The big man paused suddenly and glanced about him.
"Yes!" he shouted. "What of it?"
"Only," replied Hal quietly, "that I bring you word of your brother, Alexis!"
CHAPTER VII.
NEW FRIENDS.
The big man paused and turned an enquiring eye upon Hal, whom he could dimly perceive in the darkness.
"Alexis!" he echoed. "What of him? How do you know I have a brother Alexis?"
Hal replied rapidly in the Russian dialect which he had picked up during his service with the Cossacks, as told in the story of "The Boy Allies With the Cossacks," while the man listened intently. Then the giant set the dwarf upon his feet remarking:
"Now, you just stay there a little while. I may have more to say to you later, but right now I would know something of my brother Alexis, whom I have not seen in years. And my brother Stephan, also, what do you know of him?" he demanded of Hal.
The lad shook his head.