 The challenge of the Yukon It's King's swiftest and strongest lead dog of the North country Blazing 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 greedy race for riches Now back to the days of the gold rush when sergeant Preston and his wonder dog King battle through storm and snow To preserve law and order as they met the challenge of the Yukon With King in the lead sergeant Preston urged his dog team up the frozen stretches of Rainbow Creek The light had faded from the sky and a full moon was rising as he stepped on the break and called to the Huskies to Stop in front of Jim Crosman's cabin Preston Jim one King You'll stay the night won't you aren't you going to want to harness your team? Well, that depends Jim. Let's have a talk first Okay, over here by the stove. That's a little warmer. Oh, you've made some changes. I'll just cut a few windows Oil paper you'll notice no glass yet sit down. Thanks. I Got your message this morning, Jim Came right up Northwest Mounted Police you'll give service we try to but I just meant for you to drop in if you were heading this way You wanted to see me. I wanted to see you What about my business can wait What's on your mind? This note and the Indian brought it to me yesterday Printed yeah, no signature if you want to live got out of the Yukon Hmm, did you know the Indian never saw him before did you find out who gave him a note someone in a Dawson cafe Always description would fit half the men in town where the Indian go up into the hills be hard to find them But I know who's responsible. Oh Well, I don't want to make any accusation not yet. Who do you think's responsible? Brad Walker is spending the winter in Dawson the note came from Dawson Sergeant Brad owns the upstream claim right next to mine He started working at just above the boundary late last summer. That's when all of you filed your claim here, wasn't it? Neither my brother chicken or I like Brad So we started near our south boundary just keeping as much distance as possible between us. You understand Well in less than two weeks Brad made us an offer for our claim. We just laughed at him He raised the offer so we laughed some more But it was easy enough to figure it out He'd hit a good vein and he could see what's getting larger that hit our property. So he wanted it naturally. He still wants it You you believe that Walker is trying to scare you into selling it of course But he doesn't have a chance and you're telling me this because you want not protection, Sergeant I can take care of myself. I Just want you to know that if I have to put a bullet through Brad Walker It won't be because of any fault of my own, but I'll let the law handle this Jen Yeah, you have to say that I mean it well you cons of big territory can be too many you Mounties Can be every place. That's true And I think you can be depended on not to start any trouble. You have my word for it, Sergeant You say that you can take care of yourself. Well, how about check can he why not younger than you are? And you're sure and while as they come But I'd back him against Brad Walker any day. How long has it been since you've seen him Well, I haven't been in Dawson since Christmas Hey now If you want to talk to me about chick something happened to him. He was in jail the night before last What for oh just to fight I pulled him out of it and gave him a chance to cool off Raisin Kane, huh? He does his best, you know I think it might be a good idea if you had a talk with him Jen Be better if you could persuade him to come back here with you Yeah, not much chance, though. Well, as you say we Mounties can't be everywhere going back to town tonight, Jim Well, I'll come with you good What's the matter King? I am that was a rifle. I know and when you stood up your shadow was right against the window All right, King you hadn't been over the path King the bullet would have Look back through the center King knew someone was outside there. You can reach the lamp, Jim blow it out. Okay Now what now we investigate Keeper the shadow of the cabin when we get outside the moon's bright Jim yeah, that's the slope Someone just wanted a walker's cabin. Did you make out who it was? No, I couldn't even make out what kind of a park he was wearing. There's a light If it was a walker who find out one King You're covered drop that rifle What's your name been Martin, what are you doing here Brad Walker hired me to come up and have a look at the place to see if Everything was all right and incidentally to take a shot at me a shot it. I Don't know what you're talking about and me the rifle Jim Thanks You deny you fired through the window of Jim's cabin a moment ago why sure do what you mean the boat went through It's window was a bullseye officer. I swear it was an accident. Let me tell you about it go right ahead Well, I thought I heard a wolf. I took my rifle and went out to have a look I walked up to the top of the knoll and just as I got to the top. I stumbled Well, you know how it isn't a case like that. I had full the trigger. It was an accident I had no idea where the bullet went it Well, you believe me don't you going to take you back to that boy What for it was just an accident besides I didn't hit anybody you can't arrest me. You'll be held for questioning After all we must make sure that Brad Walker sent you up here. Come on King It was 12 o'clock early evening for Dawson, but the narrow back streets of the town were dark Eddie Conlon his pointed features buried in the collar of his parka Hurryed toward Brad Walker's cabin He stopped before the door looked up and down the street and then slipped inside Walker rose to meet him a big man black bearded his black eyes blazing with anchor What are you doing? I'll take it easy. I gave you what I know but something's happened Where's the cost the palace got in the stud game with that crew from 40 mile. He's still at it Where's Marie waiting for him at the gold nugget now listen to me. I Just saw Ben drive into town. He's come back here. Sergeant Preston was with him Someday I'll ring that money's neck cut bear man. He took him to headquarters now. Wait a minute Jim Crossman was with him too. He didn't put it off. He may have tried to Preston gave me a message for you. He wants to see you at the headquarters right away. Yeah You think Ben could have talked any if you had Preston wouldn't ask me to come to headquarters. He come after me Now Ben wouldn't dare open his mouth. I don't trust I wouldn't either if I couldn't put a rope around his neck any time I want to do This don't change our plans any with him back in town You get back to Marie and tell her to start working on chick. Yeah, but he's at the palace to go after them Drag him out of the game and get him over to the nugget. She does things her own way Tell her to happen then and now All right What about you? I'm gonna find out how much Preston knows How much good he thinks it'll do? Hello, sir Walker You ought to shoot that money's dangerous some people. Yeah Well the big crossman what's the matter? To lonesome for you up on the creek. Oh the company's better than it was last summer getting worse around here How long do you plan to stay in town sergeant until the inspector gets back? I hope he gets back soon Oh that He says you got Ben Martin here. That's right. We're holding him for questioning What's he been up to? We found him in your cabin on Rainbow Creek. That's okay I sent him up there and gave him a key. He was just looking around for me that I believe see the neighborhood isn't so good I figured something might be stolen Well, well what? If you haven't got anything else against him aren't you gonna turn him loose now? No, not yet But you've taken care of the breaking and uttering charge and that's all the information. We want it from you now Thanks for dropping in Walker Are you sure there aren't any more questions not tonight? Okay, then Take care of yourself And don't forget you're in a big bad city How long can you hold Martin sergeant not long Jim, but perhaps long enough to worry Brad Walker Perhaps even long enough to make him show his hand. I hope You turning in now. No, Jim if anything goes wrong in Dawson, it's always between now and morning We're going to finish up a little work here and then King and I will make a tour of inspection Well, I'm gonna try and find Chick any suggestions. You might try the gold nugget his girl works there girl Yes, her name's Marie. Well, that's news to me. I'll take a look Oh, just remember Jim Walker's advice wasn't bad. Be careful. Sure. Good night, sergeant. Good night. Good night, King Jim's younger brother chick was a great favorite in Dawson Half the man on the gold nugget called out a greeting as he showed it his way through the crowd toward the end of the bar Where Marie was waiting for him. Oh, hello, baby. Hello, she oh, you're cute All right, Jim makes me laugh. Do you say my name? I'll take your word for it. Look, baby. Good news Gold I wanted all from those 40 mile boys More oh that ought to last me for a while shouldn't it? Hey, I know you it will last until tomorrow morning All right, so let's forget about it and have a good time It is your lucky night all around baby. Now, let's stay wait There's Brad Walker over there. Who cares? I have not liked the way he has laughed at you for not playing poker with me Ah, forget about it. And you are right not to risk any part of your claim on gambling Tonight you have money You're lucky. I Would like you to take all his money away from him. Is that an order, baby? We All right, then here we go Jim My old old face. It's good to see you comb the icicles out of your eyebrows and have a drink No, thanks, Marie. This is my brother Jim meet Marie. She's the girl. I'm gonna marry that so Do not pay too much attention It is new to me. So what brings it at Dawson Jim you? Yeah Yes, here you are a bad boy I've always been a bad boy and he gave up trying to be a good influence a long time ago Didn't you Jim? I'm gonna start again. Oh, no, you're not kind of late chick You've had enough to drink how you get no this is just a shank of the evening I want you to come back to your cabin with me Important what can wait until the Mara can I don't think so? Now look, there's no two ways about this. I'm gonna make you come with me. Oh, no, you're not She is older than you He knows what I decide that for myself. Come on. Take your hands off me. Okay I'll wait for you in the cabin. You better not I'll be late and I'll wake you up when I come home. You better get a room at the Palace All right, that's the way you feel about it I'll see you in the morning Forget it nobody's gonna treat me like a kid not even Jim No Come on, baby. We'll get some of his money. Have another drink before you draw. Thanks, baby This is my lucky day. It must be tomorrow. The luck's certainly gone. You will do better To what about you I'm standing pad Coming out with a hundred Too bad, I can't do any more than core There's your hundred and here's a beautiful full house aces over king How about your claim Be glad to lend you money on it. No, thanks Be groggy, but I still got sense that You know sense not a For any of that stuff. I know what He's out. I got him. It's about time Marie. You wanted him to remember losing all his money He could have taken him so many You're sure the brothers of the palace. Yeah, I check then we take him to his cabin You fix up the paper of his own pen and they get a yeah Cards and a bottle at two on the table to make it look like they've been a big game You come along with us Marie. You can have we if you say so It was nearly dawn when king and sergeant Preston started back toward headquarters King whimpered and then taking the bottom of the sergeant's parker in his mouth gently pulled him to a stop What's the matter boy? We've been down that street. Oh I see someone needs help in getting home friend of yours king Well, if you think there's something wrong, so do I Chick crossman was weak in the next morning by a knock on the door of his cabin He was lying on his cot fully dressed His head throbbed, but he swung his feet to the floor and stood up He staggered as he reached the table and leaned on it for support cards bottles an open bottle of ink a pen He shook his head and then took the few remaining steps to the door Hello, I have come to make you some coffee. Oh wonderful, baby. Come on in You can put some wood in his door. All right You do not look so good. I don't feel so good What happened last night? You lost all your money. I sort of remember that What happened afterwards How'd I get home? You came home with Brad and Eddie. Well, I came through but there was no use in that You would not listen to me. I brought Brad and Eddie here You insisted that the game must go on but I didn't have any money You put up your share of the claim against ten thousand dollars No, I couldn't have no There's the open ink bottle and the pen with which the quit claim was signed and I I Lost the claim you do not add it. Do you I I know I will answer for you You do not have it as I was coming here. I saw Walker go into the registry office to file your claim Oh, no. Oh, yeah, I Don't remember Perhaps it will come back to you after you ask of course. I don't want it to come back. I don't want to believe it What have I done Marie? I tell you this means I'm out Brad is Jim's partner. He owns half our claim. We I don't care so much for myself Not the money part of it, but I've double-crossed German and I've double-crossed you Me well sure I've always told you that when I started taking gold out of the claim or this summer you and I'd get married You have always laughed when you said that It was a joke. It may have been a joke to you, but it wasn't to me. I Have never laughed when you say you mean you would have I Would Know you's talking about it now. I'll have to go prospecting again Maybe Jim or Crubs take me but you do a lot better to kick me out How can I face you are no condition to face anyone right now? When the coffee is ready Drink and then go back to sleep. You're leaving. We I Don't blame you Not like that I Kiss you For goodbye It is a little goodbye Have you gone so sentimental that a little goodbye seems to be a little dead Drink the coffee and you will feel better Marie hesitated for a moment outside the cabin Then she turned away from the center of town and walked a few blocks to Brad Walker's cabin Without knocking she opened the door and walked in Don't ever come in like that again next time. Maybe you'll step a bullet. There will not be a next time I see you are out of jail Ben. Yeah, the police didn't have anything on him Because he failed to kill Jim. We're just bad luck and it was pressed him out of gut if you haven't been over when I shot What do you think of that? I think you talk too much. Yes, you're right The chick believe your story This is the way it works from now on Yet he you and me and Ben start to the rainbow at noon will need supplies and the team you'll have time to get them You and Ben will hide out in my cabin. I'll break into jam Soon as he gets back, he'll try to throw me out But I expect you boys to be on hand sure we'll be there and this time I don't want you to miss we won't I'll say I shot him the law won't be able to touch me I Have a legal right to be in the cabin and I kill himself defense when he drew a gun You're in it just as much as we are my work is done and I wish to be pale 1000 in gold I'll pay you off with what I want from chick last night. Want me to wear it out? No, I know the amount is right You can give it to me in the bag that she gave to you. He might recognize it. That is very funny Do you imagine there will be anything between him and me now? He gets the air however you want to put it Gold From where do you leave the nugget I will see you there to say goodbye But Marie went straight to police headquarters She talked with sergeant Preston for half an hour and as she talked he wrote Finally and you're willing to testify to this That Walker hired Ben Martin to kill Jim Crossman that Eddie Conlon forged chick Crossman's name to the quit claim deed At Walker with knowledge of the forgery filed the deed At the three of them are now planning murder and will make it seem to be a killing in self-defense. I will testify to everything I It is the truth. I warn you again. This makes you an accessory. I will testify when signed here, please Now tell me We have you've done this It is also an important you're in love with chick What's different you'll never speak to me again when you find out well I can only say that as a witness for the crown you may expect some lenience King's a witness for the crown to He made me follow you when you took chick Crossman to his cabin last night. I saw everything that happened inside There's a paper at the window there's a hole in the paper now I Saw chick lying on the cot. I saw Eddie commit the forgery. I heard everything that was said Why did you not do something? I was a witness to a conspiracy Since Walker's registered the deed it's become a crime And now that you've come forward the three of them can be charged with attempted murder. You will arrest them. Yes By the way, they intend to leave from the nugget at noon this time Yes Walker hates you Do not give him an opportunity to shoot first. You think he might resist arrest. I am sure of it and Then he is wanted for something else in Alberta and Eddie. He is a little rat Resist I am sure they weed. I may give them a chance Because our job up here is more than enforcing the law Marie We must make the Northwest mounted police and the law respected To do that sometimes we have to take chances right King. All right At a quarter of 12 in the morning the gold nugget was only partly filled When Sergeant Preston entered with chick and Jim Crossman, they spotted Walker and Martin standing at the bar King growled I remember Jim you too chick I've let you come with me, but I have your promise that you'll keep out of this You will be we won't wait for him Walker Martin I arrest you in the name of the Queen You're under arrest and I warn you that anything you say may be used against you What's the charge brand larceny forgery and attempted murder? Yeah You got any proof the court will decide that you're coming with me With a gun in my ribs. What choice do I have? You know if all we said you money's out of change your uniform. Isn't that right boys? They should have a yellow streak right down the back of that red and over your gun Take charge of this Jim right sergeant. I've got it now yours Martin. Yeah Here Jim Now you can take mine. What take it. Well, sure, but what's the idea? He's pretending. He's a big brave man What's the difference whether you get a gun or not sergeant as long as your friends got him Don't shoot Jim under any circumstances. That's an order. You mean this is just between you and me. No Ben's included Stick out your hands while I put these cuffs on them. All right, man Let's accommodate the sergeant like this Give it up brand sergeant. I got Ben covered after his first quash and glow Brad Walker tried desperately to close with Preston He outweighed the money by nearly 40 pounds and was determined to reduce the fight to a rough and tumble one Where sheer brute strength must win But the sergeant evaded his bear like rushes or drove them back with rapier right and left Teddy King study the sergeant's doing all right. I'll say is give it to him But just then the red-coated Monty lost his footing Walker forced him back against the table his great paws grasping for Preston's throat The table collapsed beneath their way Lesson rolls three was on his feet again again Walker charged a solid right quacks against his jaw He staggered back and at that moment sergeant behind you. There's Eddie Conlon As Eddie raised his gun prepared to shoot the Monty in the back the great dog King leaped at him Conlon was knocked to the floor the gun fell from his hand and King growled a man is at his throat Preston moved in on Walker Walker reeled backwards There that finishes him sergeant. I sure let him Good work boy Get up Conlon. You're under arrest in the name of the Queen You'll Martin pick up your partner the three of you are heading for jail After the trial was over and Walker Martin and Conlon had been convicted on all charges Marie and check Crossman met in sergeant Preston's office Marie The sergeant said I could talk to you for a minute. We are almost ready to start. I know Just the same I'm taking me to jail. What is there to talk about? You'll be back here before the end of next summer. I do not think I will come back to you But you've got to what's for for me, baby She Up the what is happening? Yes, surely I Admit, I don't like the fact that you played me for a sap even if I was one and had it coming to me But what you've done since makes all the difference. I Want you to come back here and and marry me She Sorry, but we'll have to get started Marie. I am ready. Goodbye, baby. Goodbye. She King do you notice that Marie is smiling? I Will tell you please I am very very happy And I think that you and the sergeant will be invited to our wedding next August Do you not approve King? Well, of course he does all he said one case is closed The challenge of the Yukon a copyrighted feature is a George W. Trendle production Brought to you each week at this time and all names and incidents used are fictitious Listen again next week to another exciting adventure during the days of the gold rush Fred boy speaking this program came to you from Detroit Robert Herrick the Elizabethan poet tells us to gather our rose buds while we may that old time is always a flying Well, Mr. Herrick has a point there and we're going to adapt it to radio In fact to one specific show Ross Dolan detective, which is presented every Saturday night over most of these ABC stations If you've been missing out on the thrills this program brings listeners Be sure to start tonight to listen in as the hero of Ross Dolan detective William Gargan popular screen actor plays the top and terrific private eye Ross Dolan The old saying he has away with him certainly fits Ross like a glove for he does have a way with him with gangsters and gals alike With mr. Herrick's little saying in mind plan to be on hand when Ross Dolan detective goes on the air tonight and every Saturday night