"' servants the one who longest service was Brunton the butler young school-master out of place when first taken up by my father, but man of great energy and character, and he soon became quite invaluable household well-grown, handsome man, with splendid forehead, and though he for twenty years more than forty now personal advantages extraordinary gifts--for speak several languages and play nearly every musical instrument-- wonderful that he satisfied position, but I suppose that comfortable, and lacked energy any change The butler of Hurlstone is always thing remembered by all who visit us

"'But this paragon has one fault bit of Don Juan, and imagine that for man like him very difficult part to play in quiet country district When married all right, but since he widower no end of trouble we were in hopes that about to settle down again for he became engaged to Rachel Howells, our second house-maid; but he has thrown her over since then and taken up with Janet Tregellis, the daughter head game-keeper Rachel-- girl, but of an excitable Welsh temperament--had sharp touch of brain-fever, and goes house now--or did until yesterday--like black-eyed shadow of her former self That was our first drama at Hurlstone; but second one came to drive it minds, and prefaced disgrace and dismissal of butler Brunton

"' how it came about said man was intelligent, and this very intelligence has caused his ruin, seems led to an insatiable curiosity about things which least concern him I had no idea lengths carry him, until the merest accident opened my eyes

"' said house is rambling one One day last week--on Thursday night, more exact-- that sleep, having foolishly taken cup of strong caf noir after my dinner After struggling against it until two morning, quite hopeless, so I rose and lit the candle intention of continuing novel which reading The book, however, left billiard-room, so I pulled on my dressing-gown and started off it

"' to reach the billiard-room I had to descend flight of stairs and then to cross the head of passage which led library gun-room imagine my surprise when, as I looked down this corridor, glimmer of light coming open door library I had myself extinguished the lamp and closed the door before coming to bed Naturally my first thought was of burglars The corridors at Hurlstone have their walls largely decorated with trophies of old weapons From I picked battle-axe, and then, leaving my candle behind me, I crept on tiptoe down the passage and peeped in open door

"'Brunton, the butler, was library sitting, fully dressed, in an easy-chair, with slip of paper which looked lake map upon his knee, forehead sunk forward upon his hand in deep thought I stood dumb with astonishment, watching him darkness small taper edge table shed feeble light which sufficed to show me that fully dressed Suddenly, as I looked, he rose chair, and walking over to bureau side, he unlocked it and drew out drawers paper, and returning seat he flattened it out beside the taper edge table, and began to study it with minute attention My indignation calm examination family documents overcame me that step forward, and Brunton, looking up, saw me standing doorway He sprang feet, his face turned livid with fear, and he thrust into his breast the chart-like paper which he originally studying

"'"So ! " said I " how you repay the trust which reposed in you leave my service to-morrow "

"'He bowed look of man utterly crushed, and slunk past me without word The taper was still table, and by its light I glanced what the paper was which Brunton had taken bureau To my surprise nothing of any importance at all, but simply copy questions and answers singular old observance called the Musgrave Ritual sort of ceremony peculiar to our family, which each Musgrave for centuries past has gone through coming of age--a thing of private interest, and perhaps of some little importance archaeologist, like our own blazonings and charges, but of no practical use whatever '

"'We had better come back paper afterwards,' said I

"' it really necessary,' he answered, with some hesitation ' my statement, however: I relocked the bureau, using the key which Brunton had left, and I had turned when surprised butler had returned, and was standing before me

"'" Mr Musgrave, sir," he cried, in voice hoarse with emotion, " 't bear disgrace, sir I've always been proud above my station in life, and disgrace would kill me My blood head, sir-- , indeed-- drive me to despair keep me after what has passed, then for God's sake let me notice and leave in month, own free will stand that, Mr Musgrave, but not cast out before all the folk that "

"'"You don't deserve much consideration, Brunton," I answered "Your conduct most infamous However, as family, no wish to bring public disgrace upon you month, however is too long Take yourself away in week, and give what reason you like for going "

"'"Only week, sir ? " he cried, in despairing voice "A fortnight--say fortnight ! "

"'"A week," I repeated, "and consider yourself very leniently dealt with " "'He crept away, his face sunk upon his breast, like broken man, while I put out the light and returned to my room

""For two days Brunton was most assiduous attention duties no allusion to what had passed, and waited with some curiosity how cover his disgrace third morning, however appear, as was his custom, after breakfast to receive my instructions day As I left the dining-room I happened to meet Rachel Howells, the maid told you that she had only recently recovered from an illness, and was looking so wretchedly pale and wan that I remonstrated with her for being at work

"'" in bed," "Come back to your duties stronger "

"'She looked at me with so strange an expression that I began to suspect that her brain was affected

"'" strong enough, Mr Musgrave," said she

"'" what the doctor says," I answered " stop work now, and go downstairs just say that Brunton "

"'"The butler is gone," said she

"'"Gone ! Gone where ? "