CHAPTER SUMMARIES WITH NOTES

CHAPTERS 61 - 65

Summary

Rémy asks to speak with Teabing privately. Langdon, anticipating Sophie’s question, tells her she is not part of the royal bloodline. Langdon knows this because the names of the royal bloodlines are Plantard and Saint-Clair. Sophie realizes Langdon had already considered the possibility earlier when he asked what her mother’s maiden name was. Langdon and Sophie talk about how Grail symbolism is everywhere, even in Disney movies. When Teabing returns, he is stern. He demands to know the full story of the evening’s events. Langdon tells Teabing he is being framed.

When Rémy asks if he should show the guests out, Sophie tells Teabing they have information about the keystone. Rémy tries to make Sophie and Langdon leave but Teabing is curious about keystone and tells Rémy he will handle the situation. Sophie and Langdon tell Teabing that Saunière was the Grand Master of the Priory of Sion, as well as Sophie’s grandfather. They explain to Teabing that Saunière had no choice but to pass the information to Sophie because the three sénéchaux were also murdered that evening. Teabing believes the Church must be responsible for the murders.

Teabing argues that the Church must have reason to suspect that the brotherhood was about to release the documents. Even if the Church did not have evidence that the brotherhood wanted to release the information, it may have anticipated the revelation because of an important shift in the astrological calendar. Finally, Langdon and Sophie tell Teabing they have the keystone with them. Silas, who has been watching all along, quietly enters the chateau.

Collet, who has just arrived at TeabingÂ’s estate, receives a phone call from a very angry Fache. Fache demands to know why he was not informed about the development in the case. Despite ColletÂ’s attempts to defend himself, Fache can not be calmed. Fache tells Collet not to make a move until he can get there. Collet cannot believe that Fache will not let him take action, especially since Fache is twenty minutes away. Collet thinks that perhaps Fache is unsure that Langdon is guilty. Officers find SilasÂ’s Audi as well as the armored truck driven by Sophie and Langdon. Collet remembers his encounter with the truck earlier that night. Meanwhile Aringarosa sits on a plane, feeling sick. It is apparent that he spoke with Fache and that everything has gone terribly wrong in Paris.

As Teabing and Sophie talk about the cryptex, Langdon thinks about the idea that the keystone is hidden below the sign of the Rose. He looks more closely at the wooden box. Langdon notices a small hole inside the box. Langdon inserts a paperclip into the hole. The rose falls off the box, revealing four lines of text in a language Langdon cannot place. Suddenly, Langdon is hit over the head. He sees Silas standing above him with a gun before blacking out.

Silas holds Teabing and Sophie at gun point. Teabing stands with difficulty on his crutches. He wavers, telling Silas he is afraid he might drop the keystone. Teabing begins to fall and as Silas dives to save the keystone he lowers the gun. Teabing tosses the keystone onto the couch and intentionally hits the cilice on Silas’s leg with his crutch. Silas accidentally fires the gun into the floor as he falls. Sophie kicks Silas in the face. Hearing the gun fire outside, Collet decides he can no longer wait for Fache. Langdon regains consciousness. Teabing orders Rémy to restrain Silas.

Notes

LangdonÂ’s reference to Disney, like his watch, is another example of how important mystery and wonderment are to people. Disney World, according to Langdon, is built upon make-believe, infused with bits of hidden truth. These fantastical stories are not unlike Grail mythology or religion (as it is portrayed in the novel). Disney, like Grail stories and like religion, is not necessarily true but it gives people something much more important--mystery and wonderment.

Interestingly, the cilice, which Silas believes makes him stronger, is his weakness. Teabing, a cripple, is able to overpower Silas. Silas proves to be physically strong but mentally weak. It seems in this novel, intelligence--both academic and common sense-- is necessary for success.

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