Scip, or rather, Chip, adopting the same tactics, replied:

"Honey, I's handlin' dis yeah smoof as cottonseed oil"--whispering,
"what a rascally-looking lot."

The Doctor and Scip were none other than the two detectives. When Chip
reached Kansas City he hunted around for some suitable disguise which
would carry him through in safety. In his perplexity he went to the
chief of police, with whom he was on the most friendly terms, and put
the case before him.

The chief said:

"About seven years ago there used to be an old fraud named Skinner, a
sort of horse-doctor, who stepped somewhat over the line and walked off
with some other fellow's nag. He is now putting in his time at Jefferson
City. He was hale fellow well met with all that gang, especially
Swanson, and I think if you could run down to Jefferson City, put the
case before the warden, you could get pointers from him."

That afternoon Chip was in Jefferson City, and walking over to the
penitentiary, found the warden willing, and Skinner was called to the
visitor's cage,

He had three years more to serve, and, on being told that any service he
could render the State would be taken into account and to his credit, he
gave Chip a minute and detailed description of his costume, manner of
doing business, and brought up many interesting reminiscenses, which
Chip carefully noted.