ownfall and death, Dr. Bird. I, Feodrovna Androvitch! Now will I
avenge my brother's death at your hands!"

She sprang forward and spat full in the doctor's face. Dr. Bird fell
back for an instant under the ferocity of her attack and long nails
ripped the skin from his face. Denberg stepped forward and caught her
wrists.

"Gently, sister," he warned. Feodrovna struggled for an instant but
gave way to the powerful muscles of the communist leader. "There is no
need for anything of that sort," he went on. "In a few moments we will
open the chest which we have and then you will enjoy the amazing
spectacle of the man who has temporarily checked the plans of our
leader a dozen times, gasping for breath like a fish out of water.
Start your protectors."

* * * * *

Each of the Russians closed a switch on the knapsack which he wore.
From the bars below their chins came a dull violet glow which made
their faces stand out eerily in the darkness. The flashlight was
centered on the box which Dr. Bird could see was made of lead,
soldered into a solid mass. At a word from Denberg, one of the
Russians stepped forward with a long knife in his hand and started to
cut open the box.

With a sudden effort, Dr. Bird shook himself loose from the two men
who were holding him and sprang forward. Denberg turned to meet him
and the doctor's fist shot out like a piston rod. Full on the
Russian's chin it landed and he went down like a poled ox. Two of the
Russians closed with him but the two were no match for Dr. Bird's
enormous strength, fighting as he was for his life. He hurled one away
and swung with all of his strength at the other. His blow struck
glancingly, and while the Russian spun away under the blow, he did not
fall. A man caught at him from the rear and Dr. Bird whirled, but as
he did so, two men seized his arms from behind. Mightily the doctor
strove but others flung themselves on him. He straightened up with a
superhuman effort and then from an unexpected source came help.

One of the men holding him gave a choking gasp and reeled sideways.
Dr. Bird felt his neck deluged with liquid and the smell of hot blood
rose sickeningly on the air. He shook himself loose again and smote
with all of his strength at his nearest opponent. His blow landed fair
but at the same instant an iron bar fell across his arm and it dropped
limp and helpless. Again a knife flashed in the darkness and a howl of
pain came