"The railroad can't be so very far," Jack protested. "It was only a few hours ago that we were in a freight car." "A few hours," ejaculated the Russian. "It has been all of twenty-four." "Twenty-four," exclaimed Jack. "Do you mean I have been unconscious all that time?" "You must have been. And it was a blessing that you were. You saved yourself a hard walk through the snow. You were carried on a sleigh while the rest of us were forced to walk." "Then there is no escape?" "A man escaped once," returned the Russian grimly. "There was no pursuit, for there was no place he could go without food, as he had gone. He was found a month later in the snow. There wasn't much left of him." Jack shuddered. "Not for me," he said aloud. "No," continued the Russian, "there is no chance of escape; and for that reason the prisoners are not even bound. No, without outside help, no man ever escapes from Siberia." "Then," said Jack quietly, "we must have outside help." CHAPTER XVIII. PRISON FRIENDS. The conversation languished now; and a few moments later the deep breathing of the Russian proclaimed that he was asleep. But there was no more sleep for Jack; he had slept until he could sleep no more. For long hours he lay there in his corner thinking. "I've been in some queer and peculiar places," he told himself, "but this is the limit; also, as this Russian says, it's not going to be an easy job to get out of here." In the darkness of the dungeon it was impossible to tell whether it was day or night outside. Jack had lost all track of time. He felt in his pockets. He had no matches and his watch and what money he had had were gone. "They've cleaned me out pretty well," he muttered. Several hours later Jack heard the Russian stirring about again and came to the conclusion that the man was awake. He hailed him. "Yes, I'm awake," came the reply. "Do you have any idea whether it is day or night?" asked Jack. "Can't be daylight yet," was the reply. "They'll have us out of here as soon as it is light." "Well, I wish it would hurry and come then," said Jack. "I would like to get out of here." "So would I; but I'd rather lie here peacefully than to face what we must face when we get out." "You mean----" "The lash," replied the Russian calmly. Again Jack shuddered. The word had an ugly sound. It seemed only a short time later when a hand was heard fumbling at the lock of the door to the dungeon. Jack and the Russian got to their feet, and then the lad realized that not even his feet were bound. He walked up and down in the darkness several times, with hands outstretched that he might not bump into a wall. Now a streak of light pierced the darkness and Jack made out a door at the far end of the dungeon. There came a hoarse hail, and although the words were unintelligible to Jack, he supposed that they were a summons to come out. He approached the door, the Russian behind him.