It seemed impossible to the inquisitors that Menocchio, unin- fluenced, should have formulated ideas so different from current ones. Witnesses were asked if Menocchio "had spoken sincerely or in mockery, or whether he was repeating what he heard other people saying." o was asked to give the names of his "companions." But the replies in both cases were negative. Menocchio,in particular, declared decisively, "Sir, I have never met anyone who holds these opinions; my opinions came out of my own head." But, in part at least, he was not telling the truth.