The conspirators, he said, were openly supported by a large political party who called themselves anti-Johanists, and who clothed themselves in symbolic costume, as had been done by the disaffected in the days of Cardinal Granvelle.

He assured the Governor that nearly all the members of the states-general were implicated in these schemes.

"And what becomes, then, of their promises ?" asked Don John.

"That for their promises!" cried the Duke, snapping his fingers; "no man in the land feels bound by engagements now." The Governor demanded the object of the states in thus seeking to deprive him of his liberty.

The Duke informed him that it was to hold him in captivity until they had compelled him to sign every paper which they chose to lay before him.