Tales of Terror and Mystery The New Catacomb by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

“Look here, Burger,” said Kennedy, “I do of research, and was, moreover, provided with wish that you would confide in me.” that long purse which either proves to be a The two famous students of Roman- re fatal handicap to the student’s energies, or, if mains sat together in Kennedy’s comfortable his mind is still true to its purpose, gives him room overlooking the Corso. The night was an enormous advantage in the race for fame. cold, and they had both pulled up their chairs Kennedy had often been seduced by whim and to the unsatisfactory Italian stove which threw pleasure from his studies, but his mind was an out a zone of stuffiness rather than of warmth. incisive one, capable of long and concentrat- Outside under the bright winter stars lay the ed efforts which ended in sharp reactions of modern Rome, the long, double chain of the sensuous languor. His handsome face, with its electric lamps, the brilliantly lighted cafes, the high, white forehead, its aggressive nose, and rushing carriages, and the dense throng upon its somewhat loose and sensual mouth, was a the footpaths. But inside, in the sumptuous fair index of the compromise between strength chamber of the rich young English archae- and weakness in his nature. ologist, there was only old Rome to be seen. Of a very different type was his compan- Cracked and timeworn friezes hung upon ion, Julius Burger. He came of a curious blend, the walls, grey old busts of senators and sol- a German father and an Italian mother, with diers with their fighting heads and their hard, the robust qualities of the North mingling cruel faces peered out from the corners. On strangely with the softer graces of the South. the centre table, amidst a litter of inscriptions, Blue Teutonic eyes lightened his sun- browned fragments, and ornaments, there stood the fa- face, and above them rose a square, massive mous reconstruction by Kennedy of the Baths forehead, with a fringe of close yellow curls ly- of Caracalla, which excited such interest and ing round it. His strong, firm jaw was clean- admiration when it was exhibited in Berlin. shaven, and his companion had frequently Amphorae hung from the ceiling, and a litter remarked how much it suggested those old Ro- of curiosities strewed the rich red Turkey car- man busts which peered out from the shadows pet. And of them all there was not one which in the corners of his chamber. Under its bluff was not of the most unimpeachable authen- German strength there lay always a suggestion ticity, and of the utmost rarity and value; for of Italian subtlety, but the smile was so hon- Kennedy, though little more than thirty, had a est, and the eyes so frank, that one understood European reputation in this particular branch that this was only an indication of his ancestry,

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Created for Lit2Go on the web at fcit.usf.edu Tales of Terror and Mystery The New Catacomb with no actual bearing upon his character. In knowledge and enthusiasm enough to properly age and in reputation, he was on the same level appreciate the other. Their common interests as his English companion, but his life and his and pursuits had brought them together, and work had both been far more arduous. Twelve each had been attracted by the other’s knowl- years before, he had come as a poor student edge. And then gradually something had been to Rome, and had lived ever since upon some added to this. Kennedy had been amused by small endowment for research which had been the frankness and simplicity of his rival, while awarded to him by the University of Bonn. Burger in turn had been fascinated by the bril- Painfully, slowly, and doggedly, with extraor- liancy and vivacity which had made Kennedy dinary tenacity and single-mindedness, he such a favourite in Roman society. I say “had,” had climbed from rung to rung of the ladder because just at the moment the young English- of fame, until now he was a member of the man was somewhat under a cloud. A love-af- Berlin Academy, and there was every reason to fair, the details of which had never quite come believe that he would shortly be promoted to out, had indicated a heartlessness and callous- the Chair of the greatest of German Universi- ness upon his part which shocked many of his ties. But the singleness of purpose which had friends. But in the bachelor circles of students brought him to the same high level as the rich and artists in which he preferred to move there and brilliant Englishman, had caused him in is no very rigid code of honour in such matters, everything outside their work to stand infi- and though a head might be shaken or a pair of nitely below him. He had never found a pause shoulders shrugged over the flight of two and in his studies in which to cultivate the social the return of one, the general sentiment was graces. It was only when he spoke of his own probably one of curiosity and perhaps of envy subject that his face was filled with life and rather than of reprobation. soul. At other times he was silent and embar- “Look here, Burger,” said Kennedy, look- rassed, too conscious of his own limitations in ing hard at the placid face of his companion, “I larger subjects, and impatient of that small talk do wish that you would confide in me.” which is the conventional refuge of those who As he spoke he waved his hand in the have no thoughts to express. direction of a rug which lay upon the floor. And yet for some years there had been an On the rug stood a long, shallow fruit-basket acquaintanceship which appeared to be slowly of the light wicker-work which is used in the ripening into a friendship between these two Campagna, and this was heaped with a litter very different rivals. The base and origin of this of objects, inscribed tiles, broken inscriptions, lay in the fact that in their own studies each cracked mosaics, torn papyri, rusty metal or- was the only one of the younger men who had naments, which to the uninitiated might have

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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Created for Lit2Go on the web at fcit.usf.edu Tales of Terror and Mystery The New Catacomb seemed to have come straight from a dustman’s “Quite so. There is no mystery about that. bin, but which a specialist would have speedily I HAVE discovered a new catacomb.” recognized as unique of their kind. The pile of “Where?” odds and ends in the flat wicker-work basket “Ah, that is my secret, my dear Kennedy. supplied exactly one of those missing links of Suffice it that it is so situated that there is not social development which are of such interest one chance in a million of anyone else coming to the student. It was the German who had upon it. Its date is different from that of any brought them in, and the Englishman’s eyes known catacomb, and it has been reserved for were hungry as he looked at them. the burial of the highest Christians, so that the “I won’t interfere with your treasure-trove, remains and the relics are quite different from but I should very much like to hear about it,” anything which has ever been seen before. If I he continued, while Burger very deliberately was not aware of your knowledge and of your lit a cigar. “It is evidently a discovery of the energy, my friend, I would not hesitate, un- first importance. These inscriptions will make der the pledge of secrecy, to tell you everything a sensation throughout Europe.” about it. But as it is I think that I must certain- “For every one here there are a million ly prepare my own report of the matter before there!” said the German. “There are so many I expose myself to such formidable competi- that a dozen savants might spend a lifetime tion.” over them, and build up a reputation as solid Kennedy loved his subject with a love as the Castle of St. Angelo.” which was almost a mania—a love which held Kennedy sat thinking with his fine fore- him true to it, amidst all the distractions which head wrinkled and his fingers playing with his come to a wealthy and dissipated young man. long, fair moustache. He had ambition, but his ambition was sec- “You have given yourself away, Burger!” ondary to his mere abstract joy and interest in said he at last. “Your words can only apply to everything which concerned the old life and one thing. You have discovered a new cata- history of the city. He yearned to see this new comb.” underworld which his companion had discov- “I had no doubt that you had already ered. come to that conclusion from an examination “Look here, Burger,” said he, earnestly, “I of these objects.” assure you that you can trust me most implic- “Well, they certainly appeared to indicate itly in the matter. Nothing would induce me it, but your last remarks make it certain. There to put pen to paper about anything which I see is no place except a catacomb which could con- until I have your express permission. I quite tain so vast a store of relics as you describe.” understand your feeling and I think it is most

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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Created for Lit2Go on the web at fcit.usf.edu Tales of Terror and Mystery The New Catacomb natural, but you have really nothing whatever “What the devil do you mean?” he cried. to fear from me. On the other hand, if you “What sort of a question is this? You may mean don’t tell me I shall make a systematic search, it as a joke, but you never made a worse one.” and I shall most certainly discover it. In that “No, I don’t mean it as a joke,” said Burg- case, of course, I should make what use I liked er, simply. “I am really rather interested in the of it, since I should be under no obligation to details of the matter. I don’t know much about you.” the world and women and social life and that Burger smiled thoughtfully over his cigar. sort of thing, and such an incident has the fas- “I have noticed, friend Kennedy,” said he, cination of the unknown for me. I know you, “that when I want information over any point and I knew her by sight—I had even spoken you are not always so ready to supply it.” to her once or twice. I should very much like “When did you ever ask me anything that to hear from your own lips exactly what it was I did not tell you? You remember, for exam- which occurred between you.” ple, my giving you the material for your paper “I won’t tell you a word.” about the temple of the Vestals.” “That’s all right. It was only my whim to “Ah, well, that was not a matter of much see if you would give up a secret as easily as you importance. If I were to question you upon expected me to give up my secret of the new some intimate thing would you give me an catacomb. You wouldn’t, and I didn’t expect answer, I wonder! This new catacomb is a you to. But why should you expect otherwise very intimate thing to me, and I should cer- of me? There’s Saint John’s clock striking ten. It tainly expect some sign of confidence in re- is quite time that I was going home.” turn.” “No; wait a bit, Burger,” said Kennedy; “What you are driving at I cannot imag- “this is really a ridiculous caprice of yours to ine,” said the Englishman, “but if you mean wish to know about an old love- affair which that you will answer my question about the has burned out months ago. You know we look catacomb if I answer any question which you upon a man who kisses and tells as the greatest may put to me I can assure you that I will cer- coward and villain possible.” tainly do so.” “Certainly,” said the German, gathering “Well, then,” said Burger, leaning luxuri- up his basket of curiosities, “when he tells any- ously back in his settee, and puffing a blue tree thing about a girl which is previously unknown of cigar-smoke into the air, “tell me all about he must be so. But in this case, as you must be your relations with Miss Mary Saunderson.” aware, it was a public matter which was the Kennedy sprang up in his chair and glared common talk of Rome, so that you are not re- angrily at his impassive companion. ally doing Miss Mary Saunderson any injury

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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Created for Lit2Go on the web at fcit.usf.edu Tales of Terror and Mystery The New Catacomb by discussing her case with me. But still, I re- little adventure. What in the world has become spect your scruples; and so good night!” of her?” “Wait a bit, Burger,” said Kennedy, laying “She is at home with her own people.” his hand upon the other’s arm; “I am very keen “Oh, really—in England?” upon this catacomb business, and I can’t let it “Yes.” drop quite so easily. Would you mind asking “What part of England—London?” me something else in return—something not “No, Twickenham.” quite so eccentric this time?” “You must excuse my curiosity, my dear “No, no; you have refused, and there is an Kennedy, and you must put it down to my ig- end of it,” said Burger, with his basket on his norance of the world. No doubt it is quite a arm. “No doubt you are quite right not to an- simple thing to persuade a young lady to go swer, and no doubt I am quite right also—and off with you for three weeks or so, and then to so again, my dear Kennedy, good night!” hand her over to her own family at—what did The Englishman watched Burger cross the you call the place?” room, and he had his hand on the handle of “Twickenham.” the door before his host sprang up with the air “Quite so—at Twickenham. But it is of a man who is making the best of that which something so entirely outside my own experi- cannot be helped. ence that I cannot even imagine how you set “Hold on, old fellow,” said he; “I think you about it. For example, if you had loved this are behaving in a most ridiculous fashion; but girl your love could hardly disappear in three still; if this is your condition, I suppose that I weeks, so I presume that you could not have must submit to it. I hate saying anything about loved her at all. But if you did not love her why a girl, but, as you say, it is all over Rome, and should you make this great scandal which has I don’t suppose I can tell you anything which damaged you and ruined her?” you do not know already. What was it you Kennedy looked moodily into the red eye wanted to know?” of the stove. The German came back to the stove, and, “That’s a logical way of looking at it, laying down his basket, he sank into his chair certainly,” said he. “Love is a big word, and once more. it represents a good many different shades “May I have another cigar?” said he. of feeling. I liked her, and—well, you say “Thank you very much! I never smoke when you’ve seen her—you know how charming I work, but I enjoy a chat much more when I she could look. But still I am willing to ad- am under the influence of tobacco. Now, as re- mit, looking back, that I could never have gards this young lady, with whom you had this really loved her.”

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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Created for Lit2Go on the web at fcit.usf.edu Tales of Terror and Mystery The New Catacomb

“Then, my dear Kennedy, why did you do from my wife made it impossible for me to do it?” the right thing by her—but she came all the “The adventure of the thing had a great same, and we had a delightful time, as long as deal to do with it.” it lasted.” “What! You are so fond of adventures!” “But how about the other man?” “Where would the variety of life be with- Kennedy shrugged his shoulders. out them? It was for an adventure that I first “I suppose it is the survival of the fittest,” began to pay my attentions to her. I’ve chased said he. “If he had been the better man she a good deal of game in my time, but there’s no would not have deserted him. Let’s drop the chase like that of a pretty woman. There was subject, for I have had enough of it!” the piquant difficulty of it also, for, as she was “Only one other thing. How did you get the companion of Lady Emily Rood, it was al- rid of her in three weeks?” most impossible to see her alone. On the top “Well, we had both cooled down a bit, of all the other obstacles which attracted me, you understand. She absolutely refused, un- I learned from her own lips very early in the der any circumstances, to come back to face proceedings that she was engaged.” the people she had known in Rome. Now, of “Mein Gott! To whom?” course, Rome is necessary to me, and I was al- “She mentioned no names.” ready pining to be back at my work—so there “I do not think that anyone knows that. was one obvious cause of separation. Then, So that made the adventure more alluring, did again, her old father turned up at the hotel it?” in London, and there was a scene, and the “Well, it did certainly give a spice to it. whole thing became so unpleasant that real- Don’t you think so?” ly—though I missed her dreadfully at first—I “I tell you that I am very ignorant about was very glad to slip out of it. Now, I rely these things.” upon you not to repeat anything of what I “My dear fellow, you can remember that have said.” the apple you stole from your neighbour’s tree “My dear Kennedy, I should not dream was always sweeter than that which fell from of repeating it. But all that you say interests your own. And then I found that she cared for me very much, for it gives me an insight into me.” your way of looking at things, which is entirely “What—at once?” different from mine, for I have seen so little “Oh, no, it took about three months of of life. And now you want to know about my sapping and mining. But at last I won her over. new catacomb. There’s no use my trying to de- She understood that my judicial separation scribe it, for you would never find it by that.

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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Created for Lit2Go on the web at fcit.usf.edu Tales of Terror and Mystery The New Catacomb

There is only one thing, and that is for me to ise you that I will write nothing about it until take you there.” you have published your report. Good-bye for “That would be splendid.” the present! You will find me at the Gate at “When would you like to come?” twelve.” “The sooner the better. I am all impatience The cold, clear air was filled with the -mu to see it.” sical chimes from that city of clocks as Burger, “Well, it is a beautiful night—though a wrapped in an Italian overcoat, with a lantern trifle cold. Suppose we start in an hour. We hanging from his hand, walked up to the ren- must be very careful to keep the matter to our- dezvous. Kennedy stepped out of the shadow selves. If anyone saw to meet him. us hunting in couples “You are ardent they would suspect in work as well as in that there was some- love!” said the Ger- thing going on.” man, laughing. “We can’t be too “Yes; I have cautious,” said Ken- been waiting here nedy. “Is it far?” for nearly half an “Some miles.” hour.” “Not too far to “I hope you left walk?” no clue as to where “Oh, no, we we were going.” could walk there eas- “Not such a ily.” fool! By Jove, I am “We had better do chilled to the bone! so, then. A cabman’s Come on, Burger, suspicions would be let us warm our- aroused if he dropped us both at some lonely selves by a spurt of hard walking.” spot in the dead of the night.” Their footsteps sounded loud and crisp “Quite so. I think it would be best for us upon the rough stone paving of the disap- to meet at the Gate of the Appian Way at mid- pointing road which is all that is left of the night. I must go back to my lodgings for the most famous highway of the world. A peasant matches and candles and things.” or two going home from the wine-shop, and “All right, Burger! I think it is very kind a few carts of country produce coming up to of you to let me into this secret, and I prom- Rome, were the only things which they met.

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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Created for Lit2Go on the web at fcit.usf.edu Tales of Terror and Mystery The New Catacomb

They swung along, with the huge tombs loom- for myself. Come in, and shut the door behind ing up through the darkness upon each side of you.” them, until they had come as far as the Cata- It was a long, empty building, with the combs of St. Calistus, and saw against a ris- mangers of the cows along one wall. Burger ing moon the great circular bastion of Cecilia put his lantern down on the ground, and shad- Metella in front of them. Then Burger stopped ed its light in all directions save one by draping with his hand to his side. his overcoat round it. “Your legs are longer than mine, and you “It might excite remark if anyone saw a are more accustomed to walking,” said he, light in this lonely place,” said he. “Just help laughing. “I think that the place where we turn me to move this boarding.” off is somewhere here. Yes, this is it, round the The flooring was loose in the corner, and corner of the trattoria. Now, it is a very narrow plank by plank the two savants raised it and path, so perhaps I had better go in front and leaned it against the wall. Below there was a you can follow.” square aperture and a stair of old stone steps He had lit his lantern, and by its light which led away down into the bowels of the they were enabled to follow a narrow and de- earth. vious track which wound across the marshes “Be careful!” cried Burger, as Kennedy, of the Campagna. The great Aqueduct of old in his impatience, hurried down them. “It is a Rome lay like a monstrous caterpillar across perfect rabbits’-warren below, and if you were the moonlit landscape, and their road led them once to lose your way there the chances would under one of its huge arches, and past the circle be a hundred to one against your ever coming of crumbling bricks which marks the old are- out again. Wait until I bring the light.” na. At last Burger stopped at a solitary wooden “How do you find your own way if it is so cow-house, and he drew a key from his pocket. complicated?” “Surely your catacomb is not inside a house!” “I had some very narrow escapes at first, cried Kennedy but I have gradually learned to go about. There “The entrance to it is. That is just the safe- is a certain system to it, but it is one which guard which we have against anyone else dis- a lost man, if he were in the dark, could not covering it.” possibly find out. Even now I always spin out “Does the proprietor know of it?” a ball of string behind me when I am going “Not he. He had found one or two objects far into the catacomb. You can see for your- which made me almost certain that his house self that it is difficult, but every one of these was built on the entrance to such a place. So passages divides and subdivides a dozen times I rented it from him, and did my excavations before you go a hundred yards.”

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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Created for Lit2Go on the web at fcit.usf.edu Tales of Terror and Mystery The New Catacomb

They had descended some twenty feet had never before come at one time under the from the level of the byre, and they were stand- observation of the student. ing now in a square chamber cut out of the soft “What would happen if the light went tufa. The lantern cast a flickering light, bright out?” he asked, as they hurried onwards. below and dim above, over the cracked brown “I have a spare candle and a box of match- walls. In every direction were the black open- es in my pocket. By the way, Kennedy, have ings of passages which radiated from this com- you any matches?” mon centre. “No; you had better give me some.” “I want you to follow me closely, my “Oh, that is all right. There is no chance of friend,” said Burger. “Do not loiter to look at our separating.” anything upon the way, for the place to which “How far are we going? It seems to me that I will take you contains all that you can see, we have walked at least a quarter of a mile.” and more. It will save time for us to go there “More than that, I think. There is really no direct.” limit to the tombs—at least, I have never been He led the way down one of the corri- able to find any. This is a very difficult place, so dors, and the Englishman followed closely at I think that I will use our ball of string.” his heels. Every now and then the passage bi- He fastened one end of it to a projecting furcated, but Burger was evidently following stone and he carried the coil in the breast of his some secret marks of his own, for he neither coat, paying it out as he advanced. Kennedy stopped nor hesitated. Everywhere along the saw that it was no unnecessary precaution, for walls, packed like the berths upon an emi- the passages had become more complex and grant ship, lay the Christians of old Rome. tortuous than ever, with a perfect network of The yellow light flickered over the shrivelled intersecting corridors. But these all ended in features of the mummies, and gleamed upon one large circular hall with a square pedestal of rounded skulls and long, white armbones tufa topped with a slab of marble at one end crossed over fleshless chests. And everywhere of it. as he passed Kennedy looked with wistful “By Jove!” cried Kennedy in an ecstasy, as eyes upon inscriptions, funeral vessels, pic- Burger swung his lantern over the marble. “It tures, vestments, utensils, all lying as pious is a Christian altar—probably the first one in hands had placed them so many centuries existence. Here is the little consecration cross ago. It was apparent to him, even in those cut upon the corner of it. No doubt this circu- hurried, passing glances, that this was the lar space was used as a church.” earliest and finest of the catacombs, contain- “Precisely,” said Burger. “If I had more ing such a storehouse of Roman remains as time I should like to show you all the bod-

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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Created for Lit2Go on the web at fcit.usf.edu Tales of Terror and Mystery The New Catacomb ies which are buried in these niches upon the from advancing. He put his hands out to push walls, for they are the early popes and bishops it back from him. of the Church, with their mitres, their croziers, “That will do, Burger,” said he, “let’s have and full canonicals. Go over to that one and the light again.” look at it!” But his companion began to laugh, and in Kennedy went across, and stared at the that circular room the sound seemed to come ghastly head which lay loosely on the shredded from every side at once. and mouldering mitre. “You seem uneasy, friend Kennedy,” said “This is most interesting,” said he, and he. his voice seemed to boom against the con- “Go on, man, light the candle!” said Ken- cave vault. “As far as my experience goes, it is nedy impatiently. unique. Bring the lantern over, Burger, for I “It’s very strange, Kennedy, but I could not want to see them all.” in the least tell by the sound in which direction But the German had strolled away, and you stand. Could you tell where I am?” was standing in the middle of a yellow circle of “No; you seem to be on every side of light at the other side of the hall. me.” “Do you know how many wrong turnings “If it were not for this string which I hold there are between this and the stairs?” he asked. in my hand I should not have a notion which “There are over two thousand. No doubt it way to go.” was one of the means of protection which the “I dare say not. Strike a light, man, and Christians adopted. The odds are two thousand have an end of this nonsense.” to one against a man getting out, even if he had “Well, Kennedy, there are two things a light; but if he were in the dark it would, of which I understand that you are very fond of. course, be far more difficult.” The one is an adventure, and the other is an “So I should think.” obstacle to surmount. The adventure must be “And the darkness is something dreadful. the finding of your way out of this catacomb. I tried it once for an experiment. Let us try it The obstacle will be the darkness and the two again!” He stooped to the lantern, and in an in- thousand wrong turns which make the way a stant it was as if an invisible hand was squeezed little difficult to find. But you need not hurry, tightly over each of Kennedy’s eyes. Never had for you have plenty of time, and when you he known what such darkness was. It seemed halt for a rest now and then, I should like you to press upon him and to smother him. It was just to think of Miss Mary Saunderson, and a solid obstacle against which the body shrank whether you treated her quite fairly.”

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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Created for Lit2Go on the web at fcit.usf.edu Tales of Terror and Mystery The New Catacomb

“You devil, what do you mean?” roared denly from his rooms in the Corso, and it was Kennedy. He was running about in little circles conjectured that his association with a recent and clasping at the solid blackness with both scandal had driven him to leave Rome. It ap- hands. pears now that he had in reality fallen a victim “Good-bye,” said the mocking voice, and to that fervid love of archaeology which had it was already at some distance. “I really do not raised him to a distinguished place among liv- think, Kennedy, even by your own showing ing scholars. His body was discovered in the that you did the right thing by that girl. There heart of the new catacomb, and it was evident was only one little thing which you appeared from the condition of his feet and boots that not to know, and I can supply it. Miss Saun- he had tramped for days through the tortu- derson was engaged to a poor ungainly devil of ous corridors which make these subterranean a student, and his name was Julius Burger.” tombs so dangerous to explorers. The deceased There was a rustle somewhere, the vague gentleman had, with inexplicable rashness, sound of a foot striking a stone, and then there made his way into this labyrinth without, as fell silence upon that old Christian church—a far as can be discovered, taking with him either stagnant, heavy silence which closed round candles or matches, so that his sad fate was the Kennedy and shut him in like water round a natural result of his own temerity. What makes drowning man.Some two months afterwards the matter more painful is that Dr. Julius the following paragraph made the round of the Burger was an intimate friend of the deceased. European Press: His joy at the extraordinary find which he has “One of the most interesting discoveries been so fortunate as to make has been greatly of recent years is that of the new catacomb in marred by the terrible fate of his comrade and Rome, which lies some distance to the east of fellow-worker.” the well-known vaults of St. Calixtus. The find- ing of this important burial-place, which is ex- ceeding rich in most interesting early Christian remains, is due to the energy and sagacity of Dr. Julius Burger, the young German special- ist, who is rapidly taking the first place as an authority upon ancient Rome. Although the first to publish his discovery, it appears that a less fortunate adventurer had anticipated Dr. Burger. Some months ago Mr. Kennedy, the well-known English student, disappeared sud-

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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Created for Lit2Go on the web at fcit.usf.edu