one of them spoke until they had reached a safe distance from the
Coliseum.

"I felt afraid," said Marcellus, "that we should be kept in there."

"Your fears were reasonable," said the other. "Any sudden whim of the
keeper might be our doom. But this we must be prepared for. In times
like this we must be ready to meet death at any moment. What says our
Lord? 'Be ye also ready.' We must be able to say when the time comes, 'I
am now ready to be offered.'"

"Yes," said Marcellus, "our Lord has told us what we will have: 'In this
world ye shall have tribulation--"

"And he says also, 'Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. Where I
am, there ye shall be also.'"

"Through him," said Marcellus, "we can come off more than conquerors
over death. The afflictions of this present time are not worthy to be
compared to the glory that shall be revealed to us."

Thus they solaced themselves with the promises of that blessed Word of
life which in all ages and under all circumstances can give such
heavenly consolation. Bearing their burdens, they finally reached their
destination in safety, thankful that they had been preserved.

A few days afterward Marcellus went up for provisions. This time he was
alone. He went to the house of a man who was friendly to them and had
been of much assistance. It was outside of the walls, in the suburb
nearest the Appian Way.

After obtaining the requisite supply, he began to inquire after the
news. "The news is bad for you," said the man. "One of the Pretorian
officers was recently converted to Christianity, and the emperor is
enraged. He has appointed another to the office which he held, and has
sent him after the Christians. They are catching some every day. No man
is too poor to be seized in these days."

"Ah! Do you know the name of this Pretorian officer who is seeking the
Christians?"

"Lucullus."

"Lucullus!" cried Marcellus. "How strange!"

"He is said to be a man of great skill and energy."

"I have heard of him. This is indeed bad news for the Christians."

"The conversion of the other Pretorian officer has greatly enraged the
emperor. A price is now set upon his head. If you chance to see him or
to be in his way, friend, you had better let him know. They say he is in
the Catacombs."

"He must be there. There is no other place of safety."

"These are indeed terrible times. You have need to be cautious."

"They cannot kill me more than once," said Marcellus.

"Ah! y