The little doctor was hopping mad by the time Kesler showed up with Lawless. He was screaming at Antoinette, who just patiently waited out his tantrum.

How could this have happened? A fire in the middle of the night in a mine shaft. It isn't fair. It isn't fair I say!

Miguelito, calm down. We can get more ink and paper--

--Of course we can get ink and paper, Antoinette. The press is completely ruined. And worse than that, the plates are missing. MISSING. It was then that Loveless noticed Kesler and his charge. Kesler, what are you doing bringing this man up here at a time like this?

I'm pretty sure he set the fire. I caught him heading in the opposite direction of the room while the rest of the men were trying to put out the blaze.

So the man's a coward, Kesler, it doesn't mean he started the fire.

Loveless took a step closer to Lawless and squinted in concentration. The Aussie looked down at the floor, discomfort filling him. The doctor cocked his head in thought; there was something terribly familiar about the man.

Where did you say you found him, Kesler?

About twenty feet from the pit.

An eyebrow shot up as the doctor understood what had transpired. He had been lulled into a false sense of security. In short, he had been had, and in no small manner. A frown creased his forehead; some part of this puzzle was missing. What he had seen on Jim West's face had been real. The pain and grief at the mention of his dead partner's name were not false. Agent West was many things, but outstanding actor was not one of them; that had always been Mr. Gordon's territory. A smile lit his lips as an idea came to him.

Kesler, tie this man to a chair, and then bring Mr. West and Mr. Solomon here please.

Kesler tied up the Aussie and headed for the door.

I think we should get outta here. Without the equipment and plates, we're done fer...

I think the plates are very close-by, Kesler. Isn't that right Mr.....?

The Aussie looked at him defiantly, Lawless. Burton Lawless, mate.

Loveless unsuccessfully tried to cover his smile as he reached into Lawless' coat pockets and pulled out the plates.

Going into business for yourself?

Don'tcha know what them plates is worth on the open market? These things is damn close to the real McCoy, mate.

Loveless laughed, Yes, they're quite brilliant, aren't they? Very difficult to tell my money from the genuine article.....

Kesler entered the room again, this time with West and Solomon in tow. The smaller agent was cradling his arm, and Lawless realized he must have injured it when he was pushed into the pit. West looked none the worse for wear, much to the Aussie's relief. Loveless smiled at the two men.

Gentlemen, do come in. There's someone I want you to meet. The doctor turned toward the Aussie, What did you say your name was?

Burton Lawless, hailin' from Sydney, Australia, mate.

Jim's head snapped toward the man; the voice held a very familiar timbre. But he knew it couldn't be. His reaction wasn't lost on Loveless, who was enjoying himself immensely.

Come, come, Mr. West.......are you trying to tell me you don't recognize this man?

West's voice carried more edge in it than normal, I'm in no mood to play games with you, Loveless. As a matter of fact, I'm tired of this whole business--

Jim quickly turned on Kesler, disarming him, and punching him in the face. Three other men started toward West, who responded with jabs, sending them careening through the room. Marvin tried to fight them off, but was quickly rendered unconscious by one of them. West turned toward Loveless at the sound of a cocking gun hammer. The little doctor was standing next to the man called Lawless, holding a .45 to his head. Jim froze.

Now Mr. West, you must behave yourself. After all, you wouldn't want to lose Mr. Gordon a second time, would you?

Loveless pulled off the putty nose, the wig and facial hair; and there, sitting not twenty feet from West, was Artemus Gordon. Jim was dumbfounded, and for several moments could only stare. Gordon could barely look at him. The disbelief in his partner's voice made Gordon's heart ache.



It's really me, Jim.

West couldn't speak. He was overcome with a flood of emotions that jumbled up so badly, he felt frozen in the moment. There was overwhelming joy, knowing Arte was alive; confusion over the circumstances; and on some level, a betrayal so deep, he didn't know what to feel.

I do believe, Mr. Gordon, that you've finally rendered your partner speechless. And you should be ashamed of yourself, playing a dirty trick on him like that. Honestly, Artemus, didn't your mother teach you better manners than that?

Arte glared at Loveless, but said nothing. He looked over at Jim, at the betrayal in the blue eyes, and he felt nothing but remorse.

Well, now that you two have gotten reacquainted, it's time for me to put an end to this little reunion. Which one of you would like to go first?

Go where, Loveless?

To the great beyond, Mr. West, where else? Perhaps we should let Mr. Gordon go first, since he played such a rotten trick on you.

Loveless pressed the gun into Gordon's temple, and Arte tensed up, fear filling the soft brown eyes. Out of reflex he looked pleadingly at West. Jim's voice was tight with strain.

Loveless, wait! What about keeping us around to see you topple the government? That's what you said you wanted....

I don't think so, Mr. West. I've changed my mind. You have already been far too much trouble for me, and I've grown weary of you.

Out of the corner of his eye, West could see Solomon moving his hand slowly toward a gun on the floor. Jim needed to stall a moment or two longer.

Loveless, don't....please.

Why Mr. West, I don't think I've ever heard you ask so nicely for anything. After what he put you through, however, you should thank me for killing him.

Marvin grabbed the gun and tossed it to West.

Jim, go!

West fired at Loveless, blowing the gun out of his hand. Kesler and the other men in the room sprang once again at West, and Marvin began to untie Gordon. Once freed, Gordon and Solomon joined the free-for-all in the room. Fearing that it was a losing battle, several of the men took off, leaving only Kesler and one other. Always one to spot his moment, Loveless grabbed Antoinette by the hand, and the plates in the other and headed toward a secret elevator. Arte caught sight of him out of the corner of his eye.



West headed toward the doctor, who turned, throwing a smoke bomb in Jim's face. West fell to his knees, overcome by the released gas. Kesler and the last man ran, leaving only Gordon and Solomon, who covered their faces with bandanas. Arte reached West and pulled him to his feet.

He's probably heading toward the steam engine in the tunnels. Arte, we can't let him get away with those plates.

He won't get out that way, Jim, the engine doesn't have a throttle anymore, and, we've gotta get out of here, now. I planted several bombs in the tunnels below, there are onlya few minutes left.