"For thus the Lord in's all-protecting grace, Ten days before the Parliament began, Ordained that one of that most trayterous race Did meet the Lord Mounteagles Serving-man, Who about Seven a clocke at night was sent Upon some errand, and as thus he went, Crossing the street a fellow to him came, A man to him unknowen, of personage tall, In's hand a Letter, and he gave the same Unto this Serving-man, and therewithall Did strictly charge him to take speciall heede To give it into's Masters hand with speede." _Mischeefes Mystery_ (1617). [262] Here again evidence was found of the direct guidance of Heaven: "And thus with loyall heart away he goes, Thereto resolved whatever should betide, To th' Court he went this matter to disclose, To th' Earle of Salsb'ryes chamber soone he hide, Whither heavens finger doubtless him directed, As the best meanes to have this fact detected." _Mischeefes Mystery._ [263] In the account forwarded to the ambassadors, there is a curious contradiction. In the general sketch of the discovery with which it opens, it is said that Faukes was captured "in the place itself," with his lantern, "making his preparations." Afterwards, in the detailed narrative of the proceedings, that he was taken outside. The fact is, that the first portion of this letter is taken bodily from that of November 6th to Parry, wherein the arrest of Faukes in the vault was a principal point. Between the 6th and the 9th this part of the story had been altered, but it does not seem to have been noticed that a remnant of the earlier version still existed in the introductory portion. It will be remarked that the account of November 6th makes no mention of the visit of the chamberlain to the vault, nor that of November 9th to the presence of Faukes at the time of this visit. The minute of November 7th says that Faukes admitted the chamberlain to the vault. [264] _Criminal Trials_, ii. 3-5. [265] _Narrative_, p. 100. [266] This word is cancelled in the original draft. [267] To Sir T. Edmondes, January 22nd, 1605-6.--Stowe MSS., 168, 73, f. 301. [268] _Viz._, the complicity of the Jesuits, "not only as being casually acquainted with the Plot," but as having been "principall comforters, to instruct the consciences of some of these wicked Traytors, in the lawfulnesse of the Act and meritoriousnesse of the same." On this it is enough to remark that when Father Garnet, the chief of the said Jesuits, came afterwards to be tried, no attempt whatever was made to prove any such thing. Cecil therefore wrote thus, and made so grave an assertion, without having any evidence in his hands to justify it.