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coach as best he could with Lewis's help. "Tolliver? Daggett? Can you hear me?"
    The men answered in unison.
    "We're going to get you all out of there, but it's going to take working together. I've done some figuring on this, and ... Molly?"
    "Yes?"
    "We're going to get you out first:"
    "I ... I don't think that will work, James;' she answered.
    "Why not?" He stepped up onto the rock and tried to peer through the opening above the door, but the curtain was tied shut from the inside.
    "Cuz I'm layin' on top of her, Sheriff."
    Recognizing Daggett's voice and the predicament inside the stage, James exhaled. The woman was pinned beneath Charlie Daggett? God help them...... Which one of you is closest to the door?"
    "That'd be me, Sheriff." A hand appeared through a slit in the curtained window.
    James wished there were a way to get Molly out first, but apparently there wasn't. "All right, then, Tolliver. Looks like you're up. As carefully as you can, see if you can get that door open. And try not to move too much."
    Tolliver untied the curtain from the window, and his head slowly appeared through the opening. The stage shifted beneath him. The man's customary smirk was noticeably absent as he worked at the latch. The door finally gave, and he eased it back against the side of the carriage.
    James tossed up the rope. "Slip it over your upper body and we'll steady you as you climb out. And remember ... move slowly."
    Tolliver did as instructed. The man was agile and fit and climbed out with little trouble. James steadied the coach as Tolliver eased himself over the side.
    Gaining his footing, Tolliver removed the rope and eyed James for a second, no doubt recalling their argument that afternoon in Sulfur Falls. "Thank you, Sheriff." He held out his hand. "Much appreciated."
    "You're welcome, Tolliver" James quickly shook his hand, then refocused on the carriage. "Okay, Molly. You're next" He didn't know what size a woman she was but felt safe in betting she wasn't the likes of Charlie Daggett. "Daggett, I want you to raise up nice and slow, and keep your weight to this side of the carriage. Not toward the ravine" Daggett wasn't slow-witted, but James wasn't taking any chances. "You understand what I'm saying to you?"
    He waited, hearing murmurs coming from inside.
    "Yes, sir, Sheriff McPherson;' Daggett finally answered. "I understand. Me and Miss Molly, we got it worked out between us:"
    Hoping they did, James tossed the rope up again, and seconds later, a pile of blond curls appeared through the doorway. He blinked to make sure he was seeing right. It was her! The woman he'd spoken with in Sulfur Falls. Their eyes connected and her expression mirrored similar surprise and recognition.
    "I'm ready ... Sheriff McPherson;' she said, her voice higher pitched than before.
    Wishing she'd stuck with his first name, James began pulling her up as she climbed through the door, watchful of where the coach was on the cliff. Judging from the resistance on the rope, she didn't weigh much. "You're doing real well, Molly;" he said, seeing the fear in her eyes. "Just come on the rest of the way."
    Halfway out, one knee on the carriage, she tossed him a weak smile ... then stopped, frowning at the reticule on her arm. "It's caught on the door hinge:" She braced herself, tugged it free, and started to climb again. But then she turned and glanced behind her.
    "No, Molly. Don't look back!"
    She slipped. Screaming, she slid back inside the opening. But not far. James held the rope taut as the carriage rocked from side to side. Lewis and Tolliver anchored the rope behind him.
    "Look at me, Molly," he said, his breath coming heavy, more from fear than from supporting her slight weight. "Look at me!"
    She did. Fear widened her eyes.
    "Don't look behind you. Just concentrate on coming to me. We've got you, and were not going to let you fall:"
    She finally offered a tentative nod and managed to climb through the doorway again, James anchoring the rope. As