in making a communication to the duke, fall to the ground at the same time.[274] Taken in this sense the words in which Godfrey foreshadowed his doom are meaningless. He had assured Mr. Robinson that he believed he should be the first martyr. “I do not fear them,” he added, “if they come fairly, and I shall not part with my life tamely.” He declared to Burnet his belief that he would be knocked on the head. To his sister-in-law he said, “If any danger be, I shall be the first shall suffer.” He had told one Mr. Wynnel that he was master of a dangerous secret, which would be fatal to him. “Oates,” he said, “is sworn and is perjured.”[275] Clearly Godfrey was labouring under an apprehension of quite definite character. He was in possession of secret information concerning Oates’ discovery and believed that it would cost him his life. What this secret was is now to seek. The nature of it must show why danger was to be apprehended and from what quarter. The statement that Godfrey wrote to Coleman to acquaint him with Oates’ accusations is not quite correct. Burnet notes: “It was generally believed that Coleman and he were long in a private conversation, between the time of his (Coleman’s) being put in the messenger’s hands and his being made a close prisoner.”[276] Such a conversation in fact took place, though it was earlier than Burnet thought. Coleman surrendered to the warrant against him on Monday, September 30.[277] Two days before he came to the house of Mr. George Welden, a common friend of himself and the magistrate. Welden sent his servant to Godfrey’s house with the message that one Clarke wanted to speak to him. It was the form arranged between them for use when Godfrey was in company and Coleman wished to see him. Godfrey went to Mr. Welden’s and there had an interview with Coleman. “When Mr. Coleman and Sir Edmondbury were together at my house,” said Welden, “they were reading papers.”[278] It can hardly be doubted what these papers were. The date was Saturday, September 28, the day on which Godfrey had taken Oates’ deposition. In that Oates had made charges of the most serious nature against Coleman; and Coleman was Godfrey’s friend. The papers can scarcely have been other than Godfrey’s copy of the deposition. Godfrey had probably sent at once to Coleman to tell him what had passed. This much may be gathered from the reports of letters which he was said to have sent to Coleman and the Duke of York. Coleman then met him at Welden’s house, and together they went through Oates’ information, “Oates,” said Godfrey, “is sworn and is perjured.” This alone was hardly a secret so dangerous as to make him fear for his life. Many believed it. It was not an uncommon thing to say. The most grievous consequence that could ensue would be to gain the reputation of a “bloody papist,” and possibly to be threatened with implication in the Plot. Such an opinion could not conceivably lead to fears of assaults by night and secret assassination.