Festus stood on the boardwalk and plopped his hat down over his head. As usual the ragged hat sat askew and down over the deputy's right ear. Festus looked up and down the street and it appeared that the crowds from earlier had dissipated and gone on about their business.

Sam Noonan had caught up to Festus, "I'm sure the marshal will be fine in a few days," he spoke in his soothing velvet baritone way. Festus nodded.

Sam stepped out in front of the hill man as he seemed not to be paying much attention, "Festus, maybe you should send a telegram to Fort Dodge about this," the barkeep suggested.

Festus look up at Sam, "How do we know them three were really part of the army?"

"It's not up to us to decide. Doc said they were after the payroll, didn't he?" Sam said with reason.

Festus nodded, "You're right, Sam," he said as he moved down off the boardwalk and began to walk to the telegraph office. Sam remained where he stood for a moment more and watched the deputy cross the street. Sam's attention was then drawn to the top of the stairs where Doc had just stepped out onto the landing with his medical bag in hand.

"Where is he going?" the doctor asked as he walked down the stairs while watching Festus.

"I suggested he send a message to Fort Dodge," Sam stated.

Doc gave a quick no, "Good idea," he then drew his free hand across his moustache and turned toward the Long Branch Saloon. Without another word, the doctor crossed the alley and stepped up onto the adjacent boardwalk and entered the saloon. Sam followed the doctor into the establishment and resumed his place behind the long wooden bar.

Sam watched Doc slowly climb up the stairs and knew the old physician must be feeling pretty low about everything. Sam sighed and then focussed on his job.

Doc stopped briefly at the open door to the room where Wilbur Jonas was sprawled across the bed. Doc smiled slightly at the sight, although he felt bad for the man. He's been through so much in the past months. It's a wonder Jonas hadn't thrown his hands in the air and just walked out of town, leaving it all behind. However, Doc knew Jonas loved his store, or the money, or both. Doc shook his head and continued down the hall and stopped at Kitty Russell's door.

Doc paused before he knocked lightly on the oak door. He listed for Kitty to say something but he heard nothing. Doc knocked a little harder on the door. Finally he heard Kitty say the door was unlocked.

Doc turned the knob and opened the door into the room - he was always in awe of the decor. "Kitty?" he asked as he moved toward the large brass bed.

Kitty rolled her head sideways and tried to smile, "Hi Doc."

Doc sat his medical bag down on a little wooden table, next to the bed, "How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been in a stagecoach accident," she said dryly.

Doc noted the sarcasm and opened black leather bag, "I think you'll be slightly more comfortable out of that dress," he stated.

Kitty's left eyebrow ached. She somehow saw a hint of humour in Doc's statement, "Oh?" she played with him.

Doc looked at the saloon owner sharply, "You know what I mean," he grumbled which caused Kitty to giggle - even though it hurt her ribs.

Kitty pulled the blanket off and carefully swung her legs over the edge of the big bed. She unbuttoned the dark-green silk bodice and Doc help to slip it off her shoulders.

Kitty struggled with the eye hooks that closed the back of her skirt. Doc watched, "Let me help you," he said as he carefully unfastened the hooks. "Thanks Doc," Kitty signed as she let the long skirt fall to the floor at her feet

Doc assisted Kitty back onto the bed, "You know I have to look at those ribs of yours," he said sitting down on the edge of the bed and taking Kitty's pulse at the same time.

"I know," Kitty grumbled

as Doc placed his hand gently over Kitty's forehead to take her temperature. Doc pulled back and rested his hand on his lap, "You have a slight temperature," he stated.

"I wouldn't doubt it," Kitty frowned. "If it wasn't for Jonas' coat, I would have frozen to death out there," her voice trailed off as he looked at Doc. "He must have almost frozen to death himself," she then stated with a start.

Doc nodded, "I'll look in on him, once I get these ribs wrapped," he stood to get the materials ready. Kitty nodded.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sergeant Williams' eyes narrowed as he read the telegram he held tightly in his right hand. His lips tightened. Slowly Williams lowered his hand and looked at the young trooper who delivered the message, "Find sergeant Cox for me," he said sternly.

Trooper Christie back out of the room and then hastily made his way across the compound in search of the sergeant. Trooper Christie spotted Cox, "Sergeant Cox. Sergeant Williams would like to speak with you," he stated.

Cox pursed his lips, "Right," he said and left what he was doing to speak with Williams. Cox wasted no time crossing the parade grounds of the fort. He entered the office and noted the look on Williams' face. "Looks like you have a problem, Robert," Cox stated as he closed the door behind him.

"Not just me," Williams said, as he trusted the telegram into Cox's hands. Sergeant Cox rotated the message and read it – twice in fact. His eyes lifted from the page, "That was the assignment of troopers Hodgson, Elcombe and Doris, wasn't it?"

"You know bloody well it was," Williams shouted as he quickly sat down in his chair behind the desk.

"Clearly we have to notify the Major about this," Cox stated.

"I know," Williams folded his arms across this desk. "Heads will roll over this," he continued. "If those troopers are responsible, I want them drawn and quartered," Williams growled.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dwight Hodgson and Frank Elcombe had good hot fire burning. Their companion was unconscious and perhaps better off not knowing what his two friends were about to do to him.

Hodgson flipped the long brass cotter pin with a cloth. It was sufficiently hot enough – almost too hot to handle even with the canvas.

Elcombe had Doris laying on his side and the trooper's wound exposed.

"Okay, here I come," Hodgson stated as he moved quickly to his two friends and pushed the red-hot pin down into the bullet wound. Both Hodgson and Elcombe made faces at the smell of searing flash. Doris groaned and moved slightly. Likely the pain was even felt in his unconscious state.

"That should stop the bleeding," Hodgson pulled the pin out of Doris' side and set it on a rock to cool. He poked at the wound to see if he was successful with his impromptu operation.

"What do you think?" Elcombe asked.

"I think as soon as he wakes up, we can get the hell out of here," Hodgson stated with an edge to his voice. He anted to get moving again knowing that in all likelihood the gap between freedom with the money and being caught with the money was narrowing with each passing moment.