"The Christians say that they do not commit murder. Why then should I fear? Lead on." "I have no torches." "But I have some. I came prepared. Go on." "I cannot." "Do you refuse?" "I must refuse," said the boy. "My friends and my relatives are below. Sooner than lead you to them I would die a hundred deaths." "You are bold. You do not know what death is." "Do I not? What Christian can fear death? I have seen many of my friends die in agony, and I have helped bury them. I will not lead you there. Take me away to prison." The boy turned away. "But if I take you away what will your friends think? Have you a mother?" The boy bowed his head and burst into a passion of tears. The mention of that dear name had overcome him. "I see that you have, and that you love her. Lead me down, and you shall join her again." "I will never betray them. I will die first. Do with me as you wish." "If I had any evil intentions," said Marcellus, "do you think I would go down unaccompanied?" "What can a soldier, and a Pretorian, want with the persecuted Christians, if not to destroy them?" "Boy, I have no evil intentions. If you guide me down below I swear I will not use my knowledge against your friends. When I am below I will be a prisoner, and they can do with me what they like." "Do you swear that you will not betray them?" "I do, by the life of Caesar and the immortal gods," said Marcellus, solemnly. "Come along, then," said the boy. "We do not need torches. Follow me carefully." And the lad entered the narrow opening. CHAPTER IV. THE CATACOMBS "No light, but rather darkness visible Served only to discover sights of woe, Regions of sorrow, doleful shades." They went on in utter darkness, until at length the passage widened and they came to steps which led below. Marcellus held the boy's dress and followed him. It was certainly a situation that might provoke alarm. He was voluntarily placing himself in the power of men whom his class had driven from the upper air into these drear abodes. To them he could only be known as a persecutor. Yet such was the impression which he had formed of their gentleness and meekness that he had no fear of harm. It was in the power of this boy to lead him to death in the thick darkness of these impenetrable labyrinths, but even of this he did not think. It was a desire to know more of these Christians, to get at their secret, that led him on, and as he had sworn, so had he resolved that this visit should not be made use of to their betrayal or injury. After descending for some time the steps ended, and they walked along the level ground. Soon they turned and entered a small vaulted chamber which was lighted from the faint glow of a furnace. The boy had walked on with the unhesitating step of one perfectly familiar with the way. Arriving at the chamber, he lighted a torch which lay on the floor and resumed his journey.