第8章

Thesunwaswarmintheatticwindowwhentheyreachedtheirlodging，andthetwoleanedontheroughsillasMarcotoldhisstory。Ittooksometimetorelate；andwhenheended，hetookanenvelopefromhispocketandshowedittoTheRat。Itcontainedaflatpackageofmoney。

``Hegaveittomejustbeforeheopenedtheprivatedoor，\'\'

Marcoexplained。``Andhesaidtome，`Itwillnotbelongnow。

AfterSamavia，gobacktoLondonasquicklyasyoucan——AS

QUICKLYASYOUCAN！\'\'\'

``Iwonder——whathemeant？\'\'TheRatsaid，slowly。Atremendousthoughthadshotthroughhismind。ButitwasnotathoughthecouldspeakoftoMarco。

``Icannottell。Ithoughtthatitwasforsomereasonhedidnotexpectmetoknow，\'\'Marcosaid。``Wewilldoashetoldus。

Asquicklyaswecan。\'\'Theylookedoverthenewspapers，astheydideveryday。AllthatcouldbegatheredfromanyofthemwasthattheopposingarmiesofSamaviaseemedeachtohavereachedtheculminationofdisasterandexhaustion。Whichpartyhadthepowerlefttotakeanyfinalstepwhichcouldcallitselfavictory，itwasimpossibletosay。Neverhadacountrybeeninamoredesperatecase。

``Itisthetime！\'\'saidTheRat，gloweringoverhismap。``IftheSecretPartyrisessuddenlynow，itcantakeMelzarralmostwithoutablow。Itcansweepthroughthecountryanddisarmbotharmies。

They\'reweakened——they\'rehalfstarved——they\'rebleedingtodeath；theyWANTtobedisarmed。OnlytheIarovitchandtheMaranovitchkeeponwiththestrugglebecauseeachisfightingforthepowertotaxthepeopleandmakeslavesofthem。IftheSecretPartydoesnotrise，thepeoplewill，andthey\'llrushonthepalacesandkilleveryMaranovitchandIarovitchtheyfind。

Andservethemright！\'\'

``Letusspendtherestofthedayinstudyingtheroad-mapagain，\'\'saidMarco。``To-nightwemustbeonthewaytoSamavia！\'\'

XXVI

ACROSSTHEFRONTIER

Thatoneday，aweeklater，twotiredandtravel-wornboy-mendicantsshoulddragthemselveswithslowandwearyfeetacrossthefrontierlinebetweenJiardasiaandSamavia，wasnotanincidenttoawakensuspicionoreventoattractattention。

Warandhungerandanguishhadleftthecountrystunnedandbroken。Sincetheworsthadhappened，noonewascuriousastowhatwouldbefallthemnext。IfJiardasiaherselfhadbecomeafoe，insteadofafriendlyneighbor，andhadsentacrossthebordergallopinghordesofsoldiery，therewouldonlyhavebeenmoreshrieks，andhome-burnings，andslaughterwhichnoonedareresist。But，sofar，Jiardasiahadremainedpeaceful。Thetwoboys——oneofthemoncrutches——hadevidentlytraveledfaronfoot。Theirpoorclothesweredustyandtravel-stained，andtheystoppedandaskedforwateratthefirsthutacrosstheline。

Theonewhowalkedwithoutcrutcheshadsomecoarsebreadinabagslungoverhisshoulder，andtheysatontheroadsideandateitasiftheywerehungry。Theoldgrandmotherwholivedaloneinthehutsatandstaredatthemwithoutanycuriosity。ShemayhavevaguelywonderedwhyanyonecrossedintoSamaviainthesedays。Butshedidnotcaretoknowtheirreason。HerbigsonhadlivedinavillagewhichbelongedtotheMaranovitchandhehadbeencalledouttofightforhislords。Hehadnotwantedtofightandhadnotknownwhatthequarrelwasabout，buthewasforcedtoobey。Hehadkissedhishandsomewifeandfoursturdychildren，blubberingaloudwhenheleftthem。Hisvillageandhisgoodcropsandhishousemustbeleftbehind。ThentheIarovitchsweptthroughtheprettylittleclusterofhomesteadswhichbelongedtotheirenemy。Theyweremadwithragebecausetheyhadmetwithgreatlossesinabattlenotfaraway，and，astheyswoopedthrough，theyburnedandkilled，andtrampleddownfieldsandvineyards。Theoldwoman\'ssonneversaweithertheburnedwallsofhishouseorthebodiesofhiswifeandchildren，becausehehadbeenkilledhimselfinthebattleforwhichtheIarovitchwererevengingthemselves。Onlytheoldgrandmotherwholivedinthehutnearthefrontierlineandstaredvacantlyatthepassers-byremainedalive。Shewearilygazedatpeopleandwonderedwhyshedidnothearnewsfromhersonandhergrandchildren。Butthatwasall。

Whentheboyswereoverthefrontierandwellontheirwayalongtheroads，itwasnotdifficulttokeepoutofsightifitseemednecessary。Thecountrywasmountainousandthereweredeepandthickforestsbytheway——forestssofar-reachingandwithsuchthickundergrowththatfull-grownmencouldeasilyhavehiddenthemselves。Itwasbecauseofthis，perhaps，thatthispartofthecountryhadseenlittlefighting。Therewastoogreatopportunityforsecureambushforafoe。Asthetwotravelerswenton，theyheardofburnedvillagesandtownsdestroyed，buttheyweretownsandvillagesnearerMelzarrandotherfortress-defendedcities，ortheywereinthecountrysurroundingthecastlesandestatesofpowerfulnoblesandleaders。Itwastrue，asMarcohadsaidtothewhite-hairedpersonage，thattheMaranovitchandIarovitchhadfoughtwiththesavagenessofhyenasuntilatlasttheforcesofeachsidelaytornandbleeding，theirstrength，theirresources，theirsuppliesexhausted。

Eachdayleftthemweakerandmoredesperate。Europelookedonwithsmallinterestineitherpartybutwithgrowingdesirethatthedisordershouldendandceasetointerferewithcommerce。

AllthisandmuchmoreMarcoandTheRatknew，but，astheymadetheircautiouswaythroughbywaysofthemaimedandtorturedlittlecountry，theylearnedotherthings。Theylearnedthatthestoriesofitsbeautyandfertilitywerenotromances。Itsheaven-reachingmountains，itsimmenseplainsofrichverdureonwhichflocksandherdsmighthavefedbythousands，itssplendorofdeepforestandbroadclearrushingrivershadaprimevalmajestysuchasthefirsthumancreaturesmighthavefoundonearthinthedaysoftheGardenofEden。Thetwoboystraveledthroughforestandwoodlandwhenitwaspossibletoleavetheroad。Itwassafetothreadawayamonghugetreesandtallfernsandyoungsaplings。Itwasnotalwayseasybutitwassafe。Sometimestheysawacharcoal-burner\'shutorashelterwhereashepherdwashidingwiththefewsheeplefttohim。Eachmantheymetworethesamelookofstonysufferinginhisface；

but，whentheboysbeggedforbreadandwater，aswastheirhabit，noonerefusedtosharethelittlehehad。Itsoonbecameplaintothemthattheywerethoughttobetwoyoungfugitiveswhosehomeshadprobablybeendestroyedandwhowerewanderingaboutwithnothoughtbutthatoffindingsafetyuntiltheworstwasover。Thatoneofthemtraveledoncrutchesaddedtotheirapparenthelplessness，andthathecouldnotspeakthelanguageofthecountrymadehimmoreanobjectofpity。Thepeasantsdidnotknowwhatlanguagehespoke。Sometimesaforeignercametofindworkinthissmalltownorthat。Thepoorladmighthavecometothecountrywithhisfatherandmotherandthenhavebeencaughtinthewhirlpoolofwarandtossedoutontheworldparent-less。Butnooneaskedquestions。Evenintheirdesolationtheyweresilentandnoblepeoplewhoweretoocourteousforcuriosity。

``Intheolddaystheyweresimpleandstatelyandkind。Alldoorswereopentotravelers。Themasterofthepooresthututteredablessingandawelcomewhenastrangercrossedhisthreshold。Itwasthecustomofthecountry，\'\'Marcosaid。``I

readaboutitinabookofmyfather\'s。Aboutmostofthedoorsthewelcomewascarvedinstone。Itwasthis——`TheBlessingoftheSonofGod，andRestwithintheseWalls。\'\'\'

``Theyarebigandstrong，\'\'saidTheRat。``Andtheyhavegoodfaces。Theycarrythemselvesasiftheyhadbeendrilled——bothmenandwomen。\'\'

Itwasnotthroughtheblood-drenchedpartoftheunhappylandtheirwayledthem，buttheysawhungeranddreadinthevillagestheypassed。Cropswhichshouldhavefedthepeoplehadbeentakenfromthemfortheuseofthearmy；flocksandherdshadbeendrivenaway，andfacesweregauntandgray。Thosewhohadasyetonlylostcropsandherdsknewthathomesandlivesmightbetornfromthematanymoment。Onlyoldmenandwomenandchildrenwerelefttowaitforanyfatewhichthechancesofwarmightdealouttothem。

Whentheyweregivenfoodfromsomepoorstore，Marcowouldofferalittlemoneyinreturn。Hedarenotexcitesuspicionbyofferingmuch。Hewasobligedtoletitbeimaginedthatinhisflightfromhisruinedhomehehadbeenabletosnatchatandsecretesomepoorhoardwhichmightsavehimfromstarvation。

Oftenthewomenwouldnottakewhatheoffered。Theirjourneywasahardandhungryone。Theymustmakeitallonfootandtherewaslittlefoodtobefound。Buteachofthemknewhowtoliveonscantfare。Theytraveledmostlybynightandsleptamongthefernsandundergrowththroughtheday。Theydrankfromrunningbrooksandbathedinthem。Mossandfernsmadesoftandsweet-smellingbeds，andtreesroofedthem。Sometimestheylaylongandtalkedwhiletheyrested。Andatlengthadaycamewhentheyknewtheywerenearingtheirjourney\'send。

``Itisnearlyovernow，\'\'Marcosaid，aftertheyhadthrownthemselvesdownintheforestintheearlyhoursofonedewymorning。``Hesaid`AfterSamavia，gobacktoLondonasquicklyasyoucan——ASQUICKLYASYOUCAN。\'Hesaidittwice。Asif——somethingweregoingtohappen。\'\'

``Perhapsitwillhappenmoresuddenlythanwethink——thethinghemeant，\'\'answeredTheRat。

SuddenlyhesatuponhiselbowandleanedtowardsMarco。

``WeareinSamavia！\'\'hesaid``WetwoareinSamavia！Andweareneartheend！\'\'

Marcoroseonhiselbowalso。Hewasverythinasaresultofhardtravelandscantfeeding。Histhinnessmadehiseyeslookimmenseandblackaspits。Buttheyburnedandwerebeautifulwiththeirownfire。

``Yes，\'\'hesaid，breathingquickly。``Andthoughwedonotknowwhattheendwillbe，wehaveobeyedorders。ThePrincewasnexttothelastone。Thereisonlyonemore。Theoldpriest。\'\'

``IhavewantedtoseehimmorethanIhavewantedtoseeanyoftheothers，\'\'TheRatsaid。

``SohaveI，\'\'Marcoanswered。``Hischurchisbuiltonthesideofthismountain。Iwonderwhathewillsaytous。\'\'

Bothhadthesamereasonforwantingtoseehim。Inhisyouthhehadservedinthemonasteryoverthefrontier——theonewhich，tillitwasdestroyedinarevolt，hadtreasuredthefive-hundred-year-oldstoryofthebeautifulroyalladbroughttobehiddenamongthebrotherhoodbytheancientshepherd。InthemonasterythememoryoftheLostPrincewasasthememoryofasaint。Ithadbeentoldthatoneoftheearlybrothers，whowasadecoratorandapainter，hadmadeapictureofhimwithafainthaloshiningabouthishead。Theyoungacolytewhohadservedtheremusthaveheardwonderfullegends。Butthemonasteryhadbeenburned，andtheyoungacolytehadinlateryearscrossedthefrontierandbecomethepriestofafewmountaineerswhoselittlechurchclungtothemountainside。Hehadworkedhardandfaithfullyandwasworshippedbyhispeople。OnlythesecretForgersoftheSwordknewthathismostardentworshipperswerethosewithwhomheprayedandtowhomhegaveblessingsindarkcavernsundertheearth，wherearmspiledthemselvesandmenwithdarkstrongfacessattogetherinthedimlightandlaidplansandwroughtschemes。

ThisMarcoandTheRatdidnotknowastheytalkedoftheirdesiretoseehim。

``Hemaynotchoosetotellusanything，\'\'saidMarco。``WhenwehavegivenhimtheSign，hemayturnawayandsaynothingassomeoftheothersdid。Hemayhavenothingtosaywhichweshouldhear。Silencemaybetheorderforhim，too。\'\'

Itwouldnotbealongordangerousclimbtothelittlechurchontherock。Theycouldsleeporrestalldayandbeginitattwilight。Soaftertheyhadtalkedoftheoldpriestandhadeatentheirblackbread，theysettledthemselvestosleepundercoverofthethicktallferns。

Itwasalonganddeepsleepwhichnothingdisturbed。Sofewhumanbeingseverclimbedthehill，exceptbythenarrowroughpathleadingtothechurch，thatthelittlewildcreatureshadnotlearnedtobeafraidofthem。Once，duringtheafternoon，aharehoppingalongunderthefernstomakeavisitstoppedbyMarco\'shead，and，afterlookingathimafewsecondswithhislustrouseyes，begantonibbletheendsofhishair。Heonlydiditfromcuriosityandbecausehewonderedifitmightbeanewkindofgrass，buthedidnotlikeitandstoppednibblingalmostatonce，afterwhichhelookedatitagain，movingthesoftsensitiveendofhisnoserapidlyforasecondorso，andthenhoppedawaytoattendtohisownaffairs。Averylargeandhandsomegreenstag-beetlecrawledfromoneendofTheRat\'scrutchestotheother，but，havingdoneit，hewentawayalso。

Twoorthreetimesabird，searchingforhisdinnerundertheferns，wassurprisedtofindthetwosleepingfigures，but，astheylaysoquietly，thereseemednothingtobefrightenedabout。

Abeautifullittlefieldmouserunningpastdiscoveredthattherewerecrumbslyingaboutandateallshecouldfindonthemoss。

AfterthatshecreptintoMarco\'spocketandfoundsomeexcellentonesandhadquiteafeast。Butshedisturbednobodyandtheboysslepton。

Itwasabird\'seveningsongwhichawakenedthemboth。Thebirdalightedonthebranchofatreenearthemandhertrillwasripplingclearandsweet。Theeveningairhadfreshenedandwasfragrantwithhillsidescents。WhenMarcofirstrolledoverandopenedhiseyes，hethoughtthemostdeliciousthingonearthwastowakenfromsleeponahillsideateveningandhearabirdsinging。ItseemedtomakeexquisitelyrealtohimthefactthathewasinSamavia——thattheLampwaslightedandhisworkwasnearlydone。TheRatawakenedwhenhedid，andforafewminutesbothlayontheirbackswithoutspeaking。AtlastMarcosaid，``Thestarsarecomingout。Wecanbegintoclimb，Aide-de-camp。\'\'

Thentheybothgotupandlookedateachother。

``Thelastone！\'\'TheRatsaid。``To-morrowweshallbeonourwaybacktoLondon——Number7PhilibertPlace。Afteralltheplaceswe\'vebeento——whatwillitlooklike？\'\'

``Itwillbelikewakeningoutofadream，\'\'saidMarco。``It\'snotbeautiful——PhilibertPlace。ButHEwillbethere，\'\'Anditwasasifalightlighteditselfinhisfaceandshonethroughtheverydarknessofit。

AndTheRat\'sfacelightedinalmostexactlythesameway。Andhepulledoffhiscapandstoodbare-headed。``We\'veobeyedorders，\'\'hesaid。``We\'venotforgottenone。Noonehasnoticedus，noonehasthoughtofus。We\'veblownthroughthecountriesasifwehadbeengrainsofdust。\'\'

Marco\'sheadwasbared，too，andhisfacewasstillshining。

``Godbethanked！\'\'hesaid。``Letusbegintoclimb。\'\'

Theypushedtheirwaythroughthefernsandwanderedinandoutthroughtreesuntiltheyfoundthelittlepath。Thehillwasthicklyclothedwithforestandthelittlepathwassometimesdarkandsteep；buttheyknewthat，iftheyfollowedit，theywouldatlastcomeouttoaplacewheretherewerescarcelyanytreesatall，andonacragtheywouldfindthetinychurchwaitingforthem。Thepriestmightnotbethere。Theymighthavetowaitforhim，buthewouldbesuretocomebackformorningMassandforvespers，wheresoeverhewanderedbetweentimes。

Thereweremanystarsintheskywhenatlastaturnofthepathshowedthemthechurchabovethem。Itwaslittleandbuiltofroughstone。Itlookedasifthepriesthimselfandhisscatteredflockmighthavebrokenandcarriedorrolledbitsofthehilltoputittogether。Ithadthesmall，round，mosque-likesummittheTurkshadbroughtintoEuropeincenturiespast。Itwassotinythatitwouldholdbutaverysmallcongregation——andclosetoitwasashed-likehouse，whichwasofcoursethepriest\'s。

Thetwoboysstoppedonthepathtolookatit。

``Thereisacandleburninginoneofthelittlewindows，\'\'saidMarco。

``Thereisawellnearthedoor——andsomeoneisbeginningtodrawwater，\'\'saidTheRat，next。``Itistoodarktoseewhoitis。Listen！\'\'

Theylistenedandheardthebucketdescendonthechains，andsplashinthewater。Thenitwasdrawnup，anditseemedsomeonedranklong。Thentheysawadimfiguremoveforwardandstandstill。Thentheyheardavoicebegintoprayaloud，asiftheowner，beingaccustomedtouttersolitude，didnotthinkofearthlyhearers。

``Come，\'\'Marcosaid。Andtheywentforward。

Becausethestarsweresomanyandtheairsoclear，thepriestheardtheirfeetonthepath，andsawthemalmostassoonasheheardthem。Heendedhisprayerandwatchedthemcoming。Aladoncrutches，whomovedaslightlyandeasilyasabird——andaladwho，evenyardsaway，wasnoticeableforabearingofhisbodywhichwasneitherhaughtynorproudbutsethimsomehowalooffromeveryotherladonehadeverseen。Amagnificentlad——though，ashedrewnear，thestarlightshowedhisfacethinandhiseyeshollowasifwithfatigueorhunger。

``Andwhoisthisone？\'\'theoldpriestmurmuredtohimself。

``WHO？\'\'

Marcodrewupbeforehimandmadearespectfulreverence。Thenheliftedhisblackhead，squaredhisshouldersandutteredhismessageforthelasttime。

``TheLampislighted，Father，\'\'hesaid。``TheLampislighted。\'\'

Theoldprieststoodquitestillandgazedintohisface。Thenextmomenthebenthisheadsothathecouldlookathimclosely。Itseemedalmostasifhewerefrightenedandwantedtomakesureofsomething。AtthemomentitflashedthroughTheRat\'smindthattheold，oldwomanonthemountain-tophadlookedfrightenedinsomethingthesameway。

``Iamanoldman，\'\'hesaid。``Myeyesarenotgood。IfIhadalight\'\'——andheglancedtowardsthehouse。

ItwasTheRatwho，withonewhirl，swungthroughthedoorandseizedthecandle。Heguessedwhathewanted。HeheldithimselfsothattheflarefellonMarco\'sface。

Theoldpriestdrewnearerandnearer。Hegaspedforbreath。

``YouarethesonofStefanLoristan！\'\'hecried。``ItisHIS

SONwhobringstheSign。\'\'

Hefelluponhiskneesandhidhisfaceinhishands。Boththeboysheardhimsobbingandpraying——prayingandsobbingatonce。

Theyglancedateachother。TheRatwasburstingwithexcitement，buthefeltalittleawkwardalsoandwonderedwhatMarcowoulddo。Anoldfellowonhisknees，crying，madeachapfeelasifhedidn\'tknowwhattosay。Mustyoucomforthimormustyoulethimgoon？

Marcoonlystoodquitestillandlookedathimwithunderstandingandgravity。

``Yes，Father，hesaid。``IamthesonofStefanLoristan，andI

havegiventheSigntoall。Youarethelastone。TheLampislighted。Icouldweepforgladness，too。\'\'

Thepriest\'stearsandprayersended。Herosetohisfeet——arugged-facedoldmanwithlongandthickwhitehairwhichfellonhisshoulders——andsmiledatMarcowhilehiseyeswerestillwet。

``Youhavepassedfromonecountrytoanotherwiththemessage？\'\'

hesaid。``Youwereunderorderstosaythosefourwords？\'\'

``Yes，Father，\'\'answeredMarco。

``Thatwasall？Youweretosaynomore？\'\'

``Iknownomore。SilencehasbeentheordersinceItookmyoathofallegiancewhenIwasachild。Iwasnotoldenoughtofight，orserve，orreasonaboutgreatthings。AllIcoulddowastobesilent，andtotrainmyselftoremember，andbereadywhenIwascalled。WhenmyfathersawIwasready，hetrustedmetogooutandgivetheSign。Hetoldmethefourwords。

Nothingelse。\'\'

Theoldmanwatchedhimwithawonderingface。

``IfStefanLoristandoesnotknowbest，\'\'hesaid，``whodoes？\'\'

``Healwaysknows，\'\'answeredMarcoproudly。``Always。\'\'HewavedhishandlikeayoungkingtowardTheRat。HewantedeachmantheymettounderstandthevalueofTheRat。``Hechoseformethiscompanion，\'\'headded。``Ihavedonenothingalone。\'\'

``Heletmecallmyselfhisaide-de-camp！\'\'burstforthTheRat。

``Iwouldbecutintoinch-longstripsforhim。\'\'

Marcotranslated。

ThenthepriestlookedatTheRatandslowlynoddedhishead。

``Yes，\'\'hesaid。``Heknewbest。Healwaysknowsbest。ThatI

see。\'\'

``HowdidyouknowIwasmyfather\'sson？\'\'askedMarco。``Youhaveseenhim？\'\'

``No，\'\'wastheanswer；``butIhaveseenapicturewhichissaidtobehisimage——andyouarethepicture\'sself。Itis，indeed，astrangethingthattwoofGod\'screaturesshouldbesoalike。

Thereisapurposeinit。\'\'Heledthemintohisbaresmallhouseandmadethemrest，anddrinkgoat\'smilk，andeatfood。

Ashemovedaboutthehut-likeplace，therewasamysteriousandexaltedlookonhisface。

``Youmustberefreshedbeforeweleavehere，\'\'hesaidatlast。

``Iamgoingtotakeyoutoaplacehiddeninthemountainswheretherearemenwhoseheartswillleapatthesightofyou。Toseeyouwillgivethemnewpowerandcourageandnewresolve。To-

nighttheymeetastheyortheirancestorshavemetforcenturies，butnowtheyarenearingtheendoftheirwaiting。

AndIshallbringthemthesonofStefanLoristan，whoistheBeareroftheSign！\'\'

Theyatethebreadandcheeseanddrankthegoat\'smilkhegavethem，butMarcoexplainedthattheydidnotneedrestastheyhadsleptallday。Theywerepreparedtofollowhimwhenhewasready。

Thelastfainthintoftwilighthaddiedintonightandthestarswereattheirthickestwhentheysetouttogether。Thewhite-hairedoldmantookathickknottedstaffinhishandandledtheway。Heknewitwell，thoughitwasaruggedandsteeponewithnotracktomarkit。Sometimestheyseemedtobewalkingaroundthemountain，sometimestheywereclimbing，sometimestheydraggedthemselvesoverrocksorfallentrees，orstruggledthroughalmostimpassablethickets；morethanoncetheydescendedintoravinesand，almostattheriskoftheirlives，clamberedanddrewthemselveswiththeaidoftheundergrowthuptheotherside。TheRatwascalledupontouseallhisprowess，andsometimesMarcoandthepriesthelpedhimacrossobstacleswiththeaidofhiscrutch。

``Haven\'tIshownto-nightwhetherI\'macrippleornot？\'\'hesaidoncetoMarco。``YoucantellHIMaboutthis，can\'tyou？

Andthatthecrutcheshelpedinsteadofbeingintheway？\'\'

Theyhadbeenoutnearlytwohourswhentheycametoaplacewheretheundergrowthwasthickandahugetreehadfallencrashingdownamongitinsomestorm。Notfarfromthetreewasanoutcroppingrock。Onlythetopofitwastobeseenabovetheheavytangle。

Theyhadpushedtheirwaythroughthejungleofbushesandyoungsaplings，ledbytheircompanion。Theydidnotknowwheretheywouldbelednextandweresupposedtopushforwardfurtherwhentheprieststoppedbytheoutcroppingrock。Hestoodsilentafewminutes——quitemotionless——asifhewerelisteningtotheforestandthenight。Buttherewasutterstillness。Therewasnotevenabreezetostiraleaf，orahalf-wakenedbirdtosleepilychirp。

Hestrucktherockwithhisstaff——twice，andthentwiceagain。

MarcoandTheRatstoodwithbatedbreath。

Theydidnotwaitlong。Presentlyeachofthemfoundhimselfleaningforward，staringwithalmostunbelievingeyes，notatthepriestorhisstaff，butatTHEROCKITSELF！

Itwasmoving！Yes，itmoved。Theprieststeppedasideanditslowlyturned，asifworkedbyalever。Asitturned，itgraduallyrevealedachasmofdarknessdimlylighted，andthepriestspoketoMarco。``Therearehiding-placeslikethisallthroughSamavia，\'\'hesaid。``Patienceandmiseryhavewaitedlonginthem。TheyarethecavernsoftheForgersoftheSword。

Come！\'\'

XXVII

``ITISTHELOSTPRINCE！ITISIVOR！\'\'

Manytimessincetheirjourneyhadbeguntheboyshadfoundtheirheartsbeatingwiththethrillandexcitementofthings。Thestoryofwhichtheirliveshadbeenapartwasapulse-quickeningexperience。Butastheycarefullymadetheirwaydownthesteepstepsleadingseeminglyintothebowelsoftheearth，bothMarcoandTheRatfeltasthoughtheoldpriestmusthearthethuddingintheiryoungsides。

```TheForgersoftheSword。\'Remembereverywordtheysay，\'\'

TheRatwhispered，``sothatyoucantellittomeafterwards。

Don\'tforgetanything！IwishIknewSamavian。\'\'

Atthefootofthestepsstoodthemanwhowasevidentlythesentinelwhoworkedtheleverthatturnedtherock。Hewasabigburlypeasantwithagoodwatchfulface，andthepriestgavehimagreetingandablessingashetookfromhimthelanternheheldout。

Theywentthroughanarrowanddarkpassage，anddownsomemoresteps，andturnedacornerintoanothercorridorcutoutofrockandearth。Itwasawidercorridor，butstilldark，sothatMarcoandTheRathadwalkedsomeyardsbeforetheireyesbecamesufficientlyaccustomedtothedimlighttoseethatthewallsthemselvesseemedmadeofarmsstackedcloselytogether。

``TheForgersoftheSword！\'\'TheRatwasunconsciouslymumblingtohimself，``TheForgersoftheSword！\'\'

Itmusthavetakenyearstocutouttheroundingpassagetheythreadedtheirwaythrough，andlongeryearstoforgethesolid，bristlingwalls。ButTheRatrememberedthestorythestrangerhadtoldhisdrunkenfather，ofthefewmountainherdsmenwho，intheirsavagegriefandwrathoverthelossoftheirprince，hadbandedthemselvestogetherwithasolemnoathwhichhadbeenhandeddownfromgenerationtogeneration。TheSamavianswerealong-memoriedpeople，andthefactthattheirpassionmustbesmotheredhadmadeitburnallthemorefiercely。Fivehundredyearsagotheyhadfirstsworntheiroath；andkingshadcomeandgone，haddiedorbeenmurdered，anddynastieshadchanged，buttheForgersoftheSwordhadnotchangedorforgottentheiroathorwaveredintheirbeliefthatsometime——sometime，evenafterthelongdarkyears——thesouloftheirLostPrincewouldbeamongthemoncemore，andthattheywouldkneelatthefeetandkissthehandsofhimforwhosebodythatsoulhadbeenreborn。AndforthelasthundredyearstheirnumberandpowerandtheirhidingplaceshadsoincreasedthatSamaviawasatlasthoneycombedwiththem。Andtheyonlywaited，breathless，——fortheLightingoftheLamp。

Theoldpriestknewhowbreathlessly，andheknewwhathewasbringingthem。MarcoandTheRat，inspiteoftheirfondboy-

imaginings，werenotquiteoldenoughtoknowhowfierceandfullofflamingeagernessthebreathlesswaitingofsavagefull-grownmencouldbe。Buttherewasatense-strungthrillinknowingthattheywhowerebeingledtothemweretheBearersoftheSign。TheRatwenthotandcold；hegnawedhisfingersashewent。Hecouldalmosthaveshriekedaloud，intheintensityofhisexcitement，whentheoldprieststoppedbeforeabigblackdoor！

Marcomadenosound。Excitementordangeralwaysmadehimlooktallandquitepale。Helookedbothnow。

Thepriesttouchedthedoor，anditopened。

Theywerelookingintoanimmensecavern。Itswallsandroofwerelinedwitharms——guns，swords，bayonets，javelins，daggers，pistols，everyweaponadesperatemanmightuse。Theplacewasfullofmen，whoturnedtowardsthedoorwhenitopened。Theyallmadeobeisancetothepriest，butMarcorealizedalmostatthesameinstantthattheystartedonseeingthathewasnotalone。

Theywereastrangeandpicturesquecrowdastheystoodundertheircanopyofweaponsintheluridtorchlight。Marcosawatoncethattheyweremenofallclasses，thoughallwerealikeroughlydressed。Theywerehugemountaineers，andplainsmenyoungandmatureinyears。Someofthebiggestweremenwithwhitehairbutwithbodiesofgiants，andwithdeterminationintheirstrongjaws。Thereweremanyofthese，Marcosaw，andineachman\'seyes，whetherhewereyoungorold，glowedasteadyunconqueredflame。Theyhadbeenbeatensooften，theyhadbeenoppressedandrobbed，butintheeyesofeachonewasthisunconqueredflamewhich，throughoutallthelongtragedyofyearshadbeenhandeddownfromfathertoson。Itwasthiswhichhadgoneonthroughcenturies，keepingitsoathandforgingitsswordsinthecavernsoftheearth，andwhichto-daywas——waiting。

TheoldpriestlaidhishandonMarco\'sshoulder，andgentlypushedhimbeforehimthroughthecrowdwhichpartedtomakewayforthem。Hedidnotstopuntilthetwostoodintheverymidstofthecircle，whichfellbackgazingwonderingly。Marcolookedupattheoldmanbecauseforseveralsecondshedidnotspeak。

Itwasplainthathedidnotspeakbecausehealsowasexcited，andcouldnot。Heopenedhislipsandhisvoiceseemedtofailhim。Thenhetriedagainandspokesothatallcouldhear——eventhemenatthebackofthegazingcircle。

``Mychildren，\'\'hesaid，``thisisthesonofStefanLoristan，andhecomestobeartheSign。Myson，\'\'toMarco，``speak！\'\'

ThenMarcounderstoodwhathewished，andalsowhathefelt。Hefeltithimself，thatmagnificentupliftinggladness，ashespoke，holdinghisblackheadhighandliftinghisrighthand。

``TheLampisLighted，brothers！\'\'hecried。``TheLampisLighted！\'\'

ThenTheRat，whostoodapart，watching，thoughtthatthestrangeworldwithinthecavernhadgonemad！Wildsmotheredcriesbrokeforth，mencaughteachotherinpassionateembrace，theyfellupontheirknees，theyclutchedoneanothersobbing，theywrungeachother\'shands，theyleapedintotheair。Itwasasiftheycouldnotbearthejoyofhearingthattheendoftheirwaitinghadcomeatlast。TheyrusheduponMarco，andfellathisfeet。

TheRatsawbigpeasantskissinghisshoes，hishands，everyscrapofhisclothingtheycouldseize。ThewildcircleswayedandcloseduponhimuntilTheRatwasafraid。Hedidnotknowthat，overpoweredbythisfrenzyofemotion，hisownexcitementwasmakinghimshakefromheadtofootlikealeaf，andthattearswerestreamingdownhischeeks。TheswayingcrowdhidMarcofromhim，andhebegantofighthiswaytowardshimbecausehisexcitementincreasedwithfear。Theecstasy-frenziedcrowdofmenseemedforthemomenttohavealmostceasedtobesane。

Marcowasonlyaboy。Theydidnotknowhowfiercelytheywerepressinguponhimandkeepingawaytheveryair。

``Don\'tkillhim！Don\'tkillhim！\'\'yelledTheRat，strugglingforward。``Standback，youfools！I\'mhisaide-de-camp！Letmepass！\'\'

AndthoughnooneunderstoodhisEnglish，oneortwosuddenlyrememberedtheyhadseenhimenterwiththepriestandsogaveway。Butjustthentheoldpriestliftedhishandabovethecrowd，andspokeinavoiceofsterncommand。

``Standback，mychildren！\'\'hecried。``MadnessisnotthehomageyoumustbringtothesonofStefanLoristan。Obey！

Obey！\'\'Hisvoicehadapowerinitthatpenetratedeventhewildestherdsmen。ThefrenziedmassswayedbackandleftspaceaboutMarco，whosefaceTheRatcouldatlastsee。Itwasverywhitewithemotion，andinhiseyestherewasalookwhichwaslikeawe。

TheRatpushedforwarduntilhestoodbesidehim。Hedidnotknowthathealmostsobbedashespoke。

``I\'myouraide-de-camp，\'\'hesaid。``I\'mgoingtostandhere！

Yourfathersentme！I\'munderorders！Ithoughtthey\'dcrushyoutodeath。\'\'

Heglaredatthecircleaboutthemasif，insteadofworshippersdistraughtwithadoration，theyhadbeenenemies。Theoldpriestseeinghim，touchedMarco\'sarm。

``Tellhimheneednotfear，\'\'hesaid。``Itwasonlyforthefirstfewmoments。Thepassionoftheirsoulsdrovethemwild。

Theyareyourslaves。\'\'

``Thoseatthebackmighthavepushedthefrontonesonuntiltheytrampledyouunderfootinspiteofthemselves！\'\'TheRatpersisted。

``No，\'\'saidMarco。``TheywouldhavestoppedifIhadspoken。\'\'

``Whydidn\'tyouspeakthen？\'\'snappedTheRat。

``AlltheyfeltwasforSamavia，andformyfather，\'\'Marcosaid，``andfortheSign。Ifeltastheydid。\'\'

TheRatwassomewhatsoftened。Itwastrue，afterall。HowcouldhehavetriedtoquelltheoutburstsoftheirworshipofLoristan——ofthecountryhewassavingforthem——oftheSignwhichcalledthemtofreedom？Hecouldnot。

Thenfollowedastrangeandpicturesqueceremonial。Thepriestwentaboutamongtheencirclingcrowdandspoketoonemanafteranother——sometimestoagroup。Alargercirclewasformed。Asthepaleoldmanmovedabout，TheRatfeltasifsomereligiousceremonyweregoingtobeperformed。Watchingitfromfirsttolast，hewasthrilledtothecore。

Attheendofthecavernablockofstonehadbeencutouttolooklikeanaltar。Itwascoveredwithwhite，andagainstthewallaboveithungalargepictureveiledbyacurtain。Fromtheroofthereswungbeforeitanancientlampofmetalsuspendedbychains。Infrontofthealtarwasasortofstonedais。TherethepriestaskedMarcotostand，withhisaide-de-camponthelowerlevelinattendance。Aknotofthebiggestherdsmenwentoutandreturned。Eachcarriedahugeswordwhichhadperhapsbeenoftheearliestmadeinthedarkdaysgoneby。ThebearersformedthemselvesintoalineoneithersideofMarco。Theyraisedtheirswordsandformedapointedarchabovehisheadandapassagetwelvemenlong。WhenthepointsfirstclashedtogetherTheRatstruckhimselfharduponhisbreast。Hisexultationwastookeentoendure。HegazedatMarcostandingstill——inthatcuriouslysplendidwayinwhichbothheandhisfatherCOULDstandstill——andwonderedhowhecoulddoit。Helookedasifhewerepreparedforanystrangethingwhichcouldhappentohim——becausehewas``underorders。\'\'TheRatknewthathewasdoingwhatsoeverhedidmerelyforhisfather\'ssake。

Itwasasifhefeltthathewasrepresentinghisfather，thoughhewasamereboy；andthatbecauseofthis，boyashewas，hemustbearhimselfnoblyandremainoutwardlyundisturbed。

Attheendofthearchofswords，theoldprieststoodandgaveasigntoonemanafteranother。Whenthesignwasgiventoamanhewalkedunderthearchtothedais，andtherekneltand，liftingMarco\'shandtohislips，kisseditwithpassionatefervor。Thenhereturnedtotheplacehehadleft。Oneafteranotherpasseduptheaisleofswords，oneafteranotherknelt，oneaftertheotherkissedthebrownyounghand，roseandwentaway。SometimesTheRatheardafewwordswhichsoundedalmostlikeamurmuredprayer，sometimesheheardasobasashaggyheadbent，againandagainhesaweyeswetwithtears。OnceortwiceMarcospokeafewSamavianwords，andthefaceofthemanspokentoflamedwithjoy。TheRathadtimetosee，asMarcohadseen，thatmanyofthefaceswerenotthoseofpeasants。Someofthemwereclearcutandsubtleandofthetypeofscholarsornobles。

Ittookalongtimeforthemalltokneelandkissthelad\'shand，butnomanomittedtheceremony；andwhenatlastitwasatanend，astrangesilencefilledthecavern。Theystoodandgazedateachotherwithburningeyes。

ThepriestmovedtoMarco\'sside，andstoodnearthealtar。Heleanedforwardandtookinhishandacordwhichhungfromtheveiledpicture——hedrewitandthecurtainfellapart。ThereseemedtostandgazingatthemfrombetweenitsfoldsatallkinglyyouthwithdeepeyesinwhichthestarsofGodwerestillyshining，andwithasmilewonderfultobehold。Aroundtheheavylocksofhisblackhairthelongdeadpainterofmissalshadsetafaintglowoflightlikeahalo。

``SonofStefanLoristan，\'\'theoldpriestsaid，inashakenvoice，``itistheLostPrince！ItisIvor！\'\'

Theneverymanintheroomfellonhisknees。Eventhemenwhohadupheldthearchwayofswordsdroppedtheirweaponswithacrashandkneltalso。Hewastheirsaint——thisboy！Deadforfivehundredyears，hewastheirsaintstill。

``Ivor！Ivor！\'\'thevoicesbrokeintoaheavymurmur。``Ivor！

Ivor！\'\'asiftheychantedalitany。

Marcostartedforward，staringatthepicture，hisbreathcaughtinhisthroat，hislipsapart。

``But——but——\'\'hestammered，``butifmyfatherwereasyoungasheis——hewouldbeLIKEhim！\'\'

``Whenyouareasoldasheis，YOUwillbelikehim——YOU！\'\'saidthepriest。Andheletthecurtainfall。

TheRatstoodstaringwithwideeyesfromMarcotothepictureandfromthepicturetoMarco。Andhebreathedfasterandfasterandgnawedhisfingerends。Buthedidnotutteraword。Hecouldnothavedoneit，ifhetried。

ThenMarcosteppeddownfromthedaisasifhewereinadream，andtheoldmanfollowedhim。Themenwithswordssprangtotheirfeetandmadetheirarchwayagainwithanewclashofsteel。Theoldmanandtheboypassedunderittogether。Noweveryman\'seyeswerefixedonMarco。Attheheavydoorbywhichhehadentered，hestoppedandturnedtomeettheirglances。Helookedveryyoungandthinandpale，butsuddenlyhisfather\'ssmilewaslightedinhisface。HesaidafewwordsinSamavianclearlyandgravely，saluted，andpassedout。

``Whatdidyousaytothem？\'\'gaspedTheRat，stumblingafterhimasthedoorclosedbehindthemandshutinthemurmurofimpassionedsound。

``Therewasonlyonethingtosay，\'\'wastheanswer。``Theyaremen——Iamonlyaboy。Ithankedthemformyfather，andtoldthemhewouldnever——neverforget。\'\'

XXVIII

``EXTRA！EXTRA！EXTRA！\'\'

ItwasraininginLondon——pouring。Ithadbeenrainingfortwoweeks，moreorless，generallymore。WhenthetrainfromDoverdrewinatCharingCross，theweatherseemedsuddenlytohaveconsideredthatithadsofarbeentoolenientandmustexpressitselfmuchmorevigorously。SoithadgatheredtogetheritsresourcesandpouredthemforthinadelugewhichsurprisedevenLondoners。

Therainsobeatagainstandstreameddownthewindowsofthethird-classcarriageinwhichMarcoandTheRatsatthattheycouldnotseethroughthem。

Theyhadmadetheirhomewardjourneymuchmorerapidlythantheyhadmadetheoneonwhichtheyhadbeenoutwardbound。Ithadofcoursetakenthemsometimetotrampbacktothefrontier，buttherehadbeennoreasonforstoppinganywhereaftertheyhadoncereachedtherailroads。Theyhadbeentiredsometimes，buttheyhadsleptheavilyonthewoodenseatsoftherailwaycarriages。Theironedesirewastogethome。No。7PhilibertPlacerosebeforetheminitsnoisydinginessastheonedesirablespotonearth。ToMarcoitheldhisfather。AnditwasLoristanalonethatTheRatsawwhenhethoughtofit。

LoristanashewouldlookwhenhesawhimcomeintotheroomwithMarco，andstandupandsalute，andsay：``Ihavebroughthimback，sir。Hehascarriedouteverysingleorderyougavehim——everysingleone。SohaveI。\'\'Sohehad。Hehadbeensentashiscompanionandattendant，andhehadbeenfaithfulineverythought。IfMarcowouldhaveallowedhim，hewouldhavewaiteduponhimlikeaservant，andhavebeenproudoftheservice。ButMarcowouldneverlethimforgetthattheywereonlytwoboysandthatonewasofnomoreimportancethantheother。Hehadsecretlyevenfeltthisattitudetobeasortofgrievance。Itwouldhavebeenmorelikeagameifoneofthemhadbeenthemereservitoroftheother，andifthatotherhadblusteredalittle，andissuedcommands，anddemandedsacrifices。

Ifthefaithfulvassalcouldhavebeenwoundedorcastintoadungeonforhisyoungcommander\'ssake，theadventurewouldhavebeenmorecomplete。Butthoughtheirjourneyhadbeenfullofwondersandrichwithbeauties，thoughthememoryofithunginTheRat\'smindlikeabackgroundoftapestryembroideredinallthehuesoftheearthwithallthesplendorsofit，therehadbeennodungeonsandnowounds。AftertheadventureinMunichtheirunimportantboyishnesshadnotevenbeenobservedbysuchperilsasmighthavethreatenedthem。AsTheRathadsaid，theyhad``blownlikegrainsofdust\'\'throughEuropeandhadbeenasnothing。AndthiswaswhatLoristanhadplanned，thiswaswhathisgravethoughthadwroughtout。Iftheyhadbeenmen，theywouldnothavebeensosafe。

Fromthetimetheyhadlefttheoldpriestonthehillsidetobegintheirjourneybacktothefrontier，theybothhadbeengiventolongsilencesastheytrampedsidebysideorlayonthemossintheforests。Nowthattheirworkwasdone，asortofreactionhadsetin。Therewerenomoreplanstobemadeandnomoreuncertaintiestocontemplate。TheywereontheirwaybacktoNo。7PhilibertPlace——Marcotohisfather，TheRattothemanheworshipped。Eachofthemwasthinkingofmanythings。Marcowasfulloflongingtoseehisfather\'sfaceandhearhisvoiceagain。Hewantedtofeelthepressureofhishandonhisshoulder——tobesurethathewasrealandnotadream。Thislastwasbecauseduringthishomewardjourneyeverythingthathadhappenedoftenseemedtobeadream。Ithadallbeensowonderful——theclimberstandinglookingdownatthemthemorningtheyawakenedontheGaisburg；themountaineershoemakermeasuringhisfootinthesmallshop；theold，oldwomanandhernoblelord；thePrincewithhisfaceturnedupwardashestoodonthebalconylookingatthemoon；theoldpriestkneelingandweepingforjoy；thegreatcavernwiththeyellowlightuponthecrowdofpassionatefaces；thecurtainwhichfellapartandshowedthestilleyesandtheblackhairwiththehaloaboutit！

Nowthattheywereleftbehind，theyallseemedlikethingshehaddreamed。Buthehadnotdreamedthem；hewasgoingbacktotellhisfatheraboutthem。AndhowGOODitwouldbetofeelhishandonhisshoulder！

TheRatgnawedhisfingerendsagreatdeal。HisthoughtsweremorewildandfeverishthanMarco\'s。Theyleapedforwardinspiteofhim。Itwasnousetopullhimselfupandtellhimselfthathewasafool。Nowthatallwasover，hehadtimetobeasgreatafoolashewasinclinedtobe。ButhowhelongedtoreachLondonandstandfacetofacewithLoristan！Thesignwasgiven。TheLampwaslighted。Whatwouldhappennext？Hiscrutcheswereunderhisarmsbeforethetraindrewup。

``We\'rethere！We\'rethere！\'\'hecriedrestlesslytoMarco。

Theyhadnoluggagetodelaythem。Theytooktheirbagsandfollowedthecrowdalongtheplatform。Therainwasrattlinglikebulletsagainstthehighglassedroof。PeopleturnedtolookatMarco，seeingtheglowofexultanteagernessinhisface。

Theythoughthemustbesomeboycominghomefortheholidaysandgoingtomakeavisitataplacehedelightedin。Therainwasdancingonthepavementswhentheyreachedtheentrance。

``Acabwon\'tcostmuch，\'\'Marcosaid，``anditwilltakeusquickly。\'\'

Theycalledoneandgotintoit。Eachofthemhadflushedcheeks，andMarco\'seyeslookedasifheweregazingatsomethingalongwayoff——gazingatit，andwondering。

``We\'vecomeback！\'\'saidTheRat，inanunsteadyvoice。``We\'vebeen——andwe\'vecomeback！\'\'ThensuddenlyturningtolookatMarco，``Doesiteverseemtoyouasif，perhaps，it——itwasn\'ttrue？\'\'

``Yes，\'\'Marcoanswered，``butitwastrue。Andit\'sdone。\'\'

Thenheaddedafterasecondorsoofsilence，justwhatTheRathadsaidtohimself，``Whatnext？\'\'Hesaiditverylow。

ThewaytoPhilibertPlacewasnotlong。Whentheyturnedintotheroaring，untidyroad，wherethebussesanddraysandcartsstruggledpasteachotherwiththeirloads，andthetired-facedpeoplehurriedincrowdsalongthepavement，theylookedatthemallfeelingthattheyhadlefttheirdreamfarbehindindeed。

Buttheywereathome。

ItwasagoodthingtoseeLazarusopenthedoorandstandwaitingbeforetheyhadtimetogetoutofthecab。CabsstoppedsoseldombeforehousesinPhilibertPlacethattheinmateswerealwaysprompttoopentheirdoors。WhenLazarushadseenthisonestopatthebrokenirongate，hehadknownwhomitbrought。

Hehadkeptaneyeonthewindowsfaithfullyformanyaday——evenwhenheknewthatitwastoosoon，evenifallwaswell，foranytravelerstoreturn。

HeborehimselfwithanairmorethanusuallymilitaryandhissalutewhenMarcocrossedthethresholdwasformalstatelinessitself。Buthisgreetingburstfromhisheart。

``Godbethanked！\'\'hesaidinhisdeepgrowlofjoy。``Godbethanked！\'\'

WhenMarcoputforthhishand，hebenthisgrizzledheadandkisseditdevoutly。

``Godbethanked！\'\'hesaidagain。

``Myfather？\'\'Marcobegan，``myfatherisout？\'\'Ifhehadbeeninthehouse，heknewhewouldnothavestayedinthebacksitting-room。

``Sir，\'\'saidLazarus，``willyoucomewithmeintohisroom？

You，too，sir，\'\'toTheRat。Hehadneversaid``sir\'\'tohimbefore。

Heopenedthedoorofthefamiliarroom，andtheboysentered。

Theroomwasempty。

Marcodidnotspeak；neitherdidTheRat。Theybothstoodstillinthemiddleoftheshabbycarpetandlookedupattheoldsoldier。Bothhadsuddenlythesamefeelingthattheearthhaddroppedfrombeneaththeirfeet。Lazarussawitandspokefastandwithtremor。Hewasalmostasagitatedastheywere。

``Heleftmeatyourservice——atyourcommand\'\'——hebegan。

``Leftyou？\'\'saidMarco。

``Heleftus，allthree，underorders——toWAIT，\'\'saidLazarus。

``TheMasterhasgone。\'\'

TheRatfeltsomethinghotrushintohiseyes。HebrusheditawaythathemightlookatMarco\'sface。Theshockhadchangeditverymuch。Itsglowingeagerjoyhaddiedout，ithadturnedpalerandhisbrowsweredrawntogether。Forafewsecondshedidnotspeakatall，and，whenhedidspeak，TheRatknewthathisvoicewassteadyonlybecausehewilledthatitshouldbeso。

``Ifhehasgone，\'\'hesaid，``itisbecausehehadastrongreason。Itwasbecausehealsowasunderorders。\'\'

``Hesaidthatyouwouldknowthat，\'\'Lazarusanswered。``Hewascalledinsuchhastethathehadnotamomentinwhichtodomorethanwriteafewwords。Heleftthemforyouonhisdeskthere。\'\'

Marcowalkedovertothedeskandopenedtheenvelopewhichwaslyingthere。Therewereonlyafewlinesonthesheetofpaperinsideandtheyhadevidentlybeenwritteninthegreatesthaste。

Theywerethese：

``TheLifeofmylife——forSamavia。\'\'

``Hewascalled——toSamavia，\'\'Marcosaid，andthethoughtsenthisbloodrushingthroughhisveins。``HehasgonetoSamavia！\'\'

Lazarusdrewhishandroughlyacrosshiseyesandhisvoiceshookandsoundedhoarse。

``TherehasbeengreatdisaffectioninthecampsoftheMaranovitch，\'\'hesaid。``Theremnantofthearmyhasgonemad。

Sir，silenceisstilltheorder，butwhoknows——whoknows？Godalone。\'\'

Hehadnotfinishedspeakingbeforeheturnedhisheadasiflisteningtosoundsintheroad。TheywerethekindofsoundswhichhadbrokenupTheSquad，andsentitrushingdownthepassageintothestreettoseizeonanewspaper。Therewastobeheardacommotionofnewsboysshoutingriotouslysomestartlingpieceofnewswhichhadcalledoutan``Extra。\'\'

TheRathearditfirstanddashedtothefrontdoor。Asheopeneditanewsboyrunningbyshoutedatthetopmostpowerofhislungsthenewshehadtosell：``AssassinationofKingMichaelMaranovitchbyhisownsoldiers！AssassinationoftheMaranovitch！Extra！Extra！Extra！\'\'

WhenTheRatreturnedwithanewspaper，LazarusinterposedbetweenhimandMarcowithgreatandrespectfulceremony。

``Sir，\'\'hesaidtoMarco，``Iamatyourcommand，buttheMasterleftmewithanorderwhichIwastorepeattoyou。HerequestedyouNOTtoreadthenewspapersuntilhehimselfcouldseeyouagain。\'\'

Bothboysfellback。

``Notreadthepapers！\'\'theyexclaimedtogether。

Lazarushadneverbeforebeenquitesoreverentialandceremonious。

``Yourpardon，sir，\'\'hesaid。``Imayreadthematyourorders，andreportsuchthingsasitiswellthatyoushouldknow。Therehavebeendarktalestoldandtheremaybedarkerones。Heaskedthatyouwouldnotreadforyourself。Ifyoumeetagain——whenyoumeetagain\'\'——hecorrectedhimselfhastily——``whenyoumeetagain，hesaysyouwillunderstand。Iamyourservant。IwillreadandanswerallsuchquestionsasIcan。\'\'

TheRathandedhimthepaperandtheyreturnedtothebackroomtogether。

``Youshalltelluswhathewouldwishustohear，\'\'Marcosaid。

Thenewswassoontold。ThestorywasnotalongoneasexactdetailshadnotyetreachedLondon。ItwasbrieflythattheheadoftheMaranovitchpartyhadbeenputtodeathbyinfuriatedsoldiersofhisownarmy。Itwasanarmydrawnchieflyfromapeasantrywhichdidnotloveitsleaders，orwishtofight，andsufferingandbrutaltreatmenthadatlastrousedittofuriousrevolt。

``Whatnext？\'\'saidMarco。

``IfIwereaSamavian——\'\'beganTheRatandthenhestopped。

Lazarusstoodbitinghislips，butstaringstonilyatthecarpet。

NotTheRatalonebutMarcoalsonotedagrimchangeinhim。Itwasgrimbecauseitsuggestedthathewasholdinghimselfunderanironcontrol。Itwasasifwhiletorturedbyanxietyhehadswornnottoallowhimselftolookanxiousandtheresolvesethisjawhardandcarvednewlinesinhisruggedface。Eachboythoughtthisinsecret，butdidnotwishtoputitintowords。

Ifhewasanxious，hecouldonlybesoforonereason，andeachrealizedwhatthereasonmustbe。LoristanhadgonetoSamavia——tothetornandbleedingcountryfilledwithriotanddanger。Ifhehadgone，itcouldonlyhavebeenbecauseitsdangercalledhimandhewenttofaceitatitsworst。Lazarushadbeenleftbehindtowatchoverthem。Silencewasstilltheorder，andwhatheknewhecouldnottellthem，andperhapsheknewlittlemorethanthatagreatlifemightbelost。

Becausehismasterwasabsent，theoldsoldierseemedtofeelthathemustcomforthimselfwithagreaterceremonialreverancethanhehadevershownbefore。Heheldhimselfwithincall，andatMarco\'sorders，asithadbeenhiscustomtoholdhimselfwithregardtoLoristan。TheceremoniousserviceevenextendeditselftoTheRat，whoappearedtohavetakenanewplaceinhismind。

Healsoseemednowtobeapersontobewaiteduponandrepliedtowithdignityandformalrespect。

Whentheeveningmealwasserved，LazarusdrewoutLoristan\'schairattheheadofthetableandstoodbehinditwithamajesticair。

``Sir，\'\'hesaidtoMarco，``theMasterrequestedthatyoutakehisseatatthetableuntil——whileheisnotwithyou。\'\'

Marcotooktheseatinsilence。

Attwoo\'clockinthemorning，whentheroaringroadwasstill，thelightfromthestreetlamp，shiningintothesmallbedroom，fellontwopaleboyfaces。TheRatsatuponhissofabedintheoldwaywithhishandsclaspedroundhisknees。Marcolayflatonhishardpillow。Neitherofthemhadbeentosleepandyettheyhadnottalkedagreatdeal。Eachhadsecretlyguessedagooddealofwhattheotherdidnotsay。

``Thereisonethingwemustremember，\'\'Marcohadsaid，earlyinthenight。``Wemustnotbeafraid。\'\'

``No，\'\'answeredTheRat，almostfiercely，``wemustnotbeafraid。\'\'

``Wearetired；wecamebackexpectingtobeabletotellitalltohim。Wehavealwaysbeenlookingforwardtothat。Weneverthoughtoncethathemightbegone。AndheWASgone。Didyoufeelasif——\'\'heturnedtowardsthesofa，``asifsomethinghadstruckyouonthechest？\'\'

``Yes，\'\'TheRatansweredheavily。``Yes。\'\'

``Weweren\'tready，\'\'saidMarco。``Hehadnevergonebefore；

butweoughttohaveknownhemightsomedaybe——called。Hewentbecausehewascalled。Hetoldustowait。Wedon\'tknowwhatwearewaitingfor，butweknowthatwemustnotbeafraid。ToletourselvesbeAFRAIDwouldbebreakingtheLaw。\'\'

``TheLaw！\'\'groanedTheRat，droppinghisheadonhishands，``I\'dforgottenaboutit。\'\'

``Letusrememberit，\'\'saidMarco。``Thisisthetime。`Hatenot。FEARnot！\'\'\'Herepeatedthelastwordsagainandagain。

``Fearnot！Fearnot，\'\'hesaid。``NOTHINGcanharmhim。\'\'

TheRatliftedhishead，andlookedatthebedsideways。

``Didyouthink——\'\'hesaidslowly——``didyouEVERthinkthatperhapsHEknewwherethedescendantoftheLostPrincewas？\'\'

Marcoansweredevenmoreslowly。

``Ifanyoneknew——surelyhemight。Hehasknownsomuch，\'\'hesaid。

``Listentothis！\'\'brokeforthTheRat。``IbelievehehasgonetoTELLthepeople。Ifhedoes——ifhecouldshowthem——allthecountrywouldrunmadwithjoy。Itwouldn\'tbeonlytheSecretParty。AllSamaviawouldriseandfollowanyflaghechosetoraise。They\'veprayedfortheLostPrinceforfivehundredyears，andiftheybelievedthey\'dgothimoncemore，they\'dfightlikemadmenforhim。Buttherewouldnotbeanyonetofight。They\'dALLwantthesamething！IftheycouldseethemanwithIvor\'sbloodinhisveins，they\'dfeelhehadcomebacktothem——risenfromthedead。They\'dbelieveit！\'\'

Hebeathisfiststogetherinhisfrenzyofexcitement。``It\'sthetime！It\'sthetime！\'\'hecried。``Nomancouldletsuchachancegoby！HeMUSTtellthem——heMUST。ThatMUSTbewhathe\'sgonefor。Heknows——heknows——he\'salwaysknown！\'\'Andhethrewhimselfbackonhissofaandflunghisarmsoverhisface，lyingtherepanting。

``Ifitisthetime，\'\'saidMarcoinalow，strainedvoice——``ifitis，andheknows——hewilltellthem。\'\'Andhethrewhisarmsupoverhisownfaceandlayquitestill。

Neitherofthemsaidanotherword，andthestreetlampshoneinonthemasifitwerewaitingforsomethingtohappen。Butnothinghappened。Intimetheywereasleep。

XXIX

\'TWIXTNIGHTANDMORNING

Afterthis，theywaited。Theydidnotknowwhattheywaitedfor，norcouldtheyguessevenvaguelyhowthewaitingwouldend。AllthatLazaruscouldtellthemhetold。HewouldhavebeenwillingtostandrespectfullyforhoursrelatingtoMarcothestoryofhowtheperiodoftheirabsencehadpassedforhisMasterandhimself。HetoldhowLoristanhadspokeneachdayofhisson，howhehadoftenbeenpalewithanxiousness，howintheeveningshehadwalkedtoandfroinhisroom，deepinthought，ashelookeddownunseeinglyatthecarpet。

``Hepermittedmetotalkofyou，sir，\'\'Lazarussaid。``Isawthathewishedtohearyournameoften。Iremindedhimofthetimeswhenyouhadbeensoyoungthatmostchildrenofyouragewouldhavebeeninthehandsofnurses，andyetyouwerestrongandsilentandsturdyandtraveledwithusasifyouwerenotachildatall——nevercryingwhenyouweretiredandwerenotproperlyfed。Asifyouunderstood——asifyouunderstood，\'\'headded，proudly。``If，throughthepowerofGodacreaturecanbeamanatsixyearsold，youwerethatone。ManyadarkdayI

havelookedintoyoursolemn，watchingeyes，andhavebeenhalfafraid；becausethatachildshouldanswerone\'sgazesogravelyseemedalmostanunearthlything。\'\'

``ThechiefthingIrememberofthosedays，\'\'saidMarco，``isthathewaswithme，andthatwheneverIwashungryortired，I

knewhemustbe，too。\'\'

Thefeelingthattheywere``waiting\'\'wassointensethatitfilledthedayswithstrangeness。Whenthepostman\'sknockwasheardatthedoor，eachofthemendeavorednottostart。A

lettermightsomedaycomewhichwouldtellthem——theydidnotknowwhat。Butnoletterscame。Whentheywentoutintothestreets，theyfoundthemselveshurryingontheirwaybackinspiteofthemselves。Somethingmighthavehappened。Lazarusreadthepapersfaithfully，andintheeveningtoldMarcoandTheRatallthenewsitwas``wellthattheyshouldhear。\'\'ButthedisordersofSamaviahadceasedtooccupymuchspace。Theyhadbecomeanoldstory，andaftertheexcitementoftheassassinationofMichaelMaranovitchhaddiedout，thereseemedtobealullinevents。Michael\'ssonhadnotdaredtotrytotakehisfather\'splace，andtherewererumorsthathealsohadbeenkilled。TheheadoftheIarovitchhaddeclaredhimselfkingbuthadnotbeencrownedbecauseofdisordersinhisownparty。

Thecountryseemedexistinginanightmareofsuffering，famineandsuspense。

``Samaviais`waiting\'too，\'\'TheRatbrokeforthonenightastheytalkedtogether，``butitwon\'twaitlong——itcan\'t。IfI

wereaSamavianandinSamavia——\'\'

``MyfatherisaSamavianandheisinSamavia，\'\'Marco\'sgraveyoungvoiceinterposed。TheRatflushedredasherealizedwhathehadsaid。``WhatafoolIam！\'\'hegroaned。``I——Ibegyourpardon——sir。\'\'Hestoodupwhenhesaidthelastwordsandaddedthe``sir\'\'asifhesuddenlyrealizedthattherewasadistancebetweenthemwhichwassomethingakintothedistancebetweenyouthandmaturity——butyetwasnotthesame。

``YouareagoodSamavianbut——youforget，\'\'wasMarco\'sanswer。

Lazarus\'intensegrimnessincreasedwitheachdaythatpassed。

TheceremoniousrespectfulnessofhismannertowardMarcoincreasedalso。Itseemedasifthemoreanxioushefeltthemoreformalandstatelyhisbearingbecame。Itwasasthoughhebracedhisowncouragebydoingthesmallestthingslifeinthebacksitting-roomrequiredasiftheywereofthedignityofservicesperformedinamuchlargerplaceandundermuchmoreimposingcircumstances。TheRatfoundhimselffeelingalmostasifhewereanequerryinacourt，andthatdignityandceremonywerenecessaryonhisownpart。Hebegantoexperienceasenseofbeingsomehowapersonofrank，forwhomdoorswereopenedgrandlyandwhohadvassalsathiscommand。ThewatchfulobedienceoffiftyvassalsembodieditselfinthemannerofLazarus。

``Iamglad，\'\'TheRatsaidonce，reflectively，``that，afterallmyfatherwasonce——different。Itmakesiteasiertolearnthingsperhaps。Ifhehadnottalkedtomeaboutpeoplewho——well，whohadneverseenplaceslikeBoneCourt——thismighthavebeenharderformetounderstand。\'\'

WhenatlasttheymanagedtocallTheSquadtogether，andwenttospendamorningattheBarracksbehindthechurchyard，thatbodyofarmedmenstaredattheircommanderingreatandamazeduncertainty。Theyfeltthatsomethinghadhappenedtohim。Theydidnotknowwhathadhappened，butitwassomeexperiencewhichhadmadehimmysteriouslydifferent。HedidnotlooklikeMarco，butinsomeextraordinarywayheseemedmoreakintohim。TheyonlyknewthatsomenecessityinLoristan\'saffairshadtakenthetwoawayfromLondonandtheGame。Nowtheyhadcomeback，andtheyseemedolder。

Atfirst，TheSquadfeltawkwardandshuffleditsfeetuncomfortably。Afterthefirstgreetingsitdidnotknowexactlywhattosay。ItwasMarcowhosavedthesituation。

``Drillusfirst，\'\'hesaidtoTheRat，``thenwecantalkabouttheGame。\'\'

``\'Tention！\'\'shoutedTheRat，magnificently。Andthentheyforgoteverythingelseandsprangintoline。Afterthedrillwasended，andtheysatinacircleonthebrokenflags，theGamebecamemoreresplendentthanithadeverbeen。

``I\'vehadtimetoreadandworkoutnewthings，\'\'TheRatsaid。

``Readingisliketraveling。\'\'

Marcohimselfsatandlistened，enthralledbytheadroitnessoftheimaginationhedisplayed。Withoutrevealingasingledangerousfacthebuiltup，oftheirjourneyingsandexperiences，atotallynewstructureofadventureswhichwouldhavefiredthewholebeingofanygroupoflads。Itwassafetodescribeplacesandpeople，andhesodescribedthemthatTheSquadsquirmedinitsdelightatfeelingitselfmarchinginaprocessionattendingtheEmperorinVienna；standinginlinebeforepalaces；climbing，withknapsacksstrappedtight，upprecipitousmountainroads；

defendingmountain-fortresses；andstormingSamaviancastles。

TheSquadglowedandexulted。TheRatglowedandexultedhimself。Marcowatchedhissharp-featured，burning-eyedfacewithwonderandadmiration。Thisstrangepowerofmakingthingsalivewas，heknew，whathisfatherwouldcall``genius。\'\'

``Let\'staketheoathof\'legianceagain，\'\'shoutedCad，whentheGamewasoverforthemorning。

``Thepapersneversaidnothin\'moreabouttheLostPrince，butweareallforhimyet！Let\'stakeit！\'\'Sotheystoodinlineagain，Marcoatthehead，andrenewedtheiroath。

``Theswordinmyhand——forSamavia！

``Theheartinmybreast——forSamavia！

``Theswiftnessofmysight，thethoughtofmybrain，thelifeofmylife——forSamavia。

``Heregrowtwelvemen——forSamavia。

``Godbethanked！\'\'