“No wonder we could not find the place,” he said, as he at once placed the right construction on the presence of the water; “and, do you know, all that could not have come from the lake.”
“Where could it have come from, then?”
“It must have drained in by degrees from the sides in wet weather, and the stones at the end dammed it up, so that it couldn’t get away.”
“Nonsense! The water would have pushed the stones down.”
“It did, as soon as I pushed too. The wall was only just strong enough before.”
“I tell you it must have run in from the lake.”
“It couldn’t, Fred. The bottom of the passage is higher; and when I came out the water was only just over my shoes. By to-morrow you see if it isn’t drained right out. There, you see, it has pretty well stopped now.”
Scarlett was quite right, for the water was now flowing out silently, and in very small volume.
“Well, we will not argue about it,” said Fred. “Perhaps you’re right, but I don’t think you are. Anyhow, we’ve found the way in, and you couldn’t have done it without me.”
“No; nor you without me, Fred.”