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