“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.”