Roderic had been in Russia--he had visited the historic pile of masonry at St. Petersburg on the Volga known as the Fortress of Peter and Paul, and had seen its numerous dungeons, its impregnable gates and the wonderful methods in vogue among the troops guarding its walls. Something about this structure in San Juan recalled the prison and fort of Holy Russia--perhaps it was the gloom, the dark dungeons and general funereal aspect of the place, for surely there could be little comparison otherwise. Occasionally the moon appeared and gave them some means of seeing what lay ahead; but on these occasions they were compelled to lie quiet so that their presence might not be discovered. All the while they were progressing. A labyrinth of masonry surrounded them, and Roderic had to bring to bear many shrewd tactics in order to keep from getting lost. His usual manner of doing this was simple and yet wonderfully effective. When they came to a place where the passage forked, and it appeared puzzling to judge which way they should turn, he did not decide hastily but spent a little time in ascertaining whether one of the routes did not show more signs of usage than the other, and in every case he found a very distinct difference. By following the passage in general use it stood to reason that he would sooner or later reach the closed dungeon. Through such tactics, employed with success by those Nimrods of the forests in their search after game, Roderic had always been able to accomplish tasks that were deemed next to impossible by others of his craft, who governed their actions by antiquated rules lacking in common sense. It was evident that they had crossed the Rubicon--that their bridges had been burned behind them. Once discovered in the depths of this place and the chances seemed twenty to one that they would never leave it alive. Roderic scouted such a thought--he never allowed it to interfere with his work--chances of failure were not to be taken as a factor in the matter whatever--success must be the beacon held up to lure them on, glorious success. Such confidence brings wonderful results in all things, and would account for some of the success attending his past. A brilliant diplomat is compelled to be bold as well as sagacious. To find Leon and bring about his release--to cheat the Spanish army of a victim whom they expected to execute at sunrise--this was the mission he had undertaken, and with the kind assistance of good fortune, added to his tact, he meant that the harvest should be bountiful. CHAPTER XXIV. THE STRANGE MEETING IN THE DUNGEON. A gentle tug at his coat made Roderic turn. It was Inez, who desired to speak, and yet who knew she should not utter a word above the lowest whisper. "What is it?" he asked. "Tell me--are we not nearing there--I am so anxious--my heart almost suffocates me, for it beats like wildfire," she gasped. He pitied her, for he could easily understand why she should thus feel distressed.