达芬奇密码 作者: 美 丹·布朗(英文版)-第37章

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fe；　and　hearing　the　story　of　the　Holy　Grail　from　Leigh　Teabing　will　be　like　hearing　the　theory　of　relativity　from　Einstein　himself。〃
〃Let's　hope　Leigh　doesn't　mind　late…night　visitors。〃
〃For　the　record；　it's　Sir　Leigh。〃　Langdon　had　made　that　mistake　only　once。　〃Teabing　is　quite　a　character。　He　was　knighted　by　the　Queen　several　years　back　after　posing　an　extensive　history　on　the　House　of　York。〃
Sophie　looked　over。　〃You're　kidding；　right？　We're　going　to　visit　a　knight？〃
Langdon　gave　an　awkward　smile。　〃We're　on　a　Grail　quest；　Sophie。　Who　better　to　help　us　than　a　knight？〃
　
CHAPTER　52

The　Sprawling　185…acre　estate　of　Chateau　Villette　was　located　twenty…five　minutes　northwest　of　Paris　in　the　environs　of　Versailles。　Designed　by　Fran？ois　Mansart　in　1668　for　the　Count　of　Aufflay；　it　was　one　of　Paris's　most　significant　historical　chateaux。　plete　with　two　rectangular　lakes　and　gardens　designed　by　Le　N？tre；　Chateau　Villette　was　more　of　a　modest　castle　than　a　mansion。　The　estate　fondly　had　bee　known　as　la　Petite　Versailles。
Langdon　brought　the　armored　truck　to　a　shuddering　stop　at　the　foot　of　the　mile…long　driveway。　Beyond　the　imposing　security　gate；　Sir　Leigh　Teabing's　residence　rose　on　a　meadow　in　the　distance。　The　sign　on　the　gate　was　in　English：　PRIVATE　PROPERTY。　NO　TRESPASSING。
As　if　to　proclaim　his　home　a　British　Isle　unto　itself；　Teabing　had　not　only　posted　his　signs　in　English；　but　he　had　installed　his　gate's　inter　entry　system　on　the　right…hand　side　of　the　truck—the　passenger's　side　everywhere　in　Europe　except　England。
Sophie　gave　the　misplaced　inter　an　odd　look。　〃And　if　someone　arrives　without　a　passenger？〃
〃Don't　ask。〃　Langdon　had　already　been　through　that　with　Teabing。　〃He　prefers　things　the　way　they　are　at　home。〃
Sophie　rolled　down　her　window。　〃Robert；　you'd　better　do　the　talking。〃
Langdon　shifted　his　position；　leaning　out　across　Sophie　to　press　the　inter　button。　As　he　did；　an　alluring　whiff　of　Sophie's　perfume　filled　his　nostrils；　and　he　realized　how　close　they　were。　He　waited　there；　awkwardly　prone；　while　a　telephone　began　ringing　over　the　small　speaker。
Finally；　the　inter　crackled　and　an　irritated　French　accent　spoke。　〃Chateau　Villette。　Who　is　calling？〃
〃This　is　Robert　Langdon；〃　Langdon　called　out；　sprawled　across　Sophie's　lap。　〃I'm　a　friend　of　Sir　Leigh　Teabing。　I　need　his　help。〃
〃My　master　is　sleeping。　As　was　I。　What　is　your　business　with　him？〃
〃It　is　a　private　matter。　One　of　great　interest　to　him。〃
〃Then　I'm　sure　he　will　be　pleased　to　receive　you　in　the　morning。〃
Langdon　shifted　his　weight。　〃It's　quite　important。〃
〃As　is　Sir　Leigh's　sleep。　If　you　are　a　friend；　then　you　are　aware　he　is　in　poor　health。〃
Sir　Leigh　Teabing　had　suffered　from　polio　as　a　child　and　now　wore　leg　braces　and　walked　with　crutches；　but　Langdon　had　found　him　such　a　lively　and　colorful　man　on　his　last　visit　that　it　hardly　seemed　an　infirmity。　〃If　you　would；　please　tell　him　I　have　uncovered　new　information　about　the　Grail。　Information　that　cannot　wait　until　morning。〃
There　was　a　long　pause。
Langdon　and　Sophie　waited；　the　truck　idling　loudly。
A　full　minute　passed。
Finally；　someone　spoke。　〃My　good　man；　I　daresay　you　are　still　on　Harvard　Standard　Time。〃　The　voice　was　crisp　and　light。
Langdon　grinned；　recognizing　the　thick　British　accent。　〃Leigh；　my　apologies　for　waking　you　at　this　obscene　hour。〃
〃My　manservant　tells　me　that　not　only　are　you　in　Paris；　but　you　speak　of　the　Grail。〃
〃I　thought　that　might　get　you　out　of　bed。〃
〃And　so　it　has。〃
〃Any　chance　you'd　open　the　gate　for　an　old　friend？〃
〃Those　who　seek　the　truth　are　more　than　friends。　They　are　brothers。〃
Langdon　rolled　his　eyes　at　Sophie；　well　accustomed　to　Teabing's　predilection　for　dramatic　antics。
〃Indeed　I　will　open　the　gate；〃　Teabing　proclaimed；　〃but　first　I　must　confirm　your　heart　is　true。　A　test　of　your　honor。　You　will　answer　three　questions。〃
Langdon　groaned；　whispering　at　Sophie。　〃Bear　with　me　here。　As　I　mentioned；　he's　something　of　a　character。〃
〃Your　first　question；〃　Teabing　declared；　his　tone　Herculean。　〃Shall　I　serve　you　coffee；　or　tea？〃
Langdon　knew　Teabing's　feelings　about　the　American　phenomenon　of　coffee。　〃Tea；〃　he　replied。　〃Earl　Grey。〃
〃Excellent。　Your　second　question。　Milk　or　sugar？〃
Langdon　hesitated。
〃Milk；〃　Sophie　whispered　in　his　ear。　〃I　think　the　British　take　milk。〃
〃Milk；〃　Langdon　said。
Silence。
〃Sugar？〃
Teabing　made　no　reply。
Wait！　Langdon　now　recalled　the　bitter　beverage　he　had　been　served　on　his　last　visit　and　realized　this　question　was　a　trick。　〃Lemon！〃　he　declared。　〃Earl　Grey　with　lemon〃
〃Indeed。〃　Teabing　sounded　deeply　amused　now。　〃And　finally；　I　must　make　the　most　grave　of　inquiries。〃　Teabing　paused　and　then　spoke　in　a　solemn　tone。　〃In　which　year　did　a　Harvard　sculler　last　outrow　an　Oxford　man　at　Henley？〃
Langdon　had　no　idea；　but　he　could　imagine　only　one　reason　the　question　had　been　asked。　〃Surely　such　a　travesty　has　never　occurred。〃
The　gate　clicked　open。　〃Your　heart　is　true；　my　friend。　You　may　pass。〃
　
CHAPTER　53

〃Monsieur　Vernet！〃　The　night　manager　of　the　Depository　Bank　of　Zurich　felt　relieved　to　hear　the　bank　president's　voice　on　the　phone。　〃Where　did　you　go；　sir？　The　police　are　here；　everyone　is　waiting　for　you！〃
〃I　have　a　little　problem；〃　the　bank　president　said；　sounding　distressed。　〃I　need　your　help　right　away。〃
You　have　more　than　a　little　problem；　the　manager　thought。　The　police　had　entirely　surrounded　the　bank　and　were　threatening　to　have　the　DCPJ　captain　himself　show　up　with　the　warrant　the　bank　had　demanded。　〃How　can　I　help　you；　sir？〃
〃Armored　truck　number　three。　I　need　to　find　it。〃
Puzzled；　the　manager　checked　his　delivery　schedule。　〃It's　here。　Downstairs　at　the　loading　dock。〃
〃Actually；　no。　The　truck　was　stolen　by　the　two　individuals　the　police　are　tracking。〃
〃What？　How　did　they　drive　out？〃
〃I　can't　go　into　the　specifics　on　the　phone；　but　we　have　a　situation　here　that　could　potentially　be　extremely　unfortunate　for　the　bank。〃
〃What　do　you　need　me　to　do；　sir？〃
〃I'd　like　you　to　activate　the　truck's　emergency　transponder。〃
The　night　manager's　eyes　moved　to　the　LoJack　control　box　across　the　room。　Like　many　armored　cars；　each　of　the　bank's　trucks　had　been　equipped　with　a　radio…controlled　homing　device；　which　could　be　activated　remotely　from　the　bank。　The　manager　had　only　used　the　emergency　system　once；　after　a　hijacking；　and　it　had　worked　flawlessly—locating　the　truck　and　transmitting　the　coordinates　to　the　authorities　automatically。　Tonight；　however；　the　manager　had　the　impression　the　president　was　hoping　for　a　bit　more　prudence。　〃Sir；　you　are　aware　that　if　I　activate　the　LoJack　system；　the　transponder　will　simultaneously　inform　the　authorities　that　we　have　a　problem。〃
Vernet　was　silent　for　several　seconds。　〃Yes；　I　know。　Do　it　anyway。　Truck　number　three。　I'll　hold。　I　need　the　exact　location　of　that　truck　the　instant　you　have　it。〃
〃Right　away；　sir。〃
　
Thirty　seconds　later；　forty　kilometers　away；　hidden　in　the　undercarriage　of　the　armored　truck；　a　tiny　transponder　blinked　to　life。
　
CHAPTER　54

As　Langdon　and　Sophie　drove　the　armored　truck　up　the　winding；　poplar…lined　driveway　toward　the　house；　Sophie　could　already　feel　her　muscles　relaxing。　It　was　a　relief　to　be　off　the　road；　and　she　could　think　of　few　safer　places　to　get　their　feet　under　them　than　this　private；　gated　estate　owned　by　a　good…natured　foreigner。
They　turned　into　the　sweeping　circular　driveway；　and　Chateau　Villette　came　into　view　on　their　right。　Three　stories　tall　and　at　least　sixty　meters　long；　the　edifice　had　gray　stone　facing　illuminated　by　outside　spotlights。　The　coarse　facade　stood　in　stark　juxtaposition　to　the　immaculately　landscaped　gardens　and　glassy　pond。
The　inside　lights　were　just　now　ing　on。
Rather　than　driving　to　the　front　door；　Langdon　pulled　into　a　parking　area　nestled　in　the　evergreens。　〃No　reason　to　risk　being　spotted　from　the　road；〃　he　said。　〃Or　having　Leigh　wonder　why　we　arrived　in　a　wrecked　armored　truck。〃
Sophie　nodded。　〃What　do　we　do　with　the　cryptex？　We　probably　shouldn't　leave　it　out　here；　but　if　Leigh　sees　it；　he'll　certainly　want　to　know　what　it　is。〃
〃Not　to　worry；〃　Langdon　said；　removing　his　jacket　as　he　stepped　out　of　the　car。　He　wrapped　the　tweed　coat　around　the　box　and　held　the　bundle　in　his　arms　like　a　baby。
Sophie　looked　dubious。　〃Subtle。〃
〃Teabing　never　answers　his　own　door；　he　prefers　to　make　an　entrance。　I'll　find　somewhere　inside　to　stash　this　before　he　joins　us。〃　Langdon　paused。　〃Actually；　I　should　probably　warn　you　before　you　meet　him。　Sir　Leigh　has　a　sense　of　humor　that　people　often　find　a　bit。。。　strange。〃
Sophie　doubted　anything　tonight　would　strike　her　as　strange　anymore。
The　pathway　to　the　main　entrance　was　hand…laid　cobblestone。　It　curved　to　a　door　of　carved　oak　and　cherry　with　a　brass　knocker　the　size　of　a　grapefruit。　Before　Sophie　could　grasp　the　knocker；　the　door　swung　open　from　within。
A　prim　and　elegant　butler　stood　before　them；　making　final　adjustments　on　the　white　tie　and　tuxedo　he　had　apparently　just　donned。　He　looked　to　be　about　fifty；　with　refined　features　and　an　austere　expression　that　left　little　doubt　he　was　unamused　by　their　presence　here。
〃Sir　Leigh　will　be　down　presently；〃　he　declared；　his　accent　thick　French。　〃He　is　dressing。　He　prefers　not　to　greet　visitors　while　wearing　only　a　nightshirt。　May　I　take　your　coat？〃　He　scowled　at　the　bunched…up　tweed　in　Langdon's　arms。
〃Thank　you；　I'm　fine。〃
〃Of　course　you　are。　Right　this　way；　please。〃
The　butler　guided　them　through　a　lush　marble　foyer　into　an　exquisitely　adorned　drawing　room；　softly　lit　by　tassel…draped　Victorian　lamps。　The　air　inside　smelled　antediluvian；　regal　somehow；　with　traces　of　pipe　tobacco；　tea　leaves；　cooking　sherry；　and　the　earthen　aroma　of　stone　architecture。　Against　the　far　wall；　flanked　between　two　glistening　suits　of　chain　mail　armor；　was　a　rough…hewn　fireplace　large　enough　to　roast　an　ox。　Walking　to　the　hearth；　the　butler　knelt　and　touched　a　match　to　a　pre…laid　arrangement　of　oak　logs　and　kindling。　A　fire　quickly　crackled　to　life。
The　man　stood；　straightening　his　jacket。　〃His　master　requests　that　you　make　yourselves　at　home。〃　With　that；　he　departed；　leaving　Langdon　and　Sophie　alone。
Sophie　wondered　which　of　the　fireside　antiques　she　was　supposed　to　sit　on—the　Renaissance　velvet　divan；　the　rustic　eagle…claw　rocker；　or　the　pair　of　stone　pews　that　looked　like　they'd　been　lifted　from　some　Byzantine　temple。
Langdon　unwrapped　the　cryptex　from　his　coat；　walked　to　the　velvet　divan；　and　slid　the　wooden　box　deep　underneath　it；　well　out　of　sight。　Then；　shaking　out　his　jacket；　he　put　it　back　on；　smoothed　the　lapels；　and　smiled　at　Sophie　as　he　sat　down　directly　over　the　stashed　treasure。
The　divan　it　is；　Sophie　thought；　taking　a　seat　beside　him。
As　she　stared　into　the　growing　fire；　enjoying　the　warmth；　Sophie　had　the　sensation　that　her　grandfather　would　have　loved　this　room。　The　dark　wood　paneling　was　bedecked　with　Old　Master　paintings；　one　of　which　Sophie　recognized　as　a　Poussin；　her　grandfather's　second…favorite　painter。　On　the　mantel　above　the　fireplace；　an　alabaster　bust　of　Isis　watched　over　the　room。
Beneath　the　Egyptian　goddess；　inside　the　fireplace；　two　stone　gargoyles　served　as　andirons；　their　mouths　gaping　to　reveal　their　menacing　hollow　throats。　Gargoyles　had　always　terrified　Sophie　as　a　child；　that　was；　u