TWO days had elapsed since Bart Ranieau had been brought out of Calico Cave suffering from shock, but otherwise unharmed by his thrilling explorations.

Long hours of sleep and plenty of food had restored him to his former peak of health. But as his strength returned, he became restless and pestered hospital officials until at last they dismissed him.

Almost immediately, Bart sought Judy and Kathleen at Pine Cone Camp to thank them for saving his life.

Word spread like wildfire that the young explorer had arrived and soon the daring young man was surrounded by Girl Scouts who teased him to tell the story of his adventure.

“Start at the very beginning,” Judy urged. “Don’t leave out anything.”

“That’s a large order, but I’ll try,” grinned Bart. “Well, I’d made up my mind to try the siphon. I didn’t tell anyone, because I knew if I did, the authorities would try to stop me.”

“I left my shoes and shirt on the ledge because I couldn’t be burdened with them in swimming. I reasoned too, that if I got through, wet clothes wouldn’t help keep me warm. So I stripped to my trunks.”

“How long was the siphon?” inquired Betty Bache, who had joined the group of intent listeners.

“Long enough,” Bart said grimly. “The first one wasn’t so bad.”

“Then there was more than one?” inquired Ardeth Packett.

“Two of them. I waded at first. The water finally came up to my neck and then over my nose. When I couldn’t walk, I dived.”

“Weren’t you scared to death?” Virginia Cunningham asked with a shiver.

“I sure was,” Bart admitted. “I knew I might find water to the ceiling for an indefinite distance ahead. Anyway, I decided to chance it. I took a great deep breath and plunged through.”

“What happened?” questioned Beverly Chester breathlessly.

“The first barrier was astonishingly easy. I was through it in less than a minute and was able to wade again. My only light was a container of matches carried in the top of my bathing cap. Ahead I could see another siphon.”

“You were reckless to go on,” Kathleen chided.

“Maybe,” Bart acknowledged, “but it would have been very nearly as hard to have gone back. I hoped I’d find where the cave came out.”

“Tell us about the second siphon,” Judy urged. “It was a tricky one, I’m here to report. I don’t know how long I was underwater, but it seemed a minute and a half. My lungs were bursting when finally I emerged. But it was worth it!”

“What did you find?” demanded Beverly.

“A hall filled with the most beautiful formations I’ve ever seen.”

“Better than the White Witch and those chambers before one gets to the siphon?” Judy asked.

“Oh, a thousand times better! I stood there speechless and in awe, dazzled by the glitter of so much crystal. For a little while, I lost all count of time. It seemed unreal.”

“Go on,” Kathleen urged, as Bart became lost in his own memories.

“Those stalactites and stalagmites were fantastic beyond description,” Bart told the Scouts. “There were animal shapes, and statue-like figures—one a woman with a bridal veil. Why, if steps can be built down from Calico Cottage, everyone can see the chamber! Krumm will make more money opening up the cave than he ever could do renting the cottage.”

“While you were down there, you didn’t solve the mystery of Calico Cave’s ghost, did you?” Judy asked. “You didn’t meet our little boy with the flute?”

“I certainly did,” Bart replied. “The explanation for those flute noises is simplicity itself. One of the roof formations takes the shape of a long hollow tube. Each time water drops through the tube onto the floor, it produces the musical note.”

“Did you realize how close you were to the basement of Calico Cottage?” Judy next asked the young explorer.

“I thought I might be somewhere near, but I couldn’t be sure. One loses all sense of direction under ground. I tried to climb, but the rocks were straight up, and I couldn’t get a grip.”

“When you first came out of the cave, you spoke of your father,” Kathleen said, rather reluctant to remind Bart of a painful subject.

“Yes, I know now what became of him,” he answered. “My father didn’t drown as we thought. He made both of the siphons just as I did.”

“Then he was trapped in the chamber and unable to signal anyone.”

“I’m not sure if he tried or had the strength to signal,” Bart responded. “I found the skeleton and a note, only part of which I’ve been able to read. My dad had a heart attack. He wasn’t too expert as a swimmer, and the exertion together with the excitement of his discovery, may have brought on a sudden attack. It must have taken him fast.”

“But there was no escape from the chamber?” Virginia probed. “No way back?”

“Of that I’m not sure either,” Bart returned. “It would take a hardy swimmer to swim against the current. I think I might have made it. I was turning the thought over, trying to decide what to do. I’d about made up my mind that if no help came, I’d attempt it before my strength left me.”

“Does the cave have no exit except through the cottage foundation?” Ardeth next interposed a question. “What becomes of the underground river?”

“It empties into the brook which flows into the river,” Bart explained. “But no one can follow the course of the underground stream farther than I went. The way beyond is barred by solid rock.”

The young explorer spent more than an hour at camp, telling the Scouts many interesting facts about caves in general.

All the girls were envious of Judy and Kathleen because they had viewed so many of the beautiful formations.

“The most breath-taking sights are in the chamber directly under Calico Cave,” Bart said. “There’s no reason why a ladder or steps can’t be built down there, so everyone can view them. I am to talk to Mr. Krumm today and see what can be done. It’s a cinch he can’t rent his cottage without extensive repairs, and it would pay him to open up the cave instead.”

Since the tearing down of the cottage foundation wall, Miss Meadows had not been able to stay in the dwelling. She had taken a room at the hotel for one night, and after that Mr. Krumm had transferred her to another one of his cottages, directly on Morning Glory Lake.

Surprisingly, the real estate man had announced that Miss Meadows might have the place rent free.

“You’ve had a rugged time of it at the other cottage,” he acknowledged. “You deserve a couple of peaceful weeks.”

The girls correctly surmised that Mr. Krumm’s generosity was occasioned by a belated realization that Calico Cave had great commercial possibilities.

They were entirely right. In the week that followed, the real estate man bolstered up the cottage foundation again, converting the building into an office where admission tickets could be sold.

He then had carpenters construct a stairway down to the fairyland chamber, one which would serve temporarily until a more permanent installation could be made.

Sometime prior to the day on which the public was to given its first view of the cave, Mr. Krumm visited Pine Cone Camp to present a check to Judy.

“Why, what is this?” she asked in astonishment. “Is it a contribution for the Girl Scouts?”

“You may consider it as such as you want to,” he said. “It’s your bonus for solving the mystery of the Calico Cottage ghost.”

“That was easy because I had scientific helpers,” Judy laughed. “I think Bart and Captain Hager deserve the money even more than do the Scouts.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Mr. Krumm said a bit grimly. “They’ll have a share of the profits from the cave operation. Bart saw to that. He convinced me that I couldn’t manage the place without them around to look after things.”

“In that case, I’ll accept the check,” Judy decided. “Not for myself though. I’ll give it to Pine Cone Camp. Perhaps the money can be used to bring some girl to camp who otherwise couldn’t afford to come.”

Before departing, Mr. Krumm invited all the Scouts to a preview of the cave chamber.

“Oh, wouldn’t it be fun if we could have our Court of Awards ceremony there!” Judy exclaimed. “Could we, Mr. Krumm?”

“It’s all right with me,” he said. “The electric lights will be in by the end of the week.”

Judy spoke at once to the camp director about her plan. At first, Miss Lubell was somewhat hesitant, but after personally inspecting the cave room and the facilities which had been provided for the public, she became as enthusiastic as Judy over the prospect of holding a ceremony in the fairyland chamber.

The night set for the affair finally arrived. The Scouts enjoyed a picnic supper at the cottage grounds, after hiking to the site. Afterwards, with Bart and Captain Hager acting as guides, they descended to the underground chamber.

Electric lights, skillfully placed, gave the colorful formations ethereal effects which were quite breathtaking. The Scouts named many of the figures, giving them such titles as the Indian Oven, Woman with a Hood, the Cathedral, and Phantom Hands.

The spell of enchantment was still upon the girls as they took formation for the Court of Awards ceremony.

Miss Lubell personally presented special achievement badges to all the Scouts who had earned them. Judy, Kathleen, Ardeth, Virginia, and the other members of Beaver Patrol won honors in many fields, for dramatics, in swimming, health and for safety achievements.

Then Miss Lubell announced that for Judy and Kathleen, there was to be a special award. An expectant hush fell upon the group.

Amazed and rather embarrassed to be singled out for particular attention, the two Beaver Patrol girls stepped forward to receive the badges.

As Miss Lubell held them up, everyone burst into laughter. As a joke, the Scouts of Lone Tree had fashioned two huge medals of tin. On their face, in large letters, they had painted: “Explorer.”

“Just a little memento of your exciting summer, Judy,” Ardeth assured her. “You know, wherever you go, you seem to stir up fun and adventure.”

“All of the Scouts do,” Judy corrected. “Kathleen certainly did as much as I to earn her tin medal!”

“I just followed in your footsteps,” Kathleen laughed. “Anyway, we shouldn’t get the credit for producing forest fires or hi-jackers. Caves are our specialty.”

“Here’s hoping you find more and better ones,” Ardeth chuckled, fastening the huge tin medal to Judy’s Scout uniform. “Or is that possible?”

“We never could discover a more thrilling cave than Calico,” Judy replied earnestly.

“But you’ll try!” Ardeth teased.

Judy shook her head. Her eyes twinkled as she answered, “No, I promise you I’ve had enough of stalagmites and stalactites for one summer. From this hour forward, I’m spending all my idle hours at Pine Cone Camp!”

Transcriber’s Note:

Perceived typographical errors have been corrected.