"I've never heard
of a cryptex."
Sophie was not surprised. Most of Leonardo's unbuilt inventions had
never been studied or even named. The term cryptex possibly
had been her grandfather's creation, an apt title for this device
that used the science of cryptology to protect information
written on the contained scroll or codex.
Langdon watched the gun barrel swing now in his direction.
"Mr. Langdon," Vernet said, "you will bring the box over to me. And
be aware that I'm asking you because you I would not
hesitate to shoot."
Langdon stared at the banker in disbelief.
I've got to do something! Langdon thought. I'm about to
hand over the Priory keystone!
He could see the dark resolve in Teabing's face and knew the moment
was upon them. When I set this down, he will kill us both.
Even without looking at Sophie, he could hear her heart beseeching
him in silent desperation. Robert, this man is not worthy of the
Grail. Please do not place it in his hands. No matter what the
cost.
Langdon's eyes moved heavenward, up into the gaping void of the
Chapter House cupola. Crouching lower, Langdon lowered his gaze to
Teabing's gun, aimed directly at him.
"I'm sorry, Leigh."
ROSLIN
This ancient
spelling, Langdon explained to Sophie, derived from the Rose Line
meridian on which the chapel sat; or, as Grail academics preferred
to believe, from the "Line of Rose"--the ancestral lineage of Mary
Magdalene.
The Holy Grail 'neath ancient
Roslin waits.
The blade and chalice guarding o'er Her gates.
Again Langdon
sensed there remained some facet of this mystery yet to reveal
itself.
"I've never been in a Masonic temple," Sophie said, still eyeing
the pillars. "I am almost positive I saw these here." She
turned back into the chapel, as if looking for something else to
jog her memory.
The docent's voice trailed off. "I've lived here my whole life. My
grandmother raised me in that house."
Marie sighed and began to walk along the famous path worn into the
chapel floor, the same path Langdon had seen the visitors walking
earlier this evening. As his eyes adjusted to see the giant symbol,
he still felt lost. "But that's the Star of Dav--"
Langdon stopped short, mute with amazement as it dawned on
him.
The blade and chalice.
Langdon needed a minute to find his words. "The verse does
point here to Rosslyn. Completely. Perfectly."
The Holy Grail 'neath ancient
Roslin waits.
The blade and chalice guarding o'er Her gates.
Adorned in masters' loving art, She lies.
She rests at last beneath the starry skies.