第4章

``Youmight，ifyouwerewithotherpeoplewhothoughtinthesameway，\'\'hesaid，``andifyouhadn\'tfoundoutthatitissuchamistaketothinkinthatway，thatit\'sevenstupid。But，yousee，ifyouwereI，youwouldhavelivedwithmyfather，andhe\'dhavetoldyouwhatheknows——whathe\'sbeenfindingoutallhislife。\'\'

``What\'shefoundout？\'\'

``Oh！\'\'Marcoanswered，quitecasually，``justthatyoucan\'tsetsavagethoughtslooseintheworld，anymorethanyoucanletloosesavagebeastswithhydrophobia。Theyspreadasortofrabies，andtheyalwaystearandworryyoufirstofall。\'\'

``Whatdoyoumean？\'\'TheRatgaspedout。

``It\'slikethis，\'\'saidMarco，lyingflatandcoolonhishardpillowandlookingatthereflectionofthestreetlampontheceiling。``ThatdayIturnedintoyourBarracks，withoutknowingthatyou\'dthinkIwasspying，itmadeyoufeelsavage，andyouthrewthestoneatme。IfithadmademefeelsavageandI\'drushedinandfought，whatwouldhavehappenedtoallofus？\'\'

TheRat\'sspiritofgeneralshipgavetheanswer。

``IshouldhavecalledontheSquadtochargewithfixedbayonets。They\'dhavehalfkilledyou。You\'reastrongchap，andyou\'dhavehurtalotofthem。\'\'

Anoteofterrorbrokeintohisvoice。``WhatafoolIshouldhavebeen！\'\'hecriedout。``Ishouldneverhavecomehere！I

shouldneverhaveknownHIM！\'\'EvenbythelightofthestreetlampMarcocouldseehimbegintolookalmostghastly。

``TheSquadcouldeasilyhavehalfkilledme，\'\'Marcoadded。

``Theycouldhavequitekilledme，iftheyhadwantedtodoit。

Andwhowouldhavegotanygoodoutofit？Itwouldonlyhavebeenastreet-lads\'row——withthepoliceandprisonattheendofit。\'\'

``Butbecauseyou\'dlivedwithhim，\'\'TheRatpondered，``youwalkedinasifyoudidn\'tmind，andjustaskedwhywedidit，andlookedlikeastrongerchapthananyofus——anddifferent——different。Iwonderedwhatwasthematterwithyou，youweresocoolandsteady。Iknownow。Itwasbecauseyouwerelikehim。He\'dtaughtyou。He\'slikeawizard。\'\'

``Heknowsthingsthatwizardsthinktheyknow，butheknowsthembetter，\'\'Marcosaid。``Hesaysthey\'renotqueerandunnatural。

They\'rejustsimplelawsofnature。Youhavetobeeitherononesideortheother，likeanarmy。Youchooseyourside。Youeitherbuilduporteardown。Youeitherkeepinthelightwhereyoucansee，oryoustandinthedarkandfighteverythingthatcomesnearyou，becauseyoucan\'tseeandyouthinkit\'sanenemy。No，youwouldn\'thavebeenjealousifyou\'dbeenIandI\'dbeenyou。\'\'

``Andyou\'reNOT？\'\'TheRat\'ssharpvoicewasalmosthollow。

``You\'llswearyou\'renot？\'\'

``I\'mnot，\'\'saidMarco。

TheRat\'sexcitementevenincreasedashadeashepouredforthhisconfession。

``Iwasafraid，\'\'hesaid。``I\'vebeenafraideverydaysinceI

camehere。I\'lltellyoustraightout。ItseemedjustnaturalthatyouandLazaruswouldn\'tstandme，justasIwouldn\'thavestoodyou。Itseemedjustnaturalthatyou\'dworktogethertothrowmeout。IknewhowIshouldhaveworkedmyself。Marco——I

saidI\'dtellyoustraightout——I\'mjealousofyou。I\'mjealousofLazarus。ItmakesmewildwhenIseeyoubothknowingallabouthim，andfitandreadytodoanythinghewantsdone。I\'mnotreadyandI\'mnotfit。\'\'

``You\'ddoanythinghewanteddone，whetheryouwerefitandreadyornot，\'\'saidMarco。``Heknowsthat。\'\'

``Doeshe？Doyouthinkhedoes？\'\'criedTheRat。``Iwishhe\'dtryme。Iwishhewould。\'\'

MarcoturnedoveronhisbedandroseuponhiselbowsothathefacedTheRatonhissofa。

``LetusWAIT，\'\'hesaidinawhisper。``LetusWAIT。\'\'

Therewasapause，andthenTheRatwhisperedalso。

``Forwhat？\'\'

``Forhimtofindoutthatwe\'refittobetried。Don\'tyouseewhatfoolsweshouldbeifwespentourtimeinbeingjealous，eitherofus。We\'reonlytwoboys。Supposehesawwewereonlytwosillyfools。WhenyouarejealousofmeorofLazarus，justgoandsitdowninastillplaceandthinkofHIM。Don\'tthinkaboutyourselforaboutus。He\'ssoquietthattothinkabouthimmakesyouquietyourself。WhenthingsgowrongorwhenI\'mlonely，he\'staughtmetositdownandmakemyselfthinkofthingsIlike——pictures，books，monuments，splendidplaces。Itpushestheotherthingsoutandsetsyourmindgoingproperly。

Hedoesn\'tknowInearlyalwaysthinkofhim。He\'sthebestthoughthimself。Youtryit。You\'renotreallyjealous。YouonlyTHINKyouare。You\'llfindthatoutifyoualwaysstopyourselfintime。Anyonecanbesuchafoolifheletshimself。

Andhecanalwaysstopitifhemakesuphismind。I\'mnotjealous。Youmustletthatthoughtalone。You\'renotjealousyourself。Kickthatthoughtintothestreet。\'\'

TheRatcaughthisbreathandthrewhisarmsupoverhiseyes。

``Oh，Lord！Oh，Lord！\'\'hesaid；``ifI\'dlivednearhimalwaysasyouhave。IfIjusthad。\'\'

``We\'rebothlivingnearhimnow，\'\'saidMarco。``Andhere\'ssomethingtothinkof，\'\'leaningmoreforwardonhiselbow。

``ThekingswhowerebeingmadereadyforSamaviahavewaitedalltheseyears；WEcanmakeourselvesreadyandwaitsothat，ifjusttwoboysarewantedtodosomething——justtwoboys——wecanstepoutoftherankswhenthecallcomesandsay`Here！\'Nowlet\'sliedownandthinkofituntilwegotosleep。\'\'

XIII

LORISTANATTENDSADRILLOFTHESQUAD，ANDMARCOMEETSASAMAVIAN

TheSquadwasnotforgotten。ItfoundthatLoristanhimselfwouldhaveregardedneglectasabreachofmilitaryduty。

``Youmustrememberyourmen，\'\'hesaid，twoorthreedaysafterTheRatbecameamemberofhishousehold。``Youmustkeepuptheirdrill。Marcotellsmeitwasverysmart。Don\'tletthemgetslack。\'\'

``Hismen！\'\'TheRatfeltwhathecouldnothaveputintowords。

Heknewhehadworked，andthattheSquadhadworked，intheirhiddenholesandcorners。Onlyhiddenholesandcornershadbeenpossibleforthembecausetheyhadexistedinspiteoftheprotestoftheirworldandthevigilanceofitspolicemen。TheyhadtriedmanyrefugesbeforetheyfoundtheBarracks。Noonebutresentedtheexistenceofatroopofnoisyvagabonds。Butsomehowthismanknewthattherehadevolvedfromitsomethingmorethanmerenoisyplay，thathe，TheRat，hadMEANTorderanddiscipline。

``Hismen！\'\'ItmadehimfeelasifhehadhadtheVictoriaCrossfastenedonhiscoat。Hehadbrainenoughtoseemanythings，andheknewthatitwasinthiswaythatLoristanwasfindinghimhis``place。\'\'Heknewhow。

WhentheywenttotheBarracks，theSquadgreetedthemwithatumultuouswelcomewhichexpressedagreatsenseofrelief。

Privatelythemembershadbeenfilledwithfearswhichtheyhadtalkedovertogetherindeepgloom。Marco\'sfather，theydecided，wastoobigaswelltoletthetwocomebackafterhehadseenthesorttheSquadwasmadeupof。Hemightbepoorjustnow，toffssometimeslosttheirmoneyforabit，butyoucouldseewhathewas，andfatherslikehimweren\'tgoingtolettheirsonsmakefriendswith``suchasus。\'\'He\'dstopthedrillandthe``SecretSociety\'\'game。That\'swhathe\'ddo！

ButTheRatcameswinginginonhissecondhandcrutcheslookingasifhehadbeenmadeageneral，andMarcocamewithhim；andthedrilltheSquadwasputthroughwasstricterandfinerthananydrilltheyhadeverknown。

``Iwishmyfathercouldhaveseenthat，\'\'MarcosaidtoTheRat。

TheRatturnedredandwhiteandthenredagain，buthesaidnotasingleword。Themerethoughtwaslikeaflashoffirepassingthroughhim。Butnofellowcouldhopeforathingasbigasthat。TheSecretParty，initssubterraneancavern，surroundedbyitspiledarms，satdowntoreadthemorningpaper。

Thewarnewswasbadtoread。TheMaranovitchheldthedayforthemoment，andwhiletheysufferedandwroughtcrueltiesinthecapitalcity，theIarovitchsufferedandwroughtcrueltiesinthecountryoutside。SofierceanddarkwastherecordthatEuropestoodaghast。

TheRatfoldedhispaperwhenhehadfinished，andsatbitinghisnails。Havingdonethisforafewminutes，hebegantospeakinhisdramaticandhollowSecretPartywhisper。

``Thehourhascome，\'\'hesaidtohisfollowers。``Themessengersmustgoforth。Theyknownothingofwhattheygofor；

theyonlyknowthattheymustobey。Iftheywerecaughtandtortured，theycouldbetraynothingbecausetheyknownothingbutthat，atcertainplaces，theymustutteracertainword。Theycarrynopapers。Allcommandstheymustlearnbyheart。Whenthesignisgiven，theSecretPartywillknowwhattodo——wheretomeetandwheretoattack。\'\'

Hedrewplansofthebattleontheflagstones，andhesketchedanimaginaryroutewhichthetwomessengersweretofollow。ButhisknowledgeofthemapofEuropewasnotworthmuch，andheturnedtoMarco。

``YouknowmoreaboutgeographythatIdo。Youknowmoreabouteverything，\'\'hesaid。``IonlyknowItalyisatthebottomandRussiaisatonesideandEngland\'sattheother。HowwouldtheSecretMessengersgotoSamavia？Canyoudrawthecountriesthey\'dhavetopassthrough？\'\'

Becauseanyschool-boywhoknewthemapcouldhavedonethesamething，Marcodrewthem。HealsoknewthestationstheSecretTwowouldarriveatandleavebywhentheyenteredacity，thestreetstheywouldwalkthroughandtheveryuniformstheywouldsee；butofthesethingshesaidnothing。Therealityhisknowledgegavetothegamewas，however，athrillingthing。HewishedhecouldhavebeenfreetoexplaintoTheRatthethingsheknew。Togethertheycouldhaveworkedoutsomanydetailsoftravelandpossibleadventurethatitwouldhavebeenalmostasiftheyhadsetoutontheirjourneyinfact。

Asitwas，themeresketchingoftheroutefiredTheRat\'simagination。Heforgedaheadwiththestoryofadventure，andfilleditwithsuchmysteriouspurportanddesignthattheSquadattimesgaspedforbreath。InhisglowingversiontheSecretTwoenteredcitiesbymidnightandsangandbeggedatpalacegateswherekingsdrivingoutwardpausedtolistenandweregiventheSign。

``Thoughitwouldnotalwaysbekings，\'\'hesaid。``Sometimesitwouldbethepoorestpeople。Sometimestheymightseemtobebeggarslikeourselves，whentheywereonlySecretOnesdisguised。Agreatlordmightwearpoorclothesandpretendtobeaworkman，andweshouldonlyknowhimbythesignswehadlearnedbyheart。WhenweweresenttoSamavia，weshouldbeobligedtocreepinthroughsomebackpartofthecountrywherenofightingwasbeingdoneandwherenoonewouldattack。Theirgeneralsarenotcleverenoughtoprotectthepartswhicharejoinedtofriendlycountries，andtheyhavenotforcesenough。

Twoboyscouldfindawayiniftheythoughtitout。\'\'

Hebecamepossessedbytheideaofthinkingitoutonthespot。

HedrewhisroughmapofSamaviaontheflagstoneswithhischalk。

``Lookhere，\'\'hesaidtoMarco，who，withtheelatedandthrilledSquad，bentoveritinaclosecircleofheads。

``BeltrazoishereandCarnolitzishere——andhereisJiardasia。

BeltrazoandJiardasiaarefriendly，thoughtheydon\'ttakesides。AllthefightingisgoingoninthecountryaboutMelzarr。Thereisnoreasonwhytheyshouldpreventsingletravelersfromcominginacrossthefrontiersoffriendlyneighbors。They\'renotfightingwiththecountriesoutside，theyarefightingwiththemselves。\'\'Hepausedamomentandthought。

``Thearticleinthatmagazinesaidsomethingaboutahugeforestontheeasternfrontier。That\'shere。Wecouldwanderintoaforestandstaythereuntilwe\'dplannedallwewantedtodo。

Eventhepeoplewhohadseenuswouldforgetaboutus。Whatwehavetodoistomakepeoplefeelasifwewerenothing——nothing。\'\'

Theywereintheverymidstofit，crowdedtogether，leaningover，stretchingnecksandbreathingquicklywithexcitement，whenMarcoliftedhishead。Somemysteriousimpulsemadehimdoitinspiteofhimself。

``There\'smyfather！\'\'hesaid。

Thechalkdropped，everythingdropped，evenSamavia。TheRatwasupandonhiscrutchesasifsomemagicforcehadswunghimthere。Howhegavethecommand，orifhegaveitatall，notevenhehimselfknew。ButtheSquadstoodatsalute。

LoristanwasstandingattheopeningofthearchwayasMarcohadstoodthatfirstday。Heraisedhisrighthandinreturnsaluteandcameforward。

``IwaspassingtheendofthestreetandrememberedtheBarrackswashere，\'\'heexplained。``IthoughtIshouldliketolookatyourmen，Captain。\'\'

Hesmiled，butitwasnotasmilewhichmadehiswordsreallyajoke。Helookeddownatthechalkmapdrawnontheflagstones。

``Youknowthatmapwell，\'\'hesaid。``EvenIcanseethatitisSamavia。WhatistheSecretPartydoing？\'\'

``Themessengersaretryingtofindawayin，\'\'answeredMarco。

``Wecangetinthere，\'\'saidTheRat，pointingwithacrutch。

``There\'saforestwherewecouldhideandfindoutthings。\'\'

``Reconnoiter，\'\'saidLoristan，lookingdown。``Yes。Twostrayboyscouldbeverysafeinaforest。It\'sagoodgame。\'\'

Thatheshouldbethere！Thatheshould，inhisownwonderfulway，havegiventhemsuchathingasthis。ThatheshouldhavecaredenougheventolookuptheBarracks，waswhatTheRatwasthinking。Abatchofragamuffinstheywereandnothingelse，andhestandinglookingatthemwithhisfinesmile。Therewassomethingabouthimwhichmadehimseemevensplendid。TheRat\'sheartthumpedwithstartledjoy。

``Father，\'\'saidMarco，``willyouwatchTheRatdrillus？I

wantyoutoseehowwellitisdone。\'\'

``Captain，willyoudomethathonor？\'\'LoristansaidtoTheRat，andtoeventhesewordshegavetherighttone，neitherjestingnortooserious。Becauseitwassorightatone，TheRat\'spulsesbeatonlywithexultation。Thisgodofhishadlookedathismaps，hehadtalkedofhisplans，hehadcometoseethesoldierswhowerehiswork！TheRatbeganhisdrillasifhehadbeenreviewinganarmy。

WhatLoristansawdonewaswonderfulinitsmechanicalexactness。

TheSquadmovedliketheperfectpartsofaperfectmachine。

Thattheycouldsodoitinsuchspace，andthattheyshouldhaveaccomplishedsuchprecision，wasanextraordinarytestimonialtothemilitaryefficiencyandcuriousqualitiesofthisonehunchbacked，vagabondofficer。

``Thatismagnificent！\'\'thespectatorsaid，whenitwasover。

``Itcouldnotbebetterdone。Allowmetocongratulateyou。\'\'

HeshookTheRat\'shandasifithadbeenaman\'s，and，afterhehadshakenit，heputhisownhandlightlyontheboy\'sshoulderandletitrestthereashetalkedafewminutestothemall。

Hekepthistalkwithinthegame，andhisclearcomprehensionofitaddedaflavorwhicheventhedullestmemberoftheSquadwaselatedby。Sometimesyoucouldn\'tunderstandtoffswhentheymadeashyatbeingfriendly，butyoucouldunderstandhim，andhestirredupyourspirits。Hedidn\'tmakejokeswithyou，either，asifachaphadtobekeptgrinning。Afterthefewminuteswereover，hewentaway。Thentheysatdownagainintheircircleandtalkedabouthim，becausetheycouldtalkandthinkaboutnothingelse。TheystaredatMarcofurtively，feelingasifhewereacreatureofanotherworldbecausehehadlivedwiththisman。TheystaredatTheRatinanewwayalso。

Thewonderful-lookinghandhadrestedonhisshoulder，andhehadbeentoldthatwhathehaddonewasmagnificent。

``Whenyousaidyouwishedyourfathercouldhaveseenthedrill，\'\'saidTheRat，``youtookmybreathaway。I\'dneverhavehadthecheektothinkofitmyself——andI\'dneverhavedaredtoletyouaskhim，evenifyouwantedtodoit。Andhecamehimself！Itstruckmedumb。\'\'

``Ifhecame，\'\'saidMarco，``itwasbecausehewantedtoseeit。\'\'

Whentheyhadfinishedtalking，itwastimeforMarcoandTheRattogoontheirway。LoristanhadgivenTheRatanerrand。Atacertainhourhewastopresenthimselfatacertainshopandreceiveapackage。

``Lethimdoitalone，\'\'LoristansaidtoMarco。``Hewillbebetterpleased。Hisdesireistofeelthatheistrustedtodothingsalone。\'\'

Sotheypartedatastreetcorner，MarcotowalkbacktoNo。7

PhilibertPlace，TheRattoexecutehiscommission。Marcoturnedintooneofthebetterstreets，throughwhichheoftenpassedonhiswayhome。Itwasnotafashionablequarter，butitcontainedsomerespectablehousesinwhosewindowshereandthereweretobeseenneatcardsbearingtheword``Apartments，\'\'whichmeantthattheownerofthehousewouldlettolodgershisdrawing-roomorsitting-roomsuite。

AsMarcowalkedupthestreet，hesawsomeonecomeoutofthedoorofoneofthehousesandwalkquicklyandlightlydownthepavement。Itwasayoungwomanwearinganelegantthoughquietdress，andahatwhichlookedasifithadbeenboughtinParisorVienna。Shehad，infact，aslightlyforeignair，anditwasthis，indeed，whichmadeMarcolookatherlongenoughtoseethatshewasalsoagracefulandlovelyperson。Hewonderedwhathernationalitywas。Evenatsomeyards\'distancehecouldseethatshehadlongdarkeyesandacurvedmouthwhichseemedtobesmilingtoitself。HethoughtshemightbeSpanishorItalian。

Hewastryingtodecidewhichofthetwocountriesshebelongedto，asshedrewneartohim，butquitesuddenlythecurvedmouthceasedsmilingasherfootseemedtocatchinabreakinthepavement，andshesolostherbalancethatshewouldhavefallenifhehadnotleapedforwardandcaughther。

Shewaslightandslender，andhewasastrongladandmanagedtosteadyher。Anexpressionofsharpmomentaryanguishcrossedherface。

``Ihopeyouarenothurt，\'\'Marcosaid。

Shebitherlipandclutchedhisshoulderveryhardwithherslimhand。

``Ihavetwistedmyankle，\'\'sheanswered。``IamafraidIhavetwisteditbadly。Thankyouforsavingme。Ishouldhavehadabadfall。\'\'

Herlong，darkeyeswereverysweetandgrateful。Shetriedtosmile，buttherewassuchdistressundertheeffortthatMarcowasafraidshemusthavehurtherselfverymuch。

``Canyoustandonyourfootatall？\'\'heasked。

``Icanstandalittlenow，\'\'shesaid，``butImightnotbeabletostandinafewminutes。ImustgetbacktothehousewhileI

canbeartotouchthegroundwithit。Iamsosorry。IamafraidIshallhavetoaskyoutogowithme。Fortunatelyitisonlyafewyardsaway。\'\'

``Yes，\'\'Marcoanswered。``Isawyoucomeoutofthehouse。Ifyouwillleanonmyshoulder，Icansoonhelpyouback。Iamgladtodoit。Shallwetrynow？\'\'

Shehadagentleandsoftmannerwhichwouldhaveappealedtoanyboy。Hervoicewasmusicalandherenunciationexquisite。

WhethershewasSpanishorItalian，itwaseasytoimagineherapersonwhodidnotalwaysliveinLondonlodgings，evenofthebetterclass。

``Ifyouplease，\'\'sheansweredhim。``Itisverykindofyou。

Youareverystrong，Isee。ButIamgladtohaveonlyafewstepstogo。\'\'

Sherestedonhisshoulderaswellasonherumbrella，butitwasplainthateverymovementgaveherintensepain。Shecaughtherlipwithherteeth，andMarcothoughtsheturnedwhite。Hecouldnothelplikingher。Shewassolovelyandgraciousandbrave。

Hecouldnotbeartoseethesufferinginherface。

``Iamsosorry！\'\'hesaid，ashehelpedher，andhisboy\'svoicehadsomethingofthewonderfulsympathetictoneofLoristan\'s。

Thebeautifulladyherselfremarkedit，andthoughthowunlikeitwastotheordinaryboy-voice。

``Ihavealatch-key，\'\'shesaid，whentheystoodonthelowstep。

Shefoundthelatch-keyinherpurseandopenedthedoor。Marcohelpedherintotheentrance-hall。Shesatdownatonceinachairnearthehat-stand。Theplacewasquiteplainandold-fashionedinside。

``ShallIringthefront-doorbelltocallsomeone？\'\'Marcoinquired。

``Iamafraidthattheservantsareout，\'\'sheanswered。``Theyhadaholiday。Willyoukindlyclosethedoor？Ishallbeobligedtoaskyoutohelpmeintothesitting-roomattheendofthehall。IshallfindallIwantthere——ifyouwillkindlyhandmeafewthings。Someonemaycomeinpresently——perhapsoneoftheotherlodgers——and，evenifIamaloneforanhourorso，itwillnotreallymatter。\'\'

``PerhapsIcanfindthelandlady，\'\'Marcosuggested。Thebeautifulpersonsmiled。

``Shehasgonetohersister\'swedding。ThatiswhyIwasgoingouttospendthedaymyself。Iarrangedtheplantoaccommodateher。Howgoodyouare！Ishallbequitecomfortabledirectly，really。Icangettomyeasy-chairinthesitting-roomnowI

haverestedalittle。\'\'

Marcohelpedhertoherfeet，andhersharp，involuntaryexclamationofpainmadehimwinceinternally。Perhapsitwasaworsesprainthansheknew。

Thehousewasoftheearly-VictorianLondonorder。A``frontlobby\'\'withadining-roomontherighthand，anda``backlobby，\'\'afterthefootofthestairswaspassed，outofwhichopenedthebasementkitchenstaircaseandasitting-roomlookingoutonagloomyflaggedbackyardinclosedbyhighwalls。Thesitting-roomwasrathergloomyitself，buttherewereafewluxuriousthingsamongtheordinaryfurnishings。Therewasaneasy-chairwithasmalltablenearit，andonthetablewereasilverlampandsomerathereleganttrifles。Marcohelpedhischargetotheeasy-chairandputacushionfromthesofaunderherfoot。Hediditverygently，and，asheroseafterdoingit，hesawthatthelong，softdarkeyeswerelookingathiminacuriousway。

``Imustgoawaynow，\'\'hesaid，``butIdonotliketoleaveyou。MayIgoforadoctor？\'\'

``Howdearyouare！\'\'sheexclaimed。``ButIdonotwantone，thankyou。Iknowexactlywhattodoforasprainedankle。Andperhapsmineisnotreallyasprain。Iamgoingtotakeoffmyshoeandsee。\'\'

``MayIhelpyou？\'\'Marcoasked，andhekneeleddownagainandcarefullyunfastenedhershoeandwithdrewitfromherfoot。Itwasaslenderanddelicatefootinasilkstocking，andshebentandgentlytouchedandrubbedit。

``No，\'\'shesaid，whensheraisedherself，``Idonotthinkitisasprain。Nowthattheshoeisoffandthefootrestsonthecushion，itismuchmorecomfortable，muchmore。Thankyou，thankyou。IfyouhadnotbeenpassingImighthavehadadangerousfall。\'\'

``Iamverygladtohavebeenabletohelpyou，\'\'Marcoanswered，withanairofrelief。``NowImustgo，ifyouthinkyouwillbeallright。\'\'

``Don\'tgoyet，\'\'shesaid，holdingoutherhand。``Ishouldliketoknowyoualittlebetter，ifImay。Iamsograteful。I

shouldliketotalktoyou。Youhavesuchbeautifulmannersforaboy，\'\'sheended，withapretty，kindlaugh，``andIbelieveIknowwhereyougotthemfrom。\'\'

``Youareverykindtome，\'\'Marcoanswered，wonderingifhedidnotreddenalittle。``ButImustgobecausemyfatherwill——\'\'

``Yourfatherwouldletyoustayandtalktome，\'\'shesaid，withevenaprettierkindlinessthanbefore。``Itisfromhimyouhaveinheritedyourbeautifulmanner。Hewasonceafriendofmine。Ihopeheismyfriendstill，thoughperhapshehasforgottenme。\'\'

AllthatMarcohadeverlearnedandallthathehadevertrainedhimselftoremember，quicklyrushedbackuponhimnow，becausehehadaclearandrapidlyworkingbrain，andhadnotlivedtheordinaryboy\'slife。Herewasabeautifulladyofwhomheknewnothingatallbutthatshehadtwistedherfootinthestreetandhehadhelpedherbackintoherhouse。Ifsilencewasstilltheorder，itwasnotforhimtoknowthingsoraskquestionsoranswerthem。Shemightbetheloveliestladyintheworldandhisfatherherdearestfriend，but，evenifthiswereso，hecouldbestservethembothbyobeyingherfriend\'scommandswithallcourtesy，andforgettingnoinstructionhehadgiven。

``Idonotthinkmyfathereverforgetsanyone，\'\'heanswered。

``No，Iamsurehedoesnot，\'\'shesaidsoftly。``HashebeentoSamaviaduringthelastthreeyears？\'\'

Marcopausedamoment。

``PerhapsIamnottheboyyouthinkIam，\'\'hesaid。``MyfatherhasneverbeentoSamavia。\'\'

``Hehasnot？But——youareMarcoLoristan？\'\'

``Yes。Thatismyname。\'\'

Suddenlysheleanedforwardandherlonglovelyeyesfilledwithfire。

``ThenyouareaSamavian，andyouknowofthedisastersoverwhelmingus。Youknowallthehideousnessandbarbarityofwhatisbeingdone。Yourfather\'ssonmustknowitall！\'\'

``Everyoneknowsit，\'\'saidMarco。

``Butitisyourcountry——yourown！Yourbloodmustburninyourveins！\'\'

Marcostoodquitestillandlookedather。Hiseyestoldwhetherhisbloodburnedornot，buthedidnotspeak。Hislookwasanswerenough，sincehedidnotwishtosayanything。

``Whatdoesyourfatherthink？IamaSamavianmyself，andI

thinknightandday。WhatdoeshethinkoftherumoraboutthedescendantoftheLostPrince？Doeshebelieveit？\'\'

Marcowasthinkingveryrapidly。Herbeautifulfacewasglowingwithemotion，herbeautifulvoicetrembled。ThatsheshouldbeaSamavian，andloveSamavia，andpourherfeelingfortheventoaboy，wasdeeplymovingtohim。Buthowsoeveronewasmoved，onemustrememberthatsilencewasstilltheorder。Whenonewasveryyoung，onemustrememberordersfirstofall。

``Itmightbeonlyanewspaperstory，\'\'hesaid。``Hesaysonecannottrustsuchthings。Ifyouknowhim，youknowheisverycalm。\'\'

``Hashetaughtyoutobecalmtoo？\'\'shesaidpathetically。

``Youareonlyaboy。Boysarenotcalm。Neitherarewomenwhentheirheartsarewrung。Oh，mySamavia！Oh，mypoorlittlecountry！Mybrave，torturedcountry！\'\'andwithasuddensobshecoveredherfacewithherhands。

AgreatlumpmountedtoMarco\'sthroat。Boyscouldnotcry，butheknewwhatshemeantwhenhesaidherheartwaswrung。

Whensheliftedherhead，thetearsinhereyesmadethemsofterthanever。

``IfIwereamillionSamaviansinsteadofonewoman，Ishouldknowwhattodo！\'\'shecried。``IfyourfatherwereamillionSamavians，hewouldknow，too。HewouldfindIvor\'sdescendant，ifheisontheearth，andhewouldendallthishorror！\'\'

``Whowouldnotenditiftheycould？\'\'criedMarco，quitefiercely。

``Butmenlikeyourfather，menwhoareSamavians，mustthinknightanddayaboutitasIdo，\'\'sheimpetuouslyinsisted。

``Yousee，Icannothelppouringmythoughtsouteventoaboy——becauseheisaSamavian。OnlySamavianscare。Samaviaseemssolittleandunimportanttootherpeople。Theydon\'tevenseemtoknowthatthebloodsheispouringforthpoursfromhumanveinsandbeatinghumanhearts。Menlikeyourfathermustthink，andplan，andfeelthattheymust——mustfindaway。Evenawomanfeelsit。Evenaboymust。StefanLoristancannotbesittingquietlyathome，knowingthatSamavianheartsarebeingshotthroughandSamavianbloodpouredforth。HecannotthinkandsayNOTHING！\'\'

Marcostartedinspiteofhimself。Hefeltasifhisfatherhadbeenstruckintheface。Howdareshesaysuchwords！Bigashewas，suddenlyhelookedbigger，andthebeautifulladysawthathedid。

``Heismyfather，\'\'hesaidslowly。

Shewasaclever，beautifulperson，andsawthatshehadmadeagreatmistake。

``Youmustforgiveme，\'\'sheexclaimed。``IusedthewrongwordsbecauseIwasexcited。Thatisthewaywithwomen。YoumustseethatImeantthatIknewhewasgivinghisheartandstrength，hiswholebeing，toSamavia，eventhoughhemuststayinLondon。\'\'

Shestartedandturnedherheadtolistentothesoundofsomeoneusingthelatch-keyandopeningthefrontdoor。Thesomeonecameinwiththeheavystepofaman。

``Itisoneofthelodgers，\'\'shesaid。``Ithinkitistheonewholivesinthethirdfloorsitting-room。\'\'

``Thenyouwon\'tbealonewhenIgo，\'\'saidMarco。``Iamgladsomeonehascome。Iwillsaygood-morning。MayItellmyfatheryourname？\'\'

``Tellmethatyouarenotangrywithmeforexpressingmyselfsoawkwardly，\'\'shesaid。

``Youcouldn\'thavemeantit。Iknowthat，\'\'Marcoansweredboyishly。``Youcouldn\'t。\'\'

``No，Icouldn\'t，\'\'sherepeated，withthesameemphasisonthewords。

Shetookacardfromasilvercaseonthetableandgaveittohim。

``Yourfatherwillremembermyname，\'\'shesaid。``Ihopehewillletmeseehimandtellhimhowyoutookcareofme。\'\'

Sheshookhishandwarmlyandlethimgo。Butjustashereachedthedoorshespokeagain。

``Oh，mayIaskyoutodoonethingmorebeforeyouleaveme？\'\'

shesaidsuddenly。``Ihopeyouwon\'tmind。Willyourunup-stairsintothedrawing-roomandbringmethepurplebookfromthesmalltable？IshallnotmindbeingaloneifIhavesomethingtoread。\'\'

``Apurplebook？Onasmalltable？\'\'saidMarco。

``Betweenthetwolongwindows，\'\'shesmiledbackathim。

Thedrawing-roomofsuchhousesastheseisalwaystobereachedbyoneshortflightofstairs。

Marcoranuplightly。

XIV

MARCODOESNOTANSWER

Bythetimeheturnedthecornerofthestairs，thebeautifulladyhadrisenfromherseatinthebackroomandwalkedintothedining-roomatthefront。Aheavily-built，dark-beardedmanwasstandinginsidethedoorasifwaitingforher。

``Icoulddonothingwithhim，\'\'shesaidatonce，inhersoftvoice，speakingquiteprettilyandgently，asifwhatshesaidwasthemostnaturalthingintheworld。``Imanagedthelittletrickofthesprainedfootreallywell，andgothimintothehouse。Heisanamiableboywithperfectmanners，andIthoughtitmightbeeasytosurprisehimintosayingmorethanheknewhewassaying。Youcangenerallydothatwithchildrenandyoungthings。Butheeitherknowsnothingorhasbeentrainedtoholdhistongue。He\'snotstupid，andhe\'sofahighspirit。ImadeapatheticlittlesceneaboutSamavia，becauseIsawhecouldbeworkedup。Itdidworkhimup。ItriedhimwiththeLostPrincerumor；but，ifthereistruthinit，hedoesnotorwillnotknow。Itriedtomakehimlosehistemperandbetraysomethingindefendinghisfather，whomhethinksagod，bytheway。ButI

madeamistake。Isawthat。It\'sapity。Boyscansometimesbemadetotellanything。\'\'Shespokeveryquicklyunderherbreath。Themanspokequicklytoo。

``Whereishe？\'\'heasked。

``Isenthimuptothedrawing-roomtolookforabook。Hewilllookforafewminutes。Listen。He\'saninnocentboy。Heseesmeonlyasagentleangel。NothingwillSHAKEhimsomuchastohearmetellhimthetruthsuddenly。Itwillbesuchashocktohimthatperhapsyoucandosomethingwithhimthen。Hemaylosehisholdonhimself。He\'sonlyaboy。\'\'

``You\'reright，\'\'saidthebeardedman。``Andwhenhefindsoutheisnotfreetogo，itmayalarmhimandwemaygetsomethingworthwhile。\'\'

``Ifwecouldfindoutwhatistrue，orwhatLoristanthinksistrue，weshouldhaveacluetoworkfrom，\'\'shesaid。

``Wehavenotmuchtime，\'\'themanwhispered。``WeareorderedtoBosniaatonce。Beforemidnightwemustbeontheway。\'\'

``Letusgointotheotherroom。Heiscoming。\'\'

WhenMarcoenteredtheroom，theheavily-builtmanwiththepointeddarkbeardwasstandingbytheeasy-chair。

``IamsorryIcouldnotfindthebook，\'\'heapologized。``I

lookedonallthetables。\'\'

``Ishallbeobligedtogoandsearchforitmyself，\'\'saidtheLovelyPerson。

Sherosefromherchairandstoodupsmiling。AndatherfirstmovementMarcosawthatshewasnotdisabledintheleast。

``Yourfoot！\'\'heexclaimed。``It\'sbetter？\'\'

``Itwasn\'thurt，\'\'sheanswered，inhersoftlyprettyvoiceandwithhersoftlyprettysmile。``Ionlymadeyouthinkso。\'\'

Itwaspartofherplantosparehimnothingofshockinhersuddentransformation。Marcofelthisbreathleavehimforamoment。

``ImadeyoubelieveIwashurtbecauseIwantedyoutocomeintothehousewithme，\'\'sheadded。``IwishedtofindoutcertainthingsIamsureyouknow。\'\'

``TheywerethingsaboutSamavia，\'\'saidtheman。``Yourfatherknowsthem，andyoumustknowsomethingofthematleast。Itisnecessarythatweshouldhearwhatyoucantellus。WeshallnotallowyoutoleavethehouseuntilyouhaveansweredcertainquestionsIshallaskyou。\'\'

ThenMarcobegantounderstand。Hehadheardhisfatherspeakofpoliticalspies，menandwomenwhowerepaidtotracethepeoplethatcertaingovernmentsorpoliticalpartiesdesiredtohavefollowedandobserved。Heknewitwastheirworktosearchoutsecrets，todisguisethemselvesandliveamonginnocentpeopleasiftheyweremerelyordinaryneighbors。

TheymustbespieswhowerepaidtofollowhisfatherbecausehewasaSamavianandapatriot。Hedidnotknowthattheyhadtakenthehousetwomonthsbefore，andhadaccomplishedseveralthingsduringtheirapparentlyinnocentstayinit。TheyhaddiscoveredLoristanandhadlearnedtoknowhisoutgoingsandincomings，andalsotheoutgoingsandincomingsofLazarus，Marco，andTheRat。Buttheymeant，ifpossible，tolearnotherthings。Iftheboycouldbestartledandterrifiedintounconsciousrevelations，itmightprovewellworththeirwhiletohaveplayedthisbitofmelodramabeforetheylockedthefrontdoorbehindthemandhastilycrossedtheChannel，leavingtheirlandlordtodiscoverforhimselfthatthehousehadbeenvacated。

InMarco\'smindstrangethingswerehappening。Theywerespies！

Butthatwasnotall。TheLovelyPersonhadbeenrightwhenshesaidthathewouldreceiveashock。Hisstrongyoungchestswelled。Inallhislife，hehadnevercomefacetofacewithblacktreacherybefore。Hecouldnotgraspit。Thisgentleandfriendlybeingwiththegratefulsoftvoiceandgratefulsofteyeshadbetrayed——BETRAYEDhim！Itseemedimpossibletobelieveit，andyetthesmileonhermcurvedmouthtoldhimthatitwastrue。Whenhehadsprungtohelpher，shehadbeenplayingatrick！Whenhehadbeensorryforherpainandhadwincedatthesoundofherlowexclamation，shehadbeendeliberatelylayingatraptoharmhim。Forafewsecondshewasstunned——perhaps，ifhehadnotbeenhisfather\'sson，hemighthavebeenstunnedonly。Buthewasmore。Whenthefirstsecondshadpassed，therearoseslowlywithinhimasenseofsomethinglikehigh，remotedisdain。Itgrewinhisdeepboy\'seyesashegazeddirectlyintothepupilsofthelongsoftdarkones。Hisbodyfeltasifitweregrowingtaller。

``Youareveryclever，\'\'hesaidslowly。Then，afterasecond\'spause，headded，``Iwastooyoungtoknowthattherewasanyoneso——clever——intheworld。\'\'

TheLovelyPersonlaughed，butshedidnotlaugheasily。Shespoketohercompanion。

``Agrandseigneur！\'\'shesaid。``Asonelooksathim，onehalfbelievesitistrue。\'\'

Themanwiththebeardwaslookingveryangry。Hiseyesweresavageandhisdarkskinreddened。Marcothoughtthathelookedathimasifhehatedhim，andwasmadefiercebythemeresightofhim，forsomemysteriousreason。

``TwodaysbeforeyouleftMoscow，\'\'hesaid，``threemencametoseeyourfather。Theylookedlikepeasants。Theytalkedtohimformorethananhour。Theybroughtwiththemarollofparchment。Isthatnottrue？\'\'

``Iknownothing，\'\'saidMarco。

``BeforeyouwenttoMoscow，youwereinBudapest。YouwenttherefromVienna。Youwerethereforthreemonths，andyourfathersawmanypeople。Someofthemcameinthemiddleofthenight。\'\'

``Iknownothing，\'\'saidMarco。

``Youhavespentyourlifeintravelingfromonecountrytoanother，\'\'persistedtheman。``YouknowtheEuropeanlanguagesasifyouwereacourier，ortheportierinaViennesehotel。Doyounot？\'\'

Marcodidnotanswer。

TheLovelyPersonbegantospeaktothemanrapidlyinRussian。

``AspyandanadventurerStefanLoristanhasalwaysbeenandalwayswillbe，\'\'shesaid。``Weknowwhatheis。ThepoliceineverycapitalinEuropeknowhimasasharperandavagabond，aswellasaspy。Andyet，withallhiscleverness，hedoesnotseemtohavemoney。WhatdidhedowiththebribetheMaranovitchgavehimforbetrayingwhatheknewoftheoldfortress？Theboydoesn\'tevensuspecthim。Perhapsit\'struethatheknowsnothing。Orperhapsitistruethathehasbeensoill-treatedandfloggedfromhisbabyhoodthathedarenotspeak。

Thereisacowedlookinhiseyesinspiteofhischildishswagger。He\'sbeenbothstarvedandbeaten。\'\'

Theoutburstwaswelldone。ShedidnotlookatMarcoasshepouredforthherwords。Shespokewiththeabruptnessandimpetuosityofapersonwhosefeelingshadgotthebetterofher。

IfMarcowassensitiveabouthisfather，shefeltsurethathisyouthwouldmakehisfacerevealsomethingifhistonguedidnot——ifheunderstoodRussian，whichwasoneofthethingsitwouldbeusefultofindout，becauseitwasafactwhichwouldverifymanyotherthings。

Marco\'sfacedisappointedher。Nochangetookplaceinit，andtheblooddidnotrisetothesurfaceofhisskin。Helistenedwithanuninterestedair，blankandcoldandpolite。Letthemsaywhattheychose。

Themantwistedhispointedbeardandshruggedhisshoulders。

``Wehaveagoodlittlewine-cellardownstairs，\'\'hesaid。``Youaregoingdownintoit，andyouwillprobablystaythereforsometimeifyoudonotmakeupyourmindtoanswermyquestions。YouthinkthatnothingcanhappentoyouinahouseinaLondonstreetwherepolicemenwalkupanddown。Butyouaremistaken。

Ifyouyellednow，evenifanyonechancedtohearyou，theywouldonlythinkyouwerealadgettingathrashinghedeserved。

Youcanyellasmuchasyoulikeintheblacklittlewine-cellar，andnoonewillhearatall。Weonlytookthishouseforthreemonths，andweshallleaveitto-nightwithoutmentioningthefacttoanyone。Ifwechoosetoleaveyouinthewine-cellar，youwillwaitthereuntilsomebodybeginstonoticethatnoonegoesinandout，andchancestomentionittothelandlord——whichfewpeoplewouldtakethetroubletodo。DidyoucomeherefromMoscow？\'\'

``Iknownothing，\'\'saidMarco。

``Youmightremaininthegoodlittleblackcellaranunpleasantlylongtimebeforeyouwerefound，\'\'themanwenton，quitecoolly。``Doyourememberthepeasantswhocametoseeyourfathertwonightsbeforeyouleft？\'\'

``Iknownothing，\'\'saidMarco。

``Bythetimeitwasdiscoveredthatthehousewasemptyandpeoplecameintomakesure，youmightbetooweaktocalloutandattracttheirattention。DidyougotoBudapestfromVienna，andwereyouthereforthreemonths？\'\'askedtheinquisitor。

``Iknownothing，\'\'saidMarco。

``Youaretoogoodforthelittleblackcellar，\'\'putintheLovelyPerson。``Ilikeyou。Don\'tgointoit！\'\'

``Iknownothing，\'\'Marcoanswered，buttheeyeswhichwerelikeLoristan\'sgaveherjustsuchalookasLoristanwouldhavegivenher，andshefeltit。Itmadeheruncomfortable。

``Idon\'tbelieveyouwereeverill-treatedorbeaten，\'\'shesaid。``Itellyou，thelittleblackcellarwillbeahardthing。Don\'tgothere！\'\'

AndthistimeMarcosaidnothing，butlookedatherstillasifheweresomegreatyoungnoblewhowasveryproud。

Heknewthateverywordthebeardedmanhadspokenwastrue。Tocryoutwouldbeofnouse。Iftheywentawayandlefthimbehindthem，therewasnoknowinghowmanydayswouldpassbeforethepeopleoftheneighborhoodwouldbegintosuspectthattheplacehadbeendeserted，orhowlongitwouldbebeforeitoccurredtosomeonetogivewarningtotheowner。Andinthemeantime，neitherhisfathernorLazarusnorTheRatwouldhavethefaintestreasonforguessingwherehewas。Andhewouldbesittingaloneinthedarkinthewine-cellar。Hedidnotknowintheleastwhattodoaboutthisthing。Heonlyknewthatsilencewasstilltheorder。

``Itisajet-blacklittlehole，\'\'themansaid。``Youmightcrackyourthroatinit，andnoonewouldhear。DidmencometotalkwithyourfatherinthemiddleofthenightwhenyouwereinVienna？\'\'

``Iknownothing，\'\'saidMarco。

``Hewon\'ttell，\'\'saidtheLovelyPerson。``Iamsorryforthisboy。\'\'

``Hemaytellafterhehassatinthegoodlittleblackwine-cellarforafewhours，\'\'saidthemanwiththepointedbeard。``Comewithme！\'\'

HeputhispowerfulhandonMarco\'sshoulderandpushedhimbeforehim。Marcomadenostruggle。Herememberedwhathisfatherhadsaidaboutthegamenotbeingagame。Itwasn\'tagamenow，butsomehowhehadastronghaughtyfeelingofnotbeingafraid。

Hewastakenthroughthehallway，towardtherear，anddownthecommonplaceflaggedstepswhichledtothebasement。Thenhewasmarchedthroughanarrow，ill-lighted，flaggedpassagetoadoorinthewall。Thedoorwasnotlockedandstoodatrifleajar。

Hiscompanionpusheditfartheropenandshowedpartofawine-

cellarwhichwassodarkthatitwasonlytheshelvesnearestthedoorthatMarcocouldfaintlysee。Hiscaptorpushedhiminandshutthedoor。Itwasasblackaholeashehaddescribed。

Marcostoodstillinthemidstofdarknesslikeblackvelvet。

Hisguardturnedthekey。

``ThepeasantswhocametoyourfatherinMoscowspokeSamavianandwerebigmen。Doyourememberthem？\'\'heaskedfromoutside。

``Iknownothing，\'\'answeredMarco。

``Youareayoungfool，\'\'thevoicereplied。``AndIbelieveyouknowevenmorethanwethought。Yourfatherwillbegreatlytroubledwhenyoudonotcomehome。Iwillcomebacktoseeyouinafewhours，ifitispossible。Iwilltellyou，however，thatIhavehaddisturbingnewswhichmightmakeitnecessaryforustoleavethehouseinahurry。Imightnothavetimetocomedownhereagainbeforeleaving。\'\'

Marcostoodwithhisbackagainstabitofwallandremainedsilent。

Therewasstillnessforafewminutes，andthentherewastobeheardthesoundoffootstepsmarchingaway。

Whenthelastdistantechodiedallwasquitesilent，andMarcodrewalongbreath。Unbelievableasitmayappear，itwasinonesensealmostabreathofrelief。Intherushofstrangefeelingwhichhadsweptoverhimwhenhefoundhimselffacingtheastoundingsituationup-stairs，ithadnotbeeneasytorealizewhathisthoughtsreallywere；thereweresomanyofthemandtheycamesofast。Howcouldhequitebelievetheevidenceofhiseyesandears？Afewminutes，onlyafewminutes，hadchangedhisprettilygratefulandkindlyacquaintanceintoasubtleandcunningcreaturewhoseloveforSamaviahadbeenpartofaplottoharmitandtoharmhisfather。

Whatdidsheandhercompanionwanttodo——whatcouldtheydoiftheyknewthethingstheyweretryingtoforcehimtotell？

Marcobracedhisbackagainstthewallstoutly。

``Whatwillitbebesttothinkaboutfirst？\'\'

Thishesaidbecauseoneofthemostabsorbinglyfascinatingthingsheandhisfathertalkedabouttogetherwasthepowerofthethoughtswhichhumanbeingsallowtopassthroughtheirminds——thestrangestrengthofthem。Whentheytalkedofthis，MarcofeltasifhewerelisteningtosomemarvelousEasternstoryofmagicwhichwastrue。InLoristan\'stravels，hehadvisitedthefarOrientalcountries，andhehadseenandlearnedmanythingswhichseemedmarvels，andtheyhadtaughthimdeepthinking。Hehadknown，andreasonedthroughdayswithmenwhobelievedthatwhentheydesiredathing，clearandexaltedthoughtwouldbringittothem。Hehaddiscoveredwhytheybelievedthis，andhadlearnedtounderstandtheirprofoundarguments。

Whathehimselfbelieved，hehadtaughtMarcoquitesimplyfromhischildhood。Itwasthis：hehimself——Marco，withthestrongboy-body，thethickmatofblackhair，andthepatchedclothes——

wasthemagician。Heheldandwavedhiswandhimself——andhiswandwashisownThought。Whenspecialprivationoranxietybesetthem，itwastheirruletosay，``Whatwillitbebesttothinkaboutfirst？\'\'whichwasMarco\'sreasonforsayingittohimselfnowashestoodinthedarknesswhichwaslikeblackvelvet。

Hewaitedafewminutesfortherightthingtocometohim。

``IwillthinkoftheveryoldhermitwholivedontheledgeofthemountainsinIndiaandwholetmyfathertalktohimthroughallonenight，\'\'hesaidatlast。Thishadbeenawonderfulstoryandoneofhisfavorites。LoristanhadtraveledfartoseethisancientBuddhist，andwhathehadseenandheardduringthatonenighthadmadechangesinhislife。ThepartofthestorywhichcamebacktoMarconowwasthesewords：

``Letpassthroughthymind，myson，onlytheimagethouwouldstdesiretoseeatruth。Meditateonlyuponthewishofthyheart，seeingfirstthatitcaninjurenomanandisnotignoble。Thenwillittakeearthlyformanddrawneartothee。Thisisthelawofthatwhichcreates。\'\'

``Iamnotafraid，\'\'Marcosaidaloud。``Ishallnotbeafraid。

InsomewayIshallgetout。\'\'

Thiswastheimagehewantedmosttokeepsteadilyinhismind——thatnothingcouldmakehimafraid，andthatinsomewayhewouldgetoutofthewine-cellar。

Hethoughtofthisforsomeminutes，andsaidthewordsoverseveraltimes。Hefeltmorelikehimselfwhenhehaddoneit。

``Whenmyeyesareaccustomedtothedarkness，Ishallseeifthereisanylittleglimmeroflightanywhere，\'\'hesaidnext。

Hewaitedwithpatience，anditseemedforsometimethathesawnoglimmeratall。Heputouthishandsoneithersideofhim，andfoundthat，onthesideofthewallagainstwhichhestood，thereseemedtobenoshelves。Perhapsthecellarhadbeenusedforotherpurposesthanthestoringofwine，and，ifthatwastrue，theremightbesomewheresomeopeningforventilation。Theairwasnotbad，butthenthedoorhadnotbeenshuttightlywhenthemanopenedit。

``Iamnotafraid，\'\'herepeated。``Ishallnotbeafraid。InsomewayIshallgetout。\'\'

Hewouldnotallowhimselftostopandthinkabouthisfatherwaitingforhisreturn。Heknewthatwouldonlyrousehisemotionsandweakenhiscourage。Hebegantofeelhiswaycarefullyalongthewall。Itreachedfartherthanhehadthoughtitwould。

Thecellarwasnotsoverysmall。Hecreptrounditgradually，and，whenhehadcreptroundit，hemadehiswayacrossit，keepinghishandsextendedbeforehimandsettingdowneachfootcautiously。Thenhesatdownonthestonefloorandthoughtagain，andwhathethoughtwasofthethingstheoldBuddhisthadtoldhisfather，andthattherewasawayoutofthisplaceforhim，andheshouldsomehowfindit，and，beforetoolongatimehadpassed，bewalkinginthestreetagain。

Itwaswhilehewasthinkinginthiswaythathefeltastartlingthing。Itseemedalmostasifsomethingtouchedhim。Itmadehimjump，thoughthetouchwassolightandsoftthatitwasscarcelyatouchatall，infacthecouldnotbesurethathehadnotimaginedit。Hestoodupandleanedagainstthewallagain。

Perhapsthesuddennessofhismovementplacedhimatsomeanglehehadnotreachedbefore，orperhapshiseyeshadbecomemorecompletelyaccustomedtothedarkness，for，asheturnedhisheadtolisten，hemadeadiscovery：abovethedoortherewasaplacewherethevelvetblacknesswasnotsodense。Therewassomethinglikeaslitinthewall，though，asitdidnotopenupondaylightbutuponthedarkpassage，itwasnotlightitadmittedsomuchasalessershadeofdarkness。Buteventhatwasbetterthannothing，andMarcodrewanotherlongbreath。

``Thatisonlythebeginning。Ishallfindawayout，\'\'hesaid。

``ISHALL。\'\'

Herememberedreadingastoryofamanwho，beingshutbyaccidentinasafetyvault，passedthroughsuchterrorsbeforehisreleasethathebelievedhehadspenttwodaysandnightsintheplacewhenhehadbeenthereonlyafewhours。

``Histhoughtsdidthat。Imustremember。IwillsitdownagainandbeginthinkingofallthepicturesinthecabinetroomsoftheArtHistoryMuseuminVienna。Itwilltakesometime，andthentherearetheothers，\'\'hesaid。

Itwasagoodplan。Whilehecouldkeephisminduponthegamewhichhadhelpedhimtopasssomanydullhours，hecouldthinkofnothingelse，asitrequiredcloseattention——andperhaps，asthedaywenton，hiscaptorswouldbegintofeelthatitwasnotsafetoruntheriskofdoingathingasdesperateasthiswouldbe。Theymightthinkbetterofitbeforetheyleftthehouseatleast。Inanycase，hehadlearnedenoughfromLoristantorealizethatonlyharmcouldcomefromlettingone\'smindrunwild。

``Amindiseitheranenginewithbrokenandflyinggear，oragiantpowerundercontrol，\'\'wasthethingtheyknew。

Hehadwalkedinimaginationthroughthreeofthecabinetroomsandwasturningmentallyintoafourth，whenhefoundhimselfstartingagainquiteviolently。Thistimeitwasnotatatouchbutatasound。Surelyitwasasound。Anditwasinthecellarwithhim。Butitwasthetiniestpossiblenoise，aghostofasqueakandasuggestionofamovement。Itcamefromtheoppositesideofthecellar，thesidewheretheshelveswere。Helookedacrossinthedarknesssawalightwhichtherecouldbenomistakeabout。ItWASalight，twolightsindeed，tworoundphosphorescentgreenishballs。Theyweretwoeyesstaringathim。Andthenheheardanothersound。Notasqueakthistime，butsomethingsohomelyandcomfortablethatheactuallyburstoutlaughing。Itwasacatpurring，anicewarmcat！Andshewascurledupononeofthelowershelvespurringtosomenew-bornkittens。Heknewtherewerekittensbecauseitwasplainnowwhatthetinysqueakhadbeen，anditwasmadeplainerbythefactthatheheardanothermuchmoredistinctoneandthenanother。Theyhadallbeenasleepwhenhehadcomeintothecellar。Ifthemotherhadbeenawake，shehadprobablybeenverymuchafraid。Afterwardshehadperhapscomedownfromhershelftoinvestigate，andhadpassedclosetohim。Thefeelingofreliefwhichcameuponhimatthisqueerandsimplediscoverywaswonderful。Itwassonaturalandcomfortableanevery-daythingthatitseemedtomakespiesandcriminalsunreal，andonlynaturalthingspossible。Withamothercatpurringawayamongherkittens，evenadarkwine-cellarwasnotsoblack。Hegotupandkneeledbytheshelf。Thegreenisheyesdidnotshineinanunfriendlyway。Hecouldfeelthattheownerofthemwasanicebigcat，andhecountedfourroundlittleballsofkittens。Itwasacuriousdelighttostrokethesoftfurandtalktothemothercat。Sheansweredwithpurring，asifshelikedthesenseoffriendlyhumannearness。Marcolaughedtohimself。

``It\'squeerwhatadifferenceitmakes！\'\'hesaid。``Itisalmostlikefindingawindow。\'\'

Themerepresenceoftheseharmlesslivingthingswascompanionship。Hesatdownclosetothelowshelfandlistenedtothemotherlypurring，nowandthenspeakingandputtingouthishandtotouchthewarmfur。Thephosphorescentlightinthegreeneyeswasacomfortinitself。

``Weshallgetoutofthis——bothofus，\'\'hesaid。``Weshallnotbehereverylong，Puss-cat。\'\'

Hewasnottroubledbythefearofbeingreallyhungryforsometime。Hewassousedtoeatingscantilyfromnecessity，andtopassinglonghourswithoutfoodduringhisjourneys，thathehadprovedtohimselfthatfastingisnot，afterall，suchadesperateordealasmostpeopleimagine。Ifyoubeginbyexpectingtofeelfamishedandbycountingthehoursbetweenyourmeals，youwillbegintoberavenous。Butheknewbetter。

Thetimepassedslowly；buthehadknownitwouldpassslowly，andhehadmadeuphismindnottowatchitnoraskhimselfquestionsaboutit。Hewasnotarestlessboy，but，likehisfather，couldstandorsitorliestill。Nowandthenhecouldheardistantrumblingsofcartsandvanspassinginthestreet。

Therewasacertaindegreeofcompanionshipinthesealso。Hekepthisplacenearthecatandhishandwherehecouldoccasionallytouchher。Hecouldlifthiseyesnowandthentotheplacewherethedimglimmerofsomethinglikelightshoweditself。

Perhapsthestillness，perhapsthedarkness，perhapsthepurringofthemothercat，probablyallthree，causedhisthoughtstobegintotravelthroughhismindslowlyandmoreslowly。Atlasttheyceasedandhefellasleep。Themothercatpurredforsometime，andthenfellasleepherself。

XV

ASOUNDINADREAM

Marcosleptpeacefullyforseveralhours。Therewasnothingtoawakenhimduringthattime。Butattheendofit，hissleepwaspenetratedbyadefinitesound。Hehaddreamedofhearingavoiceatadistance，and，ashetriedinhisdreamtohearwhatitsaid，abriefmetallicringingsoundawakenedhimoutright。

Itwasoverbythetimehewasfullyconscious，andatonceherealizedthatthevoiceofhisdreamhadbeenarealone，andwasspeakingstill。ItwastheLovelyPerson\'svoice，andshewasspeakingrapidly，asifshewereinthegreatesthaste。Shewasspeakingthroughthedoor。

``Youwillhavetosearchforit，\'\'wasallheheard。``Ihavenotamoment！\'\'And，ashelistenedtoherhurriedlydepartingfeet，therecametohimwiththeirhasteningechoesthewords，``Youaretoogoodforthecellar。Ilikeyou！\'\'

Hesprangtothedoorandtriedit，butitwasstilllocked。Thefeetranupthecellarstepsandthroughtheupperhall，andthefrontdoorclosedwithabang。Thetwopeoplehadgoneaway，astheyhadthreatened。Thevoicehadbeenexcitedaswellashurried。Somethinghadhappenedtofrightenthem，andtheyhadleftthehouseingreathaste。

Marcoturnedandstoodwithhisbackagainstthedoor。Thecathadawakenedandshewasgazingathimwithhergreeneyes。Shebegantopurrencouragingly。ShereallyhelpedMarcotothink。

Hewasthinkingwithallhismightandtryingtoremember。

``Whatdidshecomefor？Shecameforsomething，\'\'hesaidtohimself。``Whatdidshesay？Ionlyheardpartofit，becauseI

wasasleep。Thevoiceinthedreamwaspartofit。ThepartI

heardwas，`Youwillhavetosearchforit。Ihavenotamoment。\'Andassherandownthepassage，shecalledback，`Youaretoogoodforthecellar。Ilikeyou。\'\'\'Hesaidthewordsoverandoveragainandtriedtorecallexactlyhowtheyhadsounded，andalsotorecallthevoicewhichhadseemedtobepartofadreambuthadbeenarealthing。Thenhebegantotryhisfavoriteexperiment。Asheoftentriedtheexperimentofcommandinghismindtogotosleep，sohefrequentlyexperimentedoncommandingittoworkforhim——tohelphimtoremember，tounderstand，andtoargueaboutthingsclearly。

``Reasonthisoutforme，\'\'hesaidtoitnow，quitenaturallyandcalmly。``Showmewhatitmeans。\'\'

Whatdidshecomefor？Itwascertainthatshewasintoogreatahurrytobeable，withoutareason，tosparethetimetocome。

Whatwasthereason？Shehadsaidshelikedhim。Thenshecamebecauseshelikedhim。Ifshelikedhim，shecametodosomethingwhichwasnotunfriendly。Theonlygoodthingshecoulddoforhimwassomethingwhichwouldhelphimtogetoutofthecellar。Shehadsaidtwicethathewastoogoodforthecellar。Ifhehadbeenawake，hewouldhaveheardallshesaidandhaveunderstoodwhatshewantedhimtodoormeanttodoforhim。Hemustnotstopeventothinkofthat。Thefirstwordshehadheard——whathadtheybeen？Theyhadbeenlesscleartohimthanherlastbecausehehadheardthemonlyashewasawakening。

Buthethoughthewassurethattheyhadbeen，``Youwillhavetosearchforit。\'\'Searchforit。Forwhat？Hethoughtandthought。Whatmusthesearchfor？

Hesatdownonthefloorofthecellarandheldhisheadinhishands，pressinghiseyessohardthatcuriouslightsfloatedbeforethem。

``Tellme！Tellme！\'\'hesaidtothatpartofhisbeingwhichtheBuddhistanchoritehadsaidheldallknowledgeandcouldtellamaneverythingifhecalleduponitintherightspirit。

Andinafewminutes，herecalledsomethingwhichseemedsomuchapartofhissleepthathehadnotbeensurethathehadnotdreamedit。Theringingsound！Hespranguponhisfeetwithalittlegaspingshout。Theringingsound！Ithadbeentheringofmetal，strikingasitfell。Anythingmadeofmetalmighthavesoundedlikethat。Shehadthrownsomethingmadeofmetalintothecellar。Shehadthrownitthroughtheslitinthebricksnearthedoor。Shelikedhim，andsaidhewastoogoodforhisprison。Shehadthrowntohimtheonlythingwhichcouldsethimfree。ShehadthrownhimtheKEYofthecellar！

Forafewminutesthefeelingswhichsurgedthroughhimweresofullofstrongexcitementthattheysethisbraininawhirl。Heknewwhathisfatherwouldsay——thatwouldnotdo。Ifhewastothink，hemustholdhimselfstillandnotletevenjoyovercomehim。Thekeywasintheblacklittlecellar，andhemustfinditinthedark。Eventhewomanwholikedhimenoughtogivehimachanceoffreedomknewthatshemustnotopenthedoorandlethimout。Theremustbeadelay。Hewouldhavetofindthekeyhimself，anditwouldbesuretotaketime。Thechanceswerethattheywouldbeatasafeenoughdistancebeforehecouldgetout。

``Iwillkneeldownandcrawlonmyhandsandknees，\'\'hesaid。

``IwillcrawlbackandforthandgoovereveryinchofthefloorwithmyhandsuntilIfindit。IfIgoovereveryinch，Ishallfindit。\'\'

Sohekneeleddownandbegantocrawl，andthecatwatchedhimandpurred。

``Weshallgetout，Puss-cat，\'\'hesaidtoher。``Itoldyouweshould。\'\'

Hecrawledfromthedoortothewallatthesideoftheshelves，andthenhecrawledbackagain。Thekeymightbequiteasmallone，anditwasnecessarythatheshouldpasshishandsovereveryinch，ashehadsaid。Thedifficultywastobesure，inthedarkness，thathedidnotmissaninch。Sometimeshewasnotsureenough，andthenhewentoverthegroundagain。Hecrawledbackwardandforward，andhecrawledforwardandbackward。Hecrawledcrosswiseandlengthwise，hecrawleddiagonally，andhecrawledroundandround。Buthedidnotfindthekey。Ifhehadhadonlyalittlelight，buthehadnone。Hewassoabsorbedinhissearchthathedidnotknowhehadbeenengagedinitforseveralhours，andthatitwasthemiddleofthenight。Butatlastherealizedthathemuststopforarest，becausehiskneeswerebeginningtofeelbruised，andtheskinofhishandswassoreasaresultoftherubbingontheflags。Thecatandherkittenshadgonetosleepandawakenedagaintwoorthreetimes。

``Butitissomewhere！\'\'hesaidobstinately。``Itisinsidethecellar。Iheardsomethingfallwhichwasmadeofmetal。Thatwastheringingsoundwhichawakenedme。\'\'

Whenhestoodup，hefoundhisbodyachedandhewasverytired。

Hestretchedhimselfandexercisedhisarmsandlegs。

``IwonderhowlongIhavebeencrawlingabout，\'\'hethought。

``Butthekeyisinthecellar。Itisinthecellar。\'\'

Hesatdownnearthecatandherfamily，and，layinghisarmontheshelfaboveher，restedhisheadonit。Hebegantothinkofanotherexperiment。

``Iamsotired，IbelieveIshallgotosleepagain。`ThoughtwhichKnowsAll\'\'\'——hewasquotingsomethingthehermithadsaidtoLoristanintheirmidnighttalk——``ThoughtwhichKnowsAll！

Showmethislittlething。LeadmetoitwhenIawake。\'\'

Andhedidfallasleep，soundandfast。

Hedidnotknowthathesleptalltherestofthenight。Buthedid。Whenheawakened，itwasdaylightinthestreets，andthemilk-cartswerebeginningtojingleabout，andtheearlypostmenwereknockingbigdouble-knocksatfrontdoors。Thecatmayhaveheardthemilk-carts，buttheactualfactwasthatsheherselfwashungryandwantedtogoinsearchoffood。JustasMarcoliftedhisheadfromhisarmandsatup，shejumpeddownfromhershelfandwenttothedoor。Shehadexpectedtofinditajarasithadbeenbefore。Whenshefounditshut，shescratchedatitandwasdisturbedtofindthisofnouse。BecausesheknewMarcowasinthecellar，shefeltshehadafriendwhowouldassisther，andshemiauledappealingly。

ThisremindedMarcoofthekey。

``IwillwhenIhavefoundit，\'\'hesaid。``Itisinsidethecellar。\'\'

Thecatmiauledagain，thistimeveryanxiouslyindeed。Thekittensheardherandbegantosquirmandsqueakpiteously。

``Leadmetothislittlething，\'\'saidMarco，asifspeakingtoSomethinginthedarknessabouthim，andhegotup。

Heputhishandouttowardthekittens，andittouchedsomethinglyingnotfarfromthem。Itmusthavebeenlyingnearhiselbowallnightwhileheslept。

Itwasthekey！Ithadfallenupontheshelf，andnotontheflooratall。

Marcopickeditupandthenstoodstillamoment。Hemadethesignofthecross。

Thenhefoundhiswaytothedoorandfumbleduntilhefoundthekeyholeandgotthekeyintoit。Thenheturneditandpushedthedooropen——andthecatranoutintothepassagebeforehim。