littleton arranged for a tenant farmer to harbour the two fugitives, swearing his own servants to secrecy. the fugitives were captured at hagley park on 9 january 1606 because the authorities had been informed of their presence by littleton's cook, john fynwood. despite littleton's protests that he was not harbouring anyone, a search was made and another servant, david bate, showed where the two plotters were escaping from a courtyard into the countryside. all three of them were to be tried and executed.