He employed his usual tactics to prevent the other from suspecting him, and being an adept at the business was able to be out of sight on nearly every occasion when Julio twisted that long neck of his for a glance toward the rear.
This was all very well, but so far he had not advanced a single step toward the elucidation of the mystery.
Well, patience—everything comes to him who waits.
Under ordinary conditions he could have applied this time-worn but nevertheless true axiom to his own case, just as he had done on many a previous occasion; but it was a different matter when his eyes were eagerly watching each movement of the girl, and in his heart he prayed that the bitter cup might pass from him.
But something must be done.
At any moment Julio and his modest companion might pass into one of the houses in this quarter, and the door of which would consequently be shut and barred in his face.
It would serve of little avail then for him to suddenly be electrified into action—he could pound upon the panels of the sturdy door and demand admittance in the most lusty of tones, but the only answer he might expect would be in a shower of dirty water from the upper windows, a favorite method in vogue among the lower classes of Spain when the tax gatherers or some other unwelcome visitor is knocking for admission.
Desperation often hurries a man to action—the need of results one way or another spurs even a laggard in the chase.
Having now determined to assume all the risks with the expectation of placing them upon a single die, Roderic changed his tactics.
It was his desire to overtake the dancer and by a bold movement snatch the veil from the head of his companion.