A dark figure launched forward like a gigantic bat--the man only had time to give a gurgle of surprise when a firm hand closed on his throat, and the sound died there. Such was the impetus of Roderic's advance that the two of them went to the stone floor. Immediately the American felt his antagonist cease to struggle, and he knew the other must have been knocked senseless through the blow on the head received when he came in contact with the flagging. The percussion had sounded loud enough at least, to account for his having lost all interest in affairs mundane. Roderic hoped he was not killed, nor did he have any reason to believe such a fate had overtaken the wretched guard. At least everything seemed to be working beautifully in his favor, and he certainly could find no cause for complaint. What was to be done with this pretty thing, now that he had secured the prize? The man might prove to be something of a white elephant on his hands. However, his first move was to drag out some stout cord, with which he made the fellow's hands and feet secure. In doing so he could not but notice,--through touch more than sight, since the darkness was only partially dissipated by the moon's inquisitive beams that forced an entrance--that the luckless guard had delicate hands such as he had seldom noticed among the common Spanish soldiers. At another time he might have endeavored to assign some logical reason for this thing, but just at the present crisis it mattered little. The end and not the means engrossed his fullest attention. When he took hold of the senseless guard and began dragging him across the corridor to the shade that lay more densely in that quarter, it was only with the intention of getting him out of the way, so that in case any one came along he would not stumble over the fellow and thus have the peculiar status of affairs rudely thrust upon his attention. Perhaps Roderic was not as careful as he might and should have been--at any rate he tripped and fell over some object lying in his way. Even as he went down he was strongly impressed with the suspicion that what he had taken his cropper over was a human being, and possibly a second guard enjoying a quiet nap. Hence, Roderic scrambled up in all haste with the intention of throwing himself upon the fellow, and if possible preventing him from giving the alarm, for that was what his wretched mistake might end in. To his surprise as well as gratification there was not the least sign of an aroused sentry endeavoring to gather his scattered senses and shout for help. All was silent. He put out his hand, groping for the object which had been the cause of his tumble. When finally he touched it a peculiar sensation flashed over him from head to foot, for in truth it was a human being. Could the man be dead? Had there been some drunken dispute between the guards resulting in a tragedy? He remembered the peculiar actions of the man who now lay bound near by.