While Master George was so occupied with his God, the Cardinal drew a secret draught for his slaughter. He caused to be written unto him a letter, purporting to be from his most familiar friend, the Laird of Kynneir, desiring him to come unto him with all possible diligence, for he was stricken with a sudden sickness. In the meantime the traitor had provided threescore men, with jacks[69] and spears, to lie in wait within a mile and a half of the town of Montrose, for his despatch. The letter coming to his hand, he made haste at the first, for the boy had brought a horse; and so with some honest men, he passed forth of the town. But suddenly he stayed and, musing a space, turned back. "I will not go," he said; "I am forbidden by God. I am assured there is treason. Let some of you go to yonder place, and tell me what ye find." Diligence made, they found the treason, as it was; and this being shown with expedition to Master George, he answered, "I know that I shall finish my life in that bloodthirsty man's hands; but it will not be in this manner." [69] Coats of mail. [Sidenote: The Agony of Master George Wishart.] When the time at which he had appointed to meet the gentlemen at Edinburgh approached, Master George took his leave of Montrose, and, sorely against the judgment of the Laird of Dun, entered on his journey. He returned to Dundee, but did not remain, going on to the house of a faithful brother named James Watson, who dwelt in Invergowrie, two miles distant from the said town. That night, according to information given to us by William Spadin and John Watson, both men of good credit, he passed forth into a yard, a little before day. The said William and John followed privily, and took heed what he did. When he had gone up and down in an alley for some time, with many sobs and deep groans, he platt upon his knees, and remaining thus, his groans increased. From his knees, he fell upon his face; and then the persons forenamed heard weeping, and an indistinct sound, as it were of prayers. In this agony he continued for nearly an hour, and afterwards began to be quiet, when he arose and came in to his bed.