Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/357

 1582.] EXPULSION OF MENDOZA. in the name of Gaspar de Anastro, a Spanish merchant at Antwerp. A formal contract was drawn out and signed, 1 and Anastro watched an opportunity to strike the blow. Finding however that he could get the job done cheaper, and clear a sum of money without peril to him- self, the merchant pretended that ' his courage was weak,' and asked if he might employ a substitute. Philip had no objection ; provided the Prince was killed the means were of no consequence, and he left Anastro to manage as he pleased. In his house was a lad eighteen years old, the son of a sword cutler at Bilbao, named Juan Jaureguy. Ignorant, superstitious, under- sized and paltry-looking, Jaureguy Was known to the cashier, Don Antonio Venero, to be a boy of singular au- dacity ; and a present of three thousand dollars, and the persuasion of the chaplain, a Dominican priest, worked him into a proper state of mind. An Agnus Dei was hung about his neck ; a wax taper and a dried toad were stuffed in his pocket, and he was told that they would render him invisible. A Jesuit catechism was given him for his spiritual comfort, and Parma promised that if the charms failed, and he was taken, he would compel his release by the threat of hanging every prisoner in his hands. Thus equipped and encouraged, and commending himself and his enterprise to the Vir- gin and the angel Gabriel, he prepared for the deed. 1 Confession of Don Antonio, a Spaniard, cashier to Don Anastro, March 21 31, 1582 : MSS. Holland, Rolls House. Cf. Motley's History of the Dutch Republic, vol. iii.