Beyond they spied the old hotel, a sprawling building with grimy windows and broken shutters. Unpainted in recent years, it had a look of utter abandonment. The foundation had crumbled in many places and the roof sagged. Broken window panes in the upper story windows had not been replaced.
“Why, the place is deserted,” Dan said in disappointment.
“Then why is smoke coming from the chimney?” Brad demanded. Trained as a Scout to be observing, he had noticed the blue-white wisp curling from the rear of the building.
“You’re right. Someone must be there now. Let’s knock.”
They pushed on, circling the old building. Brad rapped on the rear door. There was no answer.
He pounded. Still no one came to the door. Glancing upward, however, Dan fancied he saw a face at a dirt-streaked window almost directly overhead. Before he could be sure, the shadow was gone.
“It’s no use,” Brad said, after rapping again on the door. “Someone must be living here, but the place seems to be deserted now.”
“Either that, or Jabowski’s hiding out. I thought I saw a face at the window.”
“Where, Dan?”
The younger boy indicated the window.