The Range Rover was Java Black Pearl, four-wheel drive, standard transmission, with high-strength polypropylene lamps, rear light cluster fittings, and the steering wheel on the right.

　　Langdon was pleased he was not driving.

　　Teabing's manservant Rémy, on orders from his master, was doing an impressive job ofmaneuvering the vehicle across the moonlit fields behind Chateau Villette. With no headlights, hehad crossed an open knoll and was now descending a long slope, moving farther away from theestate. He seemed to be heading toward a jagged silhouette of wooded land in the distance.

　　Langdon, cradling the keystone, turned in the passenger seat and eyed Teabing and Sophie in theback seat.

　　"How's your head, Robert?" Sophie asked, sounding concerned.

　　Langdon forced a pained smile. "Better, thanks." It was killing him.

　　Beside her, Teabing glanced over his shoulder at the bound and gagged monk lying in the crampedluggage area behind the back seat. Teabing had the monk's gun on his lap and looked like an oldphoto of a British safari chap posing over his kill.

　　"So glad you popped in this evening, Robert," Teabing said, grinning as if he were having fun forthe first time in years.

　　"Sorry to get you involved in this, Leigh.""Oh, please, I've waited my entire life to be involved." Teabing looked past Langdon out thewindshield at the shadow of a long hedgerow. He tapped Rémy on the shoulder from behind.

　　"Remember, no brake lights. Use the emergency brake if you need it. I want to get into the woods abit. No reason to risk them seeing us from the house."Rémy coasted to a crawl and guided the Range Rover through an opening in the hedge. As thevehicle lurched onto an overgrown pathway, almost immediately the trees overhead blotted out themoonlight.

　　I can't see a thing, Langdon thought, straining to distinguish any shapes at all in front of them. Itwas pitch black. Branches rubbed against the left side of the vehicle, and Rémy corrected in theother direction. Keeping the wheel more or less straight now, he inched ahead about thirty yards.

　　"You're doing beautifully, Rémy," Teabing said. "That should be far enough. Robert, if you couldpress that little blue button just below the vent there. See it?"Langdon found the button and pressed it.

　　A muted yellow glow fanned out across the path in front of them, revealing thick underbrush oneither side of the pathway. Fog lights, Langdon realized. They gave off just enough light to keepthem on the path, and yet they were deep enough into the woods now that the lights would not givethem away.

　　"Well, Rémy," Teabing chimed happily. "The lights are on. Our lives are in your hands.""Where are we going?" Sophie asked.

　　"This trail continues about three kilometers into the forest," Teabing said. "Cutting across the estateand then arching north. Provided we don't hit any standing water or fallen trees, we shall emergeunscathed on the shoulder of highway five."Unscathed. Langdon's head begged to differ. He turned his eyes down to his own lap, where thekeystone was safely stowed in its wooden box. The inlaid Rose on the lid was back in place, andalthough his head felt muddled, Langdon was eager to remove the inlay again and examine theengraving beneath more closely. He unlatched the lid and began to raise it when Teabing laid ahand on his shoulder from behind.

　　"Patience, Robert," Teabing said. "It's bumpy and dark. God save us if we break anything. If youdidn't recognize the language in the light, you won't do any better in the dark. Let's focus on gettingaway in one piece, shall we? There will be time for that very soon."Langdon knew Teabing was right. With a nod, he relatched the box.

　　The monk in back was moaning now, struggling against his trusses. Suddenly, he began kickingwildly.

　　Teabing spun around and aimed the pistol over the seat. "I can't imagine your complaint, sir. Youtrespassed in my home and planted a nasty welt on the skull of a dear friend. I would be wellwithin my rights to shoot you right now and leave you to rot in the woods."The monk fell silent.

　　"Are you sure we should have brought him?" Langdon asked.

　　"Bloody well positive!" Teabing exclaimed. "You're wanted for murder, Robert. This scoundrel isyour ticket to freedom. The police apparently want you badly enough to have tailed you to myhome.""My fault," Sophie said. "The armored car probably had a transmitter.""Not the point," Teabing said. "I'm not surprised the police found you, but I am surprised that thisOpus Dei character found you. From all you've told me, I can't imagine how this man could havetailed you to my home unless he had a contact either within the Judicial Police or within the ZurichDepository."Langdon considered it. Bezu Fache certainly seemed intent on finding a scapegoat for tonight'smurders. And Vernet had turned on them rather suddenly, although considering Langdon wasbeing charged with four murders, the banker's change of heart seemed understandable.

　　"This monk is not working alone, Robert," Teabing said, "and until you learn who is behind all this,you both are in danger. The good news, my friend, is that you are now in the position of power.

　　This monster behind me holds that information, and whoever is pulling his strings has got to bequite nervous right now."Rémy was picking up speed, getting comfortable with the trail. They splashed through some water,climbed a small rise, and began descending again.

　　"Robert, could you be so kind as to hand me that phone?" Teabing pointed to the car phone on thedash. Langdon handed it back, and Teabing dialed a number. He waited for a very long time beforesomeone answered. "Richard? Did I wake you? Of course, I did. Silly question. I'm sorry. I have asmall problem. I'm feeling a bit off. Rémy and I need to pop up to the Isles for my treatments.

　　Well, right away, actually. Sorry for the short notice. Can you have Elizabeth ready in about twentyminutes? I know, do the best you can. See you shortly." He hung u............