"Are you alone here?" asked Snap, ignoring the question.

"Suah I is. Say, boys, yo' let me go an' I'll make it all right wid yo'," went on the evildoer, struck by a sudden idea.

"What is your name?" asked Whopper.

"Jeff Thompson."

"Where do you belong?"

"Over to Hamilton."

"What did you do with that gold watch?"

"I ain't said dat I had de watch."

"But we are positive you took it," said Snap "Come, tell us where it is."

"I dun hocked it," was the low answer.