The Sixth Key(37)

‘So he appropriated the Theban’s book?’

‘Yes, and by doing so, he has created a grimoire for priests, which is diabolical, because it not only brings demonology together with Christology, it also includes ritual sacrifice – on the altar, no less.’

‘Wait a minute! Honorius III?’ Rahn said pensively. ‘He was the pope who continued the Cathar persecution after Innocent died.’

Deodat fell into amazement. ‘I believe you’re right.’

‘I feel a strange synchronicity, Deodat!’

‘Let’s read on and see, shall we? The 1529 edition is entitled Honorii Papæ, adversus tenebrarum Principem et ejus Angelos Conjurationes ex originale Romæ servato, but it looks like it became known as Le Serpent Rouge, as this Monti fellow has in his note. The note also mentions that a key is missing – that is important.’

‘Yes, that was also my estimation. So, what do you make of it?’

‘Monti has hit on the truth, dear Rahn. It is well known in certain circles that all the grimoires are incomplete. Now he quotes a page from your own book in which you must mention a skeleton key. Let’s see what you say, shall we?’

‘Have you read my book?’

Deodat paused and raised one brow. ‘I’ve been trying to read it ever since you gave it to me, but it is rather a muddled affair. You see, the crux is always missing from your work because you get lost in the peripherals. The crux needs an analytical mind. I’ve told you before it is not enough to have knowledge, you have to have wisdom!’

‘I don’t know what you mean, to my mind it’s replete with wisdom!’ Rahn retorted, a little hurt.

Ignoring Rahn’s piqué, Deodat looked through the monumental pile of books on the table until he found a battered French edition. He flicked through the pages. ‘It is very erudite, don’t misunderstand me, but it is so full of marginalia that it makes one dizzy . . . Let’s see: The Caves of Trevrizent close to the fountain called La Salvaesche ... so on . .. so on ... in preceding pages we described why the Cathars built their hermitages and temples in the caves of Sabarthes . . . so on . . . little further on we will learn that according to Spanish ballads a skeleton key is hidden in the enchanted cave of Hercules, which resolves the mystery of the Grail . . . There, you see?’ He paused and took off his glasses to fix Rahn with a meaningful stare. ‘You mention a key that will resolve the mystery of the Grail, and if we add that to what is in the rest of that man’s note, we see that its author has connected the Grimoire of Pope Honorius III, otherwise known as Le Serpent Rouge, to the treasure of the Cathars – through you! It’s an interesting idea. If – among other things – the Cathars had possession of this missing key, it would explain why Pope Innocent set out to persecute them so vehemently, and why Honorius continued to do so after him. The popes may have been after the last missing key that could not be found in any grimoire.’

‘What would it be – a sign, a word, a seal?’ Rahn asked him.

‘It could be any one of those,’ he said. ‘But there is something I can add to this.’

‘What?’

‘Since you’ve been away I’ve had moment to retrace our searches those years ago and I think I know why we didn’t find the treasure of the Cathars inside those caves at Lombrives.’

‘Really? I’m listening,’ Rahn said.

Deodat smiled. ‘I think it was moved.’

‘By whom? The caves were inaccessible until recently.’

‘Yes, we both know that the treasure was taken from Montsegur by four Cathars during the siege in the thirteenth century. We both have long suspected that it was taken to the caves at Lombrives. On this, most Cathar scholars agree, but what if the treasure was taken away from the caves? What if some time after the siege, and before the Catholics walled up all the exits out of those caves – condemning the last of those poor Cathars who were trapped inside to die a miserable death – someone escaped with it?’

Rahn was much struck by this. ‘I see your point. After that, superstition and fear of the church would have prevented curious men from breaking down the seals to those caves to look for the treasure, until we decided to go there.’

‘That’s right. And the legend that it is buried in those caves has kept the treasure safe all these years. This is exciting, Rahn! Here, finally, is a scent we can work with!’ He snapped the book shut.

‘I had a sense for it, you know, and now your words are a confirmation.’

‘Well, my boy! That Monti mentions an abbé . . . a priest . . .’