On October 22, from their retreat, the brothers said that they had heard of a conspiracy, by nobles and others in the king's favour, to cut their throats.

The evidence is very confused and contradictory: Hamilton and Argyll were said to have collected a force of 5000 men in the town, and, on October 5, such a gathering was denounced in a proclamation.

Charles in vain asked for a public inquiry into the affair before the whole House.

He now raised some of his opponents a step in the peerage: Argyll became a marquis, and Montrose was released from prison.

On October 28 Charles announced the untoward news of an Irish rising and massacre.