Thesunwaswarmintheatticwindowwhentheyreachedtheirlodging，andthetwoleanedontheroughsillasMarcotoldhisstory。Ittooksometimetorelate；andwhenheended，hetookanenvelopefromhispocketandshowedittoTheRat。Itcontainedaflatpackageofmoney。
　　``Hegaveittomejustbeforeheopenedtheprivatedoor，''
　　Marcoexplained。``Andhesaidtome，`Itwillnotbelongnow。
　　AfterSamavia，gobacktoLondonasquicklyasyoucan——AS
　　QUICKLYASYOUCAN！'''
　　``Iwonder——whathemeant？''TheRatsaid，slowly。Atremendousthoughthadshotthroughhismind。ButitwasnotathoughthecouldspeakoftoMarco。
　　``Icannottell。Ithoughtthatitwasforsomereasonhedidnotexpectmetoknow，''Marcosaid。``Wewilldoashetoldus。
　　Asquicklyaswecan。''Theylookedoverthenewspapers，astheydideveryday。AllthatcouldbegatheredfromanyofthemwasthattheopposingarmiesofSamaviaseemedeachtohavereachedtheculminationofdisasterandexhaustion。Whichpartyhadthepowerlefttotakeanyfinalstepwhichcouldcallitselfavictory，itwasimpossibletosay。Neverhadacountrybeeninamoredesperatecase。
　　``Itisthetime！''saidTheRat，gloweringoverhismap。``IftheSecretPartyrisessuddenlynow，itcantakeMelzarralmostwithoutablow。Itcansweepthroughthecountryanddisarmbotharmies。
　　They'reweakened——they'rehalfstarved——they'rebleedingtodeath；theyWANTtobedisarmed。OnlytheIarovitchandtheMaranovitchkeeponwiththestrugglebecauseeachisfightingforthepowertotaxthepeopleandmakeslavesofthem。IftheSecretPartydoesnotrise，thepeoplewill，andthey'llrushonthepalacesandkilleveryMaranovitchandIarovitchtheyfind。
　　Andservethemright！''
　　``Letusspendtherestofthedayinstudyingtheroad-mapagain，''saidMarco。``To-nightwemustbeonthewaytoSamavia！''
　　XXVI
　　ACROSSTHEFRONTIER
　　Thatoneday，aweeklater，twotiredandtravel-wornboy-mendicantsshoulddragthemselveswithslowandwearyfeetacrossthefrontierlinebetweenJiardasiaandSamavia，wasnotanincidenttoawakensuspicionoreventoattractattention。
　　Warandhungerandanguishhadleftthecountrystunnedandbroken。Sincetheworsthadhappened，noonewascuriousastowhatwouldbefallthemnext。IfJiardasiaherselfhadbecomeafoe，insteadofafriendlyneighbor，andhadsentacrossthebordergallopinghordesofsoldiery，therewouldonlyhavebeenmoreshrieks，andhome-burnings，andslaughterwhichnoonedareresist。But，sofar，Jiardasiahadremainedpeaceful。Thetwoboys——oneofthemoncrutches——hadevidentlytraveledfaronfoot。Theirpoorclothesweredustyandtravel-stained，andtheystoppedandaskedforwateratthefirsthutacrosstheline。
　　Theonewhowalkedwithoutcrutcheshadsomecoarsebreadinabagslungoverhisshoulder，andtheysatontheroadsideandateitasiftheywerehungry。Theoldgrandmotherwholivedaloneinthehutsatandstaredatthemwithoutanycuriosity。ShemayhavevaguelywonderedwhyanyonecrossedintoSamaviainthesedays。Butshedidnotcaretoknowtheirreason。HerbigsonhadlivedinavillagewhichbelongedtotheMaranovitchandhehadbeencalledouttofightforhislords。Hehadnotwantedtofightandhadnotknownwhatthequarrelwasabout，buthewasforcedtoobey。Hehadkissedhishandsomewifeandfoursturdychildren，blubberingaloudwhenheleftthem。Hisvillageandhisgoodcropsandhishousemustbeleftbehind。ThentheIarovitchsweptthroughtheprettylittleclusterofhomesteadswhichbelongedtotheirenemy。Theyweremadwithragebecausetheyhadmetwithgreatlossesinabattlenotfaraway，and，astheyswoopedthrough，theyburnedandkilled，andtrampleddownfieldsandvineyards。Theoldwoman'ssonneversaweithertheburnedwallsofhishouseorthebodiesofhiswifeandchildren，becausehehadbeenkilledhimselfinthebattleforwhichtheIarovitchwererevengingthemselves。Onlytheoldgrandmotherwholivedinthehutnearthefrontierlineandstaredvacantlyatthepassers-byremainedalive。Shewearilygazedatpeopleandwonderedwhyshedidnothearnewsfromhersonandhergrandchildren。Butthatwasall。
　　Whentheboyswereoverthefrontierandwellontheirwayalongtheroads，itwasnotdifficulttokeepoutofsightifitseemednecessary。Thecountrywasmountainousandthereweredeepandthickforestsbytheway——forestssofar-reachingandwithsuchthickundergrowththatfull-grownmencouldeasilyhavehiddenthemselves。Itwasbecauseofthis，perhaps，thatthispartofthecountryhadseenlittlefighting。Therewastoogreatopportunityforsecureambushforafoe。Asthetwotravelerswenton，theyheardofburnedvillagesandtownsdestroyed，buttheyweretownsandvillagesnearerMelzarrandotherfortress-defendedcities，ortheywereinthecountrysurroundingthecastlesandestatesofpowerfulnoblesandleaders。Itwastrue，asMarcohadsaidtothewhite-hairedpersonage，thattheMaranovitchandIarovitchhadfoughtwiththesavagenessofhyenasuntilatlasttheforcesofeachsidelaytornandbleeding，theirstrength，theirresources，theirsuppliesexhausted。
　　Eachdayleftthemweakerandmoredesperate。Europelookedonwithsmallinterestineitherpartybutwithgrowingdesirethatthedisordershouldendandceasetointerferewithcommerce。
　　AllthisandmuchmoreMarcoandTheRatknew，but，astheymadetheircautiouswaythroughbywaysofthemaimedandtorturedlittlecountry，theylearnedotherthings。Theylearnedthatthestoriesofitsbeautyandfertilitywerenotromances。Itsheaven-reachingmountains，itsimmenseplainsofrichverdureonwhichflocksandherdsmighthavefedbythousands，itssplendorofdeepforestandbroadclearrushingrivershadaprimevalmajestysuchasthefirsthumancreaturesmighthavefoundonearthinthedaysoftheGardenofEden。Thetwoboystraveledthroughforestandwoodlandwhenitwaspossibletoleavetheroad。Itwassafetothreadawayamonghugetreesandtallfernsandyoungsaplings。Itwasnotalwayseasybutitwassafe。Sometimestheysawacharcoal-burner'shutorashelterwhereashepherdwashidingwiththefewsheeplefttohim。Eachmantheymetworethesamelookofstonysufferinginhisface；
　　but，whentheboysbeggedforbreadandwater，aswastheirhabit，noonerefusedtosharethelittlehehad。Itsoonbecameplaintothemthattheywerethoughttobetwoyoungfugitiveswhosehomeshadprobablybeendestroyedandwhowerewanderingaboutwithnothoughtbutthatoffindingsafetyuntiltheworstwasover。Thatoneofthemtraveledoncrutchesaddedtotheirapparenthelplessness，andthathecouldnotspeakthelanguageofthecountrymadehimmoreanobjectofpity。Thepeasantsdidnotknowwhatlanguagehespoke。Sometimesaforeignercametofindworkinthissmalltownorthat。Thepoorladmighthavecometothecountrywithhisfatherandmotherandthenhavebeencaughtinthewhirlpoolofwarandtossedoutontheworldparent-less。Butnooneaskedquestions。Evenintheirdesolationtheyweresilentandnoblepeoplewhoweretoocourteousforcuriosity。
　　``Intheolddaystheyweresimpleandstatelyandkind。Alldoorswereopentotravelers。Themasterofthepooresthututteredablessingandawelcomewhenastrangercrossedhisthreshold。Itwasthecustomofthecountry，''Marcosaid。``I
　　readaboutitinabookofmyfather's。Aboutmostofthedoorsthewelcomewascarvedinstone。Itwasthis——`TheBlessingoftheSonofGod，andRestwithintheseWalls。'''
　　``Theyarebigandstrong，''saidTheRat。``Andtheyhavegoodfaces。Theycarrythemselvesasiftheyhadbeendrilled——bothmenandwomen。''
　　Itwasnotthroughtheblood-drenchedpartoftheunhappylandtheirwayledthem，buttheysawhungeranddreadinthevillagestheypassed。Cropswhichshouldhavefedthepeoplehadbeentakenfromthemfortheuseofthearmy；flocksandherdshadbeendrivenaway，andfacesweregauntandgray。Thosewhohadasyetonlylostcropsandherdsknewthathomesandlivesmightbetornfromthematanymoment。Onlyoldmenandwomenandchildrenwerelefttowaitforanyfatewhichthechancesofwarmightdealouttothem。
　　Whentheyweregivenfoodfromsomepoorstore，Marcowouldofferalittlemoneyinreturn。Hedarenotexcitesuspicionbyofferingmuch。Hewasobligedtoletitbeimaginedthatinhisflightfromhisruinedhomehehadbeenabletosnatchatandsecretesomepoorhoardwhichmightsavehimfromstarvation。
　　Oftenthewomenwouldnottakewhatheoffered。Theirjourneywasahardandhungryone。Theymustmakeitallonfootandtherewaslittlefoodtobefound。Buteachofthemknewhowtoliveonscantfare。Theytraveledmostlybynightandsleptamongthefernsandundergrowththroughtheday。Theydrankfromrunningbrooksandbathedinthem。Mossandfernsmadesoftandsweet-smellingbeds，andtreesroofedthem。Sometimestheylaylongandtalkedwhiletheyrested。Andatlengthadaycamewhentheyknewtheywerenearingtheirjourney'send。
　　``Itisnearlyovernow，''Marcosaid，aftertheyhadthrownthemselvesdownintheforestintheearlyhoursofonedewymorning。``Hesaid`AfterSamavia，gobacktoLondonasquicklyasyoucan——ASQUICKLYASYOUCAN。'Hesaidittwice。Asif——somethingweregoingtohappen。''
　　``Perhapsitwillhappenmoresuddenlythanwethink——thethinghemeant，''answeredTheRat。
　　SuddenlyhesatuponhiselbowandleanedtowardsMarco。
　　``WeareinSamavia！''hesaid``WetwoareinSamavia！Andweareneartheend！''
　　Marcoroseonhiselbowalso。Hewasverythinasaresultofhardtravelandscantfeeding。Histhinnessmadehiseyeslookimmenseandblackaspits。Buttheyburnedandwerebeautifulwiththeirownfire。
　　``Yes，''hesaid，breathingquickly。``Andthoughwedonotknowwhattheendwillbe，wehaveobeyedorders。ThePrincewasnexttothelastone。Thereisonlyonemore。Theoldpriest。''
　　``IhavewantedtoseehimmorethanIhavewantedtoseeanyoftheothers，''TheRatsaid。
　　``SohaveI，''Marcoanswered。``Hischurchisbuiltonthesideofthismountain。Iwonderwhathewillsaytous。''
　　Bothhadthesamereasonforwantingtoseehim。Inhisyouthhehadservedinthemonasteryoverthefrontier——theonewhich，tillitwasdestroyedinarevolt，hadtreasuredthefive-hundred-year-oldstoryofthebeautifulroyalladbroughttobehiddenamongthebrotherhoodbytheancientshepherd。InthemonasterythememoryoftheLostPrincewasasthememoryofasaint。Ithadbeentoldthatoneoftheearlybrothers，whowasadecoratorandapainter，hadmadeapictureofhimwithafainthaloshiningabouthishead。Theyoungacolytewhohadservedtheremusthaveheardwonderfullegends。Butthemonasteryhadbeenburned，andtheyoungacolytehadinlateryearscrossedthefrontierandbecomethepriestofafewmountaineerswhoselittlechurchclungtothemountainside。Hehadworkedhardandfaithfullyandwasworshippedbyhispeople。OnlythesecretForgersoftheSwordknewthathismostardentworshipperswerethosewithwhomheprayedandtowhomhegaveblessingsindarkcavernsundertheearth，wherearmspiledthemselvesandmenwithdarkstrongfacessattogetherinthedimlightandlaidplansandwroughtschemes。
　　ThisMarcoandTheRatdidnotknowastheytalkedoftheirdesiretoseehim。
　　``Hemaynotchoosetotellusanything，''saidMarco。``WhenwehavegivenhimtheSign，hemayturnawayandsaynothingassomeoftheothersdid。Hemayhavenothingtosaywhichweshouldhear。Silencemaybetheorderforhim，too。''
　　Itwouldnotbealongordangerousclimbtothelittlechurchontherock。Theycouldsleeporrestalldayandbeginitattwilight。Soaftertheyhadtalkedoftheoldpriestandhadeatentheirblackbread，theysettledthemselvestosleepundercoverofthethicktallferns。
　　Itwasalonganddeepsleepwhichnothingdisturbed。Sofewhumanbeingseverclimbedthehill，exceptbythenarrowroughpathleadingtothechurch，thatthelittlewildcreatureshadnotlearnedtobeafraidofthem。Once，duringtheafternoon，aharehoppingalongunderthefernstomakeavisitstoppedbyMarco'shead，and，afterlookingathimafewsecondswithhislustrouseyes，begantonibbletheendsofhishair。Heonlydiditfromcuriosityandbecausehewonderedifitmightbeanewkindofgrass，buthedidnotlikeitandstoppednibblingalmostatonce，afterwhichhelookedatitagain，movingthesoftsensitiveendofhisnoserapidlyforasecondorso，andthenhoppedawaytoattendtohisownaffairs。Averylargeandhandsomegreenstag-beetlecrawledfromoneendofTheRat'scrutchestotheother，but，havingdoneit，hewentawayalso。
　　Twoorthreetimesabird，searchingforhisdinnerundertheferns，wassurprisedtofindthetwosleepingfigures，but，astheylaysoquietly，thereseemednothingtobefrightenedabout。
　　Abeautifullittlefieldmouserunningpastdiscoveredthattherewerecrumbslyingaboutandateallshecouldfindonthemoss。
　　AfterthatshecreptintoMarco'spocketandfoundsomeexcellentonesandhadquiteafeast。Butshedisturbednobodyandtheboysslepton。
　　Itwasabird'seveningsongwhichawakenedthemboth。Thebirdalightedonthebranchofatreenearthemandhertrillwasripplingclearandsweet。Theeveningairhadfreshenedandwasfragrantwithhillsidescents。WhenMarcofirstrolledoverandopenedhiseyes，hethoughtthemostdeliciousthingonearthwastowakenfromsleeponahillsideateveningandhearabirdsinging。ItseemedtomakeexquisitelyrealtohimthefactthathewasinSamavia——thattheLampwaslightedandhisworkwasnearlydone。TheRatawakenedwhenhedid，andforafewminutesbothlayontheirbackswithoutspeaking。AtlastMarcosaid，``Thestarsarecomingout。Wecanbegintoclimb，Aide-de-camp。''
　　Thentheybothgotupandlookedateachother。
　　``Thelastone！''TheRatsaid。``To-morrowweshallbeonourwaybacktoLondon——Number7PhilibertPlace。Afteralltheplaceswe'vebeento——whatwillitlooklike？''
　　``Itwillbelikewakeningoutofadream，''saidMarco。``It'snotbeautiful——PhilibertPlace。ButHEwillbethere，''Anditwasasifalightlighteditselfinhisfaceandshonethroughtheverydarknessofit。
　　AndTheRat'sfacelightedinalmostexactlythesameway。Andhepulledoffhiscapandstoodbare-headed。``We'veobeyedorders，''hesaid。``We'venotforgottenone。Noonehasnoticedus，noonehasthoughtofus。We'veblownthroughthecountriesasifwehadbeengrainsofdust。''
　　Marco'sheadwasbared，too，andhisfacewasstillshining。
　　``Godbethanked！''hesaid。``Letusbegintoclimb。''
　　Theypushedtheirwaythroughthefernsandwanderedinandoutthroughtreesuntiltheyfoundthelittlepath。Thehillwasthicklyclothedwithforestandthelittlepathwassometimesdarkandsteep；buttheyknewthat，iftheyfollowedit，theywouldatlastcomeouttoaplacewheretherewerescarcelyanytreesatall，andonacragtheywouldfindthetinychurchwaitingforthem。Thepriestmightnotbethere。Theymighthavetowaitforhim，buthewouldbesuretocomebackformorningMassandforvespers，wheresoeverhewanderedbetweentimes。
　　Thereweremanystarsintheskywhenatlastaturnofthepathshowedthemthechurchabovethem。Itwaslittleandbuiltofroughstone。Itlookedasifthepriesthimselfandhisscatteredflockmighthavebrokenandcarriedorrolledbitsofthehilltoputittogether。Ithadthesmall，round，mosque-likesummittheTurkshadbroughtintoEuropeincenturiespast。Itwassotinythatitwouldholdbutaverysmallcongregation——andclosetoitwasashed-likehouse，whichwasofcoursethepriest's。
　　Thetwoboysstoppedonthepathtolookatit。
　　``Thereisacandleburninginoneofthelittlewindows，''saidMarco。
　　``Thereisawellnearthedoor——andsomeoneisbeginningtodrawwater，''saidTheRat，next。``Itistoodarktoseewhoitis。Listen！''
　　Theylistenedandheardthebucketdescendonthechains，andsplashinthewater。Thenitwasdrawnup，anditseemedsomeonedranklong。Thentheysawadimfiguremoveforwardandstandstill。Thentheyheardavoicebegintoprayaloud，asiftheowner，beingaccustomedtouttersolitude，didnotthinkofearthlyhearers。
　　``Come，''Marcosaid。Andtheywentforward。
　　Becausethestarsweresomanyandtheairsoclear，thepriestheardtheirfeetonthepath，andsawthemalmostassoonasheheardthem。Heendedhisprayerandwatchedthemcoming。Aladoncrutches，whomovedaslightlyandeasilyasabird——andaladwho，evenyardsaway，wasnoticeableforabearingofhisbodywhichwasneitherhaughtynorproudbutsethimsomehowalooffromeveryotherladonehadeverseen。Amagnificentlad——though，ashedrewnear，thestarlightshowedhisfacethinandhiseyeshollowasifwithfatigueorhunger。
　　``Andwhoisthisone？''theoldpriestmurmuredtohimself。
　　``WHO？''
　　Marcodrewupbeforehimandmadearespectfulreverence。Thenheliftedhisblackhead，squaredhisshouldersandutteredhismessageforthelasttime。
　　``TheLampislighted，Father，''hesaid。``TheLampislighted。''
　　Theoldprieststoodquitestillandgazedintohisface。Thenextmomenthebenthisheadsothathecouldlookathimclosely。Itseemedalmostasifhewerefrightenedandwantedtomakesureofsomething。AtthemomentitflashedthroughTheRat'smindthattheold，oldwomanonthemountain-tophadlookedfrightenedinsomethingthesameway。
　　``Iamanoldman，''hesaid。``Myeyesarenotgood。IfIhadalight''——andheglancedtowardsthehouse。
　　ItwasTheRatwho，withonewhirl，swungthroughthedoorandseizedthecandle。Heguessedwhathewanted。HeheldithimselfsothattheflarefellonMarco'sface。
　　Theoldpriestdrewnearerandnearer。Hegaspedforbreath。
　　``YouarethesonofStefanLoristan！''hecried。``ItisHIS
　　SONwhobringstheSign。''
　　Hefelluponhiskneesandhidhisfaceinhishands。Boththeboysheardhimsobbingandpraying——prayingandsobbingatonce。
　　Theyglancedateachother。TheRatwasburstingwithexcitement，buthefeltalittleawkwardalsoandwonderedwhatMarcowoulddo。Anoldfellowonhisknees，crying，madeachapfeelasifhedidn'tknowwhattosay。Mustyoucomforthimormustyoulethimgoon？
　　Marcoonlystoodquitestillandlookedathimwithunderstandingandgravity。
　　``Yes，Father，hesaid。``IamthesonofStefanLoristan，andI
　　havegiventheSigntoall。Youarethelastone。TheLampislighted。Icouldweepforgladness，too。''
　　Thepriest'stearsandprayersended。Herosetohisfeet——arugged-facedoldmanwithlongandthickwhitehairwhichfellonhisshoulders——andsmiledatMarcowhilehiseyeswerestillwet。
　　``Youhavepassedfromonecountrytoanotherwiththemessage？''
　　hesaid。``Youwereunderorderstosaythosefourwords？''
　　``Yes，Father，''answeredMarco。
　　``Thatwasall？Youweretosaynomore？''
　　``Iknownomore。SilencehasbeentheordersinceItookmyoathofallegiancewhenIwasachild。Iwasnotoldenoughtofight，orserve，orreasonaboutgreatthings。AllIcoulddowastobesilent，andtotrainmyselftoremember，andbereadywhenIwascalled。WhenmyfathersawIwasready，hetrustedmetogooutandgivetheSign。Hetoldmethefourwords。
　　Nothingelse。''
　　Theoldmanwatchedhimwithawonderingface。
　　``IfStefanLoristandoesnotknowbest，''hesaid，``whodoes？''
　　``Healwaysknows，''answeredMarcoproudly。``Always。''HewavedhishandlikeayoungkingtowardTheRat。HewantedeachmantheymettounderstandthevalueofTheRat。``Hechoseformethiscompanion，''headded。``Ihavedonenothingalone。''
　　``Heletmecallmyselfhisaide-de-camp！''burstforthTheRat。
　　``Iwouldbecutintoinch-longstripsforhim。''
　　Marcotranslated。
　　ThenthepriestlookedatTheRatandslowlynoddedhishead。
　　``Yes，''hesaid。``Heknewbest。Healwaysknowsbest。ThatI
　　see。''
　　``HowdidyouknowIwasmyfather'sson？''askedMarco。``Youhaveseenhim？''
　　``No，''wastheanswer；``butIhaveseenapicturewhichissaidtobehisimage——andyouarethepicture'sself。Itis，indeed，astrangethingthattwoofGod'screaturesshouldbesoalike。
　　Thereisapurposeinit。''Heledthemintohisbaresmallhouseandmadethemrest，anddrinkgoat'smilk，andeatfood。
　　Ashemovedaboutthehut-likeplace，therewasamysteriousandexaltedlookonhisface。
　　``Youmustberefreshedbeforeweleavehere，''hesaidatlast。
　　``Iamgoingtotakeyoutoaplacehiddeninthemountainswheretherearemenwhoseheartswillleapatthesightofyou。Toseeyouwillgivethemnewpowerandcourageandnewresolve。To-
　　nighttheymeetastheyortheirancestorshavemetforcenturies，butnowtheyarenearingtheendoftheirwaiting。
　　AndIshallbringthemthesonofStefanLoristan，whoistheBeareroftheSign！''
　　Theyatethebreadandcheeseanddrankthegoat'smilkhegavethem，butMarcoexplainedthattheydidnotneedrestastheyhadsleptallday。Theywerepreparedtofollowhimwhenhewasready。
　　Thelastfainthintoftwilighthaddiedintonightandthestarswereattheirthickestwhentheysetouttogether。Thewhite-hairedoldmantookathickknottedstaffinhishandandledtheway。Heknewitwell，thoughitwasaruggedandsteeponewithnotracktomarkit。Sometimestheyseemedtobewalkingaroundthemountain，sometimestheywereclimbing，sometimestheydraggedthemselvesoverrocksorfallentrees，orstruggledthroughalmostimpassablethickets；morethanoncetheydescendedintoravinesand，almostattheriskoftheirlives，clamberedanddrewthemselveswiththeaidoftheundergrowthuptheotherside。TheRatwascalledupontouseallhisprowess，andsometimesMarcoandthepriesthelpedhimacrossobstacleswiththeaidofhiscrutch。
　　``Haven'tIshownto-nightwhetherI'macrippleornot？''hesaidoncetoMarco。``YoucantellHIMaboutthis，can'tyou？
　　Andthatthecrutcheshelpedinsteadofbeingintheway？''
　　Theyhadbeenoutnearlytwohourswhentheycametoaplacewheretheundergrowthwasthickandahugetreehadfallencrashingdownamongitinsomestorm。Notfarfromthetreewasanoutcroppingrock。Onlythetopofitwastobeseenabovetheheavytangle。
　　Theyhadpushedtheirwaythroughthejungleofbushesandyoungsaplings，ledbytheircompanion。Theydidnotknowwheretheywouldbelednextandweresupposedtopushforwardfurtherwhentheprieststoppedbytheoutcroppingrock。Hestoodsilentafewminutes——quitemotionless——asifhewerelisteningtotheforestandthenight。Buttherewasutterstillness。Therewasnotevenabreezetostiraleaf，orahalf-wakenedbirdtosleepilychirp。
　　Hestrucktherockwithhisstaff——twice，andthentwiceagain。
　　MarcoandTheRatstoodwithbatedbreath。
　　Theydidnotwaitlong。Presentlyeachofthemfoundhimselfleaningforward，staringwithalmostunbelievingeyes，notatthepriestorhisstaff，butatTHEROCKITSELF！
　　Itwasmoving！Yes，itmoved。Theprieststeppedasideanditslowlyturned，asifworkedbyalever。Asitturned，itgraduallyrevealedachasmofdarknessdimlylighted，andthepriestspoketoMarco。``Therearehiding-placeslikethisallthroughSamavia，''hesaid。``Patienceandmiseryhavewaitedlonginthem。TheyarethecavernsoftheForgersoftheSword。
　　Come！''
　　XXVII
　　``ITISTHELOSTPRINCE！ITISIVOR！''
　　Manytimessincetheirjourneyhadbeguntheboyshadfoundtheirheartsbeatingwiththethrillandexcitementofthings。Thestoryofwhichtheirliveshadbeenapartwasapulse-quickeningexperience。Butastheycarefullymadetheirwaydownthesteepstepsleadingseeminglyintothebowelsoftheearth，bothMarcoandTheRatfeltasthoughtheoldpriestmusthearthethuddingintheiryoungsides。
　　```TheForgersoftheSword。'Remembereverywordtheysay，''
　　TheRatwhispered，``sothatyoucantellittomeafterwards。
　　Don'tforgetanything！IwishIknewSamavian。''
　　Atthefootofthestepsstoodthemanwhowasevidentlythesentinelwhoworkedtheleverthatturnedtherock。Hewasabigburlypeasantwithagoodwatchfulface，andthepriestgavehimagreetingandablessingashetookfromhimthelanternheheldout。
　　Theywentthroughanarrowanddarkpassage，anddownsomemoresteps，andturnedacornerintoanothercorridorcutoutofrockandearth。Itwasawidercorridor，butstilldark，sothatMarcoandTheRathadwalkedsomeyardsbeforetheireyesbecamesufficientlyaccustomedtothedimlighttoseethatthewallsthemselvesseemedmadeofarmsstackedcloselytogether。
　　``TheForgersoftheSword！''TheRatwasunconsciouslymumblingtohimself，``TheForgersoftheSword！''
　　Itmusthavetakenyearstocutouttheroundingpassagetheythreadedtheirwaythrough，andlongeryearstoforgethesolid，bristlingwalls。ButTheRatrememberedthestorythestrangerhadtoldhisdrunkenfather，ofthefewmountainherdsmenwho，intheirsavagegriefandwrathoverthelossoftheirprince，hadbandedthemselvestogetherwithasolemnoathwhichhadbeenhandeddownfromgenerationtogeneration。TheSamavianswerealong-memoriedpeople，andthefactthattheirpassionmustbesmotheredhadmadeitburnallthemorefiercely。Fivehundredyearsagotheyhadfirstsworntheiroath；andkingshadcomeandgone，haddiedorbeenmurdered，anddynastieshadchanged，buttheForgersoftheSwordhadnotchangedorforgottentheiroathorwaveredintheirbeliefthatsometime——sometime，evenafterthelongdarkyears——thesouloftheirLostPrincewouldbeamongthemoncemore，andthattheywouldkneelatthefeetandkissthehandsofhimforwhosebodythatsoulhadbeenreborn。AndforthelasthundredyearstheirnumberandpowerandtheirhidingplaceshadsoincreasedthatSamaviawasatlasthoneycombedwiththem。Andtheyonlywaited，breathless，——fortheLightingoftheLamp。
　　Theoldpriestknewhowbreathlessly，andheknewwhathewasbringingthem。MarcoandTheRat，inspiteoftheirfondboy-
　　imaginings，werenotquiteoldenoughtoknowhowfierceandfullofflamingeagernessthebreathlesswaitingofsavagefull-grownmencouldbe。Buttherewasatense-strungthrillinknowingthattheywhowerebeingledtothemweretheBearersoftheSign。TheRatwenthotandcold；hegnawedhisfingersashewent。Hecouldalmosthaveshriekedaloud，intheintensityofhisexcitement，whentheoldprieststoppedbeforeabigblackdoor！
　　Marcomadenosound。Excitementordangeralwaysmadehimlooktallandquitepale。Helookedbothnow。
　　Thepriesttouchedthedoor，anditopened。
　　Theywerelookingintoanimmensecavern。Itswallsandroofwerelinedwitharms——guns，swords，bayonets，javelins，daggers，pistols，everyweaponadesperatemanmightuse。Theplacewasfullofmen，whoturnedtowardsthedoorwhenitopened。Theyallmadeobeisancetothepriest，butMarcorealizedalmostatthesameinstantthattheystartedonseeingthathewasnotalone。
　　Theywereastrangeandpicturesquecrowdastheystoodundertheircanopyofweaponsintheluridtorchlight。Marcosawatoncethattheyweremenofallclasses，thoughallwerealikeroughlydressed。Theywerehugemountaineers，andplainsmenyoungandmatureinyears。Someofthebiggestweremenwithwhitehairbutwithbodiesofgiants，andwithdeterminationintheirstrongjaws。Thereweremanyofthese，Marcosaw，andineachman'seyes，whetherhewereyoungorold，glowedasteadyunconqueredflame。Theyhadbeenbeatensooften，theyhadbeenoppressedandrobbed，butintheeyesofeachonewasthisunconqueredflamewhich，throughoutallthelongtragedyofyearshadbeenhandeddownfromfathertoson。Itwasthiswhichhadgoneonthroughcenturies，keepingitsoathandforgingitsswordsinthecavernsoftheearth，andwhichto-daywas——waiting。
　　TheoldpriestlaidhishandonMarco'sshoulder，andgentlypushedhimbeforehimthroughthecrowdwhichpartedtomakewayforthem。Hedidnotstopuntilthetwostoodintheverymidstofthecircle，whichfellbackgazingwonderingly。Marcolookedupattheoldmanbecauseforseveralsecondshedidnotspeak。
　　Itwasplainthathedidnotspeakbecausehealsowasexcited，andcouldnot。Heopenedhislipsandhisvoiceseemedtofailhim。Thenhetriedagainandspokesothatallcouldhear——eventhemenatthebackofthegazingcircle。
　　``Mychildren，''hesaid，``thisisthesonofStefanLoristan，andhecomestobeartheSign。Myson，''toMarco，``speak！''
　　ThenMarcounderstoodwhathewished，andalsowhathefelt。Hefeltithimself，thatmagnificentupliftinggladness，ashespoke，holdinghisblackheadhighandliftinghisrighthand。
　　``TheLampisLighted，brothers！''hecried。``TheLampisLighted！''
　　ThenTheRat，whostoodapart，watching，thoughtthatthestrangeworldwithinthecavernhadgonemad！Wildsmotheredcriesbrokeforth，mencaughteachotherinpassionateembrace，theyfellupontheirknees，theyclutchedoneanothersobbing，theywrungeachother'shands，theyleapedintotheair。Itwasasiftheycouldnotbearthejoyofhearingthattheendoftheirwaitinghadcomeatlast。TheyrusheduponMarco，andfellathisfeet。
　　TheRatsawbigpeasantskissinghisshoes，hishands，everyscrapofhisclothingtheycouldseize。ThewildcircleswayedandcloseduponhimuntilTheRatwasafraid。Hedidnotknowthat，overpoweredbythisfrenzyofemotion，hisownexcitementwasmakinghimshakefromheadtofootlikealeaf，andthattearswerestreamingdownhischeeks。TheswayingcrowdhidMarcofromhim，andhebegantofighthiswaytowardshimbecausehisexcitementincreasedwithfear。Theecstasy-frenziedcrowdofmenseemedforthemomenttohavealmostceasedtobesane。
　　Marcowasonlyaboy。Theydidnotknowhowfiercelytheywerepressinguponhimandkeepingawaytheveryair。
　　``Don'tkillhim！Don'tkillhim！''yelledTheRat，strugglingforward。``Standback，youfools！I'mhisaide-de-camp！Letmepass！''
　　AndthoughnooneunderstoodhisEnglish，oneortwosuddenlyrememberedtheyhadseenhimenterwiththepriestandsogaveway。Butjustthentheoldpriestliftedhishandabovethecrowd，andspokeinavoiceofsterncommand。
　　``Standback，mychildren！''hecried。``MadnessisnotthehomageyoumustbringtothesonofStefanLoristan。Obey！
　　Obey！''Hisvoicehadapowerinitthatpenetratedeventhewildestherdsmen。ThefrenziedmassswayedbackandleftspaceaboutMarco，whosefaceTheRatcouldatlastsee。Itwasverywhitewithemotion，andinhiseyestherewasalookwhichwaslikeawe。
　　TheRatpushedforwarduntilhestoodbesidehim。Hedidnotknowthathealmostsobbedashespoke。
　　``I'myouraide-de-camp，''hesaid。``I'mgoingtostandhere！
　　Yourfathersentme！I'munderorders！Ithoughtthey'dcrushyoutodeath。''
　　Heglaredatthecircleaboutthemasif，insteadofworshippersdistraughtwithadoration，theyhadbeenenemies。Theoldpriestseeinghim，touchedMarco'sarm。
　　``Tellhimheneednotfear，''hesaid。``Itwasonlyforthefirstfewmoments。Thepassionoftheirsoulsdrovethemwild。
　　Theyareyourslaves。''
　　``Thoseatthebackmighthavepushedthefrontonesonuntiltheytrampledyouunderfootinspiteofthemselves！''TheRatpersisted。
　　``No，''saidMarco。``TheywouldhavestoppedifIhadspoken。''
　　``Whydidn'tyouspeakthen？''snappedTheRat。
　　``AlltheyfeltwasforSamavia，andformyfather，''Marcosaid，``andfortheSign。Ifeltastheydid。''
　　TheRatwassomewhatsoftened。Itwastrue，afterall。HowcouldhehavetriedtoquelltheoutburstsoftheirworshipofLoristan——ofthecountryhewassavingforthem——oftheSignwhichcalledthemtofreedom？Hecouldnot。
　　Thenfollowedastrangeandpicturesqueceremonial。Thepriestwentaboutamongtheencirclingcrowdandspoketoonemanafteranother——sometimestoagroup。Alargercirclewasformed。Asthepaleoldmanmovedabout，TheRatfeltasifsomereligiousceremonyweregoingtobeperformed。Watchingitfromfirsttolast，hewasthrilledtothecore。
　　Attheendofthecavernablockofstonehadbeencutouttolooklikeanaltar。Itwascoveredwithwhite，andagainstthewallaboveithungalargepictureveiledbyacurtain。Fromtheroofthereswungbeforeitanancientlampofmetalsuspendedbychains。Infrontofthealtarwasasortofstonedais。TherethepriestaskedMarcotostand，withhisaide-de-camponthelowerlevelinattendance。Aknotofthebiggestherdsmenwentoutandreturned。Eachcarriedahugeswordwhichhadperhapsbeenoftheearliestmadeinthedarkdaysgoneby。ThebearersformedthemselvesintoalineoneithersideofMarco。Theyraisedtheirswordsandformedapointedarchabovehisheadandapassagetwelvemenlong。WhenthepointsfirstclashedtogetherTheRatstruckhimselfharduponhisbreast。Hisexultationwastookeentoendure。HegazedatMarcostandingstill——inthatcuriouslysplendidwayinwhichbothheandhisfatherCOULDstandstill——andwonderedhowhecoulddoit。Helookedasifhewerepreparedforanystrangethingwhichcouldhappentohim——becausehewas``underorders。''TheRatknewthathewasdoingwhatsoeverhedidmerelyforhisfather'ssake。
　　Itwasasifhefeltthathewasrepresentinghisfather，thoughhewasamereboy；andthatbecauseofthis，boyashewas，hemustbearhimselfnoblyandremainoutwardlyundisturbed。
　　Attheendofthearchofswords，theoldprieststoodandgaveasigntoonemanafteranother。Whenthesignwasgiventoamanhewalkedunderthearchtothedais，andtherekneltand，liftingMarco'shandtohislips，kisseditwithpassionatefervor。Thenhereturnedtotheplacehehadleft。Oneafteranotherpasseduptheaisleofswords，oneafteranotherknelt，oneaftertheotherkissedthebrownyounghand，roseandwentaway。SometimesTheRatheardafewwordswhichsoundedalmostlikeamurmuredprayer，sometimesheheardasobasashaggyheadbent，againandagainhesaweyeswetwithtears。OnceortwiceMarcospokeafewSamavianwords，andthefaceofthemanspokentoflamedwithjoy。TheRathadtimetosee，asMarcohadseen，thatmanyofthefaceswerenotthoseofpeasants。Someofthemwereclearcutandsubtleandofthetypeofscholarsornobles。
　　Ittookalongtimeforthemalltokneelandkissthelad'shand，butnomanomittedtheceremony；andwhenatlastitwasatanend，astrangesilencefilledthecavern。Theystoodandgazedateachotherwithburningeyes。
　　ThepriestmovedtoMarco'sside，andstoodnearthealtar。Heleanedforwardandtookinhishandacordwhichhungfromtheveiledpicture——hedrewitandthecurtainfellapart。ThereseemedtostandgazingatthemfrombetweenitsfoldsatallkinglyyouthwithdeepeyesinwhichthestarsofGodwerestillyshining，andwithasmilewonderfultobehold。Aroundtheheavylocksofhisblackhairthelongdeadpainterofmissalshadsetafaintglowoflightlikeahalo。
　　``SonofStefanLoristan，''theoldpriestsaid，inashakenvoice，``itistheLostPrince！ItisIvor！''
　　Theneverymanintheroomfellonhisknees。Eventhemenwhohadupheldthearchwayofswordsdroppedtheirweaponswithacrashandkneltalso。Hewastheirsaint——thisboy！Deadforfivehundredyears，hewastheirsaintstill。
　　``Ivor！Ivor！''thevoicesbrokeintoaheavymurmur。``Ivor！
　　Ivor！''asiftheychantedalitany。
　　Marcostartedforward，staringatthepicture，hisbreathcaughtinhisthroat，hislipsapart。
　　``But——but——''hestammered，``butifmyfatherwereasyoungasheis——hewouldbeLIKEhim！''
　　``Whenyouareasoldasheis，YOUwillbelikehim——YOU！''saidthepriest。Andheletthecurtainfall。
　　TheRatstoodstaringwithwideeyesfromMarcotothepictureandfromthepicturetoMarco。Andhebreathedfasterandfasterandgnawedhisfingerends。Buthedidnotutteraword。Hecouldnothavedoneit，ifhetried。
　　ThenMarcosteppeddownfromthedaisasifhewereinadream，andtheoldmanfollowedhim。Themenwithswordssprangtotheirfeetandmadetheirarchwayagainwithanewclashofsteel。Theoldmanandtheboypassedunderittogether。Noweveryman'seyeswerefixedonMarco。Attheheavydoorbywhichhehadentered，hestoppedandturnedtomeettheirglances。Helookedveryyoungandthinandpale，butsuddenlyhisfather'ssmilewaslightedinhisface。HesaidafewwordsinSamavianclearlyandgravely，saluted，andpassedout。
　　``Whatdidyousaytothem？''gaspedTheRat，stumblingafterhimasthedoorclosedbehindthemandshutinthemurmurofimpassionedsound。
　　``Therewasonlyonethingtosay，''wastheanswer。``Theyaremen——Iamonlyaboy。Ithankedthemformyfather，andtoldthemhewouldnever——neverforget。''
　　XXVIII
　　``EXTRA！EXTRA！EXTRA！''
　　ItwasraininginLondon——pouring。Ithadbeenrainingfortwoweeks，moreorless，generallymore。WhenthetrainfromDoverdrewinatCharingCross，theweatherseemedsuddenlytohaveconsideredthatithadsofarbeentoolenientandmustexpressitselfmuchmorevigorously。SoithadgatheredtogetheritsresourcesandpouredthemforthinadelugewhichsurprisedevenLondoners。
　　Therainsobeatagainstandstreameddownthewindowsofthethird-classcarriageinwhichMarcoandTheRatsatthattheycouldnotseethroughthem。
　　Theyhadmadetheirhomewardjourneymuchmorerapidlythantheyhadmadetheoneonwhichtheyhadbeenoutwardbound。Ithadofcoursetakenthemsometimetotrampbacktothefrontier，buttherehadbeennoreasonforstoppinganywhereaftertheyhadoncereachedtherailroads。Theyhadbeentiredsometimes，buttheyhadsleptheavilyonthewoodenseatsoftherailwaycarriages。Theironedesirewastogethome。No。7PhilibertPlacerosebeforetheminitsnoisydinginessastheonedesirablespotonearth。ToMarcoitheldhisfather。AnditwasLoristanalonethatTheRatsawwhenhethoughtofit。
　　LoristanashewouldlookwhenhesawhimcomeintotheroomwithMarco，andstandupandsalute，andsay：``Ihavebroughthimback，sir。Hehascarriedouteverysingleorderyougavehim——everysingleone。SohaveI。''Sohehad。Hehadbeensentashiscompanionandattendant，andhehadbeenfaithfulineverythought。IfMarcowouldhaveallowedhim，hewouldhavewaiteduponhimlikeaservant，andhavebeenproudoftheservice。ButMarcowouldneverlethimforgetthattheywereonlytwoboysandthatonewasofnomoreimportancethantheother。Hehadsecretlyevenfeltthisattitudetobeasortofgrievance。Itwouldhavebeenmorelikeagameifoneofthemhadbeenthemereservitoroftheother，andifthatotherhadblusteredalittle，andissuedcommands，anddemandedsacrifices。
　　Ifthefaithfulvassalcouldhavebeenwoundedorcastintoadungeonforhisyoungcommander'ssake，theadventurewouldhavebeenmorecomplete。Butthoughtheirjourneyhadbeenfullofwondersandrichwithbeauties，thoughthememoryofithunginTheRat'smindlikeabackgroundoftapestryembroideredinallthehuesoftheearthwithallthesplendorsofit，therehadbeennodungeonsandnowounds。AftertheadventureinMunichtheirunimportantboyishnesshadnotevenbeenobservedbysuchperilsasmighthavethreatenedthem。AsTheRathadsaid，theyhad``blownlikegrainsofdust''throughEuropeandhadbeenasnothing。AndthiswaswhatLoristanhadplanned，thiswaswhathisgravethoughthadwroughtout。Iftheyhadbeenmen，theywouldnothavebeensosafe。
　　Fromthetimetheyhadlefttheoldpriestonthehillsidetobegintheirjourneybacktothefrontier，theybothhadbeengiventolongsilencesastheytrampedsidebysideorlayonthemossintheforests。Nowthattheirworkwasdone，asortofreactionhadsetin。Therewerenomoreplanstobemadeandnomoreuncertaintiestocontemplate。TheywereontheirwaybacktoNo。7PhilibertPlace——Marcotohisfather，TheRattothemanheworshipped。Eachofthemwasthinkingofmanythings。Marcowasfulloflongingtoseehisfather'sfaceandhearhisvoiceagain。Hewantedtofeelthepressureofhishandonhisshoulder——tobesurethathewasrealandnotadream。Thislastwasbecauseduringthishomewardjourneyeverythingthathadhappenedoftenseemedtobeadream。Ithadallbeensowonderful——theclimberstandinglookingdownatthemthemorningtheyawakenedontheGaisburg；themountaineershoemakermeasuringhisfootinthesmallshop；theold，oldwomanandhernoblelord；thePrincewithhisfaceturnedupwardashestoodonthebalconylookingatthemoon；theoldpriestkneelingandweepingforjoy；thegreatcavernwiththeyellowlightuponthecrowdofpassionatefaces；thecurtainwhichfellapartandshowedthestilleyesandtheblackhairwiththehaloaboutit！
　　Nowthattheywereleftbehind，theyallseemedlikethingshehaddreamed。Buthehadnotdreamedthem；hewasgoingbacktotellhisfatheraboutthem。AndhowGOODitwouldbetofeelhishandonhisshoulder！
　　TheRatgnawedhisfingerendsagreatdeal。HisthoughtsweremorewildandfeverishthanMarco's。Theyleapedforwardinspiteofhim。Itwasnousetopullhimselfupandtellhimselfthathewasafool。Nowthatallwasover，hehadtimetobeasgreatafoolashewasinclinedtobe。ButhowhelongedtoreachLondonandstandfacetofacewithLoristan！Thesignwasgiven。TheLampwaslighted。Whatwouldhappennext？Hiscrutcheswereunderhisarmsbeforethetraindrewup。
　　``We'rethere！We'rethere！''hecriedrestlesslytoMarco。
　　Theyhadnoluggagetodelaythem。Theytooktheirbagsandfollowedthecrowdalongtheplatform。Therainwasrattlinglikebulletsagainstthehighglassedroof。PeopleturnedtolookatMarco，seeingtheglowofexultanteagernessinhisface。
　　Theythoughthemustbesomeboycominghomefortheholidaysandgoingtomakeavisitataplacehedelightedin。Therainwasdancingonthepavementswhentheyreachedtheentrance。
　　``Acabwon'tcostmuch，''Marcosaid，``anditwilltakeusquickly。''
　　Theycalledoneandgotintoit。Eachofthemhadflushedcheeks，andMarco'seyeslookedasifheweregazingatsomethingalongwayoff——gazingatit，andwondering。
　　``We'vecomeback！''saidTheRat，inanunsteadyvoice。``We'vebeen——andwe'vecomeback！''ThensuddenlyturningtolookatMarco，``Doesiteverseemtoyouasif，perhaps，it——itwasn'ttrue？''
　　``Yes，''Marcoanswered，``butitwastrue。Andit'sdone。''
　　Thenheaddedafterasecondorsoofsilence，justwhatTheRathadsaidtohimself，``Whatnext？''Hesaiditverylow。
　　ThewaytoPhilibertPlacewasnotlong。Whentheyturnedintotheroaring，untidyroad，wherethebussesanddraysandcartsstruggledpasteachotherwiththeirloads，andthetired-facedpeoplehurriedincrowdsalongthepavement，theylookedatthemallfeelingthattheyhadlefttheirdreamfarbehindindeed。
　　Buttheywereathome。
　　ItwasagoodthingtoseeLazarusopenthedoorandstandwaitingbeforetheyhadtimetogetoutofthecab。CabsstoppedsoseldombeforehousesinPhilibertPlacethattheinmateswerealwaysprompttoopentheirdoors。WhenLazarushadseenthisonestopatthebrokenirongate，hehadknownwhomitbrought。
　　Hehadkeptaneyeonthewindowsfaithfullyformanyaday——evenwhenheknewthatitwastoosoon，evenifallwaswell，foranytravelerstoreturn。
　　HeborehimselfwithanairmorethanusuallymilitaryandhissalutewhenMarcocrossedthethresholdwasformalstatelinessitself。Buthisgreetingburstfromhisheart。
　　``Godbethanked！''hesaidinhisdeepgrowlofjoy。``Godbethanked！''
　　WhenMarcoputforthhishand，hebenthisgrizzledheadandkisseditdevoutly。
　　``Godbethanked！''hesaidagain。
　　``Myfather？''Marcobegan，``myfatherisout？''Ifhehadbeeninthehouse，heknewhewouldnothavestayedinthebacksitting-room。
　　``Sir，''saidLazarus，``willyoucomewithmeintohisroom？
　　You，too，sir，''toTheRat。Hehadneversaid``sir''tohimbefore。
　　Heopenedthedoorofthefamiliarroom，andtheboysentered。
　　Theroomwasempty。
　　Marcodidnotspeak；neitherdidTheRat。Theybothstoodstillinthemiddleoftheshabbycarpetandlookedupattheoldsoldier。Bothhadsuddenlythesamefeelingthattheearthhaddroppedfrombeneaththeirfeet。Lazarussawitandspokefastandwithtremor。Hewasalmostasagitatedastheywere。
　　``Heleftmeatyourservice——atyourcommand''——hebegan。
　　``Leftyou？''saidMarco。
　　``Heleftus，allthree，underorders——toWAIT，''saidLazarus。
　　``TheMasterhasgone。''
　　TheRatfeltsomethinghotrushintohiseyes。HebrusheditawaythathemightlookatMarco'sface。Theshockhadchangeditverymuch。Itsglowingeagerjoyhaddiedout，ithadturnedpalerandhisbrowsweredrawntogether。Forafewsecondshedidnotspeakatall，and，whenhedidspeak，TheRatknewthathisvoicewassteadyonlybecausehewilledthatitshouldbeso。
　　``Ifhehasgone，''hesaid，``itisbecausehehadastrongreason。Itwasbecausehealsowasunderorders。''
　　``Hesaidthatyouwouldknowthat，''Lazarusanswered。``Hewascalledinsuchhastethathehadnotamomentinwhichtodomorethanwriteafewwords。Heleftthemforyouonhisdeskthere。''
　　Marcowalkedovertothedeskandopenedtheenvelopewhichwaslyingthere。Therewereonlyafewlinesonthesheetofpaperinsideandtheyhadevidentlybeenwritteninthegreatesthaste。
　　Theywerethese：
　　``TheLifeofmylife——forSamavia。''
　　``Hewascalled——toSamavia，''Marcosaid，andthethoughtsenthisbloodrushingthroughhisveins。``HehasgonetoSamavia！''
　　Lazarusdrewhishandroughlyacrosshiseyesandhisvoiceshookandsoundedhoarse。
　　``TherehasbeengreatdisaffectioninthecampsoftheMaranovitch，''hesaid。``Theremnantofthearmyhasgonemad。
　　Sir，silenceisstilltheorder，butwhoknows——whoknows？Godalone。''
　　Hehadnotfinishedspeakingbeforeheturnedhisheadasiflisteningtosoundsintheroad。TheywerethekindofsoundswhichhadbrokenupTheSquad，andsentitrushingdownthepassageintothestreettoseizeonanewspaper。Therewastobeheardacommotionofnewsboysshoutingriotouslysomestartlingpieceofnewswhichhadcalledoutan``Extra。''
　　TheRathearditfirstanddashedtothefrontdoor。Asheopeneditanewsboyrunningbyshoutedatthetopmostpowerofhislungsthenewshehadtosell：``AssassinationofKingMichaelMaranovitchbyhisownsoldiers！AssassinationoftheMaranovitch！Extra！Extra！Extra！''
　　WhenTheRatreturnedwithanewspaper，LazarusinterposedbetweenhimandMarcowithgreatandrespectfulceremony。
　　``Sir，''hesaidtoMarco，``Iamatyourcommand，buttheMasterleftmewithanorderwhichIwastorepeattoyou。HerequestedyouNOTtoreadthenewspapersuntilhehimselfcouldseeyouagain。''
　　Bothboysfellback。
　　``Notreadthepapers！''theyexclaimedtogether。
　　Lazarushadneverbeforebeenquitesoreverentialandceremonious。
　　``Yourpardon，sir，''hesaid。``Imayreadthematyourorders，andreportsuchthingsasitiswellthatyoushouldknow。Therehavebeendarktalestoldandtheremaybedarkerones。Heaskedthatyouwouldnotreadforyourself。Ifyoumeetagain——whenyoumeetagain''——hecorrectedhimselfhastily——``whenyoumeetagain，hesaysyouwillunderstand。Iamyourservant。IwillreadandanswerallsuchquestionsasIcan。''
　　TheRathandedhimthepaperandtheyreturnedtothebackroomtogether。
　　``Youshalltelluswhathewouldwishustohear，''Marcosaid。
　　Thenewswassoontold。ThestorywasnotalongoneasexactdetailshadnotyetreachedLondon。ItwasbrieflythattheheadoftheMaranovitchpartyhadbeenputtodeathbyinfuriatedsoldiersofhisownarmy。Itwasanarmydrawnchieflyfromapeasantrywhichdidnotloveitsleaders，orwishtofight，andsufferingandbrutaltreatmenthadatlastrousedittofuriousrevolt。
　　``Whatnext？''saidMarco。
　　``IfIwereaSamavian——''beganTheRatandthenhestopped。
　　Lazarusstoodbitinghislips，butstaringstonilyatthecarpet。
　　NotTheRatalonebutMarcoalsonotedagrimchangeinhim。Itwasgrimbecauseitsuggestedthathewasholdinghimselfunderanironcontrol。Itwasasifwhiletorturedbyanxietyhehadswornnottoallowhimselftolookanxiousandtheresolvesethisjawhardandcarvednewlinesinhisruggedface。Eachboythoughtthisinsecret，butdidnotwishtoputitintowords。
　　Ifhewasanxious，hecouldonlybesoforonereason，andeachrealizedwhatthereasonmustbe。LoristanhadgonetoSamavia——tothetornandbleedingcountryfilledwithriotanddanger。Ifhehadgone，itcouldonlyhavebeenbecauseitsdangercalledhimandhewenttofaceitatitsworst。Lazarushadbeenleftbehindtowatchoverthem。Silencewasstilltheorder，andwhatheknewhecouldnottellthem，andperhapsheknewlittlemorethanthatagreatlifemightbelost。
　　Becausehismasterwasabsent，theoldsoldierseemedtofeelthathemustcomforthimselfwithagreaterceremonialreverancethanhehadevershownbefore。Heheldhimselfwithincall，andatMarco'sorders，asithadbeenhiscustomtoholdhimselfwithregardtoLoristan。TheceremoniousserviceevenextendeditselftoTheRat，whoappearedtohavetakenanewplaceinhismind。
　　Healsoseemednowtobeapersontobewaiteduponandrepliedtowithdignityandformalrespect。
　　Whentheeveningmealwasserved，LazarusdrewoutLoristan'schairattheheadofthetableandstoodbehinditwithamajesticair。
　　``Sir，''hesaidtoMarco，``theMasterrequestedthatyoutakehisseatatthetableuntil——whileheisnotwithyou。''
　　Marcotooktheseatinsilence。
　　Attwoo'clockinthemorning，whentheroaringroadwasstill，thelightfromthestreetlamp，shiningintothesmallbedroom，fellontwopaleboyfaces。TheRatsatuponhissofabedintheoldwaywithhishandsclaspedroundhisknees。Marcolayflatonhishardpillow。Neitherofthemhadbeentosleepandyettheyhadnottalkedagreatdeal。Eachhadsecretlyguessedagooddealofwhattheotherdidnotsay。
　　``Thereisonethingwemustremember，''Marcohadsaid，earlyinthenight。``Wemustnotbeafraid。''
　　``No，''answeredTheRat，almostfiercely，``wemustnotbeafraid。''
　　``Wearetired；wecamebackexpectingtobeabletotellitalltohim。Wehavealwaysbeenlookingforwardtothat。Weneverthoughtoncethathemightbegone。AndheWASgone。Didyoufeelasif——''heturnedtowardsthesofa，``asifsomethinghadstruckyouonthechest？''
　　``Yes，''TheRatansweredheavily。``Yes。''
　　``Weweren'tready，''saidMarco。``Hehadnevergonebefore；
　　butweoughttohaveknownhemightsomedaybe——called。Hewentbecausehewascalled。Hetoldustowait。Wedon'tknowwhatwearewaitingfor，butweknowthatwemustnotbeafraid。ToletourselvesbeAFRAIDwouldbebreakingtheLaw。''
　　``TheLaw！''groanedTheRat，droppinghisheadonhishands，``I'dforgottenaboutit。''
　　``Letusrememberit，''saidMarco。``Thisisthetime。`Hatenot。FEARnot！'''Herepeatedthelastwordsagainandagain。
　　``Fearnot！Fearnot，''hesaid。``NOTHINGcanharmhim。''
　　TheRatliftedhishead，andlookedatthebedsideways。
　　``Didyouthink——''hesaidslowly——``didyouEVERthinkthatperhapsHEknewwherethedescendantoftheLostPrincewas？''
　　Marcoansweredevenmoreslowly。
　　``Ifanyoneknew——surelyhemight。Hehasknownsomuch，''hesaid。
　　``Listentothis！''brokeforthTheRat。``IbelievehehasgonetoTELLthepeople。Ifhedoes——ifhecouldshowthem——allthecountrywouldrunmadwithjoy。Itwouldn'tbeonlytheSecretParty。AllSamaviawouldriseandfollowanyflaghechosetoraise。They'veprayedfortheLostPrinceforfivehundredyears，andiftheybelievedthey'dgothimoncemore，they'dfightlikemadmenforhim。Buttherewouldnotbeanyonetofight。They'dALLwantthesamething！IftheycouldseethemanwithIvor'sbloodinhisveins，they'dfeelhehadcomebacktothem——risenfromthedead。They'dbelieveit！''
　　Hebeathisfiststogetherinhisfrenzyofexcitement。``It'sthetime！It'sthetime！''hecried。``Nomancouldletsuchachancegoby！HeMUSTtellthem——heMUST。ThatMUSTbewhathe'sgonefor。Heknows——heknows——he'salwaysknown！''Andhethrewhimselfbackonhissofaandflunghisarmsoverhisface，lyingtherepanting。
　　``Ifitisthetime，''saidMarcoinalow，strainedvoice——``ifitis，andheknows——hewilltellthem。''Andhethrewhisarmsupoverhisownfaceandlayquitestill。
　　Neitherofthemsaidanotherword，andthestreetlampshoneinonthemasifitwerewaitingforsomethingtohappen。Butnothinghappened。Intimetheywereasleep。
　　XXIX
　　'TWIXTNIGHTANDMORNING
　　Afterthis，theywaited。Theydidnotknowwhattheywaitedfor，norcouldtheyguessevenvaguelyhowthewaitingwouldend。AllthatLazaruscouldtellthemhetold。HewouldhavebeenwillingtostandrespectfullyforhoursrelatingtoMarcothestoryofhowtheperiodoftheirabsencehadpassedforhisMasterandhimself。HetoldhowLoristanhadspokeneachdayofhisson，howhehadoftenbeenpalewithanxiousness，howintheeveningshehadwalkedtoandfroinhisroom，deepinthought，ashelookeddownunseeinglyatthecarpet。
　　``Hepermittedmetotalkofyou，sir，''Lazarussaid。``Isawthathewishedtohearyournameoften。Iremindedhimofthetimeswhenyouhadbeensoyoungthatmostchildrenofyouragewouldhavebeeninthehandsofnurses，andyetyouwerestrongandsilentandsturdyandtraveledwithusasifyouwerenotachildatall——nevercryingwhenyouweretiredandwerenotproperlyfed。Asifyouunderstood——asifyouunderstood，''headded，proudly。``If，throughthepowerofGodacreaturecanbeamanatsixyearsold，youwerethatone。ManyadarkdayI
　　havelookedintoyoursolemn，watchingeyes，andhavebeenhalfafraid；becausethatachildshouldanswerone'sgazesogravelyseemedalmostanunearthlything。''
　　``ThechiefthingIrememberofthosedays，''saidMarco，``isthathewaswithme，andthatwheneverIwashungryortired，I
　　knewhemustbe，too。''
　　Thefeelingthattheywere``waiting''wassointensethatitfilledthedayswithstrangeness。Whenthepostman'sknockwasheardatthedoor，eachofthemendeavorednottostart。A
　　lettermightsomedaycomewhichwouldtellthem——theydidnotknowwhat。Butnoletterscame。Whentheywentoutintothestreets，theyfoundthemselveshurryingontheirwaybackinspiteofthemselves。Somethingmighthavehappened。Lazarusreadthepapersfaithfully，andintheeveningtoldMarcoandTheRatallthenewsitwas``wellthattheyshouldhear。''ButthedisordersofSamaviahadceasedtooccupymuchspace。Theyhadbecomeanoldstory，andaftertheexcitementoftheassassinationofMichaelMaranovitchhaddiedout，thereseemedtobealullinevents。Michael'ssonhadnotdaredtotrytotakehisfather'splace，andtherewererumorsthathealsohadbeenkilled。TheheadoftheIarovitchhaddeclaredhimselfkingbuthadnotbeencrownedbecauseofdisordersinhisownparty。
　　Thecountryseemedexistinginanightmareofsuffering，famineandsuspense。
　　``Samaviais`waiting'too，''TheRatbrokeforthonenightastheytalkedtogether，``butitwon'twaitlong——itcan't。IfI
　　wereaSamavianandinSamavia——''
　　``MyfatherisaSamavianandheisinSamavia，''Marco'sgraveyoungvoiceinterposed。TheRatflushedredasherealizedwhathehadsaid。``WhatafoolIam！''hegroaned。``I——Ibegyourpardon——sir。''Hestoodupwhenhesaidthelastwordsandaddedthe``sir''asifhesuddenlyrealizedthattherewasadistancebetweenthemwhichwassomethingakintothedistancebetweenyouthandmaturity——butyetwasnotthesame。
　　``YouareagoodSamavianbut——youforget，''wasMarco'sanswer。
　　Lazarus'intensegrimnessincreasedwitheachdaythatpassed。
　　TheceremoniousrespectfulnessofhismannertowardMarcoincreasedalso。Itseemedasifthemoreanxioushefeltthemoreformalandstatelyhisbearingbecame。Itwasasthoughhebracedhisowncouragebydoingthesmallestthingslifeinthebacksitting-roomrequiredasiftheywereofthedignityofservicesperformedinamuchlargerplaceandundermuchmoreimposingcircumstances。TheRatfoundhimselffeelingalmostasifhewereanequerryinacourt，andthatdignityandceremonywerenecessaryonhisownpart。Hebegantoexperienceasenseofbeingsomehowapersonofrank，forwhomdoorswereopenedgrandlyandwhohadvassalsathiscommand。ThewatchfulobedienceoffiftyvassalsembodieditselfinthemannerofLazarus。
　　``Iamglad，''TheRatsaidonce，reflectively，``that，afterallmyfatherwasonce——different。Itmakesiteasiertolearnthingsperhaps。Ifhehadnottalkedtomeaboutpeoplewho——well，whohadneverseenplaceslikeBoneCourt——thismighthavebeenharderformetounderstand。''
　　WhenatlasttheymanagedtocallTheSquadtogether，andwenttospendamorningattheBarracksbehindthechurchyard，thatbodyofarmedmenstaredattheircommanderingreatandamazeduncertainty。Theyfeltthatsomethinghadhappenedtohim。Theydidnotknowwhathadhappened，butitwassomeexperiencewhichhadmadehimmysteriouslydifferent。HedidnotlooklikeMarco，butinsomeextraordinarywayheseemedmoreakintohim。TheyonlyknewthatsomenecessityinLoristan'saffairshadtakenthetwoawayfromLondonandtheGame。Nowtheyhadcomeback，andtheyseemedolder。
　　Atfirst，TheSquadfeltawkwardandshuffleditsfeetuncomfortably。Afterthefirstgreetingsitdidnotknowexactlywhattosay。ItwasMarcowhosavedthesituation。
　　``Drillusfirst，''hesaidtoTheRat，``thenwecantalkabouttheGame。''
　　``'Tention！''shoutedTheRat，magnificently。Andthentheyforgoteverythingelseandsprangintoline。Afterthedrillwasended，andtheysatinacircleonthebrokenflags，theGamebecamemoreresplendentthanithadeverbeen。
　　``I'vehadtimetoreadandworkoutnewthings，''TheRatsaid。
　　``Readingisliketraveling。''
　　Marcohimselfsatandlistened，enthralledbytheadroitnessoftheimaginationhedisplayed。Withoutrevealingasingledangerousfacthebuiltup，oftheirjourneyingsandexperiences，atotallynewstructureofadventureswhichwouldhavefiredthewholebeingofanygroupoflads。Itwassafetodescribeplacesandpeople，andhesodescribedthemthatTheSquadsquirmedinitsdelightatfeelingitselfmarchinginaprocessionattendingtheEmperorinVienna；standinginlinebeforepalaces；climbing，withknapsacksstrappedtight，upprecipitousmountainroads；
　　defendingmountain-fortresses；andstormingSamaviancastles。
　　TheSquadglowedandexulted。TheRatglowedandexultedhimself。Marcowatchedhissharp-featured，burning-eyedfacewithwonderandadmiration。Thisstrangepowerofmakingthingsalivewas，heknew，whathisfatherwouldcall``genius。''
　　``Let'staketheoathof'legianceagain，''shoutedCad，whentheGamewasoverforthemorning。
　　``Thepapersneversaidnothin'moreabouttheLostPrince，butweareallforhimyet！Let'stakeit！''Sotheystoodinlineagain，Marcoatthehead，andrenewedtheiroath。
　　``Theswordinmyhand——forSamavia！
　　``Theheartinmybreast——forSamavia！
　　``Theswiftnessofmysight，thethoughtofmybrain，thelifeofmylife——forSamavia。
　　``Heregrowtwelvemen——forSamavia。
　　``Godbethanked！''