“Bart knows his way in that cavern like it was his own ship,” the old captain replied. “What worries me, Ma’am, is that he’s obsessed with finding out what became of his father. He keeps talking about the siphon, speculatin’ on whether a strong swimmer couldn’t get through. One of these days he may be rash enough to try it.”
“Calico Cave—Hager’s Hole, I mean,” Kathleen corrected herself, “must be a fascinating place. You’ve been in the cave many times I suppose?”
“Aye, in my younger day, I went there right often.”
“Then you must have seen the White Witch!” cried Judy, her brown eyes dancing.
“Aye,” Captain Hager agreed reminiscently. “Aye.” He became absorbed in deep thought.
Judy broke into his meditation to ask how long it would take to reach the formation after one left the cave entrance.
“Ten minutes,” the captain estimated. “It’s easy walkin’. But don’t you gals try it by yourself. If you’re aimin’ to go into that cave, you need a guide.”
“We do, indeed!” cried Judy. She sprang to her feet, seizing the captain’s hand so unexpectedly that he nearly dropped his pipe. “Oh, Captain Hager, will you take us? Please, will you guide us to the White Witch?”