Heoughttohaveledanorchestraorplayeda'cello。Heistoobigforfirstviolin。''
　　Therewasagroupaboutthecarriagetothelast，whenthemusiccametoanendanditdroveaway。Therehadbeennopossibleopportunityofpassingclosetoitevenhadthepresenceoftheyoungofficerandtheboynotpresentedaninsurmountableobstacle。
　　MarcoandTheRatwentontheirwayandpassedbytheHof-
　　Theaterandreadthebills。``TristanandIsolde''wastobepresentedatnightandagreatsingerwouldsingIsolde。
　　``Hewillgotohearthat，''bothboyssaidatonce。``Hewillbesuretogo。''
　　ItwasdecidedbetweenthemthatMarcoshouldgoonhisquestalonewhennightcame。OneboywhohungaroundtheentranceoftheOperawouldbeobservedlessthantwo。
　　``Peoplenoticecrutchesmorethantheynoticelegs，''TheRatsaid。``I'dbetterkeepoutofthewayunlessyouneedme。Mytimehasn'tcomeyet。Evenifitdoesn'tcomeatallI've——I'vebeenonduty。I'vegonewithyouandI'vebeenready-that'swhatanaide-de-campdoes。''
　　HestayedathomeandreadsuchEnglishpapersashecouldlayhandsonandhedrewplansandre-foughtbattlesonpaper。
　　Marcowenttotheopera。EvenifhehadnotknownhiswaytothesquareneartheplacewheretheHof-Theaterstood，hecouldeasilyhavefounditbyfollowingthegroupsofpeopleinthestreetswhoallseemedwalkinginonedirection。Therewerestudentsintheiroddcapswalkingthreeorfourabreast，therewereyoungcouplesandolderones，andhereandtherewholefamilies；thereweresoldiersofallages，officersandprivates；
　　and，whentalkwastobeheardinpassing，itwasalwaystalkaboutmusic。
　　ForsometimeMarcowaitedinthesquareandwatchedthecarriagesrollupandpassunderthehugepillaredporticotodeposittheircontentsattheentranceandatoncedriveawayinorderlysequence。Hemustmakesurethatthegrandcarriagewiththegreenandsilverliveriesrolledupwiththerest。Ifitcame，hewouldbuyacheapticketandgoinside。
　　Itwasratherlatewhenitarrived。PeopleinMunicharenotlatefortheoperaifitcanbehelped，andthecoachmandroveuphurriedly。Thegreenandsilverfootmanleapedtothegroundandopenedthecarriagedooralmostbeforeitstopped。TheChancellorgotoutlookinglessgenialthanusualbecausehewasafraidthathemightlosesomeoftheoverture。Arosy-cheekedgirlinawhitefrockwaswithhimandshewasevidentlytryingtosoothehim。
　　``Idonotthinkwearereallylate，Father，''shesaid。``Don'tfeelcross，dear。Itwillspoilthemusicforyou。''
　　Thiswasnotatimeinwhichaman'sattentioncouldbeattractedquietly。Marcorantogettheticketwhichwouldgivehimaplaceamongtherowsofyoungsoldiers，artists，maleandfemalestudents，andmusicianswhowerewillingtostandfourorfivedeepthroughouttheperformanceofeventhelongestopera。Heknewthat，unlesstheywereinoneofthefewboxeswhichbelongedonlytothecourt，theChancellorandhisrosy-cheekeddaughterwouldbeinthebestseatsinthefrontcurveofthebalconywhichwerethemostdesirableofthehouse。Hesoonsawthem。Theyhadsecuredthecentralplacesdirectlybelowthelargeroyalboxwheretwoquietprincessesandtheirattendantswerealreadyseated。
　　Whenhefoundhewasnottoolatetoheartheoverture，theChancellor'sfacebecomemoregenialthanever。Hesettledhimselfdowntoaneveningofenjoymentandevidentlyforgoteverythingelseintheworld。Marcodidnotlosesightofhim。
　　Whentheaudiencewentoutbetweenactstopromenadeinthecorridors，hemightgoalsoandtheremightbeachancetopassneartohiminthecrowd。Hewatchedhimclosely。Sometimeshisfineoldfacesaddenedatthebeautifulwoeofthemusic，sometimesitlookedenraptured，anditwasalwaysevidentthateverynotereachedhissoul。
　　Theprettydaughterwhosatbesidehimwasattentivebutnotsoenthralled。Afterthefirstacttwoglitteringyoungofficersappearedandmadeelegantandlowbows，drawingtheirheelstogetherastheykissedherhand。Theylookedsorrywhentheywereobligedtoreturntotheirseatsagain。
　　AfterthesecondacttheChancellorsatforafewminutesasifhewereinadream。Thepeopleintheseatsnearhimbegantorisefromtheirseatsandfileoutintothecorridors。Theyoungofficersweretobeseenrisingalso。Therosydaughterleanedforwardandtouchedherfather'sarmgently。
　　``Shewantshimtotakeherout，''Marcothought。``Hewilltakeherbecauseheisgood-natured。''
　　Hesawhimrecallhimselffromhisdreamwithasmileandthenheroseand，afterhelpingtoarrangeasilverybluescarfroundthegirl'sshoulders，gaveherhisarmjustasMarcoskippedoutofhisfourth-rowstanding-place。
　　Itwasaratherwarmnightandthecorridorswerefull。BythetimeMarcohadreachedthebalconyfloor，thepairhadissuedfromthelittledoorandweretemporarilylostinthemovingnumbers。
　　Marcoquietlymadehiswayamongthecrowdtryingtolookasifhebelongedtosomebody。Onceortwicehisstrongbodyandhisdenseblackeyesandlashesmadepeopleglanceathim，buthewasnottheonlyboywhohadbeenbroughttotheoperasohefeltsafeenoughtostopatthefootofthestairsandwatchthosewhowentupandthosewhopassedby。Suchamiscellaneouscrowdasitwasmadeupof——goodunfashionablemusic-loversmixedhereandtherewithgrandpeopleofthecourtandthegayworld。
　　Suddenlyheheardalowlaughandamomentlaterahandlightlytouchedhim。
　　``YouDIDgetout，then？''asoftvoicesaid。
　　Whenheturnedhefelthismusclesstiffen。Heceasedtoslouchanddidnotsmileashelookedatthespeaker。Whathefeltwasawaveoffierceandhaughtyanger。Itsweptoverhimbeforehehadtimetocontrolit。
　　Alovelypersonwhoseemedswathedinseveralshadesofsoftvioletdraperywassmilingathimwithlong，lovelyeyes。
　　ItwasthewomanwhohadtrappedhimintoNo。10BrandonTerrace。
　　XXI
　　``HELP！''
　　Didittakeyousolongtofindit？askedtheLovelyPersonwiththesmile。``OfcourseIknewyouwouldfinditintheend。Butwehadtogiveourselvestime。Howlongdidittake？''
　　Marcoremovedhimselffrombeneaththetouchofherhand。Itwasquietlydone，buttherewasadisdaininhisyoungfacewhichmadeherwincethoughshepretendedtoshrughershouldersamusedly。
　　``Yourefusetoanswer？''shelaughed。
　　``Irefuse。''
　　AtthatverymomenthesawatthecurveofthecorridortheChancellorandhisdaughterapproachingslowly。Thetwoyoungofficersweretalkinggailytothegirl。Theywereontheirwaybacktotheirbox。Washegoingtolosethem？Washe？
　　Thedelicatehandwaslaidonhisshoulderagain，butthistimehefeltthatitgraspedhimfirmly。
　　``Naughtyboy！''thesoftvoicesaid。``Iamgoingtotakeyouhomewithme。IfyoustruggleIshalltellthesepeoplethatyouaremybadboywhoisherewithoutpermission。Whatwillyouanswer？Myescortiscomingdownthestaircaseandwillhelpme。
　　Doyousee？''Andinfactthereappearedinthecrowdattheheadofthestaircasethefigureofthemanheremembered。
　　Hedidsee。Adampnessbrokeoutonthepalmsofhishands。Ifshedidthisboldthing，whatcouldhesaytothoseshetoldherlieto？Howcouldhebringprooforexplainwhohewas——andwhatstorydarehetell？Hisprotestationsandstruggleswouldmerelyamusethelookers-on，whowouldseeinthemonlytheimpotentrageofaninsubordinateyoungster。
　　Theresweptoverhimawaveofremembrancewhichbroughtback，asifhewerelivingthroughitagain，themomentwhenhehadstoodinthedarknessofthewinecellarwithhisbackagainstthedoorandheardthemanwalkawayandleavehimalone。Hefeltagainashehaddonethen——butnowhewasinanotherlandandfarawayfromhisfather。HecoulddonothingtohelphimselfunlessSomethingshowedhimaway。
　　Hemadenosound，andthewomanwhoheldhimsawonlyaflameleapunderhisdenseblacklashes。
　　Butsomethingwithinhimcalledout。Itwasasifheheardit。
　　Itwasthatstrongself——theselfthatwasMarco，anditcalled——itcalledasifitshouted。
　　``Help！''itcalled——tothatUnknownStrangerThingwhichhadmadeworldsandwhichheandhisfathersooftentalkedofandinwhosepowertheysobelieved。``Help！''
　　TheChancellorwasdrawingnearer。Perhaps！Shouldhe——？
　　``Youaretooproudtokickandshout，''thevoicewenton。
　　``Andpeoplewouldonlylaugh。Doyousee？''
　　Thestairswerecrowdedandthemanwhowasattheheadofthemcouldonlymoveslowly。Buthehadseentheboy。
　　Marcoturnedsothathecouldfacehiscaptorsquarelyasifheweregoingtosaysomethinginanswertoher。Buthewasnot。
　　Evenashemadethemovementofturning，thehelphehadcalledforcameandheknewwhatheshoulddo。Andhecoulddotwothingsatonce——savehimselfandgivehisSign——because，theSignoncegiven，theChancellorwouldunderstand。
　　``Hewillbehereinamoment。Hehasrecognizedyou，''thewomansaid。
　　Asheglancedupthestairs，thedelicategripofherhandunconsciouslyslackened。
　　Marcowhirledawayfromher。ThebellrangwhichwastowarntheaudiencethattheymustreturntotheirseatsandhesawtheChancellorhastenhispace。
　　Amomentlater，theoldaristocratfoundhimselfamazedlylookingdownatthepalefaceofabreathlessladwhospoketohiminGermanandinsuchamannerthathecouldnotbutpauseandlisten。
　　``Sir，''hewassaying，``thewomaninvioletatthefootofthestairsisaspy。Shetrappedmeonceandshethreatenstodoitagain。Sir，mayIbegyoutoprotectme？''
　　Hesaiditlowandfast。Nooneelsecouldhearhiswords。
　　``What！What！''theChancellorexclaimed。
　　Andthen，drawingastepnearerandquiteaslowandrapidlybutwithperfectdistinctness，Marcoutteredfourwords：
　　``TheLampislighted。''
　　TheHelpcryhadbeenansweredinstantly。Marcosawitatonceintheoldman'seyes，notwithstandingthatheturnedtolookatthewomanatthefootofthestaircaseasifsheonlyconcernedhim。
　　``What！What！''hesaidagain，andmadeamovementtowardher，pullinghislargemoustachewithafiercehand。
　　ThenMarcorecognizedthatacuriousthinghappened。TheLovelyPersonsawthemovementandthegraymoustache，andthatinstanthersmilediedawayandsheturnedquitewhite——sowhite，thatunderthebrilliantelectriclightshewasalmostgreenandscarcelylookedlovelyatall。Shemadeasigntothemanonthestaircaseandslippedthroughthecrowdlikeaneel。Shewasaslimflexiblecreatureandneverwasadisappearancemorewonderfulinitsrapidity。Betweenstoutmatronsandtheirthinorstoutescortsandfamiliesshemadeherwayandlostherself——butalwaysmakingtowardtheexit。Intwominutestherewasnosightofhervioletdraperiestobeseen。Shewasgoneandso，evidently，washermalecompanion。
　　ItwasplaintoMarcothattofollowtheprofessionofaspywasnotbyanymeansasafething。TheChancellorhadrecognizedher——shehadrecognizedtheChancellorwhoturnedlookingferociouslyangryandspoketooneoftheyoungofficers。
　　``SheandthemanwithheraretwoofthemostdangerousspiesinEurope，SheisaRumanianandheisaRussian。WhattheywantedofthisinnocentladIdon'tpretendtoknow。Whatdidshethreaten？''toMarco。
　　Marcowasfeelingrathercoldandsickandhadlosthishealthycolorforthemoment。
　　``ShesaidshemeanttotakemehomewithherandwouldpretendI
　　washersonwhohadcomeherewithoutpermission，''heanswered。
　　``ShebelievesIknowsomethingIdonot。''Hemadeahesitatingbutgratefulbow。``Thethirdact，sir——Imustnotkeepyou。
　　Thankyou！Thankyou！''
　　TheChancellormovedtowardtheentrancedoorofthebalconyseats，buthediditwithhishandonMarco'sshoulder。
　　``Seethathegetshomesafely，''hesaidtotheyoungerofthetwoofficers。``Sendamessengerwithhim。He'syoungtobeattackedbycreaturesofthatkind。''
　　PoliteyoungofficersnaturallyobeythecommandsofChancellorsandsuchdignitaries。ThisonefoundwithouttroubleayoungprivatewhomarchedwithMarcothroughthedesertedstreetstohislodgings。HewasastolidyoungBavarianpeasantandseemedtohavenocuriosityorevenanyinterestinthereasonforthecommandgivenhim。HewasinfactthinkingofhissweetheartwholivednearKonigseeandwhohadskatedwithhimonthefrozenlakelastwinter。Hescarcelygaveaglancetotheschoolboyhewastoescort，heneitherknewnorwonderedwhy。
　　TheRathadfallenasleepoverhispapersandlaywithhisheadonhisfoldedarmsonthetable。ButhewasawakenedbyMarco'scomingintotheroomandsatupblinkinghiseyesintheefforttogetthemopen。
　　``Didyouseehim？Didyougetnearenough？''hedrowsed。
　　``Yes，''Marcoanswered。``Igotnearenough。'
　　TheRatsatuprightsuddenly。
　　``It'snotbeeneasy，''heexclaimed。``I'msuresomethinghappened——somethingwentwrong。''
　　``Somethingnearlywentwrong——VERYnearly，''answeredMarco。
　　ButashespokehetookthesketchoftheChancelloroutoftheslitinhissleeveandtoreitandburneditwithamatch。``ButIdidgetnearenough。Andthat'sTWO。''
　　Theytalkedlong，beforetheywenttosleepthatnight。TheRatgrewpaleashelistenedtothestoryofthewomaninviolet。
　　``Ioughttohavegonewithyou！''hesaid。``Iseenow。Anaide-de-campmustalwaysbeinattendance。Itwouldhavebeenharderforhertomanagetwothanone。Imustalwaysbeneartowatch，evenifIamnotclosebyyou。Ifyouhadnotcomeback——ifyouhadnotcomeback！''Hestruckhisclenchedhandstogetherfiercely。``WhatshouldIhavedone！''
　　WhenMarcoturnedtowardhimfromthetablenearwhichhewasstanding，helookedlikehisfather。
　　``YouwouldhavegoneonwiththeGamejustasfarasyoucould，''hesaid。``Youcouldnotleaveit。Youremembertheplaces，andthefaces，andtheSign。Thereissomemoney；andwhenitwasallgone，youcouldhavebegged，asweusedtopretendweshould。
　　Wehavenothadtodoityet；anditwasbesttosaveitforcountryplacesandvillages。Butyoucouldhavedoneitifyouwereobligedto。TheGamewouldhavetogoon。''
　　TheRatcaughtathisthinchestasifhehadbeenstruckbreathless。
　　``Withoutyou？''hegasped。``Withoutyou？''
　　``Yes，''saidMarco。``Andwemustthinkofit，andplanincaseanythinglikethatshouldhappen。''
　　Hestoppedhimselfquitesuddenly，andsatdown，lookingstraightbeforehim，asifatsomefarawaythinghesaw。
　　``Nothingwillhappen，''hesaid。``Nothingcan。''
　　``Whatareyouthinkingof？''TheRatgulped，becausehisbreathhadnotquitecomeback。``Whywillnothinghappen？''
　　``Because——''theboyspokeinanalmostmatter-of-facttone——inquiteanunexaltedtoneatallevents，``youseeIcanalwaysmakeastrongcall，asIdidtonight。''
　　``Didyoushout？''TheRatasked。``Ididn'tknowyoushouted。''
　　``Ididn't。Isaidnothingaloud。ButI——themyselfthatisinme，''Marcotouchedhimselfonthebreast，``calledout，`Help！
　　Help！'withallitsstrength。Andhelpcame。''
　　TheRatregardedhimdubiously。
　　``Whatdiditcallto？''heasked。
　　``TothePower——totheStrength-place——totheThoughtthatdoesthings。TheBuddhisthermit，whotoldmyfatheraboutit，calledit`TheThoughtthatthoughttheWorld。'''
　　AreluctantsuspicionbetrayeditselfinTheRat'seyes。
　　``Doyoumeanyouprayed？''heinquired，withaslighttouchofdisfavor。
　　Marco'seyesremainedfixeduponhiminvaguethoughtfulnessforamomentorsoofpause。
　　``Idon'tknow，''hesaidatlast。``Perhapsit'sthesamething——whenyouneedsomethingsomuchthatyoucryoutloudforit。Butit'snotwords，it'sastrongthingwithoutaname。I
　　calledlikethatwhenIwasshutinthewine-cellar。I
　　rememberedsomeofthethingstheoldBuddhisttoldmyfather。''
　　TheRatmovedrestlessly。
　　``Thehelpcamethattime，''headmitted。``Howdiditcometo-
　　night？''
　　``Inthatthoughtwhichflashedintomymindalmostthenextsecond。Itcamelikelightning。AllatonceIknewifIrantotheChancellorandsaidthewomanwasaspy，itwouldstartlehimintolisteningtome；andthatthenIcouldgivehimtheSign；
　　andthatwhenIgavehimtheSign，hewouldknowIwasspeakingthetruthandwouldprotectme。''
　　``Itwasasplendidthought！''TheRatsaid。``Anditwasquick。
　　Butitwasyouwhothoughtofit。''
　　``AllthinkingispartoftheBigThought，''saidMarcoslowly。
　　``ItKNOWS——ItKNOWS。AndtheoutsidepartofussomehowbrokethechainthatlinkedustoIt。Andwearealwaystryingtomendthechain，withoutknowingit。Thatiswhatourthinkingis——tryingtomendthechain。Butweshallfindouthowtodoitsometime。TheoldBuddhisttoldmyfatherso——justasthesunwasrisingfrombehindahighpeakoftheHimalayas。''Thenheaddedhastily，``Iamonlytellingyouwhatmyfathertoldme，andheonlytoldmewhattheoldhermittoldhim。''
　　``Doesyourfatherbelievewhathetoldhim？''TheRat'sbewildermenthadbecomeaneagerandrestlessthing。
　　``Yes，hebelievesit。Healwaysthoughtsomethinglikeit，himself。Thatiswhyheissocalmandknowssowellhowtowait。''
　　``IsTHATit！''breathedTheRat。``Isthatwhy？Has——hashemendedthechain？''Andtherewasaweinhisvoice，becauseofthisonemantowhomhefeltanyachievementwaspossible。
　　``Ibelievehehas，''saidMarco。``Don'tyouthinksoyourself？''
　　``Hehasdonesomething，''TheRatsaid。
　　Heseemedtobethinkingthingsoverbeforehespokeagain——andthenevenmoreslowlythanMarco。
　　``Ifhecouldmendthechain，''hesaidalmostinawhisper，``hecouldfindoutwherethedescendantoftheLostPrinceis。HewouldknowwhattodoforSamavia！''
　　Heendedthewordswithastart，andhiswholefaceglowedwithanew，amazedlight。
　　``Perhapshedoesknow！''hecried。``Ifthehelpcomeslikethoughts——asyoursdid——perhapshisthoughtoflettingusgivetheSignwaspartofit。We——justwetwoevery-dayboys——arepartofit！''
　　``TheoldBuddhistsaid——''beganMarco。
　　``Lookhere！''brokeinTheRat。``Tellmethewholestory。I
　　wanttohearit。''
　　ItwasbecauseLoristanhadheardit，andlistenedandbelieved，thatTheRathadtakenfire。Hisimaginationseizedupontheidea，asitwouldhaveseizedonsometheoryofnecromancyprovedtrueandworkable。
　　Withhiselbowsonthetableandhishandsinhishair，heleanedforward，twistingalockwithrestlessfingers。Hisbreathquickened。
　　``Tellit，''hesaid，``Iwanttohearitall！''
　　``Ishallhavetotellitinmyownwords，''Marcosaid。``Anditwon'tbeaswonderfulasitwaswhenmyfathertoldittome。
　　ThisiswhatIremember：
　　``Myfatherhadgonethroughmuchpainandtrouble。Agreatloadwasuponhim，andhehadbeentoldhewasgoingtodiebeforehisworkwasdone。HehadgonetoIndia，becauseamanhewasobligedtospeaktohadgonetheretohunt，andnooneknewwhenhewouldreturn。Myfatherfollowedhimformonthsfromonewildplacetoanother，and，whenhefoundhim，themanwouldnothearorbelievewhathehadcomesofartosay。Thenhehadjungle-feverandalmostdied。Oncethenativeslefthimfordeadinabungalowintheforest，andheheardthejackalshowlingroundhimallthenight。Throughallthehourshewasonlyaliveenoughtobeconsciousoftwothings——alltherestofhimseemedgonefromhisbody：histhoughtknewthathisworkwasunfinished——andhisbodyheardthejackalshowl！''
　　``WastheworkforSamavia？''TheRatputinquickly。``Ifhehaddiedthatnight，thedescendantoftheLostPrinceneverwouldhavebeenfound——never！''TheRatbithislipsohardthatadropofbloodstartedfromit。
　　``Whenhewasslowlycomingaliveagain，anative，whohadgonebackandstayedtowaituponhim，toldhimthatnearthesummitofamountain，aboutfiftymilesaway，therewasaledgewhichjuttedoutintospaceandhungoverthevalley，whichwasthousandsoffeetbelow。OntheledgetherewasahutinwhichtherelivedanancientBuddhist，whowasaholyman，astheycalledhim，andwhohadbeenthereduringtimewhichhadnotbeenmeasured。Theysaidthattheirgrandparentsandgreat-grandparentshadknownofhim，thoughveryfewpersonshadeverseenhim。Itwastoldthatthemostsavagebeastwastamebeforehim。Theysaidthataman-eatingtigerwouldstoptosalutehim，andthatathirstylionesswouldbringherwhelpstodrinkatthespringnearhishut。''
　　``Thatwasalie，''saidTheRatpromptly。
　　Marconeitherlaughednorfrowned。
　　``HowdoweKNOW？''hesaid。``Itwasanative'sstory，anditmightbeanything。Myfatherneithersaiditwastruenorfalse。
　　Helistenedtoallthatwastoldhimbynatives。Theysaidthattheholymanwasthebrotherofthestars。Heknewallthingspastandtocome，andcouldhealthesick。Butmostpeople，especiallythosewhohadsinfulthoughts，wereafraidtogonearhim。''
　　``I'dliketohaveseen——''TheRatponderedaloud，buthedidnotfinish。
　　``Beforemyfatherwaswell，hehadmadeuphismindtotraveltotheledgeifhecould。Hefeltasifhemustgo。Hethoughtthatifheweregoingtodie，thehermitmighttellhimsomewisethingtodoforSamavia。''
　　``HemighthavegivenhimamessagetoleavetotheSecretOnes，''saidTheRat。
　　``Hewassoweakwhenhesetoutonhisjourneythathewonderedifhewouldreachtheendofit。Partofthewayhetraveledbybullockcart，andpart，hewascarriedbynatives。Butatlastthebearerscametoaplacemorethanhalfwayupthemountain，andwouldgonofurther。Thentheywentbackandlefthimtoclimbtherestofthewayhimself。Theyhadtraveledslowlyandhehadgotmorestrength，buthewasweakyet。Theforestwasmorewonderfulthananythinghehadeverseen。Thereweretropicaltreeswithfoliagelikelace，andsomewithhugeleaves，andsomeofthemseemedtoreachthesky。Sometimeshecouldbarelyseegleamsofbluethroughthem。Andvinesswungdownfromtheirhighbranches，andcaughteachother，andmattedtogether；andtherewerehotscents，andstrangeflowers，anddazzlingbirdsdartingabout，andthickmoss，andlittlecascadesburstingout。Thepathgrewnarrowerandsteeper，andtheflowerscentsandthesultrinessmadeitlikewalkinginahothouse。Heheardrustlingsintheundergrowth，whichmighthavebeenmadebyanykindofwildanimal；oncehesteppedacrossadeadlysnakewithoutseeingit。Butitwasasleepanddidnothurthim。Heknewthenativeshadbeenconvincedthathewouldnotreachtheledge；butforsomestrangereasonhebelievedheshould。Hestoppedandrestedmanytimes，andhedranksomemilkhehadbroughtinacanteen。Thehigherheclimbed，themorewonderfuleverythingwas，andastrangefeelingbegantofillhim。Hesaidhisbodystoppedbeingtiredandbegantofeelverylight。Andhisloadlifteditselffromhisheart，asifitwerenothisloadanymorebutbelongedtosomethingstronger。EvenSamaviaseemedtobesafe。Ashewenthigherandhigher，andlookeddowntheabyssattheworldbelow，itappearedasifitwerenotrealbutonlyadreamhehadwakenedfrom——onlyadream。''
　　TheRatmovedrestlessly。
　　``Perhapshewaslight-headedwiththefever，''hesuggested。
　　``Thefeverhadlefthim，andtheweaknesshadlefthim，''Marcoanswered。``Itseemedasifhehadneverreallybeenillatall——asifnoonecouldbeill，becausethingslikethatwereonlydreams，justastheworldwas。''
　　``IwishI'dbeenwithhim！PerhapsIcouldhavethrowntheseaway——downintotheabyss！''AndTheRatshookhiscrutcheswhichrestedagainstthetable。``IfeelasifIwasclimbing，too。Goon。''
　　MarcohadbecomemoreabsorbedthanTheRat。Hehadlosthimselfinthememoryofthestory。
　　``Ifeltthat_I_wasclimbing，whenhetoldme，''hesaid。``I
　　feltasifIwerebreathinginthehotflower-scentsandpushingasidethebigleavesandgiantferns。Therehadbeenarain，andtheywerewetandshiningwithbigdrops，likejewels，thatshoweredoverhimashethrusthiswaythroughandunderthem。
　　Andthestillnessandtheheight——thestillnessandtheheight！
　　Ican'tmakeitrealtoyouashemadeittome！Ican't！Iwasthere。Hetookme。Anditwassohigh——andsostill——andsobeautifulthatIcouldscarcelybearit。''
　　Butthetruthwas，thatwithsomevividboy-touchhehadcarriedhishearerfar。TheRatwasdeadlyquiet。Evenhiseyeshadnotmoved。Hespokealmostasifhewereinasortoftrance。
　　``It'sreal，''hesaid。``I'mtherenow。Ashighasyou——goon——goon。Iwanttoclimbhigher。''
　　AndMarco，understanding，wenton。
　　``Thedaywasoverandthestarswereoutwhenhereachedtheplaceweretheledgewas。Hesaidhethoughtthatduringthelastpartoftheclimbheneverlookedontheearthatall。Thestarsweresoimmensethathecouldnotlookawayfromthem。
　　Theyseemedtobedrawinghimup。Andalloverheadwaslikevioletvelvet，andtheyhungtherelikegreatlampsofradiance。
　　Canyouseethem？Youmustseethem。Myfathersawthemallnightlong。Theywerepartofthewonder。''
　　``Iseethem，''TheRatanswered，stillinhistrance-likevoiceandwithoutstirring，andMarcoknewhedid。
　　``Andthere，withthehugestarswatchingit，wasthehutontheledge。Andtherewasnoonethere。Thedoorwasopen。Andoutsideitwasalowbenchandtableofstone。Andonthetablewasamealofdatesandrice，waiting。Notfarfromthehutwasadeepspring，whichranawayinaclearbrook。Myfatherdrankandbathedhisfacethere。Thenhewentoutontheledge，andsatdownandwaited，withhisfaceturneduptothestars。Hedidnotliedown，andhethoughthesawthestarsallthetimehewaited。Hewassurehedidnotsleep。Hedidnotknowhowlonghesattherealone。Butatlasthedrewhiseyesfromthestars，asifhehadbeencommandedtodoit。Andhewasnotaloneanymore。Ayardorsoawayfromhimsattheholyman。Heknewitwasthehermitbecausehiseyesweredifferentfromanyhumaneyeshehadeverbeheld。Theywereasstillasthenightwas，andasdeepastheshadowscoveringtheworldthousandsoffeetbelow，andtheyhadafar，farlook，andastrangelightwasinthem。''
　　``Whatdidhesay？''askedTheRathoarsely。
　　``Heonlysaid，`Rise，myson。Iawaitedthee。GoandeatthefoodIpreparedforthee，andthenwewillspeaktogether。'Hedidn'tmoveorspeakagainuntilmyfatherhadeatenthemeal。
　　Heonlysatonthemossandlethiseyesrestontheshadowsovertheabyss。Whenmyfatherwentback，hemadeagesturewhichmeantthatheshouldsitnearhim。
　　``Thenhesatstillforseveralminutes，andlethiseyesrestonmyfather，untilhefeltasifthelightinthemweresetinthemidstofhisownbodyandhissoul。Thenhesaid，`Icannottelltheeallthouwouldstknow。ThatImaynotdo。'Hehadawonderfulgentlevoice，likeadeepsoftbell。`Buttheworkwillbedone。Thylifeandthyson'slifewillsetitonitsway。'
　　``Theysatthroughthewholenighttogether。Andthestarshungquitenear，asiftheylistened。Andthereweresoundsinthebushesofstealthy，paddingfeetwhichwanderedaboutasiftheownersofthemlistenedtoo。Andthewonderful，low，peacefulvoiceoftheholymanwentonandon，tellingofwonderswhichseemedlikemiraclesbutwhichweretohimonlythe`workingoftheLaw。'''
　　``WhatistheLaw？''TheRatbrokein。
　　``Thereweretwomyfatherwrotedown，andIlearnedthem。ThefirstwasthelawofTheOne。I'lltrytosaythat，''andhecoveredhiseyesandwaitedthroughamomentofsilence。
　　ItseemedtoTheRatasiftheroomheldanextraordinarystillness。
　　``Listen！''camenext。``Thisisit：
　　```Thereareamyriadworlds。ThereisbutOneThoughtoutofwhichtheygrew。ItsLawisOrderwhichcannotswerve。Itscreaturesarefreetochoose。OnlytheycancreateDisorder，whichinitselfisPainandWoeandHateandFear。Thesetheyalonecanbringforth。TheGreatOneisaGoldenLight。Itisnotremotebutnear。Holdthyselfwithinitsglowandthouwiltbeholdallthingsclearly。First，withallthybreathingbeing，knowonething！Thatthineownthought——whensothoustandest——isonewithThatwhichthoughttheWorlds！'''
　　``What？''gaspedTheRat。``MYthought——thethings_I_think！''
　　``Yourthoughts——boys'thoughts——anybody'sthoughts。''
　　``You'regivingmethejim-jams！''
　　``Hesaidit，''answeredMarco。``AnditwasthenhespokeaboutthebrokenLink——andaboutthegreatestbooksintheworld——thatinalltheirdifferentways，theywereonlysayingoverandoveragainonethingthousandsoftimes。Justthisthing——`Hatenot，Fearnot，Love。'AndhesaidthatwasOrder。Andwhenitwasdisturbed，sufferingcame——povertyandmiseryandcatastropheandwars。''
　　``Wars！''TheRatsaidsharply。``TheWorldcouldn'tdowithoutwar——andarmiesanddefences！WhataboutSamavia？''
　　``Myfatheraskedhimthat。Andthisiswhatheanswered。I
　　learnedthattoo。Letmethinkagain，''andhewaitedashehadwaitedbefore。Thenheliftedhishead。``Listen！Thisisit：
　　```OutoftheblacknessofDisorderanditsoutpouringofhumanmisery，therewillarisetheOrderwhichisPeace。WhenManlearnsthatheisonewiththeThoughtwhichitselfcreatesallbeauty，allpower，allsplendor，andallrepose，hewillnotfearthathisbrothercanrobhimofhisheart'sdesire。HewillstandintheLightanddrawtohimselfhisown。'''
　　``Drawtohimself？''TheRatsaid。``Drawwhathewants？I
　　don'tbelieveit！''
　　``Nobodydoes，''saidMarco。``Wedon'tknow。Hesaidwestoodinthedarkofthenight——withoutstars——anddidnotknowthatthebrokenchainswungjustaboveus。''
　　``Idon'tbelieveit！''saidTheRat。``It'stoobig！''
　　Marcodidnotsaywhetherhebelieveditornot。Heonlywentonspeaking。
　　``Myfatherlisteneduntilhefeltasifhehadstoppedbreathing。JustatthestillestofthestillnesstheBuddhiststoppedspeaking。Andtherewasarustlingoftheundergrowthafewyardsaway，asifsomethingbigwaspushingitswaythrough——andtherewasthesoftpadoffeet。TheBuddhistturnedhisheadandmyfatherheardhimsaysoftly：`Comeforth，Sister。'
　　``Andahugeleopardesswithtwocubswalkedoutontotheledgeandcametohimandthrewherselfdownwithaheavylungenearhisfeet。''
　　``Yourfathersawthat！''criedoutTheRat。``Youmeantheoldfellowknewsomethingthatmadewildbeastsafraidtotouchhimoranyonenearhim？''
　　``Notafraid。Theyknewhewastheirbrother，andthathewasonewiththeLaw。HehadlivedsolongwiththeGreatThoughtthatalldarknessandfearhadlefthimforever。HehadmendedtheChain。''
　　TheRathadreacheddeepwaters。Heleanedforward——hishandsburrowinginhishair，hisfacescowlingandtwisted，hiseyesboringintospace。Hehadclimbedtotheledgeatthemountain-top；hehadseentheluminousimmensityofthestars，andhehadlookeddownintotheshadowsfillingtheworldthousandsoffeetbelow。Wastheresomeremotedeepinhimfromwhosedarknessaslowlightwasrising？AllthatLoristanhadsaidheknewmustbetrue。Buttherestofit——？
　　Marcogotupandcameovertohim。Helookedlikehisfatheragain。
　　``IfthedescendantoftheLostPrinceisbroughtbacktoruleSamavia，hewillteachhispeopletheLawoftheOne。Itwasforthattheholymantaughtmyfatheruntilthedawncame。''
　　``Whowill——whowillteachtheLostPrince——thenewKing——whenheisfound？''TheRatcried。``Whowillteachhim？''
　　``Thehermitsaidmyfatherwould。Hesaidhewouldalsoteachhisson——andthatsonwouldteachhisson——andhewouldteachhis。Andthroughsuchastheywere，thewholeworldwouldcometoknowtheOrderandtheLaw。''
　　NeverhadTheRatlookedsostrangeandfierceathing。Awholeworldatpeace！Notactics——nobattles——noslaughteredheroes——noclashofarms，andfame！Itmadehimfeelsick。Andyet——
　　somethingsethischestheaving。
　　``Andyourfatherwouldteachhimthat——whenhewasfound！Sothathecouldteachhissons。YourfatherBELIEVESinit？''
　　``Yes，''Marcoanswered。Hesaidnothingbut``Yes。''TheRatthrewhimselfforwardonthetable，facedownward。
　　``Then，''hesaid，``hemustmakemebelieveit。Hemustteachme——ifhecan。''
　　Theyheardaclumpingstepuponthestaircase，and，whenitreachedthelanding，itstoppedattheirdoor。Thentherewasasolidknock。
　　WhenMarcoopenedthedoor，theyoungsoldierwhohadescortedhimfromtheHof-Theaterwasstandingoutside。Helookedasuninterestedandstolidasbefore，ashehandedinasmallflatpackage。
　　``YoumusthavedroppeditnearyourseatattheOpera，''hesaid。``Iwastogiveitintoyourownhands。Itisyourpurse。''
　　Afterhehadclumpeddownthestaircaseagain，MarcoandTheRatdrewaquickbreathatoneandthesametime。
　　``IhadnoseatandIhadnopurse，''Marcosaid。``Letusopenit。''
　　Therewasaflatlimpleathernote-holderinside。Initwasapaper，attheheadofwhichwerephotographsoftheLovelyPersonandhercompanion。Beneathwereafewlineswhichstatedthattheywerethewellknownspies，EugeniaKarovnaandPaulVarel，andthatthebearermustbeprotectedagainstthem。ItwassignedbytheChiefofthePolice。Onaseparatesheetwaswrittenthecommand：``Carrythiswithyouasprotection。''
　　``Thatishelp，''TheRatsaid。``Itwouldprotectus，eveninanothercountry。TheChancellorsentit——butyoumadethestrongcall——andit'shere！''
　　Therewasnostreetlamptoshineintotheirwindowswhentheywentatlasttobed。Whentheblindwasdrawnup，theywerenearertheskythantheyhadbeenintheMaryleboneRoad。Thelastthingeachofthemsaw，ashewenttosleep，wasthestars——andintheirdreams，theysawthemgrowlargerandlarger，andhanglikelampsofradianceagainsttheviolet——velvetskyabovealedgeofaHimalayanMountain，wheretheylistenedtothesoundofalowvoicegoingonandonandon。
　　XXII
　　ANIGHTVIGIL
　　OnahillinthemidstofagreatAustrianplain，aroundwhichhighAlpswaitwatchingthroughtheagesstandsavenerablefortress，almostmorebeautifulthananythingonehaseverseen。
　　Perhaps，ifitwerenotforthegreatplainfloweringbroadlyaboutitwithitswide-spreadbeautiesofmeadow-land，andwood，anddimtonedbuildingsgatheredaboutfarms，anditsdreamofasmallancientcityatitsfeet，itmight——thoughitistobedoubted——seemsomethinglessamarvelofmedievalpicturesqueness。Butoutoftheplainrisesthelowhill，andsurroundingitatastatelydistancestandsguardthegiantmajestyofAlps，withshouldersinthecloudsandgod-likeheadsabovethem，lookingon——alwayslookingon——sometimesthemselvesetherealcloudsofsnow-whiteness，sometimesmonsterbarecragswhichpiercetheblue，andwhoseunchangingsilenceseemstoknowthesecretoftheeverlasting。Andonthehillwhichthisaugustcircleholdsinitsembrace，asthoughitenclosedatreasure，standstheold，old，toweredfortressbuiltasacitadelforthePrinceArchbishops，whowerekingsintheirdomaininthelongpastcenturieswhenthesplendorandpowerofecclesiasticalprinceswasamongthegreatestuponearth。
　　Andasyouapproachthetown——andasyouleaveit——andasyouwalkthroughitsstreets，thebroadcalmempty-lookingones，orthenarrowthoroughfareswhosehousesseemsoneartoeachother，whetheryouclimbordescend——orcrossbridges，orgazeatchurches，orstepoutonyourbalconyatnighttolookatthemountainsandthemoon——alwaysitseemsthatfromsomepointyoucanseeitgazingdownatyou——thecitadelofHohen-Salzburg。
　　ItwastoSalzburgtheywentnext，becauseatSalzburgwastobefoundthemanwholookedlikeahair-dresserandwhoworkedinabarber'sshop。Strangeasitmightseem，tohimalsomustbecarriedtheSign。
　　``Theremaybepeoplewhocometohimtobeshaved——soldiers，ormenwhoknowthings，''TheRatworkeditout，``andhecanspeaktothemwhenheisstandingclosetothem。Itwillbeeasytogetnearhim。Youcangoandhaveyourhaircut。''
　　ThejourneyfromMunichwasnotalongone，andduringthelatterpartofittheyhadthewooden-seatedthird-classcarriagetothemselves。Eventhedrowsyoldpeasantwhonoddedandsleptinonecornergotoutwithhisbundlesatlast。ToMarcothemountainswerelong-knownwonderswhichcouldnevergrowold。
　　Theyhadalwaysandalwaysbeensoold！Surelytheyhadbeenthefirstoftheworld！Surelytheyhadbeenstandingtherewaitingwhenitwassaid``LettherebeLight。''TheLighthadknownitwouldfindthemthere。Theyweresosilent，andyetitseemedasiftheysaidsomeamazingthing——somethingwhichwouldtakeyourbreathfromyouifyoucouldhearit。Andtheyneverchanged。
　　Thecloudschanged，theywreathedthem，andhidthem，andtraileddownthem，andpouredoutstormtorrentsonthem，andthunderedagainstthem，anddartedforkedlightningsroundthem。Butthemountainsstoodthereafterwardsasifsuchthingshadnotbeenandwerenotintheworld。Windsroaredandtoreatthem，centuriespassedoverthem——centuriesofmillionsoflives，ofchangingofkingdomsandempires，ofbattlesandworld-widefamewhichgrewanddiedandpassedaway；andtemplescrumbled，andkings'tombswereforgotten，andcitieswereburiedandothersbuiltoverthemafterhundredsofyears——andperhapsafewstonesfellfromamountainside，orafissurewasworn，whichthepeoplebelowcouldnotevensee。Andthatwasall。Theretheystood，andperhapstheirsecretwasthattheyhadbeenthereforeverandever。ThatwaswhatthemountainssaidtoMarco，whichwaswhyhedidnotwanttotalkmuch，butsatandgazedoutofthecarriagewindow。
　　TheRathadbeenverysilentallthemorning。Hehadbeensilentwhentheygotup，andhehadscarcelyspokenwhentheymadetheirwaytothestationatMunichandsatwaitingfortheirtrain。ItseemedtoMarcothathewasthinkingsohardthathewaslikeapersonwhowasfarawayfromtheplacehestoodin。Hisbrowsweredrawntogetherandhiseyesdidnotseemtoseethepeoplewhopassedby。Usuallyhesaweverythingandmadeshrewdremarksonalmostallhesaw。Butto-dayhewassomehowotherwiseabsorbed。Hesatinthetrainwithhisforeheadagainstthewindowandstaredout。HemovedandgaspedwhenhefoundhimselfstaringattheAlps，butafterwardshewasevenstrangelystill。
　　Itwasnotuntilafterthesleepyoldpeasanthadgatheredhisbundlesandgotoutatastationthathespoke，andhediditwithoutturninghishead。
　　``Youonlytoldmeoneofthetwolaws，''hesaid。``Whatwastheotherone？''
　　Marcobroughthimselfbackfromhisdreamofreachingthehighestmountain-topandseeingcloudsfloatbeneathhisfeetinthesun。
　　Hehadtocomebackalongway。
　　``Areyouthinkingofthat？Iwonderedwhatyouhadbeenthinkingofallthemorning，''hesaid。
　　``Icouldn'tstopthinkingofit。Whatwasthesecondone？''
　　saidTheRat，buthedidnotturnhishead。
　　``ItwascalledtheLawofEarthlyLiving。Itwasforeveryday，''saidMarco。``Itwasfortheorderingofcommonthings——thesmallthingswethinkdon'tmatter，aswellasthebigones。Ialwaysrememberthatonewithoutanytrouble。Thiswasit：
　　```Letpassthroughthymind，myson，onlytheimagethouwouldstdesiretoseebecomeatruth。Meditateonlyuponthewishofthyheart——seeingfirstthatitissuchascanwrongnomanandisnotignoble。Thenwillittakeearthlyformanddrawneartothee。
　　```ThisistheLawofThatwhichCreates。'''
　　ThenTheRatturnedround。Hehadashrewdlyreasoningmind。
　　``Thatsoundsasifyoucouldgetanythingyouwanted，ifyouthinkaboutitlongenoughandintherightway，''hesaid。
　　``Butperhapsitonlymeansthat，ifyoudoit，you'llbehappyafteryou'redead。Myfatherusedtoshoutwithlaughingwhenhewasdrunkandtalkedaboutthingslikethatandlookedathisrags。''
　　Hehuggedhiskneesforafewminutes。Hewasrememberingtherags，andthefog-darkenedroomintheslums，andtheloud，hideouslaughter。
　　``Whatifyouwantsomethingthatwillharmsomebodyelse？''hesaidnext。``Whatifyouhatesomeoneandwishyoucouldkillhim？''
　　``Thatwasoneofthequestionsmyfatheraskedthatnightontheledge。Theholymansaidpeoplealwaysaskedit，''Marcoanswered。``Thiswastheanswer：
　　```Lethimwhostretchethforthhishandtodrawthelightningtohisbrotherrecallthatthroughhisownsoulandbodywillpassthebolt。'''
　　``Wonderifthere'sanythinginit？''TheRatpondered。``It'dmakeachapcarefulifhebelievedit！Revengingyourselfonamanwouldbelikeholdinghimagainstalivewiretokillhimandgettingallthevoltsthroughyourself。''
　　Asuddenanxietyrevealeditselfinhisface。
　　``Doesyourfatherbelieveit？''heasked。``Doeshe？''
　　``Heknowsitistrue，''Marcosaid。
　　``I'llownup，''TheRatdecidedafterfurtherreflection——``I'llownupI'mgladthatthereisn'tanyoneleftthatI'veagrudgeagainst。Thereisn'tanyone——now。''
　　Thenhefellagainintosilenceanddidnotspeakuntiltheirjourneywasatanend。Astheyarrivedearlyintheday，theyhadplentyoftimetowanderaboutthemarvelouslittleoldcity。
　　Butthroughthewidestreetsandthroughthenarrowones，underthearchwaysintothemarketgardens，acrossthebridgeandintothesquarewherethe``glockenspiel''playeditsoldtinklingtune，everywheretheCitadellookeddownandalwaysTheRatwalkedoninhisdream。
　　Theyfoundthehair-dresser'sshopinoneofthenarrowstreets。
　　Therewerenograndshopsthere，andthisparticularshopwasamodestone。Theywalkedpastitonce，andthenwentback。Itwasashopsohumblethattherewasnothingremarkableintwocommonboysgoingintoittohavetheirhaircut。Anoldmancameforwardtoreceivethem。Hewasevidentlygladoftheirmodestpatronage。HeundertooktoattendtoTheRathimself，but，havingarrangedhiminachair，heturnedaboutandcalledtosomeoneinthebackroom。
　　``Heinrich，''hesaid。
　　IntheslitinMarco'ssleevewasthesketchofthemanwithsmoothcurledhair，wholookedlikeahair-dresser。Theyhadfoundacornerinwhichtotaketheirfinallookatitbeforetheyturnedbacktocomein。Heinrich，whocameforthfromthesmallbackroom，hadsmoothcurledhair。Helookedextremelylikeahair-dresser。Hehadfeatureslikethoseinthesketch——hisnoseandmouthandchinandfigurewerelikewhatMarcohaddrawnandcommittedtomemory。But——
　　HegaveMarcoachairandtiedtheprofessionalwhitecoveringaroundhisneck。Marcoleanedbackandclosedhiseyesamoment。
　　``ThatisNOTtheman！''hewassayingtohimself。``HeisNOT
　　theman。''
　　Howheknewhewasnot，hecouldnothaveexplained，buthefeltsure。Itwasastrongconviction。Butforthesuddenfeeling，nothingwouldhavebeeneasierthantogivetheSign。Andifhecouldnotgiveitnow，wherewastheonetowhomitmustbespoken，andwhatwouldbetheresultifthatonecouldnotbefound？Andifthereweretwowhoweresomuchalike，howcouldhebesure？
　　Eachownerofeachofthepicturedfaceswasalinkinapowerfulsecretchain；andifalinkweremissed，thechainwouldbebroken。EachtimeHeinrichcamewithinthelineofhisvision，herecordedeveryfeatureafreshandcompareditwiththerememberedsketch。Eachtimetheresemblancebecamemoreclose，buteachtimesomepersistentinnerconvictionrepeated，``No；
　　theSignisnotforhim！''
　　Itwasdisturbing，also，tofindthatTheRatwasallatonceasrestlessashehadpreviouslybeensilentandpreoccupied。Hemovedinhischair，tothegreatdiscomfortoftheoldhair-dresser。Hekeptturninghisheadtotalk。HeaskedMarcototranslatediversquestionshewishedhimtoaskthetwomen。
　　TheywerequestionsabouttheCitadel——abouttheMonchsberg——theResidenz——theGlockenspiel——themountains。Headdedonequerytoanotherandcouldnotsitstill。
　　``Theyounggentlemanwillgetanearsnipped，''saidtheoldmantoMarco。``Anditwillnotbemyfault。''
　　``WhatshallIdo？''Marcowasthinking。``Heisnottheman。''
　　HedidnotgivetheSign。Hemustgoawayandthinkitout，thoughwherehisthoughtswouldleadhimhedidnotknow。Thiswasamoredifficultproblemthanhehadeverdreamedoffacing。
　　Therewasnoonetoaskadviceof。OnlyhimselfandTheRat，whowasnervouslywrigglingandtwistinginhischair。
　　``Youmustsitstill，''hesaidtohim。``Thehair-dresserisafraidyouwillmakehimcutyoubyaccident。''
　　``ButIwanttoknowwholivesattheResidenz？''saidTheRat。
　　``Thesemencantellusthingsifyouaskthem。''
　　``Itisdonenow，''saidtheoldhair-dresserwitharelievedair。``Perhapsthecuttingofhishairmakestheyounggentlemannervous。Itissometimesso。''
　　TheRatstoodclosetoMarco'schairandaskedquestionsuntilHeinrichalsohaddonehiswork。Marcocouldnotunderstandhiscompanion'schangeofmood。Herealizedthat，ifhehadwishedtogivetheSign，hehadbeenallowednoopportunity。Hecouldnothavegivenit。Therestlessquestioninghadsodirectedtheolderman'sattentiontohissonandMarcothatnothingcouldhavebeensaidtoHeinrichwithouthisobservingit。
　　``Icouldnothavespokenifhehadbeentheman，''Marcosaidtohimself。
　　Theirveryexitfromtheshopseemedalittlehurried。Whentheywerefairlyinthestreet，TheRatmadeaclutchatMarco'sarm。
　　``Youdidn'tgiveit？''hewhisperedbreathlessly。``Ikepttalkingandtalkingtopreventyou。''
　　Marcotriednottofeelbreathless，andhetriedtospeakinalowandlevelvoicewithnohintofexclamationinit。
　　``Whydidyousaythat？''heasked。
　　TheRatdrewclosertohim。
　　``Thatwasnottheman！''hewhispered。``Itdoesn'tmatterhowmuchhelookslikehim，heisn'ttherightone。''
　　Hewaspaleandswingingalongswiftlyasifhewereinahurry。
　　``Let'sgetintoaquietplace，''hesaid。``Thosequeerthingsyou'vebeentellingmehavegotholdofme。HowdidIknow？HowcouldIknow——unlessit'sbecauseI'vebeentryingtoworkthatsecondlaw？I'vebeensayingtomyselfthatweshouldbetoldtherightthingstodo——fortheGameandforyourfather——andsothatIcouldbetherightsortofaide-de-camp。I'vebeenworkingatit，and，whenhecameout，Iknewhewasnotthemaninspiteofhislooks。AndIcouldn'tbesureyouknew，andI
　　thought，ifIkeptontalkingandinterruptingyouwithsillyquestions，youcouldbepreventedfromspeaking。''
　　``There'saplacenotfarawaywherewecangetalookatthemountains。Let'sgothereandsitdown，''saidMarco。``Iknewitwasnottherightone，too。It'stheHelpoveragain。''
　　``Yes，it'stheHelp——it'stheHelp——itmustbe，''mutteredTheRat，walkingfastandwithapale，setface。``Itcouldnotbeanythingelse。''
　　Theygotawayfromthestreetsandthepeopleandreachedthequietplacewheretheycouldseethemountains。Theretheysatdownbythewayside。TheRattookoffhiscapandwipedhisforehead，butitwasnotonlythequickwalkingwhichhadmadeitdamp。
　　``Thequeernessofitgavemeakindoffright，''hesaid。
　　``Whenhecameoutandhewasnearenoughformetoseehim，asuddenstrongfeelingcameoverme。ItseemedasifIknewhewasn'ttheman。ThenIsaidtomyself——`buthelookslikehim'——andIbegantogetnervous。AndthenIwassureagain——andthenIwantedtotrytostopyoufromgivinghimtheSign。Andthenitallseemedfoolishness——andthenextsecondallthethingsyouhadtoldmerushedbacktomeatonce——andI
　　rememberedwhatIhadbeenthinkingeversince——andI
　　said——`Perhapsit'stheLawbeginningtowork，'andthepalmsofmyhandsgotmoist。''
　　Marcowasveryquiet。Hewaslookingatthefarthestandhighestpeaksandwonderingaboutmanythings。
　　``Itwastheexpressionofhisfacethatwasdifferent，''hesaid。``Andhiseyes。Theyarerathersmallerthantherightman'sare。Thelightintheshopwaspoor，anditwasnotuntilthelasttimehebentovermethatIfoundoutwhatIhadnotseenbefore。Hiseyesaregray——theotheronesarebrown。''
　　``Didyouseethat！''TheRatexclaimed。``Thenwe'resure！
　　We'resafe！''
　　``We'renotsafetillwe'vefoundtherightman，''Marcosaid。
　　``Whereishe？Whereishe？Whereishe？''
　　Hesaidthewordsdreamilyandquietly，asifhewerelostinthought——butalsoratherasifheexpectedananswer。Andhestilllookedatthefar-offpeaks。TheRat，afterwatchinghimamomentorso，begantolookatthemalso。Theywerelikealoadstonetohimtoo。Therewassomethingstillingaboutthem，andwhenyoureyeshadresteduponthemafewmomentstheydidnotwanttomoveaway。
　　``Theremustbealedgeuptheresomewhere，''hesaidatlast。
　　``Let'sgoupandlookforitandsitthereandthinkandthink——
　　aboutfindingtherightman。''
　　ThereseemednothingfantasticinthistoMarco。Togointosomequietplaceandsitandthinkaboutthethinghewantedtorememberortofindoutwasanoldwayofhis。Tobequietwasalwaysthebestthing，hisfatherhadtaughthim。Itwaslikelisteningtosomethingwhichcouldspeakwithoutwords。
　　``ThereisalittletrainwhichgoesuptheGaisberg，''hesaid。
　　``Whenyouareatthetop，aworldofmountainsspreadsaroundyou。Lazaruswentonceandtoldme。Andwecanlieoutonthegrassallnight。Letusgo，Aide-de-camp。''
　　Sotheywent，eachonethinkingthesamethought，andeachboy-mindholdingitsownvision。Marcowasthecalmerofthetwo，becausehisbeliefthattherewasalwayshelptobefoundwasanaccustomedoneandhadceasedtoseemtopartakeofthesupernatural。Hebelievedquitesimplythatitwastheworkingofalaw，notthebreakingofone，whichgaveanswerandledhiminhisquests。TheRat，whohadknownnothingoflawsotherthanthoseadministeredbypolice-courts，wasatonceawedandfascinatedbythesuggestionofcrossingsomeborderlandoftheUnknown。ThelawoftheOnehadbaffledandoverthrownhim，withitssweepingawayoftheenmitiesofpassionswhichcreatedwarsandcalledforarmies。ButtheLawofEarthlyLivingseemedtoofferpracticalbenefitsifyoucouldholdontoyourselfenoughtoworkit。
　　``Youwouldn'tgeteverythingfornothing，asfarasIcanmakeout，''hehadsaidtoMarco。``You'dhavetosweepalltherubbishoutofyourmind——sweepitasifyoudiditwithabroom——andthenkeeponthinkingstraightandbelievingyouweregoingtogetthings——andworkingforthem——andthey'dcome。''
　　Thenhehadlaughedashortuglylaughbecauseherecalledsomething。
　　``TherewassomethingintheBiblethatmyfatherusedtojeerabout——somethingaboutamangettingwhatheprayedforifhebelievedit，''hesaid。
　　``Oh，yes，it'sthere，''saidMarco。``Thatifamanpraybelievingheshallreceivewhatheasksitshallbegivenhim。
　　Allthebookssaysomethinglikeit。It'sbeensaidsooftenitmakesyoubelieveit。''
　　``Hedidn'tbelieveit，andIdidn't，''saidTheRat。
　　``Nobodydoes——really，''answeredMarco，ashehaddoneoncebefore。``It'sbecausewedon'tknow。''
　　TheywentuptheGaisberginthelittletrain，whichpushedanddraggedandpantedslowlyupwardwiththem。IttookthemwithitstubbornlyandgraduallyhigherandhigheruntilithadleftSalzburgandtheCitadelbelowandhadreachedtheworldofmountainswhichroseandspreadandliftedgreatheadsbehindeachotherandbesideeachotherandbeyondeachotheruntilthereseemednootherlandonearthbutthatonmountainsidesandbacksandshouldersandcrowns。Andalsoonefelttheabsurdityoflivinguponflatground，wherelifemustbeaninsignificantthing。
　　Therewereonlyafewsight-seersinthesmallcarriages，andtheyweregoingtolookattheviewfromthesummit。Theywerenotinsearchofaledge。
　　TheRatandMarcowere。Whenthelittletrainstoppedatthetop，theygotoutwiththerest。Theywanderedaboutwiththemovertheshortgrassonthetreelesssummitandlookedoutfromthisviewpointandtheother。TheRatgrewmoreandmoresilent，andhissilencewasnotmerelyamatterofspeechlessnessbutofexpression。HeLOOKEDsilentandasifhewerenolongerawareoftheearth。Theyleftthesight-seersatlastandwanderedawaybythemselves。Theyfoundaledgewheretheycouldsitorlieandwhereeventheworldofmountainsseemedbelowthem。
　　Theyhadbroughtsomesimplefoodwiththem，andtheylaiditbehindajuttingbitofrock。Whenthesight-seersboardedthelaboringlittletrainagainandweredraggedbackdownthemountain，theirnightofvigilwouldbegin。
　　Thatwaswhatitwastobe。Anightofstillnessontheheights，wheretheycouldwaitandwatchandholdthemselvesreadytohearanythoughtwhichspoketothem。
　　TheRatwassothrilledthathewouldnothavebeensurprisedifhehadheardavoicefromtheplaceofthestars。ButMarcoonlybelievedthatinthisgreatstillnessandbeauty，ifheheldhisboy-soulquietenough，heshouldfindhimselfatlastthinkingofsomethingthatwouldleadhimtotheplacewhichheldwhatitwasbestthatheshouldfind。Thepeoplereturnedtothetrainanditsetoutuponitswaydownthesteepness。
　　Theyhearditlaboringonitsway，asthoughitwasforcedtomakeasmuchefforttoholditselfbackasithadmadetodragitselfupward。
　　Thentheywerealone，anditwasalonenesssuchasaneaglemightfeelwhenithelditselfpoisedhighinthecurveofblue。
　　Andtheysatandwatched。Theysawthesungodownand，shadebyshade，deepenandmakeradiantandthendrawawaywithitthelasttouchesofcolor——rose-gold，rose-purple，androse-gray。
　　Onemountain-topafteranotherhelditsblushafewmomentsandlostit。Ittooklongtogatherthemallbutatlengththeyweregoneandthemarvelofnightfell。
　　Thebreathoftheforestsbelowwassweetaboutthem，andsoundlessnessenclosedthemwhichwasofunearthlypeace。Thestarsbegantoshowthemselves，andpresentlythetwowhowaitedfoundtheirfacesturnedupwardtotheskyandtheybothwerespeakinginwhispers。
　　``Thestarslooklargehere，''TheRatsaid。
　　``Yes，''answeredMarco。``WearenotashighastheBuddhistwas，butitseemslikethetopoftheworld。''
　　``Thereisalightonthesideofthemountainyonderwhichisnotastar，''TheRatwhispered。
　　``Itisalightinahutwheretheguidestaketheclimberstorestandtospendthenight，''answeredMarco。
　　``Itissostill，''TheRatwhisperedagainafterasilence，andMarcowhisperedback：
　　``Itissostill。''
　　Theyhadeatentheirmealofblackbreadandcheeseafterthesettingofthesun，andnowtheylaydownontheirbacksandlookedupuntilthefirstfewstarshadmultipliedthemselvesintomyriads。Theybeganalittlelowtalk，butthesoundlessnesswasstrongerthanthemselves。
　　``HowamIgoingtoholdontothatsecondlaw？''TheRatsaidrestlessly。```Letpassthroughthymindonlytheimagethouwouldstseebecomeatruth。'ThethingsthatarepassingthroughmymindarenotthethingsIwanttocometrue。Whatifwedon'tfindhim——don'tfindtherightone，Imean！''
　　``Liestill——still——andlookupatthestars，''whisperedMarco。
　　``TheygiveyouaSUREfeeling。''
　　Therewassomethinginthecuriousserenityofhimwhichcalmedevenhisaide-de-camp。TheRatlaystillandlooked——andlooked——andthought。Andwhathethoughtofwasthedesireofhisheart。Thesoundlessnessenwrappedhimandtherewasnoworldleft。Thattherewasasparkoflightinthemountain-climbers'rest-hutwasathingforgotten。
　　Theywereonlytwoboys，andtheyhadbeguntheirjourneyontheearliesttrainandhadbeenwalkingaboutalldayandthinkingofgreatandanxiousthings。
　　``Itissostill，''TheRatwhisperedagainatlast。
　　``Itissostill，''whisperedMarco。
　　Andthemountainsrisingbehindeachotherandbesideeachotherandbeyondeachotherinthenight，andalsothemyriadsofstarswhichhadsomultipliedthemselves，lookingdownknewthattheywereasleep——assleepthehumanthingswhichdonotwatchforever。
　　``Someoneissmoking，''Marcofoundhimselfsayinginadream。
　　Afterwhichheawakenedandfoundthatthesmokewasnotpartofadreamatall。Itcamefromthepipeofayoungmanwhohadanalpenstockandwholookedasifhehadclimbedtoseethesunrise。Heworetheclothesofaclimberandagreenhatwithatuftattheback。Helookeddownatthetwoboys，surprised。
　　``Goodday，''hesaid。``Didyousleepheresothatyoucouldseethesungetup？''
　　``Yes，''answeredMarco。
　　``Wereyoucold？''
　　``Weslepttoosoundlytoknow。Andwebroughtourthickcoats。''
　　``Islepthalf-waydownthemountains，''saidthesmoker。``Iamaguideinthesedays，butIhavenotbeenonelongenoughtomissasunriseitisnoworktoreach。MyfatherandbrotherthinkIammadaboutsuchthings。Theywouldratherstayintheirbeds。Oh！heisawake，ishe？''turningtowardTheRat，whohadrisenononeelbowandwasstaringathim。``Whatisthematter？Youlookasifyouwereafraidofme。''
　　MarcodidnotwaitforTheRattorecoverhisbreathandspeak。