302 REPORT OF LOPEZ S TREASON. 



excuse it, as made good by the king of Spain, 

 in regard he desisted to follow and favour Don 

 Antonio ; whereupon the king of Spain was in honour 

 tied not to see him a loser. Thirdly, in his con 

 ferences with Ferrera, when he was apposed upon 

 the particular manner how he would poison her 

 majesty, he purposely named unto him a syrup, 

 knowing that her majesty never useth syrup ; and 

 therefore thinking that would prove an high point 

 for his justification, if things should come in any 

 question. 



But all this while desirous after his prey, which 

 he had in hope devoured, he did instantly importune 

 Ferrera for the answering of his last dispatch, 

 finding the delay strange, and reiterating the pro 

 testations of his readiness to do the service, if he 

 were assured of his money. 



Now before the return of Gomez d Avila into 

 England, this Stephen Ferrera was discovered to 

 have intelligence with the enemy ; but so as the par 

 ticular of his traffic and overtures appeared not, 

 only it seemed there was great account made of that 

 he managed : and thereupon he was committed to 

 prison. Soon after arrived Gomez d Avila, and 

 brought letters only from Manuel Louis, by the 

 name of Francisco de Thores ; because, as it seemeth, 

 the great persons on the other side had a contrary 

 disposition to Lopez, and liked not to write by so 

 base a messenger, but continued their course to trust 

 and employ Manuel Louis himself, who in likelihood 

 was retained till they might receive a full conclusion 



