the drawers. From this he took a
paper, and, returning to his seat, he flattened it out beside the taper
on the edge of the table, and began to study it with minute attention.
My indignation at this calm examination of our family documents overcame
me so far that I took a step forward, and Brunton looking up saw me
standing in the doorway. He sprang to his feet, his face turned livid
with fear, and he thrust into his breast the chart-like paper which he
had been originally studying.

"'So!' said I, 'this is how you repay the trust which we have reposed in
you! You will leave my service to-morrow.'

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

[Illustration: "HE SPRANG TO HIS FEET."]

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

"'If you think it really necessary,' he answered, with some hesitation.
'To continue my statement, however, I re-locked the bureau, using the
key which Brunton had left, and I had turned to go, when I was surprised
to find that the butler had returned and was standing before me.

"'Mr. Musgrave, sir,' he cried, in a voice which was hoarse with
emotion, 'I can't bear disgrace, sir. I've always been proud above my
station in life, and disgrace would kill me. My blood will be on your
head, sir--it will, indeed--if you drive me to despair. If you cannot
keep me after what has passed, then for God's sake let me give you
notice and leave in a month, as if of my own free will. I could stand
that, Mr. Musgrave, but not to be cast out before all the folk that I
know so well.'

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