Blood being carried before Sir Gilbert Talbot, the king went to hear his examination and confession. This was a fortunate circumstance for the culprit, who artfully worked at once on the vanity and the apprehensions of the monarch. He told him that he had formerly been engaged with others to kill his majesty, while he was bathing at Battersea, and had concealed himself in the reeds to effect his purpose; but that when he had taken aim, the awe inspired by the royal presence unnerved his hand, and he desisted from his sanguinary design. He added, that he was but one of three hundred, who were sworn to revenge each other’s fall; that the king might do with him as he pleased, but that, by dooming him to suffer, he would endanger his own life, and the lives of his advisers; while, on the contrary, by displaying clemency, he would win the gratitude and the services of a band of fearless and faithful followers. Either won over by the boldness and candour of the ruffian, or alarmed by his threats, Charles not only pardoned Blood, but likewise gave him an estate in Ireland, worth 500_l._ a year. Poor Edwards (who suffered severely from his injuries), was less fortunate; he had only a grant of two hundred pounds, and his son one hundred, and even of these trifling sums the payment was so long deferred, that they were obliged to sell the orders at half price for ready money. CHAPTER XIV. VAMPYRISM. Horrible nature of the Superstition of Vampyrism--Persons attacked by Vampyres become Vampyres themselves--Signs by which a Vampyre was known--Origin of one of the signs--Effect attributed to Excommunication in the Greek church--Story of an excommunicated Greek--Calmet’s theory of the origin of the Superstition respecting Vampyres--St. Stanislas--Philinnium--The Strygis supposed to have given the idea of the Vampyre--Capitulary of Charlemagne--Remedy against attacks from the Demon--Anecdote of an impudent Vampyre--Story of a Vampyre at Mycone--Prevalence of Vampyrism in the north of Europe--Walachian mode of detecting Vampyres.