of the Gentlemen of the Household has often been said, but we find no
trace of money spent for him in the Royal accounts: in fact he had asked
for the place, but had not yet obtained it. {13} However, if we may
believe the Royal word (which is a matter of choice), James 'loved the
young Master like a brother.'

The Master approached the King, and entered into conversation with him.
James's account of what he had to say must be given later. For the
present we may be content with the depositions on oath, which were made
later, at a trial in November, by the attendants of the King and other
witnesses. Among these was the Duke of Lennox, who swore to the
following effect. They hunted their buck, and killed him. The King, in
place of trotting back to lunch at the House of Falkland (to which the
progress of the chase had led the sportsmen round in a circle), bade the
Duke accompany him to Perth, some twelve miles away, 'to speak with the
Earl of Gowrie.' His Majesty then rode on. Lennox despatched his groom
for his sword, and for a fresh horse (another was sent after the King);
he then mounted and followed. When he rejoined James, the King said 'You
cannot guess what errand I am riding for; I am going to get a treasure in
Perth. The Master of Ruthven' ('Mr. Alexander Ruthven') 'has informed me
that he has found a man with a pitcher full of gold coins of great
sorts.' James also asked Lennox what he deemed of the Master, whose
manner he reckoned very strange. 'Nothing but an honest, discreet
gentleman,' said the Duke. The King next gave details about the
treasure, and Lennox said he thought the tale 'unlikely,' as it was, more
or less. James then bade Lennox say nothing on the matter to Ruthven,
who wanted it to be a secret. At about a mile from Perth, the Master
galloped forward, to warn his brother, the Earl, who met the Royal party,
on foot, with some companions, near the town. {14} This was about one
o'clock in the afternoon.

[Picture: Situation and topography of Gowrie House]

The Royal party, of thirteen nobles and gentlemen, then entered the
Earl's house. It faced the street, as the House of Falkland also does,
and, at the back, had gardens running down to the Tay. It is necessary
to understand the situation and topography of Gowrie House. Passing down
South Street, or 'Shoe Gait,' the chief street in Perth, then a pretty
little town, you found it crossed at right angles by a street called