"Well, for Heaven's sake," said Doc, peering out the window of the jail. "Matt, come here, quick! Look at that...I think another Haggen has come to town."
The marshal joined Doc and grinned. A young man was riding up Front Street. This was hardly an unusual sight, but the fellow in question was bareback on a mule, his clothes were tattered, and he chewed a piece of straw about a foot long. Seeing the jail he pulled up and slid off his animal, tying it to the rail. Matt and Doc exchanged a glance and went outside.
"Howdy, stranger," said Matt.
The man looked him over. He was covered with dust but had a nice face and his dark hazel eyes were as bright as a squirrel's. He spat out the straw. "You the lawman in this here town?"
"That's right."
"I heered my cousin Festus was a friend of yourn."
"Oh, so you're a Haggen," said Doc triumphantly.
The stranger glanced at Doc. "Well, 'course I'm a Haggen! Now do you fellers know where I can find my cousin or don'tcha?"
Matt pushed his hat back on his head. "You wouldn't be looking for him to take a shot at him, would you?"
"No." The man smiled, showing very white teeth. "I got me a problem I need some help with and Festus bein' the smart one in the family..."
Doc's eyes widened. "The smart one?"
"Smartest one we ever had, 'ceptin' Grandpa Hawg Haggen."
"Of course," said the old man, running his hand over his face to hide a smile.
Matt cleared his throat. "Well, I don't know where Festus is now but he'll probably be at the Longbranch later on." He pointed to the saloon. "Why don't you stop by when the sun goes down?" The stranger nodded and started to untie his mule and the marshal asked, "If I do see Festus, who should I say is looking for him?"
The man swung up onto the back of his mule in one easy motion and touched his hat brim. "Alibi Haggen at yore service."