The sound of voices had reached her ears.

Three men had entered the grounds, and were passing the window at a short distance.
"Who are they ?" asked Mr.Wallingford.Then, answering his own question, he said, "Oh, I see; Judge Bigelow, Squire Floyd, and Ralph Dewey, his son-in-law." The three men, after going a few hundred rods in the direction of the stream, turned and stood for some minutes looking at the house, and talking earnestly.

Dewey appeared to have the most to say, and gesticulated quite freely.

Then they moved on to that portion of the stream where the water went gliding down the mimic rapids, and remained there for a considerable time.

It was plain that some scheme was in their heads, for they took measurement by pacing off the grounds in various directions; drew together in close conference at times; then separated, each making some examination for himself; and again stood in close deliberation.