The perpetrators of the deed, finding that
their work was done, fled immediately. They
tried various plans to avoid the sentinels at the
gates of the oity, as well as the persons who
were beginning to come toward the soene of
ttie explosion. When they reached the palace
if Holy rood, they were challenged by the sen*
tine) on duty there. They said that they were
(litnds of Earl Bothwell, bringing dispatches to
him from the country. The sentinel asked
them if they knew what was the cause of that
loud explosion They said they did not, and
oasaed on



190 Mary 4^ueen of Sec ts ^156^

Ifary'f Indignatton. BoCfawell wrerted, tried, and acqiiitted

BothwoU went to his room, called for a drink,
undressed hiifi^el^ and went to bed. Half an
_ uoar.afterwaid^itie£lsengers came to awaker
'hhn/^nd inform him that the king's house had
been blown up with gunpowder, and the king
himself killed by the explosion. He rose with
an appearance of great astonishment and indig-
lation, and, after conferring with some of the
other nobles, concluded to go and communicate
the event to the queen. The queen was over-
whelmed with astonishment and indignation too.
