Part 21 (1/2)

In vain the boys racked their brains. Alexis was called into consultation. He also had been impressed by Brunnoi's likeness to some one he had seen before; but he was unable to throw any light upon the resemblance.

”Well,” said Chester at length, ”I can't place him and that's all there is about it. Nevertheless, I am absolutely certain I have met him some place before to-day.”

The door to their prison was now opened and food was placed upon the table in the center of the room. All three were nearly famished, and they fell to with a will.

”Fattening us up for the slaughter,” said Chester with a laugh.

”However, I guess they won't kill us to-day.”

Slowly the hours pa.s.sed. There was not a single window or opening in the room, and the prisoners could not tell whether it was day or night outside. But now Hal, glancing at his watch, uttered an exclamation of surprise.

”Almost midnight,” he said. ”Guess we might as well turn in.”

Hal and Chester tumbled into the beds, but Alexis continued to sit in his chair, brooding.

”Come on, Alexis, get to bed,” Hal called. ”What on earth's the matter, anyhow?”

Alexis did not reply, and Hal repeated his question.

”I was just thinking,” said the giant, ”what a fool I was to let these fellows take my gun away from me without even a struggle. With a good gun apiece, we might be able to get away from here.”

”Cheer up,” said Hal. ”We are not going to be killed. While there is life there is hope. We'll get out of this ticklish situation somehow.

Just be patient.”

”Patient!” echoed Alexis; ”how can a man be patient cooped up in a place like this?”

”Well, it can't be helped now,” said Chester. ”Come on to bed.”

But Alexis was in no mood to turn in. For perhaps another half-hour he sat brooding; then he arose and made a tour of the room. He put his hand on the doork.n.o.b and tried it. It was securely locked, and the Cossack had no doubt that it was also bolted on the far side. He rattled the k.n.o.b angrily, but there was no answer from the outside.

Alexis continued his tour of inspection. He eyed the table speculatively. It was made of oak and while not of great bulk was very heavy--as much as two ordinary men could lift. Alexis picked it up and tested its weight. Then he growled something to himself.

He also tested the chairs and even the bed on which he was to sleep, all the time growling to himself like a dog. Then, his tour of the room completed, he sat down in his chair again. Hal and Chester had been watching him from beneath lowered lids.

Hal raised himself up.

”Find anything?” he asked.

Alexis vouchsafed no reply.

”Great Scott!” cried Chester, sitting up. ”Are you going to mope around all night? Come to bed and get a little rest, that you may be fit to meet any emergency should it arise.”

”A good idea,” growled Alexis to himself, and extinguis.h.i.+ng the light, threw himself upon his bed.

CHAPTER XV.

GETTING AWAY.

All were up long before a guard appeared with breakfast. This they ate leisurely and then sat down to talk their predicament over calmly.