Page:The House On The Cliff.pdf/111

Rh "You found it?" asked Frank incredulously.

"Sure, I found it. A grey cap—with bloodstains on it."

"That's the one. But why did you hide it when I went into the kitchen?"

"Well, to tell the truth, them bloodstains made me nervous. I didn't know but what there might be some trouble come of it, so I thought I'd better keep that cap out of sight."

"Where did you find it?" Joe demanded.

"About a mile from here."

"On the shore road?"

"Yes. It was lying right in the middle of the road."

"When was this?"

"A couple of days ago—just after we moved in here."

"Let's see the cap," suggested Chet Morton. "We want to make sure of this."

Redhead moved reluctantly toward the kitchen. The woman sniffed.

"I don't see why you're makin' all this fuss about an old cap," she said. "Comin' around at this hour of the day disturbin' honest folk."

"We're sorry to disturb you, ma'am," said Joe. "But this is a serious matter."

Redhead emerged from the house holding the cap in one hand. He tossed it over to the boys. They examined it eagerly.

Frank turned back the inside flap and there