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！\'\'