Summary: Chapter 38
Langdon explains to Sophie that the documents the Priory
protects are called the Sangreal, or Holy Grail.
The Grail is not just a cup, as it is most commonly portrayed, but
this group of documents. The cup, he explains, is an allegory for
something. Langdon remembers showing his manuscript about the Holy
Grail to his editor, who reacted dubiously to his theory. (Though
Brown does not reveal what this theory is, he makes it clear that
it is a controversial theory that does have supporters). Many prominent
historians have written about this theory, but it never gained legitimacy
because it was not supported by the Bible or the Church.
Sophie realizes that their cabbie is about to turn them
in. Holding him at gunpoint, she forces him out of his cab and makes
Langdon take the wheel. Langdon can’t drive a stick shift, but they
manage to get away.
Summary: Chapter 39
Silas sits in the room at the Opus Dei safe house, fretting
over the fact that even though he killed all of the brothers, he
doesn’t know where the secret is. He is also worried that by killing
Sister Sandrine, he has put Bishop Aringarosa in danger. Silas considers
killing himself. He feels he has let down the only man who has ever
helped him. Silas remembers how the Bishop told him that Noah of
the Ark was an albino, white like an angel. The Bishop said Silas,
too, was destined for great things.
Summary: Chapter 40
Sophie takes the wheel, and they continue driving toward
the address written on the key. As Langdon looks at the key, he
thinks about the equal-armed cross engraved on it. The cross is
very similar to the symbol used by the Knights Templar, the guardians
of the Holy Grail. Nobody has seen the Grail since 1447,
when a church fire forced the Priory of Sion to relocate it. Langdon
is certain that when Leonardo presided over the Priory of Sion,
he knew of the Grail’s whereabouts. Langdon thinks the Grail probably
hasn’t been moved since then. Many historians study Leonardo’s work closely
in the hopes of discovering the secret of the Holy Grail’s hiding
place. It was recently discovered that one of Da Vinci’s paintings, Adoration
of the Magi, was painted over after his death in order
to cover up a secret message. This discovery has fueled a lot of
speculation about the conspiracy around the Grail.
Sophie wonders if the key is to the Grail itself, but
Langdon thinks it unlikely that Sophie’s grandfather was so high
up in the hierarchy of the Priory of Sion that he had access such
classified information. Sophie, remembering the traumatic event
in which her grandfather participated, believes it is perfectly
plausible that her grandfather had access to such information. They
finally reach the address on the back of the key. It is the Depository
Bank of Zurich, a Swiss bank.
Summary: Chapter 41
Bishop Aringarosa arrives at Castel Gandolfo, the Pope’s
summer residence, where he meets with the Secretariat Vaticana,
the man in charge of Vatican City’s legal matters, as well as with
two high-ranking cardinals. They present Aringarosa with a suitcase
filled with the Vatican bonds he requested. The Church officials
are uncomfortable giving him such a large sum of money, which could easily
be traced back to the Church. They don’t know what the Pope will
use the money for. Bishop Aringarosa signs an official document,
which appears to be his resignation.
