Doc walked Festus down the street. "And this is Front Street. You go down from my office to the Longbranch, and a little further on is the marshal's office..."

Festus stopped dead. "I don't want to go to no marshal's office."

"Well, we won't today. We'll just stop in to see Kitty. Come on, we're almost there." They walked on until they reached the Longbranch, where Festus stopped again.

"Wait a minute, Doc."

"What is it?"

"This place..." Festus was looking at the sign over the swinging doors. "Is this the Longbranch?"

Doc was pleased. "Why, yes. Do you remember it?"

Festus shook his head. "I don't rightly know. I cain't read it, but seems as if I know that there sign."

Doc clapped his friend on the shoulder. "You should. You've seen it often enough over the years. Now let's go in." The deputy balked and the old man said patiently, "We've talked about this, Festus. Your memory will come back a lot faster if you get out among familiar places and people."

"Well, all right, yore the doctor. I reckon you know what's best."

"Of course I do," said Doc, hoping fervently it was true. He led the way into the Longbranch, the deputy following reluctantly. Doc went to a table and sat down, while Festus stood next to him turning his hat in his hands.

Kitty and Sam came over and Sam pulled out a chair. "Have a seat, Festus."

The deputy sat down. "Much obliged, Sam." Sam smiled widely and Festus looked at him closely. "That right? Yore Sam?"

"That's right. What'll you have to drink?"

"You got any Tow's Lightnin'?"

The bartender looked surprised. "We haven't stocked that for years."

"Don't I drink it?"

"You used to."

The deputy looked at Doc. "What do I drink now?"

"What do you want to drink?"

Festus thought for a moment. "I s'pose I'd like some whiskey."

Sam went over to the bar. "Coming right up."

Kitty sat down and asked, "How's your head, Festus?"

He rubbed the bandage. "It don't hurt a particle, Miss Kitty." Sam put three glasses and a bottle of whiskey on the table and Kitty poured. The deputy tentatively reached for a glass, then stopped. Doc and Kitty took their drinks and looked at their friend. He picked up the glass and tasted it carefully, then tossed it off just like he used to. Doc winked at Kitty and she smiled back. Festus grinned. It was almost as if the past week had never happened. Then Matt walked in and the deputy's face drained of color.

Alarmed, Doc looked around, then put his hands on his friend's shoulders and shook him. "Festus, calm down. Matt's not here to hurt you. He's your friend, remember?"

Festus took several deep breaths. "I know that's what you tolt me, Doc, but I cain't help it. I don't remember him a'tall and he worries me."

"Festus, can you sit here and talk to Kitty while I go see what he wants?"

A resigned expression came over the deputy's face. "Go on, then. Get it over with." Doc looked exasperated, but he went over to the marshal without another word to Festus.

"How is he, Doc?" asked Matt.

The old man ran his hand over his face. "He was doing fine until you came in."

"Now wait a minute..."

"Oh, Matt, I don't mean that the way it sounded. He still thinks he got hurt resisting arrest and you're waiting to take him to jail."

Matt shook his head. It hurt him more than he could ever say to know Festus was afraid of him, but he couldn't dwell on it now. "Doc, doesn't he remember anything?"

"Bits and pieces, and more's coming back every day but it's going to take time."

"Well, Doc, I just ran out of time."

Doc looked at the marshal sharply. "What in thunder does that mean?"

"You know Jeff Miller?"

"That young farmer out by Snakehead Crik?"

"That's the one. His little girl, Clara, wandered off from a school picnic this morning. Now we've been searching for her but we haven't been able to find her. Do you think Festus could track her?"

Doc looked thoughtfully at the deputy. Kitty was talking to him and he was trying to be polite and listen to her, but he kept glancing at Matt and his eyes were scared. The old man ran his hand over his face. "I don't know, Matt. He might not remember how to track. On the other hand, he might never have forgotten. I just can't say."

"Well, can I talk to him?"

Doc shrugged. "All right." They walked over to the table and sat down. The marshal leaned forward and Festus shrank into his chair.

"Festus, I know you don't remember me, but we've been good friends for a long time and I need your help." Festus just looked at him and Matt had to wait a moment before he could continue. "There's a little girl who's missing. She's been gone since this morning and we can't find her. You're the best tracker I've ever known. I think maybe you could find her. Will you try?"

Festus struggled with his fear. He was sure the doctor, for all his kindness, had been lying to him and he was wanted for some crime or other. He was also sure he couldn't trust this marshal as far as he could throw him, which would be not at all. But then there was that little girl. If she was really lost and there was a chance he could find her, he had to try. The deputy spoke slowly. "I'm willin' to take a crack at it, marshal, but I cain't hardly remember nothin'. Even if'n I used to be a good tracker like you say, I don't think I can do it no more."

"Doc thinks you can."

Festus looked at Doc. The old man nodded. Kitty was watching him-they all were. Even Sam. The deputy stood up and put his hat on. "Papa always said folks that believe in signs out of the creek don't never get themselves wet. I guess that means let's go." He shook Doc's hand. "If'n I don't see you no more, I want to thank you for all you done." He touched his hat to Kitty. "It wuz a pure pleasure seein' you again, Miss Kitty." Then he walked to the doors and looked back. "What you waitin' for, marshal?"

Matt was surprised. "Doc, how do you like that?"

The old man looked worried. "He probably thinks you're going to arrest him as soon as you find Clara. Watch him, Matt."

"You don't think he's dangerous, do you?"

"No, but he's still not himself. He's scared and confused and he might try to give you the slip. Just be real careful with him, Matt. Real careful and real patient, and Matt..."

"Well?"

"Bring him home safe. Both of you, come home safe."

Matt smiled. "We will, Doc. I promise."