Page:Guy Fawkes, or, The history of the gunpowder plot.pdf/11

Rh They then heard mass, and received the Sacrament from Father Gerard, a Jesuit mission cry, in confirmation of their vow. Thomas Winter and Fawkes both state the secret was not communicated to Gerard. Percy took the next step. He was a gentleman pensioner, And, upon pretence that it would be convenient to him when in attendance in that capacity, he purchased of one Ferris the remainder of a short term which he had in the lease of a house adjoining the Parliament House. It was, accordingly, taken in Percy’s name, under a written agreement with Ferris, the original of which, dated May 24, 1604, may be seen at the State-Paper Office. From the cellar of his house a mine was to be made through the fall of the Parliament House, and a quantity of gunpowder and combustibles to be deposited immediately under the House of Lords, Fawkes, who was unknown in London, and had assumed the name of Johnson, acted as Percy’s servant, and took possession of the house. Parliament was soon afterwards adjourned till the 7th February; and the conspirators, having first hired a house in Lambeth for the preparation of timber for the nine, and a place of deposit for combustibles, agreed to meet in London about the beginning of November. The custody of the house in Lambeth was committed to Robert Keyes, the son of a Protestant clergyman in Derbyshire, but himself a Catholic: the oath of secrecy was administered to him also.

The proceedings of the Star-Chamber, during the interval of their meetings, so exasperated the conspirators, that they became more eager than ever about the plot. Catesby and his