"Remember," cautioned Harry, "that the Russian may be here soon. If he should hear shots, he might be alarmed. Hence we must work silently if possible. We are not expected. We can make a surprise attack."
He entered the passage, moving noiselessly. Cooper followed, and as they neared the end of the passage, Harry made signs for the man to watch the door at the end. Cooper nodded that he understood.
When he reached the turn to the right, Harry crouched cautiously. Then, with sudden action, he leaped into the lighted room. He saw Chefano at the table, the ape-faced man lying on the floor beside him. As the two rose, Harry covered them with his automatic.
Consternation appeared on Chefano's twisted lips. The ape-man snarled at the sight of the gun. The creature had leaped upward; now it sank back as Chefano raised his hands.
"Come on!" called Harry.
Cooper rushed into the room, and Weston appeared at the end of the passage.
"Watch that door, major," ordered Harry. "See if there's any one behind it."
The heavy-set Englishman turned on a flashlight. He opened the door and threw the gleam beyond.
"It's a small room," he said. "Two steps down. Empty."
He made an investigation and returned.