第3章

Itwasonlyoneofthesmallpartsofthetrainingwhichhadquietlymadetheboy，evenasachild，self-controlledandcourteous，hadtaughthimeaseandgraceofboyishcarriage，thehabitofholdinghisbodywellandhisheaderect，andhadgivenhimacertainlookofyoungdistinctionwhich，thoughitassumednothing，sethimapartfromboysofcarelesslyawkwardbearing。

``Isthereanewspaperherewhichtellsofthebattle，Lazarus？\'\'

heasked，afterhehadleftthetable。

``Yes，sir，\'\'wastheanswer。``Yourfathersaidthatyoumightreadit。Itisablacktale！\'\'headded，ashehandedhimthepaper。

Itwasablacktale。Asheread，Marcofeltasifhecouldscarcelybearit。ItwasasifSamaviaswaminblood，andasiftheothercountriesmuststandaghastbeforesuchfuriouscruelties。

``Lazarus，\'\'hesaid，springingtohisfeetatlast，hiseyesburning，``somethingmuststopit！Theremustbesomethingstrongenough。

Thetimehascome。Thetimehascome。\'\'Andhewalkedupanddowntheroombecausehewastooexcitedtostandstill。

HowLazaruswatchedhim！Whatastrongandglowingfeelingtherewasinhisownrestrainedface！

``Yes，sir。Surelythetimehascome，\'\'heanswered。Butthatwasallhesaid，andheturnedandwentoutoftheshabbybacksitting-roomatonce。Itwasasifhefeltitwerewisertogobeforehelostpoweroverhimselfandsaidmore。

Marcomadehiswaytothemeeting-placeoftheSquad，towhichTheRathadinthepastgiventhenameoftheBarracks。TheRatwassittingamonghisfollowers，andhehadbeenreadingthemorningpapertothem，theonewhichcontainedtheaccountofthebattleofMelzarr。TheSquadhadbecometheSecretParty，andeachmemberofitwasthrilledwiththespiritofdarkplotandadventure。Theyallwhisperedwhentheyspoke。

``ThisisnottheBarracksnow，\'\'TheRatsaid。``Itisasubterraneancavern。Underthefloorofitthousandsofswordsandgunsareburied，anditispiledtotheroofwiththem。

Thereisonlyasmallplaceleftforustositandplotin。Wecrawlinthroughahole，andtheholeishiddenbybushes。\'\'

Totherestoftheboysthiswasonlyanexcitinggame，butMarcoknewthattoTheRatitwasmore。ThoughTheRatknewnoneofthethingsheknew，hesawthatthewholestoryseemedtohimarealthing。ThestrugglesofSamavia，ashehadheardandreadoftheminthenewspapers，hadtakenpossessionofhim。Hispassionforsoldieringandwarfareandhiscuriouslymaturebrainhadledhimintofollowingeverydetailhecouldlayholdof。Hehadlistenedtoallhehadheardwithremarkableresults。Herememberedthingsolderpeopleforgotaftertheyhadmentionedthem。Heforgotnothing。HehaddrawnontheflagstonesamapofSamaviawhichMarcosawwasactuallycorrect，andhehadmadearoughsketchofMelzarrandthebattlewhichhadhadsuchdisastrousresults。

``TheMaranovitchhadpossessionofMelzarr，\'\'heexplainedwithfeverisheagerness。``AndtheIarovitchattackedthemfromhere，\'\'pointingwithhisfinger。``Thatwasamistake。I

shouldhaveattackedthemfromaplacewheretheywouldnothavebeenexpectingit。Theyexpectedattackontheirfortifications，andtheywerereadytodefendthem。Ibelievetheenemycouldhavestolenupinthenightandrushedinhere，\'\'pointingagain。

Marcothoughthewasright。TheRathadargueditallout，andhadstudiedMelzarrashemighthavestudiedapuzzleoranarithmeticalproblem。Hewasveryclever，andassharpashisqueerfacelooked。

``Ibelieveyouwouldmakeagoodgeneralifyouweregrownup，\'\'

saidMarco。``I\'dliketoshowyourmapstomyfatherandaskhimifhedoesn\'tthinkyourstratagemwouldhavebeenagoodone。\'\'

``DoesheknowmuchaboutSamavia？\'\'askedTheRat。

``Hehastoreadthenewspapersbecausehewritesthings，\'\'Marcoanswered。``Andeveryoneisthinkingaboutthewar。Noonecanhelpit。\'\'

TheRatdrewadingy，foldedpaperoutofhispocketandlookeditoverwithanairofreflection。

``I\'llmakeacleanone，\'\'hesaid。``I\'dlikeagrown-upmantolookatitandseeifit\'sallright。Myfatherwasmorethanhalf-drunkwhenIwasdrawingthis，soIcouldn\'taskhimquestions。He\'llkillhimselfbeforelong。Hehadasortoffitlastnight。\'\'

``Tellus，Rat，wotyouan\'Marco\'ll\'aveterdo。Let\'s\'earwotyou\'vemadeup，\'\'suggestedCad。Hedrewcloser，andsodidtherestofthecircle，huggingtheirkneeswiththeirarms。

``Thisiswhatweshallhavetodo，\'\'beganTheRat，inthehollowwhisperofaSecretParty。``THEHOURHASCOME。ToalltheSecretOnesinSamavia，andtothefriendsoftheSecretPartyineverycountry，thesignmustbecarried。Itmustbecarriedbysomeonewhocouldnotbesuspected。Whowouldsuspecttwoboys——andoneofthemacripple？ThebestthingofallforusisthatIamacripple。Whowouldsuspectacripple？

Whenmyfatherisdrunkandbeatsme，hedoesitbecauseIwon\'tgooutandbeginthestreetsandbringhimthemoneyIget。Hesaysthatpeoplewillnearlyalwaysgivemoneytoacripple。I

won\'tbeabeggarforhim——theswine——butIwillbeoneforSamaviaandtheLostPrince。Marcoshallpretendtobemybrotherandtakecareofme。Isay，\'\'speakingtoMarcowithasuddenchangeofvoice，``canyousinganything？Itdoesn\'tmatterhowyoudoit。\'\'

``Yes，Icansing，\'\'Marcoreplied。

``ThenMarcowillpretendheissingingtomakepeoplegivehimmoney。I\'llgetapairofcrutchessomewhere，andpartofthetimeIwillgooncrutchesandpartofthetimeonmyplatform。

We\'lllivelikebeggarsandgowhereverwewantto。Icanwhizpastamanandgivethesignandnoonewillknow。SometimesMarcocangiveitwhenpeoplearedroppingmoneyintohiscap。

WecanpassfromonecountrytoanotherandrouseeverybodywhoisoftheSecretParty。We\'llworkourwayintoSamavia，andwe\'llbeonlytwoboys——andoneacripple——andnobodywillthinkwecouldbedoinganything。We\'llbegingreatcitiesandonthehighroad。\'\'

``Where\'llyougetthemoneytotravel？\'\'saidCad。

``TheSecretPartywillgiveittous，andwesha\'n\'tneedmuch。

Wecouldbegenough，forthatmatter。We\'llsleepunderthestars，orunderbridges，orarchways，orindarkcornersofstreets。I\'vedoneitmyselfmanyatimewhenmyfatherdrovemeoutofdoors。Ifit\'scoldweather，it\'sbadenoughbutifit\'sfineweather，it\'sbetterthansleepinginthekindofplaceI\'musedto。Comrade，\'\'toMarco，``areyouready？\'\'

Hesaid``Comrade\'\'asLoristandid，andsomehowMarcodidnotresentit，becausehewasreadytolaborforSamavia。Itwasonlyagame，butitmadethemcomrades——andwasitreallyonlyagame，afterall？Hisexcitedvoiceandhisstrange，linedfacemadeitsingularlyunlikeone。

``Yes，Comrade，Iamready，\'\'Marcoansweredhim。

``WeshallbeinSamaviawhenthefightingfortheLostPrincebegins。\'\'TheRatcarriedonhisstorywithfire。``Wemayseeabattle。Wemightdosomethingtohelp。Wemightcarrymessagesunderarainofbullets——arainofbullets！\'\'Thethoughtsoelatedhimthatheforgothiswhisperandhisvoicerangoutfiercely。``Boyshavebeeninbattlesbefore。WemightfindtheLostKing——no，theFoundKing——andaskhimtoletusbehisservants。Hecouldsenduswherehecouldn\'tsendbiggerpeople。Icouldsaytohim，`YourMajesty，Iamcalled``TheRat，\'\'becauseIcancreepthroughholesandintocornersanddartabout。OrdermeintoanydangerandIwillobeyyou。LetmedielikeasoldierifIcan\'tlivelikeone。\'\'\'

Suddenlyhethrewhisraggedcoatsleeveupacrosshiseyes。Hehadwroughthimselfuptremendouslywiththepictureoftherainofbullets。AndhefeltasifhesawtheKingwhohadatlastbeenfound。Thenextmomentheuncoveredhisface。

``That\'swhatwe\'vegottodo，\'\'hesaid。``Justthat，ifyouwanttoknow。Andalotmore。There\'snoendtoit！\'\'

Marco\'sthoughtswereinawhirl。Itoughtnottobenothingbutagame。Hegrewquitehotallover。IftheSecretPartywantedtosendmessengersnoonewouldthinkofsuspecting，whocouldbemoreharmless-lookingthantwovagabondboyswanderingaboutpickinguptheirlivingasbesttheycould，notseemingtobelongtoanyone？Andoneacripple。Itwastrue——yes，itwastrue，asTheRatsaid，thathisbeingacripplemadehimlooksaferthananyoneelse。Marcoactuallyputhisforeheadinhishandsandpressedhistemples。

``What\'sthematter？\'\'exclaimedTheRat。``Whatareyouthinkingabout？\'\'

``I\'mthinkingwhatageneralyouwouldmake。I\'mthinkingthatitmightallbereal——everywordofit。Itmightn\'tbeagameatall，\'\'saidMarco。

``No，itmightn\'t，\'\'TheRatanswered。``IfIknewwheretheSecretPartywas，I\'dliketogoandtellthemaboutit。What\'sthat！\'\'hesaid，suddenlyturninghisheadtowardthestreet。

``Whataretheycallingout？\'\'

Somenewsboywithaparticularlyshrillvoicewasshoutingoutsomethingatthetopmostofhislungs。

Tenseandexcited，nomemberofthecirclestirredorspokeforafewseconds。TheRatlistened，Marcolistened，thewholeSquadlistened，prickinguptheirears。

``StartlingnewsfromSamavia，\'\'thenewsboywasshrillingout。

``Amazingstory！DescendantoftheLostPrincefound！

DescendantoftheLostPrincefound！\'\'

``Anychapgotapenny？\'\'snappedTheRat，beginningtoshuffletowardthearchedpassage。

``Ihave！\'\'answeredMarco，followinghim。

``Comeon！\'\'TheRatyelled。``Let\'sgoandgetapaper！\'\'Andhewhizzeddownthepassagewithhisswiftestrat-likedart，whiletheSquadfollowedhim，shoutingandtumblingovereachother。

IX

``ITISNOTAGAME\'\'

Loristanwalkedslowlyupanddownthebacksitting-roomandlistenedtoMarco，whosatbythesmallfireandtalked。

``Goon，\'\'hesaid，whenevertheboystopped。``Iwanttohearitall。He\'sastrangelad，andit\'sasplendidgame。\'\'

Marcowastellinghimthestoryofhissecondandthirdvisitstotheinclosurebehindthedesertedchurch-yard。Hehadbegunatthebeginning，andhisfatherhadlistenedwithadeepinterest。

Ayearlater，Marcorecalledthiseveningasathrillingmemory，andasonewhichwouldneverpassawayfromhimthroughouthislife。Hewouldalwaysbeabletocallitallback。Thesmallanddingybackroom，thedimnessoftheonepoorgas-burner，whichwasalltheycouldaffordtolight，theironboxpushedintothecornerwithitsmapsandplanslockedsafelyinit，theerectbearingandactualbeautyofthetallform，whichtheshabbinessofwornandmendedclothescouldnothideordim。NotevenragsandtatterscouldhavemadeLoristanseeminsignificantorundistinguished。Hewasalwaysthesame。Hiseyesseemeddarkerandmorewonderfulthaneverintheirremotethoughtfulnessandinterestashespoke。

``Goon，\'\'hesaid。``Itisasplendidgame。Anditiscurious。

Hehasthoughtitoutwell。Theladisabornsoldier。\'\'

``Itisnotagametohim，\'\'Marcosaid。``Anditisnotagametome。TheSquadisonlyplaying，butwithhimit\'squitedifferent。Heknowshe\'llneverreallygetwhathewants，buthefeelsasifthiswassomethingnearit。HesaidImightshowyouthemaphemade。Father，lookatit。\'\'

HegaveLoristanthecleancopyofTheRat\'smapofSamavia。ThecityofMelzarrwasmarkedwithcertainsigns。TheyweretoshowatwhatpointsTheRat——ifhehadbeenaSamaviangeneral——wouldhaveattackedthecapital。AsMarcopointedthemout，heexplainedTheRat\'sreasonsforhisplanning。

Loristanheldthepaperforsomeminutes。Hefixedhiseyesonitcuriously，andhisblackbrowsdrewthemselvestogether。

``Thisisverywonderful！\'\'hesaidatlast。``Heisquiteright。Theymighthavegotinthere，andfortheveryreasonshehiton。

Howdidhelearnallthis？\'\'

``Hethinksofnothingelsenow，\'\'answeredMarco。``Hehasalwaysthoughtofwarsandmadeplansforbattles。He\'snotliketherestoftheSquad。Hisfatherisnearlyalwaysdrunk，butheisverywelleducated，and，whenheisonlyhalfdrunk，helikestotalk。

TheRataskshimquestionsthen，andleadshimonuntilhefindsoutagreatdeal。Thenhebegsoldnewspapers，andhehideshimselfincornersandlistenstowhatpeoplearesaying。Hesaysheliesawakeatnightthinkingitout，andhethinksaboutitalltheday。ThatwaswhyhegotuptheSquad。\'\'

Loristanhadcontinuedexaminingthepaper。

``Tellhim，\'\'hesaid，whenherefoldedandhandeditback，``thatIstudiedhismap，andhemaybeproudofit。Youmayalsotellhim——\'\'andhesmiledquietlyashespoke——``thatinmyopinionheisright。TheIarovitchwouldhaveheldMelzarrto-dayifhehadledthem。\'\'

Marcowasfullofexultation。

``Ithoughtyouwouldsayhewasright。Ifeltsureyouwould。

Thatiswhatmakesmewanttotellyoutherest，\'\'hehurriedon。

``Ifyouthinkheisrightabouttheresttoo——\'\'Hestoppedawkwardlybecauseofasuddenwildthoughtwhichrusheduponhim。

``Idon\'tknowwhatyouwillthink，\'\'hestammered。``Perhapsitwillseemtoyouasifthegame——asifthatpartofitcould——couldonlybeagame。\'\'

HewassoferventinspiteofhishesitationthatLoristanbegantowatchhimwithsympatheticrespect，ashealwaysdidwhentheboywastryingtoexpresssomethinghewasnotsureof。OneofthegreatbondsbetweenthemwasthatLoristanwasalwaysinterestedinhisboyishmentalprocesses——inthewayinwhichhisthoughtsledhimtoanyconclusion。

``Goon，\'\'hesaidagain。``IamlikeTheRatandIamlikeyou。

Ithasnotseemedquitelikeagametome，sofar。\'\'

Hesatdownatthewriting-tableandMarco，inhiseagerness，drewnearerandleanedagainstit，restingonhisarmsandloweringhisvoice，thoughitwasalwaystheirhabittospeakatsuchapitchthatnooneoutsidetheroomtheywereincoulddistinguishwhattheysaid。

``ItisTheRat\'splanforgivingthesignalforaRising，\'\'hesaid。

Loristanmadeaslightmovement。

``DoeshethinktherewillbeaRising？\'\'heasked。

``HesaysthatmustbewhattheSecretPartyhasbeenpreparingforalltheseyears。Anditmustcomesoon。Theothernationsseethatthefightingmustbeputanendtoeveniftheyhavetostopitthemselves。AndiftherealKingisfound——butwhenTheRatboughtthenewspapertherewasnothinginitaboutwherehewas。

Itwasonlyasortofrumor。Nobodyseemedtoknowanything。\'\'

Hestoppedafewseconds，buthedidnotutterthewordswhichwereinhismind。Hedidnotsay：``ButYOUknow。\'\'

``AndTheRathasaplanforgivingthesignal？\'\'Loristansaid。

Marcoforgothisfirstfeelingofhesitation。HebegantoseetheplanagainashehadseenitwhenTheRattalked。HebegantospeakasTheRathadspoken，forgettingthatitwasagame。

HemadeevenaclearerpicturethanTheRathadmadeofthetwovagabondboys——oneofthemacripple——makingtheirwayfromoneplacetoanother，quitefreetocarrymessagesorwarningswheretheychose，becausetheyweresoinsignificantandpoor-lookingthatnoonecouldthinkofthemasanythingbutwaifsandstrays，belongingtonobodyandblownaboutbythewindofpovertyandchance。Hefeltasifhewantedtoconvincehisfatherthattheplanwasapossibleone。Hedidnotquiteknowwhyhefeltsoanxioustowinhisapprovalofthescheme——asifitwerereal——asifitcouldactuallybedone。Butthisfeelingwaswhatinspiredhimtoenterintonewdetailsandsuggestpossibilities。

``Aboywhowasacrippleandonewhowasonlyastreetsingerandasortofbeggarcouldgetalmostanywhere，\'\'hesaid。

``Soldierswouldlistentoasingerifhesanggoodsongs——andtheymightnotbeafraidtotalkbeforehim。AstrollingsingerandacripplewouldperhapshearagreatmanythingsitmightbeusefulfortheSecretPartytoknow。Theymightevenhearimportantthings。Don\'tyouthinkso？\'\'

Beforehehadgonefarwithhisstory，thefarawaylookhadfallenuponLoristan\'sface——thelookMarcohadknownsowellallhislife。Hesatturnedalittlesidewisefromtheboy，hiselbowrestingonthetableandhisforeheadonhishand。Helookeddownattheworncarpetathisfeet，andsohelookedashelistenedtotheend。ItwasasifsomenewthoughtwereslowlygrowinginhismindasMarcowentontalkingandenlargingonTheRat\'splan。Hedidnotevenlookuporchangehispositionasheanswered，``Yes。Ithinkso。\'\'

But，becauseofthedeepandgrowingthoughtinhisface，Marco\'scourageincreased。Hisfirstfearthatthispartoftheplanningmightseemsoboldandrecklessthatitwouldonlyappeartobelongtoaboyishgame，graduallyfadedawayforsomestrangereason。HisfatherhadsaidthatthefirstpartofTheRat\'simaginingshadnotseemedquitelikeagametohim，andnow——evennow——hewasnotlisteningasifhewerelisteningtothedetailsofmereexaggeratedfancies。Itwasasifthethinghewashearingwasnotwildlyimpossible。Marco\'sknowledgeofContinentalcountriesandofmethodsofjourneyinghelpedhimtoenterintomuchdetailandgiverealismtohisplans。

``SometimeswecouldpretendweknewnothingbutEnglish，\'\'hesaid。``Then，thoughTheRatcouldnotunderstand，Icould。I

shouldalwaysunderstandineachcountry。Iknowthecitiesandtheplacesweshouldwanttogoto。Iknowhowboyslikeuslive，andsoweshouldnotdoanythingwhichwouldmakethepoliceangryormakepeoplenoticeus。Ifanyoneaskedquestions，IwouldletthembelievethatIhadmetTheRatbychance，andwehadmadeupourmindstotraveltogetherbecausepeoplegavemoremoneytoaboywhosangifhewaswithacripple。TherewasaboywhousedtoplaytheguitarinthestreetsofRome，andhealwayshadalamegirlwithhim，andeveryoneknewitwasforthatreason。Whenheplayed，peoplelookedatthegirlandweresorryforherandgavehersoldi。

Youremember。\'\'

``Yes，Iremember。Andwhatyousayistrue，\'\'Loristananswered。

Marcoleanedforwardacrossthetablesothathecameclosertohim。Thetoneinwhichthewordsweresaidmadehiscourageleaplikeaflame。Tobeallowedtogoonwiththisboldnesswastofeelthathewasbeingtreatedalmostasifhewereaman。Ifhisfatherhadwishedtostophim，hecouldhavedoneitwithonequietglance，withoututteringaword。Forsomewonderfulreasonhedidnotwishhimtoceasetalking。Hewaswillingtohearwhathehadtosay——hewaseveninterested。

``Youaregrowingolder，\'\'hehadsaidthenighthehadrevealedthemarveloussecret。``Silenceisstilltheorder，butyouaremanenoughtobetoldmore。\'\'

WashemanenoughtobethoughtworthytohelpSamaviainanysmallway——evenwithboyishfancieswhichmightcontainagermofsomethoughtwhicholderandwisermindsmightmakeuseful？Washebeinglistenedtobecausetheplan，madeaspartofagame，wasnotanimpossibleone——iftwoboyswhocouldbetrustedcouldbefound？Hecaughtadeepbreathashewenton，drawingstillnearerandspeakingsolowthathistonewasalmostawhisper。

``IfthemenoftheSecretPartyhavebeenworkingandthinkingforsomanyyears——theyhavepreparedeverything。Theyknowbythistimeexactlywhatmustbedonebythemessengerswhoaretogivethesignal。Theycantellthemwheretogoandhowtoknowthesecretfriendswhomustbewarned。Iftheorderscouldbewrittenandgivento——tosomeonewhohas——whohaslearnedtorememberthings！\'\'Hehadbeguntobreathesoquicklythathestoppedforamoment。

Loristanlookedup。Helookeddirectlyintohiseyes。

``SomeonewhohasbeenTRAINEDtorememberthings？\'\'hesaid。

``Someonewhohasbeentrained，\'\'Marcowenton，catchinghisbreathagain。``Someonewhodoesnotforget——whowouldneverforget——never！Thatone，evenifhewereonlytwelve——evenifhewereonlyten——couldgoanddoashewastold。\'\'Loristanputhishandonhisshoulder。

``Comrade，\'\'hesaid，``youarespeakingasifyouwerereadytogoyourself。\'\'

Marco\'seyeslookedbravelystraightintohis，buthesaidnotoneword。

``Doyouknowwhatitwouldmean，Comrade？\'\'hisfatherwenton。

``Youareright。Itisnotagame。Andyouarenotthinkingofitasone。Buthaveyouthoughthowitwouldbeifsomethingbetrayedyou——andyouweresetupagainstawalltobeSHOT？\'\'

Marcostoodupquitestraight。Hetriedtobelievehefeltthewallagainsthisback。

``IfIwereshot，IshouldbeshotforSamavia，\'\'hesaid。``AndforYOU，Father。\'\'

Evenashewasspeaking，thefrontdoor-bellrangandLazarusevidentlyopenedit。Hespoketosomeone，andthentheyheardhisfootstepsapproachingthebacksitting-room。

``Openthedoor，\'\'saidLoristan，andMarcoopenedit。

``Thereisaboywhoisacripplehere，sir，\'\'theoldsoldiersaid。``HeaskedtoseeMasterMarco。\'\'

``IfitisTheRat，\'\'saidLoristan，``bringhiminhere。Iwishtoseehim。\'\'

Marcowentdownthepassagetothefrontdoor。TheRatwasthere，buthewasnotuponhisplatform。Hewasleaninguponanoldpairofcrutches，andMarcothoughthelookedwildandstrange。Hewaswhite，andsomehowthelinesofhisfaceseemedtwistedinanewway。Marcowonderedifsomethinghadfrightenedhim，orifhefeltill。

``Rat，\'\'hebegan，``myfather——\'\'

``I\'vecometotellyouaboutMYfather，\'\'TheRatbrokeinwithoutwaitingtoheartherest，andhisvoicewasasstrangeashispaleface。``Idon\'tknowwhyI\'vecome，butI——Ijustwantedto。He\'sdead！\'\'

``Yourfather？\'\'Marcostammered。``He\'s——\'\'

``He\'sdead，\'\'TheRatansweredshakily。``Itoldyouhe\'dkillhimself。Hehadanotherfitandhediedinit。Iknewhewould，oneofthesedays。Itoldhimso。Heknewhewouldhimself。I

stayedwithhimtillhewasdead——andthenIgotaburstingheadacheandIfeltsick——andIthoughtaboutyou。\'\'

Marcomadeajumpathimbecausehesawhewassuddenlyshakingasifheweregoingtofall。Hewasjustintime，andLazarus，whohadbeenlookingonfromthebackofthepassage，cameforward。Togethertheyheldhimup。

``I\'mnotgoingtofaint，\'\'hesaidweakly，``butIfeltasifI

was。Itwasabadfit，andIhadtotryandholdhim。Iwasallbymyself。Thepeopleintheotheratticthoughthewasonlydrunk，andtheywouldn\'tcomein。He\'slyingonthefloorthere，dead。\'\'

``Comeandseemyfather，\'\'Marcosaid。``He\'lltelluswhatdodo。Lazarus，helphim。\'\'

``Icangetonbymyself，\'\'saidTheRat。``Doyouseemycrutches？Ididsomethingforapawnbrokerlastnight，andhegavethemtomeforpay。\'\'

Butthoughhetriedtospeakcarelessly，hehadplainlybeenhorriblyshakenandoverwrought。Hisqueerfacewasyellowishwhitestill，andhewastremblingalittle。

Marcoledthewayintothebacksitting-room。InthemidstofitsshabbygloomandunderthedimlightLoristanwasstandinginoneofhisstill，attentiveattitudes。Hewaswaitingforthem。

``Father，thisisTheRat，\'\'theboybegan。TheRatstoppedshortandrestedonhiscrutches，staringatthetall，reposefulfigurewithwidenedeyes。

``Isthatyourfather？\'\'hesaidtoMarco。Andthenadded，withajerkyhalf-laugh，``He\'snotmuchlikemine，ishe？\'\'

X

THERAT——ANDSAMAVIA

WhatTheRatthoughtwhenLoristanbegantospeaktohim，Marcowondered。Suddenlyhestoodinanunknownworld，anditwasLoristanwhomadeitsobecauseitspovertyandshabbinesshadnopowertotouchhim。Helookedattheboywithcalmandcleareyes，heaskedhimpracticalquestionsgently，anditwasplainthatheunderstoodmanythingswithoutaskingquestionsatall。

Marcothoughtthatperhapshehad，atsometime，seendrunkenmendie，inhislifeinstrangeplaces。HeseemedtoknowtheterriblenessofthenightthroughwhichTheRathadpassed。Hemadehimsitdown，andheorderedLazarustobringhimsomehotcoffeeandsimplefood。

``Haven\'thadabitesinceyesterday，\'\'TheRatsaid，stillstaringathim。``HowdidyouknowIhadn\'t？\'\'

``Youhavenothadtime，\'\'Loristananswered。

Afterwardhemadehimliedownonthesofa。

``Lookatmyclothes，\'\'saidTheRat。

``Liedownandsleep，\'\'Loristanreplied，puttinghishandonhisshoulderandgentlyforcinghimtowardthesofa。``Youwillsleepalongtime。Youmusttellmehowtofindtheplacewhereyourfatherdied，andIwillseethattheproperauthoritiesarenotified。\'\'

``Whatareyoudoingitfor？\'\'TheRatasked，andthenheadded，``sir。\'\'

``BecauseIamamanandyouareaboy。Andthisisaterriblething，\'\'Loristanansweredhim。

Hewentawaywithoutsayingmore，andTheRatlayonthesofastaringatthewallandthinkingaboutituntilhefellasleep。

But，beforethishappened，Marcohadquietlylefthimalone。So，asLoristanhadtoldhimhewould，hesleptdeeplyandlong；infact，hesleptthroughallthenight。

Whenheawakeneditwasmorning，andLazaruswasstandingbythesideofthesofalookingdownathim。

``Youwillwanttomakeyourselfclean，\'\'hesaid。``Itmustbedone。\'\'

``Clean！\'\'saidTheRat，withhissqueakylaugh。``Icouldn\'tkeepcleanwhenIhadaroomtolivein，andnowwhereamItowashmyself？\'\'Hesatupandlookedabouthim。

``Givememycrutches，\'\'hesaid。``I\'vegottogo。They\'veletmesleephereallnight。Theydidn\'tturnmeintothestreet。I

don\'tknowwhytheydidn\'t。Marco\'sfather——he\'stherightsort。

Helookslikeaswell。\'\'

``TheMaster，\'\'saidLazarus，witharigidmanner，``theMasterisagreatgentleman。Hewouldturnnotiredcreatureintothestreet。Heandhissonarepoor，buttheyareofthosewhogive。

Hedesirestoseeandtalktoyouagain。YouaretohavebreadandcoffeewithhimandtheyoungMaster。ButitisIwhotellyouthatyoucannotsitattablewiththemuntilyouareclean。

Comewithme，\'\'andhehandedhimhiscrutches。Hismannerwasauthoritative，butitwasthemannerofasoldier；hissomewhatstiffanderectmovementswerethoseofasoldier，also，andTheRatlikedthembecausetheymadehimfeelasifhewereinbarracks。Hedidnotknowwhatwasgoingtohappen，buthegotupandfollowedhimonhiscrutches。

Lazarustookhimtoaclosetunderthestairswhereabatteredtinbathwasalreadyfullofhotwater，whichtheoldsoldierhimselfhadbroughtinpails。Thereweresoapandcoarse，cleantowelsonawoodenchair，andalsotherewasamuchwornbutcleanlysuitofclothes。

``Puttheseonwhenyouhavebathed，\'\'Lazarusordered，pointingtothem。``TheybelongtotheyoungMasterandwillbelargeforyou，buttheywillbebetterthanyourown。\'\'Andthenhewentoutoftheclosetandshutthedoor。

ItwasanewexperienceforTheRat。Solongasheremembered，hehadwashedhisfaceandhands——whenhehadwashedthematall——atanirontapsetinthewallofabackstreetorcourtinsomeslum。Hisfatherandhimselfhadlongagosunkintotheworldwheretowashone\'sselfisnotapartofevery-daylife。

Theyhadlivedamiddirtandfoulness，andwhenhisfatherhadbeeninamaudlinstate，hehadsometimescriedandtalkedofthelong-pastdayswhenhehadshavedeverymorningandputonacleanshirt。

Tostandeveninthemostbatteredoftinbathsfullofcleanhotwaterandtosplashandscrubwithabigpieceofflannelandplentyofsoapwasamarvelousthing。TheRat\'stiredbodyrespondedtothenoveltywithacuriousfeelingoffreshnessandcomfort。

``Idaresayswellsdothiseveryday，\'\'hemuttered。``I\'ddoitmyselfifIwasaswell。Soldiershavetokeepthemselvessocleantheyshine。\'\'

When，aftermakingthemostofhissoapandwater，hecameoutoftheclosetunderthestairs，hewasasfreshasMarcohimself；

and，thoughhisclotheshadbeenbuiltforamorestalwartbody，hisrecognitionoftheircleanlinessfilledhimwithpleasure。

Hewonderedifbyanyefforthecouldkeephimselfcleanwhenhewentoutintotheworldagainandhadtosleepinanyholethepolicedidnotorderhimoutof。

HewantedtoseeMarcoagain，buthewantedmoretoseethetallmanwiththesoftdarkeyesandthatqueerlookofbeingaswellinspiteofhisshabbyclothesandthedingyplacehelivedin。

Therewassomethingabouthimwhichmadeyoukeeponlookingathim，andwantingtoknowwhathewasthinkingof，andwhyyoufeltasifyou\'dtakeordersfromhimasyou\'dtakeordersfromyourgeneral，ifyouwereasoldier。Helooked，somehow，likeasoldier，butasifheweresomethingmore——asifpeoplehadtakenordersfromhimallhislife，andalwayswouldtakeordersfromhim。Andyethehadthatquietvoiceandthosefine，easymovements，andhewasnotasoldieratall，butonlyapoormanwhowrotethingsforpaperswhichdidnotpayhimwellenoughtogivehimandhissonacomfortableliving。Throughallthetimeofhisseclusionwiththebatteredbathandthesoapandwater，TheRatthoughtofhim，andlongedtohaveanotherlookathimandhearhimspeakagain。Hedidnotseeanyreasonwhyheshouldhavelethimsleeponhissofaorwhyheshouldgivehimabreakfastbeforeheturnedhimouttofacetheworld。Itwasfirst-rateofhimtodoit。TheRatfeltthatwhenhewasturnedout，afterhehadhadthecoffee，heshouldwanttohangabouttheneighborhoodjustonthechanceofseeinghimpassbysometimes。Hedidnotknowwhathewasgoingtodo。Theparishofficialswouldbythistimehavetakenhisdeadfather，andhewouldnotseehimagain。Hedidnotwanttoseehimagain。Hehadneverseemedlikeafather。Theyhadnevercaredanythingforeachother。Hehadonlybeenawretchedoutcastwhosebesthourshadbeenwhenhehaddrunktoomuchtobeviolentandbrutal。Perhaps，TheRatthought，hewouldbedriventogoingaboutonhisplatformonthepavementsandbegging，ashisfatherhadtriedtoforcehimtodo。Couldhesellnewspapers？Whatcouldacrippledladdounlesshebeggedorsoldpapers？

Lazaruswaswaitingforhiminthepassage。TheRatheldbackalittle。

``Perhapsthey\'drathernoteattheirbreakfastwithme，\'\'hehesitated。``I\'mnot——I\'mnotthekindtheyare。Icouldswallowthecoffeeouthereandcarrythebreadawaywithme。

Andyoucouldthankhimforme。I\'dwanthimtoknowIthankedhim。\'\'

Lazarusalsohadasteadyeye。TheRatrealizedthathewaslookinghimoverasifheweresumminghimup。

``Youmaynotbethekindtheyare，butyoumaybeofakindtheMasterseesgoodin。Ifhedidnotseesomething，hewouldnotaskyoutositathistable。Youaretocomewithme。\'\'

TheSquadhadseengoodinTheRat，butnooneelsehad。

Policemenhadmovedhimonwhenevertheyseteyesonhim，thewretchedwomenoftheslumshadregardedhimastheyregardedhisdarting，thievingnamesake；loafingorbusymenhadseeninhimayoungnuisancetobekickedorpushedoutoftheway。TheSquadhadnotcalled``good\'\'whattheysawinhim。Theywouldhaveyelledwithlaughteriftheyhadheardanyoneelsecallitso。

``Goodness\'\'wasnotconsideredanattractionintheirworld。

TheRatgrinnedalittleandwonderedwhatwasmeant，ashefollowedLazarusintothebacksitting-room。

Itwasasdingyandgloomyasithadlookedthenightbefore，butbythedaylightTheRatsawhowrigidlyneatitwas，howwellsweptandfreefromanyspeckofdust，howthepoorwindowshadbeencleanedandpolished，andhoweverythingwassetinorder。

Thecoarselinenclothonthetablewasfreshandspotless，sowasthecheapcrockery，thespoonsshonewithbrightness。

LoristanwasstandingonthehearthandMarcowasnearhim。Theywerewaitingfortheirvagabondguestasifhehadbeenagentleman。

TheRathesitatedandshuffledatthedoorforamoment，andthenitsuddenlyoccurredtohimtostandasstraightashecouldandsalute。WhenhefoundhimselfinthepresenceofLoristan，hefeltasifheoughttodosomething，buthedidnotknowwhat。

Loristan\'srecognitionofhisgestureandhisexpressionashemovedforwardliftedfromTheRat\'sshouldersaloadwhichhehimselfhadnotknownlaythere。Somehowhefeltasifsomethingnewhadhappenedtohim，asifhewerenotmere``vermin，\'\'afterall，asifheneednotbeonthedefensive——evenasifheneednotfeelsomuchinthedark，andlikeathingtherewasnoplaceintheworldfor。Themerestraightandfar-seeinglookofthisman\'seyesseemedtomakeaplacesomewhereforwhathelookedat。Andyetwhathesaidwasquitesimple。

``Thisiswell，\'\'hesaid。``Youhaverested。Wewillhavesomefood，andthenwewilltalktogether。\'\'Hemadeaslightgestureinthedirectionofthechairattherighthandofhisownplace。

TheRathesitatedagain。Whataswellhewas！Withthatwaveofthehandhemadeyoufeelasifyouwereafellowlikehimself，andhewasdoingyousomehonor。

``I\'mnot——\'\'TheRatbrokeoffandjerkedhisheadtowardMarco。``Heknows——\'\'heended，``I\'veneversatatatablelikethisbefore。\'\'

``Thereisnotmuchonit。\'\'Loristanmadetheslightgesturetowardtheright-handseatagainandsmiled。``Letussitdown。\'\'

TheRatobeyedhimandthemealbegan。Therewereonlybreadandcoffeeandalittlebutterbeforethem。ButLazaruspresentedthecupsandplatesonasmalljapannedtrayasifitwereagoldensalver。Whenhewasnotserving，hestooduprightbehindhismaster\'schair，asthoughheworeroyalliveryofscarletandgold。Totheboywhohadgnawedaboneormunchedacrustwheresoeverhefoundthem，andwithnothoughtbutoftheappeasingofhisownwolfishhunger，towatchthetwowithwhomhesateattheirsimplefoodwasanewthing。Heknewnothingoftheevery-daydecenciesofcivilizedpeople。TheRatlikedtolookatthem，andhefoundhimselftryingtoholdhiscupasLoristandid，andtositandmoveasMarcowassittingandmoving——takinghisbreadorbutter，whenitwasheldathissidebyLazarus，asifitwereasimplethingtobewaitedupon。

Marcohadhadthingshandedtohimallhislife，anditdidnotmakehimfeelawkward。TheRatknewthathisownfatherhadoncelivedlikethis。Hehimselfwouldhavebeenateaseifchancehadtreatedhimfairly。Itmadehimscowltothinkofit。ButinafewminutesLoristanbegantotalkaboutthecopyofthemapofSamavia。ThenTheRatforgoteverythingelseandwasillateasenomore。HedidnotknowthatLoristanwasleadinghimontoexplainhistheoriesaboutthecountryandthepeopleandthewar。Hefoundhimselftellingallthathehadread，oroverheard，orTHOUGHTashelayawakeinhisgarret。Hehadthoughtoutagreatmanythingsinawaynotatalllikeaboy\'s。

Hisstrangelyconcentratedandover-maturemindhadbeenfullofmilitaryschemeswhichLoristanlistenedtowithcuriosityandalsowithamazement。Hehadbecomeextraordinarilycleverinonedirectionbecausehehadfixedallhismentalpowersononething。Itseemedscarcelynaturalthatanuntaughtvagabondladshouldknowsomuchandreasonsoclearly。Itwasatleastextraordinarilyinteresting。Therehadbeennoskirmish，noattack，nobattlewhichhehadnotledandfoughtinhisownimagination，andhehadmadescoresofroughqueerplansofallthathadbeenorshouldhavebeendone。Lazaruslistenedasattentivelyashismaster，andonceMarcosawhimexchangeastartled，rapidglancewithLoristan。ItwasatamomentwhenTheRatwassketchingwithhisfingerontheclothanattackwhichOUGHTtohavebeenmadebutwasnot。AndMarcoknewatoncethatthequicklyexchangedlookmeant``Heisright！Ifithadbeendone，therewouldhavebeenvictoryinsteadofdisaster！\'\'

Itwasawonderfulmeal，thoughitwasonlyofbreadandcoffee。

TheRatknewheshouldneverbeabletoforgetit。

Afterward，Loristantoldhimofwhathehaddonethenightbefore。Hehadseentheparishauthoritiesandallhadbeendonewhichacitygovernmentprovidesinthecaseofapauper\'sdeath。

Hisfatherwouldbeburiedintheusualmanner。``Wewillfollowhim，\'\'Loristansaidintheend。``YouandIandMarcoandLazarus。\'\'

TheRat\'smouthfellopen。

``You——andMarco——andLazarus！\'\'heexclaimed，staring。``Andme！Whyshouldanyofusgo？Idon\'twantto。Hewouldn\'thavefollowedmeifI\'dbeentheone。\'\'

Loristanremainedsilentforafewmoments。

``Whenalifehascountedfornothing，theendofitisalonelything，\'\'hesaidatlast。``Ifithasforgottenallrespectforitself，pityisallthatonehaslefttogive。OnewouldliketogiveSOMETHINGtoanythingsolonely。\'\'Hesaidthelastbriefsentenceafterapause。

``Letusgo，\'\'Marcosaidsuddenly；andhecaughtTheRat\'shand。

TheRat\'sownmovementwassudden。Heslippedfromhiscrutchestoachair，andsatandgazedattheworncarpetasifhewerenotlookingatitatall，butatsomethingalongwayoff。AfterawhilehelookedupatLoristan。

``DoyouknowwhatIthoughtof，allatonce？\'\'hesaidinashakyvoice。``Ithoughtofthat`LostPrince\'one。Heonlylivedonce。Perhapshedidn\'tlivealongtime。Nobodyknows。

Butit\'sfivehundredyearsago，and，justbecausehewasthekindhewas，everyonethatremembershimthinksofsomethingfine。It\'squeer，butitdoesyougoodjusttohearhisname。

AndifhehasbeentrainingkingsforSamaviaallthesecenturies——theymayhavebeenpoorandnobodymayhaveknownaboutthem，butthey\'vebeenKINGS。That\'swhatHEdid——justbybeingaliveafewyears。WhenIthinkofhimandthenthinkof——theother——there\'ssuchanawfuldifferencethat——yes——I\'msorry。Forthefirsttime。I\'mhissonandIcan\'tcareabouthim；buthe\'stoolonely——Iwanttogo。\'\'

Soitwasthatwhentheforlornderelictwascarriedtothegraveyardwherenamelessburdensonthecityweregiventotheearth，acuriousfuneralprocessionfollowedhim。Thereweretwotallandsoldierlylookingmenandtwoboys，oneofwhomwalkedoncrutches，andbehindthemweretenotherboyswhowalkedtwobytwo。Thesetenwereaqueer，raggedlot；buttheyhadrespectfullysoberfaces，heldtheirheadsandtheirshoulderswell，andwalkedwitharemarkablyregularmarchingstep。

ItwastheSquad；buttheyhadlefttheir``rifles\'\'athome。

XI

``COMEWITHME\'\'

Whentheycamebackfromthegraveyard，TheRatwassilentalltheway。Hewasthinkingofwhathadhappenedandofwhatlaybeforehim。Hewas，infact，thinkingchieflythatnothinglaybeforehim——nothing。Thecertaintyofthatgavehissharp，linedfacenewlinesandsharpnesswhichmadeitlookpinchedandhard。

Hehadnothingbeforebutacornerinabaregarretinwhichhecouldfindlittlemorethanaleakingroofoverhishead——whenhewasnotturnedoutintothestreet。But，ifpolicemenaskedhimwherehelived，hecouldsayhelivedinBoneCourtwithhisfather。Nowhecouldn\'tsayit。

Hegotalongverywellonhiscrutches，buthewasrathertiredwhentheyreachedtheturninthestreetwhichledinthedirectionofhisoldhaunts。Atanyrate，theywerehauntsheknew，andhebelongedtothemmorethanhebelongedelsewhere。

TheSquadstoppedatthisparticularcornerbecauseitledtosuchhomesastheypossessed。TheystoppedinabodyandlookedatTheRat，andTheRatstoppedalso。HeswunghimselftoLoristan\'sside，touchinghishandtohisforehead。

``Thankyou，sir，\'\'hesaid。``Lineandsalute，youchaps！\'\'AndtheSquadstoodinlineandraisedtheirhandsalso。``Thankyou，sir。Thankyou，Marco。Good-by。\'\'

``Whereareyougoing？\'\'Loristanasked。

``Idon\'tknowyet，\'\'TheRatanswered，bitinghislips。

HeandLoristanlookedateachotherafewmomentsinsilence。

Bothofthemwerethinkingveryhard。InTheRat\'seyestherewasakindofdesperateadoration。Hedidnotknowwhatheshoulddowhenthismanturnedandwalkedawayfromhim。Itwouldbeasifthesunitselfhaddroppedoutoftheheavens——andTheRathadnotthoughtofwhatthesunmeantbefore。

ButLoristandidnotturnandwalkaway。Helookeddeepintothelad\'seyesasifheweresearchingtofindsomecertainty。Thenhesaidinalowvoice，``YouknowhowpoorIam。\'\'

``I——Idon\'tcare！\'\'saidTheRat。``You——you\'relikeakingtome。I\'dstandupandbeshottobitsifyoutoldmetodoit。\'\'

``IamsopoorthatIamnotsureIcangiveyouenoughdrybreadtoeat——always。MarcoandLazarusandIareoftenhungry。

Sometimesyoumighthavenothingtosleeponbutthefloor。ButIcanfindaPLACEforyouifItakeyouwithme，\'\'saidLoristan。``DoyouknowwhatImeanbyaPLACE？\'\'

``Yes，Ido，\'\'answeredTheRat。``It\'swhatI\'veneverhadbefore——sir。\'\'

Whatheknewwasthatitmeantsomebitofspace，outofalltheworld，wherehewouldhaveasortofrighttostand，howsoeverpoorandbareitmightbe。

``I\'mnotusedtobedsortofoodenough，\'\'hesaid。Buthedidnotdaretoinsisttoomuchonthat``place。\'\'Itseemedtoogreatathingtobetrue。

Loristantookhisarm。

``Comewithme，\'\'hesaid。``Wewon\'tpart。Ibelieveyouaretobetrusted。\'\'

TheRatturnedquitewhiteinasortofanguishofjoy。Hehadnevercaredforanyoneinhislife。HehadbeenasortofyoungCain，hishandagainsteverymanandeveryman\'shandagainsthim。Andduringthelasttwelvehourshehadplungedintoatumultuousoceanofboyishhero-worship。Thismanseemedlikeasortofgodtohim。Whathehadsaidanddonethedaybefore，inwhathadbeenreallyTheRat\'shoursofextremity，afterthatappallingnight——thewayhehadlookedintohisfaceandunderstooditall，thetalkatthetablewhenhehadlistenedtohimseriously，comprehendingandactuallyrespectinghisplansandroughmaps；hissilentcompanionshipastheyfollowedthepauperhearsetogether——thesethingswereenoughtomaketheladlonginglyreadytobeanysortofservantorslavetohimifhemightseeandbespokentobyhimevenonceortwiceaday。

TheSquadworealookofdismayforamoment，andLoristansawit。

``Iamgoingtotakeyourcaptainwithme，\'\'hesaid。``ButhewillcomebacktoBarracks。SowillMarco。\'\'

``Willyergoonwiththegame？\'\'askedCad，aseagerspokesman。

``Wewanttogoonbeingthe`SecretParty。\'\'\'

``Yes，I\'llgoon，\'\'TheRatanswered。``Iwon\'tgiveitup。

There\'salotinthepapersto-day。\'\'

Sotheywerepacifiedandwentontheirway，andLoristanandLazarusandMarcoandTheRatwentontheirsalso。

``Queerthingis，\'\'TheRatthoughtastheywalkedtogether，``I\'mabitafraidtospeaktohimunlesshespeakstomefirst。

Neverfeltthatwaybeforewithanyone。\'\'

Hehadjeeredatpolicemenandhadimpudentlychaffed``swells，\'\'

buthefeltasortofsecretaweofthisman，andactuallylikedthefeeling。

``It\'sasifIwasaprivateandhewascommander-in-chief，\'\'hethought。``That\'sit。\'\'

Loristantalkedtohimastheywent。Hewassimpleenoughinhisstatementsofthesituation。TherewasanoldsofainMarco\'sbedroom。Itwasnarrowandhard，asMarco\'sbeditselfwas，butTheRatcouldsleepuponit。Theywouldsharewhatfoodtheyhad。Therewerenewspapersandmagazinestoberead。Therewerepapersandpencilstodrawnewmapsandplansofbattles。

TherewasevenanoldmapofSamaviaofMarco\'swhichthetwoboyscouldstudytogetherasanaidtotheirgame。TheRat\'seyesbegantohavepointsoffireinthem。

``IfIcouldseethepaperseverymorning，Icouldfightthebattlesonpaperbynight，\'\'hesaid，quitepantingattheincrediblevisionofsplendor。Wereallthekingdomsoftheearthgoingtobegiventohim？Washegoingtosleepwithoutadrunkenfathernearhim？

Washegoingtohaveachancetowashhimselfandtositatatableandhearpeoplesay``Thankyou，\'\'and``Ibegpardon，\'\'asiftheywereusingthemostordinaryfashionofspeech？Hisownfather，beforehehadsunkintothedepths，hadlivedandspokeninthisway。

``WhenIhavetime，wewillseewhocandrawupthebestplans，\'\'

Loristansaid。

``Doyoumeanthatyou\'lllookatminethen——whenyouhavetime？\'\'askedTheRat，hesitatingly。``Iwasn\'texpectingthat。\'\'

``Yes，\'\'answeredLoristan，``I\'lllookatthem，andwe\'lltalkthemover。\'\'

Astheywenton，hetoldhimthatheandMarcocoulddomanythingstogether。Theycouldgotomuseumsandgalleries，andMarcocouldshowhimwhathehimselfwasfamiliarwith。

``Myfathersaidyouwouldn\'tlethimcomebacktoBarrackswhenyoufoundoutaboutit，\'\'TheRatsaid，hesitatingagainandgrowinghotbecauseherememberedsomanyuglypastdays。

``But——butIswearIwon\'tdohimanyharm，sir。Iwon\'t！\'\'

``WhenIsaidIbelievedyoucouldbetrusted，Imeantseveralthings，\'\'Loristanansweredhim。``Thatwasoneofthem。You\'reanewrecruit。YouandMarcoarebothunderacommandingofficer。\'\'Hesaidthewordsbecauseheknewtheywouldelatehimandstirhisblood。

XII

``ONLYTWOBOYS\'\'

Thewordsdidelatehim，andhisbloodwasstirredbythemeverytimetheyreturnedtohismind。Herememberedthemthroughthedaysandnightsthatfollowed。Hesometimes，indeed，awakenedfromhisdeepsleeponthehardandnarrowsofainMarco\'sroom，andfoundthathewassayingthemhalfaloudtohimself。Thehardnessofthesofadidnotpreventhisrestingashehadneverrestedbeforeinhislife。Bycontrastwiththepasthehadknown，thispoorexistencewascomfortwhichvergedonluxury。

Hegotintothebatteredtinbatheverymorning，hesatatthecleantable，andcouldlookatLoristanandspeaktohimandhearhisvoice。Hischieftroublewasthathecouldhardlykeephiseyesoffhim，andhewasalittleafraidhemightbeannoyed。

Buthecouldnotbeartolosealookoramovement。

Attheendofthesecondday，hefoundhisway，atsometrouble，toLazarus\'ssmallbackroomatthetopofthehouse。

``Willyouletmecomeinandtalkabit？\'\'hesaid。

Whenhewentin，hewasobligedtositonthetopofLazarus\'swoodenboxbecausetherewasnothingelseforhim。

``Iwanttoaskyou，\'\'heplungedintohistalkatonce，``doyouthinkhemindsmelookingathimsomuch？Ican\'thelpit——butifhehatesit——well——I\'lltryandkeepmyeyesonthetable。\'\'

``TheMasterisusedtobeinglookedat，\'\'Lazarusmadeanswer。

``Butitwouldbewelltoaskhimself。Helikesopenspeech。\'\'

``Iwanttofindouteverythinghelikesandeverythinghedoesn\'tlike，\'\'TheRatsaid。``Iwant——isn\'tthereanything——anythingyou\'dletmedoforhim？Itwouldn\'tmatterwhatitwas。Andheneedn\'tknowyouarenotdoingit。Iknowyouwouldn\'tbewillingtogiveupanythingparticular。Butyouwaitonhimnightandday。Couldn\'tyougiveupsomethingtome？\'\'

Lazaruspiercedhimwithkeeneyes。Hedidnotanswerforseveralseconds。

``Nowandthen，\'\'hesaidgrufflyatlast，``I\'llletyoubrushhisboots。Butnoteveryday——perhapsonceaweek。\'\'

``Whenwillyouletmehavemyfirstturn？\'\'TheRatasked。

Lazarusreflected。Hisshaggyeyebrowsdrewthemselvesdownoverhiseyesasifthiswereaquestionofstate。

``NextSaturday，\'\'heconceded。``Notbefore。I\'lltellhimwhenyoubrushthem。\'\'

``Youneedn\'t，\'\'saidTheRat。``It\'snotthatIwanthimtoknow。IwanttoknowmyselfthatI\'mdoingsomethingforhim。

I\'llfindoutthingsthatIcandowithoutinterferingwithyou。

I\'llthinkthemout。\'\'

``Anythinganyoneelsedidforhimwouldbeinterferingwithme，\'\'saidLazarus。

ItwasTheRat\'sturntoreflectnow，andhisfacetwisteditselfintonewlinesandwrinkles。

``I\'lltellyoubeforeIdoanything，\'\'hesaid，afterhehadthoughtitover。``Youservedhimfirst。\'\'

``Ihaveservedhimeversincehewasborn，\'\'saidLazarus。

``He\'s——he\'syours，\'\'saidTheRat，stillthinkingdeeply。

``Iamhis，\'\'wasLazarus\'ssternanswer。``Iamhis——andtheyoungMaster\'s。\'\'

``That\'sit，\'\'TheRatsaid。Thenasqueakofahalf-laughbrokefromhim。``I\'veneverbeenanybody\'s，\'\'headded。

HissharpeyescaughtapassinglookonLazarus\'sface。Suchaqueer，disturbed，suddenlook。Couldheberathersorryforhim？

Perhapsthelookmeantsomethinglikethat。

``Ifyoustaynearhimlongenough——anditneedn\'tbelong——youwillbehistoo。Everybodyis。\'\'

TheRatsatupasstraightashecould。``Whenitcomestothat，\'\'heblurtedout，``I\'mhisnow，inmyway。Iwashistwominutesafterhelookedatmewithhisqueer，handsomeeyes。

They\'requeerbecausetheygetyou，andyouwanttofollowhim。

I\'mgoingtofollow。\'\'

ThatnightLazarusrecountedtohismasterthestoryofthescene。Hesimplyrepeatedwordforwordwhathadbeensaid，andLoristanlistenedgravely。

``Wehavenothadtimetolearnmuchofhimyet，\'\'hecommented。

``Butthatisafaithfulsoul，Ithink。\'\'

Afewdayslater，MarcomissedTheRatsoonaftertheirbreakfasthour。Hehadgoneoutwithoutsayinganythingtothehousehold。

Hedidnotreturnforseveralhours，andwhenhecamebackhelookedtired。IntheafternoonhefellasleeponhissofainMarco\'sroomandsleptheavily。Nooneaskedhimanyquestionsashevolunteerednoexplanation。Thenextdayhewentoutagaininthesamemysteriousmanner，andthenextandthenext。Foranentireweekhewentoutandreturnedwiththetiredlook；buthedidnotexplainuntilonemorning，ashelayonhissofabeforegettingup，hesaidtoMarco：

``I\'mpracticingwalkingwithmycrutches。Idon\'twanttogoaboutlikearatanymore。ImeantobeasnearlikeotherpeopleasIcan。Iwalkfarthereverymorning。Ibeganwithtwomiles。IfIpracticeeveryday，mycrutcheswillbelikelegs。\'\'

``ShallIwalkwithyou？\'\'askedMarco。

``Wouldn\'tyoumindwalkingwithacripple？\'\'

``Don\'tcallyourselfthat，\'\'saidMarco。``Wecantalktogether，andtrytoremembereverythingweseeaswegoalong。\'\'

``Iwanttolearntorememberthings。I\'dliketotrainmyselfinthatwaytoo，\'\'TheRatanswered。``I\'dgiveanythingtoknowsomeofthethingsyourfathertaughtyou。I\'vegotagoodmemory。IrememberalotofthingsIdon\'twanttoremember。

Willyougothismorning？\'\'

Thatmorningtheywent，andLoristanwastoldthereasonfortheirwalk。Butthoughheknewonereason，hedidnotknowallaboutit。WhenTheRatwasallowedhis``turn\'\'oftheboot-brushing，hetoldmoretoLazarus。

``WhatIwanttodo，\'\'hesaid，``isnotonlywalkasfastasotherpeopledo，butfaster。Acrobatstrainthemselvestodoanything。It\'strainingthatdoesit。Theremightcomeatimewhenhemightneedsomeonetogoonanerrandquickly，andI\'mgoingtobeready。I\'mgoingtotrainmyselfuntilheneedn\'tthinkofmeasifIwereonlyacripplewhocan\'tdothingsandhastobetakencareof。IwanthimtoknowthatI\'mreallyasstrongasMarco，andwhereMarcocangoIcango。\'\'

``He\'\'waswhathealwayssaid，andLazarusalwaysunderstoodwithoutexplanation。

```TheMaster\'isyournameforhim，\'\'hehadexplainedatthebeginning。``AndIcan\'tcallhimjust`Mister\'Loristan。Itsoundslikecheek。Ifhewascalled`General\'or`Colonel\'I

couldstandit——thoughitwouldn\'tbequiteright。SomedayI

shallfindaname。WhenIspeaktohim，Isay`Sir。\'\'\'

Thewalksweretakeneveryday，andeachdaywerelonger。MarcofoundhimselfsilentlywatchingTheRatwithamazementathisdeterminationandendurance。Heknewthathemustnotspeakofwhathecouldnotfailtoseeastheywalked。Hemustnottellhimthathelookedtiredandpaleandsometimesdesperatelyfatigued。Hehadinheritedfromhisfatherthetactwhichseeswhatpeopledonotwishtoberemindedof。HeknewthatforsomereasonofhisownTheRathaddeterminedtodothisthingatanycosttohimself。Sometimeshisfacegrewwhiteandwornandhebreathedhard，butheneverrestedmorethanafewminutes，andneverturnedbackorshortenedawalktheyhadplanned。

``TellmesomethingaboutSamavia，somethingtoremember，\'\'hewouldsay，whenhelookedhisworst。``WhenIbegintotrytoremember，Iforget——otherthings。\'\'

So，astheywentontheirway，theytalked，andTheRatcommittedthingstomemory。Hewasquickatit，andgrewquickereveryday。Theyinventedagameofrememberingfacestheypassed。

Bothwouldlearnthembyheart，andontheirreturnhomeMarcowoulddrawthem。Theywenttothemuseumsandgalleriesandlearnedthingsthere，makingfrommemorylistsanddescriptionswhichatnighttheyshowedtoLoristan，whenhewasnottoobusytotalktothem。

Asthedayspassed，MarcosawthatTheRatwasgainingstrength。

Thisexhilaratedhimgreatly。TheyoftenwenttoHampsteadHeathandwalkedinthewindandsun。ThereTheRatwouldgothroughcuriousexerciseswhichhebelievedwoulddevelophismuscles。

Hebegantolooklesstiredduringandafterhisjourney。Therewereevenfewerwrinklesonhisface，andhissharpeyeslookedlessfierce。Thetalksbetweenthetwoboyswerelongandcurious。MarcosoonrealizedthatTheRatwantedtolearn——learn——learn。

``Yourfathercantalktoyoualmostasifyouweretwentyyearsold，\'\'hesaidonce。``Heknowsyoucanunderstandwhathe\'ssaying。Ifheweretotalktome，he\'dalwayshavetorememberthatIwasonlyaratthathadlivedinguttersandseennothingelse。\'\'

Theyweretalkingintheirroom，astheynearlyalwaysdidaftertheywenttobedandthestreetlampshoneinandlightedtheirbarelittleroom。Theyoftensatupclaspingtheirknees，Marcoonhispoorbed，TheRatonhishardsofa，butneitherofthemconsciouseitherofthepoornessorhardness，becausetoeachonethelongunknownsenseofcompanionshipwassuchasatisfyingthing。Neitherofthemhadevertalkedintimatelytoanotherboy，andnowtheyweretogetherdayandnight。Theyrevealedtheirthoughtstoeachother；theytoldeachotherthingsithadneverbeforeoccurredtoeithertothinkoftellinganyone。Infact，theyfoundoutaboutthemselves，astheytalked，thingstheyhadnotquiteknownbefore。MarcohadgraduallydiscoveredthattheadmirationTheRathadforhisfatherwasanimpassionedandcuriousfeelingwhichpossessedhimentirely。ItseemedtoMarcothatitwasbeginningtobelikeasortofreligion。Heevidentlythoughtofhimeverymoment。SowhenhespokeofLoristan\'sknowinghimtobeonlyaratofthegutter，Marcofelthehimselfwasfortunateinrememberingsomethinghecouldsay。

``Myfathersaidyesterdaythatyouhadabigbrainandastrongwill，\'\'heansweredfromhisbed。``Hesaidthatyouhadawonderfulmemorywhichonlyneededexercising。HesaiditafterhelookedoverthelistyoumadeofthethingsyouhadseenintheTower。\'\'

TheRatshuffledonhissofaandclaspedhiskneestighter。

``Didhe？Didhe？\'\'hesaid。

Herestedhischinuponhiskneesforafewminutesandstaredstraightbeforehim。Thenheturnedtothebed。

``Marco，\'\'hesaid，inaratherhoarsevoice，aqueervoice；

``areyoujealous？\'\'

``Jealous，\'\'saidMarco；``why？\'\'

``Imean，haveyoueverbeenjealous？Doyouknowwhatitislike？\'\'

``Idon\'tthinkIdo，\'\'answeredMarco，staringalittle。

``AreyoueverjealousofLazarusbecausehe\'salwayswithyourfather——becausehe\'swithhimoftenerthanyouare——andknowsabouthiswork——andcandothingsforhimyoucan\'t？Imean，areyoujealousof——yourfather？\'\'

Marcoloosedhisarmsfromhiskneesandlaydownflatonhispillow。

``No，I\'mnot。Themorepeopleloveandservehim，thebetter，\'\'

hesaid。``TheonlythingIcareforis——ishim。IjustcareforHIM。Lazarusdoestoo。Don\'tyou？\'\'

TheRatwasgreatlyexcitedinternally。Hehadbeenthinkingofthisthingagreatdeal。Thethoughthadsometimesterrifiedhim。Hemightaswellhaveitoutnowifhecould。Ifhecouldgetatthetruth，everythingwouldbeeasier。ButwouldMarcoreallytellhim？

``Don\'tyoumind？\'\'hesaid，stillhoarseandeager——``don\'tyoumindhowmuchIcareforhim？Coulditevermakeyoufeelsavage？CoulditeversetyouthinkingIwasnothingbut——whatI

am——andthatitwascheekofmetopushmyselfinandfastenontoagentlemanwhoonlytookmeupforcharity？Here\'sthelivingtruth，\'\'heendedinanoutburst；``ifIwereyouandyouwereme，that\'swhatIshouldbethinking。Iknowitis。I

couldn\'thelpit。Ishouldseeeverylowthingtherewasinyou，inyourmannersandyourvoiceandyourlooks。Ishouldseenothingbutthecontrastbetweenyouandmeandbetweenyouandhim。IshouldbesojealousthatIshouldjustrage。IshouldHATEyou——andIshouldDESPISEyou！\'\'

HehadwroughthimselfuptosuchapassionoffeelingthathesetMarcothinkingthatwhathewashearingmeantstrangeandstrongemotionssuchashehimselfhadneverexperienced。TheRathadbeenthinkingoverallthisinsecretforsometime，itwasevident。Marcolaystillafewminutesandthoughtitover。

Thenhefoundsomethingtosay，justashehadfoundsomethingbefore。