Tales of Terror and Mystery
The New Catacomb
Everywherealongthewalls,packedliketheberthsuponanemigrantship,laytheChristiansofoldRome.Theyellowlightflickeredovertheshrivelledfeaturesofthemummies,andgleameduponroundedskullsandlong,whitearmbonescrossedoverfleshlesschests.AndeverywhereashepassedKennedylookedwithwistfuleyesuponinscriptions,funeralvessels,pictures,vestments,utensils,alllyingaspioushandshadplacedthemsomanycenturiesago.Itwasapparenttohim,eveninthosehurried,passingglances,thatthiswastheearliestandfinestofthecatacombs,containingsuchastorehouseofRomanremainsashadneverbeforecomeatonetimeundertheobservationofthestudent.
"Whatwouldhappenifthelightwentout?"heasked,astheyhurriedonwards.
"Ihaveasparecandleandaboxofmatchesinmypocket.Bytheway,Kennedy,haveyouanymatches?"
"No;youhadbettergivemesome."
"Oh,thatisallright.Thereisnochanceofourseparating."
"Howfararewegoing?Itseemstomethatwehavewalkedatleastaquarterofamile."
"Morethanthat,Ithink.Thereisreallynolimittothetombs—atleast,Ihaveneverbeenabletofindany.Thisisaverydifficultplace,soIthinkthatIwilluseourballofstring."
Hefastenedoneendofittoaprojectingstoneandhecarriedthecoilinthebreastofhiscoat,payingitoutasheadvanced.Kennedysawthatitwasnounnecessaryprecaution,forthepassageshadbecomemorecomplexandtortuousthanever,withaperfectnetworkofintersectingcorridors.
