far as she knew, he had kept a secret from her only once . . . a wonderful secret that was hidden at the end of this very hallway. Three years ago, her brother had walked Katherine down this corridor, introducing her to the SMSC by proudly showing off some of the buildings more unusual itemsthe Mars meteorite ALH-84001, the handwritten pictographic diary of Sitting Bull, a collection of w canada goose vest womens ax-sealed Ball jars containing original specimens collected by Charles Darwin. At one point, they walked past a heavy door with a small window. Katherine caught a glimpse of what lay beyo canada goose vest womens nd and gasped. What in the world is that?! Her brother chuckled and kept walking. Pod Three. Its called Wet Pod. Pretty unusual sight, isnt it? Terrifying is more like it. Katherine hurried after him. This building was
doubtful. Ive never seen anything of the sort. Actually, Im sure you have. Langdon raised his index finger, pointing straight up. Its directly over your head. CHAPTER 21 The Apotheosis of Washingtona 4,664-square-foot fresco that covers the canopy of the Capitol Rotundawas completed in 1865 by Constantino Brumidi. Known as The Michelangelo of the Capitol, Brumidi had laid claim to canada goose vest womens the Capitol Rotunda in the same way Michelangelo had laid claim to the Sistine Chapel, by painting a fresco on the rooms most lofty canvasthe ceiling. Like Michelangelo, Brumidi had done some of his finest work inside the Vatican. Brumidi, however, immigrated to America in 1852, abandoning Gods largest shrine in favor of a new shrine, the U.S. Capitol, which now glistened with examples of his mas canada goose vest womens teryfrom the
Newton wrote, without immense damage to the world. The meaning of this strange warning was still being debated today. Professor, Sato said suddenly, glancing up from her BlackBerry, despite your insistence that you have no idea why youre here tonight, perhaps you could shed light on the meaning of Peter Solomons ring. I can try, Langdon said, refocusing. She produced the specimen bag and handed it to Langdon. Tell me about the symbols on his ring. Langdon examined the familiar ring as they moved through the deserted passageway. Its face bore the imag canada goose vest womens e of a double-headed phoenix holding a banne canada goose vest womens r proclaiming ORDO AB CHAO, and its chest was emblazoned with the number 33. The double-headed phoenix with the number thirty-three is the emblem of the highest Masonic degree. Technically, this
by a powerful Mason? Youre chasing a myth! Whatever Peter told you, he told you in fear. The Legend of the Masonic Pyramid is fiction. The Masons n canada goose vest womens ever built any pyramid to protect secret wisdom. And even if they did, this pyramid is far too small to be what you think it is. The man chuckled. I see Peter has told you very little. Nonetheless, Mr. Langdon, whether or not you choose to accept what it is you now possess, you will do as I say. I am well aware that the pyramid you are carrying has an encrypted engraving. You will decipher that engraving for me. Then, and only then, will I canada goose vest womens return Peter Solomon to you. Whatever you believe this engraving reveals, Langdon said, it wont be the Ancient Mysteries. Of course not, he replied. The mysteries are far too vast to be written on the side of
store it outside the brotherhood was a clever one. Were you aware I had the capstone? Langdon asked. No. And if Peter told anyone at all, it would have been only one man. Bellamy pulled out his cell phone and hit redial. And so far, Ive been unable to reach him. He got a voice-mail greeting and hung up. Well, Robert, it looks lik canada goose vest womens e you and I are on our own for the moment. And we have a decision to make. Langdon looked at his Mickey Mouse watch. 9:42 P.M. You do realize that Peters captor is waiting for me to decipher this pyramid tonight and tell him what it says. Bellamy frowned. Great men throughout history have made deep personal sacrifices to protect the Ancient Mysteries. You and I must do the same. He stood up now. We should keep moving. Sooner canada goose vest womens or later Sato will figure out where we
thousand years ago by mathematicians in Egypt and India, magic squares were still believed by some to hold magical powers. Katherine had read that even nowadays devout Indians drew special three-by-three magic s canada goose vest womens quares called the Kubera Kolam on their pooja altars. Primarily, though, mod canada goose vest womens ern man had relegated magic squares to the category of recreational mathematics, some people still deriving pleasure from the quest to discover new magical configurations. Sudoku for geniuses. Katherine quickly analyzed Dürers square, adding up the numbers in several rows and columns. Thirty-four, she said. Every direction adds up to thirty-four. Exactly, Langdon said. But did you know that this magic square is famous because Dürer accomplished the seemingly impossible? He quickly showed Katherine that in
meaning. Its true secret remains veiled from you. Dean Gallowa canada goose vest womens y, Langdon said, weve been over every inch of the pyramid and capstone, and theres nothing else to see. Not in its current state, no. But objects change. Sir? Professor, as you know, the promise of this pyramid is one of miraculous transformative power. Legend holds canada goose vest womens that this pyramid can change its shape . . . alter its physical form to reveal its secrets. Like the famed stone that released Excalibur into the hands of King Arthur, the Masonic Pyramid can transform itself if it so chooses . . . and reveal its secret to the worthy. Langdon now sensed that the old mans advanced years had perhaps robbed him of his faculties. Im sorry, sir. Are you saying this pyramid can undergo a literal physical transformation? Professor, if I
Langdon lurched forward, collapsing down in a paralyzed heap. He fell hard on top of his leather bag, the pyramid tumbli canada goose vest womens ng out onto the floor. Without so much as a glance down at his victim, the tattooed man stepped over Langdon and headed directly for Katherine. She was already crawling backward into the dining room, where she collided with a chair. The female security guard, who had been propped in that chair, now wobbled and dropped to the floor in a heap beside her. The womans lifeless expression was one of terror. Her mouth was stuffed with a rag. The enormous man had reached her before Katherine had time to react. He seized her by the shoulders with impossible canada goose vest womens strength. His face, no longer covered by makeup, was an utterly terrifying sight. His muscles flexed, and she felt herself