"Yes, it's just the night," said Eves in a loud voice, as though continuing a discussion. "Just the night rabbits like. Slip round quietly to the wood; there'll be hundreds skipping about in the darkness. It's nearly a mile away; allow half an hour to get there and back, and an hour's sport; it'll only be eleven then—not so very late."
By this time they had passed the lurking scout, who must have heard all Eves said. A few yards farther along there was a turning on the right, leading to a small wood. Eves struck into this.
"Come on," he said to Templeton. "See if my strategy doesn't answer."
They concealed themselves in the hedge, and a few seconds later saw Josiah Noakes run down the road towards the village.
"There you are," said Eves. "Josiah's run to tell his father we're off shooting rabbits, and the coast is clear. To bring the guns was a bright idea, Bobby."
They waited until the boy was well out of earshot, then returned to the road, crossed it, and entered the lane on the opposite side.
Some twenty minutes later three figures were faintly discernible on the white road, coming up the hill.
"Here they are," whispered Eves. "They're bringing Josy to protect their rear. Now into cover!"
They crept through the hedge and waited. No footsteps sounded on the road.
"Wearing rubber-soled shoes," whispered Eves. "So much the better; the tar will stick."