Finally, Lord Danby asked him if he
knew where they dwelt, for it was his duty to have them arrested
at once; but of their abode Tonge was completely ignorant, though
he was hopeful he should speedily be able to obtain the required
information.
He was therefore dismissed, somewhat to his satisfaction, being
unprepared for such particular examination; but in a couple of
days he returned to the charge, determined his tale should not be
discredited for lack of effrontery, On this occasion he said he
had met the man he suspected of being author of the document, who
owned himself as such, and stated that his name was Titus Oates,
but requested Tonge would keep it a strict secret, "because the
papists would murder him if they knew what he was doing."
Moreover, Oates had given him a second paper full of fresh
horrors concerning this most foul plot. Taking this with him,
the lord treasurer hastened to Windsor, that he might consult the
king, having first left a servant with Tonge, in hopes the latter
might catch sight of Honest William and Pickering in their daily
walk through the park, and have them arrested. On Danby
recounting Tonge's statements to the king, his majesty was more
convinced than before the narrative was wholly without
foundation, and refused to make it known to his council or the
Duke of York. Therefore the lord-treasurer, on conclusion of a
brief visit, left Windsor for his country residence, situated at
Wimbledon.
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