This time, Judy was careful to shield it with her hand so that it would not be blown out.
In the uncertain light, the three were able to see a faint, rectangular outline on the wall, which marked a division between old and newer bricks.
“At one time, there must have been an opening here!” Judy asserted, elated by her discovery. “A long while ago, apparently, the passageway or whatever it is, was bricked over. Now that the mortar is falling away, cold air filters in.”
“From where?” Kathleen demanded.
“That’s what we’ll have to learn, if we can. I have a hunch Captain Hager might be able to supply interesting information.”
“I’ll bet he could at that!” cried Kathleen. “Since he lived in the old house so many years, he must have known about this bricked up place on the wall. In fact, he may have closed it himself.”
“The captain hinted that Mr. Krumm made a bad mistake in building the cottage on the old foundation,” Judy recalled. “I’m sure he knows a lot about this place that he hasn’t told!”
“Say, wouldn’t it be great if we could solve the mystery before we leave Pine Cone Camp? You’d win a rental bonus too from Mr. Krumm, Judy!”
“I don’t care about that part, but it would be fun to hit upon an explanation for everything that’s happened here. The thing that puzzles me most is that boy with the flute—”
“Boy with a flute?” Miss Meadow interposed, her voice rising.