Doc narrowed his eyes at the two troopers, "What's his problem?" he then looked sharply to Elcombe who was doing his best to hold Doris on his feet.
"He's been shot," Elcombe stated, "and he's losing a lot of blood. You have to help him," the two troopers stepped a little more into the doctor's office.
"Shot? Where? How?" Doc asked as he moved his medical bag from the examination table. He placed the black leather bag on his desk. The doctor kept his eyes on the two young men as he then moved the other supplies, setting them on the chair next to his desk. Doc twisted his mouth in thought as he pointed to the table and watched Elcombe assist his friend up to it.
"We were doing some scouting, and we were ambushed," Elcombe blurted out. Doris nodded while wincing and holding his side.
"I see," Doc said as he stepped closer to the trooper on the examination table. "I better have a look at this," he said nonchalantly while pulling James Doris' hand way from the wound. Doc ticked his head. "Sure looks bad," he looked up at Doris and then Elcombe. "When did this happen?"
"This morning," Doris groaned. "And if it's that bad, would you kindly do something about it?" he said as he grit his teeth together.
Doc drew his hand across his moustache and looked at the two men. There was something about them and their story he didn't like and then he remembered that he had fired a shot at the three who robbed the payroll. And uneasy feeling swept over the doctor. "Well, that's pretty bad wound," he played coyly, "And I've been up for a lot of hours today. I also have some other business to tend to. I'll see if my assistant Newly, can help you out," Doc said as ne stepped to the door.
Elcombe watched the doctor with great interest. He was trying to read the old man but he came across as honest. "How long is this going to take?" Elcombe asked Doc.
Doc paused, "Oh, likely an hour or so," he studied the men. He was almost one hundred percent certain that they were two of the three involved in the stage hold-up. Now Doc wondered where the third man was. "I'll be back directly," Doc said as he opened the door and almost walked into Festus.
"Doc, I got the wagon ready," he thumbed over his shoulder. The deputy's eyes then drifted across the room to the two troopers. He said nothing and looked to Doc.
"I need Newly's help," Doc stated.
"Everything all right here, Doc?" the hill man's voice was firm. The hairs on the back of the deputy's neck stood at the sight of the two men.
"Oh, yes. Just fine. One of these troopers needs help, that's all," Doc said as he scooted Festus out onto the landing. "Doc? What in tarnation is going on?" and closed the door behind him.
Doc tried to hush the hill man, "Shut up, will you!?" he said sternly in a hushed voice.
Festus made a face, "Doc, what about Matthew, Miss Kitty and Mr. Jonas?" Festus asked as he pointed down to the wagon.
"I know about them. But I think I have potential trouble here," Doc stated and was about to tell Festus of the troopers who robbed the stagecoach just as Elcombe opened the door. "I don't see you going to get your assistant," he growled at Doc.
"Just a minute," Doc said back to the trooper, "I have some unsettled business right here," he tried to smile.
From under the doctor's staircase, Dwight Hodgson heard the conversation between the doctor and the deputy. The trooper stepped out into the alley and looked up and he could make out his friend, Elcombe, in the doorway. He strained his eyes and gathered that the shorter man in the suit was the doctor. He continued to listen.
"Just make it snappy, doctor," Elcombe said and went back inside.
"Festus," Doc looked at the deputy with all the attention he could give him, "I think those two were part of the stagecoach robbery this morning," Doc whispered.
"What? They are troopers. Why in thunder would they rob the stagecoach?" Festus squeaked out.
Doc placed his hands on Festus' shoulders, "Look, I don't have a lot of time to answer that," he looked back to the door before turning to Festus again, "There were three of them and they were after a payroll that the army place on the stagecoach in secrecy," Doc whispered.
Hodgson heard every word from where he stood in the shadows. Hodgson bit his lower lip in thought. He had to get the doctor to look after his friend, and he had to get rid of the deputy at the same time.
Hodgson withdrew his pistol from his holster and moved closer to the stairs, yet remaining in the darkness. He strained his hearing. "Doc, you can't be lookin' after them yahoos with the others at the stagecoach!" Festus cautioned.
"I know. That's why I need Newly. He can look after this trooper and I can go out to the stage," Doc seemed flustered at his situation.
Festus drew a breath, "Fine. I'll get Newly," he huffed and turned to head down the stairs.
"It's not as easy as that," Doc stated.
"Oh?" Festus looked up.
"I have no idea where the third man is," Doc cautioned.
Festus nodded, "I'll deal with that when I get a moment," Festus seemed determined to solve the robbery and bring in the perpetrators.
Doc was just about to say something when Dwight Hodgson stepped in front of Festus. "Going somewhere?" he sneered as he plucked the gun from Festus' holster.
Festus glared at the trooper who stood in front of him, "I take it by yer being here, you are the other fella Doc was talkin' about," the hill man sneered.
Hodgson chuckled, "For a bushwhacker, you're pretty smart," he looked Festus in the eyes before he quickly brought his revolver down over Festus' head sending the hill man quickly to the ground. Doc gashed and moved several steps down toward his hill man friend, "Festus?"
"One more step doctor, and you just might be looking at the Pearly Gates," Hodgson held his gun on Doc. Doc froze in his steps. Hodgson motioned with his gun for the doctor to return to his office. Reluctantly Doc turned and walked back up the stairs. He turned to watch Hodgson drag the unconscious Festus Haggen under the stairs.
Doc tried to think about how he was going to get clear of this growing mess he found himself in. He was exhausted and nothing was coming to his mind. Perhaps if he did get the wounded trooper back on his feet, they would leave Dodge and then he could help his friends. Perhaps.