employ canada goose whistler parka ee called the Keeper of the Cryptwho successfully kept the flame burning for fifty years, until politics, religion, and smoke damage snuffed out the idea. Both Anderson and Sato looked surprised. Nowadays, the only reminder that a flame once burned here was the four-pointed star compass embedded in the crypt floor one story below thema symbol of Americas eternal flame, which once shed illumination toward the four corners of the New World. So, Professor, Sato said, your contention is that the man who left Peters hand here knew all this? Clearly. And much, much more. The canada goose whistler parka re are symbols all over this room that reflect a belief in the Ancient Mysteries. Secret wisdom, Sato said with more than a hint of sarcasm in her voice. Knowledge that lets men acquire godlike powers? Yes, maam. That
studying mystical symbols and history, Langdon had always struggled intellectually with the idea of the Ancient Mysteries and their potent promise of apotheosi canada goose whistler parka s. Admittedly, the historical record contained indisput canada goose whistler parka able evidence that secret wisdom had been passed down through the ages, apparently having come out of the Mystery Schools in early Egypt. This knowledge moved underground, resurfacing in Renaissance Europe, where, according to most accounts, it was entrusted to an elite group of scientists within the walls of Europes premier scientific think tankthe Royal Society of London enigmatically nicknamed the Invisible College. This concealed college quickly became a brain trust of the worlds most enlightened mindsthose of Isaac Newton, Francis Bacon, Robert Boyle, and even Benjamin
the long tunnel. So far, the Architect of the Capitol appeared far more intent on putting distance between Sato and this stone pyramid than he did on explainin canada goose whistler parka g to Langdon what was going on. Langdon had a growing apprehension that there was far more going on than he could imagine. The CIA? The Architect of canada goose whistler parka the Capitol? Two Thirty-third-degree Masons? The shrill sound of Langdons cell phone cut the air. He pulled his phone from his jacket. Uncertain, he answered. Hello? The voice that spoke was an eerie, familiar whisper. Professor, I hear you had unexpected company. Langdon felt an icy chill. Where the hell is Peter?! he demanded, his words reverberating in the enclosed tunnel. Beside him, Warren Bellamy glanced over, looking concerned and motioning for Langdon to keep walking. Dont worry,
Now it is our job to make sure his efforts were not in vain. I cant believe youre saying this! Langdon exclaimed, temper flaring. Even if this pyramid is everything you say it is, Peter is your Masonic brother. Youre sworn canada goose whistler parka to protect him above all else, even your country! No, Robert. A Mason must protect a fellow Mason above all things . . . except onethe great secret our brotherhood protects for all mankind. Whether canada goose whistler parka or not I believe this lost wisdom has the potential that history suggests, I have taken a vow to keep it out of the hands of the unworthy. And I would not give it over to anyone . . . even in exchange for Peter Solomons life. I know plenty of Masons, Langdon said angrily, including the most advanced, and Im damned sure these men are not sworn to sacrifice their lives for the
sweating more heavily now as he struggled to release his hands. I cant even take off my blindfold? Help! he shouted. Anybody! Even as he called out canada goose whistler parka in panic, Bellamy knew nobody was going to hear him. This massive glass roomknown as the Junglewas entirely airtight when the doors were closed. They left me in the Jungle, he thought. Nobody will find me until morning. Then he heard it. The sound was barely audible, but it terrified Bellamy like no sound he had ever heard i canada goose whistler parka n his life. Something breathing. Very close. He was not alone on the bench. The sudden hiss of a sulfur match sizzled so close to his face that he could feel the heat. Bellamy recoiled, instinctively yanking hard at his chains. Then, without warning, a hand was on his face, removing his blindfold. The flame before him
moment, as if in prayer, and reverently ran his palms over the complete pyramid several times. Then he reached out and located the cube-shaped box, taking it in his hands, feeling it carefully, his fingers probing inside and out. When he was done, he set down the box and leaned back in his chair. So tell me, he demanded, his voice suddenly stern. Why have you come to m canada goose whistler parka e? The question took Langdon off guard. We came, sir, because you told us to. And Mr. Bellamy said we should trust you. And yet you did not trust him? Im sorry? The deans white eyes stared directly through Langdon. The package containing the capstone was sealed. Mr. Bellamy told you not to open it, and yet you did. In addition, Pete canada goose whistler parka r Solomon himself told you not to open it. And yet you did. Sir, Katherine intervened, we were
teetered canada goose whistler parka precariously and then toppled over, barely missing her on the floor. She raised her head, still gasping for breat canada goose whistler parka h, puzzled to see that the female security guard in the chair had not moved a muscle. Stranger still, the toppled coat tree appeared to have a thin wire attached to the bottom, which had been stretched across the hallway. Why in the world would someone . . . ? Katherine! Langdon was shouting to her, and as Katherine rolled onto her side and looked back at him, she felt her blood turn to ice. Robert! Behind you! She tried to scream, but she was still gasping for breath. All she could do was watch in terrifying slow motion as Langdon rushed down the hall to help her, completely unaware that behind him, Agent Hartmann was staggering across the threshold and clutching his
them. Seconds later, they were all inside. Simkins rushed to the foyer and knelt over Hartmann to check his pulse. Nothing. There was blood everywhere. Then he saw the screwdriver in Hartmanns throat. Jesus. He stood up and motioned to his men to begin a full search. The agents fanned out across the first floor, their laser sights probing the darkness of the luxurious house. They found nothing in the living room or study, but in the dining room, to their surprise, they discovered a strangled female security guard. Simkins was fast losing hope that Robert Lang canada goose whistler parka canada goose whistler parka don and Katherine Solomon were alive. This brutal killer clearly had set a trap, and if he had managed to kill a CIA agent and an armed security guard, then it seemed a professor and a scientist had no chance. Once the first floor was