Doc sipped his coffee as he read over the newspaper in the Long Branch.

"Doc," Matt said taking a seat across from him. "Anything good in that paper."

"Not really," Doc said folding it and laying it to the side. "How's things with you?"

"Quiet," Matt said as Sam brought him over a cup of coffee. "Thanks Sam," he said sipping the black brew.

"Your welcome Marshal," the barkeep said returning to the counter. "Ms. Kitty," he said as the woman stepped out of her office.

"Kitty," Matt said as she took a seat next to him.

"Morning cowboy," she said and then turned to Doc. "Your awfully quiet today."

"Funny," Doc said crossing his legs while taking a swipe at his mustache. "That's the same thing Matt said, could it be because Festus is not here."

Kitty smiled as Doc tried to bait them. "So Matt," she said ignoring Doc's comment for the moment. "How about a picnic today?"

"That sounds great," Matt said with a wink.

"Oh sure," Doc said rising. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

"Would you like to go," Kitty asked looking at the old man.

"No, no," he said checking the time. "I've got rounds to make, you two go enjoy yourself."

"Marshal," Newly said rushing though the Long Branch's double doors with a man that none of them had ever seen before.

"What is it Newly," Matt asked rising.

"Marshal, this is Mr. Daniels," Newly said introducing the man as Matt acknowledge his presence with a nod. "He was on the trail between here and Wichita, and he's got a story to tell."

"Alright," Matt said crossing his arms. "What's the story Mr. Daniels?"

"Well Marshal," he said looking from Doc to Kitty, he respectfully removed his hat before speaking. "My family and I were traveling when we happened upon a most troubling scene."

"And what was the trouble," Matt asked waiting impatiently for the man to get to the point.

"Lying there on the trail was a dead man Marshal," Daniels replied softly. "I couldn't be sure about when the man died sir but I was able to ascertain that he was shot."

"Alright Mr. Daniels," Matt said. "I'll have to make a report about it, where's the body now?"

"I buried him sir," the man replied reaching into his pocket. "I took anything off the body that may help you identify who it was. I found this pinned to the vest that the gentleman wore."

Matt hesitated as the man lifted up his hand to reveal a shiny silver badge with the words Deputy US Marshal inscribed on it. "You say it was pinned to a man's vest?" He asked taking the badge.

Kitty gasped as Doc stepped forward to glance at the badge that Matt held. "What did the man look like," Doc asked quietly.

"He was maybe about your height sir," he said looking Doc over. "Not much bigger than you I would say with whiskers."

"It can't be," Kitty said as the man continued.

"I have a few articles of clothing in my wagon if you would like to see them," he said.

"Yes," Matt said slipping the badge into the pocket of his vest. "I think that we should."

The man nodded as he put his hat back on and led the way to where he had parked his wagon outside the Marshal's office.

Opening the back of the wagon, he reached inside and then turned back to Matt. "This is the vest the man wore and his gun belt," he said handing the items to Matt.

Matt sighed as he passed the items over to Doc. "That's Festus gun belt and vest," Doc said evenly. "I would know it any where."

"I also found this not to far from where the body was," Daniels said reaching into the wagon, he pulled out the wide brimmed hat that Festus wore every day.

"Mr. Daniels," Matt said taking the hat. "Could you show me where you buried this man?"

"I'm sorry Marshal, I would like to," the man said gently. "As I said, my family and I are on the move. I could draw you a map."

"Alright," Matt said as Doc stepped forward. "You didn't happen to come across a jack mule did you?"

"No sir," the man replied thoughtfully. "I never saw no mule."

"Come into my office and draw that map," Matt said leading the way.

Kitty stepped up to Doc's side as he ran his hand over the top of Festus hat. "Doc," she said putting her hand on Doc's arm. "It couldn't be Festus."

"I don't know Kitty," Doc said worriedly. "Matt did say Festus went to Wichita to bring back a prisoner. Maybe something happened out there."

"I can't believe it," she said looking at the doctor as Matt and Mr. Daniels stepped out of the jail.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be more help to you," he said shaking Matt's hand. "I certainly hope you can get the answers you need."

"So do I Mr. Daniels," Matt replied as the man climbed into his wagon and drove off.

"Matt," Kitty said as the Marshal joined Doc, Newly and Kitty. "What are you going to do?"

"I'm going out there," he said looking at his friends. "I have to know positively whether the body was Festus and try to figure out what happened to the prisoner he had in his custody."

"I'm going with you," Newly said with a nod.

"Count me in as well," Doc said as Kitty stepped forward.

"I want to go as well," she said as Matt started to protest. "If it is him Matt, we need to bring him home."

Matt nodded as he turned to Newly. "See if Sam and a few of the other men will keep an eye on the town while we're gone, deputize a few if you need to."

"We'll need a buckboard," Doc said as Matt nodded.

"Be ready to leave out in one hour," Matt said as Doc headed over to his office.

"Kitty," Matt said as the woman put her hand up. "Don't try and talk me out of it Matt, if this is Festus, well I want to know."

Matt nodded. "I don't know how long we'll be gone, can you get some supplies."