Summary:\u00a0 Little Joe finds himself in a tight spot when a new safe is delivered to the Freight Office.
\nRating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 9,365 words<\/p>\n
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A Safe Place<\/b><\/p>\n
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based on an idea by Lisa<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
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Adam Cartwright looked around the large living area in frustration. \u201cJoe!\u201d he called out. \u201cWhere are you?\u201d There was no answer to his query and he shook his head in frustration at the delay that was being cause by his little brother. \u201cJoe!\u201d he called again. \u201cCome out this minute! We\u2019re ready to go!\u201d There was a muffled sound from inside the credenza near the front door and Adam shook his head for a second time as he strode over to it and opened the door to reveal his little brother crouched down inside it. He bent down and pulled the child out. \u201cWhat on earth were you doing in there?\u201d he demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe grinned up at his eldest brother. \u201cJust seeing if I could fit,\u201d he said. \u201cI can,\u201d he added unnecessarily.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam pulled him by the arm towards the front door. \u201cI\u2019ve been calling for you everywhere,\u201d he said testily. \u201cDidn\u2019t you hear me?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNuh,\u201d replied Little Joe as his brother pushed him through the front doorway and onto the porch. \u201cI couldn\u2019t hear nuthin inside that cupboard.\u201d He skipped over to the buckboard where his father was waiting. \u201cAre we going inta town now Pa?\u201d he asked happily.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNow that we\u2019ve found you we are,\u201d replied Ben, hoisting the child onto the back of the buckboard. \u201cHoss! Come on now son \u2026 Adam has found him!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss appeared from inside the barn where he\u2019d also been searching for his brother. He climbed up onto the seat of the buckboard and Ben climbed up beside him. \u201cI wanna ride with Adam!\u201d declared Joe observing his eldest brother on his horse beside them. \u201cWhy can\u2019t I ride with Adam Pa?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBecause you\u2019re on the buckboard,\u201d said his father testily. \u201cWe wasted enough time already looking for you, now be quiet.\u201d He hitched up the reins and they all headed off towards town. Ben looked sideways at Joe who was fidgeting on the buckboard seat beside him. \u201cWhere were you?\u201d he asked. \u201cWe looked everywhere for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe grinned up at his father, still fidgeting as he did so. \u201cI were in the cupboard,\u201d he said casually.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben gave him a puzzled look. \u201cThe credenza,\u201d added Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy on earth were you in there?\u201d asked Ben. His youngest son\u2019s fascination for getting into small spaces seemed very strange to him at times, but Little Joe seemed to enjoy being huddled up inside things. Many the time Ben had stretched his legs out while sitting at his desk and had accidentally kicked his youngest son who just happened to be sitting under it. He had begun to crawl there as a baby and stayed happily playing in the space under the desk and the habit had never worn off. At six, the boy was still small enough to fit in the space, but Ben wondered where he would find to play when he found himself grown too big for it. This fascination with sitting in cupboards was one that the child had discovered lately and for the life of him, Ben couldn\u2019t see why he did it.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust ta see if I could fit,\u201d said Joe. \u201cCan I drive now Pa?\u201d\u00a0 He reached for the reins and Ben hoisted him up and sat him between his legs, handing over the reins to Joe, but keeping a firm hold of them behind the child.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell no more sitting in cupboards,\u201d said Ben firmly, for want of anything else to say. \u201cWe don\u2019t know where you are when you do that.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOK,\u201d said Joe happily as he hitched up the reins. \u201cI\u2019m gonna drive em faster now.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThis is fast enough,\u201d said his father, shifting on the seat to contain the wriggling of the boy in front of him. \u201cKeep still.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI am,\u201d replied Joe, wriggling even more. He put his head back until he was looking at his father\u2019s face upside down above his. \u201cThis is fun, ain\u2019t it Pa?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d said Ben absently as he smiled down at the little boy. \u201cIt is son.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The rest of the drive into town was taken up with Ben trying to hold Joe still while conversing with Hoss and Adam who rode beside them. As they entered Virginia City, Joe sat proudly as he drove the team down the main street, unaware of Ben still controlling the reins from behind him. They drew up at the Mercantile Store and Hoss jumped down from the buckboard while Adam dismounted from his horse and tied it up. \u201cYou too get that order filled while I\u2019m down at the Freight Office,\u201d directed Ben. \u201cI\u2019ll meet you back here in about half an hour.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI wanna go with Hoss and Adam,\u201d said Little Joe, letting go of the reins immediately and trying to wriggle out from between his father\u2019s legs.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d said Ben, holding onto the child. \u201cYou\u2019re coming with me to the Freight Office.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut I wanna go with them!\u201d insisted Joe, trying to loosen his father\u2019s grip on him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI said no,\u201d said Ben sternly as he hitched up the reins. \u201cBesides, I need you to help me drive this team, don\u2019t I?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe stopped instantly, torn between the delights of driving the buckboard team and going with his brothers. His little mind ticked over for a few moments and then he picked up the reins again. \u201cI reckon ya do Pa,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ll drive em for ya.\u201d Ben tried not to chuckle as they slowly made their way down to the Freight Office, Joe sitting up tall in his seat and smiling proudly at everyone whom they passed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s Tommy!\u201d shouted Joe as they pulled up at the Freight Office. \u201cHi Tommy!\u201d he called as he waved to the boy who was standing near the entry to the office. \u201cTommy\u2019s here Pa!\u201d Joe said, looking up at his father happily.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo I see,\u201d said Ben, wondering not for the first time how such a loud voice could come from such a small child as his son. He held onto Joe with one arm while getting down from the buckboard, pulling his son behind him and depositing him on his feet next toe the horses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe immediately ran up the three steps and grinned at the taller boy in front of him. \u201cHi Tommy,\u201d he said happily. \u201cI was driving the team for my Pa. Did ya see me?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cUh huh,\u201d said Tommy, looking at the team enviously and wishing that his Pa owned one like it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHello Tommy,\u201d said Ben, ruffling the boy\u2019s hair as he reached the porch in front of the Freight Office. \u201cYour Pa here son?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s inside,\u201d said Tommy, still staring at the team of horses. \u201cThere\u2019s lots of people been in today looking at the new safe.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo it arrived, did it?\u201d said Ben. \u201cI might just take a look at it myself. Don\u2019t you go off this porch while I\u2019m inside Joe.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOK Pa,\u201d said Little Joe as he happily swung on one of the porch posts. \u201cMe and Tommy is gonna talk right here.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben smiled as he walked inside. Joe really liked Bert Johnson\u2019s son Tommy, but personally he thought that the other boy was too old for him. At nine, he tolerated Joe well enough, but Ben suspected that when Joe started school in the Spring he might find that the older boy had his own friends and Joe might need to look further afield for children his own age to play with.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As his eyes adjusted to the dimmer light inside the office he looked around for Bert. \u201cHello?\u201d he called out. \u201cIs anyone here?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bert\u2019s head popped up from behind the counter and he grinned at Ben. \u201cI\u2019m just here Ben,\u201d he said. \u201cCome on round and take a look.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo this is it,\u201d said Ben, walking around the end of the counter and staring at the imposing grey box on the floor in front of him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThis is it,\u201d said Bert proudly. \u201cIt finally arrived yesterday.\u201d He gave the heavy box a pat. \u201cIt\u2019s a beauty, don\u2019t you think?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI do indeed,\u201d said Ben, squatting down beside Bert and peering into the safe. \u201cIt\u2019d take some to break into this one Bert.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bert nodded. \u201cNot like that last one eh?\u00a0 That Tanner gang had no problems getting into that and making off with everything it held.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell the Tanners or anyone else is sure going to have their work cut out for them with this beauty,\u201d agreed Ben. \u201cHow much does it weigh?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d replied Bert, standing up. \u201cBut the horses pulling that wagon from Salt Lake City sure looked mighty tired when they finally got it here.\u201d He laughed and Ben joined in with him.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll bet they were glad they didn\u2019t have to haul it all the way form Chicago then,\u201d he said, standing up as well. \u201cWe\u2019re mighty blessed with trains now.\u201d He reached down and swung the heavy door. \u201cSure swings easy,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCareful there Ben,\u201d warned Bert, holding out a hand to stop the door from swinging. \u201cDon\u2019t shut it whatever you do.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben gave him a quizzical look. \u201cOnce I\u2019ve opened it once I need the combination the next time and every other time after that to get it open,\u201d Bert continued.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo?\u201d said Ben, raising his eyebrows. \u201cSurely you\u2019ve got the combination? They wouldn\u2019t send you a safe like this and not the combination to go with it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bert shrugged. \u201cThat\u2019s just the problem,\u201d he said. \u201cThe letter that comes with it telling me the combination must have been delayed. I\u2019ve wired the company in Chicago and they\u2019ve said it should be along directly. Until then I\u2019ll just keep it open.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy not just close it until you have the combination?\u201d asked Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bert shrugged. \u201cEveryone wants to see inside,\u201d he said. \u201cBesides, it should be in tomorrow\u2019s mail I hope.\u201d He patted Ben on the back. \u201cNow,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat can I do for you Ben?\u00a0 You after that case of horseshoes that you ordered?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI am indeed,\u201d said Ben. \u201cI suppose they\u2019re out the back?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes. I\u2019ll help you with them,\u201d said Bert. \u201cFollow me.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Outside, Joe was still swinging on the porch pole as Tommy stared enviously at the team of horses. \u201cSure wish my Pa had one of them,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019re lucky Joe.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019s good horses,\u201d said Joe, grinning at the other boy. \u201cI get ta drive em all by myself too. Maybe your Pa would let you come one day and I can drive ya?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMaybe,\u201d said Tommy, not sounding too sure. He walked over and began to swing on the other pole. \u201cWe got a new safe in the office,\u201d he said, making it sound very important.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah?\u201d answered Joe. \u201cWhat\u2019s a safe?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou know \u2026 a box thing to put important things in. My Pa keeps money and stuff in it what he don\u2019t want other people to steal.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe nodded. \u201cOh yeah,\u201d he said. \u201cMy Pa\u2019s got one of them too. He keeps the payroll money in it for all the men what works on The Ponderosa.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBet our safe is bigger than yours,\u201d said Tommy smugly.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBet it ain\u2019t!\u201d countered Joe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tommy stopped swinging and pulled Joe by the arm. \u201cI\u2019ll show it to ya,\u201d he said. \u201cCome on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe allowed himself to be led into the office. \u201cWhere\u2019s our Pa\u2019s gone?\u201d he asked, looking around.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cProbably out back,\u201d said Tommy. \u201cLook \u2026. There is it.\u201d He stood next to the open safe proudly. \u201cIt\u2019s bigger than your Pa\u2019s I\u2019ll bet.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cYeah it is,\u201d he admitted, crouching down to peer inside. \u201cSure is big!\u201d He crawled into it and grinned out at Tommy. \u201cI can sit in it,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGet on outta there Joe,\u201d said Tommy, looking around anxiously in case his father might suddenly appear. \u201cMy Pa won\u2019t be happy iffen he finds ya in there.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI ain\u2019t hurting nothing,\u201d said Joe defensively. He patted the top of the safe above his head and then the sides. \u201cSure is a big\u2019un,\u201d he said. \u201cHey Tommy, see if the door can close with me inside,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tommy shook his head. \u201cNo Joe. Come on out before my father sees you in there. He\u2019ll be mad.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo he won\u2019t,\u201d replied Joe confidently. \u201cHey close the door Tommy. Just for a minute.\u201d Tommy shook his head again and took a step forward, but at that moment Joe reached out and pulled the door shut. \u201cNow ya can\u2019t get me!\u201d shouted Joe happily. He giggled to himself. \u201cIt closes real good with me in here Tommy,\u201d he shouted. \u201cNow open it up!\u201d There was no sound from outside and after waiting a moment Joe frowned. \u201cHey Tommy!\u201d he shouted again. \u201cOpen it up now!\u201d Again he listened for his friend\u2019s reply, but there was no sound at all. \u201cHey! That ain\u2019t funny Tommy!\u201d he shouted. \u201cLet me out now!\u201d He began to pound on the door. \u201cCan ya hear me Tommy? Let me out now!\u201d The silence seemed to envelop him like the darkness and for the first time, Little Joe began to wonder if he\u2019d done the right thing by getting in here and closing the door upon himself. He swallowed in the darkness and stuck his thumb into his mouth, sucking on it as he used to do some years before. For some reason it helped to comfort him.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n || || || || || || || || || ||<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks Bert,\u201d said Ben, slapping his dirty hands against his sides. \u201cThose horseshoes are sure much heavier than they look.\u201d He looked around in vain for Joe. \u201cI told that boy not to go off the porch,\u201d he said in a frustrated tone as he shook his head.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bert slapped him on the back. \u201cThey\u2019re probably inside,\u201d he said. \u201cMy boy\u2019s the same. Never listens to a thing I tell him to do.\u201d He laughed as they both headed up the stairs together and then stopped as he saw his son Tommy appear in the doorway. \u201cWhere\u2019s Joe son?\u201d he asked. \u201cMr Cartwright is ready to go now.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tommy looked up at his father anxiously and swallowed a couple of times. \u201cI asked you where Joe was son,\u201d repeated his father. \u201cGo and get him.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tommy shook his head and his bottom lip began to quiver. \u201cI can\u2019t,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean you can\u2019t?\u201d said his father, a stern look appearing upon his face. \u201cYou do as you\u2019re told young man.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tommy swallowed again. \u201cBut I can\u2019t Pa,\u201d he repeated. \u201cHonest!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben smiled at Bert as he pushed his way past the boy and into the office. \u201cNever mind Bert,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ll get him. Joe!\u201d he called. \u201cCome on son \u2026. It\u2019s time to go now!\u201d\u00a0 He frowned as he realised that Little Joe hadn\u2019t appeared. \u201cJoseph!\u201d he called in a stern voice. \u201cCome out now son! Hurry up!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tommy tugged at his sleeve and Ben looked down into the boy\u2019s obviously worried face. \u201cWhat is it Tommy?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tommy swallowed yet again. \u201cHe can\u2019t come Mr Cartwright,\u201d he said. \u201cHe\u2019s stuck.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben\u2019s face became anxious as he bent down so that his eyes were on a level with Tommy\u2019s. \u201cWhat do you mean stuck?\u201d he asked. \u201cStuck where son?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIn the safe,\u201d replied Tommy and began to sob as Ben\u2019s face took on a horrified look. \u201cI done told him not to!\u201d he added as the tears began to fall. \u201cBut he got in there and closed the door!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bert Johnson stepped forward and gripped his son\u2019s arms. \u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d he said. \u201cWhat do you mean that he got into the safe?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe did Pa,\u201d sobbed the child. \u201cI told him not to \u2026. Honest!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben\u2019s heart missed a beat as he leant over the counter and saw that the safe\u2019s door was now firmly shut. For a moment time seemed to stand still as he and Bert simply stared at each other and then Ben flung himself around the edge of the counter and began pulling on the door. \u201cJoe!\u201d he shouted. \u201cLittle Joe! Can you hear me son?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Suddenly, Bert was beside him, holding onto his arm. \u201cYou\u2019re wasting your breath Ben,\u201d he said. \u201cThose walls are six inches thick. There\u2019s no way that he could hear you from in there.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben gave the man a wild look and then began pulling on the door again. \u201cHelp me to get this thing open!\u201d he shouted at Bert. \u201cHurry up man!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bert shook his head and drew his hand over his face in an anxious way before turning to Tommy. \u201cGo and get Doc Martin,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tommy gave his father a puzzled look. \u201cBut why do I \u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust do as I say!\u201d snapped his father. \u201cAnd then go and find Adam and Hoss Cartwright and tell them what\u2019s happened. Tell them all to get over here immediately.\u201d He waited until Tommy had disappeared before kneeling down next to the frantic Ben and putting his hands on the other man\u2019s shoulders. \u201cYou\u2019re wasting your time Ben,\u201d he said. \u201cI told you before \u2026 that safe is foolproof. Ain\u2019t none of us gonna be able to break into it without the combination.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben looked at the man frantically. \u201cThen for God\u2019s sake get it!\u201d he shouted. \u201cDon\u2019t you understand?\u00a0 My son is in there!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know that,\u201d said Bert, trying to stay calm for Ben\u2019s sake. \u201cWe\u2019ll think of something Ben, don\u2019t you worry.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shook Bert\u2019s hands off his shoulders. \u201cYou tell me not to worry!\u201d he shouted. \u201cHow can you say that?\u00a0 Don\u2019t you understand what\u2019s happening here?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOf course I do,\u201d said Bert. \u201cI \u2026.\u201d He turned as Hoss and Adam came running into the room. Hoss pushed the man out of the way and knelt down beside his father, pulling on the door with all his might.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTommy told us what happened,\u201d said Adam as he also knelt down next to his father and watched Hoss straining at the door with all his might. \u201cWe\u2019ll get that thing open, Pa \u2026 don\u2019t you worry.\u201d\u00a0 He looked up at Bert. \u201cWhere\u2019s the combination?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bert bit his lip. \u201cLike I\u2019ve been telling your father Adam \u2026 there is no combination. It\u2019s on its way from Chicago, but the letter has been delayed.\u201d There was silence in the room for a few seconds as each of the Cartwrights stared at him, the horror of the situation dawning on them all.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss began to frantically pull on the door of the safe again, but Adam put his hand on his shoulder. \u201cHoss stop it,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019ll do yourself a damage if you keep that up.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean stop it?\u201d asked Hoss, continuing to pull on the door. \u201cLittle Joe\u2019s in there Adam!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben pulled his son\u2019s hands away. \u201cAdam is right son. That\u2019s not the way to do it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss looked at his father trustingly. \u201cThen what is the way Pa?\u00a0 What are we gonna do ta get Joe outta there?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben hesitated as he looked first at Hoss and then Adam. \u201cI \u2026 I don\u2019t know,\u201d he said finally. \u201cLord help me \u2026 I just don\u2019t know.\u201d He touched the safe and began to run his hand up and down the side of it. \u201cJoe,\u201d he said softly. \u201cJoe \u2026 Pa\u2019s here. Your Pa\u2019s here son. We\u2019ll get you out.\u201d Adam put his hand on Ben\u2019s shoulder and gave Hoss a small smile that didn\u2019t reach his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Suddenly, Doctor Paul Martin and Sheriff Roy Coffee burst into the room. Roy immediately took in the situation and then grabbed Bert and jerked him to his feet. \u201cI was with Paul with your young\u2019\u00fan came ta get him,\u201d he said. \u201cIs it true that you ain\u2019t got that combination?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bert shook his head. \u201cThat\u2019s right Roy. It\u2019s coming by mail. I\u2019m hoping that it\u2019ll get here on tomorrow\u2019s stage.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTomorrow might be too late,\u201d said Paul, kneeling down next to Ben. \u201cI\u2019m sorry to say this Ben \u2026\u201d he gave his friend a mournful look. \u201cBut you have to be prepared. \u201cIt might be too late even now.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben jerked. \u201cToo late?\u201d he whispered. \u201cWhat \u2026\u201d He looked at the Doctor, tears springing to his eyes. \u201cWhat \u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Paul hesitated before replying. \u201cBen,\u201d he said as gently as he could. \u201cThe safe might be \u2026 well it might be airtight.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben\u2019s blood ran cold and he put his face down in his hands and began to rock backwards and forwards on his heels. \u201cNo,\u201d he said in a low voice. \u201cDear God \u2026. No!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Paul looked over at Adam. \u201cMove your Pa away son,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam put his hands on Ben\u2019s shoulders again. \u201cPa \u2026\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shook Adam\u2019s hands away. \u201cNo!\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m staying here!\u201d He looked at Paul as the man rummaged in his pocket. \u201cWhat?\u201d he asked, unable to say any more.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Paul drew out his stethoscope. \u201cI may be able to hear inside it with this,\u201d he said and then looked up at Bert. \u201cI\u2019ll need something to bank on this thing with.\u201d Bert handed him a lump of wood from the box of kindling next to the fireplace and everyone held their breath as Paul handed the wood to Ben. \u201cBang on it with this,\u201d he instructed him. \u201cThen stop so that I can hear if there\u2019s anything coming from inside.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben grabbed the wood, anxious to do something \u2026. Anything. He banged on the side of the safe several times and then stopped, looking at Paul expectantly as the doctor put his stethoscope into his ears and then placed the other end onto the side of the safe. Everyone was still and held their breath as they watched the Doctor\u2019s face intently. After a few moments, Paul took the stethoscope out of his ears and shook his head. \u201cNothing,\u201d he said. \u201cTry again Ben.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben tried again \u2026. and again \u2026 and again, but each time, the doctor shook his head to indicate that he heard nothing from inside the safe. Tears sprang to Hoss\u2019 eyes as he sat on the floor next to the doctor and he began to sob quietly to himself. \u201cJoe,\u201d he murmured. \u201cAnswer him Joe. Say something little buddy. Please!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy Coffee bent down and drew the boy to his feet before putting his arm around him. \u201cSon \u2026\u201d he said gently as he looked down at the boy\u2019s face, noting how Hoss was trying to contain his tears. \u201cYou cry if ya want to boy. It\u2019ll help ya feel better.\u201d Hoss leant in against the sheriff and Roy held him close as they both looked down at Ben and Paul beside the safe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Paul put the stethoscope against the side of the safe again as Ben stopped banging the piece of wood against it yet again. \u201cWait \u2026.\u201d breathed the doctor and held up his hand. The silence seemed to envelop them all as everyone in the room held their breath and then Paul spoke again. \u201cI hear something,\u201d he breathed.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben reached over and grabbed the stethoscope from the doctor. He banged on the side of the safe and then listened, his eyes closed and his fingers gripping onto the piece of wood as if he would break it. After a moment he looked up at them all, the tears standing in his eyes. \u201cI hear it,\u201d he said joyfully. \u201cIt\u2019s just a tapping sound, but it\u2019s there.\u201d He put his face in his hands again as Adam gripped onto his shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s alive Pa,\u201d said Adam, his relief showing in his face. \u201cHe\u2019s alive!\u201d Hoss knelt down beside his father and brother again and wiped his tears as he tried to smile at them.\u00a0 Ben put the stethoscope against the side of the safe again to listen and then nodded his head at both his sons, his own tears still standing in his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy Coffee gripped hold of Bert\u2019s sleeve. \u201cGet on over to the telegraph office,\u201d he said. \u201cWire that company and get that combination. Hurry man!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bert hesitated. \u201cI don\u2019t think they\u2019ll give it to me over the telegraph,\u201d he said. \u201cTheir security system is such that \u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t give a damn about their security system,\u201d snarled Roy. \u201cYou tell em they\u2019ll answer to the law if that boy \u2026\u201d he stopped and looked down at the Cartwrights. \u201c \u2026 if anything happens to that boy in there,\u201d he finished. \u201cYou tell em I\u2019ll have them charged if they don\u2019t give you that combination.\u201d Bert nodded and disappeared, dragging his son Tommy behind him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy turned to Ben and Paul. \u201cI\u2019ll send a rider out to meet that stage,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ll get that letter a lot sooner on horseback.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam stood up immediately. \u201cI\u2019ll go,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy shook his head. \u201cNo son,\u201d he said, glancing down at Ben who was listening intently to the noises coming from inside the safe. \u201cI\u2019ll send someone else. Best that you stay here with your Pa.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Paul stepped forward. \u201cI think it\u2019d be a good idea for Adam to go Roy,\u201d he said and then patted Adam on the back. \u201cYou go Adam,\u201d he said. \u201cRide like the wind boy.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam nodded before bending down and speaking to his father. \u201cI\u2019ll be back as soon as I can Pa,\u201d he said. \u201cDon\u2019t you worry. Joe\u2019s going to be OK.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben nodded at his son and clasped him by the hand. \u201cBe careful,\u201d he said and then put the stethoscope back into his ears again.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam ran to the door. \u201cWait,\u201d said Roy. \u201cFollow the Carson City trail Adam, but if you turn off before Placerville you should be able to meet that stage before it even get to Carson City.\u201d Adam nodded and disappeared.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Paul glanced down at Ben and Hoss on the floor and then drew Roy aside. \u201cI don\u2019t know that the boy will make any difference Roy,\u201d he said. \u201cBut it\u2019s given him something to do other than sit here and worry. Besides,\u00a0 I thought it best to get him out of here. Lord knows what we\u2019ll find when we open that door.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy looked stricken. \u201cBut the young\u2019un is still alive,\u201d he said earnestly. \u201cYou heard him yaself Paul.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Paul nodded. \u201cYes,\u201d he said, but for how long?\u00a0 I think it\u2019s best if neither of these boys is here when we get that thing open, don\u2019t you?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy nodded. \u201cI see what you mean,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIf you could get Hoss out of here it would be a help,\u201d continued Paul in a low voice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy nodded and walked over to Ben and Hoss. \u201cSon,\u201d he said, putting his hand on Hoss shoulder. \u201cYa ain\u2019t gonna do no good here. Come with me.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss shook his head. \u201cI\u2019m stayin here with my Pa,\u201d he said firmly. \u201cUntil we get my little brother outta there.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n