The Secret of Secrets: A Novel
by Dan Brown
Contents
Chapter 61
Overview
Langdon reaches the Klementinum, realizing Katherine’s message could have been sent from inside the newly early-opening museum, and he hurries to the Baroque Library’s Codex Gigas exhibition to find her. Despite searching the crowded hall and calling her name, Langdon finds no trace of Katherine, leaving him without a clear next lead. Meanwhile, Pavel tracks Langdon’s movements through Blue Alert tips, confirms his location via museum staff, and enters the Klementinum armed, closing in on him.
Summary
Robert Langdon rushes to Prague’s Klementinum, thinking Katherine Solomon’s cryptic message ("Codex XL") may have been an attempt to summon him there. He arrives at 9:55 a.m. and is surprised to find the museum already busy with tourists, thanks to a new initiative that opens at 7 a.m. and caters to early-arriving travelers.
Realizing the museum would have been open when Katherine sent her email, Langdon buys a full-access ticket and follows signs for a special exhibition: Codex Gigas, the Devil’s Bible. A docent adds a red sticker to his badge and warns him he has only a one-hour access window in the Baroque Library, making Langdon fear Katherine’s allotted time would have ended long ago.
Inside the Baroque Library, Langdon is briefly transfixed by the frescoed ceiling, towering shelves, and antique globes, but he focuses on scanning the crowd for Katherine. The Devil’s Bible sits in a large Plexiglas case, open to the famous demon illustration, yet Langdon barely looks at it as he searches faces and even calls Katherine’s name.
Langdon draws attention and is hushed by a docent; after repeatedly surveying the room and even checking the empty upper balcony, he finds no sign of Katherine. His hope collapses into uncertainty as he realizes he has little direction left in a vast city.
Elsewhere, Lieutenant Pavel arrives outside the Klementinum following multiple Blue Alert tips placing Langdon near the river and then entering the complex. Pavel confirms at the ticket booth that Langdon bought a ticket and learns which room he is in, then loads his weapon and storms into the museum, demanding directions to the Baroque Library.
Who Appears
- Robert LangdonRaces to the Klementinum, searches the Baroque Library for Katherine, and comes up empty.
- Lieutenant PavelPursues Langdon under the Blue Alert, confirms his location at the museum, and advances armed.
- Katherine SolomonAbsent but central; Langdon believes her email led him to the Codex Gigas exhibition.
- Museum employee (lobby staffer)Explains the early-opening tourist program with shuttle, luggage check, coffee, and donuts.
- Docent (Baroque Library)Limits Langdon’s visit to a one-hour window and later hushes him for calling out.
- Ticket booth cashierSells Langdon a ticket, then later tells Pavel which room Langdon entered.