The pounding on the door roused Jacob Wheeler from a deep sleep. Stumbling out of bed, he reached for his robe in the dark room.
"I'm coming, I'm coming, for God's sake! This had better be good!" The pounding was accompanied by shouts as he fumbled his way to his front door.
"Jake! Get up!"
He jerked the door open. Sheriff Ed Eberly stood in the dim light of a street lamp.
"Jesus Christ, Ed! You're going to wake the whole town! What's so important that you've got to drag me out of bed in the middle of the night?"
"Sorry to wake you, Jake, but when I tell you who I've got in my jail, you'll be glad I did."
"I doubt it. But now that I'm awake, you might as well come in." He struck a match to a light as Eberly entered and closed the door behind him.
"Alright," said Wheeler. "Tell me who you've got that's worth my getting out of a nice soft bed."
"I've got Kid Curry himself. In the flesh." Eberly grinned as Wheeler's jaw dropped. It wasn't often you could shock Wheeler. He always seemed to be one step ahead of everyone else.
"I don't believe it."
"Believe it, Jake. It's him."
"How are you so sure, Ed? Have you ever seen him before?"
Eberly shook his head. "No. Well, yes. Oh come on, Jake," he said, noting Wheeler's expression. "I saw him once from a distance. But I'm sure this is him. Not only does this man fit the description, but I had word a few days ago out of Portland to watch out for him. He was involved in that mess in The Dalles last week. Did you know that?" Wheeler shook his head.
"Anyway. Seems he had a few drinks too many in Portland a couple days ago, and got to bragging about his reputation. Somebody there had half a brain and went straight to the sheriff, but Curry lit out. We were notified that he might be running this way."
"That's not enough to prove this man is Curry, Ed, and you know it. There've been plenty of sightings over the years, and nothing came of any of them. Reports of his being in the area aren't enough to prove you're holding the one and only Kid Curry."
"For God's sake, Jake, it's him. And he's not denying it, by the way. He wants a lawyer, and you're always telling me how you understand criminals. Do you want the chance to defend Kid Curry or don't you?"
Wheeler considered. "He got any money to pay for a lawyer?"
"You're a born lawyer alright, Jake. Yeah, he's got money, a couple hundred. Claims he won it playing poker. "
"Alright, Ed, I'll be over as soon as I get dressed. And try to keep this quiet, will you? I don't want a bunch of newshounds crowding me out of there before I get to talk to this man."
"Why do you think I came over now, Jake? Everybody in town's asleep. Just get yourself over there, and you can thank me later. This'll make you famous!"
Wheeler closed the door quietly. He listened to the sheriff's footsteps fade away as he walked down the wooden sidewalk back towards the jail, and he thought about Eberly's words. He'd already been famous, once. The last thing he wanted was to be famous again.