"Not much," he said. "But come, we'll find some spot where we can make a fire and I'll tell you what I know of Alexis."
"Good," boomed the big man. "Follow me."
Without another word he turned on his heel and strode away whence he had come. The other four followed him, Nikol the while muttering angrily to himself.
Stubbs turned upon him suddenly.
"What's the matter with you?" he demanded. "Don't you know it's cold here? I want to sit by the fire awhile. Keep still."
The dwarf made no reply, but became silent. It was plain enough that he stood very much in awe of Stubbs.
After a five-minute walk through the dark woods, the big Cossack wheeled sharply to the left, and walking swiftly for perhaps fifty yards drew up before what appeared to be a solid rock.
Looking closer in the darkness, however, Hal saw a slight opening at the bottom, the space between the rock and the ground being perhaps three feet. The rock, apparently, rested upon more solid ground farther back.
"Follow me," said the big man again.
He dropped on his hands and knees and wriggled through the opening.