The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1932-04-22
CHAPTER V--Continded

"There's tho greatest man ever
knew" said Bony. Hes so gor
burned smart an kind O. solemn I'm
always little scairt when he talks
to me-"
IF it's possible to love man, l
love him." Shad answered, but Bony
never praised SO lavishly.
In the morning the boys set out on
the familiar road to Ashfield. They
went behind Doty's barn and back to
the highway. They searched the thick
cts and culverts along that thorough
fare. They came to stone wall on
the east side of the highway. Shad
took one side of the wall and Bony
the other. They looked into every
hole and crevice. They had surveyed
a long stretch Of wall when Bony on
the side toward the fields shouted:
"Here it isl"
He leaped over the wall with the
colored handkerchief and small,
light-colored SLOUGH hat in his hand.
He held them up before him. There
were the eye-holes In the handker-
chief.
There was a touch of awe in the
excitement Of the two boys. Shad
looked off at the river.
"This don't do Bumpy any good"
he remarked "His place is below
here. He might have hid the hat and
the handkerchief and then cut across
to the river and got into his boat"
''But he didn't. You forgit the man
In the broad-brimmed hat. He was
seen away below here. I know it
amt the best place fer these things
4 to be hid, but we can't help that.
Facts Is facts. The murderer went
on down the road, tell ye."
r Bony put the hat and handkerchief
in his coat pocket. They went on
down the road. Bony suggested:
"Supposin' they thought I had killed
Oscar Perry an they come an took
us up an found that hat an banker
chief in my pocket. couldn't prove
no allerby. I was down settin' on the
oil dam all lone studyin' astronomy
an stealin' smoke. heard the
shots. didn't stir cause l thought
Deacon Meriwether was out shootin'
at coon in the his chicken yard. !
didn't come up to the store till !
heard the women bawlin'. I couldn't
prove no allerby."
swell, it washes my hands. I left
the Daytons at just five minutes of
seven by their clock"
"Then / guess you better keep these
things" said Bony as he passed them
to Shad.
They passed the Benson mansions
on their way into town. They were
Just outside the village of Ashfield.
You're better dressed than 1 be-
said Bony. go up an see if you can
find that hired girl. Tell 'em you're a
friend of OIL Bumpy Brown, the tinker,
an that you're tryin' to help him. I'll
bet they know the OF man an his
bird"
Shad dreaded the task but did not
hesitate. Such grandeur as doomed
before him when he neared the lawns,
he had never seen. Shad considered
what he would say to those grand
people. He decided first to speak OF
his friends, E. @. Converse and Col.
0nel Blake. He went to the nearest
of the big houses and rang the bell at
its front door, A servant opened It,
The boy asked for Mr.. Benson. He
explained that he wished to see him
about Bumpy Brown. He was shown
to the library. where sat one of the
distinguished Benson brothers. Shad
trembled with awe when the mar
arose and asked:
"Boy, what can do for your"
The tone of the mans voice was
reassuring. Shad had learned that q
gentleman was welcome anywhere.
"AIy name is Shad Morryson," he
said as he stood bending the visor oil
his cap in his nervous hands. II an
q friend of Z. c. Converse, sir, and Of
Colonel Blake"
"Good! / know them both. Thai
I establishes your standing"
Shad was getting better control Of
his breath. He made new start.
II have been working in the stor,
up at Amity Dam. know Bunny
Brown. He has been arrested for the
murder of Oscar Perry. He is mo-
guilty. SIR"
@Goodl I'd like to agree with you
Give me your reasons"
Mr.. Benson was now deeply inter