MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 3401

same to be invalid. Real property sold for taxes may be redeemed by
the owner, or by any person having an interest in or lien thereon, prefer-
ence being given to the record owner of said land, at any time within two
years from the date of the sale, by paying to the Treasurer the sum of
money paid by the tax purchaser at the sale, together with interest at the
rate of fifteen per centum per annum from the day of the sale, and also
the amount of all taxes, general or special, paid by the purchaser, his
heirs or assigns, after the date of the sale, with interest at the same rate
from the date of such payment. The Treasurer shall deliver to the person
making the redemption a certificate of redemption, and shall enter the
same with the name of the person so redeeming on his. record, and shall
keep in a separate fund all moneys received by way of redemption, to be
paid without interest to the tax purchaser, their heirs or assigns, upon the

delivery to him of their certificates of purchase. If real property sold
for taxes be not redeemed within two years from the date of the sale, the
Mayor shall, on presentation of the certificate of purchase and the pay-
ment of the amount of taxes then due, execute in the name of the town,
and deliver a deed conveying to the purchaser, his heirs or assigns, the
property described in the certificate, such deeds shall vest in the grantee
an absolute estate in fee simple, free from all liens or incumbrances what-
ever, except liens for State, County or Municipal taxes; such deeds shall
be prima facie evidence in all courts that the proceedings prior. to the

execution and delivery, including the assessment and levy of the taxes,
were regularly and validly taken; that the land was subject to taxation,

that the taxes had not been paid before the sale, that the property had not
been redeemed and that the deed vested in the grantee an absolute title,
according to its tenor. The town of Gaithersburg is hereby authorized
and empowered to purchase any property offered for sale for the payment

of taxes, provided it shall not bid a sum greater than the taxes in arrears
upon said property and the interest and expenses of sale and costs and
fees, and the same shall be reported as hereinbefore provided, as sold to
the Town of Gaithersburg, which said Town of Gaithersburg shall be
treated and considered the same as any other purchaser. If any person
claiming title under a tax deed made as, hereinbefore provided, shall be
defeated in any suit or proceedings by or against him for the recovery of
the land purporting to be conveyed by such tax deed, the successful claim-
ant shall be adjudged to pay him the full amount paid by the purchaser,
at the tax sale, with interest, at the rate of fifteen (15) per centum per
annum on the total amount thus paid, also the amount of all taxes, State,
County or Municipal, general or special, paid by the purchaser, his heirs

or assigns after the date of the certificate of purchase, and interest there-
on, at six (6) per centum per annum; this judgment shall be a lien on
the land in controversy. The Treasurer shall immediately after the re-
demption of any property, certify the said redemption to the Clerk of
the Circuit Court of Montgomery County, and the said Clerk shall record
the same according to the customs now pursued in said office.