As Matt walked down Front Street and approached the livery, his pace slowed, however, his mind was racing trying to think of what to say to Festus to convince him to come over to the jail. He stood for a moment, in deep thought.

Newly jogged down the street toward Matt. He had informed the undertaker of the dead man and stopped into the Long Branch where he was told that the marshal was looking for Festus. "Marshal?" he said almost in a whisper.

Matt turned to the younger man. Newly's face was likely showing what Matt was feeling - confusion and disbelief. "Mr Crump is taking care of the dead man, and oh, I brought this." He held Festus' knife out to the marshal.

Matt nodded. He didn't think to bring the weapon with him, his mind was focussed on Festus. "Newly. Take the knife over to the jail and leave it on my desk and cover it with the newspaper. Then go get Doc and Kitty. Have them wait with you at the office. I'm going to talk to Festus and have him join us at the jail house." There was something ominous about what he had just said to the deputy.

Newly nodded once. "Sure thing Marshal." He said and darted off to the jail house to leave the knife on Matt's desk.

Matt returned his attention to the livery stable. He drew a deep breath and walked toward the open door. Hank had several lanterns lit and hung off metal hooks so that late night riders could see where to pull up their horse.

The lanterns weren't lit on high, instead they case a warm rich glow around the stable. As Matt walked by, several horses snorted and glanced over their backs to him as he continued toward the back room where Festus stayed.

Slowly he approached the door and knocked. There was no recognition of his presence. He knocked again, only slightly louder. Finally a moan came from within the room and then a squawky, "Who is it?"

"Festus? It's me. Matt. I need to talk to you. It's important." Matt tried to sound reasonablely calm and hoped that the urgency would hook his friend in to opening the door.

There was more sound from behind the door - stumbling and muttering followed.

"Everything all right in there?" Matt leaned into the door to better hear the commotion. He quickly moved back as the latch on the door clicked.

"Matthew? What in thunder is so doggone important at this time of night?" Festus finally pulled on his vest. Matt had to step back from the hill-man as the alcohol seemed to coat his body.

"Looks like you and Louie had quite the night of it..." Matt peered past the deputy looking at Louie half scrawled on his cot.

Festus looked back through the door. "Ol Louie had an awful lot to talk about that's fer sure.." Festus half laughed and the looked at the tall law man in front of him. "Matthew? What did you need to see me fer?"

Matt adjusted his hat back on his head. "We found something tonight and I'd like you to look at it. I think it belongs to you."

"Oh?" Festus wasn't thinking clearly. "Something of mine? Well, shoot, I can't think of anything I lost, but if it's that important, then we better go look at it and I'll tell you whether it is or ain't..." Festus smiled trustingly at Matt and stepped passed him and out of the livery.

"It's over at the office, Festus." Matt noted the look on his friend's face once he reached the street. Festus scratched the back of his neck and shook his head. "I jist can't figure why yer so darn interested in knowing what you found is mine!" Festus chuckled some more as he crossed the street followed by Matt.

They both stepped up onto the wooden boardwalk together and Matt opened the door into the office. The warm glow of the lanterns within was inviting enough and Festus stepped through the door. Matt stood behind him as he looked around the room. Doc, Kitty and Newly greeted him.

Suddenly Festus felt something. A feeling he didn't like. He entered and walked further into the room and stood by the table that he and Doc often played checkers.

"Matthew. What's going on here?" Festus seemed all of a sudden stone cold sober.

"Festus...where were you tonight?" Matt said as he stepped down into the room and closed the door behind him. The marshal moved over to his desk.

"I was with Louie. Matthew? What is all this about?" Festus was now growing frustrated.

Matt moved the newspaper and revealed the knife. "Is this your hunting knife?"

Festus recognized it from where he stood. "Where did you find that! I lost that out at ol widow Miller's place."

Doc motioned to Matt to let him tell Festus. "Matt found that in the back of a man. He's dead."

Newly moved slowly toward the door behind Doc.

Matt continued. "There have been three murders in the last two weeks. Festus, I need to know where you were tonight."

Festus's eyes darted around the room. He had no alibi. The knife was his, that was a certain. He held his left hand to his temple. His head hurt from the alcohol and also the injury. He was clearly not thinking straight when he bolted to the door shoving Doc into Newly sending them both to the floor. Desperately his hands grabbed the latch when Matt's booming voice cut the air. "Festus! Don't make me pull my gun on you..."

Festus froze. His breathing was heavy and he didn't know what to do. Finally and slowly he let go of the latch. He looked over to see Kitty and Newly helping Doc to his feet. All three had looks of disbelief on their faces.

"Festus. I have to arrest you on suspicion of murder." Matt moved toward Festus who's shoulders sagged. He looked at Doc, Kitty and Newly. "My friends..." His hazel eyes burrowed into theirs as Matt walked him back into the cells.

Kitty slowly grabbed Doc's arm and he slowly placed his hand over hers. "I'll figure something out, Honey." He patted her hands and then guided her to the door. "Newly...watch out for Matt tonight. This is going to be hard on him, as well as the rest of us."

"Sure thing Doc." Newly's jaw muscles flexed which was an indication that he too was not happy with the evening's out come.