Saul Gentry helped his brother up the backstairs at the Dodge House. He had taken a room for one, and there had been nothing available on the bottom floor. By the time he got Bertrand settled in bed and resting comfortably, he realized the boy was gulping laudanum in ever increasingly large doses. His brother needed a doctor, and Solly knew right where one was; he just needed to formulate a plan...

***********

"Laudanum?"

Matt let out a deep sigh, "Just send the telegram to all the surrounding county doctors, Ed. And hurry."

The old man began tapping out morse, although why the Marshal was asking if any of them had this laudanum stuff stolen was beyond him.

************

The Marshal stepped into the Long Branch and took a quick survey of the crowd: all locals. He had already visited the boarding houses in town, and checked their registers for the name Gentry, as well as any two men traveling together. He had come up empty-handed. There was the usual number of salesman, cowboys and drifters in town, but that was it. Matt walked over to the bar.

"Sam..."

"Evening Marshal, what can I getcha?"

"Just a beer, Sam, and maybe a chat."

"Sure."

The bartender poured the Marshal a cold one, and then waited for Matt to start the conversation.

"Most strangers to town usually wind up in the Long Branch sooner or later."

"That they do, Marshal, that they do."

"Seen any in the past couple of days? Two men, brothers. One of them might have been hurt, or wounded."

"Nope, can't say that I have. A few salesman been through here, and some cowboys....."

Newly came in, and quickly walked over to Dillon.

"Marshal, I've been lookin' for ya. Festus' gun is missing."

"Missing?"

"Yeah, Doc didn't notice it before, but when I asked him where it was, he said that Festus didn't have it on him when he found him."

"Festus is never without his gun."

"Exactly."

Sam piped up, "You know Marshal, there was one cowboy who did mention a brother in passing."

"What'd he say?"

"Just that he was lookin' for a place to stay for him and his brother."

"Was the brother hurt?"

"Wasn't with him...for all I know, he doesn't have one....but he looked familiar this guy. Couldn't place him though."

"Familiar in what way?"

"Not sure really. Thought I knew a guy like him once back in Texas. Name was Gentner....no, Genter..."

"Gentry?"

Sam smiled, "Yeah, that's it! Gentry. Saul Gentry. But everybody used to call him Solly."

Matt's eyes picked up, "Where'd you send him, Sam?"

"Dodge House..."

Before Sam could say another word, the Marshal of Dodge City was out the door with Newly O'Brien on his heels.