Robert Langdon, #2
The Da Vinci Code
by Dan Brown
Contents
CHAPTER 62
Overview
Teabing moves from suspicion to alarm when Sophie and Langdon reveal that Saunière was the Priory Grand Master, the other murdered men were likely sénéchaux, and the keystone has already been removed from the Swiss bank. The discussion reframes the murders as a coordinated attack on the Priory, possibly by the Church, motivated by fear that the Sangreal documents may soon be revealed.
The chapter raises the stakes by placing the keystone physically inside Teabing’s house, hidden under his couch. At the same time, Silas locates the château, overhears enough to confirm the keystone is inside, and enters armed, turning the intellectual debate into immediate danger.
Summary
Teabing confronts Langdon after seeing that Langdon is wanted on television for Saunière’s murder. Feeling betrayed and endangered, Teabing orders Langdon and Sophie out of Château Villette, and Rémy supports removing them. Sophie stops Teabing by claiming they have information about the Priory keystone.
Once Rémy is dismissed, Sophie and Langdon explain that Jacques Saunière was not only Sophie’s grandfather but also the Priory’s Grand Master. They also reveal that three other prominent Parisians were murdered the same day, likely the three sénéchaux. Sophie reasons that the killings resemble a planned “decapitation” strike meant to destroy the Priory’s leadership and force someone to reveal the keystone’s location.
Teabing realizes that if the Grand Master and all three sénéchaux died without revealing the secret, the path to the Holy Grail would be lost. Because Saunière passed information to Sophie while dying, Teabing accepts that Saunière may have broken protocol in desperation. Teabing then argues that only the Church would have the motive and historical hostility to attack the Priory and seize or destroy the Sangreal evidence.
Langdon and Sophie question whether the Church would commit murder, but Teabing insists the Grail documents could trigger a catastrophic crisis of faith if released. He explains the Priory’s “final charge”: a planned public unveiling of the Sangreal truth at a symbolically significant time. Teabing connects this possibility to the passing of the millennium, the end of the Age of Pisces, and the beginning of the Age of Aquarius, suggesting the Church may be acting preemptively.
Sophie shows Teabing the cruciform key, and she and Langdon reveal that it opened a Swiss bank vault containing the keystone. Teabing is shocked that the object was hidden in a rosewood box rather than beneath a literal church rose, then becomes alarmed that others might access the vault. Sophie reassures him that they removed the keystone, and Langdon reveals it is currently hidden under Teabing’s couch.
Outside, Silas has watched the exchange through the glass doors and repeatedly hears the word “keystone.” After Langdon, Sophie, and Teabing leave the study for another room, Silas finds the glass doors unlocked. Remembering the Teacher’s order to take the keystone and harm no one, Silas enters the château with his pistol drawn.
Who Appears
- Sir Leigh TeabingGrail scholar; shifts from accusing Langdon to fearing the Priory and Grail are in imminent danger.
- Robert LangdonWanted symbologist; insists he is framed and helps explain the keystone’s significance to Teabing.
- Sophie NeveuSaunière’s granddaughter; reveals her grandfather’s Grand Master role and shows Teabing the Priory key.
- SilasArmed Opus Dei monk; watches the château, confirms the keystone is inside, and breaks in.
- RémyTeabing’s manservant; tries to expel Langdon and Sophie before Teabing dismisses him.