The next morning, Charley and I boarded the train to Lawrence. As it rolled into Topeka a few hours later, I wondered if I should get off and see about my "Kansas problem."

"You'd be a cussed fool if you did," Charley said. "What good would it do? More 'n likely you would get yourself throwed into the hoosegow or get your blamed head blowed off by one of them Bledsoes."

He was right, of course. But it was unfinished business, and I wanted it finished. I told Charley what Wyatt had told me.

"Wyatt Earp can talk that way. He's a law dog who is handy with his lead chucker. You ain't."

Nevertheless, as the train pulled out of Topeka and headed for Lawrence, I couldn't help thinking I should have stayed and tried to resolve my...

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