t to the King's breast,
'_avowing now that the King behoved to be at his will_, _and used as he
list_; swearing many bloody oaths that if the King cried one word, or
opened a window to look out, that dagger should go to his heart.'

If this tale is true, murder was not intended, unless James resisted: the
King was only being _threatened_ into compliance with the Master's
'will.' Ruthven added that the King's conscience must now be burthened
'for murdering his father,' that is, for the execution of William, Earl
of Gowrie, in 1584. His conviction was believed to have been procured in
a dastardly manner, later to be explained.

James was unarmed, and obviously had no secret coat of mail, in which he
could not have hunted all day, perhaps. Ruthven had his sword; as for
the other man he stood 'trembling and quaking.' James now made to the
Master the odd harangue reported even in Nicholson's version of the
Falkland letter of the same day. As for Gowrie's execution, the King
said, he had then been a minor (he was eighteen in 1584), and Gowrie was
condemned 'by the ordinary course of law'--which his friends denied.
James had restored, he said, all the lands and dignities of the House,
two of Ruthven's sisters were maids of honour. Ruthven had been educated
by the revered Mr. Rollock, he ought to have learned better behaviour.
If the King died he would be avenged: Gowrie could not hope for the
throne. The King solemnly promised forgiveness and silence, if Ruthven
let him go.

Ruthven now uncovered his head, and protested that the King's life should
be safe, if he made no noise or cry: in that case Ruthven would now bring
Gowrie to him. 'Why?' asked James; 'you could gain little by keeping
such a prisoner?' Ruthven said that he could not explain; Gowrie would
tell him the rest. Turning to _the other man_, he said 'I make you the
King's keeper till I come again, and see that you keep him upon your
peril.' He then went out, and locked the door. The person who later
averred that he had been the man in the turret, believed that Ruthven
never went far from the door. James believed, indeed averred, that he
ran downstairs, and consulted Gowrie.

If there was an armed man in the turret, he was either placed there by
the King, to protect him while he summoned his minions by feigned cries
of treason, or he was placed there by Gowrie to help the Master to seize
the King. In the latter case, the Master's position was now de