``Iknowwhyhelooksatyouso，''heansweredforhim。``Heisstartled。Yesterdaywewenttoahair-dresser'sshopdownbelowthere，andwesawamanwhowasalmostexactlylikeyou——only——''headded，lookingup，``hiseyesweregrayandyoursarebrown。''
　　``Hewasmytwinbrother，''saidtheguide，puffingathispipecheerfully。``Myfatherthoughthecouldmakehair-dressersofusboth，andItrieditforfouryears。ButIalwayswantedtobeclimbingthemountainsandtherewerenotholidaysenough。SoIcutmyhair，andwashedthepomadeoutofit，andbrokeaway。
　　Idon'tlooklikeahair-dressernow，doI？''
　　Hedidnot。Notatall。ButMarcoknewhim。Hewastheman。
　　Therewasnooneonthemountain-topbutthemselves，andthesunwasjustshowingarimofgoldabovethefarthestandhighestgiant'sshoulders。Oneneednotbeafraidtodoanything，sincetherewasnoonetoseeorhear。Marcoslippedthesketchoutoftheslitinhissleeve。Helookedatitandhelookedattheguide，andthenheshowedittohim。
　　``Thatisnotyourbrother。Itisyou！''hesaid。
　　Theman'sfacechangedalittle——morethananyotherfacehadchangedwhenitsownerhadbeenspokento。Onamountain-topasthesunrisesoneisnotafraid。
　　``TheLampislighted，''saidMarco。``TheLampislighted。''
　　``Godbethanked！''burstforththeman。Andhetookoffhishatandbaredhishead。Thentherimbehindthemountain'sshoulderleapedforthintoagoldentorrentofsplendor。
　　AndTheRatstoodup，restinghisweightonhiscrutchesinuttersilence，andstaredandstared。
　　``Thatisthree！''saidMarco。
　　XXIII
　　THESILVERHORN
　　Duringthenextweek，whichtheyspentinjourneyingtowardsVienna，theygavetheSigntothreedifferentpersonsatplaceswhichwereontheway。InavillageacrossthefrontierinBavariatheyfoundagiantofanoldmansittingonabenchunderatreebeforehismountain``Gasthaus''orinn；andwhenthefourwordswereuttered，hestoodupandbaredhisheadastheguidehaddone。WhenMarcogavetheSigninsomequietplacetoamanwhowasalone，henoticedthattheyalldidthisandsaidtheir``Godbethanked''devoutly，asifitwerepartofsomereligiousceremony。Inasmalltownafewmilesawayhehadtosearchsomehoursbeforehefoundastalwartyoungshoemakerwithbrightredhairandahorseshoe-shapedscaronhisforehead。Hewasnotinhisworkshopwhentheboysfirstpassedit，because，astheyfoundoutlater，hehadbeenclimbingamountainthedaybefore，andhadbeendetainedinthedescentbecausehiscompanionhadhurthimself。
　　WhenMarcowentinandaskedhimtomeasurehimforapairofshoes，hewasquitefriendlyandtoldthemallaboutit。
　　``Therearesomegoodfellowswhoshouldnotclimb，''hesaid。
　　``Whentheyfindthemselvesstandingonabitofrockjuttingoutoveremptiness，theirheadsbegintowhirlround——andthen，iftheydon'tturnheadoverheelsafewthousandfeet，itisbecausesomecomradeisnearenoughtodragthemback。Therecanbenoceremonythenandtheysometimesgethurt——asmyfrienddidyesterday。''
　　``Didyounevergethurtyourself？''TheRatasked。
　　``WhenIwaseightyearsoldIdidthat，''saidtheyoungshoemaker，touchingthescaronhisforehead。``Butitwasnotmuch。Myfatherwasaguideandtookmewithhim。Hewantedmetobeginearly。Thereisnothinglikeit——climbing。Ishallbeatitagain。Thiswon'tdoforme。ItriedshoemakingbecauseI
　　wasinlovewithagirlwhowantedmetostayathome。Shemarriedanotherman。Iamgladofit。Onceaguide，alwaysaguide。''HekneltdowntomeasureMarco'sfoot，andMarcobentalittleforward。
　　``TheLampislighted，''hesaid。
　　Therewasnooneintheshop，butthedoorwasopenandpeoplewerepassinginthenarrowstreet；sotheshoemakerdidnotlifthisredhead。Hewentonmeasuring。
　　``Godbethanked！''hesaid，inalowvoice。``Doyouwanttheseshoesreally，ordidyouonlywantmetotakeyourmeasure？''
　　``Icannotwaituntiltheyaremade，''Marcoanswered。``Imustgoon。''
　　``Yes，youmustgoon，''answeredtheshoemaker。``ButI'lltellyouwhatI'lldo——I'llmakethemandkeepthem。SomegreatdaymightcomewhenIshallshowthemtopeopleandswaggeraboutthem。''Heglancedroundcautiously，andthenended，stillbendingoverhismeasuring。``TheywillbecalledtheshoesoftheBeareroftheSign。AndIshallsay，`Hewasonlyalad。
　　Thiswasthesizeofhisfoot。'''Thenhestoodupwithagreatsmile。
　　``There'llbeclimbingenoughtobedonenow，''hesaid，``andI
　　looktoseeyouagainsomewhere。''
　　Whentheboyswentaway，theytalkeditover。
　　``Thehair-dresserdidn'twanttobeahair-dresser，andtheshoemakerdidn'twanttomakeshoes，''saidTheRat。``Theybothwantedtobemountain-climbers。TherearemountainsinSamaviaandmountainsonthewaytoit。Youshowedthemtomeonthemap。
　　``Yes；andsecretmessengerswhocanclimbanywhere，andcrossdangerousplaces，andreconnoiterfrompointsnooneelsecanreach，canfindoutthingsandgivesignalsothermencannot，''
　　saidMarco。
　　``That'swhatIthoughtout，''TheRatanswered。``Thatwaswhathemeantwhenhesaid，`Therewillbeclimbingenoughtobedonenow。'''
　　Strangeweretheplacestheywenttoandcuriouslyunlikeeachotherwerethepeopletowhomtheycarriedtheirmessage。Themostsingularofallwasanoldwomanwholivedinsoremoteaplacethattheroadwhichwoundroundandroundthemountain，woundrounditformilesandmiles。Itwasnotabadroadanditwasanamazingonetotravel，draggedinasmallcartbyamule，whenonecouldbedragged，andclamberingslowlywithrestsbetweenwhenonecouldnot：thetree-coveredprecipicesonelookeddown，thetossingwhitenessofwaterfalls，orthegreenfoamingofrushingstreams，andtheimmensityoffarm-andvillage-scatteredplainsspreadingthemselvestothefeetofothermountainsshuttingtheminwerebreath-takingbeautiestolookdownon，astheroadmountedandwoundroundandroundandhigherandhigher。
　　``Howcananyonelivehigherthanthis？''saidTheRatastheysatonthethickmossbythewaysideafterthemuleandcarthadleftthem。``Lookatthebarecragsloomingupabovethere。Letuslookatheragain。Herpicturelookedasifshewereahundredyearsold。''
　　Marcotookouthishiddensketch。Itseemedsurelyoneofthestrangestthingsintheworldthatacreatureasoldasthisoneseemedcouldreachsuchaplace，or，havingreachedit，couldeverdescendtotheworldagaintogiveaidtoanypersonorthing。
　　Heroldfacewascrossedandrecrossedwithathousandwrinkles。
　　Herprofilewassplendidyetandshehadbeenabeautyinherday。Hereyeswerelikeaneagle's——andnotanoldeagle's。Andshehadalongneckwhichheldheroldheadhigh。
　　``Howcouldshegethere？''exclaimedTheRat。
　　``Thosewhosentusknow，thoughwedon't，''saidMarco。``WillyousithereandrestwhileIgoonfurther？''
　　``No！''TheRatansweredstubbornly。``Ididn'ttrainmyselftostaybehind。Butweshallcometobare-rockclimbingsoonandthenIshallbeobligedtostop，''andhesaidthelastbitterly。
　　Heknewthat，ifMarcohadcomealone，hewouldhaveriddeninnocartbutwouldhavetrudgedupwardandonwardsturdilytotheendofhisjourney。
　　Buttheydidnotreachthecrags，astheyhadthoughtmustbeinevitable。Suddenlyhalf-waytothesky，asitseemed，theycametoabendintheroadandfoundthemselvesmountingintoanewgreenworld——anastonishingmarvelofaworld，withgreenvelvetslopesandsoftmeadowsandthickwoodland，andcowsfeedinginvelvetpastures，and——asifithadbeensnoweddownfromthehugebaremountaincragswhichstillsoaredaboveintoheaven——amysterious，ancient，huddledvillagewhich，beingthussnoweddown，mighthavecaughtamongtherocksandrestedtherethroughalltime。
　　Thereitstood。Thereithuddleditself。Andthemonstersintheblueaboveitthemselveslookeddownuponitasifitwereanincrediblething——thisancient，steep-roofed，hanging-balconied，crumblingclusterofhumannests，whichseemedathousandmilesfromtheworld。MarcoandTheRatstoodandstaredatit。Thentheysatdownandstaredatit。
　　``Howdiditgethere？''TheRatcried。
　　Marcoshookhishead。Hecertainlycouldseenoexplanationofitsbeingthere。Perhapssomeoftheoldestvillagescouldtellstoriesofhowitsfirstchaletshadgatheredthemselvestogether。
　　Anoldpeasantdrivingacowcamedownasteeppath。HelookedwithadullcuriosityatTheRatandhiscrutches；butwhenMarcoadvancedandspoketohiminGerman，hedidnotseemtounderstand，butshookhisheadsayingsomethinginasortofdialectMarcodidnotknow。
　　``Iftheyallspeaklikethat，weshallhavetomakesignswhenwewanttoaskanything，''TheRatsaid。``Whatwillshespeak？''
　　``ShewillknowtheGermanfortheSignorweshouldnothavebeensenthere，''answeredMarco。``Comeon。''
　　Theymadetheirwaytothevillage，whichhuddleditselftogetherevidentlywiththeobjectofkeepingitselfwarmwhenthroughthewintermonthsthesnowsstrovetoburyitandthewindsroareddownfromthehugemountaincragsandtriedtotearitfromamongitsrocks。Thedoorsandwindowswerefewandsmall，andglimpsesoftheinsideofthehousesshowedearthenfloorsanddarkrooms。Itwasplainthatitwascountedamorecomfortablethingtolivewithoutlightthantoletinthecold。
　　Itwaseasyenoughtoreconnoiter。Thefewpeopletheysawwereevidentlynotsurprisedthatstrangerswhodiscoveredtheirunexpectedexistenceshouldbecuriousandwanttolookatthemandtheirhouses。
　　Theboyswanderedaboutasiftheywerecasualexplorers，whohavingreachedtheplacebychancewereinterestedinalltheysaw。TheywentintothelittleGasthausandgotsomeblackbreadandsausageandsomemilk。ThemountaineerownerwasabrawnyfellowwhounderstoodsomeGerman。Hetoldthemthatfewstrangersknewofthevillagebutthatboldhuntersandclimberscameforsport。Intheforestsonthemountainsideswerebearsand，inthehighplaces，chamois。Nowandagain，somegreatgentlemencamewithpartiesofthedaringkind——verygreatgentlemenindeed，hesaid，shakinghisheadwithpride。Therewasonewhohadcastlesinothermountains，buthelikedbesttocomehere。Marcobegantowonderifseveralstrangethingsmightnotbetrueifgreatgentlemensometimesclimbedtothemysteriousplace。ButhehadnotbeensenttogivetheSigntoagreatgentleman。Hehadbeensenttogiveittoanoldwomanwitheyeslikeaneaglewhichwasyoung。
　　Hehadasketchinhissleeve，withthatofherface，ofhersteep-roofed，black-beamed，balconiedhouse。Iftheywalkedaboutalittle，theywouldbesuretocomeuponitinthistinyplace。Thenhecouldgoinandaskherforadrinkofwater。
　　TheyroamedaboutforanhouraftertheylefttheGasthaus。Theywentintothelittlechurchandlookedatthegraveyardandwonderedifitwasnotburiedoutofallsightinthewinter。
　　Aftertheyhaddonethis，theysaunteredoutandwalkedthroughthehuddledclustersofhouses，examiningeachoneastheydrewnearitandpassed。
　　``Iseeit！''TheRatexclaimedatlast。``Itisthatveryold-
　　lookingonestandingalittlewayfromtherest。Itisnotastumbleddownasmostofthem。Andtherearesomeredflowersonthebalcony。''
　　``Yes！That'sit！''saidMarco。
　　Theywalkeduptothelowblackdoorand，ashestoppedonthethreshold，Marcotookoffhiscap。Hedidthisbecause，sittinginthedoorwayonalowwoodenchair，theold，oldwomanwiththeeagleeyeswassittingknitting。
　　Therewasnooneelseintheroomandnooneanywherewithinsight。Whentheold，oldwomanlookedupathimwithheryoungeagle'seyes，holdingherheadhighonherlongneck，Marcoknewheneednotaskforwaterorforanythingelse。
　　``TheLampislighted，''hesaid，inhislowbutstrongandclearyoungvoice。
　　Shedroppedherknittinguponherkneesandgazedathimamomentinsilence。SheknewGermanitwasclear，foritwasinGermansheansweredhim。
　　``Godbethanked！''shesaid。``Comein，youngBeareroftheSign，andbringyourfriendinwithyou。Ilivealoneandnotasouliswithinhearing。''
　　Shewasawonderfuloldwoman。NeitherMarconorTheRatwouldlivelongenoughtoforgetthehourstheyspentinherstrangedarkhouse。Shekeptthemandmadethemspendthenightwithher。
　　``Itisquitesafe，''shesaid。``Ilivealonesincemymanfellintothecrevasseandwaskilledbecausehisropebrokewhenhewastryingtosavehiscomrade。SoIhavetworoomstospareandsometimesclimbersaregladtosleepinthem。MineisagoodwarmhouseandIamwellknowninthevillage。Youareveryyoung，''sheaddedshakingherhead。``Youareveryyoung。Youmusthavegoodbloodinyourveinstobetrustedwiththis。''
　　``Ihavemyfather'sblood，''answeredMarco。
　　``YouarelikesomeoneIoncesaw，''theoldwomansaid，andhereagleeyessetthemselvesharduponhim。``Tellmeyourname。''
　　Therewasnoreasonwhyheshouldnottellittoher。
　　``ItisMarcoLoristan，''hesaid。
　　``What！Itisthat！''shecriedout，notloudbutlow。
　　ToMarco'samazementshegotupfromherchairandstoodbeforehim，showingwhatatalloldwomanshereallywas。Therewasastartled，evenanagitated，lookinherface。Andsuddenlysheactuallymadeasortofcurtseytohim——bendingherkneeaspeasantsdowhentheypassashrine。
　　``Itisthat！''shesaidagain。``Andyettheydareletyougoonajourneylikethis！Thatspeaksforyourcourageandfortheirs。''
　　ButMarcodidnotknowwhatshemeant。Herstrangeobeisancemadehimfeelawkward。Hestoodupbecausehistraininghadtoldhimthatwhenawomanstandsamanalsorises。
　　``Thenamespeaksforthecourage，''hesaid，``becauseitismyfather's。''
　　Shewatchedhimalmostanxiously。
　　``Youdonotevenknow！''shebreathed——anditwasanexclamationandnotaquestion。
　　``IknowwhatIhavebeentoldtodo，''heanswered。``Idonotaskanythingelse。''
　　``Whoisthat？''sheasked，pointingtoTheRat。
　　``Heisthefriendmyfathersentwithme，''saidMarcosmiling。
　　``Hecalledhimmyaide-de-camp。Itwasasortofjokebecausewehadplayedsoldierstogether。''
　　Itseemedasifshewereobligedtocollectherthoughts。Shestoodwithherhandathermouth，lookingdownattheearthfloor。
　　``Godguardyou！''shesaidatlast。``Youarevery——veryyoung！''
　　``Butallhisyears，''TheRatbrokein，``hehasbeenintrainingforjustthisthing。Hedidnotknowitwastraining，butitwas。Asoldierwhohadbeentrainedforthirteenyearswouldknowhiswork。''
　　HewassoeagerthatheforgotshecouldnotunderstandEnglish。
　　MarcotranslatedwhathesaidintoGermanandadded：``Whathesaysistrue。''
　　Shenoddedherhead，stillwithquestioningandanxiouseyes。
　　``Yes。Yes，''shemuttered。``Butyouareveryyoung。''Thensheaskedinahesitatingway：
　　``WillyounotsitdownuntilIdo？''
　　``No，''answeredMarco。``Iwouldnotsitwhilemymotherorgrandmotherstood。''
　　``ThenImustsit——andforget，''shesaid。
　　Shepassedherhandoverherfaceasthoughsheweresweepingawaythesuddenpuzzledtroubleinherexpression。Thenshesatdown，asifshehadobligedherselftobecomeagaintheoldpeasantshehadbeenwhentheyentered。
　　``AllthewayupthemountainyouwonderedwhyanoldwomanshouldbegiventheSign，''shesaid。``Youaskedeachotherhowshecouldbeofuse。''
　　NeitherMarconorTheRatsaidanything。
　　``WhenIwasyoungandfresh，''shewenton。``Iwenttoacastleoverthefrontiertobefoster-mothertoachildwhowasbornagreatnoble——onewhowasnearthethrone。HelovedmeandIlovedhim。Hewasastrongchildandhegrewupagreathunterandclimber。Whenhewasnottenyearsold，mymantaughthimtoclimb。Healwayslovedthesemountainsbetterthanhisown。Hecomestoseemeasifhewereonlyayoungmountaineer。Hesleepsintheroomthere，''withagestureoverhershoulderintothedarkness。``Hehasgreatpowerand，ifhechoosestodoathing，hewilldoit——justashewillattackthebiggestbearorclimbthemostdangerouspeak。Heisonewhocanbringthingsabout。Itisverysafetotalkinthisroom。''
　　Thenallwasquiteclear。MarcoandTheRatunderstood。
　　NomorewassaidabouttheSign。Ithadbeengivenandthatwasenough。Theoldwomantoldthemthattheymustsleepinoneofherbedrooms。Thenextmorningoneofherneighborswasgoingdowntothevalleywithacartandhewouldhelpthemontheirway。TheRatknewthatshewasthinkingofhiscrutchesandhebecamerestless。
　　``Tellher，''hesaidtoMarco，``howIhavetrainedmyselfuntilIcandowhatanyoneelsecan。AndtellherIamgrowingstrongereveryday。TellherI'llshowherwhatIcando。Yourfatherwouldn'thaveletmecomeasyouraideifIhadn'tprovedtohimthatIwasn'tacripple。Tellher。ShethinksI'mnouse。''
　　Marcoexplainedandtheoldwomanlistenedattentively。WhenTheRatgotupandswunghimselfaboutupanddownthesteeppathnearherhousesheseemedrelieved。Hisextraordinarydexterityandfirmswiftnessevidentlyamazedherandgaveheraconfidenceshehadnotfeltatfirst。
　　``Ifhehastaughthimselftobelikethatjustforloveofyourfather，hewillgototheend，''shesaid。``Itismorethanonecouldbelieve，thatapairofcrutchescoulddosuchthings。''
　　TheRatwaspacifiedandcouldafterwardsgivehimselfuptowatchingherascloselyashewishedto。Hewassoon``workingout''certainthingsinhismind。WhathewatchedwasherwayofwatchingMarco。Itwasasifshewerefascinatedandcouldnotkeephereyesfromhim。Shetoldthemstoriesaboutthemountainsandthestrangerswhocametoclimbwithguidesortohunt。Shetoldthemaboutthestorms，whichsometimesseemedabouttoputanendtothelittleworldamongthecrags。Shedescribedthewinterwhenthesnowburiedthemandthestrongoneswereforcedtodigouttheweakandsomelivedfordaysunderthemassesofsoftwhiteness，gladtokeeptheircowsorgoatsintheirroomsthattheymightsharethewarmthoftheirbodies。Thevillageswereforcedtobegoodneighborstoeachother，forthemanwhowasnotreadytodigoutahiddenchimneyorburieddoorto-daymightbelefttofreezeandstarveinhissnowtombnextweek。Throughtheworstpartofthewinternocreaturefromtheworldbelowcouldmakewaytothemtofindoutwhethertheywerealldeadoralive。
　　Whileshetalked，shewatchedMarcoasifshewerealwaysaskingherselfsomequestionabouthim。TheRatwassurethatshelikedhimandgreatlyadmiredhisstrongbodyandgoodlooks。Itwasnotnecessaryforhimtocarryhimselfslouchinglyinherpresenceandhelookedglowingandnoble。Therewasasortofreverenceinhermannerwhenshespoketohim。SheremindedhimofLazarusmorethanonce。Whenshegavethemtheireveningmeal，sheinsistedonwaitingonhimwithacertainrespectfulceremony。Shewouldnotsitattablewithhim，andTheRatbegantorealizethatshefeltthathehimselfshouldbestandingtoservehim。
　　``ShethinksIoughttostandbehindyourchairasLazarusstandsbehindyourfather's，''hesaidtoMarco。``Perhapsanaideoughttodoit。ShallI？Ibelieveitwouldpleaseher。''
　　``ABeareroftheSignisnotaroyalperson，''answeredMarco。
　　``Myfatherwouldnotlikeit——andIshouldnot。Weareonlytwoboys。''
　　Itwasverywonderfulwhen，aftertheirsupperwasover，theyallthreesattogetherbeforethefire。
　　Theredglowofthebedofwood-coalandtheorangeyellowoftheflamefromthebiglogsfilledtheroomwithwarmlight，whichmadeamellowbackgroundforthefigureoftheoldwomanasshesatinherlowchairandtoldthemmoreandmoreenthrallingstories。
　　Hereagleeyesglowedandherlongneckheldherheadsplendidlyhighasshedescribedgreatfeatsofcourageandenduranceoralmostsuperhumandaringinaidingthoseinawesomeperil，and，whensheglowedmostinthetelling，theyalwaysknewthattheherooftheadventurehadbeenherfoster-childwhowasthebabybornagreatnobleandnearthethrone。Toher，hewasthemostsplendidandadorableofhumanbeings。Almostanemperor，butsowarmandtenderofheartthatheneverforgotthelong-pastdayswhenshehadheldhimonherkneeandtoldhimtalesofchamois-
　　andbear-hunting，andofthemountain-topsinmid-winter。Hewashersun-god。
　　``Yes！Yes！''shesaid。```GoodMother，'hecallsme。AndI
　　bakehimacakeonthehearth，asIdidwhenhewastenyearsoldandmymanwasteachinghimtoclimb。Andwhenhechoosesthatathingshallbedone——doneitis！Heisagreatlord。''
　　Theflameshaddieddownandonlythebigbedofredcoalmadetheroomglow，andtheywerethinkingofgoingtobedwhentheoldwomanstartedverysuddenly，turningherheadasiftolisten。
　　MarcoandTheRatheardnothing，buttheysawthatshedidandtheysatsostillthateachheldhisbreath。Sotherewasutterstillnessforafewmoments。Utterstillness。
　　Thentheydidhearsomething——aclearsilversound，piercingthepuremountainair。
　　Theoldwomanspranguprightwiththefireofdelightinhereyes。
　　``Itishissilverhorn！''shecriedoutstrikingherhandstogether。``Itishisowncalltomewhenheiscoming。Hehasbeenhuntingsomewhereandwantstosleepinhisgoodbedhere。
　　Helpmetoputonmorefaggots，''toTheRat，``sothathewillseetheflameofthemthroughtheopendoorashecomes。''
　　``Shallwebeintheway？''saidMarco。``Wecangoatonce。''
　　Shewasgoingtowardsthedoortoopenitandshestoppedamomentandturned。
　　``No，no！''shesaid。``Hemustseeyourface。Hewillwanttoseeit。Iwanthimtosee——howyoungyouare。''
　　Shethrewthedoorwideopenandtheyheardthesilverhornsendoutitsgaycallagain。ThebrushwoodandfaggotsTheRathadthrownonthecoalscrackledandsparkledandroaredintofineflames，whichcasttheirlightintotheroadandthrewoutinfinerelieftheoldfigurewhichstoodonthethresholdandlookedsotall。
　　Andinbutafewminuteshergreatlordcametoher。Andinhisgreenhunting-suitwithitsgreenhatandeagle'sfeatherhewasassplendidasshehadsaidhewas。Hewasbigandroyal-
　　lookingandlaughingandhebentandkissedherasifhehadbeenherownson。
　　``Yes，goodMother，''theyheardhimsay。``Iwantmywarmbedandoneofyourgoodsuppers。IsenttheotherstotheGasthaus。''
　　Hecameintotheredlyglowingroomandhisheadalmosttouchedtheblackenedrafters。Thenhesawthetwoboys。
　　``Whoarethese，goodMother？''heasked。
　　Sheliftedhishandandkissedit。
　　``TheyaretheBearersoftheSign，''shesaidrathersoftly。``
　　`TheLampislighted。'''
　　Thenhiswholelookchanged。Hislaughingfacebecamequitegraveandforamomentlookedevenanxious。Marcoknewitwasbecausehewasstartledtofindthemonlyboys。Hemadeastepforwardtolookatthemmoreclosely。
　　``TheLampislighted！AndyoutwobeartheSign！''heexclaimed。Marcostoodoutinthefireglowthathemightseehimwell。Hesalutedwithrespect。
　　``MynameisMarcoLoristan，Highness，''hesaid。``Andmyfathersentme。''
　　Thechangewhichcameuponhisfacethenwasevengreaterthanatfirst。Forasecond，Marcoevenfeltthattherewasaflashofalarminit。Butalmostatoncethatpassed。
　　``Loristanisagreatmanandagreatpatriot，''hesaid。``Ifhesentyou，itisbecauseheknowsyouaretheonesafemessenger。HehasworkedtoolongforSamavianottoknowwhathedoes。''
　　Marcosalutedagain。Heknewwhatitwasrighttosaynext。
　　``IfwehaveyourHighness'spermissiontoretire，''hesaid，``wewillleaveyouandgotobed。Wegodownthemountainatsunrise。''
　　``Wherenext？''askedthehunter，lookingathimwithcuriousintentness。
　　``ToVienna，Highness，''Marcoanswered。
　　Hisquestionerheldouthishand，stillwiththeintentinterestinhiseyes。
　　``Goodnight，finelad，''hesaid。``SamaviahasneedtovauntitselfonitsSign-bearer。Godgowithyou。''
　　Hestoodandwatchedhimashewenttowardtheroominwhichheandhisaide-de-campweretosleep。TheRatfollowedhimclosely。Atthelittlebackdoortheold，oldwomanstood，havingopeneditforthem。AsMarcopassedandbadehergoodnight，hesawthatsheagainmadethestrangeobeisance，bendingthekneeashewentby。
　　XXIV
　　``HOWSHALLWEFINDHIM？''
　　InViennatheycameuponapageant。Incelebrationofacentury-pastvictorytheEmperordroveinstateandceremonytoattendatthegreatcathedralandtodohonortotheancientbannersandlaurel-wreathedstatueofalong-deadsoldier-prince。
　　Thebroadpavementsofthehugechiefthoroughfarewerecrowdedwithacheeringpopulacewatchingthemartialpompandsplendorasitpassedbywithmarchingfeet，prancinghorses，andglitterofscabbardandchain，whichallseemedsomehowpartofmusicintriumphantbursts。
　　TheRatwasenormouslythrilledbythemagnificenceoftheimperialplace。Itsimmensespaces，thesquaresandgardens，reignedoverbystatuesofemperors，andwarriors，andqueensmadehimfeelthatallthingsonearthwerepossible。Thepalacesandstatelypilesofarchitecture，whosesurmountingequestrianbronzesrampedhighintheairclearcutandbeautifulagainstthesky，seemedtosweepoutofhisworldallatmospherebutthatofsplendidcitiesdownwhosebroadavenuesemperorsrodewithwavingbanners，tramping，janglingsoldierybeforeandbehind，andgoldentrumpetsblaringforth。Itseemedasifitmustalwaysbelikethis——thatlancesandcavalryandemperorswouldneverceasetorideby。``Ishouldliketostayherealongtime，''hesaidalmostasifhewereinadream。``Ishouldliketoseeitall。''
　　Heleanedonhiscrutchesinthecrowdandwatchedtheglitterofthepassingpageant。NowandthenheglancedatMarco，whowatchedalsowithasteadyeyewhich，TheRatsaw，nothingwouldescape：HowabsorbedhealwayswasintheGame！Howimpossibleitwasforhimtoforgetitortorememberitonlyasaboywould！Oftenitseemedthathewasnotaboyatall。AndtheGame，TheRatknewinthesedays，wasagamenomorebutathingofdeepanddeadlyearnest——athingwhichtouchedkingsandthrones，andconcernedtherulingandswayingofgreatcountries。
　　Andthey——twoladspushedaboutbythecrowdastheystoodandstaredatthesoldiers——carriedwiththemthatwhichwasevennowlightingtheLamp。ThebloodinTheRat'sveinsranquicklyandmadehimfeelhotasherememberedcertainthoughtswhichhadforcedthemselvesintohismindduringthepastweeks。Ashisbrainhadthetrickof``workingthingsout，''ithad，duringthelastfortnightatleast，beenfollowingawonderfulevenifratherfantasticandfeverishfancy。Ameretriflehadsetitatwork，but，itslaboroncebegun，thingswhichmighthaveonceseemedtobetriflesappearedsonolonger。WhenMarcowasasleep，TheRatlayawakethroughthrilledandsometimesalmostbreathlessmidnighthours，lookingbackwardandrecallingeverydetailoftheirlivessincetheyhadknowneachother。Sometimesitseemedtohimthatalmosteverythingheremembered——theGamefromfirsttolastaboveall——hadpointedtobutonething。Andthenagainhewouldallatoncefeelthathewasafoolandhadbetterkeephisheadsteady。Marco，heknew，hadnowildfancies。Hehadlearnedtoomuchandhismindwastoowellbalanced。Hedidnottryto``workoutthings。''Heonlythoughtofwhathewasunderorderstodo。
　　``But，''saidTheRatmorethanonceinthesemidnighthours，``ifitevercomestoadrawwhetherheistobesavedorIam，heistheonethatmustcometonoharm。Killingcan'ttakelong——andhisfathersentmewithhim。''
　　Thisthoughtpassedthroughhismindasthetrampingfeetwentby。Asasuddensplendidburstofapproachingmusicbrokeuponhisear，aqueerlooktwistedhisface。Herealizedthecontrastbetweenthisdayandthatfirstmorningbehindthechurchyard，whenhehadsatonhisplatformamongtheSquadandlookedupandsawMarcointhearchattheendofthepassage。Andbecausehehadbeengood-lookingandhadheldhimselfsowell，hehadthrownastoneathim。Yes——blindgutter-bredfoolthathe'dbeen：——hisfirstgreetingtoMarcohadbeenastone，justbecausehewaswhathewas。Astheystoodhereinthecrowdinthisfar-offforeigncity，itdidnotseemasifitcouldbetruethatitwashewhohaddoneit。
　　HemanagedtoworkhimselfclosertoMarco'sside。``Isn'titsplendid？''hesaid，``IwishIwasanemperormyself。I'dhavethesefellowsoutlikethiseveryday。''Hesaiditonlybecausehewantedtosaysomething，tospeak，asareasonforgettingclosertohim。HewantedtobenearenoughtotouchhimandfeelthattheywerereallytogetherandthatthewholethingwasnotasortofmagnificentdreamfromwhichhemightawakentofindhimselflyingonhisheapofragsinhiscorneroftheroominBoneCourt。
　　Thecrowdswayedforwardinitseagernesstoseetheprincipalfeatureofthepageant——theEmperorinhiscarriage。TheRatswayedforwardwiththeresttolookasitpassed。
　　Ahandsomewhite-hairedandmustachedpersonageinsplendiduniformdecoratedwithjeweledordersandwithacascadeofemerald-greenplumesnoddinginhismilitaryhatgravelysalutedtheshoutingpeopleoneitherside。Byhimsatamanuniformed，decorated，andemerald-plumedalso，butmanyyearsyounger。
　　Marco'sarmtouchedTheRat'salmostatthesamemomentthathisowntouchedMarco。Underthenoddingplumeseachsawtherathertiredandcynicalpaleface，asketchofwhichwashiddenintheslitinMarco'ssleeve。
　　``IstheonewhositswiththeEmperoranArchduke？''Marcoaskedthemannearesttohiminthecrowd。Themanansweredamiablyenough。No，hewasnot，buthewasacertainPrince，adescendantoftheonewhowastheherooftheday。HewasagreatfavoriteoftheEmperor'sandwasalsoagreatpersonage，whosepalacecontainedpicturescelebratedthroughoutEurope。
　　``Hepretendsitisonlypictureshecaresfor，''hewenton，shrugginghisshouldersandspeakingtohiswife，whohadbeguntolisten，``butheisacleverone，whoamuseshimselfwiththingsheprofessesnottoconcernhimselfabout——bigthings。
　　It'shiswaytolookbored，andinterestedinnothing，butit'ssaidhe'sawizardforknowingdangeroussecrets。''
　　``DoesheliveattheHofburgwiththeEmperor？''askedthewoman，craninghernecktolookaftertheimperialcarriage。
　　``No，buthe'softenthere。TheEmperorislonelyandboredtoo，nodoubt，andthisonehaswaysofmakinghimforgethistroubles。It'sbeentoldmethatnowandthenthetwodressthemselvesroughly，likecommonmen，andgooutintothecitytoseewhatit'sliketorubshoulderswiththerestoftheworld。
　　Idaresayit'strue。Ishouldliketotryitmyselfonceinawhile，ifIhadtositonathroneandwearacrown。''
　　Thetwoboysfollowedthecelebrationtoitsend。Theymanagedtogetnearenoughtoseetheentrancetothechurchwheretheservicewasheldandtogetaviewoftheceremoniesatthebanner-drapedandlaurel-wreathedstatue。Theysawthemanwiththepalefaceseveraltimes，buthewasalwayssoenclosedthatitwasnotpossibletogetwithinyardsofhim。Ithappenedonce，however，thathelookedthroughatemporarybreakinthecrowdingpeopleandsawadarkstrong-featuredandremarkablyintentboy'sface，whosevividscrutinyofhimcaughthiseye。Therewassomethinginthefixednessofitsattentionwhichcausedhimtolookatitcuriouslyforafewseconds，andMarcomethisgazesquarely。
　　``Lookatme！Lookatme！''theboywassayingtohimmentally。
　　``Ihaveamessageforyou。Amessage！''
　　Thetiredeyesinthepalefacerestedonhimwithacertaingrowinglightofinterestandcuriosity，butthecrowdingpeoplemovedandthetemporarybreakclosedup，sothatthetwocouldseeeachothernomore。MarcoandTheRatwerepushedbackwardbythosetallerandstrongerthanthemselvesuntiltheywereontheoutskirtsofthecrowd。
　　``LetusgototheHofburg，''saidMarco。``Theywillcomebackthere，andweshallseehimagainevenifwecan'tgetnear。''
　　TotheHofburgtheymadetheirwaythroughthelesscrowdedstreets，andtheretheywaitedasneartothegreatpalaceastheycouldget。Theyweretherewhen，theceremoniesatanend，theimperialcarriagesreturned，but，thoughtheysawtheirmanagain，theywereatsomedistancefromhimandhedidnotseethem。
　　Thenfollowedfoursingulardays。Theyweresingulardaysbecausetheywerefulloftantalizingincidents。Nothingseemedeasierthantoheartalkof，andseetheEmperor'sfavorite，butnothingwasmoreimpossiblethantogetneartohim。Heseemedratherafavoritewiththepopulace，andthecommonpeopleoftheshopkeepingorlaboringclassesweregiventotalkingfreelyofhim——ofwherehewasgoingandwhathewasdoing。To-nighthewouldbesuretobeatthisgreathouseorthat，atthisballorthatbanquet。Therewasnodifficultyindiscoveringthathewouldbesuretogototheopera，orthetheatre，ortodrivetoSchonbrunnwithhisimperialmaster。MarcoandTheRatheardcasualspeechofhimagainandagain，andfromonepartofthecitytotheothertheyfollowedandwaitedforhim。Butitwaslikechasingawill-o'-the-wisp。Hewasevidentlytoobrilliantandimportantapersontobeallowedtomoveaboutalone。Therewerealwayspeoplewithhimwhoseemedabsorbedinhislanguidcynicaltalk。Marcothoughtthatheneverseemedtocaremuchforhiscompanions，thoughtheyontheirpartalwaysseemedhighlyentertainedbywhathewassaying。Itwasnoticeablethattheylaughedagreatdeal，thoughhehimselfscarcelyevensmiled。
　　``He'soneofthosechapswiththetrickofsayingwittythingsasifhedidn'tseethefuninthemhimself，''TheRatsummedhimup。``Chapslikethatarealwaysclevererthantheotherkind。''
　　``He'stoohighinfavorandtoorichnottobefollowedabout，''
　　theyheardamaninashopsayoneday，``buthegetstiredofit。Sometimes，whenhe'stooboredtostanditanylonger，hegivesitoutthathe'sgoneintothemountainssomewhere，andallthetimehe'sshutupalonewithhispicturesinhisownpalace。''
　　ThatverynightTheRatcameintotheiratticlookingpaleanddisappointed。Hehadbeenouttobuysomefoodafteralongandarduousdayinwhichtheyhadcoveredmuchground，hadseentheirmanthreetimes，andeachtimeundercircumstanceswhichmadehimmoreinaccessiblethanever。Theyhadcomebacktotheirpoorquartersbothtiredandravenouslyhungry。
　　TheRatthrewhispurchaseontothetableandhimselfintoachair。
　　``He'sgonetoBudapest，''hesaid。``NOWhowshallwefindhim？''
　　Marcowasratherpalealso，andforamomenthelookedpaler。
　　Thedayhadbeenahardone，andintheirhastetoreachplacesatalongdistancefromeachothertheyhadforgottentheirneedoffood。
　　Theysatsilentforafewmomentsbecausethereseemedtobenothingtosay。``Wearetootiredandhungrytobeabletothinkwell，''Marcosaidatlast。``Letuseatoursupperandthengotosleep。Untilwe'vehadarest，wemust`letgo。'''
　　``Yes。There'snogoodintalkingwhenyou'retired，''TheRatansweredatriflegloomily。``Youdon'treasonstraight。Wemust`letgo。'''
　　Theirmealwassimplebuttheyatewellandwithoutwords。
　　Evenwhentheyhadfinishedandundressedforthenight，theysaidverylittle。
　　``Wheredoourthoughtsgowhenweareasleep，''TheRatinquiredcasuallyafterhewasstretchedoutinthedarkness。``Theymustgosomewhere。Let'ssendthemtofindoutwhattodonext。''
　　``It'snotasstillasitwasontheGaisberg。Youcanhearthecityroaring，''saidMarcodrowsilyfromhisdarkcorner。``Wemustmakealedge——forourselves。''
　　Sleepmadeitforthem——deep，restful，healthysleep。Iftheyhadbeenmoreresentfuloftheirillluckandlostlabor，itwouldhavecomelesseasilyandhavebeenlessnatural。Intheirtalksofstrangethingstheyhadlearnedthatonegreatsecretofstrengthandunflaggingcourageistoknowhowto``letgo''——toceasethinkingoverananxietyuntiltherightmomentcomes。Itwastheirhabitto``letgo''forhourssometimes，andwanderaboutlookingatplacesandthings——galleries，museums，palaces，givingthemselvesupwithboyishpleasureandeagernesstoalltheysaw。Marcowastoointimatewiththethingsworthseeing，andTheRattoocuriousandfeverishlywide-awaketoallowoftheirmissingmuch。
　　TheRat'simageoftheworldhadgrownuntilitseemedtoknownoboundarieswhichcouldholditswealthofwonders。Hewantedtogoonandonandseethemall。
　　WhenMarcoopenedhiseyesinthemorning，hefoundTheRatlyinglookingathim。Thentheybothsatupinbedatthesametime。
　　``Ibelieveweareboththinkingthesamething，''Marcosaid。
　　Theyfrequentlydiscoveredthattheywerethinkingthesamethings。
　　``SodoI，''answeredTheRat。``Itshowshowtiredwewerethatwedidn'tthinkofitlastnight。''
　　``Yes，wearethinkingthesamething，''saidMarco。``Wehavebothrememberedwhatweheardabouthisshuttinghimselfupalonewithhispicturesandmakingpeoplebelievehehadgoneaway。''
　　``He'sinhispalacenow，''TheRatannounced。
　　``Doyoufeelsureofthat，too？''askedMarco。``Didyouwakeupandfeelsureofitthefirstthing？''
　　``Yes，''answeredTheRat。``AssureasifI'dheardhimsayithimself。''
　　``SodidI，''saidMarco。
　　``That'swhatourthoughtsbroughtbacktous，''saidTheRat，``whenwe`letgo'andsentthemofflastnight。''Hesatuphugginghiskneesandlookingstraightbeforehimforsometimeafterthis，andMarcodidnotinterrupthismeditations。
　　Thedaywasabrilliantone，and，thoughtheirattichadonlyonewindow，thesunshoneinthroughitastheyatetheirbreakfast。
　　Afterit，theyleanedonthewindow'sledgeandtalkedaboutthePrince'sgarden。Theytalkedaboutitbecauseitwasaplaceopentothepublicandtheyhadwalkedrounditmorethanonce。
　　Thepalace，whichwasnotalargeone，stoodinthemidstofit。
　　ThePrincewasgood-naturedenoughtoallowquietandwell-behavedpeopletosaunterthrough。Itwasnotafashionablepromenadebutapleasantretreatforpeoplewhosometimestooktheirworkorbooksandsatontheseatsplacedhereandthereamongtheshrubsandflowers。
　　``Whenweweretherethefirsttime，Inoticedtwothings，''
　　Marcosaid。``ThereisastonebalconywhichjutsoutfromthesideofthepalacewhichlooksontheFountainGarden。ThatdaytherewerechairsonitasifthePrinceandhisvisitorssometimessatthere。Nearit，therewasaverylargeevergreenshrubandIsawthattherewasahollowplaceinsideit。Ifsomeonewantedtostayinthegardensallnighttowatchthewindowswhentheywerelightedandseeifanyonecameoutaloneuponthebalcony，hecouldhidehimselfinthehollowplaceandstaythereuntilthemorning。''
　　``Isthereroomfortwoinsidetheshrub？''TheRatasked。
　　``No。Imustgoalone，''saidMarco。
　　XXV
　　AVOICEINTHENIGHT
　　Latethatafternoontherewanderedaboutthegardenstwoquiet，inconspicuous，ratherpoorlydressedboys。Theylookedatthepalace，theshrubs，andtheflower-beds，asstrangersusuallydid，andtheysatontheseatsandtalkedaspeoplewereaccustomedtoseeingboystalktogether。Itwasasunnydayandexceptionallywarm，andthereweremoresaunterersandsittersthanusual，whichwasperhapsthereasonwhytheportierattheentrancegatesgavesuchslightnoticetothepairthathedidnotobservethat，thoughtwoboyscamein，onlyonewentout。Hedidnot，infact，remember，whenhesawTheRatswingbyonhiscrutchesatclosing-time，thathehadenteredincompanywithadark-hairedladwhowalkedwithoutanyaid。Ithappenedthat，whenTheRatpassedout，theportierattheentrancewasmuchinterestedintheaspectofthesky，whichwascuriouslythreatening。Therehadbeenheavycloudshangingaboutalldayandnowandthenblottingoutthesunshineentirely，butthesunhadrefusedtoretirealtogether。Justnow，however，thecloudshadpiledthemselvesinthunderous，purplishmountains，andthesunhadbeenforcedtosetbehindthem。
　　``It'sbeenasortofbattlesincemorning，''theportiersaid。
　　``Therewillbesomecrashesandcataractsto-night。''ThatwaswhatTheRathadthoughtwhentheyhadsatintheFountainGardenonaseatwhichgavethemagoodviewofthebalconyandthebigevergreenshrub，whichtheyknewhadthehollowinthemiddle，thoughitscircumferencewassoimposing。``Ifthereshouldbeabigstorm，theevergreenwillnotsaveyoumuch，thoughitmaykeepofftheworst，''TheRatsaid。``Iwishtherewasroomfortwo。''
　　HewouldhavewishedtherewasroomfortwoifhehadseenMarcomarchingtothestake。Asthegardensemptied，theboysroseandwalkedroundoncemore，asifontheirwayout。Bythetimetheyhadsaunteredtowardthebigevergreen，nobodywasintheFountainGarden，andthelastloiterersweremovingtowardthearchedstoneentrancetothestreets。
　　Whentheydrewnearonesideoftheevergreen，thetwoweretogether。WhenTheRatswungoutontheothersideofit，hewasalone！Noonenoticedthatanythinghadhappened；noonelookedback。SoTheRatswungdownthewalksandroundtheflower-bedsandpassedintothestreet。Andtheportierlookedattheskyandmadehisremarkaboutthe``crashes''and``cataracts。''
　　Asthedarknesscameon，thehollowintheshrubseemedaverysafeplace。Itwasnotintheleastlikelythatanyonewouldentertheclosedgardens；andifbyrarechancesomeservantpassedthrough，hewouldnotbeinsearchofpeoplewhowishedtowatchallnightinthemiddleofanevergreeninsteadofgoingtobedandtosleep。Thehollowwaswellinclosedwithgreenery，andtherewasroomtositdownwhenonewastiredofstanding。
　　Marcostoodforalongtimebecause，bydoingso，hecouldseeplainlythewindowsopeningonthebalconyifhegentlypushedasidesomeflexibleyoungboughs。HehadmanagedtodiscoverinhisfirstvisittothegardensthatthewindowsoverlookingtheFountainGardenwerethosewhichbelongedtothePrince'sownsuiteofrooms。Thosewhichopenedontothebalconylightedhisfavoriteapartment，whichcontainedhisbest-lovedbooksandpicturesandinwhichhespentmostofhissecludedleisurehours。
　　Marcowatchedthesewindowsanxiously。IfthePrincehadnotgonetoBudapest，——ifhewerereallyonlyinretreat，andhidingfromhisgayworldamonghistreasures，——hewouldbelivinginhisfavoriteroomsandlightswouldshowthemselves。Andiftherewerelights，hemightpassbeforeawindowbecause，sincehewasinclosedinhisgarden，heneednotfearbeingseen。Thetwilightdeepenedintodarknessand，becauseoftheheavyclouds，itwasverydense。Faintgleamsshowedthemselvesinthelowerpartofthepalace，butnonewaslightedinthewindowsMarcowatched。Hewaitedsolongthatitbecameevidentthatnonewastobelightedatall。Atlastheloosedhisholdontheyoungboughsand，afterstandingafewmomentsinthought，satdownupontheearthinthemidstofhisemboweredtent。ThePrincewasnotinhisretreat；hewasprobablynotinVienna，andtherumorofhisjourneytoBudapesthadnodoubtbeentrue。Somuchtimelostthroughmakingamistake——butitwasbesttohavemadetheventure。Nottohavemadeitwouldhavebeentoloseachance。Theentrancewasclosedforthenightandtherewasnogettingoutofthegardensuntiltheywereopenedforthenextday。Hemuststayinhishiding-placeuntilthetimewhenpeoplebegantocomeandbringtheirbooksandknittingandsitontheseats。Thenhecouldstrolloutwithoutattractingattention。Buthehadthenightbeforehimtospendasbesthecould。Thatwouldnotmatteratall。Hecouldtuckhiscapunderhisheadandgotosleepontheground。Hecouldcommandhimselftowakenonceeveryhalf-hourandlookforthelights。
　　Hewouldnotgotosleepuntilitwaslongpastmidnight——solongpastthattherewouldnotbeonechanceinahundredthatanythingcouldhappen。Butthecloudswhichmadethenightsodarkweregivingforthlowrumblinggrowls。Atintervalsathreateninggleamoflightshotacrossthemandasuddenswishofwindrushedthroughthetreesinthegarden。Thishappenedseveraltimes，andthenMarcobegantohearthepatterofraindrops。Theywereheavyandbigdrops，butfewatfirst，andthentherewasanewandmorepowerfulrushofwind，ajaggeddartoflightinthesky，andatremendouscrash。Afterthatthecloudstorethemselvesopenandpouredforththeircontentsinfloods。Aftertheprotractedstruggleofthedayitallseemedtohappenatonce，asifahordeofhugelionshadatonemomentbeenletloose：flameafterflameoflightning，roarandcrashandsharpreportsofthunder，shrieksofhurricanewind，torrentsofrain，asifsometidal-waveoftheskieshadgatheredandrushedandburstupontheearth。Itwassuchastormaspeoplerememberforalifetimeandwhichinfewlifetimesisseenatall。
　　Marcostoodstillinthemidstoftherageandflooding，blindingroarofit。Afterthefirstfewminutesheknewhecoulddonothingtoshieldhimself。Downthegardenpathsheheardcataractsrushing。Heheldhiscappressedagainsthiseyesbecauseheseemedtostandinthemidstofdartingflames。Thecrashes，cannonreportsandthunderings，andthejaggedstreamsoflightcamesoclosetooneanotherthatheseemeddeafenedaswellasblinded。Hewonderedifheshouldeverbeabletohearhumanvoicesagainwhenitwasover。Thathewasdrenchedtotheskinandthatthewaterpouredfromhisclothesasifhewerehimselfacataractwassosmalladetailthathewasscarcelyawareofit。Hestoodstill，bracinghisbody，andwaited。IfhehadbeenaSamaviansoldierinthetrenchesandsuchastormhadbrokenuponhimandhiscomrades，theycouldonlyhavebracedthemselvesandwaited。Thiswaswhathefoundhimselfthinkingwhenthetumultanddownpourwereattheirworst。Thereweremenwhohadwaitedinthemidstofarainofbullets。
　　Itwasnotlongafterthisthoughthadcometohimthatthereoccurredthefirsttemporarylullinthestorm。Itsfuryperhapsreacheditsheightandbrokeatthatmoment。Ayellowflamehadtornitsjaggedwayacrosstheheavens，andanearth-rendingcrashhadthundereditselfintorumblingswhichactuallydiedawaybeforebreakingforthagain。Marcotookhiscapfromhiseyesanddrewalongbreath。Hedrewtwolongbreaths。Itwasashebegandrawingathirdandrealizingthestrangefeelingofthealmoststillnessabouthimthatheheardanewkindofsoundatthesideofthegardennearesthishiding-place。Itsoundedlikethecreakofadooropeningsomewhereinthewallbehindthelaurelhedge。Someonewascomingintothegardenbyaprivateentrance。Hepushedasidetheyoungboughsagainandtriedtosee，butthedarknesswastoodense。Yethecouldhearifthethunderwouldnotbreakagain。Therewasthesoundoffeetonthewetgravel，thefootstepsofmorethanonepersoncomingtowardwherehestood，butnotasifafraidofbeingheard；
　　merelyasiftheywereatlibertytocomeinbywhatentrancetheychose。Marcoremainedverystill。Asuddenhopegavehimashockofjoy。Ifthemanwiththetiredfacechosetohidehimselffromhisacquaintances，hemightchoosetogoinandoutbyaprivateentrance。Thefootstepsdrewnear，crushingthewetgravel，passedby，andseemedtopausesomewherenearthebalcony；andthemflamelituptheskyagainandthethunderburstforthoncemore。
　　Butthiswasitslastgrealpeal。Thestormwasatanend。Onlyfainterandfainterrumblingsandmutteringsandpalerandpalerdartsfollowed。Eventheyweresoonover，andthecataractsinthepathshadrushedthemselvessilent。Butthedarknesswasstilldeep。
　　Itwasdeeptoblacknessinthehollowoftheevergreen。Marcostoodinit，streamingwithrain，butfeelingnothingbecausehewasfullofthought。Hepushedasidehisgreeneryandkepthiseyesontheplaceintheblacknesswherethewindowsmustbe，thoughhecouldnotseethem。Itseemedthathewaitedalongtime，butheknewitonlyseemedsoreally。Hebegantobreathequicklybecausehewaswaitingforsomething。
　　Suddenlyhesawexactlywherethewindowswere——becausetheywerealllighted！
　　Hisfeelingofreliefwasgreat，butitdidnotlastverylong。
　　ItwastruethatsomethinghadbeengainedinthecertaintythathismanhadnotleftVienna。Butwhatnext？Itwouldnotbesoeasytofollowhimifhechoseonlytogooutsecretlyatnight。
　　Whatnext？Tospendtherestofthenightwatchingalightedwindowwasnotenough。To-morrownightitmightnotbelighted。
　　Buthekepthisgazefixeduponit。Hetriedtofixallhiswillandthought-poweronthepersoninsidetheroom。Perhapshecouldreachhimandmakehimlisten，eventhoughhewouldnotknowthatanyonewasspeakingtohim。Heknewthatthoughtswerestrongthings。Ifangrythoughtsinoneman'smindwillcreateangerinthemindofanother，whyshouldnotsanemessagescrosstheline？
　　``Imustspeaktoyou。Imustspeaktoyou！''hefoundhimselfsayinginalowintensevoice。``Iamoutsideherewaiting。
　　Listen！Imustspeaktoyou！''
　　Hesaiditmanytimesandkepthiseyesfixeduponthewindowwhichopenedontothebalcony。Oncehesawaman'sfigurecrosstheroom，buthecouldnotbesurewhoitwas。Thelastdistantrumblingsofthunderhaddiedawayandthecloudswerebreaking。
　　Itwasnotlongbeforethedarkmountainousbillowsbrokeapart，andabrilliantfullmoonshowedherselfsailingintherift，suddenlyfloodingeverythingwithlight。Partsofthegardenweresilverwhite，andthetreeshadowswerelikeblackvelvet。
　　AsilverylancepiercedevenintothehollowofMarco'severgreenandstruckacrosshisface。
　　Perhapsitwasthissuddenchangewhichattractedtheattentionofthoseinsidethebalconiedroom。Aman'sfigureappearedatthelongwindows。MarcosawnowthatitwasthePrince。Heopenedthewindowsandsteppedoutontothebalcony。
　　``Itisallover，''hesaidquietly。Andhestoodwithhisfacelifted，lookingatthegreatwhitesailingmoon。
　　Hestoodverystillandseemedforthemomenttoforgettheworldandhimself。Itwasawonderful，triumphantqueenofamoon。
　　Butsomethingbroughthimbacktoearth。Alow，butstrongandclear，boy-voicecameuptohimfromthegardenpathbelow。
　　``TheLampislighted。TheLampislighted，''itsaid，andthewordssoundedalmostasifsomeonewereutteringaprayer。Theyseemedtocalltohim，toarresthim，todrawhim。
　　Hestoodstillafewsecondsindeadsilence。Thenhebentoverthebalustrade。Themoonlighthadnotbrokenthedarknessbelow。
　　``Thatisaboy'svoice，''hesaidinalowtone，``butIcannotseewhoisspeaking。''
　　``Yes，itisaboy'svoice，''itanswered，inawaywhichsomehowmovedhim，becauseitwassoardent。``ItisthesonofStefanLoristan。TheLampislighted。''
　　``Wait。Iamcomingdowntoyou，''thePrincesaid。
　　InafewminutesMarcoheardadooropengentlynotfarfromwherehestood。Thenthemanhehadbeenfollowingsomanydaysappearedathisside。
　　``Howlonghaveyoubeenhere？''heasked。
　　``Beforethegatesclosed。Ihidmyselfinthehollowofthebigshrubthere，Highness，''Marcoanswered。
　　``Thenyouwereoutinthestorm？''
　　``Yes，Highness。''
　　ThePrinceputhishandontheboy'sshoulder。``Icannotseeyou——butitisbesttostandintheshadow。Youaredrenchedtotheskin。''
　　``IhavebeenabletogiveyourHighness——theSign，''Marcowhispered。``Astormisnothing。''
　　Therewasasilence。Marcoknewthathiscompanionwaspausingtoturnsomethingoverinhismind。
　　``So-o？''hesaidslowly，atlength。``TheLampislighted，AndYOUaresenttobeartheSign。''SomethinginhisvoicemadeMarcofeelthathewassmiling。
　　``Whataraceyouare！Whatarace——youSamavianLoristans！''
　　Hepausedasiftothinkthethingoveragain。
　　``Iwanttoseeyourface，''hesaidnext。``Hereisatreewithashaftofmoonlightstrikingthroughthebranches。Letusstepasideandstandunderit。''
　　Marcodidashewastold。Theshaftofmoonlightfelluponhisupliftedfaceandshoweditsyoungstrengthanddarkness，quitesplendidforthemomentinatriumphantglowofjoyinobstaclesovercome。Raindropshungonhishair，buthedidnotlookdraggled，onlyverywetandpicturesque。Hehadreachedhisman。
　　HehadgiventheSign。
　　ThePrincelookedhimoverwithinterestedcuriosity。
　　``Yes，''hesaidinhiscool，ratherdraggingvoice。``YouarethesonofStefanLoristan。Alsoyoumustbetakencareof。Youmustcomewithme。IhavetrainedmyhouseholdtoremaininitsownquartersuntilIrequireitsservice。IhaveattachedtomyownapartmentsagoodsafelittleroomwhereIsometimeskeeppeople。
　　Youcandryyourclothesandsleepthere。Whenthegardensareopenedagain，therestwillbeeasy。''
　　Butthoughhesteppedoutfromunderthetreesandbegantomovetowardsthepalaceintheshadow，Marconoticedthathemovedhesitatingly，asifhehadnotquitedecidedwhatheshoulddo。
　　HestoppedrathersuddenlyandturnedagaintoMarco，whowasfollowinghim。
　　``ThereissomeoneintheroomIjustnowleft，''hesaid，``anoldman——whomitmightinteresttoseeyou。Itmightalsobeagoodthingforhimtofeelinterestinyou。Ichoosethatheshallseeyou——asyouare。''
　　``Iamatyourcommand，Highness，''Marcoanswered。Heknewhiscompanionwassmilingagain。
　　``Youhavebeenintrainingformorecenturiesthanyouknow，''
　　hesaid；``andyourfatherhaspreparedyoutoencountertheunexpectedwithoutsurprise。''
　　Theypassedunderthebalconyandpausedatalowstonedoorwayhiddenbehindshrubs。Thedoorwasabeautifulone，Marcosawwhenitwasopened，andthecorridordisclosedwasbeautifulalso，thoughithadanairofquietandaloofnesswhichwasnotsomuchsecretasprivate。Aperfectthoughnarrowstaircasemountedfromittothenextfloor。Afterascendingit，thePrinceledthewaythroughashortcorridorandstoppedatthedoorattheendofit。``Wearegoinginhere，''hesaid。
　　Itwasawonderfulroom——theonewhichopenedontothebalcony。
　　Eachpieceoffurnitureinit，thehangings，thetapestries，andpicturesonthewallwereallsuchasmightwellhavefoundthemselvesadorningamuseum。Marcorememberedthecommonreportofhisescort'sfavoriteamusementofcollectingwondersandfurnishinghishousewiththethingsothersexhibitedonlyasmarvelsofartandhandicraft。Theplacewasrichandmellowwithexquisitelychosenbeauties。
　　Inamassivechairupontheheartsatafigurewithbenthead。
　　Itwasatalloldmanwithwhitehairandmoustache。Hiselbowsresteduponthearmofhischairandheleanedhisforeheadonhishandasifhewereweary。
　　Marco'scompanioncrossedtheroomandstoodbesidehim，speakinginaloweredvoice。Marcocouldnotatfirsthearwhathesaid。
　　Hehimselfstoodquitestill，waiting。Thewhite-hairedmanliftedhisheadandlistened。Itseemedasthoughalmostatoncehewassingularlyinterested。TheloweredvoicewasslightlyraisedatlastandMarcoheardthelasttwosentences：
　　``TheonlysonofStefanLoristan。Lookathim。''
　　Theoldmaninthechairturnedslowlyandlooked，steadily，andwithquestioningcuriositytouchedwithgravesurprise。Hehadkeenandclearblueeyes。
　　ThenMarco，stillerectandsilent，waitedagain。ThePrincehadmerelysaidtohim，``anoldmanwhomitmightinteresttoseeyou。''Hehadplainlyintendedthat，whatsoeverhappened，hemustmakenooutwardsignofseeingmorethanhehadbeentoldhewouldsee——``anoldman。''Itwasforhimtoshownoastonishmentorrecognition。Hehadbeenbroughtherenottoseebuttobeseen。Thepowerofremainingstillunderscrutiny，whichTheRathadoftenenviedhim，stoodnowingoodsteadbecausehehadseenthewhiteheadandtallformnotmanydaysbefore，surmountedbybrilliantemeraldplumes，hungwithjeweleddecorations，intheroyalcarriage，escortedbybanners，andhelmets，andfollowingtroopswhosetrampingfeetkepttimetoburstsofmilitarymusicwhilethepopulacebaredtheirheadsandcheered。
　　``Heislikehisfather，''thispersonagesaidtothePrince。
　　``ButifanyonebutLoristanhadsenthim——Hislookspleaseme。''ThensuddenlytoMarco，``Youwerewaitingoutsidewhilethestormwasgoingon？''
　　``Yes，sir，''Marcoanswered。
　　Thenthetwoexchangedsomewordsstillintheloweredvoice。
　　``Youreadthenewsasyoumadeyourjourney？''hewasasked。
　　``YouknowhowSamaviastands？''
　　``Shedoesnotstand，''saidMarco。``TheIarovitchandtheMaranovitchhavefoughtashyenasfight，untileachhastorntheotherintofragments——andneitherhasbloodorstrengthleft。''
　　Thetwoglancedateachother。
　　``Agoodsimile，''saidtheolderperson。``Youareright。Ifastrongpartyrose——andagreaterpowerchosenottointerfere——thecountrymightseebetterdays。''Helookedathimafewmomentslongerandthenwavedhishandkindly。
　　``YouareafineSamavian，''hesaid。``Iamgladofthat。Youmaygo。Goodnight。''
　　Marcobowedrespectfullyandthemanwiththetiredfaceledhimoutoftheroom。
　　ItwasjustbeforehelefthiminthesmallquietchamberinwhichhewastosleepthatthePrincegavehimafinalcuriousglance。``Iremembernow，''hesaid。``Intheroom，whenyouansweredthequestionaboutSamavia，IwassurethatIhadseenyoubefore。Itwasthedayofthecelebration。TherewasabreakinthecrowdandIsawaboylookingatme。Itwasyou。''
　　``Yes，''saidMarco，``Ihavefollowedyoueachtimeyouhavegoneoutsincethen，butIcouldnevergetnearenoughtospeak。
　　To-nightseemedonlyonechanceinathousand。''
　　``Youaredoingyourworkmorelikeamanthanaboy，''wasthenextspeech，anditwasmadereflectively。``Nomancouldhavebehavedmoreperfectlythanyoudidjustnow，whendiscretionandcomposurewerenecessary。''Then，afteramoment'spause，``Hewasdeeplyinterestedanddeeplypleased。Goodnight。''
　　Whenthegardenshadbeenthrownopenthenextmorningandpeoplewerepassinginandoutagain，Marcopassedoutalso。Hewasobligedtotellhimselftwoorthreetimesthathehadnotwakenedfromanamazingdream。Hequickenedhispaceafterhehadcrossedthestreet，becausehewantedtogethometotheatticandtalktoTheRat。Therewasanarrowside-streetitwasnecessaryforhimtopassthroughifhewishedtomakeashortcut。Asheturnedintoit，hesawacuriousfigureleaningoncrutchesagainstawall。Itlookeddampandforlorn，andhewonderedifitcouldbeabeggar。Itwasnot。ItwasTheRat，whosuddenlysawwhowasapproachingandswungforward。Hisfacewaspaleandhaggardandhelookedwornandfrightened。Hedraggedoffhiscapandspokeinavoicewhichwashoarseasacrow's。
　　``Godbethanked！''hesaid。``Godbethanked！''aspeoplealwayssaiditwhentheyreceivedtheSign，alone。Buttherewasakindofanguishinhisvoiceaswellasrelief。
　　``Aide-de-camp！''Marcocriedout——TheRathadbeggedhimtocallhimso。``Whathaveyoubeendoing？Howlonghaveyoubeenhere？''
　　``EversinceIleftyoulastnight，''saidTheRatclutchingtremblinglyathisarmasiftomakesurehewasreal。``Iftherewasnotroomfortwointhehollow，therewasroomforoneinthestreet。
　　Wasitmyplacetogooffdutyandleaveyoualone——wasit？''
　　``Youwereoutinthestorm？''
　　``Weren'tyou？''saidTheRatfiercely。``IhuddledagainstthewallaswellasIcould。WhatdidIcare？Crutchesdon'tpreventafellowwaiting。Iwouldn'thaveleftyouifyou'dgivenmeorders。Andthatwouldhavebeenmutiny。Whenyoudidnotcomeoutassoonasthegatesopened，Ifeltasifmyheadgotonfire。HowcouldIknowwhathadhappened？I'venotthenerveandbackboneyouhave。Igohalfmad。''ForasecondorsoMarcodidnotanswer。Butwhenheputhishandonthedampsleeve，TheRatactuallystarted，becauseitseemedasthoughhewerelookingintotheeyesofStefanLoristan。
　　``Youlookjustlikeyourfather！''heexclaimed，inspiteofhimself。``Howtallyouare！''
　　``Whenyouarenearme，''Marcosaid，inLoristan'sownvoice，``whenyouarenearme，Ifeel——IfeelasifIwerearoyalprinceattendedbyanarmy。YouAREmyarmy。''Andhepulledoffhiscapwithquickboyishnessandadded，``Godbethanked！''