On a night patrol around two in the morning, Tim Jamieson noticed two boys with knapsacks and lunchboxes walking west on Main Street. He identified them as the Bilson twins, Robert Bilson and Roland Bilson, who were angry at their parents for refusing to take them to the Dunning Agricultural Fair because of poor grades.

The twins insisted their grades were mostly Cs and that they had been promoted, and they planned to reach the fair at opening to get jobs as "roundabouts" (which Tim knew they meant as roustabouts). Tim told them no one would hire twelve-year-olds and warned they would likely be detained in a so-called Dollar Jail on the midway until their parents arrived, possibly becoming a spectacle for fairgoers.

Chastened, the twins listened as Tim instructed them to return home immediately. He promised to follow behind to ensure they did not change their minds and asked how they had gotten out of the house. When Roland said they had used a window, Tim told them to reenter the same way and suggested their parents might never know if they were quiet.

When Robert asked if Tim would tell their parents, Tim said he would keep quiet unless they tried it again, adding that he would even lie about them sassing him if necessary to deter future attempts. He then shadowed them back, boosting each boy through the open window.

Tim waited briefly to see if any lights came on inside, which would indicate discovery, but the house remained dark. Satisfied that the boys were safely home and undetected, he resumed his rounds.