The man looked up. He saw a stern face. The sight of the officer's dress terrified him. In an instant he darted away, and before Marcellus could turn to follow he had rushed into a side lane and was out of sight. But Marcellus secured the boy. "Come with me," said he. The poor lad looked up with such an agony of fear that Marcellus was moved. "Have mercy, for my mother's sake; she will die if I am taken." The boy fell at his feet murmuring this in broken tones. "I will not hurt you. Come," and he led him away toward an open space out of the way of the passers-by. "Now," said he, stopping and confronting the boy, "tell me the truth. Who are you?" "My name is Pollio," said the boy. "Where do you live?" "In Rome." "What are you doing here?" "I was out on an errand." "Who was that man?" "A fossor." "What were you doing with him?" "He was carrying a bundle for me." "What was in the bundle?" "Provisions." "To whom were you carrying it?" "To a destitute person out here." "Where does he live? "Not far from here." "Now, boy, tell me the truth. Do you know anything about the Catacombs?" "I have heard about them," said the boy quietly. "Were you ever in them?" "I have been in some of them." "Do you know any body who lives in them?" "Some people. The fossor stays there." "You were going to the Catacombs then with him?" "What business would I have there at such a time as this?" said the boy innocently. "That is what I want to know. Were you going there?" "How would I dare to go there when it is forbidden by the laws?" "It is now evening," said Marcellus abruptly, "come with me to the evening service at yonder temple." The boy hesitated. "I am in a hurry," said he. "But you are my prisoner. I never neglect the worship of the gods. You must come and assist me at my devotions." "I cannot," said the boy firmly. "Why not?" "I am a Christian." "I knew it. And you have friends, in the Catacombs, and you are going there now. They are the destitute people to whom you are carrying provisions, and the errand on which you are is for them." The boy held down his head and was silent. "I want you now to take me to the entrance of the Catacombs." "O, generous soldier, have mercy! Do not ask me that. I cannot do it!" "You must." "I will not betray my friends." "You need not. It is nothing to show the entrance among the many thousands that lead down below. Do you think that the guards do not know every one?" The boy thought for a moment, and at length signified his assent. Marcellus took his hand and followed his lead. The boy turned away to the right of the Appian Way, when he walked a short distance. Here he came to an uninhabited house. He entered, and went down into the cellar. There was a door which apparently opened into a closet. The boy pointed to this, and stopped. "I wish to go down," said Marcellus, firmly. "You would not dare to go down alone surely, would you?"