"They should have used an aeroplane," suggested Tom.

"They did," replied the Russian quickly, "but it was of no use."

"Why not?" the young inventor wanted to know.

"Because of the terrific winds that almost continually sweep over that
part of Siberia. They never seem to cease, and there are treacherous air
currents and 'pockets' that engulfed more than one luckless aviator. Oh,
you may be sure the Russian government spared no means of finding the
lost platinum mine, but they could not locate it, or even get near the
place where they supposed it to be.

"Then, perhaps thinking that my brother and I were concealing something,
they separated us. Where they sent him I do not know, but I was doomed
to the sulphur mines. I was heartbroken, and I scarcely cared whether I
lived or died. But an opportunity of escape came, and I took it. I
wanted to save my brother, but I did not know where he was, and I
thought if I could make my way to some civilized country, or to free
America, I might later be able to save my brother.

"I went to England, taking some of my precious platinum with me, and
stayed there for two years. I learned your language, but my efforts to
organize an expedition to search for the lost mine, and for my brother,
failed. Then I came here, and--well, I am still trying."

"My! That is certainly interesting!" exclaimed Ned, who had been all
attention during the telling of the story.

"And you certainly had a hard time," declared Tom. "I am much obliged