Ma Smalley found him asleep at Kitty's desk more than an hour after he'd disappeared into her office. She hated to awaken him, but the marshal was in a bad way, and she knew there wasn't a choice. Gently she shook the old man's shoulder.

"Doc? Doc, I'm sorry ta wake ya, but it's Marshal Dillon."

Adams jerked awake, the small amount of sleep not nearly enough for his deprived system. He stood, and headed toward the door, his voice slightly hoarse.

"How long've I been asleep?"

"Not long, less than an hour."

He nodded, grabbed his bag on the way toward the cot that held Matt Dillon. He sat down on the edge of it and placed a cool cloth on the man's heated forehead. He pulled out his stethoscope and listened to Matt's heart which sounded as distressed as his breathing. Doc pulled a pill from a bottle, and poured a glass of water. He held Matt's head up, forced the pill into his mouth, followed by water.

"Swallow, Matt."

But the Marshal couldn't. Instead he sputtered and choked, leaving Doc no alternative but to pull the pill back out of the man's mouth. Doc gently felt Dillon's throat and he noticed it was more swollen than it had been the last time he checked it.

"Damn..."

"What is it, Doc?"

He looked up at Ma Smalley. "His throat's constricting, just like every other victim."

"Which means blood'll be comin' from his nose soon, ain't that right, Doc?"

Adams nodded, and felt nothing but defeat. "His heart's not gonna be able to withstand the strain that's bein' put on it."

Doc felt anger rising up from deep within him. Blind anger at a situation that was so far beyond his control, he knew he was lost. As gently as he could, he began massaging Matt's throat with his hand, trying to loosen the muscles. Then Doc ground up the pill and mixed it in some water, gently lifted the marshal's head, and held the glass to his lips.

"Matt, I know you're hurtin' but I want you to try and take a small sip of this."

Doc put some liquid in the man's mouth, and painfully Dillon swallowed it.

"Good. I know how hard this is for ya, Matt, but we're gonna do it again, a few more times."

Doc repeated the measure until the water was gone, and the medicine with it. Matt stirred slightly, his voice hoarse from the swelling.

"Doc?"

Doc laid a gentle hand on Dillon's shoulder. "Right here, Matt, right here."

"How...long?"

"You've been down a good three days now."

"Rest...?"

"Yes, you need to rest."

Dillon shook his head. "Rest...of...them..."

Doc swallowed hard, and for the first time since he had known Matt Dillon, he lied to him. "It ain't nothin' for you to worry about, Matt. I've got everything under control. You just get some sleep."

Matt fumbled for Doc's hand, and he gripped it. "Kitty?"

Adams felt slight relief, at least he didn't have to lie about this. "She's fine, Matt."

He nodded and drifted back into unconsciousness.

"Doc..."

Adams turned just in time to catch Ma Smalley as she crumpled to the floor. And his heart sank
with her.

"Dear God, please help me," he whispered.