Immediately the house would be swarming with the seekers after Yankee blood--like rats they would dart hither and thither, leaving no stone unturned in their eagerness to find that which was lost.
He had surveyed the situation and laid out his plan of action like a wise general.
It was necessary that he crawl over a number of roofs before he could think of endeavoring to touch ground again.
This he managed to accomplish without discovery from the street, and on the whole he had reason to be thankful that no curious eyes had fastened upon him from neighboring buildings.
Meanwhile the searchers were having a merry time of it in the house that had been made the object of their assault--it sounded as if Bedlam had broken loose in that quarter, and the shrieks of the terrorized maiden lady formed but a small proportion of the chorus that arose.
Roderic had found his opportunity to leave the roof and reach a friendly deserted balcony.
From this to the ground was but a small undertaking, and he managed to accomplish it with the utmost ease.
Thus triumph had followed his line of action.
He was now free to return to the plaza or seek the humble abode of his friend, under the roof of which he could rest in peace.
This should apparently have been his first thought, but his action indicated that it was far removed from his mind.
Not that he was in such a reckless mood as to invite a fresh attack from these desperadoes of the San Juan streets--Roderic had simply become impressed with a bright idea and was bent upon carrying it out.
He had not forgotten that a wonderful fortune placed him in communication with the very girl whom he desired to meet--the only one who could tell him where to find Leon de Brabant, because she had fled with him and was in all probability his wife.
Such a golden opportunity should not be neglected.
Fortune had been kind but the same chance might not occur again.
To have a few words with her, to appoint a place of future meeting, was the magnet that held Owen to the spot even when ordinary discretion should have demanded that he leave the dangerous neighborhood post haste.
It would not be the first time on record that a charming woman's presence has nailed a man to danger's cross, and so long as the world lasts will the story be repeated.