Chapter Twenty-Seven
"Courage is not simply one of the virtues,
but the form of every virtue at the testing point."
~C.S. Lewis
The next morning, before sunrise, Jack and Bill entered the saloon. They climbed the stairs slowly and silently, both of them vigilant for any noise or movement. At the top of the stairs, they pulled out their guns and Jack pointed out Allen's room. Bill nodded and motioned for Jack to move to the right side of Allen's door. As Jack did as instructed, Bill took up a position on the left side of the door. Both of them paused as they leaned in and listened for several seconds. When they heard no movement from the other side of the closed door, they stood up straight. Bill pointed to the doorknob and Jack nodded. Jack placed his hand on the doorknob and they both raised their weapons to the ready. Jack counted with his fingers to three then threw the door open.
Allen had been sleeping soundly on his stomach when Jack and Bill rushed into his room. His eyes jerked open and he tried to sit up but Jack was already pinning his arms behind his back. Bill pulled handcuffs from his pocket and swiftly placed them on Allen's wrists. Allen, now completely awake, realized what was happening and began bucking against Jack to free himself.
"Calm down!" Jack chastised. "Allen Lowery, you're under arrest for desertion, robbery, and assault," he informed him.
"Desertion? What are you talking about? I ain't in no army?" Allen growled.
"Not the army," Bill corrected. "But you are in the Mounted Police, or rather you were. I believe you will be soon heading to Medicine Hat Prison."
"That's ridiculous! I ain't no Mountie! You got no proof of that!" Allen countered.
Jack was surveying the room during Bill and Allen's exchange. He wasn't surprised at what he saw. "I believe we can add some more robbery charges," he told Bill, pointing with his head at various locations around the room. There were several whiskey bottles, some empty and some almost full, scattered around the room. Two boxes of bullets and several chocolate bars sat on the chest of drawers. There were books, maps, and assorted papers strewn about the floor. On the bedside table, there were stacks of money, as though Allen had been counting it before he fell asleep. Jack had quickly realized that it was almost all the items Yost had reported missing from the Mercantile and the money was likely from Trevoy's saloon profits. It, also, appeared that Allen had been stealing whiskey from Trevoy.
Bill looked around for a few moments and then turned back to Allen. "You've certainly been quite a busy man, haven't you?"
Allen's expression suddenly hardened and he jerked his body away from Jack. Startled by the sudden, forceful movement from Allen, Jack lost his grip on him and Allen lunged toward the opened door. Bill grabbed Allen's arm, slowing him, as Jack launched himself at Allen's back. They landed in a pile in the hallway just outside the door. Allen was surprisingly strong and it took Jack and Bill several seconds to wrestle him to the ground. Jack landed his right fist against Allen's jaw, which made Allen finally stop fighting.
After they quieted Allen, Jack and Bill looked up and were greeted with several faces staring at them. They realized the noise had awakened everyone staying at the saloon. Several miners, including Dewitt Graves, and Jack's mother were watching the three men on the floor. Jack stood up and yanked Allen to his feet.
"Sorry for waking you, folks," Jack apologized. "You can go back to your rooms. We're going to take this man to the jailhouse. There will be no more commotion tonight."
"You okay to take him to the jailhouse?" Bill asked. "I'll gather some of this evidence."
Jack nodded. "No problem," he told Bill. "I don't think he wants my fist against his face, again." Then he turned to Allen and ordered, "Let's go."
Allen fought Jack's grip. "Stop!" Jack told him forcefully. "You're done!"
"I'm never done!" Allen protested.
"Shut up!" Jack told him as he pushed him toward the stairs.
Ann stood in her doorway watching, fear on her face. Jack looked at her as he passed and noted her concern. "It's okay, Ma," he assuring.
"Oh, no it ain't alright," Allen contended.
Jack shoved him forward. "I believe I told you to shut up!"
Ann watched as Jack pressed Allen down the stairs and out of sight. She looked down the hallway and saw the miners heading back to their rooms and shutting the doors behind them. She glanced back to the stairs and let out a concerned sigh. Then, she turned around, heading back into her room, and closed the door behind her.