The next day Matt, Kitty, Doc and Newly rode into the bustling city of Wichita and headed for the Marshal's office.

Stepping inside the office, Marshal Barnett rose from his seat to shake Matt's hand.

"Dillion," he said acknowledging the presence of Kitty, Doc and Newly with a slight nod. "I didn't expect to see you around these parts. What brings you here?"

"John," Matt said looping his thumbs into his gun belt. "My deputy Festus was though here a few days ago to transport Charles Walker back to Dodge on some larceny charges and well he never made it back."

"Sorry to hear that Matt," Marshal Barnett stated with concern. "I had not heard."

"We're trying to figure out what happened, Walkers dead, buried on the trail by a passing family but as of yet we've seen no sign of Festus," Matt said helplessly.

"I wish I could help Matt," Barnett said. "But I've had no contact with deputy Haggen since he left that day with Walker."

"And you have no reports about any one being brought into town, hurt or dead," Matt stated hesitantly.

"You're free to check with my undertaker and the towns only doctor if you would like but they usually keep me well informed on such matters," Barnett said. "I will ask around Matt but I don't believe you'll find your deputy here."

"Thank you John," Matt said shaking the Marshal's hand. "We'll continue to search as well."

Stepping out onto the boardwalk Matt sighed as he turned to the others. "If he's not here and he's not in Dodge then he's got to be some where in between."

"The question is," Doc said swiping at his mustache. "Where?"

"If he was hurt," Newly said stepping forward. "He couldn't have traveled a long distance without assistance."

"You think some one picked him up," Kitty asked.

"It's the only possibility we haven't considered yet," Newly said.

Doc nodded as Matt spoke. "Alright," he said looking around. "We'll stay here tonight and head back toward Dodge in the morning. We'll stop at every place within a half a days ride from where we found Walkers body."

(Meanwhile)

"You's is late, ma'am," the black house servant stated meeting a middle aged woman at the gate house of a stately manor between Wichita and Dodge.

"I know Sebastian," she said taking off her gloves. "I picked up a man on the side of the road."

"Dead ma'am," he said expectantly.

"No this one's actually alive," she said throwing back the tarp to reveal a man dressed in prisoners clothes. "Or at least he was when I put him in the wagon."

The house servant put his hand under the man's nose before looking back at the woman "He's still breathin ma'am."

"Good," she said heading toward the large stately home. "Bring him into the clinic, I'll be there shortly."

The man servant nodded as he bent down and easily lifted the unconscious man over one shoulder and followed the woman into the house.

Upon entering the house, the servant pushed open two french doors immediately to his left and deposited the man onto the table that rested in the center of the room.

The middle aged white woman entered just as the servant backed away from the table.

"Gun shot wounds," she said observing her patients breaths. "And a rather large contusion to the head and who knows what else."

"Is you going to require my help ma'am," the servant asked.

"No Sebastian," she said looking up. "Performing surgery on a live patient is quite different then cutting open a cadaver. Besides, I'm not trying to save this prisoner's life, just observing how long it takes for him to die."

"Sure is a sorry world we's in Ma'am," the servant said shaking his head. "All that schooling you done got and won't nobody let u do any doctoring."

"I will one day Sebastian," she said placing a hand on her patients forehead. "Poor souls like this one will pave the way. Once those fools at the Bellevue University in Boston read my papers, I'll finally make a name for myself."

"Yes ma'am," the servant stated. "And a great day it will be. I's can see it now, Doctor Sarah Ann Evans! Just like yer dear ol father wanted."

"Yes," she said looking down at the scruffy looking whisker faced man. "But what father didn't realize is that even his money couldn't buy me a practice."

"It not yourin fault you was born a girl," the black man placated.

"I know Sebastian," she said stepping away from the man on the table. "Why don't you go put on some coffee, it looks like it'll be awhile."

"Yes ma'am," he said shuffling off as the woman picked up a sheet of paper and an ink well.

Taking a seat next to where the man lay, she started to make notes about how he was found and his injuries.