## Movement Pattern: The evidence suggests vertical movement through the house: Kitchen (ground level) → Basement Living Room (ground level) Attic (top level) ## Physical Evidence: The evidence suggests: Footprints near the garlands Cookie crumbs creating a trail No signs of forced entry ## Deduction The pattern suggests someone with: Complete access to the house Knowledge of internal pathways Ability to move freely between floors The Culprit: Given the vertical movement pattern, footprints, and crumb trails, combined with no signs of forced entry, this appears to be an inside job. The "backchimney" theory is likely a red herring - the perpetrator is probably using normal house access points like stairs or hidden passages between floors.