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"What about these Poles, Alexis?" he asked anxiously. "Everything seems peaceful now, so far as one can tell. Is it necessary that I lie hidden here?"

"It is necessary, Little Master," was the grave reply.

Haven seated himself at the table. He felt that there was something behind the other's reticence, but he was beginning to learn the habit of patience in dealing with his guardians.

"They cleared the other lot off, did they?" he enquired.

"There were very few who escaped," Alexis announced. "Those who did are limping back towards the frontier. Nevertheless, there is still cause for uneasiness."

"In what way?" Haven demanded.

The Russian paused for a moment before speaking. He had left his accustomed place immediately behind the chair of the young man whom he was serving and was standing in the same respectful attitude by the side of the table, an enormous figure in the dimly lit chamber. His expressionless face betrayed little of the thoughts which were moving in his mind. Nevertheless, Haven was conscious of an atmosphere of trouble.