"To me!" I yelled, running over the field, waving my arms. "To me, Roundheads!" Well, they looked up at the sound of my English voice and, to make a long story short, gathered around in short enough space for Myers to pick them up. The field faded around us.... * * * * * _March 3, 65_: TO THE CAPTAIN OF THE ARENA: I thought I ordered you to produce Christians for slaughter! What devilish magic have you loosed upon Rome under the guise of Christians? I order you to capture those sixteen hell-spawned devils who murdered our gladiators. At once! NERO, Imp. * * * * * _March 3, 65_: TO THE EMPEROR: My Caesar! I know not how the sixteen Christians escaped from the arena--replacing themselves with sixteen others. I have contacted Papirius, Captain of Police, and he informs me it must be a plot on the part of the Christians for an uprising throughout the City. I believe the missing sixteen are in hiding. My Guard will be ordered out at once to apprehend them. (signed) Lictus, CAPTAIN OF THE ARENA * * * * * _March 3, 65_: TO CAPTAIN OF POLICE: I have at hand information from Lictus, Captain of the Arena, concerning the plot of the Christians to overthrow Roman rule with today's events in the Arena as a signal for insurrection. Drastic action must be taken. Burn out every festhole in Rome where the Christians are massed. At once! NERO, Imp. * * * * * _March 3, 65_: TO THE EMPEROR: Hail, Caesar! Your command has been obeyed. Even now the Christians burn in their catacombs! (signed) Papirius, CAPTAIN OF POLICE * * * * * _March 3, 65_: TO THE CAPTAIN OF POLICE: Are you mad, you fool? By whose authority have you put the torch to Rome? The flames are spreading throughout the city--underground--and already are at the arena dungeons! Send help to quench the fires! Lictus, CAPTAIN OF THE ARENA * * * * * _March 3, 65_: TO THE CAPTAIN OF THE ARENA: Don't call me a fool, you idiot! How was I to know the fire would spread through the catacombs! I can't send you any men. I'm appealing to the Emperor for help myself. The fires are getting beyond control! Papirius, CAPTAIN OF POLICE * * * * * _March 3, 65_: TO THE EMPEROR: Mighty Caesar! The Christians have turned the fires against us and our city is in danger of being consumed. What shall we do? (signed) Papirius, CAPTAIN OF POLICE * * * * * _March 3, 65_: TO THE CAPTAIN OF POLICE: You imbecile! I order you to burn out the Christians and you set fire to the entire city! Already my palace is on fire! Consider yourself under arrest! Report to me after you have the flames under control. Or perhaps you'd prefer throwing yourself into the closest inferno and cheat me of the pleasure of roasting you alive later! NERO, Imp.