After Doctor Hill told Matt and Newly what he knew about the goings on at the prison, Matt shook his head in disbelief.
"The question is now," Newly said. "What are we going to do, it's obvious we can't leave Festus here, they'll kill him."
"I already got that covered," Doctor Hill said with a sly grin. "You two get ready to leave and look really concerned when you do."
Wyatt lazily leaned against the wall of the Warden's office until he seen the young doctor coming towards him.
"What's going on Doc," he said after seeing the expression on the younger man's face.
"That Haggen fella just passed," Hill said sadly. "His friends are getting the body ready but they've requested to take it home to Dodge for burial and I've come on their behalf for permission."
"We got a wagon," Wyatt said shrugging his shoulders. "I'll get the pine box and let the Warden know."
"Fine," Hill said sullenly. "I'll tell them."
"And hey Doc," Wyatt said slowly. "Don't feel to bad, I'm sure you did everything you could."
Hill nodded as he headed back toward the infirmary. He caught Wyatt smiling from the corner of his eye as he quickly entered the Warden's office.
"It's all set," Doctor Hill said once he returned to where Matt and Newly waited. "Wyatt is bringing a wagon and the pine box now."
Matt nodded grimly as he realized by carrying out this guise he was in essence breaking the law that he as a lawman always swore to uphold. But it was either this or a friends life and given the choice, he would have to chose Festus over the law.
"Here he comes," Doctor Hill said meeting the guard at the door.
Newly stepped forward and took the simple pine box from the guard.
"Wagon is ready for you to take the body to town," Wyatt said handing Matt some papers. "The Warden needs your signature on these forms to release the body to you."
Matt took the papers and signed them before handing them back to the snide guard.
"The Warden extends you his condolences," Wyatt said putting the papers in his pocket.
"I'm sure he does," Matt said sarcastically as Newly and Doctor Hill gently carried the box to the door.
"We're ready," Doctor Hill said looking at Wyatt. "I'll see them to the train depot and bring the wagon back."
"Good idea Doc," the guard said watching the men load the coffin inside the wagon before the Doctor drove it to the gate.
Matt and Newly followed on their horses. Once they arrived in town, the Doctor stopped the wagon at the train depot.
"This will be the quickest way out of town," the doctor said looking around. "There's eyes for the prison every where if you know what I mean."
Matt nodded as the Doctor continued. "If you'll trust me with your horses, I'll see to it that they get back to Dodge."
"That's fine with is," Matt said looking at Newly. "If you just see that they are stabled, once we get back to Dodge, I plan on returning with some enforcement to clean this prison up!"
"We thank you for your trouble," Newly stated as the train pulled in and stopped.
"Wasn't any trouble," Hill said slowly. "Perhaps I will see you again, if I pass though Dodge on my way back east."
"I hope so," Matt said shaking the young man's hand before he and Newly loaded the pine box into the baggage car.
"Where ya headed mister?" the conductor asked looking at the simple coffin.
"Dodge City Kansas," Matt replied. "Any problem with my friend and I riding back here."
"Your choice," the conductor said shrugging. "It's a one day trip."
"Fine," Matt replied. "We don't mind."
Once the train got under way, Newly locked the door as Matt opened the lid of the coffin.
"How you doing in there," Matt asked as Festus grimaced.
"Don't like being dead Matthew," he said with a wiry grin. "Can't wait ta get back ta Dodge."
"Well it's going to be an experience for sure but we got to keep this up until we're sure no one from that town or prison see's you alive," Newly said evenly.
"And once we get there," Matt continued. "We'll have to keep the fact that your alive under wraps until I can get back to take care of that prison."
"Matthew," Festus said sitting up. "What about ol Doc and Ms. Kitty they don't know this ain't fer real."
"I thought about that," Matt replied worriedly. "But if this is going to work, everyone, even your friends has to think your dead."
Newly nodded in agreement as Festus shook his head. "Sure didn't want ta put you in a situation like this," he said sorrowfully.
"What are friends for," Matt said with a grin.
As the train pulled into Dodge the next afternoon, Burke stood on the platform waiting for some freight.
"Burke," Newly said after stepping out of the baggage car.
"Newly," the freight officer said surprised. "What are you doing on the train."
"Don't worry about that right now," Newly said firmly. "Go get Percy Crump for me will you."
Burke looked beyond Newly and his mouth fell open when he see the Marshal talking to the conductor with a pine coffin between them.
