With the coming of night the breeze fell little by little, and the leaves scarcely quivered even at the tops of the highest branches.

The sky darkened rapidly after sundown and twilight deepened into obscurity.
I looked at my watch, it was half-past eight.

"It is time, Wells." "When you will, Mr.Strock." "Then let us start." We cautioned the coachman not to let the horses stray beyond the clearing.

Then we started.

Wells went in advance, I followed him, and John Hart and Nab Walker came behind.