 The challenge of the Yukon. King, the swiftest, strongest of Eskimoly 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 Yukon during the gold rush of 98. That was the year that brought over 50,000 men swarming into the Klondike region and the greed for gold led to frequent violence and bloodshed. But in spite of the odds against them, the force preserved a splendid record in maintaining the right. The challenge of the North was answered and justice ruled triumphant. The cold bit into Sergeant Preston and the Great Dog King as they broke a trail through the icy stillness of the Yukon. The 50 below zero temperature was bone-chilling in spite of heavy clothing. Even his Parker did not protect the Mounty from the painful, jagging stabs of a merciless wind. Well, thank heaven will soon be a Duke world's cabin, King, just over the ridge. I'll take our new huskies and I will soon be warm and that's strange. Oh, King, oh, you huskies, oh. There's smoke coming from that chimney. There must be someone there. Tracks are all around the cabin. Duke wouldn't be without a fire in this weather. I'm warned for these tracks here. I'd think Duke would left Sutter's Creek. There's something wrong in there. Come on, King. Must have been some fight. Chairs overturned, table broken. Duke? Oh, Duke. Fire's died out. What is it, King? Yes, King. He's dead. And it looks like he fought hard. But who? And why? His cash box. So it was robbery as well as murder. And not a thing to... those tracks outside the cabin. These tracks here leading to the cabin. There are two sets of them. Oh, I see. These are the footprints of the murderer as he came to the cabin and when he left. And these over here... these are Duke's prints. So he was killed after it stopped snowing. King, get the dogs up. So that's why there was no smoke coming from the chimney. We have a murderer to track. And only some footprints and a snow for a clue. I'm King. Sergeant Preston drove his team on and on as he followed the killer's tracks from Duke's cabin. Sharp and clear, they led through the snow. I'm King. I'm you Huskies. Right in the Deadwood City, huh? We might be lucky, King. This kind of weather, there won't be too many other tracks. We'll be able to follow the... Oh, King. Oh, you Huskies. Hmm, let's see. There are other tracks. Many of them. Won't be as easy as I thought. All right, King. You lead from here on. I'm King. I'm you Huskies. There were other tracks cut in the snow as the Mountie drove his team into Deadwood City. But King, running ahead, followed the trail till he stopped at last outside the Idle Hour Cafe. Oh, you Huskies. Oh. So this is it, huh, boy? And the murderer came here after killing Duke. Sergeant Preston. How are they well? How are you? Fine, fine. Say, you ain't been traveling far in this weather, have you? You saw this creek. Seems to me you'd be better off making your living panin' gold. At least you don't have to be out when the old thermometer drops down to below zero. Well, the law never rests, you know. You never rest, anyways. It's a good thing, too. See, that fella drinking down there at the end of the bar. Yeah, see, Smith. Bart Smith. I recognize them, soon to be stepped in here. They ain't gonna circle in my pocket here. It's somewhere here, don't it? Yeah. You see, picture and everything. I think I begin to understand. Smith and Duke Wells used to work together back in the States. That's a fact. Of course, it ain't generally known that Duke ever crossed the law, but let me get all kinds in the Yukon. He's been pretty straight lately. Settled down a lot. I guess he didn't want to get mixed up with Smith again. He's mighty. He'll stay away from that environment. He can tell to look at him. He's rotten all the way through. Yes, that would be the motive, then. When he saw the cash box, he couldn't pass up a chance for loot. What you talking about? Cash box loot. What are you aiming at, Sergeant? How long has he been here with? About an hour ago, with our roughest gang I never saw. An hour ago, huh? Say, what do you have? It's on the house, you know. Oh, thanks. Oh, never mind. Don't tell me. I'll get you a glass of milk. How's business? Oh, it's coming right along. This kind of weather's mighty helpful. Well, it's like to come in and swap yarns over some drinks. But all they can do when the grounds flow solid... Yes. Looks as if all deadwood cities in the island are. Doing hurt my feelings, none long as they pay in gold. Say, uh, Sergeant, what's eating here? Faces a mile long. I told you I'd just come in from Sutter's Creek. Yeah? Ain't nobody much up there. I stopped at Duke Wales' cabin. He's dead well. Dead? Murdered. King and I trailed the killer here. And where will he be? You think Smith had a... I don't know. Who was the last man in here before I came? That's kind of a hard one to answer. I didn't notice so I could swear at anything. It seems to me old Harry Barber was the last one in. That's about 10 or 15 minutes ago. But like I say, I couldn't swear to it. Smith, one of his men, couldn't approve anything. Now, the only thing I can do is compare his footprints with the prints I found outside Duke's cabin. You can't do that now. Boy, take a look outside. I must have got a mind warmer. Snow, hmm? Looks like a blizzard to me. Hmm. Certainly, I ain't going to meddle with the law, but... But what will? You ain't be able to pin anything on him. That gang of his, it's swear to an alibi and you know it. Where are they? In the back room playing poker. Well, maybe Bart Smith didn't do it. Any one of his men could have done it for him. Looks like you got a real problem on your hands. Oh, excuse me a minute. Oh, sure, sure, well... Another drink here, will you? What do you have, Dan? No shame. Well, hello, Senator Pristin. Well, hello, Dan. It might have cooled that, ain't it? If I don't wish I was done in the tropics somewhere. As long as you will find gold up here, you will never leave it for the tropics or any other place. You know it. Yeah, I reckon you're right, will you? It gets in the man's blood. Well, I better get back to the game. When and or losing? Breaking even the worst leg. See you later, sir. Yeah, nice fellow, Dan. How long has he been in the cafe? Oh, now you don't think, Dan, that's all. Don't jump to conclusions. I'm only checking a few points, that's all. I'll be asking me next what time I got here. Well, but, uh, what are you gonna do about this? Well, some of the boys are leaving now that the snow's started. If you're gonna do anything, you better... There's a few more of the boys leave. Then I have a little plan. Sergeant Preston with the faithful king at his side waited until most of the crowd left the cafe. Soon there were but a handful of men gathered around the pot-bellied stove at the far end of the room, and a scattered few were still at the bar. What's that Marty doing here, bud? I don't know. Been in here now for an hour. He stands there drinking milk, looking around. And know who he is? Yeah. Marty's a Marty to me. Not this one. That's Sergeant Preston. Preston? Yeah. If Preston's after you, you might as well throw up your hand. It's the end of the trail. Not for me, it ain't. Want me to call out the rest of the boys? No. We'll call them if I need an alibi. There ain't no way he'd know you unwell. Shut up, will you? What front and bellers there's a whole town can hear you. Oh, now, Bart, I didn't mean nothing. Guess I'm just uneasy. I didn't plan to let Duke have it. He wouldn't split the claim, huh? Split it. He didn't want to have anything to do with us. Said he was going straight. Boy, he sure changed. Hey, Sergeant Preston, you've been standing around looking at this for a long time. Yeah, what are you looking for, Marty? Oh, stay here till the money leaves. Yes, you're right, Tommy. I am looking for something. My intonation intercession on the first place. What you got in your mind? I left Sutter's Creek about an hour ago. When I was up there, I stopped in to see Duke Wells. Hmm? I found Duke dead. Dead? Yes, murdered. He'd been fighting with a man who killed him. The fight must have started when the killer pulled a gun on him. Got any idea who done his search? When two men are fighting, it's almost impossible not to find a piece of clothing torn from a coat or a few hairs or a button. Little things like that are what most killers leave with the crime if there's been a struggle. So that's what you're looking for, huh? Pretty smart. Well, it looks like we'd better line up here so you can look us over. He doesn't tore off my coat. That's a good idea. Can't say I know anyone that have any reason to kill Duke. He's peaceful enough, Gritter. He sure was. Never bothered anyone. Money, I guess this leaves me out. I'm a stranger here in Deadwood City, so I'll just leave while you go on with your investigation. Glad, boy. You say you're a stranger. Yeah, yeah. Bart Smith's a name. Just came in from Circle City with Slim here. Well, it's just a formality. I want to see the coat on every man in the cafe. That means me too, I guess. Yes, you too, will. Don't have any buttons off my coat. Well, let's see. All right, Tom. Well, let's see, Dan. No, you don't, Monty. Put down that gun. I'll put it down when I'm ready. Now you'll get in line. Go on over there. You're listening to me. Reach, alia. You won't get away with this. You let me worry that out. He must be the one that killed him. Yeah, I am. I'll kill anyone of you that steps through the door of this cafe. It means business, fellas. Shut up, Dan. He's already killed Duke Wells, ain't he? I'm leaving here now, see? Come on, Slim. And remember, I'll shoot anyone that steps out of this door. You'll never get through that door, Smith. Adam King, Adam Brown. I'll take care of him. All right, Mark, get up. Oh, my hands, that mutt. Nice work, King old fella. You're pretty handy with your fish, Will. I used to be a prized fatter in my younger days. Boy, how I'd like a chance at that. No good rat. I know he's under arrest, Will. He deserves a beating, but you'll have to settle for a hanging. Wait a minute. You don't have any buttons off his coat. Oh, that's right. Now, don't see any other clues either. No, Will, there aren't any. Was his conscience that convicted him? You see, boy, sometimes a policeman has to play hunches. He'll be pretty smart, I'd say. Yes, King old boy. With your help, another case is closed. Oh, oh, oh. Challenge of the Yukon, a copyrighted feature of the Challenge of the Yukon Incorporated, brought to you every Saturday at this time, originated in the transcription studios of WXYZ Detroit. The characters and events in tonight's drama were fantastic. We'll see you next time. The characters and events in tonight's drama were fictitious. Bill Morgan speaking, this is the Michigan Radio Network.