21 - Beneath the Baths Once More

It is a stronger party that this time heads out of the Palazzo Trivio and heads once more to the Baths of Diocletian. It comprises Father Arturo, Brother Giovanni, Marco, Astore, Rocco and a new confrere, a Neapolitan by the name of Gino Infantino. Once more they agree with Renzo and Lino that they be permitted to explore beneath the Baths.

They wriggle down the narrow passage between the roots of an old olive tree that gives access to the passages below. They are below for but an hour before they reappear, showing the signs of some conflict below. Arturo is being carried and Rocco is limping badly. Lino scowls at Marco's talk of the "Legions of Hell". He and Renzo might trust that what lies below the surface of Rome usually stays there. However, he reminds them that there are folk who live here in the Baths and it would be best not to put them in fear of their lives with loose talk.

They head back to the Palazzo Trivio to lick their wounds and think on theyr next move.