“How about the windows?” inquired Penny.
“I don’t rightly remember,” Jake confessed. “I reckon they’re stuck fast.”
Penny went over and tested one of the windows. While it was not locked, she could not raise it with her injured arm. Sara tried without any better luck.
However, as the girls examined the one on the opposite side of the tool house, they discovered that it raised and lowered readily. Tiny pieces of wood were chipped from the outside sill, showing where a blunt instrument had been inserted beneath the sash.
“This is where the person entered, all right,” declared Penny.
“I can’t understand who would wish to injure us,” said Sara in a baffled voice. “You’re not known here at Pine Top, and I have no enemies to my knowledge.”
“Mrs. Downey has them. There are persons who would like to see her out of business. And our bob-sledding parties were growing popular.”
“They were taking a few guests away from the big hotel,” Sara admitted slowly. “Still, it doesn’t seem possible—”
She broke off as Penny reached down to pick up a small object which lay on the floor beneath the window.
“What have you found?” she finished quickly.