The King was still wary, watching the bait like an old pike, but hesitating to seize it; but the duke and duchess were willing to be themselves securities for Fitzwilliam’s faith, and Philip promised at last that if Hawkins would send him a letter of recommendation from the Queen of Scots herself, he would then see what could be done.  The Ferias were dangerously enthusiastic.  They talked freely to Fitzwilliam of the Queen of Scots and her prospects.  They trusted him with letters and presents to her which would secure his admittance to her confidence.  Hawkins had sent him over for the single purpose of cheating Philip into releasing his comrades from the Inquisition; and he had been introduced to secrets of high political moment; like Saul, the son of Kish, he had gone to seek his father’s asses and he had found a kingdom.  Fitzwilliam hurried home with his letters and his news.  Things were now serious.  Hawkins could act no further on his own responsibility.  He consulted Cecil.  Cecil consulted the Queen, and it was agreed that the practice, as it was called, should be carried further.  It might lead to the discovery of the whole secret.

Very treacherous, think some good people.  Well, there are times when one admires even treachery—­

              nec lex est justior ulla
  Quam necis artifices arte perire sua.

King Philip was confessedly preparing to encourage an English subject in treason to his sovereign.  Was it so wrong to hoist the engineer with his own petard?  Was it wrong of Hamlet to finger the packet of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and rewrite his uncle’s despatch?  Let us have done with cant in these matters.  Mary Stuart was at Sheffield Castle in charge of Lord Shrewsbury, and Fitzwilliam could not see her without an order from the Crown.  Shrewsbury, though loyal to Elizabeth, was notoriously well inclined to Mary, and therefore could not be taken into confidence.  In writing to him Cecil merely said that friends of Fitzwilliam’s were in prison in Spain; that if the Queen of Scots would intercede for them, Philip might be induced to let them go.  He might therefore allow Fitzwilliam to have a private audience with that Queen.

Thus armed, Fitzwilliam went down to Sheffield.  He was introduced.  He began with presenting Mary with the letters and remembrances from the Ferias, which at once opened her heart.  It was impossible for her to suspect a friend of the duke and duchess.  She was delighted at receiving a visitor from the Court of Spain.  She was prudent enough to avoid dangerous confidences, but she said she was always pleased when she could do a service to Englishmen, and with all her heart would intercede for the prisoners.  She wrote to Philip, she wrote to the duke and duchess, and gave the letters to Fitzwilliam to deliver.  He took them to London, called on Don Gerald, and told him of his success.  Don Gerald also wrote to his master, wrote unguardedly, and also trusted Fitzwilliam with the despatch.