The House of Spies

Copyright, 1913, by CASSELL & COMPANY, Limited
Jasper Benham tumbled out of bed, with the crack of a pistol-shot splitting the silence of the night. Before him ran the long casement window, each diamond pane a silver lozenge set in a frame of jet. Moonlight came through and lay patterned upon the floor.
Master Jasper—Master Jasper——!
It was a plaintive howl from under the window, the voice of a man who was afraid.
Master Jasper—horse-thieves in t' yard!
The lattice opened, and a pair of broad shoulders caught the moonlight.
What's this—Jack——?
John Bumpstead, the groom, was squeezing himself against the wall.
Dear Lord—sir—they've bruk into t' stable. Me and Jim Burgess tumbled up to see what was wrong. We couldn't face pistols, sir. They be there still, sir——
What! The infernal rogues! Here, take the blunderbuss, Jack, and have a blaze——
Master Jasper—I dursn't——
You're not man enough to scare rooks!