"Where this stick is," came back more clearly now.

And it suddenly struck Fred that the water was not pouring out in quite
so great a volume. But for the moment he could not see the stick for
the foam. Directly after, though, he made out where it was being moved
to and fro, exactly on a level with the surface of the lake.

"I'm coming back now," cried Scarlett; and his voice was plainly heard,
after which Fred sat watching the water, rapidly draining away with less
and less violence, till he heard a shout, answered it, and soon after
Scarlett came along, forcing his way through the hazels till he reached
the edge of the lake, and, by the help of one of the boughs of the
birch, swung himself lightly into the boat, and began looking curiously
at the opening, nearly hidden by the growth, through which the water
still poured.

"No wonder we could not find the place," he said, as he at once placed
the right construction on the presence of the water; "and, do you know,
all that could not have come from the lake."

"Where could it have come from, then?"

"It must have drained in by degrees from the sides in wet weather, and
the stones at the end dammed it up, so that it couldn't get away."

"Nonsense! The water would have pushed the stones down."

"It did, as soon as I pushed too. The wall was only just strong enough
before."

"I tell you it must have run in from the lake."

"It couldn't, Fred. The bottom of the passage is higher; and when I
came out the water was only just over my shoes. By to-morrow you see if
it isn't drained right out. There, you see, it has pretty well stopped
now."

Scarlett was quite right, for the water was now flowing out silently,
and in very small volume.

"Well, we will not argue about it," said Fred. "Perhaps you're right,
but I don't think you are. Anyhow, we've found the way in, and you
couldn't have done it without me."

"No; nor you without me, Fred."

"No; and I say--Oh!"

"What's the matter?"

"Don't I want my breakfast."

"Yes; it must be nearly time. Come up and have some with me."

Fred shook his head.

"No," he said. "Your father did not seem to want me there last night."

"Nonsense!"

"Oh no, it was not. You come home with me. What's that?"

Scarlett listened, for there was a rustling and crashing noise, as of
some animal forcing its way down through the hazel stubs to get to the
edge of the lake to drink.

They waited breathlessly as the soun