Chapter 98

           LangdonandSophiemovedslowlydownthenorthaisle,keepingtotheshadowsbehindtheamplepillarsthatseparateditfromtheopennave.Despitehavingtraveledmorethanhalfwaydownthenave,theystillhadnoclearviewofNewton’stomb.Thesarcophaguswasrecessedinaniche,obscuredfromthisobliqueangle.

           «Atleastthere’snobodyoverthere,»Sophiewhispered.

           Langdonnodded,relieved.TheentiresectionofthenavenearNewton’stombwasdeserted.«I’llgoover,»hewhispered.«Youshouldstayhiddenjustincasesomeone–»

           Sophiehadalreadysteppedfromtheshadowsandwasheadedacrosstheopenfloor.«–iswatching,»Langdonsighed,hurryingtojoinher.Crossingthemassivenaveonadiagonal,LangdonandSophieremainedsilentastheelaboratesepulchrerevealeditselfintantalizingincrements…ablack-marblesarcophagus…arecliningstatueofNewton…twowingedboys…ahugepyramid…and…anenormousorb.

           «Didyouknowaboutthat?»Sophiesaid,soundingstartled.Langdonshookhishead,alsosurprised.»Thoselooklikeconstellationscarvedonit,»Sophiesaid.

           Astheyapproachedtheniche,Langdonfeltaslowsinkingsensation.Newton’stombwascoveredwithorbs–stars,comets,planets.Youseektheorbthatoughtbeonhistomb?Itcouldturnouttobeliketryingtofindamissingbladeofgrassonagolfcourse.

           «Astronomicalbodies,»Sophiesaid,lookingconcerned.«Andalotofthem.»

           Langdonfrowned.