s pleasur. This interprise was disclosed after his
slawchtter, partlye by letteris and memorialles found in his chalmer,
butt playnlie affirmed by suche as war of the consall. Many purposes war
devised, how that wicked man mycht have bene tackin away. But all
failled, till Fryday, the xxviij of Maij, Anno 1546, when the foirsaid
Normound came at nycht to Sanctandross; Williame Kirkcaldye of Grange
youngar was in the toune befoir, awaitting upoun the purpoise; last came
Johnne Leslye foirsaid, who was most suspected. What conclusion thei
took that nycht, it was nott knawin, butt by the ischew which followed.

[SN: HOW THE CARDINALL WAS OCCUPYED THE NYCHT BEFOIR THAT THE
MORNYNG HE WAS SLAINE.]

But airlie upoun the Setterday, in the mornyng, the 29. of Maij, war
thei in syndree cumpanyes in the Abbay kirk-yard, not far distant frome
the Castell. First, the yettis being oppin, and the draw-brig lettin
doun, for receaving of lyme and stanes, and other thingis necessar for
buylding, (for Babylon was almost finished,)--first, we say, assayed
Williame Kirkcaldy of Grange youngar, and with him sex personis, and
gottin enteress, held purpose with the portare, "Yf My Lord was
walking?" who ansuered, "No." (And so it was in dead; for he had bene
busy at his comptis with Maistres Marioun Ogilbye[441] that nycht, who
was espyed to departe frome him by the previe posterne that morning;
and tharefor qwyetness, after the reuillis of phisick, and a morne
sleap[442] was requisite for My Lord.) Whill the said Williame and the
Portar talked, and his servandis maid thame to look the work and the
workemen, approched Normound Leslye with his company; and becaus thei
war in no great nomber, thei easilie gat entress. Thei address thame to
the myddest of the close, and immediatlie came Johnne Leslye, somewhat
rudlye, and four personis with him. The portar, fearing, wold have
drawin the brig; but the said Johnne, being entered thairon, stayed, and
lap in. And whill the portar maid him for defence, his head was brokin,
the keyis tackin frome him, and he castin in the fowsea;[443] and so the
place was seased. The schowt arises:[444] the workemen, to the nomber of
mo then a hundreth, ran of the wallis, and war without hurte put furth
at the wicked yett.[445] The first thing that ever was done, Williame
Kirkcaldye took the garde of the prevey posterne, fearing that the fox
should have eschaped. Then go the rest to the gentilmenis chalmeris, and
wit