Andtheydidturntheirbacksandlookedthroughtherailingsoftheoldchurchyard。Marcosawthattheywereobeyinganorderwhichwasnotnewtothem。TheRathadthrownhisarmupoverhiseyesandcoveredthem。Hehelditthereforseveralmoments，asifhedidnotwanttobeseen。Marcoturnedhisbackastheresthaddone。Allatonceheunderstoodthat，thoughTheRatwasnotcrying，yethewasfeelingsomethingwhichanotherboywouldpossiblyhavebrokendownunder。
　　``Allright！''heshoutedpresently，anddroppedhisragged-sleevedarmandsatupstraightagain。
　　``Iwanttogotowar！''hesaidhoarsely。``Iwanttofight！I
　　wanttoleadalotofmenintobattle！AndIhaven'tgotanylegs。Sometimesittakesthepluckoutofme。''
　　``You'venotgrownupyet！''saidMarco。``Youmightgetstrong。
　　Nooneknowswhatisgoingtohappen。Howdidyoulearntodrilltheclub？''
　　``Ihangaboutbarracks。Iwatchandlisten。Ifollowsoldiers。
　　IfIcouldgetbooks，I'dreadaboutwars。Ican'tgotolibrariesasyoucan。Icandonothingbutscuffleaboutlikearat。''
　　``Icantakeyoutosomelibraries，''saidMarco。``Thereareplaceswhereboyscangetin。AndIcangetsomepapersfrommyfather。''
　　``Canyou？''saidTheRat。``Doyouwanttojointheclub？''
　　``Yes！''Marcoanswered。``I'llspeaktomyfatheraboutit。''
　　HesaiditbecausethehungrylongingforcompanionshipinhisownmindhadfoundasortofresponseinthequeerhungrylookinTheRat'seyes。Hewantedtoseehimagain。Strangecreatureashewas，therewasattractioninhim。Scufflingaboutonhislowwheeledplatform，hehaddrawnthisgroupofroughladstohimandmadehimselftheircommander。Theyobeyedhim；theylistenedtohisstoriesandharanguesaboutwarandsoldiering；theylethimdrillthemandgivethemorders。Marcoknewthat，whenhetoldhisfatherabouthim，hewouldbeinterested。TheboywantedtohearwhatLoristanwouldsay。
　　``I'mgoinghomenow，''hesaid。``Ifyou'regoingtobehereto-morrow，Iwilltrytocome。''
　　``Weshallbehere，''TheRatanswered。``It'sourbarracks。''
　　Marcodrewhimselfupsmartlyandmadehissaluteasiftoasuperiorofficer。Thenhewheeledaboutandmarchedthroughthebrickarchway，andthesoundofhisboyishtreadwasasregularanddecidedasifhehadbeenamankeepingtimewithhisregiment。
　　``He'sbeendrilledhimself，''saidTheRat。``HeknowsasmuchasIdo。''
　　Andhesatupandstareddownthepassagewithnewinterest。
　　V
　　``SILENCEISSTILLTHEORDER''
　　Theywereevenpoorerthanusualjustnow，andthesupperMarcoandhisfathersatdowntowasscantenough。Lazarusstooduprightbehindhismaster'schairandservedhimwithstrictestceremony。Theirpoorlodgingswerealwayskeptwithasoldierlycleanlinessandorder。Whenanobjectcouldbepolisheditwasforcedtoshine，nograinofdustwasallowedtolieundisturbed，andthisperfectionwasnotattainedthroughtheministrationsofalodginghouseslavey。Lazarusmadehimselfextremelypopularbytakingtheworkofcaringforhismaster'sroomsentirelyoutofthehandsoftheoverburdenedmaidsofallwork。Hehadlearnedtodomanythingsinhisyoungdaysinbarracks。Hecarriedaboutwithhimcoarsebitsoftable-clothsandtowels，whichhelaunderedasiftheyhadbeenthefinestlinen。Hemended，hepatched，hedarned，andinthehardestfightthepoormustface——thefightwithdirtanddinginess——healwaysheldhisown。Theyhadnothingbutdrybreadandcoffeethisevening，butLazarushadmadethecoffeeandthebreadwasgood。
　　AsMarcoate，hetoldhisfatherthestoryofTheRatandhisfollowers。Loristanlistened，astheboyhadknownhewould，withthefar-off，intently-thinkingsmileinhisdarkeyes。ItwasalookwhichalwaysfascinatedMarcobecauseitmeantthathewasthinkingsomanythings。Perhapshewouldtellsomeofthemandperhapshewouldnot。Hisspellovertheboylayinthefactthattohimheseemedlikeawonderfulbookofwhichonehadonlyglimpses。Itwasfullofpicturesandadventureswhichweretrue，andonecouldnothelpcontinuallymakingguessesaboutthem。Yes，thefeelingthatMarcohadwasthathisfather'sattractionforhimwasasortofspell，andthatothersfeltthesamething。Whenhestoodandtalkedtocommonerpeople，heheldhistallbodywithsingularquietgracewhichwaslikepower。Heneverstirredormovedhimselfasifhewerenervousoruncertain。Hecouldholdhishandshehadbeautifulslenderandstronghandsquitestill；hecouldstandonhisfinearchedfeetwithoutshufflingthem。Hecouldsitwithoutanyungraceorrestlessness。Hismindknewwhathisbodyshoulddo，andgaveitorderswithoutspeaking，andhisfinelimbsandmusclesandnervesobeyed。Sohecouldstandstillandateaseandlookatthepeoplehewastalkingto，andtheyalwayslookedathimandlistenedtowhathesaid，andsomehow，courteousanduncondescendingashismannerunfailinglywas，itusedalwaystoseemtoMarcoasifhewere``givinganaudience''askingsgavethem。
　　Hehadoftenseenpeoplebowverylowwhentheywentawayfromhim，andmorethanonceithadhappenedthatsomehumblepersonhadsteppedoutofhispresencebackward，aspeopledowhenretiringbeforeasovereign。Andyethisbearingwasthequietestandleastassumingintheworld。
　　``AndtheyweretalkingaboutSamavia？AndheknewthestoryoftheLostPrince？''hesaidponderingly。``Eveninthatplace！''
　　``Hewantstohearaboutwars——hewantstotalkaboutthem，''
　　Marcoanswered。``Ifhecouldstandandwereoldenough，hewouldgoandfightforSamaviahimself。''
　　``Itisablood-drenchedandsadplacenow！''saidLoristan。
　　``Thepeoplearemadwhentheyarenotheartbrokenandterrified。''
　　SuddenlyMarcostruckthetablewithasoundingslapofhisboy'shand。Hediditbeforeherealizedanyintentioninhisownmind。
　　``WhyshouldeitheroneoftheIarovitchoroneoftheMaranovitchbeking！''hecried。``Theywereonlysavagepeasantswhentheyfirstfoughtforthecrownhundredsofyearsago。Themostsavageonegotit，andtheyhavebeenfightingeversince。OnlytheFedorovitchwerebornkings。Thereisonlyonemanintheworldwhohastherighttothethrone——andIdon'tknowwhetherheisintheworldornot。ButIbelieveheis！I
　　do！''
　　Loristanlookedathishottwelve-year-oldfacewithareflectivecuriousness。Hesawthattheflamewhichhadleapedupinhimhadleapedwithoutwarning——justasafierceheart-beatmighthaveshakenhim。
　　``Youmean——？''hesuggestedsoftly。
　　``IvorFedorovitch。KingIvorheoughttobe。Andthepeoplewouldobeyhim，andthegooddayswouldcomeagain。''
　　``ItisfivehundredyearssinceIvorFedorovitchleftthegoodmonks。''Loristanstillspokesoftly。
　　``But，Father，''Marcoprotested，``evenTheRatsaidwhatyousaid——thathewastooyoungtobeabletocomebackwhiletheMaranovitchwereinpower。Andhewouldhavetoworkandhaveahome，andperhapsheisaspoorasweare。ButwhenhehadasonhewouldcallhimIvorandTELLhim——andhissonwouldcallHIS
　　sonIvorandtellHIM——anditwouldgoonandon。TheycouldnevercalltheireldestsonsanythingbutIvor。Andwhatyousaidaboutthetrainingwouldbetrue。TherewouldalwaysbeakingbeingtrainedforSamavia，andreadytobecalled。''Inthefireofhisfeelingshesprangfromhischairandstoodupright。
　　``Why！TheremaybeakingofSamaviainsomecitynowwhoknowsheisking，and，whenhereadsaboutthefightingamonghispeople，hisbloodgetsred-hot。They'rehisownpeople——hisveryown！Heoughttogotothem——heoughttogoandtellthemwhoheis！Don'tyouthinkheought，Father？''
　　``Itwouldnotbeaseasyasitseemstoaboy，''Loristananswered。``Therearemanycountrieswhichwouldhavesomethingtosay——Russiawouldhaveherword，andAustria，andGermany；
　　andEnglandneverissilent。But，ifhewereastrongmanandknewhowtomakestrongfriendsinsilence，hemightsometimebeabletodeclarehimselfopenly。''
　　``Butifheisanywhere，someone——someSamavian——oughttogoandlookforhim。ItoughttobeaSamavianwhoisverycleverandapatriot——''Hestoppedataflashofrecognition。``Father！''
　　hecriedout。``Father！You——youaretheonewhocouldfindhimifanyoneintheworldcould。Butperhaps——''andhestoppedamomentagainbecausenewthoughtsrushedthroughhismind。
　　``HaveYOUeverlookedforhim？''heaskedhesitating。
　　Perhapshehadaskedastupidquestion——perhapshisfatherhadalwaysbeenlookingforhim，perhapsthatwashissecretandhiswork。
　　ButLoristandidnotlookasifhethoughthimstupid。Quitethecontrary。Hekepthishandsomeeyesfixedonhimstillinthatcuriousway，asifhewerestudyinghim——asifheweremuchmorethantwelveyearsold，andheweredecidingtotellhimsomething。
　　``Comradeatarms，''hesaid，withthesmilewhichalwaysgladdenedMarco'sheart，``youhavekeptyouroathofallegiancelikeaman。Youwerenotsevenyearsoldwhenyoutookit。Youaregrowingolder。Silenceisstilltheorder，butyouaremanenoughtobetoldmore。''Hepausedandlookeddown，andthenlookedupagain，speakinginalowtone。``Ihavenotlookedforhim，''hesaid，``because——IbelieveIknowwhereheis。''
　　Marcocaughthisbreath。
　　``Father！''Hesaidonlythatword。Hecouldsaynomore。Heknewhemustnotaskquestions。``Silenceisstilltheorder。''
　　Butastheyfacedeachotherintheirdingyroomatthebackoftheshabbyhouseonthesideoftheroaringcommonroad——asLazarusstoodstock-stillbehindhisfather'schairandkepthiseyesfixedontheemptycoffeecupsandthedrybreadplate，andeverythinglookedaspoorasthingsalwaysdid——therewasakingofSamavia——anIvorFedorovitchwiththebloodoftheLostPrinceinhisveins——aliveinsometownorcitythismoment！AndMarco'sownfatherknewwherehewas！
　　HeglancedatLazarus，but，thoughtheoldsoldier'sfacelookedasexpressionlessasifitwerecutoutofwood，Marcorealizedthatheknewthisthingandhadalwaysknownit。Hehadbeenacomradeatarmsallhislife。Hecontinuedtostareatthebreadplate。
　　Loristanspokeagainandinanevenlowervoice。``TheSamavianswhoarepatriotsandthinkers，''hesaid，``formedthemselvesintoasecretpartyabouteightyyearsago。Theyformeditwhentheyhadnoreasonforhope，buttheyformeditbecauseoneofthemdiscoveredthatanIvorFedorovitchwasliving。HewasheadforesteronagreatestateintheAustrianAlps。Thenoblemanheservedhadalwaysthoughthimamysterybecausehehadthebearingandspeechofamanwhohadnotbeenbornaservant，andhismethodsincaringfortheforestsandgamewerethoseofamanwhowaseducatedandhadstudiedhissubject。Butheneverwasfamiliarorassuming，andneverprofessedsuperiorityoveranyofhisfellows。Hewasamanofgreatstature，andwasextraordinarilybraveandsilent。Thenoblemanwhowashismastermadeasortofcompanionofhimwhentheyhuntedtogether。
　　OncehetookhimwithhimwhenhetraveledtoSamaviatohuntwildhorses。Hefoundthatheknewthecountrystrangelywell，andthathewasfamiliarwithSamavianhuntingandcustoms。
　　BeforehereturnedtoAustria，themanobtainedpermissiontogotothemountainsalone。Hewentamongtheshepherdsandmadefriendsamongthem，askingmanyquestions。
　　OnenightaroundaforestfireheheardthesongsabouttheLostPrincewhichhadnotbeenforgottenevenafternearlyfivehundredyearshadpassed。TheshepherdsandherdsmentalkedaboutPrinceIvor，andtoldoldstoriesabouthim，andrelatedtheprophecythathewouldcomebackandbringagainSamavia'sgooddays。Hemightcomeonlyinthebodyofoneofhisdescendants，butitwouldbehisspiritwhichcame，becausehisspiritwouldneverceasetoloveSamavia。Oneveryoldshepherdtotteredtohisfeetandliftedhisfacetothemyriadstarsbestrewnlikejewelsintheblueskyabovetheforesttrees，andheweptandprayedaloudthatthegreatGodwouldsendtheirkingtothem。Andthestrangerhuntsmanstooduprightalsoandliftedhisfacetothestars。And，thoughhesaidnoword，theherdsmannearesttohimsawtearsonhischeeks——great，heavytears。Thenextday，thestrangerwenttothemonasterywheretheorderofgoodmonkslivedwhohadtakencareoftheLostPrince。WhenhehadleftSamavia，thesecretsocietywasformed，andthemembersofitknewthatanIvorFedorovitchhadpassedthroughhisancestors'countryastheservantofanotherman。Butthesecretsocietywasonlyasmallone，and，thoughithasbeengrowingeversinceandithasdonegooddeedsandgoodworkinsecret，thehuntsmandiedanoldmanbeforeitwasstrongenougheventodaretotellSamaviawhatitknew。''
　　``Hadheason？''criedMarco。``Hadheason？''
　　``Yes。Hehadason。HisnamewasIvor。AndhewastrainedasItoldyou。ThatpartIknewtobetrue，thoughIshouldhavebelieveditwastrueevenifIhadnotknown。TherehasALWAYS
　　beenakingreadyforSamavia——evenwhenhehaslaboredwithhishandsandservedothers。Eachonetooktheoathofallegiance。''
　　``AsIdid？''saidMarco，breathlesswithexcitement。Whenoneistwelveyearsold，tobesonearaLostPrincewhomightendwarsisathrillingthing。
　　``Thesame，''answeredLoristan。
　　Marcothrewuphishandinsalute。
　　```HeregrowsamanforSamavia！Godbethanked！'''hequoted。
　　``AndHEissomewhere？Andyouknow？''
　　Loristanbenthisheadinacquiescence。
　　``Foryearsmuchsecretworkhasbeendone，andtheFedorovitchpartyhasgrownuntilitismuchgreaterandmorepowerfulthantheotherpartiesdream。ThelargercountriesaretiredoftheconstantwaranddisorderinSamavia。Theirinterestsaredisturbedbythem，andtheyaredecidingthattheymusthavepeaceandlawswhichcanbecountedon。TherehavebeenSamavianpatriotswhohavespenttheirlivesintryingtobringthisaboutbymakingfriendsinthemostpowerfulcapitals，andworkingsecretlyforthefuturegoodoftheirownland。BecauseSamaviaissosmallanduninfluential，ithastakenalongtimebutwhenKingMaranandhisfamilywereassassinatedandthewarbrokeout，thereweregreatpowerswhichbegantosaythatifsomekingofgoodbloodandreliablecharacteristicsweregiventhecrown，heshouldbeupheld。''
　　``HISblood，''——Marco'sintensitymadehisvoicedropalmosttoawhisper，——``HISbloodhasbeentrainedforfivehundredyears，Father！Ifitcomestrue——''thoughhelaughedalittle，hewasobligedtowinkhiseyeshardbecausesuddenlyhefelttearsrushintothem，whichnoboylikes——``theshepherdswillhavetomakeanewsong——itwillhavetobeashoutingoneaboutaprincegoingawayandakingcomingback！''
　　``Theyareadevoutpeopleandobservemanyanancientriteandceremony。Theywillchantprayersandburnaltar-firesontheirmountainsides，''Loristansaid。``Buttheendisnotyet——theendisnotyet。Sometimesitseemsthatperhapsitisnear——butGodknows！''
　　ThenthereleapedbackuponMarcothestoryhehadtotell，butwhichhehadheldbackforthelast——thestoryofthemanwhospokeSamaviananddroveinthecarriagewiththeKing。Heknewnowthatitmightmeansomeimportantthingwhichhecouldnothavebeforesuspected。
　　``ThereissomethingImusttellyou，''hesaid。
　　Hehadlearnedtorelateincidentsinfewbutclearwordswhenherelatedthemtohisfather。Ithadbeenpartofhistraining。
　　Loristanhadsaidthathemightsometimehaveastorytotellwhenhehadbutfewmomentstotellitin——somestorywhichmeantlifeordeathtosomeone。Hetoldthisonequicklyandwell。
　　HemadeLoristanseethewell-dressedmanwiththedeliberatemannerandthekeeneyes，andhemadehimhearhisvoicewhenhesaid，``Tellyourfatherthatyouareaverywell-trainedlad。''
　　``Iamgladhesaidthat。Heisamanwhoknowswhattrainingis，''saidLoristan。``HeisapersonwhoknowswhatallEuropeisdoing，andalmostallthatitwilldo。Heisanambassadorfromapowerfulandgreatcountry。Ifhesawthatyouareawell-trainedandfinelad，itmight——itmightevenbegoodforSamavia。''
　　``Woulditmatterthat_I_waswell-trained？COULDitmattertoSamavia？''Marcocriedout。
　　Loristanpausedforamoment——watchinghimgravely——lookinghimover——hisbig，well-builtboy'sframe，hisshabbyclothes，andhiseagerlyburningeyes。
　　Hesmiledoneofhisslowwonderfulsmiles。
　　``Yes。ItmightevenmattertoSamavia！''heanswered。
　　VI
　　THEDRILLANDTHESECRETPARTY
　　LoristandidnotforbidMarcotopursuehisacquaintancewithTheRatandhisfollowers。
　　``Youwillfindoutforyourselfwhethertheyarefriendsforyouornot，''hesaid。``Youwillknowinafewdays，andthenyoucanmakeyourowndecision。Youhaveknownladsinvariouscountries，andyouareagoodjudgeofthem，Ithink。YouwillsoonseewhethertheyaregoingtobeMENormererabble。TheRatnow——howdoeshestrikeyou？''
　　Andthehandsomeeyesheldtheirkeenlookofquestioning。
　　``He'dbeabravesoldierifhecouldstand，''saidMarco，thinkinghimover。``Buthemightbecruel。''
　　``Aladwhomightmakeabravesoldiercannotbedisdained，butamanwhoiscruelisafool。Tellhimthatfromme，''Loristananswered。``Hewastesforce——hisownandtheforceoftheonehetreatscruelly。Onlyafoolwastesforce。''
　　``MayIspeakofyousometimes？''askedMarco。
　　``Yes。Youwillknowhow。Youwillrememberthethingsaboutwhichsilenceistheorder。''
　　``Ineverforgetthem，''saidMarco。``Ihavebeentryingnotto，forsuchalongtime。''
　　``Youhavesucceededwell，Comrade！''returnedLoristan，fromhiswriting-table，towhichhehadgoneandwherehewasturningoverpapers。
　　Astrongimpulseoverpoweredtheboy。Hemarchedovertothetableandstoodverystraight，makinghissoldierlyyoungsalute，hiswholebodyglowing。
　　``Father！''hesaid，``youdon'tknowhowIloveyou！IwishyouwereageneralandImightdieinbattleforyou。WhenIlookatyou，Ilongandlongtodosomethingforyouaboycouldnotdo。
　　Iwoulddieofathousandwoundsratherthandisobeyyou——orSamavia！''
　　HeseizedLoristan'shand，andkneltononekneeandkissedit。
　　AnEnglishorAmericanboycouldnothavedonesuchathingfromunaffectednaturalimpulse。ButhewasofwarmSouthernblood。
　　``Itookmyoathofallegiancetoyou，Father，whenItookittoSamavia。ItseemsasifyouwereSamavia，too，''hesaid，andkissedhishandagain。
　　Loristanhadturnedtowardhimwithoneofthemovementswhichwerefullofdignityandgrace。Marco，lookingupathim，feltthattherewasalwaysacertainremotestatelinessinhimwhichmadeitseemquitenaturalthatanyoneshouldbendthekneeandkisshishand。
　　Asuddengreattendernessglowedinhisfather'sfaceasheraisedtheboyandputhishandonhisshoulder。
　　``Comrade，''hesaid，``youdon'tknowhowmuchIloveyou——andwhatreasonthereisthatweshouldloveeachother！Youdon'tknowhowIhavebeenwatchingyou，andthankingGodeachyearthatheregrewamanforSamavia。ThatIknowyouare——aMAN，thoughyouhavelivedbuttwelveyears。Twelveyearsmaygrowaman——orprovethatamanwillnevergrow，thoughahumanthinghemayremainforninetyyears。Thisyearmaybefullofstrangethingsforbothofus。WecannotknowWHATImayhavetoaskyoutodoforme——andforSamavia。Perhapssuchathingasnotwelve-year-oldboyhaseverdonebefore。''
　　``Everynightandeverymorning，''saidMarco，``IshallpraythatImaybecalledtodoit，andthatImaydoitwell。''
　　``Youwilldoitwell，Comrade，ifyouarecalled。ThatIcouldmakeoath，''Loristanansweredhim。
　　TheSquadhadcollectedintheinclosurebehindthechurchwhenMarcoappearedatthearchedendofthepassage。Theboysweredrawnupwiththeirrifles，buttheyallworearatherdoggedandsullenlook。TheexplanationwhichdartedintoMarco'smindwasthatthiswasbecauseTheRatwasinabadhumor。Hesatcrouchedtogetheronhisplatformbitinghisnailsfiercely，hiselbowsonhisupdrawnknees，hisfacetwistedintoahideousscowl。Hedidnotlookaround，orevenlookupfromthecrackedflagstoneofthepavementonwhichhiseyeswerefixed。
　　Marcowentforwardwithmilitarystepandstoppedoppositetohimwithpromptsalute。
　　``Sorrytobelate，sir，''hesaid，asifhehadbeenaprivatespeakingtohiscolonel。
　　``It's'im，Rat！'E'scome，Rat！''theSquadshouted。``Lookat'im！''
　　ButTheRatwouldnotlook，anddidnotevenmove。
　　``What'sthematter？''saidMarco，withlessceremonythanaprivatewouldhaveshown。``There'snouseinmycominghereifyoudon'twantme。''
　　``'E'sgotagrouchon'cosyou'relate！''calledouttheheadoftheline。``Nodoin'nothin'when'e'sgotagrouchon。''
　　``Isha'n'ttrytodoanything，''saidMarco，hisboy-facesettingitselfintogoodstubbornlines。``That'snotwhatI
　　cameherefor。Icametodrill。I'vebeenwithmyfather。Hecomesfirst。Ican'tjointheSquadifhedoesn'tcomefirst。
　　We'renotonactiveservice，andwe'renotinbarracks。''
　　ThenTheRatmovedsharplyandturnedtolookathim。
　　``Ithoughtyouweren'tcomingatall！''hesnappedandgrowledatonce。``Myfathersaidyouwouldn't。Hesaidyouwereayoungswellforallyourpatchedclothes。Hesaidyourfatherwouldthinkhewasaswell，evenifhewasonlyapenny-a-lineronnewspapers，andhewouldn'tletyouhaveanythingtodowithavagabondandanuisance。Nobodybeggedyoutojoin。Yourfathercangotoblazes！''
　　``Don'tyouspeakinthatwayaboutmyfather，''saidMarco，quitequietly，``becauseIcan'tknockyoudown。''
　　``I'llgetupandletyou！''beganTheRat，immediatelywhiteandraging。``Icanstandupwithtwosticks。I'llgetupandletyou！''
　　``No，youwon't，''saidMarco。``Ifyouwanttoknowwhatmyfathersaid，Icantellyou。HesaidIcouldcomeasoftenasI
　　liked——tillIfoundoutwhetherweshouldbefriendsornot。HesaysIshallfindthatoutformyself。''
　　ItwasastrangethingTheRatdid。Itmustalwaysberememberedofhimthathiswretchedfather，whohadeachyearsunklowerandlowerintheunder-world，hadbeenagentlemanonce，amanwhohadbeenfamiliarwithgoodmannersandhadbeeneducatedinthecustomsofgoodbreeding。Sometimeswhenhewasdrunk，andsometimeswhenhewaspartlysober，hetalkedtoTheRatofmanythingstheboywouldotherwiseneverhaveheardof。Thatwaswhytheladwasdifferentfromtheothervagabonds。This，also，waswhyhesuddenlyalteredthewholesituationbydoingthisstrangeandunexpectedthing。Heutterlychangedhisexpressionandvoice，fixinghissharpeyesshrewdlyonMarco's。Itwasalmostasifhewereaskinghimaconundrum。Heknewitwouldhavebeenonetomostboysoftheclassheappearedoutwardlytobelongto。
　　Hewouldeitherknowtheanswerorhewouldn't。
　　``Ibegyourpardon，''TheRatsaid。
　　Thatwastheconundrum。Itwaswhatagentlemanandanofficerwouldhavesaid，ifhefelthehadbeenmistakenorrude。Hehadheardthatfromhisdrunkenfather。
　　``Ibegyours——forbeinglate，''saidMarco。
　　Thatwastherightanswer。Itwastheoneanotherofficerandgentlemanwouldhavemade。Itsettledthematteratonce，anditsettledmorethanwasapparentatthemoment。ItdecidedthatMarcowasoneofthosewhoknewthethingsTheRat'sfatherhadonceknown——thethingsgentlemendoandsayandthink。Notanotherwordwassaid。Itwasallright。MarcoslippedintolinewiththeSquad，andTheRatsaterectwithhismilitarybearingandbeganhisdrill：
　　``Squad！
　　``'Tention！
　　``Number！
　　``Slopearms！
　　``Formfours！
　　``Right！
　　``Quickmarch！
　　``Halt！
　　``Leftturn！
　　``Orderarms！
　　``Standatease！
　　``Standeasy！''
　　Theydiditsowellthatitwasquitewonderfulwhenoneconsideredthelimitedspaceattheirdisposal。Theyhadevidentlydoneitoften，andTheRathadbeennotonlyasmart，butasevere，officer。Thismorningtheyrepeatedtheexerciseanumberoftimes，andevenvarieditwithReviewDrill，withwhichtheyseemedjustasfamiliar。
　　``Wheredidyoulearnit？''TheRatasked，whenthearmswerestackedagainandMarcowassittingbyhimashehadsatthepreviousday。
　　``Fromanoldsoldier。AndIliketowatchit，asyoudo。''
　　``IfyouwereayoungswellintheGuards，youcouldn'tbesmarteratit，''TheRatsaid。``Thewayyouholdyourself！Thewayyoustand！You'vegotit！WishIwasyou！Itcomesnaturaltoyou。''
　　``I'vealwayslikedtowatchitandtrytodoitmyself。IdidwhenIwasalittlefellow，''answeredMarco。
　　``I'vebeentryingtokickitintothesechapsformorethanayear，''saidTheRat。``AnicejobIhadofit！Itnearlymademesickatfirst。''
　　Thesemicircleinfrontofhimonlygiggledorlaughedoutright。
　　Themembersofitseemedtotakeverylittleoffenseathiscavaliertreatmentofthem。Hehadevidentlysomethingtogivethemwhichwasentertainingenoughtomakeupforhistyrannyandindifference。Hethrusthishandintooneofthepocketsofhisraggedcoat，anddrewoutapieceofnewspaper。
　　``Myfatherbroughthomethis，wrappedroundaloafofbread，''
　　hesaid。``Seewhatitsaysthere！''
　　HehandedittoMarco，pointingtosomewordsprintedinlargelettersattheheadofacolumn。Marcolookedatitandsatverystill。
　　Thewordshereadwere：``TheLostPrince。''
　　``Silenceisstilltheorder，''wasthefirstthoughtwhichflashedthroughhismind。``Silenceisstilltheorder。''
　　``Whatdoesitmean？''hesaidaloud。
　　``Thereisn'tmuchofit。Iwishtherewasmore，''TheRatsaidfretfully。``Readandsee。Ofcoursetheysayitmayn'tbetrue——butIbelieveitis。Theysaythatpeoplethinksomeoneknowswhereheis——atleastwhereoneofhisdescendantsis。
　　It'dbethesamething。He'dbetherealking。Ifhe'djustshowhimself，itmightstopallthefighting。Justread。''
　　Marcoread，andhisskinprickledasthebloodwentracingthroughhisbody。Buthisfacedidnotchange。TherewasasketchofthestoryoftheLostPrincetobeginwith。Ithadbeenregardedbymostpeople，thearticlesaid，asasortoflegend。Nowtherewasadefiniterumorthatitwasnotalegendatall，butapartofthelongpasthistoryofSamavia。ItwassaidthatthroughthecenturiestherehadalwaysbeenapartysecretlyloyaltothememoryofthisworshipedandlostFedorovitch。Itwasevensaidthatfromfathertoson，generationaftergenerationaftergeneration，haddescendedtheoathoffealtytohimandhisdescendants。Thepeoplehadmadeagodofhim，andnow，romanticasitseemed，itwasbeginningtobeanopensecretthatsomepersonsbelievedthatadescendanthadbeenfound——aFedorovitchworthyofhisyoungancestor——andthatacertainSecretPartyalsoheldthat，ifhewerecalledbacktothethroneofSamavia，theinterminablewarsandbloodshedwouldreachanend。
　　TheRathadbeguntobitehisnailsfast。
　　``Doyoubelievehe'sfound？''heaskedfeverishly。``DON'TYOU？
　　Ido！''
　　``Iwonderwhereheis，ifit'strue？Iwonder！Where？''
　　exclaimedMarco。Hecouldsaythat，andhemightseemaseagerashefelt。
　　TheSquadallbegantojabberatonce。``Yus，wherewos'e？
　　Thereisnoknowin'。It'dbelikelytobeinsomeo'thesefurrinplaces。England'dbetoofarfromSamavia。'OwfaroffwosSamavia？WositinRoosha，orwheretheFrenchieswere，ortheGermans？Butwherever'ewos，'e'dbetherightsort，an'
　　'e'dbethesortachap'dturnandlookatinthestreet。''
　　TheRatcontinuedtobitehisnails。
　　``Hemightbeanywhere，''hesaid，hissmallfiercefaceglowing。
　　``That'swhatIliketothinkabout。Hemightbepassinginthestreetoutsidethere；hemightbeupinoneofthosehouses，''
　　jerkinghisheadoverhisshouldertowardthebacksoftheinclosingdwellings。``Perhapsheknowshe'saking，andperhapshedoesn't。He'dknowifwhatyousaidyesterdaywastrue——aboutthekingalwaysbeingmadereadyforSamavia。''
　　``Yes，he'dknow，''putinMarco。
　　``Well，it'dbefinerifhedid，''wentonTheRat。``Howeverpoorandshabbyhewas，he'dknowthesecretallthetime。Andifpeoplesneeredathim，he'dsneeratthemandlaughtohimself。Idaresayhe'dwalktremendouslystraightandholdhisheadup。IfIwashim，I'dliketomakepeoplesuspectabitthatIwasn'tlikethecommonloto'them。''HeputouthishandandpushedMarcoexcitedly。``Let'sworkoutplotsforhim！''hesaid。``That'dbeasplendidgame！Let'spretendwe'retheSecretParty！''
　　Hewastremendouslyexcited。Outoftheraggedpockethefishedapieceofchalk。Thenheleanedforwardandbegantodrawsomethingquicklyontheflagstonesclosesttohisplatform。TheSquadleanedforwardalso，quitebreathlessly，andMarcoleanedforward。Thechalkwassketchingaroughlyoutlinedmap，andheknewwhatmapitwas，beforeTheRatspoke。
　　``That'samapofSamavia，''hesaid。``ItwasinthatpieceofmagazineItoldyouabout——theonewhereIreadaboutPrinceIvor。Istudiedituntilitfelltopieces。ButIcoulddrawitmyselfbythattime，soitdidn'tmatter。Icoulddrawitwithmyeyesshut。That'sthecapitalcity，''pointingtoaspot。
　　``It'scalledMelzarr。Thepalaceisthere。It'stheplacewherethefirstoftheMaranovitchkilledthelastoftheFedorovitch——thebadchapthatwasIvor'sfather。It'sthepalaceIvorwanderedoutofsingingtheshepherds'songthatearlymorning。It'swherethethroneisthathisdescendantwouldsitupontobecrowned——thathe'sGOINGtositupon。I
　　believeheis！Let'sswearheshall！''Heflungdownhispieceofchalkandsatup。``Givemetwosticks。Helpmetogetup。''
　　TwooftheSquadsprangtotheirfeetandcametohim。Eachsnatchedoneofthesticksfromthestackedrifles，evidentlyknowingwhathewanted。Marcorosetoo，andwatchedwithsudden，keencuriosity。HehadthoughtthatTheRatcouldnotstandup，butitseemedthathecould，inafashionofhisown，andhewasgoingtodoit。Theboysliftedhimbyhisarms，sethimagainstthestonecopingoftheironrailingsofthechurchyard，andputastickineachofhishands。Theystoodathisside，buthesupportedhimself。
　　``'Ecouldgetaboutif'e'adthemoneytobuycrutches！''saidonewhosenamewasCad，andhesaiditquiteproudly。ThequeerthingthatMarcohadnoticedwasthattheragamuffinswereproudofTheRat，andregardedhimastheirlordandmaster。``——'E
　　couldgetaboutan'standaswellasanyone，''addedtheother，andhesaiditinthetoneofonewhoboasts。HisnamewasBen。
　　``I'mgoingtostandnow，andsoaretherestofyou，''saidTheRat。``Squad！'Tention！Youattheheadoftheline，''toMarco。Theywereinlineinamoment——straight，shouldersback，chinsup。AndMarcostoodatthehead。
　　``We'regoingtotakeanoath，''saidTheRat。``It'sanoathofallegiance。Allegiancemeansfaithfulnesstoathing——akingoracountry。OursmeansallegiancetotheKingofSamavia。Wedon'tknowwhereheis，butwesweartobefaithfultohim，tofightforhim，toplotforhim，toDIEforhim，andtobringhimbacktohisthrone！''Thewayinwhichheflunguphisheadwhenhesaidtheword``die''wasveryfineindeed。``WearetheSecretParty。Wewillworkinthedarkandfindoutthings——andrunrisks——andcollectanarmynoonewillknowanythingaboutuntilitisstrongenoughtosuddenlyriseatasecretsignal，andoverwhelmtheMaranovitchandIarovitch，andseizetheirfortsandcitadels。Nooneevenknowswearealive。Weareasilent，secretthingthatneverspeaksaloud！''
　　Silentandsecretastheywere，however，theyspokealoudatthisjuncture。Itwassuchagrandideaforagame，andsofullofpossiblelarks，thattheSquadbrokeintoahowlofanexultantcheer。
　　``Hooray！''theyyelled。``Hoorayfortheoathof'legiance！
　　'Ray！'ray！'ray！''
　　``Shutup，youswine！''shoutedTheRat。``Isthatthewayyoukeepyourselfsecret？You'llcallthepolicein，youfools！
　　LookatHIM！''pointingtoMarco。``He'sgotsomesense。''
　　Marco，infact，hadnotmadeanysound。
　　``Comehere，youCadandBen，andputmebackonmywheels，''
　　ragedtheSquad'scommander。``I'llnotmakeupthegameatall。
　　It'snousewithalotoffat-head，rawrecruitslikeyou。''
　　Thelinebrokeandsurroundedhiminamoment，pleadingandurging。
　　``Aw，Rat！Weforgot。It'stheprimestgameyou'veeverthoughtout！Rat！Rat！Don'tgetagrouchon！We'llkeepstill，Rat！
　　Primestlarkofall'llbethesneakin'aboutan'keepin'quiet。
　　Aw，Rat！Keepitup！''
　　``Keepitupyourselves！''snarledTheRat。
　　``Notanothercoveofuscoulddoitbutyou！Notone！There'snoothercovecouldthinkitout。You'retheonlychapthatcanthinkoutthings。YouthoughtouttheSquad！That'swhyyou'recaptain！''
　　Thiswastrue。Hewastheonewhocouldinvententertainmentforthem，thesestreetladswhohadnothing。Outofthatnothinghecouldcreatewhatexcitedthem，andgivethemsomethingtofillempty，useless，oftencoldorwetorfoggy，hours。Thatmadehimtheircaptainandtheirpride。
　　TheRatbegantoyield，thoughgrudgingly。HepointedagaintoMarco，whohadnotmoved，butstoodstillatattention。
　　``LookatHIM！''hesaid。``Heknowsenoughtostandwherehe'sputuntilhe'sorderedtobreakline。He'sasoldier，heis——notarawrecruitthatdon'tknowthegoose-step。He'sbeeninbarracksbefore。''
　　Butafterthisoutburst，hedeignedtogoon。
　　``Here'stheoath，''hesaid。``Wesweartostandanytortureandsubmitinsilencetoanydeathratherthanbetrayoursecretandourking。Wewillobeyinsilenceandinsecret。Wewillswimthroughseasofbloodandfightourwaythroughlakesoffire，ifweareordered。Nothingshallbarourway。Allwedoandsayandthinkisforourcountryandourking。Ifanyofyouhaveanythingtosay，speakoutbeforeyoutaketheoath。''
　　HesawMarcomovealittle，andhemadeasigntohim。
　　``You，''hesaid。``Haveyousomethingtosay？''
　　Marcoturnedtohimandsaluted。
　　``HerestandtenmenforSamavia。Godbethanked！''hesaid。Hedaredsaythatmuch，andhefeltasifhisfatherhimselfwouldhavetoldhimthattheyweretherightwords。
　　TheRatthoughttheywere。Somehowhefeltthattheystruckhome。Hereddenedwithasuddenemotion。
　　``Squad！''hesaid。``I'llletyougivethreecheersonthat。
　　It'sforthelasttime。We'llbegintobequietafterward。''
　　AndtotheSquad'sexultantreliefheledthecheer，andtheywereallowedtomakeasmuchuproarastheyliked。Theylikedtomakeagreatdeal，andwhenitwasatanend，ithaddonethemgoodandmadethemreadyforbusiness。
　　TheRatopenedthedramaatonce。Neversurelyhadthereeverbeforebeenheardaconspirator'swhisperashollowashis。
　　``SecretOnes，''hesaid，``itismidnight。Wemeetinthedepthsofdarkness。Wedarenotmeetbyday。Whenwemeetinthedaytime，wepretendnottoknoweachother。WearemeetingnowinaSamaviancitywherethereisafortress。Weshallhavetotakeitwhenthesecretsignisgivenandwemakeourrising。
　　Wearegettingeverythingready，sothat，whenwefindtheking，thesecretsigncanbegiven。''
　　``Whatisthenameofthecitywearein？''whisperedCad。
　　``ItiscalledLarrina。Itisanimportantseaport。Wemusttakeitassoonaswerise。ThenexttimewemeetIwillbringadarklanternanddrawamapandshowittoyou。''
　　ItwouldhavebeenagreatadvantagetothegameifMarcocouldhavedrawnforthemthemaphecouldhavemade，amapwhichwouldhaveshowneveryfortress——everystrongholdandeveryweakplace。
　　Beingaboy，heknewwhatexcitementwouldhavethrilledeachbreast，howtheywouldleanforwardandpilequestiononquestion，pointingtothisplaceandtothat。Hehadlearnedtodrawthemapbeforehewasten，andhehaddrawnitagainandagainbecausetherehadbeentimeswhenhisfatherhadtoldhimthatchangeshadtakenplace。Oh，yes！hecouldhavedrawnamapwhichwouldhavemovedthemtoafrenzyofjoy。Buthesatsilentandlistened，onlyspeakingwhenheaskedaquestion，asifheknewnothingmoreaboutSamaviathanTheRatdid。WhataSecretPartytheywere！Theydrewthemselvestogetherintheclosestofcircles；theyspokeinunearthlywhispers。
　　``Asentineloughttobepostedattheendofthepassage，''
　　Marcowhispered。
　　``Ben，takeyourgun！''commandedTheRat。
　　Benrosestealthily，and，shoulderinghisweapon，creptontiptoetotheopening。Therehestoodonguard。
　　``Myfathersaysthere'sbeenaSecretPartyinSamaviaforahundredyears，''TheRatwhispered。
　　``Whotoldhim？''askedMarco。
　　``AmanwhohasbeeninSamavia，''answeredTheRat。``HesaiditwasthemostwonderfulSecretPartyintheworld，becauseithasworkedandwaitedsolong，andnevergivenup，thoughithashadnoreasonforhoping。Itbeganamongsomeshepherdsandcharcoal-burnerswhoboundthemselvesbyanoathtofindtheLostPrinceandbringhimbacktothethrone。ThereweretoofewofthemtodoanythingagainsttheMaranovitch，andwhenthefirstlotfoundtheyweregrowingold，theymadetheirsonstakethesameoath。Ithasbeenpassedonfromgenerationtogeneration，andineachgenerationthebandhasgrown。Noonereallyknowshowlargeitisnow，buttheysaythattherearepeopleinnearlyallthecountriesinEuropewhobelongtoitindeadsecret，andaresworntohelpitwhentheyarecalled。Theyareonlywaiting。Somearerichpeoplewhowillgivemoney，andsomearepooroneswhowillslipacrossthefrontiertofightortohelptosmuggleinarms。Theyevensaythatforalltheseyearstherehavebeenarmsmadeincavesinthemountains，andhiddenthereyearafteryear。TherearemenwhoarecalledForgersoftheSword，andthey，andtheirfathers，andgrandfathers，andgreat-grandfathershavealwaysmadeswordsandstoredthemincavernsnooneknowsof，hiddencavernsunderground。''
　　Marcospokealoudthethoughtwhichhadcomeintohismindashelistened，athoughtwhichbroughtfeartohim。``Ifthepeopleinthestreetstalkaboutit，theywon'tbehiddenlong。''
　　``Itisn'tcommontalk，myfathersays。Onlyveryfewhaveguessed，andmostofthemthinkitispartoftheLostPrincelegend，''saidTheRat。``TheMaranovitchandIarovitchlaughatit。Theyhavealwaysbeengreatfools。They'retoofulloftheirownswaggertothinkanythingcaninterferewiththem。''
　　``Doyoutalkmuchtoyourfather？''Marcoaskedhim。
　　TheRatshowedhissharpwhiteteethinagrin。
　　``Iknowwhatyou'rethinkingof，''hesaid。``You'rerememberingthatIsaidhewasalwaysdrunk。Soheis，exceptwhenhe'sonlyHALFdrunk。Andwhenhe'sHALFdrunk，he'sthemostsplendidtalkerinLondon。Herememberseverythinghehaseverlearnedorreadorheardsincehewasborn。Igethimgoingandlisten。HewantstotalkandIwanttohear。IfoundoutalmosteverythingIknowinthatway。Hedidn'tknowhewasteachingme，buthewas。Hegoesbackintobeingagentlemanwhenhe'shalfdrunk。''
　　``If——ifyoucareabouttheSamavians，you'dbetteraskhimnottotellpeopleabouttheSecretPartyandtheForgersoftheSword，''suggestedMarco。
　　TheRatstartedalittle。
　　``That'strue！''hesaid。``You'resharperthanIam。Itoughtn'ttobeblabbedabout，ortheMaranovitchmighthearenoughtomakethemstopandlisten。I'llgethimtopromise。
　　There'sonequeerthingabouthim，''headdedveryslowly，asifhewerethinkingitover，``Isupposeit'spartofthegentlemanthat'sleftinhim。Ifhemakesapromise，heneverbreaksit，drunkorsober。''
　　``Askhimtomakeone，''saidMarco。Thenextmomenthechangedthesubjectbecauseitseemedthebestthingtodo。``GoonandtelluswhatourownSecretPartyistodo。We'reforgetting，''
　　hewhispered。
　　TheRattookuphisgamewithrenewedkeenness。Itwasagamewhichattractedhimimmenselybecauseitcalleduponhisimaginationandheldhisaudiencespellbound，besidesplunginghimintowarandstrategy。
　　``We'repreparingfortherising，''hesaid。``Itmustcomesoon。We'vewaitedsolong。Thecavernsarestackedwitharms。
　　TheMaranovitchandtheIarovitcharefightingandusingalltheirsoldiers，andnowisourtime。''Hestoppedandthought，hiselbowsonhisknees。Hebegantobitehisnailsagain。
　　``TheSecretSignalmustbegiven，''hesaid。Thenhestoppedagain，andtheSquadhelditsbreathandpressednearerwithasoftlyshufflingsound。``TwooftheSecretOnesmustbechosenbylotandsentforth，''hewenton；andtheSquadalmostbroughtruinanddisgraceuponitselfbywantingtocheeragain，andonlyjuststoppingitselfintime。``MustbechosenBYLOT，''TheRatrepeated，lookingfromonefacetoanother。``Eachonewilltakehislifeinhishandwhenhegoesforth。Hemayhavetodieathousanddeaths，buthemustgo。Hemuststealinsilenceanddisguisefromonecountrytoanother。WhereverthereisoneoftheSecretParty，whetherheisinahoveloronathrone，themessengersmustgotohimindarknessandstealthandgivehimthesign。Itwillmean，`Thehourhascome。GodsaveSamavia！'
　　''
　　``GodsaveSamavia！''whisperedtheSquad，excitedly。And，becausetheysawMarcoraisehishandtohisforehead，everyoneofthemsaluted。
　　Theyallbegantowhisperatonce。
　　``Let'sdrawlotsnow。Let'sdrawlots，Rat。Don'tlet's'avenowaitin'。''
　　TheRatbegantolookabouthimwithdreadanxiety。Heseemedtobeexaminingthesky。
　　``Thedarknessisnotasthickasitwas，''hewhispered。
　　``Midnighthaspassed。Thedawnofdaywillbeuponus。Ifanyonehasapieceofpaperorastring，wewilldrawthelotsbeforewepart。''
　　Cadhadapieceofstring，andMarcohadaknifewhichcouldbeusedtocutitintolengths。ThisTheRatdidhimself。Then，aftershuttinghiseyesandmixingthem，heheldtheminhishandreadyforthedrawing。
　　``TheSecretOnewhodrawsthelongestlotischosen。TheSecretOnewhodrawstheshortestischosen，''hesaidsolemnly。
　　Thedrawingwasassolemnashistone。Eachboywantedtodraweithertheshortestlotorthelongestone。Theheartofeachthumpedsomewhatashedrewhispieceofstring。
　　Whenthedrawingwasatanend，eachshowedhislot。TheRathaddrawntheshortestpieceofstring，andMarcohaddrawnthelongestone。
　　``Comrade！''saidTheRat，takinghishand。``Wewillfacedeathanddangertogether！''
　　``GodsaveSamavia！''answeredMarco。
　　Andthegamewasatanendfortheday。Theprimestthing，theSquadsaid，TheRathadevermadeupforthem。``'Ewosawonder，hewos！''
　　VII
　　``THELAMPISLIGHTED！''
　　Onhiswayhome，Marcothoughtofnothingbutthestoryhemusttellhisfather，thestorythestrangerwhohadbeentoSamaviahadtoldTheRat'sfather。Hefeltthatitmustbeatruestoryandnotmerelyaninvention。TheForgersoftheSwordmustberealmen，andthehiddensubterraneancavernsstackedthroughthecenturieswitharmsmustbereal，too。Andiftheywerereal，surelyhisfatherwasoneofthosewhoknewthesecret。Histhoughtsranveryfast。TheRat'sboyishinventionoftherisingwasonlypartofagame，buthownaturalitwouldbethatsometime——perhapsbeforelong——therewouldbearealrising！
　　SurelytherewouldbeoneiftheSecretPartyhadgrownsostrong，andifmanyweaponsandsecretfriendsinothercountrieswerereadyandwaiting。Duringalltheseyears，hiddenworkandpreparationwouldhavebeengoingoncontinually，eventhoughitwaspreparationforanunknownday。Apartywhichhadlastedsolong——whichpasseditsoathonfromgenerationtogeneration——mustbeofadeadlydetermination。
　　Whatmightitnothavemadereadyinitscavernsandsecretmeeting-places！Helongedtoreachhomeandtellhisfather，atonce，allhehadheard。Herecalledtomind，wordforword，allthatTheRathadbeentold，andevenallhehadaddedinhisgame，because——well，becausethatseemedsorealtoo，sorealthatitactuallymightbeuseful。
　　ButwhenhereachedNo。7PhilibertPlace，hefoundLoristanandLazarusverymuchabsorbedinwork。Thedoorofthebacksitting-roomwaslockedwhenhefirstknockedonit，andlockedagainassoonashehadentered。Thereweremanypapersonthetable，andtheywereevidentlystudyingthem。Severalofthemweremaps。Somewereroadmaps，somemapsoftownsandcities，andsomeoffortifications；buttheywereallmapsofplacesinSamavia。Theywereusuallykeptinastrongbox，andwhentheyweretakenouttobestudied，thedoorwasalwayskeptlocked。
　　Beforetheyhadtheireveningmeal，thesewereallreturnedtothestrongbox，whichwaspushedintoacornerandhadnewspaperspileduponit。
　　``Whenhearrives，''MarcoheardLoristansaytoLazarus，``wecanshowhimclearlywhathasbeenplanned。Hecanseeforhimself。''
　　Hisfatherspokescarcelyatallduringthemeal，and，thoughitwasnotthehabitofLazarustospeakatsuchtimesunlessspokento，thiseveningitseemedtoMarcothatheLOOKEDmoresilentthanhehadeverseenhimlookbefore。Theywereplainlyboththinkinganxiouslyofdeeplyseriousthings。ThestoryofthestrangerwhohadbeentoSamaviamustnotbetoldyet。Butitwasonewhichwouldkeep。
　　LoristandidnotsayanythinguntilLazarushadremovedthethingsfromthetableandmadetheroomasneataspossible。
　　Whilethatwasbeingdone，hesatwithhisforeheadrestingonhishand，asifabsorbedinthought。ThenhemadeagesturetoMarco。
　　``Comehere，Comrade，''hesaid。
　　Marcowenttohim。
　　``To-nightsomeonemaycometotalkwithmeaboutgravethings，''hesaid。``Ithinkhewillcome，butIcannotbequitesure。Itisimportantthatheshouldknowthat，whenhecomes，hewillfindmequitealone。Hewillcomeatalatehour，andLazaruswillopenthedoorquietlythatnoonemayhear。Itisimportantthatnooneshouldseehim。Someonemustgoandwalkontheoppositesideofthestreetuntilheappears。Thentheonewhogoestogivewarningmustcrossthepavementbeforehimandsayinalowvoice，`TheLampislighted！'andatonceturnquietlyaway。''
　　Whatboy'sheartwouldnothaveleapedwithjoyatthemysteryofit！EvenacommonanddullboywhoknewnothingofSamaviawouldhavefeltjerky。Marco'svoicealmostshookwiththethrillofhisfeeling。
　　``HowshallIknowhim？''hesaidatonce。Withoutaskingatall，heknewhewasthe``someone''whowastogo。
　　``Youhaveseenhimbefore，''Loristananswered。``HeisthemanwhodroveinthecarriagewiththeKing。''
　　``Ishallknowhim，''saidMarco。``WhenshallIgo？''
　　``Notuntilitishalf-pastoneo'clock。GotobedandsleepuntilLazaruscallsyou。''Thenheadded，``Lookwellathisfacebeforeyouspeak。Hewillprobablynotbedressedaswellashewaswhenyousawhimfirst。''
　　Marcowentup-stairstohisroomandwenttobedashewastold，butitwashardtogotosleep。Therattleandroaringoftheroaddidnotusuallykeephimawake，becausehehadlivedinthepoorerquarteroftoomanybigcapitalcitiesnottobeaccustomedtonoise。Butto-nightitseemedtohimthat，ashelayandlookedoutatthelamplight，heheardeverybusandcabwhichwentpast。Hecouldnothelpthinkingofthepeoplewhowereinthem，andontopofthem，andofthepeoplewhowerehurryingalongonthepavementoutsidethebrokenironrailings。
　　Hewaswonderingwhattheywouldthinkiftheyknewthatthingsconnectedwiththebattlestheyreadofinthedailypapersweregoingoninoneoftheshabbyhousestheyscarcelygaveaglancetoastheywentbythem。Itmustbesomethingconnectedwiththewar，ifamanwhowasagreatdiplomatandthecompanionofkingscameinsecrettotalkalonewithapatriotwhowasaSamavian。
　　WhateverhisfatherwasdoingwasforthegoodofSamavia，andperhapstheSecretPartyknewhewasdoingit。Hisheartalmostbeataloudunderhisshirtashelayonthelumpymattressthinkingitover。Hemustindeedlookwellatthestrangerbeforeheevenmovedtowardhim。Hemustbesurehewastherightman。Thegamehehadamusedhimselfwithsolong——thegameoftryingtorememberpicturesandpeopleandplacesclearlyandindetail——hadbeenawonderfultraining。Ifhecoulddraw，heknewhecouldhavemadeasketchofthekeen-eyed，clever，aquilinefacewiththewell-cutanddelicatelyclosemouth，whichlookedasifithadbeenshutuponsecretsalways——always。Ifhecoulddraw，hefoundhimselfsayingagain。HeCOULDdraw，thoughperhapsonlyroughly。Hehadoftenamusedhimselfbymakingsketchesofthingshewantedtoaskquestionsabout。Hehadevendrawnpeople'sfacesinhisuntrainedway，andhisfatherhadsaidthathehadacrudegiftforcatchingalikeness。Perhapshecouldmakeasketchofthisfacewhichwouldshowhisfatherthatheknewandwouldrecognizeit。
　　Hejumpedoutofbedandwenttoatablenearthewindow。Therewaspaperandapencillyingonit。Astreetlampexactlyoppositethrewintotheroomquitelightenoughforhimtoseeby。Hehalfkneltbythetableandbegantodraw。Heworkedforabouttwentyminutessteadily，andhetoreuptwoorthreeunsatisfactorysketches。Thepoordrawingwouldnotmatterifhecouldcatchthatsubtlelookwhichwasnotslynessbutsomethingmoredignifiedandimportant。Itwasnotdifficulttogetthemarked，aristocraticoutlineofthefeatures。Acommon-lookingmanwithlesspronouncedprofilewouldhavebeenlesseasytodrawinonesense。Hegavehismindwhollytotherecallingofeverydetailwhichhadphotographeditselfonhismemorythroughitstrainedhabit。Graduallyhesawthatthelikenesswasbecomingclearer。Itwasnotlongbeforeitwasclearenoughtobeastrikingone。Anyonewhoknewthemanwouldrecognizeit。
　　Hegotup，drawingalongandjoyfulbreath。
　　Hedidnotputonhisshoes，butcrossedhisroomasnoiselesslyaspossible，andasnoiselesslyopenedthedoor。Hemadenoghostofasoundwhenhewentdownthestairs。Thewomanwhokeptthelodging-househadgonetobed，andsohadtheotherlodgersandthemaidofallwork。Allthelightswereoutexcepttheonehesawaglimmerofunderthedoorofhisfather'sroom。
　　Whenhehadbeenamerebaby，hehadbeentaughttomakeaspecialsignonthedoorwhenhewishedtospeaktoLoristan。Hestoodstilloutsidethebacksitting-roomandmadeitnow。Itwasalowscratchingsound——twoscratchesandasofttap。
　　Lazarusopenedthedoorandlookedtroubled。
　　``Itisnotyettime，sir，''hesaidverylow。
　　``Iknow，''Marcoanswered。``ButImustshowsomethingtomyfather。''Lazaruslethimin，andLoristanturnedroundfromhiswriting-tablequestioningly。
　　Marcowentforwardandlaidthesketchdownbeforehim。
　　``Lookatit，''hesaid。``Irememberhimwellenoughtodrawthat。Ithoughtofitallatonce——thatIcouldmakeasortofpicture。Doyouthinkitislikehim？''Loristanexamineditclosely。
　　``Itisverylikehim，''heanswered。``Youhavemademefeelentirelysafe。Thanks，Comrade。Itwasagoodidea。''
　　Therewasreliefinthegriphegavetheboy'shand，andMarcoturnedawaywithanexultantfeeling。Justashereachedthedoor，Loristansaidtohim：
　　``Makethemostofthisgift。Itisagift。Anditistrueyourmindhashadgoodtraining。Themoreyoudraw，thebetter。Draweverythingyoucan。''
　　Neitherthestreetlamps，northenoises，norhisthoughtskeptMarcoawakewhenhewentbacktobed。Butbeforehesettledhimselfuponhispillowhegavehimselfcertainorders。Hehadbothread，andheardLoristansay，thatthemindcancontrolthebodywhenpeopleoncefindoutthatitcandoso。Hehadtriedexperimentshimself，andhadfoundoutsomecuriousthings。Onewasthatifhetoldhimselftorememberacertainthingatacertaintime，heusuallyfoundthatheDIDrememberit。
　　Somethinginhisbrainseemedtoremindhim。Hehadoftentriedtheexperimentoftellinghimselftoawakenataparticularhour，andhadawakenedalmostexactlyatthemomentbytheclock。
　　``Iwillsleepuntiloneo'clock，''hesaidasheshuthiseyes。
　　``ThenIwillawakenandfeelquitefresh。Ishallnotbesleepyatall。''
　　Hesleptassoundlyasaboycansleep。Andatoneo'clockexactlyheawakened，andfoundthestreetlampstillthrowingitslightthroughthewindow。Heknewitwasoneo'clock，becausetherewasacheaplittleroundclockonthetable，andhecouldseethetime。Hewasquitefreshandnotatallsleepy。Hisexperimenthadsucceededagain。
　　Hegotupanddressed。Thenhewentdown-stairsasnoiselesslyasbefore。Hecarriedhisshoesinhishands，ashemeanttoputthemononlywhenhereachedthestreet。Hemadehissignathisfather'sdoor，anditwasLoristanwhoopenedit。
　　``ShallIgonow？''Marcoasked。
　　``Yes。Walkslowlytotheothersideofthestreet。Lookineverydirection。Wedonotknowwherehewillcomefrom。Afteryouhavegivenhimthesign，thencomeinandgotobedagain。''
　　Marcosalutedasasoldierwouldhavedoneonreceivinganorder。
　　Then，withoutasecond'sdelay，hepassednoiselesslyoutofthehouse。
　　Loristanturnedbackintotheroomandstoodsilentlyinthecenterofit。Thelonglinesofhishandsomebodylookedparticularlyerectandstately，andhiseyeswereglowingasifsomethingdeeplymovedhim。
　　``TheregrowsamanforSamavia，''hesaidtoLazarus，whowatchedhim。``Godbethanked！''
　　Lazarus'svoicewaslowandhoarse，andhesalutedquitereverently。
　　``Your——sir！''hesaid。``GodsavethePrince！''
　　``Yes，''Loristananswered，afteramoment'shesitation，——``whenheisfound。''Andhewentbacktohistablesmilinghisbeautifulsmile。
　　Thewonderofsilenceinthedesertedstreetsofagreatcity，aftermidnighthashushedalltheroarandtumulttorest，isanalmostunbelievablething。Thestillnessinthedepthsofaforestoronamountaintopisnotsostrange。Afewhoursago，thetumultwasrushingpast；inafewhoursmore，itwillberushingpastagain。
　　Butnowthestreetisanakedthing；adistantpoliceman'stramponthebarepavementhasahollowandalmostfearsomesound。ItseemedespeciallysotoMarcoashecrossedtheroad。Haditeverbeensoemptyanddeadlysilentbefore？Wasitsoeverynight？Perhapsitwas，whenhewasfastasleeponhislumpymattresswiththelightfromastreetlampstreamingintotheroom。Helistenedforthestepofthepolicemanonnight-watch，becausehedidnotwishtobeseen。Therewasajuttingwallwherehecouldstandintheshadowwhilethemanpassed。A
　　policemanwouldstoptolookquestioninglyataboywhowalkedupanddownthepavementathalf-pastoneinthemorning。Marcocouldwaituntilhehadgoneby，andthencomeoutintothelightandlookupanddowntheroadandthecrossstreets。
　　Heheardhisapproachingfootstepsinafewminutes，andwassafelyintheshadowsbeforehecouldbeseen。Whenthepolicemanpassed，hecameoutandwalkedslowlydowntheroad，lookingoneachside，andnowandthenlookingback。Atfirstnoonewasinsight。Thenalatehansom-cabcametinklingalong。
　　Butthepeopleinitwerereturningfromsomefestivity，andwerelaughingandtalking，andnoticednothingbuttheirownjoking。
　　Thentherewassilenceagain，andforalongtime，asitseemedtoMarco，noonewastobeseen。Itwasnotreallysolongasitappeared，becausehewasanxious。Thenaveryearlyvegetable-wagononthewayfromthecountrytoCoventGardenMarketcameslowlylumberingbywithitsdriveralmostasleeponhispilesofpotatoesandcabbages。Afterithadpassed，therewasstillnessandemptinessoncemore，untilthepolicemanshowedhimselfagainonhisbeat，andMarcoslippedintotheshadowofthewallashehaddonebefore。
　　Whenhecameoutintothelight，hehadbeguntohopethatthetimewouldnotseemlongtohisfather。Ithadnotreallybeenlong，hetoldhimself，ithadonlyseemedso。Buthisfather'sanxiousnesswouldbegreaterthanhisowncouldbe。Loristanknewallthatdependedonthecomingofthisgreatmanwhosatsidebysidewithakinginhiscarriageandtalkedtohimasifheknewhimwell。
　　``ItmightbesomethingwhichallSamaviaiswaitingtoknow——atleastalltheSecretParty，''Marcothought。``TheSecretPartyisSamavia，''——hestartedatthesoundoffootsteps。``Someoneiscoming！''hesaid。``Itisaman。''
　　Itwasamanwhowaswalkinguptheroadonthesamesideofthepavementashisown。Marcobegantowalktowardhimquietlybutratherrapidly。Hethoughtitmightbebesttoappearasifheweresomeboysentonamidnighterrand——perhapstocalladoctor。Then，ifitwasastrangerhepassed，nosuspicionwouldbearoused。WasthismanastallastheonewhohaddrivenwiththeKing？Yes，hewasaboutthesameheight，buthewastoofarawaytoberecognizableotherwise。Hedrewnearer，andMarconoticedthathealsoseemedslightlytohastenhisfootsteps。
　　Marcowenton。Alittlenearer，andhewouldbeabletomakesure。Yes，nowhewasnearenough。Yes，thismanwasthesameheightandnotunlikeinfigure，buthewasmuchyounger。HewasnottheonewhohadbeeninthecarriagewithHisMajesty。Hewasnotmorethanthirtyyearsold。Hebeganswinginghiscaneandwhistlingamusic-hallsongsoftlyasMarcopassedhimwithoutchanginghispace。
　　Itwasafterthepolicemanhadwalkedroundhisbeatanddisappearedforthethirdtime，thatMarcoheardfootstepsechoingatsomedistancedownacrossstreet。Afterlisteningtomakesurethattheywereapproachinginsteadofrecedinginanotherdirection，heplacedhimselfatapointwherehecouldwatchthelengthofthethoroughfare。Yes，someonewascoming。
　　Itwasaman'sfigureagain。Hewasabletoplacehimselfratherintheshadowsothatthepersonapproachingwouldnotseethathewasbeingwatched。Thesolitarywalkerreachedarecognizabledistanceinabouttwominutes'time。Hewasdressedinanordinaryshop-madesuitofclotheswhichwasrathershabbyandquiteunnoticeableinitsappearance。Hiscommonhatwaswornsothatitrathershadedhisface。ButevenbeforehehadcrossedtoMarco'ssideoftheroad，theboyhadclearlyrecognizedhim。
　　ItwasthemanwhohaddrivenwiththeKing！
　　ChancewaswithMarco。Themancrossedatexactlytheplacewhichmadeiteasyfortheboytosteplightlyfrombehindhim，walkafewpacesbyhisside，andthenpassdirectlybeforehimacrossthepavement，glancingquietlyupintohisfaceashesaidinalowvoicebutdistinctly，thewords``TheLampislighted，''
　　andwithoutpausingasecondwalkonhiswaydowntheroad。Hedidnotslackenhispaceorlookbackuntilhewassomedistanceaway。Thenheglancedoverhisshoulder，andsawthatthefigurehadcrossedthestreetandwasinsidetherailings。Itwasallright。Hisfatherwouldnotbedisappointed。Thegreatmanhadcome。
　　Hewalkedforabouttenminutes，andthenwenthomeandtobed。
　　Buthewasobligedtotellhimselftogotosleepseveraltimesbeforehiseyesclosedfortherestofthenight。
　　VIII
　　ANEXCITINGGAME
　　Loristanreferredonlyonceduringthenextdaytowhathadhappened。
　　``Youdidyourerrandwell。Youwerenothurriedornervous，''
　　hesaid。``ThePrincewaspleasedwithyourcalmness。''
　　Nomorewassaid。Marcoknewthatthequietmentionofthestranger'stitlehadbeenmademerelyasadesignation。Ifitwasnecessarytomentionhimagaininthefuture，hecouldbereferredtoas``thePrince。''InvariousContinentalcountriesthereweremanyprinceswhowerenotroyalorevenserenehighnesses——whoweremerelyprincesasothernoblesweredukesorbarons。Nothingspecialwasrevealedwhenamanwasspokenofasaprince。Butthoughnothingwassaidonthesubjectoftheincident，itwasplainthatmuchworkwasbeingdonebyLoristanandLazarus。Thesitting-roomdoorwaslocked，andthemapsanddocuments，usuallykeptintheironbox，werebeingused。
　　MarcowenttotheTowerofLondonandspentpartofthedayinlivingagainthestorieswhich，centuriespast，hadbeeninclosedwithinitsmassiveandancientstonewalls。Inthisway，hehadthroughoutboyhoodbecomeintimatewithpeoplewhotomostboysseemedonlytheunrealcreatureswhoprofessedtobealiveinschool-booksofhistory。Hehadlearnedtoknowthemasmenandwomenbecausehehadstoodinthepalacestheyhadbeenborninandhadplayedinaschildren，haddiedinattheend。Hehadseenthedungeonstheyhadbeenimprisonedin，theblocksonwhichtheyhadlaidtheirheads，thebattlementsonwhichtheyhadfoughttodefendtheirfortressedtowers，thethronestheyhadsatupon，thecrownstheyhadworn，andthejeweledscepterstheyhadheld。Hehadstoodbeforetheirportraitsandhadgazedcuriouslyattheir``RobesofInvestiture，''sewnwithtensofthousandsofseed-pearls。Tolookataman'sfaceandfeelhispicturedeyesfollowyouasyoumoveawayfromhim，toseethestrangelysplendidgarmentsheoncewarmedwithhislivingflesh，istorealizethathistoryisnotamerelessoninaschool-book，butisarelationofthelifestoriesofmenandwomenwhosawstrangeandsplendiddays，andsometimessufferedstrangeandterriblethings。
　　Therewereonlyafewpeoplewhowerebeingledaboutsight-
　　seeing。ThemanintheancientBeef-eaters'costume，whowastheirguide，wasgood-natured，andevidentlyfondoftalking。Hewasabigandstoutman，withalargefaceandasmall，merryeye。HewasratherlikepicturesofHenrytheEighth，himself，whichMarcorememberedhavingseen。HewasspeciallytalkativewhenhestoodbythetabletthatmarksthespotwherestoodtheblockonwhichLadyJaneGreyhadlaidheryounghead。OneofthesightseerswhoknewlittleofEnglishhistoryhadaskedsomequestionsaboutthereasonsforherexecution。
　　``Ifherfather-in-law，theDukeofNorthumberland，hadleftthatyoungcouplealone——herandherhusband，LordGuildfordDudley——they'dhavekepttheirheadson。Hewasboundtomakeheraqueen，andMaryTudorwasboundtobequeenherself。Thedukewasn'tcleverenoughtomanageaconspiracyandworkupthepeople。TheseSamavianswe'rereadingaboutinthepaperswouldhavedoneitbetter。Andthey'rehalf-savages。''
　　``TheyhadabigbattleoutsideMelzarryesterday，''thesight-seerstandingnexttoMarcosaidtotheyoungwomanwhowashiscompanion。``Thousandsof'emkilled。IsawitinbiglettersontheboardsasIrodeonthetopofthebus。They'rejustslaughteringeachother，that'swhatthey'redoing。''
　　ThetalkativeBeef-eaterheardhim。
　　``Theycan'tevenburytheirdeadfastenough，''hesaid。
　　``There'llbesomesortofplaguebreakingoutandsweepingintothecountriesnearestthem。It'llendbyspreadingalloverEuropeasitdidintheMiddleAges。Whatthecivilizedcountrieshavegottodoistomakethemchooseadecentkingandbegintobehavethemselves。''
　　``I'lltellmyfatherthattoo，''Marcothought。``ItshowsthateverybodyisthinkingandtalkingofSamavia，andthateventhecommonpeopleknowitmusthavearealking。ThismustbeTHE
　　TIME！''AndwhathemeantwasthatthismustbethetimeforwhichtheSecretPartyhadwaitedandworkedsolong——thetimefortheRising。ButhisfatherwasoutwhenhewentbacktoPhilibertPlace，andLazaruslookedmoresilentthaneverashestoodbehindhischairandwaitedonhimthroughhisinsignificantmeal。Howeverplainandscantthefoodtheyhadtoeat，itwasalwaysservedwithasmuchcareandceremonyasifithadbeenabanquet。
　　``Amancaneatdrybreadanddrinkcoldwaterasifhewereagentleman，''hisfatherhadsaidlongago。``Anditiseasytoformcarelesshabits。Evenifoneishungryenoughtofeelravenous，amanwhohasbeenwellbredwillnotallowhimselftolookso。Adogmay，amanmaynot。Justasadogmayhowlwhenheisangryorinpainandamanmaynot。''