bad way this time, all right,"
said Chester, when they were left alone.

"A bad way is no name for it," replied Hal; "but tell me, Chester, did
you notice anything familiar about Brunnoi?"

Chester clapped his hands together.

"By Jove!" he exclaimed. "Now that you mention it, it seems to me I have
seen him some place before. But I can't place him."

"Nor I; but I am positive this is not the first time we have met. It is
his voice that puzzles me."

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 passed. 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 doorknob 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
knob angrily, but there wa