"But, my lad—"
"Tell the truth once in your life!"
"Waal, I owns up," groaned Tim.
It was a severe hardship to do it.
But there was no help for him, he realized.
Jack burst into a hearty peal of laughter.
The sheriff and the Dutchman, inside the stage, had heard all that passed, and they fairly yelled over Tim's discomfiture.
"Nipped that time, Tim," laughed Timberlake.
"Shiminey Christmas, ditn'd he got it by der neck!" grinned Fritz.
"Tell as the rest of the yarn, Tim."