 The challenge of the Yukon! The Wonder Dog King, swiftest and strongest of Eskimo lead dogs, blazes the trail through storm and snow for Sergeant Preston, as he meets the challenge of the Yukon! Sergeant Preston was typical of the small band of northwest-mounted police who preserved law and order in the new northwest country, where the greed for wealth and power led to frequent violence and bloodshed. But in spite of the odds against them, Sergeant Preston and his Wonder Dog King met that challenge, and justice ruled triumphant. In a small, garishly furnished walk-up apartment on a nondescript Seattle street, two men sat talking. Blocky Lewis was the older of the two, and his face wore an expression of impatience as he glanced from the cards he was cutting with practice fingers. I tell you, Blocky, there's not a thing I can do about it. He won't change his mind. You said that before. You've been getting your cut on everything. It's easy money, kid. Sure, sure it is. Or was, because I'm going with him. The courts got into you, anyway. You go and sign a medal, so the two of you have stuck together all this time. Your orphans, ain't you? Both of you and Ian have made your own way. You don't know that sapper thing. Don't call it a sapper, Blackie. Maybe he doesn't see a lot of things the way I do, but he's not dumb, see? You think that stuff in the newspaper is on the level? Huh? Oh, oh, yeah, sure I do. I brought a ton of the real McCoy in on that boat, didn't I? Just think, Blackie. A ton of gold. Yeah, I am thinking. I never heard of the place before, but there's no reason why we couldn't... Couldn't what? Yeah, maybe I was wrong. Things haven't been so good here lately. Last brush I had with the law was a little too close. Well, get what you're driving at. Let me see that paper. How soon are you two leaving? Oh, not for a couple of weeks. Three at the most. Why? Kid, I'm going to meet you there. And let's see. Yeah, I'll meet you in Dawson. Yukon Territory. Several months past, that Inspector Maynard's office at headquarters of the Northwest Mounted Police, Sergeant Preston stood in front of a map of the territory, listening to his superior officer. Unfortunately, we have only the description of the robbers which the bank clerk supplied before he died. That won't be a great deal of help to you since the bandits wore bandanas over their faces. Here you are. Hmm, you're right. Doesn't say much. All you can get out of this is that there were two men. Yes. If they're responsible for all of this murder and robbery, they've got quite a score behind them. It's your job to see that they settle their score. Whatever it is, Sergeant. I'll start to work on it immediately, sir. You think you'll need any assistance on the case? Well, King and I usually... That's right. I forgot for the moment. King's your assistant, eh? I never did understand that. But handle this anywhere you like. Just so as those men are brought to justice. Good luck. Thank you, sir. I hope I won't need it. Thus began many days on the trail for Sergeant Preston and the Great Dog King. They stopped the towns where the crimes had been committed, pausing only long enough for the money to ask questions and then move on. The trail ended abruptly at Burgess City. While the policeman made that settlement his temporary headquarters, he searched painstakingly for clues of the two men he sought. Meantime, at a small cabin several miles north of the sprawling boomtown, Edward Warner knelt on the floor in front of Kathy Merrill, who unfastened the thongs on her snowshoes. I'm awfully glad I met you on the trail, Kathy. I don't often have the pleasure of walking with you. Well, good heavens. I think that's more words than you said to me since the day I met you. Well, I've been meaning to tell you how grateful Johnny and I are to you. I mean your father for the way he's been to us. Oh, nonsense. Father likes you. Otherwise, he wouldn't have told you about that strip of land next hour. He state to claim on this property that's really very worthwhile. But he thinks you too will make a strike on your land that may be every bit as good. I hope he's right. Only it's Johnny he likes. Johnny's a great guy. You know, I've known him since we were kids. Why, I don't remember... Honestly, Eddie, don't you ever talk about yourself? Huh? Well, there isn't much to tell about me. Oh, Eddie. Oh, what's wrong? Nothing. Nothing at all. Guess the wall of Jericho would have to fall down in front of you before you'd see what I... Oh, never mind. As Eddie Warner walks from Merrill's cabin toward his own, Kathy watched him from the window with an exasperated frown on her face that softened to a smile. Bending his head against the wind, Eddie was haunted by a mental picture of a girl. Her hair, her eyes, the timber of her voice. He shook his head and walked faster. Later that evening, in Burgess City, Johnny Patterson stood at the bar in the Golden Mugget Cafe. Blackie Lewis was beside him, but the younger man looked morosely at the contents in the glass he held and instead of listening to his companions. So, while I was playing poker this afternoon, they told me about the Mondium Palace. It seems like he's... Hey, what's eating you, anyway? Blackie, my trigger fingers get itchy again. Oh, so that's it, huh? And what's the deal? You know Merrill. He's the one that tipped you off to the land out there, isn't he? Yes. Well, so far, we ain't turned up much girls, though. But he's got some more of it in that's mind of his than you and me ever saw before. We could move in on that. What about this palliard? You'd have a hard time pulling anything with him around. The moneys and sounded neat. Oh, if it had looked like Eddie was the one who killed Merrill. You mean Tramham? Why does sudden change your heart? I get it. You get what? Listen, kid, don't try to fool me. I've been around a long time. There's only one thing that can bust up a friendship between two men, and that's a woman. So, well... You're jealous of him, huh? Jealous? He's too dumb to open his mouth. That don't seem to make any difference to her. Any time the three of us are together, it's him she listens to when she can get him to talk. No, I'm not jealous. I'm jealous. I'm just clearing away the odds. All right, you can call me in. Yeah, but there's one thing, kid. With a money in town, I'm a little leery keeping them money bags and posts at the hotel. Can you take my share and keep it with yours till he clears out? Sure. I'll take it back with me. What about your pal? Any danger of him finding us? Don't worry. I've got it hid where he'll never think a look at. Besides, we won't have him to consider much longer. Now, you come up to the cabin with me tonight. The two of us will work on a plan. I've already got a night's here, but I'll need you to back me up. So come on, let's not waste time. It was mid-afternoon of the next day. A light snow fell. An inside Marrow's cabin, Johnny Patterson leaned back in his chair to look at the old man who was examining some samples of ore. So Kathy went in to get the supplies. I told her she better not waste any time getting back here. You never know when these light snows will turn fierce. That's right. I've been many happy since you came up here, my boy. It's company for both Kathy and me. It used to be pretty lonely. Well, but it's more pleasant now. And I wish you all a look in the world with your... Johnny! Johnny! This we've always loaded, Mr. Marrow. Johnny, have you lost your mind? What's the meaning of this? Put down that gun. Not before I put one of these slugs right through your heart, old timer. You must be insane. Please! Listen to reason! It was much later that night. And in the cabin where Johnny Patterson and Edward Warner made their home, Sergeant Preston looked from the two young men to Blackie Lewis. Finally at Kathy Marrow. The girl's face was white, her eyes red from weeping, but she sat straight and still making an effort to control her sorrow. King lay on the floor, his head resting between his paws while he watched the proceedings alertly. This bullet was fired from a revolver to you, Warner? Yes, the revolver is mine. But I didn't have it with me today. I went hunting and took Johnny's rifle. Johnny Patterson shot a quick glance at Eddie. It seemed to say so much. It seemed to say, so you want him to believe you were out hunting. All right, I'll back you up. Preston noticed a look and turned to Johnny. He took your rifle? Oh, yes, yes, yes. He took the rifle, Sergeant. And you? Blackie and I tried to do some work on the claim today. The snow came up, so we quit and we came inside. But the afternoon plan two handed poker, as a matter of fact. I see. You didn't go to Merrill's cabinet all day. I guess it's my fault that we didn't, Sergeant. I was pretty anxious to see this claim Johnny told me about. King turned his attention from a small group in front of him and looked instead at a corner of the room. His eyes were cocked forward eagerly as he raised his head. Well, Patterson, seems you have someone to back up your alibi. Now, what time did your friend leave to go hunting? I... Well, I don't exactly remember. But he did go hunting. Warner, you were alone most of the day. With the snow to cover your tracks it would be impossible to determine whether or not you went to Mr. Merrill's cabin. And the fact remains that you went hunting, but you didn't bring anything in. I'm afraid I'll have to put you under arrest. Arrest? Yes, for investigation of murder. Say, listen, what's that noise? Well, I don't know. It's scraping us, I'm sorry. Probably a rat, Mr. Lewis. We were troubled with a few of them at the cabin until Dad got rid of them with trash. It looks like King discovered the rat. Sergeant Preston turned a glance at King and from the corner of his eyes he saw one of the floorboards in which the dog had placed the weight of his front paws, went down. And then banged as King leaped back with amazing agility. Come on, get away from there. Sergeant, call him over here. That's a fine dog like that. Oh, wait a minute. That's a loose floorboard. Sir, nail that down, Patterson. You have to twist your ankle pretty badly. I'll fix it, Sergeant. There's no need for you to... Johnny Patterson left the sentence unfinished for he saw them out, he reached into the cavity in the floor, and quickly he reached for a revolver swinging around to cover the occupants of the room. King had not seen, but he'd sensed the action and he turned looking at the man waiting tensely for some sign from Preston. You can drop what you get in your hands, Sergeant. Oh, money bags from the bank and south borough. Yeah. And a lot more pokes in there without names on them. They ain't gonna do you any good. It's too bad that dog of yours got nosy. Get his gun, Blackie. Johnny. Johnny, you mean you've had those there all this time? With the murders you've got behind you, Patterson, I guess one more wouldn't make any difference to you. And your guess would be right, too. Sure I killed Meryl. Blackie and me was gonna move in on a claim. I figured on Mary Calfee once that he was out of the way. Mary, you! Will you murder her? I don't be so hasty, baby, because you're going with me. I'm gonna kill you, Sergeant. And you, too, at ease. By the time you're found, Blackie and me, you'll be out of the Yuko. I won't go a step with you, not a step! You've got everything pretty neatly planned out, Patterson. There's just one thing you've overlooked. Yeah, what's that? The same dog who uncovered your loot. At ease! Get that dog away! Maybe I'm head-cooked. Get him away! Get him away! Try to break out of that hole, Lewis. Now drop that gun, Patterson. Drop that gun! Throw him out of my arm! Get that dog away from my ankle! Get him away! All right, Dean. Here under arrest, both of you. You unlock those handcuffs, will you, Miss Mel? Here's the key. I certainly will. Oh, Eddie, I'm so glad I... I couldn't believe you'd done it. You never opened your mouth to say you didn't. I couldn't believe myself when I saw Johnny didn't believe me. He put on a good act, Eddie. Pretending anxiety to back up your story and at the same time tearing it apart with a tone of his voice. Eddie... Eddie, won't you ever say it? Won't you ever ask me? Why? Oh, Cathy. And now, Patterson, you and Blackie are headed for jail. But you can take it from me. You won't stay there long. You've both got an appointment with a hangman. Yes, fella. Thanks to you, the case is closed. These copyrighted dramas originate in the studios of WXYZ Detroit. All characters, names, places, and incidents used are fictitious. They are sent to you each week at this same time. Bob Hyde speaking. This program came...