--- BitField.java	(revision 1141886)
+++ BitField.java	(working copy)
@@ -71,7 +71,8 @@ 
 
     public int getValue(final int holder)
     {
-        return getRawValue(holder) >> _shift_count;
+		// JQ: cover the high bits with low zero bits
+        return getRawValue(holder) >>> _shift_count;
     }
 
     /**