Barry worked on the limb with a sharp, long-handled ax, and soon the pile of stovewood mounted beside him. After a time he paused to rest, leaning on the handle of the ax. The vigorous exercise had made him feel warm. His eyes traveled over to the lodge, and he scanned the place with interest, until one fact struck him forcibly. Quickly he straightened up.
His gaze was fastened upon an upper window in the low loft space of the lodge. This window was partly open, and, as Barry looked, a certain conviction came to him.
“It’s a queer thing about that window. I’ve looked over there several times, and I can positively testify that it wasn’t open before!”
CHAPTER IX
Inside the Haunted Lodge
Barry lifted the ax and with a single swing of his arm imbedded it in the side of the tree limb. Then he stepped to the door of the cabin and glanced inside. Mac was stacking the dishes up, and the other two boys were just coming out of the lean-to kitchen.
“Come here a minute,” Barry called to them. Mac lingered to finish his work.
When they had joined him at the door, he pointed toward the lodge. “See anything strange about the place?” he asked.
Mac joined them in the doorway, and they gazed at the hunting lodge. “Looks the same as ever to me,” Tim said.
“No, there is a window half open,” Kent cried, pointing.
“That is just what I wanted you to see,” Barry told them. “Did any of you notice that it was open before this?”