``Youmight，ifyouwerewithotherpeoplewhothoughtinthesameway，\'\'hesaid，``andifyouhadn\'tfoundoutthatitissuchamistaketothinkinthatway，thatit\'sevenstupid。But，yousee，ifyouwereI，youwouldhavelivedwithmyfather，andhe\'dhavetoldyouwhatheknows——whathe\'sbeenfindingoutallhislife。\'\'
``What\'shefoundout？\'\'
``Oh！\'\'Marcoanswered，quitecasually，``justthatyoucan\'tsetsavagethoughtslooseintheworld，anymorethanyoucanletloosesavagebeastswithhydrophobia。Theyspreadasortofrabies，andtheyalwaystearandworryyoufirstofall。\'\'
``Whatdoyoumean？\'\'TheRatgaspedout。
``It\'slikethis，\'\'saidMarco，lyingflatandcoolonhishardpillowandlookingatthereflectionofthestreetlampontheceiling。``ThatdayIturnedintoyourBarracks，withoutknowingthatyou\'dthinkIwasspying，itmadeyoufeelsavage，andyouthrewthestoneatme。IfithadmademefeelsavageandI\'drushedinandfought，whatwouldhavehappenedtoallofus？\'\'
TheRat\'sspiritofgeneralshipgavetheanswer。
``IshouldhavecalledontheSquadtochargewithfixedbayonets。They\'dhavehalfkilledyou。You\'reastrongchap，andyou\'dhavehurtalotofthem。\'\'
Anoteofterrorbrokeintohisvoice。``WhatafoolIshouldhavebeen！\'\'hecriedout。``Ishouldneverhavecomehere！I
shouldneverhaveknownHIM！\'\'EvenbythelightofthestreetlampMarcocouldseehimbegintolookalmostghastly。
``TheSquadcouldeasilyhavehalfkilledme，\'\'Marcoadded。
``Theycouldhavequitekilledme，iftheyhadwantedtodoit。
Andwhowouldhavegotanygoodoutofit？Itwouldonlyhavebeenastreet-lads\'row——withthepoliceandprisonattheendofit。\'\'
``Butbecauseyou\'dlivedwithhim，\'\'TheRatpondered，``youwalkedinasifyoudidn\'tmind，andjustaskedwhywedidit，andlookedlikeastrongerchapthananyofus——anddifferent——different。Iwonderedwhatwasthematterwithyou，youweresocoolandsteady。Iknownow。Itwasbecauseyouwerelikehim。He\'dtaughtyou。He\'slikeawizard。\'\'
``Heknowsthingsthatwizardsthinktheyknow，butheknowsthembetter，\'\'Marcosaid。``Hesaysthey\'renotqueerandunnatural。
They\'rejustsimplelawsofnature。Youhavetobeeitherononesideortheother，likeanarmy。Youchooseyourside。Youeitherbuilduporteardown。Youeitherkeepinthelightwhereyoucansee，oryoustandinthedarkandfighteverythingthatcomesnearyou，becauseyoucan\'tseeandyouthinkit\'sanenemy。No，youwouldn\'thavebeenjealousifyou\'dbeenIandI\'dbeenyou。\'\'
``Andyou\'reNOT？\'\'TheRat\'ssharpvoicewasalmosthollow。
``You\'llswearyou\'renot？\'\'
``I\'mnot，\'\'saidMarco。
TheRat\'sexcitementevenincreasedashadeashepouredforthhisconfession。
``Iwasafraid，\'\'hesaid。``I\'vebeenafraideverydaysinceI
camehere。I\'lltellyoustraightout。ItseemedjustnaturalthatyouandLazaruswouldn\'tstandme，justasIwouldn\'thavestoodyou。Itseemedjustnaturalthatyou\'dworktogethertothrowmeout。IknewhowIshouldhaveworkedmyself。Marco——I
saidI\'dtellyoustraightout——I\'mjealousofyou。I\'mjealousofLazarus。ItmakesmewildwhenIseeyoubothknowingallabouthim，andfitandreadytodoanythinghewantsdone。I\'mnotreadyandI\'mnotfit。\'\'
``You\'ddoanythinghewanteddone，whetheryouwerefitandreadyornot，\'\'saidMarco。``Heknowsthat。\'\'
``Doeshe？Doyouthinkhedoes？\'\'criedTheRat。``Iwishhe\'dtryme。Iwishhewould。\'\'
MarcoturnedoveronhisbedandroseuponhiselbowsothathefacedTheRatonhissofa。
``LetusWAIT，\'\'hesaidinawhisper。``LetusWAIT。\'\'
Therewasapause，andthenTheRatwhisperedalso。
``Forwhat？\'\'
``Forhimtofindoutthatwe\'refittobetried。Don\'tyouseewhatfoolsweshouldbeifwespentourtimeinbeingjealous，eitherofus。We\'reonlytwoboys。Supposehesawwewereonlytwosillyfools。WhenyouarejealousofmeorofLazarus，justgoandsitdowninastillplaceandthinkofHIM。Don\'tthinkaboutyourselforaboutus。He\'ssoquietthattothinkabouthimmakesyouquietyourself。WhenthingsgowrongorwhenI\'mlonely，he\'staughtmetositdownandmakemyselfthinkofthingsIlike——pictures，books，monuments，splendidplaces。Itpushestheotherthingsoutandsetsyourmindgoingproperly。
Hedoesn\'tknowInearlyalwaysthinkofhim。He\'sthebestthoughthimself。Youtryit。You\'renotreallyjealous。YouonlyTHINKyouare。You\'llfindthatoutifyoualwaysstopyourselfintime。Anyonecanbesuchafoolifheletshimself。
Andhecanalwaysstopitifhemakesuphismind。I\'mnotjealous。Youmustletthatthoughtalone。You\'renotjealousyourself。Kickthatthoughtintothestreet。\'\'
TheRatcaughthisbreathandthrewhisarmsupoverhiseyes。
``Oh，Lord！Oh，Lord！\'\'hesaid；``ifI\'dlivednearhimalwaysasyouhave。IfIjusthad。\'\'
``We\'rebothlivingnearhimnow，\'\'saidMarco。``Andhere\'ssomethingtothinkof，\'\'leaningmoreforwardonhiselbow。
``ThekingswhowerebeingmadereadyforSamaviahavewaitedalltheseyears；WEcanmakeourselvesreadyandwaitsothat，ifjusttwoboysarewantedtodosomething——justtwoboys——wecanstepoutoftherankswhenthecallcomesandsay`Here！\'Nowlet\'sliedownandthinkofituntilwegotosleep。\'\'
XIII
LORISTANATTENDSADRILLOFTHESQUAD，ANDMARCOMEETSASAMAVIAN
TheSquadwasnotforgotten。ItfoundthatLoristanhimselfwouldhaveregardedneglectasabreachofmilitaryduty。
``Youmustrememberyourmen，\'\'hesaid，twoorthreedaysafterTheRatbecameamemberofhishousehold。``Youmustkeepuptheirdrill。Marcotellsmeitwasverysmart。Don\'tletthemgetslack。\'\'
``Hismen！\'\'TheRatfeltwhathecouldnothaveputintowords。
Heknewhehadworked，andthattheSquadhadworked，intheirhiddenholesandcorners。Onlyhiddenholesandcornershadbeenpossibleforthembecausetheyhadexistedinspiteoftheprotestoftheirworldandthevigilanceofitspolicemen。TheyhadtriedmanyrefugesbeforetheyfoundtheBarracks。Noonebutresentedtheexistenceofatroopofnoisyvagabonds。Butsomehowthismanknewthattherehadevolvedfromitsomethingmorethanmerenoisyplay，thathe，TheRat，hadMEANTorderanddiscipline。
``Hismen！\'\'ItmadehimfeelasifhehadhadtheVictoriaCrossfastenedonhiscoat。Hehadbrainenoughtoseemanythings，andheknewthatitwasinthiswaythatLoristanwasfindinghimhis``place。\'\'Heknewhow。
WhentheywenttotheBarracks，theSquadgreetedthemwithatumultuouswelcomewhichexpressedagreatsenseofrelief。
Privatelythemembershadbeenfilledwithfearswhichtheyhadtalkedovertogetherindeepgloom。Marco\'sfather，theydecided，wastoobigaswelltoletthetwocomebackafterhehadseenthesorttheSquadwasmadeupof。Hemightbepoorjustnow，toffssometimeslosttheirmoneyforabit，butyoucouldseewhathewas，andfatherslikehimweren\'tgoingtolettheirsonsmakefriendswith``suchasus。\'\'He\'dstopthedrillandthe``SecretSociety\'\'game。That\'swhathe\'ddo！
ButTheRatcameswinginginonhissecondhandcrutcheslookingasifhehadbeenmadeageneral，andMarcocamewithhim；andthedrilltheSquadwasputthroughwasstricterandfinerthananydrilltheyhadeverknown。
``Iwishmyfathercouldhaveseenthat，\'\'MarcosaidtoTheRat。
TheRatturnedredandwhiteandthenredagain，buthesaidnotasingleword。Themerethoughtwaslikeaflashoffirepassingthroughhim。Butnofellowcouldhopeforathingasbigasthat。TheSecretParty，initssubterraneancavern，surroundedbyitspiledarms，satdowntoreadthemorningpaper。
Thewarnewswasbadtoread。TheMaranovitchheldthedayforthemoment，andwhiletheysufferedandwroughtcrueltiesinthecapitalcity，theIarovitchsufferedandwroughtcrueltiesinthecountryoutside。SofierceanddarkwastherecordthatEuropestoodaghast。
TheRatfoldedhispaperwhenhehadfinished，andsatbitinghisnails。Havingdonethisforafewminutes，hebegantospeakinhisdramaticandhollowSecretPartywhisper。
``Thehourhascome，\'\'hesaidtohisfollowers。``Themessengersmustgoforth。Theyknownothingofwhattheygofor；
theyonlyknowthattheymustobey。Iftheywerecaughtandtortured，theycouldbetraynothingbecausetheyknownothingbutthat，atcertainplaces，theymustutteracertainword。Theycarrynopapers。Allcommandstheymustlearnbyheart。Whenthesignisgiven，theSecretPartywillknowwhattodo——wheretomeetandwheretoattack。\'\'
Hedrewplansofthebattleontheflagstones，andhesketchedanimaginaryroutewhichthetwomessengersweretofollow。ButhisknowledgeofthemapofEuropewasnotworthmuch，andheturnedtoMarco。
``YouknowmoreaboutgeographythatIdo。Youknowmoreabouteverything，\'\'hesaid。``IonlyknowItalyisatthebottomandRussiaisatonesideandEngland\'sattheother。HowwouldtheSecretMessengersgotoSamavia？Canyoudrawthecountriesthey\'dhavetopassthrough？\'\'
Becauseanyschool-boywhoknewthemapcouldhavedonethesamething，Marcodrewthem。HealsoknewthestationstheSecretTwowouldarriveatandleavebywhentheyenteredacity，thestreetstheywouldwalkthroughandtheveryuniformstheywouldsee；butofthesethingshesaidnothing。Therealityhisknowledgegavetothegamewas，however，athrillingthing。HewishedhecouldhavebeenfreetoexplaintoTheRatthethingsheknew。Togethertheycouldhaveworkedoutsomanydetailsoftravelandpossibleadventurethatitwouldhavebeenalmostasiftheyhadsetoutontheirjourneyinfact。
Asitwas，themeresketchingoftheroutefiredTheRat\'simagination。Heforgedaheadwiththestoryofadventure，andfilleditwithsuchmysteriouspurportanddesignthattheSquadattimesgaspedforbreath。InhisglowingversiontheSecretTwoenteredcitiesbymidnightandsangandbeggedatpalacegateswherekingsdrivingoutwardpausedtolistenandweregiventheSign。
``Thoughitwouldnotalwaysbekings，\'\'hesaid。``Sometimesitwouldbethepoorestpeople。Sometimestheymightseemtobebeggarslikeourselves，whentheywereonlySecretOnesdisguised。Agreatlordmightwearpoorclothesandpretendtobeaworkman，andweshouldonlyknowhimbythesignswehadlearnedbyheart。WhenweweresenttoSamavia，weshouldbeobligedtocreepinthroughsomebackpartofthecountrywherenofightingwasbeingdoneandwherenoonewouldattack。Theirgeneralsarenotcleverenoughtoprotectthepartswhicharejoinedtofriendlycountries，andtheyhavenotforcesenough。
Twoboyscouldfindawayiniftheythoughtitout。\'\'
Hebecamepossessedbytheideaofthinkingitoutonthespot。
HedrewhisroughmapofSamaviaontheflagstoneswithhischalk。
``Lookhere，\'\'hesaidtoMarco，who，withtheelatedandthrilledSquad，bentoveritinaclosecircleofheads。
``BeltrazoishereandCarnolitzishere——andhereisJiardasia。
BeltrazoandJiardasiaarefriendly，thoughtheydon\'ttakesides。AllthefightingisgoingoninthecountryaboutMelzarr。Thereisnoreasonwhytheyshouldpreventsingletravelersfromcominginacrossthefrontiersoffriendlyneighbors。They\'renotfightingwiththecountriesoutside，theyarefightingwiththemselves。\'\'Hepausedamomentandthought。
``Thearticleinthatmagazinesaidsomethingaboutahugeforestontheeasternfrontier。That\'shere。Wecouldwanderintoaforestandstaythereuntilwe\'dplannedallwewantedtodo。
Eventhepeoplewhohadseenuswouldforgetaboutus。Whatwehavetodoistomakepeoplefeelasifwewerenothing——nothing。\'\'
Theywereintheverymidstofit，crowdedtogether，leaningover，stretchingnecksandbreathingquicklywithexcitement，whenMarcoliftedhishead。Somemysteriousimpulsemadehimdoitinspiteofhimself。
``There\'smyfather！\'\'hesaid。
Thechalkdropped，everythingdropped，evenSamavia。TheRatwasupandonhiscrutchesasifsomemagicforcehadswunghimthere。Howhegavethecommand，orifhegaveitatall，notevenhehimselfknew。ButtheSquadstoodatsalute。
LoristanwasstandingattheopeningofthearchwayasMarcohadstoodthatfirstday。Heraisedhisrighthandinreturnsaluteandcameforward。
``IwaspassingtheendofthestreetandrememberedtheBarrackswashere，\'\'heexplained。``IthoughtIshouldliketolookatyourmen，Captain。\'\'
Hesmiled，butitwasnotasmilewhichmadehiswordsreallyajoke。Helookeddownatthechalkmapdrawnontheflagstones。
``Youknowthatmapwell，\'\'hesaid。``EvenIcanseethatitisSamavia。WhatistheSecretPartydoing？\'\'
``Themessengersaretryingtofindawayin，\'\'answeredMarco。
``Wecangetinthere，\'\'saidTheRat，pointingwithacrutch。
``There\'saforestwherewecouldhideandfindoutthings。\'\'
``Reconnoiter，\'\'saidLoristan，lookingdown。``Yes。Twostrayboyscouldbeverysafeinaforest。It\'sagoodgame。\'\'
Thatheshouldbethere！Thatheshould，inhisownwonderfulway，havegiventhemsuchathingasthis。ThatheshouldhavecaredenougheventolookuptheBarracks，waswhatTheRatwasthinking。Abatchofragamuffinstheywereandnothingelse，andhestandinglookingatthemwithhisfinesmile。Therewassomethingabouthimwhichmadehimseemevensplendid。TheRat\'sheartthumpedwithstartledjoy。
``Father，\'\'saidMarco，``willyouwatchTheRatdrillus？I
wantyoutoseehowwellitisdone。\'\'
``Captain，willyoudomethathonor？\'\'LoristansaidtoTheRat，andtoeventhesewordshegavetherighttone，neitherjestingnortooserious。Becauseitwassorightatone，TheRat\'spulsesbeatonlywithexultation。Thisgodofhishadlookedathismaps，hehadtalkedofhisplans，hehadcometoseethesoldierswhowerehiswork！TheRatbeganhisdrillasifhehadbeenreviewinganarmy。
WhatLoristansawdonewaswonderfulinitsmechanicalexactness。
TheSquadmovedliketheperfectpartsofaperfectmachine。
Thattheycouldsodoitinsuchspace，andthattheyshouldhaveaccomplishedsuchprecision，wasanextraordinarytestimonialtothemilitaryefficiencyandcuriousqualitiesofthisonehunchbacked，vagabondofficer。
``Thatismagnificent！\'\'thespectatorsaid，whenitwasover。
``Itcouldnotbebetterdone。Allowmetocongratulateyou。\'\'
HeshookTheRat\'shandasifithadbeenaman\'s，and，afterhehadshakenit，heputhisownhandlightlyontheboy\'sshoulderandletitrestthereashetalkedafewminutestothemall。
Hekepthistalkwithinthegame，andhisclearcomprehensionofitaddedaflavorwhicheventhedullestmemberoftheSquadwaselatedby。Sometimesyoucouldn\'tunderstandtoffswhentheymadeashyatbeingfriendly，butyoucouldunderstandhim，andhestirredupyourspirits。Hedidn\'tmakejokeswithyou，either，asifachaphadtobekeptgrinning。Afterthefewminuteswereover，hewentaway。Thentheysatdownagainintheircircleandtalkedabouthim，becausetheycouldtalkandthinkaboutnothingelse。TheystaredatMarcofurtively，feelingasifhewereacreatureofanotherworldbecausehehadlivedwiththisman。TheystaredatTheRatinanewwayalso。
Thewonderful-lookinghandhadrestedonhisshoulder，andhehadbeentoldthatwhathehaddonewasmagnificent。
``Whenyousaidyouwishedyourfathercouldhaveseenthedrill，\'\'saidTheRat，``youtookmybreathaway。I\'dneverhavehadthecheektothinkofitmyself——andI\'dneverhavedaredtoletyouaskhim，evenifyouwantedtodoit。Andhecamehimself！Itstruckmedumb。\'\'
``Ifhecame，\'\'saidMarco，``itwasbecausehewantedtoseeit。\'\'
Whentheyhadfinishedtalking，itwastimeforMarcoandTheRattogoontheirway。LoristanhadgivenTheRatanerrand。Atacertainhourhewastopresenthimselfatacertainshopandreceiveapackage。
``Lethimdoitalone，\'\'LoristansaidtoMarco。``Hewillbebetterpleased。Hisdesireistofeelthatheistrustedtodothingsalone。\'\'
Sotheypartedatastreetcorner，MarcotowalkbacktoNo。7
PhilibertPlace，TheRattoexecutehiscommission。Marcoturnedintooneofthebetterstreets，throughwhichheoftenpassedonhiswayhome。Itwasnotafashionablequarter，butitcontainedsomerespectablehousesinwhosewindowshereandthereweretobeseenneatcardsbearingtheword``Apartments，\'\'whichmeantthattheownerofthehousewouldlettolodgershisdrawing-roomorsitting-roomsuite。
AsMarcowalkedupthestreet，hesawsomeonecomeoutofthedoorofoneofthehousesandwalkquicklyandlightlydownthepavement。Itwasayoungwomanwearinganelegantthoughquietdress，andahatwhichlookedasifithadbeenboughtinParisorVienna。Shehad，infact，aslightlyforeignair，anditwasthis，indeed，whichmadeMarcolookatherlongenoughtoseethatshewasalsoagracefulandlovelyperson。Hewonderedwhathernationalitywas。Evenatsomeyards\'distancehecouldseethatshehadlongdarkeyesandacurvedmouthwhichseemedtobesmilingtoitself。HethoughtshemightbeSpanishorItalian。
Hewastryingtodecidewhichofthetwocountriesshebelongedto，asshedrewneartohim，butquitesuddenlythecurvedmouthceasedsmilingasherfootseemedtocatchinabreakinthepavement，andshesolostherbalancethatshewouldhavefallenifhehadnotleapedforwardandcaughther。
Shewaslightandslender，andhewasastrongladandmanagedtosteadyher。Anexpressionofsharpmomentaryanguishcrossedherface。
``Ihopeyouarenothurt，\'\'Marcosaid。
Shebitherlipandclutchedhisshoulderveryhardwithherslimhand。
``Ihavetwistedmyankle，\'\'sheanswered。``IamafraidIhavetwisteditbadly。Thankyouforsavingme。Ishouldhavehadabadfall。\'\'
Herlong，darkeyeswereverysweetandgrateful。Shetriedtosmile，buttherewassuchdistressundertheeffortthatMarcowasafraidshemusthavehurtherselfverymuch。
``Canyoustandonyourfootatall？\'\'heasked。
``Icanstandalittlenow，\'\'shesaid，``butImightnotbeabletostandinafewminutes。ImustgetbacktothehousewhileI
canbeartotouchthegroundwithit。Iamsosorry。IamafraidIshallhavetoaskyoutogowithme。Fortunatelyitisonlyafewyardsaway。\'\'
``Yes，\'\'Marcoanswered。``Isawyoucomeoutofthehouse。Ifyouwillleanonmyshoulder，Icansoonhelpyouback。Iamgladtodoit。Shallwetrynow？\'\'
Shehadagentleandsoftmannerwhichwouldhaveappealedtoanyboy。Hervoicewasmusicalandherenunciationexquisite。
WhethershewasSpanishorItalian，itwaseasytoimagineherapersonwhodidnotalwaysliveinLondonlodgings，evenofthebetterclass。
``Ifyouplease，\'\'sheansweredhim。``Itisverykindofyou。
Youareverystrong，Isee。ButIamgladtohaveonlyafewstepstogo。\'\'
Sherestedonhisshoulderaswellasonherumbrella，butitwasplainthateverymovementgaveherintensepain。Shecaughtherlipwithherteeth，andMarcothoughtsheturnedwhite。Hecouldnothelplikingher。Shewassolovelyandgraciousandbrave。
Hecouldnotbeartoseethesufferinginherface。
``Iamsosorry！\'\'hesaid，ashehelpedher，andhisboy\'svoicehadsomethingofthewonderfulsympathetictoneofLoristan\'s。
Thebeautifulladyherselfremarkedit，andthoughthowunlikeitwastotheordinaryboy-voice。
``Ihavealatch-key，\'\'shesaid，whentheystoodonthelowstep。
Shefoundthelatch-keyinherpurseandopenedthedoor。Marcohelpedherintotheentrance-hall。Shesatdownatonceinachairnearthehat-stand。Theplacewasquiteplainandold-fashionedinside。
``ShallIringthefront-doorbelltocallsomeone？\'\'Marcoinquired。
``Iamafraidthattheservantsareout，\'\'sheanswered。``Theyhadaholiday。Willyoukindlyclosethedoor？Ishallbeobligedtoaskyoutohelpmeintothesitting-roomattheendofthehall。IshallfindallIwantthere——ifyouwillkindlyhandmeafewthings。Someonemaycomeinpresently——perhapsoneoftheotherlodgers——and，evenifIamaloneforanhourorso，itwillnotreallymatter。\'\'
``PerhapsIcanfindthelandlady，\'\'Marcosuggested。Thebeautifulpersonsmiled。
``Shehasgonetohersister\'swedding。ThatiswhyIwasgoingouttospendthedaymyself。Iarrangedtheplantoaccommodateher。Howgoodyouare！Ishallbequitecomfortabledirectly，really。Icangettomyeasy-chairinthesitting-roomnowI
haverestedalittle。\'\'
Marcohelpedhertoherfeet，andhersharp，involuntaryexclamationofpainmadehimwinceinternally。Perhapsitwasaworsesprainthansheknew。
Thehousewasoftheearly-VictorianLondonorder。A``frontlobby\'\'withadining-roomontherighthand，anda``backlobby，\'\'afterthefootofthestairswaspassed，outofwhichopenedthebasementkitchenstaircaseandasitting-roomlookingoutonagloomyflaggedbackyardinclosedbyhighwalls。Thesitting-roomwasrathergloomyitself，buttherewereafewluxuriousthingsamongtheordinaryfurnishings。Therewasaneasy-chairwithasmalltablenearit，andonthetablewereasilverlampandsomerathereleganttrifles。Marcohelpedhischargetotheeasy-chairandputacushionfromthesofaunderherfoot。Hediditverygently，and，asheroseafterdoingit，hesawthatthelong，softdarkeyeswerelookingathiminacuriousway。
``Imustgoawaynow，\'\'hesaid，``butIdonotliketoleaveyou。MayIgoforadoctor？\'\'
``Howdearyouare！\'\'sheexclaimed。``ButIdonotwantone，thankyou。Iknowexactlywhattodoforasprainedankle。Andperhapsmineisnotreallyasprain。Iamgoingtotakeoffmyshoeandsee。\'\'
``MayIhelpyou？\'\'Marcoasked，andhekneeleddownagainandcarefullyunfastenedhershoeandwithdrewitfromherfoot。Itwasaslenderanddelicatefootinasilkstocking，andshebentandgentlytouchedandrubbedit。
``No，\'\'shesaid，whensheraisedherself，``Idonotthinkitisasprain。Nowthattheshoeisoffandthefootrestsonthecushion，itismuchmorecomfortable，muchmore。Thankyou，thankyou。IfyouhadnotbeenpassingImighthavehadadangerousfall。\'\'
``Iamverygladtohavebeenabletohelpyou，\'\'Marcoanswered，withanairofrelief。``NowImustgo，ifyouthinkyouwillbeallright。\'\'
``Don\'tgoyet，\'\'shesaid，holdingoutherhand。``Ishouldliketoknowyoualittlebetter，ifImay。Iamsograteful。I
shouldliketotalktoyou。Youhavesuchbeautifulmannersforaboy，\'\'sheended，withapretty，kindlaugh，``andIbelieveIknowwhereyougotthemfrom。\'\'
``Youareverykindtome，\'\'Marcoanswered，wonderingifhedidnotreddenalittle。``ButImustgobecausemyfatherwill——\'\'
``Yourfatherwouldletyoustayandtalktome，\'\'shesaid，withevenaprettierkindlinessthanbefore。``Itisfromhimyouhaveinheritedyourbeautifulmanner。Hewasonceafriendofmine。Ihopeheismyfriendstill，thoughperhapshehasforgottenme。\'\'
AllthatMarcohadeverlearnedandallthathehadevertrainedhimselftoremember，quicklyrushedbackuponhimnow，becausehehadaclearandrapidlyworkingbrain，andhadnotlivedtheordinaryboy\'slife。Herewasabeautifulladyofwhomheknewnothingatallbutthatshehadtwistedherfootinthestreetandhehadhelpedherbackintoherhouse。Ifsilencewasstilltheorder，itwasnotforhimtoknowthingsoraskquestionsoranswerthem。Shemightbetheloveliestladyintheworldandhisfatherherdearestfriend，but，evenifthiswereso，hecouldbestservethembothbyobeyingherfriend\'scommandswithallcourtesy，andforgettingnoinstructionhehadgiven。
``Idonotthinkmyfathereverforgetsanyone，\'\'heanswered。
``No，Iamsurehedoesnot，\'\'shesaidsoftly。``HashebeentoSamaviaduringthelastthreeyears？\'\'
Marcopausedamoment。
``PerhapsIamnottheboyyouthinkIam，\'\'hesaid。``MyfatherhasneverbeentoSamavia。\'\'
``Hehasnot？But——youareMarcoLoristan？\'\'
``Yes。Thatismyname。\'\'
Suddenlysheleanedforwardandherlonglovelyeyesfilledwithfire。
``ThenyouareaSamavian，andyouknowofthedisastersoverwhelmingus。Youknowallthehideousnessandbarbarityofwhatisbeingdone。Yourfather\'ssonmustknowitall！\'\'
``Everyoneknowsit，\'\'saidMarco。
``Butitisyourcountry——yourown！Yourbloodmustburninyourveins！\'\'
Marcostoodquitestillandlookedather。Hiseyestoldwhetherhisbloodburnedornot，buthedidnotspeak。Hislookwasanswerenough，sincehedidnotwishtosayanything。
``Whatdoesyourfatherthink？IamaSamavianmyself，andI
thinknightandday。WhatdoeshethinkoftherumoraboutthedescendantoftheLostPrince？Doeshebelieveit？\'\'
Marcowasthinkingveryrapidly。Herbeautifulfacewasglowingwithemotion，herbeautifulvoicetrembled。ThatsheshouldbeaSamavian，andloveSamavia，andpourherfeelingfortheventoaboy，wasdeeplymovingtohim。Buthowsoeveronewasmoved，onemustrememberthatsilencewasstilltheorder。Whenonewasveryyoung，onemustrememberordersfirstofall。
``Itmightbeonlyanewspaperstory，\'\'hesaid。``Hesaysonecannottrustsuchthings。Ifyouknowhim，youknowheisverycalm。\'\'
``Hashetaughtyoutobecalmtoo？\'\'shesaidpathetically。
``Youareonlyaboy。Boysarenotcalm。Neitherarewomenwhentheirheartsarewrung。Oh，mySamavia！Oh，mypoorlittlecountry！Mybrave，torturedcountry！\'\'andwithasuddensobshecoveredherfacewithherhands。
AgreatlumpmountedtoMarco\'sthroat。Boyscouldnotcry，butheknewwhatshemeantwhenhesaidherheartwaswrung。
Whensheliftedherhead，thetearsinhereyesmadethemsofterthanever。
``IfIwereamillionSamaviansinsteadofonewoman，Ishouldknowwhattodo！\'\'shecried。``IfyourfatherwereamillionSamavians，hewouldknow，too。HewouldfindIvor\'sdescendant，ifheisontheearth，andhewouldendallthishorror！\'\'
``Whowouldnotenditiftheycould？\'\'criedMarco，quitefiercely。
``Butmenlikeyourfather，menwhoareSamavians，mustthinknightanddayaboutitasIdo，\'\'sheimpetuouslyinsisted。
``Yousee，Icannothelppouringmythoughtsouteventoaboy——becauseheisaSamavian。OnlySamavianscare。Samaviaseemssolittleandunimportanttootherpeople。Theydon\'tevenseemtoknowthatthebloodsheispouringforthpoursfromhumanveinsandbeatinghumanhearts。Menlikeyourfathermustthink，andplan，andfeelthattheymust——mustfindaway。Evenawomanfeelsit。Evenaboymust。StefanLoristancannotbesittingquietlyathome，knowingthatSamavianheartsarebeingshotthroughandSamavianbloodpouredforth。HecannotthinkandsayNOTHING！\'\'
Marcostartedinspiteofhimself。Hefeltasifhisfatherhadbeenstruckintheface。Howdareshesaysuchwords！Bigashewas，suddenlyhelookedbigger，andthebeautifulladysawthathedid。
``Heismyfather，\'\'hesaidslowly。
Shewasaclever，beautifulperson，andsawthatshehadmadeagreatmistake。
``Youmustforgiveme，\'\'sheexclaimed。``IusedthewrongwordsbecauseIwasexcited。Thatisthewaywithwomen。YoumustseethatImeantthatIknewhewasgivinghisheartandstrength，hiswholebeing，toSamavia，eventhoughhemuststayinLondon。\'\'
Shestartedandturnedherheadtolistentothesoundofsomeoneusingthelatch-keyandopeningthefrontdoor。Thesomeonecameinwiththeheavystepofaman。
``Itisoneofthelodgers，\'\'shesaid。``Ithinkitistheonewholivesinthethirdfloorsitting-room。\'\'
``Thenyouwon\'tbealonewhenIgo，\'\'saidMarco。``Iamgladsomeonehascome。Iwillsaygood-morning。MayItellmyfatheryourname？\'\'
``Tellmethatyouarenotangrywithmeforexpressingmyselfsoawkwardly，\'\'shesaid。
``Youcouldn\'thavemeantit。Iknowthat，\'\'Marcoansweredboyishly。``Youcouldn\'t。\'\'
``No，Icouldn\'t，\'\'sherepeated，withthesameemphasisonthewords。
Shetookacardfromasilvercaseonthetableandgaveittohim。
``Yourfatherwillremembermyname，\'\'shesaid。``Ihopehewillletmeseehimandtellhimhowyoutookcareofme。\'\'
Sheshookhishandwarmlyandlethimgo。Butjustashereachedthedoorshespokeagain。
``Oh，mayIaskyoutodoonethingmorebeforeyouleaveme？\'\'
shesaidsuddenly。``Ihopeyouwon\'tmind。Willyourunup-stairsintothedrawing-roomandbringmethepurplebookfromthesmalltable？IshallnotmindbeingaloneifIhavesomethingtoread。\'\'
``Apurplebook？Onasmalltable？\'\'saidMarco。
``Betweenthetwolongwindows，\'\'shesmiledbackathim。
Thedrawing-roomofsuchhousesastheseisalwaystobereachedbyoneshortflightofstairs。
Marcoranuplightly。
XIV
MARCODOESNOTANSWER
Bythetimeheturnedthecornerofthestairs，thebeautifulladyhadrisenfromherseatinthebackroomandwalkedintothedining-roomatthefront。Aheavily-built，dark-beardedmanwasstandinginsidethedoorasifwaitingforher。
``Icoulddonothingwithhim，\'\'shesaidatonce，inhersoftvoice，speakingquiteprettilyandgently，asifwhatshesaidwasthemostnaturalthingintheworld。``Imanagedthelittletrickofthesprainedfootreallywell，andgothimintothehouse。Heisanamiableboywithperfectmanners，andIthoughtitmightbeeasytosurprisehimintosayingmorethanheknewhewassaying。Youcangenerallydothatwithchildrenandyoungthings。Butheeitherknowsnothingorhasbeentrainedtoholdhistongue。He\'snotstupid，andhe\'sofahighspirit。ImadeapatheticlittlesceneaboutSamavia，becauseIsawhecouldbeworkedup。Itdidworkhimup。ItriedhimwiththeLostPrincerumor；but，ifthereistruthinit，hedoesnotorwillnotknow。Itriedtomakehimlosehistemperandbetraysomethingindefendinghisfather，whomhethinksagod，bytheway。ButI
madeamistake。Isawthat。It\'sapity。Boyscansometimesbemadetotellanything。\'\'Shespokeveryquicklyunderherbreath。Themanspokequicklytoo。
``Whereishe？\'\'heasked。
``Isenthimuptothedrawing-roomtolookforabook。Hewilllookforafewminutes。Listen。He\'saninnocentboy。Heseesmeonlyasagentleangel。NothingwillSHAKEhimsomuchastohearmetellhimthetruthsuddenly。Itwillbesuchashocktohimthatperhapsyoucandosomethingwithhimthen。Hemaylosehisholdonhimself。He\'sonlyaboy。\'\'
``You\'reright，\'\'saidthebeardedman。``Andwhenhefindsoutheisnotfreetogo，itmayalarmhimandwemaygetsomethingworthwhile。\'\'
``Ifwecouldfindoutwhatistrue，orwhatLoristanthinksistrue，weshouldhaveacluetoworkfrom，\'\'shesaid。
``Wehavenotmuchtime，\'\'themanwhispered。``WeareorderedtoBosniaatonce。Beforemidnightwemustbeontheway。\'\'
``Letusgointotheotherroom。Heiscoming。\'\'
WhenMarcoenteredtheroom，theheavily-builtmanwiththepointeddarkbeardwasstandingbytheeasy-chair。
``IamsorryIcouldnotfindthebook，\'\'heapologized。``I
lookedonallthetables。\'\'
``Ishallbeobligedtogoandsearchforitmyself，\'\'saidtheLovelyPerson。
Sherosefromherchairandstoodupsmiling。AndatherfirstmovementMarcosawthatshewasnotdisabledintheleast。
``Yourfoot！\'\'heexclaimed。``It\'sbetter？\'\'
``Itwasn\'thurt，\'\'sheanswered，inhersoftlyprettyvoiceandwithhersoftlyprettysmile。``Ionlymadeyouthinkso。\'\'
Itwaspartofherplantosparehimnothingofshockinhersuddentransformation。Marcofelthisbreathleavehimforamoment。
``ImadeyoubelieveIwashurtbecauseIwantedyoutocomeintothehousewithme，\'\'sheadded。``IwishedtofindoutcertainthingsIamsureyouknow。\'\'
``TheywerethingsaboutSamavia，\'\'saidtheman。``Yourfatherknowsthem，andyoumustknowsomethingofthematleast。Itisnecessarythatweshouldhearwhatyoucantellus。WeshallnotallowyoutoleavethehouseuntilyouhaveansweredcertainquestionsIshallaskyou。\'\'
ThenMarcobegantounderstand。Hehadheardhisfatherspeakofpoliticalspies，menandwomenwhowerepaidtotracethepeoplethatcertaingovernmentsorpoliticalpartiesdesiredtohavefollowedandobserved。Heknewitwastheirworktosearchoutsecrets，todisguisethemselvesandliveamonginnocentpeopleasiftheyweremerelyordinaryneighbors。
TheymustbespieswhowerepaidtofollowhisfatherbecausehewasaSamavianandapatriot。Hedidnotknowthattheyhadtakenthehousetwomonthsbefore，andhadaccomplishedseveralthingsduringtheirapparentlyinnocentstayinit。TheyhaddiscoveredLoristanandhadlearnedtoknowhisoutgoingsandincomings，andalsotheoutgoingsandincomingsofLazarus，Marco，andTheRat。Buttheymeant，ifpossible，tolearnotherthings。Iftheboycouldbestartledandterrifiedintounconsciousrevelations，itmightprovewellworththeirwhiletohaveplayedthisbitofmelodramabeforetheylockedthefrontdoorbehindthemandhastilycrossedtheChannel，leavingtheirlandlordtodiscoverforhimselfthatthehousehadbeenvacated。
InMarco\'smindstrangethingswerehappening。Theywerespies！
Butthatwasnotall。TheLovelyPersonhadbeenrightwhenshesaidthathewouldreceiveashock。Hisstrongyoungchestswelled。Inallhislife，hehadnevercomefacetofacewithblacktreacherybefore。Hecouldnotgraspit。Thisgentleandfriendlybeingwiththegratefulsoftvoiceandgratefulsofteyeshadbetrayed——BETRAYEDhim！Itseemedimpossibletobelieveit，andyetthesmileonhermcurvedmouthtoldhimthatitwastrue。Whenhehadsprungtohelpher，shehadbeenplayingatrick！Whenhehadbeensorryforherpainandhadwincedatthesoundofherlowexclamation，shehadbeendeliberatelylayingatraptoharmhim。Forafewsecondshewasstunned——perhaps，ifhehadnotbeenhisfather\'sson，hemighthavebeenstunnedonly。Buthewasmore。Whenthefirstsecondshadpassed，therearoseslowlywithinhimasenseofsomethinglikehigh，remotedisdain。Itgrewinhisdeepboy\'seyesashegazeddirectlyintothepupilsofthelongsoftdarkones。Hisbodyfeltasifitweregrowingtaller。
``Youareveryclever，\'\'hesaidslowly。Then，afterasecond\'spause，headded，``Iwastooyoungtoknowthattherewasanyoneso——clever——intheworld。\'\'
TheLovelyPersonlaughed，butshedidnotlaugheasily。Shespoketohercompanion。
``Agrandseigneur！\'\'shesaid。``Asonelooksathim，onehalfbelievesitistrue。\'\'
Themanwiththebeardwaslookingveryangry。Hiseyesweresavageandhisdarkskinreddened。Marcothoughtthathelookedathimasifhehatedhim，andwasmadefiercebythemeresightofhim，forsomemysteriousreason。
``TwodaysbeforeyouleftMoscow，\'\'hesaid，``threemencametoseeyourfather。Theylookedlikepeasants。Theytalkedtohimformorethananhour。Theybroughtwiththemarollofparchment。Isthatnottrue？\'\'
``Iknownothing，\'\'saidMarco。
``BeforeyouwenttoMoscow，youwereinBudapest。YouwenttherefromVienna。Youwerethereforthreemonths，andyourfathersawmanypeople。Someofthemcameinthemiddleofthenight。\'\'
``Iknownothing，\'\'saidMarco。
``Youhavespentyourlifeintravelingfromonecountrytoanother，\'\'persistedtheman。``YouknowtheEuropeanlanguagesasifyouwereacourier，ortheportierinaViennesehotel。Doyounot？\'\'
Marcodidnotanswer。
TheLovelyPersonbegantospeaktothemanrapidlyinRussian。
``AspyandanadventurerStefanLoristanhasalwaysbeenandalwayswillbe，\'\'shesaid。``Weknowwhatheis。ThepoliceineverycapitalinEuropeknowhimasasharperandavagabond，aswellasaspy。Andyet，withallhiscleverness，hedoesnotseemtohavemoney。WhatdidhedowiththebribetheMaranovitchgavehimforbetrayingwhatheknewoftheoldfortress？Theboydoesn\'tevensuspecthim。Perhapsit\'struethatheknowsnothing。Orperhapsitistruethathehasbeensoill-treatedandfloggedfromhisbabyhoodthathedarenotspeak。
Thereisacowedlookinhiseyesinspiteofhischildishswagger。He\'sbeenbothstarvedandbeaten。\'\'
Theoutburstwaswelldone。ShedidnotlookatMarcoasshepouredforthherwords。Shespokewiththeabruptnessandimpetuosityofapersonwhosefeelingshadgotthebetterofher。
IfMarcowassensitiveabouthisfather，shefeltsurethathisyouthwouldmakehisfacerevealsomethingifhistonguedidnot——ifheunderstoodRussian，whichwasoneofthethingsitwouldbeusefultofindout，becauseitwasafactwhichwouldverifymanyotherthings。
Marco\'sfacedisappointedher。Nochangetookplaceinit，andtheblooddidnotrisetothesurfaceofhisskin。Helistenedwithanuninterestedair，blankandcoldandpolite。Letthemsaywhattheychose。
Themantwistedhispointedbeardandshruggedhisshoulders。
``Wehaveagoodlittlewine-cellardownstairs，\'\'hesaid。``Youaregoingdownintoit，andyouwillprobablystaythereforsometimeifyoudonotmakeupyourmindtoanswermyquestions。YouthinkthatnothingcanhappentoyouinahouseinaLondonstreetwherepolicemenwalkupanddown。Butyouaremistaken。
Ifyouyellednow，evenifanyonechancedtohearyou，theywouldonlythinkyouwerealadgettingathrashinghedeserved。
Youcanyellasmuchasyoulikeintheblacklittlewine-cellar，andnoonewillhearatall。Weonlytookthishouseforthreemonths，andweshallleaveitto-nightwithoutmentioningthefacttoanyone。Ifwechoosetoleaveyouinthewine-cellar，youwillwaitthereuntilsomebodybeginstonoticethatnoonegoesinandout，andchancestomentionittothelandlord——whichfewpeoplewouldtakethetroubletodo。DidyoucomeherefromMoscow？\'\'
``Iknownothing，\'\'saidMarco。
``Youmightremaininthegoodlittleblackcellaranunpleasantlylongtimebeforeyouwerefound，\'\'themanwenton，quitecoolly。``Doyourememberthepeasantswhocametoseeyourfathertwonightsbeforeyouleft？\'\'
``Iknownothing，\'\'saidMarco。
``Bythetimeitwasdiscoveredthatthehousewasemptyandpeoplecameintomakesure，youmightbetooweaktocalloutandattracttheirattention。DidyougotoBudapestfromVienna，andwereyouthereforthreemonths？\'\'askedtheinquisitor。
``Iknownothing，\'\'saidMarco。
``Youaretoogoodforthelittleblackcellar，\'\'putintheLovelyPerson。``Ilikeyou。Don\'tgointoit！\'\'
``Iknownothing，\'\'Marcoanswered，buttheeyeswhichwerelikeLoristan\'sgaveherjustsuchalookasLoristanwouldhavegivenher，andshefeltit。Itmadeheruncomfortable。
``Idon\'tbelieveyouwereeverill-treatedorbeaten，\'\'shesaid。``Itellyou，thelittleblackcellarwillbeahardthing。Don\'tgothere！\'\'
AndthistimeMarcosaidnothing，butlookedatherstillasifheweresomegreatyoungnoblewhowasveryproud。
Heknewthateverywordthebeardedmanhadspokenwastrue。Tocryoutwouldbeofnouse。Iftheywentawayandlefthimbehindthem，therewasnoknowinghowmanydayswouldpassbeforethepeopleoftheneighborhoodwouldbegintosuspectthattheplacehadbeendeserted，orhowlongitwouldbebeforeitoccurredtosomeonetogivewarningtotheowner。Andinthemeantime，neitherhisfathernorLazarusnorTheRatwouldhavethefaintestreasonforguessingwherehewas。Andhewouldbesittingaloneinthedarkinthewine-cellar。Hedidnotknowintheleastwhattodoaboutthisthing。Heonlyknewthatsilencewasstilltheorder。
``Itisajet-blacklittlehole，\'\'themansaid。``Youmightcrackyourthroatinit，andnoonewouldhear。DidmencometotalkwithyourfatherinthemiddleofthenightwhenyouwereinVienna？\'\'
``Iknownothing，\'\'saidMarco。
``Hewon\'ttell，\'\'saidtheLovelyPerson。``Iamsorryforthisboy。\'\'
``Hemaytellafterhehassatinthegoodlittleblackwine-cellarforafewhours，\'\'saidthemanwiththepointedbeard。``Comewithme！\'\'
HeputhispowerfulhandonMarco\'sshoulderandpushedhimbeforehim。Marcomadenostruggle。Herememberedwhathisfatherhadsaidaboutthegamenotbeingagame。Itwasn\'tagamenow，butsomehowhehadastronghaughtyfeelingofnotbeingafraid。
Hewastakenthroughthehallway，towardtherear，anddownthecommonplaceflaggedstepswhichledtothebasement。Thenhewasmarchedthroughanarrow，ill-lighted，flaggedpassagetoadoorinthewall。Thedoorwasnotlockedandstoodatrifleajar。
Hiscompanionpusheditfartheropenandshowedpartofawine-
cellarwhichwassodarkthatitwasonlytheshelvesnearestthedoorthatMarcocouldfaintlysee。Hiscaptorpushedhiminandshutthedoor。Itwasasblackaholeashehaddescribed。
Marcostoodstillinthemidstofdarknesslikeblackvelvet。
Hisguardturnedthekey。
``ThepeasantswhocametoyourfatherinMoscowspokeSamavianandwerebigmen。Doyourememberthem？\'\'heaskedfromoutside。
``Iknownothing，\'\'answeredMarco。
``Youareayoungfool，\'\'thevoicereplied。``AndIbelieveyouknowevenmorethanwethought。Yourfatherwillbegreatlytroubledwhenyoudonotcomehome。Iwillcomebacktoseeyouinafewhours，ifitispossible。Iwilltellyou，however，thatIhavehaddisturbingnewswhichmightmakeitnecessaryforustoleavethehouseinahurry。Imightnothavetimetocomedownhereagainbeforeleaving。\'\'
Marcostoodwithhisbackagainstabitofwallandremainedsilent。
Therewasstillnessforafewminutes，andthentherewastobeheardthesoundoffootstepsmarchingaway。
Whenthelastdistantechodiedallwasquitesilent，andMarcodrewalongbreath。Unbelievableasitmayappear，itwasinonesensealmostabreathofrelief。Intherushofstrangefeelingwhichhadsweptoverhimwhenhefoundhimselffacingtheastoundingsituationup-stairs，ithadnotbeeneasytorealizewhathisthoughtsreallywere；thereweresomanyofthemandtheycamesofast。Howcouldhequitebelievetheevidenceofhiseyesandears？Afewminutes，onlyafewminutes，hadchangedhisprettilygratefulandkindlyacquaintanceintoasubtleandcunningcreaturewhoseloveforSamaviahadbeenpartofaplottoharmitandtoharmhisfather。
Whatdidsheandhercompanionwanttodo——whatcouldtheydoiftheyknewthethingstheyweretryingtoforcehimtotell？
Marcobracedhisbackagainstthewallstoutly。
``Whatwillitbebesttothinkaboutfirst？\'\'
Thishesaidbecauseoneofthemostabsorbinglyfascinatingthingsheandhisfathertalkedabouttogetherwasthepowerofthethoughtswhichhumanbeingsallowtopassthroughtheirminds——thestrangestrengthofthem。Whentheytalkedofthis，MarcofeltasifhewerelisteningtosomemarvelousEasternstoryofmagicwhichwastrue。InLoristan\'stravels，hehadvisitedthefarOrientalcountries，andhehadseenandlearnedmanythingswhichseemedmarvels，andtheyhadtaughthimdeepthinking。Hehadknown，andreasonedthroughdayswithmenwhobelievedthatwhentheydesiredathing，clearandexaltedthoughtwouldbringittothem。Hehaddiscoveredwhytheybelievedthis，andhadlearnedtounderstandtheirprofoundarguments。
Whathehimselfbelieved，hehadtaughtMarcoquitesimplyfromhischildhood。Itwasthis：hehimself——Marco，withthestrongboy-body，thethickmatofblackhair，andthepatchedclothes——
wasthemagician。Heheldandwavedhiswandhimself——andhiswandwashisownThought。Whenspecialprivationoranxietybesetthem，itwastheirruletosay，``Whatwillitbebesttothinkaboutfirst？\'\'whichwasMarco\'sreasonforsayingittohimselfnowashestoodinthedarknesswhichwaslikeblackvelvet。
Hewaitedafewminutesfortherightthingtocometohim。
``IwillthinkoftheveryoldhermitwholivedontheledgeofthemountainsinIndiaandwholetmyfathertalktohimthroughallonenight，\'\'hesaidatlast。Thishadbeenawonderfulstoryandoneofhisfavorites。LoristanhadtraveledfartoseethisancientBuddhist，andwhathehadseenandheardduringthatonenighthadmadechangesinhislife。ThepartofthestorywhichcamebacktoMarconowwasthesewords：
``Letpassthroughthymind，myson，onlytheimagethouwouldstdesiretoseeatruth。Meditateonlyuponthewishofthyheart，seeingfirstthatitcaninjurenomanandisnotignoble。Thenwillittakeearthlyformanddrawneartothee。Thisisthelawofthatwhichcreates。\'\'
``Iamnotafraid，\'\'Marcosaidaloud。``Ishallnotbeafraid。
InsomewayIshallgetout。\'\'
Thiswastheimagehewantedmosttokeepsteadilyinhismind——thatnothingcouldmakehimafraid，andthatinsomewayhewouldgetoutofthewine-cellar。
Hethoughtofthisforsomeminutes，andsaidthewordsoverseveraltimes。Hefeltmorelikehimselfwhenhehaddoneit。
``Whenmyeyesareaccustomedtothedarkness，Ishallseeifthereisanylittleglimmeroflightanywhere，\'\'hesaidnext。
Hewaitedwithpatience，anditseemedforsometimethathesawnoglimmeratall。Heputouthishandsoneithersideofhim，andfoundthat，onthesideofthewallagainstwhichhestood，thereseemedtobenoshelves。Perhapsthecellarhadbeenusedforotherpurposesthanthestoringofwine，and，ifthatwastrue，theremightbesomewheresomeopeningforventilation。Theairwasnotbad，butthenthedoorhadnotbeenshuttightlywhenthemanopenedit。
``Iamnotafraid，\'\'herepeated。``Ishallnotbeafraid。InsomewayIshallgetout。\'\'
Hewouldnotallowhimselftostopandthinkabouthisfatherwaitingforhisreturn。Heknewthatwouldonlyrousehisemotionsandweakenhiscourage。Hebegantofeelhiswaycarefullyalongthewall。Itreachedfartherthanhehadthoughtitwould。
Thecellarwasnotsoverysmall。Hecreptrounditgradually，and，whenhehadcreptroundit，hemadehiswayacrossit，keepinghishandsextendedbeforehimandsettingdowneachfootcautiously。Thenhesatdownonthestonefloorandthoughtagain，andwhathethoughtwasofthethingstheoldBuddhisthadtoldhisfather，andthattherewasawayoutofthisplaceforhim，andheshouldsomehowfindit，and，beforetoolongatimehadpassed，bewalkinginthestreetagain。
Itwaswhilehewasthinkinginthiswaythathefeltastartlingthing。Itseemedalmostasifsomethingtouchedhim。Itmadehimjump，thoughthetouchwassolightandsoftthatitwasscarcelyatouchatall，infacthecouldnotbesurethathehadnotimaginedit。Hestoodupandleanedagainstthewallagain。
Perhapsthesuddennessofhismovementplacedhimatsomeanglehehadnotreachedbefore，orperhapshiseyeshadbecomemorecompletelyaccustomedtothedarkness，for，asheturnedhisheadtolisten，hemadeadiscovery：abovethedoortherewasaplacewherethevelvetblacknesswasnotsodense。Therewassomethinglikeaslitinthewall，though，asitdidnotopenupondaylightbutuponthedarkpassage，itwasnotlightitadmittedsomuchasalessershadeofdarkness。Buteventhatwasbetterthannothing，andMarcodrewanotherlongbreath。
``Thatisonlythebeginning。Ishallfindawayout，\'\'hesaid。
``ISHALL。\'\'
Herememberedreadingastoryofamanwho，beingshutbyaccidentinasafetyvault，passedthroughsuchterrorsbeforehisreleasethathebelievedhehadspenttwodaysandnightsintheplacewhenhehadbeenthereonlyafewhours。
``Histhoughtsdidthat。Imustremember。IwillsitdownagainandbeginthinkingofallthepicturesinthecabinetroomsoftheArtHistoryMuseuminVienna。Itwilltakesometime，andthentherearetheothers，\'\'hesaid。
Itwasagoodplan。Whilehecouldkeephisminduponthegamewhichhadhelpedhimtopasssomanydullhours，hecouldthinkofnothingelse，asitrequiredcloseattention——andperhaps，asthedaywenton，hiscaptorswouldbegintofeelthatitwasnotsafetoruntheriskofdoingathingasdesperateasthiswouldbe。Theymightthinkbetterofitbeforetheyleftthehouseatleast。Inanycase，hehadlearnedenoughfromLoristantorealizethatonlyharmcouldcomefromlettingone\'smindrunwild。
``Amindiseitheranenginewithbrokenandflyinggear，oragiantpowerundercontrol，\'\'wasthethingtheyknew。
Hehadwalkedinimaginationthroughthreeofthecabinetroomsandwasturningmentallyintoafourth，whenhefoundhimselfstartingagainquiteviolently。Thistimeitwasnotatatouchbutatasound。Surelyitwasasound。Anditwasinthecellarwithhim。Butitwasthetiniestpossiblenoise，aghostofasqueakandasuggestionofamovement。Itcamefromtheoppositesideofthecellar，thesidewheretheshelveswere。Helookedacrossinthedarknesssawalightwhichtherecouldbenomistakeabout。ItWASalight，twolightsindeed，tworoundphosphorescentgreenishballs。Theyweretwoeyesstaringathim。Andthenheheardanothersound。Notasqueakthistime，butsomethingsohomelyandcomfortablethatheactuallyburstoutlaughing。Itwasacatpurring，anicewarmcat！Andshewascurledupononeofthelowershelvespurringtosomenew-bornkittens。Heknewtherewerekittensbecauseitwasplainnowwhatthetinysqueakhadbeen，anditwasmadeplainerbythefactthatheheardanothermuchmoredistinctoneandthenanother。Theyhadallbeenasleepwhenhehadcomeintothecellar。Ifthemotherhadbeenawake，shehadprobablybeenverymuchafraid。Afterwardshehadperhapscomedownfromhershelftoinvestigate，andhadpassedclosetohim。Thefeelingofreliefwhichcameuponhimatthisqueerandsimplediscoverywaswonderful。Itwassonaturalandcomfortableanevery-daythingthatitseemedtomakespiesandcriminalsunreal，andonlynaturalthingspossible。Withamothercatpurringawayamongherkittens，evenadarkwine-cellarwasnotsoblack。Hegotupandkneeledbytheshelf。Thegreenisheyesdidnotshineinanunfriendlyway。Hecouldfeelthattheownerofthemwasanicebigcat，andhecountedfourroundlittleballsofkittens。Itwasacuriousdelighttostrokethesoftfurandtalktothemothercat。Sheansweredwithpurring，asifshelikedthesenseoffriendlyhumannearness。Marcolaughedtohimself。
``It\'squeerwhatadifferenceitmakes！\'\'hesaid。``Itisalmostlikefindingawindow。\'\'
Themerepresenceoftheseharmlesslivingthingswascompanionship。Hesatdownclosetothelowshelfandlistenedtothemotherlypurring，nowandthenspeakingandputtingouthishandtotouchthewarmfur。Thephosphorescentlightinthegreeneyeswasacomfortinitself。
``Weshallgetoutofthis——bothofus，\'\'hesaid。``Weshallnotbehereverylong，Puss-cat。\'\'
Hewasnottroubledbythefearofbeingreallyhungryforsometime。Hewassousedtoeatingscantilyfromnecessity，andtopassinglonghourswithoutfoodduringhisjourneys，thathehadprovedtohimselfthatfastingisnot，afterall，suchadesperateordealasmostpeopleimagine。Ifyoubeginbyexpectingtofeelfamishedandbycountingthehoursbetweenyourmeals，youwillbegintoberavenous。Butheknewbetter。
Thetimepassedslowly；buthehadknownitwouldpassslowly，andhehadmadeuphismindnottowatchitnoraskhimselfquestionsaboutit。Hewasnotarestlessboy，but，likehisfather，couldstandorsitorliestill。Nowandthenhecouldheardistantrumblingsofcartsandvanspassinginthestreet。
Therewasacertaindegreeofcompanionshipinthesealso。Hekepthisplacenearthecatandhishandwherehecouldoccasionallytouchher。Hecouldlifthiseyesnowandthentotheplacewherethedimglimmerofsomethinglikelightshoweditself。
Perhapsthestillness，perhapsthedarkness，perhapsthepurringofthemothercat，probablyallthree，causedhisthoughtstobegintotravelthroughhismindslowlyandmoreslowly。Atlasttheyceasedandhefellasleep。Themothercatpurredforsometime，andthenfellasleepherself。
XV
ASOUNDINADREAM
Marcosleptpeacefullyforseveralhours。Therewasnothingtoawakenhimduringthattime。Butattheendofit，hissleepwaspenetratedbyadefinitesound。Hehaddreamedofhearingavoiceatadistance，and，ashetriedinhisdreamtohearwhatitsaid，abriefmetallicringingsoundawakenedhimoutright。
Itwasoverbythetimehewasfullyconscious，andatonceherealizedthatthevoiceofhisdreamhadbeenarealone，andwasspeakingstill。ItwastheLovelyPerson\'svoice，andshewasspeakingrapidly，asifshewereinthegreatesthaste。Shewasspeakingthroughthedoor。
``Youwillhavetosearchforit，\'\'wasallheheard。``Ihavenotamoment！\'\'And，ashelistenedtoherhurriedlydepartingfeet，therecametohimwiththeirhasteningechoesthewords，``Youaretoogoodforthecellar。Ilikeyou！\'\'
Hesprangtothedoorandtriedit，butitwasstilllocked。Thefeetranupthecellarstepsandthroughtheupperhall，andthefrontdoorclosedwithabang。Thetwopeoplehadgoneaway，astheyhadthreatened。Thevoicehadbeenexcitedaswellashurried。Somethinghadhappenedtofrightenthem，andtheyhadleftthehouseingreathaste。
Marcoturnedandstoodwithhisbackagainstthedoor。Thecathadawakenedandshewasgazingathimwithhergreeneyes。Shebegantopurrencouragingly。ShereallyhelpedMarcotothink。
Hewasthinkingwithallhismightandtryingtoremember。
``Whatdidshecomefor？Shecameforsomething，\'\'hesaidtohimself。``Whatdidshesay？Ionlyheardpartofit，becauseI
wasasleep。Thevoiceinthedreamwaspartofit。ThepartI
heardwas，`Youwillhavetosearchforit。Ihavenotamoment。\'Andassherandownthepassage，shecalledback，`Youaretoogoodforthecellar。Ilikeyou。\'\'\'Hesaidthewordsoverandoveragainandtriedtorecallexactlyhowtheyhadsounded，andalsotorecallthevoicewhichhadseemedtobepartofadreambuthadbeenarealthing。Thenhebegantotryhisfavoriteexperiment。Asheoftentriedtheexperimentofcommandinghismindtogotosleep，sohefrequentlyexperimentedoncommandingittoworkforhim——tohelphimtoremember，tounderstand，andtoargueaboutthingsclearly。
``Reasonthisoutforme，\'\'hesaidtoitnow，quitenaturallyandcalmly。``Showmewhatitmeans。\'\'
Whatdidshecomefor？Itwascertainthatshewasintoogreatahurrytobeable，withoutareason，tosparethetimetocome。
Whatwasthereason？Shehadsaidshelikedhim。Thenshecamebecauseshelikedhim。Ifshelikedhim，shecametodosomethingwhichwasnotunfriendly。Theonlygoodthingshecoulddoforhimwassomethingwhichwouldhelphimtogetoutofthecellar。Shehadsaidtwicethathewastoogoodforthecellar。Ifhehadbeenawake，hewouldhaveheardallshesaidandhaveunderstoodwhatshewantedhimtodoormeanttodoforhim。Hemustnotstopeventothinkofthat。Thefirstwordshehadheard——whathadtheybeen？Theyhadbeenlesscleartohimthanherlastbecausehehadheardthemonlyashewasawakening。
Buthethoughthewassurethattheyhadbeen，``Youwillhavetosearchforit。\'\'Searchforit。Forwhat？Hethoughtandthought。Whatmusthesearchfor？
Hesatdownonthefloorofthecellarandheldhisheadinhishands，pressinghiseyessohardthatcuriouslightsfloatedbeforethem。
``Tellme！Tellme！\'\'hesaidtothatpartofhisbeingwhichtheBuddhistanchoritehadsaidheldallknowledgeandcouldtellamaneverythingifhecalleduponitintherightspirit。
Andinafewminutes，herecalledsomethingwhichseemedsomuchapartofhissleepthathehadnotbeensurethathehadnotdreamedit。Theringingsound！Hespranguponhisfeetwithalittlegaspingshout。Theringingsound！Ithadbeentheringofmetal，strikingasitfell。Anythingmadeofmetalmighthavesoundedlikethat。Shehadthrownsomethingmadeofmetalintothecellar。Shehadthrownitthroughtheslitinthebricksnearthedoor。Shelikedhim，andsaidhewastoogoodforhisprison。Shehadthrowntohimtheonlythingwhichcouldsethimfree。ShehadthrownhimtheKEYofthecellar！
Forafewminutesthefeelingswhichsurgedthroughhimweresofullofstrongexcitementthattheysethisbraininawhirl。Heknewwhathisfatherwouldsay——thatwouldnotdo。Ifhewastothink，hemustholdhimselfstillandnotletevenjoyovercomehim。Thekeywasintheblacklittlecellar，andhemustfinditinthedark。Eventhewomanwholikedhimenoughtogivehimachanceoffreedomknewthatshemustnotopenthedoorandlethimout。Theremustbeadelay。Hewouldhavetofindthekeyhimself，anditwouldbesuretotaketime。Thechanceswerethattheywouldbeatasafeenoughdistancebeforehecouldgetout。
``Iwillkneeldownandcrawlonmyhandsandknees，\'\'hesaid。
``IwillcrawlbackandforthandgoovereveryinchofthefloorwithmyhandsuntilIfindit。IfIgoovereveryinch，Ishallfindit。\'\'
Sohekneeleddownandbegantocrawl，andthecatwatchedhimandpurred。
``Weshallgetout，Puss-cat，\'\'hesaidtoher。``Itoldyouweshould。\'\'
Hecrawledfromthedoortothewallatthesideoftheshelves，andthenhecrawledbackagain。Thekeymightbequiteasmallone，anditwasnecessarythatheshouldpasshishandsovereveryinch，ashehadsaid。Thedifficultywastobesure，inthedarkness，thathedidnotmissaninch。Sometimeshewasnotsureenough，andthenhewentoverthegroundagain。Hecrawledbackwardandforward，andhecrawledforwardandbackward。Hecrawledcrosswiseandlengthwise，hecrawleddiagonally，andhecrawledroundandround。Buthedidnotfindthekey。Ifhehadhadonlyalittlelight，buthehadnone。Hewassoabsorbedinhissearchthathedidnotknowhehadbeenengagedinitforseveralhours，andthatitwasthemiddleofthenight。Butatlastherealizedthathemuststopforarest，becausehiskneeswerebeginningtofeelbruised，andtheskinofhishandswassoreasaresultoftherubbingontheflags。Thecatandherkittenshadgonetosleepandawakenedagaintwoorthreetimes。
``Butitissomewhere！\'\'hesaidobstinately。``Itisinsidethecellar。Iheardsomethingfallwhichwasmadeofmetal。Thatwastheringingsoundwhichawakenedme。\'\'
Whenhestoodup，hefoundhisbodyachedandhewasverytired。
Hestretchedhimselfandexercisedhisarmsandlegs。
``IwonderhowlongIhavebeencrawlingabout，\'\'hethought。
``Butthekeyisinthecellar。Itisinthecellar。\'\'
Hesatdownnearthecatandherfamily，and，layinghisarmontheshelfaboveher，restedhisheadonit。Hebegantothinkofanotherexperiment。
``Iamsotired，IbelieveIshallgotosleepagain。`ThoughtwhichKnowsAll\'\'\'——hewasquotingsomethingthehermithadsaidtoLoristanintheirmidnighttalk——``ThoughtwhichKnowsAll！
Showmethislittlething。LeadmetoitwhenIawake。\'\'
Andhedidfallasleep，soundandfast。
Hedidnotknowthathesleptalltherestofthenight。Buthedid。Whenheawakened，itwasdaylightinthestreets，andthemilk-cartswerebeginningtojingleabout，andtheearlypostmenwereknockingbigdouble-knocksatfrontdoors。Thecatmayhaveheardthemilk-carts，buttheactualfactwasthatsheherselfwashungryandwantedtogoinsearchoffood。JustasMarcoliftedhisheadfromhisarmandsatup，shejumpeddownfromhershelfandwenttothedoor。Shehadexpectedtofinditajarasithadbeenbefore。Whenshefounditshut，shescratchedatitandwasdisturbedtofindthisofnouse。BecausesheknewMarcowasinthecellar，shefeltshehadafriendwhowouldassisther，andshemiauledappealingly。
ThisremindedMarcoofthekey。
``IwillwhenIhavefoundit，\'\'hesaid。``Itisinsidethecellar。\'\'
Thecatmiauledagain，thistimeveryanxiouslyindeed。Thekittensheardherandbegantosquirmandsqueakpiteously。
``Leadmetothislittlething，\'\'saidMarco，asifspeakingtoSomethinginthedarknessabouthim，andhegotup。
Heputhishandouttowardthekittens，andittouchedsomethinglyingnotfarfromthem。Itmusthavebeenlyingnearhiselbowallnightwhileheslept。
Itwasthekey！Ithadfallenupontheshelf，andnotontheflooratall。
Marcopickeditupandthenstoodstillamoment。Hemadethesignofthecross。
Thenhefoundhiswaytothedoorandfumbleduntilhefoundthekeyholeandgotthekeyintoit。Thenheturneditandpushedthedooropen——andthecatranoutintothepassagebeforehim。