one and then another of his friends.

"Might do that," answered Jack. "But the Lodge is shut up, you know; the
Fords are at their city home for the winter."

"Well, we can run up that way anyway," said Pepper. "One place is as
good as another."

The course of the iceboat was slightly changed, and in less than a
quarter of an hour they swept up to the dock attached to Point View
Lodge. The sails were lowered and they went ashore to stretch their
legs, for sitting on the iceboat rather cramped them.

"Might as well take a look around the Lodge while we are here,"
suggested Jack.

"Is there a caretaker here?" asked Andy.

"I don't think so, but there may be."

The four youths walked through the snow in the direction of the mansion,
which was set among some heavy trees.

"Hello, what is that, an animal track?" asked Jack, pointing to a trail
among the trees.

"Looks more like human footprints to me," replied Pepper.

"Then somebody must be here."

"Funny the trail leads from the side fence," came from Andy. "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. If he is, we must catch him and
turn him over to the authorities!"

"Have we a right to enter the house?" questioned Andy.

"I am sure Mr. Ford would want us to do so, Andy."

"I guess you are right. But be careful, Jack, that fellow, whoever he
is, may be a desperate character."

"Perhaps he isn't here now," said Fred. "He may have looted the place
and skipped."

"I'll soon see," cried Jack. "Pepper, do you want to go in with me? You
other fellows might stay on guard."

"Sure, I'll go in," answered The Imp.