Matt closed the door leading to the cells and went over to his bed, sitting down to pull his boots. There was a jingle of spurs outside, then Festus opened the door and stuck his head in. "Marshal?"
"Festus." Matt sighed and stretched out. "How's Chester?"
The hillman came in and closed the door. "Well, Doc stitched him up all right but by the time he was done, Chester was so swimmy headed he figgered he better keep him for the night. He'd ort to be better tomorrer."
"Thanks for stopping by, Festus," murmured Matt, closing his eyes.
"Marshal?"
"Well?"
"Where'm I s'posed to sleep?"
The marshal's eyes popped open. "Where do you usually sleep?"
"At that old shack I borrowed down by the river, but tonight I got to stay here." The hillman grinned at the look on Matt's face. "I give Chester my word I'd stick closet so's you wouldn't be all alone."
Matt sat up, blowing out his breath in exasperation. "Festus, I was a lawman long before Chester showed up and I think it's just possible I can get through one night by myself!"
Festus' grin widened. "I figgered that, marshal, but I got my orders. All right if'n I bed down in one of them cells?"
The marshal lay back, closing his eyes with an air of great weariness. "Go ahead. I thought I was in charge around here, but if that's what Chester said I guess that's the way it has to be."