Bending over the second fellow he speedily made a discovery of some moment. A strong scent of liquor greeted him and his hand came upon the flask still clutched in the miserable guard's hand. Where he got it, and why the second man did not take his share were puzzling questions which Roderic only shook his head over. For him it was quite sufficient that the two sentries had in different ways been rendered _hors de combat_, and would so far as he could see, give him no further trouble. So he left them there, the second chap with his head resting lovingly upon the body of the toper, two of a kind and well matched, he considered. Perhaps there would be a reckoning when the officer of the guard came around later, though if the flask still contained a portion of its original contents he might forgive the erring one. Roderic sincerely hoped he had seen the last of the two guards--he expressed a low but earnest desire that their slumbers might be sweet, and indefinitely prolonged--at least until his desperate work had been accomplished. He uttered a low signal, the same bird call that, trilling forth at the tower corner of the fortress had brought Inez to his side. She heard and gladly tripped forward. It was a supreme moment for her--the girl was tremendously excited, and cast several quick glances toward the spot where the demoralized section of the invincible Spanish army lay. Roderic noticed how her eager hand crept toward her bosom as she looked toward the dimly seen figures, and he quickly said: "Come, we must find the door of his cell." "You leave foes upon the trail you must tread on your return," was the significant way in which she put it. "They are helpless--God forbid I should do murder," he returned, knowing at the same time that the Spanish way was the safer way. The first cell door was beside them. Roderic, bending over discovered that it was secured by a heavy iron bar--so far as he could see there was no other obstacle to an entrance. He seized upon this and exerting his strength threw it over. It made something of a clanking sound, possibly subdued, but to Roderic's mind very like the gong of a railway station dining room. Inez uttered a low cry of alarm and he could hear her whisper the name of her patron saint, as if invoking heavenly aid. "It's all right--don't be alarmed," he said, encouragingly. Roderic waited to draw out a little pocket lantern which when lighted would throw some illumination upon their path. This done he tried the door, and finding it fast put his shoulder to it. Under such pressure further resistance was utterly out of the question, and the heavy barrier quickly gave way. Inez would have rushed headlong in but Roderic's sturdy arm prevented--he believed it was his duty to still lead the van so long as the future was unknown--it would be time enough to yield that place of vantage to his frail companion in the venture when success had been assured.