W W Jacobs

Dialstone Lane W W Jacobs

Book Excerpt: ...ribed by Mr. Chalk from his eye, and leaning over."What are you doing with that spy-glass?" demanded his master, beckoning to the visitor, who had drawn near. "How dare you stare in at people's windows?""I wasn't, sir," replied Mr. Tasker, in an injured voice. "I wouldn't think o' such a thing--I couldn't, not if I tried.""You'd got it pointed straight at my bedroom window," cried Mr. Chalk, as he accompanied the captain down the garden. "And it ain't the first time.""I wasn't, sir," said the steward, addressing his master. "I was watching the martins under the eaves.""You'd got it pointed at my window," persisted the visitor."That's where the nests are," said Mr. Tasker," but I wasn't looking in at the window. Besides, I noticed you always pulled the blind down when you saw me looking, so I thought it didn't matter.""We can't do anything without being followed about by that telescope," said Mr. Chalk, turning to the captain. "My wife had our house built where it is on purpos...