When the two Dromios above had withdrawn and with shouldered Mausers again sauntered down their several beats he whispered words of encouragement to the shrinking form so close at hand, and bade her once more follow his lead. The venture proved a success, so far as their _entree_ was concerned, for by the time Spanish eyes and ears again approached the broken spot in the ramparts the two intruders had gained the corridor and were safe within the walls. This was only a beginning--the first step. Around them stretched the massive walls of the ancient landmark, and somewhere within their confines Leon was to be found. Roderic never groped in the dark when there was a chance for light, and he had used his utmost endeavors during the day in trying to locate the prisoner. One portion of the old fortification was literally a picturesque ruin. It did not seem possible that even the easy going Spaniards would confine a prisoner, condemned to be shot, to this antiquated wreck, for there would be too much chance of his escaping, especially one who had already proven so hard to hold as Leon. This was of course mere speculation on the part of the Yankee, but he had taken note of several facts that seemed to corroborate his suspicion. At any rate so strongly impressed was he with this idea that once within the fortress he had no hesitation in turning to the left. Possibly Roderic never had a more difficult task than the one now confronting him. The interior of the great pile of masonry was almost a sealed book to him, the best he could do during the afternoon having given him but a shadowy idea as to how it was constructed. Of course most of it was inhabited only by bats and owls, a sombre relic of past glories, which fact added to the confusion. Sentries patroled sections of the place, just as had been marked out for them--indeed, it was almost impossible to know when one of these jack-in-the-box guardians might bob up serenely directly in the intruder's path. This fact kept Roderic's nerves on a tension; but the sensation was no new one to him--he felt pretty much as does the hound held in leash, and scenting the game near by. Inez followed him closely. She was "dead game" as Roderic more than once muttered to himself when he noticed how she copied his movements. Never did man have a more faithful and devoted spouse, ready to undertake all risks for his sake--never did woman have a motive more sacred to urge her forward to the rescue of one beloved. Roderic knew he was enlisted in a good cause, and in his mind this counted for much. Their progress while laborious, seemed to be in the right direction. Evidences multiplied to the effect that this wing of the fortress was under surveillance, as though it contained that over which it was necessary a guard should be placed.