“I’d love to see that old stalagmite witch,” Judy declared, her dark eyes sparkling. “How deep down in the cave is the formation?”
“Too far for you to explore alone,” the milkman responded. “Don’t try it. Not without a guide. Caves are safe enough, if one takes precautions, but they’re no place for amateur explorers, unsupervised.”
“Does Calico Cave have any other interesting formations besides the Witch?” Judy inquired.
“Oh, gobs of ’em. Few persons though, have gone past the old White Witch. In fact, it’s part of the legend that she casts a spell upon all who go beyond that point in the cave.”
“You’ve disproved that part of the legend?” the Girl Scout leader questioned.
“Well, the old witch cast her spell over me all right,” Bart admitted with a chuckle. “Not an evil one though. The Cave fascinates me, and if I had time, I’d really delve into its innermost secrets.”
“Ardeth and I thought we saw a moving light in the cavern late yesterday afternoon,” Judy remarked. “Maybe you were down there exploring.”
“Not yesterday,” Bart replied. “You’re certain you saw a light?”
“Oh, yes, it startled us. Either someone was down in the cave, or it was that old witch!”
“It wasn’t the old witch,” Bart assured her. “She’s a harmless old gal and has stayed fixed for a thousand years, more or less. I can’t guess who might be down in the cave, because folks hereabouts seldom venture in.”