下载辰思小说免费APP
Itwasmoresolemnthanithadbeenthefirsttime。TheSquadfeltittremendously。BothCadandBenwereconsciousthatthrillsrandowntheirspinesintotheirboots。WhenMarcoandTheRatleftthem，theyfirststoodatsaluteandthenbrokeoutintoaringingcheer。
Ontheirwayhome，TheRataskedMarcoaquestion。
``DidyouseeMrs。Beedlestandingatthetopofthebasementstepsandlookingafteruswhenwewentoutthismorning？\'\'
Mrs。BeedlewasthelandladyofthelodgingsatNo。7PhilibertPlace。Shewasamysteriousanddustyfemale，wholivedinthe``cellarkitchen\'\'partofthehouseandwasseldomseenbyherlodgers。
``Yes，\'\'answeredMarco，``Ihaveseenhertwoorthreetimeslately，andIdonotthinkIeversawherbefore。Myfatherhasneverseenher，thoughLazarussayssheusedtowatchhimroundcorners。Whyisshesuddenlysocuriousaboutus？\'\'
``I\'dliketoknow，\'\'saidTheRat。``I\'vebeentryingtoworkitout。Eversincewecameback，she\'sbeenpeepingroundthedoorofthekitchenstairs，oroverbalustrades，orthroughthecellar-kitchenwindows。Ibelieveshewantstospeaktoyou，andknowsLazaruswon\'tletherifhecatchesheratit。WhenLazarusisabout，shealwaysdartsback。\'\'
``Whatdoesshewanttosay？\'\'saidMarco。
``I\'dliketoknow，\'\'saidTheRatagain。
WhentheyreachedNo。7PhilibertPlace，theyfoundout，becausewhenthedooropenedtheysawatthetopofcellar-kitchenstairsattheendofthepassage，themysteriousMrs。Beedle，inherdustyblackdressandwithadustyblackcapon，evidentlyhavingthatminutemountedfromhersubterraneanhiding-place。ShehadcomeupthestepssoquicklythatLazarushadnotyetseenher。
``YoungMasterLoristan！\'\'shecalledoutauthoritatively。
Lazaruswheeledaboutfiercely。
``Silence！\'\'hecommanded。``HowdareyouaddresstheyoungMaster？\'\'
Shesnappedherfingersathim，andmarchedforwardfoldingherarmstightly。``Youmindyourownbusiness，\'\'shesaid。``It\'syoungMasterLoristanI\'mspeakingto，nothisservant。It\'stimehewastalkedtoaboutthis。\'\'
``Silence，woman！\'\'shoutedLazarus。
``Letherspeak，\'\'saidMarco。``Iwanttohear。Whatisityouwishtosay，Madam？Myfatherisnothere。\'\'
``That\'sjustwhatIwanttofindoutabout，\'\'putinthewoman。
``Whenishecomingback？\'\'
``Idonotknow，\'\'answeredMarco。
``That\'sit，\'\'saidMrs。Beedle。``You\'reoldenoughtounderstandthattwobigladsandabigfellowlikethatcan\'thavefoodandlodgin\'sfornothing。Youmaysayyoudon\'tlivehigh——andyoudon\'t——butlodgin\'sarelodgin\'sandrentisrent。
Ifyourfather\'scomingbackandyoucantellmewhen，Imayn\'tbeobligedtolettheroomsoveryourheads；butIknowtoomuchaboutforeignerstoletbillsrunwhentheyareoutofsight。
Yourfather\'soutofsight。He，\'\'jerkingherheadtowardsLazarus，``paidmeforlastweek。HowdoIknowhewillpaymeforthisweek！\'\'
``Themoneyisready，\'\'roaredLazarus。
TheRatlongedtoburstforth。HeknewwhatpeopleinBoneCourtsaidtoawomanlikethat；heknewtheexactwordsandphrases。
Buttheywerenotwordsandphrasesanaide-de-campmightdeliverhimselfofinthepresenceofhissuperiorofficer；theywerenotwordsandphrasesanequerryusesatcourt。HedarenotALLOW
himselftoburstforth。Hestoodwithflamingeyesandaflamingface，andbithislipstilltheybled。Hewantedtostrikewithhiscrutches。ThesonofStefanLoristan！TheBeareroftheSign！Theresprangupbeforehisfuriouseyesthepictureoftheluridlylightedcavernandthefrenziedcrowdofmenkneelingatthissameboy\'sfeet，kissingthem，kissinghishands，hisgarments，theveryearthhestoodupon，worshippinghim，whileabovethealtarthekinglyyoungfacelookedonwiththenimbusoflightlikeahaloaboveit。Ifhedaredspeakhismindnow，hefelthecouldhaveendureditbetter。Butbeinganaide-de-camphecouldnot。
``Doyouwantthemoneynow？\'\'askedMarco。``Itisonlythebeginningoftheweekandwedonotoweittoyouuntiltheweekisover。Isitthatyouwanttohaveitnow？\'\'
Lazarushadbecomedeadlypale。Helookedhugeinhisfury，andhelookeddangerous。
``YoungMaster，\'\'hesaidslowly，inavoiceasdeadlyashispallor，andheactuallyspokelow，``thiswoman——\'\'
Mrs。Beedledrewbacktowardsthecellar-kitchensteps。
``There\'spoliceoutside，\'\'sheshrilled。``YoungMasterLoristan，orderhimtostandback。\'\'
``Noonewillhurtyou，\'\'saidMarco。``Ifyouhavethemoneyhere，Lazarus，pleasegiveittome。\'\'
Lazarusliterallygroundhisteeth。Buthedrewhimselfupandsalutedwithceremony。Heputhishandinhisbreastpocketandproducedanoldleatherwallet。Therewerebutafewcoinsinit。Hepointedtoagoldone。
``Iobeyyou，sir——sinceImust——\'\'hesaid，breathinghard。
``Thatonewillpayherfortheweek。\'\'
Marcotookoutthesovereignandhelditouttothewoman。
``Youhearwhathesays，\'\'hesaid。``Attheendofthisweekifthereisnotenoughtopayforthenext，wewillgo。\'\'
Lazaruslookedsolikeahyena，onlyheldbackfromspringingbychainsofsteel，thatthedustyMrs。Beedlewasafraidtotakethemoney。
``IfyousaythatIshallnotloseit，I\'llwaituntiltheweek\'sended，\'\'shesaid。``You\'renothingbutalad，butyou\'relikeyourfather。You\'vegotawaythatabodycantrust。Ifhewashereandsaidhehadn\'tthemoneybuthe\'dhaveitintime，I\'dwaitifitwasforamonth。He\'dpayitifhesaidhewould。
Buthe\'sgone；andtwoboysandafellowlikethatonedon\'tseemmuchtodependon。ButI\'lltrustYOU。\'\'
``Begoodenoughtotakeit，\'\'saidMarco。Andheputthecoininherhandandturnedintothebacksitting-roomasifhedidnotseeher。
TheRatandLazarusfollowedhim。
``Istheresolittlemoneyleft？\'\'saidMarco。``Wehavealwayshadverylittle。Whenwehadlessthanusual，welivedinpoorerplacesandwerehungryifitwasnecessary。Weknowhowtogohungry。Onedoesnotdieofit。\'\'
ThebigeyesunderLazarus\'beetlingbrowsfilledwithtears。
``No，sir，\'\'hesaid，``onedoesnotdieofhunger。Buttheinsult——theinsult！Thatisnotendurable。\'\'
``Shewouldnothavespokenifmyfatherhadbeenhere，\'\'Marcosaid。``Anditistruethatboyslikeushavenomoney。Isthereenoughtopayforanotherweek？\'\'
``Yes，sir，\'\'answeredLazarus，swallowinghardasifhehadalumpinhisthroat，``perhapsenoughfortwo——ifweeatbutlittle。If——iftheMasterwouldacceptmoneyfromthosewhowouldgiveit，hewouldalwayhavehadenough。Buthowcouldsuchaoneashe？Howcouldhe？Whenhewentaway，hethought——hethoughtthat——\'\'buttherehestoppedhimselfsuddenly。
``Nevermind，\'\'saidMarco。``Nevermind。Wewillgoawaythedaywecanpaynomore。\'\'
``Icangooutandsellnewspapers，\'\'saidTheRat\'ssharpvoice。
``I\'vedoneitbefore。Crutcheshelpyoutosellthem。Theplatformwouldsell\'emfasterstill。I\'llgooutontheplatform。\'\'
``Icansellnewspapers，too，\'\'saidMarco。
Lazarusutteredanexclamationlikeagroan。
``Sir，\'\'hecried，``no，no！AmInotheretogooutandlookforwork？Icancarryloads。Icanrunerrands。\'\'
``Wewillallthreebegintoseewhatwecando，\'\'Marcosaid。
Then——exactlyashadhappenedonthedayoftheirreturnfromtheirjourney——therearoseintheroadoutsidethesoundofnewsboysshouting。Thistimetheoutcryseemedevenmoreexcitedthanbefore。Theboyswererunningandyellingandthereseemedmoreofthemthanusual。Andaboveallotherwordswasheard``Samavia！Samavia！\'\'Butto-dayTheRatdidnotrushtothedooratthefirstcry。Hestoodstill——forseveralsecondstheyallthreestoodstill——listening。Afterwardseachonerememberedandtoldtheothersthathehadstoodstillbecausesomestrange，strongfeelingheldhimWAITINGasiftohearsomegreatthing。
ItwasLazaruswhowentoutoftheroomfirstandTheRatandMarcofollowedhim。
Oneoftheupstairslodgershadrundowninhasteandopenedthedoortobuynewspapersandaskquestions。Thenewsboyswerewildwithexcitementanddancedaboutastheyshouted。Thepieceofnewstheywereyellinghadevidentlyapopularquality。
Thelodgerboughttwopapersandwashandingoutcopperstoaladwhowastalkingloudandfast。
``Here\'sago！\'\'hewassaying。``ASecretParty\'srisenupandtakenSamavia！\'Twixtnightandmornin\'theydoneit！ThatthereLostPrincedescendant\'asturnedup，an\'they\'veCROWNED
him——\'twixtnightandmornin\'theydoneit！Clapt\'iscrownon\'is\'ead，so\'sthey\'dlosenotime。\'\'Andoffhebolted，shouting，``\'CendantofLostPrince！\'CendantofLostPrincemadeKingofSamavia！\'\'
ItwasthenthatLazarus，forgettingevenceremony，boltedalso。
Heboltedbacktothesitting-room，rushedin，andthedoorfelltobehindhim。
MarcoandTheRatfounditshutwhen，havingsecuredanewspaper，theywentdownthepassage。Atthecloseddoor，Marcostopped。
Hedidnotturnthehandle。FromtheinsideoftheroomtherecamethesoundofbigconvulsivesobsandpassionateSamavianwordsofprayerandworshippinggratitude。
``Letuswait，\'\'Marcosaid，tremblingalittle。``Hewillnotwantanyonetoseehim。Letuswait。\'\'
Hisblackpitsofeyeslookedimmense，andhestoodathistallest，buthewastremblingslightlyfromheadtofoot。TheRathadbeguntoshake，asiffromanague。Hisfacewasscarcelyhumaninitsfierceunboyishemotion。
``Marco！Marco！\'\'hiswhisperwasacry。``Thatwaswhathewentfor——BECAUSEHEKNEW！\'\'
``Yes，\'\'answeredMarco，``thatwaswhathewentfor。\'\'Andhisvoicewasunsteady，ashisbodywas。
Presentlythesobsinsidetheroomchokedthemselvesbacksuddenly。Lazarushadremembered。Theyhadguessedhehadbeenleaningagainstthewallduringhisoutburst。Nowitwasevidentthathestoodupright，probablyshockedattheforgetfulnessofhisfrenzy。
SoMarcoturnedthehandleofthedoorandwentintotheroom。
Heshutthedoorbehindhim，andtheyallthreestoodtogether。
WhentheSamaviangiveswaytohisemotions，heisemotionalindeed。Lazaruslookedasifastormhadsweptoverhim。Hehadchokedbackhissobs，buttearsstillsweptdownhischeeks。
``Sir，\'\'hesaidhoarsely，``yourpardon！Itwasasifaconvulsionseizedme。Iforgoteverything——evenmyduty。
Pardon，pardon！\'\'Andthereontheworncarpetofthedingybacksitting-roomintheMaryleboneRoad，heactuallywentononekneeandkissedtheboy\'shandwithadoration。
``Youmustn\'taskpardon，\'\'saidMarco。``Youhavewaitedsolong，goodfriend。Youhavegivenyourlifeasmyfatherhas。
Youhaveknownallthesufferingaboyhasnotlivedlongenoughtounderstand。Yourbigheart——yourfaithfulheart——\'\'hisvoicebrokeandhestoodandlookedathimwithanappealwhichseemedtoaskhimtorememberhisboyhoodandunderstandtherest。
``Don\'tkneel，\'\'hesaidnext。``Youmustn\'tkneel。\'\'AndLazarus，kissinghishandagain，rosetohisfeet。
``Now——weshallHEAR！\'\'saidMarco。``Nowthewaitingwillsoonbeover。\'\'
``Yes，sir。Now，weshallreceivecommands！\'\'Lazarusanswered。
TheRatheldoutthenewspapers。
``Maywereadthemyet？\'\'heasked。
``Untilfurtherorders，sir，\'\'saidLazarushurriedlyandapologetically——``untilfurtherorders，itisstillbetterthatIshouldreadthemfirst。\'\'
XXX
THEGAMEISATANEND
SolongasthehistoryofEuropeiswrittenandread，theunparalleledstoryoftheRisingoftheSecretPartyinSamaviawillstandoutasoneofitsmoststartlingandromanticrecords。
Everydetailconnectedwiththeastonishingepisode，frombeginningtoend，wasromanticevenwhenitwasmostproductiveofrealisticresults。Whenitisrelated，italwaysbeginswiththestoryofthetallandkinglySamavianyouthwhowalkedoutofthepalaceintheearlymorningsunshinesingingtheherdsmen\'ssongofbeautyofolddays。Thencomestheoutbreakoftheruinedandrevoltingpopulace；thenthelegendofthemorningonthemountainside，andtheoldshepherdcomingoutofhiscaveandfindingtheapparentlydeadbodyofthebeautifulyounghunter。Thenthesecretnursinginthecavern；thenthejoltingcartpiledwithsheepskinscrossingthefrontier，andendingitsjourneyatthebarredentranceofthemonasteryandleavingitsmysteriousburdenbehind。Andthenthebitterhateandstruggleofdynasties，andthehandfulofshepherdsandherdsmenmeetingintheircavernandbindingthemselvesandtheirunbornsonsandsons\'sonsbyanoathnevertobebroken。Thenthepassingofgenerationsandtheslaughterofpeoplesandthechangingofkings，——andalwaysthatoathremembered，andtheForgersoftheSword，attheirsecretwork，hiddeninforestsandcaves。Thenthestrangestoryoftheuncrownedkingswho，wanderinginotherlands，livedanddiedinsilenceandseclusion，oftenlaboringwiththeirhandsfortheirdailybread，butneverforgettingthattheymustbekings，andready，——eventhoughSamavianevercalled。
Perhapsthewholestorywouldfilltoomanyvolumestoadmitofiteverbeingtoldfully。
ButhistorymakesthegrowingoftheSecretPartyclear，——thoughitseemsalmosttoceasetobehistory，inspiteofitseffortstobebriefandspeakonlyofdullfacts，whenitisforcedtodealwiththeBearingoftheSignbytwomereboys，who，beingblownasunremarkedasanytwograinsofdustacrossEurope，littheLampwhoseflamesoflareduptothehighheavensthatasiffromtheearthitselftheresprangforthSamaviansbythethousandsreadytofeedit——IarovitchandMaranovitchsweptasideforeverandonlySamaviansremainingtocryaloudinardentpraiseandworshipoftheGodwhohadbroughtbacktothemtheirLostPrince。Thebattle-cryofhisnamehadendedeverybattle。
Swordsfellfromhandsbecauseswordswerenotneeded。TheIarovitchfledinterroranddismay；theMaranovitchwerenowheretobefound。Betweennightandmorning，asthenewsboyhadsaid，thestandardofIvorwasraisedandwavedfrompalaceandcitadelalike。Frommountain，forestandplain，fromcity，villageandtown，itsfollowersflockedtoswearallegiance；brokenandwoundedlegionsstaggeredalongtheroadstojoinandkneeltoit；womenandchildrenfollowed，weepingwithjoyandchantingsongsofpraise。ThePowersheldouttheirscepterstothelatelyprostrateandignoredcountry。Train-loadsoffoodandsuppliesofallthingsneededbegantocrossthefrontier；theaidofnationswasbestowed。Samavia，atpeacetotillitsland，toraiseitsflocks，tomineitsores，wouldbeabletopayallback。Samaviainpastcenturieshadbeenrichenoughtomakegreatloans，andhadstoredsuchharvestsaswarringcountrieshadbeengladtocallupon。ThestoryofthecrowningoftheKinghadbeenthewildestofall——themultitudeofecstaticpeople，famished，inrags，andmanyofthemweakwithwounds，kneelingathisfeet，praying，astheironesalvationandsecurity，thathewouldgoattendedbythemtotheirbombardedandbrokencathedral，andatitshighaltarletthecrownbeplaceduponhishead，sothateventhosewhoperhapsmustdieoftheirpastsufferingswouldatleasthavepaidtheirpoorhomagetotheKingIvorwhowouldruletheirchildrenandbringbacktoSamaviaherhonorandherpeace。
``Ivor！Ivor！\'\'theychantedlikeaprayer，——``Ivor！Ivor！\'\'intheirhouses，bytheroadside，inthestreets。
``ThestoryoftheCoronationintheshatteredCathedral，whoseroofhadbeentorntofragmentsbybombs，\'\'saidanimportantLondonpaper，``readslikealegendoftheMiddleAges。But，uponthewhole，thereisinSamavia\'snationalcharacter，somethingofthemediaeval，still。\'\'
Lazarus，havingboughtandreadinhistopfloorroomeverynewspaperrecordingthedetailswhichhadreachedLondon，returnedtoreportalmostverbatim，standingerectbeforeMarco，theeyesunderhisshaggybrowssometimesflamingwithexultation，sometimesfilledwitharushoftears。Hecouldnotbemadetositdown。Hiswholebigbodyseemedtohavebecomerigidwithmagnificence。MeetingMrs。Beedleinthepassage，hestrodebyherwithanairsothunderousthatsheturnedandscuttledbacktohercellarkitchen，almostfallingdownthestonestepsinhernervousterror。Insuchamood，hewasnotapersontofacewithoutsomethinglikeawe。
Inthemiddleofthenight，TheRatsuddenlyspoketoMarcoasifheknewthathewasawakeandwouldhearhim。
``HehasgivenallhislifetoSamavia！\'\'hesaid。``Whenyoutraveledfromcountrytocountry，andlivedinholesandcorners，itwasbecausebydoingithecouldescapespies，andseethepeoplewhomustbemadetounderstand。Nooneelsecouldhavemadethemlisten。Anemperorwouldhavebeguntolistenwhenhehadseenhisfaceandheardhisvoice。Andhecouldbesilent，andwaitfortherighttimetospeak。Hecouldkeepstillwhenothermencouldnot。Hecouldkeephisfacestill——andhishands——andhiseyes。NowallSamaviaknowswhathehasdone，andthathehasbeenthegreatestpatriotintheworld。WebothsawwhatSamavianswerelikethatnightinthecavern。Theywillgomadwithjoywhentheyseehisface！\'\'
``Theyhaveseenitnow，\'\'saidMarco，inalowvoicefromhisbed。
Thentherewasalongsilence，thoughitwasnotquitesilencebecauseTheRat\'sbreathingwassoquickandhard。
``He——musthavebeenatthatcoronation！\'\'hesaidatlast。
``TheKing——whatwilltheKingdoto——repayhim？\'\'
Marcodidnotanswer。Hisbreathingcouldbeheardalso。Hismindwaspicturingthatsamecoronation——theshattered，rooflesscathedral，theruinsoftheancientandmagnificenthighaltar，themultitudeofkneeling，famine-scourgedpeople，thebattle-worn，woundedandbandagedsoldiery！AndtheKing！Andhisfather！WherehadhisfatherstoodwhentheKingwascrowned？Surely，hehadstoodattheKing\'srighthand，andthepeoplehadadoredandacclaimedthemequally！
``KingIvor！\'\'hemurmuredasifhewereinadream。``KingIvor！\'\'
TheRatstarteduponhiselbow。
``Youwillseehim，\'\'hecriedout。``He\'snotadreamanylonger。TheGameisnotagamenow——anditisended——itiswon！
Itwasreal——HEwasreal！Marco，Idon\'tbelieveyouhear。\'\'
``Yes，Ido，\'\'answeredMarco，``butitisalmostmoreadreamthanwhenitwasone。\'\'
``Thegreatestpatriotintheworldislikeakinghimself！\'\'
ravedTheRat。``Ifthereisnobiggerhonortogivehim，hewillbemadeaprince——andCommander-in-Chief——andPrimeMinister！Can\'tyouhearthoseSamaviansshouting，andsinging，andpraying？You\'llseeitall！DoyourememberthemountainclimberwhowasgoingtosavetheshoeshemadefortheBeareroftheSign？Hesaidagreatdaymightcomewhenonecouldshowthemtothepeople。It\'scome！He\'llshowthem！Iknowhowthey\'lltakeit！\'\'Hisvoicesuddenlydropped——asifitdroppedintoapit。``You\'llseeitall。ButIshallnot。\'\'
ThenMarcoawokefromhisdreamandliftedhishead。``Whynot？\'\'hedemanded。Itsoundedlikeademand。
``BecauseIknowbetterthantoexpectit！\'\'TheRatgroaned。
``You\'vetakenmealongway，butyoucan\'ttakemetothepalaceofaking。I\'mnotsuchafoolastothinkthat，evenofyourfather——\'\'
HebrokeoffbecauseMarcodidmorethanlifthishead。Hesatupright。
``YouboretheSignasmuchasIdid，\'\'hesaid。``Weboreittogether。\'\'
``WhowouldhavelistenedtoME？\'\'criedTheRat。``YOUwerethesonofStefanLoristan。\'\'
``Youwerethefriendofhisson，\'\'answeredMarco。``YouwentatthecommandofStefanLoristan。YouweretheARMYofthesonofStefanLoristan。ThatIhavetoldyou。WhereIgo，youwillgo。Wewillsaynomoreofthis——notoneword。\'\'
Andhelaydownagaininthesilenceofaprinceoftheblood。
AndTheRatknewthathemeantwhathesaid，andthatStefanLoristanalsowouldmeanit。Andbecausehewasaboy，hebegantowonderwhatMrs。Beedlewoulddowhensheheardwhathadhappened——whathadbeenhappeningallthetimeatall，shabby``foreigner\'\'hadlivedinherdingybacksitting-room，andbeencloselywatchedlestheshouldgoawaywithoutpayinghisrent，asshabbyforeignerssometimesdid。TheRatsawhimselfmanagingtopoisehimselfveryerectonhiscrutcheswhilehetoldherthattheshabbyforeignerwas——well，wasatleastthefriendofaKing，andhadgivenhimhiscrown——andwouldbemadeaprinceandaCommander-in-Chief——andaPrimeMinister——becausetherewasnohigherrankorhonortogivehim。Andhisson——whomshehadinsulted——wasSamavia\'sidolbecausehehadbornetheSign。AndalsothatifshewereinSamavia，andMarcochosetodoithecouldbatterherwretchedlodging-housetothegroundandputherinaprison——``andserveherjollywellright！\'\'
Thenextdaypassed，andthenext；andthentherecamealetter。
ItwasfromLoristan，andMarcoturnedpalewhenLazarushandedittohim。LazarusandTheRatwentoutoftheroomatonce，andlefthimtoreaditalone。Itwasevidentlynotalongletter，becauseitwasnotmanyminutesbeforeMarcocalledthemagainintotheroom。
``Inafewdays，messengers——friendsofmyfather\'s——willcometotakeustoSamavia。YouandIandLazarusaretogo，\'\'hesaidtoTheRat。
``Godbethanked！\'\'saidLazarus。``Godbethanked！\'\'
Beforethemessengerscame，itwastheendoftheweek。Lazarushadpackedtheirfewbelongings，andonSaturdayMrs。Beedlewastobeseenhoveringatthetopofthecellersteps，whenMarcoandTheRatleftthebacksitting-roomtogoout。
``Youneedn\'tglareatme！\'\'shesaidtoLazarus，whostoodgloweringatthedoorwhichhehadopenedforthem。``YoungMasterLoristan，Iwanttoknowifyou\'veheardwhenyourfatheriscomingback？\'\'
``Hewillnotcomeback，\'\'saidMarco。
``Hewon\'t，won\'the？Well，howaboutnextweek\'srent？\'\'saidMrs。Beedle。``Yourman\'sbeenpackingup，Inotice。He\'snotgotmuchtocarryaway，butitwon\'tpassthroughthatfrontdooruntilI\'vegotwhat\'sowingme。Peoplethatcanpackeasythinktheycangetawayeasy，andthey\'llbearwatching。Theweek\'supto-day。\'\'
Lazaruswheeledandfacedherwithafuriousgesture。``Getbacktoyourcellar，woman，\'\'hecommanded。``Getbackundergroundandstaythere。Lookatwhatisstoppingbeforeyourmiserablegate。\'\'
Acarriagewasstopping——averyperfectcarriageofdarkbrown。
Thecoachmanandfootmanworedarkbrownandgoldliveries，andthefootmanhadleapeddownandopenedthedoorwithrespectfulalacrity。``TheyarefriendsoftheMaster\'scometopaytheirrespectstohisson，\'\'saidLazarus。``Aretheireyestobeoffendedbythesightofyou？\'\'
``Yourmoneyissafe，\'\'saidMarco。``Youhadbetterleaveus。\'\'
Mrs。Beedlegaveasharpglanceatthetwogentlemenwhohadenteredthebrokengate。TheywereofanorderwhichdidnotbelongtoPhilibertPlace。Theylookedasifthecarriageandthedarkbrownandgoldliverieswereevery-dayaffairstothem。
``Atallevents，they\'retwogrownmen，andnottwoboyswithoutapenny，\'\'shesaid。``Ifthey\'reyourfather\'sfriends，they\'lltellmewhethermyrent\'ssafeornot。\'\'
Thetwovisitorswereuponthethreshold。Theywerebothmenofacertainself-containeddignityoftype；andwhenLazarusopenedwidethedoor，theysteppedintotheshabbyentrancehallasiftheydidnotseeit。Theylookedpastitsdinginess，andpastLazarus，andTheRat，andMrs。Beedle——THROUGHthem，asitwere，——atMarco。
Headvancedtowardsthematonce。
``Youcomefrommyfather！\'\'hesaid，andgavehishandfirsttotheelderman，thentotheyounger。
``Yes，wecomefromyourfather。IamBaronRastka——andthisistheCountVorversk，\'\'saidtheelderman，bowing。
``Ifthey\'rebaronsandcounts，andfriendsofyourfather\'s，theyarewell-to-doenoughtoberesponsibleforyou，\'\'saidMrs。
Beedle，ratherfiercely，becauseshewassomewhatover-awedandresentedthefact。``It\'samatterofnextweek\'srent，gentlemen。Iwanttoknowwhereit\'scomingfrom。\'\'
Theeldermanlookedatherwithaswiftcoldglance。Hedidnotspeaktoher，buttoLazarus。``Whatisshedoinghere？\'\'hedemanded。
Marcoansweredhim。``Sheisafraidwecannotpayourrent，\'\'hesaid。``Itisofgreatimportancetoherthatsheshouldbesure。\'\'
``Takeheraway，\'\'saidthegentlemantoLazarus。Hedidnotevenglanceather。Hedrewsomethingfromhiscoat-pocketandhandedittotheoldsoldier。``Takeheraway，\'\'herepeated。
Andbecauseitseemedasifshewerenotanylongerapersonatall，Mrs。Beedleactuallyshuffleddownthepassagetothecellar-kitchensteps。Lazarusdidnotleaveheruntilhe，too，haddescendedintothecellarkitchen，wherehestoodandtoweredaboveherlikeaninfuriatedgiant。
``To-morrowhewillbeonhiswaytoSamavia，miserablewoman！\'\'
hesaid。``Beforehegoes，itwouldbewellforyoutoimplorehispardon。\'\'
ButMrs。Beedle\'spointofviewwasnothis。Shehadrecoveredsomeofherbreath。
``Idon\'tknowwhereSamaviais，\'\'sheraged，asshestruggledtosetherdusty，blackcapstraight。``I\'llwarrantit\'soneoftheselittleforeigncountriesyoucanscarcelyseeonthemap——andnotadecentEnglishtowninit！Hecangoassoonashelikes，solongashepayshisrentbeforehedoesit。
Samavia，indeed！YoutalkasifhewasBuckinghamPalace！\'\'
XXXI
``THESONOFSTEFANLORISTAN\'\'
Whenapartycomposedoftwoboysattendedbyabigsoldierlyman-servantandaccompaniedbytwodistinguished-looking，elderlymen，ofamarkedforeigntype，appearedontheplatformofCharingCrossStationtheyattractedagooddealofattention。
Infact，thegoodlooksandstrong，well-carriedbodyofthehandsomeladwiththethickblackhairwouldhavecausedeyestoturntowardshimevenifhehadnotseemedtoberegardedassospecialachargebythosewhowerewithhim。Butinacountrywherepeopleareaccustomedtoseeingacertainmannerandcertainformsobservedinthecaseofpersons——howeveryoung——whoaresetapartbythefortuneofrankanddistinction，andwherethepopulacealsoratherenjoysthesightofsuchdemeanor，itwasinevitablethatmorethanonequick-sightedlooker-onshouldcommentonthefactthatthiswasnotanordinarygroupofindividuals。
``Seethatfine，bigladoverthere！\'\'saidaworkman，whosehead，withapipeinitsmouth，stuckoutofathird-classsmokingcarriagewindow。``He\'ssomesortofayoungswell，I\'lllayashillin\'！Takealookathim，\'\'tohismateinside。
Thematetookalook。Thepairwereofthedecent，polytechnic-
educatedtype，andwereshrewdatobservation。
``Yes，he\'ssomesortofyoungswell，\'\'hesummedhimup。``Buthe\'snotEnglishbyalongchalk。HemustbeayoungTurk，orRussian，sentovertobeeducated。Hissuitelookslikeit。Allbuttheferret-facedchaponcrutches。Wonderwhatheis！\'\'
Agood-naturedlookingguardwaspassing，andthefirstmanhailedhim。
``Havewegotanyswellstravelingwithusthismorning？\'\'heasked，jerkinghisheadtowardsthegroup。``Thatlookslikeit。
AnyoneleavingWindsororSandringhamtocrossfromDoverto-day？\'\'
Themanlookedatthegroupcuriouslyforamomentandthenshookhishead。
``Theydolooklikesomethingorother，\'\'heanswered，``butnooneknowsanythingaboutthem。Everybody\'ssafeinBuckinghamPalaceandMarlboroughHousethisweek。Nooneeithergoingorcoming。\'\'
Noobserver，itistrue，couldhavemistakenLazarusforanordinaryattendantescortinganordinarycharge。Ifsilencehadnotstillbeenstrictlytheorder，hecouldnothaverestrainedhimself。Asitwas，heborehimselflikeagrenadier，andstoodbyMarcoasifacrosshisdeadbodyalonecouldanyoneapproachthelad。
``UntilwereachMelzarr，\'\'hehadsaidwithpassiontothetwogentlemen，——``untilIcanstandbeforemyMasterandbeholdhimembracehisson——BEHOLDhim——IimplorethatImaynotlosesightofhimnightorday。Onmyknees，IimplorethatImaytravel，armed，athisside。Iambuthisservant，andhavenorighttooccupyaplaceinthesamecarriage。Butputmeanywhere。I
willbedeaf，dumb，blindtoallbuthimself。Onlypermitmetobenearenoughtogivemylifeifitisneeded。LetmesaytomyMaster，`Ineverlefthim。\'\'\'
``Wewillfindaplaceforyou，\'\'theeldermansaid，``andifyouaresoanxious，youmaysleepacrosshisthresholdwhenwespendthenightatahotel。\'\'
``Iwillnotsleep！\'\'saidLazarus。``Iwillwatch。SupposethereshouldbedemonsofMaranovitchlooseandinfuriatedinEurope？Whoknows！\'\'
``TheMaranovitchandIarovitchwhohavenotalreadyswornallegiancetoKingIvoraredeadonbattlefields。TheremainderarenowFedorovitchandpraisingGodfortheirKing，\'\'wastheanswerBaronRastkamadehim。
ButLazaruskepthisguardunbroken。WhenheoccupiedthenextcompartmenttotheoneinwhichMarcotraveled，hestoodinthecorridorthroughoutthejourney。Whentheydescendedatanypointtochangetrains，hefollowedcloseattheboy\'sheels，hisfierceeyesoneverysideatonceandhishandontheweaponhiddeninhisbroadleatherbelt。Whentheystoppedtorestinsomecity，heplantedhimselfinachairbythebedroomdoorofhischarge，andifheslepthewasnotawarethatnaturehadbetrayedhimintodoingso。
IfthejourneymadebytheyoungBearersoftheSignhadbeenastrangeone，thiswasstrangebyitsverycontrast。Throughoutthatpilgrimage，twouncared-forwaifsinwornclotheshadtraveledfromoneplacetoanother，sometimesinthird-orfourth-classcontinentalrailroadcarriages，sometimesinjoltingdiligences，sometimesinpeasants\'carts，sometimesonfootbysideroadsandmountainpaths，andforestways。Now，twowell-dressedboysinthechargeoftwomenoftheclasswhoseordersareobeyed，journeyedincompartmentsreservedforthem，theirtravelingappurtenancessupplyingeverycomfortthatluxurycouldprovide。
TheRathadnotknownthattherewerepeoplewhotraveledinsuchamanner；thatwantscouldbesoperfectlyforeseen；thatrailroadofficials，portersatstations，thestaffofrestaurants，couldbebymagictransformedintoactiveandeagerservants。Toleanagainsttheupholsteredbackofarailwaycarriageandinluxuriouseaselookthroughthewindowatpassingbeauties，andthentofindbooksatyourelbowandexcellentmealsappearingatregularhours，theseunknownperfectionsmadeitnecessaryforhimattimestopullhimselftogetherandgiveallhisenergiestobelievingthathewasquiteawake。Awakehewas，andwithmuchonhismind``toworkout，\'\'——somuch，indeed，thatonthefirstdayofthejourneyhehaddecidedtogiveupthestruggle，andwaituntilfatemadecleartohimsuchthingsashewastobeallowedtounderstandofthemysteryofStefanLoristan。
WhatherealizedmostclearlywasthatthefactthatthesonofStefanLoristanwasbeingescortedinprivatestatetothecountryhisfatherhadgivenhislife\'sworkto，wasneverforamomentforgotten。TheBaronRastkaandCountVorverskwereofthedignityandcourteousreservewhichmarksmenofdistinction。
Marcowasnotamereboytothem，hewasthesonofStefanLoristan；andtheywereSamavians。Theywatchedoverhim，notasLazarusdid，butwithagravityandforethoughtwhichsomehowseemedtoencirclehimwitharampart。Withoutanyairofsubservience，theyconstitutedthemselveshisattendants。Hiscomfort，hispleasure，evenhisentertainment，weretheirprivatecare。TheRatfeltsuretheyintendedthat，ifpossible，heshouldenjoyhisjourney，andthatheshouldnotbefatiguedbyit。TheyconversedwithhimasTheRathadnotknownthatmeneverconversedwithboys，——untilhehadmetLoristan。Itwasplainthattheyknewwhathewouldbemostinterestedin，andthattheywereawarehewasasfamiliarwiththehistoryofSamaviaastheywerethemselves。Whenheshowedadispositiontohearofeventswhichhadoccurred，theywereasprompttofollowhisleadastheywouldhavebeentofollowtheleadofaman。
That，TheRatarguedwithhimself，wasbecauseMarcohadlivedsointimatelywithhisfatherthathislifehadbeenmorelikeaman\'sthanaboy\'sandhadtrainedhiminmaturethinking。Hewasveryquietduringthejourney，andTheRatknewhewasthinkingallthetime。
ThenightbeforetheyreachedMelzarr，theysleptatatownsomehoursdistantfromthecapital。Theyarrivedatmidnightandwenttoaquiethotel。
``To-morrow，\'\'saidMarco，whenTheRathadlefthimforthenight，``to-morrow，weshallseehim！Godbethanked！\'\'
``Godbethanked！\'\'saidTheRat，also。Andeachsalutedtheotherbeforetheyparted。
Inthemorning，Lazaruscameintothebedroomwithanairsosolemnthatitseemedasifthegarmentshecarriedinhishandswerepartofsomereligiousceremony。
``Iamatyourcommand，sir，\'\'hesaid。``AndIbringyouyouruniform。\'\'
Hecarried，infact，arichlydecoratedSamavianuniform，andthefirstthingMarcohadseenwhenheenteredwasthatLazarushimselfwasinuniformalso。HiswastheuniformofanofficeroftheKing\'sBodyGuard。
``TheMaster，\'\'hesaid，``asksthatyouwearthisonyourentrancetoMelzarr。Ihaveauniform，also，foryouraide-de-camp。\'\'
WhenRastkaandVorverskappeared，theywereinuniformsalso。
ItwasauniformwhichhadatouchoftheOrientinitspicturesquesplendor。Ashortfur-borderedmantlehungbyajeweledchainfromtheshoulders，andtherewasmuchmagnificentembroideryofcolorandgold。
``Sir，wemustdrivequicklytothestation，\'\'BaronRastkasaidtoMarco。``Thesepeopleareexcitableandpatriotic，andHisMajestywishesustoremainincognito，andavoidallchanceofpublicdemonstrationuntilwereachthecapital。\'\'Theypassedratherhurriedlythroughthehoteltothecarriagewhichawaitedthem。TheRatsawthatsomethingunusualwashappeningintheplace。Servantswerescurryingroundcorners，andguestswerecomingoutoftheirroomsandevenhangingoverthebalustrades。
AsMarcogotintohiscarriage，hecaughtsightofaboyabouthisownagewhowaspeepingfrombehindabush。Suddenlyhedartedaway，andtheyallsawhimtearingdownthestreettowardsthestationasfastashislegswouldcarryhim。
Butthehorseswerefasterthanhewas。Thepartyreachedthestation，andwasescortedquicklytoitsplaceinaspecialsaloon-carriagewhichawaitedit。Asthetrainmadeitswayoutofthestation，Marcosawtheboywhohadrunbeforethemrushontotheplatform，wavinghisarmsandshoutingsomethingwithwilddelight。Thepeoplewhowerestandingaboutturnedtolookathim，andthenextinstanttheyhadalltornofftheircapsandthrownthemupintheairandwereshoutingalso。Butitwasnotpossibletohearwhattheysaid。
``Wewereonlyjustintime，\'\'saidVorversk，andBaronRastkanodded。
Thetrainwentswiftly，andstoppedonlyoncebeforetheyreachedMelzarr。Thiswasatasmallstation，ontheplatformofwhichstoodpeasantswithbigbasketsofgarlandedflowersandevergreens。Theyputthemonthetrain，andsoonbothMarcoandTheRatsawthatsomethingunusualwastakingplace。Atonetime，amanstandingonthenarrowoutsideplatformofthecarriagewasplainlyseentobesecuringgarlandsandhandingupflagstomenwhoworkedontheroof。
``TheyaredoingsomethingwithSamavianflagsandalotofflowersandgreenthings！\'\'criedTheRat，inexcitement。
``Sir，theyaredecoratingtheoutsideofthecarriage，\'\'
Vorversksaid。``ThevillagersonthelineobtainedpermissionfromHisMajesty。ThesonofStefanLoristancouldnotbeallowedtopasstheirhomeswithouttheirdoinghomage。\'\'
``Iunderstand，\'\'saidMarco，hisheartthumpinghardagainsthisuniform。``Itisformyfather\'ssake。\'\'
Atlast，embowered，garlanded，andhungwithwavingbanners，thetraindrewinatthechiefstationatMelzarr。
``Sir，\'\'saidRastka，astheywereentering，``willyoustandupthatthepeoplemayseeyou？Thoseontheoutskirtsofthecrowdwillhavethemerestglimpse，buttheywillneverforget。\'\'
Marcostoodup。Theothersgroupedthemselvesbehindhim。Therearosearoarofvoices，whichendedalmostinashriekofjoywhichwasliketheshriekofatempest。ThenthereburstforththeblareofbrazeninstrumentsplayingtheNationalHymnofSamavia，andmadvoicesjoinedinit。
IfMarcohadnotbeenastrongboy，andlongtrainedinself-
control，whathesawandheardmighthavebeenalmosttoomuchtobeborne。Whenthetrainhadcometoafullstop，andthedoorwasthrownopen，evenRastka\'sdignifiedvoicewasunsteadyashesaid，``Sir，leadtheway。Itisforustofollow。\'\'
AndMarco，erectinthedoorway，stoodforamoment，lookingoutupontheroaring，acclaiming，weeping，singingandswayingmultitude——andsalutedjustashehadsalutedTheSquad，lookingjustasmuchaboy，justasmuchaman，justasmuchathrillingyounghumanbeing。
Then，atthesightofhimstandingso，itseemedasifthecrowdwentmad——astheForgersoftheSwordhadseemedtogomadonthenightinthecavern。Thetumultroseandrose，thecrowdrocked，andleapt，and，initsfrenzyofemotion，threatenedtocrushitselftodeath。Butforthelinesofsoldiers，therewouldhaveseemednochanceforanyonetopassthroughitalive。
``IamthesonofStefanLoristan，\'\'Marcosaidtohimself，inordertoholdhimselfsteady。``Iamonmywaytomyfather。\'\'
Afterward，hewasmovingthroughthelineofguardingsoldierstotheentrance，wheretwogreatstate-carriagesstood；andthere，outside，waitedevenahugerandmorefrenziedcrowdthanthatleftbehind。Hesalutedthereagain，andagain，andagain，onallsides。ItwaswhattheyhadseentheEmperordoinVienna。
HewasnotanEmperor，buthewasthesonofStefanLoristanwhohadbroughtbacktheKing。
``Youmustsalute，too，\'\'hesaidtoTheRat，whentheygotintothestatecarriage。``Perhapsmyfatherhastoldthem。Itseemsasiftheyknewyou。\'\'
TheRathadbeenplacedbesidehimonthecarriageseat。Hewasinwardlyshudderingwitharaptureofexultationwhichwasalmostanguish。Thepeoplewerelookingathim——shoutingathim——surelyitseemedlikeitwhenhelookedatthefacesnearestinthecrowd。PerhapsLoristan——
``Listen！\'\'saidMarcosuddenly，asthecarriagerolledonitsway。``TheyareshoutingtousinSamavian，`TheBearersoftheSign！\'
Thatiswhattheyaresayingnow。`TheBearersoftheSign。\'\'\'
TheywerebeingtakentothePalace。ThatBaronRastkaandCountVorverskhadexplainedinthetrain。HisMajestywishedtoreceivethem。StefanLoristanwastherealso。
Thecityhadoncebeennobleandmajestic。ItwassomewhatOriental，asitsuniformsandnationalcostumeswere。Thereweredomedandpillaredstructuresofwhitestoneandmarble，thereweregreatarches，andcitygates，andchurches。Butmanyofthemwerehalfinruinsthroughwar，andneglect，anddecay。
Theypassedthehalf-unroofedcathedral，standinginthesunshineinitsgreatsquare，stillinallitsdisasteroneofthemostbeautifulstructuresinEurope。Intheexultantcrowdwerestilltobeseenhaggardfaces，menwithbandagedlimbsandheadsorhobblingonsticksandcrutches。Therichlycolorednativecostumesweremostofthemworntorags。Buttheirwearershadthefacesofcreaturespluckedfromdespairtobeliftedtoheaven。
``Ivor！Ivor！\'\'theycried；``Ivor！Ivor！\'\'andsobbedwithrapture。
ThePalacewasaswonderfulinitswayasthewhitecathedral。
Theimmenselywidestepsofmarblewereguardedbysoldiers。Thehugesquareinwhichitstoodwasfilledwithpeoplewhomthesoldiersheldincheck。
``Iamhisson，\'\'Marcosaidtohimself，ashedescendedfromthestatecarriageandbegantowalkupthestepswhichseemedsoenormouslywidethattheyappearedalmostlikeastreet。Uphemounted，stepbystep，TheRatfollowinghim。Andasheturnedfromsidetoside，tosalutethosewhomadedeepobeisanceashepassed，hebegantorealizethathehadseentheirfacesbefore。
``Thesewhoareguardingthesteps，\'\'hesaid，quicklyunderhisbreathtoTheRat，``aretheForgersoftheSword！\'\'
Therewererichuniformseverywherewhenheenteredthepalace，andpeoplewhobowedalmosttothegroundashepassed。Hewasveryyoungtobeconfrontedwithsuchanadoringadulationandroyalceremony；buthehopeditwouldnotlasttoolong，andthatafterhehadknelttotheKingandkissedhishand，hewouldseehisfatherandhearhisvoice。Justtohearhisvoiceagain，andfeelhishandonhisshoulder！
Throughthevaultedcorridors，tothewide-openeddoorsofamagnificentroomhewasledatlast。Theendofitseemedalongwayoffasheentered。Thereweremanyrichlydressedpeoplewhostoodinlineashepasseduptowardthecanopieddais。Hefeltthathehadgrownpalewiththestrainofexcitement，andhehadbeguntofeelthathemustbewalkinginadream，asoneachsidepeoplebowedlowandcurtsiedtotheground。
HerealizedvaguelythattheKinghimselfwasstanding，awaitinghisapproach。Butasheadvanced，eachstepbearinghimnearertothethrone，thelightandcolorabouthim，thestrangenessandmagnificence，thewildlyjoyousacclamationofthepopulaceoutsidethepalace，madehimfeelratherdazzled，andhedidnotclearlyseeanyonesinglefaceorthing。
``HisMajestyawaitsyou，\'\'saidavoicebehindhimwhichseemedtobeBaronRastka\'s。``Areyoufaint，sir？Youlookpale。\'\'
Hedrewhimselftogether，andliftedhiseyes。Foronefullmoment，afterhehadsoliftedthem，hestoodquitestillandstraight，lookingintothedeepbeautyoftheroyalface。Thenhekneltandkissedthehandsheldouttohim——kissedthembothwithapassionofboyloveandworship。
TheKinghadtheeyeshehadlongedtosee——theKing\'shandswerethosehehadlongedtofeelagainuponhisshoulder——theKingwashisfather！the``StefanLoristan\'\'whohadbeenthelastofthosewhohadwaitedandlaboredforSamaviathroughfivehundredyears，andwhohadlivedanddiedkings，thoughnoneofthemtillnowhadwornacrown！
HisfatherwastheKing！
Itwasnotthatnight，northenext，norformanynightsthatthetellingofthestorywascompleted。ThepeopleknewthattheirKingandhissonwererarelyseparatedfromeachother；thatthePrince\'ssuiteofapartmentswereconnectedbyaprivatepassagewithhisfather\'s。Thetwowereboundtogetherbyanaffectionofsingularstrengthandmeaning，andtheirlovefortheirpeopleaddedtotheirfeelingforeachother。Inthehistoryofwhattheirpasthadbeen，therewasaromancewhichswelledtheemotionalSamavianheartneartobursting。Bymountainfires，inhuts，underthestars，infieldsandinforests，allthatwasknownoftheirstorywastoldandretoldathousandtimes，withsobsofjoyandprayerbreakinginuponthetale。
Butnoneknewitasitwastoldinacertainquietbutstatelyroominthepalace，wherethemanonceknownonlyas``StefanLoristan，\'\'butwhomhistorywouldcallthefirstKingIvorofSamavia，toldhisshareofittotheboywhomSamavianshadastrangeandsuperstitiousworshipfor，becauseheseemedsosurelytheirLostPrincerestoredinbodyandsoul——almostthekinglyladintheancientportrait——someofthemhalfbelievedwhenhestoodinthesunshine，withthehaloabouthishead。
Itwasawonderfulandintensestory，thatofthelongwanderingsandtheclosehidingofthedangeroussecret。AmongallthosewhohadknownthatamanwhowasanimpassionedpatriotwaslaboringforSamavia，andusingallthepowerofagreatmindandthedelicateingenuityofagreatgeniustogainfriendsandfavorforhisunhappycountry，therehadbeenbutonewhohadknownthatStefanLoristanhadaclaimtotheSamavianthrone。
Hehadmadenoclaim，hehadsought——notacrown——butthefinalfreedomofthenationforwhichhislovehadbeenareligion。
``Notthecrown！\'\'hesaidtothetwoyoungBearersoftheSignastheysatathisfeetlikeschoolboys——``notathrone。`TheLifeofmylife——forSamavia。\'ThatwaswhatIworkedfor——whatwehaveallworkedfor。IftherehadrisenawisermaninSamavia\'stimeofneed，itwouldnothavebeenformetoremindthemoftheirLostPrince。Icouldhavestoodaside。Butnomanarose。Thecrucialmomentcame——andtheonemanwhoknewthesecret，revealedit。Then——Samaviacalled，andIanswered。\'\'
Heputhishandonthethick，blackhairofhisboy\'shead。
``Therewasathingweneverspokeoftogether，\'\'hesaid。``I
believedalwaysthatyourmotherdiedofherbitterfearsformeandtheunendingstrainofthem。Shewasveryyoungandloving，andknewthattherewasnodaywhenwepartedthatweweresureofseeingeachotheraliveagain。Whenshedied，shebeggedmetopromisethatyourboyhoodandyouthshouldnotbeburdenedbytheknowledgeshehadfounditsoterribletobear。Ishouldhavekeptthesecretfromyou，evenifshehadnotsoimploredme。Ihadnevermeantthatyoushouldknowthetruthuntilyouwereaman。IfIhaddied，acertaindocumentwouldhavebeensenttoyouwhichwouldhaveleftmytaskinyourhandsandmademyplansclear。YouwouldhaveknownthenthatyoualsowereaPrinceIvor，whomusttakeuphiscountry\'sburdenandbereadywhenSamaviacalled。Itriedtohelpyoutotrainyourselfforanytask。Youneverfailedme。\'\'
``YourMajesty，\'\'saidTheRat，``Ibegantoworkitout，andthinkitmustbetruethatnightwhenwewerewiththeoldwomanonthetopofthemountain。Itwasthewayshelookedat——atHisHighness。\'\'
``Say`Marco，\'\'\'threwinPrinceIvor。``It\'seasier。Hewasmyarmy，Father。\'\'
StefanLoristan\'sgraveeyesmelted。
``Say`Marco，\'\'\'hesaid。``Youwerehisarmy——andmore——whenwebothneededone。ItwasyouwhoinventedtheGame！\'\'
``Thanks，YourMajesty，\'\'saidTheRat，reddeningscarlet。``Youdomegreathonor！Buthewouldneverletmewaitonhimwhenweweretraveling。Hesaidwewerenothingbuttwoboys。Isupposethat\'swhyit\'shardtoremember，atfirst。ButmymindwentonworkinguntilsometimesIwasafraidImightletsomethingoutatthewrongtime。Whenwewentdownintothecavern，andIsawtheForgersoftheSwordgomadoverhim——IKNEWitmustbetrue。
ButIdidn\'tdaretospeak。Iknewyoumeantustowait；soI
waited。\'\'
``Youareafaithfulfriend，\'\'saidtheKing，``andyouhavealwaysobeyedorders！\'\'
Agreatmoonwassailingintheskythatnight——justsuchamoonashadsailedamongthetornriftsofstormcloudswhenthePrinceatViennahadcomeoutuponthebalconyandtheboyishvoicehadstartledhimfromthedarknessofthegardenbelow。
Theclearerlightofthisnight\'ssplendordrewthemoutonabalconyalso——abroadbalconyofwhitemarblewhichlookedlikesnow。Thepureradiancefelluponalltheysawspreadbeforethem——thelovelybuthalf-ruinedcity，thegreatpalacesquarewithitsbrokenstatuesandarches，thesplendidghostoftheunroofedcathedralwhoseHighAltarwasbaretothesky。
Theystoodandlookedatit。Therewasastillnessinwhichalltheworldmighthaveceasedbreathing。
``Whatnext？\'\'saidPrinceIvor，atlastspeakingquietlyandlow。``Whatnext，Father？\'\'
``Greatthingswhichwillcome，onebyone，\'\'saidtheKing，``ifweholdourselvesready。\'\'
PrinceIvorturnedhisfacefromthelovely，white，brokencity，andputhisbrownhandonhisfather\'sarm。
``Upontheledgethatnight——\'\'hesaid，``Father，youremember——？\'\'TheKingwaslookingfaraway，buthebenthishead：
``Yes。Thatwillcome，too，\'\'hesaid。``Canyourepeatit？\'\'
``Yes，\'\'saidIvor，``andsocantheaide-de-camp。We\'vesaiditahundredtimes。Webelieveit\'strue。`IfthedescendantoftheLostPrinceisbroughtbacktoruleinSamavia，hewillteachhispeopletheLawoftheOne，fromhisthrone。Hewillteachhisson，andthatsonwillteachhisson，andhewillteachhis。
Andthroughsuchasthese，thewholeworldwilllearntheOrderandtheLaw。\'\'\'
End
