March 31, 2025 • 29 mins
Tales of Terror and Mystery is a spine-tingling collection of short stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, masterfully blending suspense, horror, and the unexplained. Divided into two parts—Tales of Terror and Tales of Mystery—the book explores eerie encounters, unsettling twists, and haunting atmospheres. From psychological thrills to scientific enigmas, Doyle steps beyond his famous detective tales to deliver chilling narratives that captivate and disturb. Perfect for fans of classic gothic fiction and supernatural suspense, this collection reveals a darker, more mysterious side of Doyle’s literary genius. For more thrilling content and engaging podcasts, visit https://www.quietperiodplease.com/.
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Tales of Terror and Mystery by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,
The New Catacomb. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox
recordings are in the public domain. For more information or
to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording by Dominic Moore.
(00:22):
Tales of Terror and Mystery by Arthur Conan Doyle, The
New Catacomb. Look here, Burger said Kennedy, I do wish
that you would confide in me. The two famous students
of Roman remains sat together in Kennedy's comfortable room, overlooking
the corso. The night was cold, and they had both
(00:42):
pulled up their chairs to the unsatisfactory Italian stove, which
threw out a zone of stuffiness rather than of warmth. Outside,
under the bright winter stars lay the modern rome, the
long double chain of the electric lamps, the brilliantly lighted cafes,
the rushing carriages, and the dense throng upon the footpaths.
But inside, in the sumptuous chamber of the rich young
(01:05):
English archaeologist, there was only old Rome to be seen.
Cracked and time worn friezes hung from the walls, gray
old busts of senators and soldiers, with their fighting heads
and their hard cruel faces, peered out from the corners.
On the center table, amidst a litter of inscriptions, fragments,
and ornaments, there stood the famous reconstruction by Kennedy of
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the baths of Carcalla, which excited such interest and admiration
when it was exhibited in Berlin. And fora hung from
the ceiling, and a litter of curiosities strewed the rich
red Turkey carpet, And of them all there was not
one which was not of the most unimpeachable authenticity and
of the utmost rarity and value. For Kennedy, though little
(01:50):
more than thirty, had a European reputation in this particular
branch of research, and was moreover provided with that long purse,
which either proves to be a fatal handicapp to the
student's energies, or, if his mind is still true to
its purpose, gives him enormous advantage in the race for fame.
Kennedy had often been seduced by whim and pleasure from
(02:12):
his studies, but his mind was an incisive one, capable
of long and concentrated efforts which ended in sharp reactions
of sensuous languor. His handsome face, with its high white forehead,
its aggressive nose, and its somewhat loose and sensual mouth,
was a fair index of the compromise between strength and
weakness in his nature. Of a very different type was
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his companion, Julius Berger. He came of a curious blend,
a German father and an Italian mother, with the robust
quality of the North mingling strangely with the softer graces
of the south. Blue Teutonic eyes lightened his sun brown face,
and above them rose a square, massive forehead, with a
fringe of close yellow curls lying round it. His strong,
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firm jaw was clean shape, and his companion had frequently
remarked how much it suggested those old Roman busts which
peered out from the shadows in the corner of the chamber.
Under its bluff German strength, there lay always a suggestion
of Italian subtlety. But the smile was so honest and
the eyes so frank, that one understood that this was
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only an indication of his ancestry, with no actual bearing
upon his character. In age and in reputation, he was
on the same level as his English companion but his
life and his work had both been far more arduous.
Twelve years before he had come as a poor student
to Rome, and had lived ever since upon some small
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endowment for research which had been awarded to him by
the University of Bonn. Painfully, slowly and doggedly, with extraordinary
tenacity and single mindedness, he had climbed from rung to
rung of the latter of fame. Until now he was
a member of the Berlin Academy, and there was every
reason to believe that he should shortly be promoted to
(04:01):
the chair of the greatest of German universities. But the
singleness of purpose which had brought him to the same
high level as the rich and brilliant Englishman, had caused him,
in everything outside their work, to stand infinitely below him.
He had never found a pause in his studies in
which to cultivate the social graces. It was only when
he spoke of his own subject that his face was
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filled with life and soul. At other times he was
silent and embarrassed, too, conscious of his own limitations in
larger subjects, and impatient of the small talk, which is
the conventional refuge of those who have no thoughts to express.
And yet for some years there had been an acquaintanceship
which appeared to be slowly ripening into a friendship between
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these two very different rivals. The base and origin of
this lay in the fact that, in their own studies,
each was the only one of younger men who had
knowledge and enthusiasm enough to properly appreciate the other. Their
common interests and pursuits had brought them together, and each
had been attracted by the other's knowledge, and then gradually
something had been added to this. Kennedy had been amused
(05:07):
by the frankness and simplicity of his rival, while Burger,
in turn, had been fascinated by the brilliancy and vivacity
which had made Kennedy such a favorite in Roman society.
I say had because just at that moment the young
Englishman was somewhat under a cloud. A love affair, the
details of which had never quite come out, had indicated
a heartlessness and callousness upon his part, which shocked many
(05:30):
of his friends. But in the bachelor's circles of students
and artists in which he preferred to move, there is
no very rigid code of honor in such matters, And
though a head might be shaken, or a pair of
shoulders shrugged over the flight of two in the return
of one. The general sentiment was probably one of curiosity,
and perhaps of envy, rather than of reprobation. Look here, Burger,
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said Kennedy, looking hard at the placid face of his companion.
I do wish you would confide in me. As he spoke,
he waved his hand in the direction of a rug
which lay upon the floor. On the rug stood a long,
shallow fruit basket of the light wicker work which is
used in Campagna. And this was heaped with a litter
of objects, inscribed tiles, broken inscriptions, cracked mosaics, torn paperie,
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rusty metal ornaments, which to the uninitiated might have seemed
to have come straight from a dustman's bin, but which
a specialist would have speedily recognized as unique of their kind.
The pile of odds and ends in that flat wicker
work basket supplied exactly one of those missing links of
social development which are of such interest to the student.
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It was the German who had brought them in, and
the Englishman's eyes were hungry as he looked at them.
I won't interfere with your treasure trove. But I should
very much like to hear about it, he continued, while
Burger very deliberately lit a cigar. It is evidently a
discovery of the first importance. These inscriptions will make a
sensation throughout Europe. For every one here, there are a
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million there, said the German. There are so many that
a dozen savants might spend a lifetime over them and
build up a reputation as solid as the Castle of
Saint Angelo. Kennedy sat thinking, with his fine forehead wrinkled
and his fingers playing with his long, fair mustache. You
have given yourself away, Burger said. He At last, your
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words can only apply to one thing. You have discovered
a new catacomb. I had no doubt that you had
already come to that conclusion from an examination of these objects. Well,
they certainly appeared to indicate it. But your last remarks
make it certain. There is no place except a catacomb
which would contain so vast a store of relics as
you describe. Quite so, there is no mystery about that
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I have discovered a new catacomb where ah, that is
my secret, my dear Kennedy, suffice it that it is
a so situated that there is not one chance in
a million of any one else coming upon it. Its
date is different from that of any known catacomb, and
it has been reserved for the burial of the highest Christians,
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so that the remains and the relics are quite different
from anything which has ever been seen before. If I
was not aware of your knowledge and of your energy,
my friend, I would not hesitate under the pledge of
secrecy to tell you everything about it. But as it is,
I think that I must certainly prepare for my report
of the matter before I expose myself to such formidable competition.
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Kennedy loved his subject with a love which was almost
a mania, a love which had held him true to
it amidst all the distractions which come to a wealthy
and dissipated young man. He had ambition, but his ambition
was secondary to his more abstract joy and interest in
everything which concerned the old life and the history of
the city. He yearned to see his new underworld, which
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his companion had discovered. Look here, Burger said, he earnestly.
I assure you that you can trust me most implicitly
in this matter. Nothing would induce me to put pen
to paper about anything which I see until I have
your express permission. I quite understand your feeling, and I
think it is most natural. But you have really nothing
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whatsoever to fear from me. On the other hand, if
you don't tell me, I shall make a systematic search
and I shall discover it. In that case, of course,
I should make what use I liked of it, since
I would be under no obligation to you. Burger smiled
thoughtfully over his cigar. I've noticed, friend Kennedy, said he
that when I want information over any point, you are
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not always so ready to supply it. When did you
ever ask me for anything that I did not tell you?
You remember, for example, my giving you the material for
your paper about the Temple of the Vestals. Ah, well,
that was not a matter of such importance. If I
were to question you upon some new intimate thing, would
you give me an answer? I wonder this new catacomb
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is a very intimate thing to me me and I
should certainly expect some sign of confidence in return. What
are you driving at? I cannot imagine, said the Englishman.
But if you mean that, you will answer my question
about the catacomb. If I answer any question which you
have put to me. I can assure you that I
will certainly do so well, then, said Burger, leading luxuriously
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back in his settee and puffing a blue tree of
cigar smoke into the air. Tell me all about your
relations with miss Mary Saunderson. Kennedy sprang up in his
chair and glared angrily at the impassive companion. What the
devil do you mean, he cried? What sort of a
question is this? You may mean it as a joke,
but you never made a worse one. Now, I don't
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mean it as a joke, said Burger, simply. I'm really
rather interested in the details of the matter. I don't
know much about the world of women and social life
and that sort of thing, and such an incident has
the fascination of the unknown for me. I know you,
and I know her by sight. I'd even spoken to
her once or twice. I should very much like to
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hear from your own lips exactly what it was which
occurred between you. I won't tell you a word, that's
all right. It was only my whim to see if
you would give up a secret as easily as you
expected me to give up my secret of the new catacomb.
You wouldn't, and I didn't expect you to. But why
should you expect otherwise of me? There's Saint John's clock
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striking ten. It is quite time that I was going home. No,
wait a bit burger, said Kennedy. This is really a
ridiculous caprice of yours to wish to know about an
old love affair which has burned out months ago. You know,
we look upon a man who kisses and tells as
the greatest coward and villain possible. Certainly, said the German,
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gathering up his basket of curiosities. When he tells anything
about a girl which is previously unknown, he must be so.
But in this case, as you must be aware, it
was a public matter, which was the common talk, So
that you are not really doing miss Mary Saunderson any
injury by discussing her case with me. But still I
respect your scruples, so good night. Wait a bit burger,
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said Kennedy, laying his hand upon the other's arm. I'm
very keen upon this catacomb business, and I can't let
it drop quite so easily. Would you mind asking me
something else in return? Something not quite so eccentric this time? No, no,
you have refused, and there is an end of it,
said Burger, with his basket on his arm. No doubt
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you are quite right not to answer, and no doubt
I am quite right also, And so again, my dear Kennedy,
good night. The Englishman watched Burger cross the room, and
he had his hand on the handle of the door
before his host sprang up with the air of a
man who is making the best of which cannot be helped.
Hold on, old fellow said he. I think you are
behaving in a most ridiculous fashion. But still, if this
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is your condition, I suppose that I must submit to it.
I hate saying any thing about a girl, but as
you know, it's all over Rome. I don't suppose I
can't tell you anything which you do not already know.
What was it you wanted to know? The German came
back to the stove, and laying down his basket, he
sank into his chair once more, May I have another cigar?
(13:16):
Said he, thank you very much. I never smoke when
I work, but I enjoyed chat much more when I'm
under the influence of tobacco. Now, as regards this young
lady with whom you had this little adventure. What in
the world has become of her? She's at home with
her own people. Oh really in England? Yes, what part
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of England? London? No, Twickenham. You must excuse my curiosity,
my dear Kennedy, and you must put it down to
my ignorance of the world. No doubt, it is quite
a simple thing to persuade a young lady to go
off with you for three weeks or so, and then
to hand her over to her own family at what
did you call the place? Twickenham? Quite so at Twickenham.
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But it is something so entirely outside my own experience,
then I cannot even imagine how you set about it.
For example, if you'd love this girl, your love could
not hardly disappear in three weeks, So I presume that
you could not have loved her at all. But if
you did not love her, why should you make this
great scandal which has damaged you and ruined her? Kennedy
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looked moodily into the red eye of the stove. There's
a logical way of looking at it, certainly, said he.
Love is a big word, and it represents a good
many different shades of feeling. I liked her, And well,
you say you've seen her, you know how charming she
could look. But still I'm willing to admit, looking back,
that I could never have really loved her. Then, my
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dear Kennedy, why did you do it? The adventure of
the thing had a great deal to do with it.
What you are so fond of adventures? Where would the
variety of life be without them? It was for an
adventure that I first began to pay my attentions to her.
I've chased a good deal of game in my time,
but there's no chase like that of a pretty woman.
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There was a piquant difficulty of it, also, for as
she was the companion of Lady Emily Rood, it was
almost impossible to see her alone. On the top of
all the other obstacles which attracted me. I learned from
her own lips very early in the proceedings that she
was engaged mine Goat, to whom she mentioned no names.
I do not think that anyone knows that. So that
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made the adventure more alluring, did it? Well? It did
certainly give a spice to it, don't you think so?
I tell you that I am very ignorant about these things.
My dear fellow, you can remember that the apple you
stole from your neighbor's tree was always sweeter than that
which fell from your own. And then I found that
she cared for me. What at once? No, No. It
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took about three months of sapping and mining, but at
last I won her over. She understood that my judicial
separation from my wife made it impossible for me to
do the right thing by her. But she came all
the same, and we had a delightful time as long
as it lasted. But how about the other man, Kennedy
shrugged his shoulders. I suppose it is the survival of
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the fittest, said he. If he had been the better man,
she would not have deserted him. Let's drop the subject.
I've had enough of it. Only one other thing. How
did you get rid of her in three weeks? Well,
we'd both cool down a bit, you understand. She absolutely refused,
under any circumstances to come back to face the people
she'd known in Rome. Now, of course, Rome is necessary
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to me, and I had already been pining to be
back at my work, so there was one obvious case
of separation. Then again, her old father turned up at
the hotel in London, and there was a scene, and
the whole thing became so unpleasant that, really, though I
missed her dreadfully at first, I was very glad to
slip out of it. Now I rely upon you not
to repeat anything of what I've said, my dear Kennedy.
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I should not dream of repeating it. But all that
you say interests me very much, for it gives me
an insight into your way of looking at things, which
is entirely different for mine. For I've seen so little
of life, and now you want to know about my
new catacomb. There's no use in my trying to describe it,
for you would never find it. By that. There's only
one thing, and that is for me to take you
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there that would be splendid. Then would you like to come?
The sooner the better. I'm all impatience to see it. Well,
it's a beautiful night, though a trifle cold. Suppose we
start in an hour. We must be very careful to
keep the matter to ourselves. If anyone saw us hunting
and couples, they would suspect there was something going on.
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We can't be too cautious, said Kennedy. Is it far
some miles not too far to walk. Oh no, we
could walk there easily. We had better do so. Then
a cabman's suspicions would be aroused if he dropped us
both at some lonely spot in the dead of the night.
Quite so, I think it would be best for us
to meet at the gate of the Appian Way at midnight.
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I must go back to my lodgings for the matches
and candles and things all, write Burger. I think it
is very kind of you to let me into this secret,
and I promise you that I will write nothing about
it until you have published your report. Good Bye for
the present. You will find me at the gate at twelve.
The cold, clear air was filled with the musical chimes
from the City of Clocks. As Burger, wrapped in an
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Italian overcoat with a lantern hanging from his hand, walked
up to the rendezvous, Kennedy stepped out of the shadow
to meet him. You are ardent in work as well
as in love, said the German, laughing, Yes, I've been
waiting here for nearly half an hour. I hope you
left no clue as to where you were going. Not
such a fool, by jove, I'm chilled to the bone.
(18:40):
Come on, Burger, let us warm ourselves by a spurt
of hard walking. Their footsteps sounded loud and crisp upon
the rough stone paving of the disappointing road, which is
all that is left of the most famous highway of
the world. A peasant or two going home from the
wine shop, and a few carts of country produce, coming
up to Rome with the old only things which they met.
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They swung along, with the huge tombs looming up to
the darkness upon each side of them, until they had
come as far as the catacomb of Saint Calistus, and
saw against a rising moon, the great circular bastion of
Cecilia Metella in front of them. Then Burger stopped with
his hand to his side. Your legs are longer than mine,
and you are more accustomed to walking, said he, laughing.
(19:24):
I think that the place where we turn off is
somewhere here. Yes, this is it, round the corner of
the Trattoria. Now it's a very narrow path, so perhaps
i'd better go in front and you can follow. He
had lit his lantern, and by its light they were
unable to follow. The narrow and devious track which wound
across the marshes of the Campagna. The great aqueduct of
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Old Rome lay like a monstrous caterpillar across the moonlit landscape,
and their road led them under one of its huge arches,
and the past of the circle of crumbling bricks which
marks the old Arena. At last, Burger stopped at a
solitary wooden cow, and he drew a key from his pocket.
Surely your catacomb was not inside a house, cried Kennedy.
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The entrance to it is that this is just a
safeguard which we have against any one else discovering it.
Does the proprietor know of it? Not? He He had
found one or two objects which made me almost certain
that his house was built on the entrance to such
a place. So I rented it from him, and did
my excavations for myself. Come in and shut the door
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behind you. It was a long empty building, with the
mangers of cows along one wall. Burger put his lantern
down on the ground and shaded its light in all
directions save one, by draping his overcoat round it. It
might excite remark if anyone saw a light in this
lonely place, said he just help me to move this boarding.
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The flooring was loose in the corner, and plank by plank.
The two savants raised it and leaned it against the wall.
Below there was a square aperture of a stair of
old stone steps which led away Town into the bowels
of the earth. Be careful, cried Burger, as Kennedy and
his impatience hurried down them. It is a perfect rabbit's
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worn below, and if you were once to lose your
way there, the chances would be a hundred to one
against you ever coming out again. Wait until I bring
the light. How did you find your own way? If
it is so complicated? I had some very narrow escapes
at first, but I have gradually learned to go about.
There is a certain system to it, But it is
one which a lost man, if he were in the dark,
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could not possibly find out. Even now, I always spin
out a ball of string behind me when I am
going far to the catacomb. You can see for yourself
that it is difficult. But for every one of these
passages divides and subdivides a dozen times before you go
a hundred yards. They had descended some twenty feet from
the level of the byre, and they were standing now
in a square chamber cut out of the soft tufa.
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The lantern cast a flickering light bright below the dim above.
Over the cracked brown walls. In every direction were the
black openings of passages which radiated from this common center.
I want you to follow me closely, my friend, said Burger.
Do not loiter to look at anything upon the way,
for the place to which I will take you contains
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all that you can see and more. It will save
time for us to go there direct. He led the
way down one of the quarters, and the Englishmen followed
closely at his heels. Every now and then the passage bifurcated,
but Burger was evidently following some secret marks of his own,
for he neither stopped nor hesitated. Everywhere along the walls,
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packed like the berths upon an immigrant ship, lay the
Christians of Old Rome. The yellow light flickered over the
shriveled features of the mummies, and gleamed upon rounded skulls
and long white armbones, crossed over fleshless chests, and everywhere.
As he passed, Kennedy looked with wistful eyes upon inscriptions
funeral vessels, pictures, vestments, utensils, all lying as pious hands
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had placed them so many centuries ago. It was apparent
to him, even in these hurried passing glances, that this
was the earliest and finest of the catacombs containing such
a storehouse of Roman remains as had never before come
at one time under the observation of his student, what
would happen if the light went out? He asked, as
they hurried onwards, I have a spare candle in a
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box of matches in my pocket. By the way, Kennedy,
have you any matches? No, you'd better give me some. Oh,
that's all right, there's no chance of our separating. How
far are we going? It seems to me we've walked
at least a quarter of a mile more than that.
I think there's really no limit to the tombs, at least,
I've never been able to find any. This is a
very difficult place. So I think that I will use
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our ball of string. He fastened one end of it
to a projecting stone, and he carried the coil in
the breast of his pocket, paying it out as he advanced.
Kennedy saw that it was no unnecessary precaution, for the
passages had become more complex and tortuous than ever, with
a per network of intersecting corridors. But these all ended
in one large circular hall, with a square pedestal of
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tufa topped with a slab of marble at one end
of it. By Jove, cried Kennedy in an ecstasy, as
Burger swung his lantern over the marble. It is a
Christian altar, probably the first one in existence. Here is
the little consecration cross cut upon the corner of it.
No doubt this circular space was used as a church, precisely,
said Burger. If I had more time, I should like
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to show you all the bodies which are buried in
these niches upon the walls. For they are the early
popes and bishops of the church, with their miters, their
croziers and full canonicals. Go over to that one and
look at it. Kennedy went across and stared at the
ghastly head which lay loosely on the shredded and moldering miter.
This is most interesting, said he, and his voice seemed
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to boom against the concave vault. As far as my
experience goes, it is unique. Bring the lantern over, Burger,
I want to see them all. But the German had
strolled away and was still in the middle of a
yellow circle of light at the other side of the hall.
Do you know how many wrong turnings there are between
this and the stairs, he asked. There are over two thousand,
no doubt. It was one of the means of protection
(25:11):
which the Christians adopted. The odds are two thousand to
one against the man getting out, even if he had
the light. But if he were in the dark, it
would of course be far more difficult, so I should think.
And the darkness is something dreadful. I tried at once
for an experiment. Let us try it again. He stooped
(25:32):
to the lantern, and in an instant it was as
if an invisible hand was squeezed tightly over each of
Kennedy's eyes. Never had he known what such darkness was.
It seemed to press upon him and to smother him.
It was a solid obstacle against which the body shrank
from advancing. He put his hands out to push it
back from him. That will do, Burger said, he let's
(25:53):
have the light again. But his companion began to laugh,
and in that circular room. The sounds seem to come
from every side at once. You seem uneasy, friend, Kennedy said,
He go on, man, light the candle, said Kennedy, impatiently.
It's very strange, Kennedy. But I could not in the
least tell by the sound in which direction you stand?
(26:14):
Could you tell where I am? No? You seem to
be on every side of me. If it were not
for this string which I hold in my hand, I
should not have a notion of which way to go.
I dare say not strike a light man and have
it end to this nonsense. Well, Kennedy, there are two
things which I understand that you are very fond of.
The one is an adventure and the other is an
(26:36):
obstacle to surmount. The adventure must be the finding of
your way out of this catacomb. The obstacle will be
the darkness and the two thousand wrong turns, which make
the way a very difficult to find. But you need
not hurry, for you have plenty of time. And when
you halt for a rest now and then, I should
like you just to think of miss Mary Saunderson and
(26:56):
whether you treated her quite fairly, You devil, What do
you mean, roared Kennedy. He was running about in little
circles and clasping at the solid blackness with both hands.
Good Bye, said the mocking voice, and it was already
at some distance. I really do not think, Kennedy, even
by your own showing that you did the right thing
by that girl, there was only one little thing which
(27:17):
you appeared to not know, and I can supply it.
Miss Saunderson was engaged to a poor, ungainly devil of
a student, and his name was Julius Burger. There was
a rustle somewhere, the vague sound of a foot striking
a stone, and then there fell silence upon that old
Christian church, a stagnant, heavy silence which closed round Kennedy
(27:41):
and shut him in like water round a drowning man.
Some two months afterward, the following paragraph made the round
of the European Press. One of the most interesting discoveries
of recent years is that of the new catacomb in Rome,
which lies some distance to the east of the well
known vaults of Saint Calixtus. The finding of this important
(28:02):
burial place, which is exceedingly rich and most interesting early
Christian remains, is due to the energy and sagacity of
doctor Julius Burger, the young German specialist who was 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 doctor Burger. Some months ago,
(28:24):
mister Kennedy, the well known English student, disappeared suddenly from
his rooms in the Corso, and it was conjectured that
his association with a recent scandal had driven him to
leave Rome. It appears now that he had in reality
fallen a victim to that fervid love of archaeology which
had raised him to a distinguished place among living scholars.
(28:45):
His body was discovered in the heart of the new catacomb,
and it was evident from the condition of his feet
and boots that he had tramped for days through the
tortuous corridors which make these subterranean tombs so dangerous to explorers.
The deceased gentleman had, with an itexplicable rashness, made his
way into this labyrinth without, as far as can be discovered,
taking with him either candles or matches, so that his
(29:08):
sad fate was the natural result of his own temerity.
What makes the matter more painful is that doctor Julius
Berger was an intimate friend of the deceased. His joy
at the extraordinary find which he had been so fortunate
as to make has been greatly marred by the terrible
fate of his comrade and fellow worker. End of the
(29:31):
New Catacomb by Arthur Conan Doyle, recording by Dominic Moore.
Tales of Terror and Mystery by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,
The New Catacomb. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox
recordings are in the public domain. For more information or
to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording by Dominic Moore.
(00:22):
Tales of Terror and Mystery by Arthur Conan Doyle, The
New Catacomb. Look here, Burger said Kennedy, I do wish
that you would confide in me. The two famous students
of Roman remains sat together in Kennedy's comfortable room, overlooking
the corso. The night was cold, and they had both
(00:42):
pulled up their chairs to the unsatisfactory Italian stove, which
threw out a zone of stuffiness rather than of warmth. Outside,
under the bright winter stars lay the modern rome, the
long double chain of the electric lamps, the brilliantly lighted cafes,
the rushing carriages, and the dense throng upon the footpaths.
But inside, in the sumptuous chamber of the rich young
(01:05):
English archaeologist, there was only old Rome to be seen.
Cracked and time worn friezes hung from the walls, gray
old busts of senators and soldiers, with their fighting heads
and their hard cruel faces, peered out from the corners.
On the center table, amidst a litter of inscriptions, fragments,
and ornaments, there stood the famous reconstruction by Kennedy of
(01:28):
the baths of Carcalla, which excited such interest and admiration
when it was exhibited in Berlin. And fora hung from
the ceiling, and a litter of curiosities strewed the rich
red Turkey carpet, And of them all there was not
one which was not of the most unimpeachable authenticity and
of the utmost rarity and value. For Kennedy, though little
(01:50):
more than thirty, had a European reputation in this particular
branch of research, and was moreover provided with that long purse,
which either proves to be a fatal handicapp to the
student's energies, or, if his mind is still true to
its purpose, gives him enormous advantage in the race for fame.
Kennedy had often been seduced by whim and pleasure from
(02:12):
his studies, but his mind was an incisive one, capable
of long and concentrated efforts which ended in sharp reactions
of sensuous languor. His handsome face, with its high white forehead,
its aggressive nose, and its somewhat loose and sensual mouth,
was a fair index of the compromise between strength and
weakness in his nature. Of a very different type was
(02:35):
his companion, Julius Berger. He came of a curious blend,
a German father and an Italian mother, with the robust
quality of the North mingling strangely with the softer graces
of the south. Blue Teutonic eyes lightened his sun brown face,
and above them rose a square, massive forehead, with a
fringe of close yellow curls lying round it. His strong,
(02:58):
firm jaw was clean shape, and his companion had frequently
remarked how much it suggested those old Roman busts which
peered out from the shadows in the corner of the chamber.
Under its bluff German strength, there lay always a suggestion
of Italian subtlety. But the smile was so honest and
the eyes so frank, that one understood that this was
(03:19):
only an indication of his ancestry, with no actual bearing
upon his character. In age and in reputation, he was
on the same level as his English companion but his
life and his work had both been far more arduous.
Twelve years before he had come as a poor student
to Rome, and had lived ever since upon some small
(03:39):
endowment for research which had been awarded to him by
the University of Bonn. Painfully, slowly and doggedly, with extraordinary
tenacity and single mindedness, he had climbed from rung to
rung of the latter of fame. Until now he was
a member of the Berlin Academy, and there was every
reason to believe that he should shortly be promoted to
(04:01):
the chair of the greatest of German universities. But the
singleness of purpose which had brought him to the same
high level as the rich and brilliant Englishman, had caused him,
in everything outside their work, to stand infinitely below him.
He had never found a pause in his studies in
which to cultivate the social graces. It was only when
he spoke of his own subject that his face was
(04:22):
filled with life and soul. At other times he was
silent and embarrassed, too, conscious of his own limitations in
larger subjects, and impatient of the small talk, which is
the conventional refuge of those who have no thoughts to express.
And yet for some years there had been an acquaintanceship
which appeared to be slowly ripening into a friendship between
(04:44):
these two very different rivals. The base and origin of
this lay in the fact that, in their own studies,
each was the only one of younger men who had
knowledge and enthusiasm enough to properly appreciate the other. Their
common interests and pursuits had brought them together, and each
had been attracted by the other's knowledge, and then gradually
something had been added to this. Kennedy had been amused
(05:07):
by the frankness and simplicity of his rival, while Burger,
in turn, had been fascinated by the brilliancy and vivacity
which had made Kennedy such a favorite in Roman society.
I say had because just at that moment the young
Englishman was somewhat under a cloud. A love affair, the
details of which had never quite come out, had indicated
a heartlessness and callousness upon his part, which shocked many
(05:30):
of his friends. But in the bachelor's circles of students
and artists in which he preferred to move, there is
no very rigid code of honor in such matters, And
though a head might be shaken, or a pair of
shoulders shrugged over the flight of two in the return
of one. The general sentiment was probably one of curiosity,
and perhaps of envy, rather than of reprobation. Look here, Burger,
(05:55):
said Kennedy, looking hard at the placid face of his companion.
I do wish you would confide in me. As he spoke,
he waved his hand in the direction of a rug
which lay upon the floor. On the rug stood a long,
shallow fruit basket of the light wicker work which is
used in Campagna. And this was heaped with a litter
of objects, inscribed tiles, broken inscriptions, cracked mosaics, torn paperie,
(06:20):
rusty metal ornaments, which to the uninitiated might have seemed
to have come straight from a dustman's bin, but which
a specialist would have speedily recognized as unique of their kind.
The pile of odds and ends in that flat wicker
work basket supplied exactly one of those missing links of
social development which are of such interest to the student.
(06:41):
It was the German who had brought them in, and
the Englishman's eyes were hungry as he looked at them.
I won't interfere with your treasure trove. But I should
very much like to hear about it, he continued, while
Burger very deliberately lit a cigar. It is evidently a
discovery of the first importance. These inscriptions will make a
sensation throughout Europe. For every one here, there are a
(07:05):
million there, said the German. There are so many that
a dozen savants might spend a lifetime over them and
build up a reputation as solid as the Castle of
Saint Angelo. Kennedy sat thinking, with his fine forehead wrinkled
and his fingers playing with his long, fair mustache. You
have given yourself away, Burger said. He At last, your
(07:26):
words can only apply to one thing. You have discovered
a new catacomb. I had no doubt that you had
already come to that conclusion from an examination of these objects. Well,
they certainly appeared to indicate it. But your last remarks
make it certain. There is no place except a catacomb
which would contain so vast a store of relics as
you describe. Quite so, there is no mystery about that
(07:51):
I have discovered a new catacomb where ah, that is
my secret, my dear Kennedy, suffice it that it is
a so situated that there is not one chance in
a million of any one else coming upon it. Its
date is different from that of any known catacomb, and
it has been reserved for the burial of the highest Christians,
(08:11):
so that the remains and the relics are quite different
from anything which has ever been seen before. If I
was not aware of your knowledge and of your energy,
my friend, I would not hesitate under the pledge of
secrecy to tell you everything about it. But as it is,
I think that I must certainly prepare for my report
of the matter before I expose myself to such formidable competition.
(08:33):
Kennedy loved his subject with a love which was almost
a mania, a love which had held him true to
it amidst all the distractions which come to a wealthy
and dissipated young man. He had ambition, but his ambition
was secondary to his more abstract joy and interest in
everything which concerned the old life and the history of
the city. He yearned to see his new underworld, which
(08:55):
his companion had discovered. Look here, Burger said, he earnestly.
I assure you that you can trust me most implicitly
in this matter. Nothing would induce me to put pen
to paper about anything which I see until I have
your express permission. I quite understand your feeling, and I
think it is most natural. But you have really nothing
(09:15):
whatsoever to fear from me. On the other hand, if
you don't tell me, I shall make a systematic search
and I shall discover it. In that case, of course,
I should make what use I liked of it, since
I would be under no obligation to you. Burger smiled
thoughtfully over his cigar. I've noticed, friend Kennedy, said he
that when I want information over any point, you are
(09:37):
not always so ready to supply it. When did you
ever ask me for anything that I did not tell you?
You remember, for example, my giving you the material for
your paper about the Temple of the Vestals. Ah, well,
that was not a matter of such importance. If I
were to question you upon some new intimate thing, would
you give me an answer? I wonder this new catacomb
(09:58):
is a very intimate thing to me me and I
should certainly expect some sign of confidence in return. What
are you driving at? I cannot imagine, said the Englishman.
But if you mean that, you will answer my question
about the catacomb. If I answer any question which you
have put to me. I can assure you that I
will certainly do so well, then, said Burger, leading luxuriously
(10:20):
back in his settee and puffing a blue tree of
cigar smoke into the air. Tell me all about your
relations with miss Mary Saunderson. Kennedy sprang up in his
chair and glared angrily at the impassive companion. What the
devil do you mean, he cried? What sort of a
question is this? You may mean it as a joke,
but you never made a worse one. Now, I don't
(10:43):
mean it as a joke, said Burger, simply. I'm really
rather interested in the details of the matter. I don't
know much about the world of women and social life
and that sort of thing, and such an incident has
the fascination of the unknown for me. I know you,
and I know her by sight. I'd even spoken to
her once or twice. I should very much like to
(11:03):
hear from your own lips exactly what it was which
occurred between you. I won't tell you a word, that's
all right. It was only my whim to see if
you would give up a secret as easily as you
expected me to give up my secret of the new catacomb.
You wouldn't, and I didn't expect you to. But why
should you expect otherwise of me? There's Saint John's clock
(11:26):
striking ten. It is quite time that I was going home. No,
wait a bit burger, said Kennedy. This is really a
ridiculous caprice of yours to wish to know about an
old love affair which has burned out months ago. You know,
we look upon a man who kisses and tells as
the greatest coward and villain possible. Certainly, said the German,
(11:46):
gathering up his basket of curiosities. When he tells anything
about a girl which is previously unknown, he must be so.
But in this case, as you must be aware, it
was a public matter, which was the common talk, So
that you are not really doing miss Mary Saunderson any
injury by discussing her case with me. But still I
respect your scruples, so good night. Wait a bit burger,
(12:12):
said Kennedy, laying his hand upon the other's arm. I'm
very keen upon this catacomb business, and I can't let
it drop quite so easily. Would you mind asking me
something else in return? Something not quite so eccentric this time? No, no,
you have refused, and there is an end of it,
said Burger, with his basket on his arm. No doubt
(12:32):
you are quite right not to answer, and no doubt
I am quite right also, And so again, my dear Kennedy,
good night. The Englishman watched Burger cross the room, and
he had his hand on the handle of the door
before his host sprang up with the air of a
man who is making the best of which cannot be helped.
Hold on, old fellow said he. I think you are
behaving in a most ridiculous fashion. But still, if this
(12:55):
is your condition, I suppose that I must submit to it.
I hate saying any thing about a girl, but as
you know, it's all over Rome. I don't suppose I
can't tell you anything which you do not already know.
What was it you wanted to know? The German came
back to the stove, and laying down his basket, he
sank into his chair once more, May I have another cigar?
(13:16):
Said he, thank you very much. I never smoke when
I work, but I enjoyed chat much more when I'm
under the influence of tobacco. Now, as regards this young
lady with whom you had this little adventure. What in
the world has become of her? She's at home with
her own people. Oh really in England? Yes, what part
(13:37):
of England? London? No, Twickenham. You must excuse my curiosity,
my dear Kennedy, and you must put it down to
my ignorance of the world. No doubt, it is quite
a simple thing to persuade a young lady to go
off with you for three weeks or so, and then
to hand her over to her own family at what
did you call the place? Twickenham? Quite so at Twickenham.
(13:58):
But it is something so entirely outside my own experience,
then I cannot even imagine how you set about it.
For example, if you'd love this girl, your love could
not hardly disappear in three weeks, So I presume that
you could not have loved her at all. But if
you did not love her, why should you make this
great scandal which has damaged you and ruined her? Kennedy
(14:19):
looked moodily into the red eye of the stove. There's
a logical way of looking at it, certainly, said he.
Love is a big word, and it represents a good
many different shades of feeling. I liked her, And well,
you say you've seen her, you know how charming she
could look. But still I'm willing to admit, looking back,
that I could never have really loved her. Then, my
(14:41):
dear Kennedy, why did you do it? The adventure of
the thing had a great deal to do with it.
What you are so fond of adventures? Where would the
variety of life be without them? It was for an
adventure that I first began to pay my attentions to her.
I've chased a good deal of game in my time,
but there's no chase like that of a pretty woman.
(15:01):
There was a piquant difficulty of it, also, for as
she was the companion of Lady Emily Rood, it was
almost impossible to see her alone. On the top of
all the other obstacles which attracted me. I learned from
her own lips very early in the proceedings that she
was engaged mine Goat, to whom she mentioned no names.
I do not think that anyone knows that. So that
(15:24):
made the adventure more alluring, did it? Well? It did
certainly give a spice to it, don't you think so?
I tell you that I am very ignorant about these things.
My dear fellow, you can remember that the apple you
stole from your neighbor's tree was always sweeter than that
which fell from your own. And then I found that
she cared for me. What at once? No, No. It
(15:45):
took about three months of sapping and mining, but at
last I won her over. She understood that my judicial
separation from my wife made it impossible for me to
do the right thing by her. But she came all
the same, and we had a delightful time as long
as it lasted. But how about the other man, Kennedy
shrugged his shoulders. I suppose it is the survival of
(16:06):
the fittest, said he. If he had been the better man,
she would not have deserted him. Let's drop the subject.
I've had enough of it. Only one other thing. How
did you get rid of her in three weeks? Well,
we'd both cool down a bit, you understand. She absolutely refused,
under any circumstances to come back to face the people
she'd known in Rome. Now, of course, Rome is necessary
(16:28):
to me, and I had already been pining to be
back at my work, so there was one obvious case
of separation. Then again, her old father turned up at
the hotel in London, and there was a scene, and
the whole thing became so unpleasant that, really, though I
missed her dreadfully at first, I was very glad to
slip out of it. Now I rely upon you not
to repeat anything of what I've said, my dear Kennedy.
(16:52):
I should not dream of repeating it. But all that
you say interests me very much, for it gives me
an insight into your way of looking at things, which
is entirely different for mine. For I've seen so little
of life, and now you want to know about my
new catacomb. There's no use in my trying to describe it,
for you would never find it. By that. There's only
one thing, and that is for me to take you
(17:13):
there that would be splendid. Then would you like to come?
The sooner the better. I'm all impatience to see it. Well,
it's a beautiful night, though a trifle cold. Suppose we
start in an hour. We must be very careful to
keep the matter to ourselves. If anyone saw us hunting
and couples, they would suspect there was something going on.
(17:34):
We can't be too cautious, said Kennedy. Is it far
some miles not too far to walk. Oh no, we
could walk there easily. We had better do so. Then
a cabman's suspicions would be aroused if he dropped us
both at some lonely spot in the dead of the night.
Quite so, I think it would be best for us
to meet at the gate of the Appian Way at midnight.
(17:55):
I must go back to my lodgings for the matches
and candles and things all, write Burger. I think it
is very kind of you to let me into this secret,
and I promise you that I will write nothing about
it until you have published your report. Good Bye for
the present. You will find me at the gate at twelve.
The cold, clear air was filled with the musical chimes
from the City of Clocks. As Burger, wrapped in an
(18:18):
Italian overcoat with a lantern hanging from his hand, walked
up to the rendezvous, Kennedy stepped out of the shadow
to meet him. You are ardent in work as well
as in love, said the German, laughing, Yes, I've been
waiting here for nearly half an hour. I hope you
left no clue as to where you were going. Not
such a fool, by jove, I'm chilled to the bone.
(18:40):
Come on, Burger, let us warm ourselves by a spurt
of hard walking. Their footsteps sounded loud and crisp upon
the rough stone paving of the disappointing road, which is
all that is left of the most famous highway of
the world. A peasant or two going home from the
wine shop, and a few carts of country produce, coming
up to Rome with the old only things which they met.
(19:02):
They swung along, with the huge tombs looming up to
the darkness upon each side of them, until they had
come as far as the catacomb of Saint Calistus, and
saw against a rising moon, the great circular bastion of
Cecilia Metella in front of them. Then Burger stopped with
his hand to his side. Your legs are longer than mine,
and you are more accustomed to walking, said he, laughing.
(19:24):
I think that the place where we turn off is
somewhere here. Yes, this is it, round the corner of
the Trattoria. Now it's a very narrow path, so perhaps
i'd better go in front and you can follow. He
had lit his lantern, and by its light they were
unable to follow. The narrow and devious track which wound
across the marshes of the Campagna. The great aqueduct of
(19:44):
Old Rome lay like a monstrous caterpillar across the moonlit landscape,
and their road led them under one of its huge arches,
and the past of the circle of crumbling bricks which
marks the old Arena. At last, Burger stopped at a
solitary wooden cow, and he drew a key from his pocket.
Surely your catacomb was not inside a house, cried Kennedy.
(20:07):
The entrance to it is that this is just a
safeguard which we have against any one else discovering it.
Does the proprietor know of it? Not? He He had
found one or two objects which made me almost certain
that his house was built on the entrance to such
a place. So I rented it from him, and did
my excavations for myself. Come in and shut the door
(20:28):
behind you. It was a long empty building, with the
mangers of cows along one wall. Burger put his lantern
down on the ground and shaded its light in all
directions save one, by draping his overcoat round it. It
might excite remark if anyone saw a light in this
lonely place, said he just help me to move this boarding.
(20:48):
The flooring was loose in the corner, and plank by plank.
The two savants raised it and leaned it against the wall.
Below there was a square aperture of a stair of
old stone steps which led away Town into the bowels
of the earth. Be careful, cried Burger, as Kennedy and
his impatience hurried down them. It is a perfect rabbit's
(21:08):
worn below, and if you were once to lose your
way there, the chances would be a hundred to one
against you ever coming out again. Wait until I bring
the light. How did you find your own way? If
it is so complicated? I had some very narrow escapes
at first, but I have gradually learned to go about.
There is a certain system to it, But it is
one which a lost man, if he were in the dark,
(21:30):
could not possibly find out. Even now, I always spin
out a ball of string behind me when I am
going far to the catacomb. You can see for yourself
that it is difficult. But for every one of these
passages divides and subdivides a dozen times before you go
a hundred yards. They had descended some twenty feet from
the level of the byre, and they were standing now
in a square chamber cut out of the soft tufa.
(21:53):
The lantern cast a flickering light bright below the dim above.
Over the cracked brown walls. In every direction were the
black openings of passages which radiated from this common center.
I want you to follow me closely, my friend, said Burger.
Do not loiter to look at anything upon the way,
for the place to which I will take you contains
(22:13):
all that you can see and more. It will save
time for us to go there direct. He led the
way down one of the quarters, and the Englishmen followed
closely at his heels. Every now and then the passage bifurcated,
but Burger was evidently following some secret marks of his own,
for he neither stopped nor hesitated. Everywhere along the walls,
(22:34):
packed like the berths upon an immigrant ship, lay the
Christians of Old Rome. The yellow light flickered over the
shriveled features of the mummies, and gleamed upon rounded skulls
and long white armbones, crossed over fleshless chests, and everywhere.
As he passed, Kennedy looked with wistful eyes upon inscriptions
funeral vessels, pictures, vestments, utensils, all lying as pious hands
(22:58):
had placed them so many centuries ago. It was apparent
to him, even in these hurried passing glances, that this
was the earliest and finest of the catacombs containing such
a storehouse of Roman remains as had never before come
at one time under the observation of his student, what
would happen if the light went out? He asked, as
they hurried onwards, I have a spare candle in a
(23:21):
box of matches in my pocket. By the way, Kennedy,
have you any matches? No, you'd better give me some. Oh,
that's all right, there's no chance of our separating. How
far are we going? It seems to me we've walked
at least a quarter of a mile more than that.
I think there's really no limit to the tombs, at least,
I've never been able to find any. This is a
very difficult place. So I think that I will use
(23:44):
our ball of string. He fastened one end of it
to a projecting stone, and he carried the coil in
the breast of his pocket, paying it out as he advanced.
Kennedy saw that it was no unnecessary precaution, for the
passages had become more complex and tortuous than ever, with
a per network of intersecting corridors. But these all ended
in one large circular hall, with a square pedestal of
(24:06):
tufa topped with a slab of marble at one end
of it. By Jove, cried Kennedy in an ecstasy, as
Burger swung his lantern over the marble. It is a
Christian altar, probably the first one in existence. Here is
the little consecration cross cut upon the corner of it.
No doubt this circular space was used as a church, precisely,
said Burger. If I had more time, I should like
(24:28):
to show you all the bodies which are buried in
these niches upon the walls. For they are the early
popes and bishops of the church, with their miters, their
croziers and full canonicals. Go over to that one and
look at it. Kennedy went across and stared at the
ghastly head which lay loosely on the shredded and moldering miter.
This is most interesting, said he, and his voice seemed
(24:50):
to boom against the concave vault. As far as my
experience goes, it is unique. Bring the lantern over, Burger,
I want to see them all. But the German had
strolled away and was still in the middle of a
yellow circle of light at the other side of the hall.
Do you know how many wrong turnings there are between
this and the stairs, he asked. There are over two thousand,
no doubt. It was one of the means of protection
(25:11):
which the Christians adopted. The odds are two thousand to
one against the man getting out, even if he had
the light. But if he were in the dark, it
would of course be far more difficult, so I should think.
And the darkness is something dreadful. I tried at once
for an experiment. Let us try it again. He stooped
(25:32):
to the lantern, and in an instant it was as
if an invisible hand was squeezed tightly over each of
Kennedy's eyes. Never had he known what such darkness was.
It seemed to press upon him and to smother him.
It was a solid obstacle against which the body shrank
from advancing. He put his hands out to push it
back from him. That will do, Burger said, he let's
(25:53):
have the light again. But his companion began to laugh,
and in that circular room. The sounds seem to come
from every side at once. You seem uneasy, friend, Kennedy said,
He go on, man, light the candle, said Kennedy, impatiently.
It's very strange, Kennedy. But I could not in the
least tell by the sound in which direction you stand?
(26:14):
Could you tell where I am? No? You seem to
be on every side of me. If it were not
for this string which I hold in my hand, I
should not have a notion of which way to go.
I dare say not strike a light man and have
it end to this nonsense. Well, Kennedy, there are two
things which I understand that you are very fond of.
The one is an adventure and the other is an
(26:36):
obstacle to surmount. The adventure must be the finding of
your way out of this catacomb. The obstacle will be
the darkness and the two thousand wrong turns, which make
the way a very difficult to find. But you need
not hurry, for you have plenty of time. And when
you halt for a rest now and then, I should
like you just to think of miss Mary Saunderson and
(26:56):
whether you treated her quite fairly, You devil, What do
you mean, roared Kennedy. He was running about in little
circles and clasping at the solid blackness with both hands.
Good Bye, said the mocking voice, and it was already
at some distance. I really do not think, Kennedy, even
by your own showing that you did the right thing
by that girl, there was only one little thing which
(27:17):
you appeared to not know, and I can supply it.
Miss Saunderson was engaged to a poor, ungainly devil of
a student, and his name was Julius Burger. There was
a rustle somewhere, the vague sound of a foot striking
a stone, and then there fell silence upon that old
Christian church, a stagnant, heavy silence which closed round Kennedy
(27:41):
and shut him in like water round a drowning man.
Some two months afterward, the following paragraph made the round
of the European Press. One of the most interesting discoveries
of recent years is that of the new catacomb in Rome,
which lies some distance to the east of the well
known vaults of Saint Calixtus. The finding of this important
(28:02):
burial place, which is exceedingly rich and most interesting early
Christian remains, is due to the energy and sagacity of
doctor Julius Burger, the young German specialist who was 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 doctor Burger. Some months ago,
(28:24):
mister Kennedy, the well known English student, disappeared suddenly from
his rooms in the Corso, and it was conjectured that
his association with a recent scandal had driven him to
leave Rome. It appears now that he had in reality
fallen a victim to that fervid love of archaeology which
had raised him to a distinguished place among living scholars.
(28:45):
His body was discovered in the heart of the new catacomb,
and it was evident from the condition of his feet
and boots that he had tramped for days through the
tortuous corridors which make these subterranean tombs so dangerous to explorers.
The deceased gentleman had, with an itexplicable rashness, made his
way into this labyrinth without, as far as can be discovered,
taking with him either candles or matches, so that his
(29:08):
sad fate was the natural result of his own temerity.
What makes the matter more painful is that doctor Julius
Berger was an intimate friend of the deceased. His joy
at the extraordinary find which he had been so fortunate
as to make has been greatly marred by the terrible
fate of his comrade and fellow worker. End of the
(29:31):
New Catacomb by Arthur Conan Doyle, recording by Dominic Moore.
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