Roderic had indeed asked numerous questions, and the information received, added to what he already knew from personal experience, placed him in a position to "carry the war into Africa."
Leon was confined in an old fortress that presented a most picturesque appearance by moonlight, and would have made an excellent subject for amateur photographers, yet possessed few elements of modern strength.
Like St. John's church, it had received a few compliments from Sampson's fleet, which gaping apertures, together with accumulated debris, only served to add to the picturesque confusion.
Roderic had prowled about this neighborhood considerably during the day, careful not to attract attention, yet with the desire to learn the actual lay of the land, so that even under cover of darkness he would be able to move with at least a fair degree of certainty.
It presented a good view of the bay and harbor, the governor general's palace on the point and the few vessels in the harbor, chief of which was the Spanish torpedo boat destroyer Terror.
Roderic had cast longing looks toward the trim steam yacht anchored there, from the stern of which whipped the Union Jack of England—he would have given much for an opportunity to interest Cleo in his daring scheme, and in Captain Beven he knew he could have had an able coadjutor, for the sailor liked nothing better than adventure.
Still, Roderic had believed it was best not to seek an audience with his cousin—he did not wish to drag her into the risky game if he could help it.
Perhaps—who can tell—some peculiar sense of honor held him back—perhaps he reasoned that as this desperate move on his part, this contemplated rescue of Leon from a Spanish dungeon and death at sunrise, was but a link in the chain of his suit for the love of Georgia, it would be adding insult to injury did he endeavor to enlist Cleo's services in behalf of the venture.
One thing he had determined to do—it was really forced upon him as a dernier ressort, since there was no other means of getting Leon out of the country after his escape from prison had been effected, if he were so fortunate as to accomplish this.
He had a note written to Cleo in his pocket and this he meant that Leon and his wife should deliver in person aboard the yacht.