Essence--of which at that time men knew nothing--and how that he could
not say _paternoster_ when it was put to him;--all this was run about
the court like fire.

But the tale of the clerk who went to him and sought to shake him, I
heard nothing of, save from Master Richard's own lips. None knew of
what had happened, and some afterwards thought that it was the fiend who
went to Master Richard, but some others that it was indeed one of the
clerks of the court who had perhaps stolen the keys, and gone in to get
credit to himself by persuading Master Richard to confess that all was a
delusion. For myself, I do not know what to think. [I suspect that Sir
John was inclined to think it was the devil, for at this point he
discusses at some length various cases in which Satan so acted. He seems
to imply that it was a peculiar and cynical pleasure to the Lord of Evil
to disguise himself as an ecclesiastic.]....

Now, old Master ... said mass before my lord cardinal at seven o'clock,
and then went to his own chamber, but he was immediately sent for again
to my lord, who appeared to be in a great agitation. My lord told him
that one had come from the ankret to bid him let Master Richard go, for
that it was not the young man who was afflicting the King, but God
Almighty.

"But he shall not play Pilate's wife with me," said my lord in a great
fury, "I shall go through with this matter. See that you be with me,
Master Priest, at noon, and we will see justice done. I doubt not that
the young man must go for his trial."

He told the clerk, too, that Master Blytchett was greatly concerned
about his grace, and that the court would be in an uproar if somewhat