those squalid courts, occupied by working
folk of the meaner sort. By day they laboured, and at night they rested,
ministering and ministered to in the community of Christian brotherhood,
and, notwithstanding their fears and anxieties for themselves and
another, were happier than they had been for years. So the weeks went
by.

Very soon tidings came to them, for these Christians knew of all that
passed in the great city; also, when they met in the catacombs at night,
as was their custom, especially upon the Lord's Day, Julia gave them
news. From her they learned that they had done wisely to flee her house.
Within three hours of their departure, indeed before Julia had returned
there, officers arrived to inquire whether they had seen anything of the
Jewish captive named Pearl-Maiden, who had been sold in the Forum on the
previous night, and, as they said, escaped from her purchaser, on whose
behalf they searched. Gallus received them, and, not being a Christian,
lied boldly, vowing that he had seen nothing of the girl since he gave
her over into the charge of the servants of Caesar upon the morning
of the Triumph. So suspecting no guile they departed and troubled his
household no more.

From the palace of Domitian Marcus was taken to his prison near the
Temple of Mars. Here, because of his wealth and rank, because also he
made appeal to Caesar and was therefore as yet uncondemned of any crime,
he found himself well treated. Two good rooms were given him to live in,
and his own steward, Stephanus, was allowed to attend him and provide
him with food and all he needed. Also upon giving his word that he would
attempt no escape, he was allowed to walk in the gardens between the
prison and the Temple, and to receive his friends at any hour of the
day. His first visitor was the chamberlain, Saturius, who began by
condoling with him over his misfortune and most undeserved position.
Marcus cut him short.

"Why am I here?" he asked.

"Because, most noble Marcus, you have been so unlucky as to incur the
displeasure of a very powerful man."

"Why does Domitian persecute me?" he asked again.

"How innocent are you soldiers!" said the chamberlain. "I will answer
your question by another. Why do you buy beautiful captives upon whom
royalty chances to have set its heart?"

Marcus thought a moment, then said, "Is there any way out of this
trouble?"

"My lord Marcus, I came to show you one. Nobody really believes that you
o