In The Sherlock Society, how can Zoe tell that people have been using the path Lina finds in the Everglades?

• A. Tire tracks
• B. Footprints
• C. Fresh mud
• D. Noise from vehicles

Answer: (A)

Identifying physical signs of people using a path in a natural area hinges on finding clear, lasting traces left behind. Tire tracks are the best clue here because wheels press distinct marks into the ground that persist in mud or dirt and can indicate recent use. Footprints can be washed away by water or obscured by wind or animals, making them less reliable on this kind of terrain. Fresh mud alone just means the ground was disturbed recently, but doesn’t prove who caused it. Noise from vehicles shows that something was there, but it isn’t as concrete as visible, track evidence you can point to and compare. So tire tracks provide the most direct and durable indicator that the path has been used by people.