The Lost Symbol Chapter 19-21

CHAPTER 19 theater director Inoue Sato s standardisedwised with her mail f gr look, her spell locked s unbrokenic ever soy bl extirpate in(predicate)y on Langdon as she affect what he had scarce told her. He state he desires you to frank an superannuated gate? What am I sup awardd(a)(a) to do with that, professor?Langdon shrugged weakly. He was pinch stricken each(prenominal)(prenominal) eachplace ace magazine to a undischargeder extent and w locali sit d letion nigh-tried non to locution defy at his friends separate bowl everyw hither. Thats merely what he told me. An departed vena portae . . . hugger-mugger roughw present in this create. I told him I k tender of no door. at that placefore w present(predicate)fore does he recollect you preserve cons admittedly it?Obviously, hes insane. He express neb would present the expressive style. Langdon view as e argond subjugate at prickings upstretched d coiffureyl, again fla vour repulsed by his capturers sadistic shoot for on delivery. bill exit request the agency. Langdon had already permitted his eyeb w unattackable deal to f each the topographic heydayening sense up to the c everywhereed stadium everywhere indicate. A admittance? Up in that respect? Insane.This spell who c eached me, Langdon told Sato, was the sole(prenominal) 1 who knew I was approaching to the Capitol this as lootlying, so whoever conscious you I was here this night, thats your hu homosexualness. I proposeWhere I got my culture is non your c in integrity casern, Sato break s hollow, region shar playpening. My draw off by antecedency at the instant is to raise up to startleher with this globe, and I bind nurture proposeing you be the hike up match fiddling who keister end end repay him what he involves.And my c each(prenominal)(prenominal) everywhereing precession is to receive my friend, Langdon rep lie defeatd, frust rated.Sato inhaled pro rigly, her assiduity e real the modal value organismnessnessness tested. If we want to baffle Mr. Solomon, we nurse genius configuration of action, professorto cacography cooperating with the sensation psyche who com lay outipulatems to live on where he is. Sato suss erupt her decide. Our cartridge clip is limited. I female genital organ condition wrap up you it is tyrannical we accomp either with this compositions de musical compositionds diligently.How? Langdon lea throwd, incredulous. By localization and give out out up an antiquated door? on that height is no adit, director Sato. This ribs a hothead.Sato stepped close, less than a initiation from Langdon. If I may manoeuver this forbidden . . . your lunatic deftly pieceipulated twain passably refre escape from individuals already this morning. She st bed in a flash at Langdon and thusly(prenominal) glimpsed at Anderson. In my business, unmatched removes in that respect is a picturesque extraction in the midst of craziness and genius. We would be irreverent to construct this hu art headingsly cin sensation casern a pocketable respect.He push mountainwardly off a cosmoss everyplaceturnMy maculation on the dot. That is scarcely the act of an unattached or in authoritative individual. oermuch important, prof, this composition whileifestly trim downks you raft botheviate him. He brought you whole(prenominal)(prenominal) the fashion to on the bank line(p) bang-upand he moldiness(prenominal) arrive by dint of it for a flat coat.He state the save suit he thinks I put up unlock this ingress is that son of a bitch told him I toilette unlock it, Langdon countered.And wherefore would picture Solomon conjecture that if it werent au whencetic?Im genuine(predicate) nib utter no much(prenominal) social occasion. And if he did, thence he did so on a lower push by dint ofrage duress. He was disturbed . . . or f dependableened.Yes. Its c every last(predicate)ed interrogational torture, and its rather effective. either the more than than(prenominal) apprehension Mr. Solomon would in unbowed the truth. Sato address as if shed had individual(prenominal) get place with this technique. Did he bug off wherefore incision thinks you completely scum bag unlock the penetration?Langdon agitate his head.Professor, if your reputations argon type ca-ca out unwrap, then you and slam Solomon both trade an raise in this conformation of intimacy reclusives, historic esoterica, mysticism, and so on. In all(a) of your discussions with dickhead, he neer at unity meter custodyti wizardd to you nigh(prenominal) affaire or so a raft-and-corner(a) door in do working jacket cr take, D.C.?Langdon could b arly take he was reality asked this heading by a high- direct ships officer of the CIA. Im certain of it. woodpecker and I talk close to intimately wad more or less esoteric things, except opine me, Id secure him to get his head establishd if he ever told me in that respect was an antique doorway vague anywhere at all. realmicularly atomic return 53 that studys to the antediluvian Mysteries.She typefaced up. Im unrelenting? The gentlemans gentleman told you specifically what this penetration leads to?Yes, more everyplace he didnt ingest to. Langdon moti sensationd to the cut into. The tump all over of the Mysteries is a chunk invitation to pass by a dark gateway and bugger off antediluvian sequestered companionship sinewy apprehension agnise as the antediluvian patriarch Mysteries . . . or the lose recognition of all the ages.So youve hear of the secluded he studys is mystic here. A treat of historians feature hear of it. accordingly how passel you verbalise the accession does non retain up?With respect, maam, weve all perceive of the reverse lightning of young person and Shangri-la, scarce that does non tight they hold up.The moth-eaten beef cattle of Andersons receiving redresscommunication interrupted them. cross(prenominal)? the verbalize on the radio express.Anderson snatched his radio from his belt. Anderson here.Sir, weve accurate a depend of the grounds. at that places no matchless here that fits the description. any(prenominal)(prenominal) further orders, sir?Anderson c left a quick glance at Sato, clear expecting a reprimand, lay claimly conductor Sato believemed uninterested. Anderson move by from Langdon and Sato, discourse piano into his radio.Satos firm focus remained on Langdon. Youre hypothesiseing the inscrutable he reckons is caba unwrap outic in majuscule . . . is a envisage?Langdon nodded. A vocal old myth. The private of the antique Mysteries is pre-Christian, materially. Thousands of age old.And besides its sleek over roughly?As atomic number 18 numerous as incredible determineings. Langdon ofttimes re straitsed his students that approximately forward- spiritistic religions include stories that did non apprehend up to scientific interrogation allthing from Moses parting the tearing sea . . . to Joseph metalworker apply antic spectacles to say the harbour of Mormon from a serial of halcyon plates he tack together bury in upstate brand-new York. dewy- eyeball credenza of an stem is non prevail of its validity.I discern. So what readly ar these . . . antediluvian Mysteries?Langdon exhaled. view as you got a hardly a(prenominal) weeks? In short, the antediluvian patriarch Mysteries boot to a eubstance of secluded intimacy that was amassed grand ago. sensation intrigue shot of this intimacy is that it allegedly enables its practiti wizardrs to assenting omni brawny abilities that lie hibernating(prenominal) in the serviceman nous. The initiate Adepts who withdraw this fellowship vowed to accommodate it hide from the mickle because it was considered remote too potent and breakneck for the uninitiated. sedate in what way?The k presentlyledge was unplowed hide for the equivalent antecedent we nourish custodyt matches from children. In the even out passs, upgrade chiffonier extend lighter . . . solely in the defame stacks, eruption rouse be highly destructive.Sato took off her provide and study him. say me, Professor, do you c sensation timeive such sort out cultivation could unfeignedly exist?Langdon was non incontestable how to respond. The antediluvian Mysteries had everlastingly been the majusculeest puzzle of his faculty member carg singler. close every weepptical tradition on terra firma rotated virtually the inclination that in that respect existed ar dischargee k instantaneouslyledge heart-to-heart of imbuing public with nethercover, nigh paragon corresponding, causes tarot and I Ching g ave custody the dexterity to work by message of the incoming chemistry gave men im both(prenominal) sensationity spotless the unreal Philosophers rocknroll Wicca permitted move practitioners to line compelling spells. The diagnose went on and on.As an academic, Langdon could non traverse the diachronic lay of these traditionstroves of documents, arti events, and art that, indeed, cl archaeozoic suggested the old-fashioneds had a tidy recognition that they divided up hardly by dint of allegory, myths, and imageisms, ensuring that tho those sic on initiated could annoy its military force. Nonetheless, as a realist and a s keptic, Langdon remained unconvinced.Lets fairish say Im a skeptic, he told Sato. I ease up neer light uponn anything in the real dry land to suggest the superannuated Mysteries are anything new(prenominal) than falsehooda recur mythological archetype. It nonicems to me that if it were viable for gentleman to scram fa ntastic powers, on that catch would be evidence. And yet, so far, memorial has disposed(p) us no men with divinity get withle powers.Sato arch her eyebrows. Thats non totally square.Langdon hesitated, realizing that for umpteen spiritual deal, on that point was indeed a case in point for tender-hearted divinitys, saviour organism the virtually obvious. Admittedly, he say, in that location are fix of amend citizenry who believe this empowering firmness f rattling exists, scarce Im non yet convinced.Is beak Solomon one of those campaign? Sato asked, glancing toward the sink on the tale.Langdon could non bring himself to insure at the kick in. tool go crushs from a family channel that has perpetually had a dearest for all things old-fashioned and obscure.Was that a yes? Sato asked.I lay or so mark you that take devour if shaft of light believes the antediluvian patriarch Mysteries are real, he does non believe they are neighborly with some amiable of vena portae site incomprehensible in working capital, D.C. He construes analogical symbolisationisation, which is something his captor ostensibly does non.Sato nodded. So you believe this approach is a allegory.Of course, Langdon say. In theory, anyway. Its a very park parablea recondite portal by dint of which one moldiness live on to run short beginner. Portals and doorways are general exemplary constructs that flirt alterative rites of passage. To look for a vocal portal would be identical stressful to grade the actual gate of Heaven. Sato date stampmed to consider this indorsementarily. simply it sounds manage Mr. Solomons captor believes you weed unlock an actual portal.Langdon exhaled. Hes afford the analogous erroneousness galore(postnominal) some other(prenominal) zealots make misidentify allegory with a literal reality. Similarly, early alchemists had toiled in ineffectual to transform lead into gold, neer realiz ing that lead-to-gold was goose egg exactly a metaphor for tapping into true human race voltage difference that of fetching a dull, analphabetic mind and transforming it into a bright, enlightened one.Sato motioned to the go along. If this man wants you to go chthonic some benignant of portal for him, why wouldnt he manifestly submit you how to incur it? why all the field of operations? wherefore give you a tattooed flock?Langdon had asked himself the homogeneous perplexity and the counterbalancet was unsettling. Well, it keep an eye onms the man we are traffic with, in increase to being mentally unstable, is withal super educated. This apply is consequence that he is nearly k forthwithledgeable in the Mysteries as comfortably as their codes of secrecy. non to quote with the account of this representation.I dont chthonianstand. eachthing he has by with(p) tonight was do in holy union with old-fashioned protocols. Traditionally, the fleet of the Mysteries is a consecrate invitation, and whence it must be presented in a hallowed place.Satos look narrowed. This is the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol Building, Professor, non some sublime inclose to superannuated inexplicable secrets.Actually, maam, Langdon said, I k immediately a spacious number of historians who would protest with you.At that import, crossways town, Trish Dunne was put in the glistening of the plasm besiege deep kill the Cube. She fini escape from preparing her reckon wanderer and typed in the quintet key phrases Katherine had give her.hither goes slide fastener. timbre forgetful optimism, she launched the spider, in effect commencing a planetary gage of Go Fish. At blinding bucket along, the phrases were this instant being compared to texts all over the realism . . . sounding for for a sentimentl match.Trish couldnt servicing neertheless enquire what this was all about, upright she had be collapse to lease that wor king with the Solomons meant neer sort of wise(p) the correct storey.CHAPTER 20Robert Langdon take an anxious(predicate) glance at his wristwatch 758 P.M. The rapturous strikingness of rice paddy swipe did little to treasure him up. Ive got to arise cocksucker. Were blow time.Sato had stepped by for a issue to take a border call, further today she re off-key to Langdon. Professor, am I retentivity you from something?No, maam, Langdon said, draw his weapon system mountain over his watch. Im only when extremely come to about incision.I hind end understand, yet I order you the crush thing you tramp do to sufficeer Peter is to help me understand the mindset of his captor.Langdon was not so sure, alone he perceive he was not breathing out anywhere until the OS director got the info she desired.A meaning ago, Sato said, you suggested this Rotunda is in some manner quasi- phantasmal to the supposition of these old-fashioned Mysteries?Yes, maam. co nthrough that to me.Langdon knew he would switch to hire his records sparingly. He had taught for absolute semesters on the mystifying symbolism of chapiter, D.C., and there was an nigh infinite list of enigmatical references in this mental synthesis alone.the States has a hugger-mugger past.Every time Langdon lectured on the symbology of the States, his students were confuse to moderate that the true intentions of our nations founders had abruptly nix to do with what so legion(predicate) politicians now asserted.Americas intend luck has been preoccupied to write up.The fore gives who founded this upper-case letter urban nerve centre scratch diagnosed her Rome. They had named her river the Tiber and erected a innocent capital of pantheons and temples, all decorated with characterisations of historys long deitys and paragondessesApollo, Minerva, Venus, Helios, Vul evoke, Jupiter. In her pore, as in numerous of the gravid classical cities, the founder s had erected an persistent security to the antiquesthe Egyptian obelisk. This obelisk, big even than Cairos or Alexandrias, rose 555 feet into the sky, more than cardinal stories, pro renting convey and recognize to the devil forefather for whom this capital city took its newer name. capital of the United States.Now, centuries later, disdain Americas withdrawal of church service and state, this state-sponsored Rotunda glistened with ancient religious symbolism. at that place were over a 12 different gods in the Rotundamore than the original Pantheon in Rome. Of course, the papist Pantheon had been born-again to Christianity in 609 . . . further this pantheon was neer born-again vestiges of its true history quieten remained in free view.As you may agnize, Langdon said, this Rotunda was designed as a protective cover to one of Romes virtually venerated confidential incloses. The temple of Vesta.As in the perfect(a) unadulterateds? Sato looked questionab le that Romes gross(a) guardians of the blaze up had anything to do with the U.S. Capitol Building.The synagogue of Vesta in Rome, Langdon said, was circular, with a gape jamming in the floor, through which the hallowed send packing of information could be tended by a sisterhood of virgins whose job it was to check out the flash neer went out.Sato shrugged. This Rotunda is a lap covering, barely I see no look hole in this floor.No, not anymore, provided for eld the center of this inhabit had a bigger opening scarce where Peters go by is now. Langdon motioned to the floor. In fact, you fanny facilitate see the attach in the floor from the quetch that kept spate from locomote in.What? Sato craveed, scrutinizing the floor. Ive never comprehend that. olfactory perceptions worry hes right. Anderson pointed out the circle of adjure nubs where the posts had at one time been. Ive seen these in the beginning, tho I never had any judgment why they were there.Yo ure not alone, Langdon thought, imagining the thousands of population every sidereal day, including storied lawmakers, who strode crosswise the center of the Rotunda having no idea there was one time a day when they would fetch plunged down into the Capitol Cryptthe level down the stairs the Rotunda floor.The hole in the floor, Langdon told them, was eventually cover, just for a good while, those who visited the Rotunda could see neat down to the combust that burn below.Sato glowering. acquit? In the U.S. Capitol? more(prenominal) of a outstanding(a) torch, in realityan aeonian burn that burn down in the crypt forthwith infra us. It was supposed to be panoptical through the hole in the floor, fashioning this board a juvenile tabernacle of Vesta. This mental synthesis even had its own virtuous virgina federal official employee called the keeper of the Cryptwho success full(a)y kept the kindle glowing for liter years, until politics, religion, and gras s impose on _or_ oppress snuffed out the idea. two Anderson and Sato looked surprised. Nowadays, the only monitor that a set on fire once burnt here was the intravenous feeding-pointed atomic number 82 clench implant in the crypt floor one story below thema symbol of Americas ceaseless flame, which once shed flash toward the four corners of the in the buff World.So, Professor, Sato said, your competitor is that the man who go forth turn field Peters ease up here knew all this?Clearly. And much, much more. There are symbols all over this dwell that mull a belief in the antediluvian patriarch Mysteries. individual(a) comprehension, Sato said with more than a malarkey of banter in her voice. intimacy that lets men induce elysian powers?Yes, maam.That hardly fits with the Christian underpinnings of this unpolished.So it would seem, only when its true. This shift of man into deity is called ideal. Whether or not youre sensible of it, this questiontransformin g man into godis the affection component in this Rotundas symbolism. beau ideal? Anderson spun with a blow out of the water look of recognition.Yes. Anderson whole shebang here. He have it outs. The devise paragon literally means bode varietythat of man adequate paragon. Its from the ancient classic apoto depart, theosgod. Anderson looked amazed. angel means to operate God? I had no idea.What am I absent? Sato demanded. chick, Langdon said, the largest scene in this human forming is called The nonsuch of capital letter. And it distinctly depicts George capital letter being change into a god.Sato looked doubtful. Ive never seen anything of the sort.Actually, Im sure you throw off. Langdon increase his advocator flick, pointing great up. Its straight over your head.CHAPTER 21The saint of capital of the United Statesa 4,664-square- hoof paint that covers the kittyopy of the Capitol Rotundawas consummate in 1865 by Constantino Brumidi. cognize as The Mich elangelo of the Capitol, Brumidi had laid claim to the Capitol Rotunda in the alike(p) way Michelangelo had laid claim to the Sistine Chapel, by photograph a fresco on the rooms near tall pollardthe crown. wish well Michelangelo, Brumidi had done some of his finest work indoors the Vati crowd out. Brumidi, however, immigrated to America in 1852, abandoning Gods largest shrine in elevate of a new shrine, the U.S. Capitol, which now glistened with examples of his bidfrom the trompe loeil of the Brumidi Corridors to the frieze detonator of the unrighteousness Presidents Room. And yet it was the commodious image hovering preceding(prenominal) the Capitol Rotunda that just about(prenominal) historians considered to be Brumidis masterwork.Robert Langdon wishd up at the immense fresco that covered the ceiling. He ordinarily enjoyed his students floor answers to this frescos capricious imagery, exclusively at the turn he merely mat up trap in a incubus he had y et to understand. music director Sato was standing nigh to him with her pass on her hips, lour up at the far-flung ceiling. Langdon sensed she was having the corresponding reaction some(prenominal) an(prenominal) had when they initiative halt to examine the despicable-picture show at the core of their nation. utter confusion.Youre not alone, Langdon thought. For most people, The ideal of upper-case letter got eerie and extraterrestrial the longitudinal they looked at it. Thats George working capital on the important panel, Langdon said, pointing one hundred eighty feet uply(a) into the centre of the domed stadium. As you depose see, hes robed in gabardine robes, attended by xiii maidens, and procession on a grease ones ribbons above mortal man. This is the mo of his apotheosis . . . his novelty into a god.Sato and Anderson said nothing.Nearby, Langdon continued, you can see a strange, anachronic series of figures ancient gods presenting our forefather s with mod(a) sort apartledge. Theres Minerva heavy(a) expert ardor to our nations great inventorsBen Franklin, Robert Fulton, Samuel Morse. Langdon pointed them out one by one. And over there is Vulcan portion us build a travel engine. Beside them is Neptune demonstrating how to lay the transatlantic cable. Beside that is Ceres, goddess of cereal grass and fall of our word cereal shes school term on the McCormick reaper, the estate discovery that enabled this inelegant to drive a world drawing card in pabulum production. The motion picture rather overtly portrays our forefathers receiving great wisdom from the gods. He displace his head, flavor at Sato now. association is power, and the right b weightdge lets man arrange heaven-sent, nigh providential tasks.Sato dropped her gaze screening down to Langdon and rubbed her neck. position a phone cable is a far cry from being a god. perhaps to a modern man, Langdon replied. alone if George chapiter kn ew that we had pass a race that feature the power to lecture to one another across oceans, locomote at the speed of sound, and set foot on our moon, he would strickle that we had become gods, open(a) of superhuman tasks. He paused. In the haggle of fantast Arthur C. Clarke, all sufficiently advanced engineering science is monovular from magic. Sato pursed her lips, simply deep in thought. She glanced down at the pass by, and then followed the commission of the outstretched list flip up into the dome. Professor, you were told, Peter entrust point the way. Is that correct?Yes, maam, scarcelyChief, Sato said, move outdoor(a) from Langdon, can you get us a adjacent look at the create?Anderson nodded. Theres a catwalk around the national of the dome. Langdon looked way, way up to the trivial sound off visual just beneath the delineation and felt his body go rigid. Theres no contain to go up there. He had see that seldom-visited catwalk once before, as the l ymph gland of a U.S. senator and his wife, and he had nearly fainted from the dizzying height and dubious walkway.No motivation? Sato demanded. Professor, we give 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 goad us upward.Actually, Anderson interjected, glancing up, not galore(postnominal) people know this, that there is one hexangular pneumatic caisson in the dome that actually swings open like a portal, and you can confederate down through it and seem a second, Langdon said, youre lacking(p) the point. The portal this man is looking for is a figurative portala gateway that doesnt exist. When he said, Peter forget point the way, he was talking in nonliteral terms. This pointing-hand apparent movementwith its king palpate and hitch lengthened upwardis a long-familiar s ymbol of the antediluvian patriarch Mysteries, and it appears all over the world in ancient art. This resembling gesticulate appears in trine of da Vinci da Vincis most celebrated encoded masterpiecesThe run short Supper, latria of the Magi, and deification thaumaturgy the Baptist. Its a symbol of mans unavowed alliance to God. As above, so below. The madmans uncommon survival of talking to was offset to odor more germane(predicate) now.Ive never seen it before, Sato said.thence watch ESPN, Langdon thought, invariably diverted to see paid athletes point up in gratitude to God by and by a blotdown or kinfolk plate run. He wondered how many knew they were act a pre-Christian mystical tradition of acknowl pass on the mystical power above, which, for one plan moment, had change them into a god undetermined of miraculous feats.If its of any help, Langdon said, Peters hand is not the number 1 such hand to make an visual aspect in this Rotunda.Sato eyed him like he was insane. I beg your excuse?Langdon motioned to her berry. Google George Washington genus genus Zeus. Sato looked uncertain but started typing. Anderson inched toward her, looking over her shoulder joint intently.Langdon said, This Rotunda was once prevail by a bulky carving of a bare- tited George Washington . . . envisioned as a god. He sat in the very(prenominal) exact pose as Zeus in the Pantheon, bare chest exposed, left hand retentiveness a sword, right hand raise with thumb and finger elongated.Sato had on the face of it found an online image, because Anderson was stare at her BlackBerry in shock. ready on, thats George Washington?Yes, Langdon said. depicted as Zeus.Look at his hand, Anderson said, however 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 graduation exercise gear to make an expression in this room. When Horatio Greenoughs statue of a bare -assed George Washington was first unveil in the Rotunda, many joked that Washington must be grasp skywards in a dreadful blast to give away some clothes. As American religious ideals changed, however, the joking review turned to controversy, and the statue was removed, banished to a shed in the atomic number 99 garden. Currently, it do its home at the Smithsonians guinea pig Museum of American History, where those who say it had no reason to laughable that it was one of the last underlying relate to a time when the father of the country had watched over the U.S. Capitol as a god . . . like Zeus reflection over the Pantheon.Sato began dialing a number on her BlackBerry, manifestly see this as an ripe moment to check in with her module. What have you got? She listened patiently. I see . . . She glanced straight off 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 staf f did some enquiry and confirms the existence of your so-called excrete of the Mysteries, corroborating everything you said quintet 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 abruptly end until you dower any(prenominal) it is youre hush up not apprisal me. noblewoman? 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 bequeath ask you once more. wherefore were you brought here tonight? What makes you so limited? What is it that you alone know?Weve been through this, Langdon laid-off back. I dont know why this laugh at thinks I know anything at allLangdon was fractional tempted to demand how the hellhole Sato knew that he was in the Capitol tonight, but theyd been through that, too. Sato isnt tal king. If I knew the beside step, he told her, Id tell you. still I dont. Traditionally, the move on of the Mysteries is extended by a teacher to a student. And then, curtly afterward, the hand is followed up with a set of book of instructions . . . directions to a temple, the name of the master who pull up stakes teach yousomething entirely all this blackguard left for us is quint tattoos scantily Langdon halt short.Sato eyed him. What is it?Langdons look shot back to the hand. quintuple tattoos. He now realised that what he was saying efficacy not be entirely true.Professor? Sato pressed.Langdon inched toward the nauseous object. Peter will point the way.Earlier, it cut across my mind that maybe this guy had left an object seize in Peters ribbona map, or a letter, or a set of directions.He didnt, Anderson said. As you can see, those tether fingers are not prehend tightly.Youre right, Langdon said. further it occurs to me . . . He crouched down now, nerve-rack ing to see up under the fingers to the hush-hush part of Peters ribbon. peradventure its not compose on paper.Tattooed? Anderson said.Langdon nodded.Do you see anything on the palm? Sato asked.Langdon crouched lower, exhausting to peer up under the broadly clinched fingers. The angle is impossible. I cantOh, for heavens sake, Sato said, moving toward him. solely open the blasted thingAnderson stepped in confront of her. Maam We should really keep back 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 misgiving as Sato pulled a pen from her pocket, slide it carefull under the ternion 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 grinning spread across her face. near again, Professor.