CHAPTER 98

Langdon and Sophie move cautiously down Westminster Abbey’s north aisle, using the pillars for cover as they approach Isaac Newton’s tomb. Sophie steps into the open before Langdon can stop her, and they cross the nave toward the monument, relieved that the area appears deserted.

At the tomb, Langdon and Sophie discover that Newton’s monument is covered with possible “orbs”: a large sphere marked with constellations, astronomical symbols, planets, stars, and comets. Because the poem asks for “the orb that ought be on his tomb,” the abundance of celestial imagery makes the clue harder rather than clearer.

Sophie examines the books beneath Newton’s reclining figure and reads titles including Divinity, Chronology, Opticks, and Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica. Langdon considers whether gravitation, planets, zodiac signs, Venus, Pisces, or Aquarius might connect the clue to the Priory’s plan to reveal the Sangreal truth, but he doubts astronomy is the final answer because Saunière’s previous clues have been more elegant and symbolically precise.

Sophie then notices a charcoal pencil and a faint message written on the black marble near Newton’s foot. The message says that the writer has Teabing and instructs Langdon and Sophie to go through the Chapter House, out the south exit, to the public garden. Langdon realizes Teabing is still alive and infers that the captor does not know the cryptex password, or there would be no need to contact them.

Langdon suggests the message may be an offer to trade Teabing for the password, while Sophie warns it could be a trap, especially because the garden is outside the abbey and beyond the metal detectors. Sophie proposes reaching the south exit first to assess the garden before exposing themselves. Langdon agrees, and they locate the passage toward the cloisters, Chapter House, and other abbey areas.