The drawing was as solemn as his tone.  Each boy wanted to draw either the shortest lot or the longest one.  The heart of each thumped somewhat as he drew his piece of string.

When the drawing was at an end, each showed his lot.  The Rat had drawn the shortest piece of string, and Marco had drawn the longest one.

“Comrade!” said The Rat, taking his hand.  “We will face death and danger together!”

“God save Samavia!” answered Marco.

And the game was at an end for the day.  The primest thing, the Squad said, The Rat had ever made up for them. “’E wos a wonder, he wos!”

VII

“THE LAMP IS LIGHTED!”

On his way home, Marco thought of nothing but the story he must tell his father, the story the stranger who had been to Samavia had told The Rat’s father.  He felt that it must be a true story and not merely an invention.  The Forgers of the Sword must be real men, and the hidden subterranean caverns stacked through the centuries with arms must be real, too.  And if they were real, surely his father was one of those who knew the secret.  His thoughts ran very fast.  The Rat’s boyish invention of the rising was only part of a game, but how natural it would be that sometime—­perhaps before long—­there would be a real rising!  Surely there would be one if the Secret Party had grown so strong, and if many weapons and secret friends in other countries were ready and waiting.  During all these years, hidden work and preparation would have been going on continually, even though it was preparation for an unknown day.  A party which had lasted so long—­which passed its oath on from generation to generation—­must be of a deadly determination.

What might it not have made ready in its caverns and secret meeting-places!  He longed to reach home and tell his father, at once, all he had heard.  He recalled to mind, word for word, all that The Rat had been told, and even all he had added in his game, because—­well, because that seemed so real too, so real that it actually might be useful.

But when he reached No. 7 Philibert Place, he found Loristan and Lazarus very much absorbed in work.  The door of the back sitting-room was locked when he first knocked on it, and locked again as soon as he had entered.  There were many papers on the table, and they were evidently studying them.  Several of them were maps.  Some were road maps, some maps of towns and cities, and some of fortifications; but they were all maps of places in Samavia.  They were usually kept in a strong box, and when they were taken out to be studied, the door was always kept locked.

Before they had their evening meal, these were all returned to the strong box, which was pushed into a corner and had newspapers piled upon it.

“When he arrives,” Marco heard Loristan say to Lazarus, “we can show him clearly what has been planned.  He can see for himself.”