So they passed over for the
present his priestly functions and first demanded a list of all the
places where he had stayed in the north.
"You ask what is impossible," said Anthony, with his eyes on the ground
and his heart beating sharply, for he knew that now peril was near.
"Well," said Wade, "let us put it another way. We know that you were at
Speke Hall, Blainscow, and other places. I have a list here," and he
tapped the table, "but we want your name to it."
"Let me see the paper," said Anthony.
"Nay, nay, tell us first."
"I cannot sign the paper except I see it," said Anthony, smiling.
"Give it him," said a voice from the end of the table.
"Here then," said Wade unwillingly.
Anthony got up and took the paper from him, and saw one or two places
named where he had not been, and saw that it had been drawn up at any
rate partly on guesswork.
He put the paper down and went back to his chair and sat down.
"It is not true," he said, looking steadily at the Secretary; "I cannot
sign it."
"Do you deny that you have been to any of these places?" inquired Wade
indignantly.
"The paper is not true," said Anthony again.
"Well, then, show us what is not true upon it."
"I cannot."
"We will find means to persuade you," said the Secretary.
"If God permits," said Anthony.
Wade glanced round inquiringly and shrugged his shoulders; one or two
shook their heads.
"Well, then, we will turn to another point. There are known to have been
certain Jesuit priests in Lancashire in November of last year--do you
deny that, sir?"
"You ask too much," said Anthony, smiling again; "they may have been
there for aught I know, for I certainly did not see them elsewhere at the
time you mention.
Pages:
681
682
683
684
685
686
687
688
689
690
691
692
693
694
695
696
697
698
699
700
701
702
703
704
705