Part 64 (2/2)

”Perhaps if I were to see Cuneo,” she thought, ”I could persuade him that Mr. Hanscom had no wish to involve Margarita--that her arrest was only, in a way, incidental to Busby's capture.”

She said nothing of this resolution, but sent a note to Throop, requesting him to let Rawlins know that she was ready to bail Hanscom.

”It will be a great injustice if he is held on my account.”

Throop replied in person, for he liked Helen and was eager to do Hanscom a favor. ”Yes,” he said, ”Hans is in jail, but not in a cell, and I think Rawlins will succeed in reaching the judge and so get out the writ this afternoon.”

”Is there not some way for me to help? How much bail is needed?”

”Well, all depends on the judge. The charge the Kitsongs bring is pretty serious. They call it a.s.sault with a deadly weapon, and I'll have to testify that Hans was armed when I came into the sc.r.a.p--and yet Simpson says he left the hotel without his gun--Simpson declares Hanscom said: 'I'm safer without it. I might fly mad and hurt somebody with it!' As I say, I didn't see the beginning of the battle, but when I broke into it, 'peared to me more like a dozen armed men were attacking Hans. They had him jammed up against the wall. He was fighting mad--I must admit that, and later he had a gun. Where he got it, I don't know. However, that shouldn't count against him, for he was only defending himself as any citizen has a right to do.”

”Surely the judge will take that into account?”

”He will; but you see the witnesses are mostly all Abe's friends. And then Hans did begin it--he admits he jolted Abe. However, the case will come up before Brinkley, and he's friendly. He'll do all he can.”

”Could I see him--I mean the judge?”

”Better not. Judges are fairly testy about being 'seen.' It would look bad--especially after it got noised around that you had money to spend on the case.”

”Anyhow, Mr. Rawlins must let me relieve him of the financial part of the burden. It may not be easy for him to sign such a bond.”

”It isn't easy--now, that's the truth,” admitted Throop. ”You see, he's only a young fellow on a salary, and it means a whole lot to a man just starting a home. He might have to pledge his entire outfit.”

”Don't let him do that--he mustn't do that! Tell him that I will a.s.sume all the hazard.”

Throop extended a big paw in a gesture of admiration and his throat needed clearing before he spoke. ”You're all _right_!” he said. ”Hans is in big luck to have you on his side.”

She submitted to his grip with a fine glow in her face. ”I _must_ be on his side, for he has been on my side all along. He was the one soul in all this land that I could trust.”

Throop's statement concerning Rawlins was right. To put up a thousand-dollar bond was a serious matter. It meant pledging his whole fortune, and the case was made the more serious by reason of the probable disapproval of the district office, and yet he liked Hanscom too well not to do all he could for him. Hanscom, who realized quite clearly his former chief's predicament, urged him not to sign.

”The office won't like it, Jack--especially as I have quit the work.”

They were in the midst of a heated discussion of this point (in Throop's office) when the sheriff returned from his interview with Helen. He entered wearing a broad smile.

”I've got something for you, Mr. Supervisor. I've got you a date with the handsomest girl in the county.”

Rawlins remained calm. ”There's only one girl in the world for me, and she's in Cambria, getting supper for me. However, I'm interested. Who is the lady?”

Throop dropped his humorous mask. ”Miss McLaren wants to see you. She's fairly anxious about Hans--wants to go on his bond with you, or instead of you.”

Hanscom gazed at the sheriff in silence, but Rawlins exclaimed: ”Bless the girl! That's fine of her, but does she realize what going on this bond means?”

”She does, and she's willing to back Hans with two thousand dollars if necessary.”

Rawlins, frankly astonished, asked: ”Two thousand dollars! Has she got it?”

”She has, and a good deal more. Willing of the First National has been in touch with her people back East, and apparently there's no end to what they're ready to do for her. Somebody, a brother or cousin, has come to her rescue like a savings-bank. Hans, you do beat the devil for luck. I was ready to congratulate you before--now I am just plumb, low-down envious.”

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