"Have they got the best of some one else?" asked Timberlake.
"Yes; the evening paper contains an account of a clever check swindle they played on the Wrightstown Bank, by duping Jack Wright, the most respected young citizen in this town."
"How long have they been gone?"
"They departed a few minutes after you went up here at noon."
"Do you know which way they went?"
"The paper says they boarded a westbound train."
"In that case they've given me the slip again."
"Why did they treat you this way?"
"I am the sheriff of Clay County, Missouri, and they were Jesse and Frank James, the notorious bandits, and three of their gang."
"Good heavens! and I harbored them here!"