 Down Dodge City and in the territory on West, there's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers, and that's with a U.S. Marshal and the smell of gun smoke. William Conrad, the story of the violin that moved West with Young America, and the story of a man who moved with it. I'm that man, Matt Dillon, the United States Marshal, the first man they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chancey job, but it makes a man watchful and a little lonely. Uh, you know, Kitty, when you start to think about it, Chester has a mighty easy life. Mighty easy. I never thought much about it, don't I? Well, that passed the sugary rhythm. Thank you, Kitty. Now, you take today, for instance. There they are, probably arriving in Abilene just about now. Nothing to do but pick up a prisoner and then catch the train back to Dodge. Well, according to Matt, that train ride to Abilene can be pretty unpleasant. Dust, heat, squall and baby. No, that isn't the way Chester sees it. He spent the last three days talking about how he was going to sit back and enjoy himself. I thought that boy would never stop talking about that trip. Well, Doc, I think you're jealous. Oh, no, no, Chester doesn't even have to pay for it. That's the thing. Yes, sir. If I wanted to go to St. Louis, someplace like that, I'd have to pay. But you don't work for a U.S. Marshal, Doc. No, I don't. I thank heavens for the tune. I heard Chester say that you have it pretty easy yourself sometimes, Doc. Well, that'll be easy. Oh, no. While my life is nothing but a constant round of pills, colleague gunshot wounds and dyspepsia, nothing but complaints, unpaid bills and work. Yeah. And fed up with it too. Stuck in that office of mine day in, day out. Well, what are you going to do about it? Go fishing. I figure the only thing that'll cheer me up is catfish stew. Doc, you're the biggest fraud, isn't any of them? Come on, now have some more coffee. 20 p.m. Got in right on time? Yeah, the railroad's getting better every month, Chester. They're going to civilize this prairie yet. No, I'm glad to hear it. Yeah, let's go. That being said, don't change when it doesn't. Looks about like it did the last time I was here. Now, we're getting most of the cattle at Dodge now. The boom's leveled off here. Still a pretty rough town, though. Mr. Dillon, you think he'll put up a fight? I don't know, Chester. He's pretty mean from all reports he may. He'll try to avoid it, though. Of course, we're only guessing anyway. He might not even be here. And he always heads for Abilene when he gets in trouble with his hometown. He'll be here. Yeah. One good thing is Bill Hickok's town, too. At least we have a local sheriff on our side for once. Well, I suppose that's some help. How do they have wild Bill along with anybody I know? I suppose. What's the matter with you, Chester? You're acting like a man at his own funeral. Mr. Dillon, I've had an uneasy feeling ever since we left Dodge. A hunch, you might say. That's nonsense. We're going to pick up a killer and take him back for trial. And that's all. Maybe. And maybe not. You know, Chester, any man who lives by a gun knows down inside that he's going to die by one someday. But if he's got any sense, he keeps on thinking about it. Of course, he can't help getting a hunch now and then. I've had plenty of them myself. I'm mostly wrong. Come on, Chester. Let's walk down to the last chance and I'll buy you a drink. As a matter of fact, I'll buy both of us a drink. Yes, sir? Make mine the same. A bottle of wine and a couple of glass. Well, it's quite a crowd in here for this time of day, ain't it? Yeah. Just looking around for Wild Bill, but I don't see him anywhere. Reckon they're bagged kids in here? At least spent most of his time hanging around the saloons while he was in Dodge. There you are. Could I have a sugar bowl, please? Sugar? Drink up. Thanks. By the way, you happen to know a kid around town. Name a wife? Never mind. He's here, Chester. Down there at the end of the bar. Yeah, it's him, all right. Well, it's not him. He's what we're here for. Are we going to wait for Mr. Reckon? No. You come up on his left side, Chester, and watch his gun hand. Yes, you can. I've done it. It was the funniest sight you've ever seen. The bullets knocked that strong out of him, dog. The first shot of fire. He caught him right in the back of his head. You're Jack Dagon, aren't you? That's right, Mr. What about it? My name is Dylan. I'm a U.S. Marshal from Dodge. You're under arrest, Dagon. Well, you're kind of out of your territory, ain't you? A Marshal's territory is anywhere. Take that gun of yours. You will, huh? Drop it. Drop the gun. Drop the gun, I said. You heard the Marshal. That was easy, Mr. Dagon. A lot easier than I thought it'd be. All right, Chester, put the cops on him. Yes. Seems to me your partner acted a little high-handed there, Marshal. It does, huh? He had no call to slug that boy in the head that way. Would you rather I'd have put a bullet in his belly? Chester saved his life, that's all. He was drawing on me. Well, now, if you'd come around and seen me before you started anything, you wouldn't have had this trouble. My name's Rohr. I'm the town constable here. I see. Young Jack here told me all about that shooting out in Dodge. Said they ganged up on him in a poker game, tried to cheat him and forced him to shoot his way out. Well, that's a good story. Too bad it didn't happen that way. All right, Chester, let's get him on his feet and go find the sheriff. Eric and you won't be finding him. Oh, why not? Hickok's up in Topeka. Won't be back for a week or ten days. And in the meantime, I'm the law, and I believe. Well, then I've got a favor to ask from you. I'd like to use one of your jail cells until nine o'clock. That's when the next train leaves for Dodge. Sorry, Marshall. I got no authority to do anything like that. What difference does that make if Wild Bill were here? Yeah, but Wild Bill ain't here. A lot of us folks here like to run our own town. We don't like outsiders coming in and taking over. It's four hours till that train leaves, Marshall. I think you're going to find four hours is a long time. Meaning what? This young fellow you arrest has got a couple older brothers. The Daggett boys. You've probably never heard of them, but you're going to. You're not going to like this. I don't much care what they like. Maybe they'll teach you to care when they hear about this, and they will hear. Like I said, four hours is a long time. Look, I want you to get something straight. I came here to arrest a killer and take him back to Dodge to stand trial. I got him under arrest now. And I'm going to take him back, maybe. All right, Chester, let's get him out of here. You get a hold of his other arm. Lift him up. Yes, sir. What's he doing? Yeah, what is it, Chester? Maybe this was too easy. Yes, sir, gentlemen, what can I do for you? I'd like to get a room, please. Well, I have a very nice one right at the head of the stairs. Take a look at it. No, that won't be necessary. We only need it for about four hours until the train leaves for Dodge. Four hours, I see. Sign the register here. Thank you. Your friend seems to have suffered quite an injury. Yes, sir, he bumped his head. Really? Well, certainly a bad cut. That's one of the daggett boys, young jack daggett. That's right. I've got him under arrest for murder. Where's the room? You arrested jack daggett right here in Abilene? Yeah. And you're planning to keep him here in my hotel for the next four hours? I can't stand out there on the street with him. Marshal, do you know what's going to happen when the daggett boys hear about this? No, but I understand they may not like it much. I'm sorry, sir, but you cannot stay here. I will not let my hotel be made the scene of a bloody massacre. Just a minute, Mr. You've rented me a room. I've signed the register and I've got the key. Yes, I know. I'm going to use that room until nine o'clock whether you like it or not. I see. It's the second door at the top of the stairs. Thank you. Come on, daggett, move. Oh, there's just one thing, sir. Yes. It's not a question of your honesty, you understand, but in view of the circumstances, I wonder if you'd mind paying in advance. What time is it, sir? 6.23, Mr. Dillon. Yes, sir, I know. It goes pretty slow when you're waiting for something like this. I wish you were nine o'clock. I wish you was leaving on that train right now. You're not leaving on no train. Not alive. Daggett, you've got a one-track mind. So have my brothers, Dillon. What they think about all the time is hands off the daggets. That goes for you or anybody else. I reckon we are stuffed with pillar in his mouth, Mr. Dillon. I'd not be a bad idea. You won't think it's funny when they come around. Yeah, but maybe they won't. Maybe they've decided on the other side, Chester. It's me, sir, the clerk. It's the daggett, boys. They're across the street at the last chance right now. You're hoping I'll go over there instead of waiting for them to come here? Well, I... All right. I'd rather jump them than have it the other way around. Chester, I guess we'll go over and talk to him. Well, what about him? Well, he's cupped hand and foot to a pretty solid iron bed. I don't think he's going anywhere. You ready, Chester? Ready whenever you are, Mr. Dillon. All right. Let's go. First to get it started. Yes, sir. How do we do it, Mr. Dillon? I haven't got a plan, Chester. Just face them down, that's all. Yes, sir. You the daggett brothers? What if we are? Jim, this is him. This is the fella. Shut up, Rourke. You've been glad enough to stay out of it this far. Stay out of it now. My name is Dillon. United States Marshall from Dodge City. I got your brother Jack under arrest for murder. Yeah. Rumors got around, and I'm taking him out of here on the nine o'clock train. He's going back to Dodge to stand trial, and I guess he'll hang. Now, the point is this. What are you going to do about it? Why didn't you wait? We looked you up. You didn't answer the question, Daggett. Still two hours and a half till nine o'clock. I reckon we got plenty of time here. We'll wait. Why wait? What's the matter with right now? We'd rather wait. Maybe you're trying to pick up some helpers with a bunch of hangers on, huh? Don't you look at them. Each one trying to sneak behind the man next to him. You're counting on any help there. Forget it. You're pushing your luck, Dillon. I don't think so. You boys are full of talk, that's all. You never even intended to start anything. You're a dirty liar. Hold it. Don't move, either one of you. Right now, I'll take that gun. It stands now. Thanks. Don't play. Here, Chester, hold onto my gun. Just keep them off my back. Yes, sir. Now you called me a liar. Your Daggett's were tough. Right you. You're next. I'll get to you later. You're a no-good coward, Daggett. All right, Chester, I'll take my gun back now. Thanks. Now, boys, the show's over. Unless, of course, one of you will wake up where the Daggett's left off. Any one of you still figuring on helping them try to take my prisoner away from me? No, I didn't think so. Because you're all fine upright citizens now. A pride and joy at a constable roark here. That's enough, Dillon. I thought I told you the show was over. All right, now beat it. Go on, get out all of you. Move. Marsha. I'd say you overreach yourself there. I'll pass the limits of your authority. How I enforce the laws of my own business. I do things my way. It's a way it'll get you killed someday. Maybe. I have to live in this town, Dillon. You don't know those Daggett brothers. You've crossed them. You're through. I've seen it happen. Come on, Chester, let's go. All right, Mr. Dillon. Time isn't, Chester. Dragon. Yes, sir. Still, I earn 15 minutes of that train leave. What difference does it make? You're not going to be on it. Neither one of you are. Actually, the way I'm figuring will all three be on it. Wait and see. You'll never get through that train. My brothers will take care of you. Well, they don't seem to be in any hurry about it. You wait. I sure do wish I hadn't had such an easy hunch about this trip. Forget it, Chester. They'll stop you. You just wait. You going slower all the time? It adds up though. It won't be much longer now. 45 minutes if the train's on time. And if we're lucky enough to get on it? No, Chester. You're wearing yourself out. Why don't you sit down and relax? I just can't set my mind to it, Mr. Dillon. No dagger will ever leave this town wearing hand cups as long as the other two are alive. Well, that's up to them. Sure. And they'll take care of it, too. That's fair, Mr. Dillon. I almost wish they wouldn't try something and get it over with. Well, waiting's always the worst part, Chester. You'll find out what the worst part is. I could gag him, Mr. Dillon. No, let him talk. He's only got a few more weeks to do it in. They'll never hang me. I'll never even stand trial. You wait and see. Have past eight. Let's get started. A little early, ain't it? Won't take that long to walk from here at the station? Well, it might if we have trouble. Chester, I guess it might. Oh, you have trouble. Don't you worry about it? Why don't you get on a new subject, Jack? How are we going to take him? Drag him? If he wants it that way, otherwise he'll walk handcuffed to my left wrist. You give him covered, Chester. I'll unlock these cups and get him loose from the bed. Dillon, if you're smart, you leave me here and run while you still got the chance. I've never been smart enough to run yet. Stick out your right wrist on your feet. You can put your gun away, Chester. Starting now, he's only going where I go. Come on, Jack. They got a turn to catch. Hey, gentlemen, you're leaving. Yeah, we're leaving. I want to thank you for your hospitality. I'll be glad to recommend your hotel to anybody who plans to stop over in Abilene. I hardly know what to say, Marshal. You simply don't understand. You don't know these daggers. Brothers, no offense personally, Jack. I have to live in this town, and I... Come on, Jack. You boys must run quite a bluff. You've got everybody in town jumping sideways. You'd be smart if you did, Dillon. Good luck, gentlemen. It's the best of luck to do out to all of you. That's hedging his bet. Look, Mr. Dillon, you need a soul on the street. Quite as a great... I'll make a play, Chester. Somewhere between here and the depot, we can count on it. That's right. I only figured the word, especially after getting beat up over there at the Sloan. And they would have, anyway. Jumping them like that did one good thing. It scared the pack off. At least we only have to worry about the daggers. Not a mob. You think it's a mob? You shut up. From now on, you keep your mouth shut. If you don't, so help me, I'll slug you and drag it with a train. I thought I'd see the means for you to abalone and desert it. It's not the deserted, Chester. They're inside behind the shutters. At least they're staying out of it. There are coyotes as lonesome as they sound. They couldn't be, Chester. Watch that left side ahead of us. It's pretty dark along there. That's right. You know, they might maybe jump us from behind. I don't think so. Too many people watching. They got to keep up their reputation. I hope you're right. Chester, they're at the corner of the bank. Somebody moved. Yeah, across the street, too, in the shadow of the bank. Take the one on the shadow, Chester. Yes, sir. That's one. The other one's still there in the shadows. Get him if you can, Chester. You ain't going to get... What happened with Dylan? He caught a bullet that was meant for me. His own brother shot him. Just keep firing, Chester. Yes, sir. All right, hold it, Chester. I guess we got the other one. Here. Now, get these handcuffs open. Yes, sir. There's our prisoner, Jack Daggett. Wanted for murder. Killed by his brother. Let's take a look at the others. Chester, the train's pulling in. Let's get on it and get out of here. Yes, sir. Now, let Rourke clean up this mess. You ought to be good for something. Closer than the coyotes, Chester. Creeps. Yes, sir. It sure does. It might haunt you, yours, Chester. It was us. Radio presents another story on Gunsmoke. Latest news follows then Mitch Miller with tonight's guest stars on the CBS Radio Network.