letter says) is like that in a Paduan
story of a nobleman. The rest of the letter is identical with the matter
of III, IV, and V. We cannot be sure whether Letter I is one of the
three forged on IV or not.

One thing is certain, Letters III and V, to the Unknown, _are_ modelled
on IV, as is the torn letter. Sprot said this was the case, and every
reader of III, V, and the torn letter (given above) must see that he
tells the truth. These letters contain no invention at all, they merely
repeat Letter IV. Any man who could invent IV had genius enough to alter
his tunes in III, V. and the torn letter. But Sprot never deserts his
model. This is an argument for the authenticity in substance of Letter
IV. The other three contain nothing that is not in Letter IV, and
everything that is in it, except what is personal to Gowrie, and would be
inappropriate if addressed to the Unknown (I, III, V), or to Chirnside
(torn letter).

There is (1) the mention of a Paduan adventure, the basis of the plot, a
thing that Sprot is very unlikely to have invented. With all my
admiration for Sprot, I do think that the Paduan touch is beyond him.
This occurs in Letter IV, 'the good sport that M.A., your lordship's
brother, told me of a nobleman in Padua. It is a parasteur' (? _a
propos_) 'to this purpose we have in hand.' This appears in Letter I,
'reckless toys of Padua,' and in Letter V, 'bid M. A. remember on the
sport he told me of Padua.'

2. The constant applause of Bower. This is in Letter IV, and in I, III,
V, and the torn letter.

3. Meeting with Alexander Ruthven. This is in IV, and in I and V.

4. The meeting at Fastcastle, which is to be quiet and well-provisioned.
This is in IV, and in I, III, V.

5. Lord Home and Mr. Rhynd are to know nothing. This is in IV, and in
I, and V, and the torn letter, utterly needless repetition.

6. The King's hunting, the opportunity for the plot. This is in IV, and
in I, but that is natural.

7. Directions as to returning the letters. These are in IV, in I, III,
V, and the torn letter.

8. Injunctions of secrecy. These are in IV, and I, III, V, and in the
torn letter.

9. Logan will be true, 'although the scaffold were already set up.'
This is a phrase of Letter IV, and recurs in Letter III and in the torn
letter.

10. Logan's elevation of heart on receipt of Gowrie's letter. This
occurs in IV and in V.

Who can doubt that Letter IV is the source, followed ser