The Condition of Catholics Under James I.

knowing that I had left my friends in great distress, I proceeded to London to aid and comfort them. I got a safe lodging with a person

l able to help me. He it was that used to make our hiding-places; in fact, he made the one to which I owed my safety. Thanks to his endeavours, I found a house well suited for my purpose, and settled with my landlord about the rent. Till the house was furnished, I hired a room in my landlord's own house.57 There I

had left me. They got together a band, and came at midnight to the house, just as I had gone to sleep. Little John and I were both awakened by the noise outside. I guessed what it was, and told John to hide the letter received that night in the ashes where the fire had been. No sooner had he done so and got into bed again, than the noise which we had heard before seemed to travel up to our room. Then some men be

not feel distressed, nor did we show any token of fear. What I was most afraid of was, that they had seen me come out of that lady's house, and had tracked me to the room that I had hired; and so that the no

let myself down from the window by tearing up the bedclothes and making a rope of them. I should have done so that very night, had I not heard some one stirring in the next room. I thought that he was put there to watch me, and so it turned out. However, I meant to carry out my plan the night after, if the watchman went away; but my keeper forestalled me; for to save the ex

s one who is now Lord Chancellor of the realm.58 He had been a Catholic,

it. As I was aware that the pursuivant knew me, I answered that I would be frank and open in everything that belonged to myself, but would say

u into England

riors of th

what

k stray souls t

rs of State; and to lure people from the obedie

nds to all the members of the Society; but on us Missioners it is particularly enjoined in a special instruction. As for the obedience due to the Queen and the Pope, eac

een doing duty as a Pr

ut six

land, and where have you

replied, 'especially the last, as it would bring mischief

ds that we chiefly desire you to satisfy us,

ention any person or place where I have been lodged, the innocent would have to suffer, according to your laws, for the kind service

so by force, if

say. I beg you, therefore, to take this my answer: that neither

ead gaoler gave orders at variance with this humane recommendation: for I was lodged [pg lxi] in a garret,59 where there was nothing but a bed, and no room to stand up straight, except just where the bed was. There was one window always open, through which foul air entered and rain fell on to my bed. The room door was so low, that I had to ente

felt no pain or anxiety of mind, and enjoyed, by the blessin

the examination by torture, Topcliffe by name. He was a man of cruelty, athirst for the blood of the Catholics, and so crafty and cunning, that all the wily wit of his companion seemed abashed into silence by his presence; in fact, the Justice spoke very little during the whole examination. I found the two of them alone: Young in a civilian's dress, Topcliffe with

, 'Do you know [pg lxii] me? I am Topcliffe

ainly, and caused me not the least alarm; and whereas I was wont to answer with deference on other occasions, this time I did quite the contrary, because I saw him making

to the Privy Council, that they may see what a trai

Jesuit Holt and Sir William Stanley; thence he came into England, on a political errand, to beguile the Queen's subjects, and lure them from their obedience to t

n the houses of the Catholics might be proved to be mine. I foresaw this, and therefore wrote in a feigned hand as follows: 'I was sent by my Superiors. I never was in Belgium. I have not seen Father Holt since the time that I left Rome. I have not seen Sir William Stanley since he left England with the Earl of Leicester. I am forbidden to meddle with matters of State; I never have done, and never will do so. I have tried to bring

axed wroth. He shook with passion, and w

o write the truth,' said

so-and-so, and I'll copy o

not what you please. Show what I have written to

himself disappointed, broke out into threats and blasphemies. 'I'll get you put into my power, and hang

I ever reckoned aught of a blasphemer; and, in sooth, I have found by experience, that God increases the confidence of His servants, when He allows strife to rise up again

imself, fearing perchance lest I should escape from his hands. When I had crept back to my little closet, my legs were garnished according to order. The man seemed grieved that put the fetters on. For my part, instead of grief I fel

g that if he took off the irons doubtless he would give him more, took them off, but got nothing. After some days he came to put them on again, and received a reward, and then taking them off did not get a farthing. They went on playing thus with one another several times, but at last the gaoler, seeing that he did not give him anything for t