 Take one man on a mission of vengeance. Let him stalk a brutal unknown killer in a town of strangers. That's our story. Dead ringer taken from the files of John Steele. Adventurer. This is John Steele. We're back this week to bring you another story of suspense and hard fast action. So turn down the light, get a grip on that chair and hang on. This week Steele takes us out to the blistering sands of our own western desert where I first met Bill Allen. But here he is to tell you his story himself. Bill, you know, home is a funny thing. When you're there, you never appreciate it. But every mile you get away from it, it starts looking better and better. At least that's the way it was with me. I'd had a fight with my pa and I'd been away from home for 15 years but somehow I'd never really been out of touch with the old place. Every week pa had the Canyon City Herald sent to me. Every once in a while I'd get a hankering to go back but I kept putting it off. Then one day something happened that made up my mind for me. The Herald said pa had been shot dead and his killer had got away. I took the train to the nearest depot, bought a horse and started the three-day ride across the desert to Canyon City. I guess it was about the middle of the second day. The sun was out, it was hot as blazes. All right, come on, boy, now keep your head up. Okay, okay, fella, you wanna rest? We will. Listen to me, you've been resting more than you've been walking. Go on, take a stretch of yourself. It's a matter, fella, I'm hot, too, you know. You use a little of that pep when I'm on your back when you've been in Canyon City by now. It's a matter. I'm coming, don't get hot under the saddle. I don't know why you just can't take it easy like any other horse. It's you, you gotta go run. Huh? There's no wonder you was fussing. All right, take it easy, mister. Why don't I get you rolled over? Water, here. All right, just take it easy, fella. All right, there you are. Hey, hey, hey, not so much, not so much. Funny of it, huh? Well, you just lay back and rest. Yeah, I heard you. Now, you leave everything to me. I'll have you fixed up in no time. Mister. Hey, mister. He's dead. Unless we have identification in some place. Hey, no, he's not here. Maybe the back pockets. No, here's a wallet. Let's see his money. It must have cards. Oh, yeah. Caleb Baxter butte Montana. Montana? Why not? Yeah, why not? Did you ever play a hunch? That's what I did. It just seemed to me that if Pa had enemies in Canyon City, I'd do a lot better if I changed my name. I took his guns off him and buried him there in the desert, and from then on I was Caleb Baxter. I got into town late the third day and headed for the only hotel. I figured if Baxter had been a stranger in Canyon City, he'd have stayed there. If I got past the desk using the name, I could get away with it anyways in town. I signed the register, and the clerk looked at it and just handed me my key, and that was that. So I cleaned up and headed over to the bar across the street. Mister, where did it be? Uh, whiskey, straight. You didn't say whiskey, straight? I haven't tell you when you're out or running out of town. What'd you say? I said I ought to run you away. Fine now, you couldn't walk anybody out of town. Leave the bottle here. Yeah. What's going on down there? Oh, they just get no wind in it. He's the town barber. Has been for years. When do Thompson? What's saying, mister? Uh, nothing. I ain't gonna take it no more. Did Thompson? Yes, sir, mister. That's me, that's me. Well, I've been looking for you. Uh, what for? Well, you see a ponder of mine come through Canyon City a few months back, and you get my hair cut. Well now, mister, any time I get you... He said you were the worst barber west of the Big Ben country. What? And if I ever got out here, would you take his quarter back or have your hide? He did, didn't he? Well... He does something to a head of hair. That's what I heard. Now look at me, for instance. Uh, would you mind putting that gun up? Makes me a little nervous. Hmm? Oh, yeah. Well, now look at me. I ain't got much hair, but... Cures to me like Wendy owes you one on the house. Hmm? Well, hey, sure does. What'd he say, Wendy? Uh, okay, okay. All right. Now, supposing you and me have a drink. Sure, sure. Yeah, yeah. Whiskey? Sure, sure. Yeah, got that partner yours. I don't remember cutting anything. I just made that up. You what? Hey, Sammy. Shut up. Huh? Don't you know when you're well off? Guess I ought to thank you. Well, somebody had to do something. Yeah, uh, what's your name? Baxter, Caleb Baxter. Well, thanks, Baxter. That was a mighty fast-thinking young man. Hmm? Howdy, Mr. Clemens. Hello, Wendy. Baxter, Mr. Clemens. He runs a town paper. Oh, hi. Baxter. Baxter, you from around here? No, I'm a stranger in town. I knew that name wasn't on the subscription list. No. Say, uh, you might be able to help me, Mr. Clemens. Come on, we can talk over at my table. Go ahead, kid. I'll wait for you. Okay. By all rights, I should be mad at you. Oh, why? Well, you took a good headline away from me. Now, what can I do for you? Well, I want to talk to you about Jed Allen. What did you say your name was? Caleb Baxter. What do you want to know about Jed Allen? Did he have any enemies? No, none that I know of. I heard there was a couple of people around that had it in from him. Possible. He came in town quite a bit, didn't he? No, Jed stuck pretty close to the ranch. Hmm? Did he own his place? Never heard he didn't. What's on your mind, Baxter? Nothing. Is there any strangers in town? Well, I haven't seen any. What do you mean by that? Well, there was a rumor going around that someone was living in the old Benson Place. Where's that? It's just a little shack south end of town. It was just a rumor. Well, thanks, Mr. Clements. Look, can I drop in and talk to you again? Anytime, Baxter, anytime. Thanks. Wendy. Yeah, yeah. Come here a minute. Hey, what's up, kid? Do you know the old Benson Place? Sure. Will you take me to it? Let's go. Come on. 100 feet down the road on the right. Okay, thanks. I'll wait here. You sure? Like you know what's going on around here. Where'd you come from? Over by the shack. I took a couple of him and I don't think I hit him. All right, which way did he go? Hit him. Mr. Clements told Mr. Clements what had happened. He suggested I go out to the ranch and talk to the old Mexican woman that had kept house for Paul. It seemed strange riding out that road I'd been over so many times as a kid. Just as if I'd never been away. Prairie was lying hot and dusty under a broil and sun, not a breath of air stirring. Then I come over the rise by the split pine. There was the ranch. Nestling down in the hollow under the big shade tree. I rode through the gate past the spring house with the moss on the roof and on up to the hitching rail. All the hands must have been out working the herd because there wasn't a living thing in sight. There was no way to come home. You have to break down the door. Hello, ma'am. What do you want? I'd like to come in and rest a bit. It's hot riding. There is water at the spring house. Well, it's more than that, ma'am. See, I'd like to talk to you. Who you are? Baxter, ma'am. Caleb Baxter. I do not know you. No, no. I want to talk to you about Mr. Allen. I am busy. Go away. Please, ma'am. See, it's kind of important. It's all right. You talk. Can I come in? Madre mia. What are you looking at? The room. Nice room. Stay out of there. I won't hurt nothing, ma'am. Stay out. Please. Look, I'm busy. What do you want? How long did you work for Mr. Allen? 10, 12 years. These his guns? Leave them alone. Nice man to work for? Senor Allen. See, good man. Yeah, I thought so. Never get angry. Never. Yeah. Everyone his friend. See, it's his picture over the fireplace. Nice looking man. I don't know who could do this thing. No, no. Don't get upset. You were so good. What's your name? Maria. That's better. See, that's what I wanted to talk to you about, Maria. See? Was there anyone who'd kill Mr. Allen? No. No one would kill Senor Allen. Somebody did, though. Now, think, Maria, have you any idea who might have done it? No one. Any of the ranch hands? No. Anybody in town? No. Think, Maria. Please. You go now, please. Okay. Such a terrible thing. Why do not someone do something? We will, Maria. We will. I'd counted on Maria giving me some kind of lead, and instead I'd got nothing. A killer's trail was as cold as a mountain stream. I didn't know what to do next. On the way back in the town, I stopped in at Wendy's barbershop. I needed somebody to talk to, and he was as good as any. Howdy, kid. Make your way to the debate. It's okay, Wendy. No hurry. Get yourself down, Caleb. Find a couple of good desserts there. Thanks. So then I said to him, mister, I don't care what you have to say. I don't think Canyon City needs a new highway. Why did one of them concrete racetrack through our town? Why there's no teller? What kind of earner will be getting around here? Why I said I wouldn't vote for it if the governor himself came down here and said, Wendy, Canyon City's got to be put on the map. No, sir. I said, don't count on me. And he gave me a lot of focus. Focus about being behind the times and such, and when he was all through. I said, mister, there's still people the same way. That'll be 25 cents, Joe. Thank you. Nice talking to you. Okay, kid, you're next. You remember Joe from this loan, don't you, kid? Yeah, sure. Hi, Joe. Hello, Baxter. See you tonight, Joe. Yeah. What'll it be, Caleb? A haircut and leave me something to comb. Just don't you worry. Got something to tell you soon, Joe, please. Hey, I said I see you tonight, Joe. Yeah. You look through the new cassette. No, ain't had time. Don't know why he can't buy his own. Hey, you see this one on page 17? Good as last month? Better. Well, let me see. Hey, Wendy, how about my haircut? Oh, oh, sure, sure, sure, sure. You ought to see that one. I did. Tell me, what's this about a new highway? State's been trying to put it through ever since the war. But it's just like I was saying. Don't the townspeople want it? Some don't and some don't. You see, there's way a lot of business to town. That's what Mr. Clements says. But you say he was leaving, Joe? No, hurry. I don't go to work so fast. I think the barbershops are public library. And for two bits, too. Clements is right, you know. About what? The road. Oh, well, I'm putting it up to a public referendum. Referendum? Yeah, yeah, vote. Vote. Sure to be beaten, though. Why? Well, for one thing, the ranchers don't want it. They swing a lot of weight in this town. Yeah, I guess they do. Well, I'll be seeing you next month, Wendy. You said don't come out till the 5th. Being on the 6th. See you back there. Yeah, so long, Joe. Thought he'd never go. Forgot my hat. Yeah, sure, sure. Be seeing you. Oh, yeah, sure, sure. Oh, what'd you have to tell me? I've been thinking since last night, kid, and I figure you went down to the Benson Place looking for somebody. Yeah. Well, I put two and two together, and since that's where the Allen Killer was supposed to hit out, I figure that's who you're looking for. What if I am? Well, Mr. Clements was in for a haircut about an hour ago. You know, been cutting his hair for years. He likes a little off the top and on the side. What'd he say? What'd he say? Oh, well, yeah, well, he said the Allen Killer was back in town. You sure? Yep. And he was seen riding out to the Allen Ranch this morning. Clements said that? Yep, yep. Hey, where you going? I'll pay you later. When Clements was right, I must have passed the Killer on the road only he'd seen me coming and ducked into the mesquite till I'd gone by. If I hurried, I might still catch him out the ranch. I'd put the leather to my horse and rode her harder. She'd go all the way out. When I topped the rise by the split pine, I rained up and looked down on the buildings in the hull. Everything looked the same. The hot afternoon sun was beaten down on the barns. The hands were still out working. Nothing had changed. I looked over at the hitch and rail but there wasn't any horse tied up there. I rode through the gate and on up to the house. Open the door. No! I've got to talk to you. No, wait! I don't want to frighten you, Maria, but if you don't open the door, I'm going to break it down. What do you want? I just want to talk to you. That's all. You talk. What's a gun for? You talk. I'm coming in. No! Yeah. No! Give me that gun! No! Are you crazy? You might have hurt somebody with that thing. I don't know nothing. Let's go. Look, somebody was here today. Who was it? No one here. Yeah, I know. He's gone. But who was it? I tell you no one here. You're lying, Maria. I tell you. I'm not leaving till you tell me it was here today. Please. Or maybe you're covering up for somebody's. I do not understand. Are you? Please. No one here. Could you be telling the truth? See, see. That doesn't make sense. You go now. Well, I'm sorry. I frighten you. But what are these? No. A pretty strong cigarette for you. The smoke, isn't it, Maria? Please. I wasn't here this morning. Who are they? I don't know nothing. Okay. Okay, Maria. But now I got something to work on. I rode back to town with a pack of picayoons in my pocket. They weren't much of a lead, but it was better than nothing. All I knew was that the killer was somewhere, is in town, and he'd been out to the ranch. That was all. As I was tying up in front of the hotel, Wendy came running out waving something in his hand. Kid, where are you being, kid? Huh? All names have been bushing here. Here, look at this. What? Headline. Read it. Read it. Killer to surrender tonight. Sure. Go on. Go on. Harvey Clemens editor of the Canyon City Herald was contacted by the killer of Jed Allen this afternoon and was arranged for surrender to share a steal at six o'clock this evening. It is requested that all citizens remain indoors. Yeah. What do you think of that, eh? What time is it, Wendy? First extra the Herald's had since... What time is it? Huh? Time is it. 5.30. Come on. Come on inside. Mr. Clemens. What? Oh, hello, Baxter. See the paper yet? Yeah. Where do you think of the news? It's good. Yeah, we've been looking all over for you. Knew you'd want to be in on it. Yeah, I was out the ranch. Glad you got back in time. Where are you going to meet him? Out at the Benson Place. Quarter to six. It's 5.39. I was just leaving. Uh, Mr. Clemens. Yeah. I know there's a big feather in your cap, but, uh... Will you let me bring him in? Well, I... I got my own reasons for asking. Yeah. Yeah, I guess it'll be all right. Thanks. Won't be coming up to works now, will you? No, I didn't say who'd meet him. Supposing he don't show. He'll be there. He's tired of running. Wants to give himself up. Come on. We better get going, Wendy. Sure, sure. Thanks again, Mr. Clemens. See you at the sheriff's office at 6. Right. All right, we've got 10 minutes. Let's go. I told you we had plenty of time. Uh-huh. Now tell us a head up, huh? Keep your gun handy. Oh, sure. Sure, sure. Anybody here? What time you got? Uh, 20 to 6. I'm not here yet, then. All right, come on. Let's have a look around. You take the back room. I'll take the front. Closets and everything. Ha-ha. And all that. Find anything? Wendy. What time is it? Uh, 17-2. Well, we gotta wait. That's all. Ha-ha. Not even a box to sit on. Why, when I was about to... Try the floor. Huh? What's the time? Uh, 16-2. And if you're gonna sit there... He's gotta come. He will if you stop watching the clock. Mr. Clemens said quarter to, didn't he? Yeah. It's time. I don't hear nothing. Maybe his watch is wronging. Yeah. Where you going? Gonna look up the road. What time you got? Uh... He's not coming. If he was gonna be here in the next five minutes, we'd see his horse by now. He's not gonna show. Maybe his horse claimed himself. Come on. Where are we going? First, I'm gonna make a phone call. Then, we're going to the sheriff's office. Not a living soul on the street. No. Uh... Who'd you call, Caleb? I can't tell you yet. But, uh... Later, maybe. Wendy. Huh? When we get in here, no matter what happens, I want you to keep that lift button. Sure, kid. Sure, sure, sure. Remember, Wendy. Yeah, sure, sure. What time is it? Uh, six o'clock. What? Wendy. I'll take those guns, Boxler. Sure, Sheriff. Yours too, Wendy. Go ahead, Wendy. Oh, what did I... I told you he'd be here at six. Yes, Mr. Clemens. You ready to sign a confession, Boxler? Yes, Sheriff. But this is... Shut up, Wendy. There's just one thing I want to know. How did you know it was me? Easy. Right after you took a couple of shots at Mr. Clemens last night, he called me and told me he was sure the Allen killer was in town. Went out to the Benson Place this morning and took one of your slugs out of the wall. I got the ballistics report from the county's heat this afternoon. Matched the slug we found in Jed Allen. I see. Uh, do you mind if a smoke, Sheriff? No, go ahead. Uh, I haven't got one on me. You got a cigarette, Clemens? No, I smoke cigars. Have one of mine, if you like. They're pretty strong, though. Peggy Younes. Well, then you were out of the ranch this afternoon. Yeah, I told Maria to be careful. You might be back. How'd you know I was out there? Mr. Clemens told me. Well, you ready to sign? Yeah, yeah. You want a good laugh? I've been running all over the county chasing a killer. And you know who had been chasing? Me. What do you mean? Never mind right now. Just one thing more. You said Clemens was sure I was the Allen killer. Is that exactly what he said? What difference did he make? Yes, he said he was sure. Well, didn't that strike you funny, Sheriff? Well, I should have. Why would Mr. Clemens be sure I was the killer when he'd never seen me before in his life? I'll tell you why. Because... Excuse me. Sheriff, stay on. Yes, he's here. Just a minute. For you, Baxter. Oh, thanks. Hello? This is Miss Howard again, Mr. Baxter. Yeah? I have the information now, but it's confidential and we can't release it. That's mighty important. I'm sorry. Well, maybe if I let you talk to the sheriff... Where are... Sheriff, this is Miss Howard at the State Highway Department at Phoenix. We're wasting time. Just a minute, Mr. Clemens. Hello, Miss Howard. Ask her if she'll give you the information. Can you release this information to me? Yes. I see. Mm-hmm. I see. Well, thank you very much, Miss Howard. Yes. Yes, you're about to. Thank you. Goodbye. Let's get this over with. What were you saying when the phone rang, Baxter? Well, I said Mr. Clemens was sure I was the killer because he was the only one in town who knew I wasn't Caleb Baxter. What'd you say? That's right. And he was sure I wasn't Caleb Baxter because he's the only one who knew the real Caleb Baxter. Oh, that's great. And he knew the real Baxter because Clemens hired him to do the shooting. When he saw the initial CB on my holsters, he knew I was carrying the guns that had killed Jed Allen. Why would Mr. Clemens want to kill Jed Allen? Because Mr... I don't care what that woman said on the phone. It isn't against the law to own a construction company in another town. It's a free country. Anyone can make a bid on it. But for Clemens, the woman on the phone didn't tell me anything. She said the information was confidential and couldn't be released. Whoa. The whole thing's crazy. If I... Clemens here had Jed Allen shot down because he was against the new highway and Clemens was bitten for the construction contract. He said he was guilty. Why don't you unlock him now? Not a minute, Clemens. Have you any way to prove you're not Baxter? Sure, I can do it. You betcha. I knew all along who he was. Maybe I forget faces, but I'll never forget a head of hair. Why cut his hair when he was just a little shaver? He's Jed Allen's boy Billy. Thanks, Wendy. It's crazy, I tell you. You can't prove a thing. I... I talked to the real Baxter on the phone this morning. That's impossible. He's dead. Yeah, go ahead, Mr. Clemens. Finish what you're gonna say. Don't anybody move. Put that gun up, Clemens. Sure. When I get about 20 miles between us, yeah, I know Baxter's dead, because I loaded his canteens with sand. Oh, you dirty fuck-out, kid. Get back! I'll kill you. No, no, no, no, use it, kid. I'll break your... Get back, I said, get back! Well, that's better. Well, I'd kill you for that. Where's Wendy? He ducked out. Too hot for him. Now, where were we? Oh, sure. I had Jed Allen killed because he was always getting in my hair. But if it hadn't been for him, I'd have made a fortune on that highway. He got dressed what was coming to him. Now I'm clearing out of here, and when I go out that door, I don't want either of you to make a move for one minute. So long, Sheriff. That's... Allen. Come on, Bill. There he goes. Come on, get... He let the horses go. Wendy, what's the matter with you? He won't... Are you crazy? He won't get far. Come on, cut it out. Here, look at this. Give me that thing. Yeah, it is. What is it, isn't it? It is. It's an empty bottle. It hurts on him. Yeah, yeah. Put it in his... Yeah! It is cantina! Dead ringer. The story of a man who searched for a killer led him to himself. And friends, if you like Bill's story, why not come back next week? I'll have a man whose very life defended on a single blade of grass, not 10 feet from civilization. I like to call it juniper bush. So until next week, this is John Steele saying, A life of adventure is yours for the asking. Wherever you find it. Only don't look for it. It may find you. Well, goodbye and good hunting. John Steele, adventurer, is produced by Robert Monroe, written and directed by Elliot Drake. John Larkin was heard as Bill. Also in our cast were Bryna Ravern, Earl George, and Howard Cain. John Steele is played by Don Douglas. Musical effects were created by Doc Whipple. Your announcer is Ted Malley. Remember next week, Mutual presents Juniper Bush. Another story of suspense and action from the files of John Steele, adventurer. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.