 Part 1 Chapter 17 of Quo Vadis, a tale of the time of Nero, this Librivox recording is in the public domain. Quo Vadis, by Henrik Zinkevich, translated by Binyon Antmelevsky. Part 1 Chapter 17. Kylo did, in fact, have the intention to put Glakos out of the way, for Glakos, though old, was by no means decrepit. There was some slight truth in the story he told to Vinicius. He had once known Glakos, he had betrayed him and sold him to robbers, he had caused the loss of his family and fortune, and had delivered him up to murder. He could easily recall all the facts. He had left him dying, not in a tavern, but on a field near Minternay. He had not thought at the time that Glakos would ever recover and come to Rome. On seeing him in the church he had been terribly frightened. His first thought had been to renounce his search for Ligia, but on the other hand he feared Vinicius even more. When it came to a choice between his dread of prosecution by Glakos and of the vengeance of the mighty Patrician, who would summon to his aid the still mightier Patronius, he did not long hesitate. He deemed it better to have small enemies than great ones. His cowardly nature revolted from bloodshed, but when he found that bloodshed was necessary he would shift the deed into the hands of hirelings. The important question now was that of choosing the right men for his purpose. He would give them the task of which he had spoken to Vinicius. Passing his nights in taverns among vagrants, men without home or honor or faith, he could readily find men willing for any crime. But it was still easier to find among them men who would receive his money, would promise to do the work, and then extort still further money from him on a threat of betraying him into the hands of justice. Moreover, he had long felt a repugnance for these wretched vagrants who lurked in the disreputable houses of the Sabura and the trans-Tiber. Judging all people by himself, he believed that among Christians, who seemed to him a trifle more trustworthy, he might find willing tools whom he might mislead into the idea that the work was not done merely for money, but with the aim of accomplishing some good. Therefore he spent his evenings with Euryseus, whom he knew to be devoted to him body and soul, and would do anything at his bidding. With his native caution he decided not to reveal the whole truth to him, which might prove repugnant to one so pious and full of devotion to God. He needed men who were ready for anything, but in whom he could confide only so far that they would keep his secret forever. Euryseus, after the redemption of his son, had rented a small shop, one among many, which surrounded the Circus Maximus. Here he sold olives, beans, fruit-cakes, and water sweetened with honey to the people who flocked to the Circus. Kylo found the old man at home, busily arranging his little shop. Greeting him in the name of Christ, he unfolded the reason of his visit, confident that he could depend upon his gratitude for the service he had already extended. He explained that he needed two or three strong, courageous and fearless men to ward off the dangers that threatened not only himself but all Christians. Poor as he was, since he had given up his all for Euryseus, he still would be able to pay men of this sort for their services, but only on condition that they would trust him and do blindly whatever he commanded. Euryseus and his son Quartus listened to him as to their benefactor. They almost dropped upon their knees when they assured him that they were ready to fulfill all his wishes, being convinced that so holy a man would not require from them anything inconsistent with the teachings of Christ. Kylo assured them that they were right. He lifted up his eyes as if in prayer. In truth he was inwardly meditating whether he would not accept their offer and keep the thousand cesterces for himself, but after a moment's thought he decided to refuse. Euryseus was an old man, burdened not only by his age but by sickness and sorrow. Quartus was but a boy of sixteen. What Kylo needed was strong and sagacious men. As to the thousand cestercia, he hoped that his elaborate scheme would enable him in any event to save the larger portion of it. The men insisted for some time that he should inform them of his wishes, but when he had firmly made up his mind to abide by his last decision, they yielded. "'Master,' said Quartus, I know a baker called Demus, who employs slaves and hired men. There is one among the hired men who is more vigorous than two or even four ordinary mortals. I myself have seen him lift stones which no four men could have lifted. If he be a good and pious man willing to sacrifice himself for his brethren, you may introduce him to me.' "'He is a Christian,' said Quartus, for Demus employs few except Christians. He has both night and day laborers. This man is one of the night laborers. If we go there now we shall find them at supper, and thou wilt have a chance to talk freely with him. Demus lives near the Emporium.' Kylo joyfully consented. The Emporium lay at the foot of the Avantine Hill, but a short distance from the Circus Maximus. It could be reached without climbing the hill, by passing along the river, through the Amelian Gate, and this would shorten the journey. "'I am old,' said Kylo, when they had arrived under the colonnade, and sometimes my memory betrays me. Ye our Lord was betrayed by one of his disciples, but I recall not his name at this moment. It was Judas Master, he who hanged himself,' answered Quartus, wondering within himself how such a name could escape any memory. "'Yay, Judas, I thank thee,' answered Kylo. They pursued their way for a time in silence. When they reached the Emporium, which they found closed, they were obliged to go around the storehouses, whence grain was distributed among the people, and then turned to the left by the houses which stretched along the Via Ostiensis up to the Mons Testaceus and the Forum Pistorium. Here they stopped before a wooden building, from the interior of which issued the noise of revolving millstones. Quartus entered, but Kylo remained outside. He did not like to show himself in a crowd, fearing that fate might bring about a meeting with Glockus, the physician. "'I am curious to see this Herculees who works in a mill,' he said to himself, looking up at the radiant moon. If he is a clever rascal, he may cost me something, but if he is an innocent Christian and a fool, he will do as I wish for nothing.' He was interrupted by the return of Quartus, who came out with another man, glad only in a shirt cut in such a fashion that his right arm and right breast were exposed, so as to allow him free movement. Such shirts were generally worn by laborers. At sight of this man, Kylo looked his admiration and satisfaction. Never had he seen such an arm and such a breast. "'Master,' said Quartus, here is the brother whom thou didst wish to see. "'The peace of Christ be with him,' was Kylo's greeting. "'Tell this brother, O Quartus, that I am trustworthy, and then return in the name of God, for I see no need that thou shouldst leave unprotected the home of thy wise old father.' "'This is a holy man,' said Quartus, who surrendered his all to redeem me from slavery, me who was unknown to him. May our Lord and Saviour prepare a heavenly reward for him. At these words the gigantic laborer bent and kissed the hands of Kylo. "'What is thy name?' asked the Greek. "'Father, in holy baptism the name of Urban was given to me. Urban, my brother, has now time to speak with me freely. Our work begins at midnight, and at present they are preparing supper for us. Ah, then we have time enough. Let us go over to the pond, and thou wilt hear what I have to say to thee.' They winded their way thither and sat down on a stone near the embankment. The silence was broken only by the far-off sound of the millstone and the rippling of the waters. Kylo glanced inquiringly at the face of the laborer. That face was stern and melancholy, as was usual among the barbarians who lived in Rome, yet it was full of goodness and honesty. "'Tis well,' thought Kylo, here is a kindly fool who will kill Glockus for nothing. "'Urban,' he asked, do you love Christ? "'I love him with all my soul and all my heart,' answered the laborer, and thy brethren, thy sisters, and all those who taught thee the truth and faith in Christ. I love them also, Father. In peace be with thee, and with thee, Father!' There was silence anew, interrupted as before by the sound of the millstones and the rippling of the water. Kylo, eyes fixed on the moon, began in low and impressive tones to speak about the death of Christ. He seemed not to be addressing Urban directly, but to be recalling facts that were known to both for the benefit of the sleeping city. His words seemed so inspired and so holy that they moved the laborer to tears. When Kylo sighed and expressed his sorrow that there had been no one near the dying Christ to defend him, not only from crucifixion but from the humiliations inflicted by the Jews and the soldiers, the gigantic fists of the barbarian were clenched in pity and anger. The death of Christ was bad enough, but the thought that the blood of the Lamb was shed amidst scoffs and jeers revolted his simple soul, and aroused in it a wild desire for vengeance. Then suddenly Kylo asked, Uh, Ben, dost thou know who Judas was? I know, I know, he hanged himself, cried the laborer. In his voice was immense sorrow that the traitor had punished himself and was consequently out of his reach. That suppose, said Kylo, that he did not hang himself and that some Christian were to meet him, would it not be a Christian duty to avenge the sufferings, the death, and the blood of the Saviour? O Father, who would not meet out this revenge? Peace be with thee, O faithful servant of the Lamb! Yea, we may forgive our own wrongs, but who is authorized to forgive the wrongs done to God? But as serpents breed serpents, as crimes breed crimes, as traitors breed traitors, so from the venom of Judas was born another traitor. As the first Judas betrayed our Saviour to the Jews and the soldiers of Rome, so this traitor, who lives among us at present, wishes to betray the Lamb's of God to the wolf, and if no one prevents this, if no one crushes the head of this serpent, awful destruction awaits us all, and with us the destruction of the Holy Lamb. The laborer glanced at him in wild excitement. He could scarce believe what he heard. The Greek covered his face with a corner of his mantle and began to repeat in a deep voice which seemed as if it came from the depths of the earth, Woe unto you, servants of the true God, Woe unto you, Christians, men and women! And again silence followed. Again there was no sound save the revolving millstones, the singing of the millers, and the rippling of the waters below. Father, asked the laborer abruptly, who is this traitor? A son of Judas, the spawn of his venom, who pretends to be a Christian, and visits the houses of prayer only for the purpose of betraying his brethren to Caesar, charging that they do not honour Caesar as a God, that they poison wells, that they murder children, and that they wish to hurl the city into such destruction that not one stone shall remain upon another. Look you, in a few days an order will be issued to the Praetorians to imprison men, women, and children, and lead them to death as they led to death the slaves of Pedanius Secondus. This is the work of our second Judas, but if the first one was never punished, if nobody took vengeance on him, if nobody averted hours of suffering from Christ, who will now take vengeance, who will now destroy him before Caesar can hear his terrible charges? Who now will put him out of the way, and so prevent him the ruin of the brethren, and of the faith of Christ? Urban, who till now had remained seated on the stone, arose immediately, and said, I will do this, Father. Kylo also rose. He looked straight in the face of the labourer, as he stood in the rays of the moonlight, then placing his hands upon his head, he solemnly said, Go among the Christians, go to the places of prayer, ask the brethren to point out Glockus, the physician, and if they show him to thee, kill him. Didst thou say Glockus, repeated the labourer, with an effort of memory to retain the name? Does thou know him? I know him not. There are thousands of Christians in Rome, and they do not all know one another. But tomorrow night at Ostronium there will be a general gathering of all the brothers and sisters, without a single exception, for a great apostle of Christ will preach there, and I will ask the brethren to point out to me Glockus. In Ostronium, asked Kylo, why that is outside of the gates of the city, all our brothers and sisters at night, outside the gate at Ostronium, yea, Father, our cemetery lies there, between the Solaria and Nomantana roads, does thou not know that the great apostle is expected there? I have been away for two days, hence I did not receive his letter, and I know not Ostronium, for I only recently arrived from Corinth, where I was the head of a Christian community, that so be it, Christ will be with thee, thou wilt go tomorrow night, my son, to Ostronium, and there thou wilt find Glockus among the brethren, thou wilt slay him on his way back to the city, all thy sins will be forgiven thee in return, and now peace be with thee. Father, I hear the old servant of the Lamb, the laborer's face expressed perplexity. He might have killed a man or two in the course of his life, but the religion of Christ forbade murder. He had not killed them in self-defense, for even this was forbidden, nor Christ forbid had he killed for the sake of a reward. The bishop himself had given him brethren to help in a certain adventure, but had commanded him to take no life. The killing had been through inadvertence, for the Lord had punished him with extraordinary strength. And now he was doing penance for this. Others might sing while grinding wheat, he could only think on his sins and his offenses against the Lamb, how he had prayed, how he had wept. How often had he besought the Lamb for forgiveness. In spite of everything, he felt that his repentance was not yet sufficient, and now he had promised to kill a traitor. So be it. One may readily forgive trespasses against oneself, but against oneself only. So he would kill Glacus, even in the presence of all the brothers and sisters gathered at Ostronium. But Glacus should be tried first before the elders selected from among the brethren by the bishop or the apostle. To kill was no great matter, and to kill a traitor was a pleasant duty, like killing a wolf or a bear. But suppose Glacus was innocent. How can I burden myself with a new murder, a new sin, a new offense against the Lamb? There is no time for a trial, my son, answered Kylo, for the traitor will hurry from Ostronium directly to Caesar in Antium, or hide himself in the house of a certain patrician in whose employ he now is. I will give thee a sign, which, if thou showest after killing Glacus to the bishop or the apostle, they will bless thee and thy deed. With these words he took from his pocket a coin. Drawing a knife from his belt, he cut the sign of the cross upon the coin, and gave it to the laborer. Here is a sentence upon Glacus and a sign for thee. When thou showest this to the bishop, he will give the absolution, not only for the killing of Glacus, but also for the involuntary homicides that preceded it. The laborer hesitantly stretched out his hand for the coin. He recalled his first homicide, and could not repress a shiver. Father, he exclaimed in a voice of entreaty, dost thou take this upon thine own conscience, and art thou sure that Glacus hath plotted to slay our brethren? Kylo saw that he must give some proofs and mention some names, otherwise doubt would arise in the mind of the laborer. A happy thought struck him. Hark, and urban, he said, I dwell in Corinth, but I come from Caus. Here in Rome I am instructing in the religion of Christ a servant girl, my countrywoman Eunice, by name. She serves as a handmaiden in the house of a certain Petronius, a friend of Caesar. In this house I learned how Glacus had promised to betray all the Christians, and also to betray unto a certain Vinicius, another imperial advisor, a certain maiden. He stopped abruptly, for he had caught a strange look in the eyes of the laborer. They blazed like the eyes of a wild beast, while the whole face took on a look of wrath and menace. What is the matter, he asked in some alarm? Nothing, Father, I will kill Glacus tomorrow. The Greek was silent. He took the laborer's arm, and turned him so that the moonlight fell full upon his face, which he scrutinized carefully. Evidently he was hesitating whether to inquire further, or to be content with the impression he had already made. His habitual caution gained the upper hand. Twice he sighed deeply, and again placing his hands upon the head of the laborer, he asked him in solemn tones, the name of Urban was giving thee in holy baptism. Ye Father it was. Then peace be with thee, Urban. CHAPTER XVIII Petronius Tuvanisius. It fares hardly with thee, dear friend. It would seem that Venus hath disturbed thy mind, and deprived thee of reason and memory, as well as the power of thinking of ought save love. Peruse d'I known answer to my letter, and thou wilt find that all is indifferent to thee save Ligia alone, that thou art occupied only with her, that she is the center of everything. By Pollux I trust that thou wilt find her soon, or otherwise the fire within thee will turn thee to ashes, or thou wilt transform thyself into an Egyptian Sphinx, who was enamored of the white Isis as the story goes, and was turned deaf and dumb and indifferent to all things, awaiting only the night when he could gaze upon her with cold and stony eyes. Disguise thyself in the evening and issue forth with thy philosopher to visit the Christian houses of prayer. All that raises hope and kills time will help thee. But for the sake of my friendship do this one thing. This Ursus, the slave of Ligia, is a man of rare strength. So hire Croto and take both with thee. This will be safe and wise. The Christians, if Pomponia and Ligia belong to them, are surely not so vile as is believed. But in their capture of Ligia they gave proof that when some lamb of their flock is in danger they know how to act. When thou seest Ligia there will be unable to restrain thyself, but wilt endeavour to take her at once. But could thou do this with the help of Kylo alone? Croto could manage it, even if there were ten Ursuses to defend Ligia. Therefore let not Kylo plunder thee, but lavish money on Croto. This is the best counsel that I can give thee. The infant Augusta is forgotten here. Forgotten also are the charges of witchcraft. Papyr mentions her at times, but Caesar's thoughts are elsewhere. At all events, if it be true that the divine Augusta is again in a delicate condition, the memory of the first child will disappear without leaving any trace. We have already been more than ten days in Naples, or rather in Bayeae. If thou art still capable of thought, surely thine ears must have heard echoes of what occurs here, for it must be the general subject of talk in Rome. We came directly to Bayeae, where memories of our mother revived, and the voice of conscience was heard again. But does thou know the frame of mind to which Bronzebeard is reduced? Simply to this, that the murder of his mother has become for him only an inspiration for poetry and tragic themes. The voice of conscience spoke only to his cowardice. He soon reassured himself with the thought that the whole world was under his feet and that no god would wreak vengeance upon him. He feigns emotion only to move his auditors. Sometimes he rises at night, crying that the furies are after him. He awakens us all, gazes around at us, assumes the pose of an actor, and a bad actor at that, in the role of Orestes. He declaims Greek verses and watches to see if we are admiring him, and we do admire him or feign admiration. Instead of saying to him, back to bed, thou Mountabank, we become tragedians in our turn, and defend this great artist from the furies. By Castor, thou must have heard how he has appeared in public in Naples. From the city itself and from the surrounding villages all the Greek rabble were driven into the arena, filling it with so vile an odour of perspiration and garlic that I thanked the gods that in lieu of sitting in the first rows with the Augustallis, I was behind the scenes with Bronzebeard. And wilt thou believe it, he was afraid. Truly he was. He seized my hands and placed him upon his heart, which was throbbing violently. He breathed with difficulty. At the moment when he was to appear, he turned pale as parchment, and on his forehead stood huge drops of sweat. Yet he knew that around all the seats were stationed Praetorians armed with clubs, ready to stimulate the necessary enthusiasm. No herd of monkeys could have raised such a clatter as did this multitude. I tell thee that the smell of garlic invaded the stage. Nero Boud pressed his hand to his heart, threw kisses and shed tears. He rushed back among us, who were waiting behind the scenes, and cried like a drunken man, what are all other triumphs compared with this of mine? The rabble howled out their applause, knowing that it was applauding for favours, gifts, free places in the theatre, lottery tickets, and a new exhibition by Caesar, the Mountabank. I marveled not at this, for I knew that never before had they witnessed such a spectacle. And every moment he repeated, see what the Greeks are, see what the Greeks are. From that evening it has seemed to me that his hatred against Rome increased. Nevertheless special messengers were dispatched to Rome to carry the news of his triumph, and we expect at any moment the thanks of the Senate. Immediately after Nero's first exhibition a strange thing happened. The theatre suddenly collapsed, but fortunately it was after the audience had left. I was there at the time and did not see a single corpse taken from the ruins. Many among the Greeks looked upon this as a sign of anger of the guards over the disgraced imperial dignity. Caesar asserts the contrary. He declares it to be a direct evidence of the favour of the gods, not only to his hymns, but to those who listened to them. Hence thanks and sacrifices were offered up in all the temples. He desires now to set out for Achaea. Yet a few days ago he acknowledged to me that he had doubts as to what the people of Rome might say, and whether they might not rise in revolt out of love for him, and fear that the distribution of bread and the exhibition of spectacles might cease during the absence of Caesar. We are now ready to start for Benevintum to gaze upon the cobbler's paradise which Vatenius has to show. Hence we go to Greece under the protection of the divine brothers of Helena. As to me I recognize the truth of the proverb, that among fools it is well to be a fool, and what is more I find a certain charm in folly. Greece and the voyage tither in a thousand ships, a sort of triumphal procession of Bacchus amid nymphs and Bacchantes, adorned with wreaths of myrtle and vine leaves, nymphs in wagons drawn by tigers, flowers, roses, garlands, music, poetry and songs from lusty throats, and all hell us applauding. All this is well, but we have more important projects in view. We wish to create a sort of oriental empire, a fairyland of palms, sunshine, poetry, and reality turned into a delicious dream, into a life of luxurious pleasure. We wish to forget Rome, to place the center of the world somewhere between Greece, Asia and Egypt, to live the life not of men, but of gods, to forget the commonplace, to wander in golden galleries under the shadow of purple sails in the archipelago, to be Apollo, Osiris, and Baal in one, to be rosy in the dawn, gold in the sun and silver in the moon, to act, to sing, and dream. And wilt thou believe it, I, who possess at least a farthing's worth of judgment, and a groats worth of sins, allow myself to be borne away by these fancies, and at doing this because in them is something rare and splendid. A fairyland of this sort has its charms, and in future ages it will take on the aspect of a dream. Only when Venus transforms herself into a Ligia, or even into a slave like Eunice, only when art beautifies life, is life worth living. Otherwise, tis a grinning ape. But Bronzebeard will never realize his dream if only for this reason, that in that oriental fairyland he allows no place for treason, iniquity, and death, and ruling over all in the false guise of poetry is a common mountebank, a counterfeit charioteer, and a stupid tyrant. Meanwhile, we are strangling all men who stand in our way. Poor Torquatis Silanus is now only a shadow. He had to open his veins a few days ago. Lacanius and Licinus accept the consulate with trembling. Old Thrasia cannot escape death, for he was bold enough to be honest. Titilinus has not yet succeeded in securing an order to make me open my veins. I am still needed, not only as an arbiter of elegance, but as a man whose counsel and taste are vital for the success of the expedition to Achia. But I often think that sooner or later this must be the end. Nuest thou what then will be my chief anxiety? That Bronzebeard should not get my magic chorals, which thou knowest and admirest. Shouldst thou be near me at my last hour, I will deliver them to thee, but shouldst thou be far from me, I will break them. We now have before us the coblos paradise at Benaventum. Olympian grease and fate, which unknown and invisible, points out the way to all. Be well, and hire Croto. Otherwise Ligia will a second time be taken from thee. When thou hast no further need for the services of Kylo, send him to me wherever I may be, for a chance I may succeed in making of him a second fatinius. Consuls and senators may tremble before him yet, as they trembled before the hero Drathevka. Ah, it would be worthwhile to see this. When thou hast found Ligia, let me know that I may sacrifice a pair of swans and a pair of doves in our round temple of Venus. Once in my dreams I saw Ligia on thy knee, seeking for kisses, strive to make this dream of reality. In your heaven may there be no clouds, or if some there be, may they have the color and the odor of roses. Be in good health and happiness. End of Part 1, Chapter 18. Part 1, Chapter 19 of Quo Vadis, a tale of the time of Nero. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Quo Vadis, by Henrik Sinkhevich, translated by Binyon and Malevsky. Part 1, Chapter 19. Vinicius had just finished reading this letter when Kylo crept into the library, cautiously and unannounced, for the slaves had orders to admit him at any hour of the day or night. May the divine mother of thy noble ancestor show such favor to thee as the divine son of Maya hath shown to me. What meanest thou? exclaimed Vinicius, springing from the table on which he was seated. Eureka! cried Kylo proudly. The young patrician fell back upon his chair for some moments excitement prevented his speaking. Hast thou seen her? he asked at last. Master, I have seen Ursus and have held converse with him. Speak then. Knowest thou where they are hidden? Nay, master! Another man might have informed the legion that his identity was known to him, might have revealed his own name, and sought information as to where the maiden lived. But what would his answer have been? Perchance a blow from that mighty fistful in the face, which would have made him indifferent to all worldly things. At all events he would have raised suspicion in the mind of the maiden's guardian, which would have led to an immediate change in her hiding-place. Master, I did not act thus. Sufficient was it for me to know that Ursus is a night-labourer in the mill of one Demus, the same name as that of thy freedman. This I say, sufficed. For now it were easy for some one of thy slaves to follow him in the morning and learn their hiding-place. I am certain that if Ursus is here, Ligia is also in Rome. And for further news, I bring assurance that both will be present tonight at a gathering in Ostronium. Ostronium, where is that? Interrupted Veniceus, I also wish to be present there. Tis an old cemetery between the Solaria and Numentana roads, the chief priest of the Christians, of whom I have spoken to thee, and who has long been expected has arrived and would have preached in the cemetery to-night. They conceal their religion, for though there is no edict against it, yet the people hate them, and therefore it behooves them to be cautious. This same Ursus has told me that all, even to the last soul, would gather in Ostronium, for all wish to see and hear him who was the foremost disciple of Christ and who is called an apostle. As they consider women equal to men, women also will be there, save only Pomponia, who might find it difficult to explain her absence to Aulus, a believer in the ancient gods. But Ligia master, who is under the guardianship of Ursus and the elders of the community, will surely be there with the other women. Vinicius, who had been living in a state of feverish excitement, upheld only by hope, now that this hope seemed about to be realized, was suddenly attacked with weakness, such as a man feels after a long journey. Kylo marked this and resolved to take advantage of it. The gates are watched by thy slaves and the Christians must know this, but they do not need to go through the gates. The Tiber has no gates and though it is far from the river to the appointed place, still for them it is worthwhile to get there in order to see the great apostle. Besides, they have probably a thousand ways of reaching the spot. In Ostroneon master, thou wilt find Ligia. If she be not there, which is not unlikely, thou wilt find Ursus, for he has promised to kill Glockus. He himself told me that he would be there and that he would kill him. Does thou hear, my golden tribune? Then thou wilt either follow Ursus and so come to the place where Ligia dwells, or thou wilt command thy slave to seize him as a murderer, bind his hands and make him confess where he has hidden Ligia. I have completed my task. Another Omaster would have told thee a story that he had drunk ten goblets of the best wine with Ursus before he could get the secret out of him. Another would have said that he had lost a thousand cestercies to him in gambling or that he had bought his information for two thousand. I know that thou wilt pay me doubly, for the noble Patronius has told me that thy bounty will exceed my hopes. Vinicius, though a soldier accustomed to weigh well every action as well as to act, was possessed by a sudden weakness and said, thou shalt not rely upon my generosity in vain, but first thou wilt accompany me to Ostroneon. I to Ostroneon? asked Kylo, who had no desire to go thither. Noble Tribune, I engaged to find Ligia for thee, but I did not engage to carry her off for thee. Think, master, what would happen to me if that Ligian bear, after killing Glockus, should comprehend that he did not deserve death? Would he not regard me as the cause of an unjust murder? Forget not, master, that the greater the philosopher, the more difficult it is for him to answer the stupid questions of a fool. What should I answer him if he asked me why I slandered Glockus the physician? If thou distrust me, then I say, pay me only when I show thee the house where Ligia lives. Give me today but a part of my remuneration, so that if any accident should befall thee, whom may all the gods protect, I would not be left without any recompense, thy heart could not endure that. Vinicius went to a casket that stood on a marble pedestal, took a purse from it, and flung it to Kylo. These are silver, he said, and when Ligia shall be in my house, thou wilt get the same, filled with gold. Thou art a very jove, exclaimed Kylo. Vinicius frowned, thou wilt refresh thyself, and afterwards thou mayst rest. But until evening thou must remain here, and when night comes, thou wilt accompany me to Ostronium. A look of alarm and uncertainty flitted over the face of the Greek. He controlled himself, however, and answered, Who can oppose thee, master? The silver pieces overweigh my services, to say nothing of thy society, which to me is a happiness and a delight. Vinicius interrupted him impatiently, and questioned him as to the particulars of his conversation with Ursus. It seemed clear that they would be able to discover Ligia's hiding-place that night, or to seize her on the way back from Ostronium. This thought filled Vinicius with wild delight. Now that he felt confident of finding Ligia, his anger and vexation against her disappeared. In his joy he forgave her everything. He thought of her only as one dear to him. He felt as if she were returning after a long absence. He would feign have called his slaves and ordered them to deck his house with garlands. He felt no anger even against Ursus at the moment. He was ready to forgive everything to every body. Although for whom in spite of his services he had always felt aversion, seemed to him now an entertaining and an unusual person. Joy filled his house. His eyes and face grew radiant. He felt again youth and the delight of life. The sufferings he had gone through were not as great as his love for Ligia. This he understood now for the first time when he hoped to possess her. His desires woke up in him as the earth wakes in the springtime beneath the glow of the sun. But now his desires were less wild and blind than formerly, and had more of happiness and tenderness. He felt within himself unlimited energy, and was confident that when he saw Ligia with his own eyes he would take her from all the Christians in the world, or from Caesar himself. Kylo, meanwhile, reassured by the delight of Vinicius, began to offer advice. He warned Vinicius that victory was not yet won, and that the greatest caution was necessary or all would be brought to naught. He besought Vinicius not to attempt to take Ligia from Ostronium. They should go there with hoods on their heads and with their faces concealed. They should hide in dark corners once they might scrutinize people as they passed. When they saw Ligia it would be best to follow at a distance to mark the house she entered and on the morrow to surround it with a large force and take her away at daybreak. Since she belonged to Caesar as a hostage, all this might be done without offending against the law. Should they not find her in Ostronium they would follow Ursus. The result would be the same. It would be impracticable to go to the cemetery with a crowd of attendants, for thus attention would be attracted. The Christians would extinguish all the lights as they had done at the time of Ligia's rescue and scattering in the darkness would conceal themselves in places known only to them. But it is necessary that we should go armed and should take with us a couple of strong and trustworthy men to defend us in case of need. Vinicius acknowledged the wisdom of this advice. Recalling Patronius's counsel he ordered his slaves to bring Croto to him. Kylo who knew everybody in Rome felt greatly relieved on hearing the name of the famous athlete whose superhuman strength he had admired many times in the arena. He rejoiced to hear that he would accompany them to Ostronium. The purse filled with gold would be easier to acquire with the aid of Croto. Hence he sat down in cheerful mood at the table to which he was summoned by the chief of the hall. He informed the slaves that he had brought their master a magic ointment. It was only necessary to rub it upon the hoofs of the worst horses to make them outstrip all others. A certain Christian had shown him how to prepare the ointment. The Christians were better skilled in magic and miracles than even the Thessalonians, though Thessaly was renowned for its wonder-workers. The Christians had great confidence in him. Anyone could understand the reason of this who knows what means the sign of the fish. While speaking he warily watched the faces of the slaves in the hope of discovering a Christian and betraying him to Vinicius. He ate and drank more freely than usual and showered praises on the cook saying that he would try and buy his freedom from Vinicius. His joy was clouded only by the thought that he must go that night to Ostronium but he took comfort in the fact that he would go in disguise and in the company of two men, one a giant admired in all Rome and the other a patrician, a high officer in the army. If they discover Vinicius, he said to himself, they will not dare to lay hands on him. As for myself, they will be sharp-eyed indeed if they see even the tip of my nose. He recalled his conversation with the laborer. The recollection brought much joy to him. Beyond a doubt that laborer was Ursus. From what Vinicius had said and from the account of those who had brought Ligia from Caesar's palace, he knew of the man's wonderful strength. The confusion and wrath of the laborer at the mention of Vinicius and Ligia confirmed his suspicion that the giant was interested in these persons. The laborer had mentioned also his penance for killing a man. Now Ursus had killed Atacinas. Moreover, the appearance of the laborer corresponded to the account which Vinicius had given of the Ligian. The difference of name was the only thing that could raise a doubt, but Kylo knew that Christians often assumed new names at baptism. Should Ursus kill Glockus, meditated Kylo, that would be all the better. But should he not kill him, it will be proof of how difficult it is for a Christian to commit murder. I pictured this Glockus as a son of Judas and as a betrayer of Christians. I was so eloquent that even a stone would have been moved and would have promised to fall upon the head of Glockus. But I hardly persuaded that Ligian bear to put his paws on him. He hesitated and spoke of penance and compunction. Evidently murder is not pleasing to them. They are obliged to forgive offenses against themselves and they are not allowed to revenge the wrongs of others. Therefore, stop and think, Kylo. What can threaten thee? Revenge is not allowed to Glockus. If Ursus will not kill Glockus for such a heinous crime as the betrayal of all the Christians, he will not kill thee for the small offence of betraying one Christian. Moreover, when I have discovered to this lustful vulture the nest of the turtle dove, I will wash my hands of everything and will be take myself to Naples. The Christians speak also of a kind of washing of the hands. It is evidently a ceremony to indicate that any transaction with them has come to an end. What good people these Christians are and how they are maligned. Oh, gods, such is the justice of the world. I have a regard for the Christian teaching because it does not allow killing. But if to kill is forbidden, to steal, to cheat, or to bear false witness are also surely forbidden. Hence, the teachings are hard to live up to. The Christian religion evidently teaches that people should die honestly as the Stoics teach. At the same time, it teaches that they should also live honestly. If ever I acquire a fortune and a house like this and as many slaves, perhaps I shall be a Christian as long as it is convenient for a rich man can indulge himself in everything, even in honesty and virtue. Yay, this is a religion for the rich man and I do not understand why so many poor embrace it. What use is it to them to be honest and thus to tie their hands? I must ponder this some time more carefully. At this moment I must thank the E.O. Hermes for helping me to find this Ligia. But if thou hast done so for the two white yearlings with gilded horns, thou art fooled. Shame on the murderer of Argos that so clever a guard as thou didst not foresee that thou wouldst get nothing. I offer thee my gratitude. If thou preferest two beasts to it, thou thyself art a beast rather than a guard. Beware lest I, a great philosopher, should prove to the world that thou dost not exist. Then all would cease to offer sacrifices. It is best always to be on good terms with philosophers. Speaking thus to himself and to Hermes, he stretched himself on a couch, placed his mantle under his head and fell asleep while the slaves were clearing the table. He awoke or rather was awakened by the arrival of Croto. He arose at once, went into the hall and gazed with delight at the huge figure of the ex-gladiator who seemed to fill the entire palace. Croto was talking to Vinicius. By Hercules, it is well, master, that thou didst sin for me today, as tomorrow I start for Benaventum, whither the noble Vatinius has summoned me to fight before Caesar, with a certain Syphax, the most powerful Negro in Africa. Thou canst imagine, master, how his bones will crack in my hands and how I shall smash his black jaw with my fist. By Pollux, answered Vinicius, I am sure that thou wilt do that. So say I, added Kylo, yes, smash his jaws. That is an excellent idea and a worthy deed. I am ready to bet that thou wilt smash his jaws, but rub thy limbs today with olive oil, my Hercules, and eat well, and then I am sure that thou canst fight even Corkus, the man who guards the girl in whom the lordly Vinicius is concerned, possesses extraordinary strength. Kylo spoke thus in order to rouse Croto's ambition, and Vinicius added, it is true, I have not seen him, but I am told that he can drag a bull by the horns where he pleases. Oh, exclaimed Kylo, who had not imagined Dursus was so powerful. But Croto laughed in scorn. I undertake worthy, master, said he, to finish with this fist him of whom ye speak, and with this other to defend myself against seven such legions and to bring the girl to thy home, though all the Christians were pursuing me like Calabrian walls. If I do not fulfill my promise, may I be beaten with clubs in this very hall. Do not allow that master, cried Kylo, if they begin to throw stones at us, what help would his strength be? Would it not be better to abduct the girl from the house without exposing her or ourselves to danger? He speaks wisely, Croto, said Vinicius, thy money, thy will. Remember only, master, that tomorrow I go to Beneventum. I have five hundred slaves in the city, answered Vinicius. Then he gave a sign to them to retire, and going into the library, he wrote the following note to Petronius. Kylo has found the legion this evening. I go with him and Croto to Ostronium. I shall take her from her lodging tomorrow. May the gods favour us. Good health to you, dear friend. Joy does not allow me to write further. Laying aside the pen, he walked up and down with rapid strides, or, besides joy which filled his soul, impatience burned in him like fire. He said to himself that tomorrow Ligia would be in his house. He did not know exactly what course to take with her, but he felt that he loved her and was ready to be her slave. He called to mind Actia's assurance that he was beloved by her, and this excited him greatly. He needed only to conquer her modesty and to go through certain ceremonies which Christian teaching required. When this had taken place and Ligia had entered his home, she would yield to his caresses and she would have to say to herself, I am conquered, and then she would be submissive and loving. The coming of Kylo interrupted him in his delightful daydream. Master, said the Greek, an idea has come to my head. Have not the Christians certain passwords without which no one can gain entrance to Ostronium? This is the case I know in the houses of prayer, and I can get those passwords from Euryseus. Permit me to go to him, master, to procure such signs as will be necessary. Well, noble philosopher, answered Vinicius joyfully, thou speakest like a prudent man, and for that my thanks belong to thee. Thou wilt go then to Euryseus, or wherever it may please thee, but for security thou wilt leave on this table the purse which thou hast received from me. Kylo hated depart with money. Though not at all pleased with the order, he nevertheless complied with it and went out. From the caronide to the circus, near which was the shop of Euryseus, was not very far, so he returned before evening. I have learned all the passwords, master. Without them we could not be admitted. I inquired minutely also about the road. I explained to Euryseus that I needed the passwords for some friends, saying that I could not go myself, since the journey was too long for an old man to take, and that anyway I should see the great apostle on the morrow, and he would repeat to me the more important parts of his sermon. How was that? Thou wilt not go? Thou must go, exclaimed Vinicius. I know that I must go, but I shall put a hood on my head, and I advise thee to do likewise, lest we frighten the prey. Soon they began to prepare themselves for darkness was covering the world. They donned gallic mantles with hoods and took lanterns. Vinicius armed himself and his companions with short knives, Kylo put on a wig which he had procured from a barber, and they hurried out to reach the nomenton gates before they were closed. End of part one, chapter 19. Part one, chapter 20 of Quovadis, a tale of the time of Nero. This Librivox recording is in the public domain. Quovadis by Henriksen Kevich, translated by Binyonant Melevski. Part one, chapter 20. They traversed the patrician quarter along the Viminal and passed through the former Viminal gate in the neighborhood of the plain where Diocletian afterwards erected magnificent baths. They passed the remains of the wall of Servius Tolius and through other greater ruins until they reached the nomenton road. Thence they turned to the left towards the Solaria road to find themselves in the midst of hills full of sand pits and here and there a graveyard. Meanwhile it had grown quite dark. The moon had not yet risen and but for the Christians who showed them the way, it would have been a difficult task for them to find the road. This Kylo had foreseen. At right and left and in front, dark figures were discernible moving towards the sandy pits. Some carried lanterns hiding them as much as possible under their mantles. Others, better acquainted with the road, walked in the dark. The trained soldier's eye of Vinicius distinguished by their movements the young from the old ones who walked with staffs and from women carefully wrapped up in long mantles. The rural police and the country people returning from the city took these nocturnal wanderers for laborers to the sand pits or for some brotherhood of grave diggers whose members chose for themselves certain hours to celebrate their nightly ceremonies. But as the young patrician and his companions pushed their way onwards the number of people and of gleaming lanterns around them increased. Some sang hymns in a subdued tone which appeared to Vinicius full of melancholy longing. At moments his ear caught disconnected words or phrases such as arise, O thou that sleepest or rise from the dead. At times again the name of Christ was repeated by men and women. Vinicius gave little heed to the words for it crossed his mind that one of these dark figures might be Ligia. Some passing near him said peace be with thee or praise be to Christ. But restlessness had taken hold of him and his heart began to beat more quickly for it seemed to him that he heard the voice of Ligia. Shapes or movements like hers deceived him every moment. Not until after repeated mistakes did he begin to mistrust his own eyes. But the way appeared long to him. He was well acquainted with the surroundings yet he could not recognize places in the darkness. Every moment they struck some narrow passage some parts of a wall, some booth which was strange to him. At last the edge of the moon emerged from behind a bank of clouds and illuminated the situation better than the dim lanterns. Something like a fire or the flame of a torch began to glimmer in the distance. Vinicius turned to Kylo and asked whether that were Ostronium. Kylo on whom the night, the distance from the city, the phantom-like figures had made a deep impression, replied in uncertain tones, I know not, master. I have never been in Ostronium but they might find some place nearer the city. Then feeling the need of conversation to reinforce his failing courage, he added, they assemble like murderers yet murder is forbidden to them unless that Ligia giant deceived me scurvelly. Vinicius, who was thinking of Ligia, was also astonished at the caution and secrecy with which her fellow worshipers gathered together to listen to their high priest. Like all religions, he said, this also has amongst us its adherents but the Christians are a Jewish sect. Why then do they gather here when in the trans-Tiber stand Jewish sanctuaries where too the Jews bring offerings in bright daylight? Nay, master, the Jews are their most relentless enemies. It has been related me how, even before the time of the present Caesar, a war came near breaking between the Jews and them. These commotions annoyed Claudius Caesar so much that he expelled all the Jews but now that edict has been abrogated. Still Christians hide themselves from the Jews and from the people who as thou knowest accuse them of heinous crimes. For a while they walked on in silence. The first to break it was Kylo whose fear increased the farther the gates were left behind. When I returned from Euryceus, he said, I borrowed a wig from a barber and I inserted two beans in my nostrils. They ought not to be able to recognize me but even if they do they will not kill me. They are not bad people. They are even very upright. I love and esteem them. Deal in no premature praises, answered Vinicius. They now came to a narrow declivity closed in at the sides by two ditches over one part of which an aqueduct was thrown. Just then the moon peeped out through the clouds. At the end of the declivity they observed a wall covered abundantly with ivy upon which the moon shed a silvery light that was Ostronium. Vinicius's heart beat more quickly than ever. At the gate two quarrymen accepted the watchwords. Next moment Vinicius and his companions found themselves in a large space entirely surrounded by a wall. Here and there stood individual monuments and in the center rose a crypt. In the lower part of the crypt underground were graves, a fountain played in front of the entrance. As the crypt was too small for so large an assemblage Vinicius readily divined that the ceremony would be held in the open air above where a great multitude had already gathered. As far as I could reach, Lantern gleamed beside Lantern. Many of those present, however, had no light. Save for a few bare heads all were hooded as a precaution against treachery or cold. The young patrician grew alarmed at the thought that if they should remain thus to the end he would not be able to recognize Ligia by the dim light in that multitude. Suddenly near the crypt some pitch torches were lighted and placed together in a little pile. There was now sufficient light. Soon the crowd began to chant in low tones at first, then louder and louder. Never in his life had Vinicius heard such a hymn. The same wild longing which had moved him when he heard the hymns sung by a few passers on his way to the cemetery underlay this hymn only far more distinct and potent until at last it swelled into so vast a volume that it seemed as if the cemetery, the hills, the pits, the entire neighborhood in short had joined the multitude in their lamentations. Almost it seemed as if a cry had gone up from the night, a humble prayer for salvation from a wanderer in the darkness. Eyes lifted heavenward seemed to be fixed upon some being above, outstretched hands implored that being to descend. When the hymns ceased, there followed a moment of hushed expectation so overpowering that Vinicius and his followers unconsciously imitated the Christians in casting their eyes towards the stars as if fearful that something extraordinary would happen and that someone in reality would descend among them. In Asia Minor, in Egypt, and in the very city of Rome, Vinicius had seen all varieties of temples. He knew many religions, he had heard many hymns, but now for the first time he beheld people calling upon a divinity with hymns not because they were fulfilling some established ritual, but from the very depth of the heart with such genuine yearning as children might express for a father or mother. No person not blind could help perceiving that these people not only adored their God but loved him with their whole souls. Vinicius had never before witnessed a scene like this in any land, in any religion, or in any temple. In Rome or in Greece there were those who still worshiped the gods from selfish motives or from fear, but love for the gods never entered their heads. Though the mind of Vinicius was occupied with looking for Ligia in the crowd, he could not help seeing the extraordinary things that were happening about him. Meanwhile the fire, fed by more torches, filled the cemetery with a red glare darkening the gleam of the lanterns. At that moment a venerable man emerged from the crypt arrayed in a hooded mantle, but with his head uncovered. He mounted a rock which was nearby the fire. The crowds swayed at sight of him. About him Vinicius heard voices whispering, Peter, Peter! Some knelt down, others stretched out their hands to him. A silence so profound followed that one could hear the falling cinders on the embers, the distant rumbling of wheels on the Via Nomenthana, and the sowing of the wind through the sparse pine trees growing near the cemetery. Kylo inclined towards Vinicius and whispered, That is he, the foremost disciple of Christ, a fisherman! The old man lifted up his hands and blessed the assembled crowds with the sign of the cross. All fell upon their knees. Lest they should betray themselves, Vinicius and his companions also fell on their knees. Vinicius could not grasp the situation at once. It seemed to him that the figure which he saw before him was simple yet impressive, and moreover it was impressive because of its simplicity. The old man had neither mitre nor garland of oak leaves on his head, nor palm branch in his hand, nor golden tablet on his breast. He was arrayed in no star embroidered robe of white. In short, he had none of the insignia which distinguished the priests of Egypt and Greece and Rome. Vinicius was again struck by the same difference which he had felt when he listened to the Christian hymns. For the fisherman appeared to him unlike a high priest versed in liturgical ceremonies, but a simple and most venerable witness who had traveled far and wide that he might tell some truth which he had seen and touched, which he believed with the faith that comes from actual seeing and which he had come to love on account of his firm belief. Such conviction was depicted in his face as truth alone can possess. The skeptical Vinicius had no wish to be influenced by the teachings of the old man, but he had a feverish curiosity to know what would follow from the lips of that companion of the mysterious Christ and what that teaching was which Ligia and Pomponia Grisina professed. And now Peter began to speak. First he spoke as a father who points out to his children the way they should live. He commanded them to renounce all excesses and luxurious living, to love poverty, purity and truth, to suffer wrongs and persecutions with patience, to obey those in authority, to beware of treason, deceit and columny, finally to give an example to one another and even to pagans. Vinicius, for whom good was only that which could restore him to Ligia and bad, everything which formed an obstacle between them, was angered at certain portions of the fisherman's discourse, for it seemed to him that when he enjoined purity and a struggle against natural desires, the old man dared not only to condemn his love, but also to confirm Ligia in her opposition to him. If she were among the congregation, he thought, listening to those words and taking them to heart, she must regard him as an enemy to that teaching and as an evil man. The thought angered him. What have I heard which is new? He asked himself. Is this the unknown religion? Everybody knows its teachings. Everybody has heard them. Poverty and limitation of necessities have been taught by the cynics. Socrates teaches virtue. Every stoic, even such a one as Seneca who has 500 tables of lemon wood, enjoins moderation, advocates truth, patience and adversity and endurance and misfortune. All such teachings are like stale grain, fit for mice to eat, but not for men because must be with age. Besides being angry, Vinicius was disappointed, for he had expected that some secret of magic would be revealed and he at least expected to hear some uncommon eloquence. Instead he heard plain simple speech devoid of all rhetorical display. He was surprised only by the silence and attention paid by the audience to the discourse. The old man continued to address his attentive auditors, admonishing them to be good, peaceful, upright, poor and pure. Not that they might have peace in this life, but that after death they might live with Christ to everlasting in such joy and glory as none on earth had ever attained. And here Vinicius, though of a hostile mind, could not but observe that there was a difference between the teachings of the old man and that of the cynics, stoics and other philosophers, for these recommend virtue as reasonable but practicable only in this life, whilst he promised immortality and not a mean immortality upon the earth in wretchedness and want, but a glorious life equal almost to that of the gods. Virtue, through a faith like this, assumed priceless value and the misfortunes of this life became trivial, for to suffer for the time being for the sake of untold happiness is something entirely different from suffering only because such is the course of nature. Continuing his discourse, the old man said that virtue and truth should be loved for themselves since the highest truth and virtue existing eternally is God himself. Hence, the more one loves them, the more he loves God and becomes thus the beloved child of God. Vinicius did not comprehend this very well, but he knew from words spoken by Pomponia Grisina to Patronius that according to the Christian belief God was one and almighty, when therefore he now heard that he was also all good and all just, he could not help thinking that in the presence of such a God, Jupiter, Saturn, Apollo, Juno, Vesta and Venus would seem like a vain and quarrelsome crowd where each one was for himself and against all the others. The young man's astonishment was greatest when the old man declared that God is equally universal love, hence whoever loves mankind fulfills God's greatest commandment. But it is not sufficient to love only the people of one's own nation, for the God-man shed his blood for all and had already found among the pagans such elect as Cornelius the Centurion. Again it was not sufficient to love only those who do good to us, for Christ forgave the Jews who delivered him over to death and the Roman soldiers who crucified him. It behooves us therefore not only to forgive those who wrong us, but to love them and return them good for evil. It is not enough to love those who do good. We must love the wicked also, since by love only is it possible to expel evil from them. At these words Kylo bethought himself that all his work had gone for nothing and that Ursus would not dare to kill Glocus either on this or any other night. On the other hand he was comforted by an inference from the old man's words that Glocus would not kill him even if he were discovered and recognized. Benesius no longer thought that there was nothing new in the teachings of the old man. He asked himself with amazement, what sort of God is this? What sort of religion? What sort of people? All that he had just heard could not find lodgement at once in his mind. It was a jumble of new ideas. He felt that should he wish, for example, to embrace such doctrine, he would have to sacrifice on a burning pile all his former thoughts, habits, character, and his very nature itself that they would have to be burned to ashes so that he might then fill himself with a new life and soul. The teaching which enjoined him to love Parthians, Ceresians, Greeks, Egyptians, Gauls, and Britons to forgive enemies, to love them, and to return good for evil seemed to him nothing short of madness, yet there was something in that madness greater than all philosophy. He thought that the doctrine, in spite of its madness, was impracticable but because impracticable it was divine. In his heart he rejected it and felt as if he were emerging from a meadow full of flowers, breathing a perfume which intoxicated, which, when a man once inhaled, he must, as in the land of the Lotus, forget all else and yearn for it alone. It seemed to him that in the religion there was nothing real, but that at the same time reality compared to it seemed insignificant and undeserving of thought. Heights of some kind, unthought of before, surrounded his mind, certain immincities topped with clouds. The cemetery seemed to him a rendezvous of madmen but also a place mysterious and wonderful where, as on some veiled bed, something was being born, the like of which the world had never seen before. There passed before his mind everything that the old man had said concerning life, truth, love, and God and his thoughts were dazed from the brilliant light as are eyes from successive flashes of lightning. As is usual with people absorbed by a single passion, these thoughts came to him through the medium of his love for Ligia, and by these lightning flashes he saw one thing clearly that if Ligia were present in the cemetery, she professed and obeyed that religion and would never be his mistress. For the first time since he had met her at Alice's house, Vinicius felt that though he had now found her, she had not found him. No thought like this had come to him before and he could not explain it to himself at the time why he had a confused feeling of irreparable loss and misfortune. He became alarmed and his alarm soon changed into a tempest of wrath towards all Christians and especially towards the old man, that fisherman whom at the first glance he had considered an ignorant peasant now filled him with vague alarm and appeared to him as some mysterious power who held his fate in his hands. The quarrymen again quietly placed fresh torches on the fire. The wind ceased to mourn in the pines. The flames rose evenly, ascending upwards towards the stars twinkling in a clear sky. The old man, recalling the death of Christ, talked now only of him. All held their breath and the deepest silence prevailed so that almost could be heard the beating of hearts. The man had seen and he narrated as one in whose mind every moment had been so fixed that were he to close his eyes he would still see. He told them how on their return from the cross he had sat with John for two days and two nights in the supper chamber without eating or sleeping in suffering, mourning and alarm, their heads bowed in their hands and thinking that he had died. Oh, how terrible, how awful it was! The third day had dawned and the morning light illumined the walls but he and John still were sitting in the chamber hopeless and comfortless. How desire for sleep tortured them for they had spent the night preceding the passion without sleep. They bestirred themselves and began to weep anew. But just as the sun rose, Mary Magdalene rushed in, breathless, her hair disheveled crying, they have taken away the Lord. Hearing this, they sprang up and ran towards the sepulcher but John, who was a younger man, ran faster and was the first to arrive. He saw that the place was empty and dared not enter. Only when there were three at the entrance did he, the one now addressing them, enter. And on the stone he espied a shirt and a winding sheet, but the body they found not. Then a fear fell upon them for they thought that the priests had removed the body of Christ and they returned in greater grief than they had come. Other disciples arrived later and joined in the lamentations so that the Lord of hosts might hear them in chorus. They wept until the spirit died within them for they had hoped that the master would redeem Israel and it was now the third day since he had died. They therefore did not understand why the father had forsaken the sun and they preferred not to look at the daylight but to die so heavy was their burden. The remembrance of those awful moments caused two tears to flow from the eyes of the venerable man. These were visible in the light of the fire as they trickled down his gray beard. His bald and aged head trembled and his voice was choked. Vinicius said within himself, this man speaks the truth and it moves him to tears. The simple-hearted auditors were greatly affected. They had heard more than once of Christ's passion and they knew that joy would follow sorrow but now that an apostle, an eyewitness, retold the story, they wrung their hands and sobbed and beat their breasts but they conced themselves by degrees for the desire to hear the continuation of the story prevailed over their grief. The old man closed his eyes as if to look more carefully into his soul for the things that had happened in the past and continued. While the disciples were lamenting, Mary Magdalene rushed in again, proclaiming that she had seen the Lord, failing to recognize him because of a great light that surrounded him, she had thought him to be the gardener but he said, Mary and she cried rabboni and fell at his feet. He bade her go to his disciples then he vanished but the disciples would not believe her. When she wept for joy, some taunted her, others thought that sorrow had overthrown her mind for she said also that she had seen angels at the grave. They ran there for a second time to the grave and found it empty. Later in the evening came Cleopas with another from Emmaus saying truly the Lord has arisen from the dead and from fear of the Jews they discussed the subject with closed doors. Suddenly he stood among them though there had been no sound at the door and when they were afeared he said, peace be with you. And I saw him as all did see and he was like a light and like the joy in our hearts for we believed that he had arisen from the dead and that the seas would dry up and the mountains turned to dust but his glory would never pass. After eight days Thomas thrust his finger in his wounds and touched his side then he fell at his feet and cried, my Lord and my God, to whom the Lord answered, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed, blessed are those who have not seen and have believed and we heard those words and our eyes looked on him for he was among us. Vinicius listened and a strange thing happened to him for the moment he forgot where he was, the feeling of reality, of comparison, of judgment began to slip away from him. Two impossibilities faced him. He could not believe what he heard and yet he felt that one must be blind or lost to reason who would admit that that man who said, I have seen, was lying. There was something in his gestures, in his tears, in his whole figure and in the details of his narrative that made it impossible to suspect him. Vinicius felt as if in a dream but round about was the silent crowd. The odor of smoking lanterns came to his nostrils. In the distance the torches blazed and at his side, on the rock stood this old man on the verge of the grave, his head shaking, who giving testimony repeated, I saw. And he told them everything up to the ascension into heaven. At moments he paused for he spoke very minutely but it was felt that every circumstance had fixed itself in his memory as though engraved on stone. The listeners were seized with ecstasy. They threw back their hoods from their heads that they might hear him better and miss not a single word of those priceless utterances. To them it seemed that some supernatural power had carried them to Galilee, that with the disciples they were walking through the valleys and upon the waters. The cemetery was metamorphosed into the lake of Tiberius. On the bank in the morning mist stood Christ as he had stood when John, looking up from the boat, said, it is the Lord. And when Peter threw himself into the water and swam so as sooner to fall at the well-beloved feet, in the faces of all shown boundless ecstasy, forgetfulness of life, happiness and immeasurable love. It was evident that during Peter's long exhortation some of the listeners had visions. When he began to relate how, at the moment of the ascension, the clouds closed in beneath the Saviour's feet, how they enveloped him, how they hid him from the gaze of the apostles, all eyes were raised involuntarily to the sky and a moment as of expectation followed as if all hoped to behold him there or as if they expected that he would descend again from the heavens so that he might see how the venerable apostle was tending the flock which had been entrusted to him and blessed both the lambs and him. And for this people at that moment there existed neither Rome nor the mad Caesar nor temples of pagan gods. There was only Christ who filled the land, the sea, the heavens and the world. From about the houses scattered among the Via Nomantana the cocks began to grow announcing the midnight hour. Just then Kylo tugged at a corner of Venetius' mantle and whispered, "'Master, over there, not far from the old man, I see Urban, and by his side is one that looks like a maiden.'" Venetius shook himself as though waking from a dream. He turned in the direction pointed out by the Greek and beheld Ligia. End of Part 1, Chapter 20. Part 1, Chapter 21 of Quo Vadis, a tale of the time of Nero, this Librivox recording is in the public domain. Quo Vadis by Henrikson Kevich, translated by Binyon Antmelevsky. Part 1, Chapter 21. At that site the blood coursed madly through the veins of the young patrician, the crowd, the old man, his own bewilderment at the marvelous things he had heard, all these were forgotten. The maiden alone remained. He had found her to whom he had devoted long days of agony, anxiety, and alarm. Joy seemed to leap upon his heart like a wild beast and clutch it until breath failed him. He who had formerly held that it was the mission of the goddess of fortune to do all his behests, now could hardly believe his eyes or realize his own happiness. Had it not been for this his unruly nature might have hurried him on to some rash deed. But now he paused to make sure that this was not one of those miracles which filled his brain, that it was not a dream. No, he could doubt no longer. It was Ligia who stood before him only a few steps away. She stood in the glare of a torch so that her full beauty was revealed to him. Her hood had fallen away from her head. Her hair was dishevelled. Her lips were slightly parted. Her eyes were raised towards the apostle and her whole attitude was one of rapt attention. She was dressed in the cheap garb of the working classes but never had she seemed more beautiful to Vinicius. Despite the tumult in his soul he was struck with the contrast between that noble patrician head and that dark mantle of coarse woolen stuff. Love burned in him like a flame, mingled with wild yearning, with honor, reverence, and desire. He felt a delight as of life giving water after prolonged thirst. By the side of the Ligian giant she seemed smaller than ever, almost like a child. He noticed also that she had grown thinner. Her skin had a wax-like transparency. She affected him like a flower or a spirit. But the more he gazed, the greater grew his desire to possess that maiden so different from all the women of Rome or of the East whom he had ever seen or possessed. Gladly would he have given them all up for her and given up also Rome and the world. He lost consciousness of his surroundings, but Kylo, fearing that he might do something to betray them, brought him back to reality by a tug at his mantle. And now the Christians lifted up their voices in prayer and hymn. The Lord hath come, they thundered out. Then the great apostle baptized with waters from the fountain, all whom the presbyters presented as prepared for the right. Vinicius impatiently thought that the night would never end. His aim was to follow Lydia as soon as possible and seize her either on the way or at her home. At last some of the Christians began to leave. Then Kylo whispered, Master, let us go and wait at the gate, for people look at us scant, seeing that we have not removed our hoods. This was true. While the apostle was preaching, the congregation had cast aside their hoods for convenience of hearing. They alone had not followed the general example, Kylo's advice seemed sound. Standing at the gate, they could see all who passed out. The huge form of urses would easily be recognizable. Our plan is to follow them, said Kylo. We shall see where they'd go. To-morrow, Master, or rather to-day, thou wilt surround the house with thy slaves and capture her. No, cried Vinicius. What then is thy will, Master? We will follow her to the house and seize her at once. Wilt thou undertake this, Croto? Day, Master," replied Croto, and thou mayest make me thy slave if I break not the back of that bull who watches over her. But Kylo would feign have dissuaded them. He implored them by all the gods not to act so rashly. Croto had accompanied them only to assist in their defense if they were recognized. He had not been employed to capture the girl. To seize her when they were only two against a multitude was to risk almost certain death. Worse still, she might escape from them and hide elsewhere or flee from Rome. What could they do? Why not wait until they were certain of success? Why expose themselves to destruction and risk a failure of the enterprise? Though it was with a great effort that Vinicius had restrained himself in the cemetery from seizing Ligia then and there, he saw that the Greek was right. He might have listened to his counsel, but for Croto, whose one thought was of the promised reward. Master, he cried, I command silence to that old go-door, let me crush him with my fist. On a time, in Buxentuma, after a spectacle to which Lucius Saturdius had taken me, seven drunken gladiators fell upon me in a tavern. Not one of them escaped me with a whole rib. I do not advise the seizure of the girl here in the crowd, for they might pelt us with stones. Wait till she has reached her house. There I will seize her and bear her with her so ever thou wisest. By Hercules, cried Vinicius, delighted with the advice of so be it, tomorrow we may not find her at home. If we surprise them, they may spirit her away. Kylo groaned, this Ligian is terribly strong, he urged. Thou wilt not be asked to hold his hands, retorted Croto. There was still a long wait before them. Not until Cockrode did they catch Scytaversus and Ligia coming through the gate. A number of people accompanied them. Among these Kylo thought he recognized the great apostle. Beside him walked another old man of smaller stature, two middle-aged women and a boy who lighted the way with a lantern. A crowd of about two hundred followed. In this crowd walked Vinicius, Kylo, and Croto. Ye master, said Kylo, thy maiden is strongly guarded. Tis the great apostle himself who walks before her. See how they kneel as he passes them. In fact, many did kneel before him. Vinicius, however, did not notice them. Never for a moment did he lose sight of Ligia. His one thought was that of her capture. His military experience had accustomed him to stratagem. He arranged the whole affair in his mind with military precision. He felt that his plan was an audacious one, but he knew that success often crowned audacity. The way was long. At times his thoughts dwelt upon that strange creed which had opened a gulf between him and Ligia. Now he understood the meaning of everything that had happened. He had penetration enough for that. He had never really known Ligia before. He had seen in her a maiden surpassing all others, a maiden who inflamed his passions. He knew now that her religion differed her from others. He recognized the vanity of his former hope that sentiment or passion or wealth or luxury could tempt her. Last of all he understood what Patronius and he had never understood that the new creed engrafted upon the soul something entirely foreign to the world in which he lived, and that even if Ligia loved him she would not for the sake of that love surrender an iota of her faith. If she looked forward to happiness it was a happiness entirely different from that sought by himself or Patronius or Caesar's court or all Rome. There was no other woman of his acquaintance whom he could not make his mistress. This girl could only be his victim. At this thought rage seized him and a poignant pain because of the very uselessness of that rage. This might be possible to carry off Ligia. Nay, he was assured that it was possible, but he was equally assured that in the face of her religion he himself was nothing. His courage was nothing. His power was nothing. All these things were of no avail. The Roman soldier and tribune who had believed in the might of sword and fist to conquer the world and dominate it forever realized for the first time in his life that beyond that might there was a greater might. Old and mortified he asked himself what it was. He could give no clear answer. Confused pictures chased one another through his brain, the cemetery, the vast congregation, the figure of Ligia, listening with all her soul to the words of the old man as he told of the passion, death and resurrection of the God-man who had redeemed the world and promised it everlasting happiness beyond the sticks. His brain was in a whirl, but he was brought back to earth again by the laments of Kylo bewailing his fate. He had agreed to find Ligia. He had found her at the peril of his life. He had pointed her out. What more could he do? Could they expect him to carry her away? He, an old man who had lost two fingers, an old man devoted to philosophy, science, and virtue? Suppose so mighty a Lord as Venisius were to come to grief in the effort to capture the maiden. The gods are indeed expected to watch over their favourites, but does it not appear that the gods give themselves to recreation for getting what goes on in the world? We all know that fortune is blindfolded. It is hard enough for her to see in the daylight what must it be at night time. Suppose anything were to happen. Suppose that Ligian bear were to hurl a milestone, a keg of wine, or were still a keg of water at the noble Venisius. Who could say whether blame instead of reward might not fall to the lot of the unhappy Kylo? A poor philosopher he had attached himself to the noble Venisius as Aristotle to Alexander of Macedon. If the noble Lord Venisius would give him merely the purse which he had thrust into his girdle before starting, that might be of some avail in an extremity, to summon aid or to bribe the Christians. Oh, why not listen to the advice of an old man who spoke from the fullness of wisdom and experience? Venisius at once pulled out the purse and flung it at Kylo. Take it and hold thy tongue. The Greek, feeling its weight, grew more cheerful. My one hope, he said, lies in the fact that Hercules and Thesias performed still more difficult tasks, and is not Croto the friend of my bosom or Hercules. As to thee, master, thou art more than a demigod, thou art a God. Surely thou wilt not forget in the future thy humble and faithful servant, whose needs must occasionally be provided for. When he is deep in his books he forgets everything else, an acre or two of garden land and a small house, with but the tiniest portico foreshade in summer would well be fit so princely a giver. From this sequestered retreat I will hail thy heroic deeds, and invoke the intercession of Jove, and, if need be, raise so great a clamour that half-Rome will rush to thy aid. Verily, this is a rough and difficult road. The oil in the lantern is all consumed. If Croto, whose strength is only exceeded by his nobility of character, would carry me to the gate in his arms, he would first be able to satisfy himself that he could carry the maiden easily, and, secondly, by imitating Aeneas, he would win over the favour of the gods, and so assure thy success of the enterprise. Rather would I carry a sheep dead for a month of a mange, was the gladiator's answer, but hand over that purse given by the worthy tribune, and I will carry thee to the gate. Mayest thou forever lose the great toe from thy foot? replied the Greek. Hast thou profited naught from the teachings of that good old man who spoke of poverty and charity as the greatest of virtues? Did he not expressly command thee to love me? Alas I see that I can never make of thee even a poor Christian. Easier would it be for the sun to penetrate the walls of the mammotine prison than for truth to penetrate that hippopotamus' skull of thine. Fear not! cried Croto, whose beast-like strength was conjoined with no element of human feeling. I shall not be a Christian. I care not to lose my bread. Yet, but if thou knowest the merest rudiments of philosophy, thou wouldst know that gourd is vanity. Away with thy philosophy! I will butt my head into thy stomach, and thou wilt see who will come out the victor. Then ox might have said the same thing to Aristotle. The world was growing lighter. The gray of the morning defined the outlines of the walls. The trees that skirted the road, the buildings, and the gravestones scattered here and there emerged from the shadows. New signs of life appeared. Dealers in fruit and vegetables led heavily laden asses and mules toward the gates. Cards full of provisions creaked along the highway. A light mist lay upon the road and beyond it on both sides. This was a portent of fair weather. Through the mist the passers loomed in the distance like phantoms. Venisius had his eyes fixed upon the slender figure of Ligia, which seemed to grow more luminous as the light increased. Master, said Kylo, far be it from me to foresee where thy bounty will cease. But now that I have been paid, thou wilt not suspect me of speaking only for myself. Once more I advise thee to go home, to collect thy slaves, and to bring a litter as soon as thou hast discerned for home of the divine Ligia. How can not that mere elephant's trunk, Croto, he promises to carry off the maiden only to squeeze thy purse as though it were a bag of curds? I have a blow of the fist to be struck between the shoulders which means that thou shalt die, cried Croto. I have a cask of Cephalonian wine which means that I shall live, retorted the Greek. Venisius made no answer. They had now neared the gate where a strange scene greeted him. Two soldiers knelt as the apostle passed, who laid his hands upon their helmets, and then made the sign of the cross over them. The patrician had not dreamed that there were Christians among the soldiers. Amazed, he thought that just as a great conflagration attacks house after house, so did that religion sweep within it new converts every day, from all classes of minds. Now he saw that if Ligia desired to escape from the city she would find guards to assist her. He thanked the gods that she had not essayed this. As they reached vacant spaces just outside the walls, the Christians began to scatter. It was necessary therefore to follow Ligia from a greater distance, and with more care, lest suspicion be aroused. Kylo, complaining of bruises and pains in his legs, fell further and further to the rear. This was content to allow this, as he knew that the pusillanimous and incompetent Greek would not be needed. He would not even have denied him if he had expressed a wish to quit them, but the philosopher still followed them, urged on probably by curiosity. Occasionally he approached them to repeat his former councils. He informed them also that he would have taken the apostle's companion for Glocus, but that his diminutive stature had reassured him. It took a long time to reach the trans-Tiber. The sun had almost risen when at last the group around Ligia dispersed. The apostle, with an old woman and a boy, went up the river, his companion with Ursus and Ligia, turned into a narrow street, and about a hundred yards further on entered a house which contained two shops, one for the sale of olives, the other of poultry. Kylo, lagging about fifty yards behind Venetius and Croto, stopped, and crouching close to the wall, softly called them to turn back. They did so, wishing to consult as to their next movement. Kylo, said Venetius, go round and see if this house fronts on some other street. Kylo forgot his bruises and pains, disappeared around the corner as nimbly as though the wings of Mercury were attached to his ankles. In a moment he returned. No, said he, there is but one entrance, but I implore thee, he added, clasping his hands, by Jupiter, Apollo, Vesta, Sybelli, Aris and Osiris, Mithra and Bale, and all the gods of the east and the west to drop this plan, harken to me. He stopped short. He caught sight of the face of Venetius, pale with agitation and the wolfish glitter in his eye. One look was enough to convince him that nothing on earth would move him from his purpose. Croto drew air into his Herculian breast, and swayed his formless head from side to side, as bears do in confinement, but not an iota of fear was visible in his face. I will enter first, he said. Thou wilt follow me, commanded Venetius imperiously. Then both vanished through the dark entrance. Kylo found refuge behind the corner of the nearest alley and awaited results. CHAPTER XXII Not till he had reached the hall did Venetius understand the whole difficulty of the enterprise. The house was large, containing several stories. It was one of the thousands of buildings erected in Rome for renting to tenants. These houses, for the most part, were so hurriedly and poorly built that rarely a year passed without a number of them falling down upon the heads of their occupants. Veritable beehives they were, high and narrow, full of little rooms and dens overcrowded by the poor. In a city where many streets were without names, these houses had no numbers. The owners entrusted the collection of rents to slaves who, not being obliged by the city authorities to report the names of the tenants, often did not know the names themselves. To find anybody by inquiry in such a house was often a difficult task, especially when there was no doorkeeper. Venetius and Croto came to a long passage like a corridor, walled in on four sides, forming a kind of common court for the entire building, with a fountain in the middle, the water of which sprayed into a stone basin embedded in the ground. At all the walls were stone or wooden stairways, leading inwardly to galleries that gave access to lodgings. On the ground floor were more lodgings, some provided with doors, others separated from the yard only by woolen curtains. These were, for the most part, torn or patched. It was early dawn, there was no one in the yard. Evidently everybody was asleep in the house, save those who had returned from Ostronium. What shall we do, master? asked Croto, halting. Let us wait here, somebody may appear, replied Venetius. It is best that we should not be seen in the yard. Nonetheless, he thought that Kylo's advice was practical. Had he with him but a score or so of slaves, nothing would have been easier than to occupy the gate, which apparently was the only exit, and then search all the lodgings. It was necessary to find Ligia's abode at once, otherwise the Christians, who certainly were plentiful in this house, might warn her that she was being searched for. On this account it was dangerous to make inquiries of strangers. Venetius was turning over in his mind whether it would not be better to return for his slaves, when from behind a curtain screening a remote lodging emerged a man carrying a sieve in his hand who approached the fountain. The young tribune at once recognized Ursus. "'Tis the Ligian,' whispered Venetius. "'J'ill I break his bones now. Wait!' Ursus had not seen them, for they stood in the shadow of the entrance. He quietly set to work washing the vegetables that filled the sieve. It was evident that he was getting ready a meal after the night spent in the cemetery. When he had finished his preliminaries he took the wet sieve and disappeared behind the curtain. So and Venetius ran after him, expecting that they would gain immediate access to Ligia's lodgings. They marveled greatly on finding that the curtain divided not lodgings from the courtyard, but another dark passage, at the end of which they beheld a small garden containing a few cypresses and myrtle bushes, and a small house attached to the back wall of another stone building. Both understood that this was a favorable circumstance. The tenants might all assemble in the courtyard, but the seclusion of the little house made their project easier. They would overcome Ursus quickly and would reach the street just as quickly with the captured Ligia. There their troubles would be over. Probably no one would molest them. If they were questioned they would say that a hostage of Caesars had escaped. Venetius would then declare himself to the guards and would call upon them for help. Ursus was on the point of entering the little house, when the sound of footsteps attracted his attention. He halted and, seeing two men, put down the sieve and turned towards them. Whom seek ye, he asked? The, replied Venetius. Turning to Croto, he said in a low, hurried voice, Kill! Croto sprang upon Ursus like a tiger, and before the Ligian could recover himself or recognize his enemies, he had caught him in his arms of steel. Venetius was so certain of Croto's superhuman strength that he did not wait to witness the issue of the combat, passing the two, he sprang to the door of the little house, pushed it open, and found himself in a room lighted only by a fire burning in the hearth. A gleam from this fire fell full upon the face of Ligia. A second person sitting by the fire was the old man who had accompanied the girl and Ursus on the road from Ostronium. Venetius rushed in so suddenly that before Ligia could recognize him, he had seized her around the waist, and lifting her had gained the door again. The old man attempted to bar the way, but holding the girl with one arm, Venetius pushed him aside with the other. The hood fell from his head. At sight of his familiar but now terrible features, the blood froze in Ligia's veins, and utterance died in her throat. She would have called for help, but could not. Vanely did she attempt to grasp the door frame and to resist. Her fingers slipped along the stone. She would have fainted were it not for a horrible sight that she was compelled to witness when Venetius had reached the garden. Ursus was holding in his arms the limp form of a man whose head was hanging down with blood flowing from his mouth. Seeing them, the giant struck the head once more with his fist, and instantly sprang towards Venetius like an infuriated animal. "'Death!' thought the young tribune. Then he heard, as in a dream, the cry of Ligia, "'Thou shalt not kill!' Then he felt that something like a thunderbolt relaxed the arms with which he embraced Ligia, then the earth spun round, and the light of day vanished from his eyes. Kylo, hiding around the corner, was waiting for what would happen. Curiosity and terror fought for the mastery within him. Should they succeed in kidnapping Ligia, he deemed that he would fare well at the hands of Venetius. He had no further fear of Ursus, for he was confident that Croto would kill him. He calculated that in case a crowd should gather in the now empty streets, or if Christians or anybody else should offer resistance, he would speak to them as one in authority and a representative of Caesar. If necessary, he would summon the guards to help the young patrician against the mob, and thus win fresh favor. He thought that the plan of Venetius was unwise, but when he considered Croto's remarkable strength he owned that it might succeed, and thought that if any difficulty arose the tribune might carry the girl while Croto would clear the way. Time passed slowly, however, and the silence of the entrance where he watched affrighted him. If they do not find her hiding-place and make a noise they will give her warning. But this thought was not repugnant to him. He saw that in such a case he would again become necessary to Venetius, and could squeeze out of him a number more of cisterces. "'Whatever they do,' said he to himself, it will endure to my benefit, though no one perceives it. "'Gards! Oh, guards! Guards permit me only!' He stopped suddenly. It seemed to him that someone was leaning forward from the entrance. Crouching still closer to the wall, he peered out, holding his breath. He had not been deceived. A head thrust halfway out of the entrance, looked hastily about. A moment later it disappeared. That is Venetius or Croto, thought Kylo. But if they have seized the girl, why does she not cry out? And why are they gazing out upon the street? They are sure to meet people anyway, for before they reach the Kerini there will be people stirring in the city. What is that? By the immortal guards!' The remnant of his hair rose suddenly upon his head. In the doorway stood Ursus, the body of Croto, hanging upon his arm, warily glancing around, the giant started to run with the body towards the river. Kylo flattened himself against the wall like a piece of plaster. I am gone if he sees me!' Ursus ran quickly past the corner and disappeared against the next house. Kylo, without Moradu, his teeth chattering with fright, ran along the cross-street with a swiftness that would have done credit to a youth. If when coming back he spies me from afar, he will catch me and kill me,' said he to himself, ''save me, Zeus, save me, Apollo, save me, Hermes, save me, God of the Christians! I will leave Rome and return to Mesembria, but save me from the clutch of that demon!'' The Lydian, who had slain Croto, seemed to him a superhuman being. Even as he ran he wondered if he were some god who had assumed the appearance of a barbarian. At that moment he believed in all the gods of the world, and in all the myths at which he usually mocked. It passed through his mind also that it might have been the God of the Christians who had killed Croto, and his hair rose again at the thought that he was warring against such a power. Not until he had traversed a number of alleys and seen some workmen approaching him did he recover. His breath failed him, so he sat down on the steps of a house and wiped his perspiring forehead with a corner of his mantle. An old man like myself needs rest, said he. The men turned into a side street. Again he was in solitude. The city still slept. In the mornings the stir began in the wealthier sections of the city, where the slaves of rich families were made to rise before daylight. In the sections inhabited by the freed population, supported in idleness at the expense of the state, the inhabitants rose late, especially in winter time. Although after sitting for some time began to get cold, so he got up, and after feeling for the purse that Vinicius had given him, he walked slowly towards the river. I may see Croto's body somewhere, said he to himself. Gods, this Lydian, if he be a man could earn millions of cesterces in one year. If he strangled Croto like a welp, who could withstand him? He could get his weight enrolled for each appearance in the arena. He guards that girl better than Cerberus does Hades. But may Hades swallow him. I want nothing to do with him. He is too muscular. But what shall I do now? A horrible thing has happened. If he has broken the bones of such a man as Croto, surely the soul of Vinicius is weeping over that cursed house waiting for his burial. By Castor he is a patrician, a friend of Caesar, a relative of Patronius, a man known throughout Rome and a military tribune. His death will not be passed by. Suppose I should go to the Praetorian camp or to the city guards. He stopped and debated with himself. Then after a time he resumed, Who is me, who led him to that house if not I? His freedmen and his slaves know that I came to him, and some know with what purpose. It will happen to me if they suspect that I purposely pointed out to him the house where he met his death. Although afterwards in court I could prove that I did not desire his death, they will say that I was the cause of it. Besides he is a patrician, though in any case I will be punished. But if I steal away from Rome and go far away I should expose myself to still greater suspicion. It was a bad case from any point of view. The only thing to be done was to choose the lesser evil. Rome was a big place, but Kylo felt that it might become too small for him. Another man might have gone straight to the Prefect of the Guards and inform him of what had happened. Suspicion might indeed fall on him, but he could calmly assist the investigation. But Kylo's whole past was of such a character that a closer acquaintance with the Prefect of the city or with the Prefect of the Guard would cause him serious trouble and confirm also any suspicions that might come into the heads of the officers. On the other hand, to fly would be to convince Petronius that Venetius had been betrayed and murdered through conspiracy. Petronius was a powerful man who could enlist the police and the whole empire, and who would undoubtedly endeavor to find the guilty ones even at the end of the earth. Still Kylo debated whether he should not go to Petronius and tell him the whole story. This might be the best plan to pursue. This was an even-tempered man and Kylo could be certain at least that he would hear him out to the end. Petronius, who knew the whole affair, would be more likely to believe in Kylo's innocence than the Prefect's. But before going to him it was necessary to know for a certainty what had befallen Venetius, and Kylo did not know that. He had seen the Lydian stealing towards the river with Croto's body, but that was all. Venetius might be killed, or he might only have been wounded and taken prisoner. Now the thought struck Kylo that the Christians would not dare to kill so powerful a man, an Augustali and a high military official, for such a deed might cause a general persecution. It was more likely that they had forcibly detained him to give Lydia time to hide herself in some other place. This thought filled Kylo with hope. If that Lydian dragon has not torn him to pieces at the first onset, he is still alive, and if he is alive he himself will testify that I have not betrayed him. And then not only nothing menaces me, but, oh, Hermes, count on two heifers again, a new field opens before me. I can inform one of the freedmen where to look for his master. It is his business whether he goes to the Prefect or not. The point is that I will not go. I may even count on a reward from Petronius. First I search for Lydia. Now I shall search for Vinicius. Then for Lydia again. But first of all I must find out whether Vinicius is alive or dead. Here it occurred to him that he could go at night to the Miller, Temus, and inquire about Ursaus. But he threw aside this idea. He preferred to have nothing to do with Ursaus. It was more than probable that if Ursaus had not killed Glocus, he had been warned perhaps by some Christian elder to whom he had confessed his purpose, that it was an evil affair to which a traitor had persuaded him. Besides, the very thought of Ursaus sent a shiver through Kylo's body. He thought that in the evening he would send Euryseus to the house in which the affair had happened, and let him bring back the news. Meantime he needed refreshment, a bath, and rest. The sleepless night, the journey to Ostronium, the flight from the trans-Tiber, had fatigued him beyond measure. One thing gave him much comfort. He had two purses for himself, one which Vinicius had given to him at home, and another which he had flung to him on the way back from the cemetery. Because of this happy circumstance, and because of the excitement through which he had passed, he resolved to eat heartily and to drink better wine than usual. In that length the hour arrived for opening the wine-shops. He ate and drank so much that he forgot about the bath. He desired sleep above all things. So he returned with wavering steps to his abode in the sabora, where a female slave, bought with Vinicius's money, awaited him. As soon as he had entered the bedroom, dark as a fox's hole, he threw himself upon the bed and immediately fell asleep. Not till evening did he awake, or rather he was then awakened by the slave-woman calling him to get up, for someone was inquiring for him and wished to see him about an urgent matter. The vigilant Kylo was awake in an instant, hastily throwing on his mantle and hood, he commanded his slave to stand aside and peered out cautiously. The sight which greeted him almost paralyzed him, before the door of the sleeping-room stood the gigantic form of Ursus. He felt his feet and head grow cold as ice, his heart ceased to beat, and shivers passed up his spine. For some time he could not speak, but at length with chattering teeth he said, or rather groaned, Sire, I am not at home. I know not that good man. I told him thou word home and asleep master, answered the girl, but he bade me to awaken thee. O gods, I will command that thou, but Ursus, as if impatient of delay, approached the door of the bedroom and thrust his head inside. Kylo Kylonides, he said, Peace be with thee, peace, peace! replied Kylo. O best of Christians, yes, I am Kylo, but there is some mistake. I know thee not. Kylo Kylonides repeated Ursus, thy master, Vinicius, demands that thou go to him with me. End of Part 1, Chapter 22