3658 ARTICLE 16.

the tax purchaser at the sale with interest thereon at the rate of fifteen
per centum per annum from the day of the sale, and the amount of all
taxes, municipal, State or county, general or special, or assessments, paid
by the purchaser, his heirs or assigns, with interest at the same rate from
the date of such payment.

(K) The Treasurer shall deliver to the person making the redemption
a certificate of redemption; and shall keep in a separate fund all moneys
received by way of redemption, to be paid, without interest, to the tax;
purchaser, his heirs or assigns upon the delivery to him of their certifi-
cates of purchase.

(L) If real property sold for taxes be not redeemed within two years
from the date of sale, the Mayor shall, on presentation of the certificate
of purchase, and the payment of the amount of taxes and cost of convey-
ance then due, execute, in the name of the town, and deliver a deed convey-
ing to the purchaser, his heirs or assigns, the property described in the
certificate. Such deed shall vest in the grantee an absolute estate in fee
simple, free from all lien or encumbrances whatever, except liens for
State, county or municipal taxes. Such deed shall be prima facie evi-
dence in all courts that all the proceedings prior to its execution and de-
livery, 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.

(M) If any person claiming title under a tax deed made as hereinbe-
fore provided, shall be defeated in any suit or proceeding by or against
him for the recovery of the land purporting to be conveyed by such tax;
deed, the successful claimant shall be adjudged to pay him the full amount
paid by the purchaser at the tax sale, with interest at the rate of fifteen
per centum per annum on the total amount thus paid, also to the amount
of all taxes and assessments, State, county and municipal, general or spe-
cial, paid by the purchaser, his heirs or assigns, after the date of the
certificate of purchase, and interest thereon at six (6) per centum per
annum. Such judgment shall be a lien on the land in controversy.

(N) Any person or persons holding a certificate of taxes representing
the purchase at State and county tax sale in either Montgomery or Prince
George's County of any property advertised for delinquent taxes due the
Town of Takoma Park, Maryland, and covering the same fiscal year, upon
presentation of said certificate to the Town Treasurer and payment to
him of the amount of such advertised delinquent taxes on or before the
day of sale (in case such taxes have not been paid) shall be entitled to
and issued a certificate of taxes by the Town Treasurer. Said certificate
of taxes shall be evidence of the purchase of said property in accordance
with the provisions of this section and shall entitle the holder to all the
rights and privileges thereof.