The Shadow, alone, approaching the formidable heart of the Red realm, was coming to prevent the massacre which Michael Senov had ordered!
CHAPTER IX. SENOV STRIKES
THE old house in Gostinny Ulitza had the appearance of an abandoned building. It resembled one of many structures which had been temporarily converted into apartments, and had later been condemned as unsafe.
The archway leading through to the court was closed by a rusty iron gate. The lower windows were barred. Everything had been done to give the appearance of dilapidation and disuse.
So cleverly had this been accomplished that none of the Czarist agents in Moscow had even begun to suspect that the uninhabited place differed in any way from similar houses.
Along the side of the building extended a narrow alley with broken paving. This was the spot through which entrance was effected. A low, obscure door opened upon the alley. It was not necessary to unbar the rusty gate at the front.
As ten o’clock approached, hidden persons began to congregate in the neighborhood of the old house.
Stealthy figures crept into the alley. Unseen attackers were massing for Senov’s coup.
Caticornered across the street was another antiquated building that was undergoing repairs. A strolling man entered the archway and stood slightly away from the sidewalk.
Two more strollers arrived and joined him. They spoke in low whispers. The first man answered in a firm, dominating voice. It was the voice of Senov. The leader was here.