danbrown.angels&demons-第61章

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ria　and　the　Hassassin　started　to　swirl　hauntingly　as　Langdon　clambered　his　way　around　the　fountain；　the　frustration　mounting　as　he　frantically　pleted　yet　another　fruitless　circle。　Beaten　and　exhausted；　Langdon　felt　ready　to　collapse。　He　threw　back　his　head　to　scream　into　the　night。
　The　sound　jammed　in　his　throat。　
　Langdon　was　staring　straight　up　the　obelisk。　The　object　perched　at　the　very　top　was　one　he　had　seen　earlier　and　ignored。　Now；　however；　it　stopped　him　short。　It　was　not　an　angel。　Far　from　it。　In　fact；　he　had　not　even　perceived　it　as　part　of　Bernini's　fountain。　He　thought　it　was　a　living　creature；　another　one　of　the　city's　scavengers　perched　on　a　lofty　tower。　
　A　pigeon。　
　Langdon　squinted　skyward　at　the　object；　his　vision　blurred　by　the　glowing　mist　around　him。　It　was　a　pigeon；　wasn't　it？　He　could　clearly　see　the　head　and　beak　silhouetted　against　a　cluster　of　stars。　And　yet　the　bird　had　not　budged　since　Langdon's　arrival；　even　with　the　battle　below。　The　bird　sat　now　exactly　as　it　had　been　when　Langdon　entered　the　square。　It　was　perched　high　atop　the　obelisk；　gazing　calmly　westward。
　Langdon　stared　at　it　a　moment　and　then　plunged　his　hand　into　the　fountain　and　grabbed　a　fistful　of　coins。　He　hurled　the　coins　skyward。　They　clattered　across　the　upper　levels　of　the　granite　obelisk。　The　bird　did　not　budge。　He　tried　again。　This　time；　one　of　the　coins　hit　the　mark。　A　faint　sound　of　metal　on　metal　clanged　across　the　square。
　The　damned　pigeon　was　bronze。　
　You're　looking　for　an　angel；　not　a　pigeon；　a　voice　reminded　him。　But　it　was　too　late。　Langdon　had　made　the　connection。　He　realized　the　bird　was　not　a　pigeon　at　all。
　It　was　a　dove。
　Barely　aware　of　his　own　actions；　Langdon　splashed　toward　the　center　of　the　fountain　and　began　scrambling　up　the　travertine　mountain；　clambering　over　huge　arms　and　heads；　pulling　himself　higher。　Halfway　to　the　base　of　the　obelisk；　he　emerged　from　the　mist　and　could　see　the　head　of　the　bird　more　clearly。　
　There　was　no　doubt。　It　was　a　dove。　The　bird's　deceptively　dark　color　was　the　result　of　Rome's　pollution　tarnishing　the　original　bronze。　Then　the　significance　hit　him。　He　had　seen　a　pair　of　doves　earlier　today　at　the　Pantheon。　A　pair　of　doves　carried　no　meaning。　This　dove；　however；　was　alone。
　The　lone　dove　is　the　pagan　symbol　for　the　Angel　of　Peace。　
　The　truth　almost　lifted　Langdon　the　rest　of　the　way　to　the　obelisk。　Bernini　had　chosen　the　pagan　symbol　for　the　angel　so　he　could　disguise　it　in　a　pagan　fountain。　Let　angels　guide　you　on　your　lofty　quest。　The　dove　is　the　angel！　Langdon　could　think　of　no　more　lofty　perch　for　the　Illuminati's　final　marker　than　atop　this　obelisk。
　The　bird　was　looking　west。　Langdon　tried　to　follow　its　gaze；　but　he　could　not　see　over　the　buildings。　He　climbed　higher。　A　quote　from　St。　Gregory　of　Nyssa　emerged　from　his　memory　most　unexpectedly。　As　the　soul　bees　enlightened　。　。　。　it　takes　the　beautiful　shape　of　the　dove。　
　Langdon　rose　heavenward。　Toward　the　dove。　He　was　almost　flying　now。　He　reached　the　platform　from　which　the　obelisk　rose　and　could　climb　no　higher。　With　one　look　around；　though；　he　knew　he　didn't　have　to。　All　of　Rome　spread　out　before　him。　The　view　was　stunning。
　To　his　left；　the　chaotic　media　lights　surrounding　St。　Peter's。　To　his　right；　the　smoking　cupola　of　Santa　Maria　della　Vittoria。　In　front　of　him　in　the　distance；　Piazza　del　Popolo。　Beneath　him；　the　fourth　and　final　point。　A　giant　cross　of　obelisks。
　Trembling；　Langdon　looked　to　the　dove　overhead。　He　turned　and　faced　the　proper　direction；　and　then　he　lowered　his　eyes　to　the　skyline。　
　In　an　instant　he　saw　it。　
　So　obvious。　So　clear。　So　deviously　simple。
　Staring　at　it　now；　Langdon　could　not　believe　the　Illuminati　lair　had　stayed　hidden　for　so　many　years。　The　entire　city　seemed　to　fade　away　as　he　looked　out　at　the　monstrous　stone　structure　across　the　river　in　front　of　him。　The　building　was　as　famous　as　any　in　Rome。　It　stood　on　the　banks　of　the　Tiber　River　diagonally　adjacent　to　the　Vatican。　The　building's　geometry　was　stark…a　circular　castle；　within　a　square　fortress；　and　then；　outside　its　walls；　surrounding　the　entire　structure；　a　park　in　the　shape　of　a　pentagram。　
　The　ancient　stone　ramparts　before　him　were　dramatically　lit　by　soft　floodlights。　High　atop　the　castle　stood　the　mammoth　bronze　angel。　The　angel　pointed　his　sword　downward　at　the　exact　center　of　the　castle。　And　as　if　that　were　not　enough；　leading　solely　and　directly　to　the　castle's　main　entrance　stood　the　famous　Bridge　of　Angels　。　。　。　a　dramatic　approachway　adorned　by　twelve　towering　angels　carved　by　none　other　than　Bernini　himself。
　In　a　final　breathtaking　revelation；　Langdon　realized　Bernini's　city…wide　cross　of　obelisks　marked　the　fortress　in　perfect　Illuminati　fashion；　the　cross's　central　arm　passed　directly　through　the　center　of　the　castle's　bridge；　dividing　it　into　two　equal　halves。
　Langdon　retrieved　his　tweed　coat；　holding　it　away　from　his　dripping　body。　Then　he　jumped　into　the　stolen　sedan　and　rammed　his　soggy　shoe　into　the　accelerator；　speeding　off　into　the　night。
　
　106

　It　was　11：07　P。M。　Langdon's　car　raced　through　the　Roman　night。　Speeding　down　Lungotevere　Tor　Di　Nona；　parallel　with　the　river；　Langdon　could　now　see　his　destination　rising　like　a　mountain　to　his　right。　
　Castel　Sant'　Angelo。　Castle　of　the　Angel。　
　Without　warning；　the　turnoff　to　the　narrow　Bridge　of　Angels…Ponte　Sant'　Angelo…appeared　suddenly。　Langdon　slammed　on　his　brakes　and　swerved。　He　turned　in　time；　but　the　bridge　was　barricaded。　He　skidded　ten　feet　and　collided　with　a　series　of　short　cement　pillars　blocking　his　way。　Langdon　lurched　forward　as　the　vehicle　stalled；　wheezing　and　shuddering。　He　had　forgotten　the　Bridge　of　Angels；　in　order　to　preserve　it；　was　now　zoned　pedestrians　only。
　Shaken；　Langdon　staggered　from　the　crumpled　car；　wishing　now　he　had　chosen　one　of　the　other　routes。　He　felt　chilled；　shivering　from　the　fountain。　He　donned　his　Harris　tweed　over　his　damp　shirt；　grateful　for　Harris's　trademark　double　lining。　The　Diagramma　folio　would　remain　dry。　Before　him；　across　the　bridge；　the　stone　fortress　rose　like　a　mountain。　Aching　and　depleted；　Langdon　broke　into　a　loping　run。
　On　both　sides　of　him　now；　like　a　gauntlet　of　escorts；　a　procession　of　Bernini　angels　whipped　past；　funneling　him　toward　his　final　destination。　Let　angels　guide　you　on　your　lofty　quest。　The　castle　seemed　to　rise　as　he　advanced；　an　unscalable　peak；　more　intimidating　to　him　even　than　St。　Peter's。　He　sprinted　toward　the　bastion；　running　on　fumes；　gazing　upward　at　the　citadel's　circular　core　as　it　shot　skyward　to　a　gargantuan；　sword…wielding　angel。　
　The　castle　appeared　deserted。
　Langdon　knew　through　the　centuries　the　building　had　been　used　by　the　Vatican　as　a　tomb；　a　fortress；　a　papal　hideout；　a　prison　for　enemies　of　the　church；　and　a　museum。　Apparently；　the　castle　had　other　tenants　as　well…the　Illuminati。　Somehow　it　made　eerie　sense。　Although　the　castle　was　property　of　the　Vatican；　it　was　used　only　sporadically；　and　Bernini　had　made　numerous　renovations　to　it　over　the　years。　The　building　was　now　rumored　to　be　honeybed　with　secret　entries；　passageways；　and　hidden　chambers。　Langdon　had　little　doubt　that　the　angel　and　surrounding　pentagonal　park　were　Bernini's　doing　as　well。
　Arriving　at　the　castle's　elephantine　double　doors；　Langdon　shoved　them　hard。　Not　surprisingly；　they　were　immovable。　Two　iron　knockers　hung　at　eye　level。　Langdon　didn't　bother。　He　stepped　back；　his　eyes　climbing　the　sheer　outer　wall。　These　ramparts　had　fended　off　armies　of　Berbers；　heathens；　and　Moors。　Somehow　he　sensed　his　chances　of　breaking　in　were　slim。　
　Vittoria；　Langdon　thought。　Are　you　in　there？　
　Langdon　hurried　around　the　outer　wall。　There　must　be　another　entrance！　
　Rounding　the　second　bulwark　to　the　west；　Langdon　arrived　breathless　in　a　small　parking　area　off　Lungotere　Angelo。　On　this　wall　he　found　a　second　castle　entrance；　a　drawbridge…type　ingress；　raised　and　sealed　shut。　Langdon　gazed　upward　again。
　The　only　lights　on　the　castle　were　exterior　floods　illuminating　the　faзade。　All　the　tiny　windows　inside　seemed　black。　Langdon's　eyes　climbed　higher。　At　the　very　peak　of　the　central　tower；　a　hundred　feet　above；　directly　beneath　the　angel's　sword；　a　single　balcony　protruded。　The　marble　parapet　seemed　to　shimmer　slightly；　as　if　the　room　beyond　it　were　aglow　with　torchlight。　Langdon　paused；　his　soaked　body　shivering　suddenly。　A　shadow？　He　waited；　straining。　Then　he　saw　it　again。　His　spine　prickled。　Someone　is　up　there！　
　〃Vittoria！〃　he　called　out；　unable　to　help　himself；　but　his　voice　was　swallowed　by　the　raging　Tiber　behind　him。　He　wheeled　in　circles；　wondering　where　the　hell　the　Swiss　Guard　were。　Had　they　even　heard　his　transmission？　
　Across　the　lot　a　large　media　truck　was　parked。　Langdon　ran　toward　it。　A　paunchy　man　in　headphones　sat　in　the　cabin　adjusting　levers。　Langdon　rapped　on　the　side　of　the　truck。　The　man　jumped；　saw　Langdon's　dripping　clothes；　and　yanked　off　his　headset。　
　〃What's　the　worry；　mate？〃　His　accent　was　Australian。
　〃I　need　your　phone。〃　Langdon　was　frenzied。
　The　man　shrugged。　〃No　dial　tone。　Been　trying　all　night。　Circuits　are　packed。〃
　Langdon　swore　aloud。　〃Have　you　seen　anyone　go　in　there？〃　He　pointed　to　the　drawbridge。　
　〃Actually；　yeah。　A　black　van's　been　going　in　and　out　all　night。〃
　Langdon　felt　a　brick　hit　the　bottom　of　his　stomach。
　〃Lucky　bastard；〃　the　Aussie　said；　gazing　up　at　the　tower；　and　then　frowning　at　his　obstructed　view　of　the　Vatican。　〃I　bet　the　view　from　up　there　is　perfect。　I　couldn't　get　through　the　traffic　in　St。　Peter's；　so　I'm　shooting　from　here。〃
　Langdon　wasn't　listening。　He　was　looking　for　options。
　〃What　do　you　say？〃　the　Australian　said。　〃This　11th　Hour　Samaritan　for　real？〃
　Langdon　turned。　〃The　what？〃　
　〃You　didn't　hear？　The　Captain　of　the　Swiss　Guard　got　a　call　from　somebody　who　claims　to　have　some　primo　info。　The　guy's　flying　in　right　now。　All　I　know　is　if　he　saves　the　day　。　。　。　there　go　the　ratings！〃　The　man　laughed。　
　Langdon　was　suddenly　confused。　A　good　Samaritan　flying　in　to　help？　Did　the　person　somehow　know　where　the　antimatter　was？　Then　why　didn't　he　just　tell　the　Swiss　Guard？　Why　was　he　ing　in　person？　Something　was　odd；　but　Langdon　didn't　have　time　to　figure　out　what。　
　〃Hey；〃　the　Aussie　said；　studying　Langdon　more　closely。　〃Ain't　you　that　guy　I　saw　on　TV？　Trying　to　save　that　cardinal　in　St。　Peter's　Square？〃
　Langdon　did　not　answer。　His　eyes　had　suddenly　locked　on　a　contraption　attached　to　the　top　of　the　truck…a　satellite　dish　on　a　collapsible　appendage。　Langdon　looked　at　the　castle　again。　The　outer　rampart　was　fifty　feet　tall。　The　inner　fortress　climbed　farther　still。　A　shelled　defense。　The　top　was　impossibly　high　from　here；　but　maybe　if　he　could　clear　the　first　wall　。　。　。　
　Langdon　spun　to　the　newsman　and　pointed　to　the　satellite　arm。　〃How　high　does　that　go？〃　
　〃Huh？〃　The　man　looked　confused。　〃Fifteen　meters。　Why？〃
　〃Move　the　truck。　Park　next　to　the　wall。　I　need　help。〃　
　〃What　are　you　talking　about？〃
　Langdon　explained。
　The　Aussie's　eyes　went　wide。　〃Are　you　insane？　That's　a　two…
　hundred…thousand…dollar　telescoping　extension。　Not　a　ladder！〃
　〃You　want　ratings？　I've　got　information　that　will　make　your　day。〃　Langdon　was　desperate。　
　〃Inform