map than a geographic one.»
The dean held out his hands. «Let me feel it.»
Langdon unzipped 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 man’s frail hands examined every inch of the stone — the engraved side, the smooth base, and the truncated top. When he was finished, he held out his hands again. «And the capstone?»
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 man’s waiting hands. The dean performed a similar examination, feeling every inch, pausing on the capstone’s engraving, apparently having some trouble reading the small, elegantly inscribed text.
«‘The secret hides within The Order,’» Langdon offered. «And the words
The old man’s face was expressionless as he positioned the capstone on top of the pyramid and aligned it by sense 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-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 me?»
The question took Langdon off guard. «We came, sir, because you
«And yet you did not trust
«I’m sorry?»
The dean’s white eyes stared directly through Langdon. «The package containing the capstone was sealed. Mr. Bellamy told you
«Sir,» Katherine intervened, «we were trying to help my brother. The man who has him demanded we decipher — »
«I can appreciate that,» the dean declared, «and yet what have you achieved by
«I agree,» Langdon said, «but unfortunately that’s all the pyramid says. As I mentioned, the map seems to be more
«You’re mistaken, Professor,» the dean said. «The Masonic Pyramid is a
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, «we’ve been over every inch of the pyramid and capstone, and there’s 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 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 man’s advanced years had perhaps robbed him of his faculties. «I’m sorry, sir. Are you saying this pyramid can undergo a
«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 surely 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 surface’!»
«there’s a difference,» langdon said, «between the existence of gravity. . and the ability 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. History, 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
Langdon knew the dean was correct. The famous Hermetic aphorism —
«Professor,» the old man said, «I realize that
«Who said that?» Langdon said. «Gandhi?»
«No,» Katherine interjected. «Albert Einstein.»
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.
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 man’s 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 don’t 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 brother’s life to hide this pyramid, but my family has experienced nothing but pain because of it. Whatever secret it may hold, it ends tonight.»
«You are correct,» the old man replied, his tone dire. «It
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 Pandora’s box.
«Respectfully, sir,» Langdon interceded, «I can’t imagine how a stone pyramid could set in motion
«Of course you can’t, Professor.» The old man stared blindly through him. «You do not yet have eyes to
