Tales of Terror and Mystery
The New Catacomb
IthinkitwouldbebestforustomeetattheGateoftheAppianWayatmidnight.Imustgobacktomylodgingsforthematchesandcandlesandthings."
"Allright,Burger!Ithinkitisverykindofyoutoletmeintothissecret,andIpromiseyouthatIwillwritenothingaboutituntilyouhavepublishedyourreport.Good-byeforthepresent!YouwillfindmeattheGateattwelve."
Thecold,clearairwasfilledwiththemusicalchimesfromthatcityofclocksasBurger,wrappedinanItalianovercoat,withalanternhangingfromhishand,walkeduptotherendezvous.Kennedysteppedoutoftheshadowtomeethim.
"Youareardentinworkaswellasinlove!"saidtheGerman,laughing.
"Yes;Ihavebeenwaitingherefornearlyhalfanhour."
"Ihopeyouleftnoclueastowhereweweregoing."
"Notsuchafool!ByJove,Iamchilledtothebone!Comeon,Burger,letuswarmourselvesbyaspurtofhardwalking."
Theirfootstepssoundedloudandcrispupontheroughstonepavingofthedisappointingroadwhichisallthatisleftofthemostfamoushighwayoftheworld.Apeasantortwogoinghomefromthewine-shop,andafewcartsofcountryproducecominguptoRome,weretheonlythingswhichtheymet.Theyswungalong,withthehugetombsloomingupthroughthedarknessuponeachsideofthem,untiltheyhadcomeasfarastheCatacombsofSt.Calistus,andsawagainstarisingmoonthegreatcircularbastionofCeciliaMetellainfrontofthem.ThenBurgerstoppedwithhishandtohisside.
"Yourlegsarelongerthanmine,andyouaremoreaccustomedtowalking,"saidhe,laughing.
