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though it may have been embellished by fictions, there can belittle doubt that it was in substance true.* Messengers andsearch warrants were sent down to Lancashire. Aaron Smithhimself went thither; and Taaffe went with him. The alarmhad been given by some of the numerous traitors who ate thebread of William. Some of the accused persons had fled; andothers had buried their sabres and muskets and burned theirpapers. Nevertheless, discoveries were made which confirmedhunt’s depositions. Behind the wainscot of the old mansionof one Homan Catholic family was discovered a commissionsigned by James. Another house, of which the master hadabsconded, was strictly searched, in spite of the solemnasseverations of his wife and his servants that no arms wereconcealed there. While the lady, with her hand on her heart,was protesting on her honour that her husband was falsely ac-cused, the messengers observed that the back of the chimneydid not seem to be firmly fixed. It was removed, and a heapof blades such as were used by horse soldiers tumbled out. Inone of the garrets were found, carefully bricked up, thirtysaddles for troopers, as many breastplates, and sixty cavalryswords. Trenchard and Aaron Smith thought the case com-plete; and it was determined that those culprits who had beenapprehended should be tried by a special commission.**

Taaffe now confidently expected to be recompensed for hisservices: but he found a cold reception at the Treasury. Hehad gone down to Lancashire chiefly in order that he might,under the protection of a search warrant, pilfer trinkets andbroad pieces from secret drawers. His sleight of hand howeverhad not altogether escaped the observation of his companions.They discovered that he had made free with the communionplate of the Popish families, whose private hoards he had

criAp.

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it

* See the Life of James, ii. 524.** Kingston; Burnet, ii. 14L.