“My promise must suffice,” rejoined Waad.
“It will not suffice to me,” returned Fawkes. “I must have a pardon signed by the King.”
“You shall have it on one condition,” replied Waad. “You are evidently troubled with few scruples. It is the Earl of Salisbury's conviction that the heads of many important Catholic families are connected with this plot. If they should prove to be so,—or, to be plain, if you will accuse certain persons whom I will specify, you shall have the pardon you require.”
“Is this the purport of the Earl of Salisbury's despatch?” asked Guy Fawkes.
The lieutenant nodded.
“Let me look at it,” continued Fawkes. “You may be practising upon me.”
“Your own perfidious nature makes you suspicious of treachery in others,” cried the lieutenant. “Will this satisfy you?”
And he held the letter towards Guy Fawkes, who instantly snatched it from his grasp.
“What ho!” he shouted in a loud voice; “what ho!” and the guards instantly rushed into the room. “You shall learn why you were sent away. Sir William Waad has offered me my life, on the part of the Earl of Salisbury, provided I will accuse certain innocent parties—innocent, except that they are Catholics—of being leagued with me in my design. Read this letter, and see whether I speak not the truth.”
And he threw it among them. But no one stirred, except a warder, who, picking it up, delivered it to the lieutenant.