A small fire lit their way as they picked their way among the rubbish. The stars did not allow them to see much and more than once they tripped over and cursed. They saw the dark figure slumped at the entrance of the wagon.

"Sullivan?" The sheriff leaned over and tried to pull him to his feet. "Sullivan? Wake up!"

When he did not respond Roy slapped his face, none too gently. The man opened his eyes and tried to focus. "Francesca?"

"Who the hell's that?"

"Francesca's the name of Cass's mother, Roy."

"Francesca!"

"Do I look like Francesca?!"

Neither of his visitors had the slightest sympathy for him. When Roy loosened his grip, Sullivan staggered and lay sprawled on the ground. The Sheriff managed to get him sitting up and signalled to Adam.

"Find a bucket or bowl or something. Get some cold water from the brook. We've got to sober this wretch up, at least so he can speak to us."

Will Sullivan was huge and would have made a remarkable example of manhood if he had not indulged in vice and drink. Now his clothes hung on his frame and his blond hair fell lank and lustreless with dirt. He was fair beneath the grime and Adam thought the little girl had inherited very little from him. Certainly not her complexion. He poked around for a container and returned with a bucket of freezing cold water. With any luck the beast would die of hypothermia.

"Stand out of the way, Roy," he ordered and threw the lot over the slouching figure.

Sullivan came to, roaring and fighting.

"You drunken sot!" Adam growled. "Tell me, are you missing something?"

"Wh-wh - "

"A little girl, perhaps?"

Sullivan screwed up his face. "Cass – Cassandra?"

"I'm surprised you can remember her name!"

"Wh-where - "

"We've got her. She's safe. WE won't beat her like you did, Sullivan! We saw the marks! What are you – some sort of animal?"

"Adam! Don't insult the animals!"

"Give – give her - "

"Give her back? What for? So you can kill her? My brother and sister came here earlier and said they found her in filth. Half-starved. You beat her, Sullivan! Hell's too good for you!"

"Adam. Now, Sullivan, listen. Ben Cartwright's got your daughter. She's safe and well looked after. His children, Little Joe and Scamp, found her here earlier today. She was filthy, half-starved, uncared for. She had been badly beaten. They could not leave her here. And she cannot remain with you."

"You have no right. She's my daughter."

"I haven't seen her yet but if she's anywhere near as bad as Adam says she is, I will do everything in my power to see you don't get your hands on her again. There's a difference between reasonable punishment and downright abuse. Which is what you're guilty of."

"I – I love her."

"Love her?" Adam almost spat. "You don't feed her, bathe her, you keep her in this dump! And don't forget, I've seen her. I've seen the weals you left all over her. You're lucky I don't break every bone in your body!"

Sullivan slurred something but neither Roy nor Adam was interested in anything he had to say. Roy stood up and jerked his head. "At least he knows where she is. We've done our duty."

"Francesca!...Cassie!..." The man's cries followed them as they rode back towards town.

"I must get home, Adam. I'm out on my feet. Tomorrow I will come and see you and talk to the poor child. In the morning, as early as I can. I will bring the doctor and a woman with me, as is fit."

"We'll look forward to seeing you, Roy."

"I will also contact the magistrate and see what can be done."

Roy was true to his word and telegraphed the local magistrate the next morning.