The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City shall have the power at any time to take bail when authorized by the Court, whether the Court is in session or not, and although the defendant is not present or does not join in the recognizance, but in all cases, before bail is taken by the Clerk, the Court shall fix the amount thereof. P.L.L., 1915, §278A 1927, §278A 1930, §278A 1938, §358 1949, §185 1969, §22-13 1898, ch. 138, §207A 1986, ch. 345