“That’s an odd name,” observed Arnold.
“I called him that because I traded my watch for him.”
The editor seemed genuinely interested, so Jim told him about the mustang. The boy had been longing to find someone who really wanted to hear about Ticktock’s merits, so he became very enthusiastic. He described how he had traded for the pony and how quickly the horse had learned. Very carefully he avoided mentioning that his father had been angry and was not going to permit him to keep Ticktock permanently.
“Thank you very much,” said Arnold when he had finished taking notes. “Watch for the Gazette on Thursday. Ticktock will be in it. Now I think we all ought to adjourn to the café and have some ice cream and a coke.”
Jim approved of that idea heartily, so the three went across the street to the café. They joined a tall lanky man who was seated in a booth drinking coffee.
“This is Doc Cornby,” said Arnold. “Doc, I want you to meet a young horseman friend of mine, Jim Meadows.”
“How do you do, Jim,” said Dr. Cornby gravely, shaking hands.
“Bob has just been acting as legal counsel for Jim,” continued the editor. “He saved Jim’s horse from the law and also the law from Jim’s horse. For details read your local newspaper when it arrives on the stands Thursday.”
“Doc is a good man to know,” said Morgan to Jim. “He’s the best as well as the only veterinary in town. If there’s anything wrong with your horse, call on him.”
“Oh, Ticktock’s healthy,” said Jim, “but I’ll remember in case anything does happen.”