The one remaining man made a fine display of bravery. A telephone rested upon a table in the corner.
The soldier leaped for it and grasped the receiver.
Bullets spattered the wall beside him. One shot took effect, but the man faltered only momentarily.
Another second, and his task would have been accomplished. The alarm would have gone forth.
But Senov prevented the deed. From across the room, he was bringing forth a revolver. While his henchmen were shooting wildly, Senov discharged a single bullet. The soldier toppled to the floor, shot through the head.
With a sharp command, Senov took control. His men stood waiting while he strode to the far side of the room and opened a closed door. His action revealed a stone stairway, going to the cellar of the old building.
He pointed there, and one by one his followers advanced. These men were carrying axes and crowbars.
Two others followed with a machine gun.
Senov stopped the procession after ten had descended. He stationed others at the door to the passage; he ordered three to attack the door of the room where the escaping soldiers had fled.
With all his men in position, Senov looked about the room and laughed crudely. Four soldiers lay upon the floor, either dead or dying. Senov made no distinction. One by one he picked up the helpless forms and hurled them brutally into a corner, until they formed a mass of huddled bodies.