Summary: At Saint-Sulpice, Silas uses the altar’s iron candle holder as a battering ram and breaks open the hollow space at the obelisk’s base. Inside the hidden compartment, he finds only a Bible citation: “Job 38:11.” Finding the verse in the church’s pulpit Bible, Silas begins to suspect that he (and his superiors) have been tricked. The verse reads, “Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further.” Meanwhile, Sister Sandrine, aware of danger to the Brotherhood’s secret, opens an envelope she has hidden under her bed for years and proceeds to call the four phone numbers enclosed.
Analysis: Following on the previous chapter’s reference to a “con,” this brief chapter reminds readers that Saunière and “the Brotherhood” know much about “cons” themselves! Through the eyes of Sister Sandrine, we watch the elaborate scheme of the Brotherhood play itself out: as planned, Silas’ actions unwittingly warn her that “Opus Dei is searching for the keystone” (p. 138) and alert her that her time to play her part in a grander plan has arrived.
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