"Butts!" said I, "when did I give you permission to drink my champagne?"
He sprang to his feet uttering a cry of terror, and the bottle toppled over the table.
"Sir William!" he gasped, "Oh, sir; oh, sir!"
"Look at me!" I commanded.
His eyes almost bulged out of his head. "Is there anything in my appearance?" I demanded, "which might lead you to suppose that I am the sort of man to allow my servants such indulgence."
"Oh, sir. Please forgive me, sir!" he mumbled, shaking like a leaf. "I—I——"
"Dishonest in one thing, then in another," I interrupted sternly. "How much did you steal in providing to-night's dinner? Tell me the truth, or I shall send for the police!"
"Not a penny sir—so—help me! The wine man gave me two pounds commission on the order, that is all, sir—so help me!"
"Hand it over to me at once, and let this be a lesson to you!" I commanded.
Butts, trembling, placed two sovereigns in my outstretched palm.