to remember that you came, and are staying, on your
own motion. As for the brandy, I would remind you that I suggested a
milder drink. Try some Madeira."

He handed me the decanter, as he spoke, and I poured out a glass.

"Madeira!" said I, taking a gulp, "Ugh! it's the commonest Marsala!"

I had no sooner said the words than he rose up, and stretched a hand
gravely across to me.

"I hope you will shake it," he said; "though, as a man who after three
glasses of neat spirit can distinguish between Madeira and Marsala, you
have every right to refuse me. Two minutes ago you offered to become my
butler, and I demurred. I now beg you to repeat that offer. Say the
word, and I employ you gladly; you shall even have the second decanter
(which contains genuine Madeira) to take to bed with you."

We shook hands on our bargain, and catching up a candlestick, he led the
way from the room.

Picking up my boots, I followed him along the passage and down the
silent staircase. In the hall he paused to stand on tip-toe, and turn
up the lamp, which was burning low. As he did so, I found time to fling
a glance at my old enemy, the mastiff. He lay as I had first seen him--
a stuffed dog, if ever there was one. "Decidedly," thought I, "my wits
are to seek to-night;" and with the same, a sudden suspicion made me
turn to my conductor, who had advanced to the left-hand door, and was
waiting for me, with a hand on the knob.

"One moment!" I said: "This is all very pretty, but how am I to know
you're not sending me to bed while you fetch in all the countryside to
lay me by the heels?"

"I'm afraid," was his answer, "you must be content with my word, as a
gentleman, that never, to-night or hereafter, will I breathe a syllable
about the circumstances of your visit. However, if you choose, we will
return up-stairs."

"No; I'll trust you," said I; and he opened the door.

It led into a broad passage paved with slate, upon which three or four
rooms opened. He paused by the second and ushered me into a
sleeping-chamber, which, though narrow, was comfortable enough--a vast
improvement, at any rate, on the mumpers' lodgings I had been used to
for many months past.

"You can undress here," he said. "The sheets are aired, and if you'll
wait a moment, I'll fetch a nightshirt--one of my own."

"Sir, you heap coals of fire on me."

"Believe me that for ninety-nine of your qualities I do not care a
tinker's curse; but for your pala