Festus and Alibi came out of the bank and started towards the Longbranch and three dirty faces withdrew around the corner. Jefferson Dooley put his hands on Reb and Truly's shoulders and pulled them into a huddle. "We got to study on this, boys."
Reb looked over his shoulder. "Jefferson, what do you s'pose they wuz doin' in the bank?"
Jefferson shook his head. "I don't know! That's why we got to study on it."
They all fell silent for a moment, then Truly brightened. "Jefferson, what if'n they wuz puttin' it in the bank?"
Jefferson frowned. "It ain't money."
"I know that!" said Truly. "But I've heerd tell folks sometimes puts val'ables in the bank for safe keepin'. They ain't nothin' more val'able'n that, is there?"
"You may be right." Jefferson scratched his head. "But if'n that's what they done, how're we gonna get it now?"
Reb pulled Jefferson's sleeve. "We could rob the bank."
Jefferson cuffed him on the head. "You tryin' to get us all killed?"
Reb swung back and Truly grabbed them both. "Y'all better simmer down 'fore you draw a crowd!"
They looked around apprehensively in all directions, then Reb smoothed his hair and said with vast dignity, "I warn't fixin' on takin' no money. I wuz just thinkin' if'n we wuz to go in now with our faces covered up we could get it away from that bank feller and he wouldn't even know who done it."
Jefferson's face lit up. "Reb, that ain't a bad idea at that." He laughed and clapped his brother on the back. "Matter of fact, I'd have to say it's fool-proof!"
