“ ‘She looked at me with so strange an expression that I began to suspect that her brain was affected.
“ ‘ “I am strong enough, Mr. Musgrave,” said she.
“ ‘ “We will see what the doctor says,” I answered. “You must stop work now, and when you go downstairs just say that I wish to see Brunton.”
“ ‘ “The butler is gone,” said she.
“ ‘ “Gone! Gone where?”
“ ‘ “He is gone. No one has seen him. He is not in his room. Oh, yes, he is gone, he is gone!” She fell back against the wall with shriek after shriek of laughter, while I, horrified at this sudden hysterical attack, rushed to the bell to summon help. The girl was taken to her room, still screaming and sobbing, while I made inquiries about Brunton. There was no doubt about it that he had disappeared. His bed had not been slept in, he had been seen by no one since he had retired to his room the night before, and yet it was difficult to see how he could have left the house, as both