Dewey hesitated. About to declare that he didn’t know anyone by that name, he thought again and decided against it. If they had been in town any time at all, they would surely know about the shooting only a little earlier that evening. And chances were they knew it was Hawk that did the shooting. “Yes, sir,” he finally answered. “That feller named Hawk was in here earlier, but he left. Too bad you missed him.” He was aware at once that Booth was looking at him as if suspecting he was holding something back. He took a step back from the bar, in case Booth’s next move might be to grab him by his collar and threaten him. At that moment, however, he was relieved to see Porter Willis walk in the door. “Well, well,” he said. “Here’s the sheriff, come in for his nightly visit.” That captured the immediate attention of both men.

Forgetting Dewey for the moment, Booth and Jesse turned their attention toward the sheriff. After looking him over, they silently agreed that he would offer them no problem, if it came to that. Turning back to Dewey, Booth asked, “Where did Hawk go when he left here?”

When Dewey replied that he had no idea, that Hawk didn’t say, Jesse asked, “Where does he stay when he’s in town? Maybe we can catch him there.”

Dewey, who had been trying to signal Porter with his eyes to no avail, answered, “I’m awful sorry. I got no idea where he stays.”

Booth gave him a hard look then. “Is there some reason you ain’t tellin’ me?”

“No, friend,” Dewey exclaimed. “Why would you think that?”

“’Cause of the way you’ve been blinkin’ your eyes at the sheriff,” Jesse answered him.

“Ah no, friend,” Dewey quickly replied. “I didn’t know my eyes were blinkin’. I would sure help you find Hawk if I could, I just don’t know much about him. He don’t hit town very often.” He felt a measure of relief then when the sheriff finally walked over to the bar. “Evenin’, Sheriff,” he greeted him. “These two gentlemen are askin’ about Hawk. I told ’em I don’t have no idea where he stays.”

“That’s right, Sheriff,” Booth said. “My brother and I are just passin’ through your town and we heard that Hawk was up this way. Maybe you know where we might find him. I think he’d be disappointed if he found out we were in town and didn’t even stop to say hello.”