while awaiting his "examination", a kind of interrogation, in september 1573, he wrote to the english diplomat henry killigrew and cecil for help. melville said his enemies were destroying his reputation, saying that he had hindered peace, and knew all the secret dealings between france, england and scotland. he said he had never been happy to receive help from flanders. melville hoped for english political intervention for his release. on 19 october 1573 melville was questioned about negotiations for the marriage of mary queen of scots to john of austria, her escape from lochleven castle, her good and jewels, her proposed marriage to thomas howard, 4th duke of norfolk, the siege of edinburgh castle and those who supplied it with silver or gave loans secured against pledges of mary's jewels.