History of the life and death of John, Earl of Gowrie

JOHN, EARL OF GOWRIE. 323
this day, and formerly could have been proved by
a hundred witnesses, that at the very time when
Gowrie was killed, Henderson was seen walking
on the Tay bridge of Perth, and therefore could
not be the man said to be in the closet." Again,
" That he was the man said to be in armour was
known to be a falsehood, for he was seen that day
coming from Scoon to Perth on foot, and having
heard that the King was in Gowrie' s house and the.
gate shut, walked on the bridge till all was over.' 1 ''
4. Henderson owns that he was without his hel-
met when he said he was in the chamber along with
the King and Mr. Ruthven ; and that he had only
his sword and dagger. His helmet, or cap of steel,
was indeed lying in his own house, from whence
Gowrie afterwards took it. His face was quite un-
covered. His Majesty, therefore, who, it after-
wards appears, was well acquainted with Hender-
son, could not have been at a loss to declare, when
the affair was over, that Henderson was the man.
He made however a very early declaration, that he
was not the man who had been with him in the
study.
I rely on the authority of Mr. David Calder-
wood, who was living at the time, and shall quote