Anthony strenuously denied that Clarke had had any hand in the distribution of forbidden books or translations of the Scriptures.

When they read the Bible together, it was read both in the original and in the vulgar tongue, so that the two versions might be carefully studied together; and Dalaber maintained with spirit and success the arguments learned from Clarke that the Catholic Church in this land had never forbidden such reading and study of God's Word.

Dr.
Higdon might have been satisfied, and even spoke a few words in favour of letting the young man go to his lodgings, only binding him over to appear when summoned in the future.
But the other two, having lost Garret, were resolved to make the most of his accomplice; and they argued that what Master Clarke had or had not said was not the main point at issue.

He might or might not be the dangerous heretic some asserted.

What they maintained was that Dalaber had been associated with Garret in a hundred ways, and that a great bale of forbidden books had been discovered in a secret hiding place just outside his deserted chamber at St.Alban Hall; and that, until he had given some better account of himself and his connection with these matters, he should certainly not be allowed to depart.