On a Denver, train, a pair of men handcuffed together board. There is a very elegant lady who happens to know one of the handcuffed men. The pair sit across from the elegant lady who asks if the man remembers her. The lady is horrified when she sees the handcuffs but he explains to her that he is the Marshall and is transporting the prisoner to Leavenworth prison. Mr Easton, who is acquainted with Miss Fairchild explains that money was tight and he took a job transporting prisoners. The prisoner explains that all marshals handcuff themselves to their prisoners to keep them from getting away after Miss Fairchild takes a nervous glance at the handcuffs. The prisoner says that he hasn't had a drink and hasn't smoked all day. They leave Miss Fairchild to go into the smoking car. One of the other passengers claims "Pretty young to hold an office like that, isn't he?". Another passenger says "why-Oh! didn't you catch on? Say-did you ever know an officer to handcuff a prisoner to his right hand?" This is O. Henry's way of telling the reader that Mr. Easton was actually the prisoner and the "prisoner" was actually the Marshall transporting Mr. Easton to a new prison. The two men switched roles because Mr. Easton did not want Miss Fairchild to know that he was going to prison.