 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 And Gordon hesitated for a moment before entering the Klondike Palace a gaudy cafe in Dawson City It looked bleak and ugly in the daylight and as she opened the door She could smell the distasteful odor of spilled beer and stale tobacco smoke She took a deep breath and resolutely entered The place was empty except for an old man who was sweeping the floor that was littered with tobacco ashes and broken glasses He stopped his work and looked at her curiously Good morning Howdy miss You the owner of the Klondike Palace Me the owner That's a good one Heck no miss. I'm just a sweeper upper Well, who is the owner of Chris James is Mr. James here. Yep. He's back there in his office You want to see him about some yes? I'm looking for a job job You sure you're in the right place, ma'am. They do have girls working here. Don't they if they do but You don't seem to be you mean you think mr. James wouldn't hire me. Oh, no, it didn't mean that it It's just it Well You're pretty young ain't you I'm 19 you ever been in here after dark. No, no, I never have well Can't exactly like a prayer meeting. I I didn't suppose it would be. Oh, I must have a job. I see Well, go straight back through that door and turn the right Chris James office is there. Thanks. Nice looking girl like you ought to find yourself a good husband instead of working Are you mr. James? Come on in. I won't fight you. Um, I'm Anne Gordon. Yeah I've been living alone with my father. He was a prospector. What's that got to do with me? Why nothing, but Well, you see he died and and I've been left alone We didn't have much money not enough for me to get back to the states I mean you're looking for a handout this ain't the place for it. I just started this business and I'm still in the hole I'm not asking for money. Listen sister get to the point. What are you asking for? I want a job You oh, I know I don't look very nice They're old and To get a job here you're not supposed to look nice You ever worked any place before no, I've always lived with my father Your dancer sing well, I sing a little but I've never had any lessons if that's what you mean I'll listen to a mess area. All you got to do is carry a tune You might do Dressing some glad rags a little makeup You might not be too bad. I'm I'm afraid I haven't any fancy clothes. Well, you got some here that'll fit you That's not what I'm worried about. Oh, I'll make a good waitress. I'll work hard We don't use waitresses kid. Your job will be to entertain the boys. We got men waiters Entertain sure sure sit with them at the table sing for him listen to their trouble. You'll learn. I Didn't know Maybe I better try to get work somewhere else. There's no place else. You can get work that I know of maybe you could hire out of somebody's housekeeper, but This is much easier and pleasantly The more I think about it the more I think you do right. Well You'd be sort of a novel Are there any other women in the place? Sure. We got two more Dottie LaRue just about your size. She'll give you some clothes. Well, I'll have to find a place to live in in town Roman board goes with a job. Got a couple of cabins back here. You can stay with Dottie She's living alone in hers. You mean you give us free board and room and and a salary to 25 dollars a week Plus commissions on refreshments refreshments, whatever the men buy for you while you're sitting at their table Daddy'll tell you about it. Have you want the job going back and see her. She's in the second cabin back Save all my salary Soon have enough fair to leave the country Sure, you would Maybe you'll learn to like it here Maybe you'll find out you don't want to leave at all I'll take the job. Mr. James Fine fine Now that we're friends you can start calling me Chris, huh? I guess I'd better go back and see mr.. Rue I'm and Gordon mr.. James said me to see you You're mr.. Rue. Aren't you sure? I'm Dottie LaRue Come on in before I freeze to death. Oh, don't get scared. I always look like a sheepdog in the morning Throw them clothes on the floor and sit down So dog tired last night. It's a wonder. I didn't sleep in them. I'll just put them on the bed Why did Chris send you here? He gave me a job. He said you could explain what I'd be expected to do It's a job like yours I guess she kid you ain't that hard up. Are you I haven't any money I want to get enough to get back to the state My father died and well, we were poor. Yeah, that's the old story Well, this job ain't easy, but it's better than starving to death Ever worked before just housework, but I'm strong. That's good Because when things get too rough, there's nothing like a good left hook to the job What I Think Chris is out of his mind letting a nice kid like you work here. Oh, I'm sure I could do it Do it all right, but it's liable to take some of that stardust out of your eyes You're the kind that ought to get a good young husband to take care of you. That's not too easy either Come to think of it. This might be the place to find one Every prospector in the Klondike drifts into the Klondike palace sooner or later Just what do I have to do? Well, all you have to do is dance with people do a little singing Mostly you just sit and listen to them talk about themselves and let them buy you drinks Chris pays a commission on those but I don't think you don't have to Chris never lets Charlie put anything strong in the drinks. They serve us Just water with a little tea to color it. Oh, but that ain't known to the one who's buying it You have to get used to hearing words You probably won't even know the meaning of and once in a while. They'll make a grab at you If you can't fight them off alone just yell for me or Charlie Most of the men are pretty decent though. Believe it or not I'm I'm afraid I won't be able to do it. Well the Klondike palace ain't the place for a prairie flower, but you can make money Board and room is expensive up here and you get that free your salary and commissions are clear. I Haven't any money. No Why don't you try it kid? If it's too rough, you can always leave I'll watch out for you till you learn the ropes. Oh, you're very kind Yes, I haven't any choice guess the thing I should tell you to do is not to take the job, but I Kind of want you to for my sake to tell the truth You're like a breath of fresh air And I ain't had any fresh air Oh During the early hours of the evening and manage her new job well But later the noise and excitement melted and she found herself separated from Dottie at a table with a big man And I don't you worry little girl you just stick with butch if anyone tries to hurt you I'll cut out his heart Yeah, waiter, waiter. Yeah, he just ordered you to the same You see You remind me of my sister. Thank you For other men told me that tonight. They didn't Lion coyotes. They would just tell me that to put you off your guard Show me which one set it now smash their heads in with this chair Oh there girly You're new here, ain't it? Remember seeing you before you get away from this table. Who do you think you're talking to I can talk to her if I want to I want You let me alone butch you've had too much to drink go on home. You got no right to tell me what to do I said get out of here. I'll move If you wasn't a place to join going on here that crazy butch started a fight So it's impressed and stopped it. You better watch these men a little closer, Chris We can take care of this place without any outside help. Oh, you don't seem to be doing a very good job of it Thanks for stopping them sergeant. You go on over and tend to your business and boys want you to sing for me, please Mr. James, I'm so nervous. Would you mind if I went to my cabin? Why of course he wouldn't mind go get your coat Hey, look, I don't see that it's any business of the law Let me decide just what the business of the law is Get your coat miss. I'll see that you get back to your cabin safely. I'll be back in a moment. Thank you As Sergeant Preston and Anne left the cafe King the sergeant's big lead dog rose to his feet from the shadows outside the door where he had been waiting And gave a frightened jump That's my dog King don't be frightened. He won't hurt you. He startled me. I didn't see him lying there The Klondike Palace so smoky and crowded King doesn't like to go in it. I let him wait outside for me I don't blame him for not liking You've just started to work there, haven't you? Yes, I had no idea just what I was getting into How did a girl like you ever get mixed up with Chris James? I never saw him before today. I Had to have a job You see I haven't any money. I went in to get a job as a waitress. I see It's Chris James bad. He has a very bad record. We checked up on him He just bought this place and went into that heavily to get us and we're wondering why He isn't the type to stay anywhere very long And it'll be a long time before we'll have this place free and clear Well, I don't like him and I don't like this job if I could just find something else to do it Here's the cabin sergeant Thank you for bringing me back here Miss Anne. Oh, I'm afraid I don't know your last name. It's Gordon and Gordon I was so excited over that fight. I forgot to introduce myself. Do you intend to go on working here? Well, I'm afraid I haven't any choice. I've just had an idea I don't know if it worked an idea if we had someone on the inside working with Chris It would be easy to keep a check on him. I mean I could help the mounted police. Would you be willing to do it? Oh, yes, but I don't see how I could help. It won't be a pleasant job or an easy one You'll have to stay here and pretend to like it until you get the confidence of Chris and can find out just what he's planning Let's go into the cabin and talk Cold out here. All right Come on in King Sit down sergeant. Thank you I'm king here beside me boy You know, I think King is the most beautiful dog. I've ever seen I want him to understand that we're working together I may have to leave him with you sometime Just what is it you want me to do sergeant? I'll have to tell you what we know about Chris James first He tried to file a claim on a rich gold strike down in Selkirk The man who discovered the gold disappeared But it seems they had a partner who filed on the claim before Chris tried to do it You think Chris James was responsible for the man's disappearance? We were never able to prove it Chris left Selkirk and turned up here under a different name. His real name isn't Chris James Does he know that you're watching him? No, he doesn't know that we know who he is This plan almost succeeded down there. So we think he may try it again That's where you can help us If you can find out beforehand what he's planning to do and let me know you may help to save someone's life You can count on me sergeant. Thank you, Miss Gordon This will mean I mean mean I get back to the state if I lose my job. Oh, don't worry about that. We'll see that you do get back How do you know that you can trust me sergeant? Just seeing me this one point Just looking at you Miss Gordon. You're obviously not the type of girl who'd like a job like the one in the Klondike Palace I know I can trust you you can I'll be coming into the cafe regularly There's anything I should know you can tell me there over it won't do to let Chris know we're too friendly I understand. I hope we can get this man before he does any more harm with your help I'm sure we can two weeks had passed but though and watched carefully. There was nothing to report to sergeant Preston She and Dottie were dressing for the evening before going to the cafe Dottie smiled as she tossed a bright green dress to end. You Better wear this tonight, honey. It'll do things for your eyes and hair. Oh, but Dottie This is the best dress you have don't make much difference what I hang on this frame of mine I still look like something to scare children with go ahead wear it If I tore it or hurt it and I don't want you to dress up for our regular customers filthy old rum pots But I notice you've been seeing quite a bit of that young Tom Summers lately. Well Tom's been in two or three times gosh kid after spending two weeks on a job at the Klondike Palace. You can still blow I can't even remember when I could do that. Well, I'm not blushing. Well, it ain't a reflection from that green dress Be happy about it. Don't deny it. Oh, I do like Tom. He's not like the other horse Didn't I tell you maybe if you stuck around here a while it might pay off. Oh, I'm not going to marry him I mean Well, he hasn't asked me He hasn't any money. He's just prospecting. Well, maybe one of these days. He'll hit the jackpot if he does I bet he takes you out of this hole so fast. It'll make your head spin Go on now get into that green dress and get out there and wait for him It was early and the usual crowd had not yet assembled at the Klondike Palace And stood alone near the back of the room dreading the usual task before her But her eyes lighted up as young Tom summer suddenly burst in the door and Wonderful news. Tom. What is it? I hid it and I've made a strike. Oh, look here. I got a sample in my pocket This is it. I came straight here to tell you Oh, Tom, it's wonderful. When did it happen? Just a little while ago the claim office is closed Well, I haven't had time to file my claim yet, but I'll be camping right on the front door tomorrow morning Well, it's all the excitement about it. I hear something about a gold strike. Oh, yes, sure did Chris I've hit it. This is rich pay dirt here. Look You're quite right If I was you I wouldn't shout quite so loud about it till you filed your claim, right Tom You shouldn't have told anybody. I I didn't think anybody heard me. I Guess I was so excited. I didn't think Anyway, the papers are all ready to file and nobody's gonna beat me to the claim office tomorrow Especially when they don't know where the strike was made got your papers on you You bet I have maybe I better put them in the safe for you. You're planning on celebrating I'm not planning to celebrate that much But I I would like to have a bottle of champagne with miss Gordon here if you let me charge it Chris You're gonna be a rich man Tom I won't discourage a future customer Why don't you go back in that booth near the back room where you can talk about the gold strike without letting everybody hear you That's a good idea. Come on miss Gordon. I'll burst if I can't tell somebody all about it I'll bring the champagne over myself. Thanks, Chris Well, he heard me telling you Don't worry about it. He won't tell anybody Anyway, I can take care of myself. I don't trust him or forget it There's a little subject. I want to talk to you about that's just as important as a gold strike I'm glad we'll be sitting when nobody can buddy Almost an hour had passed while Anne and Tom were deep in conversation about their future They were startled when Chris suddenly appeared at the entrance of the booth. Sorry Anne, but it's time for your song Oh gee Chris, can't you excuse her this once? This is something special. Ah, she won't be very long I brought you a drink you and I can celebrate for a few minutes as she gets back, can't we? Sure, I guess so. I'll be back as soon as I can after all this is my job Here's your drink Tom, let's hope your gold strike brings in a minute. Thanks, Chris Here's to you Sing any lorry again. Let's have an hour. Sorry. No more Never mind kid you're going back to Tom. Oh, thanks Never mind boys Tom what what happened to him? He's all right and guess that drink I gave him was a little too strong for I just went to sleep the drink you gave him don't worry about him Carrying me to my office and put him on the couch. She'll sleep it off in a little while But he was all right when I left. Yeah, I thought so too, but you never can tell You go on back and entertain the boys. I'll call you when he wakes up. Come on Tom I'll blow you over my shoulder. I think I'll go back with me. I Told you to go back to your job. I'll be back in a minute to see that you're doing it Why honey, what's the matter? Your white as a sheet. What's the matter Tom? Chris gave him something to drink and He's having a little sleep for himself Guess he ain't used to drinking. Oh that all was never mind, dearie. He'll be all right in an hour, so You better go out and put on a little of my rouge. You look as if you've seen a flock of ghosts. Oh There's Sergeant press you stay away from them your job is with the customers. I'll talk to him You better go out like that. He says and try to make your face look human again. Oh I'll be back in a few minutes Poor kid. She sure out of place in the Klondike palace Think we better find another job for Maybe send her back to the state Chris better be swell if you do that. Oh, we ain't got time to talk about her. You get back to work I'm going over and try to get rid of that money bad for business It was over an hour later that sergeant Preston entered the office at the police barracks and joined corporal sanders beside the big stole King was at the Monty's side Getting a lot colder temperatures dropping fast. Well, I'm glad I'm off duty tonight. What's the matter King? Oh boy What's hanging on his neck? That's something you put on his collar Come here King That's a piece of paper attached to his collar. That's the second boy It's very so thick it was hidden I I just happened to see it when he looked up at you a note a Note for man Gordon that dog if you're playing Cupid for you this day. That's a serious corporal I didn't have a chance to talk to and tonight. I left King out in front of the palace man Must have sneaked out and put this note on his collar. What is it today? It says go to Chris James office Tom summers is in trouble. I'd better get back there. I mean to go with you Sergeant no, I will be necessary. Thanks. I'm sure King and I can handle it alone King And Gordon met sergeant Preston as he returned to the Kwandike palace and told him what had happened as they hurried toward the Office of Chris James at the back of the cafe Chris left the bar and went back to his office just as soon as you left the cafe I didn't dare go back there alone. We'll find out whether he drugged Tom or not. I'm glad you got word to me Chris wouldn't let me talk to you. I sneaked around the front and found King where you always leave me I was sure you'd see the note I thought you'd see it soon. It was hidden in his fur. He kept whining and barking at me this evening But I didn't know what was wrong until I got back to barracks. Here's the office sergeant Door's locked Open this door Chris He's not in there. Stand over to one side. I am going to break this lock back King No one in here. Not even Tom. Chris said he was going to put him on this cot. He was here. My cot messed up Oh, there's a door leading outside. I'll see if it's locked Back door is open Look tracks leading away from it one man's tracks Do you think Tom woke up and left by himself? Those tracks are clear in the moonlight. They were made by a very heavy man Thomas Slim Chris is big. Look how deep those tracks are. Man even heavier than Chris made them or Or else Or else what sergeant? They could have been made by Chris carrying something heavy. He's taken Tom away Sergeant go back to your cabin and going to leave King with you and follow these tracks I'll be able to see them in the moonlight, but you'd better take King. You may need him. You may need him more than I do Take him to your cabin and stay there till I get back The big gray dog King lay in the corner of Anne's cabin almost invisible in the shadows a Low growl rumbled in his throat and he rose as he heard heavy footsteps approaching the cabin But he obeyed Anne when she spoke to him softly Down King lie there in the shadows and be quiet quiet King I've been looking for you and why'd you leave the cafe? Well, I was shut the door. I Thought maybe you'd like to take a little trip Yeah, I'm gonna give you enough money to send you back to the state That is If you start tomorrow, but why is it because? Because of what why I Don't know you were gonna say because of Tom weren't you what have you done with him? Where is he he was drunk he left my office by the back door. That's not true. You put something into his drink I know you did and that's why you want to get to that Mountie Well, there's more than one way to quiet that wagon tongue yours now. Give me a little sample of it right now Lightning the big dog rose from the shadows and hurled himself at Chris Chris tried to fight him off But the weight of King was too much for him and he sprawled on the floor of the cabin and lay their terror stricken as the great dog Stood over him his fangs bear hold him there King Got him fellow hold him off. He might kill me. That dog is going to watch you until Sergeant Preston gets This dog attack me get your gun and shoot him hurry No, Dottie don't that's King Sergeant Preston's dog Chris was trying to choke me. Why no, no, she's lying Dottie shoot this dog if you'll do that promise. You'll have a fortune. We'll be able to leave the Yukon You'll be rich shoot this dog so I can get up Dottie, please believe me. Chris drug Tom and took him away Tom struck gold today and Chris is trying to get his claim Tom struck gold and Chris is Dottie will be rich You'll never have to work again the rest of your life. It's what you always wanted I'll use this gun all right, and it's pointing straight at you Chris. No yellow coward No, in case that dog gets tired of watching you. I'll be the second line of defense What do you want to do with the man? Oh, thank you, Dottie Sergeant Preston is coming back here. We'll wait for him. He's trying to find out what happened to Tom Well, then all we have to do is sit and watch this low-down thief squirm. No, Dottie. No I don't think this gun is even necessary that dog seems to be doing a fine job of holding him down I'd offer you some tea while we're waiting Chris, but I haven't any arsenic to put in it. Why you do that is Sergeant Preston, are you all right, Anne? Oh, there's Chris. Oh, I'm so glad you've got here Where's Tom? He's in his cabin, and he's all right. King is holding Chris. He tried to kill me I was afraid of something like that. All right, King, old boy. Good work. Back, fella. Let him up. Get up, Chris Look, I wasn't trying to kill her. This dog jumped at me for no reason at all. Sergeant, what about Tom? I found him where Chris left him, lying in the snow beside his own cabin He'd been drugged and he would have frozen to death in a couple of hours without waking up. Why that? I'd better put this gun away before I lose my temper. Look, I don't know anything about it Tom had too much a drink and he walked home by himself. That's the way you wanted it to look, isn't it? And over those papers you took from Tom's pocket showing the location to his claim. Look, I don't know what you're talking about. All right I'll search them. Stand still. Here they are. And they have Tom's name on them. You were a big help, Anne. Boy, that little double- That'll do, Chris. I still got this gun and my temper's rising. You'd better put that gun away, Dottie. King and I can handle him. Oh, you were wonderful, Dottie. Not to listen to Chris. I was afraid for a minute that you'd be tempted to shoot, King. No, honey. You see, you're the one I want to see get out of this place. You and Tom. And say, maybe after you're married, you'll let me come over to see you once in a while. You know, when I need a breath of fresh air, you'll always be the best friend in the world. Thanks, Dottie. You don't have to thank me for helping you. That dog had everything under control when I got here. King was what saved me. Thank you, old fellow. Yes, King. It looks as if this case is closed. The challenge of the Yukon, the copyrighted feature, is 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 Foy speaking, this program came to you from Detroit. If it's a case of murder you'd like to listen to, that is, be sure to latch on to the Murder and Mr. Malone show. Here's a Saturday night thriller primed to bring you minute after minute of exciting mystery and adventure. The hero of the program is John J. Malone, a famous Chicago criminal lawyer who makes only one condition before accepting a case. It must be tough to crack, and once you hear some of the cases Malone tackles, you'll agree it's uncanny how he solves them. The most minute clue doesn't escape the shrewd eyes of this smart detective who believes that given enough rope, any criminal will eventually hang himself. As Malone says, the brainiest criminal will betray himself in some tiny act left undone, some stray piece of evidence left behind at the scene of the crime, or often times through overconfidence, when a criminal thinks he has the police completely baffled. Don't miss Murder and Mr. Malone.