With the glare of hatred in his eyes, the brutal leader threw a final glance of satisfaction at the Bolsheviks, then advanced down the stone stairway to join his men.
TWENTY feet below the level of the upper room was a corridor that ended in a heavy, metal-bound door. Senov’s men were crashing at this barrier. Their efforts were of no avail.
Senov pushed them aside and seized a huge ax. He swung one terrific blow. The ax head crashed deep into the metal surface, and the handle snapped from the force of the blow.
Senov ordered his men away. Only one remained. The rest, urged by Senov, moved upward to the floor above. A few minutes later, their companion joined them. Senov closed the upper door and waited. A dull explosion sounded from beneath.
The attackers again descended. They found the massive door shattered by the explosion. Upon the far side lay the crushed form of another uniformed guard.
The passageway was open!
A lighter door barred progress at the end of the corridor. Senov shattered it with an ax. Beyond the barrier was a second stairway, leading downward.
Senov led the advance, and was stopped by a huge sheet of metal, more formidable than any doors that had been encountered.
No time was lost in futile attempts. The attackers returned to the room above, leaving one man to set the explosive. A tremendous report resounded. When the invaders again reached the lower floor, they found a gaping hole in the metal door.
One of Senov’s men leaped through the opening. He stopped short as he heard his leader’s cry. Before he could return, a rifle shot cracked, and the man staggered back through the barrier. He fell dead at Senov’s feet.