NY Times Crossword
April 4, 1999
Richard Silvestri

The same three letters, in the same, consecutive order, will change each word below into a new one. The three letters may be placed before, after, or inside the words. What are the letters and the new words?

BAT
WIT
CUB
RING
FEAT
GATED

HINT:
The first of the three letters is H.

Answers:

The letters are HER:

BATHER
WITHER
CHERUB
HERRING
FEATHER 
GATHERED