Guess the Weight Mystery Chapter One
How it happened.
Later the day of the Fair, the partners realised that they couldn't stay in town that night. Every hotel and boarding house was filled to overflowing. Provisioning themselves, they rode a little out of town to a nice spot and set up camp. The Kid had bought himself a cheese sandwich to tide him over until supper was ready. Not exactly a starter, more of an amuse bouche perhaps? With Heyes tending the fire, the Kid was munching away when both looked up at the sound of horses coming along the road at speed. Hands straying to their right sides, they got to their feet. The sheriff and several of his companions skidded to a halt and dismounted quickly.
"Get 'em boys," the sheriff ordered, gun already drawn. "Okay you two are under arrest. Get those hands up!"
With a glance at each other, they had no choice but to do as asked. They kept their hands up as men quickly whisked their guns from their holsters.
"What's this all about Sheriff?" Heyes inquired.
"Ya under arrest."
"For what?"
"Hey!" the Kid protested, the sandwich he was holding, plucked from his hand. "That's my supper!"
"Nope. It's evidence that's what that is."
"Ev .. evidence? Owh!" The Kid winced at his arms pulled behind his back.
"Evidence for what, sheriff?" Heyes gave a similar wince at the same treatment on him.
"Stealing the wheel of cheese from the Guess the Weight stall."
The partners swopped glances. They must be dreaming. This was too bizarre to be real!
"Someone stole it?" Heyes' eyes were out on stalks.
"That's right. Took right out from under ole Jacob's nose. Turned round to talk to the Widda Norman an' when he turned back it was gone. Like it vanished intake thin air! Darnedest thing."
"What makes you think WE took it?" Heyes said first to recover.
"You were showing interest in it."
Heyes grinned widely. "Well sheriff that's 'cos it was a Guess the Weight stall. You HAVE to show interest to be ABLE to guess the weight!"
"Yeah us and half the town," the Kid added.
"So if you'll just remove these here binds we'll be on our way. No harm done," Heyes said, smiling pleasantly.
"Nope, can't do that. Not when I find ya in possession of the evidence." The sheriff gestured with the half-eaten sandwich.
"I BOUGHT that from the café!"
The Kid's appeal fell on deaf ears. Before they knew it, both were on their horses and on the way back to town.
In the jail and secure in a cell, the deputy undid the binds.
"Say Deputy?" Heyes called.
"Yeah?"
"There's a book in my saddlebags. Any chance I could have it?" The deputy looked doubtful. "Y'know pass the time 'till we get this sorted out."
The deputy looked at the sheriff for instruction. He shrugged. On his desk were the boys' saddlebags, placed there by another of the posse.
"Don't see why not. This yours?" His hand went to the buckle of the top pair and Heyes nodded. "I'll have to check it y'know."
Heyes pursed his lips. "Go right ahead. Nothing to hide."
"Except for his dirty socks. Watch out for them. They'll blow ya head off!" the Kid grinned and then sobered when he saw the look Heyes was giving him. He shrugged. "What? Jus' looking out for my fellow man."
Heyes smacked his lips.
Exercising extreme caution the sheriff dug into saddlebags and found the book in question. He leafed through the pages and shook it vigorously until he was sure there was nothing secreted inside. Frowning at the cover, he brought it over.
"The Murders in the Rue Morgue by Edgar Allan Poe. That's a little highbrow Mr Smith," he said, passing it through the bars.
Heyes grinned widely. "Thanks Sheriff. It's a real good book. Let you borrow it after I've finished with it."
He swung his feet up and settled on his bunk, casually flicking through the book until he found his place near the end. Then sniffed contently and settled down to read.
The Kid gave a groan and settled down on HIS bunk to sleep under his hat.
ASJASJASJASJ
And now …
Heyes grinned and put out a hand to touch the Kid's arm. That man removed his hat and turned his head to look at his partner. Seeing Heyes' grinning face, he raised his eyebrows. Heyes nodded and inclined his head in the direction of the gently snoring deputy. The Kid grinned and started to move as Heyes reached down and extracted his knife from his boot.
The Kid acted as a shield in case the deputy woke and to mute somewhat any noise Heyes might make. It didn't take long and Heyes was slowly opening the cell door. He winced slightly when it grated. They both glanced fearfully at the deputy, who just smacked his lips and turned his head, before settling again.
"I'll be a couple of hours," Heyes whispered, putting on his hat. The Kid nodded as Heyes slipped out. A nervous minute as Heyes relocked the cell from the outside this time and he was on his way, tiptoeing to the door. With a brief wave, he was gone.
The Kid settled once more on his bunk and placed his hat over his face. He was nearly asleep when … .
"Wowh!"
Under his hat, the Kid smiled. The deputy was awake! The Kid listened as the deputy recovered from his start. Heard the chair settle again and then feet hit the floor with a thud.
"What?"
As feet in a panic quickly travelled across the floor to the cell, the Kid removed his hat.
"Somethin' wrong, Deputy?" he asked innocently.
The deputy spluttered, sleep muddled brain unable to articulate words. He pointed at the empty bunk.
"Ooh, where's Mr Smith?" the Kid said, in fake astonishment, sitting up.
"That's … that's what I wanna know!"
"Well … ." The Kid pulled back the blanket to see if Mr Smith was there. It was obvious even to Ludlow's finest that he wasn't. "Not there, deputy." He peered under the bunk and then his own. "Not there either." Now on his feet he shrugged at the open-mouthed deputy.
"Where's he gone?"
"How do I know? I've been sleep." Just like you deputy he could have added. "Perhaps he went for a walk?" The Kid rattled the cell door, proving that it was locked. "Perhaps … ." He stroked his chin and took on a thinking face. "He vanished inta thin air!"
The deputy groaned. "I've gotta get the sheriff. Jus' … don't YOU go anywhere!"
"Nope. Weren't plannin' on goin' anywhere, deputy." He settled on his bunk again. "I'll be right here when ya get back."
The deputy made a bolt for the door and the Kid grinned. He didn't want to be in HIS boots for the next little while.
The Kid was just dropping off again when the street door opened with force.
"See Sheriff I tol' ya he ain't there!"
"I cen see that! What ya done with him?" Without waiting for an answer, he turned on the Kid. "Where is he? Where'd he go?"
"Beats me sheriff. When we woke up, he was gone."
"Gone? Jus' like that?" the sheriff roared.
The Kid shrugged. "It would appear so."
"How'd he get out?" He turned on his deputy. "D'ya leave this door unlocked?"
The deputy shook his head furiously as the Kid rattled the door, still locked.
"Where'd he go?"
The Kid shrugged. "How should I know? He jus' wasn't here when WE woke up that's the nub of it."
The sheriff looked at the Kid suspiciously. It took a few moments to digest what the Kid had said. "WE? WE!" He looked at the deputy who took a step back. "WE! Darn it Elmo you were asleep weren't ya?"
"Er … ."
The Kid turned away and returned to his bunk. He wasn't about to get much more sleep but the roasting the deputy was getting wasn't any of his business.
ASJASJASJASJ
At daybreak, the Kid came awake as the Sheriff, who had decided to relieve his sleepy deputy for the rest of the night, stepped out back. Under his hat, the Kid waited and then heard the street door softly open, cautious footsteps enter, and the door close. Next, the faint scrapping of blade on lock, followed by the soft, slow squeaking of the cell door opening. The Kid pulled his hat away from his face and looked up to see his partner closing the cell door.
"Alright?" he whispered.
Heyes nodded, winced as he locked the door, made a circle with his thumb and forefinger as he turned away to his bunk. Not a moment too soon, he dived onto the bunk. Hat settled over his face, fingers laced together over his stomach and prone by the time the sheriff came into the office fully.
Where he stopped and stared. "WHAT?"
The jail's two somnambulant occupants jumped awake, snatching off their hats and sitting up in panic.
"Sheriff? What's the matter?" the Kid asked, in concern.
"YOU!" the sheriff pointed at Heyes.
"Me?" Heyes pointed at himself, his face a picture of innocence.
"How'd ya … ? Where … ? Where … ?"
The sheriff gripped the bars of the cell, his face turning several shades of red into puce.
"You weren't here!"
The partners looked at each other.
"What d'you mean sheriff? We've both been asleep."
"No you ain't! YOU mebbe." He pointed at the Kid. "But YOU weren't here!" He shook his finger at Heyes.
Heyes shrugged. "What can I tell you, Sheriff?"
"Say Joshua I was having the weirdest dream when we woke up," the Kid grinned and brushed Heyes' knee with his fingertips.
"Yeah?" Heyes said, lying down on his bunk. "Tell me about it in the morning huh? It's still early yet." He yawned expansively. "Still have some more sleeping to do."
The Kid nodded and resettled on his bunk. The sheriff looked from one to the other incredulously. He must be losing his mind! He knew the dark haired fella the one called Smith hadn't been there before. Yet now he was! As he walked by the cell on his way back to the desk, he gave the door a rattle. Locked. Definitely locked.
Under their hats, both ex-outlaws grinned.
ASJASJASJASJ
"Well how did ya get on?" the Kid asked, quietly as they ate the breakfast provided.
"Mmmm, good," Heyes replied around a mouthful of egg and bacon. "I was right. I think the cheese was used for smuggling cards."
"Huh?"
Heyes shook his head. "I don't understand it either but … I've gotta lead." Heyes was eating as though he hadn't eaten in days instead of last night. "Trouble is I've gotta get out again to prove it."
"Could be tricky," the Kid said, flicking his eyes towards the sheriff, tucking into his own breakfast.
"Uh huh that's why this isn't gonna agree with me." He gestured with his fork at his plate. "He'll … ." The fork flicked towards the sheriff. "have to call the doc to come take a look at me."
"How's that gonna help?"
Heyes grinned an eggy grin. "Remember Chad Walker?"
The Kid frowned. "I know the name."
"Yeah he left the Hole not long after you got there. 'Bout the same time as Lom left."
"Didn't he … ." Realisation dawned on the Kid's face as a wide grin. "Wanna go to medical school. You mean he's … HERE?"
"Yep. Bona fide doctor. Right here in Ludlow City. Ran into him last night. He was on his way back from an emergency." Heyes chuckled. "Nearly had one of his own right in front of me. He was a mite surprised when I stepped outta the shadows."
"Yeah," the Kid nodded. "I would be."
A flicker of a disgruntled frown crossed Heyes' face, but then he chose to ignore that remark. "We ended up going back to his house. I told him all about our little sojourn in here … ."
"Sojourn?" the Kid queried. He looked up and met a grinning Hannibal Heyes.
"I thought you were reading that book, Thaddeus?" His eyes flicked meaningfully to the book on the Kid's bunk.
"Perhaps I ain't GOT that far!" the Kid scowled.
Smiling, Heyes turned his attention back to his breakfast. "It means temporary stay. I also told Chad WHY we was here. He wasn't surprised."
"He thinks WE stole it!" The Kid was incredulous.
"No! I told him what I suspected. Seems I was right." He swallowed a mouthful and seeing that he had the Kid's attention, continued. "There's a by-law in this town. No gambling. Dunno how we missed THAT!" Heyes shook his head in despair.
"We were having all the fun of the Fair. Didn't make it to the saloon remember?"
Heyes nodded. "Yeah, remind me never to do THAT again. Anyway, Chad thinks that there is a certain element in the town who … ."
"HEY! You two! Either speak louder so I cen hear ya or shut up!"
"Sorry, sheriff," they chorused, contritely.
A silent conversation passed between the two. Heyes pursed his lips, wanting to tell the Kid more but only able to convey the accepted, "go along with me." The Kid nodded.
ASJASJASJASJ
"Oooh!"
The Kid looked over at his partner. Heyes was pulling a pained face and rubbing his stomach.
"Owwh!"
"Something wrong, Joshua?" the Kid asked, calmly. He turned a page in the book he was forcing himself to read.
"Yeeah! Guts feel like they're gonna explode! Oooh!"
Feeling like he should show some concern, the Kid sat up. He throw his legs over the side of the bunk. He picked up the pitcher of water.
"Want some?" He poured a glass and held it out.
"Nooo!" Suddenly Heyes sat up quickly on the side of the bunk. He looked wide-eyed at the Kid. Swallowing hard, he whimpered, "Oh no!"
He lurched sideways.
The Kid wrinkled his nose as Heyes deposited the contents of his stomach on the cell floor. It always amazed him how Heyes could do that on demand. It was a ruse. Heyes had perfected it in Valparaiso and it had come in handy a time or two since. Eat quickly and take in lots of air appeared to be the answer.
"Er Sheriff. We gotta problem over here," the Kid called.
Heyes groaned loudly and looked up. His hair was over his face and he was sweating. Or, he appeared to be. Only the Kid had witnessed the drops of water Heyes had quickly patted over his face.
The sheriff appeared at the bars and took in the scene. At Mr Smith's pale, almost green tinged face, at the mess on the floor, at Mr Jones' look of concern for his partner.
"Awh! Sheez!" He sighed. "Okay I'll send for the doc."
ASJASJASJASJ
When Dr Chad Walker arrived, the pair were in a different cell. Heyes sat with a bowl on his knees just in case.
A grumbling Elmo was finishing clearing up the mess in the old cell.
"Well Mr Smith what appears to be the problem?"
Heyes groaned. "It's my stomach doc. Feels like its twisting inside out."
Chad nodded and set his bag down next to his patient.
"Sheriff may I have a few minutes to examine my patient in private please?"
The Sheriff sighed. "Sure. Elmo ya finished?"
The deputy nodded. He mopped to the door of the cell "accidently" sweeping the mop over the toes of the sheriff's boots. Keeping a straight face, Elmo picked up the bucket and went out.
"What about him?" the sheriff growled, glowering after his deputy and nodding his head at the Kid.
Chad looked at the Kid. "Looks like he can go back to the other cell."
The Kid trooped back to the original cell, flumped onto his bunk, wrinkled his nose at the faint smell of vinegar used to clean the floor, sighed and picked up the book yet again. This charade had better be worth it. He didn't know how much more readin' he could take!
"Lie down, Mr Smith and tell me where it hurts."
Chad waited until both lawmen had left. "Just as you suspected Heyes, the cards were hidden in the middle of the wheel. Stealing the cheese is a diversion and so are you. While the sheriff is investigating, he's not paying attention to who ELSE has arrived in town. The big game's tonight but I'm not sure I can get you into it Heyes."
"Chad if they're big time players like you say, they're gonna recognise my alter ego, Carlton Balfour. He's a legend … ." Heyes pulled a face. "Even if I do say so myself," he muttered. "They're not gonna pass up an opportunity to play poker with Carlton Balfour … ."
"Yeah I know but I've given it some thought and ... ."
"Chad if the Kid and me don't get outta here soon, the sheriff is gonna start looking at wanted posters. And guess who he's gonna find."
"And if he finds out I helped you, then I'm in big trouble. I can't do it Heyes. I've gotta family. Now where d'you say it hurts? There?"
Heyes grunted as Chad pressed on his stomach. "Yeah. Owh! Right there, Doc."
"Chad you've gotta help. For old time's sake, huh?"
Chad hesitated, sighed and finally nodded. "Alright. I'll come back and see how you are later. You'll have my decision then, at sundown."
Heyes smiled and nodded. "Thanks Doc."
Chad left sometime later, telling the sheriff that he'd be back to check on his patient in the early evening.
The Kid returned to be with Heyes.
"How ya feeling?"
"Better. The doc gave me a powder to settle my stomach. Told me to rest. He's gone away to look something up. Be back to see me later. He'll let me know then what he's decided," Heyes said, emphasising words with a nod or widening his eyes. Both were aware that the sheriff was listening.
The Kid climbed onto his bunk again.
"Do you trust him? We ain't had much luck with doctors, Joshua."
Heyes pursed his lips thoughtfully. "Yeah I had my reservations at first but I do feel better." He smiled weakly. "I'm prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt."
"That's not like you Joshua."
Heyes put a hand behind his head and looked at the ceiling. "Ah well folks change as they get older. Somethings aren't quite so important as they are when you're younger." He paused and looked at the Kid intently. "Like money for instance."
The Kid looked doubtful. Chad knew who they were and $20,000 was a lot of money for a small town doctor.
"Are ya sure 'bout that?"
"Yes." Heyes was emphatic.
The Kid looked away, shaking his head. He picked up the book. "Well all I can say Joshua is I sure hope we get outta here soon. I'm fed up with lying in this cell reading this dang book!"