 Now, as howling winds echo across the snow-covered reaches of the wild northwest, the Quaker Oaks Company, makers of Quaker Pop Wheat, and Quaker Pop Rice, the delicious cereal shot from guns, in cooperation with the Mutual Broadcasting System, present by special recording Sergeant Preston of the Yukon. It's Yukon King, swiftest and strongest lead dog of the northwest, breaking the trail for Sergeant Preston of the northwest mounted police in his relentless pursuit of lawbreakers. Gold, gold discovered in the Yukon, a stampede to the Klondike in the wild race for riches. Back to the days of the Gold Rush, and the adventures of Sergeant Preston and his wondered-of Yukon King as they meet the challenge of the Yukon. Every young woman faces the problem in her senior year of high school of what she is going to do after graduation. We'd like to suggest a possible career that has much to offer any young girl who is about to finish high school and hasn't made up her mind yet. This possible occupation is nursing. Today the fields open to the graduate nurse are wide and varied. She can enter hospital service, private duty, research, or any one of numerous others. To become a registered nurse, you must complete the usual three-year course, or you may combine your studies with four or five years in college and earn a BS degree too. Your studies in such vital subjects as psychology, sociology, and childcare are supervised by skilled doctors and graduate nurses. If you are interested in finding out more about this career, you should go to your nearest hospital or collegiate school of nursing, or you can discuss it with your school advisor. More nurses are growing national need. Why don't you look into it today? This message is brought to you as a public service. For several months, the mining community of Moosehide Creek had been terrorized by a daring bandit who had become known as the Masked Gunman. Late one afternoon, an orphan boy named Virgil Patton who was employed at one of the local mines was buying supplies at Roop Grundy's General Store. As Virgil was loading the supplies on his sled, he heard another team of Huskies approaching along the main street of town. Looking up, he recognized the driver of the team as an old friend. Sergeant Preston! Hi there, King. How are you, old fella? Oh, gosh, but you're a swell dog. Glad to see you again, Virgil. So am I. It sure is nice to see you too again, Sergeant. I didn't know you were coming to town. I didn't either till I got my orders. It was just about an hour before I left Dawson. Say, I'll bet I know why you're here. I bet they sent you to capture the Masked Gunman. Yes, that's one of the reasons, Virgil. How are you making out at the mine? Oh, I'm making out fine, Sergeant. Mr. Moffatt hired me as soon as he read that letter of introduction you gave me. He treats me swell. I'm glad to hear that, Virgil. Hank Moffatt's a very nice person. He lost a boy of his own about a year ago, so I felt sure he'd give you a job. Well, then, you on your way back to the mine? Oh, yes, sir. I just came to town to buy supplies for the cook. Say, how about coming back with me? Mr. Moffatt will be glad to put you up. Well, thanks, Virgil, but I plan to stay with Mr. Webern, an express agent. I was at his request that I was sent here. However, I'll try to get out of the mine the next day or so. I'll tell Mr. Moffatt to expect you. Oh, I'd do that. In the meantime, give it my best. Oh, I sure will, Sergeant. So long. Bye, Virgil. All right, King, up front, boy. I'm coming. A few minutes later, the sergeant drew up before the long building and served both as express office and living quarters with Clyde Webern, the express agent. Okay. Come along, fella. Sergeant Preston and King. Hello, Clyde. All right, juniper, it sure is good to see the two of you. Now I can stop worrying about all this gold I have stored up here in the safe. You were shipping it out at the end of the week? That's right. I'm sending it down the Skagway. Has the Masked Gunman committed any more crimes recently? No, he hasn't pulled off any job since that hole up the Constable Ross came here to investigate. Well, save. Why are we standing here, Gavin, this way? Take off your park, Sergeant, and make yourself comfortable. Not just yet, Clyde. First, I'd like to go around and question some of the people who have been held up by the Masked Gunman. All right, Sergeant, you do that, and I'll have supper cooking by the time you get back. That evening, after helping the cook prepare supper for the minehands at the bunkhouse, Vergy Patton carried a tray of food over to the mine office for the foreman, Hank Moffatt, and his younger brother, Roy Moffatt, who worked as Hank's assistant. The two brothers usually ate by themselves, apart from the rest of the crew. Hank was seated at the table alone as Vergy entered. Evening, Vergy. Good evening, Mr. Moffatt. Hey, that grub smells mighty good. What have you got in that pan? Mulligan stew. Just what I thought. Oh, by the way, has my brother gotten back from town yet? Oh, yes, sir. I saw him on hitching his team just a minute ago. That's probably him now. About time you're getting back, Roy. That's a pleasant way to greet me. What's eating you now? Nothing's eating me. I just think you ought to spend a little less time in town and a little more time here at the mine. Yeah, I know. I ought to be an earnest, hard-working guy like you, and I might get ahead in the world. I suppose you were at the cafe gambling again. Well, what if I was? You're out practically every night, carousing around. And now you're starting to do the same thing in the afternoon. Whose business is it? Mine or yours? Look, Roy, there's no sense taking that attitude. Don't you realize I have your own best interests at heart? I've always felt responsible for you. You know that. Oh, so now you're going to pull that big brother act on me. Well, you can save your advice because I'm not interested. All my life I've had a listen to your sermons, and I'll tell you right now I'm getting fed up. All right, all right. I won't say another word. Pour me some of that coffee, will you, Burgey? Oh, yes, sir. Thanks. Oh, by the way, Mr. Moffatt, Sergeant Pusson's in town. Oh, Sergeant Pusson? Oh, yes, sir. He just arrived this afternoon. He was sent here to capture the masked gunman. Well, that's good news. Where'd he stay? With Mr. Weyburn, the express agent. He said Mr. Weyburn was the one who asked to have him sent here. Well, I hope he gets out here to the mine to see us. He said he'd try to during the next day or so. That's fine. I can hardly wait to see him. As soon as supper was over, Roy Moffatt hitched up his team again and drove back into town. He halted in front of Rook Grundy's general store. Whoa! Whoa, you ask me, whoa! Oh, it's you, Moffatt. What's up? Plenty. I just found out that Sergeant Preston is in town. I already know that. I saw him talking to young Patton in front of the store this afternoon. According to Burgey, he's staying with Clyde Weyburn, the express agent. And it was Weyburn who asked to have him sent here. I figured his visit had something to do with that gold at the express office. That gold isn't the only reason he's here. He's out to get the masked gunman. You're not getting cold feet all of a sudden, I am. No, but I'm not getting stupid all of a sudden, either. It's one thing to pull off a robbery when there's no chance of the police picking up my trail, but that dog of Preston's is a tracker. He can trail a man by scent. Man, what about it? What about it? Don't you realize this ruins our plan to grab that gold? Listen, Muffin, I've steered you right so far and I'm not letting you down now. I've got an idea how to get Preston out of the way. Yeah? Let's hear it. Weyburn must have sent for Preston because he was afraid the masked gunman might steal that gold shipment. Sure, that's obvious. So what? Suppose Preston were to catch you the masked gunman tonight. You crazy? I'm the masked gunman. Sure, sure. I'm not talking about you. What I mean is, suppose Preston were to capture someone he thought was the masked gunman. You mean frame someone? That's right. Preston would take him back to Dawson's stand trial. Weyburn and the express driver would be thrown off guard thinking there was no more danger to hold up, which would make it easy for you to grab the gold. Yeah, you see what you mean. But how can we work it? Who can we frame as a masked gunman? You don't like that brother of yours, do you? What do you think? You suppose you could go back to the mine and get me a myth in his without him noticing what you were up to? I suppose so. Why? All right, listen. I'll tell you the plan I got him mine. We'll continue our adventure in just a moment. A home run way out of the left field stands and the home team wins the game. Are you kids there? Are you seeing the exciting homers that your home team makes and cheering them on? Come out to the ball game now as guests of a major or minor league team. Your free ticket is waiting for you right inside packages of Quaker Puff Tweet, Quaker Puff Rise, Muffin Tread-A-Tweet, Quaker Packle 10, which has two free baseball tickets. Yes, if you are 12 years or younger, just bring mom or dad or another paying adult and see a wonderful major or minor league baseball game free. Names of teams and dates are on every ticket. Hurry, get a free baseball ticket package of Quaker Puff Tweet, or Rise, Muffin Tread-A-Tweet, or Quaker Packle 10. If your store doesn't have the special packages yet, just send a box stop from the regular package of Quaker ready to eat cereal. Send to baseball box 5205, Chicago 77, Illinois. Don't wait and miss exciting games. Act now. Now to continue. Sergeant Preston had come to the mining community of Moosehide Creek, and was staying with Clyde Waverne, the express agent. Late that night, they were aroused by a loud pounding on the front door of the express office. Clyde Waverne answered the knocking and found himself looking into the excited face of... What in thunder's wrong? That just been robbed by the mass gunman to mass gunman. Holy mackerel. Hey there, Garkin. Where's Sergeant Preston? In the back room. Hey, Sergeant. Who is it, Clyde? It's Rube Grundy. He's just been held up by the mass gunman. He's right with you. Tell me all about it, Rube. This evens conk came pounding on my door about an hour ago. When I opened up, he put a gun on me. Made me unlock the shape. Then he tied me up, grabbed all the money in gold, and made his getaway. How'd you get loose? Well, I managed to hop over to the shelf and get a hold of a knife. Took a lot of squirming, but I finally cut myself loose. In fact, this is your chance to catch up with the mass gunman, Sergeant. Good darn tootin' it is. The sneak and pole cat made a big mistake this time. What do you mean? He accidentally dropped a mitten while he was making his getaway. I reckon that'll be enough to give King his scent when it's on you. Should be, Rube. Let's get over to the store right away. From Rube Grundy's general store, the trail led out of town and up the creek to the mine at which Hank Moffett was foreman. King had gone directly to the door of the mine office, which Hank and Roy used as their living quarters. Short time later, after the Sergeant had knocked several times, the door was opened by Hank, who was holding an oil lamp at one hand. Well, Sergeant Preston. Hello, Hank. May we come in? Why, sure. Thanks. As the Sergeant at Rube Grundy entered the office, they saw Roy Moffett standing sleepily in the doorway that led to one of the back rooms. Hi, Sergeant. Hello, Roy. Hello, Rube. I reckon you two aren't paying social calls at this time of night. What's up? Do you recognize this mitten? Well, for sure it's mine. Well, I said, then you must be the masked gunman. I thought his voice sounded familiar. What places are you talking about? Don't pull that innocent stuff on me, Hank Moffett. Rube was held up tonight by the masked gunman. The bandit accidentally dropped this mitten while he was making his getaway. Great Scott. Thing got the scent from the mitten and the trail led here. Well, I can explain that. And so can Rube. I was at the store tonight. You're a darn tooting your way. We're in a mask and carrying a gun. That's a lie, Rube. What were you doing at the store? Well, Rube came around to the mine office tonight about 11 o'clock. What's that? You heard me. You said Roy got into a fight in front of the store. It was knocked out. You wanted me to come and get him, so I went back to the store with you. But when we got there, Roy wasn't there. You said he must have come to and left, so I came back to the mine. I'll be hanged if that's not the craziest story I ever heard. You're saying it never happened? I should have. He's making the whole thing up to explain why King was able to follow his scent. Roy, did you get into a fight tonight in front of Rube Grundy's store? No, I was at the cafe all evening. I see. You remember dropping this mitten at the store, Hank? No, no, I don't. Matter of fact, when Rube came and got me, I could only find one of my bare skin mitten, so I wore another pair to turn to bluff you we out. Now, look here, Sergeant. Are you going to believe his crazy accusations? Frankly, I don't know what to believe, Hank. Do you have any objection if I search this place? No, none at all. Go ahead and search all you like. Sergeant began by searching the outer office. Then he went into Hank's room. A few minutes later, he emerged, carrying a large sack in one hand. Have you seen this sack before, Hank? Well, no. I never laid eyes on it before. Well, I've seen it before. That's the sack the Masked Man used for the money and gold after he cleaned up my shape. What's that? Where in blazes did you find it, Sergeant? Under your bunk. Under my bunk? What's in it? Gold dust, paper currency, a Colt 45, and a black mask. Holy mackerel. Cruce even pulled kit. I reckon this proves you're the Masked Man. Sergeant, so help me, I swear. I don't know how that sack got into my room. I'm sorry, Hank, but the evidence is all against you. I'm placing you under arrest in the name of the Crown. The following day, the news spread up and down Moosehide Creek of Hank Marford's arrest as the Masked Gunman. Vergy had come to the express office where the Sergeant was holding Hank prisoner. I don't care what the evidence is against him, Sergeant. I'm sure Mr. Marford didn't commit that robbery. Thanks, Vergy. I'm glad someone has faith in me. I don't like to see you wearing those handcuffs any more than Vergy does, Hank. But unless we can prove that sack was planted in your room, you'll have to stand trial for the robbery. I don't like to say this, but if you ask me, Mr. Marford's brother could have done it. Oh, Roy? Oh, no, Vergy. You mustn't even suggest such a thing. But he hates you. Look how he was talking last night itself. I know we have our differences, but Roy's my own flesh and blood. He wouldn't frame his own brother. Well, the idea's fantastic. I'm not so sure of that, Hank. If your version of what happened last night is true, then someone certainly framed you and Rook Grundy is in on the plot. Sure, Grundy's doing his best to frame you. There's no doubt about that. But that doesn't prove Roy had anything to do with his dirty scheme. Rook couldn't have carried out the scheme unless he was sure beforehand of Roy's movements. Besides, how did he get hold of your mitten and who planted the sack in your room? The fact is, Roy's about the only person who could have helped Rook frame you. Hang it all, Sergeant. I just can't believe it. The whole thing doesn't make sense. Why should anyone want to frame me anyhow? Well, your arrest would certainly work to the advantage of the real Mask Gunman, but... What do you mean? If I should take you back to Dawson, thinking I had captured the Mask Gunman, the way would be clear for the real Rook to steal that Express Company gold shipment. Hey, I never thought of that. But you're not suggesting that Grundy or... or Roy might be the Mask Gunman? It's not impossible, Hank. Isn't there any way you can clear Mr. Moffitt? I'm not sure, Verging. I have a plan that might work. If you'd be willing to help me. I'll be glad to help you, Sergeant. What do you want me to do? Well, that's what I have in mind, Verging. I'm going to give you this whistle of mine. The Sergeant explained his plan, and Fergie listened eagerly. When he'd received his instructions, he went back to the mine. Early that afternoon, the Sergeant prepared to start back to Dawson with his prisoner, a crowd gathered in front of the Express Office to see them off. Where are you taking, Hank, Sergeant? Back to Dawson to stand trial. I'm not sure I never suspected that Hank Moffitt was the Mask Gunman. Neither did anyone else. It's funny, Swick. All right, the way he pulled off all those robberies. And it didn't take Sergeant Preston long to catch up with him. All right, King, up front, boy. Line the team. Un-King! Hold your horses! We'll continue our adventure in just a moment. Say, kids, which would you rather do? Read about your favorite baseball team in the papers or see a game on the screen or be right in the ballpark, yelling for the players on your team, eating hot dogs, drinking soda pop and having the time of your life. Golly, nothing beats the fun in a ballpark. Come out to the game now as guests of a major or minor league team. Walk right through the gate without paying a cent if you're 12 years or younger and bring mom or dad or another paying adult. You can now get a free baseball ticket right inside a package of Quakerpuff wheat or Quakerpuff rice or by QuakerPacko10 and get two free baseball tickets. Names of teams and dates are on every ticket. Get in on the fun. Right away, get a free baseball ticket package of Quakerpuff wheat or rice, Muffet Shredded Wheat or QuakerPacko10. If your store doesn't have the special packages yet, just send the box top from the regular packages of the same series. Send to baseball box 5205 Chicago 77, Illinois. Now to continue. Late that night, Roy Muffet left the mine and walked into town. He went to Roop Grundy's general store and rapped softly on the back door. A short time later, a glow of light appeared behind the shuttered windows and the door opened. Money's sad. I've got to hand it to you, Roop. This game worked out perfectly. If you knew it would, take off your pucky. You can hang it there in the hook. Okay. I sure got a laugh out of the way Preston fell for that frame up. He's probably patting himself on the back right now for capturing the Masked Gunman. And all the time the real Masked Gunman is sitting right here in his chair. You may be the Masked Gunman, Muffet, but don't forget, I tipped you off to all the job you pulled and hid the loot for you afterwards. Sure, sure, I'm not denying that. Which reminds me, most of the loot is still here in the store. I trust you're keeping it safe till we make the final split. Don't worry, I've got it hidden away in the loft. We'll make the final split after we get our hands on Express Company gold. Loot's me. Did you find out exactly when the shipment's leaving? What's the matter? Thought I had my tobacco here in my pocket, but I must have left it in my pocket. Just a second, I'll go and get it. There are several unhurried steps. Roy walked over to his parka, which was hanging beside the door. Suddenly he jerked the door open. Hey, gotcha. Yeah, listening outside the door, I thought I heard a noise on the porch. I wasn't listening. Shut up and come on inside. There you must have followed me here from the mine. Guess what did you think you were doing, Ferty? Playing detective? Hey, look at this. You mean that pleaded cord around his neck? What's on the end of it? Good whistle. Yeah, Sergeant Preston's whistle. Holy mechanism. What are you supposing? Supposing it may be Preston isn't quite so dumb as we thought. How about it, Vergey? Did he tell you to spy on us? I won't tell you. You tell us, all right, or I'll twist your arm off. No, you can't make me talk. Vergey struggled desperately, but he was terrified by the menacing manner of the two crooks, and the pressure at which Roy was exerting on his arm was agonizing. Finally, he broke down. All right. All right, I'll talk. That's better. It's true. Sergeant Preston did tell me to spy on you. I followed you here from the mine. What about that whistle? I was supposed to blow it and signal to him as soon as I had something to report. You mean he didn't go back to Dawson after all? Why, I'd go and talk. All right. No, he didn't go back to Dawson. He's hiding up in the hill, somewhere near devil's jaw. I was supposed to go there to signal him. And we're really in a mesh. The kid heard everything we said, and if we kill him, Preston would suspect who did it. Looks like we'll have to take care of Preston and the kid both. Come on, get your Parker. We're going out to devil's jaw. A short time later, the two crooks arrived at devil's jaw. After hiding their team in a clump of trees some distance away, they forced Vergey to stand in the open while they themselves ducked down behind a group of large boulders for their guns drawn and ready to fire. Then Roy gave the order for the signal. All right, Vergey, blow that whistle. And remember, when Preston shows up, don't try warning him away before he gets in range, because if you do, you'll get a bullet right in the back. All right, blow. Vergey gave a shrill blast on the whistle. As the sound died away, the two crooks settled down tensely to await the result. A minute after a minute dragged by, and then suddenly they caught sight of two figures picking their way down the moonlit slope. Here he comes now. Who's that with him? Must be Hank. We'll have to get rid of him too. You plug him and I'll plug Preston. Scarcely daring to breathe, the crooks waited for their victims to come within range. Finally Roy whispered. All right, that close enough. Let's gun him down. But as the two crooks took aim, they heard a sudden rustle in the underbrush nearby. Hey, what's that? A split second later, a snarling dog hurtled out of the underbrush. Roop went down beneath King's savage onslaught, but Roy pulled himself free of the struggling pair and turned his gun on King. I'll get him. In his excitement, Roy had exposed himself above the boulders, and the sergeant had drilled him instantly. Help, help me. Get this dog away from me. A few moments later, the sergeant reached the spot, and after picking up the crooks' guns, he handcuffed Roop Grundy. Roy was unconscious in the shock of his wound, but he soon came to when the sergeant applied first aid. Where in blazes did that doggie has come from, Preston? I suspected we might be walking into trouble, so I sent King on ahead to scout. Hey, dude Chevy, what made you suspect trouble? The signal that Bergy blew on the whistle? Signal? What do you mean? He was supposed to call you by blower, wasn't he? Yes, by blowing three short blasts. That was the come-ahead signal we agreed on. Instead, he blew one long blast. So, naturally, I knew something was wrong. Oh, well, a rotten luck. Bergy, they captured you, huh? Oh, yes, sir, and then your brother twisted my arm and made me tell why I'm spying on him, and why I had the sergeant's whistle. Well, Roy, I still can't understand what made you turn this way. And I think you were ready to commit murder just now. Shut up. That will do. Did you find out anything before they called you, Bergy? Oh, I'll say I did, Sergeant. Roy is the real masked gunman, and he gave him a tip-off on all the jobs he pulled. Most of the loot is hidden up in the loft at the store. Good work, Bergy. Well, Hank, this puts you in the clear. But without Bergy's help, you might have gone to prison. Yes, don't think I don't realize that. Bergy, I reckon you know I lost a boy about your age. Never thought I'd find anyone to take his place. But, uh... Well, how would you like it if I were to adopt you as my son? What? That'd be swell, Mr. Moffat. No more of that Mr. Moffat stuff now, Bergy. For now on, you call me Dad. Okay, Dad. Okay. The last gunman in this confederate is captured, and Bergy has him in fire. All of which means that this case is closed. We'll return in just a moment with a word about our next exciting adventure. Here's a mutual note for you. Mutual is a network that has programs you can enjoy throughout the week. If you like question and answer fun, then you'll find there are all sorts of quiz programs you can listen to on Mutual. You can try and out-guess the contestants and see if you know the right answer before they do. Even if you don't know, it's loads of fun listening to others, and you can learn a lot at the same time, too. And some of you boys and girls probably have favorite songs and favorite singers that you like to listen to. When you tune into Mutual, you'll hear many of the stars you like best, singing and playing the kind of music you enjoy most. Don't forget, too, there are programs of outdoor adventure and others of barn dance music and jamboree. There's plenty of good listening waiting for you on your Mutual dial. Tune in every weekday afternoon for Mutual's famous programs, especially designed for adventure lovers. And remember to listen other times as well for different kinds of programs you like over most of these stations. Two men are driving through a blizzard toward the ghost town on Midas Creek. How's the young one on the sled? They're still passed out. What do we do with him? Get rid of him. He'll take the blame for the robberies. Where do we get rid of him? The old mine. It's deep and dark and deserted. They'll never find him there. Mars! But Sergeant Crustin is heading from Midas Creek as well, and murder rides the trail ahead of him. What new dangers will he meet in that strange and lonely ghost town? Don't miss this next exciting adventure. These Sergeant Crustin of the Yukon Adventures are brought to you every Monday through Friday at this time by the Quaker Roads Company, makers of Quaker Pop Week, and Quaker Pop Rice, the delicious cereals shot from guns by special recording in cooperation with the Mutual Broadcasting System. They are a copyrighted feature of Sergeant Crustin of the Yukon Incorporated, created by George W. Trendle, produced by Trendle Campbell Muir Incorporated and directed by Fred Flower Day. The part of Sergeant Crustin is played by Paul Sutton. This is J. Michael wishing you goodbye, good luck, and good health from Quaker Pop Wheat and Quaker Pop Rice. So long. This is Mutual Radio Network for All America.