“Never mind,” said Ivan.  “We’ll attend to them later on.  Right now I have a desire to hear your story.  Proceed.”

Hal did so.  He related his and Chester’s first meeting with Alexis, the big brave-hearted man who had once played an important part in their lives, as related in “The Boy Allies With the Cossacks.”  He told of the many exciting adventures the three had gone through together.

And as the lad progressed with his narrative, Ivan became more interested with each word; and by the time Hal had come to an account of his brother’s last great fight, Ivan was on his feet, his face glowing.

“By St. George!” he cried.  “I knew he could do it.  Boaster or not, he was a brave man.  But go on.  And after he had killed the three Germans there on the sand, then what?”

“Why, then,” said Hal, “a German bullet struck him in the right shoulder; a moment later another lodged in his right side.  But Alexis did not pause.  He rushed right into the thick of them, using his now empty pistols and at last striking out with his bare fists.  Men tumbled on all sides.

“From behind and from both sides, the Germans darted at him, firing their revolvers and stabbing him with the swords.  By this time, we had finished repairing our machine and we rushed to his aid, and for a moment the Germans gave back.  Then they closed in and we were all hard pressed.  Alexis was bleeding in a dozen places but he fought on.  And then aid came from an unexpected source.”

“Where?” demanded Ivan excitedly.

“Troops,” replied Hal.  “Troops sent to protect the neutrality of the country; and with their approach the Germans who were still upon their feet fled.  Chester and I dragged Alexis to our own craft and we also ascended.  There we did what we could for him, but he realized that he was past aid, and he died as a brave man should.  We buried him in England with honor, and with him the Cross of St. George, personally bestowed upon him by the Czar.”

For a long time after the lad had finished, Ivan was silent.  Then he said, his fists clenching: 

“I would I had been there!  There would have been a different story to tell!”

Hal was about to reply, but a voice sounded suddenly.  Hal pricked up his ears.  Surely he recognized that voice.  The cry came again.

“Chester!” shouted Hal, and sprang to his feet.

CHAPTER VIII.

A desperate venture.

Before Ivan could raise a hand to stay him, had such been his intention, Hal had darted across the cavern in the direction from which had come the sound he had recognized as Chester’s voice.  It was very dark there and the lad could not make out his surroundings, but he seemed to have brought up against a solid wall.  He explored the smooth surface with his hands, but could find no opening in that particular spot.  Then he came upon one of the narrow passageways and entered it without hesitation, for he believed it was in that direction he would find Chester.