"If it was some person who belonged here why wouldn't he come from the road or the dock ?" "Maybe it was easier to come that way than by the road, right after the snow fell," suggested Pepper.
They walked forward to the mansion and saw that the trail led to the back door and then around to a side window.
"Hello! I don't like this!" exclaimed Jack.

"What would a person be doing at the side window ?" "Try the window ?" suggested Fred.

They had already tried the door, to find it locked.
Jack stood on a flat rock that was handy and took hold of the lower sash.

Much to his surprise it went up with ease.
"It's open!" he exclaimed.

"Do you know what I think?
I think somebody came here and got into the house by this window!" "A tramp, perhaps," said Fred.
"Or a burglar!" vouchsafed Andy.
"Do you think he is in the house now ?" asked Pepper.
"That is something for us to find out.