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