The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1932-04-15
(wNu ssrvies)

towards Ashfeld. He limped like
Bumpy Brown. 1t was SO dark Jack
couldn't see his face. Away down just
above the road that goes into the
village Henry Lockwood comm home
in a hay wagon met man wearin'
q broad-brimmed hat. He was walk
In fast. He had his hat tilted side
ways so Henry couldn't see his face.
The moon was out then. This man
didn't limp. There's q funny thing
about it. He didn't limp. Henry is
sure o. that. 1t was within half
mile of Ashfield an most two mile
below Bumpy's on the other side o.
the river. Henry says 1t was little
after eight o'clock. ss
"'They say that the Bensons' hired
girl passed the same man almost In
the edge o. the village little later,
but l didn't have time to look her up
today. Do We see how it all jibes--
the time an the broad-brimmede hat
an the fast walkin'? Who was this
man with the broad-brimmed hat who
left here right after the murder an
lodged you because you had lantern
an went off the road? Why did he
hide his head behind his hat brim
when Henry Lockwood passed him?
say that was the murderer"
Shad was thrilled by the news that
Bony gave.
In a moment they heard some one
coming up the stairs. Then a rap at
the door. Bony' opened it. Doctor
Gorse-a tall, thin, smooth-shaved,
gray-haired, kindly man, stood before
them.
These two boys had interested the
doctor. Because they needed friend
ship and good counsel the doctor had
sought them out He had been like
a wise father to Shad. He had told
his friends that these boys had good
stuff in them.
He came now and put his hand on
Shad's head and gave it friendly
shake. my young friend, heard
you were here" he said. 81 came over
to tell you not to worry. You'll come
out all right"
He had called to see Mrs. Smithers,
i'll with sick headache and had learned
of Shad's dismissal.
"We're going to see If we can get
Bumpy Brown out Of his trouble" said
Shad "Some one is trying to put this
murder on him."
Bony repeated to the doctor his sus-
picion of the man with the broad
brimmed hat and the circumstances
on which it was founded.
I'm inclined to think you are
right" the doctor began. ut is curl
Gus case I think that the officials
have been misled by strong proba-
bilities. Now in the case of an anna
teur, crude, bungling criminal, proba-
bilities may lead to the truth. But
when you are dealing with an able
offender it is an axiom Of the best
procedure that you must distrust what
ever is probable. 1t will lead you
astray. l think that know the case
Of the district attorney. 1t would
seem to be strong enough to hang
Bumpy Brown unless"
The doctor paused. They waited
but he sat looking downward gravely
and said no more.
"What are we to do?" Shad asked.
"Ill tell you what / would do. I
would follow that broad-brimmed hat
down the road tomorrow morning. If
it was worn by the criminal, he prob
ably hid the colOred handkerchief and
perhaps the hat somewhere on or near
the road. Look in every hole and I'M
der every culvert. Examine the fence
corners and the crevices in the stone
walls. Go and find that hired girl at
the Bensons'. What kind Of a man
was it who passed her in the road
that night? Did he limp? How was
he dressed? Did he wear broad
brimmed hat?"
"Supposing we found the hand
kerchief?" Shad asked.
"Take it to the district attorney
with all the information you have been
able to gather. You know Colonel
Blake. / have heard that he has the
revolver and the bullets discharged in
committing the crime. If this Is true,
tell him that you would like to know
where the revolver came from. No
doubt it came from some store in this
part of the country. Who bought 1t
and when?"
The good man left them.