the bench on which trot and cap'n bill were sitting was in front of a high hedge so high that none of them could see over it. on the other side of the thick hedge ran another garden path. suddenly they heard footsteps, as if several people were hurrying down the garden path which was hidden from their view. while they listened, wondering who it could be, the footsteps halted just opposite them on the other side of the hedge. before they could call out a greeting, they recognized the voice of the wizard saying: