第1章

I

THENEWLODGERSATNO。7PHILIBERTPLACE

TherearemanydrearyanddingyrowsofuglyhousesincertainpartsofLondon，buttherecertainlycouldnotbeanyrowmoreuglyordingierthanPhilibertPlace。Therewerestoriesthatithadoncebeenmoreattractive，butthathadbeensolongagothatnoonerememberedthetime。Itstoodbackinitsgloomy，narrowstripsofuncared-for，smokygardens，whosebrokenironrailingsweresupposedtoprotectitfromthesurgingtrafficofaroadwhichwasalwaysroaringwiththerattleofbusses，cabs，drays，andvans，andthepassingofpeoplewhowereshabbilydressedandlookedasiftheywereeithergoingtohardworkorcomingfromit，orhurryingtoseeiftheycouldfindsomeofittodotokeepthemselvesfromgoinghungry。Thebrickfrontsofthehouseswereblackenedwithsmoke，theirwindowswerenearlyalldirtyandhungwithdingycurtains，orhadnocurtainsatall；

thestripsofground，whichhadoncebeenintendedtogrowflowersin，hadbeentroddendownintobareearthinwhichevenweedshadforgottentogrow。Oneofthemwasusedasastone-cutter\'syard，andcheapmonuments，crosses，andslatesweresetoutforsale，bearinginscriptionsbeginningwith``SacredtotheMemoryof。\'\'Anotherhadpilesofoldlumberinit，anotherexhibitedsecond-handfurniture，chairswithunsteadylegs，sofaswithhorsehairstuffingbulgingoutofholesintheircovering，mirrorswithblotchesorcracksinthem。Theinsidesofthehouseswereasgloomyastheoutside。Theywereallexactlyalike。Ineachadarkentrancepassageledtonarrowstairsgoinguptobedrooms，andtonarrowstepsgoingdowntoabasementkitchen。Thebackbedroomlookedoutonsmall，sooty，flaggedyards，wherethincatsquarreled，orsatonthecopingofthebrickwallshopingthatsometimetheymightfeelthesun；thefrontroomslookedoverthenoisyroad，andthroughtheirwindowscametheroarandrattleofit。Itwasshabbyandcheerlessonthebrightestdays，andonfoggyorrainyonesitwasthemostforlornplaceinLondon。

Atleastthatwaswhatoneboythoughtashestoodneartheironrailingswatchingthepassers-byonthemorningonwhichthisstorybegins，whichwasalsothemorningafterhehadbeenbroughtbyhisfathertoliveasalodgerinthebacksitting-roomofthehouseNo。7。

Hewasaboyabouttwelveyearsold，hisnamewasMarcoLoristan，andhewasthekindofboypeoplelookatasecondtimewhentheyhavelookedathimonce。Inthefirstplace，hewasaverybigboy——tallforhisyears，andwithaparticularlystrongframe。

Hisshoulderswerebroadandhisarmsandlegswerelongandpowerful。Hewasquiteusedtohearingpeoplesay，astheyglancedathim，``Whatafine，biglad！\'\'Andthentheyalwayslookedagainathisface。ItwasnotanEnglishfaceoranAmericanone，andwasverydarkincoloring。Hisfeatureswerestrong，hisblackhairgrewonhisheadlikeamat，hiseyeswerelargeanddeepset，andlookedoutbetweenthick，straight，blacklashes。Hewasasun-Englishaboyasonecouldimagine，andanobservingpersonwouldhavebeenstruckatoncebyasortofSILENTlookexpressedbyhiswholeface，alookwhichsuggestedthathewasnotaboywhotalkedmuch。

Thislookwasspeciallynoticeablethismorningashestoodbeforetheironrailings。Thethingshewasthinkingofwereofakindlikelytobringtothefaceofatwelve-year-oldboyanunboyishexpression。

Hewasthinkingofthelong，hurriedjourneyheandhisfatherandtheiroldsoldierservant，Lazarus，hadmadeduringthelastfewdays——thejourneyfromRussia。Crampedinaclosethird-classrailwaycarriage，theyhaddashedacrosstheContinentasifsomethingimportantorterribleweredrivingthem，andheretheywere，settledinLondonasiftheyweregoingtoliveforeveratNo。7PhilibertPlace。Heknew，however，thatthoughtheymightstayayear，itwasjustasprobablethat，inthemiddleofsomenight，hisfatherorLazarusmightwakenhimfromhissleepandsay，``Getup——dressyourselfquickly。Wemustgoatonce。\'\'Afewdayslater，hemightbeinSt。

Petersburg，Berlin，Vienna，orBudapest，huddledawayinsomepoorlittlehouseasshabbyandcomfortlessasNo。7PhilibertPlace。

Hepassedhishandoverhisforeheadashethoughtofitandwatchedthebusses。Hisstrangelifeandhiscloseassociationwithhisfatherhadmadehimmucholderthanhisyears，buthewasonlyaboy，afterall，andthemysteryofthingssometimesweighedheavilyuponhim，andsethimtodeepwondering。

Innotoneofthemanycountriesheknewhadheevermetaboywhoselifewasintheleastlikehisown。Otherboyshadhomesinwhichtheyspentyearafteryear；theywenttoschoolregularly，andplayedwithotherboys，andtalkedopenlyofthethingswhichhappenedtothem，andthejourneystheymade。Whenheremainedinaplacelongenoughtomakeafewboy-friends，heknewhemustneverforgetthathiswholeexistencewasasortofsecretwhosesafetydependeduponhisownsilenceanddiscretion。

Thiswasbecauseofthepromiseshehadmadetohisfather，andtheyhadbeenthefirstthingheremembered。Notthathehadeverregrettedanythingconnectedwithhisfather。Hethrewhisblackheadupashethoughtofthat。Noneoftheotherboyshadsuchafather，notoneofthem。Hisfatherwashisidolandhischief。Hehadscarcelyeverseenhimwhenhisclotheshadnotbeenpoorandshabby，buthehadalsoneverseenhimwhen，despitehisworncoatandfrayedlinen，hehadnotstoodoutamongallothersasmoredistinguishedthanthemostnoticeableofthem。Whenhewalkeddownastreet，peopleturnedtolookathimevenoftenerthantheyturnedtolookatMarco，andtheboyfeltasifitwasnotmerelybecausehewasabigmanwithahandsome，darkface，butbecausehelooked，somehow，asifhehadbeenborntocommandarmies，andasifnoonewouldthinkofdisobeyinghim。YetMarcohadneverseenhimcommandanyone，andtheyhadalwaysbeenpoor，andshabbilydressed，andoftenenoughill-fed。Butwhethertheywereinonecountryoranother，andwhatsoeverdarkplacetheyseemedtobehidingin，thefewpeopletheysawtreatedhimwithasortofdeference，andnearlyalwaysstoodwhentheywereinhispresence，unlesshebadethemsitdown。

``Itisbecausetheyknowheisapatriot，andpatriotsarerespected，\'\'theboyhadtoldhimself。

Hehimselfwishedtobeapatriot，thoughhehadneverseenhisowncountryofSamavia。Heknewitwell，however。Hisfatherhadtalkedtohimaboutiteversincethatdaywhenhehadmadethepromises。Hehadtaughthimtoknowitbyhelpinghimtostudycuriousdetailedmapsofit——mapsofitscities，mapsofitsmountains，mapsofitsroads。Hehadtoldhimstoriesofthewrongsdoneitspeople，oftheirsufferingsandstrugglesforliberty，and，aboveall，oftheirunconquerablecourage。Whentheytalkedtogetherofitshistory，Marco\'sboy-bloodburnedandleapedinhisveins，andhealwaysknew，bythelookinhisfather\'seyes，thathisbloodburnedalso。Hiscountrymenhadbeenkilled，theyhadbeenrobbed，theyhaddiedbythousandsofcrueltiesandstarvation，buttheirsoulshadneverbeenconquered，and，throughalltheyearsduringwhichmorepowerfulnationscrushedandenslavedthem，theyneverceasedtostruggletofreethemselvesandstandunfetteredasSamavianshadstoodcenturiesbefore。

``Whydowenotlivethere，\'\'Marcohadcriedonthedaythepromisesweremade。``Whydowenotgobackandfight？WhenI

amaman，IwillbeasoldieranddieforSamavia。\'\'

``WeareofthosewhomustLIVEforSamavia——workingdayandnight，\'\'hisfatherhadanswered；``denyingourselves，trainingourbodiesandsouls，usingourbrains，learningthethingswhicharebesttobedoneforourpeopleandourcountry。EvenexilesmaybeSamaviansoldiers——Iamone，youmustbeone。\'\'

``Areweexiles？\'\'askedMarco。

``Yes，\'\'wastheanswer。``ButevenifweneversetfootonSamaviansoil，wemustgiveourlivestoit。IhavegivenminesinceIwassixteen。IshallgiveituntilIdie。\'\'

``Haveyouneverlivedthere？\'\'saidMarco。

Astrangelookshotacrosshisfather\'sface。

``No，\'\'heanswered，andsaidnomore。Marcowatchinghim，knewhemustnotaskthequestionagain。

Thenextwordshisfathersaidwereaboutthepromises。Marcowasquitealittlefellowatthetime，butheunderstoodthesolemnityofthem，andfeltthathewasbeinghonoredasifhewereaman。

``Whenyouareaman，youshallknowallyouwishtoknow，\'\'

Loristansaid。``Nowyouareachild，andyourmindmustnotbeburdened。Butyoumustdoyourpart。Achildsometimesforgetsthatwordsmaybedangerous。Youmustpromisenevertoforgetthis。Wheresoeveryouare；ifyouhaveplaymates，youmustremembertobesilentaboutmanythings。YoumustnotspeakofwhatIdo，orofthepeoplewhocometoseeme。Youmustnotmentionthethingsinyourlifewhichmakeitdifferentfromthelivesofotherboys。Youmustkeepinyourmindthatasecretexistswhichachancefoolishwordmightbetray。YouareaSamavian，andtherehavebeenSamavianswhohavediedathousanddeathsratherthanbetrayasecret。Youmustlearntoobeywithoutquestion，asifyouwereasoldier。Nowyoumusttakeyouroathofallegiance。\'\'

Herosefromhisseatandwenttoacorneroftheroom。Hekneltdown，turnedbackthecarpet，liftedaplank，andtooksomethingfrombeneathit。Itwasasword，and，ashecamebacktoMarco，hedrewitoutfromitssheath。Thechild\'sstrong，littlebodystiffenedanddrewitselfup，hislarge，deepeyesflashed。Hewastotakehisoathofallegianceuponaswordasifhewereaman。Hedidnotknowthathissmallhandopenedandshutwithafierceunderstandinggripbecausethoseofhisbloodhadforlongcenturiespastcarriedswordsandfoughtwiththem。

Loristangavehimthebigbaredweapon，andstooderectbeforehim。

``Repeatthesewordsaftermesentencebysentence！\'\'hecommanded。

AndashespokethemMarcoechoedeachoneloudlyandclearly。

``Theswordinmyhand——forSamavia！

``Theheartinmybreast——forSamavia！

``Theswiftnessofmysight，thethoughtofmybrain，thelifeofmylife——forSamavia。

``HeregrowsamanforSamavia。

``Godbethanked！\'\'

ThenLoristanputhishandonthechild\'sshoulder，andhisdarkfacelookedalmostfiercelyproud。

``Fromthishour，\'\'hesaid，``youandIarecomradesatarms。\'\'

AndfromthatdaytotheoneonwhichhestoodbesidethebrokenironrailingsofNo。7PhilibertPlace，Marcohadnotforgottenforonehour。

II

AYOUNGCITIZENOFTHEWORLD

HehadbeeninLondonmorethanoncebefore，butnottothelodgingsinPhilibertPlace。Whenhewasbroughtasecondorthirdtimetoatownorcity，healwaysknewthatthehousehewastakentowouldbeinaquarternewtohim，andheshouldnotseeagainthepeoplehehadseenbefore。Suchslightlinksofacquaintanceassometimesformedthemselvesbetweenhimandotherchildrenasshabbyandpoorashimselfwereeasilybroken。Hisfather，however，hadneverforbiddenhimtomakechanceacquaintances。Hehad，infact，toldhimthathehadreasonsfornotwishinghimtoholdhimselfalooffromotherboys。Theonlybarrierwhichmustexistbetweenthemmustbethebarrierofsilenceconcerninghiswanderingsfromcountrytocountry。Otherboysaspoorashewasdidnotmakeconstantjourneys，thereforetheywouldmissnothingfromhisboyishtalkwhenheomittedallmentionofhis。WhenhewasinRussia，hemustspeakonlyofRussianplacesandRussianpeopleandcustoms。WhenhewasinFrance，Germany，Austria，orEngland，hemustdothesamething。

WhenhehadlearnedEnglish，French，German，Italian，andRussianhedidnotknow。Hehadseemedtogrowupinthemidstofchangingtongueswhichallseemedfamiliartohim，aslanguagesarefamiliartochildrenwhohavelivedwiththemuntilonescarcelyseemslessfamiliarthananother。Hedidremember，however，thathisfatherhadalwaysbeenunswervinginhisattentiontohispronunciationandmethodofspeakingthelanguageofanycountrytheychancedtobelivingin。

``Youmustnotseemaforeignerinanycountry，\'\'hehadsaidtohim。``Itisnecessarythatyoushouldnot。ButwhenyouareinEngland，youmustnotknowFrench，orGerman，oranythingbutEnglish。\'\'

Once，whenhewassevenoreightyearsold，aboyhadaskedhimwhathisfather\'sworkwas。

``Hisownfatherisacarpenter，andheaskedmeifmyfatherwasone，\'\'MarcobroughtthestorytoLoristan。``Isaidyouwerenot。Thenheaskedifyouwereashoemaker，andanotheronesaidyoumightbeabricklayeroratailor——andIdidn\'tknowwhattotellthem。\'\'HehadbeenoutplayinginaLondonstreet，andheputagrubbylittlehandonhisfather\'sarm，andclutchedandalmostfiercelyshookit。``Iwantedtosaythatyouwerenotliketheirfathers，notatall。Iknewyouwerenot，thoughyouwerequiteaspoor。Youarenotabricklayerorashoemaker，butapatriot——youcouldnotbeonlyabricklayer——you！\'\'Hesaiditgrandlyandwithaqueerindignation，hisblackheadheldupandhiseyesangry。

Loristanlaidhishandagainsthismouth。

``Hush！hush！\'\'hesaid。``Isitaninsulttoamantothinkhemaybeacarpenterormakeagoodsuitofclothes？IfIcouldmakeourclothes，weshouldgobetterdressed。IfIwereashoemaker，yourtoeswouldnotbemakingtheirwayintotheworldastheyarenow。\'\'Hewassmiling，butMarcosawhisheadhelditselfhigh，too，andhiseyeswereglowingashetouchedhisshoulder。``IknowyoudidnottellthemIwasapatriot，\'\'heended。``Whatwasityousaidtothem？\'\'

``Irememberedthatyouwerenearlyalwayswritinganddrawingmaps，andIsaidyouwereawriter，butIdidnotknowwhatyouwrote——andthatyousaiditwasapoortrade。IheardyousaythatoncetoLazarus。Wasthatarightthingtotellthem？\'\'

``Yes。Youmayalwayssayitifyouareasked。Therearepoorfellowsenoughwhowriteathousanddifferentthingswhichbringthemlittlemoney。Thereisnothingstrangeinmybeingawriter。\'\'

SoLoristanansweredhim，andfromthattimeif，byanychance，hisfather\'smeansoflivelihoodwereinquiredinto，itwassimpleenoughandtrueenoughtosaythathewrotetoearnhisbread。

Inthefirstdaysofstrangenesstoanewplace，Marcooftenwalkedagreatdeal。Hewasstronganduntiring，anditamusedhimtowanderthroughunknownstreets，andlookatshops，andhouses，andpeople。Hedidnotconfinehimselftothegreatthoroughfares，butlikedtobranchoffintothesidestreetsandodd，deserted-lookingsquares，andevencourtsandalleyways。Heoftenstoppedtowatchworkmenandtalktothemiftheywerefriendly。Inthiswayhemadestrayacquaintancesinhisstrollings，andlearnedagoodmanythings。Hehadafondnessforwanderingmusicians，and，fromanoldItalianwhohadinhisyouthbeenasingerinopera，hehadlearnedtosinganumberofsongsinhisstrong，musicalboy-voice。Heknewwellmanyofthesongsofthepeopleinseveralcountries。

Itwasverydullthisfirstmorning，andhewishedthathehadsomethingtodoorsomeonetospeakto。Todonothingwhateverisadepressingthingatalltimes，butperhapsitismoreespeciallysowhenoneisabig，healthyboytwelveyearsold。

LondonashesawitintheMaryleboneRoadseemedtohimahideousplace。Itwasmurkyandshabby-looking，andfullofdreary-facedpeople。Itwasnotthefirsttimehehadseenthesamethings，andtheyalwaysmadehimfeelthathewishedhehadsomethingtodo。

SuddenlyheturnedawayfromthegateandwentintothehousetospeaktoLazarus。Hefoundhiminhisdingyclosetofaroomonthefourthflooratthebackofthehouse。

``Iamgoingforawalk，\'\'heannouncedtohim。``Pleasetellmyfatherifheasksforme。Heisbusy，andImustnotdisturbhim。\'\'

Lazaruswaspatchinganoldcoatasheoftenpatchedthings——

evenshoessometimes。WhenMarcospoke，hestoodupatoncetoanswerhim。Hewasveryobstinateandparticularaboutcertainformsofmanner。NothingwouldhaveobligedhimtoremainseatedwhenLoristanorMarcowasnearhim。Marcothoughtitwasbecausehehadbeensostrictlytrainedasasoldier。Heknewthathisfatherhadhadgreattroubletomakehimlayasidehishabitofsalutingwhentheyspoketohim。

``Perhaps，\'\'MarcohadheardLoristansaytohimalmostseverely，oncewhenhehadforgottenhimselfandhadstoodatsalutewhilehismasterpassedthroughabroken-downirongatebeforeanequallybroken-down-lookinglodging-house——``perhapsyoucanforceyourselftorememberwhenItellyouthatitisnotsafe——ITISNOTSAFE！Youputusindanger！\'\'

Itwasevidentthatthishelpedthegoodfellowtocontrolhimself。Marcorememberedthatatthetimehehadactuallyturnedpale，andhadstruckhisforeheadandpouredforthatorrentofSamaviandialectinpenitenceandterror。But，thoughhenolongersalutedtheminpublic，heomittednootherformofreverenceandceremony，andtheboyhadbecomeaccustomedtobeingtreatedasifhewereanythingbuttheshabbyladwhoseverycoatwaspatchedbytheoldsoldierwhostood``atattention\'\'beforehim。

``Yes，sir，\'\'Lazarusanswered。``Wherewasityourwishtogo？\'\'

MarcoknittedhisblackbrowsalittleintryingtorecalldistinctmemoriesofthelasttimehehadbeeninLondon。

``Ihavebeentosomanyplaces，andhaveseensomanythingssinceIwasherebefore，thatImustbegintolearnagainaboutthestreetsandbuildingsIdonotquiteremember。\'\'

``Yes，sir，\'\'saidLazarus。``ThereHAVEbeensomany。Ialsoforget。Youwerebuteightyearsoldwhenyouwerelasthere。\'\'

``IthinkIwillgoandfindtheroyalpalace，andthenIwillwalkaboutandlearnthenamesofthestreets，\'\'Marcosaid。

``Yes，sir，\'\'answeredLazarus，andthistimehemadehismilitarysalute。

Marcoliftedhisrighthandinrecognition，asifhehadbeenayoungofficer。Mostboysmighthavelookedawkwardortheatricalinmakingthegesture，buthemadeitwithnaturalnessandease，becausehehadbeenfamiliarwiththeformsincehisbabyhood。

Hehadseenofficersreturningthesalutesoftheirmenwhentheyencounteredeachotherbychanceinthestreets，hehadseenprincespassingsentriesontheirwaytotheircarriages，moreaugustpersonagesraisingthequiet，recognizinghandtotheirhelmetsastheyrodethroughapplaudingcrowds。Hehadseenmanyroyalpersonsandmanyroyalpageants，butalwaysonlyasanill-cladboystandingontheedgeofthecrowdofcommonpeople。

Anenergeticlad，howeverpoor，cannotspendhisdaysingoingfromonecountrytoanotherwithout，bymereevery-daychance，becomingfamiliarwiththeouterlifeofroyaltiesandcourts。

Marcohadstoodincontinentalthoroughfareswhenvisitingemperorsrodebywithglitteringsoldierybeforeandbehindthem，andapopulaceshoutingcourteouswelcomes。Heknewwhereinvariousgreatcapitalsthesentriesstoodbeforekinglyorprincelypalaces。Hehadseencertainroyalfacesoftenenoughtoknowthemwell，andtobereadytomakehissalutewhenparticularquietandunattendedcarriagespassedhimby。

``Itiswelltoknowthem。Itiswelltoobserveeverythingandtotrainone\'sselftorememberfacesandcircumstances，\'\'hisfatherhadsaid。``Ifyouwereayoungprinceorayoungmantrainingforadiplomaticcareer，youwouldbetaughttonoticeandrememberpeopleandthingsasyouwouldbetaughttospeakyourownlanguagewithelegance。Suchobservationwouldbeyourmostpracticalaccomplishmentandgreatestpower。Itisaspracticalforonemanasanother——forapoorladinapatchedcoatasforonewhoseplaceistobeincourts。Asyoucannotbeeducatedintheordinaryway，youmustlearnfromtravelandtheworld。Youmustlosenothing——forgetnothing。\'\'

Itwashisfatherwhohadtaughthimeverything，andhehadlearnedagreatdeal。Loristanhadthepowerofmakingallthingsinterestingtofascination。ToMarcoitseemedthathekneweverythingintheworld。Theywerenotrichenoughtobuymanybooks，butLoristanknewthetreasuresofallgreatcities，theresourcesofthesmallesttowns。Togetherheandhisboywalkedthroughtheendlessgalleriesfilledwiththewondersoftheworld，thepicturesbeforewhichthroughcenturiesanunbrokenprocessionofalmostworshipingeyeshadpasseduplifted。Becausehisfathermadethepicturesseemtheglowing，burningworkofstill-livingmenwhomthecenturiescouldnotturntodust，becausehecouldtellthestoriesoftheirlivingandlaboringtotriumph，storiesofwhattheyfeltandsufferedandwere，theboybecameasfamiliarwiththeoldmasters——Italian，German，French，Dutch，English，Spanish——ashewaswithmostofthecountriestheyhadlivedin。Theywerenotmerelyoldmasterstohim，butmenwhoweregreat，menwhoseemedtohimtohavewieldedbeautifulswordsandheldhigh，splendidlights。Hisfathercouldnotgooftenwithhim，buthealwaystookhimforthefirsttimetothegalleries，museums，libraries，andhistoricalplaceswhichwererichestintreasuresofart，beauty，orstory。Then，havingseenthemoncethroughhiseyes，Marcowentagainandagainalone，andsogrewintimatewiththewondersoftheworld。Heknewthathewasgratifyingawishofhisfather\'swhenhetriedtotrainhimselftoobserveallthingsandforgetnothing。Thesepalacesofmarvelswerehisschool-rooms，andhisstrangebutricheducationwasthemostinterestingpartofhislife。Intime，heknewexactlytheplaceswherethegreatRembrandts，Vandykes，Rubens，Raphaels，Tintorettos，orFransHalshung；heknewwhetherthismasterpieceorthatwasinVienna，inParis，inVenice，orMunich，orRome。

Heknewstoriesofsplendidcrownjewels，ofoldarmor，ofancientcrafts，andofRomanrelicsdugupfrombeneaththefoundationsofoldGermancities。Anyboywanderingtoamusehimselfthroughmuseumsandpalaceson``freedays\'\'couldseewhathesaw，butboyslivingfullerandlesslonelyliveswouldhavebeenlesslikelytoconcentratetheirentiremindsonwhattheylookedat，andalsolesslikelytostoreawayfactswiththedeterminationtobeabletorecallatanymomentthementalshelfonwhichtheywerelaid。Havingnoplaymatesandnothingtoplaywith，hebeganwhenhewasaverylittlefellowtomakeasortofgameoutofhisramblesthroughpicture-galleries，andtheplaceswhich，whethertheycalledthemselvesmuseumsornot，werestorehousesorrelicsofantiquity。Therewerealwaystheblessed``freedays，\'\'whenhecouldclimbanymarblesteps，andenteranygreatportalwithoutpayinganentrancefee。Onceinside，therewereplentyofplainlyandpoorlydressedpeopletobeseen，buttherewerenotoftenboysasyoungashimselfwhowerenotattendedbyoldercompanions。Quietandorderlyashewas，heoftenfoundhimselfstaredat。Thegamehehadcreatedforhimselfwasassimpleasitwasabsorbing。Itwastotryhowmuchhecouldrememberandclearlydescribetohisfatherwhentheysattogetheratnightandtalkedofwhathehadseen。Thesenighttalksfilledhishappiesthours。Heneverfeltlonelythen，andwhenhisfathersatandwatchedhimwithacertaincuriousanddeepattentioninhisdark，reflectiveeyes，theboywasutterlycomfortedandcontent。Sometimeshebroughtbackroughandcrudesketchesofobjectshewishedtoaskquestionsabout，andLoristancouldalwaysrelatetohimthefull，richstoryofthethinghewantedtoknow。TheywerestoriesmadesosplendidandfullofcolorinthetellingthatMarcocouldnotforgetthem。

III

THELEGENDOFTHELOSTPRINCE

Ashewalkedthroughthestreets，hewasthinkingofoneofthesestories。Itwasonehehadheardfirstwhenhewasveryyoung，andithadsoseizeduponhisimaginationthathehadaskedoftenforit。Itwas，indeed，apartofthelong-pasthistoryofSamavia，andhehadloveditforthatreason。Lazarushadoftentoldittohim，sometimesaddingmuchdetail，buthehadalwayslikedbesthisfather\'sversion，whichseemedathrillingandlivingthing。OntheirjourneyfromRussia，duringanhourwhentheyhadbeenforcedtowaitinacoldwaysidestationandhadfoundthetimelong，Loristanhaddiscusseditwithhim。Healwaysfoundsomesuchwayofmakinghardandcomfortlesshourseasiertolivethrough。

``Fine，biglad——foraforeigner，\'\'Marcoheardamansaytohiscompanionashepassedthemthismorning。``LookslikeaPoleoraRussian。\'\'

ItwasthiswhichhadledhisthoughtsbacktothestoryoftheLostPrince。Heknewthatmostofthepeoplewholookedathimandcalledhima``foreigner\'\'hadnotevenheardofSamavia。

Thosewhochancedtorecallitsexistenceknewofitonlyasasmallfiercecountry，soplaceduponthemapthatthelargercountrieswhichwereitsneighborsfelttheymustcontrolandkeepitinorder，andthereforemadeincursionsintoit，andfoughtitspeopleandeachotherforpossession。Butithadnotbeenalwaysso。Itwasanold，oldcountry，andhundredsofyearsagoithadbeenascelebratedforitspeacefulhappinessandwealthasforitsbeauty。Itwasoftensaidthatitwasoneofthemostbeautifulplacesintheworld。AfavoriteSamavianlegendwasthatithadbeenthesiteoftheGardenofEden。Inthosepastcenturies，itspeoplehadbeenofsuchgreatstature，physicalbeauty，andstrength，thattheyhadbeenlikearaceofnoblegiants。Theywereinthosedaysapastoralpeople，whoserichcropsandsplendidflocksandherdsweretheenvyoflessfertilecountries。Amongtheshepherdsandherdsmentherewerepoetswhosangtheirownsongswhentheypipedamongtheirsheepuponthemountainsidesandintheflower-thickvalleys。Theirsongshadbeenaboutpatriotismandbravery，andfaithfulnesstotheirchieftainsandtheircountry。Thesimplecourtesyofthepoorestpeasantwasasstatelyasthemannerofanoble。Butthat，asLoristanhadsaidwithatiredsmile，hadbeenbeforetheyhadhadtimetooutliveandforgettheGardenofEden。Fivehundredyearsago，therehadsucceededtothethroneakingwhowasbadandweak。Hisfatherhadlivedtobeninetyyearsold，andhissonhadgrowntiredofwaitinginSamaviaforhiscrown。

Hehadgoneoutintotheworld，andvisitedothercountriesandtheircourts。Whenhereturnedandbecameking，helivedasnoSamaviankinghadlivedbefore。Hewasanextravagant，viciousmanoffurioustemperandbitterjealousies。Hewasjealousofthelargercourtsandcountrieshehadseen，andtriedtointroducetheircustomsandtheirambitions。Heendedbyintroducingtheirworstfaultsandvices。Therearosepoliticalquarrelsandsavagenewfactions。Moneywassquandereduntilpovertybeganforthefirsttimetostarethecountryintheface。ThebigSamavians，aftertheirfirststupefaction，brokeforthintofuriousrage。Thereweremobsandriots，thenbloodybattles。Sinceitwasthekingwhohadworkedthiswrong，theywouldhavenoneofhim。Theywoulddeposehimandmakehissonkinginhisplace。ItwasatthispartofthestorythatMarcowasalwaysmostdeeplyinterested。Theyoungprincewastotallyunlikehisfather。HewasatrueroyalSamavian。Hewasbiggerandstrongerforhisagethananymaninthecountry，andhewasashandsomeasayoungVikinggod。Morethanthis，hehadalion\'sheart，andbeforehewassixteen，theshepherdsandherdsmenhadalreadybeguntomakesongsabouthisyoungvalor，andhiskinglycourtesy，andgenerouskindness。Notonlytheshepherdsandherdsmensangthem，butthepeopleinthestreets。

Theking，hisfather，hadalwaysbeenjealousofhim，evenwhenhewasonlyabeautiful，statelychildwhomthepeopleroaredwithjoytoseeasherodethroughthestreets。Whenhereturnedfromhisjourneyingsandfoundhimasplendidyouth，hedetestedhim。Whenthepeoplebegantoclamoranddemandthathehimselfshouldabdicate，hebecameinsanewithrage，andcommittedsuchcrueltiesthatthepeopleranmadthemselves。Onedaytheystormedthepalace，killedandoverpoweredtheguards，and，rushingintotheroyalapartments，burstinuponthekingasheshudderedgreenwithterrorandfuryinhisprivateroom。Hewaskingnomore，andmustleavethecountry，theyvowed，astheyclosedroundhimwithbaredweaponsandshooktheminhisface。

Wherewastheprince？Theymustseehimandtellhimtheirultimatum。Itwashewhomtheywantedforaking。Theytrustedhimandwouldobeyhim。Theybegantoshoutaloudhisname，callinghiminasortofchantinunison，``PrinceIvor——PrinceIvor——PrinceIvor！\'\'Butnoanswercame。Thepeopleofthepalacehadhiddenthemselves，andtheplacewasutterlysilent。

Theking，despitehisterror，couldnothelpbutsneer。

``Callhimagain，\'\'hesaid。``Heisafraidtocomeoutofhishole！\'\'

Asavagefellowfromthemountainfastnessesstruckhimonthemouth。

``Heafraid！\'\'heshouted。``Ifhedoesnotcome，itisbecausethouhastkilledhim——andthouartadeadman！\'\'

Thissetthemaflamewithhotterburning。Theybrokeaway，leavingthreeonguard，andranabouttheemptypalaceroomsshoutingtheprince\'sname。Buttherewasnoanswer。Theysoughthiminafrenzy，burstingopendoorsandflingingdowneveryobstacleintheirway。Apage，foundhiddeninacloset，ownedthathehadseenHisRoyalHighnesspassthroughacorridorearlyinthemorning。Hehadbeensoftlysingingtohimselfoneoftheshepherd\'ssongs。

AndinthisstrangewayoutofthehistoryofSamavia，fivehundredyearsbeforeMarco\'sday，theyoungprincehadwalked——

singingsoftlytohimselftheoldsongofSamavia\'sbeautyandhappiness。Forhewasneverseenagain。

Ineverynookandcranny，highandlow，theysoughtforhim，believingthatthekinghimselfhadmadehimprisonerinsomesecretplace，orhadprivatelyhadhimkilled。Thefuryofthepeoplegrewtofrenzy。Therewerenewrisings，andeveryfewdaysthepalacewasattackedandsearchedagain。Butnotraceoftheprincewasfound。Hehadvanishedasastarvanisheswhenitdropsfromitsplaceinthesky。Duringariotinthepalace，whenalastfruitlesssearchwasmade，thekinghimselfwaskilled。Apowerfulnoblewhoheadedoneoftheuprisingsmadehimselfkinginhisplace。Fromthattime，theoncesplendidlittlekingdomwaslikeabonefoughtforbydogs。Itspastoralpeacewasforgotten。Itwastornandworriedandshakenbystrongercountries。Ittoreandworrieditselfwithinternalfights。Itassassinatedkingsandcreatednewones。Nomanwassureinhisyouthwhatrulerhismaturitywouldliveunder，orwhetherhischildrenwoulddieinuselessfights，orthroughstressofpovertyandcruel，uselesslaws。Therewerenomoreshepherdsandherdsmenwhowerepoets，butonthemountainsidesandinthevalleyssometimessomeoftheoldsongsweresung。

ThosemostbelovedweresongsaboutaLostPrincewhosenamehadbeenIvor。Ifhehadbeenking，hewouldhavesavedSamavia，theversessaid，andallbraveheartsbelievedthathewouldstillreturn。Inthemoderncities，oneofthejocularcynicalsayingswas，``Yes，thatwillhappenwhenPrinceIvorcomesagain。\'\'

Inhismorechildishdays，Marcohadbeenbitterlytroubledbytheunsolvedmystery。Wherehadhegone——theLostPrince？Hadhebeenkilled，orhadhebeenhiddenawayinadungeon？Buthewassobigandbrave，hewouldhavebrokenoutofanydungeon。

Theboyhadinventedforhimselfadozenendingstothestory。

``Didnooneeverfindhisswordorhiscap——orhearanythingorguessanythingabouthimever——ever——ever？\'\'hewouldsayrestlesslyagainandagain。

Onewinter\'snight，astheysattogetherbeforeasmallfireinacoldroominacoldcityinAustria，hehadbeensoeagerandaskedsomanysearchingquestions，thathisfathergavehimananswerhehadnevergivenhimbefore，andwhichwasasortofendingtothestory，thoughnotasatisfyingone：

``Everybodyguessedasyouareguessing。Afewveryoldshepherdsinthemountainswholiketobelieveancienthistoriesrelateastorywhichmostpeopleconsiderakindoflegend。Itisthatalmostahundredyearsaftertheprincewaslost，anoldshepherdtoldastoryhislong-deadfatherhadconfidedtohiminsecretjustbeforehedied。Thefatherhadsaidthat，goingoutintheearlymorningonthemountainside，hehadfoundintheforestwhatheatfirstthoughttobethedeadbodyofabeautiful，boyish，younghuntsman。Someenemyhadplainlyattackedhimfrombehindandbelievedhehadkilledhim。Hewas，however，notquitedead，andtheshepherddraggedhimintoacavewherehehimselfoftentookrefugefromstormswithhisflocks。

Sincetherewassuchriotanddisorderinthecity，hewasafraidtospeakofwhathehadfound；and，bythetimehediscoveredthathewasharboringtheprince，thekinghadalreadybeenkilled，andanevenworsemanhadtakenpossessionofhisthrone，andruledSamaviawithablood-stained，ironhand。Totheterrifiedandsimplepeasantthesafestthingseemedtogetthewoundedyouthoutofthecountrybeforetherewasanychanceofhisbeingdiscoveredandmurderedoutright，ashewouldsurelybe。Thecaveinwhichhewashiddenwasnotfarfromthefrontier，andwhilehewasstillsoweakthathewashardlyconsciousofwhatbefellhim，hewassmuggledacrossitinacartloadedwithsheepskins，andleftwithsomekindmonkswhodidnotknowhisrankorname。Theshepherdwentbacktohisflocksandhismountains，andlivedanddiedamongthem，alwaysinterrorofthechangingrulersandtheirsavagebattleswitheachother。

Themountaineerssaidamongthemselves，asthegenerationssucceededeachother，thattheLostPrincemusthavediedyoung，becauseotherwisehewouldhavecomebacktohiscountryandtriedtorestoreitsgood，bygonedays。\'\'

``Yes，hewouldhavecome，\'\'Marcosaid。

``Hewouldhavecomeifhehadseenthathecouldhelphispeople，\'\'Loristananswered，asifhewerenotreflectingonastorywhichwasprobablyonlyakindoflegend。``Buthewasveryyoung，andSamaviawasinthehandsofthenewdynasty，andfilledwithhisenemies。Hecouldnothavecrossedthefrontierwithoutanarmy。Still，Ithinkhediedyoung。\'\'

ItwasofthisstorythatMarcowasthinkingashewalked，andperhapsthethoughtsthatfilledhismindexpressedthemselvesinhisfaceinsomewaywhichattractedattention。AshewasnearingBuckinghamPalace，adistinguished-lookingwell-dressedmanwithclevereyescaughtsightofhim，and，afterlookingathimkeenly，slackenedhispaceasheapproachedhimfromtheoppositedirection。Anobservermighthavethoughthesawsomethingwhichpuzzledandsurprisedhim。Marcodidn\'tseehimatall，andstillmovedforward，thinkingoftheshepherdsandtheprince。Thewell-dressedmanbegantowalkstillmoreslowly。WhenhewasquiteclosetoMarco，hestoppedandspoketohim——intheSamavianlanguage。

``Whatisyourname？\'\'heasked。

Marco\'strainingfromhisearliestchildhoodhadbeenanextra-

ordinarything。Hisloveforhisfatherhadmadeitsimpleandnaturaltohim，andhehadneverquestionedthereasonforit。

Ashehadbeentaughttokeepsilence，hehadbeentaughttocontroltheexpressionofhisfaceandthesoundofhisvoice，and，aboveall，nevertoallowhimselftolookstartled。ButforthishemighthavestartedattheextraordinarysoundoftheSamavianwordssuddenlyutteredinaLondonstreetbyanEnglishgentleman。HemightevenhaveansweredthequestioninSamavianhimself。Buthedidnot。HecourteouslyliftedhiscapandrepliedinEnglish：

``Excuseme？\'\'

Thegentleman\'sclevereyesscrutinizedhimkeenly。ThenhealsospokeinEnglish。

``Perhapsyoudonotunderstand？IaskedyournamebecauseyouareverylikeaSamavianIknow，\'\'hesaid。

``IamMarcoLoristan，\'\'theboyansweredhim。

Themanlookedstraightintohiseyesandsmiled。

``Thatisnotthename，\'\'hesaid。``Ibegyourpardon，myboy。\'\'

Hewasabouttogoon，andhadindeedtakenacoupleofstepsaway，whenhepausedandturnedtohimagain。

``Youmaytellyourfatherthatyouareaverywell-trainedlad。

Iwantedtofindoutformyself。\'\'Andhewenton。

Marcofeltthathisheartbeatalittlequickly。Thiswasoneofseveralincidentswhichhadhappenedduringthelastthreeyears，andmadehimfeelthathewaslivingamongthingssomysteriousthattheirverymysteryhintedatdanger。Buthehimselfhadneverbeforeseemedinvolvedinthem。Whyshoulditmatterthathewaswell-behaved？Thenherememberedsomething。Themanhadnotsaid``well-behaved，\'\'hehadsaid``well-TRAINED。\'\'

Well-trainedinwhatway？Hefelthisforeheadprickleslightlyashethoughtofthesmiling，keenlookwhichsetitselfsostraightuponhim。HadhespokentohiminSamavianforanexperiment，toseeifhewouldbestartledintoforgettingthathehadbeentrainedtoseemtoknowonlythelanguageofthecountryhewastemporarilylivingin？Buthehadnotforgotten。

Hehadrememberedwell，andwasthankfulthathehadbetrayednothing。``EvenexilesmaybeSamaviansoldiers。Iamone。Youmustbeone，\'\'hisfatherhadsaidonthatdaylongagowhenhehadmadehimtakehisoath。Perhapsrememberinghistrainingwasbeingasoldier。NeverhadSamavianeededhelpassheneededitto-day。Twoyearsbefore，arivalclaimanttothethronehadassassinatedthethenreigningkingandhissons，andsincethen，bloodywarandtumulthadraged。Thenewkingwasapowerfulman，andhadagreatfollowingoftheworstandmostself-seekingofthepeople。Neighboringcountrieshadinterferedfortheirownwelfare\'ssake，andthenewspapershadbeenfullofstoriesofsavagefightingandatrocities，andofstarvingpeasants。

MarcohadlateoneeveningenteredtheirlodgingstofindLoristanwalkingtoandfrolikealioninacage，apapercrushedandtorninhishands，andhiseyesblazing。Hehadbeenreadingofcrueltieswroughtuponinnocentpeasantsandwomenandchildren。Lazaruswasstandingstaringathimwithhugetearsrunningdownhischeeks。WhenMarcoopenedthedoor，theoldsoldierstrodeovertohim，turnedhimabout，andledhimoutoftheroom。

``Pardon，sir，pardon！\'\'hesobbed。``Noonemustseehim，notevenyou。Hesufferssohorribly。\'\'

HestoodbyachairinMarco\'sownsmallbedroom，wherehehalfpushed，halfledhim。Hebenthisgrizzledhead，andweptlikeabeatenchild。

``DearGodofthosewhoareinpain，assuredlyitisnowthetimetogivebacktousourLostPrince！\'\'hesaid，andMarcoknewthewordswereaprayer，andwonderedatthefrenziedintensityofit，becauseitseemedsowildathingtoprayforthereturnofayouthwhohaddiedfivehundredyearsbefore。

Whenhereachedthepalace，hewasstillthinkingofthemanwhohadspokentohim。Hewasthinkingofhimevenashelookedatthemajesticgraystonebuildingandcountedthenumberofitsstoriesandwindows。Hewalkedrounditthathemightmakeanoteinhismemoryofitssizeandformanditsentrances，andguessatthesizeofitsgardens。Thishedidbecauseitwaspartofhisgame，andpartofhisstrangetraining。

Whenhecamebacktothefront，hesawthatinthegreatentrancecourtwithinthehighironrailingsanelegantbutquiet-lookingclosedcarriagewasdrawingupbeforethedoorway。Marcostoodandwatchedwithinteresttoseewhowouldcomeoutandenterit。

Heknewthatkingsandemperorswhowerenotonparadelookedmerelylikewell-dressedprivategentlemen，andoftenchosetogooutassimplyandquietlyasothermen。Sohethoughtthat，perhaps，ifhewaited，hemightseeoneofthosewell-knownfaceswhichrepresentthehighestrankandpowerinamonarchicalcountry，andwhichintimesgonebyhadalsorepresentedthepoweroverhumanlifeanddeathandliberty。

``IshouldliketobeabletotellmyfatherthatIhaveseentheKingandknowhisface，asIknowthefacesoftheczarandthetwoemperors。\'\'

Therewasalittlemovementamongthetallmen-servantsintheroyalscarletliveries，andanelderlymandescendedthestepsattendedbyanotherwhowalkedbehindhim。Heenteredthecarriage，theothermanfollowedhim，thedoorwasclosed，andthecarriagedrovethroughtheentrancegates，wherethesentriessaluted。

Marcowasnearenoughtoseedistinctly。Thetwomenweretalkingasifinterested。Thefaceoftheonefarthestfromhimwasthefacehehadoftenseeninshop-windowsandnewspapers。

Theboymadehisquick，formalsalute。ItwastheKing；and，ashesmiledandacknowledgedhisgreeting，hespoketohiscompanion。

``Thatfineladsalutesasifhebelongedtothearmy，\'\'waswhathesaid，thoughMarcocouldnothearhim。

Hiscompanionleanedforwardtolookthroughthewindow。WhenhecaughtsightofMarco，asingularexpressioncrossedhisface。

``Hedoesbelongtoanarmy，sir，\'\'heanswered，``thoughhedoesnotknowit。HisnameisMarcoLoristan。\'\'

ThenMarcosawhimplainlyforthefirsttime。HewasthemanwiththekeeneyeswhohadspokentohiminSamavian。

IV

THERAT

Marcowouldhavewonderedverymuchifhehadheardthewords，but，ashedidnothearthem，heturnedtowardhomewonderingatsomethingelse。Amanwhowasinintimateattendanceonakingmustbeapersonofimportance。Henodoubtknewmanythingsnotonlyofhisownruler\'scountry，butofthecountriesofotherkings。ButsofewhadreallyknownanythingofpoorlittleSamaviauntilthenewspapershadbeguntotellthemofthehorrorsofitswar——andwhobutaSamaviancouldspeakitslanguage？Itwouldbeaninterestingthingtotellhisfather——thatamanwhoknewtheKinghadspokentohiminSamavian，andhadsentthatcuriousmessage。

Laterhefoundhimselfpassingasidestreetandlookedupit。

Itwassonarrow，andoneithersideofitweresuchold，tall，andsloping-walledhousesthatitattractedhisattention。ItlookedasifabitofoldLondonhadbeenlefttostandwhilenewerplacesgrewupandhiditfromview。Thiswasthekindofstreethelikedtopassthroughforcuriosity\'ssake。Heknewmanyofthemintheoldquartersofmanycities。Hehadlivedinsomeofthem。Hecouldfindhiswayhomefromtheotherendofit。Anotherthingthanitsqueernessattractedhim。Heheardaclamorofboys\'voices，andhewantedtoseewhattheyweredoing。Sometimes，whenhehadreachedanewplaceandhadhadthatlonelyfeeling，hehadfollowedsomeboyishclamorofplayorwrangling，andhadfoundatemporaryfriendorso。

Half-waytothestreet\'sendtherewasanarchedbrickpassage。

Thesoundofthevoicescamefromthere——oneofthemhigh，andthinnerandshrillerthantherest。Marcotrampeduptothearchandlookeddownthroughthepassage。Itopenedontoagrayflaggedspace，shutinbytherailingsofablack，deserted，andancientgraveyardbehindavenerablechurchwhichturneditsfacetowardsomeotherstreet。Theboyswerenotplaying，butlisteningtooneoftheirnumberwhowasreadingtothemfromanewspaper。

Marcowalkeddownthepassageandlistenedalso，standinginthedarkarchedoutletatitsendandwatchingtheboywhoread。Hewasastrangelittlecreaturewithabigforehead，anddeepeyeswhichwerecuriouslysharp。Butthiswasnotall。Hehadahunchback，hislegsseemedsmallandcrooked。Hesatwiththemcrossedbeforehimonaroughwoodenplatformsetonlowwheels，onwhichheevidentlypushedhimselfabout。Nearhimwereanumberofsticksstackedtogetherasiftheywererifles。OneofthefirstthingsthatMarconoticedwasthathehadasavagelittlefacemarkedwithlinesasifhehadbeenangryallhislife。

``Holdyourtongues，youfools！\'\'heshrilledouttosomeboyswhointerruptedhim。``Don\'tyouwanttoknowanything，youignorantswine？\'\'

Hewasasill-dressedastherestofthem，buthedidnotspeakintheCockneydialect。Ifhewasoftheriffraffofthestreets，ashiscompanionswere，hewassomehowdifferent。

Thenhe，bychance，sawMarco，whowasstandinginthearchedendofthepassage。

``Whatareyoudoingtherelistening？\'\'heshouted，andatoncestoopedtopickupastoneandthrewitathim。ThestonehitMarco\'sshoulder，butitdidnothurthimmuch。Whathedidnotlikewasthatanotherladshouldwanttothrowsomethingathimbeforetheyhadevenexchangedboy-signs。Healsodidnotlikethefactthattwootherboyspromptlytookthematterupbybendingdowntopickupstonesalso。

Hewalkedforwardstraightintothegroupandstoppedclosetothehunchback。

``Whatdidyoudothatfor？\'\'heasked，inhisratherdeepyoungvoice。

Hewasbigandstrong-lookingenoughtosuggestthathewasnotaboyitwouldbeeasytodisposeof，butitwasnotthatwhichmadethegroupstandstillamomenttostareathim。Itwassomethinginhimself——halfofitakindofimpartiallackofanythinglikeirritationatthestone-throwing。Itwasasifithadnotmatteredtohimintheleast。Ithadnotmadehimfeelangryorinsulted。Hewasonlyrathercuriousaboutit。Becausehewasclean，andhishairandhisshabbyclotheswerebrushed，thefirstimpressiongivenbyhisappearanceashestoodinthearchwaywasthathewasayoung``toff\'\'pokinghisnosewhereitwasnotwanted；but，ashedrewnear，theysawthatthewell-brushedclotheswereworn，andtherewerepatchesonhisshoes。

``Whatdidyoudothatfor？\'\'heasked，andheaskeditmerelyasifhewantedtofindoutthereason。

``I\'mnotgoingtohaveyouswellsdroppingintomyclubasifitwasyourown，\'\'saidthehunchback。

``I\'mnotaswell，andIdidn\'tknowitwasaclub，\'\'Marcoanswered。``Iheardboys，andIthoughtI\'dcomeandlook。WhenIheardyoureadingaboutSamavia，Iwantedtohear。\'\'

Helookedatthereaderwithhissilent-expressionedeyes。

``Youneedn\'thavethrownastone，\'\'headded。``Theydon\'tdoitatmen\'sclubs。I\'llgoaway。\'\'

Heturnedaboutasifheweregoing，but，beforehehadtakenthreesteps，thehunchbackhailedhimunceremoniously。

``Hi！\'\'hecalledout。``Hi，you！\'\'

``Whatdoyouwant？\'\'saidMarco。

``Ibetyoudon\'tknowwhereSamaviais，orwhatthey\'refightingabout。\'\'Thehunchbackthrewthewordsathim。

``Yes，Ido。It\'snorthofBeltrazoandeastofJiardasia，andtheyarefightingbecauseonepartyhasassassinatedKingMaran，andtheotherwillnotletthemcrownNicolaIarovitch。Andwhyshouldthey？He\'sabrigand，andhasn\'tadropofroyalbloodinhim。\'\'

``Oh！\'\'reluctantlyadmittedthehunchback。``Youdoknowthatmuch，doyou？Comebackhere。\'\'

Marcoturnedback，whiletheboysstillstared。Itwasasiftwoleadersorgeneralsweremeetingforthefirsttime，andtherabble，lookingon，wonderedwhatwouldcomeoftheirencounter。

``TheSamaviansoftheIarovitchpartyareabadlotandwantonlybadthings，\'\'saidMarco，speakingfirst。``TheycarenothingforSamavia。Theyonlycareformoneyandthepowertomakelawswhichwillservethemandcrusheverybodyelse。TheyknowNicolaisaweakman，andthat，iftheycancrownhimking，theycanmakehimdowhattheylike。\'\'

Thefactthathespokefirst，andthat，thoughhespokeinasteadyboyishvoicewithoutswagger，hesomehowseemedtotakeitforgrantedthattheywouldlisten，madehisplaceforhimatonce。Boysareimpressionablecreatures，andtheyknowaleaderwhentheyseehim。Thehunchbackfixedglitteringeyesonhim。

Therabblebegantomurmur。

``Rat！Rat！\'\'severalvoicescriedatonceingoodstrongCockney。``Arst\'imsomemore，Rat！\'\'

``Isthatwhattheycallyou？\'\'Marcoaskedthehunchback。

``It\'swhatIcalledmyself，\'\'heansweredresentfully。```TheRat。\'Lookatme！Crawlingroundonthegroundlikethis！Lookatme！\'\'

Hemadeagestureorderinghisfollowerstomoveaside，andbegantopushhimselfrapidly，withqueerdartsthissideandthatroundtheinclosure。Hebenthisheadandbody，andtwistedhisface，andmadestrangeanimal-likemovements。Heevenutteredsharpsqueaksasherushedhereandthere——asaratmighthavedonewhenitwasbeinghunted。Hediditasifheweredisplayinganaccomplishment，andhisfollowers\'laughterwasapplause。

``Wasn\'tIlikearat？\'\'hedemanded，whenhesuddenlystopped。

``Youmadeyourselflikeoneonpurpose，\'\'Marcoanswered。``Youdoitforfun。\'\'

``Notsomuchfun，\'\'saidTheRat。``Ifeellikeone。Everyone\'smyenemy。I\'mvermin。Ican\'tfightordefendmyselfunlessIbite。Icanbite，though。\'\'Andheshowedtworowsoffierce，strong，whiteteeth，sharperatthepointsthanhumanteethusuallyare。``Ibitemyfatherwhenhegetsdrunkandbeatsme。I\'vebittenhimtillhe\'slearnedtoremember。\'\'Helaughedashrill，squeakinglaugh。``Hehasn\'ttrieditforthreemonths——evenwhenhewasdrunk——andhe\'salwaysdrunk。\'\'

Thenhelaughedagainstillmoreshrilly。``He\'sagentleman，\'\'

hesaid。``I\'magentleman\'sson。HewasaMasteratabigschooluntilhewaskickedout——thatwaswhenIwasfourandmymotherdied。I\'mthirteennow。Howoldareyou？\'\'

``I\'mtwelve，\'\'answeredMarco。

TheRattwistedhisfaceenviously。

``IwishIwasyoursize！Areyouagentleman\'sson？Youlookasifyouwere。\'\'

``I\'maverypoorman\'sson，\'\'wasMarco\'sanswer。``Myfatherisawriter。\'\'

``Then，tentoone，he\'sasortofgentleman，\'\'saidTheRat。

Thenquitesuddenlyhethrewanotherquestionathim。``What\'sthenameoftheotherSamavianparty？\'\'

``TheMaranovitch。TheMaranovitchandtheIarovitchhavebeenfightingwitheachotherforfivehundredyears。Firstonedynastyrules，andthentheothergetsinwhenithaskilledsomebodyasitkilledKingMaran，\'\'Marcoansweredwithouthesitation。

``Whatwasthenameofthedynastythatruledbeforetheybeganfighting？ThefirstMaranovitchassassinatedthelastofthem，\'\'

TheRataskedhim。

``TheFedorovitch，\'\'saidMarco。``Thelastonewasabadking。\'\'

``Hissonwastheonetheyneverfoundagain，\'\'saidTheRat。

``TheonetheycalltheLostPrince。\'\'

Marcowouldhavestartedbutforhislongtraininginexteriorself-control。Itwassostrangetohearhisdream-herospokenofinthisbackalleyinaslum，andjustafterhehadbeenthinkingofhim。

``Whatdoyouknowabouthim？\'\'heasked，and，ashedidso，hesawthegroupofvagabondladsdrawnearer。

``Notmuch。IonlyreadsomethingabouthiminatornmagazineI

foundinthestreet，\'\'TheRatanswered。``Themanthatwroteabouthimsaidhewasonlypartofalegend，andhelaughedatpeopleforbelievinginhim。Hesaiditwasabouttimethatheshouldturnupagainifheintendedto。I\'veinventedthingsabouthimbecausethesechapsliketohearmetellthem。They\'reonlystories。\'\'

``Welikes\'im，\'\'avoicecalledout，``becos\'ewostherightsort；\'e\'dfight，\'ewould，if\'ewasinSamavianow。\'\'

Marcorapidlyaskedhimselfhowmuchhemightsay。Hedecidedandspoketothemall。

``Heisnotpartofalegend。He\'spartofSamavianhistory，\'\'

hesaid。``Iknowsomethingabouthimtoo。\'\'

``Howdidyoufinditout？\'\'askedTheRat。

``Becausemyfather\'sawriter，he\'sobligedtohavebooksandpapers，andheknowsthings。Iliketoread，andIgointothefreelibraries。Youcanalwaysgetbooksandpapersthere。ThenIaskmyfatherquestions。AllthenewspapersarefullofthingsaboutSamaviajustnow。\'\'Marcofeltthatthiswasanexplanationwhichbetrayednothing。ItwastruethatnoonecouldopenanewspaperatthisperiodwithoutseeingnewsandstoriesofSamavia。

TheRatsawpossiblevistasofinformationopeningupbeforehim。

``Sitdownhere，\'\'hesaid，``andtelluswhatyouknowabouthim。Sitdown，youfellows。\'\'

Therewasnothingtositonbutthebrokenflaggedpavement，butthatwasasmallmatter。Marcohimselfhadsatonflagsorbaregroundoftenenoughbefore，andsohadtherestofthelads。HetookhisplacenearTheRat，andtheothersmadeasemicircleinfrontofthem。Thetwoleadershadjoinedforces，sotospeak，andthefollowersfellintolineat``attention。\'\'

Thenthenew-comerbegantotalk。Itwasagoodstory，thatoftheLostPrince，andMarcotolditinawaywhichgaveitreality。Howcouldhehelpit？Heknew，astheycouldnot，thatitwasreal。HewhohadporedovermapsoflittleSamaviasincehisseventhyear，whohadstudiedthemwithhisfather，knewitasacountryhecouldhavefoundhiswaytoanypartofifhehadbeendroppedinanyforestoranymountainofit。Hekneweveryhighwayandbyway，andinthecapitalcityofMelzarrcouldalmosthavemadehiswayblindfolded。Heknewthepalacesandtheforts，thechurches，thepoorstreetsandtherichones。Hisfatherhadonceshownhimaplanoftheroyalpalacewhichtheyhadstudiedtogetheruntiltheboykneweachapartmentandcorridorinitbyheart。Butthishedidnotspeakof。Heknewitwasoneofthethingstobesilentabout。Butofthemountainsandtheemeraldvelvetmeadowsclimbingtheirsidesandonlyendingwherehugebarecragsandpeaksbegan，hecouldspeak。Hecouldmakepicturesofthewidefertileplainswhereherdsofwildhorsesfed，orracedandsniffedtheair；hecoulddescribethefertilevalleyswhereclearriversranandflocksofsheeppasturedondeepsweetgrass。Hecouldspeakofthembecausehecouldofferagoodenoughreasonforhisknowledgeofthem。Itwasnottheonlyreasonhehadforhisknowledge，butitwasonewhichwouldservewellenough。

``ThattornmagazineyoufoundhadmorethanonearticleaboutSamaviainit，\'\'hesaidtoTheRat。``Thesamemanwrotefour。

Ireadthemallinafreelibrary。HehadbeentoSamavia，andknewagreatdealaboutit。Hesaiditwasoneofthemostbeautifulcountrieshehadevertraveledin——andthemostfertile。That\'swhattheyallsayofit。\'\'

Thegroupbeforehimknewnothingoffertilityoropencountry。

TheyonlyknewLondonbackstreetsandcourts。Mostofthemhadnevertraveledasfarasthepublicparks，andinfactscarcelybelievedintheirexistence。Theywerearoughlot，andastheyhadstaredatMarcoatfirstsightofhim，sotheycontinuedtostareathimashetalked。WhenhetoldofthetallSamavianswhohadbeenlikegiantscenturiesago，andwhohadhuntedthewildhorsesandcapturedandtrainedthemtoobediencebyasortofstrongandgentlemagic，theirmouthsfellopen。Thiswasthesortofthingtoallureanyboy\'simagination。

``Blimme，ifIwouldn\'t\'avelikedketchin\'oneo\'them\'orses，\'\'

brokeinoneoftheaudience，andhisexclamationwasfollowedbyadozenoflikenaturefromtheothers。Whowouldn\'thaveliked``ketchin\'one\'\'？

Whenhetoldofthedeependless-seemingforests，andoftheherdsmenandshepherdswhoplayedontheirpipesandmadesongsabouthighdeedsandbravery，theygrinnedwithpleasurewithoutknowingtheyweregrinning。Theydidnotreallyknowthatinthisneglected，broken-flaggedinclosure，shutinononesidebysmoke-blackened，poverty-strickenhouses，andontheotherbyadesertedandforgottensunkengraveyard，theyheardtherustleofgreenforestboughswherebirdsnestedclose，theswishofthesummerwindintheriverreeds，andthetinkleandlaughterandrushofbrooksrunning。

TheyheardmoreorlessofitallthroughtheLostPrincestory，becausePrinceIvorhadlovedlowlandwoodsandmountainforestsandallout-of-doorlife。WhenMarcopicturedhimtallandstrong-limbedandyoung，winningallthepeoplewhenherodesmilingamongthem，theboysgrinnedagainwithunconsciouspleasure。

``Wisht\'e\'adn\'tgotlost！\'\'someonecriedout。

WhentheyheardoftheunrestanddissatisfactionoftheSamavians，theybegantogetrestlessthemselves。WhenMarcoreachedthepartofthestoryinwhichthemobrushedintothepalaceanddemandedtheirprincefromtheking，theyejaculatedscrapsofbadlanguage。``Theoldgeezerhadgothimhiddensomewhereinsomedungeon，orhe\'dkilledhimoutan\'out——that\'swhathe\'dbeenupto！\'\'theyclamored。``Wishtthelotofushadbeentherethen——wishtwe\'ad。We\'d\'avegive\'\'imwotfor，anyway！\'\'

``An\'\'imwalkin\'outo\'theplacesoearlyinthemornin\'justsingin\'likethat！\'E\'ad\'imfolleredan\'donefor！\'\'theydecidedwithvariousexclamationsofboyishwrath。Somehow，thefactthatthehandsomeroyalladhadstrolledintothemorningsunshinesingingmadethemmoresavage。Theirlanguagewasextremelybadatthispoint。

Butifitwasbadhere，itbecameworsewhentheoldshepherdfoundtheyounghuntsman\'shalf-deadbodyintheforest。HeHAD

``bin`donefor\'INTHEBACK！\'E\'dbingive\'nocharnst。

G-r-r-r！\'\'theygroanedinchorus。``Wisht\'\'THEY\'D``bintherewhen\'e\'dbin\'it！\'\'They\'d``\'avedonefursomebody\'\'

themselves。Itwasastorywhichhadaqueereffectonthem。Itmadethemthinktheysawthings；itfiredtheirblood；itsetthemwantingtofightforidealstheyknewnothingabout——adventurousthings，forinstance，andhighandnobleyoungprinceswhowerefullofthepossibilityofgreatandgooddeeds。

Sittinguponthebrokenflagstonesofthebitofgroundbehindthedesertedgraveyard，theyweresuddenlydraggedintotheworldofromance，andnobleyoungprincesandgreatandgooddeedsbecameasrealasthesunkengravestones，andfarmoreinteresting。

Andthenthesmugglingacrossthefrontieroftheunconsciousprinceinthebullockcartloadedwithsheepskins！Theyheldtheirbreaths。Wouldtheoldshepherdgethimpasttheline！

Marco，whowaslostintherecitalhimself，tolditasifhehadbeenpresent。Hefeltasifhehad，andasthiswasthefirsttimehehadevertoldittothrilledlisteners，hisimaginationgothiminitsgrip，andhisheartjumpedinhisbreastashewassuretheoldman\'smusthavedonewhentheguardstoppedhiscartandaskedhimwhathewascarryingoutofthecountry。Heknewhemusthavehadtocallupallhisstrengthtoforcehisvoiceintosteadiness。

Andthenthegoodmonks！Hehadtostoptoexplainwhatamonkwas，andwhenhedescribedthesolitudeoftheancientmonastery，anditswalledgardensfullofflowersandoldsimplestobeusedforhealing，andthewisemonkswalkinginthesilenceandthesun，theboysstaredalittlehelplessly，butstillasiftheywerevaguelypleasedbythepicture。

Andthentherewasnomoretotell——nomore。Thereitbrokeoff，andsomethinglikealowhowlofdismaybrokefromthesemicircle。

``Aw！\'\'theyprotested，``it\'adn\'toughttostopthere！Ain\'ttherenomore？Isthatallthereis？\'\'

``It\'sallthatwaseverknownreally。Andthatlastpartmightonlybeasortofstorymadeupbysomebody。ButIbelieveitmyself。\'\'

TheRathadlistenedwithburningeyes。Hehadsatbitinghisfinger-nails，aswasatrickofhiswhenhewasexcitedorangry。

``Tellyouwhat！\'\'heexclaimedsuddenly。``Thiswaswhathappened。ItwassomeoftheMaranovitchfellowsthattriedtokillhim。Theymeanttokillhisfatherandmaketheirownmanking，andtheyknewthepeoplewouldn\'tstanditifyoungIvorwasalive。Theyjuststabbedhimintheback，thefiends！I

daresaytheyheardtheoldshepherdcoming，andlefthimfordeadandran。\'\'

``Right，oh！Thatwasit！\'\'theladsagreed。``Yerrightthere，Rat！\'\'

``Whenhegotwell，\'\'TheRatwentonfeverishly，stillbitinghisnails，``hecouldn\'tgoback。Hewasonlyaboy。Theotherfellowhadbeencrowned，andhisfollowersfeltstrongbecausethey\'djustconqueredthecountry。Hecouldhavedonenothingwithoutanarmy，andhewastooyoungtoraiseone。Perhapshethoughthe\'dwaittillhewasoldenoughtoknowwhattodo。I

daresayhewentawayandhadtoworkforhislivingasifhe\'dneverbeenaprinceatall。Thenperhapssometimehemarriedsomebodyandhadason，andtoldhimasasecretwhohewasandallaboutSamavia。\'\'TheRatbegantolookvengeful。``IfI\'dbinhimI\'dhavetoldhimnottoforgetwhattheMaranovitchhaddonetome。I\'dhavetoldhimthatifIcouldn\'tgetbackthethrone，hemustseewhathecoulddowhenhegrewtobeaman。

AndI\'dhavemadehimswear，ifhegotitback，totakeitoutofthemortheirchildrenortheirchildren\'schildrenintortureandkilling。I\'dhavemadehimswearnottoleaveaMaranovitchalive。AndI\'dhavetoldhimthat，ifhecouldn\'tdoitinhislife，hemustpasstheoathontohissonandhisson\'sson，aslongastherewasaFedorovitchonearth。Wouldn\'tyou？\'\'hedemandedhotlyofMarco。

Marco\'sbloodwasalsohot，butitwasadifferentkindofblood，andhehadtalkedtoomuchtoaverysaneman。

``No，\'\'hesaidslowly。``Whatwouldhavebeentheuse？Itwouldn\'thavedoneSamaviaanygood，anditwouldn\'thavedonehimanygoodtotortureandkillpeople。Betterkeepthemaliveandmakethemdothingsforthecountry。Ifyou\'reapatriot，youthinkofthecountry。\'\'Hewantedtoadd``That\'swhatmyfathersays，\'\'buthedidnot。

``Torture\'emfirstandthenattendtothecountry，\'\'snappedTheRat。``Whatwouldyouhavetoldyoursonifyou\'dbeenIvor？\'\'

``I\'dhavetoldhimtolearneverythingaboutSamavia——andallthethingskingshavetoknow——andstudythingsaboutlawsandothercountries——andaboutkeepingsilent——andaboutgoverninghimselfasifhewereageneralcommandingsoldiersinbattle——sothathewouldneverdoanythinghedidnotmeantodoorcouldbeashamedofdoingafteritwasover。AndI\'dhaveaskedhimtotellhisson\'ssonstotelltheirsonstolearnthesamethings。

So，yousee，howeverlongthetimewas，therewouldalwaysbeakinggettingreadyforSamavia——whenSamaviareallywantedhim。

Andhewouldbearealking。\'\'

Hestoppedhimselfsuddenlyandlookedatthestaringsemicircle。

``Ididn\'tmakethatupmyself，\'\'hesaid。``Ihaveheardamanwhoreadsandknowsthingssayit。IbelievetheLostPrincewouldhavehadthesamethoughts。Ifhehad，andtoldthemtohisson，therehasbeenalineofkingsintrainingforSamaviaforfivehundredyears，andperhapsoneiswalkingaboutthestreetsofVienna，orBudapest，orParis，orLondonnow，andhe\'dbereadyifthepeoplefoundoutabouthimandcalledhim。\'\'

``Wishttheywould！\'\'someoneyelled。

``Itwouldbeaqueersecrettoknowallthetimewhennooneelseknewit，\'\'TheRatcommunedwithhimselfasitwere，``thatyouwereakingandyououghttobeonathronewearingacrown。

Iwonderifitwouldmakeachaplookdifferent？\'\'

Helaughedhissqueakylaugh，andthenturnedinhissuddenwaytoMarco：

``Buthe\'dbeafooltogiveupthevengeance。Whatisyourname？\'\'

``MarcoLoristan。What\'syours？Itisn\'tTheRatreally。\'\'

``It\'sJemRATcliffe。That\'sprettynear。Wheredoyoulive？\'\'

``No。7PhilibertPlace。\'\'

``Thisclubisasoldiers\'club，\'\'saidTheRat。``It\'scalledtheSquad。I\'mthecaptain。\'Tention，youfellows！Let\'sshowhim。\'\'

Thesemicirclesprangtoitsfeet。Therewereabouttwelveladsaltogether，and，whentheystoodupright，Marcosawatoncethatforsomereasontheywereaccustomedtoobeyingthewordofcommandwithmilitaryprecision。

``Forminline！\'\'orderedTheRat。

Theydiditatonce，andheldtheirbacksandlegsstraightandtheirheadsupamazinglywell。Eachhadseizedoneofthestickswhichhadbeenstackedtogetherlikeguns。

TheRathimselfsatupstraightonhisplatform。Therewasactuallysomethingmilitaryinthebearingofhisleanbody。Hisvoicelostitssqueakanditssharpnessbecamecommanding。

Heputthedozenladsthroughthedrillasifhehadbeenasmartyoungofficer。Andthedrillitselfwaspromptandsmartenoughtohavedonecredittopracticedsoldiersinbarracks。ItmadeMarcoinvoluntarilystandverystraighthimself，andwatchwithsurprisedinterest。

``That\'sgood！\'\'heexclaimedwhenitwasatanend。``Howdidyoulearnthat？\'\'

TheRatmadeasavagegesture。

``IfI\'dhadlegstostandon，I\'dhavebeenasoldier！\'\'hesaid。``I\'dhaveenlistedinanyregimentthatwouldtakeme。I

don\'tcareforanythingelse。\'\'

Suddenlyhisfacechanged，andheshoutedacommandtohisfollowers。

``Turnyourbacks！\'\'heordered。