The Wilmington morning star., 1942-06-21
OUT ON BAIL

Hunter Dent gawped at Sheriff
anderson. What do you mean.
Sheriff-burn out the seat of NV
pants? What is all this, anywav?;'
\ Anderson, grinning, unlocked the
cell door. Come along. You'll
know all in good time.''
Hunter followed the officer =
olock along the side street to the
court house. In a few moments
they were with Judge Elkins
Young man." Ju d g Eikins
sala, you are free. Go your way !"
."What-what do you mean9,,
Hunter gasped. Il mean, how did
this happen?"
Your y bond has been posted, and
un!ll your case comes up for trial
you may come and go as you
please" ''0
"But-who went on my bond
Judge Elkins?" Hunter still was
dazed. 80
Your ,bondsman wishes to re.
main anonymous. You are dis
missed"
"Well, what do you know"
Hunter said wonderingly as he
went out into the free, open sun
shlne. He stared all about, a. the
sky, the trees, the busy little citv
Looks good to mel" he muttered
| While in jail looking through his
cell window at the slum section
where the stick-up had been staged
an idea or two had lowered in
Hunters mind. He had thought a
great deal about the questions:
Why the money moving at such A
Time OF night, where was it going
now did Junior know beforehand
the route of the messenger. What
was it all about, anyway? A hy-
pothesls was growing in his mind
Maybe it was far-fetched. But he
was up to his. eyes in the mess,
and 1t was up to him to do all he
could to get out of it.
From the newspaper Hunter had
the place where the girl, Sally XII.
ker, lived. He was remembering
something about Sally, too. When
ne had first read the name it was
oddly familiar to him. Then he
remembered. Sally Kiker was Sam
Doolittle's girl. Sam was the son
OF Squire Doolittle,. the. constable
and owner Of the little store out
Hunters way. Hunter and Dool t.
tie were good friends; and it was
more than likely that Sam Doo.
little was the escort Sally had SC
far shielded. 1t was a lead worth
following.
Hunter made his way there.
Once past the bad corner the
street became somewhat better
and Hunter knocked at the door o1
a small but neat house of recent
FILA vintage. Sally herself came
to the door. She was a buxom
girl, with milkrnaid freshness
she was the authentic thing, in.
stead of the synthetic type that
Red Ballard had been.
Good morning. This is Hunter
Dent, from the Ballard Estates.
You are Miss 'Kiker? May I come
in few moments? I wanted tc
talk with you about the bank-mes.
senger matter" He added quickly,
seeing the swift hostile change that
came upon her. ''I happen to have
been put in Jail charged with that
murder, Miss Kiker. I'm out on
bond now. 1 had no more to do
with that unfortunate matter than
you did. I have to find out all
can about it, because my case will
come up at the winter session Of
criminal court, and-wel, yol car
see how it is with me-" He smiled
his best smile Il know Sam Doc.
little" he added. II know his ia
ther very we'll"
/ well, Mr.. Dent" she smiled.
"Will you come in?"
She had read about him>in the
paper, as he had about her. They
talked of the Doolittles, father and
son. IF you'll call Mr.. Doolittle
and ask about me 1 am sure you
will fell free to help me. What
wanted was for you to tell me ex
II actlV what VOlI saw the other