``Youmight，ifyouwerewithotherpeoplewhothoughtinthesameway，''hesaid，``andifyouhadn'tfoundoutthatitissuchamistaketothinkinthatway，thatit'sevenstupid。But，yousee，ifyouwereI，youwouldhavelivedwithmyfather，andhe'dhavetoldyouwhatheknows——whathe'sbeenfindingoutallhislife。''
　　``What'shefoundout？''
　　``Oh！''Marcoanswered，quitecasually，``justthatyoucan'tsetsavagethoughtslooseintheworld，anymorethanyoucanletloosesavagebeastswithhydrophobia。Theyspreadasortofrabies，andtheyalwaystearandworryyoufirstofall。''
　　``Whatdoyoumean？''TheRatgaspedout。
　　``It'slikethis，''saidMarco，lyingflatandcoolonhishardpillowandlookingatthereflectionofthestreetlampontheceiling。``ThatdayIturnedintoyourBarracks，withoutknowingthatyou'dthinkIwasspying，itmadeyoufeelsavage，andyouthrewthestoneatme。IfithadmademefeelsavageandI'drushedinandfought，whatwouldhavehappenedtoallofus？''
　　TheRat'sspiritofgeneralshipgavetheanswer。
　　``IshouldhavecalledontheSquadtochargewithfixedbayonets。They'dhavehalfkilledyou。You'reastrongchap，andyou'dhavehurtalotofthem。''
　　Anoteofterrorbrokeintohisvoice。``WhatafoolIshouldhavebeen！''hecriedout。``Ishouldneverhavecomehere！I
　　shouldneverhaveknownHIM！''EvenbythelightofthestreetlampMarcocouldseehimbegintolookalmostghastly。
　　``TheSquadcouldeasilyhavehalfkilledme，''Marcoadded。
　　``Theycouldhavequitekilledme，iftheyhadwantedtodoit。
　　Andwhowouldhavegotanygoodoutofit？Itwouldonlyhavebeenastreet-lads'row——withthepoliceandprisonattheendofit。''
　　``Butbecauseyou'dlivedwithhim，''TheRatpondered，``youwalkedinasifyoudidn'tmind，andjustaskedwhywedidit，andlookedlikeastrongerchapthananyofus——anddifferent——different。Iwonderedwhatwasthematterwithyou，youweresocoolandsteady。Iknownow。Itwasbecauseyouwerelikehim。He'dtaughtyou。He'slikeawizard。''
　　``Heknowsthingsthatwizardsthinktheyknow，butheknowsthembetter，''Marcosaid。``Hesaysthey'renotqueerandunnatural。
　　They'rejustsimplelawsofnature。Youhavetobeeitherononesideortheother，likeanarmy。Youchooseyourside。Youeitherbuilduporteardown。Youeitherkeepinthelightwhereyoucansee，oryoustandinthedarkandfighteverythingthatcomesnearyou，becauseyoucan'tseeandyouthinkit'sanenemy。No，youwouldn'thavebeenjealousifyou'dbeenIandI'dbeenyou。''
　　``Andyou'reNOT？''TheRat'ssharpvoicewasalmosthollow。
　　``You'llswearyou'renot？''
　　``I'mnot，''saidMarco。
　　TheRat'sexcitementevenincreasedashadeashepouredforthhisconfession。
　　``Iwasafraid，''hesaid。``I'vebeenafraideverydaysinceI
　　camehere。I'lltellyoustraightout。ItseemedjustnaturalthatyouandLazaruswouldn'tstandme，justasIwouldn'thavestoodyou。Itseemedjustnaturalthatyou'dworktogethertothrowmeout。IknewhowIshouldhaveworkedmyself。Marco——I
　　saidI'dtellyoustraightout——I'mjealousofyou。I'mjealousofLazarus。ItmakesmewildwhenIseeyoubothknowingallabouthim，andfitandreadytodoanythinghewantsdone。I'mnotreadyandI'mnotfit。''
　　``You'ddoanythinghewanteddone，whetheryouwerefitandreadyornot，''saidMarco。``Heknowsthat。''
　　``Doeshe？Doyouthinkhedoes？''criedTheRat。``Iwishhe'dtryme。Iwishhewould。''
　　MarcoturnedoveronhisbedandroseuponhiselbowsothathefacedTheRatonhissofa。
　　``LetusWAIT，''hesaidinawhisper。``LetusWAIT。''
　　Therewasapause，andthenTheRatwhisperedalso。
　　``Forwhat？''
　　``Forhimtofindoutthatwe'refittobetried。Don'tyouseewhatfoolsweshouldbeifwespentourtimeinbeingjealous，eitherofus。We'reonlytwoboys。Supposehesawwewereonlytwosillyfools。WhenyouarejealousofmeorofLazarus，justgoandsitdowninastillplaceandthinkofHIM。Don'tthinkaboutyourselforaboutus。He'ssoquietthattothinkabouthimmakesyouquietyourself。WhenthingsgowrongorwhenI'mlonely，he'staughtmetositdownandmakemyselfthinkofthingsIlike——pictures，books，monuments，splendidplaces。Itpushestheotherthingsoutandsetsyourmindgoingproperly。
　　Hedoesn'tknowInearlyalwaysthinkofhim。He'sthebestthoughthimself。Youtryit。You'renotreallyjealous。YouonlyTHINKyouare。You'llfindthatoutifyoualwaysstopyourselfintime。Anyonecanbesuchafoolifheletshimself。
　　Andhecanalwaysstopitifhemakesuphismind。I'mnotjealous。Youmustletthatthoughtalone。You'renotjealousyourself。Kickthatthoughtintothestreet。''
　　TheRatcaughthisbreathandthrewhisarmsupoverhiseyes。
　　``Oh，Lord！Oh，Lord！''hesaid；``ifI'dlivednearhimalwaysasyouhave。IfIjusthad。''
　　``We'rebothlivingnearhimnow，''saidMarco。``Andhere'ssomethingtothinkof，''leaningmoreforwardonhiselbow。
　　``ThekingswhowerebeingmadereadyforSamaviahavewaitedalltheseyears；WEcanmakeourselvesreadyandwaitsothat，ifjusttwoboysarewantedtodosomething——justtwoboys——wecanstepoutoftherankswhenthecallcomesandsay`Here！'Nowlet'sliedownandthinkofituntilwegotosleep。''
　　XIII
　　LORISTANATTENDSADRILLOFTHESQUAD，ANDMARCOMEETSASAMAVIAN
　　TheSquadwasnotforgotten。ItfoundthatLoristanhimselfwouldhaveregardedneglectasabreachofmilitaryduty。
　　``Youmustrememberyourmen，''hesaid，twoorthreedaysafterTheRatbecameamemberofhishousehold。``Youmustkeepuptheirdrill。Marcotellsmeitwasverysmart。Don'tletthemgetslack。''
　　``Hismen！''TheRatfeltwhathecouldnothaveputintowords。
　　Heknewhehadworked，andthattheSquadhadworked，intheirhiddenholesandcorners。Onlyhiddenholesandcornershadbeenpossibleforthembecausetheyhadexistedinspiteoftheprotestoftheirworldandthevigilanceofitspolicemen。TheyhadtriedmanyrefugesbeforetheyfoundtheBarracks。Noonebutresentedtheexistenceofatroopofnoisyvagabonds。Butsomehowthismanknewthattherehadevolvedfromitsomethingmorethanmerenoisyplay，thathe，TheRat，hadMEANTorderanddiscipline。
　　``Hismen！''ItmadehimfeelasifhehadhadtheVictoriaCrossfastenedonhiscoat。Hehadbrainenoughtoseemanythings，andheknewthatitwasinthiswaythatLoristanwasfindinghimhis``place。''Heknewhow。
　　WhentheywenttotheBarracks，theSquadgreetedthemwithatumultuouswelcomewhichexpressedagreatsenseofrelief。
　　Privatelythemembershadbeenfilledwithfearswhichtheyhadtalkedovertogetherindeepgloom。Marco'sfather，theydecided，wastoobigaswelltoletthetwocomebackafterhehadseenthesorttheSquadwasmadeupof。Hemightbepoorjustnow，toffssometimeslosttheirmoneyforabit，butyoucouldseewhathewas，andfatherslikehimweren'tgoingtolettheirsonsmakefriendswith``suchasus。''He'dstopthedrillandthe``SecretSociety''game。That'swhathe'ddo！
　　ButTheRatcameswinginginonhissecondhandcrutcheslookingasifhehadbeenmadeageneral，andMarcocamewithhim；andthedrilltheSquadwasputthroughwasstricterandfinerthananydrilltheyhadeverknown。
　　``Iwishmyfathercouldhaveseenthat，''MarcosaidtoTheRat。
　　TheRatturnedredandwhiteandthenredagain，buthesaidnotasingleword。Themerethoughtwaslikeaflashoffirepassingthroughhim。Butnofellowcouldhopeforathingasbigasthat。TheSecretParty，initssubterraneancavern，surroundedbyitspiledarms，satdowntoreadthemorningpaper。
　　Thewarnewswasbadtoread。TheMaranovitchheldthedayforthemoment，andwhiletheysufferedandwroughtcrueltiesinthecapitalcity，theIarovitchsufferedandwroughtcrueltiesinthecountryoutside。SofierceanddarkwastherecordthatEuropestoodaghast。
　　TheRatfoldedhispaperwhenhehadfinished，andsatbitinghisnails。Havingdonethisforafewminutes，hebegantospeakinhisdramaticandhollowSecretPartywhisper。
　　``Thehourhascome，''hesaidtohisfollowers。``Themessengersmustgoforth。Theyknownothingofwhattheygofor；
　　theyonlyknowthattheymustobey。Iftheywerecaughtandtortured，theycouldbetraynothingbecausetheyknownothingbutthat，atcertainplaces，theymustutteracertainword。Theycarrynopapers。Allcommandstheymustlearnbyheart。Whenthesignisgiven，theSecretPartywillknowwhattodo——wheretomeetandwheretoattack。''
　　Hedrewplansofthebattleontheflagstones，andhesketchedanimaginaryroutewhichthetwomessengersweretofollow。ButhisknowledgeofthemapofEuropewasnotworthmuch，andheturnedtoMarco。
　　``YouknowmoreaboutgeographythatIdo。Youknowmoreabouteverything，''hesaid。``IonlyknowItalyisatthebottomandRussiaisatonesideandEngland'sattheother。HowwouldtheSecretMessengersgotoSamavia？Canyoudrawthecountriesthey'dhavetopassthrough？''
　　Becauseanyschool-boywhoknewthemapcouldhavedonethesamething，Marcodrewthem。HealsoknewthestationstheSecretTwowouldarriveatandleavebywhentheyenteredacity，thestreetstheywouldwalkthroughandtheveryuniformstheywouldsee；butofthesethingshesaidnothing。Therealityhisknowledgegavetothegamewas，however，athrillingthing。HewishedhecouldhavebeenfreetoexplaintoTheRatthethingsheknew。Togethertheycouldhaveworkedoutsomanydetailsoftravelandpossibleadventurethatitwouldhavebeenalmostasiftheyhadsetoutontheirjourneyinfact。
　　Asitwas，themeresketchingoftheroutefiredTheRat'simagination。Heforgedaheadwiththestoryofadventure，andfilleditwithsuchmysteriouspurportanddesignthattheSquadattimesgaspedforbreath。InhisglowingversiontheSecretTwoenteredcitiesbymidnightandsangandbeggedatpalacegateswherekingsdrivingoutwardpausedtolistenandweregiventheSign。
　　``Thoughitwouldnotalwaysbekings，''hesaid。``Sometimesitwouldbethepoorestpeople。Sometimestheymightseemtobebeggarslikeourselves，whentheywereonlySecretOnesdisguised。Agreatlordmightwearpoorclothesandpretendtobeaworkman，andweshouldonlyknowhimbythesignswehadlearnedbyheart。WhenweweresenttoSamavia，weshouldbeobligedtocreepinthroughsomebackpartofthecountrywherenofightingwasbeingdoneandwherenoonewouldattack。Theirgeneralsarenotcleverenoughtoprotectthepartswhicharejoinedtofriendlycountries，andtheyhavenotforcesenough。
　　Twoboyscouldfindawayiniftheythoughtitout。''
　　Hebecamepossessedbytheideaofthinkingitoutonthespot。
　　HedrewhisroughmapofSamaviaontheflagstoneswithhischalk。
　　``Lookhere，''hesaidtoMarco，who，withtheelatedandthrilledSquad，bentoveritinaclosecircleofheads。
　　``BeltrazoishereandCarnolitzishere——andhereisJiardasia。
　　BeltrazoandJiardasiaarefriendly，thoughtheydon'ttakesides。AllthefightingisgoingoninthecountryaboutMelzarr。Thereisnoreasonwhytheyshouldpreventsingletravelersfromcominginacrossthefrontiersoffriendlyneighbors。They'renotfightingwiththecountriesoutside，theyarefightingwiththemselves。''Hepausedamomentandthought。
　　``Thearticleinthatmagazinesaidsomethingaboutahugeforestontheeasternfrontier。That'shere。Wecouldwanderintoaforestandstaythereuntilwe'dplannedallwewantedtodo。
　　Eventhepeoplewhohadseenuswouldforgetaboutus。Whatwehavetodoistomakepeoplefeelasifwewerenothing——nothing。''
　　Theywereintheverymidstofit，crowdedtogether，leaningover，stretchingnecksandbreathingquicklywithexcitement，whenMarcoliftedhishead。Somemysteriousimpulsemadehimdoitinspiteofhimself。
　　``There'smyfather！''hesaid。
　　Thechalkdropped，everythingdropped，evenSamavia。TheRatwasupandonhiscrutchesasifsomemagicforcehadswunghimthere。Howhegavethecommand，orifhegaveitatall，notevenhehimselfknew。ButtheSquadstoodatsalute。
　　LoristanwasstandingattheopeningofthearchwayasMarcohadstoodthatfirstday。Heraisedhisrighthandinreturnsaluteandcameforward。
　　``IwaspassingtheendofthestreetandrememberedtheBarrackswashere，''heexplained。``IthoughtIshouldliketolookatyourmen，Captain。''
　　Hesmiled，butitwasnotasmilewhichmadehiswordsreallyajoke。Helookeddownatthechalkmapdrawnontheflagstones。
　　``Youknowthatmapwell，''hesaid。``EvenIcanseethatitisSamavia。WhatistheSecretPartydoing？''
　　``Themessengersaretryingtofindawayin，''answeredMarco。
　　``Wecangetinthere，''saidTheRat，pointingwithacrutch。
　　``There'saforestwherewecouldhideandfindoutthings。''
　　``Reconnoiter，''saidLoristan，lookingdown。``Yes。Twostrayboyscouldbeverysafeinaforest。It'sagoodgame。''
　　Thatheshouldbethere！Thatheshould，inhisownwonderfulway，havegiventhemsuchathingasthis。ThatheshouldhavecaredenougheventolookuptheBarracks，waswhatTheRatwasthinking。Abatchofragamuffinstheywereandnothingelse，andhestandinglookingatthemwithhisfinesmile。Therewassomethingabouthimwhichmadehimseemevensplendid。TheRat'sheartthumpedwithstartledjoy。
　　``Father，''saidMarco，``willyouwatchTheRatdrillus？I
　　wantyoutoseehowwellitisdone。''
　　``Captain，willyoudomethathonor？''LoristansaidtoTheRat，andtoeventhesewordshegavetherighttone，neitherjestingnortooserious。Becauseitwassorightatone，TheRat'spulsesbeatonlywithexultation。Thisgodofhishadlookedathismaps，hehadtalkedofhisplans，hehadcometoseethesoldierswhowerehiswork！TheRatbeganhisdrillasifhehadbeenreviewinganarmy。
　　WhatLoristansawdonewaswonderfulinitsmechanicalexactness。
　　TheSquadmovedliketheperfectpartsofaperfectmachine。
　　Thattheycouldsodoitinsuchspace，andthattheyshouldhaveaccomplishedsuchprecision，wasanextraordinarytestimonialtothemilitaryefficiencyandcuriousqualitiesofthisonehunchbacked，vagabondofficer。
　　``Thatismagnificent！''thespectatorsaid，whenitwasover。
　　``Itcouldnotbebetterdone。Allowmetocongratulateyou。''
　　HeshookTheRat'shandasifithadbeenaman's，and，afterhehadshakenit，heputhisownhandlightlyontheboy'sshoulderandletitrestthereashetalkedafewminutestothemall。
　　Hekepthistalkwithinthegame，andhisclearcomprehensionofitaddedaflavorwhicheventhedullestmemberoftheSquadwaselatedby。Sometimesyoucouldn'tunderstandtoffswhentheymadeashyatbeingfriendly，butyoucouldunderstandhim，andhestirredupyourspirits。Hedidn'tmakejokeswithyou，either，asifachaphadtobekeptgrinning。Afterthefewminuteswereover，hewentaway。Thentheysatdownagainintheircircleandtalkedabouthim，becausetheycouldtalkandthinkaboutnothingelse。TheystaredatMarcofurtively，feelingasifhewereacreatureofanotherworldbecausehehadlivedwiththisman。TheystaredatTheRatinanewwayalso。
　　Thewonderful-lookinghandhadrestedonhisshoulder，andhehadbeentoldthatwhathehaddonewasmagnificent。
　　``Whenyousaidyouwishedyourfathercouldhaveseenthedrill，''saidTheRat，``youtookmybreathaway。I'dneverhavehadthecheektothinkofitmyself——andI'dneverhavedaredtoletyouaskhim，evenifyouwantedtodoit。Andhecamehimself！Itstruckmedumb。''
　　``Ifhecame，''saidMarco，``itwasbecausehewantedtoseeit。''
　　Whentheyhadfinishedtalking，itwastimeforMarcoandTheRattogoontheirway。LoristanhadgivenTheRatanerrand。Atacertainhourhewastopresenthimselfatacertainshopandreceiveapackage。
　　``Lethimdoitalone，''LoristansaidtoMarco。``Hewillbebetterpleased。Hisdesireistofeelthatheistrustedtodothingsalone。''
　　Sotheypartedatastreetcorner，MarcotowalkbacktoNo。7
　　PhilibertPlace，TheRattoexecutehiscommission。Marcoturnedintooneofthebetterstreets，throughwhichheoftenpassedonhiswayhome。Itwasnotafashionablequarter，butitcontainedsomerespectablehousesinwhosewindowshereandthereweretobeseenneatcardsbearingtheword``Apartments，''whichmeantthattheownerofthehousewouldlettolodgershisdrawing-roomorsitting-roomsuite。
　　AsMarcowalkedupthestreet，hesawsomeonecomeoutofthedoorofoneofthehousesandwalkquicklyandlightlydownthepavement。Itwasayoungwomanwearinganelegantthoughquietdress，andahatwhichlookedasifithadbeenboughtinParisorVienna。Shehad，infact，aslightlyforeignair，anditwasthis，indeed，whichmadeMarcolookatherlongenoughtoseethatshewasalsoagracefulandlovelyperson。Hewonderedwhathernationalitywas。Evenatsomeyards'distancehecouldseethatshehadlongdarkeyesandacurvedmouthwhichseemedtobesmilingtoitself。HethoughtshemightbeSpanishorItalian。
　　Hewastryingtodecidewhichofthetwocountriesshebelongedto，asshedrewneartohim，butquitesuddenlythecurvedmouthceasedsmilingasherfootseemedtocatchinabreakinthepavement，andshesolostherbalancethatshewouldhavefallenifhehadnotleapedforwardandcaughther。
　　Shewaslightandslender，andhewasastrongladandmanagedtosteadyher。Anexpressionofsharpmomentaryanguishcrossedherface。
　　``Ihopeyouarenothurt，''Marcosaid。
　　Shebitherlipandclutchedhisshoulderveryhardwithherslimhand。
　　``Ihavetwistedmyankle，''sheanswered。``IamafraidIhavetwisteditbadly。Thankyouforsavingme。Ishouldhavehadabadfall。''
　　Herlong，darkeyeswereverysweetandgrateful。Shetriedtosmile，buttherewassuchdistressundertheeffortthatMarcowasafraidshemusthavehurtherselfverymuch。
　　``Canyoustandonyourfootatall？''heasked。
　　``Icanstandalittlenow，''shesaid，``butImightnotbeabletostandinafewminutes。ImustgetbacktothehousewhileI
　　canbeartotouchthegroundwithit。Iamsosorry。IamafraidIshallhavetoaskyoutogowithme。Fortunatelyitisonlyafewyardsaway。''
　　``Yes，''Marcoanswered。``Isawyoucomeoutofthehouse。Ifyouwillleanonmyshoulder，Icansoonhelpyouback。Iamgladtodoit。Shallwetrynow？''
　　Shehadagentleandsoftmannerwhichwouldhaveappealedtoanyboy。Hervoicewasmusicalandherenunciationexquisite。
　　WhethershewasSpanishorItalian，itwaseasytoimagineherapersonwhodidnotalwaysliveinLondonlodgings，evenofthebetterclass。
　　``Ifyouplease，''sheansweredhim。``Itisverykindofyou。
　　Youareverystrong，Isee。ButIamgladtohaveonlyafewstepstogo。''
　　Sherestedonhisshoulderaswellasonherumbrella，butitwasplainthateverymovementgaveherintensepain。Shecaughtherlipwithherteeth，andMarcothoughtsheturnedwhite。Hecouldnothelplikingher。Shewassolovelyandgraciousandbrave。
　　Hecouldnotbeartoseethesufferinginherface。
　　``Iamsosorry！''hesaid，ashehelpedher，andhisboy'svoicehadsomethingofthewonderfulsympathetictoneofLoristan's。
　　Thebeautifulladyherselfremarkedit，andthoughthowunlikeitwastotheordinaryboy-voice。
　　``Ihavealatch-key，''shesaid，whentheystoodonthelowstep。
　　Shefoundthelatch-keyinherpurseandopenedthedoor。Marcohelpedherintotheentrance-hall。Shesatdownatonceinachairnearthehat-stand。Theplacewasquiteplainandold-fashionedinside。
　　``ShallIringthefront-doorbelltocallsomeone？''Marcoinquired。
　　``Iamafraidthattheservantsareout，''sheanswered。``Theyhadaholiday。Willyoukindlyclosethedoor？Ishallbeobligedtoaskyoutohelpmeintothesitting-roomattheendofthehall。IshallfindallIwantthere——ifyouwillkindlyhandmeafewthings。Someonemaycomeinpresently——perhapsoneoftheotherlodgers——and，evenifIamaloneforanhourorso，itwillnotreallymatter。''
　　``PerhapsIcanfindthelandlady，''Marcosuggested。Thebeautifulpersonsmiled。
　　``Shehasgonetohersister'swedding。ThatiswhyIwasgoingouttospendthedaymyself。Iarrangedtheplantoaccommodateher。Howgoodyouare！Ishallbequitecomfortabledirectly，really。Icangettomyeasy-chairinthesitting-roomnowI
　　haverestedalittle。''
　　Marcohelpedhertoherfeet，andhersharp，involuntaryexclamationofpainmadehimwinceinternally。Perhapsitwasaworsesprainthansheknew。
　　Thehousewasoftheearly-VictorianLondonorder。A``frontlobby''withadining-roomontherighthand，anda``backlobby，''afterthefootofthestairswaspassed，outofwhichopenedthebasementkitchenstaircaseandasitting-roomlookingoutonagloomyflaggedbackyardinclosedbyhighwalls。Thesitting-roomwasrathergloomyitself，buttherewereafewluxuriousthingsamongtheordinaryfurnishings。Therewasaneasy-chairwithasmalltablenearit，andonthetablewereasilverlampandsomerathereleganttrifles。Marcohelpedhischargetotheeasy-chairandputacushionfromthesofaunderherfoot。Hediditverygently，and，asheroseafterdoingit，hesawthatthelong，softdarkeyeswerelookingathiminacuriousway。
　　``Imustgoawaynow，''hesaid，``butIdonotliketoleaveyou。MayIgoforadoctor？''
　　``Howdearyouare！''sheexclaimed。``ButIdonotwantone，thankyou。Iknowexactlywhattodoforasprainedankle。Andperhapsmineisnotreallyasprain。Iamgoingtotakeoffmyshoeandsee。''
　　``MayIhelpyou？''Marcoasked，andhekneeleddownagainandcarefullyunfastenedhershoeandwithdrewitfromherfoot。Itwasaslenderanddelicatefootinasilkstocking，andshebentandgentlytouchedandrubbedit。
　　``No，''shesaid，whensheraisedherself，``Idonotthinkitisasprain。Nowthattheshoeisoffandthefootrestsonthecushion，itismuchmorecomfortable，muchmore。Thankyou，thankyou。IfyouhadnotbeenpassingImighthavehadadangerousfall。''
　　``Iamverygladtohavebeenabletohelpyou，''Marcoanswered，withanairofrelief。``NowImustgo，ifyouthinkyouwillbeallright。''
　　``Don'tgoyet，''shesaid，holdingoutherhand。``Ishouldliketoknowyoualittlebetter，ifImay。Iamsograteful。I
　　shouldliketotalktoyou。Youhavesuchbeautifulmannersforaboy，''sheended，withapretty，kindlaugh，``andIbelieveIknowwhereyougotthemfrom。''
　　``Youareverykindtome，''Marcoanswered，wonderingifhedidnotreddenalittle。``ButImustgobecausemyfatherwill——''
　　``Yourfatherwouldletyoustayandtalktome，''shesaid，withevenaprettierkindlinessthanbefore。``Itisfromhimyouhaveinheritedyourbeautifulmanner。Hewasonceafriendofmine。Ihopeheismyfriendstill，thoughperhapshehasforgottenme。''
　　AllthatMarcohadeverlearnedandallthathehadevertrainedhimselftoremember，quicklyrushedbackuponhimnow，becausehehadaclearandrapidlyworkingbrain，andhadnotlivedtheordinaryboy'slife。Herewasabeautifulladyofwhomheknewnothingatallbutthatshehadtwistedherfootinthestreetandhehadhelpedherbackintoherhouse。Ifsilencewasstilltheorder，itwasnotforhimtoknowthingsoraskquestionsoranswerthem。Shemightbetheloveliestladyintheworldandhisfatherherdearestfriend，but，evenifthiswereso，hecouldbestservethembothbyobeyingherfriend'scommandswithallcourtesy，andforgettingnoinstructionhehadgiven。
　　``Idonotthinkmyfathereverforgetsanyone，''heanswered。
　　``No，Iamsurehedoesnot，''shesaidsoftly。``HashebeentoSamaviaduringthelastthreeyears？''
　　Marcopausedamoment。
　　``PerhapsIamnottheboyyouthinkIam，''hesaid。``MyfatherhasneverbeentoSamavia。''
　　``Hehasnot？But——youareMarcoLoristan？''
　　``Yes。Thatismyname。''
　　Suddenlysheleanedforwardandherlonglovelyeyesfilledwithfire。
　　``ThenyouareaSamavian，andyouknowofthedisastersoverwhelmingus。Youknowallthehideousnessandbarbarityofwhatisbeingdone。Yourfather'ssonmustknowitall！''
　　``Everyoneknowsit，''saidMarco。
　　``Butitisyourcountry——yourown！Yourbloodmustburninyourveins！''
　　Marcostoodquitestillandlookedather。Hiseyestoldwhetherhisbloodburnedornot，buthedidnotspeak。Hislookwasanswerenough，sincehedidnotwishtosayanything。
　　``Whatdoesyourfatherthink？IamaSamavianmyself，andI
　　thinknightandday。WhatdoeshethinkoftherumoraboutthedescendantoftheLostPrince？Doeshebelieveit？''
　　Marcowasthinkingveryrapidly。Herbeautifulfacewasglowingwithemotion，herbeautifulvoicetrembled。ThatsheshouldbeaSamavian，andloveSamavia，andpourherfeelingfortheventoaboy，wasdeeplymovingtohim。Buthowsoeveronewasmoved，onemustrememberthatsilencewasstilltheorder。Whenonewasveryyoung，onemustrememberordersfirstofall。
　　``Itmightbeonlyanewspaperstory，''hesaid。``Hesaysonecannottrustsuchthings。Ifyouknowhim，youknowheisverycalm。''
　　``Hashetaughtyoutobecalmtoo？''shesaidpathetically。
　　``Youareonlyaboy。Boysarenotcalm。Neitherarewomenwhentheirheartsarewrung。Oh，mySamavia！Oh，mypoorlittlecountry！Mybrave，torturedcountry！''andwithasuddensobshecoveredherfacewithherhands。
　　AgreatlumpmountedtoMarco'sthroat。Boyscouldnotcry，butheknewwhatshemeantwhenhesaidherheartwaswrung。
　　Whensheliftedherhead，thetearsinhereyesmadethemsofterthanever。
　　``IfIwereamillionSamaviansinsteadofonewoman，Ishouldknowwhattodo！''shecried。``IfyourfatherwereamillionSamavians，hewouldknow，too。HewouldfindIvor'sdescendant，ifheisontheearth，andhewouldendallthishorror！''
　　``Whowouldnotenditiftheycould？''criedMarco，quitefiercely。
　　``Butmenlikeyourfather，menwhoareSamavians，mustthinknightanddayaboutitasIdo，''sheimpetuouslyinsisted。
　　``Yousee，Icannothelppouringmythoughtsouteventoaboy——becauseheisaSamavian。OnlySamavianscare。Samaviaseemssolittleandunimportanttootherpeople。Theydon'tevenseemtoknowthatthebloodsheispouringforthpoursfromhumanveinsandbeatinghumanhearts。Menlikeyourfathermustthink，andplan，andfeelthattheymust——mustfindaway。Evenawomanfeelsit。Evenaboymust。StefanLoristancannotbesittingquietlyathome，knowingthatSamavianheartsarebeingshotthroughandSamavianbloodpouredforth。HecannotthinkandsayNOTHING！''
　　Marcostartedinspiteofhimself。Hefeltasifhisfatherhadbeenstruckintheface。Howdareshesaysuchwords！Bigashewas，suddenlyhelookedbigger，andthebeautifulladysawthathedid。
　　``Heismyfather，''hesaidslowly。
　　Shewasaclever，beautifulperson，andsawthatshehadmadeagreatmistake。
　　``Youmustforgiveme，''sheexclaimed。``IusedthewrongwordsbecauseIwasexcited。Thatisthewaywithwomen。YoumustseethatImeantthatIknewhewasgivinghisheartandstrength，hiswholebeing，toSamavia，eventhoughhemuststayinLondon。''
　　Shestartedandturnedherheadtolistentothesoundofsomeoneusingthelatch-keyandopeningthefrontdoor。Thesomeonecameinwiththeheavystepofaman。
　　``Itisoneofthelodgers，''shesaid。``Ithinkitistheonewholivesinthethirdfloorsitting-room。''
　　``Thenyouwon'tbealonewhenIgo，''saidMarco。``Iamgladsomeonehascome。Iwillsaygood-morning。MayItellmyfatheryourname？''
　　``Tellmethatyouarenotangrywithmeforexpressingmyselfsoawkwardly，''shesaid。
　　``Youcouldn'thavemeantit。Iknowthat，''Marcoansweredboyishly。``Youcouldn't。''
　　``No，Icouldn't，''sherepeated，withthesameemphasisonthewords。
　　Shetookacardfromasilvercaseonthetableandgaveittohim。
　　``Yourfatherwillremembermyname，''shesaid。``Ihopehewillletmeseehimandtellhimhowyoutookcareofme。''
　　Sheshookhishandwarmlyandlethimgo。Butjustashereachedthedoorshespokeagain。
　　``Oh，mayIaskyoutodoonethingmorebeforeyouleaveme？''
　　shesaidsuddenly。``Ihopeyouwon'tmind。Willyourunup-stairsintothedrawing-roomandbringmethepurplebookfromthesmalltable？IshallnotmindbeingaloneifIhavesomethingtoread。''
　　``Apurplebook？Onasmalltable？''saidMarco。
　　``Betweenthetwolongwindows，''shesmiledbackathim。
　　Thedrawing-roomofsuchhousesastheseisalwaystobereachedbyoneshortflightofstairs。
　　Marcoranuplightly。
　　XIV
　　MARCODOESNOTANSWER
　　Bythetimeheturnedthecornerofthestairs，thebeautifulladyhadrisenfromherseatinthebackroomandwalkedintothedining-roomatthefront。Aheavily-built，dark-beardedmanwasstandinginsidethedoorasifwaitingforher。
　　``Icoulddonothingwithhim，''shesaidatonce，inhersoftvoice，speakingquiteprettilyandgently，asifwhatshesaidwasthemostnaturalthingintheworld。``Imanagedthelittletrickofthesprainedfootreallywell，andgothimintothehouse。Heisanamiableboywithperfectmanners，andIthoughtitmightbeeasytosurprisehimintosayingmorethanheknewhewassaying。Youcangenerallydothatwithchildrenandyoungthings。Butheeitherknowsnothingorhasbeentrainedtoholdhistongue。He'snotstupid，andhe'sofahighspirit。ImadeapatheticlittlesceneaboutSamavia，becauseIsawhecouldbeworkedup。Itdidworkhimup。ItriedhimwiththeLostPrincerumor；but，ifthereistruthinit，hedoesnotorwillnotknow。Itriedtomakehimlosehistemperandbetraysomethingindefendinghisfather，whomhethinksagod，bytheway。ButI
　　madeamistake。Isawthat。It'sapity。Boyscansometimesbemadetotellanything。''Shespokeveryquicklyunderherbreath。Themanspokequicklytoo。
　　``Whereishe？''heasked。
　　``Isenthimuptothedrawing-roomtolookforabook。Hewilllookforafewminutes。Listen。He'saninnocentboy。Heseesmeonlyasagentleangel。NothingwillSHAKEhimsomuchastohearmetellhimthetruthsuddenly。Itwillbesuchashocktohimthatperhapsyoucandosomethingwithhimthen。Hemaylosehisholdonhimself。He'sonlyaboy。''
　　``You'reright，''saidthebeardedman。``Andwhenhefindsoutheisnotfreetogo，itmayalarmhimandwemaygetsomethingworthwhile。''
　　``Ifwecouldfindoutwhatistrue，orwhatLoristanthinksistrue，weshouldhaveacluetoworkfrom，''shesaid。
　　``Wehavenotmuchtime，''themanwhispered。``WeareorderedtoBosniaatonce。Beforemidnightwemustbeontheway。''
　　``Letusgointotheotherroom。Heiscoming。''
　　WhenMarcoenteredtheroom，theheavily-builtmanwiththepointeddarkbeardwasstandingbytheeasy-chair。
　　``IamsorryIcouldnotfindthebook，''heapologized。``I
　　lookedonallthetables。''
　　``Ishallbeobligedtogoandsearchforitmyself，''saidtheLovelyPerson。
　　Sherosefromherchairandstoodupsmiling。AndatherfirstmovementMarcosawthatshewasnotdisabledintheleast。
　　``Yourfoot！''heexclaimed。``It'sbetter？''
　　``Itwasn'thurt，''sheanswered，inhersoftlyprettyvoiceandwithhersoftlyprettysmile。``Ionlymadeyouthinkso。''
　　Itwaspartofherplantosparehimnothingofshockinhersuddentransformation。Marcofelthisbreathleavehimforamoment。
　　``ImadeyoubelieveIwashurtbecauseIwantedyoutocomeintothehousewithme，''sheadded。``IwishedtofindoutcertainthingsIamsureyouknow。''
　　``TheywerethingsaboutSamavia，''saidtheman。``Yourfatherknowsthem，andyoumustknowsomethingofthematleast。Itisnecessarythatweshouldhearwhatyoucantellus。WeshallnotallowyoutoleavethehouseuntilyouhaveansweredcertainquestionsIshallaskyou。''
　　ThenMarcobegantounderstand。Hehadheardhisfatherspeakofpoliticalspies，menandwomenwhowerepaidtotracethepeoplethatcertaingovernmentsorpoliticalpartiesdesiredtohavefollowedandobserved。Heknewitwastheirworktosearchoutsecrets，todisguisethemselvesandliveamonginnocentpeopleasiftheyweremerelyordinaryneighbors。
　　TheymustbespieswhowerepaidtofollowhisfatherbecausehewasaSamavianandapatriot。Hedidnotknowthattheyhadtakenthehousetwomonthsbefore，andhadaccomplishedseveralthingsduringtheirapparentlyinnocentstayinit。TheyhaddiscoveredLoristanandhadlearnedtoknowhisoutgoingsandincomings，andalsotheoutgoingsandincomingsofLazarus，Marco，andTheRat。Buttheymeant，ifpossible，tolearnotherthings。Iftheboycouldbestartledandterrifiedintounconsciousrevelations，itmightprovewellworththeirwhiletohaveplayedthisbitofmelodramabeforetheylockedthefrontdoorbehindthemandhastilycrossedtheChannel，leavingtheirlandlordtodiscoverforhimselfthatthehousehadbeenvacated。
　　InMarco'smindstrangethingswerehappening。Theywerespies！
　　Butthatwasnotall。TheLovelyPersonhadbeenrightwhenshesaidthathewouldreceiveashock。Hisstrongyoungchestswelled。Inallhislife，hehadnevercomefacetofacewithblacktreacherybefore。Hecouldnotgraspit。Thisgentleandfriendlybeingwiththegratefulsoftvoiceandgratefulsofteyeshadbetrayed——BETRAYEDhim！Itseemedimpossibletobelieveit，andyetthesmileonhermcurvedmouthtoldhimthatitwastrue。Whenhehadsprungtohelpher，shehadbeenplayingatrick！Whenhehadbeensorryforherpainandhadwincedatthesoundofherlowexclamation，shehadbeendeliberatelylayingatraptoharmhim。Forafewsecondshewasstunned——perhaps，ifhehadnotbeenhisfather'sson，hemighthavebeenstunnedonly。Buthewasmore。Whenthefirstsecondshadpassed，therearoseslowlywithinhimasenseofsomethinglikehigh，remotedisdain。Itgrewinhisdeepboy'seyesashegazeddirectlyintothepupilsofthelongsoftdarkones。Hisbodyfeltasifitweregrowingtaller。
　　``Youareveryclever，''hesaidslowly。Then，afterasecond'spause，headded，``Iwastooyoungtoknowthattherewasanyoneso——clever——intheworld。''
　　TheLovelyPersonlaughed，butshedidnotlaugheasily。Shespoketohercompanion。
　　``Agrandseigneur！''shesaid。``Asonelooksathim，onehalfbelievesitistrue。''
　　Themanwiththebeardwaslookingveryangry。Hiseyesweresavageandhisdarkskinreddened。Marcothoughtthathelookedathimasifhehatedhim，andwasmadefiercebythemeresightofhim，forsomemysteriousreason。
　　``TwodaysbeforeyouleftMoscow，''hesaid，``threemencametoseeyourfather。Theylookedlikepeasants。Theytalkedtohimformorethananhour。Theybroughtwiththemarollofparchment。Isthatnottrue？''
　　``Iknownothing，''saidMarco。
　　``BeforeyouwenttoMoscow，youwereinBudapest。YouwenttherefromVienna。Youwerethereforthreemonths，andyourfathersawmanypeople。Someofthemcameinthemiddleofthenight。''
　　``Iknownothing，''saidMarco。
　　``Youhavespentyourlifeintravelingfromonecountrytoanother，''persistedtheman。``YouknowtheEuropeanlanguagesasifyouwereacourier，ortheportierinaViennesehotel。Doyounot？''
　　Marcodidnotanswer。
　　TheLovelyPersonbegantospeaktothemanrapidlyinRussian。
　　``AspyandanadventurerStefanLoristanhasalwaysbeenandalwayswillbe，''shesaid。``Weknowwhatheis。ThepoliceineverycapitalinEuropeknowhimasasharperandavagabond，aswellasaspy。Andyet，withallhiscleverness，hedoesnotseemtohavemoney。WhatdidhedowiththebribetheMaranovitchgavehimforbetrayingwhatheknewoftheoldfortress？Theboydoesn'tevensuspecthim。Perhapsit'struethatheknowsnothing。Orperhapsitistruethathehasbeensoill-treatedandfloggedfromhisbabyhoodthathedarenotspeak。
　　Thereisacowedlookinhiseyesinspiteofhischildishswagger。He'sbeenbothstarvedandbeaten。''
　　Theoutburstwaswelldone。ShedidnotlookatMarcoasshepouredforthherwords。Shespokewiththeabruptnessandimpetuosityofapersonwhosefeelingshadgotthebetterofher。
　　IfMarcowassensitiveabouthisfather，shefeltsurethathisyouthwouldmakehisfacerevealsomethingifhistonguedidnot——ifheunderstoodRussian，whichwasoneofthethingsitwouldbeusefultofindout，becauseitwasafactwhichwouldverifymanyotherthings。
　　Marco'sfacedisappointedher。Nochangetookplaceinit，andtheblooddidnotrisetothesurfaceofhisskin。Helistenedwithanuninterestedair，blankandcoldandpolite。Letthemsaywhattheychose。
　　Themantwistedhispointedbeardandshruggedhisshoulders。
　　``Wehaveagoodlittlewine-cellardownstairs，''hesaid。``Youaregoingdownintoit，andyouwillprobablystaythereforsometimeifyoudonotmakeupyourmindtoanswermyquestions。YouthinkthatnothingcanhappentoyouinahouseinaLondonstreetwherepolicemenwalkupanddown。Butyouaremistaken。
　　Ifyouyellednow，evenifanyonechancedtohearyou，theywouldonlythinkyouwerealadgettingathrashinghedeserved。
　　Youcanyellasmuchasyoulikeintheblacklittlewine-cellar，andnoonewillhearatall。Weonlytookthishouseforthreemonths，andweshallleaveitto-nightwithoutmentioningthefacttoanyone。Ifwechoosetoleaveyouinthewine-cellar，youwillwaitthereuntilsomebodybeginstonoticethatnoonegoesinandout，andchancestomentionittothelandlord——whichfewpeoplewouldtakethetroubletodo。DidyoucomeherefromMoscow？''
　　``Iknownothing，''saidMarco。
　　``Youmightremaininthegoodlittleblackcellaranunpleasantlylongtimebeforeyouwerefound，''themanwenton，quitecoolly。``Doyourememberthepeasantswhocametoseeyourfathertwonightsbeforeyouleft？''
　　``Iknownothing，''saidMarco。
　　``Bythetimeitwasdiscoveredthatthehousewasemptyandpeoplecameintomakesure，youmightbetooweaktocalloutandattracttheirattention。DidyougotoBudapestfromVienna，andwereyouthereforthreemonths？''askedtheinquisitor。
　　``Iknownothing，''saidMarco。
　　``Youaretoogoodforthelittleblackcellar，''putintheLovelyPerson。``Ilikeyou。Don'tgointoit！''
　　``Iknownothing，''Marcoanswered，buttheeyeswhichwerelikeLoristan'sgaveherjustsuchalookasLoristanwouldhavegivenher，andshefeltit。Itmadeheruncomfortable。
　　``Idon'tbelieveyouwereeverill-treatedorbeaten，''shesaid。``Itellyou，thelittleblackcellarwillbeahardthing。Don'tgothere！''
　　AndthistimeMarcosaidnothing，butlookedatherstillasifheweresomegreatyoungnoblewhowasveryproud。
　　Heknewthateverywordthebeardedmanhadspokenwastrue。Tocryoutwouldbeofnouse。Iftheywentawayandlefthimbehindthem，therewasnoknowinghowmanydayswouldpassbeforethepeopleoftheneighborhoodwouldbegintosuspectthattheplacehadbeendeserted，orhowlongitwouldbebeforeitoccurredtosomeonetogivewarningtotheowner。Andinthemeantime，neitherhisfathernorLazarusnorTheRatwouldhavethefaintestreasonforguessingwherehewas。Andhewouldbesittingaloneinthedarkinthewine-cellar。Hedidnotknowintheleastwhattodoaboutthisthing。Heonlyknewthatsilencewasstilltheorder。
　　``Itisajet-blacklittlehole，''themansaid。``Youmightcrackyourthroatinit，andnoonewouldhear。DidmencometotalkwithyourfatherinthemiddleofthenightwhenyouwereinVienna？''
　　``Iknownothing，''saidMarco。
　　``Hewon'ttell，''saidtheLovelyPerson。``Iamsorryforthisboy。''
　　``Hemaytellafterhehassatinthegoodlittleblackwine-cellarforafewhours，''saidthemanwiththepointedbeard。``Comewithme！''
　　HeputhispowerfulhandonMarco'sshoulderandpushedhimbeforehim。Marcomadenostruggle。Herememberedwhathisfatherhadsaidaboutthegamenotbeingagame。Itwasn'tagamenow，butsomehowhehadastronghaughtyfeelingofnotbeingafraid。
　　Hewastakenthroughthehallway，towardtherear，anddownthecommonplaceflaggedstepswhichledtothebasement。Thenhewasmarchedthroughanarrow，ill-lighted，flaggedpassagetoadoorinthewall。Thedoorwasnotlockedandstoodatrifleajar。
　　Hiscompanionpusheditfartheropenandshowedpartofawine-
　　cellarwhichwassodarkthatitwasonlytheshelvesnearestthedoorthatMarcocouldfaintlysee。Hiscaptorpushedhiminandshutthedoor。Itwasasblackaholeashehaddescribed。
　　Marcostoodstillinthemidstofdarknesslikeblackvelvet。
　　Hisguardturnedthekey。
　　``ThepeasantswhocametoyourfatherinMoscowspokeSamavianandwerebigmen。Doyourememberthem？''heaskedfromoutside。
　　``Iknownothing，''answeredMarco。
　　``Youareayoungfool，''thevoicereplied。``AndIbelieveyouknowevenmorethanwethought。Yourfatherwillbegreatlytroubledwhenyoudonotcomehome。Iwillcomebacktoseeyouinafewhours，ifitispossible。Iwilltellyou，however，thatIhavehaddisturbingnewswhichmightmakeitnecessaryforustoleavethehouseinahurry。Imightnothavetimetocomedownhereagainbeforeleaving。''
　　Marcostoodwithhisbackagainstabitofwallandremainedsilent。
　　Therewasstillnessforafewminutes，andthentherewastobeheardthesoundoffootstepsmarchingaway。
　　Whenthelastdistantechodiedallwasquitesilent，andMarcodrewalongbreath。Unbelievableasitmayappear，itwasinonesensealmostabreathofrelief。Intherushofstrangefeelingwhichhadsweptoverhimwhenhefoundhimselffacingtheastoundingsituationup-stairs，ithadnotbeeneasytorealizewhathisthoughtsreallywere；thereweresomanyofthemandtheycamesofast。Howcouldhequitebelievetheevidenceofhiseyesandears？Afewminutes，onlyafewminutes，hadchangedhisprettilygratefulandkindlyacquaintanceintoasubtleandcunningcreaturewhoseloveforSamaviahadbeenpartofaplottoharmitandtoharmhisfather。
　　Whatdidsheandhercompanionwanttodo——whatcouldtheydoiftheyknewthethingstheyweretryingtoforcehimtotell？
　　Marcobracedhisbackagainstthewallstoutly。
　　``Whatwillitbebesttothinkaboutfirst？''
　　Thishesaidbecauseoneofthemostabsorbinglyfascinatingthingsheandhisfathertalkedabouttogetherwasthepowerofthethoughtswhichhumanbeingsallowtopassthroughtheirminds——thestrangestrengthofthem。Whentheytalkedofthis，MarcofeltasifhewerelisteningtosomemarvelousEasternstoryofmagicwhichwastrue。InLoristan'stravels，hehadvisitedthefarOrientalcountries，andhehadseenandlearnedmanythingswhichseemedmarvels，andtheyhadtaughthimdeepthinking。Hehadknown，andreasonedthroughdayswithmenwhobelievedthatwhentheydesiredathing，clearandexaltedthoughtwouldbringittothem。Hehaddiscoveredwhytheybelievedthis，andhadlearnedtounderstandtheirprofoundarguments。
　　Whathehimselfbelieved，hehadtaughtMarcoquitesimplyfromhischildhood。Itwasthis：hehimself——Marco，withthestrongboy-body，thethickmatofblackhair，andthepatchedclothes——
　　wasthemagician。Heheldandwavedhiswandhimself——andhiswandwashisownThought。Whenspecialprivationoranxietybesetthem，itwastheirruletosay，``Whatwillitbebesttothinkaboutfirst？''whichwasMarco'sreasonforsayingittohimselfnowashestoodinthedarknesswhichwaslikeblackvelvet。
　　Hewaitedafewminutesfortherightthingtocometohim。
　　``IwillthinkoftheveryoldhermitwholivedontheledgeofthemountainsinIndiaandwholetmyfathertalktohimthroughallonenight，''hesaidatlast。Thishadbeenawonderfulstoryandoneofhisfavorites。LoristanhadtraveledfartoseethisancientBuddhist，andwhathehadseenandheardduringthatonenighthadmadechangesinhislife。ThepartofthestorywhichcamebacktoMarconowwasthesewords：
　　``Letpassthroughthymind，myson，onlytheimagethouwouldstdesiretoseeatruth。Meditateonlyuponthewishofthyheart，seeingfirstthatitcaninjurenomanandisnotignoble。Thenwillittakeearthlyformanddrawneartothee。Thisisthelawofthatwhichcreates。''
　　``Iamnotafraid，''Marcosaidaloud。``Ishallnotbeafraid。
　　InsomewayIshallgetout。''
　　Thiswastheimagehewantedmosttokeepsteadilyinhismind——thatnothingcouldmakehimafraid，andthatinsomewayhewouldgetoutofthewine-cellar。
　　Hethoughtofthisforsomeminutes，andsaidthewordsoverseveraltimes。Hefeltmorelikehimselfwhenhehaddoneit。
　　``Whenmyeyesareaccustomedtothedarkness，Ishallseeifthereisanylittleglimmeroflightanywhere，''hesaidnext。
　　Hewaitedwithpatience，anditseemedforsometimethathesawnoglimmeratall。Heputouthishandsoneithersideofhim，andfoundthat，onthesideofthewallagainstwhichhestood，thereseemedtobenoshelves。Perhapsthecellarhadbeenusedforotherpurposesthanthestoringofwine，and，ifthatwastrue，theremightbesomewheresomeopeningforventilation。Theairwasnotbad，butthenthedoorhadnotbeenshuttightlywhenthemanopenedit。
　　``Iamnotafraid，''herepeated。``Ishallnotbeafraid。InsomewayIshallgetout。''
　　Hewouldnotallowhimselftostopandthinkabouthisfatherwaitingforhisreturn。Heknewthatwouldonlyrousehisemotionsandweakenhiscourage。Hebegantofeelhiswaycarefullyalongthewall。Itreachedfartherthanhehadthoughtitwould。
　　Thecellarwasnotsoverysmall。Hecreptrounditgradually，and，whenhehadcreptroundit，hemadehiswayacrossit，keepinghishandsextendedbeforehimandsettingdowneachfootcautiously。Thenhesatdownonthestonefloorandthoughtagain，andwhathethoughtwasofthethingstheoldBuddhisthadtoldhisfather，andthattherewasawayoutofthisplaceforhim，andheshouldsomehowfindit，and，beforetoolongatimehadpassed，bewalkinginthestreetagain。
　　Itwaswhilehewasthinkinginthiswaythathefeltastartlingthing。Itseemedalmostasifsomethingtouchedhim。Itmadehimjump，thoughthetouchwassolightandsoftthatitwasscarcelyatouchatall，infacthecouldnotbesurethathehadnotimaginedit。Hestoodupandleanedagainstthewallagain。
　　Perhapsthesuddennessofhismovementplacedhimatsomeanglehehadnotreachedbefore，orperhapshiseyeshadbecomemorecompletelyaccustomedtothedarkness，for，asheturnedhisheadtolisten，hemadeadiscovery：abovethedoortherewasaplacewherethevelvetblacknesswasnotsodense。Therewassomethinglikeaslitinthewall，though，asitdidnotopenupondaylightbutuponthedarkpassage，itwasnotlightitadmittedsomuchasalessershadeofdarkness。Buteventhatwasbetterthannothing，andMarcodrewanotherlongbreath。
　　``Thatisonlythebeginning。Ishallfindawayout，''hesaid。
　　``ISHALL。''
　　Herememberedreadingastoryofamanwho，beingshutbyaccidentinasafetyvault，passedthroughsuchterrorsbeforehisreleasethathebelievedhehadspenttwodaysandnightsintheplacewhenhehadbeenthereonlyafewhours。
　　``Histhoughtsdidthat。Imustremember。IwillsitdownagainandbeginthinkingofallthepicturesinthecabinetroomsoftheArtHistoryMuseuminVienna。Itwilltakesometime，andthentherearetheothers，''hesaid。
　　Itwasagoodplan。Whilehecouldkeephisminduponthegamewhichhadhelpedhimtopasssomanydullhours，hecouldthinkofnothingelse，asitrequiredcloseattention——andperhaps，asthedaywenton，hiscaptorswouldbegintofeelthatitwasnotsafetoruntheriskofdoingathingasdesperateasthiswouldbe。Theymightthinkbetterofitbeforetheyleftthehouseatleast。Inanycase，hehadlearnedenoughfromLoristantorealizethatonlyharmcouldcomefromlettingone'smindrunwild。
　　``Amindiseitheranenginewithbrokenandflyinggear，oragiantpowerundercontrol，''wasthethingtheyknew。
　　Hehadwalkedinimaginationthroughthreeofthecabinetroomsandwasturningmentallyintoafourth，whenhefoundhimselfstartingagainquiteviolently。Thistimeitwasnotatatouchbutatasound。Surelyitwasasound。Anditwasinthecellarwithhim。Butitwasthetiniestpossiblenoise，aghostofasqueakandasuggestionofamovement。Itcamefromtheoppositesideofthecellar，thesidewheretheshelveswere。Helookedacrossinthedarknesssawalightwhichtherecouldbenomistakeabout。ItWASalight，twolightsindeed，tworoundphosphorescentgreenishballs。Theyweretwoeyesstaringathim。Andthenheheardanothersound。Notasqueakthistime，butsomethingsohomelyandcomfortablethatheactuallyburstoutlaughing。Itwasacatpurring，anicewarmcat！Andshewascurledupononeofthelowershelvespurringtosomenew-bornkittens。Heknewtherewerekittensbecauseitwasplainnowwhatthetinysqueakhadbeen，anditwasmadeplainerbythefactthatheheardanothermuchmoredistinctoneandthenanother。Theyhadallbeenasleepwhenhehadcomeintothecellar。Ifthemotherhadbeenawake，shehadprobablybeenverymuchafraid。Afterwardshehadperhapscomedownfromhershelftoinvestigate，andhadpassedclosetohim。Thefeelingofreliefwhichcameuponhimatthisqueerandsimplediscoverywaswonderful。Itwassonaturalandcomfortableanevery-daythingthatitseemedtomakespiesandcriminalsunreal，andonlynaturalthingspossible。Withamothercatpurringawayamongherkittens，evenadarkwine-cellarwasnotsoblack。Hegotupandkneeledbytheshelf。Thegreenisheyesdidnotshineinanunfriendlyway。Hecouldfeelthattheownerofthemwasanicebigcat，andhecountedfourroundlittleballsofkittens。Itwasacuriousdelighttostrokethesoftfurandtalktothemothercat。Sheansweredwithpurring，asifshelikedthesenseoffriendlyhumannearness。Marcolaughedtohimself。
　　``It'squeerwhatadifferenceitmakes！''hesaid。``Itisalmostlikefindingawindow。''
　　Themerepresenceoftheseharmlesslivingthingswascompanionship。Hesatdownclosetothelowshelfandlistenedtothemotherlypurring，nowandthenspeakingandputtingouthishandtotouchthewarmfur。Thephosphorescentlightinthegreeneyeswasacomfortinitself。
　　``Weshallgetoutofthis——bothofus，''hesaid。``Weshallnotbehereverylong，Puss-cat。''
　　Hewasnottroubledbythefearofbeingreallyhungryforsometime。Hewassousedtoeatingscantilyfromnecessity，andtopassinglonghourswithoutfoodduringhisjourneys，thathehadprovedtohimselfthatfastingisnot，afterall，suchadesperateordealasmostpeopleimagine。Ifyoubeginbyexpectingtofeelfamishedandbycountingthehoursbetweenyourmeals，youwillbegintoberavenous。Butheknewbetter。
　　Thetimepassedslowly；buthehadknownitwouldpassslowly，andhehadmadeuphismindnottowatchitnoraskhimselfquestionsaboutit。Hewasnotarestlessboy，but，likehisfather，couldstandorsitorliestill。Nowandthenhecouldheardistantrumblingsofcartsandvanspassinginthestreet。
　　Therewasacertaindegreeofcompanionshipinthesealso。Hekepthisplacenearthecatandhishandwherehecouldoccasionallytouchher。Hecouldlifthiseyesnowandthentotheplacewherethedimglimmerofsomethinglikelightshoweditself。
　　Perhapsthestillness，perhapsthedarkness，perhapsthepurringofthemothercat，probablyallthree，causedhisthoughtstobegintotravelthroughhismindslowlyandmoreslowly。Atlasttheyceasedandhefellasleep。Themothercatpurredforsometime，andthenfellasleepherself。
　　XV
　　ASOUNDINADREAM
　　Marcosleptpeacefullyforseveralhours。Therewasnothingtoawakenhimduringthattime。Butattheendofit，hissleepwaspenetratedbyadefinitesound。Hehaddreamedofhearingavoiceatadistance，and，ashetriedinhisdreamtohearwhatitsaid，abriefmetallicringingsoundawakenedhimoutright。
　　Itwasoverbythetimehewasfullyconscious，andatonceherealizedthatthevoiceofhisdreamhadbeenarealone，andwasspeakingstill。ItwastheLovelyPerson'svoice，andshewasspeakingrapidly，asifshewereinthegreatesthaste。Shewasspeakingthroughthedoor。
　　``Youwillhavetosearchforit，''wasallheheard。``Ihavenotamoment！''And，ashelistenedtoherhurriedlydepartingfeet，therecametohimwiththeirhasteningechoesthewords，``Youaretoogoodforthecellar。Ilikeyou！''
　　Hesprangtothedoorandtriedit，butitwasstilllocked。Thefeetranupthecellarstepsandthroughtheupperhall，andthefrontdoorclosedwithabang。Thetwopeoplehadgoneaway，astheyhadthreatened。Thevoicehadbeenexcitedaswellashurried。Somethinghadhappenedtofrightenthem，andtheyhadleftthehouseingreathaste。
　　Marcoturnedandstoodwithhisbackagainstthedoor。Thecathadawakenedandshewasgazingathimwithhergreeneyes。Shebegantopurrencouragingly。ShereallyhelpedMarcotothink。
　　Hewasthinkingwithallhismightandtryingtoremember。
　　``Whatdidshecomefor？Shecameforsomething，''hesaidtohimself。``Whatdidshesay？Ionlyheardpartofit，becauseI
　　wasasleep。Thevoiceinthedreamwaspartofit。ThepartI
　　heardwas，`Youwillhavetosearchforit。Ihavenotamoment。'Andassherandownthepassage，shecalledback，`Youaretoogoodforthecellar。Ilikeyou。'''Hesaidthewordsoverandoveragainandtriedtorecallexactlyhowtheyhadsounded，andalsotorecallthevoicewhichhadseemedtobepartofadreambuthadbeenarealthing。Thenhebegantotryhisfavoriteexperiment。Asheoftentriedtheexperimentofcommandinghismindtogotosleep，sohefrequentlyexperimentedoncommandingittoworkforhim——tohelphimtoremember，tounderstand，andtoargueaboutthingsclearly。
　　``Reasonthisoutforme，''hesaidtoitnow，quitenaturallyandcalmly。``Showmewhatitmeans。''
　　Whatdidshecomefor？Itwascertainthatshewasintoogreatahurrytobeable，withoutareason，tosparethetimetocome。
　　Whatwasthereason？Shehadsaidshelikedhim。Thenshecamebecauseshelikedhim。Ifshelikedhim，shecametodosomethingwhichwasnotunfriendly。Theonlygoodthingshecoulddoforhimwassomethingwhichwouldhelphimtogetoutofthecellar。Shehadsaidtwicethathewastoogoodforthecellar。Ifhehadbeenawake，hewouldhaveheardallshesaidandhaveunderstoodwhatshewantedhimtodoormeanttodoforhim。Hemustnotstopeventothinkofthat。Thefirstwordshehadheard——whathadtheybeen？Theyhadbeenlesscleartohimthanherlastbecausehehadheardthemonlyashewasawakening。
　　Buthethoughthewassurethattheyhadbeen，``Youwillhavetosearchforit。''Searchforit。Forwhat？Hethoughtandthought。Whatmusthesearchfor？
　　Hesatdownonthefloorofthecellarandheldhisheadinhishands，pressinghiseyessohardthatcuriouslightsfloatedbeforethem。
　　``Tellme！Tellme！''hesaidtothatpartofhisbeingwhichtheBuddhistanchoritehadsaidheldallknowledgeandcouldtellamaneverythingifhecalleduponitintherightspirit。
　　Andinafewminutes，herecalledsomethingwhichseemedsomuchapartofhissleepthathehadnotbeensurethathehadnotdreamedit。Theringingsound！Hespranguponhisfeetwithalittlegaspingshout。Theringingsound！Ithadbeentheringofmetal，strikingasitfell。Anythingmadeofmetalmighthavesoundedlikethat。Shehadthrownsomethingmadeofmetalintothecellar。Shehadthrownitthroughtheslitinthebricksnearthedoor。Shelikedhim，andsaidhewastoogoodforhisprison。Shehadthrowntohimtheonlythingwhichcouldsethimfree。ShehadthrownhimtheKEYofthecellar！
　　Forafewminutesthefeelingswhichsurgedthroughhimweresofullofstrongexcitementthattheysethisbraininawhirl。Heknewwhathisfatherwouldsay——thatwouldnotdo。Ifhewastothink，hemustholdhimselfstillandnotletevenjoyovercomehim。Thekeywasintheblacklittlecellar，andhemustfinditinthedark。Eventhewomanwholikedhimenoughtogivehimachanceoffreedomknewthatshemustnotopenthedoorandlethimout。Theremustbeadelay。Hewouldhavetofindthekeyhimself，anditwouldbesuretotaketime。Thechanceswerethattheywouldbeatasafeenoughdistancebeforehecouldgetout。
　　``Iwillkneeldownandcrawlonmyhandsandknees，''hesaid。
　　``IwillcrawlbackandforthandgoovereveryinchofthefloorwithmyhandsuntilIfindit。IfIgoovereveryinch，Ishallfindit。''
　　Sohekneeleddownandbegantocrawl，andthecatwatchedhimandpurred。
　　``Weshallgetout，Puss-cat，''hesaidtoher。``Itoldyouweshould。''
　　Hecrawledfromthedoortothewallatthesideoftheshelves，andthenhecrawledbackagain。Thekeymightbequiteasmallone，anditwasnecessarythatheshouldpasshishandsovereveryinch，ashehadsaid。Thedifficultywastobesure，inthedarkness，thathedidnotmissaninch。Sometimeshewasnotsureenough，andthenhewentoverthegroundagain。Hecrawledbackwardandforward，andhecrawledforwardandbackward。Hecrawledcrosswiseandlengthwise，hecrawleddiagonally，andhecrawledroundandround。Buthedidnotfindthekey。Ifhehadhadonlyalittlelight，buthehadnone。Hewassoabsorbedinhissearchthathedidnotknowhehadbeenengagedinitforseveralhours，andthatitwasthemiddleofthenight。Butatlastherealizedthathemuststopforarest，becausehiskneeswerebeginningtofeelbruised，andtheskinofhishandswassoreasaresultoftherubbingontheflags。Thecatandherkittenshadgonetosleepandawakenedagaintwoorthreetimes。
　　``Butitissomewhere！''hesaidobstinately。``Itisinsidethecellar。Iheardsomethingfallwhichwasmadeofmetal。Thatwastheringingsoundwhichawakenedme。''
　　Whenhestoodup，hefoundhisbodyachedandhewasverytired。
　　Hestretchedhimselfandexercisedhisarmsandlegs。
　　``IwonderhowlongIhavebeencrawlingabout，''hethought。
　　``Butthekeyisinthecellar。Itisinthecellar。''
　　Hesatdownnearthecatandherfamily，and，layinghisarmontheshelfaboveher，restedhisheadonit。Hebegantothinkofanotherexperiment。
　　``Iamsotired，IbelieveIshallgotosleepagain。`ThoughtwhichKnowsAll'''——hewasquotingsomethingthehermithadsaidtoLoristanintheirmidnighttalk——``ThoughtwhichKnowsAll！
　　Showmethislittlething。LeadmetoitwhenIawake。''
　　Andhedidfallasleep，soundandfast。
　　Hedidnotknowthathesleptalltherestofthenight。Buthedid。Whenheawakened，itwasdaylightinthestreets，andthemilk-cartswerebeginningtojingleabout，andtheearlypostmenwereknockingbigdouble-knocksatfrontdoors。Thecatmayhaveheardthemilk-carts，buttheactualfactwasthatsheherselfwashungryandwantedtogoinsearchoffood。JustasMarcoliftedhisheadfromhisarmandsatup，shejumpeddownfromhershelfandwenttothedoor。Shehadexpectedtofinditajarasithadbeenbefore。Whenshefounditshut，shescratchedatitandwasdisturbedtofindthisofnouse。BecausesheknewMarcowasinthecellar，shefeltshehadafriendwhowouldassisther，andshemiauledappealingly。
　　ThisremindedMarcoofthekey。
　　``IwillwhenIhavefoundit，''hesaid。``Itisinsidethecellar。''
　　Thecatmiauledagain，thistimeveryanxiouslyindeed。Thekittensheardherandbegantosquirmandsqueakpiteously。
　　``Leadmetothislittlething，''saidMarco，asifspeakingtoSomethinginthedarknessabouthim，andhegotup。
　　Heputhishandouttowardthekittens，andittouchedsomethinglyingnotfarfromthem。Itmusthavebeenlyingnearhiselbowallnightwhileheslept。
　　Itwasthekey！Ithadfallenupontheshelf，andnotontheflooratall。
　　Marcopickeditupandthenstoodstillamoment。Hemadethesignofthecross。
　　Thenhefoundhiswaytothedoorandfumbleduntilhefoundthekeyholeandgotthekeyintoit。Thenheturneditandpushedthedooropen——andthecatranoutintothepassagebeforehim。