Page:The House On The Cliff.pdf/112

106 he found what he was looking for—the initials F.H. imprinted in indelible ink on the leather band.

"It's dad's cap, all right."

"I don't like the look of those bloodstains," said Joe, in a low voice. "He must have been badly hurt."

To tell the truth, the inside of the cap gave evidence that the wearer had been severely injured, for the bloodstains were of large extent. The boys examined them gravely.

"Are you sure you found this on the road?" Frank asked doubtfully.

"You don't think I'd lie about it, do you?"

"We can't very well contradict you. I don't mind telling you that we're going to turn this over to the police. This man has disappeared, and by the appearance of this cap he has met with foul play. If you know anything about it you'd better speak up now."

"He doesn't know anything about it," shrilled the woman angrily. "Go away and don't bother us. Didn't he tell you he found the cap on the road? Why should he know anythin' more about it than that?"

"We're going to take the cap with us."

"Take it," snapped Redhead. "I don't want it."

The boys turned away. Nothing further was to be gained by questioning the trio in the yard,