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7 (1855)
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WILLIAM AM MAHY.

65

remembered the villanous look and voice of the man who hadknelt to ask the episcopal blessing. The Bishops secretary-confirmed his masters assertions. The false witness soon losthis presence of mind. His cheeks, always sallow, grew fright-fully livid. Ilis voice, generally loud and coarse, sank intoa whisper. The Privy Councillors saw his confusion, andcrossexamined him sharply. Por a time he answered theirquestions by repeatedly stammering out his original lie inthe original words. At last he found that he had no way ofextricating himself but by owning his guilt. He acknowledgedthat he had given an untrue account of his visit to Bromley;and, after much prevarication, he related how he had hiddenthe Association, and how he had removed it from its hidingplace, and confessed that he had been set on by Young.

The two accomplices were then confronted. Young, withunabashed forehead, denied every thing. He knew nothingabout the flowerpots.If so, cried Nottingham and Sidneytogether,why did you give such particular directions that theflowerpots at Bromley should be searched?I never gaveany directions about the flowerpots, said Young. Then thewhole board broke forth.How dare you say so? We allremember it. Still the knave stood up erect, and exclaimed,with an impudence which Oates might have envied,Thishiding is all a trick got up between the Bishop and Blackhead.The Bishop has taken Blackhead off; and they are both tryingto stifle the plot. This was too much. There Avas a smileand a lifting up of hands all round the board.Man, criedCaermarthen,wouldst thou have us believe that the Bishopcontrived to have this paper put where it was ten to one thatour messengers had found it, and where, if they had found it,it might have hanged him?

The false accusers were removed in custody. The Bishop,after warmly thanking the ministers for their fair and honour-Macaulay, History. Vll. 5

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