\u3000you\u3000do\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000understand\u3002
\n\u3003Please\u3000believe\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000never\u3000had\u3000any\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000your\u3000being\u3000involved\u3002\u3000You\u3000came\u3000to\u3000my\u3000home\u3002\u3000You\u3000came\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Leigh\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000finally\u3000managed\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000the\u3000hell\u3000are\u3000you\u3000doing\uff1f\u3000We\u3000thought\u3000you\u3000were\u3000in\u3000trouble\u3002\u3000We\u3000came\u3000here\u3000to\u3000help\u3000you\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003As\u3000I\u3000trusted\u3000you\u3000would\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000have\u3000much\u3000to\u3000discuss\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000seemed\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000tear\u3000their\u3000stunned\u3000gazes\u3000from\u3000the\u3000revolver\u3000aimed\u3000at\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3003It\u3000is\u3000simply\u3000to\u3000ensure\u3000your\u3000full\u3000attention\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000I\u3000had\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000harm\u3000you\uff1b\u3000you\u3000would\u3000be\u3000dead\u3000by\u3000now\u3002\u3000When\u3000you\u3000walked\u3000into\u3000my\u3000home\u3000last\u3000night\uff1b\u3000I\u3000risked\u3000everything\u3000to\u3000spare\u3000your\u3000lives\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000a\u3000man\u3000of\u3000honor\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000vowed\u3000in\u3000my\u3000deepest\u3000conscience\u3000only\u3000to\u3000sacrifice\u3000those\u3000who\u3000had\u3000betrayed\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000are\u3000you\u3000talking\u3000about\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Betrayed\u3000the\u3000Sangrea \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n e\u3000who\u3000had\u3000betrayed\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000are\u3000you\u3000talking\u3000about\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Betrayed\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000discovered\u3000a\u3000terrible\u3000truth\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000sighing\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000learned\u3000why\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3000were\u3000never\u3000revealed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3000I\u3000learned\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000had\u3000decided\u3000not\u3000to\u3000release\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000after\u3000all\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000why\u3000the\u3000millennium\u3000passed\u3000without\u3000any\u3000revelation\uff1b\u3000why\u3000nothing\u3000happened\u3000as\u3000we\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000End\u3000of\u3000Days\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000about\u3000to\u3000protest\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000Priory\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003was\u3000given\u3000a\u3000sacred\u3000charge\u3000to\u3000share\u3000the\u3000truth\u3002\u3000To\u3000release\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3000when\u3000the\u3000End\u3000of\u3000Days\u3000arrived\u3002\u3000For\u3000centuries\uff1b\u3000men\u3000like\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\uff1b\u3000Botticelli\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Newton\u3000risked\u3000everything\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000the\u3000documents\u3000and\u3000carry\u3000out\u3000that\u3000charge\u3002\u3000And\u3000now\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ultimate\u3000moment\u3000of\u3000truth\uff1b\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000changed\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002\u3000The\u3000man\u3000honored\u3000with\u3000the\u3000greatest\u3000responsibility\u3000in\u3000Christian\u3000history\u3000eschewed\u3000his\u3000duty\u3002\u3000He\u3000decided\u3000the\u3000time\u3000was\u3000not\u3000right\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000failed\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000He\u3000failed\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3002\u3000And\u3000he\u3000failed\u3000the\u3000memory\u3000of\u3000all\u3000the\u3000generations\u3000that\u3000had\u3000worked\u3000to\u3000make\u3000that\u3000moment\u3000possible\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000declared\uff1b\u3000glancing\u3000up\u3000now\uff1b\u3000her\u3000green\u3000eyes\u3000boring\u3000into\u3000him\u3000with\u3000rage\u3000and\u3000realization\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000are\u3000the\u3000one\u3000responsible\u3000for\u3000my\u3000grandfather’s\u3000murder\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000scoffed\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000grandfather\u3000and\u3000his\u3000s\u00e9n\u00e9chaux\u3000were\u3000traitors\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000fury\u3000rising\u3000from\u3000deep\u3000within\u3002\u3000He’s\u3000lying\uff01
\nTeabing’s\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000relentless\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000grandfather\u3000sold\u3000out\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Church\u3002\u3000It\u3000is\u3000obvious\u3000they\u3000pressured\u3000him\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000quiet\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Church\u3000had\u3000no\u3000influence\u3000on\u3000my\u3000grandfather\uff01\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000laughed\u3000coldly\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000dear\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000has\u3000two\u3000thousand\u3000years\u3000of\u3000experience\u3000pressuring\u3000those\u3000who\u3000threaten\u3000to\u3000unveil\u3000its\u3000lies\u3002\u3000Since\u3000the\u3000days\u3000of\u3000Constantine\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000has\u3000successfully\u3000hidden\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000about\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000and\u3000Jesus\u3002\u3000We\u3000should\u3000not\u3000be\u3000surprised\u3000that\u3000now\uff1b\u3000once\u3000again\uff1b\u3000they\u3000have\u3000found\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000world\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dark\u3002\u3000The\u3000Church\u3000may\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000employ\u3000crusaders\u3000to\u3000slaughter\u3000non\u2026believers\uff1b\u3000but\u3000their\u3000influence\u3000is\u3000no\u3000less\u3000persuasive\u3002\u3000No\u3000less\u3000insidious\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000to\u3000punctuate\u3000his\u3000next\u3000point\u3002\u3000\u3003Miss\u3000Neveu\uff1b\u3000for\u3000some\u3000time\u3000now\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3000has\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000about\u3000your\u3000family\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000stunned\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000could\u3000you\u3000know\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003My\u3000methods\u3000are\u3000immaterial\u3002\u3000The\u3000important\u3000thing\u3000for\u3000you\u3000to\u3000grasp\u3000right\u3000now\u3000is\u3000this\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000took\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000deaths\u3000of\u3000your\u3000mother\uff1b\u3000father\uff1b\u3000grandmother\uff1b\u3000and\u3000brother\u3000were\u3000not\u3000accidental\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000words\u3000sent\u3000Sophie’s\u3000emotions\u3000reeling\u3002\u3000She\u3000opened\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000but\u3000was\u3000unable\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000are\u3000you\u3000saying\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000it\u3000explains\u3000everything\u3002\u3000All\u3000the\u3000pieces\u3000fit\u3002\u3000History\u3000repeats\u3000itself\u3002\u3000The\u3000Church\u3000has\u3000a\u3000precedent\u3000of\u3000murder\u3000when\u3000it\u3000es\u3000to\u3000silencing\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3002\u3000With\u3000the\u3000End\u3000of\u3000Days\u3000imminent\uff1b\u3000killing\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Master’s\u3000loved\u3000ones\u3000sent\u3000a\u3000very\u3000clear\u3000message\u3002\u3000Be\u3000quiet\uff1b\u3000or\u3000you\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000are\u3000next\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000car\u3000accident\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000stammered\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000the\u3000childhood\u3000pain\u3000welling\u3000inside\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003An\u3000accident\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003Bedtime\u3000stories\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000your\u3000innocence\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Consider\u3000that\u3000only\u3000two\u3000family\u3000members\u3000went\u3000untouched\u2014the\u3000Priory’s\u3000Grand\u3000Master\u3000and\u3000his\u3000lone\u3000granddaughter\u2014the\u3000perfect\u3000pair\u3000to\u3000provide\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000with\u3000control\u3000over\u3000the\u3000brotherhood\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u3000only\u3000imagine\u3000the\u3000terror\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000wielded\u3000over\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3000these\u3000past\u3000years\uff1b\u3000threatening\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000you\u3000if\u3000he\u3000dared\u3000release\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000secret\uff1b\u3000threatening\u3000to\u3000finish\u3000the\u3000job\u3000they\u3000started\u3000unless\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000influenced\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000to\u3000reconsider\u3000its\u3000ancient\u3000vow\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Leigh\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000argued\uff1b\u3000now\u3000visibly\u3000riled\uff1b\u3000\u3003certainly\u3000you\u3000have\u3000no\u3000proof\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000had\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000those\u3000deaths\uff1b\u3000or\u3000that\u3000it\u3000influenced\u3000the\u3000Priory’s\u3000decision\u3000to\u3000remain\u3000silent\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Proof\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000fired\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000want\u3000proof\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000was\u3000influenced\uff1f\u3000The\u3000new\u3000millennium\u3000has\u3000arrived\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000the\u3000world\u3000remains\u3000ignorant\uff01\u3000Is\u3000that\u3000not\u3000proof\u3000enough\uff1f\u3003
\nIn\u3000the\u3000echoes\u3000of\u3000Teabing’s\u3000words\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000heard\u3000another\u3000voice\u3000speaking\u3002\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000I\u3000must\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000about\u3000your\u3000family\u3002\u3000She\u3000realized\u3000she\u3000was\u3000trembling\u3002\u3000Could\u3000this\u3000possibly\u3000be\u3000that\u3000truth\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000had\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000her\uff1f\u3000That\u3000her\u3000family\u3000had\u3000been\u3000murdered\uff1f\u3000What\u3000did\u3000she\u3000truly\u3000know\u3000about\u3000the\u3000crash\u3000that\u3000took\u3000her\u3000family\uff1f\u3000Only\u3000sketchy\u3000details\u3002\u3000Even\u3000the\u3000stories\u3000in\u3000the\u3000newspaper\u3000had\u3000been\u3000vague\u3002\u3000An\u3000accident\uff1f\u3000Bedtime\u3000stories\uff1f\u3000Sophie\u3000flashed\u3000suddenly\u3000on\u3000her\u3000grandfather’s\u3000overprotectiveness\uff1b\u3000how\u3000he\u3000never\u3000liked\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000her\u3000alone\u3000when\u3000she\u3000was\u3000young\u3002\u3000Even\u3000when\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000grown\u3000and\u3000away\u3000at\u3000university\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000the\u3000sense\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000was\u3000watching\u3000over\u3002\u3000She\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000there\u3000had\u3000been\u3000Priory\u3000members\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3000throughout\u3000her\u3000entire\u3000life\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000after\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000suspected\u3000he\u3000was\u3000being\u3000manipulated\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000glaring\u3000with\u3000disbelief\u3000at\u3000Teabing\u3002\u3000\u3003So\u3000you\u3000murdered\u3000him\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000did\u3000not\u3000pull\u3000the\u3000trigger\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Sauni\u00e8re\u3000was\u3000dead\u3000years\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000stole\u3000his\u3000family\u3000from\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000promised\u3002\u3000Now\u3000he\u3000is\u3000free\u3000of\u3000that\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000released\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shame\u3000caused\u3000by\u3000his\u3000inability\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000out\u3000his\u3000sacred\u3000duty\u3002\u3000Consider\u3000the\u3000alternative\u3002\u3000Something\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000done\u3002\u3000Shall\u3000the\u3000world\u3000be\u3000ignorant\u3000forever\uff1f\u3000Shall\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000be\u3000allowed\u3000to\u3000cement\u3000its\u3000lies\u3000into\u3000our\u3000history\u3000books\u3000for\u3000all\u3000eternity\uff1f\u3000Shall\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000be\u3000permitted\u3000to\u3000influence\u3000indefinitely\u3000with\u3000murder\u3000and\u3000extortion\uff1f\u3000No\uff1b\u3000something\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000done\uff01\u3000And\u3000now\u3000we\u3000are\u3000poised\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000out\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000legacy\u3000and\u3000right\u3000a\u3000terrible\u3000wrong\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000three\u3000of\u3000us\u3002\u3000Together\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000felt\u3000only\u3000incredulity\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000could\u3000you\u3000possibly\u3000believe\u3000that\u3000we\u3000would\u3000help\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Because\uff1b\u3000my\u3000dear\uff1b\u3000you\u3000are\u3000the\u3000reason\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000release\u3000the\u3000documents\u3002\u3000Your\u3000grandfather’s\u3000love\u3000for\u3000you\u3000prevented\u3000him\u3000from\u3000challenging\u3000the\u3000Church\u3002\u3000His\u3000fear\u3000of\u3000reprisal\u3000against\u3000his\u3000only\u3000remaining\u3000family\u3000crippled\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000never\u3000had\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000explain\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000because\u3000you\u3000rejected\u3000him\uff1b\u3000tying\u3000his\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000making\u3000him\u3000wait\u3002\u3000Now\u3000you\u3000owe\u3000the\u3000world\u3000the\u3000truth\u3002\u3000You\u3000owe\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000memory\u3000of\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nRobert\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000given\u3000up\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000get\u3000his\u3000bearings\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000the\u3000torrent\u3000of\u3000questions\u3000running\u3000through\u3000his\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000only\u3000one\u3000thing\u3000mattered\u3000now\u2014getting\u3000Sophie\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3000alive\u3002\u3000All\u3000the\u3000guilt\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000mistakenly\u3000felt\u3000earlier\u3000for\u3000involving\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000now\u3000been\u3000transferred\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3002
\nI\u3000took\u3000her\u3000to\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000responsible\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000could\u3000not\u3000fathom\u3000that\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000would\u3000be\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000killing\u3000them\u3000in\u3000cold\u3000blood\u3000here\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Chapter\u3000House\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000Teabing\u3000certainly\u3000had\u3000been\u3000involved\u3000in\u3000killing\u3000others\u3000during\u3000his\u3000misguided\u3000quest\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000the\u3000uneasy\u3000feeling\u3000that\u3000gunshots\u3000in\u3000this\u3000secluded\uff1b\u3000thick\u2026walled\u3000chamber\u3000would\u3000go\u3000unheard\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000in\u3000this\u3000rain\u3002\u3000And\u3000Leigh\u3000just\u3000admitted\u3000his\u3000guilt\u3000to\u3000us\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000who\u3000looked\u3000shaken\u3002\u3000The\u3000Church\u3000murdered\u3000Sophie’s\u3000family\u3000to\u3000silence\u3000the\u3000Priory\uff1f\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000certain\u3000the\u3000modern\u3000Church\u3000did\u3000not\u3000murder\u3000people\u3002\u3000There\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000some\u3000other\u3000explanation\u3002
\n\u3003Let\u3000Sophie\u3000leave\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000declared\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000Leigh\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000and\u3000I\u3000should\u3000discuss\u3000this\u3000alone\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000gave\u3000an\u3000unnatural\u3000laugh\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000afraid\u3000that\u3000is\u3000one\u3000show\u3000of\u3000faith\u3000I\u3000cannot\u3000afford\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000offer\u3000you\u3000this\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000propped\u3000himself\u3000fully\u3000on\u3000his\u3000crutches\uff1b\u3000gracelessly\u3000keeping\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000aimed\u3000at\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000and\u3000removed\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000from\u3000his\u3000pocket\u3002\u3000He\u3000swayed\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000as\u3000he\u3000held\u3000it\u3000out\u3000for\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000token\u3000of\u3000trust\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3002\u3003
\nRobert\u3000felt\u3000wary\u3000and\u3000didn’t\u3000move\u3002\u3000Leigh\u3000is\u3000giving\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000back\u3000to\u3000us\uff1f
\n\u3003Take\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000thrusting\u3000it\u3000awkwardly\u3000toward\u3000Langdon\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000could\u3000imagine\u3000only\u3000one\u3000reason\u3000Teabing\u3000would\u3000give\u3000it\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000opened\u3000it\u3000already\u3002\u3000You\u3000removed\u3000the\u3000map\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000was\u3000shaking\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000if\u3000I\u3000had\u3000solved\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000have\u3000disappeared\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000myself\u3000and\u3000kept\u3000you\u3000uninvolved\u3002\u3000No\uff1b\u3000I\u3000do\u3000not\u3000know\u3000the\u3000answer\u3002\u3000And\u3000I\u3000can\u3000admit\u3000that\u3000freely\u3002\u3000A\u3000true\u3000knight\u3000learns\u3000humility\u3000in\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000He\u3000learns\u3000to\u3000obey\u3000the\u3000signs\u3000placed\u3000before\u3000him\u3002\u3000When\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000you\u3000enter\u3000the\u3000abbey\uff1b\u3000I\u3000understood\u3002\u3000You\u3000were\u3000here\u3000for\u3000a\u3000reason\u3002\u3000To\u3000help\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000not\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000singular\u3000glory\u3000here\u3002\u3000I\u3000serve\u3000a\u3000far\u3000greater\u3000master\u3000than\u3000my\u3000own\u3000pride\u3002\u3000The\u3000Truth\u3002\u3000Mankind\u3000deserves\u3000to\u3000know\u3000that\u3000truth\u3002\u3000The\u3000Grail\u3000found\u3000us\u3000all\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000she\u3000is\u3000begging\u3000to\u3000be\u3000revealed\u3002\u3000We\u3000must\u3000work\u3000together\u3002\u3003
\nDespite\u3000Teabing’s\u3000pleas\u3000for\u3000cooperation\u3000and\u3000trust\uff1b\u3000his\u3000gun\u3000remained\u3000trained\u3000on\u3000Sophie\u3000as\u3000Langdon\u3000stepped\u3000forward\u3000and\u3000accepted\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000marble\u3000cylinder\u3002\u3000The\u3000vinegar\u3000inside\u3000gurgled\u3000as\u3000Langdon\u3000grasped\u3000it\u3000and\u3000stepped\u3000backward\u3002\u3000The\u3000dials\u3000were\u3000still\u3000in\u3000random\u3000order\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000remained\u3000locked\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000eyed\u3000Teabing\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000I\u3000won’t\u3000smash\u3000it\u3000right\u3000now\uff1f\u3003
\nTeabing’s\u3000laugh\u3000was\u3000an\u3000eerie\u3000chortle\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000should\u3000have\u3000realized\u3000your\u3000threat\u3000to\u3000break\u3000it\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Temple\u3000Church\u3000was\u3000an\u3000empty\u3000one\u3002\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3000would\u3000never\u3000break\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3002\u3000You\u3000are\u3000an\u3000historian\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3002\u3000You\u3000are\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000key\u3000to\u3000two\u3000thousand\u3000years\u3000of\u3000history\u2014the\u3000lost\u3000key\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3002\u3000You\u3000can\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000souls\u3000of\u3000all\u3000the\u3000knights\u3000burned\u3000at\u3000the\u3000stake\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000her\u3000secret\u3002\u3000Would\u3000you\u3000have\u3000them\u3000die\u3000in\u3000vain\uff1f\u3000No\uff1b\u3000you\u3000will\u3000vindicate\u3000them\u3002\u3000You\u3000will\u3000join\u3000the\u3000ranks\u3000of\u3000the\u3000great\u3000men\u3000you\u3000admire\u2014Da\u3000Vinci\uff1b\u3000Botticelli\uff1b\u3000Newton\u2014each\u3000of\u3000whom\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000honored\u3000to\u3000be\u3000in\u3000your\u3000shoes\u3000right\u3000now\u3002\u3000The\u3000contents\u3000of\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000are\u3000crying\u3000out\u3000to\u3000us\u3002\u3000Longing\u3000to\u3000be\u3000set\u3000free\u3002\u3000The\u3000time\u3000has\u3000e\u3002\u3000Destiny\u3000has\u3000led\u3000us\u3000to\u3000this\u3000moment\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000cannot\u3000help\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Leigh\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000how\u3000to\u3000open\u3000this\u3002\u3000I\u3000only\u3000saw\u3000Newton’s\u3000tomb\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000And \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003I\u3000cannot\u3000help\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Leigh\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000how\u3000to\u3000open\u3000this\u3002\u3000I\u3000only\u3000saw\u3000Newton’s\u3000tomb\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000And\u3000even\u3000if\u3000I\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000password\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000realizing\u3000he\u3000had\u3000said\u3000too\u3000much\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000would\u3000not\u3000tell\u3000me\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000disappointed\u3000and\u3000surprised\uff1b\u3000Robert\uff1b\u3000that\u3000you\u3000do\u3000not\u3000appreciate\u3000the\u3000extent\u3000to\u3000which\u3000you\u3000are\u3000in\u3000my\u3000debt\u3002\u3000My\u3000task\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000far\u3000simpler\u3000had\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000and\u3000I\u3000eliminated\u3000you\u3000both\u3000when\u3000you\u3000walked\u3000into\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000I\u3000risked\u3000everything\u3000to\u3000take\u3000the\u3000nobler\u3000course\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3000noble\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000demanded\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000the\u3000gun\u3002
\n\u3003Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000fault\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000and\u3000his\u3000s\u00e9n\u00e9chaux\u3000lied\u3000to\u3000Silas\u3002\u3000Otherwise\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000have\u3000obtained\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000without\u3000plication\u3002\u3000How\u3000was\u3000I\u3000to\u3000imagine\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Master\u3000would\u3000go\u3000to\u3000such\u3000ends\u3000to\u3000deceive\u3000me\u3000and\u3000bequeath\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000to\u3000an\u3000estranged\u3000granddaughter\uff1f\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Sophie\u3000with\u3000disdain\u3002\u3000\u3003Someone\u3000so\u3000unqualified\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000this\u3000knowledge\u3000that\u3000she\u3000required\u3000a\u3000symbologist\u3000baby\u2026sitter\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000glanced\u3000back\u3000at\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000\u3003Fortunately\uff1b\u3000Robert\uff1b\u3000your\u3000involvement\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000to\u3000be\u3000my\u3000saving\u3000grace\u3002\u3000Rather\u3000than\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000remaining\u3000locked\u3000in\u3000the\u3000depository\u3000bank\u3000forever\uff1b\u3000you\u3000extracted\u3000it\u3000and\u3000walked\u3000into\u3000my\u3000home\u3002\u3003
\nWhere\u3000else\u3000would\u3000I\u3000run\uff1f\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\u3002\u3000The\u3000munity\u3000of\u3000Grail\u3000historians\u3000is\u3000small\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Teabing\u3000and\u3000I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000history\u3000together\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000now\u3000looked\u3000smug\u3002\u3000\u3003When\u3000I\u3000learned\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000left\u3000you\u3000a\u3000dying\u3000message\uff1b\u3000I\u3000had\u3000a\u3000pretty\u3000good\u3000idea\u3000you\u3000were\u3000holding\u3000valuable\u3000Priory\u3000information\u3002\u3000Whether\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000or\u3000information\u3000on\u3000where\u3000to\u3000find\u3000it\uff1b\u3000I\u3000was\u3000not\u3000sure\u3002\u3000But\u3000with\u3000the\u3000police\u3000on\u3000your\u3000heels\uff1b\u3000I\u3000had\u3000a\u3000sneaking\u3000suspicion\u3000you\u3000might\u3000arrive\u3000on\u3000my\u3000doorstep\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000glared\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000if\u3000we\u3000had\u3000not\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000was\u3000formulating\u3000a\u3000plan\u3000to\u3000extend\u3000you\u3000a\u3000helping\u3000hand\u3002\u3000One\u3000way\u3000or\u3000another\uff1b\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000was\u3000ing\u3000to\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\u3002\u3000The\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000you\u3000delivered\u3000it\u3000into\u3000my\u3000waiting\u3000hands\u3000only\u3000serves\u3000as\u3000proof\u3000that\u3000my\u3000cause\u3000is\u3000just\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\uff01\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000appalled\u3002
\n\u3003Silas\u3000was\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000break\u3000in\u3000and\u3000steal\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000from\u3000you\u3000in\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\u2014thus\u3000removing\u3000you\u3000from\u3000the\u3000equation\u3000without\u3000hurting\u3000you\uff1b\u3000and\u3000exonerating\u3000me\u3000from\u3000any\u3000suspicion\u3000of\u3000plicity\u3002\u3000However\uff1b\u3000when\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000intricacy\u3000of\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000codes\uff1b\u3000I\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000include\u3000you\u3000both\u3000in\u3000my\u3000quest\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000longer\u3002\u3000I\u3000could\u3000have\u3000Silas\u3000steal\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000later\uff1b\u3000once\u3000I\u3000knew\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000on\u3000alone\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000Temple\u3000Church\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000her\u3000tone\u3000awash\u3000with\u3000betrayal\u3002
\n\u3000
\nLight\u3000begins\u3000to\u3000dawn\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000thought\u3002\u3000The\u3000Temple\u3000Church\u3000was\u3000the\u3000perfect\u3000location\u3000to\u3000steal\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000from\u3000Robert\u3000and\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000and\u3000its\u3000apparent\u3000relevance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000poem\u3000made\u3000it\u3000a\u3000plausible\u3000decoy\u3002\u3000R\u00e9my’s\u3000orders\u3000had\u3000been\u3000clear\u2014stay\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\u3000while\u3000Silas\u3000recovers\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000Langdon’s\u3000threat\u3000to\u3000smash\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000on\u3000the\u3000chapel\u3000floor\u3000had\u3000caused\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000to\u3000panic\u3002\u3000If\u3000only\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000had\u3000not\u3000revealed\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000thought\u3000ruefully\uff1b\u3000recalling\u3000his\u3000own\u3000mock\u3000kidnapping\u3002\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000was\u3000the\u3000sole\u3000link\u3000to\u3000me\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000showed\u3000his\u3000face\uff01
\nFortunately\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000remained\u3000unaware\u3000of\u3000Teabing’s\u3000true\u3000identity\u3000and\u3000was\u3000easily\u3000fooled\u3000into\u3000taking\u3000him\u3000from\u3000the\u3000church\u3000and\u3000then\u3000watching\u3000naively\u3000as\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000pretended\u3000to\u3000tie\u3000their\u3000hostage\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000limousine\u3002\u3000With\u3000the\u3000soundproof\u3000divider\u3000raised\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000was\u3000able\u3000to\u3000phone\u3000Silas\u3000in\u3000the\u3000front\u3000seat\uff1b\u3000use\u3000the\u3000fake\u3000French\u3000accent\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Teacher\uff1b\u3000and\u3000direct\u3000Silas\u3000to\u3000go\u3000straight\u3000to\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3002\u3000A\u3000simple\u3000anonymous\u3000tip\u3000to\u3000the\u3000police\u3000was\u3000all\u3000it\u3000would\u3000take\u3000to\u3000remove\u3000Silas\u3000from\u3000the\u3000picture\u3002
\nOne\u3000loose\u3000end\u3000tied\u3000up\u3002
\nThe\u3000other\u3000loose\u3000end\u3000was\u3000harder\u3002\u3000R\u00e9my\u3002
\nTeabing\u3000struggled\u3000deeply\u3000with\u3000the\u3000decision\uff1b\u3000but\u3000in\u3000the\u3000end\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000had\u3000proven\u3000himself\u3000a\u3000liability\u3002\u3000Every\u3000Grail\u3000quest\u3000requires\u3000sacrifice\u3002\u3000The\u3000cleanest\u3000solution\u3000had\u3000been\u3000staring\u3000Teabing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000face\u3000from\u3000the\u3000limousine’s\u3000wet\u3000bar\u2014a\u3000flask\uff1b\u3000some\u3000cognac\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000can\u3000of\u3000peanuts\u3002\u3000The\u3000powder\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000can\u3000would\u3000be\u3000more\u3000than\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000trigger\u3000R\u00e9my’s\u3000deadly\u3000allergy\u3002\u3000When\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000parked\u3000the\u3000limo\u3000on\u3000Horse\u3000Guards\u3000Parade\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000climbed\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000back\uff1b\u3000walked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\u3000passenger\u3000door\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sat\u3000in\u3000the\u3000front\u3000next\u3000to\u3000R\u00e9my\u3002\u3000Minutes\u3000later\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000got\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000car\uff1b\u3000climbed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000again\uff1b\u3000cleaned\u3000up\u3000the\u3000evidence\uff1b\u3000and\u3000finally\u3000emerged\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000out\u3000the\u3000final\u3000phase\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mission\u3002
\nWestminster\u3000Abbey\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000short\u3000walk\uff1b\u3000and\u3000although\u3000Teabing’s\u3000leg\u3000braces\uff1b\u3000crutches\uff1b\u3000and\u3000gun\u3000had\u3000set\u3000off\u3000the\u3000metal\u3000detector\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rent\u2026a\u2026cops\u3000never\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000Do\u3000we\u3000ask\u3000him\u3000to\u3000remove\u3000his\u3000braces\u3000and\u3000crawl\u3000through\uff1f\u3000Do\u3000we\u3000frisk\u3000his\u3000deformed\u3000body\uff1f\u3000Teabing\u3000presented\u3000the\u3000flustered\u3000guards\u3000a\u3000far\u3000easier\u3000solution\u2014an\u3000embossed\u3000card\u3000identifying\u3000him\u3000as\u3000Knight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Realm\u3002\u3000The\u3000poor\u3000fellows\u3000practically\u3000tripped\u3000over\u3000one\u3000another\u3000ushering\u3000him\u3000in\u3002
\nNow\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000the\u3000bewildered\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Neveu\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000resisted\u3000the\u3000urge\u3000to\u3000reveal\u3000how\u3000he\u3000had\u3000brilliantly\u3000implicated\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000in\u3000the\u3000plot\u3000that\u3000would\u3000soon\u3000bring\u3000about\u3000the\u3000demise\u3000of\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000Church\u3002\u3000That\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000wait\u3002\u3000Right\u3000now\u3000there\u3000was\u3000work\u3000to\u3000do\u3002
\n\u3003Mes\u3000amis\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000declared\u3000in\u3000flawless\u3000French\uff1b\u3000\u3003vous\u3000ne\u3000trouvez\u3000pas\u3000le\u3000Saint\u2026Graal\uff1b\u3000c’est\u3000le\u3000Saint\u2026Graal\u3000qui\u3000vous\u3000trouve\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003Our\u3000paths\u3000together\u3000could\u3000not\u3000be\u3000more\u3000clear\u3002\u3000The\u3000Grail\u3000has\u3000found\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\nSilence\u3002
\nHe\u3000spoke\u3000to\u3000them\u3000in\u3000a\u3000whisper\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003Listen\u3002\u3000Can\u3000you\u3000hear\u3000it\uff1f\u3000The\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000speaking\u3000to\u3000us\u3000across\u3000the\u3000centuries\u3002\u3000She\u3000is\u3000begging\u3000to\u3000be\u3000saved\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Priory’s\u3000folly\u3002\u3000I\u3000implore\u3000you\u3000both\u3000to\u3000recognize\u3000this\u3000opportunity\u3002\u3000There\u3000could\u3000not\u3000possibly\u3000be\u3000three\u3000more\u3000capable\u3000people\u3000assembled\u3000at\u3000this\u3000moment\u3000to\u3000break\u3000the\u3000final\u3000code\u3000and\u3000open\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3002\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000alight\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000need\u3000to\u3000swear\u3000an\u3000oath\u3000together\u3002\u3000A\u3000pledge\u3000of\u3000faith\u3000to\u3000one\u3000another\u3002\u3000A\u3000knight’s\u3000allegiance\u3000to\u3000uncover\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000and\u3000make\u3000it\u3000known\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000stared\u3000deep\u3000into\u3000Teabing’s\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000spoke\u3000in\u3000a\u3000steely\u3000tone\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000never\u3000swear\u3000an\u3000oath\u3000with\u3000my\u3000grandfather’s\u3000murderer\u3002\u3000Except\u3000an\u3000oath\u3000that\u3000I\u3000will\u3000see\u3000you\u3000go\u3000to\u3000prison\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing’s\u3000heart\u3000turned\u3000grave\uff1b\u3000then\u3000resolute\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000sorry\u3000you\u3000feel\u3000that\u3000way\uff1b\u3000mademoiselle\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000aimed\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000at\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Robert\uff1f\u3000Are\u3000you\u3000with\u3000me\uff1b\u3000or\u3000against\u3000me\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u3000100
\n
\nBishop\u3000Manuel\u3000Aringarosa’s\u3000body\u3000had\u3000endured\u3000many\u3000kinds\u3000of\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000the\u3000searing\u3000heat\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bullet\u3000wound\u3000in\u3000his\u3000chest\u3000felt\u3000profoundly\u3000foreign\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000Deep\u3000and\u3000grave\u3002\u3000Not\u3000a\u3000wound\u3000of\u3000the\u3000flesh\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000but\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000the\u3000soul\u3002
\nHe\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000see\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000rain\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\u3000blurred\u3000his\u3000vision\u3002\u3000Where\u3000am\u3000I\uff1f\u3000He\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000powerful\u3000arms\u3000holding\u3000him\uff1b\u3000carrying\u3000his\u3000limp\u3000body\u3000like\u3000a\u3000rag\u3000doll\uff1b\u3000his\u3000black\u3000cassock\u3000flapping\u3002
\nLifting\u3000a\u3000weary\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000he\u3000mopped\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000man\u3000holding\u3000him\u3000was\u3000Silas\u3002\u3000The\u3000great\u3000albino\u3000was\u3000struggling\u3000down\u3000a\u3000misty\u3000sidewalk\uff1b\u3000shouting\u3000for\u3000a\u3000hospital\uff1b\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000a\u3000heartrending\u3000wail\u3000of\u3000agony\u3002\u3000His\u3000red\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000focused\u3000dead\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000tears\u3000streaming\u3000down\u3000his\u3000pale\uff1b\u3000blood\u2026spattered\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3003My\u3000son\uff1b\u3003\u3000Aringarosa\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000\u3003you’re\u3000hurt\u3002\u3003
\nSilas\u3000glanced\u3000down\uff1b\u3000his\u3000visage\u3000contorted\u3000in\u3000anguish\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000so\u3000very\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3000Father\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000seemed\u3000almost\u3000too\u3000pained\u3000to\u3000speak\u3002
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000Silas\uff1b\u3003\u3000Aringarosa\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000is\u3000I\u3000who\u3000am\u3000sorry\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000my\u3000fault\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000Teacher\u3000promised\u3000me\u3000there\u3000would\u3000be\u3000no\u3000killing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000told\u3000you\u3000to\u3000obey\u3000him\u3000fully\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000too\u3000eager\u3002\u3000Too\u3000fearful\u3002\u3000You\u3000and\u3000I\u3000were\u3000deceived\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000Teacher\u3000was\u3000never\u3000going\u3000to\u3000deliver\u3000us\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002
\nCradled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000arms\u3000of\u3000the\u3000man\u3000he\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000in\u3000all\u3000those\u3000years\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3000felt\u3000himself\u3000reel\u3000back\u3000in\u3000time\u3002\u3000To\u3000Spain\u3002\u3000To\u3000his\u3000modest\u3000beginnings\uff1b\u3000building\u3000a\u3000small\u3000Catholic\u3000church\u3000in\u3000Oviedo\u3000with\u3000Silas\u3002\u3000And\u3000later\uff1b\u3000to\u3000New\u3000York\u3000City\uff1b\u3000where\u3000he\u3000had\u3000proclaimed\u3000the\u3000glory\u3000of\u3000God\u3000with\u3000the\u3000towering\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000Center\u3000on\u3000Lexington\u3000Avenue\u3002
\nFive\u3000months\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000had\u3000received\u3000devastating\u3000news\u3002\u3000His\u3000life’s\u3000work\u3000was\u3000in\u3000jeopardy\u3002\u3000He\u3000recalled\uff1b\u3000with\u3000vivid\u3000detail\uff1b\u3000the\u3000meeting\u3000inside\u3000Castel\u3000Gandolfo\u3000that\u3000had\u3000changed\u3000his\u3000life\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000news\u3000that\u3000had\u3000set\u3000this\u3000entire\u3000calamity\u3000into\u3000motion\u3002
\nAringarosa\u3000had\u3000entered\u3000Gandolfo’s\u3000Astronomy\u3000Library\u3000with\u3000his\u3000head\u3000held\u3000high\uff1b\u3000fully\u3000expecting\u3000to\u3000be\u3000lauded\u3000by\u3000throngs\u3000of\u3000weling\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000all\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000pat\u3000him\u3000on\u3000the\u3000back\u3000for\u3000his\u3000superior\u3000work\u3000representing\u3000Catholicism\u3000in\u3000America\u3002
\nBut\u3000only\u3000three\u3000people\u3000were\u3000present\u3002
\nThe\u3000Vatican\u3000secretariat\u3002\u3000Obese\u3002\u3000Dour\u3002
\nTwo\u3000high\u2026ranking\u3000Italian\u3000cardinals\u3002\u3000Sanctimonious\u3002\u3000Smug\u3002
\n\u3003Secretariat\uff1f\u3003\u3000Aringarosa\u3000said\uff1b\u3000puzzled\u3002
\nThe\u3000rotund\u3000overseer\u3000of\u3000legal\u3000affairs\u3000shook\u3000Aringarosa’s\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000motioned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000chair\u3000opposite\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\uff1b\u3000make\u3000yourself\u3000fortable\u3002\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000sat\uff1b\u3000sensing\u3000something\u3000was\u3000wrong\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000am\u3000not\u3000skilled\u3000in\u3000small\u3000talk\uff1b\u3000Bishop\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000secretariat\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003so\u3000let\u3000me\u3000be\u3000direct\u3000about\u3000the\u3000reason\u3000for\u3000your\u3000visit\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Please\u3002\u3000Speak\u3000openly\u3002\u3003\u3000Aringarosa\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000the\u3000two\u3000cardinals\uff1b\u3000who\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000measuring\u3000him\u3000with\u3000self\u2026righteous\u3000anticipation\u3002
\n\u3003As\u3000you\u3000are\u3000well\u3000aware\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000secretariat\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003His\u3000Holiness\u3000and\u3000others\u3000in\u3000Rome\u3000have\u3000been\u3000concerned\u3000lately\u3000with\u3000the\u3000political\u3000fallout\u3000from\u3000Opus\u3000Dei’s\u3000more\u3000controversial\u3000practices\u3002\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000felt\u3000himself\u3000bristle\u3000instantly\u3002\u3000He\u3000already\u3000had\u3000been\u3000through\u3000this\u3000on\u3000numerous\u3000occasions\u3000with\u3000the\u3000new\u3000pontiff\uff1b\u3000who\uff1b\u3000to\u3000Aringarosa’s\u3000great\u3000dismay\uff1b\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000distressingly\u3000fervent\u3000voice\u3000for\u3000liberal\u3000change\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Church\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000assure\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000secretariat\u3000added\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000His\u3000Holiness\u3000does\u3000not\u3000seek\u3000to\u3000change\u3000anything\u3000about\u3000the\u3000way\u3000you\u3000run\u3000your\u3000ministry\u3002\u3003
\nI\u3000should\u3000hope\u3000not\uff01\u3000\u3003Then\u3000why\u3000am\u3000I\u3000here\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000enormous\u3000man\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u3003Bishop\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3000not\u3000sure\u3000how\u3000to\u3000say\u3000this\u3000delicately\uff1b\u3000so\u3000I\u3000will\u3000state\u3000it\u3000directly\u3002\u3000Two\u3000days\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Secretariat\u3000Council\u3000voted\u3000unanimously\u3000to\u3000revoke\u3000the\u3000Vatic \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n The\u3000enormous\u3000man\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u3003Bishop\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3000not\u3000sure\u3000how\u3000to\u3000say\u3000this\u3000delicately\uff1b\u3000so\u3000I\u3000will\u3000state\u3000it\u3000directly\u3002\u3000Two\u3000days\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Secretariat\u3000Council\u3000voted\u3000unanimously\u3000to\u3000revoke\u3000the\u3000Vatican’s\u3000sanction\u3000of\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3002\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000he\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000incorrectly\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000beg\u3000your\u3000pardon\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Plainly\u3000stated\uff1b\u3000six\u3000months\u3000from\u3000today\uff1b\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000will\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000be\u3000considered\u3000a\u3000prelature\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3002\u3000You\u3000will\u3000be\u3000a\u3000church\u3000unto\u3000yourself\u3002\u3000The\u3000Holy\u3000See\u3000will\u3000be\u3000disassociating\u3000itself\u3000from\u3000you\u3002\u3000His\u3000Holiness\u3000agrees\u3000and\u3000we\u3000are\u3000already\u3000drawing\u3000up\u3000the\u3000legal\u3000papers\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000that\u3000is\u3000impossible\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003On\u3000the\u3000contrary\uff1b\u3000it\u3000is\u3000quite\u3000possible\u3002\u3000And\u3000necessary\u3002\u3000His\u3000Holiness\u3000has\u3000bee\u3000uneasy\u3000with\u3000your\u3000aggressive\u3000recruiting\u3000policies\u3000and\u3000your\u3000practices\u3000of\u3000corporal\u3000mortification\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003Also\u3000your\u3000policies\u3000regarding\u3000women\u3002\u3000Quite\u3000frankly\uff1b\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000has\u3000bee\u3000a\u3000liability\u3000and\u3000an\u3000embarrassment\u3002\u3003
\nBishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3000was\u3000stupefied\u3002\u3000\u3003An\u3000embarrassment\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Certainly\u3000you\u3000cannot\u3000be\u3000surprised\u3000it\u3000has\u3000e\u3000to\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Opus\u3000Dei\u3000is\u3000the\u3000only\u3000Catholic\u3000organization\u3000whose\u3000numbers\u3000are\u3000growing\uff01\u3000We\u3000now\u3000have\u3000over\u3000eleven\u3000hundred\u3000priests\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003True\u3002\u3000A\u3000troubling\u3000issue\u3000for\u3000us\u3000all\u3002\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000shot\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000\u3003Ask\u3000His\u3000Holiness\u3000if\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000was\u3000an\u3000embarrassment\u3000in\u30001982\u3000when\u3000we\u3000helped\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3000Bank\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000Vatican\u3000will\u3000always\u3000be\u3000grateful\u3000for\u3000that\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000secretariat\u3000said\uff1b\u3000his\u3000tone\u3000appeasing\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000yet\u3000there\u3000are\u3000those\u3000who\u3000still\u3000believe\u3000your\u3000financial\u3000munificence\u3000in\u30001982\u3000is\u3000the\u3000only\u3000reason\u3000you\u3000were\u3000granted\u3000prelature\u3000status\u3000in\u3000the\u3000first\u3000place\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003That\u3000is\u3000not\u3000true\uff01\u3003\u3000The\u3000insinuation\u3000offended\u3000Aringarosa\u3000deeply\u3002
\n\u3003Whatever\u3000the\u3000case\uff1b\u3000we\u3000plan\u3000to\u3000act\u3000in\u3000good\u3000faith\u3002\u3000We\u3000are\u3000drawing\u3000up\u3000severance\u3000terms\u3000that\u3000will\u3000include\u3000a\u3000reimbursement\u3000of\u3000those\u3000monies\u3002\u3000It\u3000will\u3000be\u3000paid\u3000in\u3000five\u3000installments\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000are\u3000buying\u3000me\u3000off\uff1f\u3003\u3000Aringarosa\u3000demanded\u3002\u3000\u3003Paying\u3000me\u3000to\u3000go\u3000quietly\uff1f\u3000When\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000is\u3000the\u3000only\u3000remaining\u3000voice\u3000of\u3000reason\uff01\u3003
\nOne\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cardinals\u3000glanced\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3000did\u3000you\u3000say\u3000reason\uff1f\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000leaned\u3000across\u3000the\u3000table\uff1b\u3000sharpening\u3000his\u3000tone\u3000to\u3000a\u3000point\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000really\u3000wonder\u3000why\u3000Catholics\u3000are\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000Church\uff1f\u3000Look\u3000around\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Cardinal\u3002\u3000People\u3000have\u3000lost\u3000respect\u3002\u3000The\u3000rigors\u3000of\u3000faith\u3000are\u3000gone\u3002\u3000The\u3000doctrine\u3000has\u3000bee\u3000a\u3000buffet\u3000line\u3002\u3000Abstinence\uff1b\u3000confession\uff1b\u3000munion\uff1b\u3000baptism\uff1b\u3000mass\u2014take\u3000your\u3000pick\u2014choose\u3000whatever\u3000bination\u3000pleases\u3000you\u3000and\u3000ignore\u3000the\u3000rest\u3002\u3000What\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000spiritual\u3000guidance\u3000is\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000offering\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Third\u2026century\u3000laws\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000second\u3000cardinal\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003cannot\u3000be\u3000applied\u3000to\u3000the\u3000modern\u3000followers\u3000of\u3000Christ\u3002\u3000The\u3000rules\u3000are\u3000not\u3000workable\u3000in\u3000today’s\u3000society\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000they\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000be\u3000working\u3000for\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000secretariat\u3000said\uff1b\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000conclusive\u3002\u3000\u3003Out\u3000of\u3000respect\u3000for\u3000your\u3000organization’s\u3000relationship\u3000with\u3000the\u3000previous\u3000Pope\uff1b\u3000His\u3000Holiness\u3000will\u3000be\u3000giving\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3000six\u3000months\u3000to\u3000voluntarily\u3000break\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3002\u3000I\u3000suggest\u3000you\u3000cite\u3000your\u3000differences\u3000of\u3000opinion\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000See\u3000and\u3000establish\u3000yourself\u3000as\u3000your\u3000own\u3000Christian\u3000organization\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000refuse\uff01\u3003\u3000Aringarosa\u3000declared\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000I’ll\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000that\u3000in\u3000person\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000afraid\u3000His\u3000Holiness\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000cares\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000stood\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000would\u3000not\u3000dare\u3000abolish\u3000a\u3000personal\u3000prelature\u3000established\u3000by\u3000a\u3000previous\u3000Pope\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000secretariat’s\u3000eyes\u3000did\u3000not\u3000flinch\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Lord\u3000giveth\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Lord\u3000taketh\u3000away\u3002\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000had\u3000staggered\u3000from\u3000that\u3000meeting\u3000in\u3000bewilderment\u3000and\u3000panic\u3002\u3000Returning\u3000to\u3000New\u3000York\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stared\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000skyline\u3000in\u3000disillusionment\u3000for\u3000days\uff1b\u3000overwhelmed\u3000with\u3000sadness\u3000for\u3000the\u3000future\u3000of\u3000Christianity\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000several\u3000weeks\u3000later\u3000that\u3000he\u3000received\u3000the\u3000phone\u3000call\u3000that\u3000changed\u3000all\u3000that\u3002\u3000The\u3000caller\u3000sounded\u3000French\u3000and\u3000identified\u3000himself\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u2014a\u3000title\u3000mon\u3000in\u3000the\u3000prelature\u3002\u3000He\u3000said\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Vatican’s\u3000plans\u3000to\u3000pull\u3000support\u3000from\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3002
\nHow\u3000could\u3000he\u3000know\u3000that\uff1f\u3000Aringarosa\u3000wondered\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000hoped\u3000only\u3000a\u3000handful\u3000of\u3000Vatican\u3000power\u3000brokers\u3000knew\u3000of\u3000Opus\u3000Dei’s\u3000impending\u3000annulment\u3002\u3000Apparently\u3000the\u3000word\u3000was\u3000out\u3002\u3000When\u3000it\u3000came\u3000to\u3000containing\u3000gossip\uff1b\u3000no\u3000walls\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3000were\u3000as\u3000porous\u3000as\u3000those\u3000surrounding\u3000Vatican\u3000City\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000have\u3000ears\u3000everywhere\uff1b\u3000Bishop\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000with\u3000these\u3000ears\u3000I\u3000have\u3000gained\u3000certain\u3000knowledge\u3002\u3000With\u3000your\u3000help\uff1b\u3000I\u3000can\u3000uncover\u3000the\u3000hiding\u3000place\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sacred\u3000relic\u3000that\u3000will\u3000bring\u3000you\u3000enormous\u3000power\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000enough\u3000power\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3000bow\u3000before\u3000you\u3002\u3000Enough\u3000power\u3000to\u3000save\u3000the\u3000Faith\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000just\u3000for\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3002\u3000But\u3000for\u3000all\u3000of\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000Lord\u3000taketh\u3000away\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Lord\u3000giveth\u3002\u3000Aringarosa\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000glorious\u3000ray\u3000of\u3000hope\u3002\u3000\u3003Tell\u3000me\u3000your\u3000plan\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nBishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3000was\u3000unconscious\u3000when\u3000the\u3000doors\u3000of\u3000St\u3002\u3000Mary’s\u3000Hospital\u3000hissed\u3000open\u3002\u3000Silas\u3000lurched\u3000into\u3000the\u3000entryway\u3000delirious\u3000with\u3000exhaustion\u3002\u3000Dropping\u3000to\u3000his\u3000knees\u3000on\u3000the\u3000tile\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000he\u3000cried\u3000out\u3000for\u3000help\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000reception\u3000area\u3000gaped\u3000in\u3000wonderment\u3000at\u3000the\u3000half\u2026naked\u3000albino\u3000offering\u3000forth\u3000a\u3000bleeding\u3000clergyman\u3002
\nThe\u3000doctor\u3000who\u3000helped\u3000Silas\u3000heave\u3000the\u3000delirious\u3000bishop\u3000onto\u3000a\u3000gurney\u3000looked\u3000gloomy\u3000as\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000Aringarosa’s\u3000pulse\u3002\u3000\u3003He’s\u3000lost\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000blood\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000not\u3000hopeful\u3002\u3003
\nAringarosa’s\u3000eyes\u3000flickered\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000returned\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000his\u3000gaze\u3000locating\u3000Silas\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000child\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\nSilas’s\u3000soul\u3000thundered\u3000with\u3000remorse\u3000and\u3000rage\u3002\u3000\u3003Father\uff1b\u3000if\u3000it\u3000takes\u3000my\u3000lifetime\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000find\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000deceived\u3000us\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000will\u3000kill\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000sad\u3000as\u3000they\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000wheel\u3000him\u3000away\u3002\u3000\u3003Silas\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000if\u3000you\u3000have\u3000learned\u3000nothing\u3000from\u3000me\uff1b\u3000please\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000learn\u3000this\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000took\u3000Silas’s\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000it\u3000a\u3000firm\u3000squeeze\u3002\u3000\u3003Forgiveness\u3000is\u3000God’s\u3000greatest\u3000gift\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000Father\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000closed\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u3003Silas\uff1b\u3000you\u3000must\u3000pray\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u3000101
\n
\nRobert\u3000Langdon\u3000stood\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000lofty\u3000cupola\u3000of\u3000the\u3000deserted\u3000Chapter\u3000House\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000into\u3000the\u3000barrel\u3000of\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing’s\u3000gun\u3002
\nRobert\uff1b\u3000are\u3000you\u3000with\u3000me\uff1b\u3000or\u3000against\u3000me\uff1f\u3000The\u3000Royal\u3000Historian’s\u3000words\u3000echoed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000silence\u3000of\u3000Langdon’s\u3000mind\u3002
\nThere\u3000was\u3000no\u3000viable\u3000response\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000knew\u3002\u3000Answer\u3000yes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000selling\u3000out\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000Answer\u3000no\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Teabing\u3000would\u3000have\u3000no\u3000choice\u3000but\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000them\u3000both\u3002
\nLangdon’s\u3000years\u3000in\u3000the\u3000classroom\u3000had\u3000not\u3000imbued\u3000him\u3000with\u3000any\u3000skills\u3000relevant\u3000to\u3000handling\u3000confrontations\u3000at\u3000gunpoint\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000classroom\u3000had\u3000taught\u3000him\u3000something\u3000about\u3000answering\u3000paradoxical\u3000questions\u3002\u3000When\u3000a\u3000question\u3000has\u3000no\u3000correct\u3000answer\uff1b\u3000there\u3000is\u3000only\u3000one\u3000honest\u3000response\u3002
\nThe\u3000gray\u3000area\u3000between\u3000yes\u3000and\u3000no\u3002
\nSilence\u3002
\nStaring\u3000at\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000chose\u3000simply\u3000to\u3000walk\u3000away\u3002
\nWithout\u3000ever\u3000lifting\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stepped\u3000backward\uff1b\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room’s\u3000vast\u3000empty\u3000spaces\u3002\u3000Neutral\u3000ground\u3002\u3000He\u3000hoped\u3000his\u3000focus\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000signaled\u3000Teabing\u3000that\u3000collaboration\u3000might\u3000be\u3000an\u3000option\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000his\u3000silence\u3000signaled\u3000Sophie\u3000he\u3000had\u3000not\u3000abandoned\u3000her\u3002
\nAll\u3000the\u3000while\u3000buying\u3000time\u3000to\u3000think\u3002
\nThe\u3000act\u3000of\u3000thinking\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000suspected\uff1b\u3000was\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000Teabing\u3000wanted\u3000him\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000why\u3000he\u3000handed\u3000me\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3002\u3000So\u3000I\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000weight\u3000of\u3000my\u3000decision\u3002\u3000The\u3000British\u3000historian\u3000hoped\u3000the\u3000touch\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Master’s\u3000cryptex\u3000would\u3000make\u3000Langdon\u3000fully\u3000grasp\u3000the\u3000magnitude\u3000of\u3000its\u3000contents\uff1b\u3000coaxing\u3000his\u3000academic\u3000curiosity\u3000to\u3000overwhelm\u3000all\u3000else\uff1b\u3000forcing\u3000him\u3000to\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000failure\u3000to\u3000unlock\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000would\u3000mean\u3000the\u3000loss\u3000of\u3000history\u3000itself\u3002
\nWith\u3000Sophie\u3000at\u3000gunpoint\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000feared\u3000that\u3000discovering\u3000the\u3000cryptex’s\u3000elusive\u3000password\u3000would\u3000be\u3000his\u3000only\u3000remaining\u3000hope\u3000of\u3000bartering\u3000her\u3000release\u3002\u3000If\u3000I\u3000can\u3000free\u3000the\u3000map\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000will\u3000negotiate\u3002\u3000Forcing\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000to\u3000this\u3000critical\u3000task\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000moved\u3000slowly\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000far\u3000windows\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000allowing\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000to\u3000fill\u3000with\u3000the\u3000numerous\u3000astronomical\u3000images\u3000on\u3000Newton’s\u3000tomb\u3002
\nYou\u3000seek\u3000the\u3000orb\u3000that\u3000ought\u3000be\u3000on\u3000his\u3000tomb\u3002
\nIt\u3000speaks\u3000of\u3000Rosy\u3000flesh\u3000and\u3000seeded\u3000womb\u3002
\n\u3000
\nTurning\u3000his\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000he\u3000walked\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000towering\u3000windows\uff1b\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000any\u3000inspiration\u3000in\u3000their\u3000stained\u2026glass\u3000mosaics\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000none\u3002
\nPlace\u3000yourself\u3000in\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000he\u3000urged\uff1b\u3000gazing\u3000outward\u3000now\u3000into\u3000College\u3000Garden\u3002\u3000What\u3000would\u3000he\u3000believe\u3000is\u3000the\u3000orb\u3000that\u3000ought\u3000be\u3000on\u3000Newton’s\u3000tomb\uff1f\u3000Images\u3000of\u3000stars\uff1b\u3000ets\uff1b\u3000and\u3000planets\u3000twinkled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000falling\u3000rain\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Langdon\u3000ignored\u3000them\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000was\u3000not\u3000a\u3000man\u3000of\u3000science\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000a\u3000man\u3000of\u3000humanity\uff1b\u3000of\u3000art\uff1b\u3000of\u3000history\u3002\u3000The\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000chalice\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000banished\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000decline\u3000of\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002
\nLegend\u3000had\u3000always\u3000portrayed\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000as\u3000a\u3000cruel\u3000mistress\uff1b\u3000dancing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3000just\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\uff1b\u3000whispering\u3000in\u3000your\u3000ear\uff1b\u3000luring\u3000you\u3000one\u3000more\u3000step\u3000and\u3000then\u3000evaporating\u3000into\u3000the\u3000mist\u3002
\nGazing\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000rustling\u3000trees\u3000of\u3000College\u3000Garden\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000sensed\u3000her\u3000playful\u3000presence\u3002\u3000The\u3000signs\u3000were\u3000everywhere\u3002\u3000Like\u3000a\u3000taunting\u3000silhouette\u3000emerging\u3000from\u3000the\u3000fog\uff1b\u3000the\u3000branches\u3000of\u3000Britain’s\u3000oldest\u3000apple\u3000tree\u3000burgeoned\u3000with\u3000five\u2026petaled\u3000blossoms\uff1b\u3000all\u3000glistening\u3000like\u3000Venus\u3002\u3000The\u3000goddess\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000garden\u3000now\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000dancing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rain\uff1b\u3000singing\u3000songs\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ages\uff1b\u3000peeking\u3000out\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000bud\u2026filled\u3000branches\u3000as\u3000if\u3000to\u3000remind\u3000Langdon\u3000that\u3000the\u3000fruit\u3000of\u3000knowledge\u3000was\u3000growing\u3000just\u3000beyond\u3000his\u3000reach\u3002
\n\u3000
\nAcross\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000Sir\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000watched\u3000with\u3000confidence\u3000as\u3000Langdon\u3000gazed\u3000out\u3000the\u3000window\u3000as\u3000if\u3000under\u3000a\u3000spell\u3002
\nExactly\u3000as\u3000I\u3000hoped\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000thought\u3002\u3000He\u3000will\u3000e\u3000around\u3002
\nFor\u3000some\u3000time\u3000now\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000suspected\u3000Langdon\u3000might\u3000hold\u3000the\u3000key\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000no\u3000coincidence\u3000that\u3000Teabing\u3000launched\u3000his\u3000plan\u3000into\u3000action\u3000on\u3000the\u3000same\u3000night\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000scheduled\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3002\u3000Listening\u3000in\u3000on\u3000the\u3000curator\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000the\u3000man’s\u3000eagerness\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000privately\u3000with\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000mean\u3000only\u3000one\u3000thing\u3002\u3000Langdon’s\u3000mysterious\u3000manuscript\u3000h \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n rious\u3000manuscript\u3000has\u3000touched\u3000a\u3000nerve\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000has\u3000stumbled\u3000onto\u3000a\u3000truth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000fears\u3000its\u3000release\u3002\u3000Teabing\u3000felt\u3000certain\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Master\u3000was\u3000summoning\u3000Langdon\u3000to\u3000silence\u3000him\u3002
\nThe\u3000Truth\u3000has\u3000been\u3000silenced\u3000long\u3000enough\uff01
\nTeabing\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000act\u3000quickly\u3002\u3000Silas’s\u3000attack\u3000would\u3000acplish\u3000two\u3000goals\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000prevent\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000from\u3000persuading\u3000Langdon\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000quiet\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000would\u3000ensure\u3000that\u3000once\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000was\u3000in\u3000Teabing’s\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000would\u3000be\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3000for\u3000recruitment\u3000should\u3000Teabing\u3000need\u3000him\u3002
\nArranging\u3000the\u3000fatal\u3000meeting\u3000between\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000and\u3000Silas\u3000had\u3000been\u3000almost\u3000too\u3000easy\u3002\u3000I\u3000had\u3000inside\u3000information\u3000about\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000deepest\u3000fears\u3002\u3000Yesterday\u3000afternoon\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000had\u3000phoned\u3000the\u3000curator\u3000and\u3000posed\u3000as\u3000a\u3000distraught\u3000priest\u3002\u3000\u3003Monsieur\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\uff1b\u3000forgive\u3000me\uff1b\u3000I\u3000must\u3000speak\u3000to\u3000you\u3000at\u3000once\u3002\u3000I\u3000should\u3000never\u3000breach\u3000the\u3000sanctity\u3000of\u3000the\u3000confessional\uff1b\u3000but\u3000in\u3000this\u3000case\uff1b\u3000I\u3000feel\u3000I\u3000must\u3002\u3000I\u3000just\u3000took\u3000confession\u3000from\u3000a\u3000man\u3000who\u3000claimed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000murdered\u3000members\u3000of\u3000your\u3000family\u3002\u3003
\nSauni\u00e8re’s\u3000response\u3000was\u3000startled\u3000but\u3000wary\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000family\u3000died\u3000in\u3000an\u3000accident\u3002\u3000The\u3000police\u3000report\u3000was\u3000conclusive\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000a\u3000car\u3000accident\uff1b\u3003\u3000Silas\u3000said\uff1b\u3000baiting\u3000the\u3000hook\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000man\u3000I\u3000spoke\u3000to\u3000said\u3000he\u3000forced\u3000their\u3000car\u3000off\u3000the\u3000road\u3000into\u3000a\u3000river\u3002\u3003
\nSauni\u00e8re\u3000fell\u3000silent\u3002
\n\u3003Monsieur\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000never\u3000have\u3000phoned\u3000you\u3000directly\u3000except\u3000this\u3000man\u3000made\u3000a\u3000ment\u3000which\u3000makes\u3000me\u3000now\u3000fear\u3000for\u3000your\u3000safety\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000man\u3000also\u3000mentioned\u3000your\u3000granddaughter\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000mention\u3000of\u3000Sophie’s\u3000name\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000catalyst\u3002\u3000The\u3000curator\u3000leapt\u3000into\u3000action\u3002\u3000He\u3000ordered\u3000Silas\u3000to\u3000e\u3000see\u3000him\u3000immediately\u3000in\u3000the\u3000safest\u3000location\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000knew\u2014his\u3000Louvre\u3000office\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000phoned\u3000Sophie\u3000to\u3000warn\u3000her\u3000she\u3000might\u3000be\u3000in\u3000danger\u3002\u3000Drinks\u3000with\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3000were\u3000instantly\u3000abandoned\u3002
\nNow\uff1b\u3000with\u3000Langdon\u3000separated\u3000from\u3000Sophie\u3000on\u3000the\u3000far\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000sensed\u3000he\u3000had\u3000successfully\u3000alienated\u3000the\u3000two\u3000panions\u3000from\u3000one\u3000another\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000remained\u3000defiant\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Langdon\u3000clearly\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000larger\u3000picture\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000the\u3000password\u3002\u3000He\u3000understands\u3000the\u3000importance\u3000of\u3000finding\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000and\u3000releasing\u3000her\u3000from\u3000bondage\u3002
\n\u3003He\u3000won’t\u3000open\u3000it\u3000for\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\u3000coldly\u3002\u3000\u3003Even\u3000if\u3000he\u3000can\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000was\u3000glancing\u3000at\u3000Langdon\u3000as\u3000he\u3000held\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000on\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000fairly\u3000certain\u3000now\u3000he\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000have\u3000to\u3000use\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3002\u3000Although\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000troubled\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000would\u3000not\u3000hesitate\u3000if\u3000it\u3000came\u3000to\u3000that\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000given\u3000her\u3000every\u3000opportunity\u3000to\u3000do\u3000the\u3000right\u3000thing\u3002\u3000The\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000bigger\u3000than\u3000any\u3000one\u3000of\u3000us\u3002
\nAt\u3000that\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000turned\u3000from\u3000the\u3000window\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000tomb\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000suddenly\uff1b\u3000facing\u3000them\u3000with\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000glimmer\u3000of\u3000hope\u3000in\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000where\u3000to\u3000look\u3000on\u3000Newton’s\u3000tomb\u3002\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\u3000I\u3000can\u3000find\u3000the\u3000password\uff01\u3003
\nTeabing’s\u3000heart\u3000soared\u3002\u3000\u3003Where\uff1b\u3000Robert\uff1f\u3000Tell\u3000me\uff01\u3003
\nSophie\u3000sounded\u3000horrified\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000no\uff01\u3000You’re\u3000not\u3000going\u3000to\u3000help\u3000him\uff1b\u3000are\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000approached\u3000with\u3000a\u3000resolute\u3000stride\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000before\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000hardening\u3000as\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Leigh\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000until\u3000he\u3000lets\u3000you\u3000go\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing’s\u3000optimism\u3000darkened\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000are\u3000so\u3000close\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3002\u3000Don’t\u3000you\u3000dare\u3000start\u3000playing\u3000games\u3000with\u3000me\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3000games\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Let\u3000her\u3000go\u3002\u3000Then\u3000I’ll\u3000take\u3000you\u3000to\u3000Newton’s\u3000tomb\u3002\u3000We’ll\u3000open\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000together\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000going\u3000anywhere\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000declared\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000narrowing\u3000with\u3000rage\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000cryptex\u3000was\u3000given\u3000to\u3000me\u3000by\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3002\u3000It\u3000is\u3000not\u3000yours\u3000to\u3000open\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000wheeled\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000fearful\u3002\u3000\u3003Sophie\uff1b\u3000please\uff01\u3000You’re\u3000in\u3000danger\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000help\u3000you\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003How\uff1f\u3000By\u3000unveiling\u3000the\u3000secret\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3000died\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000protect\uff1f\u3000He\u3000trusted\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3002\u3000I\u3000trusted\u3000you\uff01\u3003
\nLangdon’s\u3000blue\u3000eyes\u3000showed\u3000panic\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Teabing\u3000could\u3000not\u3000help\u3000but\u3000smile\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000working\u3000against\u3000one\u3000another\u3002\u3000Langdon’s\u3000attempts\u3000to\u3000be\u3000gallant\u3000were\u3000more\u3000pathetic\u3000than\u3000anything\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000verge\u3000of\u3000unveiling\u3000one\u3000of\u3000history’s\u3000greatest\u3000secrets\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000troubles\u3000himself\u3000with\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000who\u3000has\u3000proven\u3000herself\u3000unworthy\u3000of\u3000the\u3000quest\u3002
\n\u3003Sophie\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000pleaded\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000you\u3000must\u3000leave\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000unless\u3000you\u3000either\u3000hand\u3000me\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000or\u3000smash\u3000it\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000gasped\u3002
\n\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3000would\u3000prefer\u3000his\u3000secret\u3000lost\u3000forever\u3000than\u3000see\u3000it\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hands\u3000of\u3000his\u3000murderer\u3002\u3003\u3000Sophie’s\u3000eyes\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000if\u3000they\u3000would\u3000well\u3000with\u3000tears\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000did\u3000not\u3002\u3000She\u3000stared\u3000directly\u3000back\u3000at\u3000Teabing\u3002\u3000\u3003Shoot\u3000me\u3000if\u3000you\u3000have\u3000to\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000not\u3000leaving\u3000my\u3000grandfather’s\u3000legacy\u3000in\u3000your\u3000hands\u3002\u3003
\nVery\u3000well\u3002\u3000Teabing\u3000aimed\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3002
\n\u3003No\uff01\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000raising\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000and\u3000suspending\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000precariously\u3000over\u3000the\u3000hard\u3000stone\u3000floor\u3002\u3000\u3003Leigh\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000even\u3000think\u3000about\u3000it\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000drop\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000bluff\u3000worked\u3000on\u3000R\u00e9my\u3002\u3000Not\u3000on\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u3000know\u3000you\u3000better\u3000than\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Do\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Leigh\uff1f\u3003
\nYes\u3000I\u3000do\u3002\u3000Your\u3000poker\u3000face\u3000needs\u3000work\uff1b\u3000my\u3000friend\u3002\u3000It\u3000took\u3000me\u3000several\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000can\u3000see\u3000now\u3000that\u3000you\u3000are\u3000lying\u3002\u3000You\u3000have\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000where\u3000on\u3000Newton’s\u3000tomb\u3000the\u3000answer\u3000lies\u3002\u3000\u3003Truly\uff1b\u3000Robert\uff1f\u3000You\u3000know\u3000where\u3000on\u3000the\u3000tomb\u3000to\u3000look\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000falter\u3000in\u3000Langdon’s\u3000eyes\u3000was\u3000fleeting\u3000but\u3000Leigh\u3000caught\u3000it\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000lie\u3000there\u3002\u3000A\u3000desperate\uff1b\u3000pathetic\u3000ploy\u3000to\u3000save\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000Teabing\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000profound\u3000disappointment\u3000in\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3002
\nI\u3000am\u3000a\u3000lone\u3000knight\uff1b\u3000surrounded\u3000by\u3000unworthy\u3000souls\u3002\u3000And\u3000I\u3000will\u3000have\u3000to\u3000decipher\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000on\u3000my\u3000own\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000and\u3000Neveu\u3000were\u3000nothing\u3000but\u3000a\u3000threat\u3000to\u3000Teabing\u3000now\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000As\u3000painful\u3000as\u3000the\u3000solution\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000could\u3000carry\u3000it\u3000out\u3000with\u3000a\u3000clean\u3000conscience\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000challenge\u3000would\u3000be\u3000to\u3000persuade\u3000Langdon\u3000to\u3000set\u3000down\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000so\u3000Teabing\u3000could\u3000safely\u3000end\u3000this\u3000charade\u3002
\n\u3003A\u3000show\u3000of\u3000faith\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000said\uff1b\u3000lowering\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000from\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003Set\u3000down\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we’ll\u3000talk\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nLangdon\u3000knew\u3000his\u3000lie\u3000had\u3000failed\u3002
\nHe\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000resolve\u3000in\u3000Teabing’s\u3000face\u3000and\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000was\u3000upon\u3000them\u3002\u3000When\u3000I\u3000set\u3000this\u3000down\uff1b\u3000he\u3000will\u3000kill\u3000us\u3000both\u3002\u3000Even\u3000without\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000beseeching\u3000him\u3000in\u3000silent\u3000desperation\u3002\u3000Robert\uff1b\u3000this\u3000man\u3000is\u3000not\u3000worthy\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000Please\u3000do\u3000not\u3000place\u3000it\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hands\u3002\u3000No\u3000matter\u3000what\u3000the\u3000cost\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000already\u3000made\u3000his\u3000decision\u3000several\u3000minutes\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000while\u3000standing\u3000alone\u3000at\u3000the\u3000window\u3000overlooking\u3000College\u3000Garden\u3002
\nProtect\u3000Sophie\u3002
\nProtect\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000almost\u3000shouted\u3000out\u3000in\u3000desperation\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000cannot\u3000see\u3000how\uff01
\nThe\u3000stark\u3000moments\u3000of\u3000disillusionment\u3000had\u3000brought\u3000with\u3000them\u3000a\u3000clarity\u3000unlike\u3000any\u3000he\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000felt\u3002\u3000The\u3000Truth\u3000is\u3000right\u3000before\u3000your\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000not\u3000from\u3000where\u3000the\u3000epiphany\u3000came\u3002\u3000The\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000not\u3000mocking\u3000you\uff1b\u3000she\u3000is\u3000calling\u3000out\u3000to\u3000a\u3000worthy\u3000soul\u3002
\nNow\uff1b\u3000bowing\u3000down\u3000like\u3000a\u3000subject\u3000several\u3000yards\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000lowered\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000to\u3000within\u3000inches\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000floor\u3002
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Robert\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000aiming\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Set\u3000it\u3000down\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon’s\u3000eyes\u3000moved\u3000heavenward\uff1b\u3000up\u3000into\u3000the\u3000gaping\u3000void\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Chapter\u3000House\u3000cupola\u3002\u3000Crouching\u3000lower\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000lowered\u3000his\u3000gaze\u3000to\u3000Teabing’s\u3000gun\uff1b\u3000aimed\u3000directly\u3000at\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3000Leigh\u3002\u3003
\nIn\u3000one\u3000fluid\u3000motion\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000leapt\u3000up\uff1b\u3000swinging\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000skyward\uff1b\u3000launching\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000straight\u3000up\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000dome\u3000above\u3002
\n\u3000
\nLeigh\u3000Teabing\u3000did\u3000not\u3000feel\u3000his\u3000finger\u3000pull\u3000the\u3000trigger\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Medusa\u3000discharged\u3000with\u3000a\u3000thundering\u3000crash\u3002\u3000Langdon’s\u3000crouched\u3000form\u3000was\u3000now\u3000vertical\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000airborne\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000bullet\u3000exploded\u3000in\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000near\u3000Langdon’s\u3000feet\u3002\u3000Half\u3000of\u3000Teabing’s\u3000brain\u3000attempted\u3000to\u3000adjust\u3000his\u3000aim\u3000and\u3000fire\u3000again\u3000in\u3000rage\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000more\u3000powerful\u3000half\u3000dragged\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000upward\u3000into\u3000the\u3000cupola\u3002
\nThe\u3000keystone\uff01
\nTime\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000freeze\uff1b\u3000morphing\u3000into\u3000a\u3000slow\u2026motion\u3000dream\u3000as\u3000Teabing’s\u3000entire\u3000world\u3000became\u3000the\u3000airborne\u3000keystone\u3002\u3000He\u3000watched\u3000it\u3000rise\u3000to\u3000the\u3000apex\u3000of\u3000its\u3000climb\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000hovering\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000in\u3000the\u3000void\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\u3000then\u3000tumbling\u3000downward\uff1b\u3000end\u3000over\u3000end\uff1b\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000floor\u3002
\nAll\u3000of\u3000Teabing’s\u3000hopes\u3000and\u3000dreams\u3000were\u3000plummeting\u3000toward\u3000earth\u3002\u3000It\u3000cannot\u3000strike\u3000the\u3000floor\uff01\u3000I\u3000can\u3000reach\u3000it\uff01\u3000Teabing’s\u3000body\u3000reacted\u3000on\u3000instinct\u3002\u3000He\u3000released\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000and\u3000heaved\u3000himself\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000dropping\u3000his\u3000crutches\u3000as\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000out\u3000with\u3000his\u3000soft\uff1b\u3000manicured\u3000hands\u3002\u3000Stretching\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000he\u3000snatched\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000from\u3000midair\u3002
\nFalling\u3000forward\u3000with\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000victoriously\u3000clutched\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000was\u3000falling\u3000too\u3000fast\u3002\u3000With\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000break\u3000his\u3000fall\uff1b\u3000his\u3000outstretched\u3000arms\u3000hit\u3000first\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000collided\u3000hard\u3000with\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\nThere\u3000was\u3000a\u3000sickening\u3000crunch\u3000of\u3000glass\u3000within\u3002
\nFor\u3000a\u3000full\u3000second\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000did\u3000not\u3000breathe\u3002\u3000Lying\u3000there\u3000outstretched\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000the\u3000length\u3000of\u3000his\u3000outstretched\u3000arms\u3000at\u3000the\u3000marble\u3000cylinder\u3000in\u3000his\u3000bare\u3000palms\uff1b\u3000he\u3000implored\u3000the\u3000glass\u3000vial\u3000inside\u3000to\u3000hold\u3002\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000acrid\u3000tang\u3000of\u3000vinegar\u3000cut\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Teabing\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000cool\u3000liquid\u3000flowing\u3000out\u3000through\u3000the\u3000dials\u3000onto\u3000his\u3000palm\u3002
\nWild\u3000panic\u3000gripped\u3000him\u3002\u3000NO\uff01\u3000The\u3000vinegar\u3000was\u3000streaming\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Teabing\u3000pictured\u3000the\u3000papyrus\u3000dissolving\u3000within\u3002\u3000Robert\uff1b\u3000you\u3000fool\uff01\u3000The\u3000secret\u3000is\u3000lost\uff01
\nTeabing\u3000felt\u3000himself\u3000sobbing\u3000uncontrollably\u3002\u3000The\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000gone\u3002\u3000Everything\u3000destroyed\u3002\u3000Shuddering\u3000in\u3000disbelief\u3000over\u3000Langdon’s\u3000actions\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000force\u3000the\u3000cylinder\u3000apart\uff1b\u3000longing\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000a\u3000fleeting\u3000glimpse\u3000of\u3000history\u3000before\u3000it\u3000dissolved\u3000forever\u3002\u3000To\u3000his\u3000shock\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000ends\u3000of\u3000the\u3000keystone\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cylinder\u3000separated\u3002
\nHe\u3000gasped\u3000and\u3000peered\u3000inside\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000empty\u3000except\u3000for\u3000shards\u3000of\u3000wet\u3000glass\u3002\u3000No\u3000dissolving\u3000papyrus\u3002\u3000Teabing\u3000rolled\u3000over\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000stood\u3000beside\u3000him\uff1b\u3000aiming\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Teabing\u3002
\nBewildered\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000looked\u3000back\u3000at\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000dials\u3000were\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000at \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n at\u3000Teabing\u3002
\nBewildered\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000looked\u3000back\u3000at\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000dials\u3000were\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000at\u3000random\u3002\u3000They\u3000spelled\u3000a\u3000five\u2026letter\u3000word\uff1a\u3000APPLE\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3003The\u3000orb\u3000from\u3000which\u3000Eve\u3000partook\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3000coolly\uff1b\u3000\u3003incurring\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000wrath\u3000of\u3000God\u3002\u3000Original\u3000sin\u3002\u3000The\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u3002\u3003
\nTeabing\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000e\u3000crashing\u3000down\u3000on\u3000him\u3000in\u3000excruciating\u3000austerity\u3002\u3000The\u3000orb\u3000that\u3000ought\u3000be\u3000on\u3000Newton’s\u3000tomb\u3000could\u3000be\u3000none\u3000other\u3000than\u3000the\u3000Rosy\u3000apple\u3000that\u3000fell\u3000from\u3000heaven\uff1b\u3000struck\u3000Newton\u3000on\u3000the\u3000head\uff1b\u3000and\u3000inspired\u3000his\u3000life’s\u3000work\u3002\u3000His\u3000labor’s\u3000fruit\uff01\u3000The\u3000Rosy\u3000flesh\u3000with\u3000a\u3000seeded\u3000womb\uff01
\n\u3003Robert\uff1b\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000stammered\uff1b\u3000overwhelmed\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000opened\u3000it\u3002\u3000Where\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000is\u3000the\u3000map\uff1f\u3003
\nWithout\u3000blinking\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000reached\u3000into\u3000the\u3000breast\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000tweed\u3000coat\u3000and\u3000carefully\u3000extracted\u3000a\u3000delicate\u3000rolled\u3000papyrus\u3002\u3000Only\u3000a\u3000few\u3000yards\u3000from\u3000where\u3000Teabing\u3000lay\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000unrolled\u3000the\u3000scroll\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000it\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000long\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000a\u3000knowing\u3000smile\u3000crossed\u3000Langdon’s\u3000face\u3002
\nHe\u3000knows\uff01\u3000Teabing’s\u3000heart\u3000craved\u3000that\u3000knowledge\u3002\u3000His\u3000life’s\u3000dream\u3000was\u3000right\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Tell\u3000me\uff01\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000demanded\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\uff01\u3000Oh\u3000God\uff1b\u3000please\uff01\u3000It’s\u3000not\u3000too\u3000late\uff01\u3003
\nAs\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000heavy\u3000footsteps\u3000thundered\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000Chapter\u3000House\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000quietly\u3000rolled\u3000the\u3000papyrus\u3000and\u3000slipped\u3000it\u3000back\u3000in\u3000his\u3000pocket\u3002
\n\u3003No\uff01\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000cried\u3000out\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000in\u3000vain\u3000to\u3000stand\u3002
\nWhen\u3000the\u3000doors\u3000burst\u3000open\uff1b\u3000Bezu\u3000Fache\u3000entered\u3000like\u3000a\u3000bull\u3000into\u3000a\u3000ring\uff1b\u3000his\u3000feral\u3000eyes\u3000scanning\uff1b\u3000finding\u3000his\u3000target\u2014Leigh\u3000Teabing\u2014helpless\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Exhaling\u3000in\u3000relief\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000holstered\u3000his\u3000Manurhin\u3000sidearm\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003Agent\u3000Neveu\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3000relieved\u3000you\u3000and\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000are\u3000safe\u3002\u3000You\u3000should\u3000have\u3000e\u3000in\u3000when\u3000I\u3000asked\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000British\u3000police\u3000entered\u3000on\u3000Fache’s\u3000heels\uff1b\u3000seizing\u3000the\u3000anguished\u3000prisoner\u3000and\u3000placing\u3000him\u3000in\u3000handcuffs\u3002
\nSophie\u3000seemed\u3000stunned\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Fache\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000did\u3000you\u3000find\u3000us\uff1f\u3003
\nFache\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000Teabing\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000made\u3000the\u3000mistake\u3000of\u3000showing\u3000his\u3000ID\u3000when\u3000he\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000abbey\u3002\u3000The\u3000guards\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000police\u3000broadcast\u3000about\u3000our\u3000search\u3000for\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000in\u3000Langdon’s\u3000pocket\uff01\u3003\u3000Teabing\u3000was\u3000screaming\u3000like\u3000a\u3000madman\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000map\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\uff01\u3003
\nAs\u3000they\u3000hoisted\u3000Teabing\u3000and\u3000carried\u3000him\u3000out\uff1b\u3000he\u3000threw\u3000back\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000howled\u3002\u3000\u3003Robert\uff01\u3000Tell\u3000me\u3000where\u3000it’s\u3000hidden\uff01\u3003
\nAs\u3000Teabing\u3000passed\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000looked\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000eye\u3002\u3000\u3003Only\u3000the\u3000worthy\u3000find\u3000the\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000Leigh\u3002\u3000You\u3000taught\u3000me\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u3000102
\n
\nThe\u3000mist\u3000had\u3000settled\u3000low\u3000on\u3000Kensington\u3000Gardens\u3000as\u3000Silas\u3000limped\u3000into\u3000a\u3000quiet\u3000hollow\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\u3002\u3000Kneeling\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wet\u3000grass\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000a\u3000warm\u3000stream\u3000of\u3000blood\u3000flowing\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bullet\u3000wound\u3000below\u3000his\u3000ribs\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stared\u3000straight\u3000ahead\u3002
\nThe\u3000fog\u3000made\u3000it\u3000look\u3000like\u3000heaven\u3000here\u3002
\nRaising\u3000his\u3000bloody\u3000hands\u3000to\u3000pray\uff1b\u3000he\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000raindrops\u3000caress\u3000his\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000them\u3000white\u3000again\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000droplets\u3000fell\u3000harder\u3000across\u3000his\u3000back\u3000and\u3000shoulders\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000his\u3000body\u3000disappearing\u3000bit\u3000by\u3000bit\u3000into\u3000the\u3000mist\u3002
\nI\u3000am\u3000a\u3000ghost\u3002
\nA\u3000breeze\u3000rustled\u3000past\u3000him\uff1b\u3000carrying\u3000the\u3000damp\uff1b\u3000earthy\u3000scent\u3000of\u3000new\u3000life\u3002\u3000With\u3000every\u3000living\u3000cell\u3000in\u3000his\u3000broken\u3000body\uff1b\u3000Silas\u3000prayed\u3002\u3000He\u3000prayed\u3000for\u3000forgiveness\u3002\u3000He\u3000prayed\u3000for\u3000mercy\u3002\u3000And\uff1b\u3000above\u3000all\uff1b\u3000he\u3000prayed\u3000for\u3000his\u3000mentor\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000Bishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Lord\u3000would\u3000not\u3000take\u3000him\u3000before\u3000his\u3000time\u3002\u3000He\u3000has\u3000so\u3000much\u3000work\u3000left\u3000to\u3000do\u3002
\nThe\u3000fog\u3000was\u3000swirling\u3000around\u3000him\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Silas\u3000felt\u3000so\u3000light\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000wisps\u3000would\u3000carry\u3000him\u3000away\u3002\u3000Closing\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000he\u3000said\u3000a\u3000final\u3000prayer\u3002
\nFrom\u3000somewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mist\uff1b\u3000the\u3000voice\u3000of\u3000Manuel\u3000Aringarosa\u3000whispered\u3000to\u3000him\u3002
\nOur\u3000Lord\u3000is\u3000a\u3000good\u3000and\u3000merciful\u3000God\u3002
\nSilas’s\u3000pain\u3000at\u3000last\u3000began\u3000to\u3000fade\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000bishop\u3000was\u3000right\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u3000103
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000late\u3000afternoon\u3000when\u3000the\u3000London\u3000sun\u3000broke\u3000through\u3000and\u3000the\u3000city\u3000began\u3000to\u3000dry\u3002\u3000Bezu\u3000Fache\u3000felt\u3000weary\u3000as\u3000he\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000the\u3000interrogation\u3000room\u3000and\u3000hailed\u3000a\u3000cab\u3002\u3000Sir\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000vociferously\u3000proclaimed\u3000his\u3000innocence\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000from\u3000his\u3000incoherent\u3000rantings\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000secret\u3000documents\uff1b\u3000and\u3000mysterious\u3000brotherhoods\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000suspected\u3000the\u3000wily\u3000historian\u3000was\u3000setting\u3000the\u3000stage\u3000for\u3000his\u3000lawyers\u3000to\u3000plead\u3000an\u3000insanity\u3000defense\u3002
\nSure\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Insane\u3002\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000displayed\u3000ingenious\u3000precision\u3000in\u3000formulating\u3000a\u3000plan\u3000that\u3000protected\u3000his\u3000innocence\u3000at\u3000every\u3000turn\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000exploited\u3000both\u3000the\u3000Vatican\u3000and\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\uff1b\u3000two\u3000groups\u3000that\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000to\u3000be\u3000pletely\u3000innocent\u3002\u3000His\u3000dirty\u3000work\u3000had\u3000been\u3000carried\u3000out\u3000unknowingly\u3000by\u3000a\u3000fanatical\u3000monk\u3000and\u3000a\u3000desperate\u3000bishop\u3002\u3000More\u3000clever\u3000still\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000situated\u3000his\u3000electronic\u3000listening\u3000post\u3000in\u3000the\u3000one\u3000place\u3000a\u3000man\u3000with\u3000polio\u3000could\u3000not\u3000possibly\u3000reach\u3002\u3000The\u3000actual\u3000surveillance\u3000had\u3000been\u3000carried\u3000out\u3000by\u3000his\u3000manservant\uff1b\u3000R\u00e9my\u2014the\u3000lone\u3000person\u3000privy\u3000to\u3000Teabing’s\u3000true\u3000identity\u2014now\u3000conveniently\u3000dead\u3000of\u3000an\u3000allergic\u3000reaction\u3002
\nHardly\u3000the\u3000handiwork\u3000of\u3000someone\u3000lacking\u3000mental\u3000faculties\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000thought\u3002
\nThe\u3000information\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000Collet\u3000out\u3000of\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\u3000suggested\u3000that\u3000Teabing’s\u3000cunning\u3000ran\u3000so\u3000deep\u3000that\u3000Fache\u3000himself\u3000might\u3000even\u3000learn\u3000from\u3000it\u3002\u3000To\u3000successfully\u3000hide\u3000bugs\u3000in\u3000some\u3000of\u3000Paris’s\u3000most\u3000powerful\u3000offices\uff1b\u3000the\u3000British\u3000historian\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Greeks\u3002\u3000Trojan\u3000horses\u3002\u3000Some\u3000of\u3000Teabing’s\u3000intended\u3000targets\u3000received\u3000lavish\u3000gifts\u3000of\u3000artwork\uff1b\u3000others\u3000unwittingly\u3000bid\u3000at\u3000auctions\u3000in\u3000which\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000placed\u3000specific\u3000lots\u3002\u3000In\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000case\uff1b\u3000the\u3000curator\u3000had\u3000received\u3000a\u3000dinner\u3000invitation\u3000to\u3000Chateau\u3000Villette\u3000to\u3000discuss\u3000the\u3000possibility\u3000of\u3000Teabing’s\u3000funding\u3000a\u3000new\u3000Da\u3000Vinci\u3000Wing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000invitation\u3000had\u3000contained\u3000an\u3000innocuous\u3000postscript\u3000expressing\u3000fascination\u3000with\u3000a\u3000robotic\u3000knight\u3000that\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000was\u3000rumored\u3000to\u3000have\u3000built\u3002\u3000Bring\u3000him\u3000to\u3000dinner\uff1b\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000suggested\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000apparently\u3000had\u3000done\u3000just\u3000that\u3000and\u3000left\u3000the\u3000knight\u3000unattended\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000R\u00e9my\u3000Legaludec\u3000to\u3000make\u3000one\u3000inconspicuous\u3000addition\u3002
\nNow\uff1b\u3000sitting\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cab\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000closed\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000One\u3000more\u3000thing\u3000to\u3000attend\u3000to\u3000before\u3000I\u3000return\u3000to\u3000Paris\u3002
\n\u3000
\nThe\u3000St\u3002\u3000Mary’s\u3000Hospital\u3000recovery\u3000room\u3000was\u3000sunny\u3002
\n\u3003You’ve\u3000impressed\u3000us\u3000all\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000nurse\u3000said\uff1b\u3000smiling\u3000down\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Nothing\u3000short\u3000of\u3000miraculous\u3002\u3003
\nBishop\u3000Aringarosa\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000weak\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000always\u3000been\u3000blessed\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000nurse\u3000finished\u3000puttering\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000bishop\u3000alone\u3002\u3000The\u3000sunlight\u3000felt\u3000wele\u3000and\u3000warm\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000Last\u3000night\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000darkest\u3000night\u3000of\u3000his\u3000life\u3002
\nDespondently\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000Silas\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000body\u3000had\u3000been\u3000found\u3000in\u3000the\u3000park\u3002
\nPlease\u3000forgive\u3000me\uff1b\u3000my\u3000son\u3002
\nAringarosa\u3000had\u3000longed\u3000for\u3000Silas\u3000to\u3000be\u3000part\u3000of\u3000his\u3000glorious\u3000plan\u3002\u3000Last\u3000night\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000had\u3000received\u3000a\u3000call\u3000from\u3000Bezu\u3000Fache\uff1b\u3000questioning\u3000the\u3000bishop\u3000about\u3000his\u3000apparent\u3000connection\u3000to\u3000a\u3000nun\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000murdered\u3000in\u3000Saint\u2026Sulpice\u3002\u3000Aringarosa\u3000realized\u3000the\u3000evening\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000a\u3000horrifying\u3000turn\u3002\u3000News\u3000of\u3000the\u3000four\u3000additional\u3000murders\u3000transformed\u3000his\u3000horror\u3000to\u3000anguish\u3002\u3000Silas\uff1b\u3000what\u3000have\u3000you\u3000done\uff01\u3000Unable\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000Teacher\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bishop\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000cut\u3000loose\u3002\u3000Used\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000way\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000the\u3000horrific\u3000chain\u3000of\u3000events\u3000he\u3000had\u3000helped\u3000put\u3000in\u3000motion\u3000was\u3000to\u3000confess\u3000everything\u3000to\u3000Fache\uff1b\u3000and\u3000from\u3000that\u3000moment\u3000on\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000and\u3000Fache\u3000had\u3000been\u3000racing\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000up\u3000with\u3000Silas\u3000before\u3000the\u3000Teacher\u3000persuaded\u3000him\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000again\u3002
\nFeeling\u3000bone\u3000weary\uff1b\u3000Aringarosa\u3000closed\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000listened\u3000to\u3000the\u3000television\u3000coverage\u3000of\u3000the\u3000arrest\u3000of\u3000a\u3000prominent\u3000British\u3000knight\uff1b\u3000Sir\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3002\u3000The\u3000Teacher\u3000laid\u3000bare\u3000for\u3000all\u3000to\u3000see\u3002\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000caught\u3000wind\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Vatican’s\u3000plans\u3000to\u3000disassociate\u3000itself\u3000from\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000chosen\u3000Aringarosa\u3000as\u3000the\u3000perfect\u3000pawn\u3000in\u3000his\u3000plan\u3002\u3000After\u3000all\uff1b\u3000who\u3000more\u3000likely\u3000to\u3000leap\u3000blindly\u3000after\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000than\u3000a\u3000man\u3000like\u3000myself\u3000with\u3000everything\u3000to\u3000lose\uff1f\u3000The\u3000Grail\u3000would\u3000have\u3000brought\u3000enormous\u3000power\u3000to\u3000anyone\u3000who\u3000possessed\u3000it\u3002
\nLeigh\u3000Teabing\u3000had\u3000protected\u3000his\u3000identity\u3000shrewdly\u2014feigning\u3000a\u3000French\u3000accent\u3000and\u3000a\u3000pious\u3000heart\uff1b\u3000and\u3000demanding\u3000as\u3000payment\u3000the\u3000one\u3000thing\u3000he\u3000did\u3000not\u3000need\u2014money\u3002\u3000Aringarosa\u3000had\u3000been\u3000far\u3000too\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000be\u3000suspicious\u3002\u3000The\u3000price\u3000tag\u3000of\u3000twenty\u3000million\u3000euro\u3000was\u3000paltry\u3000when\u3000pared\u3000with\u3000the\u3000prize\u3000of\u3000obtaining\u3000the\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000and\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Vatican’s\u3000separation\u3000payment\u3000to\u3000Opus\u3000Dei\uff1b\u3000the\u3000finances\u3000had\u3000worked\u3000nicely\u3002\u3000The\u3000blind\u3000see\u3000what\u3000they\u3000want\u3000to\u3000see\u3002\u3000Teabing’s\u3000ultimate\u3000insult\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000had\u3000been\u3000to\u3000demand\u3000payment\u3000in\u3000Vatican\u3000bonds\uff1b\u3000such\u3000that\u3000if\u3000anything\u3000went\u3000wrong\uff1b\u3000the\u3000investigation\u3000would\u3000lead\u3000to\u3000Rome\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000am\u3000glad\u3000to\u3000see\u3000you’re\u3000well\uff1b\u3000My\u3000Lord\u3002\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000recognized\u3000the\u3000gruff\u3000voice\u3000in\u3000the\u3000doorway\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000face\u3000was\u3000unexpected\u2014stern\uff1b\u3000powerful\u3000features\uff1b\u3000slicked\u2026back\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000broad\u3000neck\u3000that\u3000strained\u3000against\u3000his\u3000dark\u3000suit\u3002\u3000\u3003Captain\u3000Fache\uff1f\u3003\u3000Aringarosa\u3000asked\u3002\u3000The\u3000passion\u3000and\u3000concern\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000had\u3000shown\u3000for\u3000Aringarosa’s\u3000plight\u3000last\u3000night\u3000had\u3000conjured\u3000images\u3000of\u3000a\u3000far\u3000gentler\u3000physique\u3002
\nThe\u3000captain\u3000approached\u3000the\u3000bed\u3000and\u3000hoisted\u3000a\u3000familiar\uff1b\u3000heavy\u3000black\u3000briefcase\u3000onto\u3000a\u3000chair\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000believe\u3000this\u3000belongs\u3000to\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000briefcase\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000bonds\u3000and\u3000immediately\u3000looked\u3000away\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000only\u3000shame\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000thank\u3000you\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\u3000while\u3000working\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000across\u3000the\u3000seam\u3000of\u3000his\u3000bedsheet\uff1b\u3000then\u3000continued\u3002\u3000\u3003Captain\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000been\u3000giving\u3000this\u3000deep\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000a\u3000favor\u3000of\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000families\u3000of\u3000those\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3000who\u3000Silas\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000swallowing\u3000the\u3000emotion\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000realize\u3000no\u3000sum\u3000could\u3000possibly\u3000serve\u3000as\u3000sufficient\u3000restitution\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000could\u3000be\u3000kind\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000divide\u3000the\u3000contents\u3000of\u3000this\u3000briefcase\u3000among\u3000them\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000families\u3000of\u3000the\u3000deceased\u3002\u3003
\nFache’s\u3000dark\u3000eyes\u3000studied\u3000him\u3000a\u3000long\u3000moment\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000virtuous\u3000gesture\uff1b\u3000My\u3000Lord\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000see\u3000to\u3000it\u3000your\u3000wishes\u3000are\u3000carried\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\nA\u3000heavy\u3000silence\u3000fell\u3000between\u3000them\u3002
\nOn\u3000the\u3000television\uff1b\u3000a\u3000lean\u3000French\u3000police\u3000officer\u3000was\u3000giving\u3000a\u3000press\u3000conferenc \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n A\u3000heavy\u3000silence\u3000fell\u3000between\u3000them\u3002
\nOn\u3000the\u3000television\uff1b\u3000a\u3000lean\u3000French\u3000police\u3000officer\u3000was\u3000giving\u3000a\u3000press\u3000conference\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sprawling\u3000mansion\u3002\u3000Fache\u3000saw\u3000who\u3000it\u3000was\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000the\u3000screen\u3002
\n\u3003Lieutenant\u3000Collet\uff1b\u3003\u3000a\u3000BBC\u3000reporter\u3000said\uff1b\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000accusing\u3002\u3000\u3003Last\u3000night\uff1b\u3000your\u3000captain\u3000publicly\u3000charged\u3000two\u3000innocent\u3000people\u3000with\u3000murder\u3002\u3000Will\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000be\u3000seeking\u3000accountability\u3000from\u3000your\u3000department\uff1f\u3000Will\u3000this\u3000cost\u3000Captain\u3000Fache\u3000his\u3000job\uff1f\u3003
\nLieutenant\u3000Collet’s\u3000smile\u3000was\u3000tired\u3000but\u3000calm\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000is\u3000my\u3000experience\u3000that\u3000Captain\u3000Bezu\u3000Fache\u3000seldom\u3000makes\u3000mistakes\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000spoken\u3000to\u3000him\u3000on\u3000this\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000but\u3000knowing\u3000how\u3000he\u3000operates\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suspect\u3000his\u3000public\u3000manhunt\u3000for\u3000Agent\u3000Neveu\u3000and\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000part\u3000of\u3000a\u3000ruse\u3000to\u3000lure\u3000out\u3000the\u3000real\u3000killer\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000reporters\u3000exchanged\u3000surprised\u3000looks\u3002
\nCollet\u3000continued\u3002\u3000\u3003Whether\u3000or\u3000not\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Agent\u3000Neveu\u3000were\u3000willing\u3000participants\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sting\uff1b\u3000I\u3000do\u3000not\u3000know\u3002\u3000Captain\u3000Fache\u3000tends\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000his\u3000more\u3000creative\u3000methods\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002\u3000All\u3000I\u3000can\u3000confirm\u3000at\u3000this\u3000point\u3000is\u3000that\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000has\u3000successfully\u3000arrested\u3000the\u3000man\u3000responsible\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Agent\u3000Neveu\u3000are\u3000both\u3000innocent\u3000and\u3000safe\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000had\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000smile\u3000on\u3000his\u3000lips\u3000as\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Aringarosa\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000good\u3000man\uff1b\u3000that\u3000Collet\u3002\u3003
\nSeveral\u3000moments\u3000passed\u3002\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000Fache\u3000ran\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000over\u3000his\u3000forehead\uff1b\u3000slicking\u3000back\u3000his\u3000hair\u3000as\u3000he\u3000gazed\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Aringarosa\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000Lord\uff1b\u3000before\u3000I\u3000return\u3000to\u3000Paris\uff1b\u3000there\u3000is\u3000one\u3000final\u3000matter\u3000I’d\u3000like\u3000to\u3000discuss\u2014your\u3000impromptu\u3000flight\u3000to\u3000London\u3002\u3000You\u3000bribed\u3000a\u3000pilot\u3000to\u3000change\u3000course\u3002\u3000In\u3000doing\u3000so\uff1b\u3000you\u3000broke\u3000a\u3000number\u3000of\u3000international\u3000laws\u3002\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000slumped\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000desperate\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000As\u3000was\u3000the\u3000pilot\u3000when\u3000my\u3000men\u3000interrogated\u3000him\u3002\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000reached\u3000in\u3000his\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000produced\u3000a\u3000purple\u3000amethyst\u3000ring\u3000with\u3000a\u3000familiar\u3000hand\u2026tooled\u3000mitre\u2026crozier\u3000appliqu\u00e9\u3002
\nAringarosa\u3000felt\u3000tears\u3000welling\u3000as\u3000he\u3000accepted\u3000the\u3000ring\u3000and\u3000slipped\u3000it\u3000back\u3000on\u3000his\u3000finger\u3002\u3000\u3003You’ve\u3000been\u3000so\u3000kind\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000held\u3000out\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000clasped\u3000Fache’s\u3002\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nFache\u3000waved\u3000off\u3000the\u3000gesture\uff1b\u3000walking\u3000to\u3000the\u3000window\u3000and\u3000gazing\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000his\u3000thoughts\u3000obviously\u3000far\u3000away\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000an\u3000uncertainty\u3000about\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000Lord\uff1b\u3000where\u3000do\u3000you\u3000go\u3000from\u3000here\uff1f\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000had\u3000been\u3000asked\u3000the\u3000exact\u3000same\u3000question\u3000as\u3000he\u3000left\u3000Castel\u3000Gandolfo\u3000the\u3000night\u3000before\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000suspect\u3000my\u3000path\u3000is\u3000as\u3000uncertain\u3000as\u3000yours\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3003\u3000Fache\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000suspect\u3000I\u3000will\u3000be\u3000retiring\u3000early\u3002\u3003
\nAringarosa\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000little\u3000faith\u3000can\u3000do\u3000wonders\uff1b\u3000Captain\u3002\u3000A\u3000little\u3000faith\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u3000104
\n
\nRosslyn\u3000Chapel\u2014often\u3000called\u3000the\u3000Cathedral\u3000of\u3000Codes\u2014stands\u3000seven\u3000miles\u3000south\u3000of\u3000Edinburgh\uff1b\u3000Scotland\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000site\u3000of\u3000an\u3000ancient\u3000Mithraic\u3000temple\u3002\u3000Built\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\u3000in\u30001446\uff1b\u3000the\u3000chapel\u3000is\u3000engraved\u3000with\u3000a\u3000mind\u2026boggling\u3000array\u3000of\u3000symbols\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Jewish\uff1b\u3000Christian\uff1b\u3000Egyptian\uff1b\u3000Masonic\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pagan\u3000traditions\u3002
\nThe\u3000chapel’s\u3000geographic\u3000coordinates\u3000fall\u3000precisely\u3000on\u3000the\u3000north\u2026south\u3000meridian\u3000that\u3000runs\u3000through\u3000Glastonbury\u3002\u3000This\u3000longitudinal\u3000Rose\u3000Line\u3000is\u3000the\u3000traditional\u3000marker\u3000of\u3000King\u3000Arthur’s\u3000Isle\u3000of\u3000Avalon\u3000and\u3000is\u3000considered\u3000the\u3000central\u3000pillar\u3000of\u3000Britain’s\u3000sacred\u3000geometry\u3002\u3000It\u3000is\u3000from\u3000this\u3000hallowed\u3000Rose\u3000Line\u3000that\u3000Rosslyn\u2014originally\u3000spelled\u3000Roslin\u2014takes\u3000its\u3000name\u3002
\nRosslyn’s\u3000rugged\u3000spires\u3000were\u3000casting\u3000long\u3000evening\u3000shadows\u3000as\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000Neveu\u3000pulled\u3000their\u3000rental\u3000car\u3000into\u3000the\u3000grassy\u3000parking\u3000area\u3000at\u3000the\u3000foot\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bluff\u3000on\u3000which\u3000the\u3000chapel\u3000stood\u3002\u3000Their\u3000short\u3000flight\u3000from\u3000London\u3000to\u3000Edinburgh\u3000had\u3000been\u3000restful\uff1b\u3000although\u3000neither\u3000of\u3000them\u3000had\u3000slept\u3000for\u3000the\u3000anticipation\u3000of\u3000what\u3000lay\u3000ahead\u3002\u3000Gazing\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000stark\u3000edifice\u3000framed\u3000against\u3000a\u3000cloud\u2026swept\u3000sky\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000Alice\u3000falling\u3000headlong\u3000into\u3000the\u3000rabbit\u3000hole\u3002\u3000This\u3000must\u3000be\u3000a\u3000dream\u3002\u3000And\u3000yet\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000text\u3000of\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000final\u3000message\u3000could\u3000not\u3000have\u3000been\u3000more\u3000specific\u3002
\nThe\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000’neath\u3000ancient\u3000Roslin\u3000waits\u3002
\n\u3000
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000fantasized\u3000that\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000\u3003Grail\u3000map\u3003\u3000would\u3000be\u3000a\u3000diagram\u2014a\u3000drawing\u3000with\u3000an\u3000X\u2026marks\u2026the\u2026spot\u2014and\u3000yet\u3000the\u3000Priory’s\u3000final\u3000secret\u3000had\u3000been\u3000unveiled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000way\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000had\u3000spoken\u3000to\u3000them\u3000from\u3000the\u3000beginning\u3002\u3000Simple\u3000verse\u3002\u3000Four\u3000explicit\u3000lines\u3000that\u3000pointed\u3000without\u3000a\u3000doubt\u3000to\u3000this\u3000very\u3000spot\u3002\u3000In\u3000addition\u3000to\u3000identifying\u3000Rosslyn\u3000by\u3000name\uff1b\u3000the\u3000verse\u3000made\u3000reference\u3000to\u3000several\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chapel’s\u3000renowned\u3000architectural\u3000features\u3002
\nDespite\u3000the\u3000clarity\u3000of\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000final\u3000revelation\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000been\u3000left\u3000feeling\u3000more\u3000off\u3000balance\u3000than\u3000enlightened\u3002\u3000To\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Rosslyn\u3000Chapel\u3000seemed\u3000far\u3000too\u3000obvious\u3000a\u3000location\u3002\u3000For\u3000centuries\uff1b\u3000this\u3000stone\u3000chapel\u3000had\u3000echoed\u3000with\u3000whispers\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail’s\u3000presence\u3002\u3000The\u3000whispers\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000shouts\u3000in\u3000recent\u3000decades\u3000when\u3000ground\u2026penetrating\u3000radar\u3000revealed\u3000the\u3000presence\u3000of\u3000an\u3000astonishing\u3000structure\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000chapel\u2014a\u3000massive\u3000subterranean\u3000chamber\u3002\u3000Not\u3000only\u3000did\u3000this\u3000deep\u3000vault\u3000dwarf\u3000the\u3000chapel\u3000atop\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000have\u3000no\u3000entrance\u3000or\u3000exit\u3002\u3000Archaeologists\u3000petitioned\u3000to\u3000begin\u3000blasting\u3000through\u3000the\u3000bedrock\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000mysterious\u3000chamber\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Rosslyn\u3000Trust\u3000expressly\u3000forbade\u3000any\u3000excavation\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000site\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000this\u3000only\u3000fueled\u3000the\u3000fires\u3000of\u3000speculation\u3002\u3000What\u3000was\u3000the\u3000Rosslyn\u3000Trust\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000hide\uff1f
\nRosslyn\u3000had\u3000now\u3000bee\u3000a\u3000pilgrimage\u3000site\u3000for\u3000mystery\u3000seekers\u3002\u3000Some\u3000claimed\u3000they\u3000were\u3000drawn\u3000here\u3000by\u3000the\u3000powerful\u3000magnetic\u3000field\u3000that\u3000emanated\u3000inexplicably\u3000from\u3000these\u3000coordinates\uff1b\u3000some\u3000claimed\u3000they\u3000came\u3000to\u3000search\u3000the\u3000hillside\u3000for\u3000a\u3000hidden\u3000entrance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000vault\uff1b\u3000but\u3000most\u3000admitted\u3000they\u3000had\u3000e\u3000simply\u3000to\u3000wander\u3000the\u3000grounds\u3000and\u3000absorb\u3000the\u3000lore\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002
\nAlthough\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000never\u3000been\u3000to\u3000Rosslyn\u3000before\u3000now\uff1b\u3000he\u3000always\u3000chuckled\u3000when\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000chapel\u3000described\u3000as\u3000the\u3000current\u3000home\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000Admittedly\uff1b\u3000Rosslyn\u3000once\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000home\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000long\u3000ago\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000but\u3000certainly\u3000no\u3000longer\u3002\u3000Far\u3000too\u3000much\u3000attention\u3000had\u3000been\u3000drawn\u3000to\u3000Rosslyn\u3000in\u3000past\u3000decades\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sooner\u3000or\u3000later\u3000someone\u3000would\u3000find\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000break\u3000into\u3000the\u3000vault\u3002
\nTrue\u3000Grail\u3000academics\u3000agreed\u3000that\u3000Rosslyn\u3000was\u3000a\u3000decoy\u2014one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000devious\u3000dead\u3000ends\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000crafted\u3000so\u3000convincingly\u3002\u3000Tonight\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Priory’s\u3000keystone\u3000offering\u3000a\u3000verse\u3000that\u3000pointed\u3000directly\u3000to\u3000this\u3000spot\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000felt\u3000so\u3000smug\u3002\u3000A\u3000perplexing\u3000question\u3000had\u3000been\u3000running\u3000through\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000all\u3000day\uff1a
\nWhy\u3000would\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000go\u3000to\u3000such\u3000effort\u3000to\u3000guide\u3000us\u3000to\u3000so\u3000obvious\u3000a\u3000location\uff1f
\nThere\u3000seemed\u3000only\u3000one\u3000logical\u3000answer\u3002
\nThere\u3000is\u3000something\u3000about\u3000Rosslyn\u3000we\u3000have\u3000yet\u3000to\u3000understand\u3002
\n\u3003Robert\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000car\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000back\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000corning\uff1f\u3003\u3000She\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000rosewood\u3000box\uff1b\u3000which\u3000Captain\u3000Fache\u3000had\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000them\u3002\u3000Inside\uff1b\u3000both\u3000cryptexes\u3000had\u3000been\u3000reassembled\u3000and\u3000nested\u3000as\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000found\u3002\u3000The\u3000papyrus\u3000verse\u3000was\u3000locked\u3000safely\u3000at\u3000its\u3000core\u2014minus\u3000the\u3000shattered\u3000vial\u3000of\u3000vinegar\u3002
\nMaking\u3000their\u3000way\u3000up\u3000the\u3000long\u3000gravel\u3000path\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000passed\u3000the\u3000famous\u3000west\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chapel\u3002\u3000Casual\u3000visitors\u3000assumed\u3000this\u3000oddly\u3000protruding\u3000wall\u3000was\u3000a\u3000section\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chapel\u3000that\u3000had\u3000not\u3000been\u3000finished\u3002\u3000The\u3000truth\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000recalled\uff1b\u3000was\u3000far\u3000more\u3000intriguing\u3002
\nThe\u3000west\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000Solomon’s\u3000Temple\u3002
\nThe\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\u3000had\u3000designed\u3000Rosslyn\u3000Chapel\u3000as\u3000an\u3000exact\u3000architectural\u3000blueprint\u3000of\u3000Solomon’s\u3000Temple\u3000in\u3000Jerusalem\u2014plete\u3000with\u3000a\u3000west\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000a\u3000narrow\u3000rectangular\u3000sanctuary\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000subterranean\u3000vault\u3000like\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000of\u3000Holies\uff1b\u3000in\u3000which\u3000the\u3000original\u3000nine\u3000knights\u3000had\u3000first\u3000unearthed\u3000their\u3000priceless\u3000treasure\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000to\u3000admit\uff1b\u3000there\u3000existed\u3000an\u3000intriguing\u3000symmetry\u3000in\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Templars\u3000building\u3000a\u3000modern\u3000Grail\u3000repository\u3000that\u3000echoed\u3000the\u3000Grail’s\u3000original\u3000hiding\u3000place\u3002
\nRosslyn\u3000Chapel’s\u3000entrance\u3000was\u3000more\u3000modest\u3000than\u3000Langdon\u3000expected\u3002\u3000The\u3000small\u3000wooden\u3000door\u3000had\u3000two\u3000iron\u3000hinges\u3000and\u3000a\u3000simple\uff1b\u3000oak\u3000sign\u3002
\nROSLIN
\nThis\u3000ancient\u3000spelling\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000explained\u3000to\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000derived\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3000Line\u3000meridian\u3000on\u3000which\u3000the\u3000chapel\u3000sat\uff1b\u3000or\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Grail\u3000academics\u3000preferred\u3000to\u3000believe\uff1b\u3000from\u3000the\u3000\u3003Line\u3000of\u3000Rose\u3003\u2014the\u3000ancestral\u3000lineage\u3000of\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3002
\nThe\u3000chapel\u3000would\u3000be\u3000closing\u3000soon\uff1b\u3000and\u3000as\u3000Langdon\u3000pulled\u3000open\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000a\u3000warm\u3000puff\u3000of\u3000air\u3000escaped\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000ancient\u3000edifice\u3000were\u3000heaving\u3000a\u3000weary\u3000sigh\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000a\u3000long\u3000day\u3002\u3000Her\u3000entry\u3000arches\u3000burgeoned\u3000with\u3000carved\u3000cinquefoils\u3002
\nRoses\u3002\u3000The\u3000womb\u3000of\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3002
\nEntering\u3000with\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000reaching\u3000across\u3000the\u3000famous\u3000sanctuary\u3000and\u3000taking\u3000it\u3000all\u3000in\u3002\u3000Although\u3000he\u3000had\u3000read\u3000accounts\u3000of\u3000Rosslyn’s\u3000arrestingly\u3000intricate\u3000stonework\uff1b\u3000seeing\u3000it\u3000in\u3000person\u3000was\u3000an\u3000overwhelming\u3000encounter\u3002
\nSymbology\u3000heaven\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Langdon’s\u3000colleagues\u3000had\u3000called\u3000it\u3002
\nEvery\u3000surface\u3000in\u3000the\u3000chapel\u3000had\u3000been\u3000carved\u3000with\u3000symbols\u2014Christian\u3000cruciforms\uff1b\u3000Jewish\u3000stars\uff1b\u3000Masonic\u3000seals\uff1b\u3000Templar\u3000crosses\uff1b\u3000cornucopias\uff1b\u3000pyramids\uff1b\u3000astrological\u3000signs\uff1b\u3000plants\uff1b\u3000vegetables\uff1b\u3000pentacles\uff1b\u3000and\u3000roses\u3002\u3000The\u3000Knights\u3000Templar\u3000had\u3000been\u3000master\u3000stonemasons\uff1b\u3000erecting\u3000Templar\u3000churches\u3000all\u3000over\u3000Europe\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Rosslyn\u3000was\u3000considered\u3000their\u3000most\u3000sublime\u3000labor\u3000of\u3000love\u3000and\u3000veneration\u3002\u3000The\u3000master\u3000masons\u3000had\u3000left\u3000no\u3000stone\u3000uncarved\u3002\u3000Rosslyn\u3000Chapel\u3000was\u3000a\u3000shrine\u3000to\u3000all\u3000faiths\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000to\u3000all\u3000traditions\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\uff1b\u3000above\u3000all\uff1b\u3000to\u3000nature\u3000and\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3002
\nThe\u3000sanctuary\u3000was\u3000empty\u3000except\u3000for\u3000a\u3000handful\u3000of\u3000visitors\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000a\u3000young\u3000man\u3000giving\u3000the\u3000day’s\u3000last\u3000tour\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000leading\u3000them\u3000in\u3000a\u3000single\u2026file\u3000line\u3000along\u3000a\u3000well\u2026known\u3000route\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u2014an\u3000invisible\u3000pathway\u3000linking\u3000six\u3000key\u3000architectural\u3000points\u3000within\u3000the\u3000sanctuary\u3002\u3000Generations\u3000of\u3000visitors\u3000had\u3000walked\u3000these\u3000straight\u3000lines\uff1b\u3000connecting\u3000the\u3000points\uff1b\u3000and\u3000their\u3000countless\u3000footsteps\u3000had\u3000engraved\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000symbol\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\n\u3000
\nThe\u3000Star\u3000of\u3000David\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\u3002\u3000No\u3000coincidence\u3000there\u3002\u3000Also\u3000known\u3000a \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\n\u3000
\nThe\u3000Star\u3000of\u3000David\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\u3002\u3000No\u3000coincidence\u3000there\u3002\u3000Also\u3000known\u3000as\u3000Solomon’s\u3000Seal\uff1b\u3000this\u3000hexagram\u3000had\u3000once\u3000been\u3000the\u3000secret\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stargazing\u3000priests\u3000and\u3000was\u3000later\u3000adopted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Israelite\u3000kings\u2014David\u3000and\u3000Solomon\u3002
\nThe\u3000docent\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000Langdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000enter\uff1b\u3000and\u3000although\u3000it\u3000was\u3000closing\u3000time\uff1b\u3000offered\u3000a\u3000pleasant\u3000smile\u3000and\u3000motioned\u3000for\u3000them\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000free\u3000to\u3000look\u3000around\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000nodded\u3000his\u3000thanks\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000move\u3000deeper\u3000into\u3000the\u3000sanctuary\u3002\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000stood\u3000riveted\u3000in\u3000the\u3000entryway\uff1b\u3000a\u3000puzzled\u3000look\u3000on\u3000her\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000asked\u3002
\nSophie\u3000stared\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000chapel\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000been\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000you\u3000said\u3000you\u3000hadn’t\u3000even\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000Rosslyn\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000hadn’t\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000scanned\u3000the\u3000sanctuary\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000uncertain\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000grandfather\u3000must\u3000have\u3000brought\u3000me\u3000here\u3000when\u3000I\u3000was\u3000very\u3000young\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3002\u3000It\u3000feels\u3000familiar\u3002\u3003\u3000As\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000scanned\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000she\u3000began\u3000nodding\u3000with\u3000more\u3000certainty\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sanctuary\u3002\u3000\u3003Those\u3000two\u3000pillars\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000seen\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000intricately\u3000sculpted\u3000columns\u3000at\u3000the\u3000far\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sanctuary\u3002\u3000Their\u3000white\u3000lacework\u3000carvings\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000smolder\u3000with\u3000a\u3000ruddy\u3000glow\u3000as\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000the\u3000day’s\u3000sunlight\u3000streamed\u3000in\u3000through\u3000the\u3000west\u3000window\u3002\u3000The\u3000pillars\u2014positioned\u3000where\u3000the\u3000altar\u3000would\u3000normally\u3000stand\u2014were\u3000an\u3000oddly\u3000matched\u3000pair\u3002\u3000The\u3000pillar\u3000on\u3000the\u3000left\u3000was\u3000carved\u3000with\u3000simple\uff1b\u3000vertical\u3000lines\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000pillar\u3000on\u3000the\u3000right\u3000was\u3000embellished\u3000with\u3000an\u3000ornate\uff1b\u3000flowering\u3000spiral\u3002
\nSophie\u3000was\u3000already\u3000moving\u3000toward\u3000them\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000hurried\u3000after\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000as\u3000they\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000pillars\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000nodding\u3000with\u3000incredulity\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000positive\u3000I\u3000have\u3000seen\u3000these\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000doubt\u3000you’ve\u3000seen\u3000them\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000necessarily\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000turned\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000mean\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003These\u3000two\u3000pillars\u3000are\u3000the\u3000most\u3000duplicated\u3000architectural\u3000structures\u3000in\u3000history\u3002\u3000Replicas\u3000exist\u3000all\u3000over\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Replicas\u3000of\u3000Rosslyn\uff1f\u3003\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000skeptical\u3002
\n\u3003No\u3002\u3000Of\u3000the\u3000pillars\u3002\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000remember\u3000earlier\u3000that\u3000I\u3000mentioned\u3000Rosslyn\u3000itself\u3000is\u3000a\u3000copy\u3000of\u3000Solomon’s\u3000Temple\uff1f\u3000Those\u3000two\u3000pillars\u3000are\u3000exact\u3000replicas\u3000of\u3000the\u3000two\u3000pillars\u3000that\u3000stood\u3000at\u3000the\u3000head\u3000of\u3000Solomon’s\u3000Temple\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000pillar\u3000on\u3000the\u3000left\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000called\u3000Boaz\u2014or\u3000the\u3000Mason’s\u3000Pillar\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000is\u3000called\u3000Jachin\u2014or\u3000the\u3000Apprentice\u3000Pillar\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000virtually\u3000every\u3000Masonic\u3000temple\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3000has\u3000two\u3000pillars\u3000like\u3000these\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000already\u3000explained\u3000to\u3000her\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Templars’\u3000powerful\u3000historic\u3000ties\u3000to\u3000the\u3000modern\u3000Masonic\u3000secret\u3000societies\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000primary\u3000degrees\u2014Apprentice\u3000Freemason\uff1b\u3000Fellowcraft\u3000Freemason\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Master\u3000Mason\u2014harked\u3000back\u3000to\u3000early\u3000Templar\u3000days\u3002\u3000Sophie’s\u3000grandfather’s\u3000final\u3000verse\u3000made\u3000direct\u3000reference\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000Masons\u3000who\u3000adorned\u3000Rosslyn\u3000with\u3000their\u3000carved\u3000artistic\u3000offerings\u3002\u3000It\u3000also\u3000noted\u3000Rosslyn’s\u3000central\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000covered\u3000with\u3000carvings\u3000of\u3000stars\u3000and\u3000planets\u3002
\n\u3003I’ve\u3000never\u3000been\u3000in\u3000a\u3000Masonic\u3000temple\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000still\u3000eyeing\u3000the\u3000pillars\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000almost\u3000positive\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000these\u3000here\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000chapel\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000something\u3000else\u3000to\u3000jog\u3000her\u3000memory\u3002
\nThe\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000visitors\u3000were\u3000now\u3000leaving\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000young\u3000docent\u3000made\u3000his\u3000way\u3000across\u3000the\u3000chapel\u3000to\u3000them\u3000with\u3000a\u3000pleasant\u3000smile\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000a\u3000handsome\u3000young\u3000man\u3000in\u3000his\u3000late\u3000twenties\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000Scottish\u3000brogue\u3000and\u3000strawberry\u3000blond\u3000hair\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000about\u3000to\u3000close\u3000up\u3000for\u3000the\u3000day\u3002\u3000May\u3000I\u3000help\u3000you\u3000find\u3000anything\uff1f\u3003
\nHow\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\uff1f\u3000Langdon\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000say\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000code\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000blurted\uff1b\u3000in\u3000sudden\u3000revelation\u3002\u3000\u3003There’s\u3000a\u3000code\u3000here\uff01\u3003
\nThe\u3000docent\u3000looked\u3000pleased\u3000by\u3000her\u3000enthusiasm\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\u3000there\u3000is\uff1b\u3000ma’am\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000to\u3000the\u3000right\u2026hand\u3000wall\u3002\u3000\u3003Somewhere\u3000over\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000there\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000your\u3000first\u3000visit\u3000to\u3000Rosslyn\uff1b\u3000I\u3000see\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000code\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000thought\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000forgotten\u3000that\u3000little\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000lore\u3002\u3000Among\u3000Rosslyn’s\u3000numerous\u3000mysteries\u3000was\u3000a\u3000vaulted\u3000archway\u3000from\u3000which\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000stone\u3000blocks\u3000protruded\uff1b\u3000jutting\u3000down\u3000to\u3000form\u3000a\u3000bizarre\u3000multifaceted\u3000surface\u3002\u3000Each\u3000block\u3000was\u3000carved\u3000with\u3000a\u3000symbol\uff1b\u3000seemingly\u3000at\u3000random\uff1b\u3000creating\u3000a\u3000cipher\u3000of\u3000unfathomable\u3000proportion\u3002\u3000Some\u3000people\u3000believed\u3000the\u3000code\u3000revealed\u3000the\u3000entrance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000vault\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000chapel\u3002
\nOthers\u3000believed\u3000it\u3000told\u3000the\u3000true\u3000Grail\u3000legend\u3002\u3000Not\u3000that\u3000it\u3000mattered\u2014cryptographers\u3000had\u3000been\u3000trying\u3000for\u3000centuries\u3000to\u3000decipher\u3000its\u3000meaning\u3002\u3000To\u3000this\u3000day\u3000the\u3000Rosslyn\u3000Trust\u3000offered\u3000a\u3000generous\u3000reward\u3000to\u3000anyone\u3000who\u3000could\u3000unveil\u3000the\u3000secret\u3000meaning\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000code\u3000remained\u3000a\u3000mystery\u3002\u3000\u3003I’d\u3000be\u3000happy\u3000to\u3000show\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nThe\u3000docent’s\u3000voice\u3000trailed\u3000off\u3002
\nMy\u3000first\u3000code\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000alone\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000trance\uff1b\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000encoded\u3000archway\u3002\u3000Having\u3000handed\u3000the\u3000rosewood\u3000box\u3000to\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000herself\u3000momentarily\u3000forgetting\u3000all\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000of\u3000Sion\uff1b\u3000and\u3000all\u3000the\u3000mysteries\u3000of\u3000the\u3000past\u3000day\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000arrived\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000encoded\u3000ceiling\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000symbols\u3000above\u3000her\uff1b\u3000the\u3000memories\u3000came\u3000flooding\u3000back\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000recalling\u3000her\u3000first\u3000visit\u3000here\uff1b\u3000and\u3000strangely\uff1b\u3000the\u3000memories\u3000conjured\u3000an\u3000unexpected\u3000sadness\u3002
\nShe\u3000was\u3000a\u3000little\u3000girl\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000year\u3000or\u3000so\u3000after\u3000her\u3000family’s\u3000death\u3002\u3000Her\u3000grandfather\u3000had\u3000brought\u3000her\u3000to\u3000Scotland\u3000on\u3000a\u3000short\u3000vacation\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000e\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Rosslyn\u3000Chapel\u3000before\u3000going\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Paris\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000late\u3000evening\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000chapel\u3000was\u3000closed\u3002\u3000But\u3000they\u3000were\u3000still\u3000inside\u3002
\n\u3003Can\u3000we\u3000go\u3000home\uff1b\u3000Grand\u2026p\u00e8re\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000begged\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000tired\u3002
\n\u3003Soon\uff1b\u3000dear\uff1b\u3000very\u3000soon\u3002\u3003\u3000His\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000melancholy\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000one\u3000last\u3000thing\u3000I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000do\u3000here\u3002\u3000How\u3000about\u3000if\u3000you\u3000wait\u3000in\u3000the\u3000car\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003You’re\u3000doing\u3000another\u3000big\u3000person\u3000thing\uff1f\u3003
\nHe\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000be\u3000fast\u3002\u3000I\u3000promise\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Can\u3000I\u3000do\u3000the\u3000archway\u3000code\u3000again\uff1f\u3000That\u3000was\u3000fun\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000to\u3000step\u3000outside\u3002\u3000You\u3000won’t\u3000be\u3000frightened\u3000in\u3000here\u3000alone\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3000not\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000with\u3000a\u3000huff\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000not\u3000even\u3000dark\u3000yet\uff01\u3003
\nHe\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003Very\u3000well\u3000then\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000led\u3000her\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000elaborate\u3000archway\u3000he\u3000had\u3000shown\u3000her\u3000earlier\u3002
\nSophie\u3000immediately\u3000plopped\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000lying\u3000on\u3000her\u3000back\u3000and\u3000staring\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000collage\u3000of\u3000puzzle\u3000pieces\u3000overhead\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000break\u3000this\u3000code\u3000before\u3000you\u3000get\u3000back\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000race\u3000then\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000bent\u3000over\uff1b\u3000kissed\u3000her\u3000forehead\uff1b\u3000and\u3000walked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000nearby\u3000side\u3000door\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000be\u3000right\u3000outside\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000door\u3000open\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000need\u3000me\uff1b\u3000just\u3000call\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000exited\u3000into\u3000the\u3000soft\u3000evening\u3000light\u3002
\nSophie\u3000lay\u3000there\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000gazing\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000code\u3002\u3000Her\u3000eyes\u3000felt\u3000sleepy\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000few\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000the\u3000symbols\u3000got\u3000fuzzy\u3002\u3000And\u3000then\u3000they\u3000disappeared\u3002
\nWhen\u3000Sophie\u3000awoke\uff1b\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000felt\u3000cold\u3002
\n\u3003Grand\u2026p\u00e8re\uff1f\u3003
\nThere\u3000was\u3000no\u3000answer\u3002\u3000Standing\u3000up\uff1b\u3000she\u3000brushed\u3000herself\u3000off\u3002\u3000The\u3000side\u3000door\u3000was\u3000still\u3000open\u3002\u3000The\u3000evening\u3000was\u3000getting\u3000darker\u3002\u3000She\u3000walked\u3000outside\u3000and\u3000could\u3000see\u3000her\u3000grandfather\u3000standing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000porch\u3000of\u3000a\u3000nearby\u3000stone\u3000house\u3000directly\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000church\u3002\u3000Her\u3000grandfather\u3000was\u3000talking\u3000quietly\u3000to\u3000a\u3000person\u3000barely\u3000visible\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000screened\u3000door\u3002
\n\u3003Grand\u2026p\u00e8re\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000called\u3002
\nHer\u3000grandfather\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000waved\uff1b\u3000motioning\u3000for\u3000her\u3000to\u3000wait\u3000just\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000said\u3000some\u3000final\u3000words\u3000to\u3000the\u3000person\u3000inside\u3000and\u3000blew\u3000a\u3000kiss\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000screened\u3000door\u3002\u3000He\u3000came\u3000to\u3000her\u3000with\u3000tearful\u3000eyes\u3002
\n\u3003Why\u3000are\u3000you\u3000crying\uff1b\u3000Grand\u2026p\u00e8re\uff1f\u3003
\nHe\u3000picked\u3000her\u3000up\u3000and\u3000held\u3000her\u3000close\u3002\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000you\u3000and\u3000I\u3000have\u3000said\u3000good\u2026bye\u3000to\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000people\u3000this\u3000year\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000hard\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000the\u3000accident\uff1b\u3000of\u3000saying\u3000good\u2026bye\u3000to\u3000her\u3000mother\u3000and\u3000father\uff1b\u3000her\u3000grandmother\u3000and\u3000baby\u3000brother\u3002\u3000\u3003Were\u3000you\u3000saying\u3000goodbye\u3000to\u3000another\u3000person\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003To\u3000a\u3000dear\u3000friend\u3000whom\u3000I\u3000love\u3000very\u3000much\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000heavy\u3000with\u3000emotion\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000I\u3000fear\u3000I\u3000will\u3000not\u3000see\u3000her\u3000again\u3000for\u3000a\u3000very\u3000long\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nStanding\u3000with\u3000the\u3000docent\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000been\u3000scanning\u3000the\u3000chapel\u3000walls\u3000and\u3000feeling\u3000a\u3000rising\u3000wariness\u3000that\u3000a\u3000dead\u3000end\u3000might\u3000be\u3000looming\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000wandered\u3000off\u3000to\u3000look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000code\u3000and\u3000left\u3000Langdon\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000rosewood\u3000box\uff1b\u3000which\u3000contained\u3000a\u3000Grail\u3000map\u3000that\u3000now\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000no\u3000help\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000Although\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000poem\u3000clearly\u3000indicated\u3000Rosslyn\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000not\u3000sure\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3000now\u3000that\u3000they\u3000had\u3000arrived\u3002\u3000The\u3000poem\u3000made\u3000reference\u3000to\u3000a\u3000\u3003blade\u3000and\u3000chalice\uff1b\u3003\u3000which\u3000Langdon\u3000saw\u3000nowhere\u3002
\nThe\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000’neath\u3000ancient\u3000Roslin\u3000waits\u3002
\nThe\u3000blade\u3000and\u3000chalice\u3000guarding\u3000o’er\u3000Her\u3000gates\u3002
\n\u3000
\nAgain\u3000Langdon\u3000sensed\u3000there\u3000remained\u3000some\u3000facet\u3000of\u3000this\u3000mystery\u3000yet\u3000to\u3000reveal\u3000itself\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000hate\u3000to\u3000pry\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000docent\u3000said\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000the\u3000rosewood\u3000box\u3000in\u3000Langdon’s\u3000hands\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000this\u3000box\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000might\u3000I\u3000ask\u3000where\u3000you\u3000got\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000weary\u3000laugh\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000an\u3000exceptionally\u3000long\u3000story\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000young\u3000man\u3000hesitated\uff1b\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000on\u3000the\u3000box\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000the\u3000strangest\u3000thing\u2014my\u3000grandmother\u3000has\u3000a\u3000box\u3000exactly\u3000like\u3000that\u2014a\u3000jewelry\u3000box\u3002\u3000Identical\u3000polished\u3000rosewood\uff1b\u3000same\u3000inlaid\u3000rose\uff1b\u3000even\u3000the\u3000hinges\u3000look\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000young\u3000man\u3000must\u3000be\u3000mistaken\u3002\u3000If\u3000ever\u3000a\u3000box\u3000had\u3000been\u3000one\u3000of\u3000a\u3000kind\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000this\u3000one\u2014the\u3000box\u3000custom\u2026made\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000keystone\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000two\u3000boxes\u3000may\u3000be\u3000similar\u3000but\u2014\u3003
\nThe\u3000side\u3000door\u3000closed\u3000loudly\uff1b\u3000drawing\u3000both\u3000of\u3000their\u3000gazes\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000had\u3000exited\u3000without\u3000a\u3000word\u3000and\u3000was\u3000now\u3000wandering\u3000down\u3000the\u3000bluff\u3000toward\u3000a\u3000fieldstone\u3000house\u3000nearby\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000stared\u3000after\u3000her\u3002\u3000Where\u3000is\u3000she\u3000going\uff1f\u3000She\u3000had\u3000been\u3000acting\u3000strangely\u3000ever\u3000since\u3000they\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000building\u3002\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000docent\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000what\u3000that\u3000house\u3000is\uff1f\u3003
\nHe\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000also\u3000looking\u3000puzzled\u3000that\u3000Sophie\u3000was\u3000going\u3000down\u3000there\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000the\u3000chapel\u3000rectory\u3002\u3000The\u3000chapel\u3000curator\u3000lives\u3000there\u3002\u3000She\u3000also\u3000happens\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000head\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rosslyn\u3000Trust\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000my\u3000grandmother\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Your\u3000grandmother\u3000heads\u3000the\u3000Rosslyn\u3000Trust\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000young\u3000man\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000live\u3000with\u3000her\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rectory\u3000and\u3000help\u3000keep\u3000u \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003Your\u3000grandmother\u3000heads\u3000the\u3000Rosslyn\u3000Trust\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000young\u3000man\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000live\u3000with\u3000her\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rectory\u3000and\u3000help\u3000keep\u3000up\u3000the\u3000chapel\u3000and\u3000give\u3000tours\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000lived\u3000here\u3000my\u3000whole\u3000life\u3002\u3000My\u3000grandmother\u3000raised\u3000me\u3000in\u3000that\u3000house\u3002\u3003
\nConcerned\u3000for\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000moved\u3000across\u3000the\u3000chapel\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000door\u3000to\u3000call\u3000out\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000only\u3000halfway\u3000there\u3000when\u3000he\u3000stopped\u3000short\u3002\u3000Something\u3000the\u3000young\u3000man\u3000said\u3000just\u3000registered\u3002
\nMy\u3000grandmother\u3000raised\u3000me\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000looked\u3000out\u3000at\u3000Sophie\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bluff\uff1b\u3000then\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000rosewood\u3000box\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Impossible\u3002\u3000Slowly\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000young\u3000man\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000said\u3000your\u3000grandmother\u3000has\u3000a\u3000box\u3000like\u3000this\u3000one\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Almost\u3000identical\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Where\u3000did\u3000she\u3000get\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003My\u3000grandfather\u3000made\u3000it\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3000He\u3000died\u3000when\u3000I\u3000was\u3000a\u3000baby\uff1b\u3000but\u3000my\u3000grandmother\u3000still\u3000talks\u3000about\u3000him\u3002\u3000She\u3000says\u3000he\u3000was\u3000a\u3000genius\u3000with\u3000his\u3000hands\u3002\u3000He\u3000made\u3000all\u3000kinds\u3000of\u3000things\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000glimpsed\u3000an\u3000unimaginable\u3000web\u3000of\u3000connections\u3000emerging\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000said\u3000your\u3000grandmother\u3000raised\u3000you\u3002\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000mind\u3000my\u3000asking\u3000what\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000your\u3000parents\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000young\u3000man\u3000looked\u3000surprised\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000died\u3000when\u3000I\u3000was\u3000young\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000same\u3000day\u3000as\u3000my\u3000grandfather\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon’s\u3000heart\u3000pounded\u3002\u3000\u3003In\u3000a\u3000car\u3000accident\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000docent\u3000recoiled\uff1b\u3000a\u3000look\u3000of\u3000bewilderment\u3000in\u3000his\u3000olive\u2026green\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000car\u3000accident\u3002\u3000My\u3000entire\u3000family\u3000died\u3000that\u3000day\u3002\u3000I\u3000lost\u3000my\u3000grandfather\uff1b\u3000my\u3000parents\uff1b\u3000and\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000hesitated\uff1b\u3000glancing\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000your\u3000sister\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000
\nOut\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bluff\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fieldstone\u3000house\u3000was\u3000exactly\u3000as\u3000Sophie\u3000remembered\u3000it\u3002\u3000Night\u3000was\u3000falling\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000house\u3000exuded\u3000a\u3000warm\u3000and\u3000inviting\u3000aura\u3002\u3000The\u3000smell\u3000of\u3000bread\u3000wafted\u3000through\u3000the\u3000opened\u3000screened\u3000door\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000golden\u3000light\u3000shone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000windows\u3002\u3000As\u3000Sophie\u3000approached\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000quiet\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000sobbing\u3000from\u3000within\u3002
\nThrough\u3000the\u3000screened\u3000door\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000saw\u3000an\u3000elderly\u3000woman\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hallway\u3002\u3000Her\u3000back\u3000was\u3000to\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Sophie\u3000could\u3000see\u3000she\u3000was\u3000crying\u3002\u3000The\u3000woman\u3000had\u3000long\uff1b\u3000luxuriant\uff1b\u3000silver\u3000hair\u3000that\u3000conjured\u3000an\u3000unexpected\u3000wisp\u3000of\u3000memory\u3002\u3000Feeling\u3000herself\u3000drawn\u3000closer\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000stepped\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000porch\u3000stairs\u3002\u3000The\u3000woman\u3000was\u3000clutching\u3000a\u3000framed\u3000photograph\u3000of\u3000a\u3000man\u3000and\u3000touching\u3000her\u3000fingertips\u3000to\u3000his\u3000face\u3000with\u3000loving\u3000sadness\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000a\u3000face\u3000Sophie\u3000knew\u3000well\u3002
\nGrand\u2026p\u00e8re\u3002
\nThe\u3000woman\u3000had\u3000obviously\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000sad\u3000news\u3000of\u3000his\u3000death\u3000last\u3000night\u3002
\nA\u3000board\u3000squeaked\u3000beneath\u3000Sophie’s\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000turned\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000her\u3000sad\u3000eyes\u3000finding\u3000Sophie’s\u3002\u3000Sophie\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000run\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000stood\u3000transfixed\u3002\u3000The\u3000woman’s\u3000fervent\u3000gaze\u3000never\u3000wavered\u3000as\u3000she\u3000set\u3000down\u3000the\u3000photo\u3000and\u3000approached\u3000the\u3000screened\u3000door\u3002\u3000An\u3000eternity\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000as\u3000the\u3000two\u3000women\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000one\u3000another\u3000through\u3000the\u3000thin\u3000mesh\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000slowly\u3000gathering\u3000swell\u3000of\u3000an\u3000ocean\u3000wave\uff1b\u3000the\u3000woman’s\u3000visage\u3000transformed\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000uncertainty\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000to\u3000disbelief\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000to\u3000hope\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\u3000finally\uff1b\u3000to\u3000cresting\u3000joy\u3002
\nThrowing\u3000open\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000she\u3000came\u3000out\uff1b\u3000reaching\u3000with\u3000soft\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000cradling\u3000Sophie’s\u3000thunderstruck\u3000face\u3002\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000dear\u3000child\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000look\u3000at\u3000you\uff01\u3003
\nAlthough\u3000Sophie\u3000did\u3000not\u3000recognize\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000who\u3000this\u3000woman\u3000was\u3002\u3000She\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000but\u3000found\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000even\u3000breathe\u3002
\n\u3003Sophie\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000sobbed\uff1b\u3000kissing\u3000her\u3000forehead\u3002
\nSophie’s\u3000words\u3000were\u3000a\u3000choked\u3000whisper\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000Grand\u2026p\u00e8re\u3000said\u3000you\u3000were\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000know\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000woman\u3000placed\u3000her\u3000tender\u3000hands\u3000on\u3000Sophie’s\u3000shoulders\u3000and\u3000gazed\u3000at\u3000her\u3000with\u3000familiar\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000grandfather\u3000and\u3000I\u3000were\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000say\u3000so\u3000many\u3000things\u3002\u3000We\u3000did\u3000what\u3000we\u3000thought\u3000was\u3000right\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000so\u3000sorry\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000for\u3000your\u3000own\u3000safety\uff1b\u3000princess\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000heard\u3000her\u3000final\u3000word\uff1b\u3000and\u3000immediately\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000her\u3000grandfather\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000called\u3000her\u3000princess\u3000for\u3000so\u3000many\u3000years\u3002\u3000The\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000echo\u3000now\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ancient\u3000stones\u3000of\u3000Rosslyn\uff1b\u3000settling\u3000through\u3000the\u3000earth\u3000and\u3000reverberating\u3000in\u3000the\u3000unknown\u3000hollows\u3000below\u3002
\nThe\u3000woman\u3000threw\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000around\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tears\u3000flowing\u3000faster\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000grandfather\u3000wanted\u3000so\u3000badly\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000everything\u3002\u3000But\u3000things\u3000were\u3000difficult\u3000between\u3000you\u3000two\u3002\u3000He\u3000tried\u3000so\u3000hard\u3002\u3000There’s\u3000so\u3000much\u3000to\u3000explain\u3002\u3000So\u3000very\u3000much\u3000to\u3000explain\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000kissed\u3000Sophie’s\u3000forehead\u3000once\u3000again\uff1b\u3000then\u3000whispered\u3000in\u3000her\u3000ear\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3000more\u3000secrets\uff1b\u3000princess\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000time\u3000you\u3000learn\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000about\u3000our\u3000family\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nSophie\u3000and\u3000her\u3000grandmother\u3000were\u3000seated\u3000on\u3000the\u3000porch\u3000stairs\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tearful\u3000hug\u3000when\u3000the\u3000young\u3000docent\u3000dashed\u3000across\u3000the\u3000lawn\uff1b\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000shining\u3000with\u3000hope\u3000and\u3000disbelief\u3002
\n\u3003Sophie\uff1f\u3003
\nThrough\u3000her\u3000tears\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000standing\u3002\u3000She\u3000did\u3000not\u3000know\u3000the\u3000young\u3000man’s\u3000face\uff1b\u3000but\u3000as\u3000they\u3000embraced\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000power\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000coursing\u3000through\u3000his\u3000veins\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000she\u3000now\u3000understood\u3000they\u3000shared\u3002
\n\u3000
\nWhen\u3000Langdon\u3000walked\u3000across\u3000the\u3000lawn\u3000to\u3000join\u3000them\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3000could\u3000not\u3000imagine\u3000that\u3000only\u3000yesterday\u3000she\u3000had\u3000felt\u3000so\u3000alone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3000And\u3000now\uff1b\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000in\u3000this\u3000foreign\u3000place\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000pany\u3000of\u3000three\u3000people\u3000she\u3000barely\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000at\u3000last\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000home\u3002
\n\u3000
\nCHAPTER\u3000105
\n
\nNight\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000over\u3000Rosslyn\u3002
\nRobert\u3000Langdon\u3000stood\u3000alone\u3000on\u3000the\u3000porch\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fieldstone\u3000house\u3000enjoying\u3000the\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000laughter\u3000and\u3000reunion\u3000drifting\u3000through\u3000the\u3000screened\u3000door\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000mug\u3000of\u3000potent\u3000Brazilian\u3000coffee\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000had\u3000granted\u3000him\u3000a\u3000hazy\u3000reprieve\u3000from\u3000his\u3000mounting\u3000exhaustion\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000he\u3000sensed\u3000the\u3000reprieve\u3000would\u3000be\u3000fleeting\u3002\u3000The\u3000fatigue\u3000in\u3000his\u3000body\u3000went\u3000to\u3000the\u3000core\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000slipped\u3000out\u3000quietly\uff1b\u3003\u3000a\u3000voice\u3000behind\u3000him\u3000said\u3002
\nHe\u3000turned\u3002\u3000Sophie’s\u3000grandmother\u3000emerged\uff1b\u3000her\u3000silver\u3000hair\u3000shimmering\u3000in\u3000the\u3000night\u3002\u3000Her\u3000name\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000last\u3000twenty\u2026eight\u3000years\u3000at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000was\u3000Marie\u3000Chauvel\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000tired\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000I’d\u3000give\u3000your\u3000family\u3000some\u3000time\u3000together\u3002\u3003\u3000Through\u3000the\u3000window\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000Sophie\u3000talking\u3000with\u3000her\u3000brother\u3002
\nMarie\u3000came\u3000over\u3000and\u3000stood\u3000beside\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000when\u3000I\u3000first\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000Jacques’s\u3000murder\uff1b\u3000I\u3000was\u3000terrified\u3000for\u3000Sophie’s\u3000safety\u3002\u3000Seeing\u3000her\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000my\u3000doorway\u3000tonight\u3000was\u3000the\u3000greatest\u3000relief\u3000of\u3000my\u3000life\u3002\u3000I\u3000cannot\u3000thank\u3000you\u3000enough\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000how\u3000to\u3000respond\u3002\u3000Although\u3000he\u3000had\u3000offered\u3000to\u3000give\u3000Sophie\u3000and\u3000her\u3000grandmother\u3000time\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000in\u3000private\uff1b\u3000Marie\u3000had\u3000asked\u3000him\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000and\u3000listen\u3002\u3000My\u3000husband\u3000obviously\u3000trusted\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000so\u3000I\u3000do\u3000as\u3000well\u3002
\nAnd\u3000so\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000remained\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000beside\u3000Sophie\u3000and\u3000listening\u3000in\u3000mute\u3000astonishment\u3000while\u3000Marie\u3000told\u3000the\u3000story\u3000of\u3000Sophie’s\u3000late\u3000parents\u3002\u3000Incredibly\uff1b\u3000both\u3000had\u3000been\u3000from\u3000Merovingian\u3000families\u2014direct\u3000descendants\u3000of\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000and\u3000Jesus\u3000Christ\u3002\u3000Sophie’s\u3000parents\u3000and\u3000ancestors\uff1b\u3000for\u3000protection\uff1b\u3000had\u3000changed\u3000their\u3000family\u3000names\u3000of\u3000Plantard\u3000and\u3000Saint\u2026Clair\u3002\u3000Their\u3000children\u3000represented\u3000the\u3000most\u3000direct\u3000surviving\u3000royal\u3000bloodline\u3000and\u3000therefore\u3000were\u3000carefully\u3000guarded\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3002\u3000When\u3000Sophie’s\u3000parents\u3000were\u3000killed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000car\u3000accident\u3000whose\u3000cause\u3000could\u3000not\u3000be\u3000determined\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000feared\u3000the\u3000identity\u3000of\u3000the\u3000royal\u3000line\u3000had\u3000been\u3000discovered\u3002
\n\u3003Your\u3000grandfather\u3000and\u3000I\uff1b\u3003\u3000Marie\u3000had\u3000explained\u3000in\u3000a\u3000voice\u3000choked\u3000with\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000\u3003had\u3000to\u3000make\u3000a\u3000grave\u3000decision\u3000the\u3000instant\u3000we\u3000received\u3000the\u3000phone\u3000call\u3002\u3000Your\u3000parents’\u3000car\u3000had\u3000just\u3000been\u3000found\u3000in\u3000the\u3000river\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000dabbed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000tears\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000six\u3000of\u3000us\u2014including\u3000you\u3000two\u3000grandchildren\u2014were\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000traveling\u3000together\u3000in\u3000that\u3000car\u3000that\u3000very\u3000night\u3002\u3000Fortunately\u3000we\u3000changed\u3000our\u3000plans\u3000at\u3000the\u3000last\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000and\u3000your\u3000parents\u3000were\u3000alone\u3002\u3000Hearing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000accident\uff1b\u3000Jacques\u3000and\u3000I\u3000had\u3000no\u3000way\u3000to\u3000know\u3000what\u3000had\u3000really\u3000happened\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000or\u3000if\u3000this\u3000was\u3000truly\u3000an\u3000accident\u3002\u3003\u3000Marie\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000knew\u3000we\u3000had\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000our\u3000grandchildren\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000did\u3000what\u3000we\u3000thought\u3000was\u3000best\u3002\u3000Jacques\u3000reported\u3000to\u3000the\u3000police\u3000that\u3000your\u3000brother\u3000and\u3000I\u3000had\u3000been\u3000in\u3000the\u3000car\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000our\u3000two\u3000bodies\u3000apparently\u3000washed\u3000off\u3000in\u3000the\u3000current\u3002\u3000Then\u3000your\u3000brother\u3000and\u3000I\u3000went\u3000underground\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3002\u3000Jacques\uff1b\u3000being\u3000a\u3000man\u3000of\u3000prominence\uff1b\u3000did\u3000not\u3000have\u3000the\u3000luxury\u3000of\u3000disappearing\u3002\u3000It\u3000only\u3000made\u3000sense\u3000that\u3000Sophie\uff1b\u3000being\u3000the\u3000eldest\uff1b\u3000would\u3000stay\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3000to\u3000be\u3000taught\u3000and\u3000raised\u3000by\u3000Jacques\uff1b\u3000close\u3000to\u3000the\u3000heart\u3000and\u3000protection\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3002\u3003\u3000Her\u3000voice\u3000fell\u3000to\u3000a\u3000whisper\u3002\u3000\u3003Separating\u3000the\u3000family\u3000was\u3000the\u3000hardest\u3000thing\u3000we\u3000ever\u3000had\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000Jacques\u3000and\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000each\u3000other\u3000only\u3000very\u3000infrequently\uff1b\u3000and\u3000always\u3000in\u3000the\u3000most\u3000secret\u3000of\u3000settings\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000under\u3000the\u3000protection\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3002\u3000There\u3000are\u3000certain\u3000ceremonies\u3000to\u3000which\u3000the\u3000brotherhood\u3000always\u3000stays\u3000faithful\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000had\u3000sensed\u3000the\u3000story\u3000went\u3000far\u3000deeper\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000also\u3000sensed\u3000it\u3000was\u3000not\u3000for\u3000him\u3000to\u3000hear\u3002\u3000So\u3000he\u3000had\u3000stepped\u3000outside\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000gazing\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000spires\u3000of\u3000Rosslyn\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000not\u3000escape\u3000the\u3000hollow\u3000gnaw\u3000of\u3000Rosslyn’s\u3000unsolved\u3000mystery\u3002\u3000Is\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000really\u3000here\u3000at\u3000Rosslyn\uff1f\u3000And\u3000if\u3000so\uff1b\u3000where\u3000are\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000and\u3000chalice\u3000that\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000mentioned\u3000in\u3000his\u3000poem\uff1f
\n\u3003I’ll\u3000take\u3000that\uff1b\u3003\u3000Marie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000motioning\u3000to\u3000Langdon’s\u3000hand\u3002
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000thank\u3000you\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000held\u3000out\u3000his\u3000empty\u3000coffee\u3000cup\u3002
\nShe\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000referring\u3000to\u3000your\u3000other\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000and\u3000realized\u3000he\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000papyrus\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000it\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cryptex\u3000once\u3000again\u3000in\u3000hopes\u3000of\u3000seeing\u3000something\u3000he\u3000had\u3000missed\u3000earlier\u3002\u3000\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000sorry\u3002\u3003
\nMarie\u3000looked\u3000amused\u3000as\u3000she\u3000took\u3000the\u3000paper\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000of\u3000a\u3000man\u3000at\u3000a\u3000bank\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3000who\u3000is\u3000probably\u3000very\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000return\u3000of\u3000this\u3000rosewood\u3000box\u3002\u3000Andr\u00e9\u3000Vernet\u3000was\u3000a\u3000dear\u3000friend\u3000of\u3000Jacques\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Jacques\u3000trusted\u3000him\u3000explicitly\u3002\u3000Andr\u00e9\u3000would\u3000have\u3000done\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000honor\u3000Jacques’s\u3000requests\u3000for\u3000the\u3000care\u3000of\u3000this\u3000box\u3002\u3003
\nIncluding\u3000shooting\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000recalled\uff1b\u3000deciding\u3000not\u3000to\u3000mention\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000probably\u3000broken\u3000the\u3000poor\u3000man’s\u3000nose\u3002\u3000Thinking\u3000of\u3000Paris\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000flashed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000three\u3000s\u00e9n\u00e9chaux\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000killed\u3000the\u3000night\u3000before\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000the\u3000Priory\uff1f\u3000What\u3000happens\u3000now\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000wheels\u3000are\u3000already\u3000in\u3000motion\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000T \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003And\u3000the\u3000Priory\uff1f\u3000What\u3000happens\u3000now\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000wheels\u3000are\u3000already\u3000in\u3000motion\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000The\u3000brotherhood\u3000has\u3000endured\u3000for\u3000centuries\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000will\u3000endure\u3000this\u3002\u3000There\u3000are\u3000always\u3000those\u3000waiting\u3000to\u3000move\u3000up\u3000and\u3000rebuild\u3002\u3003
\nAll\u3000evening\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000suspected\u3000that\u3000Sophie’s\u3000grandmother\u3000was\u3000closely\u3000tied\u3000to\u3000the\u3000operations\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3002\u3000After\u3000all\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000had\u3000always\u3000had\u3000women\u3000members\u3002\u3000Four\u3000Grand\u3000Masters\u3000had\u3000been\u3000women\u3002\u3000The\u3000s\u00e9n\u00e9chaux\u3000were\u3000traditionally\u3000men\u2014the\u3000guardians\u2014and\u3000yet\u3000women\u3000held\u3000far\u3000more\u3000honored\u3000status\u3000within\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000and\u3000could\u3000ascend\u3000to\u3000the\u3000highest\u3000post\u3000from\u3000virtually\u3000any\u3000rank\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000Leigh\u3000Teabing\u3000and\u3000Westminster\u3000Abbey\u3002\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000a\u3000lifetime\u3000ago\u3002\u3000\u3003Was\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000pressuring\u3000your\u3000husband\u3000not\u3000to\u3000release\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3000at\u3000the\u3000End\u3000of\u3000Days\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Heavens\u3000no\u3002\u3000The\u3000End\u3000of\u3000Days\u3000is\u3000a\u3000legend\u3000of\u3000paranoid\u3000minds\u3002\u3000There\u3000is\u3000nothing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000doctrine\u3000that\u3000identifies\u3000a\u3000date\u3000at\u3000which\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000should\u3000be\u3000unveiled\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\u3000the\u3000Priory\u3000has\u3000always\u3000maintained\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000should\u3000never\u3000be\u3000unveiled\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Never\uff1f\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000was\u3000stunned\u3002
\n\u3003It\u3000is\u3000the\u3000mystery\u3000and\u3000wonderment\u3000that\u3000serve\u3000our\u3000souls\uff1b\u3000not\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000itself\u3002\u3000The\u3000beauty\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000lies\u3000in\u3000her\u3000ethereal\u3000nature\u3002\u3003\u3000Marie\u3000Chauvel\u3000gazed\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Rosslyn\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003For\u3000some\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000a\u3000chalice\u3000that\u3000will\u3000bring\u3000them\u3000everlasting\u3000life\u3002\u3000For\u3000others\uff1b\u3000it\u3000is\u3000the\u3000quest\u3000for\u3000lost\u3000documents\u3000and\u3000secret\u3000history\u3002\u3000And\u3000for\u3000most\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suspect\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000simply\u3000a\u3000grand\u3000idea\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000glorious\u3000unattainable\u3000treasure\u3000that\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000even\u3000in\u3000today’s\u3000world\u3000of\u3000chaos\uff1b\u3000inspires\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000if\u3000the\u3000Sangreal\u3000documents\u3000remain\u3000hidden\uff1b\u3000the\u3000story\u3000of\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3000will\u3000be\u3000lost\u3000forever\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003Will\u3000it\uff1f\u3000Look\u3000around\u3000you\u3002\u3000Her\u3000story\u3000is\u3000being\u3000told\u3000in\u3000art\uff1b\u3000music\uff1b\u3000and\u3000books\u3002\u3000More\u3000so\u3000every\u3000day\u3002\u3000The\u3000pendulum\u3000is\u3000swinging\u3002\u3000We\u3000are\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000sense\u3000the\u3000dangers\u3000of\u3000our\u3000history\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\u3000of\u3000our\u3000destructive\u3000paths\u3002\u3000We\u3000are\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000sense\u3000the\u3000need\u3000to\u3000restore\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000mentioned\u3000you\u3000are\u3000writing\u3000a\u3000manuscript\u3000about\u3000the\u3000symbols\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000feminine\uff1b\u3000are\u3000you\u3000not\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000am\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003Finish\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000Sing\u3000her\u3000song\u3002\u3000The\u3000world\u3000needs\u3000modern\u3000troubadours\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000fell\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000the\u3000weight\u3000of\u3000her\u3000message\u3000upon\u3000him\u3002\u3000Across\u3000the\u3000open\u3000spaces\uff1b\u3000a\u3000new\u3000moon\u3000was\u3000rising\u3000above\u3000the\u3000tree\u3000line\u3002
\nTurning\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000toward\u3000Rosslyn\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000boyish\u3000craving\u3000to\u3000know\u3000her\u3000secrets\u3002\u3000Don’t\u3000ask\uff1b\u3000he\u3000told\u3000himself\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000not\u3000the\u3000moment\u3002\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000the\u3000papyrus\u3000in\u3000Marie’s\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000back\u3000at\u3000Rosslyn\u3002
\n\u3003Ask\u3000the\u3000question\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3003\u3000Marie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000amused\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000have\u3000earned\u3000the\u3000right\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000himself\u3000flush\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000want\u3000to\u3000know\u3000if\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000here\u3000at\u3000Rosslyn\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Can\u3000you\u3000tell\u3000me\uff1f\u3003
\nShe\u3000sighed\u3000in\u3000mock\u3000exasperation\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000is\u3000it\u3000that\u3000men\u3000simply\u3000cannot\u3000let\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000rest\uff1f\u3003\u3000She\u3000laughed\uff1b\u3000obviously\u3000enjoying\u3000herself\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000it’s\u3000here\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000motioned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000papyrus\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000husband’s\u3000poem\u3000speaks\u3000specifically\u3000of\u3000Rosslyn\uff1b\u3000except\u3000it\u3000also\u3000mentions\u3000a\u3000blade\u3000and\u3000chalice\u3000watching\u3000over\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000see\u3000any\u3000symbols\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000and\u3000chalice\u3000up\u3000there\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000blade\u3000and\u3000chalice\uff1f\u3003\u3000Marie\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000exactly\u3000do\u3000they\u3000look\u3000like\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000sensed\u3000she\u3000was\u3000toying\u3000with\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000played\u3000along\uff1b\u3000quickly\u3000describing\u3000the\u3000symbols\u3002
\nA\u3000look\u3000of\u3000vague\u3000recollection\u3000crossed\u3000her\u3000face\u3002\u3000\u3003Ah\uff1b\u3000yes\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3000The\u3000blade\u3000represents\u3000all\u3000that\u3000is\u3000masculine\u3002\u3000I\u3000believe\u3000it\u3000is\u3000drawn\u3000like\u3000this\uff1b\u3000no\uff1f\u3003\u3000Using\u3000her\u3000index\u3000finger\uff1b\u3000she\u3000traced\u3000a\u3000shape\u3000on\u3000her\u3000palm\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002\u3000Marie\u3000had\u3000drawn\u3000the\u3000less\u3000mon\u3000\u3003closed\u3003\u3000form\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blade\uff1b\u3000although\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000the\u3000symbol\u3000portrayed\u3000both\u3000ways\u3002
\n\u3003And\u3000the\u3000inverse\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000drawing\u3000again\u3000on\u3000her\u3000palm\uff1b\u3000\u3003is\u3000the\u3000chalice\uff1b\u3000which\u3000represents\u3000the\u3000feminine\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3003Correct\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003And\u3000you\u3000are\u3000saying\u3000that\u3000in\u3000all\u3000the\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000symbols\u3000we\u3000have\u3000here\u3000in\u3000Rosslyn\u3000Chapel\uff1b\u3000these\u3000two\u3000shapes\u3000appear\u3000nowhere\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000didn’t\u3000see\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000if\u3000I\u3000show\u3000them\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000will\u3000you\u3000get\u3000some\u3000sleep\uff1f\u3003
\nBefore\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000answer\uff1b\u3000Marie\u3000Chauvel\u3000had\u3000stepped\u3000off\u3000the\u3000porch\u3000and\u3000was\u3000heading\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000chapel\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000hurried\u3000after\u3000her\u3002\u3000Entering\u3000the\u3000ancient\u3000building\uff1b\u3000Marie\u3000turned\u3000on\u3000the\u3000lights\u3000and\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sanctuary\u3000floor\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000you\u3000are\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3000The\u3000blade\u3000and\u3000chalice\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000scuffed\u3000stone\u3000floor\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000blank\u3002\u3000\u3003There’s\u3000nothing\u3000here\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\nMarie\u3000sighed\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000walk\u3000along\u3000the\u3000famous\u3000path\u3000worn\u3000into\u3000the\u3000chapel\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000the\u3000same\u3000path\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000the\u3000visitors\u3000walking\u3000earlier\u3000this\u3000evening\u3002\u3000As\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000adjusted\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000giant\u3000symbol\uff1b\u3000he\u3000still\u3000felt\u3000lost\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000that’s\u3000the\u3000Star\u3000of\u3000Dav\u2014\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000stopped\u3000short\uff1b\u3000mute\u3000with\u3000amazement\u3000as\u3000it\u3000dawned\u3000on\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000
\nThe\u3000blade\u3000and\u3000chalice\u3002
\nFused\u3000as\u3000one\u3002
\nThe\u3000Star\u3000of\u3000David\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000perfect\u3000union\u3000of\u3000male\u3000and\u3000female\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000Solomon’s\u3000Seal\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000marking\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000of\u3000Holies\uff1b\u3000where\u3000the\u3000male\u3000and\u3000female\u3000deities\u2014Yahweh\u3000and\u3000Shekinah\u2014were\u3000thought\u3000to\u3000dwell\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000needed\u3000a\u3000minute\u3000to\u3000find\u3000his\u3000words\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000verse\u3000does\u3000point\u3000here\u3000to\u3000Rosslyn\u3002\u3000pletely\u3002\u3000Perfectly\u3002\u3003
\nMarie\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003Apparently\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000implications\u3000chilled\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003So\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000in\u3000the\u3000vault\u3000beneath\u3000us\uff1f\u3003
\nShe\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000\u3003Only\u3000in\u3000spirit\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Priory’s\u3000most\u3000ancient\u3000charges\u3000was\u3000one\u3000day\u3000to\u3000return\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000to\u3000her\u3000homeland\u3000of\u3000France\u3000where\u3000she\u3000could\u3000rest\u3000for\u3000eternity\u3002\u3000For\u3000centuries\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000dragged\u3000across\u3000the\u3000countryside\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000safe\u3002\u3000Most\u3000undignified\u3002\u3000Jacques’s\u3000charge\u3000when\u3000he\u3000became\u3000Grand\u3000Master\u3000was\u3000to\u3000restore\u3000her\u3000honor\u3000by\u3000returning\u3000her\u3000to\u3000France\u3000and\u3000building\u3000her\u3000a\u3000resting\u3000place\u3000fit\u3000for\u3000a\u3000queen\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000he\u3000succeeded\uff1f\u3003
\nNow\u3000her\u3000face\u3000grew\u3000serious\u3002\u3000\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000considering\u3000what\u3000you’ve\u3000done\u3000for\u3000me\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000and\u3000as\u3000curator\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Rosslyn\u3000Trust\uff1b\u3000I\u3000can\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000for\u3000certain\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000press\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000the\u3000keystone\u3000is\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000point\u3000to\u3000the\u3000place\u3000where\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000hidden\u3000now\u3002\u3000Why\u3000does\u3000it\u3000point\u3000to\u3000Rosslyn\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Maybe\u3000you’re\u3000misreading\u3000its\u3000meaning\u3002\u3000Remember\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3000can\u3000be\u3000deceptive\u3002\u3000As\u3000could\u3000my\u3000late\u3000husband\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000how\u3000much\u3000clearer\u3000could\u3000he\u3000be\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000are\u3000standing\u3000over\u3000an\u3000underground\u3000vault\u3000marked\u3000by\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000and\u3000chalice\uff1b\u3000underneath\u3000a\u3000ceiling\u3000of\u3000stars\uff1b\u3000surrounded\u3000by\u3000the\u3000art\u3000of\u3000Master\u3000Masons\u3002\u3000Everything\u3000speaks\u3000of\u3000Rosslyn\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Very\u3000well\uff1b\u3000let\u3000me\u3000see\u3000this\u3000mysterious\u3000verse\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000unrolled\u3000the\u3000papyrus\u3000and\u3000read\u3000the\u3000poem\u3000aloud\u3000in\u3000a\u3000deliberate\u3000tone\u3002
\nThe\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000’neath\u3000ancient\u3000Roslin\u3000waits\u3002
\nThe\u3000blade\u3000and\u3000chalice\u3000guarding\u3000o’er\u3000Her\u3000gates\u3002
\nAdorned\u3000in\u3000masters’\u3000loving\u3000art\uff1b\u3000She\u3000lies\u3002
\nShe\u3000rests\u3000at\u3000last\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000starry\u3000skies\u3002
\n\u3000
\nWhen\u3000she\u3000finished\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000still\u3000for\u3000several\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000until\u3000a\u3000knowing\u3000smile\u3000crossed\u3000her\u3000lips\u3002\u3000\u3003Aah\uff1b\u3000Jacques\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000watched\u3000her\u3000expectantly\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000understand\u3000this\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003As\u3000you\u3000have\u3000witnessed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000chapel\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000there\u3000are\u3000many\u3000ways\u3000to\u3000see\u3000simple\u3000things\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000strained\u3000to\u3000understand\u3002\u3000Everything\u3000about\u3000Jacques\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000double\u3000meanings\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000see\u3000no\u3000further\u3002
\nMarie\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000tired\u3000yawn\u3002\u3000\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000make\u3000a\u3000confession\u3000to\u3000you\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000never\u3000officially\u3000been\u3000privy\u3000to\u3000the\u3000present\u3000location\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grail\u3002\u3000But\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000I\u3000was\u3000married\u3000to\u3000a\u3000person\u3000of\u3000enormous\u3000influence\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\u3000my\u3000women’s\u3000intuition\u3000is\u3000strong\u3002\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000started\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000but\u3000Marie\u3000continued\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000sorry\u3000that\u3000after\u3000all\u3000your\u3000hard\u3000work\uff1b\u3000you\u3000will\u3000be\u3000leaving\u3000Rosslyn\u3000without\u3000any\u3000real\u3000answers\u3002\u3000And\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000something\u3000tells\u3000me\u3000you\u3000will\u3000eventually\u3000find\u3000what\u3000you\u3000seek\u3002\u3000One\u3000day\u3000it\u3000will\u3000dawn\u3000on\u3000you\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000when\u3000it\u3000does\uff1b\u3000I\u3000trust\u3000that\u3000you\uff1b\u3000of\u3000all\u3000people\uff1b\u3000can\u3000keep\u3000a\u3000secret\u3002\u3003
\nThere\u3000was\u3000a\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000someone\u3000arriving\u3000in\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3002\u3000\u3003Both\u3000of\u3000you\u3000disappeared\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000entering\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000was\u3000just\u3000leaving\uff1b\u3003\u3000her\u3000grandmother\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000walking\u3000over\u3000to\u3000Sophie\u3000at\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000\u3003Good\u3000night\uff1b\u3000princess\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000kissed\u3000Sophie’s\u3000forehead\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000keep\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000out\u3000too\u3000late\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000and\u3000Sophie\u3000watched\u3000her\u3000grandmother\u3000walk\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000fieldstone\u3000house\u3002\u3000When\u3000Sophie\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000awash\u3000in\u3000deep\u3000emotion\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000exactly\u3000the\u3000ending\u3000I\u3000expected\u3002\u3003
\nThat\u3000makes\u3000two\u3000of\u3000us\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000see\u3000she\u3000was\u3000overwhelmed\u3002\u3000The\u3000news\u3000she\u3000had\u3000received\u3000tonight\u3000had\u3000changed\u3000everything\u3000in\u3000her\u3000life\u3002\u3000\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000okay\uff1f\u3000It’s\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000to\u3000take\u3000in\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000smiled\u3000quietly\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000family\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000where\u3000I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000start\u3002\u3000Who\u3000we\u3000are\u3000and\u3000where\u3000we\u3000came\u3000from\u3000will\u3000take\u3000some\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000remained\u3000silent\u3002
\n\u3003Beyond\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000will\u3000you\u3000stay\u3000with\u3000us\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sophie\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003At\u3000least\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000days\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000sighed\uff1b\u3000wanting\u3000nothing\u3000more\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000need\u3000some\u3000time\u3000here\u3000with\u3000your\u3000family\uff1b\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000going\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Paris\u3000in\u3000the\u3000morning\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000looked\u3000disappointed\u3000but\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000know\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000right\u3000thing\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000Neither\u3000of\u3000them\u3000spoke\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\u3002\u3000Finally\u3000Sophie\u3000reached\u3000over\u3000and\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000his\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000led\u3000him\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chapel\u3002\u3000They\u3000walked\u3000to\u3000a\u3000small\u3000rise\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bluff\u3002\u3000From\u3000here\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Scottish\u3000countryside\u3000spread\u3000out\u3000before\u3000them\uff1b\u3000suffused\u3000in\u3000a\u3000pale\u3000moonlight\u3000that\u3000sifted\u3000through\u3000the\u3000departing\u3000clouds\u3002\u3000They\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000silence\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000both\u3000of\u3000them\u3000fighting\u3000the\u3000descending\u3000shroud\u3000of\u3000exhaustion\u3002
\nThe\u3000stars\u3000were\u3000just\u3000now\u3000appearing\uff1b\u3000but\u3000to\u3000the\u3000east\uff1b\u3000a\u3000single\u3000point\u3000of\u3000light\u3000glowed\u3000brighter\u3000than\u3000any\u3000other\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000smiled\u3000when\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000it\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000Venus\u3002\u3000The\u3000ancient\u3000Goddess\u3000shining\u3000down\u3000with\u3000her\u3000steady\u3000and\u3000patient\u3000light\u3002
\nThe\u3000night\u3000was\u3000growing\u3000cooler\uff1b\u3000a\u3000crisp\u3000breeze\u3000rolling\u3000up\u3000from\u3000the\u3000lowlands\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000while\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000looked\u3000over\u3000at\u3000Sophie\u3002\u3000Her\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000closed\uff1b\u3000her\u3000lips\u3000relaxed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000contented\u3000smile\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000his\u3000own\u3000eyes\u3000growing\u3000heav \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n yes\u3000were\u3000closed\uff1b\u3000her\u3000lips\u3000relaxed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000contented\u3000smile\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000his\u3000own\u3000eyes\u3000growing\u3000heavy\u3002\u3000Reluctantly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000squeezed\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003Sophie\uff1f\u3003
\nSlowly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000opened\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000Her\u3000face\u3000was\u3000beautiful\u3000in\u3000the\u3000moonlight\u3002\u3000She\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000sleepy\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003Hi\u3002\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000an\u3000unexpected\u3000sadness\u3000to\u3000realize\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000returning\u3000to\u3000Paris\u3000without\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000may\u3000be\u3000gone\u3000before\u3000you\u3000wake\u3000up\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000a\u3000knot\u3000growing\u3000in\u3000his\u3000throat\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000very\u3000good\u3000at\u2014\u3003
\nSophie\u3000reached\u3000out\u3000and\u3000placed\u3000her\u3000soft\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000leaning\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000she\u3000kissed\u3000him\u3000tenderly\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cheek\u3002\u3000\u3003When\u3000can\u3000I\u3000see\u3000you\u3000again\uff1f\u3003
\nLangdon\u3000reeled\u3000momentarily\uff1b\u3000lost\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u3003When\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000curious\u3000if\u3000she\u3000had\u3000any\u3000idea\u3000how\u3000much\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000wondering\u3000the\u3000same\u3000thing\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000actually\uff1b\u3000next\u3000month\u3000I’m\u3000lecturing\u3000at\u3000a\u3000conference\u3000in\u3000Florence\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000be\u3000there\u3000a\u3000week\u3000without\u3000much\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Is\u3000that\u3000an\u3000invitation\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003We’d\u3000be\u3000living\u3000in\u3000luxury\u3002\u3000They’re\u3000giving\u3000me\u3000a\u3000room\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Brunelleschi\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000smiled\u3000playfully\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000presume\u3000a\u3000lot\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Langdon\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000cringed\u3000at\u3000how\u3000it\u3000had\u3000sounded\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000I\u3000meant\u2014\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000would\u3000love\u3000nothing\u3000more\u3000than\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000you\u3000in\u3000Florence\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3002\u3000But\u3000on\u3000one\u3000condition\u3002\u3003\u3000Her\u3000tone\u3000turned\u3000serious\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3000museums\uff1b\u3000no\u3000churches\uff1b\u3000no\u3000tombs\uff1b\u3000no\u3000art\uff1b\u3000no\u3000relics\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003In\u3000Florence\uff1f\u3000For\u3000a\u3000week\uff1f\u3000There’s\u3000nothing\u3000else\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\nSophie\u3000leaned\u3000forward\u3000and\u3000kissed\u3000him\u3000again\uff1b\u3000now\u3000on\u3000the\u3000lips\u3002\u3000Their\u3000bodies\u3000came\u3000together\uff1b\u3000softly\u3000at\u3000first\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000pletely\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000pulled\u3000away\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000full\u3000of\u3000promise\u3002
\n\u3003Right\uff1b\u3003\u3000Langdon\u3000managed\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000date\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\nEpilogue
\n
\nRobert\u3000Langdon\u3000awoke\u3000with\u3000a\u3000start\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000been\u3000dreaming\u3002\u3000The\u3000bathrobe\u3000beside\u3000his\u3000bed\u3000bore\u3000the\u3000monogram\u3000HOTEL\u3000RITZ\u3000PARIS\u3002\u3000He\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000dim\u3000light\u3000filtering\u3000through\u3000the\u3000blinds\u3002\u3000Is\u3000it\u3000dusk\u3000or\u3000dawn\uff1f\u3000he\u3000wondered\u3002
\nLangdon’s\u3000body\u3000felt\u3000warm\u3000and\u3000deeply\u3000contented\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000slept\u3000the\u3000better\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000last\u3000two\u3000days\u3002\u3000Sitting\u3000up\u3000slowly\u3000in\u3000bed\uff1b\u3000he\u3000now\u3000realized\u3000what\u3000had\u3000awoken\u3000him\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000strangest\u3000thought\u3002\u3000For\u3000days\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000sort\u3000through\u3000a\u3000barrage\u3000of\u3000information\uff1b\u3000but\u3000now\u3000Langdon\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000fixed\u3000on\u3000something\u3000he’d\u3000not\u3000considered\u3000before\u3002
\nCould\u3000it\u3000be\uff1f
\nHe\u3000remained\u3000motionless\u3000a\u3000long\u3000moment\u3002
\nGetting\u3000out\u3000of\u3000bed\uff1b\u3000he\u3000walked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000marble\u3000shower\u3002\u3000Stepping\u3000inside\uff1b\u3000he\u3000let\u3000the\u3000powerful\u3000jets\u3000message\u3000his\u3000shoulders\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000enthralled\u3000him\u3002
\nImpossible\u3002
\nTwenty\u3000minutes\u3000later\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000stepped\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Hotel\u3000Ritz\u3000into\u3000Place\u3000Vend\uff1fme\u3002\u3000Night\u3000was\u3000falling\u3002\u3000The\u3000days\u3000of\u3000sleep\u3000had\u3000left\u3000him\u3000disoriented\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000felt\u3000oddly\u3000lucid\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000promised\u3000himself\u3000he\u3000would\u3000stop\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hotel\u3000lobby\u3000for\u3000a\u3000cafe\u3000au\u3000lait\u3000to\u3000clear\u3000his\u3000thoughts\uff1b\u3000but\u3000instead\u3000his\u3000legs\u3000carried\u3000him\u3000directly\u3000out\u3000the\u3000front\u3000door\u3000into\u3000the\u3000gathering\u3000Paris\u3000night\u3002
\nWalking\u3000east\u3000on\u3000Rue\u3000des\u3000Petits\u3000Champs\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000growing\u3000excitement\u3002\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000south\u3000onto\u3000Rue\u3000Richelieu\uff1b\u3000where\u3000the\u3000air\u3000grew\u3000sweet\u3000with\u3000the\u3000scent\u3000of\u3000blossoming\u3000jasmine\u3000from\u3000the\u3000stately\u3000gardens\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Palais\u3000Royal\u3002
\nHe\u3000continued\u3000south\u3000until\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000for\u2014the\u3000famous\u3000royal\u3000arcade\u2014a\u3000glistening\u3000expanse\u3000of\u3000polished\u3000black\u3000marble\u3002\u3000Moving\u3000onto\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000scanned\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000beneath\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000Within\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000he\u3000found\u3000what\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000was\u3000there\u2014several\u3000bronze\u3000medallions\u3000embedded\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000in\u3000a\u3000perfectly\u3000straight\u3000line\u3002\u3000Each\u3000disk\u3000was\u3000five\u3000inches\u3000in\u3000diameter\u3000and\u3000embossed\u3000with\u3000the\u3000letters\u3000N\u3000and\u3000S\u3002
\nNord\u3002\u3000Sud\u3002
\nHe\u3000turned\u3000due\u3000south\uff1b\u3000letting\u3000his\u3000eye\u3000trace\u3000the\u3000extended\u3000line\u3000formed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000medallions\u3002\u3000He\u3000began\u3000moving\u3000again\uff1b\u3000following\u3000the\u3000trail\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000pavement\u3000as\u3000he\u3000walked\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000cut\u3000across\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000the\u3000\u00e9die\u2026Fran\uff1faise\uff1b\u3000another\u3000bronze\u3000medallion\u3000passed\u3000beneath\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000Yes\uff01
\nThe\u3000streets\u3000of\u3000Paris\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000learned\u3000years\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000were\u3000adorned\u3000with\u3000135\u3000of\u3000these\u3000bronze\u3000markers\uff1b\u3000embedded\u3000in\u3000sidewalks\uff1b\u3000courtyards\uff1b\u3000and\u3000streets\uff1b\u3000on\u3000a\u3000north\u2026south\u3000axis\u3000across\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000once\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000line\u3000from\u3000Sacr\u00e9\u2026Coeur\uff1b\u3000north\u3000across\u3000the\u3000Seine\uff1b\u3000and\u3000finally\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ancient\u3000Paris\u3000Observatory\u3002\u3000There\u3000he\u3000discovered\u3000the\u3000significance\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000path\u3000it\u3000traced\u3002
\nThe\u3000earth’s\u3000original\u3000prime\u3000meridian\u3002
\nThe\u3000first\u3000zero\u3000longitude\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world\u3002
\nParis’s\u3000ancient\u3000Rose\u3000Line\u3002
\nNow\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Langdon\u3000hurried\u3000across\u3000Rue\u3000de\u3000Rivoli\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000his\u3000destination\u3000within\u3000reach\u3002\u3000Less\u3000than\u3000a\u3000block\u3000away\u3002
\nThe\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000’neath\u3000ancient\u3000Roslin\u3000waits\u3002
\n\u3000
\nThe\u3000revelations\u3000were\u3000ing\u3000now\u3000in\u3000waves\u3002\u3000Sauni\u00e8re’s\u3000ancient\u3000spelling\u3000of\u3000Roslin\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000and\u3000chalice\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000tomb\u3000adorned\u3000with\u3000masters’\u3000art\u3002
\nIs\u3000that\u3000why\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000with\u3000me\uff1f\u3000Had\u3000I\u3000unknowingly\u3000guessed\u3000the\u3000truth\uff1f
\nHe\u3000broke\u3000into\u3000a\u3000jog\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000the\u3000Rose\u3000Line\u3000beneath\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000guiding\u3000him\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000him\u3000toward\u3000his\u3000destination\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000long\u3000tunnel\u3000of\u3000Passage\u3000Richelieu\uff1b\u3000the\u3000hairs\u3000on\u3000his\u3000neck\u3000began\u3000to\u3000bristle\u3000with\u3000anticipation\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000this\u3000tunnel\u3000stood\u3000the\u3000most\u3000mysterious\u3000of\u3000Parisian\u3000monuments\u2014conceived\u3000and\u3000missioned\u3000in\u3000the\u30001980s\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Sphinx\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000Fran\uff1fois\u3000Mitterrand\uff1b\u3000a\u3000man\u3000rumored\u3000to\u3000move\u3000in\u3000secret\u3000circles\uff1b\u3000a\u3000man\u3000whose\u3000final\u3000legacy\u3000to\u3000Paris\u3000was\u3000a\u3000place\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000visited\u3000only\u3000days\u3000before\u3002
\nAnother\u3000lifetime\u3002
\nWith\u3000a\u3000final\u3000surge\u3000of\u3000energy\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000burst\u3000from\u3000the\u3000passageway\u3000into\u3000the\u3000familiar\u3000courtyard\u3000and\u3000came\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\u3002\u3000Breathless\uff1b\u3000he\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000disbelieving\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000glistening\u3000structure\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000him\u3002
\nThe\u3000Louvre\u3000Pyramid\u3002
\nGleaming\u3000in\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3002
\nHe\u3000admired\u3000it\u3000only\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000more\u3000interested\u3000in\u3000what\u3000lay\u3000to\u3000his\u3000right\u3002\u3000Turning\uff1b\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000again\u3000tracing\u3000the\u3000invisible\u3000path\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ancient\u3000Rose\u3000Line\uff1b\u3000carrying\u3000him\u3000across\u3000the\u3000courtyard\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Carrousel\u3000du\u3000Louvre\u2014the\u3000enormous\u3000circle\u3000of\u3000grass\u3000surrounded\u3000by\u3000a\u3000perimeter\u3000of\u3000neatly\u3000trimmed\u3000hedges\u2014once\u3000the\u3000site\u3000of\u3000Paris’s\u3000primeval\u3000nature\u2026worshipping\u3000festivals\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000joyous\u3000rites\u3000to\u3000celebrate\u3000fertility\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Goddess\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000were\u3000crossing\u3000into\u3000another\u3000world\u3000as\u3000he\u3000stepped\u3000over\u3000the\u3000bushes\u3000to\u3000the\u3000grassy\u3000area\u3000within\u3002\u3000This\u3000hallowed\u3000ground\u3000was\u3000now\u3000marked\u3000by\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city’s\u3000most\u3000unusual\u3000monuments\u3002\u3000There\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\uff1b\u3000plunging\u3000into\u3000the\u3000earth\u3000like\u3000a\u3000crystal\u3000chasm\uff1b\u3000gaped\u3000the\u3000giant\u3000inverted\u3000pyramid\u3000of\u3000glass\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000a\u3000few\u3000nights\u3000ago\u3000when\u3000he\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000Louvre’s\u3000subterranean\u3000entresol\u3002
\nLa\u3000Pyramide\u3000Invers\u00e9e\u3002
\nTremulous\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000walked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000and\u3000peered\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Louvre’s\u3000sprawling\u3000underground\u3000plex\uff1b\u3000aglow\u3000with\u3000amber\u3000light\u3002\u3000His\u3000eye\u3000was\u3000trained\u3000not\u3000just\u3000on\u3000the\u3000massive\u3000inverted\u3000pyramid\uff1b\u3000but\u3000on\u3000what\u3000lay\u3000directly\u3000beneath\u3000it\u3002\u3000There\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chamber\u3000below\uff1b\u3000stood\u3000the\u3000tiniest\u3000of\u3000structures\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000structure\u3000Langdon\u3000had\u3000mentioned\u3000in\u3000his\u3000manuscript\u3002
\nLangdon\u3000felt\u3000himself\u3000awaken\u3000fully\u3000now\u3000to\u3000the\u3000thrill\u3000of\u3000unthinkable\u3000possibility\u3002\u3000Raising\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000again\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Louvre\uff1b\u3000he\u3000sensed\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000wings\u3000of\u3000the\u3000museum\u3000enveloping\u3000him\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000hallways\u3000that\u3000burgeoned\u3000with\u3000the\u3000world’s\u3000finest\u3000art\u3002
\nDa\u3000Vinci\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000Botticelli\u3002\u3002\u3002
\nAdorned\u3000in\u3000masters’\u3000loving\u3000art\uff1b\u3000She\u3000lies\u3002
\n\u3000
\nAlive\u3000with\u3000wonder\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stared\u3000once\u3000again\u3000downward\u3000through\u3000the\u3000glass\u3000at\u3000the\u3000tiny\u3000structure\u3000below\u3002
\nI\u3000must\u3000go\u3000down\u3000there\uff01
\nStepping\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000circle\uff1b\u3000he\u3000hurried\u3000across\u3000the\u3000courtyard\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000towering\u3000pyramid\u3000entrance\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Louvre\u3002\u3000The\u3000day’s\u3000last\u3000visitors\u3000were\u3000trickling\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000museum\u3002
\nPushing\u3000through\u3000the\u3000revolving\u3000door\uff1b\u3000Langdon\u3000descended\u3000the\u3000curved\u3000staircase\u3000into\u3000the\u3000pyramid\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000air\u3000grow\u3000cooler\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000bottom\uff1b\u3000he\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000long\u3000tunnel\u3000that\u3000stretched\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000Louvre’s\u3000courtyard\uff1b\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000La\u3000Pyramide\u3000Invers\u00e9e\u3002
\nAt\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000he\u3000emerged\u3000into\u3000a\u3000large\u3000chamber\u3002\u3000Directly\u3000before\u3000him\uff1b\u3000hanging\u3000down\u3000from\u3000above\uff1b\u3000gleamed\u3000the\u3000inverted\u3000pyramid\u2014a\u3000breathtaking\u3000V\u2026shaped\u3000contour\u3000of\u3000glass\u3002
\nThe\u3000Chalice\u3002
\nLangdon’s\u3000eyes\u3000traced\u3000its\u3000narrowing\u3000form\u3000downward\u3000to\u3000its\u3000tip\uff1b\u3000suspended\u3000only\u3000six\u3000feet\u3000above\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000There\uff1b\u3000directly\u3000beneath\u3000it\uff1b\u3000stood\u3000the\u3000tiny\u3000structure\u3002
\nA\u3000miniature\u3000pyramid\u3002\u3000Only\u3000three\u3000feet\u3000tall\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000structure\u3000in\u3000this\u3000colossal\u3000plex\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000built\u3000on\u3000a\u3000small\u3000scale\u3002
\nLangdon’s\u3000manuscript\uff1b\u3000while\u3000discussing\u3000the\u3000Louvre’s\u3000elaborate\u3000collection\u3000of\u3000goddess\u3000art\uff1b\u3000had\u3000made\u3000passing\u3000note\u3000of\u3000this\u3000modest\u3000pyramid\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000miniature\u3000structure\u3000itself\u3000protrudes\u3000up\u3000through\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000as\u3000though\u3000it\u3000were\u3000the\u3000tip\u3000of\u3000an\u3000iceberg\u2014the\u3000apex\uff1b\u3000of\u3000an\u3000enormous\uff1b\u3000pyramidical\u3000vault\uff1b\u3000submerged\u3000below\u3000like\u3000a\u3000hidden\u3000chamber\u3002\u3003
\nIlluminated\u3000in\u3000the\u3000soft\u3000lights\u3000of\u3000the\u3000deserted\u3000entresol\uff1b\u3000the\u3000two\u3000pyramids\u3000pointed\u3000at\u3000one\u3000another\uff1b\u3000their\u3000bodies\u3000perfectly\u3000aligned\uff1b\u3000their\u3000tips\u3000almost\u3000touching\u3002
\nThe\u3000Chalice\u3000above\u3002\u3000The\u3000Blade\u3000below\u3002
\nThe\u3000blade\u3000and\u3000chalice\u3000guarding\u3000o’er\u3000Her\u3000gates\u3002
\n\u3000
\nLangdon\u3000heard\u3000Marie\u3000Chauvel’s\u3000words\u3002\u3000One\u3000day\u3000it\u3000will\u3000dawn\u3000on\u3000you\u3002
\nHe\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000ancient\u3000Rose\u3000Line\uff1b\u3000surrounded\u3000by\u3000the\u3000work\u3000of\u3000masters\u3002\u3000What\u3000better\u3000place\u3000for\u3000Sauni\u00e8re\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000watch\uff1f\u3000Now\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000he\u3000sensed\u3000he\u3000understood\u3000the\u3000true\u3000meaning\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Master’s\u3000verse\u3002\u3000Raising\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000to\u3000heaven\uff1b\u3000he\u3000gazed\u3000upward\u3000through\u3000the\u3000glass\u3000to\u3000a\u3000glorious\uff1b\u3000star\u2026filled\u3000night\u3002
\nShe\u3000rests\u3000at\u3000last\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000starry\u3000skies\u3002
\n\u3000
\nLike\u3000the\u3000murmurs\u3000of\u3000spirits\u3000in\u3000the\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000forgotten\u3000words\u3000echoed\u3002\u3000The\u3000quest\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Holy\u3000Grail\u3000is\u3000the\u3000quest\u3000to\u3000kneel\u3000before\u3000the\u3000bones\u3000of\u3000Mary\u3000Magdalene\u3002\u3000A\u3000journey\u3000to\u3000pray\u3000at\u3000the\u3000feet\u3000of\u3000the\u3000outcast\u3000one\u3002
\nWith\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000upwelling\u3000of\u3000reverence\uff1b\u3000Robert\u3000Langdon\u3000fell\u3000to\u3000his\u3000knees\u3002
\nFor\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000woman’s\u3000voice\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000wisdom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ages\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000whispering\u3000up\u3000from\u3000the\u3000chasms\u3000of\u3000the\u3000earth\u3002
\n\u3000
\nTHE\u3000END
\n
\nTHE\u3000DA\u3000VINCI\u3000CODE\u3000by\u3000DAN\u3000BROWN
\nCOPYRIGHT\uff1a2003\u3000BY\u3000DAN\u3000BROWN
\nThis\u3000edition\u3000arranged\u3000with\u3000SANFORD\u3000J\u3002\u3000GREENBURGER \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000
\nTHE\u3000END
\n
\nTHE\u3000DA\u3000VINCI\u3000CODE\u3000by\u3000DAN\u3000BROWN
\nCOPYRIGHT\uff1a2003\u3000BY\u3000DAN\u3000BROWN
\nThis\u3000edition\u3000arranged\u3000with\u3000SANFORD\u3000J\u3002\u3000GREENBURGERASSOCIATES\uff08SJGA\uff09\uff0e
\nThrough\u3000BIG\u3000APPLE\u3000TUTTLE\u2026MORI\u3000AGENCY\uff1bLABUAN\uff1bMALAYSIA\uff0e
\nSimplined\u3000Chinese\u3000edition\u3000copyright\uff1a
\n2004\u3000Century\u3000Publishing\u3000Group\u3000Of\u3000Shanghai
\nALL\u3000RIGHTS\u3000RESERVED
\n
\n
\n
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

BY\uff1aDan\u3000Brown _______<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[11],"class_list":["post-17188","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-11","comments-off"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17188","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=17188"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17188\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=17188"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=17188"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=17188"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}