“Sheriff Daniels claims he has documentary proof,” Jerry admitted. “He won’t produce it though, and I have a sneaking suspicion that he may be bluffing.”
“Then you think he wants to convict Clem Davis whether or not he’s guilty?”
“He wants to end the case just as quickly as he can, Penny. The November elections aren’t far away. If this night rider story gets a start, the dear public might turn on him, demanding action or his job.”
“Do you think there actually is such an organization as the Black Hoods, Jerry?”
“I do,” he returned soberly. “After talking with the Prestons and Mrs. Davis, I’m convinced they could tell quite a bit about it if they were willing to furnish evidence.”
It pleased Penny that Jerry’s opinion so nearly coincided with her own. Eagerly she told him of her own talk with Mrs. Davis, mentioning that someone had been hiding in the cornfield near the cabin.
“What time was that?” Jerry asked, stopping the car at a traffic light.
“Shortly after twelve o’clock.”
“Then it couldn’t have been Sheriff Daniels or his deputies,” the reporter declared. “I was at the county office talking to them about that same time.”
“It might have been Clem Davis,” Penny suggested. “I’m sure his wife knows where he is hiding.”