the affair was cut-and-dried from the first.

Fawkes' first examination took place on November 5th, and was conducted
by Chief Justice Popham and Attorney-General Coke. It is true that only a
copy has reached us, but it is a copy taken for Coke's use, as is shown
by the headings of each paragraph inserted in the margin in his own hand.
It is therefore out of the question that Salisbury, if he had been so
minded, would have been able to falsify it. Each page has the signature
(in copy) of "Jhon Jhonson," the name by which Fawkes chose to be known.

The first part of the examination turns upon Fawkes' movements abroad,
showing that the Government had already acquired information that he had
been beyond sea. Fawkes showed no reluctance to speak of his own
proceedings in the Low Countries, or to give the names of persons he had
met there, and who were beyond the reach of his examiners. As to his
movements after his return to England, he was explicit enough so far as
he was himself concerned, and also about Percy, whose servant he
professed himself to be, and whose connection with the hiring of the
house could not be concealed.

Fawkes stated that after coming back to England he "came to the lodging
near the Upper House of Parliament," and "that Percy hired the house of
Whynniard for L12 rent, about a year and a half ago"; that his master,
before his own going abroad, _i.e._, before Easter, 1605, "lay in the
house about three or four times." Further, he confessed "that about
Christmas last," _i.e._, Christmas, 1604, "he brought in the night-time
gunpowder [to the cellar under the Upper House of Parliament]."[5]
Afterward he told how he covered the powder with fagots, intending to
blow up the King and the Lords; and, being pressed how he knew that the
King would be in the House on the 5th, said he knew it only from general
report, and by the making ready of the King's barge; but he would have
"blown up the Upper House whensoever the King was there."

[5] The words between brackets are inserted in another hand.

He further acknowledged that there was more than one person concerned in
the conspiracy, and said he himself had promised not to reveal it, but
denied that he had taken the sacrament on his promise. Where the promise
was given he could not remember, except that it was in England. He
refused to accuse his partners, saying that he himself had provided the
powder, and defrayed the cost of his journey beyond sea,