"Of course. They had radio communication with New York, or some place, getting instructions from some fellow they call The Shadow. I put the wireless out of commission this afternoon just to be safe."
The words revealed the truth to Harry Vincent. Frenchy had broken the aerial when he went out on the porch; he had tampered with the set when he had been sent into the house for pliers!
"They're working alone now," concluded Frenchy. "So it's up to you. But I'd advise you to let Jupe strangle them and finish the job right now."
"He will strangle them before it's over," announced Chefano as he rolled his lips. "As soon as they commence to shout he'll leave the winches and choke them. We'll let him use the rack for a while. It will amuse him."
He made signs to the ape-man. Jupe had evidently been instructed previously in the use of the rack. The inhuman creature snarled to show that it understood its work.
"Come on," said Chefano. "The Russian may be here. Leave the light so Jupe can see what he is doing."
"One of us had better come back every now and then to see that everything is all right."
"Yes; we'll do that. But don't worry about Jupe. Come along."
The ape-faced creature walked about the table after the two men had gone. It thrust its ugly face above the eyes of the chained men and snarled. It laid its claws upon Vincent's throat, and for a moment he thought the end was near. But the creature evidently remembered its instructions, for it went to the end of the table and clutched one of the winches.
Click! The winch turned a notch. Jupe moved to the other side of the table. There was a click from the second winch.