I am blest if the wind does not come through the hedge like a knife." The voices came from the other side of the hedge, on the opposite side of the lane.

Reuben crossed noiselessly.

There was a gate just where the cart had stopped, and the men had evidently got over it, to obtain the shelter of the hedge from the wind.

Reuben felt the gate, which was old and rickety; then cautiously he placed his feet on the lower bar, and leaned forward so as to look round the hedge.
"What time are the others to be here, Tom ?" "They said they would be here at nine o'clock.

We passed them about six miles on the road, so they ought to be here to time." "I suppose there's no doubt about this here being a good business ?" "I will answer for that," the other said.