“In the night, as I understand, there will be no chance for your escape.  In the daytime there will be many; for you are then in charge of a single gouty guardian, no match in strength or speed for so vigorous a man as you.  Make your escape from the 8th to the 12th of October, at any hour you can, and take the road contiguous to the castle gate through which you entered.  You will find Robert and John, who will be ready with horses, and with everything necessary.  May God favor your undertaking.—­R.  D. M.”

The letter, thus designedly thrown into the corridor by one confederate, was soon afterwards picked up by the other, who immediately taxed Montigny with an attempt to escape.  Notwithstanding the vehement protestations of innocence naturally made by the prisoner, his pretended project was made the pretext for a still closer imprisonment in the “Bishop’s Tower.”  A letter, written at Madrid, by Philip’s orders, had been brought by Don Alonzo to Simancas, narrating by anticipation these circumstances, precisely as they had now occurred.  It moreover stated that Montigny, in consequence of his close confinement, had fallen grievously ill, and that he would receive all the attention compatible with his safe keeping.  This letter, according to previous orders, was now signed by Don Eugenio de Peralta, dated 10th October, 1570; and publicly despatched to Philip.  It was thus formally established that Montigny was seriously ill.  A physician, thoroughly instructed and sworn to secrecy, was now ostentatiously admitted to the tower, bringing with him a vast quantity of drugs.  He duly circulated among the townspeople, on his return, his opinion that the illustrious prisoner was afflicted with a disorder from which it was almost impossible that he should recover.  Thus, thanks to Philip’s masterly precautions, not a person in Madrid or Simancas was ignorant that Montigny was dying of a fever, with the single exception of the patient himself.

On Saturday, the 14th of October, at nightfall, Don Alonzo de Avellano, accompanied by the prescribed individuals, including Fray Hernando del, Castillo, an ecclesiastic of high reputation, made their appearance at the prison of Simancas.  At ten in the evening the announcement of the sentence was made to Montigny.  He was visibly agitated at the sudden intelligence, for it was entirely unexpected by him.  He had, on the contrary, hoped much from the intercession of, the Queen, whose arrival he had already learned.  He soon recovered himself, however, and requested to be left alone with the ecclesiastic.  All the night and the following day were passed in holy offices.  He conducted himself with great moderation, courage, and tranquillity.  He protested his entire innocence of any complicity with the Prince of Orange, or of any disloyal designs or sentiments at any period of his life.  He drew up a memorial, expressing his strong attachment to every point of the Catholic faith,