“We don’t know it,” Captain Hager retorted. “There’s air somewhere close by to that siphon.”
“How do you know?”
“Because time and again Bart found tadpoles.”
“What have they got to do with it?” Mr. Krumm demanded.
“Tadpoles are a sure sign of open air being near. They’re creatures that never venture far into underground waters.”
“So?”
“I figure there must be a brook somewhere close where the underground river empties.”
“There’s no brook around the cottage, and no water under it either.”
“I’m not concerned where the river empties,” Captain Hager said. “I do think the cottage wall connects in some way with a passage down into the cave. Where it would lead, if we get into it, no man knows.”
“You want me to tear down the foundation on a wild chance like that?”