Satisfied that the enemy had left, the beleaguered soldier summoned his companions. One man seized the telephone and began to shout wild words into the mouthpiece. Another went to inspect the outer passage. The third came directly toward the place where The Shadow was standing.
Revolver in hand, the soldier blundered squarely into the man in black. With upraised gun, he found himself staring at the flashing eyes beneath the brim of the slouch hat.
Before he could emit a shout, the soldier staggered. A black-clad arm swept about his neck, and twisted him violently to the floor.
“They are on the way!” This cry, in Russian, came from the soldier at the telephone. “They have already learned that there has been trouble here!”
He turned toward the inner door, thinking that his companion would hear his words. Instead of the other soldier, he saw the advancing form of The Shadow.
Leaping to his feet, the startled soldier swung his gun toward the menacing figure. The Shadow, anxious to prevent a shot of alarm, swung one automatic at the fellow’s wrist.
The blow struck and drove aside the covering revolver just as the soldier’s finger pressed the trigger. The shot resounded; then the gun clattered to the floor as The Shadow delivered another blow. The soldier sought to grapple with his adversary; then dropped away, cowering with upraised arms as The Shadow covered him.
The third freed soldier dashed in from the outer passage. He stopped short as he saw The Shadow. The man in black was facing the door, with one gun turned toward the cowering soldier, the other covering the passage.
The newcomer saw that his position was hopeless. He let his revolver fall from his hand, and sullenly raised both arms.
IN a low, whispered voice, The Shadow spoke. His words were in Russian. The soldier by the outer door understood. He walked stolidly toward his companion, never once taking his eyes from the man who commanded him.