Adam sat with his back against the wall of the little shack. Little Joe was nestled beside him, his curly head resting on Adam’s shoulder. Both men still had their hands bound behind their backs, and Adam watched his brother in concern. He could tell that Little Joe had sustained quite a bit of damage to his ribs, and the position of his arms was causing a lot of pain. Joe’s breathing was shallow and ragged; a sheen of sweat covered his forehead.

Adam thought back to the ride returning them to the way station. Every step taken by the horse had sent a jolt of pain through Little Joe’s body. By the time they reached their destination Little Joe was staying on the horse’s back through sheer stubbornness. Hagen’s men had pulled him roughly from the mount when they reached the shack, and Joe had cried out involuntarily.

Adam winced at the memory, and anxiously listened to his brother’s gasps. Little Joe was sleeping now, and Adam hoped that Hagen and his men would leave them alone long enough for Joe to gain some respite from the pain. They appeared to be setting up camp for the night. Adam was in turmoil. He was afraid that if he told Hagen where the diamonds were hidden it would spell instant death for both Cartwrights. But he knew that if he didn’t give in to Hagen’s demand for information then more pain would be forthcoming. Adam wasn’t afraid for himself, but he didn’t think that Little Joe was in any condition to take another beating. Finally, exhausted by the constant turmoil in his mind, Adam joined his brother in sleep.

A booted foot catching him in the side woke Adam with a start. He recoiled in pain and confusion until memory flooded his mind. Blinking sleep from his eyes, he looked up into Hagen’s cold eyes. At Adam’s side, Joe awoke, and a muffled groan slipped from his swollen lips. He quickly bit off the exclamation of pain when he saw Hagen staring at them.

“What do you want, Hagen?” Adam’s voice was cold, his eyes steady.

“Whaddya think I want, Cartwright!” Hagen responded angrily. “I want those diamonds. We’ve torn this place apart, now you’re gonna tell us where you put them.”

Adam gazed at Hagen with consideration. “We don’t have them.” he replied tersely.

Hagen erupted in a roar, and both Adam and Joe flinched back at his anger. Hagen raised his fist as if to strike Adam, but stopped abruptly. He glanced at his cohorts, and a wicked grin spread across his face. “Cartwright says they don’t have the diamonds, boys.” Hagen’s tone was ugly. “I say we find a way to make him talk.”

Hagen’s men broke into guffaws of laughter. “Go ahead, Boss.” said one of the men, a leer spread across his features. “What do ya’ want us to do?”

Hagen moved as if to grasp Adam’s arm, about to pull him from the ground, when he stopped again. He shook his head. “No, not you, Cartwright.” He moved to Little Joe and roughly hauled him to his feet, ignoring Joe’s involuntary cry of pain. “Your brother, here. You tell us what we want to know, or I’ll see to it that your brother dies slow.”

Adam’s heart sank. Deep inside he had known it would come to this. He was going to have to trade information to save his brother. After his initial gasp of pain, Joe stood quietly in Hagen’s grasp. His eyes sought Adam’s and he shook his head. “Don’t do it, Adam.” Joe said quietly, his earlier nerves and anxiety gone now that reality had arrived. “They’re going to kill us anyway, so don’t tell him a thing.”

Hagen brutally slapped Joe’s already bruised face. Joe fell to his knees, but was again hauled upwards by Hagen’s meaty fist. Adam lunged forward at Hagen’s treatment of Joe. “No, don’t!” he cried. “Leave him alone.”

Hagen’s booted foot pushed Adam back against the wall. He kept a firm grip on Little Joe’s arm. “Then talk, Cartwright.” he snarled. “Your brother won’t last long, the shape he’s in already.”

Adam had considered the possibility that things would reach this point, and he carefully gave his answer. “I hid them back where we abandoned the stagecoach.” He looked Hagen in the eye as he spoke, willing the man to believe him.

Hagen gave a bark of disbelieving laughter. “We tore that stagecoach apart, Cartwright. We didn’t find the diamonds.” He casually backhanded Joe across the face again.

Joe felt a fresh cut open on his face, and blood began to drip from his torn cheek. He bit his sore lip to keep from crying out again. Adam blanched, and hastily replied. “I buried them. I can’t describe the place. I’d have to show you. Leave my brother alone, or I won’t tell you any more.”

Hagen smiled grimly. “All right, Cartwright. You’re gonna take us to this place you say you buried the diamonds.” His glare was poisonous. “If you’re lying, you and your brother are gonna wish you had never been born.”

Hagen turned to his henchmen. “Barnes, put the kid on that cot, and tie his feet. Make sure his hands can’t get loose. You’re gonna stay here with him. Jake, you come with me. We’re gonna go get us some diamonds.” Hagen put his face close to Adam’s. “If we don’t find those diamonds, Cartwright, I’m coming back here for your brother. He’ll die ugly.”

Adam watched as Barnes hauled Joe over to the cot and roughly tied his feet together. Joe lay still, his eyes glued to his brother throughout the operation. His face was pale and streaked with blood, but he offered his brother a brief smile and a small wink. “I’ll be okay, Adam.” Joe said quietly. “Do what you have to do and don’t worry about me.”

Adam winked back at Joe, smiled briefly and then was pushed out the door by Hagen and the second man, Jake. They pulled him to the horses, and forced him onto the back of Barnes’ horse. Adam was grateful to be riding a horse with a saddle; he was too tired to cope with bareback riding. As Hagen pulled on the lead rein and the horses started off at a trot, Adam looked back at the little shack. He breathed a silent prayer that he hadn’t seen his brother for the last time.