第7章

``Iknowwhyhelooksatyouso，\'\'heansweredforhim。``Heisstartled。Yesterdaywewenttoahair-dresser\'sshopdownbelowthere，andwesawamanwhowasalmostexactlylikeyou——only——\'\'headded，lookingup，``hiseyesweregrayandyoursarebrown。\'\'

``Hewasmytwinbrother，\'\'saidtheguide，puffingathispipecheerfully。``Myfatherthoughthecouldmakehair-dressersofusboth，andItrieditforfouryears。ButIalwayswantedtobeclimbingthemountainsandtherewerenotholidaysenough。SoIcutmyhair，andwashedthepomadeoutofit，andbrokeaway。

Idon\'tlooklikeahair-dressernow，doI？\'\'

Hedidnot。Notatall。ButMarcoknewhim。Hewastheman。

Therewasnooneonthemountain-topbutthemselves，andthesunwasjustshowingarimofgoldabovethefarthestandhighestgiant\'sshoulders。Oneneednotbeafraidtodoanything，sincetherewasnoonetoseeorhear。Marcoslippedthesketchoutoftheslitinhissleeve。Helookedatitandhelookedattheguide，andthenheshowedittohim。

``Thatisnotyourbrother。Itisyou！\'\'hesaid。

Theman\'sfacechangedalittle——morethananyotherfacehadchangedwhenitsownerhadbeenspokento。Onamountain-topasthesunrisesoneisnotafraid。

``TheLampislighted，\'\'saidMarco。``TheLampislighted。\'\'

``Godbethanked！\'\'burstforththeman。Andhetookoffhishatandbaredhishead。Thentherimbehindthemountain\'sshoulderleapedforthintoagoldentorrentofsplendor。

AndTheRatstoodup，restinghisweightonhiscrutchesinuttersilence，andstaredandstared。

``Thatisthree！\'\'saidMarco。

XXIII

THESILVERHORN

Duringthenextweek，whichtheyspentinjourneyingtowardsVienna，theygavetheSigntothreedifferentpersonsatplaceswhichwereontheway。InavillageacrossthefrontierinBavariatheyfoundagiantofanoldmansittingonabenchunderatreebeforehismountain``Gasthaus\'\'orinn；andwhenthefourwordswereuttered，hestoodupandbaredhisheadastheguidehaddone。WhenMarcogavetheSigninsomequietplacetoamanwhowasalone，henoticedthattheyalldidthisandsaidtheir``Godbethanked\'\'devoutly，asifitwerepartofsomereligiousceremony。Inasmalltownafewmilesawayhehadtosearchsomehoursbeforehefoundastalwartyoungshoemakerwithbrightredhairandahorseshoe-shapedscaronhisforehead。Hewasnotinhisworkshopwhentheboysfirstpassedit，because，astheyfoundoutlater，hehadbeenclimbingamountainthedaybefore，andhadbeendetainedinthedescentbecausehiscompanionhadhurthimself。

WhenMarcowentinandaskedhimtomeasurehimforapairofshoes，hewasquitefriendlyandtoldthemallaboutit。

``Therearesomegoodfellowswhoshouldnotclimb，\'\'hesaid。

``Whentheyfindthemselvesstandingonabitofrockjuttingoutoveremptiness，theirheadsbegintowhirlround——andthen，iftheydon\'tturnheadoverheelsafewthousandfeet，itisbecausesomecomradeisnearenoughtodragthemback。Therecanbenoceremonythenandtheysometimesgethurt——asmyfrienddidyesterday。\'\'

``Didyounevergethurtyourself？\'\'TheRatasked。

``WhenIwaseightyearsoldIdidthat，\'\'saidtheyoungshoemaker，touchingthescaronhisforehead。``Butitwasnotmuch。Myfatherwasaguideandtookmewithhim。Hewantedmetobeginearly。Thereisnothinglikeit——climbing。Ishallbeatitagain。Thiswon\'tdoforme。ItriedshoemakingbecauseI

wasinlovewithagirlwhowantedmetostayathome。Shemarriedanotherman。Iamgladofit。Onceaguide，alwaysaguide。\'\'HekneltdowntomeasureMarco\'sfoot，andMarcobentalittleforward。

``TheLampislighted，\'\'hesaid。

Therewasnooneintheshop，butthedoorwasopenandpeoplewerepassinginthenarrowstreet；sotheshoemakerdidnotlifthisredhead。Hewentonmeasuring。

``Godbethanked！\'\'hesaid，inalowvoice。``Doyouwanttheseshoesreally，ordidyouonlywantmetotakeyourmeasure？\'\'

``Icannotwaituntiltheyaremade，\'\'Marcoanswered。``Imustgoon。\'\'

``Yes，youmustgoon，\'\'answeredtheshoemaker。``ButI\'lltellyouwhatI\'lldo——I\'llmakethemandkeepthem。SomegreatdaymightcomewhenIshallshowthemtopeopleandswaggeraboutthem。\'\'Heglancedroundcautiously，andthenended，stillbendingoverhismeasuring。``TheywillbecalledtheshoesoftheBeareroftheSign。AndIshallsay，`Hewasonlyalad。

Thiswasthesizeofhisfoot。\'\'\'Thenhestoodupwithagreatsmile。

``There\'llbeclimbingenoughtobedonenow，\'\'hesaid，``andI

looktoseeyouagainsomewhere。\'\'

Whentheboyswentaway，theytalkeditover。

``Thehair-dresserdidn\'twanttobeahair-dresser，andtheshoemakerdidn\'twanttomakeshoes，\'\'saidTheRat。``Theybothwantedtobemountain-climbers。TherearemountainsinSamaviaandmountainsonthewaytoit。Youshowedthemtomeonthemap。

``Yes；andsecretmessengerswhocanclimbanywhere，andcrossdangerousplaces，andreconnoiterfrompointsnooneelsecanreach，canfindoutthingsandgivesignalsothermencannot，\'\'

saidMarco。

``That\'swhatIthoughtout，\'\'TheRatanswered。``Thatwaswhathemeantwhenhesaid，`Therewillbeclimbingenoughtobedonenow。\'\'\'

Strangeweretheplacestheywenttoandcuriouslyunlikeeachotherwerethepeopletowhomtheycarriedtheirmessage。Themostsingularofallwasanoldwomanwholivedinsoremoteaplacethattheroadwhichwoundroundandroundthemountain，woundrounditformilesandmiles。Itwasnotabadroadanditwasanamazingonetotravel，draggedinasmallcartbyamule，whenonecouldbedragged，andclamberingslowlywithrestsbetweenwhenonecouldnot：thetree-coveredprecipicesonelookeddown，thetossingwhitenessofwaterfalls，orthegreenfoamingofrushingstreams，andtheimmensityoffarm-andvillage-scatteredplainsspreadingthemselvestothefeetofothermountainsshuttingtheminwerebreath-takingbeautiestolookdownon，astheroadmountedandwoundroundandroundandhigherandhigher。

``Howcananyonelivehigherthanthis？\'\'saidTheRatastheysatonthethickmossbythewaysideafterthemuleandcarthadleftthem。``Lookatthebarecragsloomingupabovethere。Letuslookatheragain。Herpicturelookedasifshewereahundredyearsold。\'\'

Marcotookouthishiddensketch。Itseemedsurelyoneofthestrangestthingsintheworldthatacreatureasoldasthisoneseemedcouldreachsuchaplace，or，havingreachedit，couldeverdescendtotheworldagaintogiveaidtoanypersonorthing。

Heroldfacewascrossedandrecrossedwithathousandwrinkles。

Herprofilewassplendidyetandshehadbeenabeautyinherday。Hereyeswerelikeaneagle\'s——andnotanoldeagle\'s。Andshehadalongneckwhichheldheroldheadhigh。

``Howcouldshegethere？\'\'exclaimedTheRat。

``Thosewhosentusknow，thoughwedon\'t，\'\'saidMarco。``WillyousithereandrestwhileIgoonfurther？\'\'

``No！\'\'TheRatansweredstubbornly。``Ididn\'ttrainmyselftostaybehind。Butweshallcometobare-rockclimbingsoonandthenIshallbeobligedtostop，\'\'andhesaidthelastbitterly。

Heknewthat，ifMarcohadcomealone，hewouldhaveriddeninnocartbutwouldhavetrudgedupwardandonwardsturdilytotheendofhisjourney。

Buttheydidnotreachthecrags，astheyhadthoughtmustbeinevitable。Suddenlyhalf-waytothesky，asitseemed，theycametoabendintheroadandfoundthemselvesmountingintoanewgreenworld——anastonishingmarvelofaworld，withgreenvelvetslopesandsoftmeadowsandthickwoodland，andcowsfeedinginvelvetpastures，and——asifithadbeensnoweddownfromthehugebaremountaincragswhichstillsoaredaboveintoheaven——amysterious，ancient，huddledvillagewhich，beingthussnoweddown，mighthavecaughtamongtherocksandrestedtherethroughalltime。

Thereitstood。Thereithuddleditself。Andthemonstersintheblueaboveitthemselveslookeddownuponitasifitwereanincrediblething——thisancient，steep-roofed，hanging-balconied，crumblingclusterofhumannests，whichseemedathousandmilesfromtheworld。MarcoandTheRatstoodandstaredatit。Thentheysatdownandstaredatit。

``Howdiditgethere？\'\'TheRatcried。

Marcoshookhishead。Hecertainlycouldseenoexplanationofitsbeingthere。Perhapssomeoftheoldestvillagescouldtellstoriesofhowitsfirstchaletshadgatheredthemselvestogether。

Anoldpeasantdrivingacowcamedownasteeppath。HelookedwithadullcuriosityatTheRatandhiscrutches；butwhenMarcoadvancedandspoketohiminGerman，hedidnotseemtounderstand，butshookhisheadsayingsomethinginasortofdialectMarcodidnotknow。

``Iftheyallspeaklikethat，weshallhavetomakesignswhenwewanttoaskanything，\'\'TheRatsaid。``Whatwillshespeak？\'\'

``ShewillknowtheGermanfortheSignorweshouldnothavebeensenthere，\'\'answeredMarco。``Comeon。\'\'

Theymadetheirwaytothevillage，whichhuddleditselftogetherevidentlywiththeobjectofkeepingitselfwarmwhenthroughthewintermonthsthesnowsstrovetoburyitandthewindsroareddownfromthehugemountaincragsandtriedtotearitfromamongitsrocks。Thedoorsandwindowswerefewandsmall，andglimpsesoftheinsideofthehousesshowedearthenfloorsanddarkrooms。Itwasplainthatitwascountedamorecomfortablethingtolivewithoutlightthantoletinthecold。

Itwaseasyenoughtoreconnoiter。Thefewpeopletheysawwereevidentlynotsurprisedthatstrangerswhodiscoveredtheirunexpectedexistenceshouldbecuriousandwanttolookatthemandtheirhouses。

Theboyswanderedaboutasiftheywerecasualexplorers，whohavingreachedtheplacebychancewereinterestedinalltheysaw。TheywentintothelittleGasthausandgotsomeblackbreadandsausageandsomemilk。ThemountaineerownerwasabrawnyfellowwhounderstoodsomeGerman。Hetoldthemthatfewstrangersknewofthevillagebutthatboldhuntersandclimberscameforsport。Intheforestsonthemountainsideswerebearsand，inthehighplaces，chamois。Nowandagain，somegreatgentlemencamewithpartiesofthedaringkind——verygreatgentlemenindeed，hesaid，shakinghisheadwithpride。Therewasonewhohadcastlesinothermountains，buthelikedbesttocomehere。Marcobegantowonderifseveralstrangethingsmightnotbetrueifgreatgentlemensometimesclimbedtothemysteriousplace。ButhehadnotbeensenttogivetheSigntoagreatgentleman。Hehadbeensenttogiveittoanoldwomanwitheyeslikeaneaglewhichwasyoung。

Hehadasketchinhissleeve，withthatofherface，ofhersteep-roofed，black-beamed，balconiedhouse。Iftheywalkedaboutalittle，theywouldbesuretocomeuponitinthistinyplace。Thenhecouldgoinandaskherforadrinkofwater。

TheyroamedaboutforanhouraftertheylefttheGasthaus。Theywentintothelittlechurchandlookedatthegraveyardandwonderedifitwasnotburiedoutofallsightinthewinter。

Aftertheyhaddonethis，theysaunteredoutandwalkedthroughthehuddledclustersofhouses，examiningeachoneastheydrewnearitandpassed。

``Iseeit！\'\'TheRatexclaimedatlast。``Itisthatveryold-

lookingonestandingalittlewayfromtherest。Itisnotastumbleddownasmostofthem。Andtherearesomeredflowersonthebalcony。\'\'

``Yes！That\'sit！\'\'saidMarco。

Theywalkeduptothelowblackdoorand，ashestoppedonthethreshold，Marcotookoffhiscap。Hedidthisbecause，sittinginthedoorwayonalowwoodenchair，theold，oldwomanwiththeeagleeyeswassittingknitting。

Therewasnooneelseintheroomandnooneanywherewithinsight。Whentheold，oldwomanlookedupathimwithheryoungeagle\'seyes，holdingherheadhighonherlongneck，Marcoknewheneednotaskforwaterorforanythingelse。

``TheLampislighted，\'\'hesaid，inhislowbutstrongandclearyoungvoice。

Shedroppedherknittinguponherkneesandgazedathimamomentinsilence。SheknewGermanitwasclear，foritwasinGermansheansweredhim。

``Godbethanked！\'\'shesaid。``Comein，youngBeareroftheSign，andbringyourfriendinwithyou。Ilivealoneandnotasouliswithinhearing。\'\'

Shewasawonderfuloldwoman。NeitherMarconorTheRatwouldlivelongenoughtoforgetthehourstheyspentinherstrangedarkhouse。Shekeptthemandmadethemspendthenightwithher。

``Itisquitesafe，\'\'shesaid。``Ilivealonesincemymanfellintothecrevasseandwaskilledbecausehisropebrokewhenhewastryingtosavehiscomrade。SoIhavetworoomstospareandsometimesclimbersaregladtosleepinthem。MineisagoodwarmhouseandIamwellknowninthevillage。Youareveryyoung，\'\'sheaddedshakingherhead。``Youareveryyoung。Youmusthavegoodbloodinyourveinstobetrustedwiththis。\'\'

``Ihavemyfather\'sblood，\'\'answeredMarco。

``YouarelikesomeoneIoncesaw，\'\'theoldwomansaid，andhereagleeyessetthemselvesharduponhim。``Tellmeyourname。\'\'

Therewasnoreasonwhyheshouldnottellittoher。

``ItisMarcoLoristan，\'\'hesaid。

``What！Itisthat！\'\'shecriedout，notloudbutlow。

ToMarco\'samazementshegotupfromherchairandstoodbeforehim，showingwhatatalloldwomanshereallywas。Therewasastartled，evenanagitated，lookinherface。Andsuddenlysheactuallymadeasortofcurtseytohim——bendingherkneeaspeasantsdowhentheypassashrine。

``Itisthat！\'\'shesaidagain。``Andyettheydareletyougoonajourneylikethis！Thatspeaksforyourcourageandfortheirs。\'\'

ButMarcodidnotknowwhatshemeant。Herstrangeobeisancemadehimfeelawkward。Hestoodupbecausehistraininghadtoldhimthatwhenawomanstandsamanalsorises。

``Thenamespeaksforthecourage，\'\'hesaid，``becauseitismyfather\'s。\'\'

Shewatchedhimalmostanxiously。

``Youdonotevenknow！\'\'shebreathed——anditwasanexclamationandnotaquestion。

``IknowwhatIhavebeentoldtodo，\'\'heanswered。``Idonotaskanythingelse。\'\'

``Whoisthat？\'\'sheasked，pointingtoTheRat。

``Heisthefriendmyfathersentwithme，\'\'saidMarcosmiling。

``Hecalledhimmyaide-de-camp。Itwasasortofjokebecausewehadplayedsoldierstogether。\'\'

Itseemedasifshewereobligedtocollectherthoughts。Shestoodwithherhandathermouth，lookingdownattheearthfloor。

``Godguardyou！\'\'shesaidatlast。``Youarevery——veryyoung！\'\'

``Butallhisyears，\'\'TheRatbrokein，``hehasbeenintrainingforjustthisthing。Hedidnotknowitwastraining，butitwas。Asoldierwhohadbeentrainedforthirteenyearswouldknowhiswork。\'\'

HewassoeagerthatheforgotshecouldnotunderstandEnglish。

MarcotranslatedwhathesaidintoGermanandadded：``Whathesaysistrue。\'\'

Shenoddedherhead，stillwithquestioningandanxiouseyes。

``Yes。Yes，\'\'shemuttered。``Butyouareveryyoung。\'\'Thensheaskedinahesitatingway：

``WillyounotsitdownuntilIdo？\'\'

``No，\'\'answeredMarco。``Iwouldnotsitwhilemymotherorgrandmotherstood。\'\'

``ThenImustsit——andforget，\'\'shesaid。

Shepassedherhandoverherfaceasthoughsheweresweepingawaythesuddenpuzzledtroubleinherexpression。Thenshesatdown，asifshehadobligedherselftobecomeagaintheoldpeasantshehadbeenwhentheyentered。

``AllthewayupthemountainyouwonderedwhyanoldwomanshouldbegiventheSign，\'\'shesaid。``Youaskedeachotherhowshecouldbeofuse。\'\'

NeitherMarconorTheRatsaidanything。

``WhenIwasyoungandfresh，\'\'shewenton。``Iwenttoacastleoverthefrontiertobefoster-mothertoachildwhowasbornagreatnoble——onewhowasnearthethrone。HelovedmeandIlovedhim。Hewasastrongchildandhegrewupagreathunterandclimber。Whenhewasnottenyearsold，mymantaughthimtoclimb。Healwayslovedthesemountainsbetterthanhisown。Hecomestoseemeasifhewereonlyayoungmountaineer。Hesleepsintheroomthere，\'\'withagestureoverhershoulderintothedarkness。``Hehasgreatpowerand，ifhechoosestodoathing，hewilldoit——justashewillattackthebiggestbearorclimbthemostdangerouspeak。Heisonewhocanbringthingsabout。Itisverysafetotalkinthisroom。\'\'

Thenallwasquiteclear。MarcoandTheRatunderstood。

NomorewassaidabouttheSign。Ithadbeengivenandthatwasenough。Theoldwomantoldthemthattheymustsleepinoneofherbedrooms。Thenextmorningoneofherneighborswasgoingdowntothevalleywithacartandhewouldhelpthemontheirway。TheRatknewthatshewasthinkingofhiscrutchesandhebecamerestless。

``Tellher，\'\'hesaidtoMarco，``howIhavetrainedmyselfuntilIcandowhatanyoneelsecan。AndtellherIamgrowingstrongereveryday。TellherI\'llshowherwhatIcando。Yourfatherwouldn\'thaveletmecomeasyouraideifIhadn\'tprovedtohimthatIwasn\'tacripple。Tellher。ShethinksI\'mnouse。\'\'

Marcoexplainedandtheoldwomanlistenedattentively。WhenTheRatgotupandswunghimselfaboutupanddownthesteeppathnearherhousesheseemedrelieved。Hisextraordinarydexterityandfirmswiftnessevidentlyamazedherandgaveheraconfidenceshehadnotfeltatfirst。

``Ifhehastaughthimselftobelikethatjustforloveofyourfather，hewillgototheend，\'\'shesaid。``Itismorethanonecouldbelieve，thatapairofcrutchescoulddosuchthings。\'\'

TheRatwaspacifiedandcouldafterwardsgivehimselfuptowatchingherascloselyashewishedto。Hewassoon``workingout\'\'certainthingsinhismind。WhathewatchedwasherwayofwatchingMarco。Itwasasifshewerefascinatedandcouldnotkeephereyesfromhim。Shetoldthemstoriesaboutthemountainsandthestrangerswhocametoclimbwithguidesortohunt。Shetoldthemaboutthestorms，whichsometimesseemedabouttoputanendtothelittleworldamongthecrags。Shedescribedthewinterwhenthesnowburiedthemandthestrongoneswereforcedtodigouttheweakandsomelivedfordaysunderthemassesofsoftwhiteness，gladtokeeptheircowsorgoatsintheirroomsthattheymightsharethewarmthoftheirbodies。Thevillageswereforcedtobegoodneighborstoeachother，forthemanwhowasnotreadytodigoutahiddenchimneyorburieddoorto-daymightbelefttofreezeandstarveinhissnowtombnextweek。Throughtheworstpartofthewinternocreaturefromtheworldbelowcouldmakewaytothemtofindoutwhethertheywerealldeadoralive。

Whileshetalked，shewatchedMarcoasifshewerealwaysaskingherselfsomequestionabouthim。TheRatwassurethatshelikedhimandgreatlyadmiredhisstrongbodyandgoodlooks。Itwasnotnecessaryforhimtocarryhimselfslouchinglyinherpresenceandhelookedglowingandnoble。Therewasasortofreverenceinhermannerwhenshespoketohim。SheremindedhimofLazarusmorethanonce。Whenshegavethemtheireveningmeal，sheinsistedonwaitingonhimwithacertainrespectfulceremony。Shewouldnotsitattablewithhim，andTheRatbegantorealizethatshefeltthathehimselfshouldbestandingtoservehim。

``ShethinksIoughttostandbehindyourchairasLazarusstandsbehindyourfather\'s，\'\'hesaidtoMarco。``Perhapsanaideoughttodoit。ShallI？Ibelieveitwouldpleaseher。\'\'

``ABeareroftheSignisnotaroyalperson，\'\'answeredMarco。

``Myfatherwouldnotlikeit——andIshouldnot。Weareonlytwoboys。\'\'

Itwasverywonderfulwhen，aftertheirsupperwasover，theyallthreesattogetherbeforethefire。

Theredglowofthebedofwood-coalandtheorangeyellowoftheflamefromthebiglogsfilledtheroomwithwarmlight，whichmadeamellowbackgroundforthefigureoftheoldwomanasshesatinherlowchairandtoldthemmoreandmoreenthrallingstories。

Hereagleeyesglowedandherlongneckheldherheadsplendidlyhighasshedescribedgreatfeatsofcourageandenduranceoralmostsuperhumandaringinaidingthoseinawesomeperil，and，whensheglowedmostinthetelling，theyalwaysknewthattheherooftheadventurehadbeenherfoster-childwhowasthebabybornagreatnobleandnearthethrone。Toher，hewasthemostsplendidandadorableofhumanbeings。Almostanemperor，butsowarmandtenderofheartthatheneverforgotthelong-pastdayswhenshehadheldhimonherkneeandtoldhimtalesofchamois-

andbear-hunting，andofthemountain-topsinmid-winter。Hewashersun-god。

``Yes！Yes！\'\'shesaid。```GoodMother，\'hecallsme。AndI

bakehimacakeonthehearth，asIdidwhenhewastenyearsoldandmymanwasteachinghimtoclimb。Andwhenhechoosesthatathingshallbedone——doneitis！Heisagreatlord。\'\'

Theflameshaddieddownandonlythebigbedofredcoalmadetheroomglow，andtheywerethinkingofgoingtobedwhentheoldwomanstartedverysuddenly，turningherheadasiftolisten。

MarcoandTheRatheardnothing，buttheysawthatshedidandtheysatsostillthateachheldhisbreath。Sotherewasutterstillnessforafewmoments。Utterstillness。

Thentheydidhearsomething——aclearsilversound，piercingthepuremountainair。

Theoldwomanspranguprightwiththefireofdelightinhereyes。

``Itishissilverhorn！\'\'shecriedoutstrikingherhandstogether。``Itishisowncalltomewhenheiscoming。Hehasbeenhuntingsomewhereandwantstosleepinhisgoodbedhere。

Helpmetoputonmorefaggots，\'\'toTheRat，``sothathewillseetheflameofthemthroughtheopendoorashecomes。\'\'

``Shallwebeintheway？\'\'saidMarco。``Wecangoatonce。\'\'

Shewasgoingtowardsthedoortoopenitandshestoppedamomentandturned。

``No，no！\'\'shesaid。``Hemustseeyourface。Hewillwanttoseeit。Iwanthimtosee——howyoungyouare。\'\'

Shethrewthedoorwideopenandtheyheardthesilverhornsendoutitsgaycallagain。ThebrushwoodandfaggotsTheRathadthrownonthecoalscrackledandsparkledandroaredintofineflames，whichcasttheirlightintotheroadandthrewoutinfinerelieftheoldfigurewhichstoodonthethresholdandlookedsotall。

Andinbutafewminuteshergreatlordcametoher。Andinhisgreenhunting-suitwithitsgreenhatandeagle\'sfeatherhewasassplendidasshehadsaidhewas。Hewasbigandroyal-

lookingandlaughingandhebentandkissedherasifhehadbeenherownson。

``Yes，goodMother，\'\'theyheardhimsay。``Iwantmywarmbedandoneofyourgoodsuppers。IsenttheotherstotheGasthaus。\'\'

Hecameintotheredlyglowingroomandhisheadalmosttouchedtheblackenedrafters。Thenhesawthetwoboys。

``Whoarethese，goodMother？\'\'heasked。

Sheliftedhishandandkissedit。

``TheyaretheBearersoftheSign，\'\'shesaidrathersoftly。``

`TheLampislighted。\'\'\'

Thenhiswholelookchanged。Hislaughingfacebecamequitegraveandforamomentlookedevenanxious。Marcoknewitwasbecausehewasstartledtofindthemonlyboys。Hemadeastepforwardtolookatthemmoreclosely。

``TheLampislighted！AndyoutwobeartheSign！\'\'heexclaimed。Marcostoodoutinthefireglowthathemightseehimwell。Hesalutedwithrespect。

``MynameisMarcoLoristan，Highness，\'\'hesaid。``Andmyfathersentme。\'\'

Thechangewhichcameuponhisfacethenwasevengreaterthanatfirst。Forasecond，Marcoevenfeltthattherewasaflashofalarminit。Butalmostatoncethatpassed。

``Loristanisagreatmanandagreatpatriot，\'\'hesaid。``Ifhesentyou，itisbecauseheknowsyouaretheonesafemessenger。HehasworkedtoolongforSamavianottoknowwhathedoes。\'\'

Marcosalutedagain。Heknewwhatitwasrighttosaynext。

``IfwehaveyourHighness\'spermissiontoretire，\'\'hesaid，``wewillleaveyouandgotobed。Wegodownthemountainatsunrise。\'\'

``Wherenext？\'\'askedthehunter，lookingathimwithcuriousintentness。

``ToVienna，Highness，\'\'Marcoanswered。

Hisquestionerheldouthishand，stillwiththeintentinterestinhiseyes。

``Goodnight，finelad，\'\'hesaid。``SamaviahasneedtovauntitselfonitsSign-bearer。Godgowithyou。\'\'

Hestoodandwatchedhimashewenttowardtheroominwhichheandhisaide-de-campweretosleep。TheRatfollowedhimclosely。Atthelittlebackdoortheold，oldwomanstood，havingopeneditforthem。AsMarcopassedandbadehergoodnight，hesawthatsheagainmadethestrangeobeisance，bendingthekneeashewentby。

XXIV

``HOWSHALLWEFINDHIM？\'\'

InViennatheycameuponapageant。Incelebrationofacentury-pastvictorytheEmperordroveinstateandceremonytoattendatthegreatcathedralandtodohonortotheancientbannersandlaurel-wreathedstatueofalong-deadsoldier-prince。

Thebroadpavementsofthehugechiefthoroughfarewerecrowdedwithacheeringpopulacewatchingthemartialpompandsplendorasitpassedbywithmarchingfeet，prancinghorses，andglitterofscabbardandchain，whichallseemedsomehowpartofmusicintriumphantbursts。

TheRatwasenormouslythrilledbythemagnificenceoftheimperialplace。Itsimmensespaces，thesquaresandgardens，reignedoverbystatuesofemperors，andwarriors，andqueensmadehimfeelthatallthingsonearthwerepossible。Thepalacesandstatelypilesofarchitecture，whosesurmountingequestrianbronzesrampedhighintheairclearcutandbeautifulagainstthesky，seemedtosweepoutofhisworldallatmospherebutthatofsplendidcitiesdownwhosebroadavenuesemperorsrodewithwavingbanners，tramping，janglingsoldierybeforeandbehind，andgoldentrumpetsblaringforth。Itseemedasifitmustalwaysbelikethis——thatlancesandcavalryandemperorswouldneverceasetorideby。``Ishouldliketostayherealongtime，\'\'hesaidalmostasifhewereinadream。``Ishouldliketoseeitall。\'\'

Heleanedonhiscrutchesinthecrowdandwatchedtheglitterofthepassingpageant。NowandthenheglancedatMarco，whowatchedalsowithasteadyeyewhich，TheRatsaw，nothingwouldescape：HowabsorbedhealwayswasintheGame！Howimpossibleitwasforhimtoforgetitortorememberitonlyasaboywould！Oftenitseemedthathewasnotaboyatall。AndtheGame，TheRatknewinthesedays，wasagamenomorebutathingofdeepanddeadlyearnest——athingwhichtouchedkingsandthrones，andconcernedtherulingandswayingofgreatcountries。

Andthey——twoladspushedaboutbythecrowdastheystoodandstaredatthesoldiers——carriedwiththemthatwhichwasevennowlightingtheLamp。ThebloodinTheRat\'sveinsranquicklyandmadehimfeelhotasherememberedcertainthoughtswhichhadforcedthemselvesintohismindduringthepastweeks。Ashisbrainhadthetrickof``workingthingsout，\'\'ithad，duringthelastfortnightatleast，beenfollowingawonderfulevenifratherfantasticandfeverishfancy。Ameretriflehadsetitatwork，but，itslaboroncebegun，thingswhichmighthaveonceseemedtobetriflesappearedsonolonger。WhenMarcowasasleep，TheRatlayawakethroughthrilledandsometimesalmostbreathlessmidnighthours，lookingbackwardandrecallingeverydetailoftheirlivessincetheyhadknowneachother。Sometimesitseemedtohimthatalmosteverythingheremembered——theGamefromfirsttolastaboveall——hadpointedtobutonething。Andthenagainhewouldallatoncefeelthathewasafoolandhadbetterkeephisheadsteady。Marco，heknew，hadnowildfancies。Hehadlearnedtoomuchandhismindwastoowellbalanced。Hedidnottryto``workoutthings。\'\'Heonlythoughtofwhathewasunderorderstodo。

``But，\'\'saidTheRatmorethanonceinthesemidnighthours，``ifitevercomestoadrawwhetherheistobesavedorIam，heistheonethatmustcometonoharm。Killingcan\'ttakelong——andhisfathersentmewithhim。\'\'

Thisthoughtpassedthroughhismindasthetrampingfeetwentby。Asasuddensplendidburstofapproachingmusicbrokeuponhisear，aqueerlooktwistedhisface。Herealizedthecontrastbetweenthisdayandthatfirstmorningbehindthechurchyard，whenhehadsatonhisplatformamongtheSquadandlookedupandsawMarcointhearchattheendofthepassage。Andbecausehehadbeengood-lookingandhadheldhimselfsowell，hehadthrownastoneathim。Yes——blindgutter-bredfoolthathe\'dbeen：——hisfirstgreetingtoMarcohadbeenastone，justbecausehewaswhathewas。Astheystoodhereinthecrowdinthisfar-offforeigncity，itdidnotseemasifitcouldbetruethatitwashewhohaddoneit。

HemanagedtoworkhimselfclosertoMarco\'sside。``Isn\'titsplendid？\'\'hesaid，``IwishIwasanemperormyself。I\'dhavethesefellowsoutlikethiseveryday。\'\'Hesaiditonlybecausehewantedtosaysomething，tospeak，asareasonforgettingclosertohim。HewantedtobenearenoughtotouchhimandfeelthattheywerereallytogetherandthatthewholethingwasnotasortofmagnificentdreamfromwhichhemightawakentofindhimselflyingonhisheapofragsinhiscorneroftheroominBoneCourt。

Thecrowdswayedforwardinitseagernesstoseetheprincipalfeatureofthepageant——theEmperorinhiscarriage。TheRatswayedforwardwiththeresttolookasitpassed。

Ahandsomewhite-hairedandmustachedpersonageinsplendiduniformdecoratedwithjeweledordersandwithacascadeofemerald-greenplumesnoddinginhismilitaryhatgravelysalutedtheshoutingpeopleoneitherside。Byhimsatamanuniformed，decorated，andemerald-plumedalso，butmanyyearsyounger。

Marco\'sarmtouchedTheRat\'salmostatthesamemomentthathisowntouchedMarco。Underthenoddingplumeseachsawtherathertiredandcynicalpaleface，asketchofwhichwashiddenintheslitinMarco\'ssleeve。

``IstheonewhositswiththeEmperoranArchduke？\'\'Marcoaskedthemannearesttohiminthecrowd。Themanansweredamiablyenough。No，hewasnot，buthewasacertainPrince，adescendantoftheonewhowastheherooftheday。HewasagreatfavoriteoftheEmperor\'sandwasalsoagreatpersonage，whosepalacecontainedpicturescelebratedthroughoutEurope。

``Hepretendsitisonlypictureshecaresfor，\'\'hewenton，shrugginghisshouldersandspeakingtohiswife，whohadbeguntolisten，``butheisacleverone，whoamuseshimselfwiththingsheprofessesnottoconcernhimselfabout——bigthings。

It\'shiswaytolookbored，andinterestedinnothing，butit\'ssaidhe\'sawizardforknowingdangeroussecrets。\'\'

``DoesheliveattheHofburgwiththeEmperor？\'\'askedthewoman，craninghernecktolookaftertheimperialcarriage。

``No，buthe\'softenthere。TheEmperorislonelyandboredtoo，nodoubt，andthisonehaswaysofmakinghimforgethistroubles。It\'sbeentoldmethatnowandthenthetwodressthemselvesroughly，likecommonmen，andgooutintothecitytoseewhatit\'sliketorubshoulderswiththerestoftheworld。

Idaresayit\'strue。Ishouldliketotryitmyselfonceinawhile，ifIhadtositonathroneandwearacrown。\'\'

Thetwoboysfollowedthecelebrationtoitsend。Theymanagedtogetnearenoughtoseetheentrancetothechurchwheretheservicewasheldandtogetaviewoftheceremoniesatthebanner-drapedandlaurel-wreathedstatue。Theysawthemanwiththepalefaceseveraltimes，buthewasalwayssoenclosedthatitwasnotpossibletogetwithinyardsofhim。Ithappenedonce，however，thathelookedthroughatemporarybreakinthecrowdingpeopleandsawadarkstrong-featuredandremarkablyintentboy\'sface，whosevividscrutinyofhimcaughthiseye。Therewassomethinginthefixednessofitsattentionwhichcausedhimtolookatitcuriouslyforafewseconds，andMarcomethisgazesquarely。

``Lookatme！Lookatme！\'\'theboywassayingtohimmentally。

``Ihaveamessageforyou。Amessage！\'\'

Thetiredeyesinthepalefacerestedonhimwithacertaingrowinglightofinterestandcuriosity，butthecrowdingpeoplemovedandthetemporarybreakclosedup，sothatthetwocouldseeeachothernomore。MarcoandTheRatwerepushedbackwardbythosetallerandstrongerthanthemselvesuntiltheywereontheoutskirtsofthecrowd。

``LetusgototheHofburg，\'\'saidMarco。``Theywillcomebackthere，andweshallseehimagainevenifwecan\'tgetnear。\'\'

TotheHofburgtheymadetheirwaythroughthelesscrowdedstreets，andtheretheywaitedasneartothegreatpalaceastheycouldget。Theyweretherewhen，theceremoniesatanend，theimperialcarriagesreturned，but，thoughtheysawtheirmanagain，theywereatsomedistancefromhimandhedidnotseethem。

Thenfollowedfoursingulardays。Theyweresingulardaysbecausetheywerefulloftantalizingincidents。Nothingseemedeasierthantoheartalkof，andseetheEmperor\'sfavorite，butnothingwasmoreimpossiblethantogetneartohim。Heseemedratherafavoritewiththepopulace，andthecommonpeopleoftheshopkeepingorlaboringclassesweregiventotalkingfreelyofhim——ofwherehewasgoingandwhathewasdoing。To-nighthewouldbesuretobeatthisgreathouseorthat，atthisballorthatbanquet。Therewasnodifficultyindiscoveringthathewouldbesuretogototheopera，orthetheatre，ortodrivetoSchonbrunnwithhisimperialmaster。MarcoandTheRatheardcasualspeechofhimagainandagain，andfromonepartofthecitytotheothertheyfollowedandwaitedforhim。Butitwaslikechasingawill-o\'-the-wisp。Hewasevidentlytoobrilliantandimportantapersontobeallowedtomoveaboutalone。Therewerealwayspeoplewithhimwhoseemedabsorbedinhislanguidcynicaltalk。Marcothoughtthatheneverseemedtocaremuchforhiscompanions，thoughtheyontheirpartalwaysseemedhighlyentertainedbywhathewassaying。Itwasnoticeablethattheylaughedagreatdeal，thoughhehimselfscarcelyevensmiled。

``He\'soneofthosechapswiththetrickofsayingwittythingsasifhedidn\'tseethefuninthemhimself，\'\'TheRatsummedhimup。``Chapslikethatarealwaysclevererthantheotherkind。\'\'

``He\'stoohighinfavorandtoorichnottobefollowedabout，\'\'

theyheardamaninashopsayoneday，``buthegetstiredofit。Sometimes，whenhe\'stooboredtostanditanylonger，hegivesitoutthathe\'sgoneintothemountainssomewhere，andallthetimehe\'sshutupalonewithhispicturesinhisownpalace。\'\'

ThatverynightTheRatcameintotheiratticlookingpaleanddisappointed。Hehadbeenouttobuysomefoodafteralongandarduousdayinwhichtheyhadcoveredmuchground，hadseentheirmanthreetimes，andeachtimeundercircumstanceswhichmadehimmoreinaccessiblethanever。Theyhadcomebacktotheirpoorquartersbothtiredandravenouslyhungry。

TheRatthrewhispurchaseontothetableandhimselfintoachair。

``He\'sgonetoBudapest，\'\'hesaid。``NOWhowshallwefindhim？\'\'

Marcowasratherpalealso，andforamomenthelookedpaler。

Thedayhadbeenahardone，andintheirhastetoreachplacesatalongdistancefromeachothertheyhadforgottentheirneedoffood。

Theysatsilentforafewmomentsbecausethereseemedtobenothingtosay。``Wearetootiredandhungrytobeabletothinkwell，\'\'Marcosaidatlast。``Letuseatoursupperandthengotosleep。Untilwe\'vehadarest，wemust`letgo。\'\'\'

``Yes。There\'snogoodintalkingwhenyou\'retired，\'\'TheRatansweredatriflegloomily。``Youdon\'treasonstraight。Wemust`letgo。\'\'\'

Theirmealwassimplebuttheyatewellandwithoutwords。

Evenwhentheyhadfinishedandundressedforthenight，theysaidverylittle。

``Wheredoourthoughtsgowhenweareasleep，\'\'TheRatinquiredcasuallyafterhewasstretchedoutinthedarkness。``Theymustgosomewhere。Let\'ssendthemtofindoutwhattodonext。\'\'

``It\'snotasstillasitwasontheGaisberg。Youcanhearthecityroaring，\'\'saidMarcodrowsilyfromhisdarkcorner。``Wemustmakealedge——forourselves。\'\'

Sleepmadeitforthem——deep，restful，healthysleep。Iftheyhadbeenmoreresentfuloftheirillluckandlostlabor，itwouldhavecomelesseasilyandhavebeenlessnatural。Intheirtalksofstrangethingstheyhadlearnedthatonegreatsecretofstrengthandunflaggingcourageistoknowhowto``letgo\'\'——toceasethinkingoverananxietyuntiltherightmomentcomes。Itwastheirhabitto``letgo\'\'forhourssometimes，andwanderaboutlookingatplacesandthings——galleries，museums，palaces，givingthemselvesupwithboyishpleasureandeagernesstoalltheysaw。Marcowastoointimatewiththethingsworthseeing，andTheRattoocuriousandfeverishlywide-awaketoallowoftheirmissingmuch。

TheRat\'simageoftheworldhadgrownuntilitseemedtoknownoboundarieswhichcouldholditswealthofwonders。Hewantedtogoonandonandseethemall。

WhenMarcoopenedhiseyesinthemorning，hefoundTheRatlyinglookingathim。Thentheybothsatupinbedatthesametime。

``Ibelieveweareboththinkingthesamething，\'\'Marcosaid。

Theyfrequentlydiscoveredthattheywerethinkingthesamethings。

``SodoI，\'\'answeredTheRat。``Itshowshowtiredwewerethatwedidn\'tthinkofitlastnight。\'\'

``Yes，wearethinkingthesamething，\'\'saidMarco。``Wehavebothrememberedwhatweheardabouthisshuttinghimselfupalonewithhispicturesandmakingpeoplebelievehehadgoneaway。\'\'

``He\'sinhispalacenow，\'\'TheRatannounced。

``Doyoufeelsureofthat，too？\'\'askedMarco。``Didyouwakeupandfeelsureofitthefirstthing？\'\'

``Yes，\'\'answeredTheRat。``AssureasifI\'dheardhimsayithimself。\'\'

``SodidI，\'\'saidMarco。

``That\'swhatourthoughtsbroughtbacktous，\'\'saidTheRat，``whenwe`letgo\'andsentthemofflastnight。\'\'Hesatuphugginghiskneesandlookingstraightbeforehimforsometimeafterthis，andMarcodidnotinterrupthismeditations。

Thedaywasabrilliantone，and，thoughtheirattichadonlyonewindow，thesunshoneinthroughitastheyatetheirbreakfast。

Afterit，theyleanedonthewindow\'sledgeandtalkedaboutthePrince\'sgarden。Theytalkedaboutitbecauseitwasaplaceopentothepublicandtheyhadwalkedrounditmorethanonce。

Thepalace，whichwasnotalargeone，stoodinthemidstofit。

ThePrincewasgood-naturedenoughtoallowquietandwell-behavedpeopletosaunterthrough。Itwasnotafashionablepromenadebutapleasantretreatforpeoplewhosometimestooktheirworkorbooksandsatontheseatsplacedhereandthereamongtheshrubsandflowers。

``Whenweweretherethefirsttime，Inoticedtwothings，\'\'

Marcosaid。``ThereisastonebalconywhichjutsoutfromthesideofthepalacewhichlooksontheFountainGarden。ThatdaytherewerechairsonitasifthePrinceandhisvisitorssometimessatthere。Nearit，therewasaverylargeevergreenshrubandIsawthattherewasahollowplaceinsideit。Ifsomeonewantedtostayinthegardensallnighttowatchthewindowswhentheywerelightedandseeifanyonecameoutaloneuponthebalcony，hecouldhidehimselfinthehollowplaceandstaythereuntilthemorning。\'\'

``Isthereroomfortwoinsidetheshrub？\'\'TheRatasked。

``No。Imustgoalone，\'\'saidMarco。

XXV

AVOICEINTHENIGHT

Latethatafternoontherewanderedaboutthegardenstwoquiet，inconspicuous，ratherpoorlydressedboys。Theylookedatthepalace，theshrubs，andtheflower-beds，asstrangersusuallydid，andtheysatontheseatsandtalkedaspeoplewereaccustomedtoseeingboystalktogether。Itwasasunnydayandexceptionallywarm，andthereweremoresaunterersandsittersthanusual，whichwasperhapsthereasonwhytheportierattheentrancegatesgavesuchslightnoticetothepairthathedidnotobservethat，thoughtwoboyscamein，onlyonewentout。Hedidnot，infact，remember，whenhesawTheRatswingbyonhiscrutchesatclosing-time，thathehadenteredincompanywithadark-hairedladwhowalkedwithoutanyaid。Ithappenedthat，whenTheRatpassedout，theportierattheentrancewasmuchinterestedintheaspectofthesky，whichwascuriouslythreatening。Therehadbeenheavycloudshangingaboutalldayandnowandthenblottingoutthesunshineentirely，butthesunhadrefusedtoretirealtogether。Justnow，however，thecloudshadpiledthemselvesinthunderous，purplishmountains，andthesunhadbeenforcedtosetbehindthem。

``It\'sbeenasortofbattlesincemorning，\'\'theportiersaid。

``Therewillbesomecrashesandcataractsto-night。\'\'ThatwaswhatTheRathadthoughtwhentheyhadsatintheFountainGardenonaseatwhichgavethemagoodviewofthebalconyandthebigevergreenshrub，whichtheyknewhadthehollowinthemiddle，thoughitscircumferencewassoimposing。``Ifthereshouldbeabigstorm，theevergreenwillnotsaveyoumuch，thoughitmaykeepofftheworst，\'\'TheRatsaid。``Iwishtherewasroomfortwo。\'\'

HewouldhavewishedtherewasroomfortwoifhehadseenMarcomarchingtothestake。Asthegardensemptied，theboysroseandwalkedroundoncemore，asifontheirwayout。Bythetimetheyhadsaunteredtowardthebigevergreen，nobodywasintheFountainGarden，andthelastloiterersweremovingtowardthearchedstoneentrancetothestreets。

Whentheydrewnearonesideoftheevergreen，thetwoweretogether。WhenTheRatswungoutontheothersideofit，hewasalone！Noonenoticedthatanythinghadhappened；noonelookedback。SoTheRatswungdownthewalksandroundtheflower-bedsandpassedintothestreet。Andtheportierlookedattheskyandmadehisremarkaboutthe``crashes\'\'and``cataracts。\'\'

Asthedarknesscameon，thehollowintheshrubseemedaverysafeplace。Itwasnotintheleastlikelythatanyonewouldentertheclosedgardens；andifbyrarechancesomeservantpassedthrough，hewouldnotbeinsearchofpeoplewhowishedtowatchallnightinthemiddleofanevergreeninsteadofgoingtobedandtosleep。Thehollowwaswellinclosedwithgreenery，andtherewasroomtositdownwhenonewastiredofstanding。

Marcostoodforalongtimebecause，bydoingso，hecouldseeplainlythewindowsopeningonthebalconyifhegentlypushedasidesomeflexibleyoungboughs。HehadmanagedtodiscoverinhisfirstvisittothegardensthatthewindowsoverlookingtheFountainGardenwerethosewhichbelongedtothePrince\'sownsuiteofrooms。Thosewhichopenedontothebalconylightedhisfavoriteapartment，whichcontainedhisbest-lovedbooksandpicturesandinwhichhespentmostofhissecludedleisurehours。

Marcowatchedthesewindowsanxiously。IfthePrincehadnotgonetoBudapest，——ifhewerereallyonlyinretreat，andhidingfromhisgayworldamonghistreasures，——hewouldbelivinginhisfavoriteroomsandlightswouldshowthemselves。Andiftherewerelights，hemightpassbeforeawindowbecause，sincehewasinclosedinhisgarden，heneednotfearbeingseen。Thetwilightdeepenedintodarknessand，becauseoftheheavyclouds，itwasverydense。Faintgleamsshowedthemselvesinthelowerpartofthepalace，butnonewaslightedinthewindowsMarcowatched。Hewaitedsolongthatitbecameevidentthatnonewastobelightedatall。Atlastheloosedhisholdontheyoungboughsand，afterstandingafewmomentsinthought，satdownupontheearthinthemidstofhisemboweredtent。ThePrincewasnotinhisretreat；hewasprobablynotinVienna，andtherumorofhisjourneytoBudapesthadnodoubtbeentrue。Somuchtimelostthroughmakingamistake——butitwasbesttohavemadetheventure。Nottohavemadeitwouldhavebeentoloseachance。Theentrancewasclosedforthenightandtherewasnogettingoutofthegardensuntiltheywereopenedforthenextday。Hemuststayinhishiding-placeuntilthetimewhenpeoplebegantocomeandbringtheirbooksandknittingandsitontheseats。Thenhecouldstrolloutwithoutattractingattention。Buthehadthenightbeforehimtospendasbesthecould。Thatwouldnotmatteratall。Hecouldtuckhiscapunderhisheadandgotosleepontheground。Hecouldcommandhimselftowakenonceeveryhalf-hourandlookforthelights。

Hewouldnotgotosleepuntilitwaslongpastmidnight——solongpastthattherewouldnotbeonechanceinahundredthatanythingcouldhappen。Butthecloudswhichmadethenightsodarkweregivingforthlowrumblinggrowls。Atintervalsathreateninggleamoflightshotacrossthemandasuddenswishofwindrushedthroughthetreesinthegarden。Thishappenedseveraltimes，andthenMarcobegantohearthepatterofraindrops。Theywereheavyandbigdrops，butfewatfirst，andthentherewasanewandmorepowerfulrushofwind，ajaggeddartoflightinthesky，andatremendouscrash。Afterthatthecloudstorethemselvesopenandpouredforththeircontentsinfloods。Aftertheprotractedstruggleofthedayitallseemedtohappenatonce，asifahordeofhugelionshadatonemomentbeenletloose：flameafterflameoflightning，roarandcrashandsharpreportsofthunder，shrieksofhurricanewind，torrentsofrain，asifsometidal-waveoftheskieshadgatheredandrushedandburstupontheearth。Itwassuchastormaspeoplerememberforalifetimeandwhichinfewlifetimesisseenatall。

Marcostoodstillinthemidstoftherageandflooding，blindingroarofit。Afterthefirstfewminutesheknewhecoulddonothingtoshieldhimself。Downthegardenpathsheheardcataractsrushing。Heheldhiscappressedagainsthiseyesbecauseheseemedtostandinthemidstofdartingflames。Thecrashes，cannonreportsandthunderings，andthejaggedstreamsoflightcamesoclosetooneanotherthatheseemeddeafenedaswellasblinded。Hewonderedifheshouldeverbeabletohearhumanvoicesagainwhenitwasover。Thathewasdrenchedtotheskinandthatthewaterpouredfromhisclothesasifhewerehimselfacataractwassosmalladetailthathewasscarcelyawareofit。Hestoodstill，bracinghisbody，andwaited。IfhehadbeenaSamaviansoldierinthetrenchesandsuchastormhadbrokenuponhimandhiscomrades，theycouldonlyhavebracedthemselvesandwaited。Thiswaswhathefoundhimselfthinkingwhenthetumultanddownpourwereattheirworst。Thereweremenwhohadwaitedinthemidstofarainofbullets。

Itwasnotlongafterthisthoughthadcometohimthatthereoccurredthefirsttemporarylullinthestorm。Itsfuryperhapsreacheditsheightandbrokeatthatmoment。Ayellowflamehadtornitsjaggedwayacrosstheheavens，andanearth-rendingcrashhadthundereditselfintorumblingswhichactuallydiedawaybeforebreakingforthagain。Marcotookhiscapfromhiseyesanddrewalongbreath。Hedrewtwolongbreaths。Itwasashebegandrawingathirdandrealizingthestrangefeelingofthealmoststillnessabouthimthatheheardanewkindofsoundatthesideofthegardennearesthishiding-place。Itsoundedlikethecreakofadooropeningsomewhereinthewallbehindthelaurelhedge。Someonewascomingintothegardenbyaprivateentrance。Hepushedasidetheyoungboughsagainandtriedtosee，butthedarknesswastoodense。Yethecouldhearifthethunderwouldnotbreakagain。Therewasthesoundoffeetonthewetgravel，thefootstepsofmorethanonepersoncomingtowardwherehestood，butnotasifafraidofbeingheard；

merelyasiftheywereatlibertytocomeinbywhatentrancetheychose。Marcoremainedverystill。Asuddenhopegavehimashockofjoy。Ifthemanwiththetiredfacechosetohidehimselffromhisacquaintances，hemightchoosetogoinandoutbyaprivateentrance。Thefootstepsdrewnear，crushingthewetgravel，passedby，andseemedtopausesomewherenearthebalcony；andthemflamelituptheskyagainandthethunderburstforthoncemore。

Butthiswasitslastgrealpeal。Thestormwasatanend。Onlyfainterandfainterrumblingsandmutteringsandpalerandpalerdartsfollowed。Eventheyweresoonover，andthecataractsinthepathshadrushedthemselvessilent。Butthedarknesswasstilldeep。

Itwasdeeptoblacknessinthehollowoftheevergreen。Marcostoodinit，streamingwithrain，butfeelingnothingbecausehewasfullofthought。Hepushedasidehisgreeneryandkepthiseyesontheplaceintheblacknesswherethewindowsmustbe，thoughhecouldnotseethem。Itseemedthathewaitedalongtime，butheknewitonlyseemedsoreally。Hebegantobreathequicklybecausehewaswaitingforsomething。

Suddenlyhesawexactlywherethewindowswere——becausetheywerealllighted！

Hisfeelingofreliefwasgreat，butitdidnotlastverylong。

ItwastruethatsomethinghadbeengainedinthecertaintythathismanhadnotleftVienna。Butwhatnext？Itwouldnotbesoeasytofollowhimifhechoseonlytogooutsecretlyatnight。

Whatnext？Tospendtherestofthenightwatchingalightedwindowwasnotenough。To-morrownightitmightnotbelighted。

Buthekepthisgazefixeduponit。Hetriedtofixallhiswillandthought-poweronthepersoninsidetheroom。Perhapshecouldreachhimandmakehimlisten，eventhoughhewouldnotknowthatanyonewasspeakingtohim。Heknewthatthoughtswerestrongthings。Ifangrythoughtsinoneman\'smindwillcreateangerinthemindofanother，whyshouldnotsanemessagescrosstheline？

``Imustspeaktoyou。Imustspeaktoyou！\'\'hefoundhimselfsayinginalowintensevoice。``Iamoutsideherewaiting。

Listen！Imustspeaktoyou！\'\'

Hesaiditmanytimesandkepthiseyesfixeduponthewindowwhichopenedontothebalcony。Oncehesawaman\'sfigurecrosstheroom，buthecouldnotbesurewhoitwas。Thelastdistantrumblingsofthunderhaddiedawayandthecloudswerebreaking。

Itwasnotlongbeforethedarkmountainousbillowsbrokeapart，andabrilliantfullmoonshowedherselfsailingintherift，suddenlyfloodingeverythingwithlight。Partsofthegardenweresilverwhite，andthetreeshadowswerelikeblackvelvet。

AsilverylancepiercedevenintothehollowofMarco\'severgreenandstruckacrosshisface。

Perhapsitwasthissuddenchangewhichattractedtheattentionofthoseinsidethebalconiedroom。Aman\'sfigureappearedatthelongwindows。MarcosawnowthatitwasthePrince。Heopenedthewindowsandsteppedoutontothebalcony。

``Itisallover，\'\'hesaidquietly。Andhestoodwithhisfacelifted，lookingatthegreatwhitesailingmoon。

Hestoodverystillandseemedforthemomenttoforgettheworldandhimself。Itwasawonderful，triumphantqueenofamoon。

Butsomethingbroughthimbacktoearth。Alow，butstrongandclear，boy-voicecameuptohimfromthegardenpathbelow。

``TheLampislighted。TheLampislighted，\'\'itsaid，andthewordssoundedalmostasifsomeonewereutteringaprayer。Theyseemedtocalltohim，toarresthim，todrawhim。

Hestoodstillafewsecondsindeadsilence。Thenhebentoverthebalustrade。Themoonlighthadnotbrokenthedarknessbelow。

``Thatisaboy\'svoice，\'\'hesaidinalowtone，``butIcannotseewhoisspeaking。\'\'

``Yes，itisaboy\'svoice，\'\'itanswered，inawaywhichsomehowmovedhim，becauseitwassoardent。``ItisthesonofStefanLoristan。TheLampislighted。\'\'

``Wait。Iamcomingdowntoyou，\'\'thePrincesaid。

InafewminutesMarcoheardadooropengentlynotfarfromwherehestood。Thenthemanhehadbeenfollowingsomanydaysappearedathisside。

``Howlonghaveyoubeenhere？\'\'heasked。

``Beforethegatesclosed。Ihidmyselfinthehollowofthebigshrubthere，Highness，\'\'Marcoanswered。

``Thenyouwereoutinthestorm？\'\'

``Yes，Highness。\'\'

ThePrinceputhishandontheboy\'sshoulder。``Icannotseeyou——butitisbesttostandintheshadow。Youaredrenchedtotheskin。\'\'

``IhavebeenabletogiveyourHighness——theSign，\'\'Marcowhispered。``Astormisnothing。\'\'

Therewasasilence。Marcoknewthathiscompanionwaspausingtoturnsomethingoverinhismind。

``So-o？\'\'hesaidslowly，atlength。``TheLampislighted，AndYOUaresenttobeartheSign。\'\'SomethinginhisvoicemadeMarcofeelthathewassmiling。

``Whataraceyouare！Whatarace——youSamavianLoristans！\'\'

Hepausedasiftothinkthethingoveragain。

``Iwanttoseeyourface，\'\'hesaidnext。``Hereisatreewithashaftofmoonlightstrikingthroughthebranches。Letusstepasideandstandunderit。\'\'

Marcodidashewastold。Theshaftofmoonlightfelluponhisupliftedfaceandshoweditsyoungstrengthanddarkness，quitesplendidforthemomentinatriumphantglowofjoyinobstaclesovercome。Raindropshungonhishair，buthedidnotlookdraggled，onlyverywetandpicturesque。Hehadreachedhisman。

HehadgiventheSign。

ThePrincelookedhimoverwithinterestedcuriosity。

``Yes，\'\'hesaidinhiscool，ratherdraggingvoice。``YouarethesonofStefanLoristan。Alsoyoumustbetakencareof。Youmustcomewithme。IhavetrainedmyhouseholdtoremaininitsownquartersuntilIrequireitsservice。IhaveattachedtomyownapartmentsagoodsafelittleroomwhereIsometimeskeeppeople。

Youcandryyourclothesandsleepthere。Whenthegardensareopenedagain，therestwillbeeasy。\'\'

Butthoughhesteppedoutfromunderthetreesandbegantomovetowardsthepalaceintheshadow，Marconoticedthathemovedhesitatingly，asifhehadnotquitedecidedwhatheshoulddo。

HestoppedrathersuddenlyandturnedagaintoMarco，whowasfollowinghim。

``ThereissomeoneintheroomIjustnowleft，\'\'hesaid，``anoldman——whomitmightinteresttoseeyou。Itmightalsobeagoodthingforhimtofeelinterestinyou。Ichoosethatheshallseeyou——asyouare。\'\'

``Iamatyourcommand，Highness，\'\'Marcoanswered。Heknewhiscompanionwassmilingagain。

``Youhavebeenintrainingformorecenturiesthanyouknow，\'\'

hesaid；``andyourfatherhaspreparedyoutoencountertheunexpectedwithoutsurprise。\'\'

Theypassedunderthebalconyandpausedatalowstonedoorwayhiddenbehindshrubs。Thedoorwasabeautifulone，Marcosawwhenitwasopened，andthecorridordisclosedwasbeautifulalso，thoughithadanairofquietandaloofnesswhichwasnotsomuchsecretasprivate。Aperfectthoughnarrowstaircasemountedfromittothenextfloor。Afterascendingit，thePrinceledthewaythroughashortcorridorandstoppedatthedoorattheendofit。``Wearegoinginhere，\'\'hesaid。

Itwasawonderfulroom——theonewhichopenedontothebalcony。

Eachpieceoffurnitureinit，thehangings，thetapestries，andpicturesonthewallwereallsuchasmightwellhavefoundthemselvesadorningamuseum。Marcorememberedthecommonreportofhisescort\'sfavoriteamusementofcollectingwondersandfurnishinghishousewiththethingsothersexhibitedonlyasmarvelsofartandhandicraft。Theplacewasrichandmellowwithexquisitelychosenbeauties。

Inamassivechairupontheheartsatafigurewithbenthead。

Itwasatalloldmanwithwhitehairandmoustache。Hiselbowsresteduponthearmofhischairandheleanedhisforeheadonhishandasifhewereweary。

Marco\'scompanioncrossedtheroomandstoodbesidehim，speakinginaloweredvoice。Marcocouldnotatfirsthearwhathesaid。

Hehimselfstoodquitestill，waiting。Thewhite-hairedmanliftedhisheadandlistened。Itseemedasthoughalmostatoncehewassingularlyinterested。TheloweredvoicewasslightlyraisedatlastandMarcoheardthelasttwosentences：

``TheonlysonofStefanLoristan。Lookathim。\'\'

Theoldmaninthechairturnedslowlyandlooked，steadily，andwithquestioningcuriositytouchedwithgravesurprise。Hehadkeenandclearblueeyes。

ThenMarco，stillerectandsilent，waitedagain。ThePrincehadmerelysaidtohim，``anoldmanwhomitmightinteresttoseeyou。\'\'Hehadplainlyintendedthat，whatsoeverhappened，hemustmakenooutwardsignofseeingmorethanhehadbeentoldhewouldsee——``anoldman。\'\'Itwasforhimtoshownoastonishmentorrecognition。Hehadbeenbroughtherenottoseebuttobeseen。Thepowerofremainingstillunderscrutiny，whichTheRathadoftenenviedhim，stoodnowingoodsteadbecausehehadseenthewhiteheadandtallformnotmanydaysbefore，surmountedbybrilliantemeraldplumes，hungwithjeweleddecorations，intheroyalcarriage，escortedbybanners，andhelmets，andfollowingtroopswhosetrampingfeetkepttimetoburstsofmilitarymusicwhilethepopulacebaredtheirheadsandcheered。

``Heislikehisfather，\'\'thispersonagesaidtothePrince。

``ButifanyonebutLoristanhadsenthim——Hislookspleaseme。\'\'ThensuddenlytoMarco，``Youwerewaitingoutsidewhilethestormwasgoingon？\'\'

``Yes，sir，\'\'Marcoanswered。

Thenthetwoexchangedsomewordsstillintheloweredvoice。

``Youreadthenewsasyoumadeyourjourney？\'\'hewasasked。

``YouknowhowSamaviastands？\'\'

``Shedoesnotstand，\'\'saidMarco。``TheIarovitchandtheMaranovitchhavefoughtashyenasfight，untileachhastorntheotherintofragments——andneitherhasbloodorstrengthleft。\'\'

Thetwoglancedateachother。

``Agoodsimile，\'\'saidtheolderperson。``Youareright。Ifastrongpartyrose——andagreaterpowerchosenottointerfere——thecountrymightseebetterdays。\'\'Helookedathimafewmomentslongerandthenwavedhishandkindly。

``YouareafineSamavian，\'\'hesaid。``Iamgladofthat。Youmaygo。Goodnight。\'\'

Marcobowedrespectfullyandthemanwiththetiredfaceledhimoutoftheroom。

ItwasjustbeforehelefthiminthesmallquietchamberinwhichhewastosleepthatthePrincegavehimafinalcuriousglance。``Iremembernow，\'\'hesaid。``Intheroom，whenyouansweredthequestionaboutSamavia，IwassurethatIhadseenyoubefore。Itwasthedayofthecelebration。TherewasabreakinthecrowdandIsawaboylookingatme。Itwasyou。\'\'

``Yes，\'\'saidMarco，``Ihavefollowedyoueachtimeyouhavegoneoutsincethen，butIcouldnevergetnearenoughtospeak。

To-nightseemedonlyonechanceinathousand。\'\'

``Youaredoingyourworkmorelikeamanthanaboy，\'\'wasthenextspeech，anditwasmadereflectively。``Nomancouldhavebehavedmoreperfectlythanyoudidjustnow，whendiscretionandcomposurewerenecessary。\'\'Then，afteramoment\'spause，``Hewasdeeplyinterestedanddeeplypleased。Goodnight。\'\'

Whenthegardenshadbeenthrownopenthenextmorningandpeoplewerepassinginandoutagain，Marcopassedoutalso。Hewasobligedtotellhimselftwoorthreetimesthathehadnotwakenedfromanamazingdream。Hequickenedhispaceafterhehadcrossedthestreet，becausehewantedtogethometotheatticandtalktoTheRat。Therewasanarrowside-streetitwasnecessaryforhimtopassthroughifhewishedtomakeashortcut。Asheturnedintoit，hesawacuriousfigureleaningoncrutchesagainstawall。Itlookeddampandforlorn，andhewonderedifitcouldbeabeggar。Itwasnot。ItwasTheRat，whosuddenlysawwhowasapproachingandswungforward。Hisfacewaspaleandhaggardandhelookedwornandfrightened。Hedraggedoffhiscapandspokeinavoicewhichwashoarseasacrow\'s。

``Godbethanked！\'\'hesaid。``Godbethanked！\'\'aspeoplealwayssaiditwhentheyreceivedtheSign，alone。Buttherewasakindofanguishinhisvoiceaswellasrelief。

``Aide-de-camp！\'\'Marcocriedout——TheRathadbeggedhimtocallhimso。``Whathaveyoubeendoing？Howlonghaveyoubeenhere？\'\'

``EversinceIleftyoulastnight，\'\'saidTheRatclutchingtremblinglyathisarmasiftomakesurehewasreal。``Iftherewasnotroomfortwointhehollow，therewasroomforoneinthestreet。

Wasitmyplacetogooffdutyandleaveyoualone——wasit？\'\'

``Youwereoutinthestorm？\'\'

``Weren\'tyou？\'\'saidTheRatfiercely。``IhuddledagainstthewallaswellasIcould。WhatdidIcare？Crutchesdon\'tpreventafellowwaiting。Iwouldn\'thaveleftyouifyou\'dgivenmeorders。Andthatwouldhavebeenmutiny。Whenyoudidnotcomeoutassoonasthegatesopened，Ifeltasifmyheadgotonfire。HowcouldIknowwhathadhappened？I\'venotthenerveandbackboneyouhave。Igohalfmad。\'\'ForasecondorsoMarcodidnotanswer。Butwhenheputhishandonthedampsleeve，TheRatactuallystarted，becauseitseemedasthoughhewerelookingintotheeyesofStefanLoristan。

``Youlookjustlikeyourfather！\'\'heexclaimed，inspiteofhimself。``Howtallyouare！\'\'

``Whenyouarenearme，\'\'Marcosaid，inLoristan\'sownvoice，``whenyouarenearme，Ifeel——IfeelasifIwerearoyalprinceattendedbyanarmy。YouAREmyarmy。\'\'Andhepulledoffhiscapwithquickboyishnessandadded，``Godbethanked！\'\'