Festus sat at the little wooden table across from Matt Dillon's desk, "It is still a puzzle about those little foot prints at Jonas' store," the deputy said as he ticked his head, while cleaning his six-shooter.
Matt looked up from his paperwork, "I know. Everywhere I go, I'm looking down at people's feet," he half chuckled. "Folks are beginning to think I have a crooked neck," he mused.
Festus smiled at the comment, "Wall, fer Jonas' sake, and ours, I surely hope we catch the bandit soon," he said with a final wipe of the cleaning cloth.
"Me too," Matt said and looked down at his report.
Festus looked over to the marshal, "There's one thang that still puzzles me," he said to Matt.
"What's that?" Matt again lifted is eyes from the paperwork.
"That whole thang about a little feller," the deputy said as he slowly shook his head trying to figure out why it was bothering him.
Matt twisted his mouth in thought, "Well, until you remember what it was, then we can't do much for you," he stated just as the office door opened and Nathan Burke stepped down into the jail house.
"Burke?" Matt noted the look on the shipping clerk's face. "What's wrong?" the marshal asked.
Nathan Burke looked about as flustered as one could get, "I had one of that reverend's fiends was just at the depot trying to get me to show him my shipping forms," the clerk pointed through the jail house wall toward his office.
Matt sat back in his chair, "What did he want?" he asked as he placed the pencil down on the desk.
"I'm not really sure!" Burke blurted out, still looking flustered.
Matt shrugged, "He had to say what he wanted. Obviously upset you," Matt said as he slowly got to his feet and walked out from behind his desk.
Burke paused for a moment and thought, "It had to do with a shipment that Schermerhorn was expecting, but not under his name," the clerk said, even he was wearing a question on his face, wondering what had happened.
"Are you all right?" Matt asked.
"I…I don't know," Burke mumbled.
Matt rolled his eyes and then looked at the clerk, "I can't help you if you can't tell me what happened!" he stated.
Burke's shoulders sagged, "I don't know what he was looking for. He just said that he wanted to know if something was at the depot for Schermerhorn. But he had it shipped under an alias name, and the man wouldn't tell me what that was," Burke looked up at the marshal.
"Did he look at you paperwork?" Matt asked.
Burke paused and thought, "No…," he finally stated, which didn't instil any confidence in Matt.
Matt glanced quickly over to Festus who remained seated at the little table, before he looked back at Burke, "What did this man look like?" he asked.
Burke thought for a second, "Oh, about my height with red hair," he stated.
"I'll go over to Schermerhorn's camp and ask around about this," Matt said.
"Can you ask when they are leaving?" Burke blurted out.
Matt frowned at the comment before he moved toward the door to retrieve his hat and gun, "Festus, I want you to do another round to see if you can pick up on those foot prints," he said before he opened the door. "Burke, you can go back to the shipping depot. If I find out what this man wanted, I'll let you know," said as he turned away and walked out the door.
Matt stood out in front of the jailhouse and shook his head as he wonder how much more odd activity could be associated to Schermerhorn and his magical medical show. The marshal drew a deep breath and stepped off the boardwalk in the direction of Schermerhorn's camp.
Cedric remained in the store for some time, taking his time to look at the merchandise and get the layout of the store. He noted several times, Jonas going into the back storage room which gave him the sense that there was likely a back door to the store.
He perused the counter that had the display of wedding rings and other jewellery and had a quick glance at the cash drawer, where the store owner spent most of his time in front of.
Once things slowed down, Jonas was able to free himself to attend to the gentleman in the store, "Have you found what you want?" the store owner asked as he stepped up beside the man.
"Oh, yes," Cedric smiled and handed a bonnet to Jonas.
"Wonderful," the store owner smiled back. "This is one of the finest bonnets that I carry in my store," he stated with confidence.
"It looks well made," Cedric said.
"Oh, it is, I assure you that," Jonas replied. "I try and get the best merchandise that I can, but keeping people's needs and finances in mind," he went on to elaborate his purchasing philosophy as he walked back to the service counter with the bonnet.
"That's mighty fine of you," Cedric complimented the store owner.
Jonas nodded in acknowledgement as he wrote the price of the bonnet down in his ledger, "I'll get the box," the store owner stated as he scurried back into the storage room. From where Cedric was standing in the store, he could see the back door, confirming his suspicion – a sly smile curved his lips.
Jonas reappeared with the correct box for the bonnet. He carefully lowered the yellow silk hat into the box and then placed the lid on top, "That will be three dollars and fifty cents," Jonas stated and the tied the bow at the top of the box.
Cedric tucked his right index finger and thumb into his waistcoat and fished around for some money. After a second, he pulled four dollars from his pocket and handed the coins over to the store owner. Jonas made a quick count and opened his cash drawer to hand his client his change, "Thank you for your business," Jonas smiled and handed the hat box over to the man.
"Thanks for your help," Cedric smiled taking the box and leaving the store. On his way to the door, Cedric counted his steps from the service counter to the doorway. As he stepped up to the boardwalk, a wide smile formed on his face, "This will be the easiest heist yet," he said to himself with a slight chuckled before he walked back to the camp.
Cedric paused just outside the camp when he saw the marshal talking to Schermerhorn and Red. He twisted his lips in thought, and decided to continue on his way to meet up with his friend Miguel to make plans for that night.