Pip slowly stepped off the boardwalk and waved for Chuck and Clarke to follow him. "Come on. We don't have much time. The marshal and that deputy will likely split up and take different directions on their patrol."

Pip scurried across the dusty lantern lit street and ducked into the dark alley between the Long Branch and the doctor's staircase. Chuck and Clarke stood behind him and looked over his shoulder for their next order.

Pip's eyes darted around making sure no-one was watching. "Chuck, I saw a window at the back. You and Clarke go that way. I'll go up the stairs. That old pill-pusher won't know what hit him!" Pip snickered at the cleverness of his plot to kill Doctor Adams and free his friend.

He gave the signal and the three men started on their journey. With another look around Pip carefully ascended the wooden staircase making sure he didn't cause it to creak. From the top he watched Chuck and Clarke slip through the opening between the Long Branch and the shed in the alley. Pip pressed himself to the wall and peeked through the window in the door. There was a dimly light oil lamp on the wall above the doctor's desk. The rest of the room was in blackness.

He estimated the amount of time it would take for Chuck and Clarke to reach the back window and one of them to gain entrance before he opened the door and stepped into the room, only to be a minute or so.

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Kitty opened the back door and had to cover her mouth stopping the laugh leaving her lips. Doc stood in the doorway with Festus' hat sagging on his head. "I feel ridiculous!" he grumbled as he entered the room.

Kitty smiled at him knowing he felt equally embarrassed. "Well...for a change, you also look ridiculous!" She couldn't help it as she started to laugh as Doc whipped off Festus' hat and dropped in on the chair inside the door.

Judge Brooker looked at the doctor. "Well, Doctor Adams...You may look ridiculous but you also look alive. Matt's plan was very clever, so let's hope it works."

Doc trudged further into the room and turned to Kitty. Her eyes were shining at him and all he could do was to hide his own smile under the hand that wiped over his moustache. "I sure would like to get out of these..." He looked down at the scruffy outfit he was wearing.

Without a word, Kitty went to a stool and picked up Doc's taupe coloured suit, his white shirt and black vest. His boots were on the floor. She smiled impishly at Doc as she handed the items over. "Go change in the other room."

Gladly accepting the garments, Doc clomped across the floor muttering the whole time about the boots and spurs.

"Oh, Doctor Adams. I would like to have a word with you when you are finished dressing." Brooker noted. Doc nodded at the judge and closed the door behind himself.

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Pip froze as he heard the window slide open. He took a deep breath and slowly pulled his gun from the holster. He moved closer to the back room and pushed open the door. He stoped in his tracks at the sight of Festus and Newly holding shotguns on Chuck and Clarke. "I'd be droppin' that pistol yer holdin'..." Festus's voice reflected his mood.

Pip stood with the gun still in hand. His eyes shifting as his mind calculated how he could get out of the office in one piece. He slowly backed up when Matt spoke from behind. "Drp the gun. You're under arrest." Pip swung around quickly and tried fire his gun at the same time. His bullet hit the tinder box next to the potbelly stove.

Matt's bullet hit Pip in the upper chest reeling him backward into the other room where he fell at the feet of his men. They looked down at the dead eyes starring up at them. Chuck looked up to Matt. "Marshal...it was all his doing. He said he'd help Jed get out of jail. We didn't want to do it..."

"I'll let Judge Brooker decide on that. One of you shot Doc, and I will make sure who did it pays..." Matt nodded to Festus who prodded Chuck with his shotgun. "Move it! Yer both going ta jail..." Newly pushed Clarke to follow.