Itwasonlyoneofthesmallpartsofthetrainingwhichhadquietlymadetheboy，evenasachild，self-controlledandcourteous，hadtaughthimeaseandgraceofboyishcarriage，thehabitofholdinghisbodywellandhisheaderect，andhadgivenhimacertainlookofyoungdistinctionwhich，thoughitassumednothing，sethimapartfromboysofcarelesslyawkwardbearing。
　　``Isthereanewspaperherewhichtellsofthebattle，Lazarus？''
　　heasked，afterhehadleftthetable。
　　``Yes，sir，''wastheanswer。``Yourfathersaidthatyoumightreadit。Itisablacktale！''headded，ashehandedhimthepaper。
　　Itwasablacktale。Asheread，Marcofeltasifhecouldscarcelybearit。ItwasasifSamaviaswaminblood，andasiftheothercountriesmuststandaghastbeforesuchfuriouscruelties。
　　``Lazarus，''hesaid，springingtohisfeetatlast，hiseyesburning，``somethingmuststopit！Theremustbesomethingstrongenough。
　　Thetimehascome。Thetimehascome。''Andhewalkedupanddowntheroombecausehewastooexcitedtostandstill。
　　HowLazaruswatchedhim！Whatastrongandglowingfeelingtherewasinhisownrestrainedface！
　　``Yes，sir。Surelythetimehascome，''heanswered。Butthatwasallhesaid，andheturnedandwentoutoftheshabbybacksitting-roomatonce。Itwasasifhefeltitwerewisertogobeforehelostpoweroverhimselfandsaidmore。
　　Marcomadehiswaytothemeeting-placeoftheSquad，towhichTheRathadinthepastgiventhenameoftheBarracks。TheRatwassittingamonghisfollowers，andhehadbeenreadingthemorningpapertothem，theonewhichcontainedtheaccountofthebattleofMelzarr。TheSquadhadbecometheSecretParty，andeachmemberofitwasthrilledwiththespiritofdarkplotandadventure。Theyallwhisperedwhentheyspoke。
　　``ThisisnottheBarracksnow，''TheRatsaid。``Itisasubterraneancavern。Underthefloorofitthousandsofswordsandgunsareburied，anditispiledtotheroofwiththem。
　　Thereisonlyasmallplaceleftforustositandplotin。Wecrawlinthroughahole，andtheholeishiddenbybushes。''
　　Totherestoftheboysthiswasonlyanexcitinggame，butMarcoknewthattoTheRatitwasmore。ThoughTheRatknewnoneofthethingsheknew，hesawthatthewholestoryseemedtohimarealthing。ThestrugglesofSamavia，ashehadheardandreadoftheminthenewspapers，hadtakenpossessionofhim。Hispassionforsoldieringandwarfareandhiscuriouslymaturebrainhadledhimintofollowingeverydetailhecouldlayholdof。Hehadlistenedtoallhehadheardwithremarkableresults。Herememberedthingsolderpeopleforgotaftertheyhadmentionedthem。Heforgotnothing。HehaddrawnontheflagstonesamapofSamaviawhichMarcosawwasactuallycorrect，andhehadmadearoughsketchofMelzarrandthebattlewhichhadhadsuchdisastrousresults。
　　``TheMaranovitchhadpossessionofMelzarr，''heexplainedwithfeverisheagerness。``AndtheIarovitchattackedthemfromhere，''pointingwithhisfinger。``Thatwasamistake。I
　　shouldhaveattackedthemfromaplacewheretheywouldnothavebeenexpectingit。Theyexpectedattackontheirfortifications，andtheywerereadytodefendthem。Ibelievetheenemycouldhavestolenupinthenightandrushedinhere，''pointingagain。
　　Marcothoughthewasright。TheRathadargueditallout，andhadstudiedMelzarrashemighthavestudiedapuzzleoranarithmeticalproblem。Hewasveryclever，andassharpashisqueerfacelooked。
　　``Ibelieveyouwouldmakeagoodgeneralifyouweregrownup，''
　　saidMarco。``I'dliketoshowyourmapstomyfatherandaskhimifhedoesn'tthinkyourstratagemwouldhavebeenagoodone。''
　　``DoesheknowmuchaboutSamavia？''askedTheRat。
　　``Hehastoreadthenewspapersbecausehewritesthings，''Marcoanswered。``Andeveryoneisthinkingaboutthewar。Noonecanhelpit。''
　　TheRatdrewadingy，foldedpaperoutofhispocketandlookeditoverwithanairofreflection。
　　``I'llmakeacleanone，''hesaid。``I'dlikeagrown-upmantolookatitandseeifit'sallright。Myfatherwasmorethanhalf-drunkwhenIwasdrawingthis，soIcouldn'taskhimquestions。He'llkillhimselfbeforelong。Hehadasortoffitlastnight。''
　　``Tellus，Rat，wotyouan'Marco'll'aveterdo。Let's'earwotyou'vemadeup，''suggestedCad。Hedrewcloser，andsodidtherestofthecircle，huggingtheirkneeswiththeirarms。
　　``Thisiswhatweshallhavetodo，''beganTheRat，inthehollowwhisperofaSecretParty。``THEHOURHASCOME。ToalltheSecretOnesinSamavia，andtothefriendsoftheSecretPartyineverycountry，thesignmustbecarried。Itmustbecarriedbysomeonewhocouldnotbesuspected。Whowouldsuspecttwoboys——andoneofthemacripple？ThebestthingofallforusisthatIamacripple。Whowouldsuspectacripple？
　　Whenmyfatherisdrunkandbeatsme，hedoesitbecauseIwon'tgooutandbeginthestreetsandbringhimthemoneyIget。Hesaysthatpeoplewillnearlyalwaysgivemoneytoacripple。I
　　won'tbeabeggarforhim——theswine——butIwillbeoneforSamaviaandtheLostPrince。Marcoshallpretendtobemybrotherandtakecareofme。Isay，''speakingtoMarcowithasuddenchangeofvoice，``canyousinganything？Itdoesn'tmatterhowyoudoit。''
　　``Yes，Icansing，''Marcoreplied。
　　``ThenMarcowillpretendheissingingtomakepeoplegivehimmoney。I'llgetapairofcrutchessomewhere，andpartofthetimeIwillgooncrutchesandpartofthetimeonmyplatform。
　　We'lllivelikebeggarsandgowhereverwewantto。Icanwhizpastamanandgivethesignandnoonewillknow。SometimesMarcocangiveitwhenpeoplearedroppingmoneyintohiscap。
　　WecanpassfromonecountrytoanotherandrouseeverybodywhoisoftheSecretParty。We'llworkourwayintoSamavia，andwe'llbeonlytwoboys——andoneacripple——andnobodywillthinkwecouldbedoinganything。We'llbegingreatcitiesandonthehighroad。''
　　``Where'llyougetthemoneytotravel？''saidCad。
　　``TheSecretPartywillgiveittous，andwesha'n'tneedmuch。
　　Wecouldbegenough，forthatmatter。We'llsleepunderthestars，orunderbridges，orarchways，orindarkcornersofstreets。I'vedoneitmyselfmanyatimewhenmyfatherdrovemeoutofdoors。Ifit'scoldweather，it'sbadenoughbutifit'sfineweather，it'sbetterthansleepinginthekindofplaceI'musedto。Comrade，''toMarco，``areyouready？''
　　Hesaid``Comrade''asLoristandid，andsomehowMarcodidnotresentit，becausehewasreadytolaborforSamavia。Itwasonlyagame，butitmadethemcomrades——andwasitreallyonlyagame，afterall？Hisexcitedvoiceandhisstrange，linedfacemadeitsingularlyunlikeone。
　　``Yes，Comrade，Iamready，''Marcoansweredhim。
　　``WeshallbeinSamaviawhenthefightingfortheLostPrincebegins。''TheRatcarriedonhisstorywithfire。``Wemayseeabattle。Wemightdosomethingtohelp。Wemightcarrymessagesunderarainofbullets——arainofbullets！''Thethoughtsoelatedhimthatheforgothiswhisperandhisvoicerangoutfiercely。``Boyshavebeeninbattlesbefore。WemightfindtheLostKing——no，theFoundKing——andaskhimtoletusbehisservants。Hecouldsenduswherehecouldn'tsendbiggerpeople。Icouldsaytohim，`YourMajesty，Iamcalled``TheRat，''becauseIcancreepthroughholesandintocornersanddartabout。OrdermeintoanydangerandIwillobeyyou。LetmedielikeasoldierifIcan'tlivelikeone。'''
　　Suddenlyhethrewhisraggedcoatsleeveupacrosshiseyes。Hehadwroughthimselfuptremendouslywiththepictureoftherainofbullets。AndhefeltasifhesawtheKingwhohadatlastbeenfound。Thenextmomentheuncoveredhisface。
　　``That'swhatwe'vegottodo，''hesaid。``Justthat，ifyouwanttoknow。Andalotmore。There'snoendtoit！''
　　Marco'sthoughtswereinawhirl。Itoughtnottobenothingbutagame。Hegrewquitehotallover。IftheSecretPartywantedtosendmessengersnoonewouldthinkofsuspecting，whocouldbemoreharmless-lookingthantwovagabondboyswanderingaboutpickinguptheirlivingasbesttheycould，notseemingtobelongtoanyone？Andoneacripple。Itwastrue——yes，itwastrue，asTheRatsaid，thathisbeingacripplemadehimlooksaferthananyoneelse。Marcoactuallyputhisforeheadinhishandsandpressedhistemples。
　　``What'sthematter？''exclaimedTheRat。``Whatareyouthinkingabout？''
　　``I'mthinkingwhatageneralyouwouldmake。I'mthinkingthatitmightallbereal——everywordofit。Itmightn'tbeagameatall，''saidMarco。
　　``No，itmightn't，''TheRatanswered。``IfIknewwheretheSecretPartywas，I'dliketogoandtellthemaboutit。What'sthat！''hesaid，suddenlyturninghisheadtowardthestreet。
　　``Whataretheycallingout？''
　　Somenewsboywithaparticularlyshrillvoicewasshoutingoutsomethingatthetopmostofhislungs。
　　Tenseandexcited，nomemberofthecirclestirredorspokeforafewseconds。TheRatlistened，Marcolistened，thewholeSquadlistened，prickinguptheirears。
　　``StartlingnewsfromSamavia，''thenewsboywasshrillingout。
　　``Amazingstory！DescendantoftheLostPrincefound！
　　DescendantoftheLostPrincefound！''
　　``Anychapgotapenny？''snappedTheRat，beginningtoshuffletowardthearchedpassage。
　　``Ihave！''answeredMarco，followinghim。
　　``Comeon！''TheRatyelled。``Let'sgoandgetapaper！''Andhewhizzeddownthepassagewithhisswiftestrat-likedart，whiletheSquadfollowedhim，shoutingandtumblingovereachother。
　　IX
　　``ITISNOTAGAME''
　　Loristanwalkedslowlyupanddownthebacksitting-roomandlistenedtoMarco，whosatbythesmallfireandtalked。
　　``Goon，''hesaid，whenevertheboystopped。``Iwanttohearitall。He'sastrangelad，andit'sasplendidgame。''
　　Marcowastellinghimthestoryofhissecondandthirdvisitstotheinclosurebehindthedesertedchurch-yard。Hehadbegunatthebeginning，andhisfatherhadlistenedwithadeepinterest。
　　Ayearlater，Marcorecalledthiseveningasathrillingmemory，andasonewhichwouldneverpassawayfromhimthroughouthislife。Hewouldalwaysbeabletocallitallback。Thesmallanddingybackroom，thedimnessoftheonepoorgas-burner，whichwasalltheycouldaffordtolight，theironboxpushedintothecornerwithitsmapsandplanslockedsafelyinit，theerectbearingandactualbeautyofthetallform，whichtheshabbinessofwornandmendedclothescouldnothideordim。NotevenragsandtatterscouldhavemadeLoristanseeminsignificantorundistinguished。Hewasalwaysthesame。Hiseyesseemeddarkerandmorewonderfulthaneverintheirremotethoughtfulnessandinterestashespoke。
　　``Goon，''hesaid。``Itisasplendidgame。Anditiscurious。
　　Hehasthoughtitoutwell。Theladisabornsoldier。''
　　``Itisnotagametohim，''Marcosaid。``Anditisnotagametome。TheSquadisonlyplaying，butwithhimit'squitedifferent。Heknowshe'llneverreallygetwhathewants，buthefeelsasifthiswassomethingnearit。HesaidImightshowyouthemaphemade。Father，lookatit。''
　　HegaveLoristanthecleancopyofTheRat'smapofSamavia。ThecityofMelzarrwasmarkedwithcertainsigns。TheyweretoshowatwhatpointsTheRat——ifhehadbeenaSamaviangeneral——wouldhaveattackedthecapital。AsMarcopointedthemout，heexplainedTheRat'sreasonsforhisplanning。
　　Loristanheldthepaperforsomeminutes。Hefixedhiseyesonitcuriously，andhisblackbrowsdrewthemselvestogether。
　　``Thisisverywonderful！''hesaidatlast。``Heisquiteright。Theymighthavegotinthere，andfortheveryreasonshehiton。
　　Howdidhelearnallthis？''
　　``Hethinksofnothingelsenow，''answeredMarco。``Hehasalwaysthoughtofwarsandmadeplansforbattles。He'snotliketherestoftheSquad。Hisfatherisnearlyalwaysdrunk，butheisverywelleducated，and，whenheisonlyhalfdrunk，helikestotalk。
　　TheRataskshimquestionsthen，andleadshimonuntilhefindsoutagreatdeal。Thenhebegsoldnewspapers，andhehideshimselfincornersandlistenstowhatpeoplearesaying。Hesaysheliesawakeatnightthinkingitout，andhethinksaboutitalltheday。ThatwaswhyhegotuptheSquad。''
　　Loristanhadcontinuedexaminingthepaper。
　　``Tellhim，''hesaid，whenherefoldedandhandeditback，``thatIstudiedhismap，andhemaybeproudofit。Youmayalsotellhim——''andhesmiledquietlyashespoke——``thatinmyopinionheisright。TheIarovitchwouldhaveheldMelzarrto-dayifhehadledthem。''
　　Marcowasfullofexultation。
　　``Ithoughtyouwouldsayhewasright。Ifeltsureyouwould。
　　Thatiswhatmakesmewanttotellyoutherest，''hehurriedon。
　　``Ifyouthinkheisrightabouttheresttoo——''Hestoppedawkwardlybecauseofasuddenwildthoughtwhichrusheduponhim。
　　``Idon'tknowwhatyouwillthink，''hestammered。``Perhapsitwillseemtoyouasifthegame——asifthatpartofitcould——couldonlybeagame。''
　　HewassoferventinspiteofhishesitationthatLoristanbegantowatchhimwithsympatheticrespect，ashealwaysdidwhentheboywastryingtoexpresssomethinghewasnotsureof。OneofthegreatbondsbetweenthemwasthatLoristanwasalwaysinterestedinhisboyishmentalprocesses——inthewayinwhichhisthoughtsledhimtoanyconclusion。
　　``Goon，''hesaidagain。``IamlikeTheRatandIamlikeyou。
　　Ithasnotseemedquitelikeagametome，sofar。''
　　Hesatdownatthewriting-tableandMarco，inhiseagerness，drewnearerandleanedagainstit，restingonhisarmsandloweringhisvoice，thoughitwasalwaystheirhabittospeakatsuchapitchthatnooneoutsidetheroomtheywereincoulddistinguishwhattheysaid。
　　``ItisTheRat'splanforgivingthesignalforaRising，''hesaid。
　　Loristanmadeaslightmovement。
　　``DoeshethinktherewillbeaRising？''heasked。
　　``HesaysthatmustbewhattheSecretPartyhasbeenpreparingforalltheseyears。Anditmustcomesoon。Theothernationsseethatthefightingmustbeputanendtoeveniftheyhavetostopitthemselves。AndiftherealKingisfound——butwhenTheRatboughtthenewspapertherewasnothinginitaboutwherehewas。
　　Itwasonlyasortofrumor。Nobodyseemedtoknowanything。''
　　Hestoppedafewseconds，buthedidnotutterthewordswhichwereinhismind。Hedidnotsay：``ButYOUknow。''
　　``AndTheRathasaplanforgivingthesignal？''Loristansaid。
　　Marcoforgothisfirstfeelingofhesitation。HebegantoseetheplanagainashehadseenitwhenTheRattalked。HebegantospeakasTheRathadspoken，forgettingthatitwasagame。
　　HemadeevenaclearerpicturethanTheRathadmadeofthetwovagabondboys——oneofthemacripple——makingtheirwayfromoneplacetoanother，quitefreetocarrymessagesorwarningswheretheychose，becausetheyweresoinsignificantandpoor-lookingthatnoonecouldthinkofthemasanythingbutwaifsandstrays，belongingtonobodyandblownaboutbythewindofpovertyandchance。Hefeltasifhewantedtoconvincehisfatherthattheplanwasapossibleone。Hedidnotquiteknowwhyhefeltsoanxioustowinhisapprovalofthescheme——asifitwerereal——asifitcouldactuallybedone。Butthisfeelingwaswhatinspiredhimtoenterintonewdetailsandsuggestpossibilities。
　　``Aboywhowasacrippleandonewhowasonlyastreetsingerandasortofbeggarcouldgetalmostanywhere，''hesaid。
　　``Soldierswouldlistentoasingerifhesanggoodsongs——andtheymightnotbeafraidtotalkbeforehim。AstrollingsingerandacripplewouldperhapshearagreatmanythingsitmightbeusefulfortheSecretPartytoknow。Theymightevenhearimportantthings。Don'tyouthinkso？''
　　Beforehehadgonefarwithhisstory，thefarawaylookhadfallenuponLoristan'sface——thelookMarcohadknownsowellallhislife。Hesatturnedalittlesidewisefromtheboy，hiselbowrestingonthetableandhisforeheadonhishand。Helookeddownattheworncarpetathisfeet，andsohelookedashelistenedtotheend。ItwasasifsomenewthoughtwereslowlygrowinginhismindasMarcowentontalkingandenlargingonTheRat'splan。Hedidnotevenlookuporchangehispositionasheanswered，``Yes。Ithinkso。''
　　But，becauseofthedeepandgrowingthoughtinhisface，Marco'scourageincreased。Hisfirstfearthatthispartoftheplanningmightseemsoboldandrecklessthatitwouldonlyappeartobelongtoaboyishgame，graduallyfadedawayforsomestrangereason。HisfatherhadsaidthatthefirstpartofTheRat'simaginingshadnotseemedquitelikeagametohim，andnow——evennow——hewasnotlisteningasifhewerelisteningtothedetailsofmereexaggeratedfancies。Itwasasifthethinghewashearingwasnotwildlyimpossible。Marco'sknowledgeofContinentalcountriesandofmethodsofjourneyinghelpedhimtoenterintomuchdetailandgiverealismtohisplans。
　　``SometimeswecouldpretendweknewnothingbutEnglish，''hesaid。``Then，thoughTheRatcouldnotunderstand，Icould。I
　　shouldalwaysunderstandineachcountry。Iknowthecitiesandtheplacesweshouldwanttogoto。Iknowhowboyslikeuslive，andsoweshouldnotdoanythingwhichwouldmakethepoliceangryormakepeoplenoticeus。Ifanyoneaskedquestions，IwouldletthembelievethatIhadmetTheRatbychance，andwehadmadeupourmindstotraveltogetherbecausepeoplegavemoremoneytoaboywhosangifhewaswithacripple。TherewasaboywhousedtoplaytheguitarinthestreetsofRome，andhealwayshadalamegirlwithhim，andeveryoneknewitwasforthatreason。Whenheplayed，peoplelookedatthegirlandweresorryforherandgavehersoldi。
　　Youremember。''
　　``Yes，Iremember。Andwhatyousayistrue，''Loristananswered。
　　Marcoleanedforwardacrossthetablesothathecameclosertohim。Thetoneinwhichthewordsweresaidmadehiscourageleaplikeaflame。Tobeallowedtogoonwiththisboldnesswastofeelthathewasbeingtreatedalmostasifhewereaman。Ifhisfatherhadwishedtostophim，hecouldhavedoneitwithonequietglance，withoututteringaword。Forsomewonderfulreasonhedidnotwishhimtoceasetalking。Hewaswillingtohearwhathehadtosay——hewaseveninterested。
　　``Youaregrowingolder，''hehadsaidthenighthehadrevealedthemarveloussecret。``Silenceisstilltheorder，butyouaremanenoughtobetoldmore。''
　　WashemanenoughtobethoughtworthytohelpSamaviainanysmallway——evenwithboyishfancieswhichmightcontainagermofsomethoughtwhicholderandwisermindsmightmakeuseful？Washebeinglistenedtobecausetheplan，madeaspartofagame，wasnotanimpossibleone——iftwoboyswhocouldbetrustedcouldbefound？Hecaughtadeepbreathashewenton，drawingstillnearerandspeakingsolowthathistonewasalmostawhisper。
　　``IfthemenoftheSecretPartyhavebeenworkingandthinkingforsomanyyears——theyhavepreparedeverything。Theyknowbythistimeexactlywhatmustbedonebythemessengerswhoaretogivethesignal。Theycantellthemwheretogoandhowtoknowthesecretfriendswhomustbewarned。Iftheorderscouldbewrittenandgivento——tosomeonewhohas——whohaslearnedtorememberthings！''Hehadbeguntobreathesoquicklythathestoppedforamoment。
　　Loristanlookedup。Helookeddirectlyintohiseyes。
　　``SomeonewhohasbeenTRAINEDtorememberthings？''hesaid。
　　``Someonewhohasbeentrained，''Marcowenton，catchinghisbreathagain。``Someonewhodoesnotforget——whowouldneverforget——never！Thatone，evenifhewereonlytwelve——evenifhewereonlyten——couldgoanddoashewastold。''Loristanputhishandonhisshoulder。
　　``Comrade，''hesaid，``youarespeakingasifyouwerereadytogoyourself。''
　　Marco'seyeslookedbravelystraightintohis，buthesaidnotoneword。
　　``Doyouknowwhatitwouldmean，Comrade？''hisfatherwenton。
　　``Youareright。Itisnotagame。Andyouarenotthinkingofitasone。Buthaveyouthoughthowitwouldbeifsomethingbetrayedyou——andyouweresetupagainstawalltobeSHOT？''
　　Marcostoodupquitestraight。Hetriedtobelievehefeltthewallagainsthisback。
　　``IfIwereshot，IshouldbeshotforSamavia，''hesaid。``AndforYOU，Father。''
　　Evenashewasspeaking，thefrontdoor-bellrangandLazarusevidentlyopenedit。Hespoketosomeone，andthentheyheardhisfootstepsapproachingthebacksitting-room。
　　``Openthedoor，''saidLoristan，andMarcoopenedit。
　　``Thereisaboywhoisacripplehere，sir，''theoldsoldiersaid。``HeaskedtoseeMasterMarco。''
　　``IfitisTheRat，''saidLoristan，``bringhiminhere。Iwishtoseehim。''
　　Marcowentdownthepassagetothefrontdoor。TheRatwasthere，buthewasnotuponhisplatform。Hewasleaninguponanoldpairofcrutches，andMarcothoughthelookedwildandstrange。Hewaswhite，andsomehowthelinesofhisfaceseemedtwistedinanewway。Marcowonderedifsomethinghadfrightenedhim，orifhefeltill。
　　``Rat，''hebegan，``myfather——''
　　``I'vecometotellyouaboutMYfather，''TheRatbrokeinwithoutwaitingtoheartherest，andhisvoicewasasstrangeashispaleface。``Idon'tknowwhyI'vecome，butI——Ijustwantedto。He'sdead！''
　　``Yourfather？''Marcostammered。``He's——''
　　``He'sdead，''TheRatansweredshakily。``Itoldyouhe'dkillhimself。Hehadanotherfitandhediedinit。Iknewhewould，oneofthesedays。Itoldhimso。Heknewhewouldhimself。I
　　stayedwithhimtillhewasdead——andthenIgotaburstingheadacheandIfeltsick——andIthoughtaboutyou。''
　　Marcomadeajumpathimbecausehesawhewassuddenlyshakingasifheweregoingtofall。Hewasjustintime，andLazarus，whohadbeenlookingonfromthebackofthepassage，cameforward。Togethertheyheldhimup。
　　``I'mnotgoingtofaint，''hesaidweakly，``butIfeltasifI
　　was。Itwasabadfit，andIhadtotryandholdhim。Iwasallbymyself。Thepeopleintheotheratticthoughthewasonlydrunk，andtheywouldn'tcomein。He'slyingonthefloorthere，dead。''
　　``Comeandseemyfather，''Marcosaid。``He'lltelluswhatdodo。Lazarus，helphim。''
　　``Icangetonbymyself，''saidTheRat。``Doyouseemycrutches？Ididsomethingforapawnbrokerlastnight，andhegavethemtomeforpay。''
　　Butthoughhetriedtospeakcarelessly，hehadplainlybeenhorriblyshakenandoverwrought。Hisqueerfacewasyellowishwhitestill，andhewastremblingalittle。
　　Marcoledthewayintothebacksitting-room。InthemidstofitsshabbygloomandunderthedimlightLoristanwasstandinginoneofhisstill，attentiveattitudes。Hewaswaitingforthem。
　　``Father，thisisTheRat，''theboybegan。TheRatstoppedshortandrestedonhiscrutches，staringatthetall，reposefulfigurewithwidenedeyes。
　　``Isthatyourfather？''hesaidtoMarco。Andthenadded，withajerkyhalf-laugh，``He'snotmuchlikemine，ishe？''
　　X
　　THERAT——ANDSAMAVIA
　　WhatTheRatthoughtwhenLoristanbegantospeaktohim，Marcowondered。Suddenlyhestoodinanunknownworld，anditwasLoristanwhomadeitsobecauseitspovertyandshabbinesshadnopowertotouchhim。Helookedattheboywithcalmandcleareyes，heaskedhimpracticalquestionsgently，anditwasplainthatheunderstoodmanythingswithoutaskingquestionsatall。
　　Marcothoughtthatperhapshehad，atsometime，seendrunkenmendie，inhislifeinstrangeplaces。HeseemedtoknowtheterriblenessofthenightthroughwhichTheRathadpassed。Hemadehimsitdown，andheorderedLazarustobringhimsomehotcoffeeandsimplefood。
　　``Haven'thadabitesinceyesterday，''TheRatsaid，stillstaringathim。``HowdidyouknowIhadn't？''
　　``Youhavenothadtime，''Loristananswered。
　　Afterwardhemadehimliedownonthesofa。
　　``Lookatmyclothes，''saidTheRat。
　　``Liedownandsleep，''Loristanreplied，puttinghishandonhisshoulderandgentlyforcinghimtowardthesofa。``Youwillsleepalongtime。Youmusttellmehowtofindtheplacewhereyourfatherdied，andIwillseethattheproperauthoritiesarenotified。''
　　``Whatareyoudoingitfor？''TheRatasked，andthenheadded，``sir。''
　　``BecauseIamamanandyouareaboy。Andthisisaterriblething，''Loristanansweredhim。
　　Hewentawaywithoutsayingmore，andTheRatlayonthesofastaringatthewallandthinkingaboutituntilhefellasleep。
　　But，beforethishappened，Marcohadquietlylefthimalone。So，asLoristanhadtoldhimhewould，hesleptdeeplyandlong；infact，hesleptthroughallthenight。
　　Whenheawakeneditwasmorning，andLazaruswasstandingbythesideofthesofalookingdownathim。
　　``Youwillwanttomakeyourselfclean，''hesaid。``Itmustbedone。''
　　``Clean！''saidTheRat，withhissqueakylaugh。``Icouldn'tkeepcleanwhenIhadaroomtolivein，andnowwhereamItowashmyself？''Hesatupandlookedabouthim。
　　``Givememycrutches，''hesaid。``I'vegottogo。They'veletmesleephereallnight。Theydidn'tturnmeintothestreet。I
　　don'tknowwhytheydidn't。Marco'sfather——he'stherightsort。
　　Helookslikeaswell。''
　　``TheMaster，''saidLazarus，witharigidmanner，``theMasterisagreatgentleman。Hewouldturnnotiredcreatureintothestreet。Heandhissonarepoor，buttheyareofthosewhogive。
　　Hedesirestoseeandtalktoyouagain。YouaretohavebreadandcoffeewithhimandtheyoungMaster。ButitisIwhotellyouthatyoucannotsitattablewiththemuntilyouareclean。
　　Comewithme，''andhehandedhimhiscrutches。Hismannerwasauthoritative，butitwasthemannerofasoldier；hissomewhatstiffanderectmovementswerethoseofasoldier，also，andTheRatlikedthembecausetheymadehimfeelasifhewereinbarracks。Hedidnotknowwhatwasgoingtohappen，buthegotupandfollowedhimonhiscrutches。
　　Lazarustookhimtoaclosetunderthestairswhereabatteredtinbathwasalreadyfullofhotwater，whichtheoldsoldierhimselfhadbroughtinpails。Thereweresoapandcoarse，cleantowelsonawoodenchair，andalsotherewasamuchwornbutcleanlysuitofclothes。
　　``Puttheseonwhenyouhavebathed，''Lazarusordered，pointingtothem。``TheybelongtotheyoungMasterandwillbelargeforyou，buttheywillbebetterthanyourown。''Andthenhewentoutoftheclosetandshutthedoor。
　　ItwasanewexperienceforTheRat。Solongasheremembered，hehadwashedhisfaceandhands——whenhehadwashedthematall——atanirontapsetinthewallofabackstreetorcourtinsomeslum。Hisfatherandhimselfhadlongagosunkintotheworldwheretowashone'sselfisnotapartofevery-daylife。
　　Theyhadlivedamiddirtandfoulness，andwhenhisfatherhadbeeninamaudlinstate，hehadsometimescriedandtalkedofthelong-pastdayswhenhehadshavedeverymorningandputonacleanshirt。
　　Tostandeveninthemostbatteredoftinbathsfullofcleanhotwaterandtosplashandscrubwithabigpieceofflannelandplentyofsoapwasamarvelousthing。TheRat'stiredbodyrespondedtothenoveltywithacuriousfeelingoffreshnessandcomfort。
　　``Idaresayswellsdothiseveryday，''hemuttered。``I'ddoitmyselfifIwasaswell。Soldiershavetokeepthemselvessocleantheyshine。''
　　When，aftermakingthemostofhissoapandwater，hecameoutoftheclosetunderthestairs，hewasasfreshasMarcohimself；
　　and，thoughhisclotheshadbeenbuiltforamorestalwartbody，hisrecognitionoftheircleanlinessfilledhimwithpleasure。
　　Hewonderedifbyanyefforthecouldkeephimselfcleanwhenhewentoutintotheworldagainandhadtosleepinanyholethepolicedidnotorderhimoutof。
　　HewantedtoseeMarcoagain，buthewantedmoretoseethetallmanwiththesoftdarkeyesandthatqueerlookofbeingaswellinspiteofhisshabbyclothesandthedingyplacehelivedin。
　　Therewassomethingabouthimwhichmadeyoukeeponlookingathim，andwantingtoknowwhathewasthinkingof，andwhyyoufeltasifyou'dtakeordersfromhimasyou'dtakeordersfromyourgeneral，ifyouwereasoldier。Helooked，somehow，likeasoldier，butasifheweresomethingmore——asifpeoplehadtakenordersfromhimallhislife，andalwayswouldtakeordersfromhim。Andyethehadthatquietvoiceandthosefine，easymovements，andhewasnotasoldieratall，butonlyapoormanwhowrotethingsforpaperswhichdidnotpayhimwellenoughtogivehimandhissonacomfortableliving。Throughallthetimeofhisseclusionwiththebatteredbathandthesoapandwater，TheRatthoughtofhim，andlongedtohaveanotherlookathimandhearhimspeakagain。Hedidnotseeanyreasonwhyheshouldhavelethimsleeponhissofaorwhyheshouldgivehimabreakfastbeforeheturnedhimouttofacetheworld。Itwasfirst-rateofhimtodoit。TheRatfeltthatwhenhewasturnedout，afterhehadhadthecoffee，heshouldwanttohangabouttheneighborhoodjustonthechanceofseeinghimpassbysometimes。Hedidnotknowwhathewasgoingtodo。Theparishofficialswouldbythistimehavetakenhisdeadfather，andhewouldnotseehimagain。Hedidnotwanttoseehimagain。Hehadneverseemedlikeafather。Theyhadnevercaredanythingforeachother。Hehadonlybeenawretchedoutcastwhosebesthourshadbeenwhenhehaddrunktoomuchtobeviolentandbrutal。Perhaps，TheRatthought，hewouldbedriventogoingaboutonhisplatformonthepavementsandbegging，ashisfatherhadtriedtoforcehimtodo。Couldhesellnewspapers？Whatcouldacrippledladdounlesshebeggedorsoldpapers？
　　Lazaruswaswaitingforhiminthepassage。TheRatheldbackalittle。
　　``Perhapsthey'drathernoteattheirbreakfastwithme，''hehesitated。``I'mnot——I'mnotthekindtheyare。Icouldswallowthecoffeeouthereandcarrythebreadawaywithme。
　　Andyoucouldthankhimforme。I'dwanthimtoknowIthankedhim。''
　　Lazarusalsohadasteadyeye。TheRatrealizedthathewaslookinghimoverasifheweresumminghimup。
　　``Youmaynotbethekindtheyare，butyoumaybeofakindtheMasterseesgoodin。Ifhedidnotseesomething，hewouldnotaskyoutositathistable。Youaretocomewithme。''
　　TheSquadhadseengoodinTheRat，butnooneelsehad。
　　Policemenhadmovedhimonwhenevertheyseteyesonhim，thewretchedwomenoftheslumshadregardedhimastheyregardedhisdarting，thievingnamesake；loafingorbusymenhadseeninhimayoungnuisancetobekickedorpushedoutoftheway。TheSquadhadnotcalled``good''whattheysawinhim。Theywouldhaveyelledwithlaughteriftheyhadheardanyoneelsecallitso。
　　``Goodness''wasnotconsideredanattractionintheirworld。
　　TheRatgrinnedalittleandwonderedwhatwasmeant，ashefollowedLazarusintothebacksitting-room。
　　Itwasasdingyandgloomyasithadlookedthenightbefore，butbythedaylightTheRatsawhowrigidlyneatitwas，howwellsweptandfreefromanyspeckofdust，howthepoorwindowshadbeencleanedandpolished，andhoweverythingwassetinorder。
　　Thecoarselinenclothonthetablewasfreshandspotless，sowasthecheapcrockery，thespoonsshonewithbrightness。
　　LoristanwasstandingonthehearthandMarcowasnearhim。Theywerewaitingfortheirvagabondguestasifhehadbeenagentleman。
　　TheRathesitatedandshuffledatthedoorforamoment，andthenitsuddenlyoccurredtohimtostandasstraightashecouldandsalute。WhenhefoundhimselfinthepresenceofLoristan，hefeltasifheoughttodosomething，buthedidnotknowwhat。
　　Loristan'srecognitionofhisgestureandhisexpressionashemovedforwardliftedfromTheRat'sshouldersaloadwhichhehimselfhadnotknownlaythere。Somehowhefeltasifsomethingnewhadhappenedtohim，asifhewerenotmere``vermin，''afterall，asifheneednotbeonthedefensive——evenasifheneednotfeelsomuchinthedark，andlikeathingtherewasnoplaceintheworldfor。Themerestraightandfar-seeinglookofthisman'seyesseemedtomakeaplacesomewhereforwhathelookedat。Andyetwhathesaidwasquitesimple。
　　``Thisiswell，''hesaid。``Youhaverested。Wewillhavesomefood，andthenwewilltalktogether。''Hemadeaslightgestureinthedirectionofthechairattherighthandofhisownplace。
　　TheRathesitatedagain。Whataswellhewas！Withthatwaveofthehandhemadeyoufeelasifyouwereafellowlikehimself，andhewasdoingyousomehonor。
　　``I'mnot——''TheRatbrokeoffandjerkedhisheadtowardMarco。``Heknows——''heended，``I'veneversatatatablelikethisbefore。''
　　``Thereisnotmuchonit。''Loristanmadetheslightgesturetowardtheright-handseatagainandsmiled。``Letussitdown。''
　　TheRatobeyedhimandthemealbegan。Therewereonlybreadandcoffeeandalittlebutterbeforethem。ButLazaruspresentedthecupsandplatesonasmalljapannedtrayasifitwereagoldensalver。Whenhewasnotserving，hestooduprightbehindhismaster'schair，asthoughheworeroyalliveryofscarletandgold。Totheboywhohadgnawedaboneormunchedacrustwheresoeverhefoundthem，andwithnothoughtbutoftheappeasingofhisownwolfishhunger，towatchthetwowithwhomhesateattheirsimplefoodwasanewthing。Heknewnothingoftheevery-daydecenciesofcivilizedpeople。TheRatlikedtolookatthem，andhefoundhimselftryingtoholdhiscupasLoristandid，andtositandmoveasMarcowassittingandmoving——takinghisbreadorbutter，whenitwasheldathissidebyLazarus，asifitwereasimplethingtobewaitedupon。
　　Marcohadhadthingshandedtohimallhislife，anditdidnotmakehimfeelawkward。TheRatknewthathisownfatherhadoncelivedlikethis。Hehimselfwouldhavebeenateaseifchancehadtreatedhimfairly。Itmadehimscowltothinkofit。ButinafewminutesLoristanbegantotalkaboutthecopyofthemapofSamavia。ThenTheRatforgoteverythingelseandwasillateasenomore。HedidnotknowthatLoristanwasleadinghimontoexplainhistheoriesaboutthecountryandthepeopleandthewar。Hefoundhimselftellingallthathehadread，oroverheard，orTHOUGHTashelayawakeinhisgarret。Hehadthoughtoutagreatmanythingsinawaynotatalllikeaboy's。
　　Hisstrangelyconcentratedandover-maturemindhadbeenfullofmilitaryschemeswhichLoristanlistenedtowithcuriosityandalsowithamazement。Hehadbecomeextraordinarilycleverinonedirectionbecausehehadfixedallhismentalpowersononething。Itseemedscarcelynaturalthatanuntaughtvagabondladshouldknowsomuchandreasonsoclearly。Itwasatleastextraordinarilyinteresting。Therehadbeennoskirmish，noattack，nobattlewhichhehadnotledandfoughtinhisownimagination，andhehadmadescoresofroughqueerplansofallthathadbeenorshouldhavebeendone。Lazaruslistenedasattentivelyashismaster，andonceMarcosawhimexchangeastartled，rapidglancewithLoristan。ItwasatamomentwhenTheRatwassketchingwithhisfingerontheclothanattackwhichOUGHTtohavebeenmadebutwasnot。AndMarcoknewatoncethatthequicklyexchangedlookmeant``Heisright！Ifithadbeendone，therewouldhavebeenvictoryinsteadofdisaster！''
　　Itwasawonderfulmeal，thoughitwasonlyofbreadandcoffee。
　　TheRatknewheshouldneverbeabletoforgetit。
　　Afterward，Loristantoldhimofwhathehaddonethenightbefore。Hehadseentheparishauthoritiesandallhadbeendonewhichacitygovernmentprovidesinthecaseofapauper'sdeath。
　　Hisfatherwouldbeburiedintheusualmanner。``Wewillfollowhim，''Loristansaidintheend。``YouandIandMarcoandLazarus。''
　　TheRat'smouthfellopen。
　　``You——andMarco——andLazarus！''heexclaimed，staring。``Andme！Whyshouldanyofusgo？Idon'twantto。Hewouldn'thavefollowedmeifI'dbeentheone。''
　　Loristanremainedsilentforafewmoments。
　　``Whenalifehascountedfornothing，theendofitisalonelything，''hesaidatlast。``Ifithasforgottenallrespectforitself，pityisallthatonehaslefttogive。OnewouldliketogiveSOMETHINGtoanythingsolonely。''Hesaidthelastbriefsentenceafterapause。
　　``Letusgo，''Marcosaidsuddenly；andhecaughtTheRat'shand。
　　TheRat'sownmovementwassudden。Heslippedfromhiscrutchestoachair，andsatandgazedattheworncarpetasifhewerenotlookingatitatall，butatsomethingalongwayoff。AfterawhilehelookedupatLoristan。
　　``DoyouknowwhatIthoughtof，allatonce？''hesaidinashakyvoice。``Ithoughtofthat`LostPrince'one。Heonlylivedonce。Perhapshedidn'tlivealongtime。Nobodyknows。
　　Butit'sfivehundredyearsago，and，justbecausehewasthekindhewas，everyonethatremembershimthinksofsomethingfine。It'squeer，butitdoesyougoodjusttohearhisname。
　　AndifhehasbeentrainingkingsforSamaviaallthesecenturies——theymayhavebeenpoorandnobodymayhaveknownaboutthem，butthey'vebeenKINGS。That'swhatHEdid——justbybeingaliveafewyears。WhenIthinkofhimandthenthinkof——theother——there'ssuchanawfuldifferencethat——yes——I'msorry。Forthefirsttime。I'mhissonandIcan'tcareabouthim；buthe'stoolonely——Iwanttogo。''
　　Soitwasthatwhentheforlornderelictwascarriedtothegraveyardwherenamelessburdensonthecityweregiventotheearth，acuriousfuneralprocessionfollowedhim。Thereweretwotallandsoldierlylookingmenandtwoboys，oneofwhomwalkedoncrutches，andbehindthemweretenotherboyswhowalkedtwobytwo。Thesetenwereaqueer，raggedlot；buttheyhadrespectfullysoberfaces，heldtheirheadsandtheirshoulderswell，andwalkedwitharemarkablyregularmarchingstep。
　　ItwastheSquad；buttheyhadlefttheir``rifles''athome。
　　XI
　　``COMEWITHME''
　　Whentheycamebackfromthegraveyard，TheRatwassilentalltheway。Hewasthinkingofwhathadhappenedandofwhatlaybeforehim。Hewas，infact，thinkingchieflythatnothinglaybeforehim——nothing。Thecertaintyofthatgavehissharp，linedfacenewlinesandsharpnesswhichmadeitlookpinchedandhard。
　　Hehadnothingbeforebutacornerinabaregarretinwhichhecouldfindlittlemorethanaleakingroofoverhishead——whenhewasnotturnedoutintothestreet。But，ifpolicemenaskedhimwherehelived，hecouldsayhelivedinBoneCourtwithhisfather。Nowhecouldn'tsayit。
　　Hegotalongverywellonhiscrutches，buthewasrathertiredwhentheyreachedtheturninthestreetwhichledinthedirectionofhisoldhaunts。Atanyrate，theywerehauntsheknew，andhebelongedtothemmorethanhebelongedelsewhere。
　　TheSquadstoppedatthisparticularcornerbecauseitledtosuchhomesastheypossessed。TheystoppedinabodyandlookedatTheRat，andTheRatstoppedalso。HeswunghimselftoLoristan'sside，touchinghishandtohisforehead。
　　``Thankyou，sir，''hesaid。``Lineandsalute，youchaps！''AndtheSquadstoodinlineandraisedtheirhandsalso。``Thankyou，sir。Thankyou，Marco。Good-by。''
　　``Whereareyougoing？''Loristanasked。
　　``Idon'tknowyet，''TheRatanswered，bitinghislips。
　　HeandLoristanlookedateachotherafewmomentsinsilence。
　　Bothofthemwerethinkingveryhard。InTheRat'seyestherewasakindofdesperateadoration。Hedidnotknowwhatheshoulddowhenthismanturnedandwalkedawayfromhim。Itwouldbeasifthesunitselfhaddroppedoutoftheheavens——andTheRathadnotthoughtofwhatthesunmeantbefore。
　　ButLoristandidnotturnandwalkaway。Helookeddeepintothelad'seyesasifheweresearchingtofindsomecertainty。Thenhesaidinalowvoice，``YouknowhowpoorIam。''
　　``I——Idon'tcare！''saidTheRat。``You——you'relikeakingtome。I'dstandupandbeshottobitsifyoutoldmetodoit。''
　　``IamsopoorthatIamnotsureIcangiveyouenoughdrybreadtoeat——always。MarcoandLazarusandIareoftenhungry。
　　Sometimesyoumighthavenothingtosleeponbutthefloor。ButIcanfindaPLACEforyouifItakeyouwithme，''saidLoristan。``DoyouknowwhatImeanbyaPLACE？''
　　``Yes，Ido，''answeredTheRat。``It'swhatI'veneverhadbefore——sir。''
　　Whatheknewwasthatitmeantsomebitofspace，outofalltheworld，wherehewouldhaveasortofrighttostand，howsoeverpoorandbareitmightbe。
　　``I'mnotusedtobedsortofoodenough，''hesaid。Buthedidnotdaretoinsisttoomuchonthat``place。''Itseemedtoogreatathingtobetrue。
　　Loristantookhisarm。
　　``Comewithme，''hesaid。``Wewon'tpart。Ibelieveyouaretobetrusted。''
　　TheRatturnedquitewhiteinasortofanguishofjoy。Hehadnevercaredforanyoneinhislife。HehadbeenasortofyoungCain，hishandagainsteverymanandeveryman'shandagainsthim。Andduringthelasttwelvehourshehadplungedintoatumultuousoceanofboyishhero-worship。Thismanseemedlikeasortofgodtohim。Whathehadsaidanddonethedaybefore，inwhathadbeenreallyTheRat'shoursofextremity，afterthatappallingnight——thewayhehadlookedintohisfaceandunderstooditall，thetalkatthetablewhenhehadlistenedtohimseriously，comprehendingandactuallyrespectinghisplansandroughmaps；hissilentcompanionshipastheyfollowedthepauperhearsetogether——thesethingswereenoughtomaketheladlonginglyreadytobeanysortofservantorslavetohimifhemightseeandbespokentobyhimevenonceortwiceaday。
　　TheSquadworealookofdismayforamoment，andLoristansawit。
　　``Iamgoingtotakeyourcaptainwithme，''hesaid。``ButhewillcomebacktoBarracks。SowillMarco。''
　　``Willyergoonwiththegame？''askedCad，aseagerspokesman。
　　``Wewanttogoonbeingthe`SecretParty。'''
　　``Yes，I'llgoon，''TheRatanswered。``Iwon'tgiveitup。
　　There'salotinthepapersto-day。''
　　Sotheywerepacifiedandwentontheirway，andLoristanandLazarusandMarcoandTheRatwentontheirsalso。
　　``Queerthingis，''TheRatthoughtastheywalkedtogether，``I'mabitafraidtospeaktohimunlesshespeakstomefirst。
　　Neverfeltthatwaybeforewithanyone。''
　　Hehadjeeredatpolicemenandhadimpudentlychaffed``swells，''
　　buthefeltasortofsecretaweofthisman，andactuallylikedthefeeling。
　　``It'sasifIwasaprivateandhewascommander-in-chief，''hethought。``That'sit。''
　　Loristantalkedtohimastheywent。Hewassimpleenoughinhisstatementsofthesituation。TherewasanoldsofainMarco'sbedroom。Itwasnarrowandhard，asMarco'sbeditselfwas，butTheRatcouldsleepuponit。Theywouldsharewhatfoodtheyhad。Therewerenewspapersandmagazinestoberead。Therewerepapersandpencilstodrawnewmapsandplansofbattles。
　　TherewasevenanoldmapofSamaviaofMarco'swhichthetwoboyscouldstudytogetherasanaidtotheirgame。TheRat'seyesbegantohavepointsoffireinthem。
　　``IfIcouldseethepaperseverymorning，Icouldfightthebattlesonpaperbynight，''hesaid，quitepantingattheincrediblevisionofsplendor。Wereallthekingdomsoftheearthgoingtobegiventohim？Washegoingtosleepwithoutadrunkenfathernearhim？
　　Washegoingtohaveachancetowashhimselfandtositatatableandhearpeoplesay``Thankyou，''and``Ibegpardon，''asiftheywereusingthemostordinaryfashionofspeech？Hisownfather，beforehehadsunkintothedepths，hadlivedandspokeninthisway。
　　``WhenIhavetime，wewillseewhocandrawupthebestplans，''
　　Loristansaid。
　　``Doyoumeanthatyou'lllookatminethen——whenyouhavetime？''askedTheRat，hesitatingly。``Iwasn'texpectingthat。''
　　``Yes，''answeredLoristan，``I'lllookatthem，andwe'lltalkthemover。''
　　Astheywenton，hetoldhimthatheandMarcocoulddomanythingstogether。Theycouldgotomuseumsandgalleries，andMarcocouldshowhimwhathehimselfwasfamiliarwith。
　　``Myfathersaidyouwouldn'tlethimcomebacktoBarrackswhenyoufoundoutaboutit，''TheRatsaid，hesitatingagainandgrowinghotbecauseherememberedsomanyuglypastdays。
　　``But——butIswearIwon'tdohimanyharm，sir。Iwon't！''
　　``WhenIsaidIbelievedyoucouldbetrusted，Imeantseveralthings，''Loristanansweredhim。``Thatwasoneofthem。You'reanewrecruit。YouandMarcoarebothunderacommandingofficer。''Hesaidthewordsbecauseheknewtheywouldelatehimandstirhisblood。
　　XII
　　``ONLYTWOBOYS''
　　Thewordsdidelatehim，andhisbloodwasstirredbythemeverytimetheyreturnedtohismind。Herememberedthemthroughthedaysandnightsthatfollowed。Hesometimes，indeed，awakenedfromhisdeepsleeponthehardandnarrowsofainMarco'sroom，andfoundthathewassayingthemhalfaloudtohimself。Thehardnessofthesofadidnotpreventhisrestingashehadneverrestedbeforeinhislife。Bycontrastwiththepasthehadknown，thispoorexistencewascomfortwhichvergedonluxury。
　　Hegotintothebatteredtinbatheverymorning，hesatatthecleantable，andcouldlookatLoristanandspeaktohimandhearhisvoice。Hischieftroublewasthathecouldhardlykeephiseyesoffhim，andhewasalittleafraidhemightbeannoyed。
　　Buthecouldnotbeartolosealookoramovement。
　　Attheendofthesecondday，hefoundhisway，atsometrouble，toLazarus'ssmallbackroomatthetopofthehouse。
　　``Willyouletmecomeinandtalkabit？''hesaid。
　　Whenhewentin，hewasobligedtositonthetopofLazarus'swoodenboxbecausetherewasnothingelseforhim。
　　``Iwanttoaskyou，''heplungedintohistalkatonce，``doyouthinkhemindsmelookingathimsomuch？Ican'thelpit——butifhehatesit——well——I'lltryandkeepmyeyesonthetable。''
　　``TheMasterisusedtobeinglookedat，''Lazarusmadeanswer。
　　``Butitwouldbewelltoaskhimself。Helikesopenspeech。''
　　``Iwanttofindouteverythinghelikesandeverythinghedoesn'tlike，''TheRatsaid。``Iwant——isn'tthereanything——anythingyou'dletmedoforhim？Itwouldn'tmatterwhatitwas。Andheneedn'tknowyouarenotdoingit。Iknowyouwouldn'tbewillingtogiveupanythingparticular。Butyouwaitonhimnightandday。Couldn'tyougiveupsomethingtome？''
　　Lazaruspiercedhimwithkeeneyes。Hedidnotanswerforseveralseconds。
　　``Nowandthen，''hesaidgrufflyatlast，``I'llletyoubrushhisboots。Butnoteveryday——perhapsonceaweek。''
　　``Whenwillyouletmehavemyfirstturn？''TheRatasked。
　　Lazarusreflected。Hisshaggyeyebrowsdrewthemselvesdownoverhiseyesasifthiswereaquestionofstate。
　　``NextSaturday，''heconceded。``Notbefore。I'lltellhimwhenyoubrushthem。''
　　``Youneedn't，''saidTheRat。``It'snotthatIwanthimtoknow。IwanttoknowmyselfthatI'mdoingsomethingforhim。
　　I'llfindoutthingsthatIcandowithoutinterferingwithyou。
　　I'llthinkthemout。''
　　``Anythinganyoneelsedidforhimwouldbeinterferingwithme，''saidLazarus。
　　ItwasTheRat'sturntoreflectnow，andhisfacetwisteditselfintonewlinesandwrinkles。
　　``I'lltellyoubeforeIdoanything，''hesaid，afterhehadthoughtitover。``Youservedhimfirst。''
　　``Ihaveservedhimeversincehewasborn，''saidLazarus。
　　``He's——he'syours，''saidTheRat，stillthinkingdeeply。
　　``Iamhis，''wasLazarus'ssternanswer。``Iamhis——andtheyoungMaster's。''
　　``That'sit，''TheRatsaid。Thenasqueakofahalf-laughbrokefromhim。``I'veneverbeenanybody's，''headded。
　　HissharpeyescaughtapassinglookonLazarus'sface。Suchaqueer，disturbed，suddenlook。Couldheberathersorryforhim？
　　Perhapsthelookmeantsomethinglikethat。
　　``Ifyoustaynearhimlongenough——anditneedn'tbelong——youwillbehistoo。Everybodyis。''
　　TheRatsatupasstraightashecould。``Whenitcomestothat，''heblurtedout，``I'mhisnow，inmyway。Iwashistwominutesafterhelookedatmewithhisqueer，handsomeeyes。
　　They'requeerbecausetheygetyou，andyouwanttofollowhim。
　　I'mgoingtofollow。''
　　ThatnightLazarusrecountedtohismasterthestoryofthescene。Hesimplyrepeatedwordforwordwhathadbeensaid，andLoristanlistenedgravely。
　　``Wehavenothadtimetolearnmuchofhimyet，''hecommented。
　　``Butthatisafaithfulsoul，Ithink。''
　　Afewdayslater，MarcomissedTheRatsoonaftertheirbreakfasthour。Hehadgoneoutwithoutsayinganythingtothehousehold。
　　Hedidnotreturnforseveralhours，andwhenhecamebackhelookedtired。IntheafternoonhefellasleeponhissofainMarco'sroomandsleptheavily。Nooneaskedhimanyquestionsashevolunteerednoexplanation。Thenextdayhewentoutagaininthesamemysteriousmanner，andthenextandthenext。Foranentireweekhewentoutandreturnedwiththetiredlook；buthedidnotexplainuntilonemorning，ashelayonhissofabeforegettingup，hesaidtoMarco：
　　``I'mpracticingwalkingwithmycrutches。Idon'twanttogoaboutlikearatanymore。ImeantobeasnearlikeotherpeopleasIcan。Iwalkfarthereverymorning。Ibeganwithtwomiles。IfIpracticeeveryday，mycrutcheswillbelikelegs。''
　　``ShallIwalkwithyou？''askedMarco。
　　``Wouldn'tyoumindwalkingwithacripple？''
　　``Don'tcallyourselfthat，''saidMarco。``Wecantalktogether，andtrytoremembereverythingweseeaswegoalong。''
　　``Iwanttolearntorememberthings。I'dliketotrainmyselfinthatwaytoo，''TheRatanswered。``I'dgiveanythingtoknowsomeofthethingsyourfathertaughtyou。I'vegotagoodmemory。IrememberalotofthingsIdon'twanttoremember。
　　Willyougothismorning？''
　　Thatmorningtheywent，andLoristanwastoldthereasonfortheirwalk。Butthoughheknewonereason，hedidnotknowallaboutit。WhenTheRatwasallowedhis``turn''oftheboot-brushing，hetoldmoretoLazarus。
　　``WhatIwanttodo，''hesaid，``isnotonlywalkasfastasotherpeopledo，butfaster。Acrobatstrainthemselvestodoanything。It'strainingthatdoesit。Theremightcomeatimewhenhemightneedsomeonetogoonanerrandquickly，andI'mgoingtobeready。I'mgoingtotrainmyselfuntilheneedn'tthinkofmeasifIwereonlyacripplewhocan'tdothingsandhastobetakencareof。IwanthimtoknowthatI'mreallyasstrongasMarco，andwhereMarcocangoIcango。''
　　``He''waswhathealwayssaid，andLazarusalwaysunderstoodwithoutexplanation。
　　```TheMaster'isyournameforhim，''hehadexplainedatthebeginning。``AndIcan'tcallhimjust`Mister'Loristan。Itsoundslikecheek。Ifhewascalled`General'or`Colonel'I
　　couldstandit——thoughitwouldn'tbequiteright。SomedayI
　　shallfindaname。WhenIspeaktohim，Isay`Sir。'''
　　Thewalksweretakeneveryday，andeachdaywerelonger。MarcofoundhimselfsilentlywatchingTheRatwithamazementathisdeterminationandendurance。Heknewthathemustnotspeakofwhathecouldnotfailtoseeastheywalked。Hemustnottellhimthathelookedtiredandpaleandsometimesdesperatelyfatigued。Hehadinheritedfromhisfatherthetactwhichseeswhatpeopledonotwishtoberemindedof。HeknewthatforsomereasonofhisownTheRathaddeterminedtodothisthingatanycosttohimself。Sometimeshisfacegrewwhiteandwornandhebreathedhard，butheneverrestedmorethanafewminutes，andneverturnedbackorshortenedawalktheyhadplanned。
　　``TellmesomethingaboutSamavia，somethingtoremember，''hewouldsay，whenhelookedhisworst。``WhenIbegintotrytoremember，Iforget——otherthings。''
　　So，astheywentontheirway，theytalked，andTheRatcommittedthingstomemory。Hewasquickatit，andgrewquickereveryday。Theyinventedagameofrememberingfacestheypassed。
　　Bothwouldlearnthembyheart，andontheirreturnhomeMarcowoulddrawthem。Theywenttothemuseumsandgalleriesandlearnedthingsthere，makingfrommemorylistsanddescriptionswhichatnighttheyshowedtoLoristan，whenhewasnottoobusytotalktothem。
　　Asthedayspassed，MarcosawthatTheRatwasgainingstrength。
　　Thisexhilaratedhimgreatly。TheyoftenwenttoHampsteadHeathandwalkedinthewindandsun。ThereTheRatwouldgothroughcuriousexerciseswhichhebelievedwoulddevelophismuscles。
　　Hebegantolooklesstiredduringandafterhisjourney。Therewereevenfewerwrinklesonhisface，andhissharpeyeslookedlessfierce。Thetalksbetweenthetwoboyswerelongandcurious。MarcosoonrealizedthatTheRatwantedtolearn——learn——learn。
　　``Yourfathercantalktoyoualmostasifyouweretwentyyearsold，''hesaidonce。``Heknowsyoucanunderstandwhathe'ssaying。Ifheweretotalktome，he'dalwayshavetorememberthatIwasonlyaratthathadlivedinguttersandseennothingelse。''
　　Theyweretalkingintheirroom，astheynearlyalwaysdidaftertheywenttobedandthestreetlampshoneinandlightedtheirbarelittleroom。Theyoftensatupclaspingtheirknees，Marcoonhispoorbed，TheRatonhishardsofa，butneitherofthemconsciouseitherofthepoornessorhardness，becausetoeachonethelongunknownsenseofcompanionshipwassuchasatisfyingthing。Neitherofthemhadevertalkedintimatelytoanotherboy，andnowtheyweretogetherdayandnight。Theyrevealedtheirthoughtstoeachother；theytoldeachotherthingsithadneverbeforeoccurredtoeithertothinkoftellinganyone。Infact，theyfoundoutaboutthemselves，astheytalked，thingstheyhadnotquiteknownbefore。MarcohadgraduallydiscoveredthattheadmirationTheRathadforhisfatherwasanimpassionedandcuriousfeelingwhichpossessedhimentirely。ItseemedtoMarcothatitwasbeginningtobelikeasortofreligion。Heevidentlythoughtofhimeverymoment。SowhenhespokeofLoristan'sknowinghimtobeonlyaratofthegutter，Marcofelthehimselfwasfortunateinrememberingsomethinghecouldsay。
　　``Myfathersaidyesterdaythatyouhadabigbrainandastrongwill，''heansweredfromhisbed。``Hesaidthatyouhadawonderfulmemorywhichonlyneededexercising。HesaiditafterhelookedoverthelistyoumadeofthethingsyouhadseenintheTower。''
　　TheRatshuffledonhissofaandclaspedhiskneestighter。
　　``Didhe？Didhe？''hesaid。
　　Herestedhischinuponhiskneesforafewminutesandstaredstraightbeforehim。Thenheturnedtothebed。
　　``Marco，''hesaid，inaratherhoarsevoice，aqueervoice；
　　``areyoujealous？''
　　``Jealous，''saidMarco；``why？''
　　``Imean，haveyoueverbeenjealous？Doyouknowwhatitislike？''
　　``Idon'tthinkIdo，''answeredMarco，staringalittle。
　　``AreyoueverjealousofLazarusbecausehe'salwayswithyourfather——becausehe'swithhimoftenerthanyouare——andknowsabouthiswork——andcandothingsforhimyoucan't？Imean，areyoujealousof——yourfather？''
　　Marcoloosedhisarmsfromhiskneesandlaydownflatonhispillow。
　　``No，I'mnot。Themorepeopleloveandservehim，thebetter，''
　　hesaid。``TheonlythingIcareforis——ishim。IjustcareforHIM。Lazarusdoestoo。Don'tyou？''
　　TheRatwasgreatlyexcitedinternally。Hehadbeenthinkingofthisthingagreatdeal。Thethoughthadsometimesterrifiedhim。Hemightaswellhaveitoutnowifhecould。Ifhecouldgetatthetruth，everythingwouldbeeasier。ButwouldMarcoreallytellhim？
　　``Don'tyoumind？''hesaid，stillhoarseandeager——``don'tyoumindhowmuchIcareforhim？Coulditevermakeyoufeelsavage？CoulditeversetyouthinkingIwasnothingbut——whatI
　　am——andthatitwascheekofmetopushmyselfinandfastenontoagentlemanwhoonlytookmeupforcharity？Here'sthelivingtruth，''heendedinanoutburst；``ifIwereyouandyouwereme，that'swhatIshouldbethinking。Iknowitis。I
　　couldn'thelpit。Ishouldseeeverylowthingtherewasinyou，inyourmannersandyourvoiceandyourlooks。Ishouldseenothingbutthecontrastbetweenyouandmeandbetweenyouandhim。IshouldbesojealousthatIshouldjustrage。IshouldHATEyou——andIshouldDESPISEyou！''
　　HehadwroughthimselfuptosuchapassionoffeelingthathesetMarcothinkingthatwhathewashearingmeantstrangeandstrongemotionssuchashehimselfhadneverexperienced。TheRathadbeenthinkingoverallthisinsecretforsometime，itwasevident。Marcolaystillafewminutesandthoughtitover。
　　Thenhefoundsomethingtosay，justashehadfoundsomethingbefore。