Chapter 46 Chapter Forty-Four

"Tens indeed," said Sophie.As she examined the photo closely, a sense of cryptography was awakened. 13-3-2-21-1-1-8-5 Grandfather wrote the account number on the floor of the Louvre! When Sophie saw this messy Fibonacci sequence on the wooden floor of the Louvre for the first time, she thought that the only purpose of this string of numbers was to let the police station invite cryptographers to participate in the detection, so that Sophie would have a chance. participate.Later, she realized that the numbers were also clues to deciphering other lines of words—a sequence out of order...a number puzzle.Now, to her surprise even more, she discovered that these figures had an even more important meaning.These numbers must almost certainly hold the key to unlocking my grandfather's mysterious safe. "He's a master of puns," Sophie said, turning to Langdon. "He likes things with layers. He likes code within code."

By this time, Langdon had approached the computer device next to the conveyor belt.Sophie grabbed the computer printout and followed. The device's keypad is similar to that of a bank ATM.A cross symbol is shown on the display.There is a triangular hole next to the keyboard.Sophie inserted the key into the hole without hesitation. The screen refreshes immediately. account: －－－－－－－－－－ The cursor blinks and waits. tens digit.Sophie read the numbers from the photo, and Langdon typed them in. account: 1332211185 After the last number was entered, the screen refreshed again with a message in several different languages.The top paragraph is in English.

Notice: Before pressing the confirm button, please check whether the account number you entered is correct. If the computer cannot recognize your account, the system will automatically shut down for safety. "Final verdict," Sophie said, frowning, "It seems we only have one chance." Ordinary ATMs generally allow users to enter their PIN three times before confiscating their bank cards.However, this one is obviously not an ordinary cash machine. Langdon carefully checked the input against the number on the photo, and after confirming that it was correct, he said, "The number is correct."

He pointed to the confirmation button, "Press it." Sophie stretched her index finger towards the keyboard, but a strange feeling came over her and she hesitated. "Come on," Langdon urged. "Vernet will be right back." "No." She took her fingers away. "This account number is incorrect." "Sure! Tens. What else?" "This account is too irregular." Too irregular? Langdon disagreed.Every bank advises their users to choose passwords randomly so they cannot be guessed.The bank will of course also recommend that users choose their passwords at random.

Sophie deleted all the numbers just entered, and looked up at Langdon with confidence in her eyes. "Isn't it too accidental that this supposedly random account can be rearranged into a Fibonacci sequence?" Langdon knew she had an idea.Before coming here, Sophie had arranged this group of numbers into the Fibonacci sequence.How likely is it that any set of numbers can be arranged into a Fibonacci sequence? Sophie tapped the keyboard again, and entered a different set of numbers while remembering. "Also, given my grandfather's preference for symbology and ciphers, he should choose a set of numbers that are meaningful to him and easy to remember." After entering all the numbers, she smiled slyly. "It looks casual, but it's not."

Langdon looked at the screen. account: 1123581321 Langdon didn't understand for a moment.But when he came back to his senses, he realized what Sophie said was very true. Fibonacci sequence: 1-1-2-3-5-8-13-2l When the Fibonacci sequence is mixed into a set of ten numbers, it is simply unrecognizable.Easy to remember, yet casual on the surface! It's a brilliant ten-digit passcode that will never be forgotten.And, it also explains why the messy set of numbers on the floor of the Louvre can be rearranged into the famous sequence. Sophie reached out and pressed the confirm button.

Nothing happened. At least they didn't notice any movement. At that moment, in the huge underground vault beneath their feet, a mechanical hand was activated.The robot glides on a two-axis conveyor, looking for a safe that matches the account number entered.Inside the vault, thousands of identical plastic boxes are lined up on huge iron frames, looking like rows of coffins in a church basement. The manipulator quickly moved to the correct position, then hung down, and confirmed the barcode on it with electronic eyes.Then, with great precision, the robotic arm picked up the heavy handle of the box and lifted the box straight up.The gears on the conveyor turned, and the robotic arm transported the box to the other side of the vault, where it came to a stop above a stationary conveyor belt.

The manipulator gently put down the box and took it back. Immediately afterwards, the conveyor belt turned rapidly... Langdon and Sophie breathed a sigh of relief as they watched the conveyor belt spin.They stood by the conveyor belt like weary travelers waiting for their mysterious luggage at baggage claim. The conveyor belt came in through a narrow slot under a retractable door and extended to their right.The iron gate slid open, and a large plastic crate came on a sloping conveyor belt.The box was a bulky black plastic box, much bigger than Sophie had imagined, like a pet air box without air holes.

The box slid down the ramp in front of them. Langdon and Sophie stood there silently staring at the mysterious box. Like everything else in the bank, every part of the case—from the clasp to the top sticker barcode and sturdy handle—is machine-made.Sophie thought it was like a giant toolbox. Sophie quickly undid the top two clasps of the case and glanced at Langdon.Then, together, the two lift the heavy lid and lift it back. They stepped forward and looked into the box. At first glance, Sophie thought the box was empty.But then she saw something on the bottom of the box. It was a polished wooden box, the size of a shoebox, with beautiful hinges.The wood was dark purple, glowing dully, with rough grain.Rosewood, Sophie recognized it.This is my grandfather's favorite wood.The lid is inlaid with a beautiful rose pattern.She and Langdon exchanged puzzled glances.Sophie turned sideways, picked up the box and looked at it carefully.

Omg it was so heavy! Sophie carefully placed the box on the large table.Langdon stood beside her, staring with her intently at the small treasure chest.This is what grandpa asked them to come and get! Langdon looked in amazement at the hand-carved design on the lid—it was a five-petal rose.He had seen this pattern of roses many times before.He whispered, "Five-petal rose. This is the symbol used by the Priory to represent the Holy Grail." Sophie turned and looked at him.Langdon could see Sophie's thoughts, and he shared the same doubts.The box's size, weight, and the Priory's symbol for the Holy Grail all seemed to suggest an unthinkable conclusion.The Holy Grail of Jesus was in this wooden box! Once again Langdon told himself it was impossible.

Sophie whispered, "This box is quite suitable for the Holy Grail." But it can't be the Holy Grail inside. Sophie pulled the box over to open it.However, when she was dragging the box, something unexpected happened.There was the sound of gurgling water coming from the box. Langdon picked up the box.liquid in it? Sophie was also puzzled. "Did you hear just now..." Langdon nodded in confusion. "Liquid." Sophie reached out and slowly opened the clasp and lifted the lid. Inside was something Langdon had never seen before.However, it is certain that it is definitely not the Holy Grail.