about two o'clock
Mr. Kirke and Anthony had spent a long morning together discussing the route , and it had been decided that it would be best to keep along the high ridge due west until they were a little beyond Kemsing , which they would be able to see below them in the valley ; and then to strike across between that village and Otford , and keeping almost due south ride up through Knole Park ; then straight down on the other side into the Weald , and so past Tonbridge home . Mr. Kirke himself insisted on accompanying them on his cob until he had seen them clear of the woods on the high ground . Both he and his wife were full of gratitude to Anthony for the risk and trouble he had undergone , and did their utmost to provide them with all that was necessary for their disguise . At last , about two o'clock , the five men and Isabel rode out of the little yard at the back of the Manor Lodge and plunged into the woods again . The afternoon hush rested on the country as they followed Mr. Kirke along a narrow seldom-used path that led almost straight to the point where it was decided that they should strike south . In half a dozen places it cut across lanes , and once across the great high road from Farningham to Wrotham . As they drew near this , Mr. Kirke , who was riding in front , checked them .