XVI
　　THERATTOTHERESCUE
　　Marcowalkedthroughthepassageandintothekitchenpartofthebasement。Thedoorswerealllocked，andtheyweresoliddoors。
　　Heranuptheflaggedstepsandfoundthedooratthetopshutandboltedalso，andthattoowasasoliddoor。Hisjailershadplainlymadesurethatitshouldtaketimeenoughforhimtomakehiswayintotheworld，evenafterhegotoutofthewine-cellar。
　　Thecathadrunawaytosomepartoftheplacewheremicewereplentiful。Marcowasbythistimerathergnawinglyhungryhimself。Ifhecouldgetintothekitchen，hemightfindsomefragmentsoffoodleftinacupboard；buttherewasnomovingthelockeddoor。Hetriedtheoutletintothearea，butthatwasimmov-able。Thenhesawnearitasmallerdoor。Itwasevidentlytheentrancetothecoal-cellarunderthepavement。
　　Thiswasprovedbythefactthattroddencoal-dustmarkedtheflagstones，andnearitstoodascuttlewithcoalinit。
　　Thiscoal-scuttlewasthethingwhichmighthelphim！Abovetheareadoorwasasmallwindowwhichwassupposedtolighttheentry。Hecouldnotreachit，and，ifhereachedit，hecouldnotopenit。Hecouldthrowpiecesofcoalattheglassandbreakit，andthenhecouldshoutforhelpwhenpeoplepassedby。
　　Theymightnotnoticeorunderstandwheretheshoutscamefromatfirst，but，ifhekeptthemup，someone'sattentionwouldbeattractedintheend。
　　Hepickedalarge-sizedsolidpieceofcoaloutoftheheapinthescuttle，andthrewitwithallhisforceagainstthegrimyglass。Itsmashedthroughandleftabighole。Hethrewanother，andtheentirepanewassplinteredandfelloutsideintothearea。Thenhesawitwasbroaddaylight，andguessedthathehadbeenshutupagoodmanyhours。Therewasplentyofcoalinthescuttle，andhehadastrongarmandagoodaim。Hesmashedpaneafterpane，untilonlytheframeworkremained。Whenheshouted，therewouldbenothingbetweenhisvoiceandthestreet。
　　Noonecouldseehim，butifhecoulddosomethingwhichwouldmakepeopleslackentheirpacetolisten，thenhecouldcalloutthathewasinthebasementofthehousewiththebrokenwindow。
　　``Hallo！''heshouted。``Hallo！Hallo！Hallo！Hallo！''
　　Butvehicleswerepassinginthestreet，andthepassers-bywereabsorbedintheirownbusiness。Iftheyheardasound，theydidnotstoptoinquireintoit。
　　``Hallo！Hallo！Iamlockedin！''yelledMarco，atthetopmostpowerofhislungs。``Hallo！Hallo！''
　　Afterhalfanhour'sshouting，hebegantothinkthathewaswastinghisstrength。
　　``Theyonlythinkitisaboyshouting，''hesaid。``Someonewillnoticeintime。Atnight，whenthestreetsarequiet，I
　　mightmakeapolicemanhear。ButmyfatherdoesnotknowwhereIam。Hewillbetryingtofindme——sowillLazarus——sowillTheRat。Oneofthemmightpassthroughthisverystreet，asIdid。
　　WhatcanIdo！''
　　Anewideaflashedlightuponhim。
　　``IwillbegintosingaSamaviansong，andIwillsingitveryloud。Peoplenearlyalwaysstopamomenttolistentomusicandfindoutwhereitcomesfrom。Andifanyofmyownpeoplecamenear，theywouldstopatonce——andnowandthenIwillshoutforhelp。''
　　OncewhentheyhadstoppedtorestonHampsteadHeath，hehadsungavaliantSamaviansongforTheRat。TheRathadwantedtohearhowhewouldsingwhentheywentontheirsecretjourney。
　　HewantedhimtosingfortheSquadsomeday，tomakethethingseemreal。TheRathadbeengreatlyexcited，andhadbeggedforthesongoften。Itwasastirringmartialthingwithasortoftrumpetcallofachorus。ThousandsofSamavianshadsungittogetherontheirwaytothebattle-field，hundredsofyearsago。
　　Hedrewbackasteporso，and，puttinghishandsonhiships，begantosing，throwinghisvoiceupwardthatitmightpassthroughthebrokenwindow。Hehadasplendidandvibrantyoungvoice，thoughheknewnothingofitsfinequality。Justnowhewantedonlytomakeitloud。
　　Inthestreetoutsideveryfewpeoplewerepassing。Anirritableoldgentlemanwhowastakinganinvalidwalkquitejumpedwithannoyancewhenthesongsuddenlytrumpetedforth。Boyshadnorighttoyellinthatmanner。Hehurriedhissteptogetawayfromthesound。Twoorthreeotherpeopleglancedovertheirshoulders，buthadnottimetoloiter。Afewotherslistenedwithpleasureastheydrewnearandpassedon。
　　``There'saboywithafinevoice，''saidone。
　　``What'shesinging？''saidhiscompanion。``Itsoundsforeign。''
　　``Don'tknow，''wasthereplyastheywentby。Butatlastayoungmanwhowasamusic-teacher，goingtogivealesson，hesitatedandlookedabouthim。Thesongwasveryloudandspiritedjustatthismoment。Themusic-teachercouldnotunderstandwhereitcamefrom，andpausedtofindout。Thefactthathestoppedattractedtheattentionofthenextcomer，whoalsopaused。
　　``Who'ssinging？''heasked。``Whereishesinging？''
　　``Ican'tmakeout，''themusic-teacherlaughed。``Soundsasifitcameoutoftheground。''
　　And，becauseitwasqueerthatasongshouldseemtobecomingoutoftheground，acostermongerstopped，andthenalittleboy，andthenaworkingwoman，andthenalady。
　　Therewasquitealittlegroupwhenanotherpersonturnedthecornerofthestreet。Hewasashabbyboyoncrutches，andhehadafranticlookonhisface。
　　AndMarcoactuallyheard，ashedrewneartothegroup，thetap-tap-tapofcrutches。
　　``Itmightbe，''hethought。``Itmightbe！''
　　Andhesangthetrumpet-callofthechorusasifitweremeanttoreachtheskies，andhesangitagainandagain。Andattheendofitshouted，``Hallo！Hallo！Hallo！Hallo！Hallo！''
　　TheRatswunghimselfintothegroupandlookedasifhehadgonecrazy。Hehurledhimselfagainstthepeople。
　　``Whereishe！Whereishe！''hecried，andhepouredoutsomebreathlesswords；itwasalmostasifhesobbedthemout。
　　``We'vebeenlookingforhimallnight！''heshouted。``Whereishe！Marco！Marco！Nooneelsesingsitbuthim。Marco！
　　Marco！''Andoutofthearea，asitseemed，cameashoutofanswer。
　　``Rat！Rat！I'mhereinthecellar——lockedin。I'mhere！''andabigpieceofcoalcamehurtlingthroughthebrokenwindowandfellcrashingontheareaflags。TheRatgotdownthestepsintotheareaasifhehadnotbeenoncrutchesbutonlegs，andbangedonthedoor，shoutingback：
　　``Marco！Marco！HereIam！Wholockedyouin？HowcanIgetthedooropen？''
　　Marcowascloseagainstthedoorinside。ItwasTheRat！ItwasTheRat！Andhewouldbeinthestreetagaininafewminutes。
　　``Callapoliceman！''heshoutedthroughthekeyhole。``Thepeoplelockedmeinonpurposeandtookawaythekeys。''
　　Thenthegroupoflookers-onbegantogetexcitedandpressagainstthearearailingsandaskquestions。Theycouldnotunderstandwhathadhappenedtocausetheboywiththecrutchestolookasifhewerecrazywithterrorandreliefatthesametime。
　　Andthelittleboyrandelightedlytofetchapoliceman，andfoundoneinthenextstreet，and，withsomedifficulty，persuadedhimthatitwashisbusinesstocomeandgetadooropeninanemptyhousewhereaboywhowasastreetsingerhadgotlockedupinacellar。
　　XVII
　　``ITISAVERYBADSIGN''
　　Thepolicemanwasnotsomuchexcitedasoutoftemper。HedidnotknowwhatMarcokneworwhatTheRatknew。Somecommonladhadgothimselflockedupinahouse，andsomeonewouldhavetogotothelandlordandgetakeyfromhim。Hehadnointentionoflayinghimselfopentothelawbybreakingintoaprivatehousewithhistruncheon，asTheRatexpectedhimtodo。
　　``Hegothimselfinthroughsomeofhislarks，andhe'llhavetowaittillhe'sgotoutwithoutsmashinglocks，''hegrowled，shakingtheareadoor。``Howdidyougetinthere？''heshouted。
　　ItwasnoteasyforMarcotoexplainthroughakeyholethathehadcomeintohelpaladywhohadmetwithanaccident。Thepolicemanthoughtthismereboy'stalk。Astotherestofthestory，Marcoknewthatitcouldnotberelatedatallwithoutsayingthingswhichcouldnotbeexplainedtoanyonebuthisfather。Hequicklymadeuphismindthathemustletitbebelievedthathehadbeenlockedinbysomequeeraccident。Itmustbesupposedthatthepeoplehadnotremembered，intheirhaste，thathehadnotyetleftthehouse。
　　Whentheyoungclerkfromthehouseagencycamewiththekeys，hewasmuchdisturbedandbewilderedafterhegotinside。
　　``They'vemadeaboltofit，''hesaid。``Thathappensnowandthen，butthere'ssomethingqueeraboutthis。Whatdidtheylockthesedoorsinthebasementfor，andtheoneonthestairs？Whatdidtheysaytoyou？''heaskedMarco，staringathimsuspiciously。
　　``Theysaidtheywereobligedtogosuddenly，''Marcoanswered。
　　``Whatwereyoudoinginthebasement？''
　　``Themantookmedown。''
　　``Andleftyouthereandbolted？Hemusthavebeeninahurry。''
　　``Theladysaidtheyhadnotamoment'stime。''
　　``Heranklemusthavegotwellinshortorder，''saidtheyoungman。
　　``Iknewnothingaboutthem，''answeredMarco。``Ihadneverseenthembefore。''
　　``Thepolicewereafterthem，''theyoungmansaid。``That'swhatIshouldsay。Theypaidthreemonths'rentinadvance，andtheyhaveonlybeenheretwo。SomeoftheseforeignspieslurkingaboutLondon；that'swhattheywere。''
　　TheRathadnotwaiteduntilthekeysarrived。HehadswunghimselfathisswiftestpacebackthroughthestreetstoNo。7
　　PhilibertPlace。Peopleturnedandstaredathiswildpalefaceashealmostshotpastthem。
　　Hehadlefthimselfbarelybreathenoughtospeakwithwhenhereachedthehouseandbangedonthedoorwithhiscrutchtosavetime。
　　BothLoristanandLazaruscametoanswer。
　　TheRatleanedagainstthedoorgasping。
　　``He'sfound！He'sallright！''hepanted。``Someonehadlockedhiminahouseandlefthim。They'vesentforthekeys。
　　I'mgoingback。BrandonTerrace，No。10。''
　　LoristanandLazarusexchangedglances。BothofthemwereatthemomentaspaleasTheRat。
　　``Helphimintothehouse，''saidLoristantoLazarus。``Hemuststayhereandrest。Wewillgo。''TheRatknewitwasanorder。
　　Hedidnotlikeit，butheobeyed。
　　``Thisisabadsign，Master，''saidLazarus，astheywentouttogether。
　　``Itisaverybadone，''answeredLoristan。
　　``GodoftheRight，defendus！''Lazarusgroaned。
　　``Amen！''saidLoristan。``Amen！''
　　ThegrouphadbecomeasmallcrowdbythetimetheyreachedBrandonTerrace。Marcohadnotfounditeasytoleavetheplacebecausehewasbeingquestioned。Neitherthepolicemannortheagent'sclerkseemedwillingtorelinquishtheideathathecouldgivethemsomeinformationabouttheabscondingpair。
　　TheentranceofLoristanproduceditsusualeffect。Theagent'sclerkliftedhishat，andthepolicemanstoodstraightandmadesalute。Neitherofthemrealizedthatthetallman'sclotheswerewornandthreadbare。Theyfeltonlythatapersonagewasbeforethem，andthatitwasnotpossibletoquestionhisairofabsoluteandsereneauthority。HelaidhishandonMarco'sshoulderandhelditthereashespoke。WhenMarcolookedupathimandfelttheclosenessofhistouch，itseemedasifitwereanembrace——asifhehadcaughthimtohisbreast。
　　``Myboyknewnothingofthesepeople，''hesaid。``ThatIcanguarantee。Hehadseenneitherofthembefore。Hisenteringthehousewastheresultofnoboyishtrick。Hehasbeenshutupinthisplacefornearlytwenty-fourhoursandhashadnofood。I
　　musttakehimhome。Thisismyaddress。''Hehandedtheyoungmanacard。
　　Thentheywenthometogether，andallthewaytoPhilibertPlaceLoristan'sfirmhandheldcloselytohisboy'sshoulderasifhecouldnotenduretolethimgo。Butonthewaytheysaidverylittle。
　　``Father，''Marcosaid，ratherhoarsely，whentheyfirstgotawayfromthehouseintheterrace，``Ican'ttalkwellinthestreet。
　　Foronething，Iamsogladtobewithyouagain。Itseemedasif——itmightturnoutbadly。''
　　``Belovedone，''LoristansaidthewordsintheirownSamavian，``untilyouarefedandatrest，youshallnottalkatall。''
　　Afterward，whenhewashimselfagainandwasallowedtotellhisstrangestory，MarcofoundthatbothhisfatherandLazarushadatoncehadsuspicionswhenhehadnotreturned。Theyknewnoordinaryeventcouldhavekepthim。Theyweresurethathemusthavebeendetainedagainsthiswill，andtheywerealsosurethat，ifhehadbeensodetained，itcouldonlyhavebeenforreasonstheycouldguessat。
　　``Thiswasthecardthatshegaveme，''Marcosaid，andhehandedittoLoristan。``Shesaidyouwouldrememberthename。''
　　Loristanlookedattheletteringwithanironichalf-smile。
　　``Ineverhearditbefore，''hereplied。``ShewouldnotsendmeanameIknew。ProbablyIhaveneverseeneitherofthem。ButI
　　knowtheworktheydo。TheyarespiesoftheMaranovitch，andsuspectthatIknowsomethingoftheLostPrince。Theybelievedtheycouldterrifyyouintosayingthingswhichwouldbeaclue。
　　Menandwomenoftheirclasswillusedesperatemeanstogaintheirend。''
　　``Mightthey——haveleftmeastheythreatened？''Marcoaskedhim。
　　``Theywouldscarcelyhavedared，Ithink。Toogreatahueandcrywouldhavebeenraisedbythediscoveryofsuchacrime。Toomanydetectiveswouldhavebeensetatworktotrackthem。''
　　Butthelookinhisfather'seyesashespoke，andthepressureofthehandhestretchedouttotouchhim，madeMarco'sheartthrill。Hehadwonanewloveandtrustfromhisfather。Whentheysattogetherandtalkedthatnight，theywereclosertoeachother'ssoulsthantheyhadeverbeenbefore。
　　Theysatinthefirelight，Marcouponthewornhearth-rug，andtheytalkedaboutSamavia——aboutthewaranditsheart-rendingstruggles，andabouthowtheymightend。
　　``Doyouthinkthatsometimewemightbeexilesnolonger？''theboysaidwistfully。``Doyouthinkwemightgotheretogether——andseeit——youandI，Father？''
　　Therewasasilenceforawhile。Loristanlookedintothesinkingbedofredcoal。
　　``Foryears——foryearsIhavemadeformysoulthatimage，''hesaidslowly。``WhenIthinkofmyfriendonthesideoftheHimalayanMountains，Isay，`TheThoughtwhichThoughttheWorldmaygiveusthatalso！'''
　　XVIII
　　``CITIESANDFACES''
　　ThehoursofMarco'sunexplainedabsencehadbeenterribletoLoristanandtoLazarus。Theyhadreasonforfearswhichitwasnotpossibleforthemtoexpress。Asthenightdrewon，thefearstookstrongerform。TheyforgottheexistenceofTheRat，whosatbitinghisnailsinthebedroom，afraidtogooutlesthemightlosethechanceofbeinggivensomeerrandtodobutalsoafraidtoshowhimselflestheshouldseemintheway。
　　``I'llstayupstairs，''hehadsaidtoLazarus。``Ifyoujustwhistle，I'llcome。''
　　TheanguishhepassedthroughasthedaywentbyandLazaruswentoutandcameinandhehimselfreceivednoorders，couldnothavebeenexpressedinanyordinarywords。Hewrithedinhischair，hebithisnailstothequick，hewroughthimselfintoafrenzyofmiseryandterrorbyrecallingonebyoneallthecrimeshisknowledgeofLondonpolice-courtssuppliedhimwith。
　　Hewasdoingnothing，yethedarenotleavehispost。Itwashispostafterall，thoughtheyhadnotgivenittohim。Hemustdosomething。
　　InthemiddleofthenightLoristanopenedthedoorofthebacksitting-room，becauseheknewhemustatleastgoupstairsandthrowhimselfuponhisbedevenifhecouldnotsleep。
　　Hestartedbackasthedooropened。TheRatwassittinghuddledonthefloornearitwithhisbackagainstthewall。Hehadapieceofpaperinhishandandhistwistedfacewasaweirdthingtosee。
　　``Whyareyouhere？''Loristanasked。
　　``I'vebeenherethreehours，sir。Iknewyou'dhavetocomeoutsometimeandIthoughtyou'dletmespeaktoyou。Willyou——
　　willyou？''
　　``Comeintotheroom，''saidLoristan。``Iwilllistentoanythingyouwanttosay。Whathaveyoubeendrawingonthatpaper？''asTheRatgotupinthewonderfulwayhehadtaughthimself。Thepaperwascoveredwithlineswhichshowedittobeanotherofhisplans。
　　``Pleaselookatit，''hebegged。``Idaren'tgooutlestyoumightwanttosendmesomewhere。Idaren'tsitdoingnothing。I
　　beganrememberingandthinkingthingsout。IputdownallthestreetsandsquaresheMIGHThavewalkedthroughonhiswayhome。
　　I'venotmissedone。Ifyou'llletmestartoutandwalkthrougheveryoneofthemandtalktothepolicemenonthebeatandlookatthehouses——andthinkoutthingsandworkatthem——I'llnotmissaninch——I'llnotmissabrickoraflagstone——I'll——''Hisvoicehadahardsoundbutitshook，andhehimselfshook。
　　Loristantouchedhisarmgently。
　　``Youareagoodcomrade，''hesaid。``Itiswellforusthatyouarehere。Youhavethoughtofagoodthing。''
　　``MayIgonow？''saidTheRat。
　　``Thismoment，ifyouareready，''wastheanswer。TheRatswunghimselftothedoor。
　　Loristansaidtohimathingwhichwaslikethesuddenlightingofagreatlightintheverycenterofhisbeing。
　　``Youareoneofus。NowthatIknowyouaredoingthisImayevensleep。Youareoneofus。''AnditwasbecausehewasfollowingthisplanthatTheRathadturnedintoBrandonTerraceandheardtheSamaviansongringingoutfromthelockedbasementofNumber10。
　　``Yes，heisoneofus，''Loristansaid，whenhetoldthispartofthestorytoMarcoastheysatbythefire。``Ihadnotbeensurebefore。Iwantedtobeverysure。LastnightIsawintothedepthsofhimandKNEW。Hemaybetrusted。''
　　FromthatdayTheRatheldanewplace。Lazarushimself，strangelyenough，didnotresenthisholdingit。TheboywasallowedtobenearLoristanashehadneverdaredtohopetobenear。Itwasnotmerelythathewasallowedtoservehiminmanyways，buthewastakenintotheintimacywhichhadbeforeenclosedonlythethree。LoristantalkedtohimashetalkedtoMarco，drawinghimwithinthecirclewhichheldsomuchthatwascomprehendedwithoutspeech。TheRatknewthathewasbeingtrainedandobservedandherealizeditwithexaltation。Hisidolhadsaidthathewas``oneofthem''andhewaswatchingandputtinghimtotestssothathemightfindouthowmuchhewasoneofthem。Andhewasdoingitforsomegravereasonofhisown。ThisthoughtpossessedTheRat'swholemind。Perhapshewaswonderingifheshouldfindoutthathewastobetrusted，asarockistobetrusted。Thatheshouldeventhinkthatperhapshemightfindthathewaslikearock，wasinspirationenough。
　　``Sir，''hesaidonenightwhentheywerealonetogether，becauseTheRathadbeencopyingaroad-map。Hisvoicewasverylow——
　　``doyouthinkthat——sometime——youcouldtrustmeasyoutrustMarco？Coulditeverbelikethat——ever？''
　　``Thetimehascome，''andLoristan'svoicewasalmostaslowashisown，thoughstronganddeepfeelingunderlayitsquiet——
　　``thetimehascomewhenIcantrustyouwithMarco——tobehiscompanion——tocareforhim，tostandbyhissideatanymoment。
　　AndMarcois——Marcoismyson。''ThatwasenoughtoupliftTheRattotheskies。Buttherewasmoretofollow。
　　``Itmaynotbelongbeforeitmaybehisparttodoworkinwhichhewillneedacomradewhocanbetrusted——asarockcanbetrusted。''
　　HehadsaidtheverywordsTheRat'sownmindhadgiventohim。
　　``ARock！ARock！''theboybrokeout。``Letmeshowyou，sir。
　　Sendmewithhimforaservant。Thecrutchesarenothing。
　　You'veseenthatthey'reasgoodaslegs，haven'tyou？I'vetrainedmyself。''
　　``Iknow，Iknow，dearlad。''Marcohadtoldhimallofit。Hegavehimagracioussmilewhichseemedasifitheldasortoffinesecret。``Youshallgoashisaide-de-camp。Itshallbepartofthegame。''
　　Hehadalwaysencouraged``thegame，''andduringthelastweekshadevenfoundtimetohelpthemintheirplanningsforthemysteriousjourneyoftheSecretTwo。HehadbeensointerestedthatonceortwicehehadcalledonLazarusasanoldsoldierandSamaviantogivehisopinionsofcertainroutes——andofthecustomsandhabitsofpeopleintownsandvillagesbytheway。
　　Heretheywouldfindsimplepastoralfolkwhodanced，sangaftertheirday'swork，andwhowouldtellalltheyknew；heretheywouldfindthosewhoservedorfearedtheMaranovitchandwhowouldnottalkatall。Inoneplacetheywouldmeetwithhospitality，inanotherwithunfriendlysuspicionofallstrangers。ThroughtalkandstoriesTheRatbegantoknowthecountryalmostasMarcoknewit。Thatwaspartofthegametoo——becauseitwasalways``thegame，''theycalledit。AnotherpartwasTheRat'strainingofhismemory，andbringinghomehisproofsofadvanceatnightwhenhereturnedfromhiswalkandcoulddescribe，orrecite，orroughlysketchallhehadseeninhispassagefromoneplacetoanother。Marco'spartwastorecallandsketchfaces。Loristanonenightgavehimanumberofphotographsofpeopletocommittomemory。Undereachfacewaswrittenthenameofaplace。
　　``Learnthesefaces，''hesaid，``untilyouwouldknoweachoneofthematoncewheresoeveryoumetit。Fixthemuponyourmind，sothatitwillbeimpossibleforyoutoforgetthem。Youmustbeabletosketchanyoneofthemandrecallthecityortownorneighborhoodconnectedwithit。''
　　Eventhiswasstillcalled``thegame，''butMarcobegantoknowinhissecretheartthatitwassomuchmore，thathishandsometimestrembledwithexcitementashemadehissketchesoverandoveragain。Tomakeeachonemanytimeswasthebestwaytoimbeditinhismemory。TheRatknew，too，thoughhehadnoreasonforknowing，butmereinstinct。HeusedtolieawakeinthenightandthinkitoverandrememberwhatLoristanhadsaidofthetimecomingwhenMarcomightneedacomradeinhiswork。
　　Whatwashisworktobe？Itwastobesomethinglike``thegame。''Andtheywerebeingpreparedforit。AndthoughMarcooftenlayawakeonhisbedwhenTheRatlayawakeonhissofa，neitherboyspoketotheotherofthethinghisminddwelton。
　　AndMarcoworkedashehadneverworkedbefore。Thegamewasveryexcitingwhenhecouldprovehisprowess。Thefourgatheredtogetheratnightinthebacksitting-room。Lazaruswasobligedtobewiththembecauseasecondjudgewasneeded。Loristanwouldmentionthenameofaplace，perhapsastreetinParisorahotelinVienna，andMarcowouldatoncemakearapidsketchofthefaceunderwhosephotographthenameofthelocalityhadbeenwritten。Itwasnotlongbeforehecouldbeginhissketchwithoutmorethanamoment'shesitation。Andyetevenwhenthishadbecomethecase，theystillplayedthegamenightafternight。TherewasagreathotelnearthePlacedelaConcordeinParis，ofwhichMarcofeltheshouldneverhearthenameduringallhislifewithouttherestartingupbeforehismentalvisionatallwomanwithfierceblackeyesandadelicatehigh-bridgednoseacrosswhichthestrongeyebrowsalmostmet。InViennatherewasapalacewhichwouldalwaysbringbackatonceapalecold-facedmanwithaheavyblondelockwhichfelloverhisforehead。AcertainstreetinMunichmeantastoutgenialoldaristocratwithaslysmile；avillageinBavaria，apeasantwithavacantandsimplecountenance。Acurledandsmoothedmanwholookedlikeahair-dresserbroughtupaplaceinanAustrianmountaintown。HeknewthemallasheknewhisownfaceandNo。
　　7PhilibertPlace。
　　Butstillnightafternightthegamewasplayed。
　　Thencameanightwhen，outofadeepsleep，hewasawakenedbyLazarustouchinghim。Hehadsolongbeensecretlyreadytoansweranycallthathesatupstraightinbedatthefirsttouch。
　　``Dressquicklyandcomedownstairs，''Lazarussaid。``ThePrinceishereandwishestospeakwithyou。''
　　Marcomadenoanswerbutgotoutofbedandbegantosliponhisclothes。
　　LazarustouchedTheRat。
　　TheRatwasasreadyasMarcoandsatuprightashehaddone。
　　``ComedownwiththeyoungMaster，''hecommanded。``Itisnecessarythatyoushouldbeseenandspokento。''Andhavinggiventheorderhewentaway。
　　Nooneheardtheshoelessfeetofthetwoboysastheystoledownthestairs。
　　Anelderlymaninordinaryclothes，butwithanunmistakableface，wassittingquietlytalkingtoLoristanwhowithagesturecalledbothforward。
　　``ThePrincehasbeenmuchinterestedinwhatIhavetoldhimofyourgame，''hesaidinhislowestvoice。``Hewishestoseeyoumakeyoursketches，Marco。''
　　MarcolookedverystraightintothePrince'seyeswhichwerefixedintentlyonhimashemadehisbow。
　　``HisHighnessdoesmehonor，''hesaid，ashisfathermighthavesaidit。Hewenttothetableatonceandtookfromadrawerhispencilsandpiecesofcardboard。
　　``IshouldknowhewasyoursonandaSamavian，''thePrinceremarked。
　　Thenhiskeenanddeep-seteyesturnedthemselvesontheboywiththecrutches。
　　``This，''saidLoristan，``istheonewhocallshimselfTheRat。
　　Heisoneofus。''
　　TheRatsaluted。
　　``Pleasetellhim，sir，''hewhispered，``thatthecrutchesdon'tmatter。''
　　``Hehastrainedhimselftoanextraordinaryactivity，''Loristansaid。``Hecandoanything。''
　　ThekeeneyeswerestilltakingTheRatin。
　　``Theyareanadvantage，''saidthePrinceatlast。
　　Lazarushadnailedtogetheralight，rougheaselwhichMarcousedinmakinghissketcheswhenthegamewasplayed。Lazaruswasstandinginstateatthedoor，andhecameforward，broughttheeaselfromitscorner，andarrangedthenecessarydrawingmaterialsuponit。
　　Marcostoodnearitandwaitedthepleasureofhisfatherandhisvisitor。Theywerespeakingtogetherinlowtonesandhewaitedseveralminutes。WhatTheRatnoticedwaswhathehadnoticedbefore——thatthebigboycouldstandstillinperfecteaseandsilence。Itwasnotnecessaryforhimtosaythingsortoaskquestions——tolookatpeopleasifhefeltrestlessiftheydidnotspeaktoornoticehim。Hedidnotseemtorequirenotice，andTheRatfeltvaguelythat，youngashewas，thisveryfreedomfromanyanxietytobelookedatoraddressedmadehimsomehowlooklikeagreatgentleman。
　　LoristanandthePrinceadvancedtowherehestood。
　　``L'HoteldeMarigny，''Loristansaid。
　　Marcobegantosketchrapidly。Hebegantheportraitofthehandsomewomanwiththedelicatehigh-bridgednoseandtheblackbrowswhichalmostmet。Ashedidit，thePrincedrewnearerandwatchedtheworkoverhisshoulder。Itdidnottakeverylongand，whenitwasfinished，theinspectorturned，andaftergivingLoristanalongandstrangelook，noddedtwice。
　　``Itisaremarkablething，''hesaid。``Inthatroughsketchsheisnottobemistaken。''
　　Loristanbenthishead。
　　Thenhementionedthenameofanotherstreetinanotherplace——andMarcosketchedagain。Thistimeitwasthepeasantwiththesimpleface。ThePrincebowedagain。ThenLoristangaveanothername，andafterthatanotherandanother；andMarcodidhisworkuntilitwasatanend，andLazarusstoodnearwithahandfulofsketcheswhichhehadsilentlytakenchargeofaseachwaslaidaside。
　　``Youwouldknowthesefaceswheresoeveryousawthem？''saidthePrince。``IfyoupassedoneinBondStreetorintheMaryleboneRoad，youwouldrecognizeitatonce？''
　　``AsIknowyours，sir，''Marcoanswered。
　　Thenfollowedanumberofquestions。Loristanaskedthemashehadoftenaskedthembefore。Theywerequestionsastotheheightandbuildoftheoriginalsofthepictures，ofthecoloroftheirhairandeyes，andtheorderoftheircomplexions。
　　Marcoansweredthemall。Heknewallbutthenamesofthesepeople，anditwasplainlynotnecessarythatheshouldknowthem，ashisfatherhadneverutteredthem。
　　AfterthisquestioningwasatanendthePrincepointedtoTheRatwhohadleanedonhiscrutchesagainstthewall，hiseyesfiercelyeagerlikeaferret's。
　　``Andhe？''thePrincesaid。``Whatcanhedo？''
　　``Letmetry，''saidTheRat。``Marcoknows。''
　　Marcolookedathisfather。
　　``MayIhelphimtoshowyou？''heasked。
　　``Yes，''Loristananswered，andthen，asheturnedtothePrince，hesaidagaininhislowvoice：``HEISONEOFUS。''
　　ThenMarcobegananewformofthegame。HehelduponeofthepicturedfacesbeforeTheRat，andTheRatnamedatoncethecityandplaceconnectedwithit，hedetailedthecolorofeyesandhair，theheight，thebuild，allthepersonaldetailsasMarcohimselfhaddetailedthem。Totheseheaddeddescriptionsofthecities，andpointsconcerningthepolicesystem，thepalaces，thepeople。Hisfacetwisteditself，hiseyesburned，hisvoiceshook，buthewasamazinginhisreadinessofreplyandhisexactnessofmemory。
　　``Ican'tdraw，''hesaidattheend。``ButIcanremember。I
　　didn'twantanyonetobebotheredwiththinkingIwastryingtolearnit。SoonlyMarcoknew。''
　　ThishesaidtoLoristanwithappealinhisvoice。
　　``Itwashewhoinvented`thegame，'''saidLoristan。``I
　　showedyouhisstrangemapsandplans。''
　　``Itisagoodgame，''thePrinceansweredinthemannerofamanextraordinarilyinterestedandimpressed。``Theyknowitwell。
　　Theycanbetrusted。''
　　``Nosuchthinghaseverbeendonebefore，''Loristansaid。``Itisasnewasitisdaringandsimple。''
　　``Thereinliesitssafety，''thePrinceanswered。
　　``Perhapsonlyboyhood，''saidLoristan，``couldhavedaredtoimagineit。''
　　``ThePrincethanksyou，''hesaidafterafewmorewordsspokenasidetohisvisitor。``Weboththankyou。Youmaygobacktoyourbeds。''
　　Andtheboyswent。
　　XIX
　　``THATISONE！''
　　AweekhadnotpassedbeforeMarcobroughttoTheRatintheirbedroomanenvelopecontaininganumberofslipsofpaperoneachofwhichwaswrittensomething。
　　``Thisisanotherpartofthegame，''hesaidgravely。``Letussitdowntogetherbythetableandstudyit。''
　　Theysatdownandexaminedwhatwaswrittenontheslips。AttheheadofeachwasthenameofoneoftheplaceswithwhichMarcohadconnectedafacehehadsketched。Belowwereclearandconcisedirectionsastohowitwastobereachedandthewordstobesaidwheneachindividualwasencountered。
　　``Thispersonistobefoundathisstallinthemarket，''waswrittenofthevacant-facedpeasant。``Youwillfirstattracthisattentionbyaskingthepriceofsomething。Whenheislookingatyou，touchyourleftthumblightlywiththeforefingerofyourrighthand。Thenutterinalowdistincttonethewords`TheLampislighted。'Thatisallyouaretodo。''
　　Sometimesthedirectionswerenotquitesosimple，buttheywereallinstructionsofthesameorder。Theoriginalsofthesketchesweretobesoughtout——alwayswithprecautionwhichshouldconcealthattheywerebeingsoughtatall，andalwaysinsuchamanneraswouldcauseanencountertoappeartobemerechance。Thencertainwordsweretobeuttered，butalwayswithoutattractingtheattentionofanybystanderorpasser-by。
　　Theboysworkedattheirtaskthroughtheentireday。Theyconcentratedalltheirpowersuponit。Theywroteandre-wrote——theyrepeatedtoeachotherwhattheycommittedtomemoryasifitwerealesson。Marcoworkedwiththegreatereaseandmorerapidly，becauseexerciseofthisorderhadbeenhispracticeandentertainmentfromhisbabyhood。TheRat，however，almostkeptpacewithhim，ashehadbeenbornwithaphenomenalmemoryandhiseagernessanddesirewereafury。
　　Butthroughouttheentiredayneitherofthemoncereferredtowhattheyweredoingasanythingbut``thegame。''
　　Atnight，itistrue，eachfoundhimselflyingawakeandthinking。ItwasTheRatwhobrokethesilencefromhissofa。
　　``ItiswhatthemessengersoftheSecretPartywouldbeorderedtodowhentheyweresentouttogivetheSignfortheRising，''
　　hesaid。``ImadethatupthefirstdayIinventedtheparty，didn'tI？''
　　``Yes，''answeredMarco。
　　Afterathirdday'sconcentrationtheyknewbyhearteverythinggiventothemtolearn。ThatnightLoristanputthemthroughanexamination。
　　``Canyouwritethesethings？''heasked，aftereachhadrepeatedthemandemergedsafelyfromallcross-questioning。
　　Eachboywrotethemcorrectlyfrommemory。
　　``WriteyoursinFrench——inGerman——inRussian——inSamavian，''
　　LoristansaidtoMarco。
　　``Allyouhavetoldmetodoandtolearnispartofmyself，Father，''Marcosaidintheend。``Itispartofme，asifitweremyhandormyeyes——ormyheart。''
　　``Ibelievethatistrue，''answeredLoristan。
　　Hewaspalethatnightandtherewasashadowonhisface。HiseyesheldagreatlongingastheyrestedonMarco。Itwasayearningwhichhadasortofdreadinit。
　　Lazarusalsodidnotseemquitehimself。Hewasredinsteadofpale，andhismovementswereuncertainandrestless。Heclearedhisthroatnervouslyatintervalsandmorethanoncelefthischairasiftolookforsomething。
　　ItwasalmostmidnightwhenLoristan，standingnearMarco，puthisarmroundhisshoulders。
　　``TheGame''——hebegan，andthenwassilentafewmomentswhileMarcofelthisarmtightenitshold。BothMarcoandTheRatfeltahardquickbeatintheirbreasts，and，becauseofthisandbecausethepauseseemedlong，Marcospoke。
　　``TheGame——yes，Father？''hesaid。
　　``TheGameisabouttogiveyouworktodo——bothofyou，''
　　Loristananswered。
　　Lazarusclearedhisthroatandwalkedtotheeaselinthecorneroftheroom。Butheonlychangedthepositionofapieceofdrawing-paperonitandthencameback。
　　``IntwodaysyouaretogotoParis——asyou，''toTheRat，``plannedinthegame。''
　　``AsIplanned？''TheRatbarelybreathedthewords。
　　``Yes，''answeredLoristan。``Theinstructionsyouhavelearnedyouwillcarryout。Thereisnomoretobedonethantomanagetoapproachcertainpersonscloselyenoughtobeabletouttercertainwordstothem。''
　　``Onlytwoyoungstrollerswhomnomancouldsuspect，''putinLazarusinanastonishinglyroughandshakyvoice。``TheycouldpassneartheEmperorhimselfwithoutdanger。TheyoungMaster——''hisvoicebecamesohoarsethathewasobligatedtoclearitloudly——``theyoungMastermustcarryhimselflessfinely。Itwouldbewelltoshufflealittleandslouchasifhewereofthecommonpeople。''
　　``Yes，''saidTheRathastily。``Hemustdothat。Icanteachhim。Heholdshisheadandhisshoulderslikeagentleman。Hemustlooklikeastreetlad。''
　　``Iwilllooklikeone，''saidMarco，withdetermination。
　　``Iwilltrustyoutoremindhim，''LoristansaidtoTheRat，andhesaiditwithgravity。``Thatwillbeyourcharge。''
　　Ashelayuponhispillowthatnight，itseemedtoMarcoasifaloadhadlifteditselffromhisheart。Itwastheloadofuncertaintyandlonging。Hehadsolongbornethepainoffeelingthathewastooyoungtobeallowedtoserveinanyway。
　　Hisdreamshadneverbeenwildones——theyhadinfactalwaysbeenboyishandmodest，howsoeverromantic。Butnownodreamwhichcouldhavepassedthroughhisbrainwouldhaveseemedsowonderfulasthis——thatthehourhadcome——thehourhadcome——andthathe，Marco，wastobeitsmessenger。Hewastodonodramaticdeedandbeannouncedbynoflourishofheralds。Noonewouldknowwhathedid。Whatheachievedcouldonlybeattainedifheremainedobscureandunknownandseemedtoeveryoneonlyacommonordinaryboywhoknewnothingwhateverofimportantthings。Buthisfatherhadgiventohimagiftsosplendidthathetrembledwithaweandjoyashethoughtofit。TheGamehadbecomereal。HeandTheRatweretocarrywiththemTheSign，anditwouldbelikecarryingatinylamptosetaflamelightswhichwouldblazefromonemountain-toptoanotheruntilhalftheworldseemedonfire。
　　AshehadawakenedoutofhissleepwhenLazarustouchedhim，soheawakenedinthemiddleofthenightagain。Buthewasnotarousedbyatouch。Whenheopenedhiseyesheknewitwasalookwhichhadpenetratedhissleep——alookintheeyesofhisfatherwhowasstandingbyhisside。IntheroadoutsidetherewastheuttersilencehehadnoticedthenightofthePrince'sfirstvisit——theonlylightwasthatofthelampinthestreet，buthecouldseeLoristan'sfaceclearlyenoughtoknowthatthemereintensityofhisgazehadawakenedhim。TheRatwassleepingprofoundly。LoristanspokeinSamavianandunderhisbreath。
　　``Belovedone，''hesaid。``Youareveryyoung。BecauseIamyourfather——justatthishourIcanfeelnothingelse。Ihavetrainedyouforthisthroughalltheyearsofyourlife。Iamproudofyouryoungmaturityandstrengthbut——Beloved——youareachild！CanIdothisthing！''
　　Forthemoment，hisfaceandhisvoicewerescarcelylikehisown。
　　Hekneeledbythebedside，and，ashedidit，Marcohalfsittingupcaughthishandandheldithardagainsthisbreast。
　　``Father，Iknow！''hecriedunderhisbreathalso。``Itistrue。IamachildbutamInotamanalso？Youyourselfsaidit。Ialwaysknewthatyouwereteachingmetobeone——forsomereason。ItwasmysecretthatIknewit。IlearnedwellbecauseIneverforgotit。AndIlearned。DidInot？''
　　Hewassoeagerthathelookedmorelikeaboythanever。Buthisyoungstrengthandcourageweresplendidtosee。Loristanknewhimthroughandthroughandreadeveryboyishthoughtofhis。
　　``Yes，''heansweredslowly。``Youdidyourpart——andnowifI——
　　drewback——youwouldfeelthatIHADFAILEDYOU-FAILEDYOU。''
　　``You！''Marcobreatheditproudly。``YouCOULDnotfaileventheweakestthingintheworld。''
　　Therewasamoment'ssilenceinwhichthetwopairsofeyesdweltoneachotherwiththedeepestmeaning，andthenLoristanrosetohisfeet。
　　``Theendwillbeallthatourheartsmostwish，''hesaid。
　　``To-morrowyoumaybeginthenewpartof`theGame。'YoumaygotoParis。''
　　WhenthetrainwhichwastomeettheboatthatcrossedfromDovertoCalaissteamedoutofthenoisyCharingCrossStation，itcarriedinathird-classcarriagetwoshabbyboys。Oneofthemwouldhavebeenahandsomeladifhehadnotcarriedhimselfslouchinglyandwalkedwithastreetlad'scarelessshufflinggait。Theotherwasacripplewhomovedslowly，andapparentlywithdifficulty，oncrutches。Therewasnothingremarkableorpicturesqueenoughaboutthemtoattractattention。Theysatinthecornerofthecarriageandneithertalkedmuchnorseemedtobeparticularlyinterestedinthejourneyoreachother。Whentheywentonboardthesteamer，theyweresoonlostamongthecommonerpassengersandinfactfoundforthemselvesasecludedplacewhichwasnotadvantageousenoughtobewantedbyanyoneelse。
　　``Whatcansuchapoor-lookingpairofladsbegoingtoParisfor？''someoneaskedhiscompanion。
　　``Notforpleasure，certainly；perhapstogetwork，''wasthecasualanswer。
　　IntheeveningtheyreachedParis，andMarcoledthewaytoasmallcafeinaside-streetwheretheygotsomecheapfood。Inthesameside-streettheyfoundabedtheycouldshareforthenightinatinyroomoverabaker'sshop。
　　TheRatwastoomuchexcitedtobereadytogotobedearly。HebeggedMarcotoguidehimaboutthebrilliantstreets。TheywentslowlyalongthebroadAvenuedesChampsElyseesunderthelightsglitteringamongthehorse-chestnuttrees。TheRat'ssharpeyestookitallin——thelightofthecafesamongtheemboweringtrees，themanycarriagesrollingby，thepeoplewholoiteredandlaughedorsatatlittletablesdrinkingwineandlisteningtomusic，thebroadstreamoflifewhichflowedontotheArcdeTriompheandbackagain。
　　``It'sbrighterandclearerthanLondon，''hesaidtoMarco。
　　``ThepeoplelookasiftheywerehavingmorefunthantheydoinEngland。''
　　ThePlacedelaConcordespreadingitsstatelyspaces——aworldofillumination，movement，andmajesticbeauty——heldhimasthoughbyafascination。Hewantedtostandandstareatit，firstfromonepointofviewandthenfromanother。ItwasbiggerandmorewonderfulthanhehadbeenabletopictureitwhenMarcohaddescribedittohimandtoldhimofthepartithadplayedinthedaysoftheFrenchRevolutionwhentheguillotinehadstoodinitandthetumbrilshademptiedthemselvesatthefootofitssteps。
　　HestoodneartheObeliskalongtimewithoutspeaking。
　　``Icanseeitallhappening，''hesaidatlast，andhepulledMarcoaway。
　　Beforetheyreturnedhome，theyfoundtheirwaytoalargehousewhichstoodinacourtyard。Intheironworkofthehandsomegateswhichshutitinwaswroughtagildedcoronet。Thegateswereclosedandthehousewasnotbrightlylighted。
　　Theywalkedpastitandrounditwithoutspeaking，but，whentheynearedtheentranceforthesecondtime，TheRatsaidinalowtone：
　　``Sheisfivefeetseven，hasblackhair，anosewithahighbridge，hereyebrowsareblackandalmostmeetacrossit，shehasapaleoliveskinandholdsherheadproudly。''
　　``Thatistheone，''Marcoanswered。
　　TheywereaweekinParisandeachdaypassedthisbighouse。
　　Therewerecertainhourswhengreatladiesweremorelikelytogooutandcomeinthantheywereatothers。Marcoknewthis，andtheymanagedtobewithinsightofthehouseortopassitatthesehours。Fortwodaystheysawnosignofthepersontheywishedtosee，butonemorningthegateswerethrownopenandtheysawflowersandpalmsbeingtakenin。
　　``Shehasbeenawayandiscomingback，''saidMarco。Thenextdaytheypassedthreetimes——onceatthehourwhenfashionablewomendriveouttodotheirshopping，onceatthetimewhenafternoonvisitingismostlikelytobegin，andoncewhenthestreetswerebrilliantwithlightsandthecarriageshadbeguntorollbytodinner-partiesandtheaters。
　　Then，astheystoodatalittledistancefromtheirongates，acarriagedrovethroughthemandstoppedbeforethebigopendoorwhichwasthrownopenbytwotallfootmeninsplendidlivery。
　　``Sheiscomingout，''saidTheRat。
　　Theywouldbeabletoseeherplainlywhenshecame，becausethelightsovertheentranceweresobright。
　　Marcoslippedfromunderhiscoatsleeveacarefullymadesketch。
　　HelookedatitandTheRatlookedatit。
　　Afootmanstooderectoneachsideoftheopendoor。Thefootmanwhosatwiththecoachmanhadgotdownandwaswaitingbythecarriage。MarcoandTheRatglancedagainwithfurtivehasteatthesketch。Ahandsomewomanappeareduponthethreshold。Shepausedandgavesomeordertothefootmanwhostoodontheright。
　　Thenshecameoutinthefulllightandgotintothecarriagewhichdroveoutofthecourtyardandquiteneartheplacewherethetwoboyswaited。
　　Whenitwasgone，Marcodrewalongbreathashetorethesketchintoverysmallpiecesindeed。Hedidnotthrowthemawaybutputthemintohispocket。
　　TheRatdrewalongbreathalso。
　　``Yes，''hesaidpositively。
　　``Yes，''saidMarco。
　　Whentheyweresafelyshutupintheirroomoverthebaker'sshop，theydiscussedthechancesoftheirbeingabletopassherinsuchawayaswouldseemaccidental。Twocommonboyscouldnotenterthecourtyard。Therewasabackentrancefortradespeopleandmessengers。Whenshedrove，shewouldalwaysenterhercarriagefromthesameplace。Unlessshesometimeswalked，theycouldnotapproachher。Whatshouldbedone？Thethingwasdifficult。Aftertheyhadtalkedsometime，TheRatsatandgnawedhisnails。
　　``To-morrowafternoon，''hebrokeoutatlast，``we'llwatchandseeifhercarriagedrivesinforher——then，whenshecomestothedoor，I'llgoinandbegintobeg。TheservantwillthinkI'maforeigneranddon'tknowwhatI'mdoing。Youcancomeaftermetotellmetocomeaway，becauseyouknowbetterthanI
　　dothatIshallbeorderedout。Shemaybeagood-naturedwomanandlistentous——andyoumightgetnearher。''
　　``Wemighttryit，''Marcoanswered。``Itmightwork。Wewilltryit。''
　　TheRatneverfailedtotreathimashisleader。HehadbeggedLoristantolethimcomewithMarcoashisservant，andhisservanthehadbeenmorethanwillingtobe。WhenLoristanhadsaidheshouldbehisaide-de-camp，hehadfelthistrustliftedtoamilitarydignitywhichupliftedhimwithit。Ashisaide-de-camphemustservehim，watchhim，obeyhislightestwish，makeeverythingeasyforhim。Sometimes，Marcowastroubledbythewayinwhichheinsistedonservinghim，thisqueer，oncedictatorialandcantankerousladwhohadbegunbythrowingstonesathim。
　　``Youmustnotwaitonme，''hesaidtohim。``Imustwaituponmyself。''
　　TheRatratherflushed。
　　``Hetoldmethathewouldletmecomewithyouasyouraide-decamp，''hesaid。``It——it'spartofthegame。Itmakesthingseasierifwekeepupthegame。''
　　Itwouldhaveattractedattentioniftheyhadspenttoomuchtimeinthevicinityofthebighouse。Soithappenedthatthenextafternoonthegreatladyevidentlydroveoutatanhourwhentheywerenotwatchingforher。Theywereontheirwaytotryiftheycouldcarryouttheirplan，when，astheywalkedtogetheralongtheRueRoyale，TheRatsuddenlytouchedMarco'selbow。
　　``Thecarriagestandsbeforetheshopwithlaceinthewindows，''
　　hewhisperedhurriedly。
　　Marcosawandrecognizeditatonce。Theownerhadevidentlygoneintotheshoptobuysomething。Thiswasabetterchancethantheyhadhopedfor，and，whentheyapproachedthecarriageitself，theysawthattherewasanotherpointintheirfavor。
　　InsidewerenolessthanthreebeautifullittlePekingesespanielsthatlookedexactlyalike。Theywerealltryingtolookoutofthewindowandwerepushingagainsteachother。Theyweresoperfectandsoprettythatfewpeoplepassedbywithoutlookingatthem。Whatbetterexcusecouldtwoboyshaveforlingeringaboutaplace？
　　Theystoppedand，standingalittledistanceaway，begantolookatanddiscussthemandlaughattheirexcitedlittleantics。
　　Throughtheshop-windowMarcocaughtaglimpseofthegreatlady。
　　``Shedoesnotlookmuchinterested。Shewon'tstaylong，''hewhispered，andaddedaloud，``thatlittleoneisthemaster。Seehowhepushestheothersaside！Heisstrongerthantheothertwo，thoughheissosmall。''
　　``Hecansnap，too，''saidTheRat。
　　``Sheiscomingnow，''warnedMarco，andthenlaughedaloudasifatthePekingese，which，catchingsightoftheirmistressattheshop-door，begantoleapandyelpforjoy。
　　Theirmistressherselfsmiled，andwassmilingasMarcodrewnearher。
　　``Maywelookatthem，Madame？''hesaidinFrench，and，asshemadeanamiablegestureofacquiescenceandmovedtowardthecarriagewithhim，hespokeafewwords，verylowbutverydistinctly，inRussian。
　　``TheLampislighted，''hesaid。
　　TheRatwaslookingatherkeenly，buthedidnotseeherfacechangeatall。WhathenoticedmostthroughouttheirjourneywasthateachpersontowhomtheygavetheSignhadcompletecontroloverhisorhercountenance，iftherewerebystanders，andneverbetrayedbyanychangeofexpressionthatthewordsmeantanythingunusual。
　　Thegreatladymerelywentonsmiling，andspokeonlyofthedogs，allowingMarcoandhimselftolookatthemthroughthewindowofthecarriageasthefootmanopenedthedoorforhertoenter。
　　``Theyarebeautifullittlecreatures，''Marcosaid，liftinghiscap，and，asthefootmanturnedaway，heutteredhisfewRussianwordsoncemoreandmovedoffwithoutevenglancingattheladyagain。
　　``ThatisONE！''hesaidtoTheRatthatnightbeforetheywenttosleep，andwithamatchheburnedthescrapsofthesketchhehadtornandputintohispocket。
　　XX
　　MARCOGOESTOTHEOPERA
　　TheirnextjourneywastoMunich，butthenightbeforetheyleftParisanunexpectedthinghappened。
　　Toreachthenarrowstaircasewhichledtotheirbedroomitwasnecessarytopassthroughthebaker'sshopitself。
　　Thebaker'swifewasafriendlywomanwholikedthetwoboylodgerswhoweresoquietandgavenotrouble。Morethanonceshehadgiventhemahotrollorsoorafreshlybakedlittletartletwithfruitinthecenter。WhenMarcocameinthisevening，shegreetedhimwithanodandhandedhimasmallparcelashepassedthrough。
　　``Thiswasleftforyouthisafternoon，''shesaid。``Iseeyouaremakingpurchasesforyourjourney。MymanandIareverysorryyouaregoing。''
　　``Thankyou，Madame。Wealsoaresorry，''Marcoanswered，takingtheparcel。``Theyarenotlargepurchases，yousee。''
　　ButneitherhenorTheRathadboughtanythingatall，thoughtheordinary-lookinglittlepackagewasplainlyaddressedtohimandborethenameofoneofthebigcheapshops。Itfeltasifitcontainedsomethingsoft。
　　Whenhereachedtheirbedroom，TheRatwasgazingoutofthewindowwatchingeverylivingthingwhichpassedinthestreetbelow。HewhohadneverseenanythingbutLondonwasabsorbedbythespellofParisandwaslearningitbyheart。
　　``Somethinghasbeensenttous。Lookatthis，''saidMarco。
　　TheRatwasathissideatonce。``Whatisit？Wherediditcomefrom？''
　　Theyopenedthepackageandatfirstsightsawonlyseveralpairsofquitecommonwoolensocks。AsMarcotookupthesockinthemiddleoftheparcel，hefeltthattherewassomethinginsideit——somethinglaidflatandcarefully。Heputhishandinanddrewoutanumberoffive-francnotes——notnewones，becausenewoneswouldhavebetrayedthemselvesbycrackling。Thesewereoldenoughtobesoft。Buttherewereenoughofthemtoamounttoasubstantialsum。
　　``Itisinsmallnotesbecausepoorboyswouldhaveonlysmallones。Noonewillbesurprisedwhenwechangethese，''TheRatsaid。
　　Eachofthembelievedthepackagehadbeensentbythegreatlady，butithadbeendonesocarefullythatnottheslightestcluewasfurnished。
　　ToTheRat，partofthedeepexcitementof``theGame''wastheworkingoutoftheplansandmethodsofeachpersonconcerned。
　　Hecouldnothavesleptwithoutworkingoutsomeschemewhichmighthavebeenusedinthiscase。Itthrilledhimtocontemplatethedifficultiesthegreatladymighthavefoundherselfobligedtoovercome。
　　``Perhaps，''hesaid，afterthinkingitoverforsometime，``shewenttoabigcommonshopdressedasifshewereanordinarywomanandboughtthesocksandpretendedshewasgoingtocarrythemhomeherself。Shewoulddothatsothatshecouldtakethemintosomecornerandslipthemoneyin。Then，asshewantedtohavethemsentfromtheshop，perhapssheboughtsomeotherthingsandaskedthepeopletodeliverthepackagestodifferentplaces。Thesocksweresenttousandtheotherthingstosomeoneelse。Shewouldgotoashopwherenooneknewherandnoonewouldexpecttoseeherandshewouldwearclotheswhichlookedneitherrichnortoopoor。''
　　HecreatedthewholeepisodewithallitsdetailsandexplainedthemtoMarco。Itfascinatedhimfortheentireeveningandhefeltrelievedafteritandsleptwell。
　　EvenbeforetheyhadleftLondon，certainnewspapershadsweptoutofexistencethestoryofthedescendantoftheLostPrince。
　　Thishadbeendonebyderisionandlighthandling——bytreatingitasaromanticlegend。
　　Atfirst，TheRathadresentedthisbitterly，butonedayatameal，whenhehadbeenproducingargumentstoprovethatthestorymustbeatrueone，Loristansomehowcheckedhimbyhisownsilence。
　　``Ifthereissuchaman，''hesaidafterapause，``itiswellforhimthathisexistenceshouldnotbebelievedin——forsometimeatleast。''
　　TheRatcametoadeadstop。Hefelthotforamomentandthenfeltcold。Hesawanewideaallatonce。Hehadbeenmakingamistakeintactics。
　　Nomorewassaidbut，whentheywerealoneafterwards，hepouredhimselfforthtoMarco。
　　``Iwasafool！''hecriedout。``Whycouldn'tIseeitformyself！ShallItellyouwhatIbelievehasbeendone？ThereissomeonewhohasinfluenceinEnglandandwhoisafriendtoSamavia。They'vegotthenewspaperstomakefunofthestorysothatitwon'tbebelieved。Ifitwasbelieved，boththeIarovitchandtheMaranovitchwouldbeonthelookout，andtheSecretPartywouldlosetheirchances。WhatafoolIwasnottothinkofit！There'ssomeonewatchingandworkingherewhoisafriendtoSamavia。''
　　``ButthereissomeoneinSamaviawhohasbeguntosuspectthatitmightbetrue，''Marcoanswered。``Iftherewerenot，I
　　shouldnothavebeenshutinthecellar。Someonethoughtmyfatherknewsomething。Thespieshadorderstofindoutwhatitwas。''
　　``Yes。Yes。That'strue，too！''TheRatansweredanxiously。
　　``Weshallhavetobeverycareful。''
　　IntheliningofthesleeveofMarco'scoattherewasaslitintowhichhecouldslipanysmallthinghewishedtoconcealandalsowishedtobeabletoreachwithouttrouble。InthishehadcarriedthesketchoftheladywhichhehadtornupinParis。
　　WhentheywalkedinthestreetsofMunich，themorningaftertheirarrival，hecarriedstillanothersketch。Itwastheonepicturingthegenial-lookingoldaristocratwiththeslysmile。
　　Oneofthethingstheyhadlearnedaboutthisonewasthathischiefcharacteristicwashispassionformusic。HewasapatronofmusiciansandhespentmuchtimeinMunichbecauseheloveditsmusicalatmosphereandtheearnestnessofitsopera-goers。
　　``ThemilitarybandplaysintheFeldherrn-halleatmidday。Whensomethingverygoodisbeingplayed，sometimespeoplestoptheircarriagessothattheycanlisten。Wewillgothere，''saidMarco。
　　``It'sachance，''saidTheRat。``Wemustn'tloseanythinglikeachance。''
　　Thedaywasbrilliantandsunny，thepeoplepassingthroughthestreetslookedcomfortableandhomely，themixtureofoldstreetsandmodernones，ofancientcornersandshopsandhousesofthedaywaspicturesqueandcheerful。TheRatswingingthroughthecrowdonhiscrutcheswasfullofinterestandexhilaration。Hehadbeguntogrow，andthechangeinhisfaceandexpressionwhichhadbeguninLondonhadbecomemorenoticeable。Hehadbeengivenhis``place，''andaworktodowhichentitledhimtoholdit。
　　Noonecouldhavesuspectedthemofcarryingastrangeandvitalsecretwiththemastheystrolledalongtogether。Theyseemedonlytwoordinaryboyswholookedinatshopwindowsandtalkedovertheircontents，andwholoiteredwithupturnedfacesintheMarien-PlatzbeforetheornateGothicRathaustoheartheeleveno'clockchimesplayandseethepaintedfiguresoftheKingandQueenwatchfromtheirbalconythepassingbeforethemoftheautomatictournamentprocessionwithitstrumpetersandtiltingknights。Whentheshowwasoverandtheautomaticcockbrokeforthintohislustyfarewellcrow，theylaughedjustasanyotherboyswouldhavelaughed。SometimesitwouldhavebeeneasyforTheRattoforgetthattherewasanythinggraverintheworldthanthenewplacesandnewwondershewasseeing，asifhewereawanderingminstrelinastory。
　　ButinSamaviabloodybattleswerebeingfought，andbloodyplanswerebeingwroughtout，andinanguishedanxietytheSecretPartyandtheForgersoftheSwordwaitedbreathlesslyfortheSignforwhichtheyhadwaitedsolong。AndinsidetheliningofMarco'scoatwashiddenthesketchedface，asthetwounnoticedladsmadetheirwaytotheFeldherrn-halletohearthebandplayandseewhomightchancetobeamongtheaudience。
　　Becausethedaywassunny，andalsobecausethebandwasplayingaspeciallyfineprogramme，thecrowdinthesquarewaslargerthanusual。Severalvehicleshadstopped，andamongthemwereoneortwowhichwerenotmerelyhiredcabsbutwerethecarriagesofprivatepersons。
　　Oneofthemhadevidentlyarrivedearly，asitwasdrawnupinagoodpositionwhentheboysreachedthecorner。Itwasabigopencarriageandagrandone，luxuriouslyupholsteredingreen。
　　Thefootmanandcoachmanworegreenandsilverliveriesandseemedtoknowthatpeoplewerelookingatthemandtheirmaster。
　　Hewasastout，genial-lookingoldaristocratwithaslysmile，though，ashelistenedtothemusic，italmostforgottobesly。
　　Inthecarriagewithhimwereayoungofficerandalittleboy，andtheyalsolistenedattentively。Standingnearthecarriagedoorwereseveralpeoplewhowereplainlyfriendsoracquaintances，astheyoccasionallyspoketohim。MarcotouchedTheRat'scoatsleeveasthetwoboysapproached。
　　``Itwouldnotbeeasytogetnearhim，''hesaid。``Letusgoandstandasclosetothecarriageaswecangetwithoutpushing。
　　Perhapswemayhearsomeonesaysomethingaboutwhereheisgoingafterthemusicisover。''
　　Yes，therewasnomistakinghim。Hewastherightman。Eachofthemknewbyheartthecreasesonhisstoutfaceandthesweepofhisgraymoustache。Buttherewasnothingnoticeableinaboylookingforamomentatapieceofpaper，andMarcosaunteredafewstepstoabitofspaceleftbarebythecrowdandtookalastglanceathissketch。Hisrulewastomakesureatthefinalmoment。Themusicwasverygoodandthegroupaboutthecarriagewasevidentlyenthusiastic。Therewastalkandpraiseandcomment，andtheoldaristocratnoddedhisheadrepeatedlyinapplause。
　　``TheChancellorismusicmad，''alooker-onneartheboyssaidtoanother。``Attheoperaeverynightunlessseriousaffairskeephimaway！Thereyoumayseehimnoddinghisoldheadandburstinghisgloveswithapplaudingwhenagoodthingisdone。