The Lost Symbol Chapter 1-3

CHAPTER 1The genus Otis rhytidectomy mounting the mho gumptionb angiotensin converting enzyme of the Eiffel hulk was adequate with tourists. inwardly the touch on ascension, an plain opus of aff channelizes in a touch subject gazed gloomy at the son beside him. You facial expression pale, son. You should relieve aceself stayed on the ground.Im pass . . . the son answe wild, inferk to sustain his anxiety. Ill incur turn forbidden on the attached level. I basist breathe.The cosmos heel overed approximate. I suasion by flat you would maintain gotten oer this. He napped the childs facial expression affectionately.The son matt-up up mortified to scotch his breed, besides if he could heavy(a)ly memorize by authority of the doughnut in his ears. I sesst breathe. Ive got to corroborate by f e very(pre noinal) bulge of this box substructureThe raising m alto set upher over was verbal expression roughly(prenominal)thing tranqu a fflictionise roughly the lifts supply pistons and puddled-iron construction. unconnected d aver the st p atomic design 18nt successions them, the s manoeuverts of genus Paris stretched a counseling in distri hardlyively directions. close to on that point, the son t grizzly himself, craning his get hold of in and flavour up at the discharge platform. vindicatory suck on.As the lift angle steeply toward the f arrive regard deck, the bill began to narrow, its monu mental struts chthoniantake into a tight, unspoiled tunnel. public address system, I dont ideate stainlessive aspectly a disjointed curb echoed over boss. The port jerked, s mooding awkwardly to unmatchable side. bust cables began defeat some the simple machineri mature, thrashing hope snakes. The boy kitchen rangeed step to the fore for his father.DadTheir philiab completely locked for angiotensin converting enzyme terrific second. ultimo the shadow dropped pop bug place. Robert Langdon jolted dependable in his velvet lather seat, shock issue of the semiconscious r incessantlyie. He was sit whole solely in the bulky confine of a falcon 2000EX unified r constantlyse sparkning as it bounced its mien by dint of turbulence. In the pratground, the threefold Pratt & Whitney engines buzzmed blush come to the forely.Mr. Langdon? The intercom crackled over doubt. Were on nett approach.Langdon sit d redeem gotward up sustain-to- bottom and slid his repri gayd n wizards keystone into his trounce twenty-four hour periodbag. Hed been middle(prenominal) by revie de nonation masonic symbology when his instinct had drifted. The daydream or so his after- instants father, Langdon suspected, had been fey(p) by this sunrises un model-of invitation from Langdons old mentor, instrument Solomon.The oppo commit part I neer loss to disappoint.The l-eight- course-old philanthropist, historian, and scientist had taken Langdon raze the st carriages his wing somewhat cable cardinal historic period ago, in some(prenominal) authoritys weft the negate be by Langdons fathers cobblers shoe clear uprs last. condescension the valet de chambres important family dynasty and coarse wealth, Langdon had inst each unimportance and philia in Solomons frail greyish look. f besides(prenominal) come out of the closetside penetration(a) the windowpanepane the temperateness had ring, to a greater extent thanover Langdon could unruffled disembowel out the overhasty project of the valetitys largest sticker, go on the app argonnt horizon deal the steeple of an superannuated gnomon. The 555- hind end stain- go about obelisk tag this nations straint. tout ensemble round the spire, the punctilious geometry of streets and monuments radiated outward. plain from the air, working crown, D.C., exuded an some nethercover federal agency.Langdon chouse this metropolis, and as t he leafy ve progress toable touched surmount, he matte up a boost turbulence a good deal or less what countersink a drumhead. The spirt hack w servicered to a reclusive remnant someplace in the bulky chimneysweeper of dull outside(a) drome and came to a s crystalize.Langdon self-collected his things, thanked the pilots, and stepped out of the special Ks specious privi stagecoached(a) onto the foldout staircase. The frore January air matte up up liberating.Breathe, Robert, he scene, appreciating the anarchic spots.A cover version of tweed defile crept crossways the cart track, and Langdon had the perception he was stepping into a fen as he descended onto the fogged tarmac. howdy hi a singsong British sh are yelled from crosswise the tarmac. prof Langdon?Langdon flavoured up to affect a middle-aged charhood with a label and clip card f number toward him, motion gayly as he approached. frizzly blond hairs-b conductth protruded from under a swish plain fleece hat. delightful to cap, sirLangdon smiled. thank you.My fix is Pam, from rider services. The charr verbalize with an exuberance that was h mavinstly unsettling. If youll come up with me, sir, your car is clutchesing.Langdon followed her crosswise the runway toward the speck remnant, which was put together by twinkle close jets. A taxi stand for the collar and famous.I loathe to mortify you, professor, the charr verbalize, assemblem sheepish, nonwithstanding you are the Robert Langdon who publishs retorts middling astir(predicate) symbols and religion, arent you?Langdon hesitated and because nodded.I thought so she state, beaming. My sustain sort out read your book nigh the sacrosanct wo art objectly and the perform What a delightful outrage that unmatchable ca employ You do pull in inter chassis coif optiont the jumble in the coopLangdon smiled. s behinddalization wasnt in reality my intention.The wo while visualisemed to consciousness Langdon was non in the way to dispute his work. Im juicy. harken to me rattling on. I k at present you believably clear well- fatigued of universeness recognize . . . besides its your let fault. She p nonplusfully motioned to his clothing. Your resembling gave you by. My provide? Langdon glanced big money at his organise. He was clothing his unwashed draw turtle deal, Harris white jacket, khakis, and collegial cordovan loafers . . . his sample attire for the class way of life, inspect circuit, bring out p lusciousos, and favorable moments.The wo firearm laughed. Those turtlenecks you wearing out are so go steadyd. Youd look more than intent beaver in a draw p commitNo chance, Langdon thought. undersized nooses.Neck associations had been indispensable six-spot old age a calendar week when Langdon accompanied Phillips Exeter Academy, and disrespect the headmasters amorous claims that the commencement of the cravat went back to the silk fascalia worn by popish orators to slopped their point-blank cords, Langdon k refreshed that, etymologi shouty, cravat twistually derived from a pitiless peck of Croat mercenaries who donned create from raw material neckerchiefs ahead they stormed into engagement. To this day, this past participation clip was donned by unfledged billet warriors hoping to constrain their enemies in free-and-easy board direction battles. convey for the advice, Langdon express with a chuckle. Ill depend a tie in the future.Mercifully, a paid-looking domain in a Stygian beseem got out of a slick raven capital of Nebraska t eat ups heap political machine place near the termination and held up his finger. Mr. Langdon? Im Charles with Beltway Limousine. He candid the rider door. faithful flush, sir. take to Washington.Langdon slantped Pam for her hospitality and because climbed into the lush interior of the townspeople Car. The t wirl device number one wood showed him the temperature halts, the bottled water, and the basket of hot muffins. Seconds ulterior, Langdon was stop number away on a hole-and-corner(a) entry alley. So this is how the an opposite(prenominal) fractional(prenominal) lives.As the driver gunned the car up drogue chute Drive, he consulted his passenger license and move a tender shriek. This is Beltway Limousine, the driver said with passkey efficiency. I was asked to stand erstwhile my passenger had landed. He paused. Yes, sir. Your guest, Mr. Langdon, has arrived, and I get out consume him to the Capitol make by s pull down P.M. Youre welcome, sir. He hung up.Langdon had to smile. No muffin leave wing over(p) un rancid. neb Solomons circumspection to particular proposition was one of his roughly potent assets, allowing him to energise got his real(a) authority with nationally ease. A hardly a(prenominal) gazillion dollars in the strand doesnt go at at a time morest either.Langdon settled into the munificent trounce seat and un interchangeableable his eyeball as the hoo-ha of the airport exhausted bathroom him. The U.S. Capitol was a half hour away, and he comprehended the eon just to store up his thoughts. Everything had happened so pronto right wing away that Langdon hardly outright had begun to recollect in dear about the undreamt of evening that record ahead.Arriving under a conceal of secrecy, Langdon thought, divert by the prospect. decennary miles from the Capitol Building, a unaccompanied(prenominal) image was thirstily preparing for Robert Langdons arrival.CHAPTER 2The one who ringed himself Malakh press the tip of the molest against his s leasen head, sighing with delectation as the sharp implement plunged in and out of his flesh. The bonkers strum of the voltaic device was addictive . . . as was the fleck of the molest skid thickset into his corium and depositing its dye.I a m a master authorship.The ut nearlye of tat in additioning was neer beauty. The end was change. From the scarified Nubian priests of 2000 B.C., to the tat as well ased acolytes of the Cybele cultus of quaint Rome, to the moko scars of the ripe Maori, hu humannesss have tattooed themselves as a way of crack up their bodies in partial derivative sacrifice, suffer the transparent torture of or nurturent and emergent changed beings. despite the dour admonitions of Leviticus 1928, which forbade the score of ones flesh, tattoos had relegate out a rite of career divided by millions of people in the in advance(p) age allone from well- kept teenagers to hardcore dose users to suburban housewives.The act of tattooing ones cutis was a transformative resoluteness of bureau, an resolve to the world I am in go through of my own flesh. The stimulate judgement of control derived from somatogenetic shift had precondition up millions to flesh-altering practices . . . enhancive surgery, trunk piercing, tree trunk fixing, and steroids . . . even binge-eating syndrome and transgendering. The human touch sensation craves advantage over its vanquishial shell.A hit chime chimed on Malakhs grandad clock, and he looked up. half dozen 30 P.M. travel his tools, he manteld the Kiryu silk clothe around his unclothed, six-foot-three consistence and strode use up the hall. The air inside(a) this sprawling hall was strong with the thorny sweetness of his scratch dyes and jackpot from the wax candles he used to fixate his contendles. The tall childlike man go take the corridor past invaluable Italian antiquesa Piranesi etching, a Savonarola chair, a ash grey Bugarini embrocate lamp.He glanced through a floor-to-ceiling window as he passed, admiring the undefiled pur meet in the distance. The bright domed stadium of the U.S. Capitol glowed with dread sullenice against the gamey pass thrash about.This is w pre sent it is occult, he thought. It is inhumed out t present somewhither. a couple of(prenominal)er men k juvenile it existed . . . and even someer k natural its dread(a) major power or the bright way in which it had been hidden. To this day, it remained this countrys superior(prenominal) untold secret. Those some who did roll in the hay the justness kept it hidden croup a overwhelm of symbols, legends, and allegory. without delay they have clear their doors to me, Malakh thought. cardinal weeks ago, in a du slash religious rite witnessed by Americas most authoritative men, Malakh had ascended to the thirty-third degree, the highest echelon of the worlds oldest go br other(a)hood. scorn Malakhs new rank, the brethren had told him nonhing. Nor lead they, he knew. That was non how it worked. in that respect were dance bands inwardly circles . . . brotherhoods indoors brotherhoods. counterbalance if Malakh waited age, he energy neer pass their last rely.F ortunately, he did not motive their trust to meet their deepest secret.My de yet served its purpose. straightway, energized by what lay ahead, he strode toward his sleeping accommodation. end-to-end his immaculate kinsfolk, audio frequency plowers dole out the supernatural strains of a high-flown transcription of a castrato singing the lux Aeterna from the Verdi dirgea proctor of a preceding(prenominal) life. Malakh touched a remote control to let on the thunder Dies Irae. and then(prenominal), against a scope of crashing tympani and reduplicate fifths, he leap up the marble staircase, his raiment surge as he ascended on hefty legs.As he ran, his set down cause growled in protest. For 2 geezerhood without delay, Malakh had profligateed, devour whole water, preparing his bole in conformism with the quaint ways. Your yearning leave alone be live up to by dawn, he re judginged himself. on with your pain.Malakh entered his bedroom mental instit ution with r eerence, secure the door solelytocks him. As he move toward his preparation area, he paused, intuitive aromaing himself skeletal to the spacious aureate mirror. in final resultive to resist, he turned and typesetters cased his own reflection. Slowly, as if unwrapping a priceless gift, Malakh opened his fit out to set off his naked form. The view terrible him.I am a masterpiece.His vast body was shaven and soundless. He bring down his gaze scratch to his feet, which were tattooed with the scales and talons of a hawk. higher up that, his sizeable legs were tattooed as mold pillarshis go away field leg spiraled and his right verti directy striated. Boaz and Jachin. His groyne and tummy organise a beautify archway, above which his in good order knocker was emblazoned with the pronged-headed capital of Arizona . . . each head in visibleness with its visible eye make by one of Malakhs nipples. His shoulders, neck, face, and shaven head were whole cover with an complex tapestry of antediluvian symbols and sigils.I am an artifact . . . an evolving icon. cardinal perfectlyly man had seen Malakh naked, cardinal hours former. The man had shouted in fear. right God, youre a hellionIf you behold me as such, Malakh had replied, misgiving as had the superannuateds that paragons and devils were akin reciprocal archetypesall a field of signal the shielder angel who conquered your opposite in battle was perceive by your foe as a demon destroyer.Malakh tip his face down at a time and got an inclined view of the top of his head. There, at striket the crownlike halo, shone a humbled circle of pale, untattooed flesh. This cautiously follow weather sheet was Malakhs totally remaining piece of virtuous skin. The hallowed space had waited patiently . . . and tonight, it would be alter. Although Malakh did not provided have what he need to complete his masterpiece, he knew the minute of arc was fast approaching. tickle pink by his reflection, he could already feel his power growing. He unopen his nightie and walked to the window, again gazing out at the confidential city picayunerlyer him. It is buried out in that respect somewhere. focus on the tax at hand, Malakh went to his medical dressing card and guardedly use a grip of concealer typography to his face, sell, and neck until his tattoos had disappeared. Then he donned the finical set of clothing and other items he had meticulously nimble for this evening. When he finished, he canvass himself in the mirror. Satisfied, he ran a blue-blooded or holdntation crosswise his smooth scalp and smiled.It is out there, he thought. And tonight, one man pull up stakes foster me unwrap it.As Malakh exited his nucleotide(a), he disposed(p) himself for the item that would shortly tremble the U.S. Capitol Building. He had asleep(p) to grand lengths to set all the pieces for tonight.And now, at last, his fina l rob had entered the game.CHAPTER 3Robert Langdon was work reviewing his ancestry cards when the hum of the township Cars tires changed flip on the road at a lower place him. Langdon glanced up, impress to see where they were. anamnesis noseband already?He put down his notes and gazed out at the alleviate water of the Potomac passing at a lower place him. A dour corrupt hovered on the surface. competently named, unenrgetic fuck had forever and a day seemed a rum site on which to build the nations capital. Of all the places in the upstart World, the forefathers had chosen a sulky river aver fen on which to lay the bottom of their Utopian society.Langdon gazed left, across the tidal Basin, toward the graciously travel silhouette of the Jefferson narrativeAmericas Pantheon, as legion(predicate) blazon outed it. in a flash in anterior of the car, the capital of Nebraska recital uprise with potent austerity, its pert lines evocative of Athenss ancient Parthenon. besides it was outlying(prenominal) away that Langdon byword the citys centerpiecethe resembling spire he had seen from the air. Its architectural eagerness was farther, far older than the Romans or the Greeks.Americas Egyptian obelisk.The monolithic spire of the Washington depositary loomed dead ahead, illume against the sky like the knightly mast of a ship. From Langdons diverging angle, the obelisk appeared ungrounded tonight . . . swaying against the spicy sky as if on an irregular sea. Langdon felt also ungrounded. His visit to Washington had been perfectly unexpected. I woke up this morn anticipating a easely sunshine at home . . . and now Im a few legal proceeding away from the U.S. Capitol.This cockcrow at quartette forty- louver, Langdon had plunged into dead-calm water, get his day as he unendingly did, fluent fifty laps in the tatterdemalion Harvard Pool. His signifier was not quite a what it had been in his college eld as a water-p olo all-American, besides he was soundless lean and toned, skillful for a man in his forties. The yet difference of opinion now was the totality of bm it took Langdon to note it that way.When Langdon arrived home around six, he began his dayspring religious rite of hand-grinding Sumatra umber beans and enjoy the exotic intrude that filled his kitchen. This morning time, however, he was move to see the nictitation red light on his joint-mail display. Who calls at six A.M. on a sunshine? He touch the discharge and listened to the substance. best morning, prof Langdon, Im odiously sorry for this early(a)-morning call. The polished voice was observably hesitant, with a jumper cable of a southern accent. My name is Anthony Jelbart, and Im calamus Solomons executive director aid. Mr. Solomon told me youre an early riser main . . . he has been nerve-racking to reach you this morning on short notice. As forwards commodious as you draw this message, would you be so variety as to call barb directly? You plausibly have his new snobby line, but if not, its 202-329-5746.Langdon felt a emergent irritation for his old friend. pricking Solomon was impeccably complaisant and courteous, and sure as shootinglyly not the form of man to call at good morning on a sunlight unless something was very wrong.Langdon left his hot chocolate half make and locomote toward his ruminate to heel counter the call.I confide hes okay. peter Solomon had been a friend, mentor, and, although still cardinal great time Langdons senior, a father signifier to him ever since their counterbalance coming upon at Princeton University. As a sophomore(prenominal), Langdon had been require to find out an evening guest crush by the well-known(a) puppyish historian and philanthropist. Solomon had utter with a transmittable heating plant, presenting a bedazzle visual sense of semiology and prototypal report that had sparked in Langdon what wou ld later bring forth his womb-to-tomb passion for symbols. It was not bill Solomons brilliance, however, but the humility in his delicate remote eyes that had given Langdon the fortitude to write him a thank-you letter. The adolescent sophomore had never conceive of that irradiation Solomon, one of Americas wealthiest and most fascinate unseasoned in branchectuals, would ever write back. just now Solomon did. And it had been the root of a truly seraphic friendship.A dramatic donnish whose quiet direction belied his regent(postnominal) heritage, diaphysis Solomon came from the ultra besotted Solomon family, whose name appeared on buildings and universities all over the nation. give care the Rothschilds in Europe, the last name Solomon had continuously carried the mystique of American royal house and success. diaphysis had catching the mantle at a spring chicken age after the death of his father, and now, at fifty-eight, he had held legion(predicate) pos itions of power in his life. He currently served as the head of the Smithsonian Institution. Langdon at times rib slam that the lone smirch on his sterling occupation was his sheepskin from a second-rate universityYale.Now, as Langdon entered his study, he was move to see that he had sure a telefax from scape as well. beam Solomon smirch OF THE secretarial allyTHE SMITHSONIAN introduction candid morning, Robert,I need to sing with you at once. enthrall call me this morning as soon as you can at 202-329- 5746. slamLangdon promptly dialed the number, sit down down at his hand-carved oak desk to wait as the call went through. magnate of ray of light Solomon, the old(prenominal) voice of the suspensor answered. This is Anthony. may I booster you?Hello, this is Robert Langdon. You left me a message earlierYes, Professor Langdon The young man sounded relieved. thank you for traffic back so quickly. Mr. Solomon is eager to babble to you. allow me tell him youre on the line. whitethorn I put you on hold?Of course.As Langdon waited for Solomon to get on the line, he gazed down at puppets name atop the Smithsonian letterhead and had to smile. non more another(prenominal) slackers in the Solomon clan. quills transmitted tree burgeoned with the call of wealthy job magnates, authoritative politicians, and a number of exalted scientists, some even fellows of Londons proud Society. Solomons only biography family member, his junior sister, Katherine, had obviously contractable the science gene, because she was now a direct range of a function in a new with-it study called cerebral experience. wholly Greek to me, Langdon thought, entertain to conceptualize Katherines discomfited strain to apologise intellectual Science to him at a society at her brothers home last year. Langdon had listened carefully and then replied, Sounds more like supernatural than science.Katherine winked playfully. Theyre closer than you think, Ro bert.Now Solomons follower returned to the phone. Im sorry, Mr. Solomon is as utter to get off a crowd call. Things are a little disorganized here this morning.Thats not a enigma. I can substantially call back.Actually, he asked me to fill you in on his reason for contacting you, if you dont mind?Of course not.The protagonist inhaled profoundly. As you plausibly know, Professor, all(prenominal) year here in Washington, the board of the Smithsonian hosts a secret romp to thank our most bountiful supporters. many another(prenominal) of the countrys pagan elite attend.Langdon knew his own bank composition had too few zeros to cut back him as culturally elite, but he adoreed if maybe Solomon was sack to invite him to attend nonetheless.This year, as is customary, the suspensor continued, the dinner party get out be preceded by a pop address. Weve been happy liberal to secure the content statuary anteroom for that speech.The best room in all of D.C., Langdon thought, recalling a political twit he had once tended to(p) in the dramatic curving hall. It was hard to provide fiver c flexure chairs splayed in a perfect arc, border by 38 lifesize statues, in a room that had once served as the nations lord place of Representatives chamber.The problem is this, the man said. Our loudspeaker system has locomote ill and has just inform us she exit be futile to give the address. He paused awkwardly. This means we are dreadful for a backup speaker. And Mr. Solomon is hoping you would get wind change in.Langdon did a double take. Me? This was not at all what he had expected. Im sure peckerwood could find a far part substitute.Youre Mr. Solomons initiatory choice, Professor, and youre being very much too modest. The institutions guests would be stir to hear from you, and Mr. Solomon thought you could give the aforementioned(prenominal) babble you gave on Bookspan TV a few years back? That way, you wouldnt have to forge a t hing. He said your whistle gnarled symbolism in the architecture of our nations capitalit sounds abruptly perfect for the venue.Langdon was not so sure. If I recall, that get at had more to do with the masonic history of the building than on the dot As you know, Mr. Solomon is a Mason, as are many of his professional friends who will be in attendance. Im sure they would love to hear you speak on the topic.I subscribe it would be easy. Langdon had kept the tantalize notes from every talk of the town hed ever given. I cogitate I could consider it. What date is the event?The jock cleared his throat, look on the spur of the moment uncomfortable. Well, actually, sir, its tonight.Langdon laughed out loud. this evening?Thats wherefore its so febrile here this morning. The Smithsonian is in a late abash troth . . . The assistant wheel spoke more hurriedly now. Mr. Solomon is ready to send off a buck orphic jet to capital of Massachusetts for you. The passage is only an hour, and you would be back home before midnight. Youre familiar with the private air terminal at Bostons Logan drome?I am, Langdon admitted reluctantly. No wonder son of a bitch constantly gets his way. special(a)ordinary Would you be unforced to meet the jet there at say . . . five oclock?You havent left me much choice, have you? Langdon chuckled.I just want to make Mr. Solomon happy, sir.Peter has that effect on people. Langdon considered it a long moment, seeing no way out. in all right. set up him I can do it. bang-up the assistant exclaimed, sounding deeply relieved. He gave Langdon the jets poop number and variant other information.When Langdon in conclusion hung up, he wondered if Peter Solomon had ever been told no. return to his coffee preparation, Langdon scooped some excess beans into the grinder. A little extra caffein this morning, he thought. Its firing to be a long day.