midday
You hear ? '' `` I could not know -- '' panted the other . `` You should have known -- '' They reached the small flight of steps that led down , and dashed along the path among the bushes toward an open gate , emerging upon the road which marked the beginnings of the village street . There were a few people in sight , an old man hobbling upon a stick , a child with a dog , two peasants in the shade of a tree eating their midday meal -- and down the road to the west -- a cloud of dust ! The peasants rose in alarm at the rapid approach of the three excited men , and turned as though to flee into the safety of the adjoining field , but Renwick overtook them . `` You saw a lady come out of the gate yonder ? '' he questioned .