The Lost Symbol Chapter 79-82

CHAPTER 79Eight miles due nary(prenominal)th of Alexandria, Virginia, Robert Langdon and Katherine Solomon strode calmly across a wide expanse of frost-covered lawn.You should be an actress, Langdon said, good-tempered impressed by Katherines sp correctlyly commemorateing and improvi sit complicateional skills.You werent half bad yourself. She gave him a smile.At surface trammel, Langdon had been mystified by Katherines abrupt antics in the taxi. Without warning, she had suddenly de art objectded they go to Freedom Plaza found on some revelation roughly a Jewish virtuoso and the Great Seal of the United States. She drew a fountainhead- nonicen conspiracy-theory externalise on a dollar bill and then insisted Langdon look intimately w hither she was pointing.Fin whollyy, Langdon realized that Katherine was pointing non at the dollar bill just at unrivaled time at a tiny indicator me frigh hug drug wrap upa oblongata on the dressing of the drivers seat. The bulb was so covered with grime that he had non even notice it. As he leaned forward, merely, he could see that the bulb was illuminated, emitting a dull red glow. He could also see the two faint spoken communication at a time beneath the lit bulb.INTERCOM ONStartlight-emitting diode, Langdon glanced underpin at Katherine, whose frantic eyes were urging him to look into the figurehead seat. He obeyed, thieving a discreet glance through and through the divider. The cabbys stall ph angiotensin-converting enzyme was on the dash, wide free-spoken, illuminated, facing the intercom speaker. An instant later, Langdon understood Katherines actions.They k presently were in this cab . . . theyve been listening to us.Langdon had no idea how much time he and Katherine had until their taxi was stopped and surrounded, notwithstanding he knew they had to act fast. Instantly, hed begun playing along, realizing that Katherines longing to go to Freedom Plaza had no thing to do with the profit nev ertheless rather with its being a large subway station metro Centerfrom which they could take the Red, Blue, or Orange lines in any of cardinal different directions.They jumped out of the taxi at Freedom Plaza, and Langdon took over, doing some improvising of his own, dismission a trail to the masonic Memorial in Alexandria in front he and Katherine ran down into the subway station, dashing past the Blue Line plat trends and move on to the Red Line, where they caught a train in the opposite direction. travel six stops northbound to Tenleytown, they emerged all alone into a quiet, upmarket neighborhood. Their destination, the tallest structure for miles, was immediately visible on the horizon, just off mammy Avenue on a vast expanse of pieceicured lawn. Now off the grid, as Katherine promiseed it, the two of them walked across the damp grass. On their right was a medieval-style garden, famous for its ancient rosebushes and Shadow House gazebo. They moved past the garden, thi s instant toward the magnificent building to which they had been summoned. A refuge containing ten stones from Mount Sinai, one from heaven itself, and one with the visage of Lukes dark sky pilot.Ive never been here at iniquity, Katherine said, gazing up at the brightly lit towers. Its spectacular.Langdon agreed, having forgotten how impressive this draw a bead on truly was. This neo-Gothic masterpiece stood at the north end of Embassy Row. He hadnt been here for years, not since writing a piece roughly it for a kids time in hopes of gen durationting some excitement among young Ameri places to germ see this frightening landmark. His articleMoses, Moon Rocks, and Star Warshad been part of the tourist literature for years. cap National Cathedral, Langdon thought, feeling an unexpected anticipation at being back subsequently all these years. Where better to ask about One avowedly God?This duomo really has ten stones from Mount Sinai? Katherine asked, gazing up at the twin bel l towers.Langdon nodded. Near the main altar. They symbolize the Ten Commandments precondition to Moses on Mount Sinai.And theres a lunar thrill?A rock from heaven itself. Yes. One of the stained-meth windows is annunciateed the Space Window and has a fragment of dream rock embedded in it.Okay, but you cant be serious about the death thing. Katherine glanced over, her pretty eyes flashing skepticism. A statue of . . . Darth Vader?Langdon chuckled. Luke Skywalkers dark father? Absolutely. Vader is one of the National Cathedrals most popular grotesques. He pointed high into the westerly towers. Tough to see him at night, but hes there.What in the world is Darth Vader doing on Washington National Cathedral?A contest for kids to carve a gargoyle that depicted the face of evil. Darth won.They r to each oneed the grand st agate linecase to the main entrance, which was found back in an eighty- infrastructure archway beneath a breathta baron rose window. As they began climbing, Langd ons mind shifted to the mysterious stranger who had bring forwarded him. No summonss, please . . . Tell me, hurl you successfully protected the map that was en relianceed to you? Langdons shoulder ached from carrying the grave stone gain, and he was looking forward to setting it down. Sanctuary and answers. As they approached the top of the stairs, they were met with an horrible pair of wooden doors. Do we just knock? Katherine asked.Langdon had been wondering the very(prenominal) thing, except that now one of the doors was creaking open.Whos there? a pissy voice said. The face of a withered oldish man appe ard in the doorway. He wore priests robes and a blank stare. His eyes were murky and white, clouded with cataracts.My name is Robert Langdon, he replied. Katherine Solomon and I are seeking sanctuary.The blind man exhaled in relief. Thank God. Ive been expecting you.CHAPTER 80Warren Bellamy felt a sudden ray of light of hope.Inside the Jungle, Director Sato had just received a send for call from a field agent and had immediately flown into a tirade. Well, you damn well better find them she shouted into her phone. Were running out of time She had hung up and was now stalking back and forth in front of Bellamy as if trying to decide what to do next.Finally, she stopped directly in front of him and turned. Mr. Bellamy, Im going to ask you this once, and altogether once. She stared deep into his eyes. Yes or nodo you develop any idea where Robert Langdon might have gone?Bellamy had much than a obedient idea, but he shook his head. No.Satos astute gaze had never go away wing his eyes. Unfortunately, part of my job is to know when citizenry are lying.Bellamy averted his eyes. Sorry, I cant facilitate you.Architect Bellamy, Sato said, tonight just after seven P.M., you were having dinner in a restaurant outside the metropolis when you received a phone call from a man who told you he had kidnapped dickhead Solomon.Bellamy felt an instant chi ll and returned his eyes to hers. How could you possibly know that? The man, Sato continued, told you that he had send Robert Langdon to the Capitol Building and given Langdon a task to terminated . . . a task that required your help. He warned that if Langdon failed in this task, your friend asshole Solomon would die. Panicked, you called all of slits numbers but failed to reach him. Understandably, you then raced to the Capitol.Bellamy could not hypothesise how Sato knew about this phone call.As you fled the Capitol, Sato said behind the smoldering pinch of her cigarette, you sent a text message to Solomons kidnapper, assuring him that you and Langdon had been successful in obtaining the Masonic Pyramid.Where is she getting her information? Bellamy wondered. Not even Langdon knows I sent that text message. Immediately after entering the tunnel to the Library of Congress, Bellamy had stepped into the electrical room to plug in the construction lighting. In the privacy of that moment, he had decided to send a quick text message to Solomons captor, notice him about Satos involvement, but reassuring him that he Bellamyand Langdon had obtained the Masonic Pyramid and would thus cooperate with his demands. It was a lie, of course, but Bellamy hoped the reassurance might buy time, both for Peter Solomon and also to hide the pyramid.Who told you I sent a text? Bellamy demanded.Sato tossed Bellamys cell phone on the bench next to him. Hardly rocket science.Bellamy now remembered his phone and bring outs had been taken from him by the agents who captured him.As for the rest of my inside information, Sato said, the nationalist Act gives me the right to place a wiretap on the phone of anyone I consider a viable threat to national protection. I consider Peter Solomon to be such(prenominal) a threat, and last night I took action.Bellamy could barely get his mind around what she was narrateing him. Youre tapping Peter Solomons phone?Yes. This is how I knew the kidnapper called you at the restaurant. You called Peters cell phone and unexpended an anxious message explaining what had just happened.Bellamy realized she was right.We had also intercepted a call from Robert Langdon, who was in the Capitol Building, deeply confused to learn he had been tricked into coming there. I went to the Capitol at once, arriving before you because I was closer. As for how I knew to check the roentgen ray of Langdons bag . . . in light of my realization that Langdon was involved in all of this, I had my staff reexamine a seemingly innocuous early-morning call between Langdon and Peter Solomons cell phone, in which the kidnapper, posing as Solomons assistant, persuaded Langdon to come for a lecture and also to bring a small software program that Peter had entrusted to him. When Langdon was not forthcoming with me about the portion he was carrying, I requested the X-ray of his bag.Bellamy could barely think. Admittedly, allthing Sato was verbalize was fe asible, and still something was not adding up. scarce . . . how could you possibly think Peter Solomon is a threat to national security?Believe me, Peter Solomon is a serious national-security threat, she snapped. And frankly, Mr. Bellamy, so are you.Bellamy sit down bolt upright, the handcuffs chafing against his wrists. I beg your pardon?She forced a smile. You Masons play a risky game. You keep a very, very precarious secret.Is she talking about the Ancient Mysteries?Thankfully, youve always done a good job of keeping your secrets hidden. Unfortunately, recently youve been careless, and tonight, your most dangerous secret is about to be unveiled to the world. And unless we can stop that from happening, I assure you the results give be catastrophic.Bellamy stared in bewilderment.If you had not attacked me, Sato said, you would have realized that you and I are on the same team.The same team. The words sparked in Bellamy an idea that seemed to a greater extent or less impossib le to fathom. Is Sato a member of easterly Star? The Order of the Eastern Staroften considered a sister organization to the Masonsembraced a equal deep philosophy of benevolence, secret wisdom, and spiritual open-mindedness. The same team? Im in handcuffs Shes tapping Peters phoneYou pass on help me stop this man, Sato said. He has the potential difference to bring about a cataclysm from which this country might not recover. Her face was like stone.Then why arent you tracking him?Sato looked incredulous. Do you think Im not trying? My trace on Solomons cell phone went late(prenominal) before we got a location. His another(prenominal) number appears to be a available phonewhich is almost impossible to track. The private-jet company told us that Langdons flight was schedule by Solomons assistant, on Solomons cell phone, with Solomons Marquis Jet card. There is no trail. Not that it issuings anyway. Even if we find out exactly where he is, I cant possibly risk moving in and tr ying to grab him.why not?Id prefer not to share that, as the information is classified, Sato said, forbearance clearly waning. I am asking you to trust me on this.Well, I dontSatos eyes were like ice. She turned suddenly and shouted across the Jungle. cistron Hartmann The briefcase, please.Bellamy heard the hiss of the electronic door, and an agent strode into the Jungle. He was carrying a tricky titanium briefcase, which he set on the ground beside the OS director. apply us, Sato said.As the agent departed, the door hissed again, and then everything fell silent.Sato picked up the coat case, laid it across her lap, and popped the clasps. Then she raised her eyes slowly to Bellamy. I did not want to do this, but our time is running out, and youve left me no choice.Bellamy eyed the strange briefcase and felt a swell of fear. Is she going to torture me? He strained at his cuffs again. Whats in that case?Sato smiled grimly. Something that pull up stakesing persuade you to see thing s my way. I guarantee it.CHAPTER 81The subterranean property in which Malakh performed the Art was ingeniously hidden. His homes basement, to those who entered, appeared quite normala veritable(prenominal) cellar with boiler, fuse box, woodpile, and a hodgepodge of storage. This visible cellar, however, was only a portion of Malakhs underground space. A sizable area had been walled off for his underground practices.Malakhs private work space was a suite of small rooms, each with a specialized purpose. The areas sole entrance was a steep storm secretly accessible through his living room, making the areas discovery some impossible.Tonight, as Malakh descended the ramp, the tattooed sigils and signs on his flesh seemed to come a cognize in the chromatic glow of his basements specialized lighting. Moving into the bluish haze, he walked past some(prenominal) closed doors and headed directly for the largest room at the end of the corridor.The sanctum sanctorum, as Malakh liked to c all it, was a perfect twelve-foot square. xii are the signs of the zodiac. Twelve are the instants of the day. Twelve are the gates of heaven. In the center of the bedroom was a stone table, a seven-by-seven square. Seven are the seals of revealing. Seven are the steps of the Temple. Centered over the table hung a cautiously fine-tune light source that cycled through a spectrum of preordained colors, completing its cycle every six hours in accordance with the sacred Table of Planetary Hours. The hour of Yanor is blue. The hour of Nasnia is red. The hour of Salam is white.Now was the hour of Caerra, meaning the light in the room had modulated to a soft purplish hue. Wearing only a silken loincloth wrapped around his buttocks and desexualize sex organ, Malakh began his preparations.He carefully combined the suffumigation chemicals that he would later have a fit to sanctify the air. Then he folded the virgin silk robe that he would lastly don in place of his loincloth. And final ly, he purified a flask of water for the anointing of his offering. When he was done, he placed all of these prepared ingredients on a side table.Next he went to a shelf and retrieved a small ivory box, which he carried to the side table and placed with the other items. Although he was not yet ready to use it, he could not resist opening the lid and admiring this treasure.The knife.Inside the ivory box, nestled in a cradle of black velvet, shone the sacrificial knife that Malakh had been saving for tonight. He had purchased it for $1.6 million on the Middle Eastern antiquities black market last year.The most famous knife in history.Unimaginably old and believed lost, this singular blade was made of iron, attached to a bone handle. Over the ages, it had been in the possession of countless causeful individuals. In recent decades, however, it had disappeared, languishing in a secret private collection. Malakh had gone to enormous lengths to obtain it. The knife, he suspected, had not drawn store for decades . . . possibly centuries. Tonight, this blade would again taste the situation of the sacrifice for which it was honed.Malakh gently lifted the knife from its cushioned compartment and reverently spruced up the blade with a silk cloth soaked in purified water. His skills had progressed greatly since his first rudimentary experiments in New York. The dark Art that Malakh practiced had been know by legion(predicate) names in numerous languages, but by any name, it was a precise science. This primeval technology had once held the nominate to the portals of power, but it had been banished long ago, relegated to the shadows of occultism and magic. Those few who still practiced this Art were considered madmen, but Malakh knew better. This is not work for those with dull faculties. The ancient dark Art, like red-brick science, was a discipline involving precise formulas, specific ingredients, and meticulous timing.This Art was not the impotent black magic of today, often practiced halfheartedly by unmated souls. This Art, like nuclear physics, had the potential to unleash enormous power. The warnings were dire The artless practitioner runs the risk of being struck by a ebb current and destroyed.Malakh finished admiring the sacred blade and turned his attention to a lone sheet of duncical vellum lying on the table before him. He had made this vellum himself from the skin of a baby beloved. As was the protocol, the lamb was pure, having not yet reached sexual maturity. Beside the vellum was a flagroot pen he had made from the feather of a crow, a silver saucer, and ternion glimmering candles arranged around a solid-brass bowl. The bowl contained one inch of thick crimson liquid.The liquid was Peter Solomons blood.Blood is the tincture of eternity.Malakh picked up the quill pen, placed his left hand on the vellum, and dipping the quill tip in the blood, he carefully traced the outline of his open palm. When he was done, he added the quintet symbols of the Ancient Mysteries, one on each fingertip of the drawing.The crown . . . to represent the king I shall become.The star . . . to represent the heavens which have ordained my destiny.The sun . . . to represent the illumination of my soul.The lantern . . . to represent the feeble light of human understanding.And the key . . . to represent the missing piece, that which tonight I shall at last possess.Malakh entire his blood tracing and held up the vellum, admiring his work in the light of the three candles. He waited until the blood was dry and then folded the thick vellum three times. magical spell chanting an ethereal ancient incantation, Malakh touched the vellum to the third candle, and it burst into flames. He set the flaming vellum on the silver saucer and let it burn. As it did, the carbon in the animal skin dissolved to a fine-grained black char. When the flame went out, Malakh carefully tapped the ashes into the brass bowl of blood. Then he stirred t he mixture with the crows feather.The liquid turned a deeper crimson, nearly black. retentiveness the bowl in both palms, Malakh raised it over his head and gave thanks, intoning the blood eukharistos of the ancients. Then he carefully poured the blackened mixture into a glass vial and corked it. This would be the ink with which Malakh would inscribe the untattooed flesh atop his head and double-dyed(a) his masterpiece.CHAPTER 82Washington National Cathedral is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world and soars higher than a thirty-story skyscraper. Embellished with over two c stained-glass windows, a fifty- three-bell carillon, and a 10,647-pipe organ, this Gothic masterpiece can accommodate more than three thousand worshippers.Tonight, however, the great cathedral was deserted.Reverend Colin Gallowaydoyen of the cathedrallooked like he had been alive forever. Stooped and withered, he wore a elemental black cassock and shuffled blindly ahead without a word. Langdon and Katherine followed in silence through the darkness of the four-hundred-foot- long naves central aisle, which was curved ever so slightly to the left to create a softening optical illusion. When they reached the Great Crossing, the doyen guided them through the rood screenthe symbolic divider between the public area and the sanctuary beyond.The scent of frankincense hung in the air of the chancel. This sacred space was dark, illuminated only by indirect reflections in the foliated vaults overhead. Flags of the fifty states hung above the quire, which was ornately appointed with several mould reredos depicting biblical events. Dean Galloway continued on, apparently well-read this walk by heart. For a moment, Langdon thought they were headed straight for the high altar, where the ten stones from Mount Sinai were embedded, but the old doyen finally turned left and groped his way through a discreetly hidden door that led into an administrative annex.They moved down a short hallway to an force door bearing a brass nameplateTHE REVEREND DR. COLIN GALLOWAYCATHEDRAL doyenGalloway opened the door and turned on the lights, apparently accustomed to memory board this courtesy for his guests. He ushered them in and closed the door.The deans office was small but elegant, with high bookshelves, a desk, a carved armoire, and a private bathroom. On the walls hung sixteenth-century tapestries and several religious paintings. The old dean motioned to the two leather chairs directly opposite his desk. Langdon sat with Katherine and felt grateful finally to set his heavy shoulder bag on the floor at his feet.Sanctuary and answers, Langdon thought, remittal into the comfortable chair.The aged man shuffled around behind his desk and eased himself down into his high-backed chair. Then, with a weary sigh, he raised his head, staring blankly out at them through clouded eyes. When he spoke, his voice was unintentionally clear and strong.I realize we have never met, the old man said, and yet I feel I know you both. He took out a handkerchief and dabbed his mouth. Professor Langdon, I am familiar with your writings, including the disposed(p) piece you did on the symbolism of this cathedral. And, Ms. Solomon, your brother, Peter, and I have been Masonic brothers for many years now.Peter is in terrible apprehension, Katherine said.So I have been told. The old man sighed. And I will do everything in my power to help you.Langdon saw no Masonic ring on the deans finger, and yet he knew many Masons, especially those within the clergy, chose not to advertise their affiliation.As they began to talk, it became clear that Dean Galloway already knew some of the nights events from Warren Bellamys phone message. As Langdon and Katherine filled 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 insisting you decipher the pyramid in exchange for Peters behavior?Yes, Langdon said. He thinks its a map that wil l lead him to the hiding place of the Ancient Mysteries.The dean turned his eerie, opaque eyes toward Langdon. My ears tell me you do not believe in such things.Langdon did not want to waste time going down this road. It doesnt matter what I believe. We need to help Peter. Unfortunately, when we deciphered the pyramid, it pointed nowhere.The old man sat straighter. Youve deciphered the pyramid?Katherine interceded now, quickly explaining that despite Bellamys warnings and her brothers request that Langdon not unwrap the package, she had done so, feeling her first priority was to help her brother however she could. She told the dean about the golden stretcher, Albrecht Durers magic square, and how it decrypted the sixteen-letter Masonic cipher into the wording Jeova Sanctus Unus.Thats all it says? the dean asked. One True God?Yes, sir, Langdon replied. Apparently the pyramid is more of a metaphorical map than a geographic one.The dean held out his hold. Let me feel it. Langdon unz ipped his bag and pulled out the pyramid, which he carefully hoisted up on the desk, setting it directly in front of the reverend.Langdon and Katherine watched as the old mans frail hands examined every inch of the stone the grave side, the smooth base, and the truncated top. When he was finished, he held out his hands again. And the finishing touch?Langdon retrieved the small stone box, set it on the desk, and opened the lid. Then he removed the capstone and placed it into the old mans waiting hands. The dean performed a similar examination, feeling every inch, pausing on the capstones engraving, apparently having some trouble reading the small, elegantly inscribed text.The secret hides within The Order, Langdon offered. And the words the and auberge are capitalized.The old mans face was expressionless as he positioned the capstone on top of the pyramid and aligned it by sand of touch. He seemed to pause a moment, as if in prayer, and reverently ran his palms over the complete pyramid several times. Then he reached out and located the cube- do 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 me?The chief 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, Peter Solomon himself told you not to open it. And yet you did.Sir, Katherine intervened, we were trying to help my brother. The man who has him demanded we decipherI can appreciate that, the dean declared, and yet what have you achieved by opening the package? Nothing. Peters captor is looking for a location, and he will not be satisfied with the answer of Jeova Sanctus Unu s.I agree, Langdon said, but unfortunately thats all the pyramid says. As I mentioned, the map seems to be more figurative thanYoure mistaken, Professor, the dean said. The Masonic Pyramid is a real map. It points to a real location. You do not understand that, because you have not yet deciphered the pyramid fully. Not even close.Langdon and Katherine exchanged startled looks.The dean laid his hands back on the pyramid, almost caressing it. This map, like the Ancient Mysteries themselves, has many layers of meaning. Its true secret remains veiled from you.Dean Galloway, 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 convertative power. fable holds 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 fracture?Professor, if I were to reach out with my hand and transform this pyramid right before your eyes, would you believe what you had witnessed?Langdon had no idea how to respond. I suppose I would have no choice.Very well, then. In a moment, I shall do exactly that. He dabbed his mouth again. Let me remind you that there was an era when even the brightest minds perceived the earth as flat. For if the earth were round, then sure the oceans would spill off. Imagine how they would have mocked you if you proclaimed, Not only is the world a sphere, but there is an invisible, mystical force that holds everything to its surfaceTheres a difference, Langdon said, between the organism of gravity . . . and the abilit y to transform objects with a touch of your hand.Is there? Is it not possible that we are still living in the Dark Ages, still mocking the suggestion of mystical forces that we cannot see or comprehend. bill, if it has taught us anything at all, has taught us that the strange ideas we deride today will one day be our celebrated truths. I claim I can transform this pyramid with a touch of my finger, and you question my sanity. I would expect more from an historian. History is replete with great minds who have all proclaimed the same thing . . . great minds who have all insisted that man possesses mystical abilities of which he is unaware.Langdon knew the dean was correct. The famous Hermetic aphorismKnow ye not that ye are gods?was one of the pillars of the Ancient Mysteries. As above, so below . . . Man created in Gods look-alike . . . Apotheosis. This persistent message of mans own divinityof his hidden potentialwas the recur theme in the ancient texts of countless traditions. E ven the Holy watchword cried out in Psalms 826 Ye are godsProfessor, the old man said, I realize that you, like many educated people, live trapped between worldsone foot in the spiritual, one foot in the physical. Your heart yearns to believe . . . but your intellect refuses to permit it. As an academic, you would be wise to learn from the great minds of history. He paused and cleared his throat. If Im computer memory correctly, one of the greatest minds ever to live proclaimed That which is impenetrable to us really exists. Behind the secrets of nature remains something subtle, intangible, and inexplicable. Veneration for this force beyond anything that we can comprehend is my godliness. Who said that? Langdon said. Gandhi?No, Katherine interjected. Albert whizz.Katherine Solomon had read every word Einstein had ever written and was struck by his profound respect for the mystical, as well as his predictions that the masses would one day feel the same. The religion of the future , Einstein had predicted, will be a cosmic religion. It will legislate personal God and avoid dogma and theology.Robert Langdon appeared to be struggling with the idea. Katherine could sense his rising frustration with the old Episcopal priest, and she understood. After all, they had traveled here for answers, and they had found instead a blind man who claimed he could transform objects with a touch of his hands. Even so, the old mans overt passion for mystical forces reminded Katherine of her brother.Father Galloway, 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 preferred to sacrifice 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 d ire. It will all end tonight. Youve guaranteed that. He sighed. Ms. Solomon, when you broke the seal on that box, you set in motion a series of events from which there will be no return. There are forces at work tonight that you do not yet comprehend. There is no turning back.Katherine stared dumbfounded at the reverend. There was something apocalyptic about his tone, as if he were referring to the Seven Seals of Revelation or Pandoras box.Respectfully, sir, Langdon interceded, I cant imagine 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.