I
　　THENEWLODGERSATNO。7PHILIBERTPLACE
　　TherearemanydrearyanddingyrowsofuglyhousesincertainpartsofLondon，buttherecertainlycouldnotbeanyrowmoreuglyordingierthanPhilibertPlace。Therewerestoriesthatithadoncebeenmoreattractive，butthathadbeensolongagothatnoonerememberedthetime。Itstoodbackinitsgloomy，narrowstripsofuncared-for，smokygardens，whosebrokenironrailingsweresupposedtoprotectitfromthesurgingtrafficofaroadwhichwasalwaysroaringwiththerattleofbusses，cabs，drays，andvans，andthepassingofpeoplewhowereshabbilydressedandlookedasiftheywereeithergoingtohardworkorcomingfromit，orhurryingtoseeiftheycouldfindsomeofittodotokeepthemselvesfromgoinghungry。Thebrickfrontsofthehouseswereblackenedwithsmoke，theirwindowswerenearlyalldirtyandhungwithdingycurtains，orhadnocurtainsatall；
　　thestripsofground，whichhadoncebeenintendedtogrowflowersin，hadbeentroddendownintobareearthinwhichevenweedshadforgottentogrow。Oneofthemwasusedasastone-cutter'syard，andcheapmonuments，crosses，andslatesweresetoutforsale，bearinginscriptionsbeginningwith``SacredtotheMemoryof。''Anotherhadpilesofoldlumberinit，anotherexhibitedsecond-handfurniture，chairswithunsteadylegs，sofaswithhorsehairstuffingbulgingoutofholesintheircovering，mirrorswithblotchesorcracksinthem。Theinsidesofthehouseswereasgloomyastheoutside。Theywereallexactlyalike。Ineachadarkentrancepassageledtonarrowstairsgoinguptobedrooms，andtonarrowstepsgoingdowntoabasementkitchen。Thebackbedroomlookedoutonsmall，sooty，flaggedyards，wherethincatsquarreled，orsatonthecopingofthebrickwallshopingthatsometimetheymightfeelthesun；thefrontroomslookedoverthenoisyroad，andthroughtheirwindowscametheroarandrattleofit。Itwasshabbyandcheerlessonthebrightestdays，andonfoggyorrainyonesitwasthemostforlornplaceinLondon。
　　Atleastthatwaswhatoneboythoughtashestoodneartheironrailingswatchingthepassers-byonthemorningonwhichthisstorybegins，whichwasalsothemorningafterhehadbeenbroughtbyhisfathertoliveasalodgerinthebacksitting-roomofthehouseNo。7。
　　Hewasaboyabouttwelveyearsold，hisnamewasMarcoLoristan，andhewasthekindofboypeoplelookatasecondtimewhentheyhavelookedathimonce。Inthefirstplace，hewasaverybigboy——tallforhisyears，andwithaparticularlystrongframe。
　　Hisshoulderswerebroadandhisarmsandlegswerelongandpowerful。Hewasquiteusedtohearingpeoplesay，astheyglancedathim，``Whatafine，biglad！''Andthentheyalwayslookedagainathisface。ItwasnotanEnglishfaceoranAmericanone，andwasverydarkincoloring。Hisfeatureswerestrong，hisblackhairgrewonhisheadlikeamat，hiseyeswerelargeanddeepset，andlookedoutbetweenthick，straight，blacklashes。Hewasasun-Englishaboyasonecouldimagine，andanobservingpersonwouldhavebeenstruckatoncebyasortofSILENTlookexpressedbyhiswholeface，alookwhichsuggestedthathewasnotaboywhotalkedmuch。
　　Thislookwasspeciallynoticeablethismorningashestoodbeforetheironrailings。Thethingshewasthinkingofwereofakindlikelytobringtothefaceofatwelve-year-oldboyanunboyishexpression。
　　Hewasthinkingofthelong，hurriedjourneyheandhisfatherandtheiroldsoldierservant，Lazarus，hadmadeduringthelastfewdays——thejourneyfromRussia。Crampedinaclosethird-classrailwaycarriage，theyhaddashedacrosstheContinentasifsomethingimportantorterribleweredrivingthem，andheretheywere，settledinLondonasiftheyweregoingtoliveforeveratNo。7PhilibertPlace。Heknew，however，thatthoughtheymightstayayear，itwasjustasprobablethat，inthemiddleofsomenight，hisfatherorLazarusmightwakenhimfromhissleepandsay，``Getup——dressyourselfquickly。Wemustgoatonce。''Afewdayslater，hemightbeinSt。
　　Petersburg，Berlin，Vienna，orBudapest，huddledawayinsomepoorlittlehouseasshabbyandcomfortlessasNo。7PhilibertPlace。
　　Hepassedhishandoverhisforeheadashethoughtofitandwatchedthebusses。Hisstrangelifeandhiscloseassociationwithhisfatherhadmadehimmucholderthanhisyears，buthewasonlyaboy，afterall，andthemysteryofthingssometimesweighedheavilyuponhim，andsethimtodeepwondering。
　　Innotoneofthemanycountriesheknewhadheevermetaboywhoselifewasintheleastlikehisown。Otherboyshadhomesinwhichtheyspentyearafteryear；theywenttoschoolregularly，andplayedwithotherboys，andtalkedopenlyofthethingswhichhappenedtothem，andthejourneystheymade。Whenheremainedinaplacelongenoughtomakeafewboy-friends，heknewhemustneverforgetthathiswholeexistencewasasortofsecretwhosesafetydependeduponhisownsilenceanddiscretion。
　　Thiswasbecauseofthepromiseshehadmadetohisfather，andtheyhadbeenthefirstthingheremembered。Notthathehadeverregrettedanythingconnectedwithhisfather。Hethrewhisblackheadupashethoughtofthat。Noneoftheotherboyshadsuchafather，notoneofthem。Hisfatherwashisidolandhischief。Hehadscarcelyeverseenhimwhenhisclotheshadnotbeenpoorandshabby，buthehadalsoneverseenhimwhen，despitehisworncoatandfrayedlinen，hehadnotstoodoutamongallothersasmoredistinguishedthanthemostnoticeableofthem。Whenhewalkeddownastreet，peopleturnedtolookathimevenoftenerthantheyturnedtolookatMarco，andtheboyfeltasifitwasnotmerelybecausehewasabigmanwithahandsome，darkface，butbecausehelooked，somehow，asifhehadbeenborntocommandarmies，andasifnoonewouldthinkofdisobeyinghim。YetMarcohadneverseenhimcommandanyone，andtheyhadalwaysbeenpoor，andshabbilydressed，andoftenenoughill-fed。Butwhethertheywereinonecountryoranother，andwhatsoeverdarkplacetheyseemedtobehidingin，thefewpeopletheysawtreatedhimwithasortofdeference，andnearlyalwaysstoodwhentheywereinhispresence，unlesshebadethemsitdown。
　　``Itisbecausetheyknowheisapatriot，andpatriotsarerespected，''theboyhadtoldhimself。
　　Hehimselfwishedtobeapatriot，thoughhehadneverseenhisowncountryofSamavia。Heknewitwell，however。Hisfatherhadtalkedtohimaboutiteversincethatdaywhenhehadmadethepromises。Hehadtaughthimtoknowitbyhelpinghimtostudycuriousdetailedmapsofit——mapsofitscities，mapsofitsmountains，mapsofitsroads。Hehadtoldhimstoriesofthewrongsdoneitspeople，oftheirsufferingsandstrugglesforliberty，and，aboveall，oftheirunconquerablecourage。Whentheytalkedtogetherofitshistory，Marco'sboy-bloodburnedandleapedinhisveins，andhealwaysknew，bythelookinhisfather'seyes，thathisbloodburnedalso。Hiscountrymenhadbeenkilled，theyhadbeenrobbed，theyhaddiedbythousandsofcrueltiesandstarvation，buttheirsoulshadneverbeenconquered，and，throughalltheyearsduringwhichmorepowerfulnationscrushedandenslavedthem，theyneverceasedtostruggletofreethemselvesandstandunfetteredasSamavianshadstoodcenturiesbefore。
　　``Whydowenotlivethere，''Marcohadcriedonthedaythepromisesweremade。``Whydowenotgobackandfight？WhenI
　　amaman，IwillbeasoldieranddieforSamavia。''
　　``WeareofthosewhomustLIVEforSamavia——workingdayandnight，''hisfatherhadanswered；``denyingourselves，trainingourbodiesandsouls，usingourbrains，learningthethingswhicharebesttobedoneforourpeopleandourcountry。EvenexilesmaybeSamaviansoldiers——Iamone，youmustbeone。''
　　``Areweexiles？''askedMarco。
　　``Yes，''wastheanswer。``ButevenifweneversetfootonSamaviansoil，wemustgiveourlivestoit。IhavegivenminesinceIwassixteen。IshallgiveituntilIdie。''
　　``Haveyouneverlivedthere？''saidMarco。
　　Astrangelookshotacrosshisfather'sface。
　　``No，''heanswered，andsaidnomore。Marcowatchinghim，knewhemustnotaskthequestionagain。
　　Thenextwordshisfathersaidwereaboutthepromises。Marcowasquitealittlefellowatthetime，butheunderstoodthesolemnityofthem，andfeltthathewasbeinghonoredasifhewereaman。
　　``Whenyouareaman，youshallknowallyouwishtoknow，''
　　Loristansaid。``Nowyouareachild，andyourmindmustnotbeburdened。Butyoumustdoyourpart。Achildsometimesforgetsthatwordsmaybedangerous。Youmustpromisenevertoforgetthis。Wheresoeveryouare；ifyouhaveplaymates，youmustremembertobesilentaboutmanythings。YoumustnotspeakofwhatIdo，orofthepeoplewhocometoseeme。Youmustnotmentionthethingsinyourlifewhichmakeitdifferentfromthelivesofotherboys。Youmustkeepinyourmindthatasecretexistswhichachancefoolishwordmightbetray。YouareaSamavian，andtherehavebeenSamavianswhohavediedathousanddeathsratherthanbetrayasecret。Youmustlearntoobeywithoutquestion，asifyouwereasoldier。Nowyoumusttakeyouroathofallegiance。''
　　Herosefromhisseatandwenttoacorneroftheroom。Hekneltdown，turnedbackthecarpet，liftedaplank，andtooksomethingfrombeneathit。Itwasasword，and，ashecamebacktoMarco，hedrewitoutfromitssheath。Thechild'sstrong，littlebodystiffenedanddrewitselfup，hislarge，deepeyesflashed。Hewastotakehisoathofallegianceuponaswordasifhewereaman。Hedidnotknowthathissmallhandopenedandshutwithafierceunderstandinggripbecausethoseofhisbloodhadforlongcenturiespastcarriedswordsandfoughtwiththem。
　　Loristangavehimthebigbaredweapon，andstooderectbeforehim。
　　``Repeatthesewordsaftermesentencebysentence！''hecommanded。
　　AndashespokethemMarcoechoedeachoneloudlyandclearly。
　　``Theswordinmyhand——forSamavia！
　　``Theheartinmybreast——forSamavia！
　　``Theswiftnessofmysight，thethoughtofmybrain，thelifeofmylife——forSamavia。
　　``HeregrowsamanforSamavia。
　　``Godbethanked！''
　　ThenLoristanputhishandonthechild'sshoulder，andhisdarkfacelookedalmostfiercelyproud。
　　``Fromthishour，''hesaid，``youandIarecomradesatarms。''
　　AndfromthatdaytotheoneonwhichhestoodbesidethebrokenironrailingsofNo。7PhilibertPlace，Marcohadnotforgottenforonehour。
　　II
　　AYOUNGCITIZENOFTHEWORLD
　　HehadbeeninLondonmorethanoncebefore，butnottothelodgingsinPhilibertPlace。Whenhewasbroughtasecondorthirdtimetoatownorcity，healwaysknewthatthehousehewastakentowouldbeinaquarternewtohim，andheshouldnotseeagainthepeoplehehadseenbefore。Suchslightlinksofacquaintanceassometimesformedthemselvesbetweenhimandotherchildrenasshabbyandpoorashimselfwereeasilybroken。Hisfather，however，hadneverforbiddenhimtomakechanceacquaintances。Hehad，infact，toldhimthathehadreasonsfornotwishinghimtoholdhimselfalooffromotherboys。Theonlybarrierwhichmustexistbetweenthemmustbethebarrierofsilenceconcerninghiswanderingsfromcountrytocountry。Otherboysaspoorashewasdidnotmakeconstantjourneys，thereforetheywouldmissnothingfromhisboyishtalkwhenheomittedallmentionofhis。WhenhewasinRussia，hemustspeakonlyofRussianplacesandRussianpeopleandcustoms。WhenhewasinFrance，Germany，Austria，orEngland，hemustdothesamething。
　　WhenhehadlearnedEnglish，French，German，Italian，andRussianhedidnotknow。Hehadseemedtogrowupinthemidstofchangingtongueswhichallseemedfamiliartohim，aslanguagesarefamiliartochildrenwhohavelivedwiththemuntilonescarcelyseemslessfamiliarthananother。Hedidremember，however，thathisfatherhadalwaysbeenunswervinginhisattentiontohispronunciationandmethodofspeakingthelanguageofanycountrytheychancedtobelivingin。
　　``Youmustnotseemaforeignerinanycountry，''hehadsaidtohim。``Itisnecessarythatyoushouldnot。ButwhenyouareinEngland，youmustnotknowFrench，orGerman，oranythingbutEnglish。''
　　Once，whenhewassevenoreightyearsold，aboyhadaskedhimwhathisfather'sworkwas。
　　``Hisownfatherisacarpenter，andheaskedmeifmyfatherwasone，''MarcobroughtthestorytoLoristan。``Isaidyouwerenot。Thenheaskedifyouwereashoemaker，andanotheronesaidyoumightbeabricklayeroratailor——andIdidn'tknowwhattotellthem。''HehadbeenoutplayinginaLondonstreet，andheputagrubbylittlehandonhisfather'sarm，andclutchedandalmostfiercelyshookit。``Iwantedtosaythatyouwerenotliketheirfathers，notatall。Iknewyouwerenot，thoughyouwerequiteaspoor。Youarenotabricklayerorashoemaker，butapatriot——youcouldnotbeonlyabricklayer——you！''Hesaiditgrandlyandwithaqueerindignation，hisblackheadheldupandhiseyesangry。
　　Loristanlaidhishandagainsthismouth。
　　``Hush！hush！''hesaid。``Isitaninsulttoamantothinkhemaybeacarpenterormakeagoodsuitofclothes？IfIcouldmakeourclothes，weshouldgobetterdressed。IfIwereashoemaker，yourtoeswouldnotbemakingtheirwayintotheworldastheyarenow。''Hewassmiling，butMarcosawhisheadhelditselfhigh，too，andhiseyeswereglowingashetouchedhisshoulder。``IknowyoudidnottellthemIwasapatriot，''heended。``Whatwasityousaidtothem？''
　　``Irememberedthatyouwerenearlyalwayswritinganddrawingmaps，andIsaidyouwereawriter，butIdidnotknowwhatyouwrote——andthatyousaiditwasapoortrade。IheardyousaythatoncetoLazarus。Wasthatarightthingtotellthem？''
　　``Yes。Youmayalwayssayitifyouareasked。Therearepoorfellowsenoughwhowriteathousanddifferentthingswhichbringthemlittlemoney。Thereisnothingstrangeinmybeingawriter。''
　　SoLoristanansweredhim，andfromthattimeif，byanychance，hisfather'smeansoflivelihoodwereinquiredinto，itwassimpleenoughandtrueenoughtosaythathewrotetoearnhisbread。
　　Inthefirstdaysofstrangenesstoanewplace，Marcooftenwalkedagreatdeal。Hewasstronganduntiring，anditamusedhimtowanderthroughunknownstreets，andlookatshops，andhouses，andpeople。Hedidnotconfinehimselftothegreatthoroughfares，butlikedtobranchoffintothesidestreetsandodd，deserted-lookingsquares，andevencourtsandalleyways。Heoftenstoppedtowatchworkmenandtalktothemiftheywerefriendly。Inthiswayhemadestrayacquaintancesinhisstrollings，andlearnedagoodmanythings。Hehadafondnessforwanderingmusicians，and，fromanoldItalianwhohadinhisyouthbeenasingerinopera，hehadlearnedtosinganumberofsongsinhisstrong，musicalboy-voice。Heknewwellmanyofthesongsofthepeopleinseveralcountries。
　　Itwasverydullthisfirstmorning，andhewishedthathehadsomethingtodoorsomeonetospeakto。Todonothingwhateverisadepressingthingatalltimes，butperhapsitismoreespeciallysowhenoneisabig，healthyboytwelveyearsold。
　　LondonashesawitintheMaryleboneRoadseemedtohimahideousplace。Itwasmurkyandshabby-looking，andfullofdreary-facedpeople。Itwasnotthefirsttimehehadseenthesamethings，andtheyalwaysmadehimfeelthathewishedhehadsomethingtodo。
　　SuddenlyheturnedawayfromthegateandwentintothehousetospeaktoLazarus。Hefoundhiminhisdingyclosetofaroomonthefourthflooratthebackofthehouse。
　　``Iamgoingforawalk，''heannouncedtohim。``Pleasetellmyfatherifheasksforme。Heisbusy，andImustnotdisturbhim。''
　　Lazaruswaspatchinganoldcoatasheoftenpatchedthings——
　　evenshoessometimes。WhenMarcospoke，hestoodupatoncetoanswerhim。Hewasveryobstinateandparticularaboutcertainformsofmanner。NothingwouldhaveobligedhimtoremainseatedwhenLoristanorMarcowasnearhim。Marcothoughtitwasbecausehehadbeensostrictlytrainedasasoldier。Heknewthathisfatherhadhadgreattroubletomakehimlayasidehishabitofsalutingwhentheyspoketohim。
　　``Perhaps，''MarcohadheardLoristansaytohimalmostseverely，oncewhenhehadforgottenhimselfandhadstoodatsalutewhilehismasterpassedthroughabroken-downirongatebeforeanequallybroken-down-lookinglodging-house——``perhapsyoucanforceyourselftorememberwhenItellyouthatitisnotsafe——ITISNOTSAFE！Youputusindanger！''
　　Itwasevidentthatthishelpedthegoodfellowtocontrolhimself。Marcorememberedthatatthetimehehadactuallyturnedpale，andhadstruckhisforeheadandpouredforthatorrentofSamaviandialectinpenitenceandterror。But，thoughhenolongersalutedtheminpublic，heomittednootherformofreverenceandceremony，andtheboyhadbecomeaccustomedtobeingtreatedasifhewereanythingbuttheshabbyladwhoseverycoatwaspatchedbytheoldsoldierwhostood``atattention''beforehim。
　　``Yes，sir，''Lazarusanswered。``Wherewasityourwishtogo？''
　　MarcoknittedhisblackbrowsalittleintryingtorecalldistinctmemoriesofthelasttimehehadbeeninLondon。
　　``Ihavebeentosomanyplaces，andhaveseensomanythingssinceIwasherebefore，thatImustbegintolearnagainaboutthestreetsandbuildingsIdonotquiteremember。''
　　``Yes，sir，''saidLazarus。``ThereHAVEbeensomany。Ialsoforget。Youwerebuteightyearsoldwhenyouwerelasthere。''
　　``IthinkIwillgoandfindtheroyalpalace，andthenIwillwalkaboutandlearnthenamesofthestreets，''Marcosaid。
　　``Yes，sir，''answeredLazarus，andthistimehemadehismilitarysalute。
　　Marcoliftedhisrighthandinrecognition，asifhehadbeenayoungofficer。Mostboysmighthavelookedawkwardortheatricalinmakingthegesture，buthemadeitwithnaturalnessandease，becausehehadbeenfamiliarwiththeformsincehisbabyhood。
　　Hehadseenofficersreturningthesalutesoftheirmenwhentheyencounteredeachotherbychanceinthestreets，hehadseenprincespassingsentriesontheirwaytotheircarriages，moreaugustpersonagesraisingthequiet，recognizinghandtotheirhelmetsastheyrodethroughapplaudingcrowds。Hehadseenmanyroyalpersonsandmanyroyalpageants，butalwaysonlyasanill-cladboystandingontheedgeofthecrowdofcommonpeople。
　　Anenergeticlad，howeverpoor，cannotspendhisdaysingoingfromonecountrytoanotherwithout，bymereevery-daychance，becomingfamiliarwiththeouterlifeofroyaltiesandcourts。
　　Marcohadstoodincontinentalthoroughfareswhenvisitingemperorsrodebywithglitteringsoldierybeforeandbehindthem，andapopulaceshoutingcourteouswelcomes。Heknewwhereinvariousgreatcapitalsthesentriesstoodbeforekinglyorprincelypalaces。Hehadseencertainroyalfacesoftenenoughtoknowthemwell，andtobereadytomakehissalutewhenparticularquietandunattendedcarriagespassedhimby。
　　``Itiswelltoknowthem。Itiswelltoobserveeverythingandtotrainone'sselftorememberfacesandcircumstances，''hisfatherhadsaid。``Ifyouwereayoungprinceorayoungmantrainingforadiplomaticcareer，youwouldbetaughttonoticeandrememberpeopleandthingsasyouwouldbetaughttospeakyourownlanguagewithelegance。Suchobservationwouldbeyourmostpracticalaccomplishmentandgreatestpower。Itisaspracticalforonemanasanother——forapoorladinapatchedcoatasforonewhoseplaceistobeincourts。Asyoucannotbeeducatedintheordinaryway，youmustlearnfromtravelandtheworld。Youmustlosenothing——forgetnothing。''
　　Itwashisfatherwhohadtaughthimeverything，andhehadlearnedagreatdeal。Loristanhadthepowerofmakingallthingsinterestingtofascination。ToMarcoitseemedthathekneweverythingintheworld。Theywerenotrichenoughtobuymanybooks，butLoristanknewthetreasuresofallgreatcities，theresourcesofthesmallesttowns。Togetherheandhisboywalkedthroughtheendlessgalleriesfilledwiththewondersoftheworld，thepicturesbeforewhichthroughcenturiesanunbrokenprocessionofalmostworshipingeyeshadpasseduplifted。Becausehisfathermadethepicturesseemtheglowing，burningworkofstill-livingmenwhomthecenturiescouldnotturntodust，becausehecouldtellthestoriesoftheirlivingandlaboringtotriumph，storiesofwhattheyfeltandsufferedandwere，theboybecameasfamiliarwiththeoldmasters——Italian，German，French，Dutch，English，Spanish——ashewaswithmostofthecountriestheyhadlivedin。Theywerenotmerelyoldmasterstohim，butmenwhoweregreat，menwhoseemedtohimtohavewieldedbeautifulswordsandheldhigh，splendidlights。Hisfathercouldnotgooftenwithhim，buthealwaystookhimforthefirsttimetothegalleries，museums，libraries，andhistoricalplaceswhichwererichestintreasuresofart，beauty，orstory。Then，havingseenthemoncethroughhiseyes，Marcowentagainandagainalone，andsogrewintimatewiththewondersoftheworld。Heknewthathewasgratifyingawishofhisfather'swhenhetriedtotrainhimselftoobserveallthingsandforgetnothing。Thesepalacesofmarvelswerehisschool-rooms，andhisstrangebutricheducationwasthemostinterestingpartofhislife。Intime，heknewexactlytheplaceswherethegreatRembrandts，Vandykes，Rubens，Raphaels，Tintorettos，orFransHalshung；heknewwhetherthismasterpieceorthatwasinVienna，inParis，inVenice，orMunich，orRome。
　　Heknewstoriesofsplendidcrownjewels，ofoldarmor，ofancientcrafts，andofRomanrelicsdugupfrombeneaththefoundationsofoldGermancities。Anyboywanderingtoamusehimselfthroughmuseumsandpalaceson``freedays''couldseewhathesaw，butboyslivingfullerandlesslonelyliveswouldhavebeenlesslikelytoconcentratetheirentiremindsonwhattheylookedat，andalsolesslikelytostoreawayfactswiththedeterminationtobeabletorecallatanymomentthementalshelfonwhichtheywerelaid。Havingnoplaymatesandnothingtoplaywith，hebeganwhenhewasaverylittlefellowtomakeasortofgameoutofhisramblesthroughpicture-galleries，andtheplaceswhich，whethertheycalledthemselvesmuseumsornot，werestorehousesorrelicsofantiquity。Therewerealwaystheblessed``freedays，''whenhecouldclimbanymarblesteps，andenteranygreatportalwithoutpayinganentrancefee。Onceinside，therewereplentyofplainlyandpoorlydressedpeopletobeseen，buttherewerenotoftenboysasyoungashimselfwhowerenotattendedbyoldercompanions。Quietandorderlyashewas，heoftenfoundhimselfstaredat。Thegamehehadcreatedforhimselfwasassimpleasitwasabsorbing。Itwastotryhowmuchhecouldrememberandclearlydescribetohisfatherwhentheysattogetheratnightandtalkedofwhathehadseen。Thesenighttalksfilledhishappiesthours。Heneverfeltlonelythen，andwhenhisfathersatandwatchedhimwithacertaincuriousanddeepattentioninhisdark，reflectiveeyes，theboywasutterlycomfortedandcontent。Sometimeshebroughtbackroughandcrudesketchesofobjectshewishedtoaskquestionsabout，andLoristancouldalwaysrelatetohimthefull，richstoryofthethinghewantedtoknow。TheywerestoriesmadesosplendidandfullofcolorinthetellingthatMarcocouldnotforgetthem。
　　III
　　THELEGENDOFTHELOSTPRINCE
　　Ashewalkedthroughthestreets，hewasthinkingofoneofthesestories。Itwasonehehadheardfirstwhenhewasveryyoung，andithadsoseizeduponhisimaginationthathehadaskedoftenforit。Itwas，indeed，apartofthelong-pasthistoryofSamavia，andhehadloveditforthatreason。Lazarushadoftentoldittohim，sometimesaddingmuchdetail，buthehadalwayslikedbesthisfather'sversion，whichseemedathrillingandlivingthing。OntheirjourneyfromRussia，duringanhourwhentheyhadbeenforcedtowaitinacoldwaysidestationandhadfoundthetimelong，Loristanhaddiscusseditwithhim。Healwaysfoundsomesuchwayofmakinghardandcomfortlesshourseasiertolivethrough。
　　``Fine，biglad——foraforeigner，''Marcoheardamansaytohiscompanionashepassedthemthismorning。``LookslikeaPoleoraRussian。''
　　ItwasthiswhichhadledhisthoughtsbacktothestoryoftheLostPrince。Heknewthatmostofthepeoplewholookedathimandcalledhima``foreigner''hadnotevenheardofSamavia。
　　Thosewhochancedtorecallitsexistenceknewofitonlyasasmallfiercecountry，soplaceduponthemapthatthelargercountrieswhichwereitsneighborsfelttheymustcontrolandkeepitinorder，andthereforemadeincursionsintoit，andfoughtitspeopleandeachotherforpossession。Butithadnotbeenalwaysso。Itwasanold，oldcountry，andhundredsofyearsagoithadbeenascelebratedforitspeacefulhappinessandwealthasforitsbeauty。Itwasoftensaidthatitwasoneofthemostbeautifulplacesintheworld。AfavoriteSamavianlegendwasthatithadbeenthesiteoftheGardenofEden。Inthosepastcenturies，itspeoplehadbeenofsuchgreatstature，physicalbeauty，andstrength，thattheyhadbeenlikearaceofnoblegiants。Theywereinthosedaysapastoralpeople，whoserichcropsandsplendidflocksandherdsweretheenvyoflessfertilecountries。Amongtheshepherdsandherdsmentherewerepoetswhosangtheirownsongswhentheypipedamongtheirsheepuponthemountainsidesandintheflower-thickvalleys。Theirsongshadbeenaboutpatriotismandbravery，andfaithfulnesstotheirchieftainsandtheircountry。Thesimplecourtesyofthepoorestpeasantwasasstatelyasthemannerofanoble。Butthat，asLoristanhadsaidwithatiredsmile，hadbeenbeforetheyhadhadtimetooutliveandforgettheGardenofEden。Fivehundredyearsago，therehadsucceededtothethroneakingwhowasbadandweak。Hisfatherhadlivedtobeninetyyearsold，andhissonhadgrowntiredofwaitinginSamaviaforhiscrown。
　　Hehadgoneoutintotheworld，andvisitedothercountriesandtheircourts。Whenhereturnedandbecameking，helivedasnoSamaviankinghadlivedbefore。Hewasanextravagant，viciousmanoffurioustemperandbitterjealousies。Hewasjealousofthelargercourtsandcountrieshehadseen，andtriedtointroducetheircustomsandtheirambitions。Heendedbyintroducingtheirworstfaultsandvices。Therearosepoliticalquarrelsandsavagenewfactions。Moneywassquandereduntilpovertybeganforthefirsttimetostarethecountryintheface。ThebigSamavians，aftertheirfirststupefaction，brokeforthintofuriousrage。Thereweremobsandriots，thenbloodybattles。Sinceitwasthekingwhohadworkedthiswrong，theywouldhavenoneofhim。Theywoulddeposehimandmakehissonkinginhisplace。ItwasatthispartofthestorythatMarcowasalwaysmostdeeplyinterested。Theyoungprincewastotallyunlikehisfather。HewasatrueroyalSamavian。Hewasbiggerandstrongerforhisagethananymaninthecountry，andhewasashandsomeasayoungVikinggod。Morethanthis，hehadalion'sheart，andbeforehewassixteen，theshepherdsandherdsmenhadalreadybeguntomakesongsabouthisyoungvalor，andhiskinglycourtesy，andgenerouskindness。Notonlytheshepherdsandherdsmensangthem，butthepeopleinthestreets。
　　Theking，hisfather，hadalwaysbeenjealousofhim，evenwhenhewasonlyabeautiful，statelychildwhomthepeopleroaredwithjoytoseeasherodethroughthestreets。Whenhereturnedfromhisjourneyingsandfoundhimasplendidyouth，hedetestedhim。Whenthepeoplebegantoclamoranddemandthathehimselfshouldabdicate，hebecameinsanewithrage，andcommittedsuchcrueltiesthatthepeopleranmadthemselves。Onedaytheystormedthepalace，killedandoverpoweredtheguards，and，rushingintotheroyalapartments，burstinuponthekingasheshudderedgreenwithterrorandfuryinhisprivateroom。Hewaskingnomore，andmustleavethecountry，theyvowed，astheyclosedroundhimwithbaredweaponsandshooktheminhisface。
　　Wherewastheprince？Theymustseehimandtellhimtheirultimatum。Itwashewhomtheywantedforaking。Theytrustedhimandwouldobeyhim。Theybegantoshoutaloudhisname，callinghiminasortofchantinunison，``PrinceIvor——PrinceIvor——PrinceIvor！''Butnoanswercame。Thepeopleofthepalacehadhiddenthemselves，andtheplacewasutterlysilent。
　　Theking，despitehisterror，couldnothelpbutsneer。
　　``Callhimagain，''hesaid。``Heisafraidtocomeoutofhishole！''
　　Asavagefellowfromthemountainfastnessesstruckhimonthemouth。
　　``Heafraid！''heshouted。``Ifhedoesnotcome，itisbecausethouhastkilledhim——andthouartadeadman！''
　　Thissetthemaflamewithhotterburning。Theybrokeaway，leavingthreeonguard，andranabouttheemptypalaceroomsshoutingtheprince'sname。Buttherewasnoanswer。Theysoughthiminafrenzy，burstingopendoorsandflingingdowneveryobstacleintheirway。Apage，foundhiddeninacloset，ownedthathehadseenHisRoyalHighnesspassthroughacorridorearlyinthemorning。Hehadbeensoftlysingingtohimselfoneoftheshepherd'ssongs。
　　AndinthisstrangewayoutofthehistoryofSamavia，fivehundredyearsbeforeMarco'sday，theyoungprincehadwalked——
　　singingsoftlytohimselftheoldsongofSamavia'sbeautyandhappiness。Forhewasneverseenagain。
　　Ineverynookandcranny，highandlow，theysoughtforhim，believingthatthekinghimselfhadmadehimprisonerinsomesecretplace，orhadprivatelyhadhimkilled。Thefuryofthepeoplegrewtofrenzy。Therewerenewrisings，andeveryfewdaysthepalacewasattackedandsearchedagain。Butnotraceoftheprincewasfound。Hehadvanishedasastarvanisheswhenitdropsfromitsplaceinthesky。Duringariotinthepalace，whenalastfruitlesssearchwasmade，thekinghimselfwaskilled。Apowerfulnoblewhoheadedoneoftheuprisingsmadehimselfkinginhisplace。Fromthattime，theoncesplendidlittlekingdomwaslikeabonefoughtforbydogs。Itspastoralpeacewasforgotten。Itwastornandworriedandshakenbystrongercountries。Ittoreandworrieditselfwithinternalfights。Itassassinatedkingsandcreatednewones。Nomanwassureinhisyouthwhatrulerhismaturitywouldliveunder，orwhetherhischildrenwoulddieinuselessfights，orthroughstressofpovertyandcruel，uselesslaws。Therewerenomoreshepherdsandherdsmenwhowerepoets，butonthemountainsidesandinthevalleyssometimessomeoftheoldsongsweresung。
　　ThosemostbelovedweresongsaboutaLostPrincewhosenamehadbeenIvor。Ifhehadbeenking，hewouldhavesavedSamavia，theversessaid，andallbraveheartsbelievedthathewouldstillreturn。Inthemoderncities，oneofthejocularcynicalsayingswas，``Yes，thatwillhappenwhenPrinceIvorcomesagain。''
　　Inhismorechildishdays，Marcohadbeenbitterlytroubledbytheunsolvedmystery。Wherehadhegone——theLostPrince？Hadhebeenkilled，orhadhebeenhiddenawayinadungeon？Buthewassobigandbrave，hewouldhavebrokenoutofanydungeon。
　　Theboyhadinventedforhimselfadozenendingstothestory。
　　``Didnooneeverfindhisswordorhiscap——orhearanythingorguessanythingabouthimever——ever——ever？''hewouldsayrestlesslyagainandagain。
　　Onewinter'snight，astheysattogetherbeforeasmallfireinacoldroominacoldcityinAustria，hehadbeensoeagerandaskedsomanysearchingquestions，thathisfathergavehimananswerhehadnevergivenhimbefore，andwhichwasasortofendingtothestory，thoughnotasatisfyingone：
　　``Everybodyguessedasyouareguessing。Afewveryoldshepherdsinthemountainswholiketobelieveancienthistoriesrelateastorywhichmostpeopleconsiderakindoflegend。Itisthatalmostahundredyearsaftertheprincewaslost，anoldshepherdtoldastoryhislong-deadfatherhadconfidedtohiminsecretjustbeforehedied。Thefatherhadsaidthat，goingoutintheearlymorningonthemountainside，hehadfoundintheforestwhatheatfirstthoughttobethedeadbodyofabeautiful，boyish，younghuntsman。Someenemyhadplainlyattackedhimfrombehindandbelievedhehadkilledhim。Hewas，however，notquitedead，andtheshepherddraggedhimintoacavewherehehimselfoftentookrefugefromstormswithhisflocks。
　　Sincetherewassuchriotanddisorderinthecity，hewasafraidtospeakofwhathehadfound；and，bythetimehediscoveredthathewasharboringtheprince，thekinghadalreadybeenkilled，andanevenworsemanhadtakenpossessionofhisthrone，andruledSamaviawithablood-stained，ironhand。Totheterrifiedandsimplepeasantthesafestthingseemedtogetthewoundedyouthoutofthecountrybeforetherewasanychanceofhisbeingdiscoveredandmurderedoutright，ashewouldsurelybe。Thecaveinwhichhewashiddenwasnotfarfromthefrontier，andwhilehewasstillsoweakthathewashardlyconsciousofwhatbefellhim，hewassmuggledacrossitinacartloadedwithsheepskins，andleftwithsomekindmonkswhodidnotknowhisrankorname。Theshepherdwentbacktohisflocksandhismountains，andlivedanddiedamongthem，alwaysinterrorofthechangingrulersandtheirsavagebattleswitheachother。
　　Themountaineerssaidamongthemselves，asthegenerationssucceededeachother，thattheLostPrincemusthavediedyoung，becauseotherwisehewouldhavecomebacktohiscountryandtriedtorestoreitsgood，bygonedays。''
　　``Yes，hewouldhavecome，''Marcosaid。
　　``Hewouldhavecomeifhehadseenthathecouldhelphispeople，''Loristananswered，asifhewerenotreflectingonastorywhichwasprobablyonlyakindoflegend。``Buthewasveryyoung，andSamaviawasinthehandsofthenewdynasty，andfilledwithhisenemies。Hecouldnothavecrossedthefrontierwithoutanarmy。Still，Ithinkhediedyoung。''
　　ItwasofthisstorythatMarcowasthinkingashewalked，andperhapsthethoughtsthatfilledhismindexpressedthemselvesinhisfaceinsomewaywhichattractedattention。AshewasnearingBuckinghamPalace，adistinguished-lookingwell-dressedmanwithclevereyescaughtsightofhim，and，afterlookingathimkeenly，slackenedhispaceasheapproachedhimfromtheoppositedirection。Anobservermighthavethoughthesawsomethingwhichpuzzledandsurprisedhim。Marcodidn'tseehimatall，andstillmovedforward，thinkingoftheshepherdsandtheprince。Thewell-dressedmanbegantowalkstillmoreslowly。WhenhewasquiteclosetoMarco，hestoppedandspoketohim——intheSamavianlanguage。
　　``Whatisyourname？''heasked。
　　Marco'strainingfromhisearliestchildhoodhadbeenanextra-
　　ordinarything。Hisloveforhisfatherhadmadeitsimpleandnaturaltohim，andhehadneverquestionedthereasonforit。
　　Ashehadbeentaughttokeepsilence，hehadbeentaughttocontroltheexpressionofhisfaceandthesoundofhisvoice，and，aboveall，nevertoallowhimselftolookstartled。ButforthishemighthavestartedattheextraordinarysoundoftheSamavianwordssuddenlyutteredinaLondonstreetbyanEnglishgentleman。HemightevenhaveansweredthequestioninSamavianhimself。Buthedidnot。HecourteouslyliftedhiscapandrepliedinEnglish：
　　``Excuseme？''
　　Thegentleman'sclevereyesscrutinizedhimkeenly。ThenhealsospokeinEnglish。
　　``Perhapsyoudonotunderstand？IaskedyournamebecauseyouareverylikeaSamavianIknow，''hesaid。
　　``IamMarcoLoristan，''theboyansweredhim。
　　Themanlookedstraightintohiseyesandsmiled。
　　``Thatisnotthename，''hesaid。``Ibegyourpardon，myboy。''
　　Hewasabouttogoon，andhadindeedtakenacoupleofstepsaway，whenhepausedandturnedtohimagain。
　　``Youmaytellyourfatherthatyouareaverywell-trainedlad。
　　Iwantedtofindoutformyself。''Andhewenton。
　　Marcofeltthathisheartbeatalittlequickly。Thiswasoneofseveralincidentswhichhadhappenedduringthelastthreeyears，andmadehimfeelthathewaslivingamongthingssomysteriousthattheirverymysteryhintedatdanger。Buthehimselfhadneverbeforeseemedinvolvedinthem。Whyshoulditmatterthathewaswell-behaved？Thenherememberedsomething。Themanhadnotsaid``well-behaved，''hehadsaid``well-TRAINED。''
　　Well-trainedinwhatway？Hefelthisforeheadprickleslightlyashethoughtofthesmiling，keenlookwhichsetitselfsostraightuponhim。HadhespokentohiminSamavianforanexperiment，toseeifhewouldbestartledintoforgettingthathehadbeentrainedtoseemtoknowonlythelanguageofthecountryhewastemporarilylivingin？Buthehadnotforgotten。
　　Hehadrememberedwell，andwasthankfulthathehadbetrayednothing。``EvenexilesmaybeSamaviansoldiers。Iamone。Youmustbeone，''hisfatherhadsaidonthatdaylongagowhenhehadmadehimtakehisoath。Perhapsrememberinghistrainingwasbeingasoldier。NeverhadSamavianeededhelpassheneededitto-day。Twoyearsbefore，arivalclaimanttothethronehadassassinatedthethenreigningkingandhissons，andsincethen，bloodywarandtumulthadraged。Thenewkingwasapowerfulman，andhadagreatfollowingoftheworstandmostself-seekingofthepeople。Neighboringcountrieshadinterferedfortheirownwelfare'ssake，andthenewspapershadbeenfullofstoriesofsavagefightingandatrocities，andofstarvingpeasants。
　　MarcohadlateoneeveningenteredtheirlodgingstofindLoristanwalkingtoandfrolikealioninacage，apapercrushedandtorninhishands，andhiseyesblazing。Hehadbeenreadingofcrueltieswroughtuponinnocentpeasantsandwomenandchildren。Lazaruswasstandingstaringathimwithhugetearsrunningdownhischeeks。WhenMarcoopenedthedoor，theoldsoldierstrodeovertohim，turnedhimabout，andledhimoutoftheroom。
　　``Pardon，sir，pardon！''hesobbed。``Noonemustseehim，notevenyou。Hesufferssohorribly。''
　　HestoodbyachairinMarco'sownsmallbedroom，wherehehalfpushed，halfledhim。Hebenthisgrizzledhead，andweptlikeabeatenchild。
　　``DearGodofthosewhoareinpain，assuredlyitisnowthetimetogivebacktousourLostPrince！''hesaid，andMarcoknewthewordswereaprayer，andwonderedatthefrenziedintensityofit，becauseitseemedsowildathingtoprayforthereturnofayouthwhohaddiedfivehundredyearsbefore。
　　Whenhereachedthepalace，hewasstillthinkingofthemanwhohadspokentohim。Hewasthinkingofhimevenashelookedatthemajesticgraystonebuildingandcountedthenumberofitsstoriesandwindows。Hewalkedrounditthathemightmakeanoteinhismemoryofitssizeandformanditsentrances，andguessatthesizeofitsgardens。Thishedidbecauseitwaspartofhisgame，andpartofhisstrangetraining。
　　Whenhecamebacktothefront，hesawthatinthegreatentrancecourtwithinthehighironrailingsanelegantbutquiet-lookingclosedcarriagewasdrawingupbeforethedoorway。Marcostoodandwatchedwithinteresttoseewhowouldcomeoutandenterit。
　　Heknewthatkingsandemperorswhowerenotonparadelookedmerelylikewell-dressedprivategentlemen，andoftenchosetogooutassimplyandquietlyasothermen。Sohethoughtthat，perhaps，ifhewaited，hemightseeoneofthosewell-knownfaceswhichrepresentthehighestrankandpowerinamonarchicalcountry，andwhichintimesgonebyhadalsorepresentedthepoweroverhumanlifeanddeathandliberty。
　　``IshouldliketobeabletotellmyfatherthatIhaveseentheKingandknowhisface，asIknowthefacesoftheczarandthetwoemperors。''
　　Therewasalittlemovementamongthetallmen-servantsintheroyalscarletliveries，andanelderlymandescendedthestepsattendedbyanotherwhowalkedbehindhim。Heenteredthecarriage，theothermanfollowedhim，thedoorwasclosed，andthecarriagedrovethroughtheentrancegates，wherethesentriessaluted。
　　Marcowasnearenoughtoseedistinctly。Thetwomenweretalkingasifinterested。Thefaceoftheonefarthestfromhimwasthefacehehadoftenseeninshop-windowsandnewspapers。
　　Theboymadehisquick，formalsalute。ItwastheKing；and，ashesmiledandacknowledgedhisgreeting，hespoketohiscompanion。
　　``Thatfineladsalutesasifhebelongedtothearmy，''waswhathesaid，thoughMarcocouldnothearhim。
　　Hiscompanionleanedforwardtolookthroughthewindow。WhenhecaughtsightofMarco，asingularexpressioncrossedhisface。
　　``Hedoesbelongtoanarmy，sir，''heanswered，``thoughhedoesnotknowit。HisnameisMarcoLoristan。''
　　ThenMarcosawhimplainlyforthefirsttime。HewasthemanwiththekeeneyeswhohadspokentohiminSamavian。
　　IV
　　THERAT
　　Marcowouldhavewonderedverymuchifhehadheardthewords，but，ashedidnothearthem，heturnedtowardhomewonderingatsomethingelse。Amanwhowasinintimateattendanceonakingmustbeapersonofimportance。Henodoubtknewmanythingsnotonlyofhisownruler'scountry，butofthecountriesofotherkings。ButsofewhadreallyknownanythingofpoorlittleSamaviauntilthenewspapershadbeguntotellthemofthehorrorsofitswar——andwhobutaSamaviancouldspeakitslanguage？Itwouldbeaninterestingthingtotellhisfather——thatamanwhoknewtheKinghadspokentohiminSamavian，andhadsentthatcuriousmessage。
　　Laterhefoundhimselfpassingasidestreetandlookedupit。
　　Itwassonarrow，andoneithersideofitweresuchold，tall，andsloping-walledhousesthatitattractedhisattention。ItlookedasifabitofoldLondonhadbeenlefttostandwhilenewerplacesgrewupandhiditfromview。Thiswasthekindofstreethelikedtopassthroughforcuriosity'ssake。Heknewmanyofthemintheoldquartersofmanycities。Hehadlivedinsomeofthem。Hecouldfindhiswayhomefromtheotherendofit。Anotherthingthanitsqueernessattractedhim。Heheardaclamorofboys'voices，andhewantedtoseewhattheyweredoing。Sometimes，whenhehadreachedanewplaceandhadhadthatlonelyfeeling，hehadfollowedsomeboyishclamorofplayorwrangling，andhadfoundatemporaryfriendorso。
　　Half-waytothestreet'sendtherewasanarchedbrickpassage。
　　Thesoundofthevoicescamefromthere——oneofthemhigh，andthinnerandshrillerthantherest。Marcotrampeduptothearchandlookeddownthroughthepassage。Itopenedontoagrayflaggedspace，shutinbytherailingsofablack，deserted，andancientgraveyardbehindavenerablechurchwhichturneditsfacetowardsomeotherstreet。Theboyswerenotplaying，butlisteningtooneoftheirnumberwhowasreadingtothemfromanewspaper。
　　Marcowalkeddownthepassageandlistenedalso，standinginthedarkarchedoutletatitsendandwatchingtheboywhoread。Hewasastrangelittlecreaturewithabigforehead，anddeepeyeswhichwerecuriouslysharp。Butthiswasnotall。Hehadahunchback，hislegsseemedsmallandcrooked。Hesatwiththemcrossedbeforehimonaroughwoodenplatformsetonlowwheels，onwhichheevidentlypushedhimselfabout。Nearhimwereanumberofsticksstackedtogetherasiftheywererifles。OneofthefirstthingsthatMarconoticedwasthathehadasavagelittlefacemarkedwithlinesasifhehadbeenangryallhislife。
　　``Holdyourtongues，youfools！''heshrilledouttosomeboyswhointerruptedhim。``Don'tyouwanttoknowanything，youignorantswine？''
　　Hewasasill-dressedastherestofthem，buthedidnotspeakintheCockneydialect。Ifhewasoftheriffraffofthestreets，ashiscompanionswere，hewassomehowdifferent。
　　Thenhe，bychance，sawMarco，whowasstandinginthearchedendofthepassage。
　　``Whatareyoudoingtherelistening？''heshouted，andatoncestoopedtopickupastoneandthrewitathim。ThestonehitMarco'sshoulder，butitdidnothurthimmuch。Whathedidnotlikewasthatanotherladshouldwanttothrowsomethingathimbeforetheyhadevenexchangedboy-signs。Healsodidnotlikethefactthattwootherboyspromptlytookthematterupbybendingdowntopickupstonesalso。
　　Hewalkedforwardstraightintothegroupandstoppedclosetothehunchback。
　　``Whatdidyoudothatfor？''heasked，inhisratherdeepyoungvoice。
　　Hewasbigandstrong-lookingenoughtosuggestthathewasnotaboyitwouldbeeasytodisposeof，butitwasnotthatwhichmadethegroupstandstillamomenttostareathim。Itwassomethinginhimself——halfofitakindofimpartiallackofanythinglikeirritationatthestone-throwing。Itwasasifithadnotmatteredtohimintheleast。Ithadnotmadehimfeelangryorinsulted。Hewasonlyrathercuriousaboutit。Becausehewasclean，andhishairandhisshabbyclotheswerebrushed，thefirstimpressiongivenbyhisappearanceashestoodinthearchwaywasthathewasayoung``toff''pokinghisnosewhereitwasnotwanted；but，ashedrewnear，theysawthatthewell-brushedclotheswereworn，andtherewerepatchesonhisshoes。
　　``Whatdidyoudothatfor？''heasked，andheaskeditmerelyasifhewantedtofindoutthereason。
　　``I'mnotgoingtohaveyouswellsdroppingintomyclubasifitwasyourown，''saidthehunchback。
　　``I'mnotaswell，andIdidn'tknowitwasaclub，''Marcoanswered。``Iheardboys，andIthoughtI'dcomeandlook。WhenIheardyoureadingaboutSamavia，Iwantedtohear。''
　　Helookedatthereaderwithhissilent-expressionedeyes。
　　``Youneedn'thavethrownastone，''headded。``Theydon'tdoitatmen'sclubs。I'llgoaway。''
　　Heturnedaboutasifheweregoing，but，beforehehadtakenthreesteps，thehunchbackhailedhimunceremoniously。
　　``Hi！''hecalledout。``Hi，you！''
　　``Whatdoyouwant？''saidMarco。
　　``Ibetyoudon'tknowwhereSamaviais，orwhatthey'refightingabout。''Thehunchbackthrewthewordsathim。
　　``Yes，Ido。It'snorthofBeltrazoandeastofJiardasia，andtheyarefightingbecauseonepartyhasassassinatedKingMaran，andtheotherwillnotletthemcrownNicolaIarovitch。Andwhyshouldthey？He'sabrigand，andhasn'tadropofroyalbloodinhim。''
　　``Oh！''reluctantlyadmittedthehunchback。``Youdoknowthatmuch，doyou？Comebackhere。''
　　Marcoturnedback，whiletheboysstillstared。Itwasasiftwoleadersorgeneralsweremeetingforthefirsttime，andtherabble，lookingon，wonderedwhatwouldcomeoftheirencounter。
　　``TheSamaviansoftheIarovitchpartyareabadlotandwantonlybadthings，''saidMarco，speakingfirst。``TheycarenothingforSamavia。Theyonlycareformoneyandthepowertomakelawswhichwillservethemandcrusheverybodyelse。TheyknowNicolaisaweakman，andthat，iftheycancrownhimking，theycanmakehimdowhattheylike。''
　　Thefactthathespokefirst，andthat，thoughhespokeinasteadyboyishvoicewithoutswagger，hesomehowseemedtotakeitforgrantedthattheywouldlisten，madehisplaceforhimatonce。Boysareimpressionablecreatures，andtheyknowaleaderwhentheyseehim。Thehunchbackfixedglitteringeyesonhim。
　　Therabblebegantomurmur。
　　``Rat！Rat！''severalvoicescriedatonceingoodstrongCockney。``Arst'imsomemore，Rat！''
　　``Isthatwhattheycallyou？''Marcoaskedthehunchback。
　　``It'swhatIcalledmyself，''heansweredresentfully。```TheRat。'Lookatme！Crawlingroundonthegroundlikethis！Lookatme！''
　　Hemadeagestureorderinghisfollowerstomoveaside，andbegantopushhimselfrapidly，withqueerdartsthissideandthatroundtheinclosure。Hebenthisheadandbody，andtwistedhisface，andmadestrangeanimal-likemovements。Heevenutteredsharpsqueaksasherushedhereandthere——asaratmighthavedonewhenitwasbeinghunted。Hediditasifheweredisplayinganaccomplishment，andhisfollowers'laughterwasapplause。
　　``Wasn'tIlikearat？''hedemanded，whenhesuddenlystopped。
　　``Youmadeyourselflikeoneonpurpose，''Marcoanswered。``Youdoitforfun。''
　　``Notsomuchfun，''saidTheRat。``Ifeellikeone。Everyone'smyenemy。I'mvermin。Ican'tfightordefendmyselfunlessIbite。Icanbite，though。''Andheshowedtworowsoffierce，strong，whiteteeth，sharperatthepointsthanhumanteethusuallyare。``Ibitemyfatherwhenhegetsdrunkandbeatsme。I'vebittenhimtillhe'slearnedtoremember。''Helaughedashrill，squeakinglaugh。``Hehasn'ttrieditforthreemonths——evenwhenhewasdrunk——andhe'salwaysdrunk。''
　　Thenhelaughedagainstillmoreshrilly。``He'sagentleman，''
　　hesaid。``I'magentleman'sson。HewasaMasteratabigschooluntilhewaskickedout——thatwaswhenIwasfourandmymotherdied。I'mthirteennow。Howoldareyou？''
　　``I'mtwelve，''answeredMarco。
　　TheRattwistedhisfaceenviously。
　　``IwishIwasyoursize！Areyouagentleman'sson？Youlookasifyouwere。''
　　``I'maverypoorman'sson，''wasMarco'sanswer。``Myfatherisawriter。''
　　``Then，tentoone，he'sasortofgentleman，''saidTheRat。
　　Thenquitesuddenlyhethrewanotherquestionathim。``What'sthenameoftheotherSamavianparty？''
　　``TheMaranovitch。TheMaranovitchandtheIarovitchhavebeenfightingwitheachotherforfivehundredyears。Firstonedynastyrules，andthentheothergetsinwhenithaskilledsomebodyasitkilledKingMaran，''Marcoansweredwithouthesitation。
　　``Whatwasthenameofthedynastythatruledbeforetheybeganfighting？ThefirstMaranovitchassassinatedthelastofthem，''
　　TheRataskedhim。
　　``TheFedorovitch，''saidMarco。``Thelastonewasabadking。''
　　``Hissonwastheonetheyneverfoundagain，''saidTheRat。
　　``TheonetheycalltheLostPrince。''
　　Marcowouldhavestartedbutforhislongtraininginexteriorself-control。Itwassostrangetohearhisdream-herospokenofinthisbackalleyinaslum，andjustafterhehadbeenthinkingofhim。
　　``Whatdoyouknowabouthim？''heasked，and，ashedidso，hesawthegroupofvagabondladsdrawnearer。
　　``Notmuch。IonlyreadsomethingabouthiminatornmagazineI
　　foundinthestreet，''TheRatanswered。``Themanthatwroteabouthimsaidhewasonlypartofalegend，andhelaughedatpeopleforbelievinginhim。Hesaiditwasabouttimethatheshouldturnupagainifheintendedto。I'veinventedthingsabouthimbecausethesechapsliketohearmetellthem。They'reonlystories。''
　　``Welikes'im，''avoicecalledout，``becos'ewostherightsort；'e'dfight，'ewould，if'ewasinSamavianow。''
　　Marcorapidlyaskedhimselfhowmuchhemightsay。Hedecidedandspoketothemall。
　　``Heisnotpartofalegend。He'spartofSamavianhistory，''
　　hesaid。``Iknowsomethingabouthimtoo。''
　　``Howdidyoufinditout？''askedTheRat。
　　``Becausemyfather'sawriter，he'sobligedtohavebooksandpapers，andheknowsthings。Iliketoread，andIgointothefreelibraries。Youcanalwaysgetbooksandpapersthere。ThenIaskmyfatherquestions。AllthenewspapersarefullofthingsaboutSamaviajustnow。''Marcofeltthatthiswasanexplanationwhichbetrayednothing。ItwastruethatnoonecouldopenanewspaperatthisperiodwithoutseeingnewsandstoriesofSamavia。
　　TheRatsawpossiblevistasofinformationopeningupbeforehim。
　　``Sitdownhere，''hesaid，``andtelluswhatyouknowabouthim。Sitdown，youfellows。''
　　Therewasnothingtositonbutthebrokenflaggedpavement，butthatwasasmallmatter。Marcohimselfhadsatonflagsorbaregroundoftenenoughbefore，andsohadtherestofthelads。HetookhisplacenearTheRat，andtheothersmadeasemicircleinfrontofthem。Thetwoleadershadjoinedforces，sotospeak，andthefollowersfellintolineat``attention。''
　　Thenthenew-comerbegantotalk。Itwasagoodstory，thatoftheLostPrince，andMarcotolditinawaywhichgaveitreality。Howcouldhehelpit？Heknew，astheycouldnot，thatitwasreal。HewhohadporedovermapsoflittleSamaviasincehisseventhyear，whohadstudiedthemwithhisfather，knewitasacountryhecouldhavefoundhiswaytoanypartofifhehadbeendroppedinanyforestoranymountainofit。Hekneweveryhighwayandbyway，andinthecapitalcityofMelzarrcouldalmosthavemadehiswayblindfolded。Heknewthepalacesandtheforts，thechurches，thepoorstreetsandtherichones。Hisfatherhadonceshownhimaplanoftheroyalpalacewhichtheyhadstudiedtogetheruntiltheboykneweachapartmentandcorridorinitbyheart。Butthishedidnotspeakof。Heknewitwasoneofthethingstobesilentabout。Butofthemountainsandtheemeraldvelvetmeadowsclimbingtheirsidesandonlyendingwherehugebarecragsandpeaksbegan，hecouldspeak。Hecouldmakepicturesofthewidefertileplainswhereherdsofwildhorsesfed，orracedandsniffedtheair；hecoulddescribethefertilevalleyswhereclearriversranandflocksofsheeppasturedondeepsweetgrass。Hecouldspeakofthembecausehecouldofferagoodenoughreasonforhisknowledgeofthem。Itwasnottheonlyreasonhehadforhisknowledge，butitwasonewhichwouldservewellenough。
　　``ThattornmagazineyoufoundhadmorethanonearticleaboutSamaviainit，''hesaidtoTheRat。``Thesamemanwrotefour。
　　Ireadthemallinafreelibrary。HehadbeentoSamavia，andknewagreatdealaboutit。Hesaiditwasoneofthemostbeautifulcountrieshehadevertraveledin——andthemostfertile。That'swhattheyallsayofit。''
　　Thegroupbeforehimknewnothingoffertilityoropencountry。
　　TheyonlyknewLondonbackstreetsandcourts。Mostofthemhadnevertraveledasfarasthepublicparks，andinfactscarcelybelievedintheirexistence。Theywerearoughlot，andastheyhadstaredatMarcoatfirstsightofhim，sotheycontinuedtostareathimashetalked。WhenhetoldofthetallSamavianswhohadbeenlikegiantscenturiesago，andwhohadhuntedthewildhorsesandcapturedandtrainedthemtoobediencebyasortofstrongandgentlemagic，theirmouthsfellopen。Thiswasthesortofthingtoallureanyboy'simagination。
　　``Blimme，ifIwouldn't'avelikedketchin'oneo'them'orses，''
　　brokeinoneoftheaudience，andhisexclamationwasfollowedbyadozenoflikenaturefromtheothers。Whowouldn'thaveliked``ketchin'one''？
　　Whenhetoldofthedeependless-seemingforests，andoftheherdsmenandshepherdswhoplayedontheirpipesandmadesongsabouthighdeedsandbravery，theygrinnedwithpleasurewithoutknowingtheyweregrinning。Theydidnotreallyknowthatinthisneglected，broken-flaggedinclosure，shutinononesidebysmoke-blackened，poverty-strickenhouses，andontheotherbyadesertedandforgottensunkengraveyard，theyheardtherustleofgreenforestboughswherebirdsnestedclose，theswishofthesummerwindintheriverreeds，andthetinkleandlaughterandrushofbrooksrunning。
　　TheyheardmoreorlessofitallthroughtheLostPrincestory，becausePrinceIvorhadlovedlowlandwoodsandmountainforestsandallout-of-doorlife。WhenMarcopicturedhimtallandstrong-limbedandyoung，winningallthepeoplewhenherodesmilingamongthem，theboysgrinnedagainwithunconsciouspleasure。
　　``Wisht'e'adn'tgotlost！''someonecriedout。
　　WhentheyheardoftheunrestanddissatisfactionoftheSamavians，theybegantogetrestlessthemselves。WhenMarcoreachedthepartofthestoryinwhichthemobrushedintothepalaceanddemandedtheirprincefromtheking，theyejaculatedscrapsofbadlanguage。``Theoldgeezerhadgothimhiddensomewhereinsomedungeon，orhe'dkilledhimoutan'out——that'swhathe'dbeenupto！''theyclamored。``Wishtthelotofushadbeentherethen——wishtwe'ad。We'd'avegive''imwotfor，anyway！''
　　``An''imwalkin'outo'theplacesoearlyinthemornin'justsingin'likethat！'E'ad'imfolleredan'donefor！''theydecidedwithvariousexclamationsofboyishwrath。Somehow，thefactthatthehandsomeroyalladhadstrolledintothemorningsunshinesingingmadethemmoresavage。Theirlanguagewasextremelybadatthispoint。
　　Butifitwasbadhere，itbecameworsewhentheoldshepherdfoundtheyounghuntsman'shalf-deadbodyintheforest。HeHAD
　　``bin`donefor'INTHEBACK！'E'dbingive'nocharnst。
　　G-r-r-r！''theygroanedinchorus。``Wisht''THEY'D``bintherewhen'e'dbin'it！''They'd``'avedonefursomebody''
　　themselves。Itwasastorywhichhadaqueereffectonthem。Itmadethemthinktheysawthings；itfiredtheirblood；itsetthemwantingtofightforidealstheyknewnothingabout——adventurousthings，forinstance，andhighandnobleyoungprinceswhowerefullofthepossibilityofgreatandgooddeeds。
　　Sittinguponthebrokenflagstonesofthebitofgroundbehindthedesertedgraveyard，theyweresuddenlydraggedintotheworldofromance，andnobleyoungprincesandgreatandgooddeedsbecameasrealasthesunkengravestones，andfarmoreinteresting。
　　Andthenthesmugglingacrossthefrontieroftheunconsciousprinceinthebullockcartloadedwithsheepskins！Theyheldtheirbreaths。Wouldtheoldshepherdgethimpasttheline！
　　Marco，whowaslostintherecitalhimself，tolditasifhehadbeenpresent。Hefeltasifhehad，andasthiswasthefirsttimehehadevertoldittothrilledlisteners，hisimaginationgothiminitsgrip，andhisheartjumpedinhisbreastashewassuretheoldman'smusthavedonewhentheguardstoppedhiscartandaskedhimwhathewascarryingoutofthecountry。Heknewhemusthavehadtocallupallhisstrengthtoforcehisvoiceintosteadiness。
　　Andthenthegoodmonks！Hehadtostoptoexplainwhatamonkwas，andwhenhedescribedthesolitudeoftheancientmonastery，anditswalledgardensfullofflowersandoldsimplestobeusedforhealing，andthewisemonkswalkinginthesilenceandthesun，theboysstaredalittlehelplessly，butstillasiftheywerevaguelypleasedbythepicture。
　　Andthentherewasnomoretotell——nomore。Thereitbrokeoff，andsomethinglikealowhowlofdismaybrokefromthesemicircle。
　　``Aw！''theyprotested，``it'adn'toughttostopthere！Ain'ttherenomore？Isthatallthereis？''
　　``It'sallthatwaseverknownreally。Andthatlastpartmightonlybeasortofstorymadeupbysomebody。ButIbelieveitmyself。''
　　TheRathadlistenedwithburningeyes。Hehadsatbitinghisfinger-nails，aswasatrickofhiswhenhewasexcitedorangry。
　　``Tellyouwhat！''heexclaimedsuddenly。``Thiswaswhathappened。ItwassomeoftheMaranovitchfellowsthattriedtokillhim。Theymeanttokillhisfatherandmaketheirownmanking，andtheyknewthepeoplewouldn'tstanditifyoungIvorwasalive。Theyjuststabbedhimintheback，thefiends！I
　　daresaytheyheardtheoldshepherdcoming，andlefthimfordeadandran。''
　　``Right，oh！Thatwasit！''theladsagreed。``Yerrightthere，Rat！''
　　``Whenhegotwell，''TheRatwentonfeverishly，stillbitinghisnails，``hecouldn'tgoback。Hewasonlyaboy。Theotherfellowhadbeencrowned，andhisfollowersfeltstrongbecausethey'djustconqueredthecountry。Hecouldhavedonenothingwithoutanarmy，andhewastooyoungtoraiseone。Perhapshethoughthe'dwaittillhewasoldenoughtoknowwhattodo。I
　　daresayhewentawayandhadtoworkforhislivingasifhe'dneverbeenaprinceatall。Thenperhapssometimehemarriedsomebodyandhadason，andtoldhimasasecretwhohewasandallaboutSamavia。''TheRatbegantolookvengeful。``IfI'dbinhimI'dhavetoldhimnottoforgetwhattheMaranovitchhaddonetome。I'dhavetoldhimthatifIcouldn'tgetbackthethrone，hemustseewhathecoulddowhenhegrewtobeaman。
　　AndI'dhavemadehimswear，ifhegotitback，totakeitoutofthemortheirchildrenortheirchildren'schildrenintortureandkilling。I'dhavemadehimswearnottoleaveaMaranovitchalive。AndI'dhavetoldhimthat，ifhecouldn'tdoitinhislife，hemustpasstheoathontohissonandhisson'sson，aslongastherewasaFedorovitchonearth。Wouldn'tyou？''hedemandedhotlyofMarco。
　　Marco'sbloodwasalsohot，butitwasadifferentkindofblood，andhehadtalkedtoomuchtoaverysaneman。
　　``No，''hesaidslowly。``Whatwouldhavebeentheuse？Itwouldn'thavedoneSamaviaanygood，anditwouldn'thavedonehimanygoodtotortureandkillpeople。Betterkeepthemaliveandmakethemdothingsforthecountry。Ifyou'reapatriot，youthinkofthecountry。''Hewantedtoadd``That'swhatmyfathersays，''buthedidnot。
　　``Torture'emfirstandthenattendtothecountry，''snappedTheRat。``Whatwouldyouhavetoldyoursonifyou'dbeenIvor？''
　　``I'dhavetoldhimtolearneverythingaboutSamavia——andallthethingskingshavetoknow——andstudythingsaboutlawsandothercountries——andaboutkeepingsilent——andaboutgoverninghimselfasifhewereageneralcommandingsoldiersinbattle——sothathewouldneverdoanythinghedidnotmeantodoorcouldbeashamedofdoingafteritwasover。AndI'dhaveaskedhimtotellhisson'ssonstotelltheirsonstolearnthesamethings。
　　So，yousee，howeverlongthetimewas，therewouldalwaysbeakinggettingreadyforSamavia——whenSamaviareallywantedhim。
　　Andhewouldbearealking。''
　　Hestoppedhimselfsuddenlyandlookedatthestaringsemicircle。
　　``Ididn'tmakethatupmyself，''hesaid。``Ihaveheardamanwhoreadsandknowsthingssayit。IbelievetheLostPrincewouldhavehadthesamethoughts。Ifhehad，andtoldthemtohisson，therehasbeenalineofkingsintrainingforSamaviaforfivehundredyears，andperhapsoneiswalkingaboutthestreetsofVienna，orBudapest，orParis，orLondonnow，andhe'dbereadyifthepeoplefoundoutabouthimandcalledhim。''
　　``Wishttheywould！''someoneyelled。
　　``Itwouldbeaqueersecrettoknowallthetimewhennooneelseknewit，''TheRatcommunedwithhimselfasitwere，``thatyouwereakingandyououghttobeonathronewearingacrown。
　　Iwonderifitwouldmakeachaplookdifferent？''
　　Helaughedhissqueakylaugh，andthenturnedinhissuddenwaytoMarco：
　　``Buthe'dbeafooltogiveupthevengeance。Whatisyourname？''
　　``MarcoLoristan。What'syours？Itisn'tTheRatreally。''
　　``It'sJemRATcliffe。That'sprettynear。Wheredoyoulive？''
　　``No。7PhilibertPlace。''
　　``Thisclubisasoldiers'club，''saidTheRat。``It'scalledtheSquad。I'mthecaptain。'Tention，youfellows！Let'sshowhim。''
　　Thesemicirclesprangtoitsfeet。Therewereabouttwelveladsaltogether，and，whentheystoodupright，Marcosawatoncethatforsomereasontheywereaccustomedtoobeyingthewordofcommandwithmilitaryprecision。
　　``Forminline！''orderedTheRat。
　　Theydiditatonce，andheldtheirbacksandlegsstraightandtheirheadsupamazinglywell。Eachhadseizedoneofthestickswhichhadbeenstackedtogetherlikeguns。
　　TheRathimselfsatupstraightonhisplatform。Therewasactuallysomethingmilitaryinthebearingofhisleanbody。Hisvoicelostitssqueakanditssharpnessbecamecommanding。
　　Heputthedozenladsthroughthedrillasifhehadbeenasmartyoungofficer。Andthedrillitselfwaspromptandsmartenoughtohavedonecredittopracticedsoldiersinbarracks。ItmadeMarcoinvoluntarilystandverystraighthimself，andwatchwithsurprisedinterest。
　　``That'sgood！''heexclaimedwhenitwasatanend。``Howdidyoulearnthat？''
　　TheRatmadeasavagegesture。
　　``IfI'dhadlegstostandon，I'dhavebeenasoldier！''hesaid。``I'dhaveenlistedinanyregimentthatwouldtakeme。I
　　don'tcareforanythingelse。''
　　Suddenlyhisfacechanged，andheshoutedacommandtohisfollowers。
　　``Turnyourbacks！''heordered。