Still, I am greatly annoyed that Ryan has been made prisoner.

I miss his services and companionship very much and, if I can possibly get him out, I will do so.

I will see Moras, and ask him to send the man who brought the news back again, to gather further particulars.

I would take the matter in hand myself but, being in command here, I must consider the duty with which I am intrusted before a question of private friendship." Moras presently came in to see Terence and, when the latter told him what he wanted, he undertook at once to obtain every detail possible as to the place of Ryan's confinement.
"A number of my men come from the town," he said, "and I will cause inquiries to be made among them, at once; and choose half a dozen, with connections who may be able to assist, and send them into Salamanca; with instructions to act in concert, to ascertain whether it is possible to do anything by bribery, to endeavour to communicate with the prisoner, and to devise some plan for his escape from the gaol.
"It was a strong place before the French came.

It was the city prison; but they took it over, and have used it not only for prisoners of war, but for persons suspected of being in communication with your people, and even for officers of their own army who have been convicted of insubordination or disobedience of orders, or other offences.