The sun was climbing high into the sky when Jim stopped for a rest break. Artie, to his dismay, had slept all day. Jim took the hat from his partner's lap and went in search of some water. Down by the stream Jim jumped and reached for the gun that wasn't there. He was certain he had seen Loveless' face looking back at him in the water. Jim spun around and looked but there was nothing there. Must be my nerves, playing tricks on me, Jim thought. He hurried back to where he had left Artemus. His puzzlement turned to concern when he saw his partner on his hands and knees struggling to get up.
"Artie!" Jim called as he ran to him.
"Jim?"
"Hey, pal, what are you trying to do?" Jim asked as he lowered him back down.
"I couldn't breathe…I was just trying to sit up and…and…"
"And what, pal?" Jim asked as he helped him to a sitting position.
"Damnit, I lost my balance. It's like I have no equilibrium. I can't tell which way is up," Artie complained.
"Don't worry about it pal, I got it covered. We're only about a mile or so from town. You just gave me the push I needed. I'll have us there in no time."
"It may just be the fever talking, Jim, but have I ever told you I'm glad you're my partner?"
"Not often enough, pal. But same here, Artie, same here." Jim smiled.
An idea came to him and Jim lifted Artie off the travois and cut a strip off the top and the bottom. He fashioned straps from them and tied them to the branches. He tested them on his shoulders to get the right height. Jim lowered the travois and replaced his partner on it. Artie looked at him and wondered why he hadn't thought of it sooner. Jim slipped the straps on, amazed at how it actually made his partner feel lighter. He picked his spot on the horizon and set out. Artie assured him he was much better in this position. Jim walked in silence concentrating on reaching the next spot on the horizon and failed to notice their shadow had returned.
"Hey Jim," Artie said covering his mouth with his hand as if he were yawning, "we're being followed."
"Yeah, Artie, I noticed that yesterday. I didn't want to worry you so I never mentioned it."
"No, Jim, we're being followed NOW. Our shadow is coming out in the open."
Jim turned to look. Sure enough, the horse and rider had moved closer to them and was totally out in the open now. Jim pulled on the straps and set out again as fast as he could. Maybe, just maybe he could get close enough to town that someone would hear his call for help. Artemus grabbed onto the sides of the travois and held on as tightly as he could. The rider spurred his horse and began to advance on them.
"Jim, we're not gonna make it!" Artie shouted, "He's running his horse at us."
"I'm going as fast as I can, pal," Jim panted.
"Drop the travois, Jim," Artie urged.
"No, Artie! What's the matter with you? Do you have a death wish?" Jim growled.
"Not really, Jim, but if you leave me it might confuse him as to who he should go after," Artie said.
"Nothing, doing, Artie. I won't leave you here while I run like a scared rabbit."
"Did it ever occur to you to run in the direction of town, Jim? If we are almost there you could go alone. You can get there in a few minutes and bring help back."
"Artie, why do I get the feeling you're trying to protect me again?"
"Maybe I am. But trust me, Jim it will be easier if you just listened to me for a change and left!" Artie shouted as his eyes scanned the area.
Before Jim's lips could form a reply, Artemus saw his opening and took it. He closed his eyes and rolled off the travois and down a small slope, landing heavily against a rock. Jim picked up speed and went several yards before he noticed. He turned and looked and saw the travois empty. He dropped the travois and looked around. He spotted the horse and rider and watched as he approached a rock and slowed. Jim looked and saw his partner's feet protruding from the rock. Jim dove for cover and worked his way around as close as he dared to where Artemus lay. The figure stepped off the horse and approached Artemus.
"Artemus Gordon," The figure stated simply.
"Baron Hinterestoisser," Artie stonily replied.
"Ah, so you have not forgotten me," The man smirked.
"I most certainly have not forgotten you, Mr. Gordon. You caused me a great deal of discomfort when I was forced to return home. It took me many months to work my way back up to my former position," the Baron glared.
"Oh only months? I must be slipping. Let me guess, you're Loveless' accomplice. I should have known since you ARE known for your torture techniques."
"I do pride myself on my interrogation techniques, this is true. But interrogation is not what I have in mind right now, Mr. Gordon. Now, if you would please be so kind as to get up and come with me," the Baron snarled, Jim prepared to jump to Arties assistance if needed.
"I'm sorry, Baron, but I can only please one person per day and well, today is not your day and tomorrow isn't looking too good for you either," Artie quirked.
"Maybe you misunderstood me, Mr. Gordon…that was not a request it was an order."
"Yeah, well the spirit is willing, believe me, but the body is weak. I think I broke something when I rolled down here. It seems I can't move my leg, guess you're out of luck."
"No matter, I'll just kill you where you are. It's not the nice tidy way I usually conduct business matters of this nature but one must make do with what one has."
The Baron advanced on Artemus. Artie pushed up, favoring his left ankle, and swung at the Baron, knocking him back. Jim was about to make his presence known when a hand gripped his arm. He spun around and came face to face with Jeremy Pike.
"Pike? What the hell are you doing here?" Jim whispered.
"It only took him three days but that mealy mouthed hotel clerk finally gave up what he knew. I took a few men and rode out to the armory only to find that it was gone. Was that some of your work?"
"Not my work, this time it was Artie's. Look, Jeremy, can we talk about this later right now we have to help Artie. He's hurt pretty bad and won't stand a chance against the Baron," Jim moved to rise and Jeremy again clamped down on his arm, Jim glared at him.
"As much as it pains me to say it, Jim, no. You can't move in just yet. I have men surrounding us right now and we need to give them time to get into position. I think Artemus saw what we were doing, that's why he's trying to stall."
"Well, if it's stalling you want, it's stalling you'll get. I'm going in but I promise I won't do anything to give your guys away. Artie's life depends on it."
"Just be careful, Jim. We need about five minutes to get into position do you think you can do that? And try to let Artemus know."
"Will do," Jim replied as he rose and casually walked toward the Baron.
"Damnit, James! Can't you do one simple thing I ask you to?" Artie spat when he saw who was walking toward them.
"Sorry, Artie, I couldn't let you have a party with the Baron and not invite me. That's really bad manners on your part you know," Jim gave his partner that look.
"Oh how terribly impolite of me, James. I do apologize, my mind has been elsewhere lately."
"Yeah, pal, I noticed that. It'll probably take you a good four or FIVE minutes to gather your thoughts, why don't you sit on that rock while I talk to the Baron?" Jim hoped his partner had picked up on the hint.
"Five minutes? I can do that," Artie replied as he lowered himself onto the rock, "Your forces look a little scattered too, Jim why don't you join me?" Jim got the clue and sat next to his friend.
"I don't know what little game you two are trying to play but it won't work. Now I just have the both of you right where I want you," the Baron smiled sardonically.
"Do you hear that, James? Someone wants us," Artie smiled.
"So I hear, Artemus. What if we don't want to be wanted?" Jim directed his last remark toward the Baron.
"You really have no choice, Mr. West. I did not come five thousand miles for revenge to go home empty handed. I intend to take your sorry carcasses back with me."
"Will it do any good to tell you that without medical attention Artie probably won't make it to tomorrow let alone all the way back to Germany?" Jim's eyes belied his ruse.
"I think you really believe that, Mr. West. Anyone can see Mr. Gordon will soon be relieved of his burden of pain and suffering but that is of no consequence to me. I see that I have gotten what I paid for and I only need Mr. Gordon's body there was no mention by my superiors of him still possessing it."
"But wouldn't you redeem yourself even more to your government if he were alive?" Jim asked sneaking a look around.
"Possibly so…but I fear even with medical treatment he wouldn't make the ocean voyage. But no matter I still have you. It will be up to you as to whether or not you are still breathing," the Baron moved to stand directly in front of Artemus.
"Mr. Gordon, out of respect for your stature as a government agent, I will make this quick," the Baron stated as he stared down at him.
"You know something, James?" Artie spoke ignoring the Baron.
"What's that Artemus?" Jim asked feigning innocence.
"I think the Baron's heart condition is getting the better of him."
"Heart condition? I didn't know the Baron had a heart condition."
"Oh yes and it's very grave indeed."
"What kind of heart condition does he have, Artie?"
"The worst kind, Jim…he doesn't have one." Artie had been tapping on Jim's leg throughout their conversation and Jim nodded imperceptibly.
Artie brought his hands up and, using the last of his strength, smashed them into the Baron's chest. Artemus' hands just bounced off. Oh terrific, body armor! Artie thought. He was trying to think of the next course of action and failed to see the glint of steel in the sunlight.
The Baron brought his had up from his waistband and plunged the knife into Artie's right shoulder. Artie screamed and pulled back, falling back onto the rock. The Baron advanced on him again. Jeremy was up and on his feet in a flash, hoping his men were ready.
"Jim, he's got body armor!" Artie shouted, as he slid down to the ground.
"Thanks, Artie," Jim replied as he grasped the hand with the knife in it.
The Baron knew about Jim's injuries as well and used his knowledge to his advantage. He grasped Jim's arm just in the middle of the slash on his right bicep. Jim felt himself being pushed to the ground and the only thought was if he went down before Jeremy was ready Artie was done for. Jim pushed back as hard as he could and managed to loosen the Baron's grip.
Jim reached for the knife as the Baron plunged it into his side. Jim screamed and rushed the Baron, knocking him back. He pulled the knife out of his side and moved to stab the Baron. Just as Jim raised his arm and began his downswing there was a single shot fired. The Baron stared wide-eyed at Jim, a look of utter disbelief on his face. Then he slowly sank to his knees before falling to the ground. His lifeless eyes staring ahead. Jim looked in the direction of the shot. Jeremy smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
"Sorry, Jim, I couldn't let you kill him. You're on vacation remember?"
"Oh yeah, fighting for our lives for the last few days I kind of forgot that," Jim bent down to check his friend.
"I'm all right, Jim. Help me up," Artie requested.
"Artemus," Jeremy said instead, "we have a wagon we're bringing around for you two."
"Fine, whatever. But I still need to get up…I'm sitting on a rock and it's not in the best of positions," Artie's look pleaded with Jim.
"Come on, pal. Let me help you up," Jim said as he pulled Artie to a sitting position against the rock.
The wagon was called for and Jeremy set a crew to the task of burying the Baron. He moved over to James and Artemus to see what he could do until the wagon arrived. He was aghast at the abuse his fellow agents had endured. Jim brought him up to date on what had happened as Artie's adrenaline rush was over and he was fading quickly. He mostly just offered grunts, groans and laughs as Jim talked.
"Did you find any trace of Loveless?" Jim asked.
"Sorry, Jim, but you know Loveless if there was one way out of there, he probably had twenty. I've left a few men there to keep an eye on the place but so far there's been no sign of him," Jeremy was saddened at having to give him this news.
"Don't let it get to you, Jim," Artie said, "We'll get him someday."
"Yeah, sure we will, pal," Jim replied glumly.
The wagon arrived and Jeremy helped both men into it. Jim protested, but Jeremy reasoned that if he were in the back of the wagon with Artemus he would be able to keep an eye on him. Artemus glared and Jim rolled his eyes but allowed Jeremy to help him into the back of the wagon. Truth be told he would feel better if he were back there keeping an eye on his partner. After getting them settled on a soft bed of blankets, Jeremy climbed up and into the driver's seat, grabbed the reigns and slapped the horses. He leaned back and told them they would be to the hospital within the hour. Artie groaned and Jim smiled.