The Cartwrights have come to San Francisco to negotiate a contract and enjoy a relaxing family vacation together. All thoughts of relaxation fly right out the window when two family members and a friend go missing, and the police are infuriatingly indifferent. A WHN for \u201cSan Francisco\u201d and \u201cThe Mountain Girl.\u201d<\/p>\n
San Francisco Revisited is part of the Bloodlines Series, and follows the events in Young Cartwrights In Love.\u00a0 It also includes several non-cannon characters.<\/p>\n
Rating: T (58,600 words)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Bloodlines Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n Bloodlines<\/a> \n <\/p>\n San Francisco Revisited\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Prologue . . . .<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Joe . . . race ya.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhat?!\u00a0\u00a0 On THAT ol\u2019 nag?\u00a0\u00a0 You\u2019ve gotta be kidding!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll have you know this \u2018ol\u2019 nag\u2019 can run circles around that GOAT CHEESE of yours . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThe name\u2019s COCHISE, thank you very much,\u201d Joe Cartwright retorted good naturedly, \u201cand for YOUR information, Roscoe, there ain\u2019t no horse in the whole territory faster \u2018n this guy right here.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cHmpf!\u00a0\u00a0 So YOU say . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYou wanna put your money where your mouth is?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cDepends on whatcha got in mind.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cTen bucks and the looser buys the winner all the beer he can drink for a month.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re ON, Joe!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cSee that tree?\u00a0\u00a0 That big gnarled oak?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYeah . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cOk.\u00a0\u00a0 We go up to that tree, circle around it, then we run back down the road to that rock.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Joe pointed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cFirst man and horse who passes that rock is the winner.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cAgreed.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cOn your mark . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201c . . . get set . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cGO!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Both of them shouted in unison.<\/em><\/p>\n Within less than a heartbeat, he was tearing down the road alongside Joe Cartwright, one of the rare few he considered friend.\u00a0\u00a0 He heard again the thunder of hooves pounding the earth as their horses raced toward the tree up ahead, and felt the wind in his face.\u00a0\u00a0 They rounded the tree with Joe and Cochise taking the lead.\u00a0\u00a0 He nudged his horse to top speed, and smiled as the distance between them slowly, relentlessly closed . . . .<\/em><\/p>\n Roscoe Swanson awoke with a start to a world dark, cold, and clammy.\u00a0\u00a0 His head pounded and throbbed with what had to be the royal mother of all headaches, and his stomach felt very heavy, as if he had swallowed a twenty pound lead weight whole.\u00a0\u00a0 That, together with the cloying, musty odor of mildew in the air stirred within him an intense, almost overwhelming urge to vomit . . . something he desperately wanted to avoid.<\/p>\n \u201cStrange that I should dream of the Ponderosa . . . . \u201d<\/em>\u00a0 he mused silently, grasping at the fading remnants of dream in a desperate bid to focus his attention on something that would take his mind off his nausea and pounding headache, if only for a little while . . . .<\/p>\n His pa, James Robert Swanson, Jim Bob to his friends, met Ben Cartwright when he was about as far down on his luck as a man could get, with a wife, a young son, and a second child well on the way.\u00a0\u00a0 The family had left their home in Kentucky and gone out to California in search of gold, staking nearly<\/em>\u00a0every cent they had on a couple of claims that had proven worthless.\u00a0\u00a0 Upon realizing this, his parents sold what few possessions they had left in the hope of raising enough money to take them back to Kentucky.\u00a0\u00a0 Their meager proceeds got them to Virginia City.<\/em><\/p>\n Pa went right to work for Ben Cartwright, with every intention of earning enough money to take them the rest of the way to Kentucky.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s good honest work here \u2018n plenty of it,\u201d Jim Bob declared, a year later, after he\u2019d saved up enough money to take the family back home.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBen Cartwright\u2019s not only a good man t\u2019 work for, he\u2019s also a good friend.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019m f\u2019r stayin\u2019 put right here.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Stay put right there, they did.\u00a0\u00a0 He was three years old, Joe Cartwright nearly four.\u00a0\u00a0 They became fast friends.\u00a0\u00a0 Their friendship deepened when his mother died bringing his sister into the world.\u00a0\u00a0 For the next year, until her own untimely death when she was thrown from her horse, Joe\u2019s mother, Marie, became as a second mother to him and his infant sister.<\/em><\/p>\n He grew up on the Ponderosa, and as a big strapping young man, went to work for Ben Cartwright himself at the age of seventeen.\u00a0\u00a0 Five years later, he left the Ponderosa for San Francisco, after burying his father and sister on either side of his mother.\u00a0\u00a0 Both had fallen ill during a particularly bad influenza epidemic the winter before, and died. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cRoscoe, I hope you\u2019ll always remember that the Ponderosa is your home, too,\u201d Ben had said in parting.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnytime you want to come back, that house of your pa\u2019s and a job will be right here waiting.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 After three years of barely subsisting on the meager wages of odd jobs, whenever he could find one, he had begun to seriously consider returning to Nevada and taking Ben Cartwright up on his promise . . . .<\/em><\/p>\n The sound of footsteps and voices drew Roscoe Swanson from his reverie.\u00a0\u00a0 He listened intently, straining to catch the words, but heard only string after string of syllables, vowels and consonants strung together, making no sense.\u00a0\u00a0 The speakers might just as well have been talking in a foreign language.<\/p>\n Roscoe rolled over onto his back.\u00a0\u00a0 The dizzying, circling motion triggered his gag reflexes, and before he knew it, he was on his hands and knees, vomiting up the enormous supper he had so greedily consumed the night before.\u00a0\u00a0 After his stomach was emptied, he remained caught in the throes of a violent, painful spasm of dry heaving that he thought would never end.<\/p>\n He was still retching, when a door opened, and two people entered.\u00a0\u00a0 A man and a woman.\u00a0\u00a0 The latter carried a lantern.<\/p>\n \u201cHere y\u2019 are, Sir.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Roscoe immediately recognized the voice as belonging to one Miss Kathleen Murphy [i], the woman who had promised him a job . . . a STEADY job, that paid very well.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll find he\u2019s everything I said he was, an\u2019 then some.\u201d<\/p>\n Her companion, a tall man, thin, yet muscular, knelt down beside him.\u00a0\u00a0 Though his face remained obscured by deep shadow, there was something oddly familiar about him in the way he moved, and in the outlines of his body against the light of Miss Murphy\u2019s lantern.\u00a0\u00a0 Roscoe could feel the man\u2019s eyes on him, watching intently, as his paroxysm of dry heaving finally began to subside.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Murphy, you told me this man was HEALTHY,\u201d he addressed his companion with cool disdain.<\/p>\n \u201cHe IS healthy,\u201d she declared, thoroughly outraged.<\/p>\n \u201cThe hell he is.\u00a0\u00a0 This man\u2019s sick as a dog.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe most certainly is NOT!\u00a0\u00a0 He\u2019s just sufferin\u2019 the after effects of too much drink.\u201d<\/p>\n The man touched Roscoe\u2019s forehead with the back of his hand.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHmmm!\u00a0\u00a0 No fever,\u201d he murmured softly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBring that lantern over here.\u201d<\/p>\n Kathleen Murphy complied.<\/p>\n By the light of that dimly lit, flickering lantern, the man checked Roscoe\u2019s eyes one at a time, then yanked open his mouth to check his teeth.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe eyes are a little blood shot, but the inside of his mouth looks all right.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 The man cupped Roscoe\u2019s head in both hands, and stared long and hard into his face for what seemed an eternity.\u00a0\u00a0 Roscoe heard a sharp, though very soft, intake of breath.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, I\u2019ll be damned,\u201d the man whispered, as his fingers began to inch along the side of his face toward the back of his head.<\/p>\n \u201cSo tell me,\u201d Kathleen queried in a wry tone.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAre you going to BUY m\u2019 merchandise . . . or massage it?\u201d<\/p>\n Roscoe frowned.\u00a0\u00a0 Merchandise?\u00a0\u00a0 Was Miss Murphy referring to him?!\u00a0\u00a0 He had heard stories of men, women, even children disappearing from the streets of big cities without a trace, and turning up weeks, months, sometimes years later working as slave labor on a sugar cane plantation in the Caribbean or some other remote, exotic place.\u00a0\u00a0 Roscoe had always laughed those stories off as scary tall tales of the big, bad city, told for the purpose of keeping the wayward, wandering boy down on the farm.<\/p>\n Could any of those stories possibly be true?<\/p>\n He shuddered at the prospect of such a thing actually happening to him.<\/p>\n A sardonic chuckle escaped from the man\u2019s lips.\u00a0\u00a0 Roscoe had heard that laugh before . . . .<\/p>\n But where?<\/p>\n He racked his brains, trying desperately to remember.\u00a0\u00a0 Meanwhile, the man\u2019s fingers worked their way around to the back of his head, touching a place very sore and tender.\u00a0\u00a0 Roscoe cried out, unable to stop himself.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s quite a lump back there,\u201d the man noted coolly.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had to subdue him,\u201d Kathleen said defensively.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t use him if he has a concussion.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 The man spoke to her in the same condescending tone an adult might use in trying to explain something to a child, extraordinarily stupid.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat ELSE did you have to do to subdue him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOk, we had to resort to a few fisticuffs,\u201d she admitted reluctantly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut, nothing out of the ordinary.\u201d<\/p>\n The man squeezed the muscles of Roscoe\u2019s upper arms.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHmmm . . . good, hard muscles . . . .\u201d he muttered very softly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAlright, Miss Murphy . . . how much?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s worth two hundred if he\u2019s worth a penny,\u201d Kathleen replied.<\/p>\n \u201cTwo hundred?!\u00a0\u00a0 For sick, damaged goods??!\u201d<\/p>\n Kathleen Murphy angrily stamped her foot.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI told ya before, he\u2019s NOT sick.\u00a0\u00a0 He\u2019s perfectly healthy,\u201d she returned, hotly, on the defensive, \u201cand he ain\u2019t damaged goods!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight!\u00a0\u00a0 He\u2019s so healthy, he STILL hasn\u2019t stopped retching.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cH-He . . . he\u2019s not vomiting UP anything . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe would be if he had anything left in his stomach,\u201d the man argued, his words terse, his syllables clipped.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAs for damaged goods, this goose egg on the back of his head was hardly the result of a love tap.\u00a0\u00a0 What would I find if I examined him more closely?\u00a0\u00a0 Fractured ribs?\u00a0\u00a0 A sprained ankle, or worse . . . a broken leg?\u00a0\u00a0 Exactly how much in the way of fisticuffs did your minions have to use to subdue this man?\u201d<\/p>\n Her answer was stony silence.<\/p>\n \u201cAs things stand now, I\u2019m going to have to feed and shelter this man for a day, maybe even two, so that he might recover from the results of your incompetents having to subdue him,\u201d the man continued.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s expensive.\u00a0\u00a0 If this man should need a doctor, that gets even MORE expensive, especially if I end up having to buy the sawbones\u2019 silence.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ll give you seventy-five dollars, for this man, not one cent more!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ll take me business elsewhere,\u201d Kathleen said contemptuously.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHell, I could get a better deal with the likes of Cut-Rate Joe . . . Bargain Basement Bertie, or . . . or Down \u2018n Dirty Davy Jones!\u201d<\/p>\n This elicited a peal of mirthless laughter from the man.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNOT after\u00a0I<\/strong>\u00a0let it be known that you deliver inferior merchandise.\u00a0\u00a0 Cut-Rate Joe . . . Bargain Basement Bertie . . . and Down \u2018n Dirty Davy Jones may peddle the very bottom of the barrel, but even THEY have their standards.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh all right, I . . . I s\u2019pose y\u2019 ARE entitled to a discount, seein\u2019 as how I had t\u2019 get him drunk, then hit him over the head to subdue him,\u201d Kathleen reluctantly allowed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll letcha have him for a hundred \u2018n fifty.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNinety dollars.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that your offer?\u00a0\u00a0 . . . or is that a joke?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s my offer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a joke.\u00a0\u00a0 It\u2019s cost me MORE \u2018n ninety bucks just t\u2019 feed him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI seriously doubt THAT, since I can feel just about every rib in the man\u2019s body, but DO I appreciate the fact that you\u2019ve got overhead.\u00a0\u00a0 One hundred dollars.\u201d<\/p>\n . . . that man\u2019s voice, the way he moved . . . the general outlines of his form, what little he could see by the light of the lantern . . . Roscoe knew him, or at the very least, had met him somewhere.\u00a0\u00a0 He was absolutely sure of it!<\/p>\n But where?<\/p>\n Not here in San Francisco, he was sure of that much.\u00a0\u00a0 Nevada, maybe?\u00a0\u00a0 Virginia City?\u00a0\u00a0 Had he perhaps played poker with this man at the Silver Dollar or the Bucket of Blood on a Saturday night long past?\u00a0\u00a0 Roscoe closed his eyes and focused all his attention on the man\u2019s voice, trying to summon a face to go with it, or a picture of the place and circumstance where they had met before.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can have him for a hundred and thirty dollars,\u201d Kathleen Murphy said stiffly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll barely break even, but\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll barely break even my ass!\u00a0\u00a0 You\u2019d have made a very generous profit if you had accepted my original offer of seventy-five dollars.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll have you know that I\u2019m running a BUSINESS, Sir, NOT a charity outfit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a man of business myself, Miss Murphy, who can well understand a REASONABLE mark-up for a REASONABLE profit,\u201d the man said in a lofty, imperious tone.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut, I have no use for businessmen . . . or business WOMEN, who are greedy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAn anonymous tip to your buddies on the police force could put YOU right out of business for good, Mister Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n “Cartwright?!\u00a0\u00a0 Roscoe Swanson felt the blood drain right out of his face.\u00a0\u00a0 Cartwright?\u00a0\u00a0 Was it possible that he . . . . ?<\/p>\n \u201cIf my friends and colleagues on the police force DO find out about my second job, as it were, whether the tip be anonymous or otherwise, rest assured Miss Murphy, that I WILL name names . . . starting with YOURS,\u201d the man countered her threat in a smooth, bland, even bored tone of voice.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMy final offer stands at one hundred dollars.\u00a0\u00a0 That amount is overly generous and you damn\u2019 well know it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, you cheap skate, I\u2019ll take your stinkin\u2019 one hundred dollars.\u00a0\u00a0 But this is the very last time Kathleen Murphy deals with the likes o\u2019 YOU.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI seriously doubt THAT, Miss Murphy,\u201d the man chuckled, as he reached into his back packet.\u00a0\u00a0 He drew out a wad of paper bills and pressed them into her open hand.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cEspecially since I\u2019m one of the few that pays in cash right up front.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere do ya want him delivered?\u201d she demanded in a stone cold voice.<\/p>\n \u201cOh NO!\u00a0\u00a0 If I left delivery up to YOU . . . you\u2019d sell him AGAIN to the likes of Cut-Rate Joe, or worse . . . Down \u2018n Dirty Davy Jones, then turn right around and slap me with a hefty handling fee, you back stabbing bitch.\u201d<\/p>\n Kathleen gasped, shocked and outraged.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHow DARE you address me in such a manner . . . and usin\u2019 such language!\u00a0\u00a0 You, Sir, are NO gentleman.\u201d<\/p>\n At this, the man laughed out loud.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you go getting up on your high horse about language with me, Miss Murphy.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ve heard YOU use words colorful enough to blister the hide off a walrus,\u201d he said, as his laughter subsided.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m taking this man with me and delivering him personally.\u201d<\/p>\n The next thing Roscoe knew, he was being dragged unceremoniously to his feet.<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t say it\u2019s a pleasure doin\u2019 business with ya\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n \u201c . . . probably because I insist on doing business as opposed to letting you rob me blind,\u201d the man said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNow that our business transaction is complete, you\u2019ll pick up that lantern and lead the way out of this rabbit warren of a warehouse.\u00a0\u00a0 You\u2019ll walk at a slow even pace, with eyes right in front of you, your mouth shut.\u00a0\u00a0 If you make one false move, or utter a sound, remember . . . I\u2019m armed and can kill YOU with a well placed shot in the back long before your associates would be able to reach me.\u201d<\/p>\n Kathleen bent down at the waist to retrieve the still burning oil lamp.\u00a0\u00a0 As she straightened, its light fell in the man\u2019s face, dispelling the mask of deep shadow.<\/p>\n Roscoe Swanson gasped, upon seeing his suspicions confirmed.\u00a0\u00a0 Though the lines of his face were deeper, and more abundant, and he was grayer around the edges, he would still recognize that man.\u00a0\u00a0 It was Ben Cartwright\u2019s no good nephew, Will.\u00a0\u00a0 The last time Roscoe saw him, he was headed out of town in a buggy, sandwiched between the Dayton woman and her little girl.\u00a0\u00a0 Mrs. Dayton was all set to marry ADAM . . . until WILL started trifling with her affections. [ii]<\/p>\n \u201cMister Cartwright, don\u2019t you trust me?\u201d Kathleen demanded, as her lips curled upward to form a tight, brittle smile.<\/p>\n \u201cOf COURSE I trust you, Miss Murphy . . . about as far as I can throw you.\u00a0\u00a0 Now let\u2019s go,\u201d Will Cartwright said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAs for YOU, Mister Swanson, it looks like you\u2019ve finally found a good, steady job after all.\u201d<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph Francis Cartwright . . . THAT was one tough round of negotiating,\u201d Ben Cartwright declared with a proud smile, as he, Joe, and his eldest, Adam, entered the posh lobby of the Grand Victoria Hotel, located in the midst of that section of the city, where San Francisco\u2019s moneyed elite made their homes.<\/p>\n \u201cNegotiating?!\u201d Adam hooted.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPa, you call that negotiating?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine.\u00a0 \u00a0Call it down in the mud haggling if you want,\u201d Ben said with a chuckle.<\/p>\n \u201cActually the term\u00a0I<\/strong>\u00a0had in mind was highway robbery,\u201d Adam quipped without missing a beat.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe . . . you did good, Son!\u00a0\u00a0 Real good!\u201d Ben declared with a broad grin, his dark brown eyes shining with unabashed fatherly pride.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve secured a sweet three year shipping contract with Jarboe and Baylor Associates, no less . . . for so far under what we\u2019d figured, it\u2019s almost embarrassing.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019m proud of ya, Boy!\u00a0\u00a0 REAL proud!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d Joe said with an almost uncharacteristic modest smile, his forehead and cheeks several shades pinker than the norm.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut, to give credit where it\u2019s due, I had a real good teacher.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He punctuated his words with a pointed glance over in the general direction of his oldest brother.<\/p>\n \u201cMe?!\u201d Adam queried, taken slightly aback.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, Oldest Brother of Mine . . . YOU.\u201d<\/p>\n A puzzled frown deepened the shallow, yet very present lines stretching across Adam\u2019s brow.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhen did I ever teach you about . . . haggling?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe highway robbery was more accurate, actually,\u201d Joe said with a bold grin.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou remember the time when you and Hoss entered that thoroughbred in the Virginia City Day Race?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMost of the time, I try my best to FORGET that little episode,\u201d Adam said, with a wry roll of his eyes. [iii]\u00a0\u00a0 He, then, smiled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut, Pa\u2019s right!\u00a0\u00a0 You WERE terrific in there.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019M very proud of you, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUh oh, better start doling out that praise sparingly, Adam,\u201d Ben said with an impish grin.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe heap too much more on your young brother\u2019s head, he\u2019s going to have to start buying hats three sizes larger.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cONLY three sizes larger?\u201d Adam quipped without missing a beat.<\/p>\n \u201cY\u2019 know, Pa . . . seeing as how I\u2019m gonna have to buy some new hats . . . AND in light of that brilliantly negotiated contract, if I do say so myself . . . you think you could see your way clear to giving me a raise?\u201d Joe queried.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cA nice BIG raise?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll discuss THAT when we get home, Young Man,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0\u00a0 Though his tone was very stern, his dark brown eyes sparkled with delight.<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me, Gentlemen . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n A tall, wire thin man, aged in his mid to late thirties, stepped in front of them, effectively barring their path.\u00a0\u00a0 He had light brown hair, cropped short and thinning on top, light brown eyes, and a neatly trimmed goatee.\u00a0\u00a0 His clothing, a brown suit, white shirt, and black tie, was sturdy and clean, though not what most would deem fashionable.\u00a0\u00a0 He held a bowler hat, brown with a black ribbon circling above the rim, in his left hand.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . I\u2019m looking for a Mister Benjamin Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019M Benjamin Cartwright,\u201d the big, silver haired man said quietly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat can I do for ya, Mister . . . . ?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSergeant, Sir,\u201d the man said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSergeant Harold Stiller, San Francisco Police Department.\u00a0\u00a0 We have a young man in custody . . . a Mister Roscoe Swanson.\u00a0\u00a0 You know him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Ben answered quietly, while his oldest and youngest sons exchanged surprised glances.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was found last night by one of our patrolmen not far from here actually, wandering around drunk, talking clear out of his head,\u201d Harold explained.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe booked him on a drunk and disorderly, and took him in to sleep it off.\u00a0\u00a0 When he was searched, a note was found in his pocket instructing us to contact you here . . . at the Grand Victoria.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSergeant Stiller . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Mister Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s eyes narrowed with suspicion.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWould you mind showing me some identification?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCertainly,\u201d the police sergeant immediately agreed.\u00a0\u00a0 He removed his badge from the inside pocket of his jacket, and presented it to Ben.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI also have additional identification in my wallet.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben made mental note of the badge number, then glanced at the identification card that came from the wallet.\u00a0\u00a0 All seemed in order.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhere is Mister Swanson being detained?\u201d he asked as he handed back the badge and the identification card.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s at the precinct twelve headquarters,\u201d Harold said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not far.\u00a0\u00a0 You may accompany me back right now, or make arrangements with the concierge at the hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll make our arrangements with the concierge.\u00a0\u00a0 I would appreciate it if you would tell your superiors that I will be there to pick up Mister Swanson within the hour.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will see that they\u2019re informed, Mister Cartwright.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Harold Stiller placed his bowler on top of his head, then nodded politely, and touched the rim.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGood day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa . . . why didn\u2019t we just go with him?\u201d Joe asked, with a puzzled frown.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I don\u2019t know this Sergeant Stiller,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe MAY be a bonafide police man, on the other hand . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He let his voice trail ominously.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s no such thing as being too careful.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe smiled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201c . . . uuuhh, Pa?\u201d he queried, as his hand came to rest lightly on Ben\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cYes?\u201d Ben responded warily, noting the impish gleam in his youngest son\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cWHO was the one who ended up shanghaied the last time we took our vacation here?\u201d [iv]\u00a0 Joe\u2019s mischievous grin settled into a smug, cat-that-ate-the canary kind, and his right eyebrow arched slightly.<\/p>\n \u201cAs I said, Young Man, you can\u2019t be too careful,\u201d Ben growled, the thunderous scowl on his face warning of very dire consequences should Joe choose to continue along that line of conversation.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, do you want US to come with you?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked, looking over at his youngest brother, then back to his father with a bewildered frown.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019d better take Joe along,\u201d Ben said thoughtfully.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe and Roscoe were very good friends . . . once.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Pa,\u201d Joe said with a curt nod.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the meantime, Adam . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWould you arrange for Joe and me to rent a buggy from the hotel livery?\u201d Ben asked, then smiled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDo that, and I\u2019ll letcha spend the rest of the day with Teresa,\u201d he added with a wink and a playful jab to his eldest son\u2019s rib cage.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d Adam said with a broad grin.\u00a0\u00a0 With the kids, Benjy and Dio, spending the entire day with their maternal grandparents . . . .<\/p>\n Incredibly, his grin grew even wider.\u00a0\u00a0 There was a definite sparkle in his eyes, and a spring in his step, as he marched over to the concierge\u2019s desk.<\/p>\n Joe chuckled softly, as he watched Adam\u2019s retreating back.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, well, well,\u201d he murmured softly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWho\u2019d\u2019ve EVER thought ol\u2019 granite head . . . and before noon even!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 A sudden squawk of protest and outrage punctuated his words, courtesy of a sharp elbow jab from his father.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHey!\u00a0\u00a0 What was THAT for?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat was a reminder that even though Adam IS your oldest brother, he\u2019s entitled to his privacy, Young Man,\u201d Ben said severely.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir,\u201d Joe said, trying his level best to wipe the smile off his face.\u00a0\u00a0 His success in that endeavor was, at best, questionable.<\/p>\n Ben glared at his youngest son for a moment, then sighed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019d best get to our rooms and change out of our Sunday best . . . and no dawdling!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Knowing Adam, he\u2019s going to have that horse and buggy waiting for us out by the front door within the next five minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe was about to add that the prospect of spending some real good quality time with Teresa for the remainder of the afternoon might be powerful motivation for Adam to have their transportation outside the front door, ready to go in TWO minutes, but found the dark, thunderous scowl on his father\u2019s face an even more powerful inducement to leave those words unuttered.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201cRoscoe?!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n He heard someone speaking his name, from a place far distant, far removed and away from the darkness that seemed to have swallowed him up whole.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cRoscoe.\u00a0\u00a0 Hey, Buddy, you alright?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n As the darkness slowly cleared, Joe Cartwright\u2019s face, pale, his eyes round with alarm, swam into view.\u00a0\u00a0 He was lying on his back, in the grass a few feet from the edge of the dirt road between Virginia City and the Ponderosa.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThat was quite a tumble you took, Roscoe . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Tumble?\u00a0\u00a0 Then he remembered.\u00a0\u00a0 He and Joe were racing down the road neck \u2018n neck toward their agreed upon finish line, laughing . . . taunting one another . . . .<\/em><\/p>\n Then, suddenly, he was flying over the head of his horse.\u00a0\u00a0 He remembered the road, the grass, the sky, mountains, and sunshine all spinning crazily about him, and the blow to his stomach, hard enough to drive every last bit of breath from his lungs.\u00a0\u00a0 After that, nothing.\u00a0\u00a0 Crazy horse must have stepped into a chuck hole.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cRoscoe . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n He tried to respond, tried very hard to say his good buddy\u2019s name.\u00a0\u00a0 All that seemed to issue forth from his lips was a soft, feeble groan.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cGlad to have you back with me, Roscoe,\u201d Joe said, deeply relieved.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou lie still and take it easy.\u00a0\u00a0 Help\u2019s on its way.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cHelp?!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u00a0\u00a0 Your pa went to fetch his buckboard . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u00a0\u00a0 M-MY pa?!\u00a0\u00a0 That can\u2019t be, that CAN\u2019T be!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 His pa was dead . . . . three years ago now, going on four.\u00a0\u00a0 He and Molly both died in that terrible influenza epidemic.\u00a0 With that grim realization, the mountains, the sky, the sunshine were all gone. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Swallowed up in the darkness.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cRoscoe?!\u201d \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m right here, Buddy.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n How could THAT be?\u00a0\u00a0 Joe couldn\u2019t possibly be here . . . wherever here was.\u00a0\u00a0 He was home, on the Ponderosa . . . wasn\u2019t he?<\/em><\/p>\n Roscoe Swanson opened his eyes to a world of searing, brilliant yellow-white light.\u00a0\u00a0 He screamed in agony, then squeezed his eyes tight shut.\u00a0\u00a0 His breath came in ragged uneven gasps, and his stomach lurched violently.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n The youngest of the Cartwright sons turned, and found his father standing outside the jail cell, in which Roscoe Swanson had been incarcerated, in the company of a uniformed policeman.<\/p>\n \u201cHow is he?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPoor guy,\u201d Joe murmured, not without sympathy.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cRight now he looks like I felt when I was about sixteen years old, suffering the worst hangover I ever had.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWill he be able to walk out to the buggy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot without help, Pa.\u00a0\u00a0 He\u2019s in a pretty bad way right now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMister Cartwright?\u201d\u00a0 the uniformed policeman, who had escorted them back to Roscoe Swanson\u2019s cell, spoke up for the first time.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019d like to bring your buggy up to the front door, I can help your son take Mister Swanson out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Ben took the policeman up on his unexpected, generous offer.\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cJoe, I\u2019ll be waiting for you and Roscoe out front.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll be there soon as we can,\u201d Joe replied, then turned his attention back to the young man, lying stretched out on the cot within the jail cell, barely conscious.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cRoscoe . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He lightly slapped Roscoe\u2019s cheeks several times.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cRoscoe, we\u2019re leaving\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u00a0\u00a0 W-Will . . . ge\u2019 seasick,\u201d Roscoe murmured in a voice barely audible, without opening his eyes this time.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, let\u2019s get him out of here,\u201d the police officer said very quickly, as he leaned down to take Roscoe\u2019s right arm.<\/p>\n Together Joe and the policeman carefully pulled Roscoe to his feet.<\/p>\n \u201cNo . . . don\u2019 wanna be uh sailor,\u201d Roscoe moaned, as Joe slipped his limp left arm over his shoulders and around his neck.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cRollin\u2019 decks . . . sea sick . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s all this talk about sailors and seasickness?\u201d Joe asked, as the policeman draped Roscoe\u2019s right arm over his own shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cI haven\u2019t the faintest idea,\u201d the policeman replied with a touch of disdain, as they half carried, half dragged Roscoe from his jail cell.\u00a0\u00a0 Though he stared the youngest Cartwright son straight in the face, his eyes fell very short of meeting Joe\u2019s.<\/p>\n \u201cIs it possible that . . . maybe . . . someone tried to shanghai him?\u201d Joe asked, remembering how his father and two of their ranch hands almost ended up sailors the last time the family had vacationed in San Francisco.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t have problems with that anymore,\u201d the policeman said complacent disdain, \u201cand even if we DID . . . well, it\u2019d be mighty odd for a fella who\u2019d been shanghaied to turn up in a ritzy neighborhood miles from the wharfs and the sea . . . don\u2019t YOU think?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Inwardly, Joe bristled against the smug contempt he heard in the policeman\u2019s tone of voice.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201cMister Cartwright?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYes, Hop Sing?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cFinally!\u00a0\u00a0 Roscoe eyes move, start to wake up.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThank goodness.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u00a0\u00a0 Hop Sing?!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYes, Joe?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cOne of the maids just brought up a pot of hot, boiling water.\u00a0\u00a0 What do you want me to do with it?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing take, Little Joe . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Roscoe slowly, warily opened his eyes, one at a time.\u00a0\u00a0 He found himself lying in a dimly lit room on a soft, comfortable bed, with two down pillows gently cradling his head.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Buddy . . . welcome back to the land of the living.\u201d<\/p>\n He turned his head slightly to his right, and found Joe Cartwright seated on the edge of the bed, smiling down at him.\u00a0\u00a0 He frowned.\u00a0\u00a0 What was Joe Cartwright doing HERE?!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 . . . wherever HERE was.\u00a0\u00a0 Could it be that he yet remained asleep . . . and STILL dreamed?<\/p>\n That seemed the only plausible explanation . . . except for one thing.<\/p>\n The Joe Cartwright seated on the edge of his bed smiling down at him was no longer the sixteen-year-old boy, who had, of late, come to take up residence in his dreams.\u00a0\u00a0 Though he had the same boyish smile as his teenaged counterpart, THIS Joe Cartwright was a grown man.<\/p>\n \u201cRoscoe . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n He turned, this time to his left, and found Mister Cartwright, seated on the other side of the bed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re going to be all right,\u201d Mister Cartwright continued, with a warm, encouraging smile.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe doc here at the hotel gave you a real good going over and said with plenty of rest and three good, solid, square meals everyday, you\u2019re going to be just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n Doc?<\/p>\n Hotel?!<\/p>\n \u201cM-Mister C-Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Roscoe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre y\u2019 really here?\u201d he asked in a voice, barely audible, that seemed far distant.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t still dreamin\u2019?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Buddy, you\u2019re NOT dreaming,\u201d Joe said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re in MY room at the Grand Victoria Hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c . . . in San Francisco?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYep.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Joe nodded.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIn San Francisco.\u201d<\/p>\n Roscoe\u2019s last real clear memory was going to The Sea Queen Saloon to meet with a woman by the name of Kathleen Murphy about a job.\u00a0\u00a0 A lucrative job, that supposedly promised steady work and a great big paycheck.\u00a0\u00a0 It was real music to the ears of a man who had spent the last three years, barely subsisting.\u00a0\u00a0 He took a small, round table in the back, as he had been instructed . . . .<\/p>\n \u201cGood day, Sir.\u00a0\u00a0 Can I get you anything?\u00a0\u00a0 Whiskey?\u00a0\u00a0 Bourbon?\u00a0\u00a0 . . . ah!\u00a0\u00a0 I know!\u00a0\u00a0 Gin!\u00a0\u00a0 I can spot a gin man a mile away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cKinda early in the day for the hard stuff, Miss . . . . ?!\u201d \u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n She gave her name as Starbryte, with a \u2018y.\u2019\u00a0\u00a0 That beautiful, long, wavy hair, shining like spun gold in the waning light of late afternoon, those bright blue green eyes,<\/em>\u00a0the small up turned pixie nose, and that impish smile reminded him of his sister.\u00a0\u00a0 Starbryte also appeared to be around the same age Molly would have been . . . had she lived.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cPleased to meet ya, Starbryte.\u00a0\u00a0 My name is Roscoe.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He politely held out his hand.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cRoscoe,\u201d Starbryte said softly.\u00a0\u00a0 She took his hand and shook it.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAlright, Roscoe, seeing as how it\u2019s still early yet . . . can I get you a beer?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n She sauntered off, with a smile and teasing swing of the hip, returning barely a moment later with a generous sized mug brim full to overflowing.\u00a0\u00a0 Roscoe saluted her with mug upraised, then took a pretty fair sized swig.\u00a0 That was his very last coherent memory, until he saw the stone cold face of Will Cartwright by the sputtering light of an oil lantern in what amounted to a dark and musty pirates\u2019 lair . . . a veritable den of thieves.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201c . . . wha\u2019 happent?!\u201d he heard himself ask, again sounding far off.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll . . . talk about that later, Roscoe,\u201d Mister Cartwright said, his smile fading.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . was thinkin\u2019 o\u2019 comin\u2019 back,\u201d Roscoe murmured softly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhen I left, y\u2019 said m\u2019 pa\u2019s cabin\u2019d still be there . . . \u2018n a job, too . . . iff\u2019n I wan\u2019 it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I DID say that,\u201d Mister Cartwright affirmed, \u201cand I meant it . . . every last word.\u00a0\u00a0 We\u2019ll talk about that later, too.\u00a0\u00a0 Right now you need to get some rest.\u00a0 Hop Sing\u2019s brewing up an herbal tea for ya.\u00a0\u00a0 It\u2019ll settle your stomach and help you sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing have Roscoe tea ready,\u201d the Cartwright family\u2019s chief cook and bottle washer announced as he stepped into view with a steaming mug firmly in hand.<\/p>\n Ben and Joe slipped their arms under Roscoe\u2019s shoulders and eased him up just enough so that he might drink his tea.\u00a0\u00a0 Roscoe took the mug from Hop Sing, held it up to his nose, and gingerly sniffed.<\/p>\n \u201cDrink up, drink up,\u201d Hop Sing tersely admonished the young man.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWork best when Roscoe drink up hot.\u201d<\/p>\n Roscoe obediently lifted the mug to his lips and took a tentative sip.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNot half bad,\u201d he murmured softly.<\/p>\n \u201cNo talk,\u201d Hop Sing sternly admonished him again.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDrink.\u201d<\/p>\n Roscoe drank down the contents of the mug, then braced himself, fully expecting it to come right back up.\u00a0\u00a0 Instead, much to his pleasant surprise, it remained in his stomach, warming him as a cup of steaming hot chocolate warms on a cold winter\u2019s day.\u00a0\u00a0 He felt his eyelids growing heavier and heavier . . . along with his heart.<\/p>\n How in the ever lovin\u2019 world was he going to tell a man he genuinely loved and respected, not only as employer and friend, but as a second father . . . that his nephew made his living these days shanghaiing unsuspecting young men, and selling them into forced servitude as sailors to the highest bidder?<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201cRoscoe sleep all night,\u201d Hop Sing said with confidence as he, Ben, and Joe quietly moved out of Joe\u2019s room into the corridor beyond.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAll night to tomorrow morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVery good, Hop Sing,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cA good night\u2019s sleep is what he needs the most right now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe . . . doesn\u2019t look like he\u2019s fared very well in the three years since he left us,\u201d Joe said quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, he doesn\u2019t,\u201d Ben agreed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you think happened to him, Pa?\u00a0\u00a0 From the looks of him, I\u2019d say someone gave him a real thorough going over.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI agree with ya, Son, one hundred percent,\u201d Ben said grimly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAs for the whys and wherefores, only Roscoe can tell us . . . IF he\u2019s of a mind.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He punctuated those last words with a pointed glare.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Pa . . . I hear ya loud and clear,\u201d Joe replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHave the police here charged him with anything?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben shook his head.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI was told that he was brought in drunk and disorderly.\u00a0\u00a0 The usual procedure is to jail the individual . . . let him sleep it off, then release him twenty-four hours later.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRoscoe?!\u00a0\u00a0 Drunk and disorderly?\u201d Joe queried with a puzzled frown.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI . . . no!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He shook his head.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t see it, Pa.\u00a0\u00a0 Roscoe used to have a beer occasionally at the Silver Dollar, but he was never what you\u2019d call a drinking man.\u00a0\u00a0 I can\u2019t even remember seeing him mildly tipsy, let alone falling down drunk.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA lot can happen to change a man\u2019s drinking habits in three years, Son,\u201d Ben said, with a touch of sadness, and with all the concern he would have felt for his own four children.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201c . . . and, as you said yourself, it doesn\u2019t look as though the last three years have been particularly kind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMister Cartwright . . . Little Joe . . . . ?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Hop Sing?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cRoscoe come here from jail, wear black clothes, like sailor wear,\u201d Hop Sing said with an angry scowl.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHave big lump on back of head.\u00a0\u00a0 Black eye, cuts, bruises . . . Roscoe look like Little Joe, when Little Joe get in fight.\u00a0\u00a0 Hop Sing think maybe Roscoe almost shanghai.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe police officer who helped me bring Roscoe out to the buggy said he was found wandering around some well to do neighborhood . . . several miles inland from the sea and the wharves,\u201d Joe said with a puzzled frown.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe also told me that shanghaiing sailors doesn\u2019t happen very much anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot what Hop Sing cousins say,\u201d Hop Sing countered, with an emphatic nod of his head.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I, for one, am more inclined to believe Hop Sing\u2019s cousins over the police,\u201d Ben said, remembering how indifferent the police department had been years ago, when he tried to report two of his hands missing.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAs for the question of what happened to Roscoe, we\u2019ll have to wait until HE\u2019S able to tell us.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIn the meantime, I\u2019ll stay with him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about that supper invitation with Mister Harker and the Magruders?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cWould you mind taking them my regrets?\u201d Joe asked.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI . . . know he\u2019s going to sleep through until morning, thanks to Hop Sing\u2019s tea, but . . . well, I just don\u2019t feel right about leaving him alone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou go, Little Joe,\u201d Hop Sing said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing stay here.\u00a0\u00a0 Look after Roscoe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrudy will be very disappointed if you DON\u2019T come, Son,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAfter all, she credits YOU a great deal for her for having established a good, loving relationship with her paternal grandfather in the first place.\u201d [v]<\/p>\n \u201cYou go, Little Joe,\u201d Hop Sing urged.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing keep real sharp eye on Roscoe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, Hop Sing, I\u2019ll go,\u201d Joe relented, knowing that his old friend, Roscoe Swanson, would be in the very best hands possible . . . .<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201cMother?\u201d<\/p>\n Trudy Harker Magruder gazed lovingly into the earnest face of her eldest, Paul Magruder, Junior . . . nicknamed PJ.\u00a0\u00a0 With his thick, jet-black hair, those dark eyes, and swarthy complexion, he, of all the children bore the closest resemblance to their father.\u00a0\u00a0 He was a very intelligent young man . . . another trait gleaned from his father, a pleasant surprise that had made itself known and keenly felt since Grandpa Harker had begun teaching Paul Senior the ropes involved in running his business empire.<\/p>\n That her husband possessed a high degree of intelligence came as a pleasant surprise to everyone, except Trudy.\u00a0\u00a0 She had caught glimpses of it over the years in the way he approached things, how quickly he learned new things, and once learned, how easily he retained newly acquired knowledge.\u00a0\u00a0 All he had needed was a worthy challenge, which her grandfather\u2019s business more than generously had supplied.<\/p>\n \u201cMuuu-ther . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n Trudy shook her head to clear it of all her gentle musings.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYes, PJ?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWould it be alright if Benjy and I went upstairs to my room to look at Jupiter through my telescope?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGo ahead,\u201d Trudy readily assented.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll send Phoebe up to tell you when supper\u2019s ready.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Mother.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 On impulse, PJ threw his arms around his mother\u2019s waist and squeezed affectionately, before he and Adam\u2019s son, Benjy, fled to the upper environs, racing each other up the stairs, laughing uproariously.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s easy to see why THEY\u2019VE become fast friends.\u201d<\/p>\n Trudy turned and found Joe Cartwright stepping up behind her, dragging along a young woman with long, dark, wavy hair and just about the brightest blue eyes she had ever seen.<\/p>\n \u201cTrudy, this is my sister, Stacy,\u201d Joe continued with a broad grin.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cStacy, this is Trudy Magruder, an old friend of the family.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot so old as all that, Joe Cartwright,\u201d Trudy quipped, before turning and holding her hand out to Stacy.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m real pleased to meet YOU, Stacy.\u00a0\u00a0 In fact, I kinda feel like I half way know you already, after reading all about ya in your pa\u2019s and in Joe\u2019s letters.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c . . . uh oh . . . . \u201d Stacy murmured, as she turned to her brother, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.<\/p>\n Joe smiled.\u00a0\u00a0 It was a complacent, secretive, Mona Lisa variety, with eyes half closed.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom your pa, it\u2019s all good,\u201d Trudy hastened to assure, \u201cand from Joe . . . it\u2019s been very interesting, to say the least.\u00a0\u00a0 You\u2019re gonna have to tell me all about this business of . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She frowned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat did you call it, Joe?\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019m afraid it\u2019s slipped my mind.\u00a0\u00a0 I know it\u2019s something Chinese . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Lo Mein Affair, perhaps?\u201d<\/p>\n Stacy sighed and rolled her eyes.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe keeps trying to pin blame for that on ME, Trudy, but I was no where NEAR the place when the whole thing blew up in our faces.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can produce a dozen witnesses who say otherwise,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n \u201cAll bought \u2018n paid for?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe exhaled an overly melodramatic sigh, accompanied by a wry roll of the eyes heavenward.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnyone ever tell ya that you\u2019ve got a very suspicious mind?\u201d he demanded with mock severity.\u00a0\u00a0 His eyes sparkled with mischief, a fact not lost on Stacy or Trudy.<\/p>\n \u201cOnly YOU,\u201d Stacy returned, \u201cand speaking of suspicion and usual suspects, I\u2019ll have YOU know, Grandpa, that Hop Sing has intimated on any number of occasions that YOU may\u2019ve been the one responsible for setting things off.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe can intimate until the cows come home if he\u2019s of a mind,\u201d Joe retorted loftily.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe STILL doesn\u2019t have a single solitary shred of proof to back up any those allegations.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis keeps sounding more \u2018n more interesting all the time,\u201d Trudy said, looking from one to the other.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI want to hear all about it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a long story,\u201d Stacy warned.<\/p>\n \u201cA VERY long story,\u201d Joe added.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cVery long and convoluted.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s quite alright,\u201d Trudy replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSupper won\u2019t be ready for another half an hour or so . . . the kids seem to be entertaining themselves . . . your pa \u2018n my grandpa are out on the patio talkin\u2019 . . . and Paul\u2019s in with your older brothers, and your sister-in-law . . . so, I\u2019D say we got plenty of time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHmmm!\u00a0\u00a0 Where to start,\u201d Joe wondered aloud.<\/p>\n \u201cThe beginning might be a good place,\u201d Trudy offered with a touch of wryness.<\/p>\n \u201cYou want to start at the beginning . . . we\u2019ll start right at the very beginning,\u201d Joe said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt all started, I s\u2019pose with a visit from Hop Sing\u2019s relatives.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u00a0\u00a0 His sister, Mei Ling, and HER family,\u201d Stacy added . . . .<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n Chapter 2<\/p>\n \u201cSo . . . wha\u2019cha think?\u201d<\/p>\n Officer Patrick Yates turned to his companion, Sergeant John Brady, better known among his peers as Johnny-Boy, with eyebrow slightly up raised.\u00a0\u00a0 At two and a half months shy of twenty, he had the look about him of a boy who had gotten his growth spurt, but had not yet filled out into the body of a man, with big feet and hands that appeared to be woefully mismatched to his beanpole skinny body.<\/p>\n Patrick Yates had married in haste barely five months before the \u201cpremature\u201d birth of identical twin boys.\u00a0\u00a0 He was a rookie officer, having been on the police force since the day after exchanging marriage vows with the former Amy Matilda Kraus before a justice of the peace.\u00a0\u00a0 Though the thought of answering to that tarter of a mother-in-law kept him well away from the saloons, casinos, and the brothels, he still found it very difficult making ends meet with a hungry wife and two hungrier sons to support.<\/p>\n \u201cWell?\u201d Johnny-Boy demanded, when his young partner didn\u2019t immediately reply.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . uhhh, what do I think . . . about . . . what, exactly?\u201d he ventured, hesitant and mildly surprised.<\/p>\n \u201cHim,\u201d Johnny-Boy replied, inclining his head slightly in the direction of Paul Magruder.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about him?\u201d Patrick asked, watching intently as Paul slowly crouched down in the wide opening between the two storage rooms within the warehouse, to take a closer look at the footprints left behind in the accumulation of a decade\u2019s worth of dust.<\/p>\n \u201cThirty-ish, if he\u2019s a day . . . healthy, \u2018n strong by the look of him,\u201d Johnny-Boy solemnly recited the brief litany of Paul\u2019s physical attributes.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll do, don\u2019cha think?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe would, I s\u2019pose . . . if he wasn\u2019t Mister Harker\u2019s grandson-in-law,\u201d Patrick replied.<\/p>\n \u201cMister Harker\u2019s grandson . . . the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker . . . even the bum, down on his luck!\u00a0\u00a0 Dress \u2018em up in sailor\u2019s garb, they all look alike,\u201d Johnny-Boy said with a touch of disdain.<\/p>\n \u201cI dunno . . . . \u201d Patrick murmured doubtfully.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s NOT t\u2019 know?\u201d Johnny-Boy demanded.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen he goes missing, the first ones they\u2019re gonna come after is US,\u201d Patrick argued, \u201con account o\u2019 us being the last to see him before he went missing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGol\u2019 dang it, willya keep yer voice DOWN?!\u201d Johnny-Boy hissed, directing a fearful, furtive glance over in Paul Magruder\u2019s direction.\u00a0\u00a0 He noted with relief and satisfaction that Paul remained in place, studying the footprints in the dust very intently.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLook, Junior, they AIN\u2019T gonna come t\u2019 us,\u201d he continued, taking great care to lower his voice, \u201cif, on that real small, outside chance, they do?\u00a0\u00a0 We tell \u2018em he came, searched the warehouse, we had a couple o\u2019 beers maybe . . . then parted company.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI still dunno . . . . \u201d Patrick murmured doubtfully.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a strong, healthy, able bodied man,\u201d Johnny-Boy pressed, \u201c \u2018n we\u2019re behind on our quota.\u00a0\u00a0 Way I see it, we can\u2019t afford to pass \u2018im up, unless, maybe YOU wanna be the one t\u2019 tell Miss Murphy WHY we didn\u2019t grab a strong, healthy, able bodied man when we had the chance?!\u201d<\/p>\n Patrick blanched.\u00a0\u00a0 He wagged his head vigorously back and forth.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought not,\u201d Johnny-Boy wryly observed, as he slowly unhooked his billy club from his belt.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201c . . . I swear . . . on t\u2019 grave of m\u2019 own dear, sainted mother, I SWEAR . . . I am NOT holdin\u2019 out on ya,\u201d Kathleen Murphy passionately declared.\u00a0\u00a0 Her face was white as a sheet, and her eyes round and staring.\u00a0\u00a0 She sat very primly on the settee in the parlor of her townhouse, her hands clasped tightly together with fingers interlacing, to hide their trembling.<\/p>\n \u201cGrave of your sainted mother indeed!\u201d the woman known to Kathleen as Miss Stephens snorted with derision.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cFirst off, Miss Murphy, your mother is still with us, feisty as ever, I might add, and doing a very brisk business.\u201d<\/p>\n Kathleen\u2019s mother, Ada Murphy, owned and operated a flourishing establishment known as the Duck \u2018N Cock, the biggest, gaudiest saloon and bordello in the whole of Barbary Coast, catering to wharf rat and socialite alike.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Murphy . . . your area of operation is ONE of the, if not THE, most lucrative in the whole of San Francisco . . . is it NOT?!\u201d Miss Stephens continued, as she slowly paced back and forth in front of the parlor fireplace.\u00a0\u00a0 Her cultured voice and command of language bespoke of a fine education, the kind of which was typically the exclusive purview of one born to a well moneyed, genteel family.<\/p>\n \u201cY-Yes, Ma\u2019am,\u201d Kathleen replied.<\/p>\n \u201cYet . . . my commission for the last six months totaled . . . . ?!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Miss Stephens turned expectantly to Edward Lyon, seated next to Kathleen on the settee.\u00a0\u00a0 He was a flamboyant man, infamous for his effusive, seemingly inexhaustible supply of flattery and oily words.\u00a0\u00a0 Tonight, he was fashionably attired in a light blue three-piece suit of linen, with a white shirt and string tie of silk, dyed to match his suit.\u00a0\u00a0 He wore a single gold loop earring through one ear, and rings on three fingers out of four on each hand.<\/p>\n Edward swallowed nervously as he reached, into the inside pocket of his jacket with trembling hand, and extracted a scrap sheet of paper, folded in half.\u00a0\u00a0 He fumbled, nearly dropping it twice, flinching visibly under Miss Stevens\u2019 baleful glare.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201c . . . eight h-hundred s-six dollars . . . and . . . and s-seventy-three cents,\u201d he read aloud the figure written down.<\/p>\n \u201cEight hundred six dollars . . . . \u201d Miss Stephens softly echoed, as her pacing slowed.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . and s-seventy . . . three . . . cents, Ma\u2019am,\u201d Edward ventured hesitantly.<\/p>\n \u201cEight hundred six dollars . . . AND seventy-three cents.\u00a0\u00a0 I stand corrected,\u201d Miss Stephens said wryly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure the both of you are well acquainted with one David Ahab Melville?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlso known as Down \u2018n Dirty Davy Jones?\u201d Kathleen queried with a pained grimace.<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Miss Stephens replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI believe he operates his business under the name of Down \u2018n Dirty Davy Jones.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know OF him, Miss Stephens, but I can\u2019t say we\u2019ve been formally introduced,\u201d Kathleen replied.\u00a0\u00a0 Her tone of voice made very clear that given her druthers, she would prefer to keep it that way.<\/p>\n \u201cMister Melville, who trades quite lucratively under the name of Down \u2018n Dirty Davy Jones, hasn\u2019t HALF the territory YOU have,\u201d Miss Stephens continued, \u201cyet HE managed to pay me a commission of nearly a twelve HUNDREND dollars for the same six months.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She stopped pacing, turned, and glared down at Kathleen, with arms folded tight across her ample, well-rounded bosom.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cTell me, Miss Murphy . . . how do YOU explain such a discrepancy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBusiness has taken a turn for t\u2019 worse,\u201d Kathleen replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s the truth, Ma\u2019am . . . whole, complete, and unvarnished.\u00a0\u00a0 I swear.\u00a0\u00a0 On\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease, Miss Murphy . . . NOT on the grave of your dear sainted mother AGAIN,\u201d Miss Stevens cut Kathleen off with a disparaging, long-suffering sigh.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Ma\u2019am!\u201d Kathleen hotly denied the allegation.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI . . . WAS going to swear on the grave of m\u2019 sainted GRANDMOTHER . . . m\u2019 mother\u2019s mother . . . may God rest her soul.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho I happen to know for fact lives with her sainted sister in New Orleans,\u201d Miss Stephens stiffly pointed out.<\/p>\n Kathleen quickly bowed her head, upon feeling the sudden prickly rush of hot blood to her face.<\/p>\n \u201cSo.\u00a0\u00a0 You CLAIM that business has taken a turn for the worst,\u201d Miss Stevens continued.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s TRUE!\u201d Kathleen insisted.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI swear— \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes?\u201d Miss Stephens demanded, when Kathleen abruptly broke off.<\/p>\n \u201cNever mind,\u201d Kathleen said sheepishly.<\/p>\n \u201cTo be utterly frank, Miss Murphy . . . I find your allegations very hard to believe . . . the, um \u2018graves\u2019 of your \u2018sainted\u2019 mother and maternal grandmother not withstanding,\u201d Miss Stevens said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat say YOU, Mister Lyon?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cM-Miss Murphy IS telling the truth, Ma\u2019am, and frankly . . . I\u2019m at a loss to explain it,\u201d Edward replied with a helpless shrug.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe get a fair number of young ones coming into the Queen of the Sea Saloon, to be sure, but . . . somehow . . . they end up slipping . . . r-right . . . through . . . our fingers.\u201d<\/p>\n Before Miss Stevens could reply, someone knocked at the closed parlor door twice, then three times, with a slight pause between.\u00a0 \u00a0Miss Stevens glanced over at her man standing guard at the door, a big, burly, well-muscled individual known as Killer Callahan, and nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYes\u2019m,\u201d Killer grunted, as he turned and opened the door.<\/p>\n Two more men entered the parlor, one tall and very thin, the other short and plump.\u00a0\u00a0 Both were attired in the same manner as Killer.\u00a0\u00a0 They were brothers, two of a set of triplets.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you gentlemen find anything?\u201d Miss Stevens demanded in a tone faintly imperious.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Ma\u2019am,\u201d the shorter of the two replied.\u00a0\u00a0 His name was Bob Fisk.\u00a0\u00a0 He stood just under five and a half feet tall, and tipped the scales at almost a hundred and ninety pounds.\u00a0\u00a0 He had light chestnut brown hair, cropped very short, and a pair of small, beady eyes set under a prominent brow, surrounded by soft folds of flab.\u00a0\u00a0 There was a thick, scraggly growth of stubble covering the lower portion of his face.<\/p>\n \u201cYou searched thoroughly?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am,\u201d the tall man replied, his lips curving upward to form a nasty, mirthless smile.\u00a0\u00a0 His name was Ned.\u00a0\u00a0 The dark brown hair encircling his head and face, was in the shape of an inverted bowl.\u00a0\u00a0 Unlike his brother, he was clean-shaven.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBob \u2018n me . . . we searched thorough all right.\u00a0\u00a0 VERY thorough!\u00a0\u00a0 In fact, you can truthfully say we, ummm . . . tore the place apart?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf Miss Murphy does indeed have extra cash . . . well we can say for sure now that it AIN\u2019T stuffed under her mattress,\u201d Bob added.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . or IN it,\u201d Ned added with a snicker.<\/p>\n \u201cNOW are y\u2019 satisfied?!\u201d Kathleen demanded, her voice breaking.\u00a0\u00a0 The thought of every room in her lovely home lying in shambles had pushed her to the edge of angry tears.<\/p>\n \u201cBank,\u201d Killer grunted from his place at the parlor door.<\/p>\n \u201cGood suggestion, Mister Calhoun, but I think we can safely rule out THAT possibility,\u201d Miss Stevens said with a complacent smile.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMiss Murphy\u2019s aversion to banks is legendary.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOut-side,\u201d Killer grunted.<\/p>\n \u201cNow THAT is a VERY good point, Mister Calhoun,\u201d Miss Stevens agreed.<\/p>\n Bob Fisk blanched.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMiss Stevens . . . d-don\u2019t tell us y-you . . . that y-you want us to . . . to dig up the entire yard?!\u00a0\u00a0 There\u2019s gotta be at least a couple o\u2019 acres here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOne half acre is more accurate, Mister Fisk,\u201d Miss Stevens said complacently.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThis plot of land is about the same that surrounded the townhouse where my parents and I lived . . . before their untimely deaths forced me to move in with my grandparents.\u201d\u00a0 An amused smile at the Fisk brothers\u2019 discomfiture pulled hard on the corner of her mouth.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGentlemen, it WON\u2019T be necessary to dig up the entire yard,\u201d she continued.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cFirst of all, it\u2019s too much fuss and bother to chop through the thick growth of lawn Miss Murphy has out there . . . and second, I think that Miss Murphy would be more inclined to bury the money close by the house.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou thinkin\u2019 flowerbeds?\u201d Bob Fisk queried.<\/p>\n \u201cI am indeed,\u201d Miss Stevens replied.<\/p>\n \u201cOh no,\u201d Kathleen groaned, feeling terribly sick at heart.\u00a0\u00a0 Her flower gardens were her absolute pride and joy.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo, please . . . n-not the flower beds . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAt this juncture, Miss Murphy, it seems to me that you can save yourself a lot of trouble if you tell us right now where you\u2019ve stashed your ill-gotten gain,\u201d Miss Stevens said in a lofty. condescending tone.<\/p>\n \u201cHOW MANY TIMES DO I HAFTA TELL YA . . . THERE\u2019S NO EXTRA MONEY LYIN\u2019 \u2018ROUND . . . ILL-BEGOTTEN OR OTHERWISE?!\u201d Kathleen wailed.<\/p>\n \u201cThat being the case . . . . \u201d Miss Stevens looked over and made eye contact with the Fisk brothers, \u201cGentlemen, please search the flowerbeds.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Stevens please . . . if it\u2019s . . . if it\u2019s money y\u2019 want, I have jewelry . . . real fine jewelry.\u00a0\u00a0 You\u2019re welcome to it if y\u2014 \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Kathleen\u2019s words ended in a cry of pain, when Miss Stephens slapped her face, with enough force to set her teeth rattling.<\/p>\n \u201cHow DARE you!\u201d she growled in a low, menacing tone.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHow DARE you try to placate ME . . . as you might a . . . a . . . a common thief, or worse . . . an extortionist?!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Miss Stephens pulled herself up to the very full of her diminutive height and glared down at her hapless minion.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIn case you\u2019ve forgotten, Miss Murphy, my family is one of the richest, if not THE richest in San Francisco.\u00a0\u00a0 To even suggest that I would have need of your cheap, tawdry costume jewelry\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n A discreet knock at the closed parlor door brought an abrupt end to Miss Stevens\u2019 angry tirade, mid-sentence.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Murphy, you will tell whoever that is to leave,\u201d Miss Stevens ordered, taking great care to lower her voice, \u201cright now this very instant.\u201d<\/p>\n Kathleen swallowed nervously.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWho . . . who is it?\u201d she asked in as calm a voice as she could possibly muster.<\/p>\n \u201cMrs. Flynn, Ma\u2019am,\u201d the woman standing without replied in a deferential tone.<\/p>\n \u201cI told you we weren\u2019t t\u2019 be disturbed,\u201d Kathleen said in as steady a voice as she could muster.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am, you did, and I\u2019m sorry,\u201d Mrs. Flynn meekly stammered out an apology, \u201cbut, Officers Brady \u2018n Yates are here.\u00a0\u00a0 I told him you were indisposed, but they insist upon seeing you at once.\u00a0\u00a0 I . . . I\u2019m sorry, Miss Murphy, I just didn\u2019t know what else to do.\u201d<\/p>\n Miss Stevens turned to Kathleen, her entire body trembling with rage.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSo help me, Miss Murphy . . . so HELP me . . . if you\u2019ve somehow instructed your housekeeper to summon the police\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI d-didn\u2019t,\u201d Kathleen immediately denied the allegation.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBrady and Yates work for me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am,\u201d Kathleen said, nodding her head vigorously.<\/p>\n \u201cThis true?\u201d Miss Stevens demanded, as she turned her attention to Edward.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am,\u201d Edward confirmed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOfficer Brady\u2019s been on OUR payroll for the last five or six years, and his partner the last three months.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe money you\u2019re paying to retain a couple of corrupt police officers on your payroll had better NOT be coming out of the commission due ME,\u201d Miss Stevens warned in a voice, stone cold.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not,\u201d Kathleen hastened to assure.<\/p>\n Miss Stevens was hard put to determine which aspect about all this disturbed her more:\u00a0 that Kathleen Murphy actually had a pair of San Francisco\u2019s finest working for her; or that she hadn\u2019t known a thing about it until now.\u00a0\u00a0 The matter required a great deal of thought, something that would of necessity, have to wait.<\/p>\n \u201cAll right,\u201d Miss Stevens said, \u201cfor now, tell your housekeeper to get rid of the gendarme.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cN-Not a good idea,\u201d Kathleen protested, feeling herself wedged tight between the proverbial rock and the hard place.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . and why not?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause whatever it they\u2019ve come t\u2019 tell me . . . it must be urgent, else they wouldn\u2019t be here,\u201d Kathleen pressed.<\/p>\n \u201cAll right, Miss Murphy, ask your housekeeper to show the policemen in,\u201d Miss Stevens said as she removed a large, white linen handkerchief from her reticule.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut, I warn you . . . one false move\u2014 \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She sharply drew her pointing first finger across her neck.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI trust we understand each other?\u201d<\/p>\n Kathleen nodded, then rose slowly to her feet.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMrs. Flynn?\u201d she queried, amazed at how calm her voice sounded.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease show Officers Brady and Yates in.\u201d<\/p>\n A few moments later, Kathleen\u2019s housekeeper ushered in two police officers, clad in a dark blue uniforms.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGood afternoon, Miss Murphy,\u201d Johnny-Boy Brady greeted the lady of the house stiffly, his eyes moving uneasily from one person to the next.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t know you had company.\u00a0\u00a0 Perhaps I should come back another time?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no need to worry, Officer . . . the lady and gentlemen are business associates,\u201d Kathleen said, favoring the policeman with what she desperately hoped was a reassuring smile.<\/p>\n \u201cThey in the same business as . . . . ?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, they are,\u201d Kathleen said in response to the policeman\u2019s unspoken question.<\/p>\n Johnny-Boy\u2019s sharp eyes moved quickly over the sea of strange faces gathered.\u00a0\u00a0 He recognized the Fisk brothers immediately.\u00a0\u00a0 They were a couple of wharf rats, with sizeable rap sheets filled with many and varied misdemeanors, among them drunk and disorderly, assault and battery, disturbing the peace, occasional solicitation, and vandalism.\u00a0\u00a0 Though he wasn\u2019t acquainted with the big fellow standing beside the parlor door, he also appeared to be the typical, run of the mill wharf rat.<\/p>\n The fancy pants dandy, seated on the settee to Miss Murphy\u2019s right piqued his interest.\u00a0\u00a0 Since his arrival in San Francisco nearly fifteen years ago, Edward Lyon had been charged with or linked to just about every kind of crime one could imagine, ranging from petty theft to first degree murder, but nothing ever stuck, earning for himself the nickname Greased Pig among San Francisco\u2019s finest.\u00a0\u00a0 His presence within the organization, ostensibly serving as Miss Murphy\u2019s bookkeeper was worrisome enough.\u00a0\u00a0 But to find the oily little weasel sitting on the settee so close beside Miss Murphy troubled Johnny-Boy greatly.\u00a0\u00a0 The man had a pretty smile, a clever way with words, and the refined good looks most women found irresistibly attractive going for him, but he could only be trusted about as far as a body could throw him . . . assuming, of course, that the body in question was so old and decrepit, he couldn\u2019t left a feather let alone a grown man . . . .<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Murphy\u2019s been good t\u2019 me . . . \u2018n the missus, too, God rest her soul, the whole time she was ailin\u2019,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Johnny-Boy silently mused.\u00a0\u00a0 The thought of a man like Edward Lyon \u201cdoin\u2019 her dirty,\u201d was enough to make his blood boil.<\/p>\n His eyes finally came to rest on the woman, standing in front of the fireplace, glowering every bit as fierce as any war goddess, worthy of being called such.\u00a0 There was something oddly familiar about her.\u00a0\u00a0 If she would only lower that damned handkerchief she had covering her nose, mouth, and chin, he knew beyond all shadow of doubt he\u2019d recognize her in a minute.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a bit of a cold, Officer,\u201d she said softly, as if reading his very thoughts.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure you don\u2019t want to see my red nose . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry to hear you\u2019re feeling poorly, Ma\u2019am,\u201d Johnny-Boy murmured softly.<\/p>\n Kathleen Murphy rose from her place on the settee, and turned to face her callers.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat have you come t\u2019 see me about, Officer Brady?\u201d she queried.<\/p>\n \u201cBusiness, Miss Murphy.\u00a0\u00a0 Can we speak in private?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou may speak freely HERE,\u201d Kathleen said quickly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re all in the same business, as I just said.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt seems the owner of that warehouse down by the wharf was informed of a break in,\u201d Johnny-Boy dutifully reported.<\/p>\n \u201cOh?\u201d Kathleen murmured with sinking heart, taking special care to focus her gaze on Johnny-Boy\u2019s face.\u00a0\u00a0 The thought of looking into The Boss Lady\u2019s face right now . . . she shuddered delicately.<\/p>\n \u201cHe sent his grandson-in-law down to look into things,\u201d Johnny-Boy continued, noting that the woman in front of the fireplace had tensed slightly upon his mention of the warehouse owner\u2019s grandson-in-law, and that her posture had noticeably straightened.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cFortunately for us, my partner and I drew the assignment of guarding that warehouse.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOfficer . . . um, Brady . . . the grandson-in-law of the man who owns that warehouse . . . do you know his name?\u201d Miss Stephens asked, her devious mind racing a mile a minute.<\/p>\n \u201cHis last name\u2019s Magruder, Ma\u2019am,\u201d Johnny-Boy replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDidn\u2019t get his first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere is he now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSleeping it off, Ma\u2019am . . . in the back room at the Qu— . . . uhh, in our um, special holding area, Ma\u2019am,\u201d Johnny-Boy replied, hesitant and wary.<\/p>\n \u201cIs he reasonably healthy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVery healthy, Ma\u2019am,\u201d Johnny-Boy replied.<\/p>\n \u201cStrong?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Murphy, I\u2019LL take this Mister Magruder off your hands . . . in lieu of the balance due on my commission,\u201d Miss Stephens said, laboring desperately to keep her tone of voice cool and calm.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u00a0\u00a0 Your orders?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor the time being, you are to keep him in a secure place,\u201d Miss Stephens replied, unable to keep from smiling at the good fortune that had just dropped out of the proverbial clear blue into her lap.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cKeep him well fed and watered . . . at MY expense of course . . . and keep him under strict watch at all times.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c . . . and if your guards are forced to, ummm . . . shall we say maintain discipline?\u00a0\u00a0 Tell them to make absolute certain that nothing shows.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u00a0\u00a0 I will,\u201d Kathleen dutifully promised.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOfficer Brady?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Miss Murphy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI want you and Officer Yates to move Mister Harker\u2019s grandson by marriage from his present holding area to my yacht, Aisling,\u201d Kathleen said quietly, \u201c. . . sooner done the better.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ll see to it that you\u2019re both properly compensated for your trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Miss Murphy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI . . . trust you have a plausible story to cover your arse when he\u2019s reported missing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAbsolutely, Ma\u2019am,\u201d Johnny-Boy said with a wry grin.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhen they question Yates \u2018n me, we\u2019ll tell \u2018em that we had a couple o\u2019 beers with Mister Magruder, then went our separate ways.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExcellent.\u00a0\u00a0 Is there anything else?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou . . . must forgive me for not seein\u2019 you and your partner out proper, Officer Brady, but we ARE in the midst of an important meeting,\u201d Kathleen said.<\/p>\n \u201cQuite alright, Miss Murphy.\u00a0\u00a0 Yates and I can find our own way out,\u201d Johnny-Boy quickly assured her.<\/p>\n \u201cIt appears you have the luck of the Irish working for you, Miss Murphy,\u201d Miss Stephens said, after the police officers had left.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve not only pulled your own ass out of hot water, but you\u2019ve earned yourself a generous bonus as well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou have special plans for this Mister Magruder, Ma\u2019am?\u201d Kathleen ventured, taking due note of the unholy gleam in the eyes of her benefactress.<\/p>\n \u201cOh yes!\u00a0\u00a0 I have a special buyer in mind for that particular piece of merchandise . . . a very special buyer,\u201d Miss Stephens said slowly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll be putting into port . . . should be any day now, given that the moon is almost full and the tides are running high and swift.\u00a0\u00a0 In the meantime, Miss Murphy, I trust that you WILL do something about your, shall we say, flagging sales?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u00a0\u00a0 That I will, Ma\u2019am,\u201d Kathleen agreed, nodding her head vigorously.<\/p>\n \u201cGood.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ll be in touch, and . . . rest assured, I WILL be watching,\u201d Miss Stephens promised, with a false, reptilian smile.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a long time since my brothers and I last shared a table and a couple of beers together . . . . \u201d<\/em>\u00a0Adam silently mused, as he took a sip from the beer mug in hand.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cTOO long . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n He had enjoyed a sumptuous meal with the family . . . .<\/p>\n \u201c . . . MOST of the family,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 he silently amended, remembering that Hop Sing and Candy had opted to take the night off.\u00a0\u00a0 Hop Sing was off visiting an aunt, uncle, and their eight children, while Candy was having dinner and spending the evening with a young woman he had met a couple days after their arrival.<\/p>\n Pa had reserved a private room at one of San Francisco\u2019s finest restaurants to celebrate the contract Joe had negotiated with Jarboe and Baylor.\u00a0\u00a0 The entire Cartwright family, including his wife and their two children, Benjy and Dio, were there, as were his in-laws, Eduardo and Dolores di Cordova.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam smiled, remembering how he had been just as proud of his son and daughter for being on their absolute best behavior as he was of Joe.<\/p>\n After parting company with their father, their sister, and Adam\u2019s wife and children, the brothers had taken in a burlesque show that had just opened . . . something Adam hadn\u2019t done since the day he had asked one Miss Teresa di Cordova to be his wife.\u00a0\u00a0 He was mildly surprised to discover that while he still greatly appreciated sight of a comely, scantily clad female figure, he didn\u2019t quite share his younger brothers\u2019 excitement.\u00a0\u00a0 After the show, they had gone to a casino, where he ended up doing surprisingly well at the blackjack table.<\/p>\n The three of them finally ended up at a small dive of a saloon near the waterfront, called Neptune\u2019s Bar.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSay, Adam . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYooo-hooo . . . anybody home in there?!\u201d<\/p>\n The sound of his brothers\u2019 voices, and Hoss\u2019 knuckles, gentle yet playful, rapping the top of his head brought Adam\u2019s thoughts back to present time and place.\u00a0\u00a0 Glancing up, he saw Joe standing behind the chair he had occupied for the better part of the last hour, with his arm wrapped possessively around the trim waist of a voluptuous woman with long, silky light brown hair.<\/p>\n \u201cBelle Donna and I are off, OLDER Brothers,\u201d Joe announced with a big, smug triumphant grin.\u00a0\u00a0 He gently drew the woman\u2019s arm through the crook of his and patted her hand for emphasis.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cA piece of advice if I may?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c . . . and what might that be?\u201d Adam inquired wryly, with left eyebrow slightly upraised.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t wait up,\u201d Joe replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not likely to be back until VERY late . . . long PAST the bedtime of you, ummm . . . OLDER folks?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam gallantly refrained from stating that while he and his wife might be turning in early by his youngest brother\u2019s reckoning, in all likelihood, they wouldn\u2019t be going right to sleep.<\/p>\n \u201cAll\u00a0I<\/strong>\u00a0gotta say is . . . you got no room t\u2019 talk \u2018bout Li\u2019l Sister not havin\u2019 proper respect for her elders,\u201d Hoss immediately retorted.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo room at all!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell . . . you know what they say, Hoss . . . . \u201d Adam drawled, \u201cwhat GOES around COMES around?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cY\u2019 gotta point there, Adam,\u201d Hoss agreed with a chuckle.<\/p>\n \u201cYou just be careful tonight, Joe,\u201d Adam said, turning serious.<\/p>\n \u201cNot to worry, Adam,\u201d Joe said complacently, as he patted his chest just above the location of the inside pocket of his jacket.<\/p>\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t thinking about that,\u201d Adam returned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI was thinking more in terms with what almost happened to our old friend, Roscoe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAww fer—!!!\u201d Joe groaned, while sarcastically rolling his eyes heavenward.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAdam, I\u2019m NOT some green kid anymore,\u201d he curtly reminded his oldest brother, \u201cand I\u2019m well able to take care of myself, thank you very much.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou g\u2019won . . . have yourself a good time,\u201d Hoss quickly interjected.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAfter that sweet deal you got us with Jarboe \u2018n Baylor . . . you deserve it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou sure you don\u2019t wanna come along, Hoss?\u201d Joe asked.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure Belle Donna here can scare up a friend for you, too . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI sure can, Honey,\u201d Belle Donna assured Hoss with a big smile.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks for the offer, Miss, but I\u2019d best not,\u201d Hoss declined, flinching away from her open, frank appraisal of his physical being.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI got some business o\u2019 my own t\u2019 take care of in the mornin\u2019, \u2018n I need t\u2019 be sharp.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour loss, Big Brother,\u201d Joe quipped.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSee ya.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Big Brother . . . how much do you want to bet we won\u2019t see Joe \u2018til the dawn\u2019s early light?\u201d Adam queried wryly, his eyes glued to Joe\u2019s and Belle Donna\u2019s retreating backs as the pair made their way through the crowded room toward the door.<\/p>\n \u201cForget it, Adam,\u201d Hoss immediately returned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI may not be the smartest fella that ever came down t\u2019 pike, but I sure ain\u2019t dumb enough t\u2019 bet with ya on what time our baby brother\u2019s gonna make it back in the mornin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam finished what remained of his beer and set his mug down on the table before him.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNot much of a baby anymore, is he?\u201d he observed wistfully.<\/p>\n Hoss slowly wagged his head back and forth, chuckling softly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNope.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou . . . find that amusing?!\u201d Adam asked, favoring his older, bigger brother with a puzzled frown.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I don\u2019t find THAT funny,\u201d Hoss replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYOU\u2019RE the one who\u2019s kinda put a smile on my face.\u201d<\/p>\n The scowl on Adam\u2019s face deepened.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMe?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, Oldest Brother . . . YOU,\u201d Hoss replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe way you said that about Joe not bein\u2019 much of a baby anymore . . . y\u2019 sounded the exact same way PA does when HE talks about Li\u2019l Joe not bein\u2019 so li\u2019l anymore . . . or about our li\u2019l sister finishin\u2019 up her schoolin\u2019 \u2018bout this time next year.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI must confess to thinking about Benjy not being a little boy anymore either since we celebrated his eleventh birthday a few months ago,\u201d Adam sighed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s almost as tall as his mother now . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI saw,\u201d Hoss murmured softly, \u201c \u2018n he ain\u2019t even had his growth spurt yet.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He brought the mug in had up to his lips and swallowed what little beer remained in a single gulp.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBenjy\u2019s gonna be a tall man . . . like you \u2018n me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think he\u2019ll end up as tall as you, Hoss, but at the rate he\u2019s going, I won\u2019t be surprised if he winds up a couple of inches taller than me,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s quite a boy, Adam,\u201d Hoss murmured softly.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, he is,\u201d Adam agreed with a proud smile, \u201cand well on his way to being quite a young man.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothin\u2019 like havin\u2019 a couple o\u2019 young\u2019ns around t\u2019 remind ya that you ain\u2019t what folks call a young spring chicken anymore,\u201d Hoss remarked.<\/p>\n \u201cNot that I NEED Benjy and Dio to remind me I\u2019m not so young as I used to be,\u201d Adam said wryly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know about YOU, Big Brother, but speaking for myself, THIS not-so-young-man\u2019s ready to call it a night.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss grinned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m ready t\u2019 call it a night, too, Adam,\u201d he replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLike I told Joe, I gotta business meetin\u2019 o\u2019 my own in the mornin\u2019, \u2018n I\u2019ve really gotta be on my toes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought your meeting was with that Quaker lady . . . I can\u2019t recall her name . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPrudence Jessup . . . Lafe\u2019s wife.\u201d [vi]<\/p>\n \u201cThe man you\u2019ve been buying the wild ones from?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n Hoss nodded.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLafe died . . . I think it\u2019s been almost TWO years now,\u201d he said somberly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPrudence said he was thrown off a horse he\u2019d been tryin\u2019 t\u2019 break, \u2018n was killed instantly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry to hear that,\u201d Adam said quietly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat first time we met him . . . when those wild mares of his galloped into the yard . . . he was a real rough, tough, no-nonsense sort of man, but from some of the things you told me, his wife and family helped mellow him out a little . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n Hoss grinned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYeah . . . I guess y\u2019 might say that, if\u2019n ya think changin\u2019 from a real, ornery, stubborn, bad-tempered cuss to a stubborn ol\u2019 mule \u2018s an improvement.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam shook his head in wonderment of it all.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe seemed such a quiet, mild mannered, even-tempered woman . . . like Regina Darien.\u201d [vii]\u00a0 A nostalgic half smile played across his lips.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cRemember HER, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah . . . I remember her,\u201d Hoss replied, \u201cbut Prudence Jessup \u2018n Regina Darien are different as night \u2018n day, Adam.\u00a0\u00a0 Don\u2019t you ever doubt for one minute Prudence never gave ol\u2019 Lafe back as good as she got.\u00a0\u00a0 She can be every bit as ornery, stubborn, \u2018n bad tempered as that late husband o\u2019 hers, if\u2019n she\u2019s of a mind . . . \u2018n that lady\u2019s a real shrewd business woman t\u2019 boot.\u00a0\u00a0 THAT\u2019S why I gotta be sharp in the mornin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Big Brother . . . to be completely up front and honest?\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019m anxious to get back to our hotel, too,\u201d Adam admitted.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOne more for the road?\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ll buy . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n Hoss grinned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cTHAT bein\u2019 the case . . . I\u2019ll have a beer.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam rose.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBe right back,\u201d he promised, then set off toward the bar, which, much to his chagrin was surrounded by a crowd of men three deep.\u00a0\u00a0 All except for a large, empty spot at the other end.\u00a0\u00a0 A smug, Mona Lisa smile slowly spread its way across his lips, as he silently congratulated himself for his smarts.<\/p>\n \u201c \u2018Evenin\u2019, Mister,\u201d the bartender drawled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat can I getcha?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA couple of beers,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n The bartender stepped back and gave Adam a critical once over.\u00a0\u00a0 Though not a young spring chicken anymore, he looked healthy enough.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cCouple o\u2019 beers, eh?\u201d he said, before nodding his head and coughing three times.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I said,\u201d Adam affirmed, puzzled by the man\u2019s intense scrutiny of his person.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cA couple of bee\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n The rest ended in a scream, of shock and surprise, as the eldest of Ben Cartwright\u2019s offspring suddenly found himself in free fall.\u00a0\u00a0 He splashed down into seawater below.\u00a0\u00a0 Three large, burley men, attired in black slacks, black and white stripped shirts, and black jackets, immediately fished Adam out of the water.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, I\u2019m much obliged to you,\u201d Adam said gratefully, relieved to be standing with both feet planted on terra firma, despite being soaking wet.<\/p>\n \u201cThink nothin\u2019 of it, M\u2019 Good Man,\u201d the biggest of his rescuers replied.\u00a0\u00a0 His voice carried a faint trace of New England.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cA man can\u2019t be too careful now-a-days.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNope!\u201d\u00a0 a second man said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t be too careful at all, what with these shanghai-ers out on the loose.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I for one think it\u2019s DISGRACEFUL!\u201d\u00a0 the biggest man said, shaking his head.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI mean what\u2019s this world comin\u2019 to when a man don\u2019t feel safe no more when he goes out at night to a saloon f\u2019r a few drinks?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat indeed!\u201d Adam agreed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI AM grateful for your timely rescue.\u00a0\u00a0 Tell you what!\u00a0\u00a0 Why don\u2019t we go back to the saloon up there, collect my brother, then take our patronage elsewhere?\u00a0\u00a0 The least I can do is buy you fellas a couple of beers to say thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n The biggest man nodded, then coughed three times.<\/p>\n Adam groaned as the third man, standing directly behind him, hit him over the head with a billy club.\u00a0\u00a0 The biggest man caught Adam, as he pitched forward, and hefted him up over his shoulder like a sack of flour.<\/p>\n \u201cPickin\u2019s is gettin\u2019 a mite slim, from the looks o\u2019 things,\u201d the second man observed, upon taking due note of Adam\u2019s graying hair, his receding hairline, and the beginnings of a middle aged spread around the waistline.<\/p>\n \u201cHe may not be as young as he usta be, but from the looks o\u2019 things, he\u2019s kept himself well,\u201d the biggest man said.<\/p>\n \u201cYoung . . . NOT-so-young . . . who cares?\u201d demanded the man with billy club still in hand.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe important things is . . . he\u2019s a warm body.\u00a0\u00a0 That\u2019s all ol\u2019 Cut-Throat Katie cares about . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n Chapter 3<\/p>\n \u201cMore whiskey, Sugar?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe immediately shook his head.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve had more \u2018n enough already, Donna Belle, I mean Bell Don . . . uhhh . . . Bella, no!\u00a0\u00a0 Belle!\u00a0\u00a0 Belle . . . Don . . . nuh.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He flashed her a lopsided grin.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThere!\u00a0\u00a0 I got id right.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou sure did, Cowboy,\u201d Belle Donna chirped, as she refilled his glass.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou . . . said you was on vacation . . . didn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell there\u2019s no such thing as too much whiskey for a man who\u2019s on vacation,\u201d she said firmly.<\/p>\n \u201cY\u2019 know somethin\u2019, Honey, y\u2019r absho . . . ab-so-lute-ly . . . right.\u00a0\u00a0 To vacations.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Joe raised his glass.<\/p>\n \u201cTo vacations.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Belle Donna raised her own glass and lightly touched his.<\/p>\n After parting company with his older brothers, Joe had gone with Belle Donna to a small dive known as \u2018Frisco Frannie\u2019s . . . .<\/p>\n A near opaque smoky, gray haze hung heavy in the air just above their heads, reeking of the telltale aroma of cheap cigar and pipe tobacco.\u00a0\u00a0 Most of the customers were sailors or women, politely referred to as \u201cladies of the night.\u201d\u00a0 Belle Donna nodded to the bartender, a short, thin man, with a wiry muscular frame, then steered Joe toward the back of the establishment and seated him at a secluded table, half hidden by deep shadow . . . .<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThe whiskey\u2019s the best, Sugar, but stay real clear of the ladies,\u201d she warned, sotto voce, as they sat down.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOtherwise, you could end up takin\u2019 home a real nasty souvenir, if you get my meanin\u2019?!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She shuddered delicately.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI do indeed,\u201d Joe replied.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201c \u2018Evenin\u2019, Belle.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 It was the bartender.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWho\u2019s your new friend?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThis here\u2019s Mister Joe Cartwright, from Virginia City, Neeee-va-duh,\u201d Belle Donna<\/em>\u00a0cheerfully made introductions.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJoe, this is Pete.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cGood meetin\u2019 ya, Joe.\u00a0\u00a0 What can I getcha?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cA bottle o\u2019 your best whiskey, Pete,\u201d Joe ordered, his words slurring ever so slightly, \u201cand two glasses.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Belle Donna nodded her head, then discreetly coughed three times.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cGotcha!\u00a0\u00a0 A bottle o\u2019 the best, comin\u2019 right up . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Joe\u2019s initial opinion of the whiskey passing for the best \u2018Frisco Frannie\u2019s had to offer was, that it wasn\u2019t anywhere near as good as the rotgut Sam served up at the Silver Dollar Saloon back home.\u00a0\u00a0 Belle Donna had solemnly assured him that taste for this particular brand of very fine whiskey was an acquired.\u00a0\u00a0 Now that they had polished off two bottles of the stuff, and nearly a third, Joe was just beginning to see the wisdom of her words.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . uhhh . . . Belle Donna?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, Joe?\u201d\u00a0 she purred in response.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019m gonna hafta call id a night,\u201d Joe drawled, his words slurring.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI . . . all uh sudden I\u2019m so sleepy, I can\u2019 keep m\u2019 eyes open . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 His words ended in a soft sigh, before his head dropped down onto the table.<\/p>\n Two men immediately materialized from the deep shadows.\u00a0\u00a0 One of them took the insensate Joe Cartwright gently by the shoulders and leaned him back in his chair.\u00a0\u00a0 Joe snorted, but did not waken.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll do,\u201d the taller of the two men declared with a smile.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cA bit on the short side, but strong.\u00a0\u00a0 His muscles are like rocks.\u00a0\u00a0 Good work, Belle.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t f\u2019rget my commission, Boys,\u201d she said, holding out her hand.<\/p>\n The tall man reached into the his pants pocket and withdrew a large wad of bills.\u00a0\u00a0 He peeled several from the top and placed them into Belle Donna\u2019s outstretched hand.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHere ya go, Belle Donna, and there\u2019s plenty more t\u2019 be had.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPleasure doin\u2019 business with ya, Boys,\u201d Belle Donna said as she stuffed the bills into the front of her low cut bodice.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYa\u2019d best haul Sleepin\u2019 Beauty out the back, though.\u00a0\u00a0 That man\u2019s back . . . . \u201d she shuddered, \u201can\u2019 he\u2019s been nosin\u2019 around with a vengeance.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTall, thin older guy?\u201d the other man asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cY\u2019 needn\u2019t worry none about HIM, Miss Belle Donna,\u201d the other man assured her with confidence.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHis name\u2019s Cartwright . . . \u2018n HE\u2019S in the business, same as us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou sure?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I<\/strong>\u00a0had \u2018im pegged for bein\u2019 some kinda cop,\u201d Belle Donna observed with a perplexed frown.<\/p>\n \u201cYer half right,\u201d the tall man said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe IS one o\u2019 whut\u2019s known as \u2018Frisco\u2019s finest . . . but he, ummm . . . does a bit o\u2019 moonlightin\u2019 on the side?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe city don\u2019t pay its boys in blue all that well,\u201d the other man solemnly added.\u00a0 \u201cjust ask ol\u2019 Johnny-Boy Brady \u2018n that young partner o\u2019 his, Paddy Yates.\u201d<\/p>\n The scowl already present on Belle Donna\u2019s face deepened.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWho\u2019re THEY?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n \u201cA couple o\u2019 Frisco\u2019s finest who work for ol\u2019 Cut-Throat Kate on the side,\u201d the tall man replied.<\/p>\n \u201cThis Cartwright fella work f\u2019r Cut-Throat Kate, too?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s had dealin\u2019s with her here \u2018n there, but I think he\u2019s in business for himself,\u201d the other man replied.<\/p>\n \u201cDoin\u2019 quite well, too, from what all I can see,\u201d the tall man added, his voice filled with a grudging respect, \u201cbut, sooner or later, same\u2019s gonna happen t\u2019 HIM what happens t\u2019 ALL free lancers these days . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201c . . . uhhh, whut\u2019s that?\u201d Belle Donna asked warily.<\/p>\n \u201cOne mornin\u2019, some unsuspectin\u2019 wharf rat\u2019s gonna find that poor sap lyin\u2019 face down in t\u2019 sea, with the waves bangin\u2019 his head against the wharf pilin\u2019s, if ya get m\u2019 meanin\u2019?\u201d the tall man replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIF he\u2019s lucky . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d the other man added.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe BIG boss . . . the one Cut-Rate Joe . . . Down \u2018n Dirty Davy Jones . . . \u2018n even the likes o\u2019 Cut-Throat Kate gotta answer t\u2019 . . . don\u2019t like Cartwright musclin\u2019 into \u2018is territory.\u201d<\/p>\n Belle Donna shuddered.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201cWell howdy there, Stranger.\u00a0\u00a0 You here on business or for pleasure?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben turned and glanced up.\u00a0\u00a0 A big smile slowly spread across his lips upon finding himself staring up into the smiling face of his nephew.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWill?\u00a0\u00a0 William John Cartwright, is that really you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn the flesh, big as life and twice as ugly,\u201d Will declared with a bold grin.\u00a0\u00a0 He had actually aged very well, despite his assertions to the contrary.\u00a0\u00a0 Though his hair had, for the most part, still remained the same rich dark brown color, the gray around the temples lent him a distinguished air.\u00a0\u00a0 He had dropped a few pounds since Ben last saw him.\u00a0\u00a0 His leaner frame and his naturally straight posture gave him a regal bearing, wholly absent in his younger days.\u00a0\u00a0 He had also lost very little of his physical strength, judging from his firm handshake.<\/p>\n \u201cSit down, please,\u201d Ben invited.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI was about to order myself another beer.\u00a0\u00a0 Can I get YOU anything?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot right now, Uncle, thank you.\u00a0\u00a0 I just finished having supper a few moments ago . . . in the company of a very lovely, very charming young lady,\u201d Will replied, with a smile.<\/p>\n This last came as no news to Ben.\u00a0\u00a0 His nephew, like his father before him, had always had an appreciative eye for the attractive female.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWill, how have you been?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoing quite well for myself,\u201d Will replied, as he seated himself in the chair on Ben\u2019s right.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I see,\u201d Ben replied, noting the quality material in a suit that had almost certainly been custom made, judging from its exact fit.<\/p>\n \u201cI started working for the police department a short time after Laura and Peggy Dayton [viii] joined me here,\u201d Will said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLaura let it be known that she wasn\u2019t going to put up with my being away on sea voyages that can last anywhere between one and three years.\u00a0\u00a0 Between you and me, though, I think Aunt Lil [ix] put her up to it, but I couldn\u2019t fault her reasoning.\u00a0\u00a0 So I left the sea and took a job with the San Francisco Police Department.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m . . . sorry things didn\u2019t work out between you and Laura.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI had and still have very mixed feelings about Laura, and the two of us calling off our engagement,\u201d Will said quietly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI absolutely adored that childlike quality about her, but she was clingy, Uncle Ben . . . VERY clingy . . . almost to the point of suffocation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam made the same observation on a number of occasions, especially after he\u2019d asked her to marry him,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLaura\u2019s always been a troubled woman, and marriage to a man like Frank Dayton . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He sighed and rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam told me everything she had apparently told HIM about her marriage to Frank . . . to give me an idea what I was letting myself in for, I think.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Will leaned closer and lowered his voice.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cTo be up front and honest, I WAS dismayed at the prospect of the physical aspects of marriage being pretty much non-existent . . . at least in the beginning, but I LOVED her and was prepared to see that she had the help and support she needed to work through those problems.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat finally happened between you and Laura?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cFor the better part of a year, we\u2019d set a wedding date, then postpone it a week or two later for one thing or another.\u00a0\u00a0 Then . . . out of the clear blue, Laura told me she wanted to END our engagement,\u201d Will replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI was flabbergasted!\u00a0\u00a0 We hadn\u2019t quarreled.\u00a0\u00a0 She CLAIMED she still loved me, but she wanted to end our engagement.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid she give you a reason, Will?\u201d\u00a0 Ben probed gently.<\/p>\n \u201cNone that made any sense,\u201d Will said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI asked her if we might remain friends.\u00a0\u00a0 Laura told me she didn\u2019t want to see me anymore.\u00a0\u00a0 I was hurt, Uncle Ben, but I also felt a sense of . . . of profound RELIEF, as if a heavy weight had suddenly been removed from my shoulders.\u00a0\u00a0 When I said my final good-byes, I think I actually regretted leaving PEGGY more than I regretted leaving Laura.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam did, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou ever hear from them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve been corresponding with PEGGY pretty regularly for the past year,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s living in Sacramento now, with her daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n Will smiled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s married.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Ben shook his head.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNot now.\u201d<\/p>\n A look of sad dismay crossed Will\u2019s face.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWidowed?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDivorced.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben told Will all that had happened concerning Laura, Peggy, and Aunt Lil the year before, beginning with the morning, Peggy was found sleeping on a mound of straw in an empty stall in the Cartwrights\u2019 barn.<\/p>\n \u201cDear God, Ben!\u201d Will\u2019s complexion had turned noticeably pale.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPeggy\u2019s husband was Brett van Slyke?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBad business!\u201d Will declared, shaking his head.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cVery bad business!\u00a0\u00a0 The younger van Slyke come down with a terrible bout of influenza a number of years ago, when an epidemic hit the city.\u00a0\u00a0 He was sick for a long time, comatose, running very high fevers.\u00a0\u00a0 He almost died, according to all the accounts in the society gossip columns.\u00a0\u00a0 Between you and me, Uncle . . .\u00a0I<\/strong>\u00a0think it might\u2019ve been kinder all the way around if he HAD.\u00a0\u00a0 When he came out of that coma, well . . . to say he was never the same understates the case.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d heard that his mental condition deteriorated some over the years, but I had no idea as to the extent of things until a barmaid named Rosemary O\u2019Malley turned up brutally murdered.\u00a0\u00a0 I . . . I was one of the police inspectors assigned to investigate that case, Uncle.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ve . . . well, let\u2019s just say I\u2019ve seen plenty of examples of what man\u2019s capable of inflicting on his fellows the years I spent wandering and the years I\u2019ve worked with the police department here.\u00a0\u00a0 But Miss O\u2019Malley . . . NOTHING could have prepared me for the sight of Miss O\u2019Malley\u2019s body after the younger van Slyke got through with her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was pretty horrified myself when I read the newspaper accounts of her murder,\u201d Ben said soberly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cA friend of mine sent them.\u00a0\u00a0 He works as a reporter for the Tribune.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen you can appreciate how infuriated I was . . . all of us were, especially those of us who worked on the case and saw things first hand,\u201d Will continued with a touch of bitterness.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe had enough good, solid evidence against Brett van Slyke to send him to the gallows, or at the very least, put him away for life.\u00a0\u00a0 Unfortunately, his family had enough money in their petty cash fund to bribe a couple of judges, call in on a few of the many favors our police chief at the time felt he owed \u2018em, to not only get that murderin\u2019 son-of-a-bitch off, but to have Miss O\u2019Malley\u2019s death ruled a suicide.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI read about THAT, too, Will, in the articles a friend of mine sent me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDamn!\u201d\u00a0 Will muttered angrily under his breath.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat in the hell was Lil thinking of when she brokered Peggy\u2019s marriage to that monster?\u00a0\u00a0 She HAD to have known what the score was.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe did.\u00a0\u00a0 There\u2019s no doubt at all in my mind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen WHY\u2014?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMoney.\u00a0\u00a0 Lil was in desperate need of it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?!\u201d\u00a0 Will sputtered, angry and incredulous.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cH-How could THAT be?!\u00a0\u00a0 Lil\u2019s a wealthy woman, Uncle Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLil . . . WAS . . . a wealthy woman, Will,\u201d Ben said with rancor.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPeggy told us her great aunt went through all the money she inherited from her second husband in less than a year.\u00a0\u00a0 She was flat broke by the time Laura broke her engagement with you, and moved into Lil\u2019s tiny apartment with Peggy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat poor kid!\u201d\u00a0 Will murmured ruefully.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI was afraid something like this might happen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWill, what happened to Peggy WASN\u2019T your fault,\u201d Ben said immediately.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI hope you know that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI do, it\u2019s just . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Will looked up and peered earnestly into his uncle\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cLet me ask you something.\u00a0\u00a0 Have you ever sized up a person, along with his or her circumstances . . . and KNOWN something terrible could happen, but there was nothing YOU could do to prevent it?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s happened to me many times in the course of raising three sons and a daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLil was in the picture almost from the minute Laura and Peggy arrived to join me here,\u201d Will said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI had no idea she was broke, but I found out real quick how greedy and voracious she was.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve run into the type.\u00a0\u00a0 No matter what they have, they always want more.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I\u2019ve certainly encountered plenty of men . . . and women, too, who were like that.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Charles Augustus Hackett immediately came to mind.\u00a0\u00a0 Unlike Lil Manfred, he, at least, had come to see that his greed was destroying him, and perhaps the only person left in his life who truly cared about him.\u00a0 [x]<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I told Laura and Peggy good-bye, I\u2019d hoped that should Lil try any of her shenanigans with Peggy that Laura would step in and protect her,\u201d Will said sadly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSeems I was terribly wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTry not to blame Laura too much, Will. \u00a0\u00a0Peggy doesn\u2019t.\u00a0\u00a0 She told me herself that no matter what her mother had done, or maybe more to the point, what her mother HADN\u2019T done, she could never bring herself to hate her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow very generous of Peggy,\u201d Will observed sardonically.<\/p>\n \u201cWill . . . I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve seen flowers grown in a hot house,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course,\u201d Will replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re beautiful . . . many are quite exotic, and I\u2019ve seen some of them grow to be quite large.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut, they\u2019re not hardy,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cTake \u2018em OUT of the hothouse, they more often than not die very quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s this got to do with Laura?\u201d Will asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve always seen Laura as a hot house flower,\u201d Ben replied, \u201cnot exotic perhaps, but certainly every bit as beautiful.\u00a0\u00a0 Will . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Uncle?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI firmly believe that every one of us . . . at one time or another . . . must struggle, whether it be physically to survive, agonizing over a hard set of choices, or overcoming things within us that keep us from leading full lives,\u201d Ben said quietly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLaura . . . never had that chance.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHer father, Abe Ryan, was a widower with four children when he married her mother, Mary Anne.\u00a0\u00a0 Abe\u2019s first wife, Alicia, had very few problems in having children, but poor Mary Anne suffered through at least a half dozen or so miscarriages and two babies still born, before Laura finally came.<\/p>\n \u201cMary Anne was so terrified of losing Laura . . . well to say that she was overly protective almost makes light of the matter.\u00a0\u00a0 She saw to it her daughter was kept sheltered and well protected against what she saw to be the evils in this world.\u00a0\u00a0 Mary Anne pampered her . . . spoiled her terribly more often than not . . . and saw to it that Laura never lacked or wanted for anything.\u00a0\u00a0 Mary Anne also made all of Laura\u2019s decisions for her for fear that she would make the wrong one and end up suffering terribly because of it.\u00a0\u00a0 Unfortunately, Abe and the older children got themselves caught up Mary Anne\u2019s obsession to keep Laura safe.<\/p>\n \u201cThe end result?\u00a0\u00a0 An adult woman completely unable to fend for herself,\u00a0 make her own choices, stand up for what she feels is right . . . or protect those she loves . . . even to this day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll because she was never given the chance to struggle,\u201d Will said thoughtfully.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe so.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUncle Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Will?<\/p>\n \u201cWhat finally happened to Laura?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s living out in Colorado with her older sister, Marian.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Stacy\u2019s return from the black jack table drew brought all conversation about Laura Dayton and Peggy van Slyke to a close.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWho\u2019s your friend?\u201d<\/p>\n Will and Ben both rose to their feet.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cStacy,\u201d the latter said, \u201cthis is your first cousin, Will Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo, YOU\u2019RE the picture in that double frame with Pa\u2019s brother.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Stacy smiled and held out her hand.<\/p>\n \u201cGuilty as charged, if much older now AND a lot grayer,\u201d Will said, favoring his young cousin with his most charming smile.\u00a0\u00a0 He gently took her hand in his and gallantly raised it to his lips.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m very pleased to finally meet you, Cousin.\u00a0\u00a0 Uncle Ben\u2019s told me a lot about you in his letters.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUh oh!\u00a0\u00a0 I hope SOME of it was good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cALL good,\u201d Will assured her as the three of them sat down, \u201cand a lot of it very interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo how did you do at the black jack table?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI, uuhhh hope you\u2019re not going to be TOO upset with me, Pa . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t do anything foolish like gamble away your share of the Ponderosa, did you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow much did you loose?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cActually, I won.\u201d<\/p>\n A smile, not without a generous dose of parental pride, slowly spread across Ben\u2019s lips.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s wonderful!\u00a0\u00a0 How much did you win?\u201d he asked, figuring she had just made a few extra dollars spending money.<\/p>\n Stacy cast a quick, furtive glance over her shoulder, then leaned in very close.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI won two thousand dollars, Pa,\u201d she said, taking great care to keep her voice low.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI SAID I won\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know what you SAID, Young Woman.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe dealer told me I broke the bank.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She cast a dark angry glare in the general direction of the black jack table.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe LIED to me, Pa . . . as you can see.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I CAN see that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA big win like that\u2019s quite an accomplishment, Cousin,\u201d Will observed, his ingratiating smile never wavering.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMind giving ME a few tips?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot much to it, actually,\u201d Stacy replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHere, unlike back home, the dealer deals his own cards up.\u00a0\u00a0 Its just a matter of keeping track of what\u2019s been played.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see.\u00a0\u00a0 Well, Uncle Ben, I think the GOOD news is . . . Cousin Stacy\u2019s going to find out the bank\u2019s broken at . . . oohh, I\u2019d say just about every last black jack table in San Francisco for the remainder of the time you\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n Stacy frowned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHow can THAT be?\u201d she demanded.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like this, Cousin.\u00a0\u00a0 You\u2019ve earned just yourself a very bad reputation among the gambling establishments in this town,\u201d Will blithely explained.<\/p>\n \u201cHow?\u00a0\u00a0 I didn\u2019t cheat . . . honest, Pa!\u00a0\u00a0 I didn\u2019t!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve afraid what YOU\u2019VE done is WORSE than cheating . . . a LOT worse, in the eyes of black jack dealers everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve been branded a card counter,\u201d Will replied, \u201cthough I\u2019m frankly surprised they\u2019d catch on so quickly given your youth and that you\u2019re, shall we say, of the FEMALE persuasion?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s NOT fair!\u201d Stacy growled.<\/p>\n \u201cSpeaking for myself, Young Woman, I\u2019m very happy with the way things turned out, because I\u2019m NOT raising you, or your brothers either, to be professional gamblers,\u201d Ben said sternly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAs for your winnings\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know, Pa.\u00a0\u00a0 They go into the bank in the same account as my OTHER winnings.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHer OTHER winnings, Uncle Ben?\u201d Will queried, thoroughly amused.<\/p>\n \u201cLast summer, she correctly predicted the outcome of what\u2019s become known back home in Virginia City as the Wedding of the Century,\u201d Ben explained, \u201cand ended up winning five thousand dollars on a single dollar bet.\u00a0\u00a0 It\u2019s a long story, Will.\u00a0\u00a0 Long and very complicated.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh yes.\u00a0 I remember Adam writing to me about that.\u00a0\u00a0 You SURE you\u2019re not raising at least one professional gambler?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d better NOT be,\u201d Ben said, directing a meaningful glare in his daughter\u2019s general direction.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWill, I hate cutting our visit short, but I think Stacy and I had best head back to the hotel.\u00a0\u00a0 The sooner I get her winnings safely locked away in the hotel safe, the better I\u2019m going to feel.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow about I tag along?\u201d Will offered.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll have a chance to visit with you and my delightful and very interesting young cousin . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He turned to Stacy, winked, then smiled, \u201c . . . and with the money you two are carrying around, two guns beat one anytime.\u201d<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201cSure I can\u2019t pour ya another drink, Honey?\u201d\u00a0 Starbryte held the whiskey bottle in hand, poised above Candy\u2019s glass, ready to pour.<\/p>\n \u201cNo thank you, Miss Starbryte with a \u2018y\u2019!\u201d\u00a0 Candy declined, placing his hand over his empty glass for emphasis.<\/p>\n \u201cBut, Caaaandeeee . . . we can\u2019t let this go to waste,\u201d Starbryte whined, as she stared in utter dismay at the whiskey bottle, nearly two-thirds full.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease . . . help yourself,\u201d Candy said, then, as an afterthought, pointedly added, \u201cI\u2019ve already had two glasses to your ONE.\u201d<\/p>\n Starbryte quickly averted her gaze from his face, with that cocky grin and that sharp, knowing look in his eyes.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThen . . . maybe we oughtta just . . . . \u201d she shrugged, \u201c . . . call it a night?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, maybe we should at that,\u201d Candy agreed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI DO have to get up early tomorrow morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c . . . uhhh, Candy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHmmm?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWould you mind seeing me home?\u201d she asked.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt ain\u2019t far, but y\u2019 know how it is . . . a gal can\u2019t be too careful.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow about I pay your cab fare?\u201d Candy suggested without missing a beat.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019d be fine . . . \u2018cept they don\u2019t run cabs in this part o\u2019 town,\u201d Starbryte immediately responded.<\/p>\n \u201cHow convenient.\u00a0\u00a0 Where do you live?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot far.\u00a0\u00a0 Just a couple o\u2019 blocks from here.\u201d<\/p>\n Candy shrugged with an air of supreme indifference.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAlright, Miss Starbryte.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ll see you home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c \u2018ey, Mister,\u201d a grizzled old salt, seated at the next table, reached out and grabbed Candy\u2019s arm as he passed by.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cY\u2019 didn\u2019t finish yur drink.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 His eyes moved pointedly to the bottle in Candy\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n \u201cShame to let it go to waste.\u00a0\u00a0 Here!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Candy set the bottle down on the table in front of the old man.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDrink it in good health!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBless ya, Sonny.\u00a0\u00a0 Bless ya!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe pleasure\u2019s all mine, Sir.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Candy favored the old man with a grin and a wink before following Starbryte out of the saloon.<\/p>\n Outside, Starbryte gasped with an exaggerated melodrama that prompted a soft long suffering sigh and a sardonic roll of the eyes heavenward from her companion.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s such a delightful night!\u201d she observed, as she slipped her arm through the crook of his.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cClear sky with millions \u2018n millions o\u2019 stars . . . the moon almost full . . . say, uuuuhh . . . Candy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHmmm?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan we go down and walk along the water?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou told me your home is back THAT way,\u201d Candy reminded her in a wry tone, pointing with his thumb in the opposite direction.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is,\u201d she reluctantly admitted, \u201cbut with the moon so big and round . . . I\u2019ll betcha anything it looks real pretty down by the water.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure it does.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you wanna SEE it?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot tonight, Miss Starbryte,\u201d Candy declined.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI WAS telling the truth when I said I had to get up early tomorrow morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut . . . you told me you was on vacation,\u201d she pouted.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI KNOW you did!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy employer\u2019s combining business with pleasure,\u201d Candy explained.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe has a few early appointments tomorrow morning and he expects ME to get him there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease, Candy?\u201d Starbryte wheedled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPretty please?\u00a0\u00a0 We won\u2019t walk far . . . I promise!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCaaann-deeee . . . . \u201d she groaned, \u201cwhere\u2019s your spirit of adventure?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFast asleep,\u201d Candy replied, \u201cwhich is were I need to be since I\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, yeah . . . I know,\u201d Starbryte murmured, punctuating her words with a disparaging sigh.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou have to get up early tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s riiii-iiiight,\u201d Candy affirmed, with an impish grin.<\/p>\n \u201cOooohhh!\u00a0\u00a0 You have the romantic soul of a . . . a . . . of a slug!\u201d Starbryte declared, stamping her foot in a sudden burst of temper.<\/p>\n \u201cA slug, eh?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He shrugged.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve been called worse . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOhhh . . . I\u2019m sorry, Candy,\u201d she apologized, all sweetness and light once again.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201c . . . ummm, think, maybe, we could just go down to the docks and just LOOK at the moon?\u00a0\u00a0 We don\u2019t hafta walk anywhere . . . and we\u2019d only stay for a couple of minutes . . . .\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Candy reluctantly acquiesced.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut only for a couple of minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n The pair walked the short distance down to the wharf in silence.\u00a0\u00a0 Candy took due note of the only ship docked, a small yacht named Aisling.\u00a0\u00a0 A man, roughly the same size and shape as Hoss, paced back and forth in front of Aisling\u2019s gangplank, with billy club in hand.\u00a0\u00a0 Apart from him and themselves, the dock appeared to be deserted.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, Candy!\u00a0\u00a0 There\u2019s the moon!\u201d\u00a0 Starbryte eagerly pointed toward the near round orb, now hanging low in the western sky.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIsn\u2019t that beautiful the way its reflection dances on the water?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, it IS lovely,\u201d Candy agreed.<\/p>\n \u201cCan we walk?\u00a0\u00a0 Please?\u00a0\u00a0 Not far . . . just a little?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCaaan-deeeee . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStarbryte . . . Sweetheart . . . . \u201d Candy began, his voice carrying a bare trace of the impatience steadily rising within him, \u201c . . . you can walk any where your li\u2019l ol\u2019 heart desires . . . all night long, if you\u2019re of a mind . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Candy!\u201d she gushed, taking firm hold of his arm.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThank you, thank you, thank you!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c . . . but you go all by your lonesome,\u201d Candy said, as he pointedly peeled her hand off his arm one long, elegant finger at a time.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Candy . . . please?\u00a0\u00a0 Pretty pl\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n No.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He rudely cut her off.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI promised you I\u2019d see ya home, Little Miss Starbryte with a y . . . and I will.\u00a0\u00a0 But we go now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCandy . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI mean it, Starbryte.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOooohhhh . . . alright!\u201d she reluctantly agreed, sparing no pains to conceal her annoyance.\u00a0\u00a0 She nodded her head, then raised her hand to her mouth.<\/p>\n Candy\u2019s arm shot out with all the deadly swiftness of a striking rattlesnake.\u00a0\u00a0 He seized Starbryte\u2019s dainty wrist in his big, well-muscled hand and pulled it well away from her mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cHEY!\u00a0\u00a0 LEGGO, YOU BIG BULLY!\u201d she screamed, outraged and highly indignant.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYOU\u2019RE\u00a0HURTING<\/strong>\u00a0ME!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?!\u00a0\u00a0 Let you go so you can signal your cohorts, Miss Starbryte?\u201d Candy said sardonically.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cUnh UNH!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about,\u201d she retorted in a tone of voice lofty and condescending.<\/p>\n \u201cI think you DO,\u201d Candy countered, once again with that smug, all-knowing grin.<\/p>\n \u201cYou callin\u2019 me a liar?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey!\u00a0\u00a0 Honey, if the shoe fits\u2014 \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Candy\u2019s words ended in an indignant bellow, as two big, beefy arms wrapped themselves tight around his neck and shoulders, and\u00a0 his waist, like a pair of hungry boa constrictors.<\/p>\n \u201cYou cooperate with us, Cowboy, no one gets hurt,\u201d a second man, tall and lean, said in a smooth, oily tone as he stepped out of the dark shadows.\u00a0\u00a0 He wore a maroon, three-piece evening suit, a pink silk shirt with ruffled collar, and a thin layer of ruffle poking out beyond the sleeve of his jacket.\u00a0\u00a0 He had a single gold loop earring through one ear, and he wore rings on three fingers out of four on each hand.\u00a0\u00a0 Candy noted that the rings appeared to be of fine quality, well constructed, with large brilliant stones, set in gold.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, Mister Fancy Pants . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n The thin man, whom Candy had just addressed as Mister Fancy Pants, bristled against the insult.\u00a0\u00a0 His thick blonde eyebrows came together to form a dark, murderous scowl.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe name is Lyon.\u00a0\u00a0 Edward Lyon.\u00a0\u00a0 MISTER Lyon to the likes of YOU, Cowboy . . . soon to be a sailor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou look more like a DANDY Lyon to ME, Friend,\u201d Candy said sardonically, with a big wide insolent grin, \u201cand as much as I really appreciate your, ummm very generous offer, I\u2019ll have to turn it down.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019m afraid I get sea sick just THINKING about those rolling decks.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 With that, he gritted his teeth and drove his elbow deep into the plush abdomen of the man holding on to him with all his might.<\/p>\n The big man roared in pain, outrage, and utter astonishment, as his arms automatically relaxed.\u00a0\u00a0 Candy easily wriggled out of the man\u2019s less than fond embrace, pivoted, and followed through with a good, hard right cross to the jaw.\u00a0\u00a0 Before the big man even had a chance to collapse onto the hard, wooden dock, two more men, both young, swift, and muscular emerged from the shadows, converging from both sides.\u00a0\u00a0 Candy feinted to his right, and grabbed one of the men by the shirt, all in the same, swift fluid motion.\u00a0\u00a0 Then, seizing advantage of the young man\u2019s forward momentum, he propelled him forward into a head on collision with his compatriot running from the other side.\u00a0\u00a0 Both collapsed to the dock, completely winded.<\/p>\n \u201cAGGGHHH!\u00a0 STOP HIM!\u201d\u00a0 Starbryte yelled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSTOP HIM!\u00a0\u00a0 DON\u2019T LET HIM GET AWAY!\u201d<\/p>\n Candy saw Edward Lyon reach for the inside pocket of his jacket.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh, no you DON\u2019T,\u201d he muttered, as he quickly ducked his head and charged.\u00a0\u00a0 He caught Edward square in the chest and sent him sprawling ignobly onto the wooden pier.\u00a0\u00a0 Before he could recover, Candy seized him by the lapels and hauled him to his feet.\u00a0 He reached into the inside pocket before Edward could even think of stopping him and extracted a small derringer, its handle inlaid with white mother of pearl.<\/p>\n \u201cHey!\u00a0\u00a0 Gimme that!\u201d Edward growled, as he lunged.<\/p>\n \u201cGo fetch!\u201d Candy returned, as he lobbed the weapon overhead.\u00a0\u00a0 It arced high into the black night sky and fell into the sea water beyond.\u00a0\u00a0 Edward Lyon followed a moment later, hitting the water with a loud, resounding splash.\u00a0\u00a0 Candy suddenly turned just in time to catch a blur of movement in his peripheral vision.\u00a0\u00a0 He instinctively sidestepped in the same instant Starbryte swung her handbag, filled to the brim with rocks, missing a blow to the back of his head by a mere fraction of an inch.\u00a0\u00a0 She swung again, with a loud grunt, as she put all her strength behind it.\u00a0\u00a0 Candy easily blocked the intended blow, and grabbed hold of the hand clutching the strings of the handbag.<\/p>\n \u201cLEGGO O\u2019 ME, YOU BIG BULLY!\u201d Starbryte screamed, as she struggled to free her hand from Candy\u2019s iron hard grip.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYOU HEAR ME?!\u00a0\u00a0 YOU LEGGO O\u2019 ME RIGHT NOW THIS VERY INSTANT!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo you can slug me over the head with that sack of rocks and sell me to the highest bidding ship\u2019s captain?!\u201d Candy chortled sardonically.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSorry, Miss Starbryte with a \u2018 y\u2019 . . . but I\u2019m perfectly happy making my living as a cowboy, thank you very much.\u201d<\/p>\n Starbryte quickly drew the fingers of her free hand into a small, very tight, rock hard fist and drove it with all her might into Candy\u2019s abdomen.\u00a0\u00a0 Candy gasped, and instinctively wrapped his arms about his abdomen, releasing his hold on Starbryte.\u00a0\u00a0 He slowly dropped to his knees, while still clutching his stomach, then rolled over onto his side, instinctively drawing his legs up to protect his aching torso.<\/p>\n With a triumphant scream, Starbryte leapt over Candy\u2019s prostrate form and kicked him hard in the small of his back, eliciting a cry of pain.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHELP ME!\u201d she screamed for her cohorts.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHELP ME!\u00a0\u00a0 DON\u2019T LET HIM GET AWAY!\u201d<\/p>\n With a soft moan, Candy rolled over onto his back, just in time to see Starbryte pull her leg back, preparing to kick him once again.\u00a0\u00a0 He pushed himself out of harm\u2019s way with a powerful thrust of his foot, gritting his teeth against his own increasing agony.\u00a0\u00a0 The sudden movement sideways sent Candy on a collision course with one of the two men, who had a little while ago rushed him from opposite directions, as he was rising very stiffly to his feet.\u00a0\u00a0 The force of the blow . . . of Candy\u2019s body slamming hard into the man\u2019s shins . . . knocked the man off his feet once again.<\/p>\n \u201cGET UP!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Starbryte screamed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGET UP!\u00a0\u00a0 GRAB HIM!\u00a0\u00a0 HE\u2019S GONNA GET AWAY!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet him,\u201d the man, Candy had just knocked down again, moaned very softly.<\/p>\n \u201cWHAT?!\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0 Starbryte shrieked at the top of her lungs.<\/p>\n \u201cI said, \u2018Let him!\u2019 \u201d her cohort snapped.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cScrapper like that?!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 By the time we get through sluggin\u2019 it out . . . he\u2019s gonna be seriously damaged goods . . . no use to anybody.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat kind of a man ARE you?\u201d Starbryte demanded imperiously.<\/p>\n \u201cA practical one who\u2019s smart enough to know when potential merchandise is more trouble \u2018n it\u2019s worth.\u201d<\/p>\n As the argument grew louder, more heated, Candy slowly edged his way into the deep shadows.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n Chapter 4<\/p>\n Unbeknownst to the combatants, their actions had come under the close scrutiny of three people, two women and a man, standing on the deck of the Aisling.\u00a0\u00a0 One of the women was Kathleen Murphy, Aisling\u2019s owner.\u00a0\u00a0 The man, standing next to the rail, dripping wet, was Edward Lyon.\u00a0\u00a0 He had stripped off his soggy outer garments, and exchanged them for the light cotton blanket, under which he huddled for warmth and shelter from what folks politely refer to as indecent exposure.\u00a0\u00a0 The woman standing sandwiched between Kathleen Murphy and Edward Lyon was Miss Stephens.\u00a0\u00a0 She had been watching all that had transpired between Candy, Starbryte, and the man standing beside her on Aisling\u2019s deck very closely from the outset through a pair of opera glasses, trimmed with glittering diamonds.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . and so, a prime specimen slips right through our fingers like quicksilver,\u201d Miss Stephens angrily groused, as she watched Candy make his escape into the dark shadows.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI have never . . . EVER . . . in my entire LIFE seen such gross incompetence.\u00a0\u00a0 Who is that woman anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI . . . assume you mean the one . . . who . . . was screaming like a banshee . . . at the top o\u2019 her voice?\u201d Kathleen Murphy ventured hesitantly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou assume correctly, Miss Murphy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe goes by the name of Starbryte,\u201d Edward Lyon answered in a wry tone, \u201cStarbryte with a \u2018y,\u2019 \u201d<\/p>\n Miss Stephens turned and favored him with a withering glare.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t know her REAL name?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMa\u2019am, I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve been in THIS business long enough to know that no one . . . absolutely NO one goes by his or her given name,\u201d Edward said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe less we know about each other, the less likely we are to let slip anything to the police . . . if any of us happen to get caught.\u00a0\u00a0 Those of us who make a living providing ships\u2019 captains with personnel EARN respect by delivering quality goods on a regular basis, by proving him or herself loyal\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSpeakin\u2019 of LOYAL . . . Starbryte s\u2019posed t\u2019 be workin\u2019 for ME at the Queen of the Sea Saloon,\u201d Kathleen said, her voice tight with anger.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNOW, it appears the li\u2019l twit\u2019s up \u2018n decided t\u2019 go into business for herself . . . on MY turf.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She turned and glared over at Edward.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMister Lyon . . . so HELP me . . . if I find out you KNOW something about this and haven\u2019t told me\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cM-Miss Murphy, I . . . I swear!\u00a0\u00a0 I c-came to you the minute I f-found out, and . . . and I\u2019ve told you everything I know.\u00a0\u00a0 EVERYTHING!\u00a0\u00a0 M-My word \u2018n honor!\u201d Edward stammered, flinching away from her intense gaze.<\/p>\n \u201cRight now your word \u2018n honor\u2019s not even worth a plugged nickel,\u201d Kathleen growled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNot twenty minutes ago, you \u2018n your associates were workin\u2019 your backsides off, tryin\u2019 t\u2019 help Starbryte, corral that cowboy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was gathering evidence,\u201d Edward claimed a little too quickly.<\/p>\n \u201cGathering evidence!\u201d Kathleen snorted derisively.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIf THAT was gatherin\u2019 evidence, then I\u2019M Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour Majesty,\u201d Edward mockingly returned, as he bowed before Kathleen with a flourish.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI WAS gathering evidence . . . and once I gathered it, I came here straight away to tell YOU.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re HERE because Miss Stephens and I happened t\u2019 fish ya out of the drink,\u201d Kathleen returned in a wry, knowing tone of voice.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll keep it in mind that y\u2019 DID tell me about Starbryte decidin\u2019 t\u2019 freelance, but YOU\u2019D do well t\u2019 keep in mind that I\u2019ll be watchin\u2019 ya from here on out . . . like a bloody hawk.\u201d<\/p>\n Edward blanched.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Murphy, it seem s to me that YOU have two very big problems on your hands,\u201d Miss Stephens said in a tone faintly condescending.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cA young JOANIE come lately trying to poach in YOUR forest, as it were . . . as well as the loyalty of a once valued employee coming into question.\u00a0\u00a0 How do you plan to SOLVE these problems?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow would YOU advise, Ma\u2019am?\u201d Kathleen asked in a bland tone of voice, while inwardly bristling against the way \u2018Her Royal Highness\u2019 spoke to her as one might speak to a very slow, very dull, very stupid child.<\/p>\n \u201cI would suggest you kill two birds with one stone, Miss Murphy . . . by asking Mister Lyon here to prove his loyalty by ridding you of that bothersome little Miss Starbryte with a \u2018y\u2019 . . . PERMANENTLY,\u201d Miss Stephens suggested.<\/p>\n Edward blanched.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPuh-puh-puh . . puh . . . puh . . . permanently?!\u201d he gulped.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAs in . . . in . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He drew his pointing first finger across his throat.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the only way\u00a0I<\/strong>\u00a0know of for getting rid of someone permanently,\u201d Miss Stephens said primly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe girl\u2019s shown herself to be disloyal, and she\u2019s dreadfully incompetent besides.\u00a0\u00a0 It\u2019s a wonder all that yelling, screaming, and carrying on didn\u2019t bring the entire police department down on our heads.\u00a0\u00a0 Then allowing a prime specimen like that cowboy slip to right through her fingers . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She sighed, then shook her head.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe can\u2019t afford such incompetence.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI . . . WILL see that Miss Starbryte is removed from the picture, Ma\u2019am,\u201d Edward promised.<\/p>\n \u201cPermanently,\u201d the Miss Stephens reiterated, enunciating every syllable.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201cDadburn it, what\u2019s takin\u2019 Adam so long?!\u201d Hoss groused, with uncharacteristic impatience.\u00a0\u00a0 Sure, the place was packed out, worse even than the Silver Dollar back home in Virginia City on a real busy Saturday night . . . and THIS was only Wednesday.\u00a0\u00a0 He turned to study the teaming mass of humanity, men mostly, with a scant dozen or so barmaids, thronging the bar on all sides, five and six deep.\u00a0\u00a0 There was no sign whatsoever of Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cKinda odd the way no one\u2019s standin\u2019 in that spot over there in the far corner,\u201d Hoss mused with a scowl.\u00a0\u00a0 He remembered charging into another small establishment, very much like this one, the time Pa and two of their hands ended up being shanghaied, and dropping down through a concealed trapdoor in the exact same place as that empty spot on the other side of the bar.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI wonder . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Honey . . . can I getcha a drink?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss turned and found the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on . . . his mother, sister, and good friend, Brunhilda Odinsdottir, excepted . . . standing next to his elbow.\u00a0\u00a0 Her skin was flawless, on the order of the finest porcelain.\u00a0\u00a0 She had a trim, narrow waist, with washboard flat stomach, nicely rounded hip, and a pair or generous, well rounded breasts, that reminded Hoss of ripe cantaloupe, set to wondrous advantage by the emerald green dress she wore.\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cNow where in the world did YOU come from?\u201d he asked, giving her an appreciative once over.<\/p>\n \u201cOohh, I circulate around,\u201d she said evasively.<\/p>\n \u201cToo bad y\u2019 didn\u2019t circulate over here sooner,\u201d Hoss said, rising.\u00a0\u00a0 He dug into his pocket and extracted as silver dollar.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHere\u2019s a li\u2019l something for your trouble.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He placed the silver dollar in her palm and gently closed her long, slender fingers around it.<\/p>\n The barmaid stared down at the silver coin lying in the palm of her hand for a long moment.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMister, I didn\u2019t\u2014 \u201d she glanced up, intending to tell Hoss she hadn\u2019t properly earned the tip, only to find him gone.<\/p>\n Hoss, meanwhile, made his way over toward the bar, toward that big empty place, noting with satisfaction, that most of the folks here were either too drunk or too wrapped up in themselves to pay much attention to his movements.\u00a0\u00a0 He paused roughly four feet from the bar, to study the flooring beneath his feet.\u00a0\u00a0 His sharp eyes picked up the nearly invisible line of the trap door almost immediately.\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss stepped up to the bar, planting both feet on either side of the opening.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHey, Bartender . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n The harried little man behind the bar turned at the sound of Hoss\u2019 voice.\u00a0 Aged in his mid-forties, he had gray hair, thinning on top with a fast receding hairline, and a protruding beer belly that rested lightly overtop his belt.\u00a0\u00a0 He filled two mugs with beer, without spilling nary a drop and set them down on the counter, his eyes never leaving Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0 After picking up the money for the two beers, he nodded and coughed once.\u00a0\u00a0 A second bartender stepped out from the back and began to serve the customers<\/p>\n \u201cGood evening, Sir, what can I getcha?\u201d the bartender asked as he reached under the bar.<\/p>\n \u201cMister, you get both hands right up on this bar where I can see \u2018em, or so help me . . . I\u2019m gonna come back there \u2018n break every last one o\u2019 your fingers,\u201d Hoss growled in a low voice.<\/p>\n The bartender swallowed nervously.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI . . . I don\u2019t want no trouble, Mister.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere WON\u2019T be . . . just as long as ya answer m\u2019 questions \u2018n do what I tell ya.\u201d<\/p>\n The bartender nodded, then quickly placed both hands up on the bar.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m looking for my brother, Adam,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe came up here \u2018bout half an hour ago to fetch a couple o\u2019 beers for himself \u2018n me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAin\u2019t seen him,\u201d the bartender quickly snapped out his answer.\u00a0\u00a0 Too quickly.\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss\u2019 eyes narrowed with suspicion.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAlright.\u00a0\u00a0 What\u2019s he look like?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s \u2018bout yea tall . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss raised his massive hand up to his chin.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s got brown eyes, dark brown \u2018n gray hair, kinda thin up top \u2018n out front.\u00a0\u00a0 He was also wearin\u2019 a gray suit.\u00a0\u00a0 He was sittin\u2019 over there . . . at THAT table, with me \u2018n another fella.\u00a0\u00a0 The other fella left, my brother came up here t\u2019 the bar for a couple o\u2019 beers, while I stayed at the table . . . \u2018til now.\u00a0\u00a0 My brother didn\u2019t come back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, Mister, I . . . I can\u2019t say as I remember him,\u201d the bartender said, again too quickly.\u00a0\u00a0 Though he gazed upward into Hoss\u2019, face, he never quite met Hoss\u2019 eyes.<\/p>\n Hoss dug into his pants and extracted his wallet.\u00a0\u00a0 He removed a ten-dollar bill and slapped hit down onto the bar.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThink harder,\u201d he snapped.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . uuhhh, wearin\u2019 a gray suit y\u2019 said?\u201d the bartender murmured, his eyes dropping to the ten dollar bill.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Mister, I . . . think I do recollect someone lookin\u2019 like him steppin\u2019 up, orderin\u2019 a couple o\u2019 beers.\u00a0\u00a0 I served him, took his money \u2018n . . . he was gone.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 The bartender coughed twice.<\/p>\n Hoss glared at the bartender for a long moment.\u00a0\u00a0 The man knew lots more than he was telling, he was sure of it.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMister, I\u2019m gonna give ya to the count o\u2019\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrouble, Sullivan?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 A big, burly man, attired in the blue uniform of a foot patrol police officer, stepped up to the bar, and cast a pointed glare in Hoss\u2019 direction.<\/p>\n \u201cGood evenin\u2019, OFFICER Brady,\u201d Sullivan greeted the policeman.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThis man\u2019s lookin\u2019 for h-his brother.\u00a0\u00a0 I tried to tell him, I ain\u2019t seen him\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome with me, Mister,\u201d Johnny-Boy Brady growled, taking Hoss by the arm.<\/p>\n Hoss very quickly, and very easily snapped his arm out of the Officer Brady\u2019s grip.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t leavin\u2019 here \u2018til I find out what happened t\u2019 my brother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou will either leave with me right now, or I\u2019ll put you under arrest,\u201d Johnny-Boy immediately countered, slapping the billy club in his right hand lightly against the palm of his left for emphasis.<\/p>\n An exasperated sigh exploded from between Hoss\u2019 lips as he surrendered ungraciously to the inevitable, and fell in step alongside the police officer.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s your brother\u2019s name?\u201d the policeman asked, the minute the pair of them had stepped outside.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam Cartwright,\u201d Hoss answered the question tersely.\u00a0\u00a0 He, then provided the same description he had given the bartender.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll keep an eye out for him, but I make no promises,\u201d the policeman said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAlright if I ask you a personal question?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can ask.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid it ever occur to you that maybe this brother of yours WANTED to disappear for a little while?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Sir, it didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell maybe you SHOULD think about it,\u201d Johnny-Boy suggested.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSan Francisco\u2019s a big city . . . lot\u2019s bigger \u2018n most o\u2019 you yokels are used to.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss bristled inwardly against the insult, but said nothing.<\/p>\n \u201cIt happens all the time,\u201d the police officer continued.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMan on holiday, wants a night or two AWAY from the wife \u2018n kids, if you, ummmm . . . get my meanin\u2019?\u00a0\u00a0 So he goes into a bar, and sneaks out the back way.\u00a0\u00a0 Like I said, it happens all the time.\u00a0\u00a0 He\u2019ll probably turn up in a couple o\u2019 days, with some feeble, but plausible excuse.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe things like that DO happen \u2018round here all the time, but my brother, Adam AIN\u2019T that kinda man,\u201d Hoss immediately shot right back, angered by the policeman\u2019s insinuations.<\/p>\n \u201cOk, whatever . . . suit yourself,\u201d Johnny-Boy said with an indifferent shrug, \u201cas long as you DON\u2019T go back in that saloon.\u00a0\u00a0 Y\u2019 hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hear ya,\u201d Hoss growled.<\/p>\n \u201cCan I see that ya get somewhere?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo thanks, Officer.\u00a0\u00a0 I can find m\u2019 own way back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine.\u00a0\u00a0 See that you do,\u201d Johnny-Boy said curtly, \u201cand just in case you get any ideas \u2018bout goin\u2019 back in there . . . I\u2019M gonna be in there myself.\u00a0\u00a0 All the way up until closing.\u00a0\u00a0 Y\u2019 got that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u00a0\u00a0 I got it,\u201d Hoss returned.\u00a0\u00a0 He waited until the policeman had gone back into the saloon.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDadburn it!\u00a0\u00a0 Nothin\u2019 t\u2019 do now, \u2018cept g\u2019won back to the hotel . . . tell PA what happened.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He turned and started to leave.<\/p>\n \u201cPssst.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss froze.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss . . . over here, Friend.\u201d<\/p>\n Frowning, Hoss turned toward the direction from whence the voice issued.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWho\u2019s there?\u201d he growled softly.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s me . . . Candy.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 The Ponderosa\u2019s junior foreman staggered out from under the cloaking of the opaque shadows, cast by the buildings, into the silvery light of the full moon above.\u00a0\u00a0 He stumbled.<\/p>\n Hoss immediately stepped over, and caught Candy, preventing him from taking a nasty tumble onto the ground.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cCandy . . . what\u2019re ya doin\u2019 HERE?\u00a0\u00a0 I thought you was spendin\u2019 the evenin\u2019 with that li\u2019l gal ya met a couple o\u2019 days ago . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He frowned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat was her name?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStarbryte.\u00a0\u00a0 With a damned y,\u201d Candy said curtly.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened?\u201d Hoss pressed, upon getting a good hard look at Candy\u2019s bruised face, and split lip.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou . . . get into a fight with her pa or brother maybe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, her business associates,\u201d Candy replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI was almost shanghaied, Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0 That cute li\u2019l Miss Starbryte\u2019s one of \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat tears it!\u201d Hoss grumbled angrily, just under his breath.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat really tears it!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He silently vowed to return and do the same to that saloon where Adam had disappeared, board by board if necessary.\u00a0\u00a0 That, however, would have to wait.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cC\u2019mon, Candy . . . I\u2019d best take ya back to the hotel \u2018n let the doc there fix ya up.\u201d<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Cousin Stacy . . . Uncle Ben, there were six of us on this expedition,\u201d Will Cartwright began his tale, taking great delight in his eager audience of two, especially the younger one of female persuasion.<\/p>\n The three of them had made themselves very comfortable in the hotel lobby, over next to a large, picture window that provided a beautiful view of the city and harbor.\u00a0\u00a0 Ben and Stacy had taken seats on a plush love seat sized settee, upholstered in a richly hued red velvet, its wood frame painted gold.\u00a0\u00a0 Will occupied one of the two matching wing back chairs.\u00a0\u00a0 An ornate silver coffee service sat on the coffee table between them, with three sets of matching, fine porcelain cups and saucers.<\/p>\n \u201cWe set sail from New York with the tide bound for the dark and mysterious continent of Africa on a THREE masted schooner under the command of a captain, who happened to be a TWO fisted drinker,\u201d Will continued.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe, ummm could have taken a clipper ship, named the Angeline Slater, but to a man, we all agreed we\u2019d rather go schooner than Slater.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEewww!\u201d Stacy groaned.<\/p>\n \u201cWilliam John Cartwright, that WAS pretty awful,\u201d Ben agreed wholeheartedly, before he and his daughter succumbed to a fit of the giggles.<\/p>\n \u201cWe crossed the mighty Atlantic in record time, spending four days aboard ship and five at sea before we finally reached the mouth of the mighty Congo River,\u201d Will picked up the threads of the story as the laughter began to subside.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThere where river flows into the sea, our intrepid craft docked and we disembarked in Taw-nee.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTaw-nee?!\u201d\u00a0 Stacy echoed, bemused.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNever heard of it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019VE never heard of Taw-nee either,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThough it pains me to admit it, after all the years I\u2019VE spent sailing the seven seas myself.\u00a0\u00a0 Is it a big city?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, just a small PORT town,\u201d Will quipped with a wicked grin.<\/p>\n \u201cCousin Will, that was bad!\u201d Stacy declared, before she and her father dissolved again into gales of laughter.<\/p>\n \u201cWe stocked up on supplies there in Taw-nee,\u201d Will continued.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cFood, blankets, and a hundred kegs of beer.\u00a0\u00a0 That last was for medicinal purposes, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course,\u201d Ben agreed without missing a beat.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGood for what \u2018ale\u2019s\u2019 ya.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEewww!\u00a0\u00a0 Pa, you\u2019re just as bad as HE is,\u201d Stacy grimaced.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s even worse than that,\u201d Will declared with mock severity.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s no better than a common thief.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe is NOT!\u201d Stacy immediately came to her father\u2019s defense, with an indignant scowl.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPa never stole a thing in his life.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe just stole my punch line!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, Will, I couldn\u2019t resist,\u201d Ben chuckled.<\/p>\n \u201cOh well . . . nothing to do but grin and \u2018beer\u2019 it, Cousin Will,\u201d Stacy added, with an impish grin, \u201cor maybe I should say GIN and beer it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat was pretty bad, too, Young Woman,\u201d Ben laughed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBOTH of \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo, uummm CONTINUE with my story . . . . \u201d Will interjected, casting a withering glare at his uncle, then at his young cousin, who responded by sticking out her tongue.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cUncle Ben . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Will?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt appears you\u2019ve been very remiss in teaching this CHILD of yours proper respect for her elders,\u201d Will declared with mock severity.<\/p>\n \u201cSo my youngest son says,\u201d Ben said with an amused grin, as he slipped his arm around Stacy\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n \u201cOl\u2019 Grandpa . . . Cousin Joe to YOU, Cousin Will . . . says I\u2019m incorrigible,\u201d Stacy said.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . and I\u2019m sure your pa \u2018incorriges\u2019 you at every turn,\u201d Will quipped.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNow, if I might go on with my story?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, Will,\u201d Ben apologized as his own laughter faded into the silence of an amused smile.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPlease continue.\u00a0\u00a0 Stacy and I are all ears.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe rented ourselves a fine, stout raft and laid in a generous supply of fixin\u2019s for homemade hootch,\u201d Will eagerly went on with his story.<\/p>\n \u201cFixin\u2019s for homemade hootch?!\u201d Ben echoed, incredulous.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhere in the world did you expect to brew it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBy the banks of the still, still waters,\u201d Will answered solemnly.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t know you could do that in AFRICA,\u201d Stacy said, with the same too-innocent look on her face that Joe affected, whenever he hoped to conceal the fact that he was up to something, generally no good.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course you can do that in Africa,\u201d Will hastened to assure his young cousin.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhere did you get the idea you couldn\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you could only do that sort of thing \u2018where the moonshines bright on my old Kentucky home,\u2019 \u201d [xi]\u00a0 Stacy said.<\/p>\n \u201cSmart aleck!\u201d Will retorted good-naturedly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNow where was I?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou had rented a good stout raft in the, ummm PORT town of Taw-nee,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut, Will . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Uncle Ben?\u201d Will queried warily, noting the impish gleam in the dark eyes of the Cartwright clan patriarch.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t really think you can reach the banks of the still, still waters or even Kentucky where the moonshine\u2019s bright on a stout raft,\u201d Ben said with too solemn a straight face.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI would think a stout DRAFT might better fit the bill.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes . . . well, movingrightalong, we finally LEFT Taw-nee and poled out way\u00a0 up the mighty Congo through the jungle and out into the savannah where we hoped to find the great Mubengo, the biggest, the meanest, the most ferocious man eating lion in the whole wide world,\u201d Will continued.<\/p>\n \u201cSomehow I have the feeling that this yarn you\u2019re spinning could give Mubengo some real healthy competition, Will,\u201d Ben observed with an amused grin.<\/p>\n \u201cYou WOUND me, Uncle Ben!\u201d Will declared in mock tones out outrage.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cStacy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Cousin Will?\u201d she responded, trying her hardest not to smile.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope YOU\u2019LL listen to the rest of my story with an open mind,\u201d Will said, casting a withering glare over towards his uncle.<\/p>\n \u201cMy mother was Irish,\u201d she said solemnly, \u201cwhich makes me at least HALF Irish.\u00a0\u00a0 Mister O\u2019Hanlan, my best friend\u2019s pa, told me that one of the few things an Irish man or woman likes better than TELLING a good story is HEARING a good story.\u201d<\/p>\n Will grinned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWith a name like O\u2019Hanlan, he ought to know.\u00a0\u00a0 Now where was I?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d sailed up the Congo through the jungle to the savannah,\u201d Stacy replied.<\/p>\n \u201cAt that juncture, the water became too shallow to accommodate our raft,\u201d Will blithely continued.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOur explorations from that point on would have to be conducted on foot.\u00a0\u00a0 We quickly hauled our raft up out of the water, assembled our gear, and, after taking the last look at anything even remotely resembling civilization the lot of US would ever see for a very long while, my brave companions and I set off across the savannah toward the very heart of deepest, darkest Africa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn search of Mubengo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Cousin.\u00a0\u00a0 In search of Mubengo.\u00a0\u00a0 We made camp at dusk and set ourselves to a rigorously rigid schedule.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The first morning, we were up at five o\u2019clock.\u00a0\u00a0 We ate breakfast at SIX, and crawled back into the sack by seven.\u00a0\u00a0 After three solid weeks of hiking across grassy savannah, we became more efficient.\u00a0\u00a0 We were up at five, had our breakfast, and managed to get back into the sack again by SIX.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did you eat for breakfast, Cousin Will?\u201d\u00a0 Stacy asked.\u00a0\u00a0 An amused smile tugged very hard at the corner of her mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cWhatever meat we could hunt,\u201d Will replied, \u201cand there was plenty.\u00a0\u00a0 That first morning out, we shot big bucks.\u00a0\u00a0 It was the biggest game we had the entire trip.\u00a0\u00a0 A\u00a0 week later, we hid in the trees and watched a herd of prong horned elk drink at the local watering hole.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh come now, Will.\u00a0\u00a0 There\u2019s no elk in Africa,\u201d Ben chided his nephew with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean there\u2019s no elk in Africa, Uncle?!\u00a0\u00a0 Of COURSE there\u2019s elk in Africa.\u00a0\u00a0 You\u2019ll find elk anywhere there\u2019s a generous watering hole.\u00a0\u00a0 However, it IS a known fact that most species of elk prefer to drink at the local lodge.\u00a0\u00a0 There, they don\u2019t go to the old watering hole to slack their thirst, they go to the ol’ elk-ahol.\u201d [xii]<\/p>\n \u201cEewww!\u201d Stacy\u2019s comically grotesque grimace elicited a bark of genuine appreciative laughter from her delighted cousin.<\/p>\n \u201cWill Cartwright, THAT was beyond awful,\u201d Ben admonished his nephew with mock sternness, before dissolving into laughter.<\/p>\n \u201cBen?\u00a0\u00a0 Stacy?\u00a0\u00a0 What\u2019s so funny?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 It was Adam\u2019s wife, Teresa.\u00a0\u00a0 She and her mother, Dolores di Cordova stood together, with arms folded across their chests, gazing down on Cartwright father and daughter, their faces twin masks of bemusement.<\/p>\n \u201cOh my!\u00a0\u00a0 These lovely ladies friends of yours, Uncle?\u201d Will asked, rising.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Ben replied, \u201cthey\u2019re relatives.\u00a0\u00a0 Will . . . this is Teresa Cartwright, your cousin, Adam\u2019s wife . . . and HER mother, Mrs. di Cordova.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He paused.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cTeresa . . . Dolores, Will Cartwright.\u00a0\u00a0 My nephew and Adam\u2019s first cousin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo YOU\u2019RE Cousin Will!\u201d\u00a0 Teresa exclaimed with a smile.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAdam\u2019s told me so much about you, I feel as though I\u2019ve known you for a very long time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUh oh,\u201d Will said warily.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI, uhh, hope some of it was GOOD.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt depends on how you define good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUh oh . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n Teresa smiled a secretive Mona Lisa kind of smile.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s just say it\u2019s all been very interesting, Cousin Will, and ummm . . . leave it at that?!\u201d<\/p>\n Will threw back his head and laughed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cInteresting.\u00a0\u00a0 Stacy, it looks like you and I have something in common.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh dear . . . that poor child,\u201d Teresa murmured shaking her head.\u00a0\u00a0 Though she maintained an expression properly somber, her dark eyes sparkled with impish delight.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t let her pa find out . . . about you and she having traits in common.\u00a0\u00a0 If he does, I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll lock her in her room until she turns thirty.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cActually, Teresa, if I were going to be THAT hard nosed about things, I would have locked the lot of ya up until ya turned FIFTY last summer,\u201d Ben said with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cOh?\u201d Will queried.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat happened last summer . . . besides Stacy winning the bet on the outcome of a wedding?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot very much,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAdam drunk himself near unconscious at the bachelor party night before that same wedding, and woke up next day with what had to be the worst hangover HE ever had . . . then at the wedding reception he and Joe got themselves in a cake fight.\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss got himself involved in a plot to turn the original wedding into a DOUBLE wedding, with the prospective bride and groom marrying other people.\u00a0\u00a0 Joe, Stacy, and Teresa end up being arrested and tossed in jail\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJail?\u201d Dolores queried, favoring her only daughter with a jaundiced eye.<\/p>\n \u201cBen, I, uuhhh . . . think you\u2019ve made your point,\u201d Teresa said, her cheeks flaming scarlet, even through the rouge she had applied earlier.\u00a0\u00a0 She was afraid to look over at her mother.<\/p>\n \u201cUncle, please . . . don\u2019t stop NOW!\u00a0\u00a0 This story of yours was just starting to get interesting,\u201d Will begged.\u00a0\u00a0 He looked over at Stacy, and winked.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJail, eh?\u201d<\/p>\n Stacy nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, exactly . . . were the charges?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was charged with starting the barroom brawl that created a diversion, so Joe and Teresa could sneak upstairs and grab a music box out of one of one of the barmaids\u2019 room\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou and Joe were stealing a music box from a barmaid?!\u201d Will asked, incredulous, as he looked over at Teresa with a look bordering on astonishment and awe.<\/p>\n \u201cYou never told me about all this, Young Lady,\u201d Dolores said with mock severity.<\/p>\n \u201cMother . . . . \u201d Teresa groaned, \u201cand you, TOO, Cousin Will.\u00a0\u00a0 Joe and I did not, I repeat did NOT steal anyone\u2019s music box or anything ELSE for that matter.\u00a0\u00a0 We were taking BACK a music box that belonged to a very good friend of Stacy\u2019s.\u00a0 Molly O\u2019Hanlan . . . the REAL owner of the music box . . . had a bill of sale, so the charges against US were dropped.\u00a0\u00a0 Of course, poor Joe was STILL charged with THEFT . . . picking pockets, to be exact.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCousin Joe?\u00a0\u00a0 Picking pockets?!\u00a0\u00a0 This is getting more interesting all the time,\u201d Will declared, his eyes shining with absolute delight.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe was able to prove his innocence,\u201d Ben stoutly took up for his youngest son, \u201cvery quickly and very easily, I might add.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll HE had to do was drop his pants,\u201d Teresa said.<\/p>\n \u201cTeresa!\u201d Dolores gasped, thoroughly scandalized.<\/p>\n \u201cMother, Stacy, Molly, and I left the room first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course,\u201d Will agreed, beaming.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201c . . . and here I thought my cousins, the ones of the MALE persuasion, were naught but dull boys.\u00a0\u00a0 Teresa, I\u2019m very pleased to have met you.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ve a real strong gut feeling that you\u2019ve been very, VERY good for my cousin, Adam.\u00a0\u00a0 Very good indeed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I<\/strong>\u00a0like to think so.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOn THAT note, I\u2019m going upstairs,\u201d Dolores declared imperiously, her complexion a touch ruddier than usual.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt was good meeting you, Mister Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease . . . call me Will,\u201d Ben\u2019s nephew begged with a friendly smile.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWith all of the Mister Cartwrights around here, things are confusing enough . . . and besides!\u00a0\u00a0 I tend to think of Mister Cartwright as being my father\u2019s . . . or my UNCLE\u2019S name.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBen . . . Stacy . . . good night,\u201d Dolores continued in a stiff tone of voice.<\/p>\n \u201cGood night, Mrs. di Cordova,\u201d Stacy responded.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI hope you sleep well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Child,\u201d Dolores said, her manner softening.\u00a0\u00a0 She, then, turned to her daughter.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAs for YOU, Young Lady . . . it would appear we have a lot of talking to do . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAbout?\u201d Teresa asked warily.<\/p>\n \u201cThis business of stealing music boxes, starting barroom brawls, being thrown in jail, and heaven only knows what all else,\u201d Dolores said sternly.<\/p>\n \u201cTomorrow, Mother,\u201d Teresa sighed, with a wry roll of her eyes heavenward.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIn the meantime, I\u2019d better go up and look in on my children.\u00a0\u00a0 Ben . . . Stacy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Theresa?\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you know whether or not Adam\u2019s back?\u201d Teresa asked.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt kinda runs in my mind he and Hoss were going to make it an early night . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Teresa,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe haven\u2019t seen Adam, or Hoss either for that matter.\u00a0\u00a0 But if they said they were going to make it an early night, I\u2019m sure they\u2019ll be along soon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d Teresa said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGoodnight Ben . . . Stacy.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ll see you both in the morning.\u00a0\u00a0 Cousin Will, it was a pleasure meeting you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor me as well, Teresa.\u00a0\u00a0 I hope to see you again while you\u2019re here . . . and Adam, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c . . . uhhh, Teresa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Stacy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry about getting you in trouble with your ma,\u201d Stacy ventured contritely.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry about that, Stacy,\u201d Teresa assured her young sister-in-law with a smile.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cCome morning she\u2019ll have forgotten all about it.\u00a0\u00a0 If she hasn\u2019t . . . well, I may not be too old for her to turn over her knee, but she\u2019ll have to catch me first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUncle Ben, one of these days, you\u2019ve GOT to give me the full low down on this big double wedding,\u201d Will declared, after Teresa had left.\u00a0\u00a0 He turned and gave Stacy a playful wink.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to be here for another week, possibly two,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIf you find you have an evening free . . . we\u2019ll be right here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll let you know,\u201d Will promised.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIn the meantime, Uncle, a word to the wise if I may?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben took due note of the rapid change in his nephew\u2019s demeanor from playful and flirtatious to dead serious.<\/p>\n \u201cSince it appears as though my male cousins have decided to make a late night of it, I hope to heaven they\u2019re staying alert,\u201d Will said soberly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShanghaiing sailors continues to be a very lucrative business down along the waterfront, I\u2019m afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n Will\u2019s words triggered a nebulous sense of foreboding within Ben.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYes, it would seem so.\u00a0\u00a0 An old friend of ours . . . you probably remember him, Will.\u00a0\u00a0 Roscoe Swanson?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Will said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI remember.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHis pa and sister died three years ago,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cInfluenza epidemic.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry to hear that,\u201d Will said, not without a measure of sympathy.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHis pa was a good man.\u00a0\u00a0 Strict, but a man of principle.\u00a0\u00a0 I . . . didn\u2019t see eye to eye with him a lot of the time, but Jim Bob Swanson was one of those rare men who actually LIVED by his principles.\u00a0\u00a0 I had to respect him for that . . . as for his sister . . . wasn\u2019t her name Molly?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Ben said quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cSHE couldn\u2019t have been much more than a kid.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe was nineteen years old when she died . . . ten days shy of her twentieth birthday,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cRoscoe left right after the funeral.\u00a0\u00a0 I thought he was being very hasty on the one hand, but on the other . . . I couldn\u2019t much blame him.\u00a0\u00a0 Both their deaths coming so close together like that, was a pretty hard blow.\u00a0\u00a0 I knew he had planned to come here . . . to San Francisco . . . and he wrote pretty regularly the first year, then stopped.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben, then, shared with Will the circumstances by which Roscoe Swanson had come back into their lives, along with his own suspicions that the former Ponderosa hand was almost a victim of being shanghaied.<\/p>\n \u201cRoscoe\u2019s a very lucky young men, Uncle Ben.\u00a0\u00a0 I hope he does the sensible thing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you consider to be the sensible thing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReturning to Virginia City . . . to his old job on the Ponderosa,\u201d Will replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAssuming you\u2019ll have him, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn a heartbeat, Will,\u201d Ben said, noting, out of the corner of his eye, that Stacy\u2019s eyelids seemed to be growing heavier and heavier now, with each passing second.\u00a0\u00a0 He hugged her closer, allowing her head to gently come to rest on his shoulder.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cRoscoe Swanson was a good man when he worked for me, one of the best, just like his pa, Jim.\u00a0\u00a0 As for him doing the sensible thing, he can\u2019t shake the dust of San Francisco from his boots fast enough.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019m very relieved to hear that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWill, I hate to break this up, but my lovely daughter is fast wilting on the vine,\u201d Ben said, favoring the somnolent Stacy with an indulgent smile.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I see.\u00a0\u00a0 Well, I\u2019d better let you get her upstairs to bed,\u201d Will said, rising.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut, please . . . tell the rest of your family, especially my other cousins . . . those of the MALE persuasion, to stay away from the wharfs, especially after dark.\u201d<\/p>\n Will\u2019s words, and that pleading note in his voice, something Ben had never heard there before, deepened his feelings of foreboding.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt . . . was a very lucrative business when Hoss, Joe, and I were here, right before the war.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss and Joe told me about that trip, and how, after all your warnings for THEM to be careful, YOU were the one who ended up being shanghaied,\u201d Will said with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . . which Adam and Joe have not stopped reminding me since we arrived here,\u201d Ben growled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIn fact, when we all parted company this evening, they had the audacity to tell ME to be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI sure hope they\u2019re taking their own advice,\u201d Will said grimly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAs I said before, the market for shanghaied sailors is extremely lucrative.\u00a0\u00a0 More so, I think, than it was when you visited with Hoss and Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll remember that, and I\u2019ll see that everyone ELSE remembers that, too,\u201d Ben earnestly promised.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Uncle Ben,\u201d Will said gratefully.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be in touch.\u201d<\/p>\n After Will had left, Ben turned to wake up his slumbering daughter.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cRise and shine, Young Woman,\u201d he exhorted her gently, as she slowly opened one eye, then the other.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . is it mornin\u2019 already?\u201d she mumbled in a voice barely audible.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, in that it\u2019s well AFTER midnight,\u201d Ben replied, \u201cand no, because it\u2019s still dark.\u00a0\u00a0 Past time YOU . . . and me, too, for that matter . . . were in bed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSoun\u2019s good t\u2019 me, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n They rose.\u00a0\u00a0 Ben placed a steadying arm around Stacy, then turned, with the intention of heading for the ornate elevator, with its wrought iron bars, gilded with twenty-four karat gold.<\/p>\n \u201cPa.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 It was Hoss.<\/p>\n Ben and Stacy both turned.\u00a0\u00a0 The sight of Hoss, grim faced, half carrying, half dragging Candy across the lobby immediately drove away all vestiges of weariness from both father and daughter.<\/p>\n \u201cStacy, wait here,\u201d Ben said, before setting off across the lobby toward his son and junior foreman.\u00a0\u00a0 He fell in step with the two younger men, on Candy\u2019s other side.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHoss . . . let\u2019s get him over there,\u201d he said, inclining his head toward the group of chairs, where Stacy remained standing.\u00a0\u00a0 Ben slipped Candy\u2019s free arm over his shoulders, shifting some of the injured man\u2019s weight from Hoss to himself.<\/p>\n Hoss and Ben quickly escorted Candy across the remainder of the lobby, and carefully stretched him out on the longest divan.<\/p>\n \u201cStacy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI want you to go to the concierge, and ask him to call the hotel doctor,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cTell him I\u2019d like a bottle of brandy sent upstairs to Candy\u2019s room, and that I\u2019d like a bowl of hot water, soap, and a clean cloth brought to me here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOk, Pa . . . .\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She turned to leave.<\/p>\n \u201cStacy?\u201d<\/p>\n She paused.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYes, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAfter you see the concierge, you g\u2019won, get yourself in bed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut, Pa . . . I\u2019m NOT sleepy.\u00a0\u00a0 Not anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou g\u2019won . . . do what Pa says, Li\u2019l Sister,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cCandy\u2019s a li\u2019l banged up, but he\u2019s gonna be just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n Stacy frowned, sensing very strongly there was something they had intentionally left unsaid.<\/p>\n \u201cStacy . . . MOVE,\u201d Ben ordered sternly.<\/p>\n \u201cY-Yes, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSleep tight,\u201d Ben said in a more conciliatory tone of voice, yet very pointedly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll see ya in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u00a0\u00a0 Good night,\u201d Stacy murmured softly, her mind churning a mile a minute.\u00a0\u00a0 She moved briskly, just short of breaking into a dead run over to the massive concierge\u2019s desk.<\/p>\n Ben drew up a chair alongside the divan Candy occupied, and set himself to examining his junior foreman\u2019s injuries.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAny idea what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe told me he was dang near shanghaied,\u201d Hoss replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSeems that li\u2019l gal he met up with this evenin\u2019 \u2018s one of \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019d you find him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe found me, Pa.\u00a0\u00a0 Came right outta the shadows outside the saloon where Adam, Joe, \u2018n me finally ended up,\u201d Hoss said in a low voice, after his young sister was well away.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere are your brothers NOW?\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe took off with a real pretty li\u2019l gal named Belle Donna,\u201d Hoss replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAs for Adam . . . I dunno.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean you don\u2019t know?\u201d Ben pressed.<\/p>\n Hoss told his father about Adam disappearing soon after going to the bar to order a couple of beers, his attempts to question the bartender on duty, and the run in with the foot patrolman.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI dang near put my fist through his face, Pa . . . even if he WAS a policeman, after the terrible things he said \u2018bout Adam WANTIN\u2019 t\u2019 disappear.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m . . . grateful for your restraint, Son,\u201d Ben said earnestly, now fearing the worst.<\/p>\n \u201cMister Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben looked up and found himself staring into the smiling face of a young woman, with mounds of fluffy, cloud-like hair, the color of flax.\u00a0\u00a0 He immediately recognized her as one of the waitresses, who worked in the hotel restaurant.\u00a0\u00a0 She held a bowl of steaming water in both hands, and had three clean white towels draped across her arm.<\/p>\n \u201cI was told to bring you a bowl of hot water, towels, and soap.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, thank you,\u201d Ben said gratefully.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPlease . . . set the bowl down here on the coffee table, and hand me one of the towels.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She placed the bowl down within easy reach, then drew out a cake of soap, wrapped loosely in wax paper, from the pocket of her apron.\u00a0\u00a0 She handed the soap and one of the towels to Ben.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m going to set the other towels down here,\u201d she said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019ll be close at hand, but not near enough to the bowl to get wet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Miss,\u201d Ben said gratefully.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . please take this, too, Miss . . . a li\u2019l something for your trouble,\u201d Hoss said as he placed a silver dollar in the palm of her hand.<\/p>\n She favored Hoss with a grateful, albeit weary smile.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Sir.\u00a0\u00a0 Thank you very much.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben dipped the washcloth in hand into the bowl, and wrung out the excess moisture.\u00a0\u00a0 He noted the right eye, bruised, now almost swollen shut, as he carefully washed the dirt, sweat, and grim from Candy\u2019s forehead and cheeks.\u00a0\u00a0 Other than that, Candy\u2019s face remained undamaged, except for a few minor scratches and abrasions.\u00a0\u00a0 The knuckles of both hands were scraped and bleeding, evidence that Candy had given back full measure of what he had been dealt.<\/p>\n \u201cMuh-Mister Car\u2019wright?\u201d Candy murmured softly, his voice barely audible.<\/p>\n \u201cYou just lie still a moment and rest, Young Fella,\u201d Ben gently admonished his junior foreman.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI sent Stacy to the concierge to ask for the hotel doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo . . . . \u201d Candy protested weakly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cP-Please . . . no doc.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019m ok.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll the same, I\u2019d like the doctor here to look you over and make absolute certain you ARE ok,\u201d Ben said, noting the way Candy had wrapped his arms protectively around his stomach.\u00a0\u00a0 He picked up another washcloth, dipped it in the bowl of water, then rubbed it with the soap.<\/p>\n \u201cMister Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben immediately recognized the voice belonging to Doctor Todd Harrison, the hotel\u2019s physician.\u00a0\u00a0 He stood, clad in striped pajamas, a blue robe and matching slippers, with black bag firmly in hand.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDoctor Harrison, please . . . sit down,\u201d Ben said as he rose to his feet.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 The physician took the chair, that Ben had just vacated.\u00a0\u00a0 A cursory examination revealed no broken bones or any other serious injuries.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMister Cartwright, if you would be so kind as to ask the concierge for another bowl of hot water and some more wash cloths?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll go,\u201d Hoss immediately volunteered, then set off.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Mister Cartwright . . . two patients in less than the space of twenty-four hours,\u201d Todd Harrison remarked wryly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s quite a record.\u00a0\u00a0 More often than not, entire weeks go by between one patient and the next.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow is he, Doctor?\u201d Ben queried, opting to ignore the sarcastic comment.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has no broken bones, and . . . so far, his face and hands appear to have sustained the worst of his injuries,\u201d Todd said in a brisk, business-like manner.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI would like to examine the patient more thoroughly.\u00a0\u00a0 Is he able to walk?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Doc . . . the patient IS conscious,\u201d Candy said, sparing no pains to conceal his annoyance.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe can speak, and . . . surprise!\u00a0\u00a0 There\u2019s absolutely nothing wrong with his hearing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy apologies, uhhh . . . Mister?\u201d<\/p>\n Candy\u2019s scowl deepened at the doctor\u2019s imperious, faintly condescending tone of voice.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cCanaday,\u201d he snapped.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, Mister Canaday . . . ARE you able to walk?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like us to retire to your room, if we may,\u201d the doctor said, \u201cso that I might give you a COMPLETE examination.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, would you please accompany Candy upstairs?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cSure thing, Pa.\u00a0\u00a0 We\u2019ll be right behind ya.\u201d<\/p>\n Candy winced as he slowly, and very gingerly rolled over onto his side.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHoss,\u201d he grunted as he carefully pushed off the divan, and raised himself from lying down to sitting up, taking great care to keep his movements very slow and very easy.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDoc Harrison may know his stuff . . . b-but, Doc MARTIN he AIN\u2019T.\u00a0\u00a0 Not by a long shot.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoc Martin\u2019s one of a kind, Candy,\u201d Hoss agreed wholeheartedly, \u201c . . . and b\u2019tween you, me \u2018n the fence?\u00a0\u00a0 It\u2019s docs like that Harrison fella that remind me over \u2018n over again just how lucky we are t\u2019 have Paul Martin in Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAmen to that,\u201d Candy said softly, as he rested his head in his hands briefly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAmen to that.\u201d<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n Chapter 5<\/p>\n Stacy, meanwhile, had carried out her father\u2019s instructions to the letter, then retired to her room within the suite she shared with him and Hop Sing.\u00a0\u00a0 There, she undressed, and slipped on the nightshirt that the hotel maid had dutifully left out, clean, neatly pressed, and folded atop her bed, also neatly made.\u00a0\u00a0 She carefully hung her dress in the massive black mahogany wardrobe, that nearly took up the entire wall at the end of the room, facing the French doors, opening out onto a balcony overlooking the city and bay beyond.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s something they\u2019re not telling me,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0Stacy groused again, silently, for the umpteenth time, as she stepped over to the washstand.\u00a0\u00a0 She lifted the enormous pitcher, half filled with clean, fresh water, and poured half of that into the basin.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI HATE it when they won\u2019t tell me stuff . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n As she set herself to the task of washing her face and hands, her eyes wandered over to the long wall, facing the door that opened out into the plushy appointed sitting room, she, Pa, and Hop Sing shared.\u00a0\u00a0 If memory served, Joe\u2019s room lay on the other side of that wall, and Candy\u2019s beyond that.<\/p>\n \u201cIf they\u2019re not going to tell me, then I\u2019m going to have to find out what\u2019s going on for myself,\u201d she muttered under her breath, as she dried her hands, and reached for her bathrobe.\u00a0\u00a0 There was a soft knock on the door to her bedroom, just as she was slipping on her bathrobe.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPa?!\u00a0\u00a0 That YOU?\u201d she called back in response.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Stacy . . . it\u2019s me,\u201d Ben immediately identified himself.<\/p>\n \u201cJust a minute.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Stacy knew by his tone of voice that something was wrong.\u00a0\u00a0 Very wrong.\u00a0\u00a0 She belted her robe, then opened the door, figuring that maybe Pa had come . . . finally . . . to fill HER in on what was going on.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m surprised you\u2019re still up,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou were falling asleep standing up a little while ago.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sleepy now,\u201d Stacy insisted.<\/p>\n \u201cThat being the case, why don\u2019t we sit down here . . . . \u201d Ben gestured toward the settee in the sitting room.<\/p>\n Stacy nodded, then turned, and closed the door to her bedroom behind her.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPa, what\u2019s going on?\u201d she asked, as the two of them sat down on the settee.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat happened to Candy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe . . . hasn\u2019t told us quite yet, but from the looks of things . . . I\u2019d say someone tried to bushwhack him,\u201d Ben said evasively.<\/p>\n \u201cIs he going to be ok?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI think so.\u00a0\u00a0 The hotel doc looked him over downstairs, and found no sign of broken bones or any other serious injury.\u00a0\u00a0 He\u2019s going to give Candy a more thorough examination in his room, just to make sure, but I don\u2019t think the doc\u2019s going to find anything seriously wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m glad Candy\u2019s gonna be ok.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStacy, you have any plans for tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrudy Magruder, Teresa, and I were going to do some more sight seeing tomorrow . . . why do you ask, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben exhaled a soft sigh of relief, ardently thankful that she and her hot tempered, equally impulsive in a lot of ways sister-in-law would have something and more important, someONE to occupy their attention, while he, and his younger sons searched for Adam.\u00a0\u00a0 Memories of what had become known as The Lo Mein Affair among the populace of Virginia City began to surface.\u00a0\u00a0 The thought of Stacy playing detective here . . . in a big city like San Francisco NOW . . . as she, and her brother, Joe, had then . . . .<\/p>\n Ben shuddered.<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cY-Yes, Stacy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou all right?\u201d she queried, regarding him with an apprehensive frown.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Ben nodded his head, and offered her a sheepish smile.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSorry, I . . . I was woolgathering a bit, that\u2019s all.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He paused.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWill Trudy be meeting you and Teresa here at the hotel tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n Stacy shook her head.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe was, but Teresa and I decided to take one of the hotel cabs to HER house instead,\u201d she replied.<\/p>\n \u201cRather than taking a cab, how about my asking Hop Sing to drive the three of ya around?\u201d Ben suggested.\u00a0\u00a0 He was the one man he could trust to keep watch over his feisty daughter and daughter-in-law, and just to make sure, he\u2019d make a point of telling Hop Sing to call on any or all of his many cousins for help in that endeavor, if necessary.<\/p>\n Stacy frowned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you need Hop Sing here . . . to look after Roscoe and Candy?\u201d she asked, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.<\/p>\n \u201cI know Candy\u2019ll be stiff \u2018n sore come morning,\u201d Ben admitted, \u201cbut I think he and Roscoe will be up to fending for themselves tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re sure?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPositive.\u00a0\u00a0 Now I want YOU to get yourself a good night\u2019s sleep, and enjoy yourself with Teresa and Trudy tomorrow,\u201d Ben said rising.<\/p>\n Stacy also rose.\u00a0\u00a0 It was clear now that her father had no intention of telling her what else was going on, which left her feeling very disappointed and a little angry.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGood night, Pa . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood night, Stacy . . . oh!\u00a0\u00a0 One more thing . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSomething\u2019s come up,\u201d Ben said, in a tone of voice a little too bland, \u201cnothing serious mind, but it\u2019s . . . something that needs to be taken care of right away, so I won\u2019t be joining you for breakfast in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOk, Pa,\u201d Stacy murmured softly, now more sure than ever that something vital had STILL been left unsaid . . . and if Pa had his way about things, whatever it was would forever remain unsaid.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll make it up to ya, Stacy,\u201d Ben earnestly promised.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cTell ya what!\u00a0\u00a0 After, I\u2019ve, ummm . . . taken care of business?\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ll arrange for a buggy and a big picnic basket, stuffed full and brimming with all of YOUR favorite things to eat . . . and we\u2019ll g\u2019won down to the harbor, and . . . spend the whole day together, just the two of us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, make that buggy a couple of horses, so we can RIDE down to the harbor with that picnic basket, and you\u2019ve got yourself a deal,\u201d Stacy said, relishing the prospect of spending an entire day with her father.\u00a0\u00a0 That, however, was not going to deter her from finding out what he and Hoss seemed bound and determined to keep from her.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, two horses it is!\u201d\u00a0 Ben agreed, greatly relieved that she had elected to accept the carrot he dangled before her, without peppering him with a lot of questions.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt . . . shouldn\u2019t take any more than a couple of days to clear things up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOk, Pa,\u201d Stacy murmured, uncharacteristically acquiescent.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn the meantime, Young Woman, you\u2019d best be off to bed,\u201d Ben admonished her gently.<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Stacy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI . . . don\u2019t know about YOU, but I sure had a good time tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben smiled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201c . . . and how could I NOT have had a wonderful time stepping out with the most beautiful young woman in San Francisco?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Pa . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Stacy slipped her arms around Ben\u2019s waist and hugged tight.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI STILL think you\u2019re a wee bit prejudiced . . . but, I\u2019ll always love you for it, \u2018til my dying day and longer than that.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben placed his arms around her shoulders and hugged back.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI love you, too.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He kissed her forehead, then hugged her again.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSleep tight, Young Woman.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will, Pa.\u00a0 Good night.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She kissed his cheek.<\/p>\n \u201cPleasant dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou, too, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Satisfied in his own mind that Stacy was going to go right to bed, and would presumably fall asleep within a very short time thereafter, Ben quietly let himself out of the suite, he, his daughter, and Hop Sing shared, and made his way down the hall to Candy\u2019s room.\u00a0\u00a0 En route, he noticed the line of flickering light along the bottom of the door to Joe\u2019s rooms.\u00a0\u00a0 He paused to knock.<\/p>\n \u201cGlad you back, Mister Cartwright,\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing said by way of greeting as he opened the door.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cRoscoe do much better.\u00a0\u00a0 Hotel Doc come, look Roscoe over, say Roscoe do very good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs Roscoe awake?\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing nodded.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cRoscoe very much wide awake.\u00a0 \u00a0Want to talk, if ok, just little while.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease tell Roscoe I\u2019ll stop by, after I check on Candy,\u201d Ben said with a frown.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt seems HE, too, was almost shanghaied.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, this bad,\u201d Hop Sing murmured softly, shaking his head.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThis very, very bad.\u00a0 \u00a0How Candy do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhoever tried to grab him worked him over pretty well, but I dare say he gave back as good as he got,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s going to be sporting a real shiner for the next few days, but from the looks of things he should be back on his feet in the next day or so.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing . . . is Joe back yet?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Mister Cartwright, Little Joe not back,\u201d Hop Sing replied, shaking his head.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMaybe hook up with pretty girl?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d be very surprised if that young scallywag didn\u2019t hook up with a pretty girl at least ONCE while we\u2019re here,\u201d Ben said, trying his level best to ignore his rising concern.\u00a0\u00a0 There would be no sleep for him tonight . . . or any other night, until all three of his boys were back, safe and sound.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be . . . .<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201c . . .\u00a0 right back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo . . . someone tried to SHANGHAI Roscoe and Candy,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0Stacy mused in grim silence.\u00a0\u00a0 She stood on her bed, next to the head board, with her ear plastered to the bottom of one of the brandy glasses, borrowed from the decanter set out in the sitting room, on the coffee table.\u00a0\u00a0 She had discovered that if she pressed the top of the glass up against the wall, and really focused all her attention on listening, her sharp ears pretty much picked up the conversation next door, word for word.<\/p>\n The minute she had overheard Pa\u2019s promise to return, Stacy leapt down off the bed, landing noiselessly on the floor, as her Paiute foster mother, Silver Moon, had taught her.\u00a0\u00a0 She crossed the distance between her bed and the door that opened out into the sitting room, and paused, pressing her ear close to the door.\u00a0\u00a0 Stacy listened for a few moments, then, sure in her mind that Hop Sing was going to remain in the room next door, tending to Roscoe Swanson, she opened the door and silently ran across the sitting room toward the door that opened out into the corridor.\u00a0\u00a0 She paused once again to listen, before cracking open the door, just enough so she could see out.<\/p>\n The coast was clear.<\/p>\n Stacy dropped the brandy glass into the pocket of her robe, moved cautiously into the darkened corridor.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201cAs I said before, Mister Canaday has no broken bones, nor has he suffered any serious internal injury, at least not as far as I can tell,\u201d Doctor Todd Harrison, meanwhile, informed Ben and Hoss, as he slipped his stethoscope back into his leather black bag, and closed it.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHowever, if he has difficulty breathing, complains of persistent internal pain, or starts coughing up blood, send for me immediately.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir,\u201d Hoss murmured softly, in a voice barely audible.<\/p>\n Ben simply nodded his head.<\/p>\n \u201cMister Canaday is sleeping now, as much from exhaustion as from the pain of his injuries,\u201d Todd Harrison continued in a somber tone of voice.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI expect him to sleep through what remains of the night and well into the morning.\u00a0\u00a0 Make sure he takes things easy for the next couple of days, and he\u2019ll be pretty much good as new.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ll stop by tomorrow morning, after breakfast, to check on him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Doctor Harrison,\u201d Ben murmured softly.<\/p>\n Stacy, who had been standing out in the corridor with her ear tightly pressed against the fast closed door, immediately stepped back into the deep, nearly opaque shadows between Candy\u2019s and Hoss\u2019 rooms, the instant she saw the door knob turn.\u00a0\u00a0 She flattened herself, as much as humanly possible, against the wall, willing herself to breathe very softly and to remain still like the tall mountains that surrounded her home in Nevada.<\/p>\n \u201cGood night, Mister Cartwright,\u201d the doctor said, as he stepped into the hallway.<\/p>\n \u201cGood night, Doctor . . . and thanks again,\u201d Pa replied, before moving back into the room and closing the door behind him.<\/p>\n Stacy stood, as if rooted to the very spot, watching the doctor as he walked down the corridor.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, I\u2019m gonna stay with Candy tonight,\u201d Hoss said, as his father stepped back into the room.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI know the doc said he didn\u2019t have any broken bones or busted insides, but I\u2019D feel better if someone kept close.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI kinda figured you might,\u201d Ben said quietly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou gonna be alright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah . . . that big ol\u2019 easy chair looks comfy enough,\u201d Hoss replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIf you could stay a minute or two, I\u2019d like t\u2019 g\u2019won t\u2019 MY room, grab my razor, cup, \u2018n soap . . . \u2018n a change o\u2019 clothes.\u00a0\u00a0 Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Son?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019re we gonna do?\u201d Hoss asked.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAbout findin\u2019 Adam, I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe first thing I\u2019m going to do is report him missing to the police,\u201d Ben said grimly.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat if they don\u2019t believe ya?\u201d Hoss asked, scowling at the memory of what that police officer had said to him about Adam at that saloon earlier.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ll believe us,\u201d Ben declared, his face set with grim, angry determination.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m gonna see to that.\u00a0\u00a0 If worse comes to worse, I\u2019ll get hold of your cousin, Will.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCousin Will?!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss echoed, with a puzzled frown.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe here in San Francisco?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u00a0\u00a0 Remember?\u00a0\u00a0 He came out here with Laura and Peggy Dayton . . . after Laura and Adam broke off their engagement.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh yeah,\u201d Hoss said softly.<\/p>\n \u201cStacy and I ran into Will tonight, and wonder of wonders, he\u2019s working for the police department here,\u201d Ben continued.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe even made a point of telling me to warn you boys especially that shanghaiing young men is more lucrative than ever.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt looks like that warnin\u2019s come a mite too late t\u2019 help Adam,\u201d Hoss said dolefully.\u00a0\u00a0 He hoped and prayed such would not end up being the case for Joe.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSorry, Pa, I\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, it\u2019s not your fault,\u201d Ben said in a more kindly tone.\u00a0\u00a0 He walked over and placed a reassuring hand on his biggest son\u2019s shoulder, \u201cand don\u2019t you go worrying about Adam.\u00a0\u00a0 We\u2019re gonna find him one way or another . . . long before he puts out to sea.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re right, Pa.\u00a0\u00a0 When us Cartwrights put our minds t\u2019 somethin\u2019 . . . it gets done.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou bet!\u201d\u00a0 Ben agreed.\u00a0 \u201cNow you\u2019d best g\u2019won to your room and get what you need.\u00a0 I\u2019ll wait here until you get back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just hope Li\u2019l Brother don\u2019t stay out \u2018til sun up with that gal HE took off with,\u201d Hoss mused aloud, as he turned again, and started for the door.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re gonna need him when we go lookin\u2019 for Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam?\u00a0\u00a0 Wha\u2019 happened t\u2019 Adam?\u201d Candy murmured softly from the bed, his voice barely audible.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you worry none about ol\u2019 Adam, Candy, y\u2019 hear?\u201d Hoss exhorted the Ponderosa\u2019s junior foreman, as he quickly circled around to the other side of his bed.<\/p>\n \u201cShuh . . . shang . . . hai?\u201d Candy persisted.<\/p>\n \u201cWe think so,\u201d Hoss admitted ruefully, \u201cbut Pa, Joe, \u2018n me . . . we\u2019re gonna find him before he put out t\u2019 sea . . . same as Joe \u2018n me found Pa b\u2019fore HE put out t\u2019 sea the last time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOn the meantime, Young Fella, YOU need your rest,\u201d Ben admonished Candy gently.<\/p>\n \u201cKinda dozin\u2019,\u201d Candy murmured again, \u201coff \u2018n on.\u00a0\u00a0 Starbryte . . . Miss Starbryte with a . . . \u2018y\u2019 . . . she\u2019s one of \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe know, Candy,\u201d Ben said, as he drew a straight backed, Queen Anne chair up to the side of the bed.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . took me t\u2019 some joint down b-by d\u2019 wharf,\u201d Candy continued, \u201cQueen o\u2019 d\u2019 Sea, I think . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cQueen of the Sea . . . Queen o\u2019 the— \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss\u2019 words ended abruptly as the light of revelation dawned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPa . . . ain\u2019t that the place Roscoe went t\u2019 meet this gal Kathleen \u2018bout a job?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Ben murmured slowly, \u201cyes . . . it IS.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c . . . tried t\u2019 get me drunk,\u201d Candy continued.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhiskey . . . wors\u2019 stuff uh ever had d\u2019 bad luck o\u2019 tastin\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0 Only had two glasses.\u00a0\u00a0 She ast me t\u2019 walk \u2018er home . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStarbryte?\u201d Ben prompted, when Candy fell silent.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u00a0\u00a0 Starbryte.\u00a0\u00a0 Ast me t\u2019 walk \u2018er home . . . then tried t\u2019 get me down by the water.\u00a0\u00a0 Tried real hard.\u00a0\u00a0 Went t\u2019 look at the moon . . . \u2018n this guy . . . Lion . . . Dandy Lion . . . he jumps me . . . then two more jumped me.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He haltingly shared the details of the fight, and his subsequent escape with Ben and Hoss, while fighting hard to stay awake.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWondered, I think . . . stayed in shadows best I could, \u2018til I s-saw Hoss . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He sighed softly, then drifted back into a light slumber.<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Son?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLooks like we got someplace t\u2019 start lookin\u2019,\u201d Hoss said, his face set with grim determination.<\/p>\n \u201cNow hold on just a minute,\u201d Ben said sternly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAlthough it\u2019s clear this Starbryte with a \u2018y\u2019 . . . had a hand in Roscoe and Candy almost being shanghaied, we DON\u2019T know that she had anything to do with ADAM\u2019S disappearance.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re right, Pa . . . we don\u2019t,\u201d Hoss had to admit.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut even if it DOES turn out that li\u2019l gal AIN\u2019T responsible for Adam disappearin\u2019, I\u2019M of the mind there\u2019s a real good chance she knows who WAS.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, we\u2019re going to do this legally,\u201d Ben said sternly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cTHAT means we start by reporting Adam\u2019s disappearance to the POLICE.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 . . . and Joe\u2019s, too, if HE fails to return to the hotel by daybreak.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . \u2018n if the police won\u2019t listen to us?\u201d Hoss asked, his blood boiling anew upon remembering that foot patrolman at the Neptune Bar having the gall to suggest Adam had gone missing on purpose.<\/p>\n \u201cTHEN we pay a visit to the Queen of the Sea Saloon,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Son?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry about all the smart alecky stuff I said last night . . . and t\u2019night, too, at supper when Adam, Joe, \u2018n me was all horsin\u2019 around,\u201d Hoss apologized with all sincerity.\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cIf a smart fella like Adam can git himself shanghaied . . . well . . . I hafta reckon it could happen t\u2019 anyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben smiled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Son.\u00a0\u00a0 Apology accepted.\u201d<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n After Hoss returned from his own room with a change of clothes, and his toiletries, Ben walked down the hall to Joe\u2019s room and knocked softly on the closed door.<\/p>\n \u201cWho there?\u201d Hop Sing demanded wearily from within.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s me, Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n Within less than the space of a heartbeat, the door opened.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, Mister Cartwright . . . come in . . . come in.\u00a0\u00a0 Roscoe waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n Unbeknownst to Ben, Stacy also waited and watched, cloaked by the near opaque deep shadows in the dark hallway, as he entered Joe\u2019s room.\u00a0\u00a0 She waited until Hop Sing had closed the door, then slowly counted five.\u00a0\u00a0 Satisfied that no one was going to leave Joe\u2019s room any time soon, she took a deep breath, slow and even, before moving stealthily back toward the door to the suite of rooms she shared with Pa and Hop Sing.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Hop Sing led Ben over to the bed, where Roscoe Swanson lay, clad in a pair of pajamas, borrowed from his roommate, with his head propped up by a pair of big, fluffy down pillows.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . and what are YOU doing so wide awake, Young Man?\u201d Ben demanded as he walked over and seated himself on the edge of the bed.<\/p>\n \u201cMister Cartwright, there\u2019s . . . there\u2019s something I hafta tell you . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m listening.\u201d<\/p>\n Roscoe\u2019s eyes dropped away from Ben\u2019s face to his hands to his lap.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI . . . I don\u2019t know how to, ummm . . . say this . . . exactly . . . . \u201d he haltingly ventured.<\/p>\n \u201cWhenever I have something difficult to tell someone, I\u2019ve found that the best thing to do is simply say it straight out,\u201d Ben prompted gently.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cRoscoe . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cY-Yes, Sir?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf this has anything to do with the time you\u2019ve been living here in San Francisco . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI . . . guess you\u2019ve already figured out I haven\u2019t done as well as I should\u2019ve,\u201d Roscoe admitted.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cTo be right up front and honest, I haven\u2019t been able to find myself a steady job since I stepped off the stage three years ago.\u00a0\u00a0 Just a long string of odd jobs here \u2018n there . . . and for the last few weeks or so, I haven\u2019t been able to find THAT.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019m . . . I\u2019m ashamed to admit this, Mister Cartwright, but . . . before I happened to run into Miss Murphy, I\u2019d taken to sleeping in the alleyways and eating supper at the mission house.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He sighed very softly and shook his head.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t tell ya which was worse . . . the sermons or the food.\u00a0\u00a0 I dunno . . . maybe I just plain didn\u2019t try hard enough.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all to easy to become discouraged over time, when you apply for work and keep getting turned down,\u201d Ben said, not without a measure of sympathy for the young man.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat happened to me, too . . . a lot . . . during the years Adam and I . . . and later Hoss . . . made our way west.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c . . . but I swear to you, I NEVER took to drinking,\u201d Roscoe passionately declared.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI used to have a beer once in a while with Joe, but since I\u2019ve been here, I\u2019ve not seen the inside of a saloon once . . . except for that meeting with Miss Murphy, \u2018n that\u2019s the honest truth.\u00a0\u00a0 I . . . well, I couldn\u2019t afford it for one, \u2018n for another . . . I just plain \u2018n simple never developed a taste for it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI believe you, Roscoe,\u201d Ben said with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Sir.\u00a0\u00a0 I appreciate that, more \u2018n anything.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow that you\u2019ve gotten that off your chest, maybe you can lie back now and go to sleep,\u201d Ben kindly suggested.<\/p>\n \u201cMister Cartwright . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Roscoe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m glad I got that off my chest, too, but that\u2019s . . . that\u2019s NOT what I h-hafta tell ya.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Roscoe squeezed his eyes shut and took a deep breath.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPlease . . . believe me, Sir, I wish . . . more than just about anything in this world, I wish with all that\u2019s in me I DIDN\u2019T hafta tell ya this, but . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He opened his eyes and forced himself to look up into Ben\u2019s face, and eyes.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s hazy, but when I was still b-being . . . I guess, when I was still being h-held prisoner by Miss Murphy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes?\u201d Ben prompted.<\/p>\n \u201cI saw HIM, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHim?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWILL.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201c . . . He was there.\u00a0\u00a0 I . . . I think he bought me from Miss Murphy.\u201d<\/p>\n Stacy felt the blood drain right out of her face.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cCousin Will!\u201d she whispered, her hands trembling, her blue eyes round as saucers.\u00a0\u00a0 She was now safely back in her own room, standing on top of the bed, with the brandy glass clasped firmly in hand.<\/p>\n \u201cRoscoe . . . are you SURE you saw Will?\u201d Pa asked, after an eternity of stunned silence.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBy your own admission things were very hazy after you were served a beer by a waitress named Starbryte at the Queen of the Sea Saloon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir . . . they were. \u201d<\/p>\n \u201c . . . and with good reason.\u00a0\u00a0 You were drugged . . . you\u2019d been beaten up . . . kept in a damp warehouse down near the water,\u201d Ben pointed out.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s also been a fair number of years, I think, since Will left the Ponderosa . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cY-Yes, Sir . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps this man who bought you from Miss Murphy simply reminded you of Will in some way,\u201d Ben suggested.<\/p>\n Roscoe shook his head.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhen . . . when Miss Murphy brought him in?\u201d he forced himself to continue, feeling at that moment as if he were the most wretched man on the face of the earth.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI . . . everything inside me told me that I KNEW that man . . . or at the very least, I\u2019d . . . that I\u2019d met him before.\u00a0\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t place him at first . . . then . . . I heard Miss Murphy call him by name and . . . I dunno, sometime after that . . . I saw his face, Sir.\u00a0\u00a0 That man WAS your nephew.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben felt as if had just been sucker punched.\u00a0\u00a0 He closed his eyes and took a deep, ragged breath.<\/p>\n \u201cI . . . M-Mister Cartwright, I\u2019m really very sorry I . . . I . . . . \u201d Roscoe stammered, noting the older man\u2019s sudden pale complexion and the hands now clenched into a pair of tight fists.<\/p>\n It took every ounce of will Ben possessed to exhale, slow and even.\u00a0\u00a0 He opened his eyes and favored the distraught young man what he hoped was a reassuring smile.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Roscoe,\u201d he said very quietly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou have nothing to apologize for.\u00a0\u00a0 You did the right thing in telling me about Will.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor what it\u2019s worth, I wish I didn\u2019t remember him being there so well,\u201d Roscoe said dejectedly.<\/p>\n \u201cThe most important thing for you to keep in mind, Young Man, is that you DO remember, and though it wasn\u2019t an easy thing for ya to do . . . you did the right thing and told me.\u00a0\u00a0 Now it\u2019s time you got to sleep.\u00a0\u00a0 Hop Sing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Mister Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet me know when Joe comes in.\u00a0\u00a0 I don\u2019t care what time it is . . . I want to know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing tell you when Little Joe back.\u00a0\u00a0 You go to room now.\u00a0\u00a0 Go to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n The minute Stacy heard the door to the room next door open, she quickly sat down and wiggled herself under the covers.\u00a0\u00a0 She turned over on her side and closed her eyes, her thoughts churning a mile a minute.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n Joe Cartwright awoke with a start to a world dark, cold, and clammy.\u00a0\u00a0 His head pounded and throbbed with what had to be the worst headache it had ever been his misfortune to suffer, and his stomach felt very heavy with the contents of his last meal.\u00a0\u00a0 That, together with the cloying, musty odor of mildew in the air stirred within him an intense, almost overwhelming urge to vomit.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s about time you woke up, Little Brother,\u201d a familiar voice spoke from the darkness.<\/p>\n Joe frowned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cA-Adam?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Joe . . . it\u2019s me,\u201d Adam sighed disparagingly.<\/p>\n \u201cWha\u2019 happened?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have a real strong feeling the two of US have been shanghaied.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWHAT?!\u201d Joe yelped.\u00a0\u00a0 He automatically bolted upright, eliciting a resounding belch, with all the noxious qualities of a slaughterhouse gone rancid.\u00a0\u00a0 His stomach lurched, and before he knew what was happening, he was vomiting up his last meal with the violent intensity of a man hit by the double whammy of the worst hangover it had ever been his misfortune to suffer and a real \u201chealthy\u201d dose of food poisoning.<\/p>\n Adam tried very hard to maintain a stoic facade, but found himself gagging a time or two despite his best intentions.\u00a0\u00a0 After a seeming eternity of sitting by, helplessly bound hand and foot, listening to his younger brother retching his guts up, a deafening silence suddenly descended upon the two of them.\u00a0\u00a0 One minute passed, then two.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe?\u201d Adam ventured, half fearing the worst.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJoe, please . . . answer me.\u201d<\/p>\n A feeble groan, barely audible, issued from the darkness in response.<\/p>\n Adam closed his eyes and sent a silent, heartfelt prayer of thanks heavenward.<\/p>\n \u201cUhhgghhh!\u00a0\u00a0 What did they do t\u2019 me?\u201d Joe moaned.<\/p>\n \u201cMy guess is . . . you were drugged,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat happened after you left with that girl . . . what was her name?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cB-Belle Donna.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere did you go?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe . . . she took me to this place . . . \u2018Frisco Frannie\u2019s, I think it was,\u201d Joe replied haltingly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSaid they had the best whiskey in town.\u00a0\u00a0 \u2018Tween you \u2018n me, Adam?\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ve had better rotgut at t\u2019 Silver Dollar.\u00a0\u00a0 After awhile though . . . it started t\u2019 taste kinda good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI dunno.\u00a0\u00a0 Last thing I remember is sittin\u2019 at the back o\u2019 that saloon, drinkin\u2019 one minute . . . next I\u2019m HERE.\u00a0\u00a0 I don\u2019t even remember fallin\u2019 asleep.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat Belle Donna must have gotten you drunk first, then slipped something in your whiskey to make you sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI guess,\u201d Joe groaned, as he squeezed his eyes shut against another bout of nausea.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWha\u2019 happened t\u2019 YOU, Oldest Brother?\u00a0\u00a0 How\u2019d YOU get here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStupidity!\u201d Adam sighed ruefully.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJust plain ol\u2019 pure and simple stupidity.\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss and I decided to have one more beer and call it a night right after you left with Belle Donna.\u00a0\u00a0 I walked up to the bar, and saw that it was crowded, three deep at least . . . all except for a space at the very end, farthest from the door.\u00a0\u00a0 I should\u2019ve realized . . . should have thought there might be a very good reason WHY that space was empty.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo . . . what happened?\u201d\u00a0 Joe prompted.<\/p>\n \u201cLike a fool, I walked right over to that space and ordered a couple of beers.\u00a0\u00a0 Next thing I knew, I was falling into water.\u00a0\u00a0 Three men pulled me out, and . . . that\u2019s the very last thing\u00a0I<\/strong>\u00a0remember until I woke up here . . . wherever here is.\u00a0\u00a0 One of those men must\u2019ve hit me over the head.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe gotta get outta here, Brother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI agree with you one hundred percent, Joe,\u201d Adam said with a touch of wryness.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI sailed the seven seas many years ago, and while I enjoyed it very much then, I have no desire to take up the life of a sailor now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s that, too,\u201d Joe agreed, \u201cbut, I meant we gotta get outta here and back to the hotel before Pa especially finds out we\u2019re missing.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam frowned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhy Pa especially?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe groaned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAfter the way we razzed him about getting himself shanghaied that time I was here with him, Hoss, and Hop Sing . . . Adam, if he ever finds out WE got shanghaied, we\u2019re never gonna hear the end of it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean WE?!\u201d Adam demanded.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAs I recall, it was you and Hoss razzing Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou got in a few good licks yourself, Oldest Brother.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sighed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYes, I suppose I did,\u201d he admitted reluctantly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHowever, between you and me?\u00a0\u00a0 I think Pa\u2019s the very least of our worries.\u00a0\u00a0 Now Teresa, on the other hand . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He sighed and rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cTERESA not letting you hear the end of it sounds a lot worse than PA not letting us hear the end of it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt IS worse.\u00a0\u00a0 MUCH worse.\u00a0\u00a0 You have any ideas as to how we can make our escape?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYOU tied up, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBound hand and foot, I\u2019m afraid.\u00a0\u00a0 How about YOU?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYep . . . me, too, Oldest Brother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen it appears for the moment there\u2019s only two things we can do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are the two things?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFirst thing is, we try and work loose the ropes binding our wrists together.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c . . . and the SECOND thing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe bide our time and wait for an opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c . . . and we hope \u2018n pray real hard that it opportunity knocks before Pa and Teresa find out we\u2019re missing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve got it, Buddy.\u201d<\/p>\n The door opened, very slowly, its hinges squeaking with tortuous intensity.\u00a0\u00a0 Joe groaned very loudly in spite of himself and squeezed his eyes tight shut against the dim light without.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam slumped against the wall and closed his eyes, feigning unconsciousness, his ears alert, sharply attuned to every sound.<\/p>\n Two men entered the room.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam took them both to be the size of bother, Hoss, from the dull, ponderous thudding of their footsteps.\u00a0\u00a0 He slitted his eyes open and saw the new arrivals carrying a third man, unmoving, bound hand and foot as he and Joe were.\u00a0\u00a0 They dropped their burden in the middle of the room as they might have a very large sack of potatoes, then left.<\/p>\n On the other side of the still open door, Adam heard voices; one rough, deep, and very masculine, the other a woman\u2019s voice with a faint trace of an Irish brogue.\u00a0\u00a0 The first he accurately determined to be one of the men who had just carried in their new roommate.\u00a0\u00a0 He strained to catch what they might be saying, but apart from an occasional word, their voices were naught but a long string of senseless consonants and vowels strung randomly together.<\/p>\n \u201cP-Paul?\u201d Joe croaked, his voice very hoarse.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHey . . . Paul . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n The door opened wider.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam knew by the creaking hinges and the growing intensity of light against his eyelids.\u00a0\u00a0 Two people entered, these much smaller than the first.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, well, well, Miss Murphy.\u00a0\u00a0 It seems you have some special merchandise of your own.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 A woman\u2019s voice; low, soft-spoken, cultured, and one well accustomed to wielding authority.\u00a0\u00a0 Though she spoke very calmly, her voice also carried a subtle hint of malice.<\/p>\n \u201cFamiliar,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0Adam silently realized.\u00a0\u00a0 He had heard that voice before, he was sure of it.\u00a0\u00a0 He opened his eyes a little wider hoping to get a glimpse of the speaker\u2019s face, but she stood at the edge of his peripheral vision.\u00a0 \u00a0There was no possible way of getting a good look at her without moving.<\/p>\n \u201cThat one was taken fair \u2018n square at the Neptune Bar.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 It was the Irish woman, presumably the one just now addressed as Miss Murphy.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe other . . . he\u2019s a member of that . . . that damned Cartwright family,\u201d she continued scathingly, \u201cthe cause of all the terrible misfortune that\u2019s befallen me since the misbegotten day I first met them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Murphy . . . did you say Cartwright?\u201d the other woman asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBring that lantern over here, at ONCE.\u00a0\u00a0 I want a better look at their faces,\u201d the other woman ordered.\u00a0\u00a0 Beneath her imperious tone, there was an underlying eagerness.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am,\u201d Miss Murphy murmured in a soft, deferential tone.<\/p>\n Footsteps, small and very rapid, then for the space of what seemed an eternity, Adam felt the burning heat from a lantern mere inches from his face.<\/p>\n \u201cWell . . . well . . . well . . . . \u201d Miss Murphy\u2019s companion finally, at length murmured very softly.\u00a0\u00a0 Surprise mingled with immediate recognition.<\/p>\n As Adam tuned his ears to the voice of the other woman, the great room of the Ponderosa ranch house swam into view, with the vague memory of guests, a man and a woman, just arrived.<\/p>\n The man . . . .<\/p>\n \u201c . . . an older man,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0Adam suddenly realized.<\/p>\n . . . acknowledged his introductions to the family in a manner pleasant enough, yet wary.\u00a0\u00a0 His companion\u2019s manners and words were impeccably correct, and graciously spoken.\u00a0\u00a0 Yet her tone of voice carried a note of disdain.\u00a0\u00a0 Faint and very subtle, but very much present.<\/p>\n Then, suddenly, Adam knew.\u00a0\u00a0 But before his weary, frazzled mind could grasp hold of that knowledge, it was gone, slipping through his metaphorical fingers like smoke rising from a candle, whose flame had just been extinguished.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n Chapter 6<\/p>\n The warm sun shining through the drapes, slightly parted, warmed Teresa Cartwright\u2019s face, gently rousing her from sleep.\u00a0\u00a0 She yawned and stretched as the clock on the wall chimed the hour of eight o\u2019clock.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam,\u201d she murmured in a sleepy voice, \u201csince Benjy and Dio will be spending the entire day with my parents . . . and I WON\u2019T be meeting Stacy until around ten . . . how about us ordering breakfast from room service and, ummmm . . . putting the \u2018do not disturb\u2019 sign on the door?\u201d<\/p>\n There was no answer.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam?\u201d<\/p>\n Still no answer.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam Cartwright, don\u2019t you get coy with\u2014 \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Teresa rolled over, and was surprised to find her husband not there.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAdam?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She quickly sat up and threw off the bedcovers.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAdam!\u201d<\/p>\n She glanced over at Adam\u2019s side of the bed, and saw immediately that his pillow remained fluffed, with no sign at all of him having laid his head down; nor had the bedclothes on his side been turned down.\u00a0\u00a0 Her eyes moved slowly, almost reluctantly from the bed to his night table, where he customarily put his billfold just before retiring.\u00a0\u00a0 The anxious frown already present on her brow deepened when she saw no billfold on the night table, and worse, no sign of the clothing he had worn the night before on the hard backed chair, set up against the wall on the other side of his night table.<\/p>\n Teresa leapt out of bed, her mind, her thoughts reeling in a chaotic jumble.\u00a0\u00a0 She snatched her robe from the bed post on her side, and, closing her eyes, took a deep, ragged breath, followed by another, and then a third.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cBefore we parted company . . . Adam DID say something about taking his suit down to the hotel laundry to be cleaned, after Benjy accidentally spilled champagne all over his pants at the restaurant last night,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0she silently remembered, all the while doing her level best to ignore her churning stomach and growing anxiety.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIf so . . . his wallet wouldn\u2019t be on his night stand.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n That did not explain the absence of Adam\u2019s shirt, tie, socks, and other undergarments, however . . . .<\/p>\n \u201cI am NOT going to panic,\u201d she firmly admonished herself, as she slipped on her robe.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI am NOT going to panic . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Leastwise, not until she had examined ALL of the facts.\u00a0\u00a0 A quick perusal of Adam\u2019s clothing, hanging in the massive wardrobe and placed neatly folded in the dresser drawers in the dressing room, revealed nothing missing . . . apart from the clothes he had worn last night.<\/p>\n \u201cA note,\u201d she murmured softly.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam never so much as took a stroll in the garden behind their home in Sacramento without leaving her a note.\u00a0\u00a0 He had always been considerate that way, with no prompting from her either . . . since the day they exchanged their marriage vows.\u00a0\u00a0 Teresa searched the nightstands on both sides of the bed, and on top of the dresser.\u00a0\u00a0 There was no note to be found.<\/p>\n She started violently, nearly jumping clear out of her skin, when someone knocked on the door.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAdam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Teresa . . . it\u2019s Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n Her heart sank upon hearing the urgent note in his voice.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cC-come in, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n He entered.\u00a0\u00a0 His pale face, the drooping eyelids, the dark circles under his eyes, the weariness etched into the lines of his face, the very sinews of his body all confirmed her worst fears.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Ben . . . what could have happened to him?\u201d she asked, her voice breaking.<\/p>\n \u201cI . . . I had hoped against hope that . . . that he had returned last night,\u201d Ben murmured dolefully, as he entered the room.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Teresa shook her head.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI fell asleep the m-minute my head touched the pillow and . . . and d-didn\u2019t wake up until . . . until now.\u00a0\u00a0 As you can see . . . his side of the bed wasn\u2019t slept in l-last night\u2014 \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She broke off abruptly, as tears began to stream down her face.<\/p>\n Ben immediately moved to her side and took her in his arms.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re going to find him, Teresa,\u201d he murmured softly, with a confidence he was, at that moment, very far from feeling.<\/p>\n Teresa clung to him for a moment, swallowed, then lifted her head.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI want to go with you,\u201d she said, as she wiped the tears from her eyes and cheeks with her fingers.\u00a0\u00a0 The fierce, determined look on her face was not unlike the same Ben had seen in the faces of his eldest son and first wife, Elizabeth, when both had reached a decision . . . one from which there would be no backing down . . . no turning aside.<\/p>\n \u201cTeresa, Hoss and I are going to the police\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a good place to start,\u201d she agreed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAfter that, we can check the hospitals . . . try and retrace his steps\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTeresa . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI . . . don\u2019t think Adam\u2019s going to turn up in a hospital . . . or even lying in a gutter someplace by the side of the road.\u201d<\/p>\n She frowned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBen, surely YOU\u2019RE not suggesting that Adam\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Ben said quickly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI know that Adam takes his vows of fidelity very seriously . . . and very much to heart.\u00a0\u00a0 I . . . Teresa, I have very good reason to believe that Adam might have been shanghaied.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShanghaied?!\u201d she echoed, incredulous.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBen, h-how—?!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben quietly told her about Roscoe Swanson and Candy.<\/p>\n Teresa felt the blood drain right out of her face.\u00a0\u00a0 She put out a steadying hand on the post at the foot of the bed, while squeezing her eyes shut against an environment suddenly swirling and pulsating in a sickeningly chaotic fashion.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh, Ben,\u201d she moaned, \u201cwhat\u2019ll we do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe won\u2019t be putting out to sea yet, Teresa,\u201d Ben said, as he placed a steadying pair of hands on her shoulders.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cChances are, they had to subdue him either by drugging him . . . or . . . or by force.\u00a0\u00a0 Since virtually all sea captains want healthy sailors manning their crews, whoever DOES have Adam will keep him for a day, maybe two, in order to allow him to recover from the side effects.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c . . . and then?\u201d she pressed.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter he\u2019s sufficiently recovered, they\u2019ll sell him to the highest paying ship\u2019s captain,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat will take at least another day, maybe even two or three.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo we have one day . . . maybe two as an absolute given.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAs I said before, Hoss and I are going to the police— \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo . . . to report Adam missing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes . . . and Joe, too.\u201d<\/p>\n Teresa\u2019s eyes widened with shock, astonishment, and horror.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe didn\u2019t come home last night either.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh no.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss and I will let you know how\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBen, I SAID I\u2019m coming with you,\u201d Teresa said firmly, in a tone that brooked no argument on the matter.<\/p>\n \u201cTeresa, you don\u2019t have to\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBen, please,\u201d she begged.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIf I have to sit around here, twaddling my thumbs . . . I\u2019m going to end up running mad.\u00a0\u00a0 Absolutely stark, raving mad.\u00a0\u00a0 I have to do SOMETHING . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright,\u201d Ben reluctantly agreed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHoss and I will be waiting in the lobby.\u201d<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n At the police station nearly two and a half hours later, Teresa di Cordova Cartwright drew herself up to the very full of her height of just over five and a half feet, and glared balefully down at the thin, balding police officer, impeccably clad in a dark blue uniform, seated behind the desk.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMister\u2014?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSonders, Ma\u2019am,\u201d he said with an infuriatingly complacent smile, and a slight note of condescension in his tone of voice.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOr Officer Sonders, if you prefer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMister Sonders,\u201d Teresa snapped, using the tone of voice she herself would use to address the most dense of servants, \u201cmy husband is NOT that kind of man.\u201d<\/p>\n Zephaniah Sonders exhaled a soft, long suffering sigh, and shook his head.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThey ALL say that,\u201d he said, pointedly addressing his remarks to Ben and Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cMy daughter-in-law is absolutely right when she says her husband . . . my son . . . is not that kind of man,\u201d Ben said in a voice, stone cold.<\/p>\n \u201cIt happens all the time, Mister Cartwright . . . even to the very best of \u2018em, I\u2019m afraid,\u201d Zephaniah responded in a bland, dismissive tone of voice.<\/p>\n \u201cYou heard m\u2019 pa \u2018n my sister-in-law,\u201d Hoss growled.\u00a0\u00a0 He stood with his back rigidly straight, with his arms at his side, and hands balled into a pair of tight, rock hard fists.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNow I\u2019M tellin\u2019 ya . . . my brother, Adam, ain\u2019t THAT kinda man . . . not that I\u2019d consider a husband who\u2019d do a thing like that much of a man anyhow . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo YOU say,\u201d Zephaniah sighed, as he reached for a pen and a clean sheet of paper.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe name of the missing party?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam Cartwright,\u201d Teresa snapped.<\/p>\n \u201cAahhh-dam . . . Caaarrrrt . . . wright,\u201d the police officer murmured softly, as he wrote the name down at the top of the paper.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHow many days has he been missing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSince last night,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n Zephaniah slapped the pencil in hand down on the desk and looked up, his gray blue eyes meeting the intense gaze in Ben\u2019s dark brown ones.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMister Cartwright, it IS the policy of this department not to even begin looking until a man has been missing for at least five days.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWHAT?!\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0Teresa shrieked, outraged and indignant.<\/p>\n \u201cFive days?!\u201d Ben echoed incredulous.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right, Mister Cartwright, five days,\u201d Zephaniah reiterated.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAs I\u2019ve been telling you and telling you . . . MOST men who disappear don\u2019t want to be found.\u00a0\u00a0 Especially tourists.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t believe that,\u201d Hoss growled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNot for a dadburn minute.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBelieve what you like,\u201d Zephaniah replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOur official policy is we CAN not and DO not investigate, until a man has been missing for at least five days.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about for an unmarried man?\u201d Ben demanded.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMy youngest son didn\u2019t come home last night either.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c . . . and how old is your youngest son, Mister Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTwenty-six,\u201d Ben replied, \u201cbut, I hardly see what that has to do\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTwenty-six?\u00a0\u00a0 That means he\u2019s of age.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI KNOW he\u2019s of age,\u201d Ben said disparagingly.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . then you OUGHT to know of age means he\u2019s a grown man in the eyes of the law, Mister Cartwright,\u201d Zephaniah pointed out the painfully obvious in a smug, condescending tone, \u201cwhich means he\u2019s no longer accountable to YOU for his comings and goings . . . whether you like it or not.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He paused, just long enough to lean back in his chair and fold his arms across his chest.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHave you considered the possibility that your youngest son accompanied your older one in pursuit of . . . shall we say the more carnal entertainments this city has to offer?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss scowled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMister, so help me . . . if you\u2019re thinkin\u2019 what I THINK you\u2019re thinkin\u2019\u2014 \u201d\u00a0 He stepped toward the desk and the smug, complacent little man seated behind it.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss . . . no!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Ben quickly placed a restraining hand on his son\u2019s massive forearm.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir,\u201d Hoss reluctantly backed down.<\/p>\n \u201cMister Sonders, I have reason to believe BOTH of my sons were shanghaied,\u201d Ben said, turning his attention back to the police officer.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIf you wait five days . . . they could be on ships, well out to sea, bound for heaven only knows where.\u201d<\/p>\n Zephaniah sighed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMister Cartwright, while it IS true that shanghaiing was an all too common practice in the days leading up to the war, it has become all BUT non-existent, especially within the last five years or so.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, Pa . . . Teresa,\u201d Hoss growled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe sure ain\u2019t gonna get any help HERE.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m very sorry, Gentlemen . . . and Lady, but I DON\u2019T make the policy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Ben angrily muttered.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou just follow orders.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cM-Mister Cartwright?!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 It was a woman\u2019s voice, on the verge of tears.<\/p>\n Ben turned and found himself staring into the drawn, weary face of Frank Harker.\u00a0\u00a0 Though washed, shaved, and impeccably attired in a light gray linen suit, white shirt and black string tie, it was clear the man hadn\u2019t slept well the night before . . . if, in fact, he had slept at all.\u00a0\u00a0 His granddaughter, Trudy Magruder, was with him, her cheeks and eyelids red and swollen.<\/p>\n \u201cFrank?\u00a0\u00a0 Trudy?!\u00a0\u00a0 What\u2019s wrong?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cPaul didn\u2019t come home last night,\u201d Trudy replied.\u00a0\u00a0 Though clearly on the edge of tears, there was a hard, angry edge to her tone of voice also.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve come here . . . to the police . . . to report him missing,\u201d Frank said grimly.<\/p>\n \u201cThis ain\u2019t like Paul,\u201d Trudy said, her voice breaking.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI . . . I just know something awful\u2019s happened . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot meanin\u2019 t\u2019 sound disrespectful, Mister Harker . . . but sure I wish you \u2018n Trudy lotsa luck in reportin\u2019 Paul missing,\u201d Hoss said, directing a murderous glare over in Officer Sonders\u2019 general direction.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t BELIEVE this!\u201d Teresa exclaimed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat toadying little **** . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 The insult was Spanish.\u00a0\u00a0 Given the thunderous scowl on her face and the intensity by which she had spoken that word, none of the family members or the new friends she had met two nights ago wanted to know its exact translation into English.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe told us that we can\u2019t even report Adam or Joe missing until they\u2019ve been gone for five days!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell . . . we\u2019ll just see about THAT!\u201d Frank said grimly.\u00a0\u00a0 He walked over to the desk, behind which Zephaniah Sonders sat.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOfficer— \u201d<\/p>\n Zephaniah\u2019s head immediately snapped up.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLook!\u00a0\u00a0 I just got through telling you people— \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOfficer, I don\u2019t give a damn what you just got through telling my friends here . . . nor do I give a damn about this supposed policy about not looking for a man until he\u2019s been gone for five days,\u201d Frank Harker said in a calm, quiet tone of voice, that carried a subtle hint of menace.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou WILL take down the information Mister Cartwright and I give you concerning our missing relatives, and you WILL file a report.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know who the hell you think you are, Mister— \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHarker.\u00a0\u00a0 Frank Harker,\u201d Frank said curtly, noting with grim, perverse satisfaction that the policeman swallowed nervously as he had introduced himself.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI also happen to be a long time friend of the man just appointed police chief, and I have every intention of letting HIM know that Mister Cartwright\u2019s sons and my granddaughter\u2019s husband are missing.\u00a0\u00a0 Do I make myself clear?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cY-Yes, Sir,\u201d Zephaniah responded meekly, as he reached for a pencil and a sheet of paper with trembling hands.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n Hop Sing, meanwhile, sat on one of the white marble benches outside the precinct house, while Stacy impatiently paced back and forth, alternating between concern for her missing brothers and anger that no one had seen fit, even now, to tell her everything that was really going on.<\/p>\n \u201cI sure wish I knew what the, uhhh . . . HECK! is taking them so blamed long,\u201d she fumed.<\/p>\n \u201cNot all big city policemen . . . police officers, Miss Stacy,\u201d Hop Sing patiently tried to explain.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSome what you call . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He frowned, trying to remember the word.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThey what Mister Adam say cut through red tape vertical . . . length-wise.\u201d<\/p>\n His explanation brought an amused grin to Stacy\u2019s face, in spite of all the worry, anger, and frustration churning inside.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBureaucrat, Hop Sing?\u201d she queried.<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u00a0\u00a0 Bu-row-crat!\u201d Hop Sing replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNot like Sheriff Coffee back home.\u00a0\u00a0 Here must fill out form, make three copies, maybe six, then maybe still not look until tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTomorrow?!\u201d Stacy wailed, her heart sinking.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBy tomorrow, Adam and Joe could be on ships bound for . . . for . . . who KNOWS where!\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing glanced up at Stacy, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhy you say that?\u201d he demanded.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou . . . eaves . . . even . . . . you listen in?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Hop Sing . . . I eavesdropped,\u201d Stacy admitted, then added in a tone of voice angry, yet very much on the defensive, \u201cI hate it when they won\u2019t tell me everything . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing understand,\u201d he said with all sincerity.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou grow up, become big girl . . . but Papa still protect you . . . like LITTLE girl.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u00a0\u00a0 That\u2019s about the size of it,\u201d Stacy said with a doleful sigh.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou, uhhh . . . won\u2019t tell Pa about me . . . uhhh . . . . ?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat all depend,\u201d Hop Sing said firmly.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019LL tell Pa myself, I give you my word,\u201d Stacy promised, knowing very well that the difference between her telling Pa and Hop Sing telling Pa meant she might be able to sit down comfortably after one month of Sundays instead of two following the proverbial trip out to the barn.<\/p>\n Hop Sing nodded, satisfied that she would honor her word.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMiss Stacy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Hop Sing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTry not to be too hard on Papa,\u201d he exhorted.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cFor Papas . . . Mamas, too, . . . children always be children, even if they live to be very old and decrepit.\u00a0\u00a0 You watch.\u00a0\u00a0 Papa treat Little Joe . . . Mister Hoss . . . even Mister Adam like little boy.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He grinned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cEven Hop Sing venerable papa . . . HE treat Hop Sing like little boy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing . . . y-you\u2019re not joshin\u2019 me . . . are ya?\u201d she queried dubiously.<\/p>\n \u201cNo josh,\u201d Hop Sing hastened to assure her.<\/p>\n Before Stacy had opportunity to fully ponder Hop Sing\u2019s words of wisdom, the explosive bang of the precinct house door slamming shut startled her, causing her to nearly jump right out of her skin.\u00a0\u00a0 She whirled in her tracks, while Hop Sing merely looked up from his place on the bench.<\/p>\n \u201cUh oh.\u00a0\u00a0 Not good,\u201d Hop Sing murmured very softly, as he took due note of the cold anger he saw in Ben\u2019s face, and the raw, murderous fury in the faces of Hoss and Teresa.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing . . . isn\u2019t that Mister Harker and Trudy?\u201d Stacy asked, her eyes on the old man walking alongside of her father, and the much younger woman walking between Hoss and Teresa.\u00a0\u00a0 Both of their faces were set with grim, angry determination, and poor Trudy looked as if she had been crying.<\/p>\n \u201cMister Cartwright . . . Mister Hoss . . . what happen in there?\u201d Hop Sing ventured, wary and hesitant.<\/p>\n \u201cAww, dadburn it!\u00a0\u00a0 That li\u2019l paper pushin\u2019 nitwit at the desk inside told us Adam \u2018n Joe\u2019ve gotta be missin\u2019 for five days before they can look into it,\u201d Hoss growled.<\/p>\n \u201cFIVE\u00a0DAY<\/strong>?!\u201d Hop Sing shrieked, incredulous, his eyes shifting from one face to the next.<\/p>\n \u201cIf Mister Harker hadn\u2019t shown up when he did . . . . \u201d Ben\u2019s voice trailed off to an ominous silence.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Stacy and me . . . we thought we recognize you, Mister Harker,\u201d Hop Sing said by way of greeting.<\/p>\n \u201cPaul\u2019s missing, too, Hop Sing,\u201d Trudy said, her voice catching.<\/p>\n \u201cThe thing\u00a0I<\/strong>\u00a0can\u2019t believe is that low down, toadying, brown nosed son-of-a sea cook actually thought that ADAM, of all people, had disappeared on purpose!\u201d Teresa said contemptuously.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do we do now, Pa?\u201d Stacy asked.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss and I thought we\u2019d retrace his and Adam\u2019s steps . . . and Joe\u2019s, too, before he parted company,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cFrank . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss and I can take a look at that warehouse Paul went to visit yesterday, if you wish,\u201d Ben offered.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Ben, but please . . . be very careful,\u201d Frank solemnly warned, as he handed Hoss the key.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe neighborhood in that area\u2019s not the best, and I don\u2019t want the two of YOU to go missing, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you worry none, Sir,\u201d Hoss said quietly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPa \u2018n me\u2019ll very careful, \u2018n we\u2019ll make dang sure we keep a real sharp look out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn the meantime, I\u2019m going to pay the chief of police a visit, and appraise HIM of the situation,\u201d Frank said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about US, Pa?\u201d Stacy asked.<\/p>\n \u201cThe three of YOU . . . . \u201d Ben\u2019s eyes moved from Stacy to Teresa, over to Trudy, and back once again, \u201c . . . are going to do whatever it is you planned to do today.\u00a0\u00a0 If I remember correctly, I think you said something about doing more sightseeing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBen, I TOLD you . . . I am NOT going to sit idly by, while my husband is . . . is . . . Lord only knows where— \u201d Teresa sputtered angrily, giving vent to her rising anger and frustration.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll go crazy!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTeresa speaks for me, too, Mister Cartwright,\u201d Trudy declared, as she furiously wiped the last of her tears from her eyes and cheeks against the heel of her hand.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAs long as PAUL\u2019S out there— \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTeresa . . . Trudy . . . please!\u201d Ben pleaded, raising his hands as if to ward off physical blows.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI KNOW the both of ya are worried sick.\u00a0\u00a0 So am I.\u00a0\u00a0 Now I promise ya . . . we WILL find Adam . . . AND Joe . . . and Paul, too.\u00a0\u00a0 But, Hoss and I can work a lot faster . . . a lot more efficiently . . . BY. . . OURSELVES.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMister Harker was right when he said those neighborhoods ain\u2019t the best,\u201d Hoss quietly added.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing . . . . ?<\/p>\n \u201cNo need for worry, Mister Cartwright,\u201d Hop Sing declared, grinning from ear-to-ear.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing take real good care of Mrs. Teresa, Mrs. Trudy, and Miss Stacy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m countin\u2019 on ya, Hop Sing,\u201d Ben said, before turning to Frank Harker.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cCan Hoss and I drop you somewhere, Frank?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere I\u2019M headed lies in the opposite direction from YOUR destination, Ben, but thank you all the same for the offer,\u201d Frank politely declined.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201cPa . . . . \u201d Hoss queried, after he and Ben had settled themselves comfortably in the buggy they had rented from the hotel livery, \u201cis there somethin\u2019 you ain\u2019t told me?\u201d<\/p>\n His inquiry was met with a sharp glare from his father.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhy do you ask?\u201d Ben snapped.<\/p>\n Hoss turned his eyes away from his father\u2019s intense gaze.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSorry, Pa . . . . \u201d he murmured softly, as he very pointedly focused his attention on the road before him.\u00a0\u00a0 He picked up the reins, and commanded the horses to move forward.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI . . . didn\u2019t mean t\u2019 pry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss . . . I\u2019M the one who needs to apologize to YOU,\u201d Ben said ruefully.\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cI didn\u2019t mean to take your head off just now . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201c \u2018S ok.\u00a0\u00a0 I know ya didn\u2019t,\u201d Hoss replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cY\u2019 don\u2019t hafta tell me, if— \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI . . . think maybe this is something I SHOULD tell ya, Son,\u201d Ben said grimly, \u201cI\u2019ve been worrying over this every bit as much as I\u2019ve been worrying about your two brothers, but for now?\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019d appreciate it if you kept this between the two of US, leastwise \u2018til I\u2019ve had an opportunity to talk with Will.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWill?!\u201d Hoss echoed, surprised.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou . . . seen Cousin Will?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u00a0\u00a0 Stacy and I ran into him at the Excelsior,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe stopped there for a cup of coffee last night before returning to the hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n An amused half smile tweaked at the corner of Hoss\u2019 mouth.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat where Li\u2019l Sister won all that money playin\u2019 Blackjack?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Ben said, \u201cthough all things considered, I\u2019d prefer you keep THAT to yourself, too . . . until I can wire that money to our bank in Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will, Pa,\u201d Hoss promised, \u201cand I won\u2019t say anything \u2018bout Cousin Will t\u2019 anyone else, either.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben shared with Hoss everything that Roscoe had told him about seeing Will with Kathleen Murphy where she kept him prisoner until such time as she could sell him to the highest paying ship\u2019s captain.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe ALSO told me that Will . . . that Will haggled with Kathleen Murphy over price,\u201d he concluded, incredulous and deeply grief stricken, \u201c . . . for HIM.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss\u2019 jaw dropped.\u00a0\u00a0 His face was nearly white as a sheet when he turned briefly to face his father, and his sky blue eyes were nearly bulging right out of their sockets.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPa, I . . . I . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He shook his head, as if to try and physically dislodge the chaotic jumble of words, thoughts, and feelings now churning furiously within him.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t believe it.\u00a0\u00a0 Pa . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Son?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo YOU believe Roscoe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t WANT to believe it,\u201d Ben replied, \u201cand to be frank, Hoss, had anyone other than Roscoe Swanson . . . or my own family . . . told me that Will\u2019s involved in shanghaiing young men and selling them to the highest bidding ship\u2019s captain, I absolutely WOULDN\u2019T believe it.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He sighed softly, and mournfully shook his head.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut . . . coming from Roscoe . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d Hoss said, his tone somber.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOnly time Roscoe can get away with lyin\u2019 is when he turns in come night time.\u00a0\u00a0 His pa was the same way.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cPa . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow mind . . . I don\u2019t believe for one minute Roscoe\u2019s out \u2018n out lyin\u2019 to ya deliberate,\u201d Hoss said firmly, \u201cbut . . . he WAS in a bad way when you \u2018n Joe brought him t\u2019 the hotel from the police station . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, he was,\u201d Ben agreed.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . \u2018n didn\u2019t he tell ya himself that he don\u2019t remember much o\u2019 anything between the time he went t\u2019 that saloon t\u2019 meet Kathleen Murphy . . . \u2018n the time he woke up in Joe\u2019s room?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded his head slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cIf THAT\u2019S so . . . ain\u2019t it possible that whoever it was Roscoe thought he saw was someone who maybe reminded him o\u2019 Will in some way?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n \u201cAnything\u2019s possible, of course,\u201d Ben replied, \u201cbut . . . Roscoe was so adamant, Hoss, and . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 His voice trailed away to troubled silence.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it, Pa?\u201d Hoss prompted gently, when his father didn\u2019t resume speaking.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s . . . probably nothing . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot if it\u2019s troublin\u2019 ya this much.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben sighed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSon, I may be making a big mountain out of a tiny mole hill, but . . . seeing Will last night at a place like Excelsior . . . wearing expensive clothing . . . I KNOW his suit was custom made.\u00a0\u00a0 It fit him too well to be otherwise,\u201d he finally gave voice to his troubled thoughts, albeit with much reluctance.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe told me last night he went to work for the police department shortly after he, Laura Dayton, and Peggy moved here from Virginia City.\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure . . . as a police officer . . . Will makes a decent enough living,\u201d Ben forced himself to continue, dreadfully aware that, in his own ears at least, he sounded like Eloise Kirk and Clara Mudgely, a pair of gossipy old hens back home, who were forever looking for scandal where, more often than not, none existed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut I . . . I strongly doubt his salary pays him enough to cover the cost of eating in very expensive restaurants and having suits custom made.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss silently mulled over everything his father had just told him.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPa?\u201d he finally ventured.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor what it\u2019s worth?\u201d Hoss continued.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMaybe there IS somethin\u2019 t\u2019 what ya say . . . \u2018n maybe there AIN\u2019T.\u00a0\u00a0 Still \u2018n all, I don\u2019t think this is somethin\u2019 you \u2018n me can afford t\u2019 lightly set aside.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow mind, Pa . . . I COULD be dead wrong \u2018bout this . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss . . . over the years, time after time, you\u2019ve shown yourself to be a down right uncanny judge of character,\u201d Ben said in all sincerity.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI know Roscoe Swanson\u2019s an honest young man, and that he sincerely believes what he\u2019s told me about your cousin, Will, to be true.\u00a0\u00a0 However, as you just pointed out, there\u2019s a lot of room for reasonable doubt.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019d like to hear what YOU have to say, Son . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think we all know Cousin Will\u2019s a restless man, the kind who can\u2019t stay in one place f\u2019r too long . . . real excited \u2018bout somethin\u2019 one minute, tired of it the next . . . always got his hands in too many pots at once, \u2018n stickin\u2019 his irons into every dadburned fire he comes across,\u201d Hoss began.<\/p>\n \u201cHis father was like that, too,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJohn never traveled the world extensively the way Will has, but over the years, he and his family ended up moving all the way from Boston out to Ohio, while HE chased after the proverbial pot of gold at the end of every rainbow.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He sighed very softly and shook his head in dark wonderment of it all.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat man involved himself in more cockamamie get rich quick schemes . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 This last, he added with a touch of disparity.<\/p>\n \u201cWas Uncle John ever involved in anything that was . . . well . . . kinda shady?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n \u201cHe fell victim to a fair number of schemes put forth by confidence men and scam artists, but by in large, I think most of the things John got himself involved in were ideas that looked real good on paper, but didn\u2019t work out so well in reality,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n \u201cKinda like ME, I s\u2019pose,\u201d Hoss murmured, shame faced, upon remembering Pettibone\u2019s horseless carriage. [xiii]<\/p>\n \u201cSon, there\u2019s one real important difference between you and my brother,\u201d Ben said firmly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cFor the most part, YOU\u2019VE invested yourself in people . . . not to make money, but out of a real concern for THEIR best good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt hasn\u2019t always worked out, Pa,\u201d Hoss said very quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cNo . . . but most of the time, your investment in people has paid off quite handsomely,\u201d Ben gently pointed out.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIn that you\u2019ve become a rich man . . . a VERY rich man, countless times over.\u00a0\u00a0 You\u2019ve also learned from your mistakes, Hoss, hard lessons to be sure sometimes, but ya STILL learned.\u00a0\u00a0 My brother, John, never did.\u00a0\u00a0 I think that\u2019s why he was such an easy mark for confidence men.\u00a0\u00a0 But to my knowledge, I don\u2019t think he ever got involved in anything illegal, like theft f\u2019r instance, or murder.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCousin Will, though, WAS involved in one shady kinda deal that we know of . . . \u2018n t\u2019 be up front \u2018n honest?\u00a0\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t be the least bit surprised t\u2019 find out he\u2019d been involved in a hundred more,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut, I don\u2019t think Will\u2019s got it in him to keep right on doing somethin\u2019, after findin\u2019 out it ain\u2019t on the up \u2018n up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think you\u2019re right about that, Son,\u201d Ben said, remembering the incident that many years ago brought his nephew to the Ponderosa. [xiv]<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019D be more inclined t\u2019 give Will the benefit o\u2019 the doubt, leastwise \u2018til I found out different,\u201d Hoss concluded with a firm nod of his head for emphasis.<\/p>\n Ben silently vowed to do his best to try and keep an open mind as far as his nephew was concerned, until he had an opportunity to talk with him at the very least.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut so help me, William John Cartwright . . . sooo help me . . . if your cousins, Adam and Joe, turn up with so much as a scratch on \u2018em, and I find out you even KNEW about it . . . I\u2019m gonna turn you right over my knee and whale the ever lovin\u2019 daylights out of ya.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201cOk.\u00a0\u00a0 Where you go?\u201d Hop Sing, asked, after he and the three women left in his care had parted company with the Cartwright men and Frank Harker.<\/p>\n \u201cTrudy and I are going to look for our husbands,\u201d Teresa replied, speaking in a very quiet, very firm tone of voice.<\/p>\n \u201cYou WHAT?!\u201d Hop Sing exclaimed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou heard me,\u201d Teresa angrily shot right back.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cTrudy and I are going search for our husbands.\u00a0\u00a0 Hop Sing, if you think I\u2019m going to cheerfully go sight seeing while Adam\u2019s out there somewhere . . . injured, maybe . . . or sick, or— \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She abruptly broke off, unable and unwilling to give voice to that terrible thought.<\/p>\n \u201cHow you look for husband!?\u201d Hop Sing demanded indignantly, with fast sinking heart.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou got no place for start.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh YES we do,\u201d Trudy angrily shot right back.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe can start at one end of that damned Barbary Coast and take it apart board by board . . . brick by brick, until we find Paul and Adam, or someone who can tell us where they are,\u201d she replied.\u00a0\u00a0 The glint in her blue eyes was harder than steel.<\/p>\n Looking from one face to the other, Hop Sing knew that Trudy and Teresa had every intention of doing what Trudy had just said.\u00a0\u00a0 He also knew that the both of them would likely end up in jail, charged with vandalism and a several counts of assault and battery within the first hour of their angry rampage.<\/p>\n IF they were lucky.<\/p>\n \u201cOk.\u00a0\u00a0 We go.\u00a0\u00a0 Look for husbands,\u201d Hop Sing stated, with fatalistic aplomb, knowing full well he had no other choice.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing have cousin.\u00a0\u00a0 Cousin number eight.\u00a0\u00a0 He work some-times at wharf.\u00a0\u00a0 Unload ship.\u00a0\u00a0 Maybe HE can tell us where we look.\u00a0\u00a0 We ask.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood.\u00a0\u00a0 Now we\u2019re getting somewhere,\u201d Teresa grimly observed.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst, we take Miss Stacy back to hotel— \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d Stacy rudely cut him off.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m going with YOU.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStacy, Ben and Hoss were right about this being dangerous,\u201d Teresa pointed out.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019d be a lot better off— \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI said NO!\u201d Stacy rounded furiously upon her sister-in-law.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDadburn it!\u00a0\u00a0 First off, TWO of those missing men happen to be my brothers, and second . . . maybe I hafta put up with PA treating me like some dumb little kid, but I sure as shootin\u2019 am NOT gonna put up with it outta the two of YOU!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She glared over at Teresa first, then at Trudy.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 As she turned her attention to the Ponderosa\u2019s Number One Cook and Chief Jack of All Trades, her tone softened, assuming a more deferential air.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou know me to be a woman of her word.\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing nodded warily, wondering where Stacy was going with this train of thought.<\/p>\n \u201cThen, I promise you this,\u201d she continued.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe three of you can take me back to the hotel, but I WON\u2019T stay there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Stacy make real good point,\u201d Hop Sing had to admit.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOk, all of you come.\u00a0\u00a0 We go find number eight cousin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing?\u201d Stacy ventured, as she, Teresa, and Trudy climbed into the buggy.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Miss Stacy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about the Queen of the Sea Saloon I heard Pa \u2018n Roscoe talking about?\u201d Stacy asked.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnd that saloon girl . . . . \u201d\u00a0 she frowned for a moment, trying to remember, \u201c . . . Star . . . something . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMissy Star-Bryte.\u00a0\u00a0 With \u2018Y\u2019,\u201d Hop Sing replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe go there, after talk with cousin number eight.\u201d<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n Chapter 7<\/p>\n He drifted aimlessly across the surface of a vast sea of darkness, shrouded by night darker than the bottom of the deepest mine shaft when the lantern goes out, with no more care than dandelion seeds riding through the air, borne aloft upon the gentle, warm summer breezes.\u00a0\u00a0 He had no idea where he was . . . how he had come to be here . . . or where the currents of the sea would ultimately take him; nor did he care.\u00a0\u00a0 He was at peace now, perfectly content to allow the currents of the black sea to carry him where they will.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cAdam?\u201d<\/p>\n A voice, far distant, spoke from a place beyond the thick darkness surrounding him.\u00a0\u00a0 With that voice a single star appeared, very bright, almost blindingly so.\u00a0\u00a0 It lingered in the night sky above for but a second, then vanished.\u00a0\u00a0 There and gone so quickly, his eyes barely had a chance to register it.<\/em><\/p>\n With a sigh, he gave himself once again to the sea, its strong currents, and the night, but a nebulous uneasiness now stirred deep within him, gnawing away at the deep peace and contentment that had all but possessed him, as a wild dog gnaws away at an old bone.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cHey, Adam . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n Two voices . . . the one he had just heard . . . and a second responding to the entreaty of the first.\u00a0 Two stars appeared in the sky directly overhead, both bigger than the first, and a hundred times more bright.\u00a0\u00a0 In the far distance ahead, he caught sight of a faint, yet unmistakable glimmer of silvery gray light.\u00a0\u00a0 The dark waters beneath him began to churn, and the uneasiness within him intensified.\u00a0\u00a0 Somewhere beyond the thick darkness, now beginning to unravel, he heard another voice groan in agony.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI think he\u2019s starting to come around . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n Then, suddenly, the darkness around him shattered into a thousand million pieces, and he found himself thrust violently into an agonizing world of intense white light.\u00a0\u00a0 In the far distance, he heard someone scream.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cPaul,\u201d\u00a0the second voice gently called out to him,<\/em>\u00a0\u201cclose your eyes and take a deep breath . . . nice and slow.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Though the voice spoke very calmly, he heard a note of urgency there, too.<\/em><\/p>\n As he squeezed his eyes shut, he felt himself growing heavier and heavier.\u00a0\u00a0 His increasing mass and weight pulled him down under the surface of the water.\u00a0\u00a0 The vague, nebulous uneasiness quickly gave way to fast rising panic.\u00a0\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t breathe—<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cEasy, Paul . . . easy,\u201d Adam exhorted, the anxious frown already present upon his brow, deepening.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJust concentrate on taking a deep breath . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n Squeezing his eyelids tight shut against the blinding world of light in which he now found himself, Paul Magruder drew in a deep, ragged breath, held it for a moment, then exhaled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWh-Where am I?\u201d he groaned very softly.<\/p>\n Adam and Joe had to lean forward, as far as they were able, and strain to catch his words.<\/p>\n \u201cAm I . . . am I . . . d-dead?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Paul,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re NOT dead . . . you\u2019re very much alive.\u00a0\u00a0 As for where WE are . . . we\u2019re in a small cabin on board a ship.\u00a0\u00a0 That\u2019s all I know for certain.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul opened his eyes, then with an agonized groan, squeezed them shut once again.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201c . . . uhhh, Adam?\u00a0\u00a0 That you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m here.\u00a0\u00a0 So\u2019s Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOver here, Paul,\u201d Joe quietly affirmed, \u201con the other side of the room from Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLas\u2019 thing I remember \u2018s . . . goin\u2019 t\u2019 one o\u2019 Gran\u2019pa Harker\u2019s warehouses . . . got word someone\u2019d broken in . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI remember you mentioning that when we had dinner together,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhenever THAT was . . . exactly . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201c . . . n-no sign t\u2019 lock on t\u2019 door\u2019d been forced,\u201d Paul continued.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhoever got in hadda key.\u00a0\u00a0 I was on m\u2019 knees lookin\u2019 at . . . at somethin\u2019 . . . can\u2019 remmer whud dit wuz . . . then . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 His voice trailed off to silence.<\/p>\n \u201cDid anyone go with you to the warehouse?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u00a0\u00a0 Couple o\u2019 policemen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid you by chance get their names?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019 remember . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n At that moment, the door to their cabin burst wide open.\u00a0\u00a0 Kathleen Murphy entered first, followed by a large, burly man carrying a bucket and three bowls.<\/p>\n \u201cGood morning, Gentlemen,\u201d Kathleen greeted them brightly, with a triumphant, malicious smile.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGlad to see finally see the three of you with us . . . . \u201d her eyes moved over to Paul and lingered for a moment, \u201cin a manner o\u2019 speakin\u2019.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She added that last as an after thought.<\/p>\n \u201cWell . . . well . . . well,\u201d Joe mused very softly, favoring her with an angry scowl, \u201cif it isn\u2019t our old friend Kathleen Murphy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m flattered you remember after all these years,\u201d Kathleen responded with a brittle smile.<\/p>\n \u201cEither you were much OLDER than you appeared, first time we met, or the years since haven\u2019t been too kind,\u201d Joe wryly observed.<\/p>\n Kathleen bristled, wavering between the thought of following through with the delicious plan she and Miss Stephens had hatched for the three men lying at her feet, helplessly bound, or simply killing that young smart mouthed lad right now with her bare hands.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI suffered a terrible reverse o\u2019 fortune right after that first meeting with you, your father, and brother,\u201d she said stiffly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDamn near reduced to begging . . . and worse.\u00a0\u00a0 Now, Mister Cartwright . . . it\u2019s time for pay back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Adam asked, taking great care to keep his voice calm and even.<\/p>\n \u201cMy . . . partner and I . . . we have a special buyer for the three of you,\u201d Kathleen crowed, her eyes glittering with a fearful, unholy light.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh yes . . . a very special buyer . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen do you and your partner expect this special buyer, Miss Murphy?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n \u201cAny day now,\u201d Kathleen replied. \u00a0\u00a0\u201cIn the meantime, you three need to eat, you know . . . keep up your strength?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow \u2018n the hell\u2019m I gonna eat with m\u2019 hands tied b\u2019hind m\u2019 back?\u201d Paul demanded cantankerously.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can, as this gentleman behind me might say, swill your grub like a dog . . . have HIM feed it to ya like a baby . . . or, if you refuse those options, he can force feed it to ya,\u201d Kathleen replied with a seeming air of indifference.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMakes no never mind t\u2019 me.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 With that, she abruptly turned heel and sashayed out of the cabin.<\/p>\n \u201cEeee-YUCK!\u201d Joe groaned, a few moments after the man who had accompanied Kathleen into the cabin had served up their meal and left.\u00a0\u00a0 He pulled a face so grotesquely ugly, it would have been funny under different circumstances.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know which is WORSE!\u00a0\u00a0 The thought of having to eat that . . . that . . . garbage . . . or the thought of them forcing it down our throats.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI find both of those thoughts equally repugnant,\u201d Adam said with a grimace.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf what Miss Murphy said about that special buyer is true . . . we don\u2019t have much time,\u201d Adam observed grimly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHow are you coming with the ropes around your wrists?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot well, I\u2019m afraid, Oldest Brother,\u201d Joe said ruefully.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWho ever tied ME up, tied the knots real tight.\u00a0\u00a0 How about you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSame here, I\u2019m afraid,\u201d Adam sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Paul . . . how about YOU?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI . . . I dunno,\u201d Paul groaned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cRigh\u2019 now?\u00a0\u00a0 I can\u2019 even FEEL m\u2019 hands.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan you roll over on your stomach?\u201d Adam asked, deeply concerned that circulation to Paul\u2019s hands might be dangerously low, or worse, non-existent.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d r-rather not,\u201d Paul replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJust the thought m-makes me wanna—urgh!\u201d<\/p>\n Upon hearing that sound issue from Paul\u2019s throat, Joe found himself fighting valiantly against his own gag reflex.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe get the picture!\u201d he growled.<\/p>\n \u201cHow about on your side?\u201d Adam pressed, ignoring the dark scowl Joe leveled in his direction.<\/p>\n \u201cI . . . dunno,\u201d Paul replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI uhhh . . . think, maybe . . . if I take it kinda slow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBy all means,\u201d Adam agreed.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . uhhh, Adam?\u201d Joe queried, trying his hardest to turn deaf ear to Paul\u2019s grunting and the occasional loud gurgle from his stomach, as he endeavored to roll over on his side.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYOU got any bright ideas as to how we\u2019re gonna get outta here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot at the moment,\u201d Adam sighed.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201cMister Harker was right when he said whoever it was broke in here had a key,\u201d Hoss remarked as he studied the door latch very closely.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDoor\u2019s in one piece \u2018n the lock still works real well . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He demonstrated by turning the key several times.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIn fact I\u2019D say this lock \u2018n key are workin\u2019 a mite TOO well, seein\u2019 that this warehouse is s\u2019posed to\u2019ve been empty for a while . . . \u2018n that brings me t\u2019 somethin\u2019 else.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf a man\u2019s gonna break in somewhere . . . ain\u2019t he MORE likely t\u2019 break in where there\u2019s something worth stealin\u2019?\u201d Hoss queried.<\/p>\n \u201cWell . . . yes.\u00a0\u00a0 Of course,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat goes without saying.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright . . . then s\u2019pose YOU tell ME, Pa . . . what can a thief possibly find in an empty warehouse that\u2019s worth stealin\u2019?!\u201d Hoss demanded.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a very good question,\u201d Ben murmured softly, marveling at the way Hoss had picked up on something so obvious, a lot of men probably wouldn\u2019t have bothered to give it so much as a passing thought.\u00a0\u00a0 Himself included!<\/p>\n \u201cSomeone . . . I can\u2019t remember now whether it was Mister Harker or Paul . . . said somethin\u2019 about squatters makin\u2019 themselves at home here, the night we had supper t\u2019gether at the Harker mansion,\u201d Hoss continued, while he and his father lit the oil lamps they had brought with them.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I remember . . . . \u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n \u201cProblem with THAT is . . . a squatter ain\u2019t likely t\u2019 have a key.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s ALSO very true.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSomethin\u2019 about all this . . . just plain don\u2019t add up,\u201d Hoss grumbled very softly under his breath as he cautiously opened the door.\u00a0\u00a0 He stepped over the threshold very carefully, his eyes glued to the floor.\u00a0\u00a0 By the light of the oil lamp he carried, his sharp eyes immediately saw three sets of prints, all recently made.\u00a0\u00a0 Two sets of prints entered through the door and went immediately to the wall just inside.\u00a0\u00a0 The third set veered from the door, to the left keeping close to the wall.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d say THESE prints belong t\u2019 the policemen who met Paul here,\u201d Hoss said grimly.<\/p>\n \u201cHow can you be so sure?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI figure they\u2019d have just come in \u2018n waited,\u201d Hoss replied, \u201cjust inside the door like as not, where they could see what was goin\u2019 on, but be outta Paul\u2019s way while he looked around.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat makes sense,\u201d Ben had to agree.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of \u2018em . . . the man who stood right here . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss shone his light on a pair of prints, set side by side roughly a foot and a half apart, right beside the door.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d say he\u2019s a big man, not quite as big as me, though . . . maybe . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow do you figure?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re just about as wide as mine . . . but . . . oohh, I\u2019d say an inch, or maybe two shorter.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss scowled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNow that I think about it, that description fits policeman who made me leave the saloon last night when I started askin\u2019 questions \u2018bout Adam.\u00a0\u00a0 The bartender called him Officer Brady.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA big man . . . as heavy as you perhaps, but not quite as tall . . . that\u2019s a pretty vague description, Son, one that fits a lot of men besides this Officer Brady,\u201d Ben very quickly pointed out.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat about the other set?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTall man . . . . \u201d Hoss murmured softly, as he studied the second set of prints, \u201cI dunno . . . maybe somewhere between you \u2018n Joe, but skinnier.\u00a0\u00a0 He\u2019s gotta big foot . . . almost as big as the other guy, but lots narrower.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow about the third set of prints?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cThese belong to a fella . . . tall as Joe, but just a tad heavier,\u201d Hoss voiced his observations aloud, \u201cwhich pretty much fits Paul Magruder\u2019s description.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben stood in the center of the small room watching his middle son following the set of tracks he had identified as belonging to Paul Magruder.\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss suddenly stopped after having going two thirds of the way around the room. \u00a0\u00a0\u201cHold on!\u201d he murmured softly, as he knelt down for a closer look.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it, Hoss?\u201d Ben asked as made his way across the room.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou find something?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYep,\u201d Hoss replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI . . . think . . . whoever grabbed Paul . . . grabbed him right here.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He pointed.<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s eyes followed the line formed by Hoss\u2019 extended arm and pointing first finger.\u00a0\u00a0 He bent down for a closer look and saw the rough, smeared outlines of a man\u2019s body in the dust, dirt, and grime covering the wood flood . . . and something else.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHoss,\u201d he said tersely, \u201clet me have that lantern a moment.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss silently handed the lantern over to his father, and watched as he straightened, and moved around to the rough outline of the head.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPa?\u201d he ventured with an anxious frown.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat—?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBlood,\u201d Ben said very softly, his eyes glued to a small, irregularly shaped deep reddish brown stain very near to the spot where Paul Magruder\u2019s head rested.<\/p>\n \u201cOh no,\u201d Hoss groaned softly, \u201cwhoever bushwhacked him didn\u2019t . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Son,\u201d Ben hastened to reassure.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhoever bushwhacked Paul apparently came from behind and hit him hard enough to draw some blood, but not hard enough to kill him.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 So he fervently hoped and prayed at any rate.<\/p>\n \u201cSomething here caught Paul\u2019s attention . . . Pa, would ya please shine that light over there?\u201d Hoss asked, pointing at a spot almost directly in front of him where floor and wall met.<\/p>\n Ben complied with his son\u2019s request.\u00a0\u00a0 His eyes picked up a dull metallic glint over next to the wall.\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss shifted his weight forward from his feet to his knees, placing his left hand on the floor to steady himself.\u00a0\u00a0 He, then, reached out with his right hand to take whatever it was lying up against the wall.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . uhhh . . . somethin\u2019 I can do to HELP ya, Gents?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben and Hoss turned.\u00a0\u00a0 A man stood in the doorway, a big man, holding an oil lamp in his left hand, his face completely obscured by the deep shadows within the warehouse.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, that voice!\u201d Hoss whispered.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI know it—!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben rose to his feet very slowly and stepped between Hoss and the man standing just inside the door.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIs there something I can do for y—?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShut up!\u201d the man snapped, \u201c . . . and if ya know what\u2019s GOOD for ya . . . you\u2019ll BOTH stay put until\u00a0I<\/strong>\u00a0say otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben caught the dull metallic gleam of a revolver by the light of the man\u2019s lantern.<\/p>\n \u201cYou!\u201d he barked, his eyes shifting from Ben to Hoss still in his hands and knees.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOn your feet . . . and NO sudden moves.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019m feelin\u2019 a mite jumpy this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI get the picture,\u201d Hoss growled back as he snagged the tiny object near the wall.\u00a0\u00a0 He slowly rocked back from his knees to his feet, dropping whatever it was into the left hand pocket of his jacket.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on over here and stand next to your friend here,\u201d the man continued issuing orders, \u201creal slow \u2018n real easy, like I said before— \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, yeah, I know, Mister.\u00a0\u00a0 You\u2019re feelin\u2019 real jumpy this mornin\u2019,\u201d Hoss returned as he moved into place alongside his father.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right!\u201d the man growled back.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNow the both of ya . . . get those hands up where I can see \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI dunno who y\u2019 think YOU are, Mister— \u201d Hoss growled, as he and his father followed instructions to the letter.<\/p>\n \u201cFor YOUR information, Lard Bucket, it\u2019s not Mister . . . it\u2019s OFFICER,\u201d the man said curtly, \u201cas in POLICE Officer John Brady.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss scowled when the officer gave his name.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cFirst off, from where I sit, you got no business callin\u2019 me or anyone else a lard bucket,\u201d he said, his eyes lingering very pointedly on the policeman\u2019s ample girth.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSecond— \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOfficer Brady, my name is Ben Cartwright . . . this is my son, Eric,\u201d Ben very quickly interjected, in the hope of avoiding an argument between Hoss and the policeman that might end up with the both of them being arrested.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re friends of Mister Frank Harker . . . the man who OWNS this warehouse— \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo what?\u201d Johnny-Boy Brady demanded.<\/p>\n \u201cMister Harker heard there had been a break in a couple of nights ago, and he asked my son and me if we might look into it since our business brings us to this part of the city,\u201d Ben explained.<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u00a0I<\/strong>\u00a0happen t\u2019 know Mister Harker sent his granddaughter\u2019s husband down here yesterday morning to look into matters,\u201d Johnny-Boy coolly informed Ben.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know about anyone ELSE.\u00a0\u00a0 So whoever YOU are, Gentlemen . . . I\u2019d strongly suggest y\u2019 tend to whatever business brings ya t\u2019 this part of the city, then clear out . . . unless you want me to arrest the both of ya for trespassing \u2018n vagrancy.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben found himself bristling inwardly against the police officer\u2019s rude, high handed manner.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe are NOT trespassing,\u201d he responded, laboring mightily to keep his tone of voice calm and even.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re here at the request of the owner.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s YOUR story, Mister Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHave YOU been assigned to keep an eye on this warehouse, Officer Brady?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cDoesn\u2019t matter none whether I have or haven\u2019t,\u201d Johnny-Boy replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat DOES matter is . . . this part of the city\u2019s MY beat.\u00a0\u00a0 If you gents wanna root around through this empty warehouse, you comeback WITH Mister Harker OR a court order.\u00a0\u00a0 That clear?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cClear,\u201d Ben growled back.<\/p>\n \u201cNow since I\u2019m in a real generous mood this mornin\u2019, I\u2019m gonna let you gents g\u2019won about your business,\u201d Johnny-Boy continued.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut, if I catch ya snoopin\u2019 around without the owner or a court order, I\u2019m haulin\u2019 your flea bitten carcasses into the pokey \u2018n lockin\u2019 the pair of ya up.\u00a0\u00a0 Could be thirty days, could be sixty, dependin\u2019 on what kinda mood I\u2019m in.\u00a0\u00a0 If I\u2019m real mad, that could getcha ninety.\u00a0\u00a0 Now let\u2019s go . . . you fellas first.\u201d<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201cDadburn it!\u201d Hoss gave vent to the fury seething within him after he and Ben had finally parted company with Officer Brady.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPa, THAT was the policeman who threw me outta the saloon last night when I started askin\u2019 questions \u2018bout Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNever mind that now,\u201d Ben returned, keeping his voice low and casting a quick glance over his shoulder.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat did you find in that warehouse?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss dug deep into the pocket of his jacket and extracted a cufflink.\u00a0\u00a0 The stone was a highly polished black onyx with a gold \u201cC\u201d inlaid.\u00a0\u00a0 Ben\u2019s face went white as a sheet upon catching sight of it lying nestled in the big palm of his middle son\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d Hoss prompted, hesitant and anxious, when his father didn\u2019t immediately reply.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPa . . . what IS it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cProof!\u201d Ben replied in a voice barely audible, his body trembling slightly with fear and rising anger.<\/p>\n \u201cProof?!\u201d Hoss echoed, the scowl on his face deepening.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cProof o\u2019 what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat your brother, Adam was here,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI gave him those cufflinks the year he returned home from Boston after graduating from Harvard.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDadBURN it!\u201d Hoss growled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNow, I\u2019m real sorry I DIDN\u2019T tear that danged Barbary Coast apart joint by joint.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben took a deep, ragged breath.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHoss, we\u2019ve GOT to get hold of ourselves,\u201d he hissed.<\/p>\n \u201cBut, Pa— \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLook!\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019d like nothing more than to go on a rampage through that . . . that damned Barbary Coast, tearing it apart board by board, shingle by shingle myself, but that\u2019s the very LAST resort, you understand me?\u201d Ben sternly admonished his son.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright,\u201d Hoss acquiesced.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat do we do NOW?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA trip to the Queen of the Sea Saloon\u2019s in order, I think . . . for a nice long talk with a young lady who calls herself Starbryte with a \u2018y\u2019,\u201d Ben replied, his words terse, his syllables clipped.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing . . . what\u2019d he say?!\u201d Stacy demanded the instant the young man, introduced as Cousin Number Eight, fell silent.<\/p>\n \u201cNot good,\u201d Hop Sing murmured softly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNot good . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n They had gone to one of the dilapidated tenement houses, squeezed in among the bars, brothels, and gambling establishments in that area known as the Barbary Coast, where Cousin Number Eight and his recently widowed mother shared a small two room apartment.<\/p>\n Hop Sing, Teresa, and Trudy sat squeezed together on the small, love seat sized settee, directly facing Hop Sing\u2019s Cousin Number Eight over a small coffee table.\u00a0\u00a0 Stacy sat perched on the edge of a low footstool, while the woman, simply introduced as \u201cWife of Hop Sing Cousin Number Seven,\u201d bustled about serving up tea and sugar cookies.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing . . . what do you mean not good?\u201d Teresa queried, her heart sinking upon catching the Chinese man\u2019s ashen gray complexion, and the look of shocked horror on his face.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cH-Have Adam . . . Joe . . . and Paul . . . already . . . put out t-to sea?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot sailor boys yet,\u201d Hop Sing replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut soon.\u00a0\u00a0 Cousin Number Eight say he hear a Missy Cut-Throat Kate have special cargo for special captain.\u00a0\u00a0 All three special cargo fit description of Mister Adam, Little Joe, and Mrs. Trudy husband.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s this Cut-Throat Kate?\u201d Teresa demanded.<\/p>\n \u201cBad lady,\u201d Hop Sing murmured softly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cVery, very, VERY bad lady.\u00a0\u00a0 Many years ago, she shanghai Mister Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe shanghaied PA?!\u201d Stacy demanded, incredulous and highly indignant.<\/p>\n \u201cLong time ago,\u201d Hop Sing explained.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMister Hoss and Little Joe come to rescue.\u00a0\u00a0 Before they come, she sell to bad man.\u00a0\u00a0 Now she have special cargo.\u00a0\u00a0 Sell to same bad man.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing . . . when I, uhhh . . . when I listened in?\u00a0\u00a0 I heard Pa and Roscoe talking about someone named Kathleen Murphy.\u00a0\u00a0 Could she and this Cut-Throat Kate your cousin mentioned be the same person?\u201d Stacy asked.<\/p>\n Hop Sing looked over at his cousin and asked him Stacy\u2019s question in Chinese.<\/p>\n The young man set the tea cup and saucer he held in hand down onto the coffee table before him, and gave a moment of thought to Hop Sing\u2019s question.\u00a0\u00a0 At length, he replied.<\/p>\n \u201cCousin Number Eight say he know of this Kathleen Murphy,\u201d Hop Sing ably translated his cousin\u2019s words for his three companions.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe have private boat, she keep tied up at wharf.\u00a0\u00a0 Rich lady.\u00a0\u00a0 Have very rich friend.\u00a0\u00a0 But Cousin Number Eight not know if she same lady as Cut-Throat Kate.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about the other lady I heard Pa . . . Roscoe . . . and Candy, too, mention?\u201d Stacy asked.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThis Star . . . something . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStarbryte . . . with \u2018y\u2019,\u201d Hop Sing supplied the name.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s it!\u00a0\u00a0 Starbryte with a \u2018y.\u2019 \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She looked over at Hop Sing\u2019s cousin, her blue eyes meeting his of dark brow almost black.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDo you know whether or not this Cut-Throat Kate you mentioned has someone working for her who goes by the name of Starbryte?\u00a0\u00a0 I think Candy and Roscoe said they were with her at some saloon . . . Queen of . . . of . . . dadburn it!\u00a0\u00a0 I can\u2019t remember!\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing again ably translated Stacy\u2019s question into Chinese.<\/p>\n His cousin replied immediately.<\/p>\n \u201cCousin Number eight say he don\u2019t know if Starbryte with \u2018y\u2019 work for Cut-Throat Kate,\u201d Hop Sing again translated.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThink maybe, but not sure.\u00a0\u00a0 He say she work at dive called Queen of Sea.\u00a0\u00a0 He also say he know where Queen of Sea is.\u00a0\u00a0 He take us there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d Trudy said gratefully, as she turned and made eye contact with Hop Sing\u2019s young cousin.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThis\u2019ll save us a lot of time we would\u2019ve wasted by lookin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing\u2019s cousin rose to his feet, grinning from hear to ear.\u00a0\u00a0 His eyes moving from Hop Sing\u2019s face to the faces of his companions, he said . . . .<\/p>\n \u201c . . . let\u2019s get show on road,\u201d Hop Sing translated.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201c \u2018Mornin\u2019, Gents!\u201d Horace Grimes greeted the Ben and Hoss affably as they stepped through the squeaky batwing door of the Queen of the Sea Saloon, where he worked as manager and bartender.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat can I getcha?\u00a0\u00a0 Couple o\u2019 beers, maybe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, thank you,\u201d Ben politely, yet very pointedly declined.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re looking for a young lady who works here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat for?\u201d Horace demanded warily.<\/p>\n \u201cWe . . . my son and I . . . just want to ask her a couple of questions,\u201d Ben replied, laboring mightily to keep his voice calm and even.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I gotta lot o\u2019 young ladies workin\u2019 here, Mister,\u201d Horace said curtly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYa got a name?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe calls herself Starbryte.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 It was Hoss who replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cStarbryte with a \u2018y.\u2019 \u201d<\/p>\n Horace stamped his foot very loudly three times, then coughed once.\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cUhhh . . . sorry \u2018bout that,\u201d he meekly apologized, flinching against the glares, filled with anger and suspicion Ben and Hoss leveled at him.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBit of a . . . a circulation problem!\u00a0\u00a0 Yes!\u00a0\u00a0 That\u2019s it!\u00a0\u00a0 Problem with the ol\u2019 circulation!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He laughed nervously.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cFoot goes to sleep, \u2018n I gotta stomp \u2018n stomp \u2018n stomp to get things moving again.\u00a0\u00a0 Always kicks up a mite when it, uhhh . . . rains . . . kinda . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell now, Mister, that\u2019s REAL interestin\u2019, seein\u2019 that there ain\u2019t a single, solitary cloud up in that sky,\u201d Hoss growled back.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, well . . . uhhh . . . what was that name again?\u201d Horace asked, changing the subject with all haste and speed.<\/p>\n \u201cStarbryte!\u201d Hoss replied, the scowl in his face deepening.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cStarbryte . . . with a \u2018y\u2019!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStarbryte with a \u2018y\u2019,\u201d he repeated Hoss\u2019 words very slowly, just above the volume for carrying on a polite conversation.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cStar . . . bryte . . . with a \u2018y.\u2019 \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He removed the cloth tucked in behind his apron with a flourish and set to work wiping down the already spotless, dry bar.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cStarbright\u2019s a pretty common name \u2018round these parts, Gents, b\u2019lieve it or not, but this STARBRYTE WITH A \u2018Y\u2019 . . . heh, heh . . . well, that\u2019s a new one on me.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and withdrew his billfold.\u00a0 He opened it and pulled out a couple of single bills.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMister, I\u2019m only gonna ask this once more,\u201d he said, waving the two dollar bills right in the bartender\u2019s face, \u201cdo you . . . or do you NOT have a young lady by the name of Starbryte working for ya?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI, uhhh . . . I ain\u2019t exactly, uhhh sure,\u201d Horace stammered, his eyes glued to the cash in Ben\u2019s hand.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLike I just got through tellin\u2019 ya— \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, yeah, WE know.\u00a0\u00a0 Starbright\u2019s a common name \u2018round about this neck o\u2019 the woods,\u201d Hoss growled.<\/p>\n \u201cSee if you can think harder,\u201d Ben pressed, as he drew out a third dollar bill from his wallet.<\/p>\n \u201cWell now, I uhhh think I DO have a young lady, name o\u2019 Starbryte, with a \u2018y\u2019 workin\u2019 for me, but she AIN\u2019T . . . HERE,\u201d Horace said, raising his voice.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMISS STARBRYTE . . .\u00a0AIN\u2019T<\/strong>\u00a0. . .\u00a0HERE<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen do you expect her?\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n \u201cSTARBRYTE<\/strong>\u00a0WORKS HERE NIGHTS, BUT\u00a0SHE\u2019S<\/strong>\u00a0. . .\u00a0OFF<\/strong>\u00a0. . .\u00a0TONIGHT<\/strong>,\u201d Horace replied, as he took the three one dollar bills from Ben and pocketed them.<\/p>\n \u201cMister . . . there ain\u2019t a dadburn thing wrong with our hearin\u2019,\u201d Hoss said, noting the quick, furtive glances the portly little man kept darting in the general direction of a door that obviously opened into a back room.<\/p>\n \u201cWill Starbryte be working tomorrow night?\u201d Ben asked, while Hoss slowly, silently edged his way back toward the batwing doors.<\/p>\n \u201cSTARBRYTE\u2019S . . . OFF . . . TOMORROW NIGHT . . . TOO,\u201d Horace yelled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIN FACT SHE\u2019S OFF FOR . . . THE . . . REST . . . OF THE\u00a0WEEK<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss unobtrusively slipped out of the establishment, timing his exit through the squeaky doors with the bartender\u2019s loud reply.\u00a0\u00a0 He casually made his way past the Queen of the Sea Saloon, stepping into the narrow alley way just beyond.\u00a0\u00a0 Roughly ten yards from the entrance to the alley, a side door opened and a young woman noiselessly stepped out.\u00a0\u00a0 Her long, thick, wavy mane of gold stood out in stunning contrast against the non-descript, slate gray traveling cloak she wore.\u00a0\u00a0 She noiselessly eased the door closed then turned and gasped, upon catching sight of Hoss standing between her and the exit from the alley to the waterfront beyond.<\/p>\n \u201cHowdy, Ma\u2019am.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss\u2019 greeting was polite, but cool.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou Miss Starbryte with a \u2018y\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c . . . uhhh, who wants ta know?\u201d she demanded warily, taking a step backward.<\/p>\n \u201cI<\/strong>\u00a0do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u00a0\u00a0 You some kinda cop or somethin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Ma\u2019am,\u201d Hoss replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSHOULD I be?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo . . . I s\u2019pose not.\u00a0\u00a0 But if y\u2019 AIN\u2019T . . . why are ya lookin\u2019 for me, then?\u201d she demanded, highly indignant.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI mean a gal\u2019s got her right to privacy, y\u2019 know . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA couple o\u2019 real good friends o\u2019 mine almost ended bein\u2019 shanghaied,\u201d Hoss replied, opting to come right out and lay the proverbial cards on the table.\u00a0\u00a0 Though a man of many gifts and talents, subterfuge didn\u2019t number among them.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLast thing both of \u2018em remember is bein\u2019 with YOU.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I don\u2019t know nuthin\u2019 \u2018bout nobody bein\u2019 shanghaied!\u201d Starbryte declared, her voice rising a few notches, taking it to the level of shrill.\u00a0\u00a0 At the same time, she drew herself up to her full height and folded her arms defiantly across her chest.<\/p>\n \u201cYou sure about that, Ma\u2019am?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou callin\u2019 me a LIAR, Mister?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Hoss replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAll\u00a0I<\/strong>\u00a0said was a couple o\u2019 my friends almost ended up bein\u2019 shanghaied, \u2018n the last thing both of \u2018em remember is bein\u2019 with you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c . . . \u2018n\u00a0I<\/strong>\u00a0just got through tellin\u2019 ya that I don\u2019t know nothin\u2019 \u2018bout anybody being shanghaied,\u201d Starbryte stoutly maintained her position.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNow get outta my way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy\u2019re you in such an all fired hurry t\u2019 leave, Miss Starbryte . . . \u2018n why\u2019d that bartender make a point o\u2019 yellin\u2019 . . . ooohh, say just loud enough for somebody in that back room t\u2019 hear about YOU havin\u2019 the whole rest o\u2019 the week off?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n \u201cHow should I know?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMa\u2019am, I ain\u2019t accusin\u2019 ya of lyin\u2019, but at the same time, I can\u2019t help but think you ain\u2019t bein\u2019 completely honest with me,\u201d Hoss said, as he took firm hold of her forearm.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNow why don\u2019t we g\u2019won back inside— \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYOU BIG BULLY!\u201d Starbryte screamed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYOU UNHAND ME RIGHT NOW, YOU HEAR ME?!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She tried desperately to pull herself free of his grasp, to no avail.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHELP!\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0she screamed.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cSOMEBODY, PLEASE!\u00a0\u00a0 HELP ME!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n With the young barmaid firmly in hand Hoss turned her around and started toward the back door.\u00a0\u00a0 He had gone no more than three steps, before suffering a blinding headache, then nothing.\u00a0\u00a0 Releasing his hold on Starbryte he fell to the ground with a dull, sickening thud.<\/p>\n \u201cYou all right, Miss Starbryte?\u201d<\/p>\n Starbryte turned.\u00a0\u00a0 It was her new partner, Eddie Lyon.\u00a0 \u00a0He stood on the other side of the insensate Hoss, clad in a custom made royal blue linen suit and a silk shirt of pale pink with ruffles at the collar and cuffs.\u00a0\u00a0 He held a billy club clasped tight in his right hand.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Eddie, thank heaven!\u201d she gushed, almost giddy with relief.\u00a0\u00a0 She leapt over Hoss\u2019 still form and threw herself into Eddie\u2019s outstretched arms.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI . . . I don\u2019t know WHAT wouldda happened if . . . if . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t tell him anything—?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAbout the, ummm, business?\u00a0\u00a0 No,\u201d Starbryte replied, vigorously wagging her head back and forth.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI told him I didn\u2019t know nuthin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Eddie exhaled a long, slow sigh of pure relief.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s good, Starbryte,\u201d he said, \u201cthat\u2019s VERY good.\u00a0\u00a0 Keeps things simple and straightforward.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWh-Whaddya mean?\u201d Starbryte demanded, all of a sudden wary.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you HAD told him anything about our operation . . . I\u2019d have to kill him, too,\u201d Eddie replied.<\/p>\n \u201cToo?!\u201d Starbryte echoed, bewildered.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right, Little Miss Starbryte with a \u2018y\u2019 . . . TOO!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Eddie reached out and took firm hold of her forearm.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot \u2018til ya tell me who ELSE you\u2019re gonna kill first,\u201d she declared, digging in her heels.<\/p>\n His long fingers around her arm tightened, eliciting from her an indignant outcry of pain.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Starbryte . . . I really am,\u201d Eddie continued as he moved out of the alley, taking her with him.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI . . . hope you don\u2019t take this personally . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWHY YOU—!!\u00a0\u00a0 EDDIE, SO HELP ME . . . IF THIS SOME KINDA SICK JOKE—!?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m afraid it\u2019s NOT!\u201d Eddie replied in a bland tone of voice, as he turned away and started down toward the waterfront.<\/p>\n Her jaw dropped.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou . . . you mean it, don\u2019t ya?\u201d she queried, staring over at him through eyes round as saucers.<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Eddie replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI really AM sorry about this, Starbryte.\u00a0\u00a0 Had this whole sorry affair been left up to ME, I\u2019d have settled for giving you the tanning you so richly deserve and docking your wages to make up for lost revenue.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He grimaced.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMurder\u2019s such a dirty business,\u201d he continued with a doleful sigh and a mournful glance at his attire, \u201cand in the long run, it usually creates more problems than it actually solves.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen . . . why d-don\u2019t ya just settle for . . . for d-docking my wages \u2018n . . . \u2018n beating he within an inch of my life?\u201d\u00a0 Starbryte begged.<\/p>\n \u201cI would . . . please believe me, I WOULD, but I\u2019m afraid my choices in this instance are severely limited.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cT-To . . . what?\u201d Starbryte demanded.<\/p>\n \u201cLife or death:\u00a0 MINE,\u201d Edward patiently explained.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMiss Murphy found out about our, ummm . . . shall we say little operation on the side?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou told her, didn\u2019t ya!\u201d Starbryte scathingly accused.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou dirty son uva wharf rat . . . you TOLD her!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLiar!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Starbryte contemptuously spat in his face.<\/p>\n \u201cI swear . . . I didn\u2019t tell Miss Murphy anything,\u201d Edward insisted as he wiped her spittle from his cheek on the sleeve of his jacket.<\/p>\n \u201cThen how\u2019d she find out, you . . . you . . . lyin\u2019, back stabbin\u2019—?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLast night . . . or was it early this morning?! . . . when you let that cowboy slip right through your fingers,\u201d Eddie growled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe was there you . . . you silly little trollop!\u00a0\u00a0 She saw and heard everything, especially YOU running around, screaming like a damned banshee, to use HER words— \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cME?!\u201d Starbryte shrieked.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cME???<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 What about YOU \u2018n that . . . that gang o\u2019 circus clowns y\u2019 brought in?!\u00a0\u00a0 I don\u2019t think those guys could catch a cold sittin\u2019 in freezin\u2019 water, on a cold, damp, \u2018n rainy night!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo matter . . . the upshot is, I\u2019ve been placed in the awkward position of having to prove my loyalty to Miss Murphy by putting YOU out of business.\u00a0\u00a0 For GOOD.\u00a0\u00a0 If I don\u2019t, she and Miss Stephens\u2019ll put ME out of business.\u00a0\u00a0 For good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHELP!\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0Starbryte screamed at the top of her voice.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cSOMEBODY, PUH-LEEEZE . . . HELP ME!\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 She twisted around and kicked Eddie in the shins with all her might.<\/p>\n Eddie bellowed in pain, astonishment, and outrage, sounding like a bull moose caught in the throes of rutting season.\u00a0\u00a0 His grip on Starbryte relaxed, enabling her to pull free.<\/p>\n \u201cTrouble, Missy?\u201d<\/p>\n Starbryte turned and found herself staring into the grim, angry faces of Hop Sing, his number eight cousin, Stacy and Teresa Cartwright, and Trudy Magruder.<\/p>\n \u201cOh dear, dear, dear!\u00a0\u00a0 Folks, I . . . this IS most embarrassing, but my wife and I got into a bit of an argument and I . . . well, I had no idea things had gotten so out of hand,\u201d Eddie said deferentially.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPlease, accept my deepest, most heartfelt apologies.\u201d<\/p>\n Starbryte stared at him through eyes round with horror.<\/p>\n \u201cSo YOU say!\u201d Hop Sing sneered contemptuously, the scowl on his face deepening.\u00a0\u00a0 He unobtrusively placed himself in front of the three women in his care, with arms hanging loosely at his side, and feet planted firmly on the ground, shoulder width apart.<\/p>\n Taking his cue from his older relative, Cousin Number Eight quietly took up position beside Hop Sing.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat MISSY say?\u201d Hop Sing demanded.<\/p>\n \u201cHE\u2019S LYIN\u2019!\u201d Starbryte screamed, nearly hysterical with relief.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u00a0AIN\u2019T<\/strong>\u00a0HIS WIFE, AND I WOULDN\u2019T BE NEITHER, NOT IF HE WAS THE LAST MAN ON THE FACE O\u2019 THIS\u00a0EARTH<\/strong>.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She balled her free hand into a tight fist and belted Eddie with a good solid, powerful left hook, knocking him down on his hands and knees.<\/p>\n As he struggled to his feet, Eddie gritted his teeth and reached into the inside pocket of his jacket.\u00a0\u00a0 He cried out, astonished and alarmed, when a big, heavy lead weight slammed down hard upon his left shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cDON\u2019T even think about it, Mister,\u201d Hoss Cartwright said, wincing on every word.\u00a0\u00a0 He wrapped his fingers tight around Eddie\u2019s shoulder and squeezed for emphasis.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was gonna KILL me!\u201d Starbryte babbled, with tears streaming down her face.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThis lousy, no good, dirty, lyin\u2019 back stabbin\u2019 hunk o\u2019 sea scum was . . . .\u00a0\u00a0 He g-gonna KILL me!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe not kill Missy now,\u201d Hop Sing said grimly.<\/p>\n \u201cY-You saved my life, Mister,\u201d Starbryte continued to babble.\u00a0\u00a0 She took a step backward, then another.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI . . . I dunno HOW to thank you . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Her third step back took her into a solid human wall, formed by Stacy, Teresa, and Trudy.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . and just where do you think YOU\u2019RE going?\u201d Teresa demanded in a low, menacing tone, while Stacy seized hold of Starbryte\u2019s arm and twisted it behind her back.<\/p>\n \u201cHEY!\u201d Starbryte screamed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYOU\u2019RE HURTIN\u2019 ME!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m gonna hurt you a whole heckuva lot WORSE if you don\u2019t stand still, starting with a little impromptu dental work,\u201d Stacy growled.<\/p>\n \u201cYou cheap li\u2019l hussy!\u00a0\u00a0 You wouldn\u2019t DARE!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t count on that if\u2019n\u00a0I<\/strong>\u00a0was you, Miss Starbryte with a \u2018y\u2019,\u201d Hoss gamely advised.\u00a0\u00a0 He took hold of Eddie\u2019s jacket and shirt collar with his free hand, then shifted the other from shoulder to the man\u2019s waistband.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cCome on,\u201d he groaned, as he effortlessly hefted a terrified Eddie up onto his shoulders like a sack of potatoes.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s get these two back inside.\u201d<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n Chapter 8<\/p>\n \u201cSt-Stacy?!\u201d Ben stammered, gazing at his daughter through eyes round with shock and astonishment, as she followed behind her brother, with an uncharacteristically subdued Starbryte firmly in hand.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cTeresa and T-Trudy?!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 A murderous scowl darkened his face.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing— \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, please?\u00a0\u00a0 Don\u2019t yell at Hop Sing,\u201d Stacy pleaded.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI . . . I\u2019m afraid we . . . . \u201d she inclined her head toward her sister-in-law and Trudy Magruder, \u201c . . . didn\u2019t give him much choice in the matter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll talk about this later, Young Woman, count on it!\u201d Ben said sternly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIn the meantime,\u201d he continued, glaring at Starbryte first, then over at Eddie, \u201cI want the both of ya to sit down right there over, with Mister Grimes . . . and keep your hands on the table where we can see \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLook!\u00a0\u00a0 I dunna know what you people want,\u201d Starbryte said, her voice breaking, \u201cbut I\u2019m just a poor workin\u2019 gal . . . tryin\u2019 to make herself an HONEST livin\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0 I swear . . . I\u2019ll even swear it on a . . . a . . . whole stack o\u2019 bibles, if ya want . . . I don\u2019t know nuthin\u2019 \u2018bout men bein\u2019 shanghaied . . . \u2018n THAT\u2019S the pure \u2018n honest TRUTH.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYOU wouldn\u2019t know the pure \u2018n honest truth if it walked right up and slapped you across the face,\u201d Eddie growled.<\/p>\n \u201cAre YOU callin\u2019 ME a\u00a0LIAR<\/strong>?!\u201d Starbryte demanded, rising slowly from her chair.<\/p>\n \u201cMy pa told you to sit down!\u201d Stacy reminded as she shoved the barmaid back down in her chair.<\/p>\n \u201cI . . . I d-don\u2019t know WHAT you people are tryin\u2019 to prove,\u201d Horace stammered, his eyes darting from one angry face to the next, \u201cbut there\u2019s LAWS against this sorta thing . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s ALSO laws against abducting men and selling them off to the highest bidding ship\u2019s captain,\u201d Ben countered, speaking very calmly, in a low voice that carried a hint of menace.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Starbryte \u2018n me just got through tellin\u2019 ya . . . we don\u2019t know NUTHIN\u2019 about any o\u2019 THAT!\u201d Horace stoutly maintained his innocence.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you don\u2019t know anything . . . then YOU tell US first off, how it is that two friends of ours said the last thing they remember was being right here . . . with HER?!\u201d Stacy angrily demanded.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . and how did YOU come to know about all that, Young Woman?\u201d Ben demanded, the thunderous scowl on his face deepening.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI<\/strong>\u00a0sure didn\u2019t tell ya . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n Stacy swallowed nervously.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI, uhhh . . . kinda . . . overheard?!\u201d she squeaked.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll talk about THAT later, too,\u201d Ben promised.\u00a0\u00a0 He had a very dismal sinking feeling that before this was all over he and that high spirited, willful young daughter of his were going to have a whole lot of things to talk about.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIn the meantime, however,\u201d he continued, \u201cif YOU would be so kind as to answer my daughter\u2019s question, Miss Starbryte?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow should\u00a0I<\/strong>\u00a0know?!\u201d she demanded, visibly flinching away from the baleful glare on Ben\u2019s face.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cCould be another ummm Starbright . . . one that AIN\u2019T gotta a \u2018y\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0 It\u2019s a common name in these parts, y\u2019 know . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo we\u2019ve heard,\u201d Hoss growled, glaring balefully at the bartender.<\/p>\n \u201cOur friends made a point of telling us the last person they remember being with was a woman calling herself Starbryte with a \u2018Y,\u2019 \u201d Ben said firmly.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, maybe someone\u2019s out t\u2019 frame me.\u00a0\u00a0 Didja ever think o\u2019 THAT?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOne way or another, you folks\u2019re gonna tell us what WE wanna know,\u201d Hoss growled.\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cIf ya don\u2019t wanna do it HERE . . . we can haul your sorry carcasses in t\u2019 the nearest police station.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOn WHAT charge?!\u201d Horace demanded.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThis is a legitimate business establishment, Mister . . . \u2018n YOU got NO proof sayin\u2019 otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOoohhh . . . I\u2019m sure we can come up with SOMETHING that\u2019ll stick, Mister Grimes,\u201d a voice said from the door, one all too familiar to the members of the Cartwright family.<\/p>\n \u201cWill!?\u201d Ben exclaimed, as he turned to face his nephew, standing framed in the doorway, not knowing if his presence here bode well or ill in the face of Roscoe Swanson\u2019s accusations.<\/p>\n Horace coughed frantically three times and stamped his feet.<\/p>\n \u201cYou might as well save your energy, Mister Grimes,\u201d Will exhorted the bartender in a condescending tone of voice.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMy men are rounding up yours even as we speak . . . and herding them into the wagon out back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou WON\u2019T get away with this, Mister Cartwright,\u201d Horace said stiffly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re as good as fish bait.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMister, if\u2019n YOU\u2019RE threatenin\u2019 my cousin here— \u201d Hoss growled.<\/p>\n \u201cPay him no mind, Cousin.\u00a0\u00a0 Mister Grimes here is a lot of bluster and blow,\u201d Will said smoothly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve NEVER taken his idle threats seriously.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He, then turned to Ben.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cUncle . . . and you, too, Hop Sing.\u00a0\u00a0 If you\u2019d both do me a favor and search Mister Grimes and Mister Lyon for weapons?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, Will,\u201d Ben warily agreed.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . and don\u2019t forget to check their boots,\u201d Will instructed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAs for Mister Lyon, you\u2019d probably save us all a lot of time if you simply remove his jacket and hand it over to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou heard t\u2019 man,\u201d Hoss said, turning his attention to Eddie while his father set to work searching Horace Grimes.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOff with the jacket.\u201d<\/p>\n Eddie rose to his feet and began to slowly unbutton his jacket.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d also appreciate it if you handed those big rocks you\u2019ve got on your fingers to my cousin as well,\u201d Will added, as an after thought.<\/p>\n \u201cMy rings?!\u201d Eddie exclaimed, chagrinned and dismayed.<\/p>\n \u201cYour rings,\u201d Will reiterated in a firm tone of voice.<\/p>\n \u201cSurely you don\u2019t mistake my jewelry for deadly weapons . . . . \u201d Eddie tried to sound condescending and dismissive, but failed miserably.<\/p>\n \u201cOn YOUR fingers, Mister Lyon, I\u2019d be making one helluva BIG mistake if I DIDN\u2019T take them for deadly weapons,\u201d Will sardonically returned, \u201cespecially since most of those stones are harder than brass knuckles.\u00a0\u00a0 Now get \u2018em off.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re gonna pay for this outrage, Mister Cartwright,\u201d Eddie said through clenched teeth as he removed his rings one by one, and placed them into Hoss\u2019 outstretched hand.<\/p>\n \u201cOutrage?\u201d Will countered without missing a beat.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAccording to what I\u2019VE heard, you ought to consider yourself very lucky you\u2019ve been arrested, Mister Lyon, and be grateful for small mercies.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He glared over at Horace Grimes for a moment, before turning and flashing Starbryte with a big, toothy grin.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat goes for you, too, Mister Grimes and Little Miss Starbryte with a \u2018y\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLucky?!\u201d Starbryte snorted.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cUNlucky maybe . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWord out there on the street is Miss Murphy\u2019s boss, the elusive and mysterious Miss Stephens ORDERED your death, Miss Starbryte,\u201d Will was quick to point out.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSeems she\u2019s not real appreciative of you trying to poach on what she regards to be HER territory.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re thinkin\u2019 I know who this Miss Stephens is . . . ya\u2019d best think again \u2018cause I DON\u2019T,\u201d Starbryte said in a sullen tone of voice.<\/p>\n \u201cFor once I believe YOU, Miss Starbryte . . . and I\u2019m pretty sure Mister Grimes here doesn\u2019t know who our mystery woman really is either,\u201d Will said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMister Lyon, on the other hand . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not THAT stupid, Mister Cartwright,\u201d Eddie said.<\/p>\n \u201cOk, fine,\u201d Will returned in a bored, dismissive tone of voice.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou want to rot in jail for . . . let\u2019s say long enough that you won\u2019t look so pretty in all those fancy duds you seem to favor . . . whilst SHE remains free, I guess that\u2019s YOUR choice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLieutenant Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone turned.\u00a0\u00a0 There, entering through the batwing doors of the Queen of the Sea Saloon, was the man who had two days informed Ben, Joe, and Adam that Roscoe Swanson had been picked up for being drunk and disorderly.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sergeant Stiller?\u201d Will queried.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone else in this saloon has been rounded up and placed in the police wagon,\u201d the sergeant reported.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d Will said curtly.\u00a0\u00a0 He, then turned to face Ben.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m afraid that goes for you, the rest of your family, Hop Sing, and this young man, too, Uncle.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s jaw dropped.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWilliam John Cartwright . . . are y-you . . . are you telling me that m-my family . . . my friends, and I are . . . under arrest?!\u201d he demanded, shocked and astonished.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m afraid so,\u201d Will replied.<\/p>\n \u201cOn WHAT charge?\u201d Stacy demanded, her rising ire and frustration getting the better of her.<\/p>\n \u201cObstructing justice and interfering in a police investigation,\u201d Will replied, \u201cand if you don\u2019t keep your mouth shut, Cousin, I\u2019ll be more than happy to add resisting arrest to YOUR list as well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEasy there, Li\u2019l Sister,\u201d Hoss whispered, upon seeing her face darken with anger.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d listen very closely to your brother if I were you, Cousin,\u201d Will warned.<\/p>\n Stacy immediately snapped her mouth shut, but Will could see very clearly by the raw fury now burning not only in the eyes of his young cousin, but the same reflected in the eyes of Adam\u2019s wife, Mrs. Magruder, his uncle and big cousin of male persuasion, and Hop Sing, that this conversation was far from over.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d Will said sternly.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201cWILLIAM JOHN CARTWRIGHT, SO HELP ME . . . SOOO . . .\u00a0HELP<\/strong>\u00a0. . . ME . . . BY RIGHTS, I OUGHTTA TURN YOU RIGHT OVER MY KNEE AND GIVE YOU A TANNING YOU\u2019LL\u00a0NEVER<\/strong>\u00a0FORGET!\u201d Ben roared, his voice rattling the glass panes set in the only window in Will\u2019s cubby hole of an office at the station nearest the Barbary Coast area of San Francisco.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . AND BY RIGHTS,\u00a0I<\/strong>\u00a0OUGHTTA HAVE THE LOT OF YOU SHACKLED IN IRONS AND HUNG FROM THE NEAREST YARD ARM,\u201d Will shouted back, his own face every bit as dark and thunderous as his uncle\u2019s, \u201cJUST BEFORE I HAVE YA KEELHAULED!\u00a0\u00a0 DAMN IT, UNCLE . . . DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU\u2019VE\u00a0DONE<\/strong>?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c . . . APART FROM COMING THIS CLOSE . . .\u00a0THIS<\/strong>\u00a0CLOSE<\/strong>\u00a0. . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Ben held up his hand before his nephew\u2019s face, with thumb and first finger spaced just under an inch apart.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201c . . . TO FINDING\u00a0MY<\/strong>\u00a0SONS . . .\u00a0YOUR<\/strong>\u00a0COUSINS, IN CASE YOU\u2019VE FORGOTTEN— \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWHAT YOU AND YOURS HAVE DONE . . . IS AS GOOD AS THROW TWO\u00a0YEARS<\/strong>\u00a0OF POLICE WORK INTO THE DAMNED DRINK!\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe Lo Mein Affair<\/a>
\nThe Wedding<\/a>
\nSacrificial Lamb<\/a>
\nPoltergeist II<\/a>
\nIndependence Day<\/a>
\nVirginia City Detour<\/a>
\nThe Guardian<\/a>
\nLi’l One<\/a>
\nYoung Cartwrights in Love<\/a>
\nSan Francisco Revisited<\/a>
\nThere But for the Grace of God<\/a>
\nBetween Life and Death<\/a>
\nOrenna<\/a>
\nClarissa Returns<\/a>
\nTrial by Fire<\/a>
\nMark of Kane<\/a><\/p>\n