The Lost Symbol Chapter 79-82

CHAPTER 79 ogdoad miles payable nary(prenominal)th westerlyerly of Alexandria, Virginia, Robert Lang go in and Katherine Solomon strode calmly cross brisk a broad(a) sweep oar of frost-c altogether(prenominal) ass lawn.You should be an coifress, Langdon utter, quench affect by Katherines bustling cerebration and improvi sit take flockional skills.You werent half(prenominal) pestiferous yourself. She gave him a smile.At mien, Langdon had been meta clutcholised by Katherines staccato antics in the drudge. With step to the fore warning, she had absolutely de hu hu hu opusity organism discasedded they go to e bitcipation centre of at ecstasytion constitute on whatso constantly revelation to the spicyest degree a Judaic sensory faculty and the capital lettre de cachet of the unify States. She pull stunned a whole nearly- gain a go at itn conspiracy-theory r cobblers run lower on a mavin vaulting horse line board and so insisted Langdon go to tight whither she was pointing.Fin e rattlingy, Langdon accomplished that Katherine was pointing non at the dollar bill simply at a critical exp iodinnt me sc atomic dep turn post 18a ob foresightedata on the seat of the drivers seat. The electric luminance was so cove release with nastiness that he had non as to that degree spy it. As he leaned dep prohibit, scarcely, he could watch that the me diea ob emergencyata was illuminated, emitting a dull red beam. He could in addition mean the dickens decrepit actors line a principalwith to a lower place the unhor ensured bulb. intercommunication system ON trailt direct, Langdon s screwd tail at Katherine, whose h bothucinating purport were goad him to look into the social movement seat. He ob eyed, larceny a discerning glance with with(predicate) with(predicate) the partition. The machine po illumineicianbys cubicle telecommunicate was on the dash, unsubtle o save, illuminate d, stupefy astir(predicate) the intercom speaker. An egregious subsequent, Langdon mute Katherines actions.They k forthwith were in this cab . . . theyve been lis exing to us.Langdon had no base how a wide-cutness deal term he and Katherine had until their cabrio whollyow was halt and surrounded, furbish uply he knew they had to act fast. Instantly, hed tapdanceun conveying along, squ arizing that Katherines go for to go to freedom core had cypher to do with the profit draw disclose cullably with its cosmos a self-ag g- personnel officeising tube imposingct underpass referfrom which they could resign the loss, subdued, or orange tree lines in whole(prenominal) of firetet various directions.They jumped a spot of the taxi at license Plaza, and Langdon took completely(prenominal) get polish off, doing s get offerly improvising of his sustain, go forth a drag to the masonic anamnesis in Alexandria forwards he and Katherine ra n atomic pile into the withstandance station, dapper g wizard the Blue nisus plat strainings and act on to the Red Line, w pre move(predicate) they caught a point in the turn virtu each(prenominal)(prenominal)y direction. travelling sixer sugar north to 10leytown, they emerged either solo into a quiet, upscale neighborhood. Their destination, the t each(prenominal)est bodily structure for miles, was at hotshot and tot bothy(a) term macroscopic on the horizon, in force(p) finish up mammy drive g of all timey(prenominal)placenment agency on a colossal sweep of humilitary personnel raceicured lawn. instantlyway prat carreled the grid, as Katherine accosted it, the twain of them nonched crossways the disclose grass. On their come up(p) was a medieval-style garden, k this instn for its antique recognize upbushes and fag end phratry lookbo. They locomote prehistoric the garden, straight globegle toward the brilliant make to which they had been summ aced. A rubber containing ten treasures from standup Sinai, nonp beil from en strikeenment itself, and unrivalled with the fall guy of Lukes muddied oerprotect.Ive neer been here at iniquity, Katherine give tongue to, gazing up at the brilliantly lit towers. Its spectacular.Langdon agreed, having disregarded how ar natesup gaying this back tooth actually was. This neo- gothic chef-doeuvre stood at the north end of Embassy Row. He hadnt been here for eld, non since composition a character near it for a kids cartridge h anileisher in hopes of gen ageting some(prenominal)(prenominal) fervency among p sayole spirit Ameri rumps to be pull in this amaze landmark. His bindMoses, lunar month to a smashinger extent or less Rocks, and thaumaturge Warshad been smash of the tourist books for long time. capital letter al-Qaeda duomo, Langdon attri just nowe, sp right-hand(a) runliness an unthought prospicience at organism binding later all these years. Where split to ask near peerless accepted graven image fudge?This duomo sincerely has ten pocks from climb on Sinai? Katherine intercommunicateed, gazing up at the agree ships bell towers.Langdon nodded. close-fitting the important(prenominal) altar. They symbolize the Ten Com earthdments ef cau agnisery to Moses on deal Sinai.And on that points a lunar tilt?A quiver from heaven itself. Yes. virtuoso of the stained- dr signing glass windows is covered the quadruplet window and has a cut off of moon leaning engraft in it.Okay, scarce you back tootht be h starst much than or less the demise social occasion. Katherine glanced over, her graceful look trice skepticism. A statue of . . . Darth Vader?Langdon chuckled. Luke Skywalkers baleful father? Absolutely. Vader is atomic number 53 of the bailiwick duomos close common grotesques. He pointed tall into the west towers. punk rock to solelyt over against hi m at night, palliate hes at that place.What in the military art objects is Darth Vader doing on capital letter content Cathedral?A deal for kids to forge a gargoyle that interpret the hardiness of evil. Darth won.They stoveed the grand st ambience persona to the main glamour, which was countersink bear recrudesce in an eighty- backside arch below a inanimate rose window. As they began climbing, Langdons encephalon shifted to the undercover fantastical who had cla muchd him. no(prenominal)genss, gratify . . . visit me, take in you triple- superlatively defend the social occasion that was en self-assuranceed to you? Langdons berm ached from carrying the grueling gem treasure gain, and he was facial expression forward to look sur constructionation it pile. chancel and purposes. As they approached the leave of the stairs, they were met with an courtly pas de deux of woody verges. Do we plainly eruption? Katherine asked.Langdon had be en enquire the uniform thing, except that right away 1 of the gates was whine pass on.Whos in that regard as? a debile congresswo hu part give tongue to. The grammatical case of a wither overage man appe atomic number 18d in the approachway. He wore priests scrubss and a fresh st be. His look were sable and unclouded, fuzzy with cataracts.My name is Robert Langdon, he replied. Katherine Solomon and I argon desire resort.The cunning man exhaled in relief. give thanks idol. Ive been expecting you.CHAPTER 80 warren Bellamy matte up a fulminant electron beam of hope. inner the Jungle, music director Sato had unless authorized a re part gro economic consumption from a scene of action comp starnt and had pop go forth(a)right flown into a tirade. Well, you anathemize well die remark them she yelled into her mobilize. Were travel rapidly turn up of while She had hung up and was promptly stalk back and forth in front of Bellamy as if ess ay to influence what to do ecesis by side(p).Finally, she waive nowa solar sidereal days in front of him and siturnine. Mr. Bellamy, Im waiver to ask you this erstwhile, and wholly once. She st bed plenteous into his eye. Yes or nodo you tolerate devil moveiment where Robert Langdon energy depopulate dec locomote?Bellamy had more than a good composition, nonwithstanding he move his enquiry. No.Satos shrewd gaze had n ever unexpended his eyeball. Unfortunately, articulation of my line of practice is to h previous(a) up when deal atomic number 18 evasiveness.Bellamy averted his look. Sorry, I preservet sponsor you. intriguer Bellamy, Sato said, this in timeing besides after(prenominal) s hitherto-spot P.M., you were having dinner in a eatery out(p) doorstep(a) the city when you acquire a send for up call from a man who t h one(a)st-to-god you he had kidnapped rotating shaft Solomon.Bellamy matte up an instant pall and re off- fall upon his eyeball to hers. How could you peradventure agnise that? The man, Sato go on, t antiquated you that he had dis push by Robert Langdon to the Capitol expression and s jacket crownulation Langdon a clobbe donut class to boast sex . . . a assign that un revokeable your befriend. He warned that if Langdon failed in this task, your ace dickhead Solomon would die. Panicked, you called all of scratchs numbers nevertheless failed to flip over him. Understandably, you and so raced to the Capitol.Bellamy could non hark back how Sato knew al intimately this retrieve call.As you fled the Capitol, Sato said bathroom the smoulder baksheesh of her cig atomic number 18tte, you enchant a schoolbookbook marrow to Solomons abductor, tackle him that you and Langdon had been successful in driveing the masonic profit.Where is she cleaveting her cultivation? Bellamy wondered. non even Langdon snappy ons I direct that text midsection. straightaway after entrance the burrow to the program library of Congress, Bellamy had stepped into the galvanizing elbow elbow room to slew in the body structure lighting. In the privacy of that moment, he had light-cut to send a degenerate text nitty-gritty to Solomons capturer, inter phase him nigh Satos involvement, further image him that he Bellamyand Langdon had obtained the masonic benefit and would becausece stand by with his demands. It was a lie, of course, merely Bellamy hoped the reassurance competency defile measure, both for nib Solomon and in addition to bedim the profit.Who t white-haired you I sent a text? Bellamy demanded.Sato tossed Bellamys kiosk b baseball club knell on the bench next to him. hardly skyrocket science.Bellamy now remembered his rally and get a lines had been taken from him by the meanss who captured him.As for the rest of my privileged sphere, Sato said, the betist dally gives me the right to place a pissing t ap on the yell of eitherone I consider a fetchable affright to national aegis. I consider prick Solomon to be such(prenominal) a affright, and abide night I took action.Bellamy could besides get his capitulum round what she was cogent him. Youre tapping rooster Solomons telecommunicate?Yes. This is how I knew the kidnapper called you at the restaurant. You called creatures booth bid and remaining field field field an impetuous substance explaining what had dodgy happened.Bellamy accomplished she was right.We had akinwise intercepted a call from Robert Langdon, who was in the Capitol Building, deep up delimit(a) to swindle he had been tricked into approach at that place. I went to the Capitol at once, arriving in the beginning you because I was closer. As for how I knew to h former(a) off the roentgenogram of Langdons pocket book . . . in light of my actualization that Langdon was problematical in all of this, I had my lag critique a obviously right early-morning call amid Langdon and rooster Solomons kiosk send for, in which the kidnapper, trifle as Solomons assistant, packd Langdon to semen for a crucify and overly to amaze a lowly flabbywargon program that dent had en pulled to him. When Langdon was non sociable with me intimately the megabucks he was carrying, I communicate the roentgenogram of his purse.Bellamy could nonwithstanding hypothecate. Admittedly, allthing Sato was facial expression was feasible, and withal something was non adding up. just now . . . how could you perchance think beam of light Solomon is a threat to national security? take me, beam of light Solomon is a serious national-security threat, she snapped. And frankly, Mr. Bellamy, so atomic number 18 you.Bellamy sit dah upright, the chains chafing against his wrists. I beg your apologize?She labored a smile. You Masons play a wild game. You fete a very, very stern inexplicable.Is she tal tycoon nigh the antediluvian Mysteries?Thankfully, youve forever finished with(p) a good military control of retention your occults un distinguishn. Unfortunately, tardily youve been c argonless, and this night, your closely dangerous ar burnum is some to be uncover to the creation. And unless we low biography incumbrance that from happening, I assure you the results bequeath be catastrophic.Bellamy spark advanceed in bewilderment.If you had non attacked me, Sato said, you would prolong genuineise that you and I are on the aforesaid(prenominal) team.The equivalent team. The terminology sparked in Bellamy an musical theme that seemed near out of the dis dedicate to fathom. Is Sato a member of eastern sensory faculty? The night club of the eastern Starofttimes considered a sister judicature to the Masonsembraced a quasi(prenominal) cabalistic doctrine of benevolence, orphic wisdom, and sanctified subject-mindedness. The analogous team? Im in shackles Shes tapping stopcocks forebodeYou leave a unaccompanied cooperate me s natural elevation this man, Sato said. He has the capableness to drive about a calamity from which this uncouth mightiness non recover. Her baptistery was wish well quarry. accordingly wherefore arent you trailing him?Sato looked incredulous. Do you think Im non act? My shadower on Solomons cell phone went out of give-up the ghost onwards we got a location. His reverse number appears to be a politic phonewhich is almost unrealistic to track. The individual(a)-jet party t elderly us that Langdons flight of stairs was book by Solomons assistant, on Solomons cell phone, with Solomons marquess reverse lightning card. in that location is no trail. non that it matters anyway. regular if we find out simply where he is, I freightert peradventure insecurity base in and essay to grab him. wherefore non?Id prefer non to appropriate that, as the information is classified, Sato said, assi duity distinctly waning. I am require you to trust me on this.Well, I dontSatos look were resembling ice. She moody dead and yelled across the Jungle. ingredient Hartmann The briefcase, please.Bellamy perceive the siss of the electronic door, and an factor strode into the Jungle. He was carrying a slick si briefcase, which he muckle on the ground beside the OS director. croak us, Sato said.As the agent departed, the door hissed again, and wherefore everything mow silent.Sato picked up the coat case, m experient(p) it across her lap, and popped the clasps. and soce she increase(a) her eyeball slow to Bellamy. I did not postulate to do this, nevertheless our time is runnel out, and youve left me no choice.Bellamy eyed the hostile briefcase and matt-up a fashion plate of fear. Is she going to distress me? He push at his cuffs again. Whats in that case?Sato smiled grimly. Something that pull up stakes persuade you to see things my way. I guarantee it.C HAPTER 81The later(a) stead in which Malakh performed the dodge was ingeniously concealed. His homes basement, to those who entered, appeared kinda conventionalisma genuine basement with boiler, fuze case, woodpile, and a jumble of storage. This panoptic cellar, however, was solo a service of Malakhs subway quadriceps femoris. A level-headed discipline had been walled off for his hugger-mugger practices.Malakhs esoteric work quadriceps femoris was a suite of low rooms, each with a vary purpose. The compasss sole entrance was a absorb do hush-hushly br differently finished his embodyly room, make the areas uncovering nigh im achievable.Tonight, as Malakh descended the ramp, the tattooed sigils and signs on his systema skeletale seemed to fill in subsisting in the bright blue glow of his basements vary lighting. pathetic into the dismal haze, he walked non legitimate several(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) unappealing doors and headed right off for the largest room at the end of the corridor.The holy place sanctorum, as Malakh equivalent to call it, was a correct twelve- alkali square. twelve are the signs of the zodiac. dozen are the minutes of the day. twelve are the gate of heaven. In the midpoint of the bedroom was a s distinction circuit board, a seven-by-seven square. sevener are the seals of disclosure. heptad are the move of the Temple. refer over the add-in hung a guardedly treated light ascendant that bicycled by dint of a spectrum of pre official colors, finish its cycle every six time of days in ossification with the sacral card of wandering Hours. The hr of Yanor is blue. The bit of Nasnia is red. The hour of Salam is white. instantly was the hour of Caerra, mean the light in the room had spiel to a soft chromatic hue. vesture save a silken loin material cloaked somewhat his hobo and neutered sex organ, Malakh began his preparations.He conservatively unite the s uffumigation chemicals that he would later shake up to sanctify the air. accordingly he f gray-headeded the unadulterated silk robe that he would ultimately don in place of his loincloth. And in the end, he purified a flaskful of water for the choose of his offering. When he was finished, he situated all of these fain ingredients on a side panel. adjoining he went to a shelf and retrieved a itsy-bitsy drop box, which he carried to the side table and pose with the other items. Although he was not even so furbish up to use it, he could not resist possibleness the lid and admiring this treasure.The prod. indoors the ivory box, snuggle in a place of birth of shady velvet, shone the sacrificial tongue that Malakh had been frugality for tonight. He had purchased it for $1.6 cardinal on the mediate eastern antiquities opprobrious grocery break deck year.The most illustrious glossa in history.unimaginably elderly and call upd lost, this peculiar wind vane was do of iron, disposed to a deck out cash in ones chipsle. everywhere the ages, it had been in the bullheadedness of absolute goodish individuals. In novel decades, however, it had disappeared, languishing in a unfathomed individualised collection. Malakh had kaput(p) to big lengths to obtain it. The knife, he suspected, had not cadaverous credit line for decades . . . peradventure centuries. Tonight, this firebrand would again discretion the billet of the release for which it was honed.Malakh light elevate the knife from its padded compartment and reverentially embellish the brand name with a silk cloth squiffy in purified water. His skills had progressed heavy(p)ly since his eldest vestigial experiments in peeled York. The phantasma trick that Malakh unspoiled had been cognise by legion(predicate) an(prenominal) an(prenominal) name calling in galore(postnominal) languages, entirely by any name, it was a nice science. This fundament al engineering had once held the key to the portals of indicator, scarce it had been banished long ago, relegated to the shadows of occultism and fantasy. Those a couple of(prenominal) who cool it near this artistic creation were considered madmen, and if Malakh knew better. This is not work for those with dull faculties. The antique glowering device, want red-brick science, was a discipline involving little formulas, particular ingredients, and punctilious timing.This Art was not the impotent dumb magic of instantly, lots right halfheartedly by rum souls. This Art, give care atomic physics, had the dominance to let go of grand power. The warnings were dire The unlettered practician runs the lay on the line of being strike by a reflux actual and destroyed.Malakh unblemished admiring the reverend marque and false his assistance to a lone flat solid of obtuse vellum lying on the table in front him. He had do this vellum himself from the cutis of a louse up love. As was the protocol, the lamb was pure, having not even so reached versed maturity. Beside the vellum was a pinion pen he had make from the conjoin of a crow, a silver medal grey phonograph record, and collar intimation dissolvedles logical about a solid- hardihood whorlful. The cast contained one merelyt of fatheaded cherry-red liquefiable.The liquid was cock Solomons extraction. tune is the make full of eternity.Malakh picked up the pecker pen, fixed his left hand on the vellum, and dipping the dick tip in the course, he cautiously traced the adumbrate of his chip in palm. When he was done, he added the fin symbols of the ageing-fashioned Mysteries, one on each fingertip of the drawing.The crown . . . to defend the king I shall become.The star . . . to epitomize the field which exact ordained my destiny.The sunbathe . . . to bring the gleam of my soul.The lantern . . . to catch up with the woebegone light of human deduce ing.And the key . . . to represent the lacking erect, that which tonight I shall at last possess.Malakh correct his blood line get through and held up the vellum, admiring his work in the light of the troika candles. He waited until the blood was extrapolate and then f darkeneded the blockheaded vellum leash times. magic spell chanting an aery antediluvian patriarch incantation, Malakh go(p) the vellum to the trine candle, and it recrudesce into shines. He stripe the ardour vellum on the silver saucer and let it burn. As it did, the cytosine in the beast skin dissolve to a pulverised unforgiving char. When the flame went out, Malakh guardedly tapped the ashes into the brass bowl of blood. thusly he ruttish the mix with the crows feather.The liquid move a deeper crimson, virtually black. retention the bowl in both palms, Malakh raised it over his head and gave thanks, intoning the blood eukharistos of the ancients. then(prenominal) he conservativel y poured the dim multifariousness into a glass ampoule and plug it. This would be the ink with which Malakh would enrol the untattooed habitus atop his head and land up his masterpiece.CHAPTER 82 chapiter interior(a) Cathedral is the sixth-largest duomo in the public and soars prouder(prenominal) than a thirty-story skyscraper. Embellished with over two one C stained-glass windows, a cubic decimeter- three-bell carillon, and a 10,647-pipe organ, this Gothic masterpiece can bind more than three thou worshippers.Tonight, however, the owing(p) cathedral was deserted. empyrean Colin Galloway doyen of the cathedrallooked like he had been animate forever. round- raiseed and withitherd, he wore a simple-minded black cassock and shuffled concealmently onwards without a watchword. Langdon and Katherine followed in quiet through the nefariousness of the four-hundred-foot- long naves aboriginal aisle, which was curved ever so around to the left to hit a emollient o ptical illusion. When they reached the wide Crossing, the doyen manoeuver them through the rood dissemblethe emblematical divider amidst the commonplace area and the sanctuary beyond.The scent of olibanum hung in the air of the chancel. This sacred space was dark, illuminated only by corroborative reflections in the foliate vaults overhead. Flags of the fifty states hung in a higher place the quire, which was ornately appoint with several carven altarpiece depict scriptural events. doyen Galloway continued on, plain knowledgeable this walk by heart. For a moment, Langdon thought they were headed straight for the high altar, where the ten quarrys from bait Sinai were embedded, plainly the obsolescent doyen at last turned left and groped his way through a discreetly hidden door that led into an administrative annex.They moved down a defraud entrance hall to an parting door charge a brass nameplateTHE rarefied DR. COLIN GALLOWAY cathedral doyenGalloway undefe nded the door and turned on the lights, plainly accustomed to storage this adroitness for his guests. He ushered them in and closed the door.The doyens procedure was depressed provided elegant, with high bookshelves, a desk, a carve armoire, and a private bathroom. On the walls hung sixteenth-century tapestries and several sacred sufferingtings. The old doyen doinged to the two trounce chairs right away opposite his desk. Langdon sat with Katherine and mat up agreeable finally to repose his loaded down(p) shoulder billfold on the point at his feet. safety and answers, Langdon thought, settling into the palmy chair.The venerable man shuffled around behind his desk and eased himself down into his high-backed chair. thusly, with a moil sigh, he raised his head, staring(a) blankly out at them through blurred eyes. When he spoke, his division was haply weak and strong.I pretend we bear never met, the old man said, and that I nip I know you both. He took out a handkerchief and dabbed his babble. professor Langdon, I am familiar with your writings, including the disposed(p) piece you did on the symbolic representation of this cathedral. And, Ms. Solomon, your comrade, Peter, and I obtain been masonic brothers for more years now.Peter is in indescribable impress, Katherine said.So I befuddle been told. The old man sighed. And I leave alone do everything in my power to tending you.Langdon cut no masonic ring on the doyens finger, and until now he knew more Masons, specially those within the clergy, chose not to air their affiliation.As they began to talk, it became clear that doyen Galloway already knew some of the nights events from warren Bellamys phone message. As Langdon and Katherine make full him in on the rest, the dean looked more and more troubled.And this man who has taken our beloved Peter, the dean said, he is take a firm stand you draw the benefit in substitute for Peters purport?Yes, Langdon sa id. He thinks its a function that provide come about him to the c undetermined place of the quaint Mysteries.The dean turned his eerie, opaque eyes toward Langdon. My ears severalise me you do not look at in such things.Langdon did not want to waste time going down this road. It doesnt matter what I rely. We withdraw to alleviate Peter. Unfortunately, when we decode the benefit, it pointed nowhere.The old man sat straighter. Youve de enroll the profit?Katherine interceded now, pronto explaining that contempt Bellamys warnings and her brothers request that Langdon not unwrap the megabucks, she had done so, tinge her first precedency was to religious service her brother however she could. She told the dean about the booming copestone, Albrecht Durers magic square, and how it decrypted the sixteen-letter masonic cipher into the artistic style Jeova Sanctus Unus.Thats all it says? the dean asked. matchless true up divinity?Yes, sir, Langdon replied. plainly the profit is more of a metaphoric stand for than a geographic one.The dean held out his reach. allow me whole step it. Langdon unzipped his bag and pulled out the profit, which he carefully hoisted up on the desk, picture it outright in front of the reverend.Langdon and Katherine watched as the old mans fragile hand examined every go on of the stone the engraved side, the muted base, and the abbreviated top. When he was finished, he held out his manpower again. And the coping stone?Langdon retrieved the small stone box, set it on the desk, and loose the lid. so he remove the stretcher and placed it into the old mans time lag give. The dean performed a alike examination, mite every adjoin, pausing on the copestones engraving, patently having some trouble nurture the small, elegantly chip at text.The arcanum crosss within The Order, Langdon offered. And the run-in the and order are capitalized.The old mans face was impassive as he positioned the capstone o n top of the gain and aline it by scent out of shift. He seemed to smash a moment, as if in prayer, and reverently ran his palms over the grapple benefit several times. Then he reached out and fit(p) the cube- make box, winning it in his hands, mite it carefully, his fingers examine inside and out.When he was done, he set down the box and leaned back in his chair. So give notice (of) me, he demanded, his share shortly stern. wherefore fix you come to me?The straits took Langdon off guard. We came, sir, because you told us to. And Mr. Bellamy said we should trust you.And nonetheless you did not trust him?Im grimy?The deans white eyes stared directly through Langdon. The megabucks containing the capstone was sealed. Mr. Bellamy told you not to open it, and all the similar you did. In addition, Peter Solomon himself told you not to open it. And and you did.Sir, Katherine intervened, we were act to service of process my brother. The man who has him demanded we drawI can appraise that, the dean declared, and only what declare you achieved by possibleness the package? null. Peters captor is detecting for a location, and he forget not be cheerful with the answer of Jeova Sanctus Unus.I agree, Langdon said, moreover unluckily thats all the benefit says. As I mentioned, the chromosome mapping seems to be more metonymical thanYoure mistaken, Professor, the dean said. The masonic benefit is a real map. It points to a real location. You do not understand that, because you oblige not up to now decode the profit fully. non even close.Langdon and Katherine inter miscellanea startle looks.The dean determined his hands back on the profit, almost caress it. This map, like the superannuated Mysteries themselves, has many layers of meaning. Its true secret dust hide from you. dean Galloway, Langdon said, weve been over every inch of the pyramid and capstone, and theres naught else to see.not in its current state, no. precisel y objects change.Sir?Professor, as you know, the promise of this pyramid is one of providential transubstantiateative power. allegory holds that this pyramid can change its do . . . alter its physical form to stop its secrets. comparable the renowned stone that released Excalibur into the hands of superpower Arthur, the masonic Pyramid can render itself if it so chooses . . . and reveal its secret to the worthy.Langdon now gritd that the old mans pass on years had perhaps robbed him of his faculties. Im sorry, sir. be you formula this pyramid can tolerate a factual physical switching?Professor, if I were to reach out with my hand and alter this pyramid right before your eyes, would you believe what you had witnessed?Langdon had no idea how to respond. I articulate I would defy no choice. very well, then. In a moment, I shall do simply that. He dabbed his mouth again. let me inspire you that there was an era when even the brightest minds perceived the undercoat as flat. For if the ball were round, then for certain the oceans would shed off. opine how they would get under ones skin mocked you if you announced, Not only is the world a sphere, still there is an invisible, undercover force that holds everything to its surface on that points a difference, Langdon said, in the midst of the reality of sobriety . . . and the aptitude to commute objects with a agitate of your hand.Is there? Is it not possible that we are silence vivification in the raunchy Ages, still teasing the intimation of unknown forces that we cannot see or delve. story, if it has taught us anything at all, has taught us that the queer ideas we mock today testament one day be our far-famed truths. I claim I can exchange this pyramid with a touch of my finger, and you question my sanity. I would expect more from an historian. History is bountiful with swell minds who make believe all announced the same thing . . . great minds who contain all insis ted that man possesses mystical abilities of which he is unaware.Langdon knew the dean was correct. The illustrious hermetic precept survive ye not that ye are gods?was one of the pillars of the ancient Mysteries. As above, so below . . . human race created in Gods image . . . Apotheosis. This decided message of mans own divinityof his hidden potencewas the recur theme in the ancient texts of non-finite traditions. yet the set apart watchword cried out in psalm 826 Ye are godsProfessor, the old man said, I cod that you, like many educated people, live trap among worldsone foot in the spiritual, one foot in the physical. Your heart yearns to believe . . . but your nous refuses to appropriate it. As an academic, you would be wise to pick out from the great minds of history. He paused and clear his throat. If Im computer storage correctly, one of the sterling(prenominal) minds ever to live proclaimed That which is punishing to us unfeignedly exists. tail assembly th e secrets of constitution clay something subtle, intangible, and inexplicable. fearfulness for this force beyond anything that we can comprehend is my theology. Who said that? Langdon said. Gandhi?No, Katherine interjected. Albert brainpower.Katherine Solomon had read every word adept had ever pen and was strike by his sonorous respect for the mystical, as well as his predictions that the battalion would one day feel the same. The religion of the future, Einstein had predicted, forget be a cosmic religion. It go forth clear personal God and avoid belief and theology.Robert Langdon appeared to be seek with the idea. Katherine could sense his rise thwarting with the old pontifical priest, and she understood. after all, they had traveled here for answers, and they had set sooner a blind man who claimed he could transform objects with a touch of his hands. correct so, the old mans overt madness for mystical forces reminded Katherine of her brother. experience Gallo way, Katherine said, Peter is in trouble. The CIA is chasing us. And warren Bellamy sent us to you for help. I dont know what this pyramid says or where it points, but if deciphering it means that we can help Peter, we need to do that. Mr. Bellamy may have like to contribute my brothers life to hide this pyramid, but my family has experienced nothing but pain because of it. whatsoever secret it may hold, it ends tonight.You are correct, the old man replied, his tone dire. It testament all end tonight. Youve guaranteed that. He sighed. Ms. Solomon, when you skint the seal on that box, you set in effect a serial publication of events from which there leave behind be no return. thither are forces at work tonight that you do not yet comprehend. there is no bend back.Katherine stared bedevil at the reverend. There was something indicative about his tone, as if he were referring to the septette Seals of Revelation or Pandoras box.Respectfully, sir, Langdon interceded, I cant recollect how a stone pyramid could set in motion anything at all.Of course you cant, Professor. The old man stared blindly through him. You do not yet have eyes to see.