rning brilliantly,
While the bright shadows fall;
And baby martyrs passed
Straight to the great I AM,
While sturdier soldiers carved o'er each,
"VICTOR, GOD'S LITTLE LAMB."

Miles after miles of graves,
League after league of tombs,
The cross upon each conqueror's brow
Light up the catacombs;
"'Tis in this sign we conquer."
Sounds on the blood-stained track;
"'Tis in this sign we conquer,"
We gladly answer back.

[Illustration]

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
ON THE APPIAN WAY 7

CHAPTER II.
IN C[AE]SAR'S PALACE 17

CHAPTER III.
EMPRESS AND SLAVE 23

CHAPTER IV.
THE IMPERIAL BANQUET 33

CHAPTER V.
THE CHRISTIANS AND THE LIONS 43

CHAPTER VI.
THE MARTYR'S BURIAL 54

CHAPTER VII.
WITH HILARUS, THE FOSSOR 64

CHAPTER VIII.
WITH PRIMITIUS, THE PRESBYTER 75

CHAPTER IX.
A DIFFICULT QUEST 86

CHAPTER X.
A WICKED PLOT 92

CHAPTER XI
THE SLAVE MARKET 97

CHAPTER XII.
THE LOST FOUND 105

CHAPTER XIII.
FATHER AND DAUGHTER 111

CHAPTER XIV.
"UNSTABLE AS WATER" 117

CHAPTER XV.
AT THE BATHS 124

CHAPTER XVI.
THE GAMING TABLE 129

CHAPTER XVII.
"IN PERICULIS TUTUS" 135

CHAPTER XVIII
THE MIDNIGHT PLOT 142

CHAPTER XIX
IN THE TOILS OF THE TEMPTER 148

CHAPTER XX
THE PLOT THICKENS 153

CHAPTER XXI.
A CRIME PREVENTED 161

CHAPTER XXII.
THE STORM BURSTS 168

CHAPTER XXIII.
THE MAMERTINE PRISON 177

CHAPTER XXIV.
THE EVE OF MARTYRDOM 184

CHAPTER XXV.
A ROMAN HOLIDAY 188

CHAPTER XXVI
THE MARTYRS CROWNED 199

CHAPTER XXVII.
THE MARTYRS BURIED 205

CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE BETRAYAL--THE PURSUIT 215

CHAPTER XXIX.
THE DOOM OF THE TRAITOR 224

CHAPTER XXX.
FATE OF THE PERSECUTORS--TRIUMPH OF
CHRISTIANITY 229

[Illustration]

VALERIA, THE MARTYR OF THE CATACOMBS.

CHAPTER I.

THE APPIAN WAY.

[Illustration: "ENTRANCE TO A CATACOMB."]

On a bright spring morning in t