the man had not been trained in his task.'

If Oliphant is correctly reported, he had been trained, but 'fainted.'

'Why bind the King with a garter?'

In helpless pursuit of the forlorn idea of capturing him.

'Why execute the enterprise when the courtiers were passing the window?'

Ruthven could not have known that they were coming at that moment; it was
Gowrie's ill-timed falsehoods, to the effect that the King had ridden
away, which brought them there. Gowrie had not allowed for Henderson's
failure.

'How could the King struggle successfully with the stalwart Master?'

He fought for his life, and Ruthven probably even then did not wish to
injure him bodily.

'Why was not the Master made prisoner?'

James answered this question when 'posed' by Mr. Bruce. His blood was
up, and he said 'Strike!'

'The Earl likewise might, after he was stricken, have been preserved
alive.'

Perhaps--by miracle; he died instantly.

The discrepancies as to the dagger and the opening of the window we have
already treated, also the locking and unlocking, or leaving unlocked, of
the chamber door, giving on the dark staircase, after Ruthven's last
hurried entrance (p. 69).

There follow arguments, to be later considered, about the relations
between James and the Earl previous to the tragedy, and a statement, with
no authority cited, that James had written to Gowrie's uncle, to meet him
at Perth on August 5, implying that James had made up his mind to be
there, and did not go on Ruthven's sudden invitation.

'The Earl and Cranstoun were alone with the four in the fatal chamber.
The others who were wounded there went up after Gowrie's death.'

It may be so, but the bulk of the evidence is on the other side.

'It is reported' that Henderson was eating an egg in the kitchen, and
went into the town when the fray arose.

It is also denied, on oath, by Gowrie's cook, who added that he was
'content to be hanged,' if it could be proved. {114}

The Ruthven apologist (MS.) says that Henderson was waiting on the Lords
who dined in the hall, and was _there_ when _the King's servant_ brought
the news that the King had ridden away.

'The Master's sword, after his death, was found rusted tight in his
scabbard.'

The Master must have been a very untidy gallant. No authority is cited
for the story.

The Murrays (who were well rewarded) were in Perth, 'whether of set
purpose let the reader judge.'

By all means let the reader jud