"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.