The Lost Symbol Chapter 19-21

CHAPTER 19 coach Inoue Sato stood with her arms folded, her eyes locked skeptically on Langdon as she processed what he had just told her. He said he wants you to unlock an ancient portal? What am I supposed to do with that, prof?Langdon shrugged weakly. He was feeling ill again and tried non to cipher down at his friends severed hand. Thats exactly what he told me. An ancient portal . . . unfathomed somew present in this building. I told him I knew of no portal.Then why does he think you can find it?Obviously, hes insane. He said ray would apex the way. Langdon looked down at stopcocks upstretched leaf, again feeling repulsed by his captors sadistic play on spoken language. Peter willing place the way. Langdon had already permitted his eyes to follow the pointing finger up to the dome overhead. A portal? Up on that point? Insane.This art object who called me, Langdon told Sato, was the only atomic number 53 who knew I was coming to the Capitol tonight, so whoever inform ed you I was here tonight, thats your man. I recommendWhere I got my information is not your concern, Sato interrupted, voice sharpening. My top priority at the moment is to cooperate with this man, and I stand information suggesting you argon the only one who can give him what he wants.And my top priority is to find my friend, Langdon replied, frustrated.Sato inhaled deeply, her patience clearly beingnessness tested. If we want to find Mr. Solomon, we have one course of action, Professorto start cooperating with the one person who seems to know where he is. Sato checked her accompany. Our time is limited. I can as original you it is imperative we comply with this mans demands quickly.How? Langdon hireed, incredulous. By locating and unlocking an ancient portal? There is no portal, theatre director Sato. This guys a fire-eater.Sato stepped close, less than a foot from Langdon. If I may point this out . . . your lunatic deftly manipulated two fairly smart individuals already t his morning. She st bed directly at Langdon and then glanced at Anderson. In my business, one learns there is a fine byplay between insanity and genius. We would be wise to give this man a little respect.He cut off a mans handMy point exactly. That is barely the act of an uncommitted or uncertain individual. More important, Professor, this man obviously moots you can help him. He brought you all the way to Washingtonand he must(prenominal) have done it for a reason.He said the only reason he thinks I can unlock this portal is that Peter told him I can unlock it, Langdon countered.And why would Peter Solomon say that if it werent true?Im sure Peter said no such involvement. And if he did, then he did so on a lower floor duress. He was confused . . . or f reformened.Yes. Its called interrogational torture, and its quite effective. All the more reason Mr. Solomon would consecrate the truth. Sato spoke as if shed had personal experience with this technique. Did he explain why Pe ter thinks you alone can unlock the portal?Langdon shook his head.Professor, if your reputations are correct, then you and Peter Solomon both share an interest in this sort of thing conundrums, diachronic esoterica, mysticism, and so on. In all of your discussions with Peter, he neer once mentioned to you anything about a secret portal in Washington, D.C.?Langdon could scarcely confide he was being asked this question by a high-ranking officer of the CIA. Im certain of it. Peter and I talk about some pretty arcane things, just believe me, Id tell him to get his head break downd if he ever told me there was an ancient portal out of sight anywhere at all. Particularly one that leads to the old-fashioned Mysteries.She glanced up. Im gamy? The man told you specifically what this portal leads to?Yes, but he didnt have to. Langdon motioned to the hand. The Hand of the Mysteries is a formal invitation to pass through a mystical gateway and take over ancient secret knowledge powerf ul intuition known as the Ancient Mysteries . . . or the baffled wisdom of all the ages.So youve heard of the secret he believes is hole-and-corner(a) here. A lot of historians have heard of it.Then how can you say the portal does not exist?With respect, maam, weve all heard of the typeface of Youth and Shangri-la, but that does not mean they exist.The loud squawk of Andersons radio interrupted them.Chief? the voice on the radio said.Anderson snatched his radio from his belt. Anderson here.Sir, weve completed a search of the grounds. Theres no one here that fits the description. Any further orders, sir?Anderson shot a quick glance at Sato, clearly expecting a reprimand, but Director Sato seemed uninterested. Anderson moved away from Langdon and Sato, speaking quietly into his radio.Satos unwavering focus remained on Langdon. Youre saying the secret he believes is hugger-mugger in Washington . . . is a legerdemain?Langdon nodded. A very old myth. The secret of the Ancient Myste ries is pre-Christian, essentially. Thousands of years old.And yet its until now rough?As are many equally improbable beliefs. Langdon a good deal reminded his students that most modern religions included stories that did not hold up to scientific scrutiny every(prenominal)thing from Moses parting the Red Sea . . . to Joseph Smith using magic eyeglasses to translate the Book of Mormon from a series of gold plates he found buried in upstate New York. Wide acceptance of an sentiment is not proof of its validity.I see. So what exactly are these . . . Ancient Mysteries?Langdon exhaled. Have you got a few weeks? In short, the Ancient Mysteries refer to a clay of secret knowledge that was amassed long ago. One intriguing aspect of this knowledge is that it allegedly enables its practitioners to access powerful abilities that lie dormant in the human mind. The enlightened Adepts who possessed this knowledge vowed to keep it veiled from the masses because it was considered far too potent and dangerous for the uninitiated.Dangerous in what way?The information was kept hidden for the same reason we keep matches from children. In the correct hands, fire can provide illumination . . . but in the wrong hands, fire can be highly destructive.Sato took off her glasses and studied him. Tell me, Professor, do you believe such powerful information could truly exist?Langdon was not sure how to respond. The Ancient Mysteries had always been the greatest paradox of his academic career. Virtually every mystical tradition on earth revolved around the idea that there existed arcane knowledge capable of imbuing humans with mystical, most godlike, powers tarot and I Ching gave men the ability to see the future alchemy gave men immortality through the fabled Philosophers colliery Wicca permitted groundbreaking practitioners to cast powerful spells. The list went on and on.As an academic, Langdon could not deny the historical record of these traditionstroves of documents, arti facts, and artwork that, indeed, clearly suggested the ancients had a powerful wisdom that they shared only through allegory, myths, and symbols, ensuring that only those properly initiated could access its power. Nonetheless, as a realist and a skeptic, Langdon remained unconvinced.Lets just say Im a skeptic, he told Sato. I have neer seen anything in the real creation to suggest the Ancient Mysteries are anything other than legenda recurring mythological archetype. It seems to me that if it were possible for humans to make miraculous powers, there would be evidence. And yet, so far, history has given us no men with superhuman powers.Sato arched her eyebrows. Thats not entirely true.Langdon hesitated, realizing that for many spiritual people, there was indeed a precedent for human gods, Jesus being the most obvious. Admittedly, he said, there are plenty of educated people who believe this empowering wisdom truly exists, but Im not yet convinced.Is Peter Solomon one of those peo ple? Sato asked, glancing toward the hand on the floor.Langdon could not bring himself to look at the hand. Peter comes from a family lineage that has always had a passion for all things ancient and mystical.Was that a yes? Sato asked.I can assure you that even if Peter believes the Ancient Mysteries are real, he does not believe they are accessible through some kind of portal hidden in Washington, D.C. He understands metaphorical symbolism, which is something his captor manifestly does not.Sato nodded. So you believe this portal is a metaphor.Of course, Langdon said. In theory, anyway. Its a very common metaphora mystical portal through which one must travel to become enlightened. Portals and doorways are common symbolic constructs that represent transformative rites of passage. To look for a literal portal would be like trying to locate the actual Gates of Heaven. Sato seemed to consider this momentarily. that it sounds like Mr. Solomons captor believes you can unlock an actual portal.Langdon exhaled. Hes made the same error many zealots makeconfusing metaphor with a literal reality. Similarly, early alchemists had toiled in vain to transform lead into gold, never realizing that lead-to-gold was nothing but a metaphor for tapping into true human emf that of taking a dull, ignorant mind and transforming it into a bright, enlightened one.Sato motioned to the hand. If this man wants you to locate some kind of portal for him, why wouldnt he simply tell you how to find it? Why all the dramatics? Why give you a tattooed hand?Langdon had asked himself the same question and the answer was un redacttling. Well, it seems the man we are dealing with, in addition to being mentally unstable, is also highly educated. This hand is proof that he is intumesce versed in the Mysteries as well as their codes of secrecy. non to mention with the history of this room.I dont understand.Everything he has done tonight was done in perfect accordance with ancient protocols. Tradi tionally, the Hand of the Mysteries is a sacred invitation, and thereof it must be presented in a sacred place.Satos eyes narrowed. This is the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol Building, Professor, not some sacred shrine to ancient mystical secrets.Actually, maam, Langdon said, I know a great number of historians who would disagree with you.At that moment, across town, Trish Dunne was seated in the glow of the plasma wall inside the Cube. She finished preparing her search spider and typed in the five key phrases Katherine had given her.Here goes nothing.Feeling little optimism, she launched the spider, effectively commencing a worldwide game of Go Fish. At blinding race, the phrases were now being compared to texts all over the world . . . looking for a perfect match.Trish couldnt help but wonder what this was all about, but she had come to accept that working with the Solomons meant never quite knowing the entire story.CHAPTER 20Robert Langdon stole an anxious glance at his wristwatch 758 P.M. The smiling face of Mickey grovel did little to cheer him up. Ive got to find Peter. Were wasting time.Sato had stepped aside for a moment to take a phone call, but now she returned to Langdon. Professor, am I guardianship you from something?No, maam, Langdon said, pulling his sleeve down over his watch. Im just extremely concerned about Peter.I can understand, but I assure you the best thing you can do to help Peter is to help me understand the mind-set of his captor.Langdon was not so sure, but he sensed he was not passing anywhere until the OS director got the information she desired.A moment ago, Sato said, you suggested this Rotunda is somehow sacred to the idea of these Ancient Mysteries?Yes, maam.Explain that to me.Langdon knew he would have to choose his words sparingly. He had taught for entire semesters on the mystical symbolism of Washington, D.C., and there was an almost inexhaustible list of mystical references in this building alone.America has a hidden pa st.Every time Langdon lectured on the symbology of America, his students were confounded to learn that the true intentions of our nations forefathers had absolutely nothing to do with what so many politicians now claimed.Americas intended destiny has been lost to history.The forefathers who founded this capital city showtime take a shitd her Rome. They had named her river the Tiber and erected a pure capital of pantheons and temples, all adorned with images of historys great gods and goddessesApollo, Minerva, Venus, Helios, Vulcan, Jupiter. In her center, as in many of the great classical cities, the founders had erected an enduring tribute to the ancientsthe Egyptian obelisk. This obelisk, puffyr even than Cairos or Alexandrias, rose 555 feet into the sky, more than thirty stories, proclaiming thanks and honor to the demigod forefather for whom this capital city took its newer name. Washington.Now, centuries later, despite Americas separation of church and state, this state-sp onsored Rotunda glistened with ancient religious symbolism. There were over a dozen different gods in the Rotundamore than the original Pantheon in Rome. Of course, the roman print Pantheon had been converted to Christianity in 609 . . . but this pantheon was never converted vestiges of its true history still remained in plain view.As you may know, Langdon said, this Rotunda was designed as a tribute to one of Romes most venerated mystical shrines. The Temple of Vesta.As in the vestal virgins? Sato looked doubtful that Romes virginal guardians of the flame had anything to do with the U.S. Capitol Building.The Temple of Vesta in Rome, Langdon said, was circular, with a gaping hole in the floor, through which the sacred fire of enlightenment could be tended by a sisterhood of virgins whose job it was to ensure the flame never went out.Sato shrugged. This Rotunda is a circle, but I see no gaping hole in this floor.No, not anymore, but for years the center of this room had a large open ing precisely where Peters hand is now. Langdon motioned to the floor. In fact, you can still see the marks in the floor from the railing that kept people from falling in.What? Sato demanded, scrutinizing the floor. Ive never heard that. run acrosss like hes right. Anderson pointed out the circle of iron nubs where the posts had once been. Ive seen these before, but I never had any idea why they were there.Youre not alone, Langdon thought, imagining the thousands of people every day, including famous lawmakers, who strode across the center of the Rotunda having no idea there was once a day when they would have plunged down into the Capitol Cryptthe level beneath the Rotunda floor.The hole in the floor, Langdon told them, was eventually covered, but for a good while, those who visited the Rotunda could see straight down to the fire that burned below.Sato turned. Fire? In the U.S. Capitol?More of a large torch, reallyan eternal flame that burned in the crypt directly beneath us. It w as supposed to be visible through the hole in the floor, making this room a modern Temple of Vesta. This building even had its own vestal virgina federal employee called the Keeper of the Cryptwho successfully kept the flame burning for cubic decimetre 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 hand Peters hand here knew all this?Clearly. And much, much more. There are symbols all over this room that reflect a belief in the Ancient Mysteries. occult wisdom, Sato said with more than a hint of sarcasm in her voice. Knowledge that lets men acquire godlike powers?Yes, maam.That hardly fits with the Christian u nderpinnings of this country.So it would seem, but its true. This translation of man into God is called apotheosis. Whether or not youre aware of it, this themetransforming man into godis the core element in this Rotundas symbolism.Apotheosis? Anderson spun with a startled look of recognition.Yes. Anderson works here. He knows. The word apotheosis literally means divine transformationthat of man becoming God. Its from the ancient Greek apoto become, theosgod. Anderson looked amazed. Apotheosis means to become God? I had no idea.What am I missing? Sato demanded.Maam, Langdon said, the largest painting in this building is called The Apotheosis of Washington. And it clearly depicts George Washington being transformed into a god.Sato looked 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 21The Apotheosis of Washingtona 4,664-square-foot fresco that covers the canopy of t he Capitol Rotundawas completed in 1865 by Constantino Brumidi. cognize as The Michelangelo of the Capitol, Brumidi had laid claim to the Capitol Rotunda in the same way Michelangelo had laid claim to the Sistine Chapel, by painting a fresco on the rooms most imposing 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 controllerfrom the trompe loeil of the Brumidi Corridors to the frieze ceiling of the Vice Presidents Room. And yet it was the enormous image hovering above the Capitol Rotunda that most historians considered to be Brumidis masterwork.Robert Langdon gazed up at the massive fresco that covered the ceiling. He unremarkably enjoyed his students startled reactions to this frescos bizarre imagery, but at the moment he simply felt trapped in a nightmare he had yet to understand.Director Sato was standing next to him with her hands on her hips, frowning up at the distant ceiling. Langdon sensed she was having the same reaction many had when they first stopped to examine the painting at the core of their nation.Utter confusion.Youre not alone, Langdon thought. For most people, The Apotheosis of Washington got stranger and stranger the longer they looked at it. Thats George Washington on the substitution panel, Langdon said, pointing 180 feet upward into the middle of the dome. As you can see, hes dressed in white robes, attended by thirteen maidens, and ascending on a deprave above mortal man. This is the moment of his apotheosis . . . his transformation into a god.Sato and Anderson said nothing.Nearby, Langdon continued, you can see a strange, anachronistic series of figures ancient gods presenting our forefathers with advanced knowledge. Theres Minerva large(p) technological inspiration to our nations great inventorsBen Franklin, Robert F ulton, Samuel Morse. Langdon pointed them out one by one. And over there is Vulcan helping us build a steam engine. Beside them is Neptune demonstrating how to lay the transatlantic cable. Beside that is Ceres, goddess of grain and root of our word cereal shes sitting on the McCormick reaper, the farming breakthrough that enabled this country to become a world leader in regimen production. The painting quite overtly portrays our forefathers receiving great wisdom from the gods. He lowered his head, looking at Sato now. Knowledge is power, and the right knowledge lets man perform miraculous, almost godlike tasks.Sato dropped her gaze corroborate down to Langdon and rubbed her neck. Laying a phone cable is a far cry from being a god. Perhaps to a modern man, Langdon replied. But if George Washington knew that we had become a race that possessed the power to speak to one another across oceans, fly at the speed of sound, and set foot on our moon, he would assume that we had become god s, capable of miraculous tasks. He paused. In the words of futurist Arthur C. Clarke, Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Sato pursed her lips, ostensibly deep in thought. She glanced down at the hand, and then followed the direction of the outstretched index finger up into the dome. Professor, you were told, Peter will point the way. Is that correct?Yes, maam, butChief, Sato said, turning away from Langdon, can you get us a closer look at the painting?Anderson nodded. Theres a catwalk around the interior of the dome. Langdon looked way, way up to the tiny railing visible just beneath the painting and felt his body go rigid. Theres no need to go up there. He had experienced that seldom-visited catwalk once before, as the guest of a U.S. senator and his wife, and he had almost fainted from the dizzying height and perilous walkway.No need? Sato demanded. Professor, we have a man who believes this room contains a portal that has the potential to make him a god we have a ceiling fresco that symbolizes the transformation of a man into a god and we have a hand pointing straight at that painting. It seems everything is urging us upward.Actually, Anderson interjected, glancing up, not many people know this, but there is one hexagonal coffer in the dome that actually swings open like a portal, and you can peer down through it andWait a second, Langdon said, youre missing the point. The portal this man is looking for is a figurative portala gateway that doesnt exist. When he said, Peter will point the way, he was talk of the town in metaphorical terms. This pointing-hand gesturewith its index finger and thumb extended upwardis a well-known symbol of the Ancient Mysteries, and it appears all over the world in ancient art. This same gesture appears in three of Leonardo da Vincis most famous encoded masterpiecesThe Last Supper, Adoration of the Magi, and Saint John the Baptist. Its a symbol of mans mystical connection to God. As above, s o below. The madmans bizarre choice of words was starting to feel more relevant now.Ive never seen it before, Sato said.Then watch ESPN, Langdon thought, always amused to see professional athletes point skywards in gratitude to God after a touchdown or home run. He wondered how many knew they were go on a pre-Christian mystical tradition of acknowledging the mystical power above, which, for one brief moment, had transformed them into a god capable of miraculous feats.If its of any help, Langdon said, Peters hand is not the first such hand to make an appearance in this Rotunda.Sato eyed him like he was insane. I beg your pardon?Langdon motioned to her BlackBerry. Google George Washington Zeus. Sato looked uncertain but started typing. Anderson inched toward her, looking over her shoulder intently.Langdon said, This Rotunda was once dominated by a massive sculpture of a bare-chested George Washington . . . depicted as a god. He sat in the same exact pose as Zeus in the Pantheon, bar e chest exposed, left hand holding a sword, right hand raised with thumb and finger extended.Sato had apparently found an online image, because Anderson was staring at her BlackBerry in shock. Hold on, thats George Washington?Yes, Langdon said. Depicted as Zeus.Look at his hand, Anderson said, still peering over Satos shoulder. His right hand is in the same exact position as Mr. Solomons.As I said, Langdon thought, Peters hand is not the first to make an appearance in this room. When Horatio Greenoughs statue of a naked George Washington was first unveiled in the Rotunda, many joked that Washington must be reaching skyward in a desperate attempt to find some clothes. As American religious ideals changed, however, the joking criticism turned to controversy, and the statue was removed, banished to a shed in the east garden. Currently, it made its home at the Smithsonians National Museum of American History, where those who saw it had no reason to suspect that it was one of the last ve stigial links to a time when the father of the country had watched over the U.S. Capitol as a god . . . like Zeus watching over the Pantheon.Sato began dialing a number on her BlackBerry, apparently seeing this as an opportune moment to check in with her staff. What have you got? She listened patiently. I see . . . She glanced directly at Langdon, then at Peters hand. Youre certain? She listened a moment longer. Okay, thanks. She hung up and turned back toward Langdon. My support staff did some research and confirms the existence of your so-called Hand of the Mysteries, corroborating everything you said five fingertip markingsthe star, the sun, the key, the crown, and the lanternas well as the fact that this hand served as an ancient invitation to learn secret wisdom.Im glad, Langdon said.Dont be, she replied curtly. It appears were now at a dead end until you share whatever it is youre still not telling me.Maam? Sato stepped toward him. Weve come full circle, Professor. Youve told me nothing I could not have learned from my own staff. And so I will ask you once more. Why were you brought here tonight? What makes you so special? What is it that you alone know?Weve been through this, Langdon fired back. I dont know why this guy thinks I know anything at allLangdon was half tempted to demand how the hell Sato knew that he was in the Capitol tonight, but theyd been through that, too. Sato isnt talking. If I knew the next step, he told her, Id tell you. But I dont. Traditionally, the Hand of the Mysteries is extended by a teacher to a student. And then, shortly afterward, the hand is followed up with a set of instructions . . . directions to a temple, the name of the master who will teach yousomething But all this guy left for us is five tattoos Hardly Langdon stopped short.Sato eyed him. What is it?Langdons eyes shot back to the hand. Five tattoos. He now realized that what he was saying might not be entirely true.Professor? Sato pressed.Langdon inched toward the gruesome object. Peter will point the way.Earlier, it crossed my mind that maybe this guy had left an object clench in Peters palma map, or a letter, or a set of directions.He didnt, Anderson said. As you can see, those three fingers are not clenched tightly.Youre right, Langdon said. But it occurs to me . . . He crouched down now, trying to see up under the fingers to the hidden part of Peters palm. Maybe its not written on paper.Tattooed? Anderson said.Langdon nodded.Do you see anything on the palm? Sato asked.Langdon crouched lower, trying to peer up under the loosely clenched fingers. The angle is impossible. I cantOh, for heavens sake, Sato said, moving toward him. Just open the damned thingAnderson stepped in front of her. Maam We should really wait for forensics before we touch I want some answers, Sato said, pushing past him. She crouched down, edging Langdon away from the hand.Langdon stood up and watched in disbelief as Sato pulled a pen from her pocket, sliding it caref ully under the three clenched fingers. Then, one by one, she pried each finger upward until the hand stood fully open, with its palm visible.She glanced up at Langdon, and a thin grin spread across her face. Right again, Professor.