Chapter 65

           SophieNeveu,despiteworkinginlawenforcement,hadneverfoundherselfatgunpointuntiltonight.Almostinconceivably,thegunintowhichshewasnowstaringwasclutchedinthepalehandofanenormousalbinowithlongwhitehair.Helookedatherwithredeyesthatradiatedafrightening,disembodiedquality.Dressedinawoolrobewitharopetie,heresembledamedievalcleric.Sophiecouldnotimaginewhohewas,andyetshewasfeelingasuddennewfoundrespectforTeabing’ssuspicionsthattheChurchwasbehindthis.

           «YouknowwhatIhavecomefor,»themonksaid,hisvoicehollow.

           SophieandTeabingwereseatedonthedivan,armsraisedastheirattackerhadcommanded.Langdonlaygroaningonthefloor.Themonk’seyesfellimmediatelytothekeystoneonTeabing’slap.

           Teabing’stonewasdefiant.«Youwillnotbeabletoopenit.»

           «MyTeacherisverywise,»themonkreplied,inchingcloser,thegunshiftingbetweenTeabingandSophie.

           SophiewonderedwhereTeabing’smanservantwas.Didn’thehearRobertfall?

           «Whoisyourteacher?»Teabingasked.«Perhapswecanmakeafinancialarrangement.»«TheGrailispriceless.»Hemovedcloser.»You’rebleeding,»Teabingnotedcalmly,noddingtothemonk’srightanklewhereatrickleofbloodhadrundownhisleg.«Andyou’relimping.»

           «Asdoyou,»themonkreplied,motioningtothemetalcrutchesproppedbesideTeabing.«Now,handmethekeystone.»

           «Youknowofthekeystone?»Teabingsaid,soundingsurprised.«NevermindwhatIknow.Standupslowly,andgiveittome.»«Standingisdifficultforme.»«Precisely.