Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/470

 4^6 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 56. common sufferer in the same cause with them. He was an object of interest to the Bishop of Ross, who had been melted to tears by the report of the weight of his irons. He had been in communication with the Bishop. He had been in communication with Don Gruerau. His last creditable duty had been to find a person who could be trusted to go to Flanders and kidnap or kill the Earl of Westmoreland. 1 A hint from Cecil set him at once upon the new arrival. The prisoners had access to each other during the day, and sometimes at night. Charles Baily, friendless, desolate, terrified, warmed at the friendly voice of a companion in misfortune and an acquaintance of the Bishop of Eoss ; and Herle was able to tell Cecil, in a few hours, that ' he had in his hands the most secret minister in all the ill practices in Flanders/ There was a mystery about the letters which he had not yet fathomed, but he said that he would soon learn all that was in him. ' Baily was fear- ful, full of words, glorious, and given to the cup, a man easily read.' 2 The Bishop of Eoss meanwhile, knowing that he must expect to be questioned, had arranged the story which he intended to tell. He meant to say that his mistress, against his own advice, had been applying to 1 No other meaning can be forced upon his words. ' Touching Rams- den,' Herle wrote to Cecil, ' no doubt he is an apt man to do some great feat against the E-arl of Westmore- land or any other, if he be cherished, which may not only discourage a rebel when he is nowhere safe from his prince, but express a wonderful vigilancy in every action that her Majesty and your Lordship doth in- tend.' Herle to Burghley, April II : MSS. MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS. 2 Herle to Burghley, April H MSS. MARY QUEEN OF SOOTS.