The deputies led the prisoners down the aisle. Johnny followed Drew out into the bright sunshine of a beautiful June morning.
“So that’s the way they do it?” Johnny said breathlessly.
“It’s the way they do it sometimes,” replied Drew.
“You see,” he went on to explain, “you are a transient witness. You are here now. But if we needed you to appear before a jury as a witness in this case four months from now, would you be in Chicago?”
“Four months is a long time.”
“Sure it is. Ordinarily those fellows would have gone before a grand jury and been held over to the higher courts. They’d been tried by a jury and got three or four years; that is, if you were present. But the judge, knowing you were likely to leave the city, made the best of things and tried them for larceny. He gave them all he could, under the circumstances. They are out of the way for a while at least.
“Well, that’s that!” Drew said a moment later. “Thanks a heap. You made our case for us. You helped us; now it’s up to us to help you find the fellow who battered up your head. Herman McCarthey is in the station now. Let’s go back and see what he’s uncovered.”
Retracing their steps, they walked once more into the lobby of the police station and waited for an up-bound elevator.
CHAPTER IX
CLUES
“It’s queer the way the thing works out.” Sergeant McCarthey looked the two boys squarely in the eyes when Drew Lane asked him how he had progressed with the radio station case.