But the interest centred round the prosaic figure of John O'Neill, the butler at Fitzwilliam Place, who had been in Mr.Brooks' family for thirty years.
"'I was clearing away my breakfast things,' said John, 'when I heard the master's voice in the study close by.

Oh my, he was that angry! I could hear the words "disgrace," and "villain," and "liar," and "ballet-dancer," and one or two other ugly words as applied to some female lady, which I would not like to repeat.

At first I did not take much notice, as I was quite used to hearing my poor dear master having words with Mr.Percival.So I went downstairs carrying my breakfast things; but I had just started cleaning my silver when the study bell goes ringing violently, and I hear Mr.Percival's voice shouting in the hall: "John! quick! Send for Dr.Mulligan at once.

Your master is not well! Send one of the men, and you come up and help me to get Mr.Brooks to bed." "'I sent one of the grooms for the doctor,' continued John, who seemed still affected at the recollection of his poor master, to whom he had evidently been very much attached, 'and I went up to see Mr.Brooks.

I found him lying on the study floor, his head supported in Mr.Percival's arms.