Clarence stepped down off the boardwalk and took two steps out into the street, "Why not ask ol' Isaac there," he pointed past Matt with the knife.
Matt did a quick check over his shoulder and only saw Festus, "I told you Matthew he's burst his barrel rings!" the deputy squawked. Matt's eye bows furrowed, "This isn't helping, Festus," Matt said with growing anger in his voice as the marshal's eye came back to the trapper who stood defiantly in the street.
"I think you have made a mistake, mister..." Matt stated.
"Clarence Cox. Some just call me C.C.," Clarence offered freely. "There isn't any mistake, marshal. That weasel behind yo was my business partner until he made off with two hundred dollars of mine," Cox stated.
"And how long ago was this?" Matt asked.
"Over two years now. I've been on his mangy trail since," Cox replied.
"How can you prove this Matt asked. Festus' eyebrow shot up to his sweat band in his hat. He felt matt was selling him out. The hill man nervously watched on.
"This," Cox stated as he flung the large hunting knife out onto the street. It slid to the marshal's feet in the snow. Matt slowly bent over and pick the knife up, "Festus?"
"Wall sure I recognize it, Matthew," Festus wheezed.
"How so?" Matt asked bluntly while looking at the weapon before casting a glance at his deputy.
"I found it out in the hills a while ago and took it to Mr. Jonas to see if anyone would buy it," Festus stated.
"Don't you think that with a knife of this kind, that someone might be missing it?" Matt frowned at Festus. "I didn't think of it that way at all, Matthew," Festus admitted by guilt he should have turned the knife in at the office.
"That knife is Isaac's," Cox stated as he pointed to Festus.
"Now, mister, you are mistaken here. Festus Haggen is just Festus Haggen. He isn't this Isaac fellow you keep going on about," Matt stated.
"You are all covering up for that yellow toad," Cox growled. "I prove you wrong on that," he stated.
"Matthew? How can he prove I am some who I ain't?" Festus asked.
Matt paused as he watched Cox slowly walk away, "I'll get my money from you yet, Talbot," he said over his should as he walked up the street.
"I don't know Festus. But steer clear of him for the time being," Matt said he walked to the general store to check on Jonas. Matt stepped through the doors and watch Doc flexing the store owner's left arm, "Well, it doesn't seem to be broken. You'll have a sore bruise for a while. Watch how you pick things up," Doc said pilling his spectacles from his face and placing them in the metal container he carried in his vest pocket. Jonas watched the doctor and the marshal from a barrel where he sat. "Thanks, Doc," Jonas said.
"Doc?" Matt said with concern as he watched Jonas roll down his sleeve and button it at the cuff.
"Oh, Jonas' will be fine," Doc patted Jonas on the shoulder. "That fellow sure has it out for someone," Doc said drawing his hand across his moustache.
"Someone named Isaac Talbot," Jonas added.
"For some strange reason he thought Festus was this Talbot fellow," Doc said ticking his head in thought.
"Well what happened to Jonas?" Matt asked.
"That mad man broke my display case to get at a knife. He threatened Festus with it so I pulled my shotgun out from behind the counter and before I knew it, he clipped me across the forearm. I thought he broke my arm the way he hit me so hard!" Jonas stated.
Matt made a face, "Is he all right, Doc?" he asked pointing to Jonas' arm.
"Yes. Just a bad bruise," Doc looked over to the store owner who was now assessing the damaged display case from where he sat. Matt's eyes followed and looked down at the glass. The marshal sighed.
Doc stepped forward, "Matt, that fellow, really has it out for Festus. I hate to admit this, but I'm worried for him," the physician stated.
"At this point so am I," Matt frowned. "Maybe I'd better ask Newly to go over to Spearville until I can clear this up," Dillon said.
Jonas was now on his feet with a broom in his hands. He was clearly in discomfort while pulling the glass together with the head of the broom, "Some people shouldn't be allowed into Dodge," he grumbled.
"Now, Mr. Jonas, I know you are upset and with good reason, but I'm sure this is a big misunderstanding," Matt tried to calm Jonas down.
"Well, I hope you get to the bottom of it soon Marshal. I don't want that man back in my store again!" Jonas snapped at Matt. Matt nodded, and understood where Jonas' anger was coming from, "You just take it easy and I'll see what I can do," Matt said as he left.
Matt paused in the doorway, "And Jonas, I'll have this over at the jail house," Matt held up the knife.
"You can keep it," Jonas said while continuing the sweep the floor.
Doc followed Matt and looked back at Jonas, "For heaven's sakes, Jonas! Don't strain yourself!" Doc barked as he watched Jonas wince as he continued to sweep up the broken glass. Jonas looked up at the doctor.
Neither man was amused. Doc rolled his eyes and pulled the door closed before he scurried off after the marshal. "Matt?! Wait up!" Doc called. Matt stopped on the boardwalk just passed the Long Branch, "I can't waste time Doc. What is it?"
"I think you're right in sending Newly to Spearville," Doc stated. "The more I think of this, something bad is going to happen. You know how Festus gets when something is wrong like this!" Doc stopped matt by taking his forearm.
Matt turned and looked down at the physician, "Doc, I'm worried too," he said gently pulling his arm free, "I'll ask Newly to go, then find Festus and we'll meet at the Long Branch and talk this thing through," Matt reasoned. Doc nodded in agreement, "How be I find Festus and we'll meet you there?"
"Sure. That would save some time," Matt nodded. "All right but be careful and watch out for C.C.," Matt warned. Doc nodded and was on his way back to the last known location of Festus Haggen.