Bonanza: "The Return of April."

Chapter Five

The next morning, Joe is back at the Ponderosa having just explained to Ben and Jamie that somebody had broken into his house in the middle of the night. Ben is sitting at his desk as he shakes his head with a puzzled expression on his face and says. "I..I don't understand, who would be breaking into your house in the middle of the night?" "That's what I'd like to know." Joe remarks and then adds. "And why Sara's bedroom? If it hadn't been for April, he could have taken her without us knowing." A smile spreads across Jamie's face as he looks down at April and pets her and says. "I told you she was a good watchdog." Joe then leans his hands against Ben's desk as he says to him. "Pa, we need to find out who this person is and why they're after me and my family." "Alright, we'll ride into town and report it to Clem." Ben says and then gets up from his desk as he says. "Jamie, I want you to stay here with Clara and Alice until we get back." He then points his finger at him as he says. "And make sure that dog of yours stays out of trouble." Jamie then speaks up and says. "Wait, Pa, shouldn't I bring April along with you?" "Why?" Ben asks. Jamie then says. "Well, she is the only one who got a good look at him, she might be able to help." Ben starts to say. "Jamie.."

Joe then speaks up and says. "I hate to say it, Pa, but he may be right." Ben sighs and says. "Well, alright, but you make sure she behaves herself." "Yes, sir." Jamie says. "Come on, April." They head out the door as Clara comes out of the kitchen with Alice. Ben comes up to Clara and says. "We're heading into town to talk to Clem, we shouldn't be long." "Alright." She replies and Ben grabs his hat as Joe comes up to Alice and puts his hand up to the side of her face as he asks her. "Are you gonna be alright here?" She smiles and nods. "Yeah, I'll be fine." "Okay. We'll be back soon." He tells her and then gives her a kiss and turns and grabs his hat and green jacket as he heads out the door with Ben following behind.

In Sheriff Clem's office, Clem asks Joe. "And you didn't get a good look at him?" "No, whoever he was, he was already gone by the time I got into my daughter's bedroom. April scared him off." Joe explains. Clem looks down and says. "Well, without a description, it's hard to pinpoint where to start and who to look for." Joe then starts to raise his voice as he says. "So, I'm just supposed to sit back and let whoever they are come back and break into my house again!?" Ben tries to calm him down. "Joe, take it easy, that's not going to happen again, we're not going to let it." Clem then tells him. "You say April here scared him off, more than likely he won't be back again." "And if he does?" Joe asks. "I'll notify my men to look for any possible suspects, but without any reliable evidence or a description, there's not much that can be done." Clem explains.

April goes over to the wall and looks up at the sketch of Vic and Lenny and barks. All eyes look at April and Ben says to Jamie. "Jamie, keep her quiet, will you?" "Yes, sir." He walks over to her and says. "April, heel." She jumps up and scratches at the sketch on the wall and whimpers. Jamie looks at the sketch on the wall and recognizes the faces. He notices April's behavior and then makes the connection and says. "Hey, Pa? I think April's trying to tell us something." Ben and Joe walk over to him as Ben asks. "What are you talking about?" Jamie then says. "I think she's trying to tell us, it was one of them." He points to the sketch on the wall as Ben and Joe along with Clem take a look at the sketch. Jamie then says. "I remember them from the bank, April attacked one of them." "The Monroe brothers." Clem says. "Wanted for several accounts of attempted robbery in Carson City. We just got word of them last night that they were heading to Virginia City and it looks like they're already here." Ben then makes the connection and says. "And one of them must have been the one to break into Joe's place last night." He then looks down at April. "They wanted April. But why?" Clem speaks up and says. "My guess is April caught them in another attempted robbery." Jamie's face lights up as he bends down to April and pets her as he says. "Then she's a hero." Joe then asks. "Clem, any chance they'll be back?" "I'd say there's a good chance, but this time we'll be ready for them." Clem tells them. Ben gives a puzzled expression as he asks. "What are you suggesting, Clem?" Clem then tells them. "Well, they want April, right?" "Right." Ben says and Clem responds with. "So, we give them April." They all look at each other as a smile spreads across their faces.