The first part of the examination turns upon Fawkes's movements abroad, showing that the Government had already acquired information that he had been beyond sea. Fawkes showed no reluctance to speak of his own proceedings in the Low Countries, or to give the names of persons he had met there, and who were beyond the reach of his examiners. As to his movements after his return to England he was explicit enough so far as he was himself concerned, and also about Percy, whose servant he professed himself to be, and whose connection with the hiring of the house could not be concealed. Fawkes stated that after coming back to England he 'came to the lodging near the Upper House of Parliament,' and 'that Percy hired the house of Whynniard for 12_l._ rent, about a year and a half ago'; that his master, before his own going abroad, _i.e._, before Easter, 1605, 'lay in the house about three or four times.' Further, he confessed 'that about Christmas last,' _i.e._, Christmas, 1604, 'he brought in the night time gunpowder [to the cellar under the Upper House of Parliament.]'[16] Afterwards he told how he covered the powder with faggots, intending to blow up the King and the Lords; and, being pressed how he knew that the King would be in the House on the 5th, said he knew it only from general report and by the making ready of the King's barge; but he would have 'blown up the Upper House whensoever the King was there.' He further acknowledged that there was more than one person concerned in the conspiracy, and said he himself had promised not to reveal it, but denied that he had taken the sacrament on his promise. Where the promise was given he could not remember, except that it was in England. He refused to accuse his partners, saying that he himself had provided the powder, and defrayed the cost of his journey beyond sea, which was only undertaken 'to see the country, and to pass away the time.' When he went, he locked up the powder and took the key with him, and 'one Gibbons' wife, who dwells thereby, had the charge of the residue of the house.'