 The challenge of the Yukon It's Yukon King swiftest and strongest lead dog of the Northwest Placing 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 wild race for riches Back to the days of the gold rush with sergeant Preston and his wonder dog Yukon King as they meet the challenge of the Yukon Duke McClure's silver dollar cafe was one of the gaudiest boom town establishments in Dawson and It's star attraction was a pretty young singer named Claire Malvern As a rule the hard-bidden miners and gold rushers who patronized the cafe treated her with respect and deference But there were times when some of the patrons became a little too vociferous in their admiration One night after she had finished a song a bearded cross-legged became particularly enthusiastic The prettiest thing I've seen since I left Fute Montana. You never saw anything as pretty as her bag and milk Do you know what I'm gonna do? I'm gonna bring her over here our table Hi there, honey Are you having a good time sure am and I'll have a lot better time with you sitting at my table come on over No, thanks. Oh, come on over and join us. I'm sorry, mister, but you'll have to excuse me Oh, not gonna be stubborn honey. I may not look like it with these whiskers, but I'm a real good company The answer is no Are you coming peaceful light or am I gonna have to know what's that? Better let go of her arms. Don't go back and sit down. Why you cheap tin horn. Who do you think you're talking to? I'm talking to you, mister. Well, yeah. Well, here's my answer You knocked him out that's what I intended to do we'd better help come on. Let his partner take you Don't suppose I could induce you to join me at my table Well, I guess I can't very well refuse after the way you came to my rescue Thanks, I didn't know they came as pretty as you this far north Does that mean you're new to the you come just hit town this morning. What's your name Jackson? Solitaire Jackson why Solitaire because you're fond of playing oh See I suppose you got the nickname from that diamond Solitaire. You're wearing on your finger. That's what they tell me You know, you don't look like a gold rusher Is that another question? I'm sorry. I shouldn't be so inquisitive as a matter of fact. I came up here on business. I Have to square an account Meanwhile Duke McClure the owner of the cafe was seated at a table in the back room With him were two cold-eyed hard-jawed men There was an empty chair at the table and a general atmosphere of impatience and irritation Finally one of the men said how much longer we're gonna have to wait for a pinky to show up Duke Yeah, you should have been here long ago. Well, we won't wait no longer I'll tell you boys what the deal is and pass away to piggy lady. Yeah, what you got in mind, dude Well, when I was over at the express office this morning. I found out something mighty interesting like what? The express company is getting a half a dozen shipments of gold from the creeks this afternoon They're all bound for Skagway and outside But they won't be sent on from here until tomorrow Which means they'll be sitting in the express office safe overnight. I think and maybe we can grab that gold I don't think it I know it if we handle the job right. What's your plan, dude? We'll show up the express office tonight just before closing time We'll make the clerk open the safe then we'll time up and gag him When we leave we lock the door from the outside so it'll be morning before anyone finds out what happened. Hi, Sammy Where you been I told you we were gonna have a meeting here at one o'clock. I do I got held up Really here what I got to tell you what do you got to tell me? You know who's sitting out front in the cafe How should I know people I suppose? Yeah, yeah, but one guy in particular Solitaire Jack what's that? Are you sure sure? I'm sure he's sitting out there biggest life that big flashy diamond ring on his finger And what's more your singer Claire Malvin is sitting at his table talking. Oh, he's suppose. He's looking for trouble boss I don't know You guys stay here and tell piggy my plan for robin express office in the meantime I'll go out front and try to find out what Jackson is up to Solitaire Jackson's face remain completely impassive and Expulsionless as he looked up and saw Duke McClure approaching his table. Well, well, well if they my old pal Solitaire Jackson Hello Duke, you two know each other sure. Didn't you hear what he called me? We're old pal Yeah, you might if I pull up a chair you own the place Hey, I suppose you just got out. Hey two months ago. Let me see How long was it they sent you up for five years wasn't it? You've got a good memory. Yeah, you know Claire You might not think so to look at him But Solitaire here used to be one of the meanest toughest arm braze west of the Rockies really fastest man with a six-gamma ever saw Oh By the way, Solitaire you still haven't told me what you're doing up here in the Yukon as Has he taken you into his confidence Claire? Mr. Jackson came here on business business. That's right As I told miss Malvern I came up here to settle an account payment is slightly overdue Five years overdue to be exact. That's all I I See you're still sporting that diamond Solitaire on your finger. Have you ever seen me without it? No, that's a fact It's a sort of a trademark yours Well, how about it sweetheart, how would you like to have a spark like that? I wouldn't and Please don't call me sweetheart I When you're a high horse tonight ages, well, I'll leave you two to continue your chat Order anything you want Solitaire. It's on the house. Thanks. I'd rather pay. I'll suit yourself. Oh Just one thing before I go clear don't sit here chatting with mr. Jackson too long You're getting paid to entertain all the customers As Duke McClure returned to the back room There was an evil grin in his eye and his lips were twisted into an unpleasant grin Jackson's here to make trouble. All right, I mean he's gunning for you sure is But I've got a little plan that'll take care of Jackson and help us get away with that express office robbery to boot Let's hear your plan. Do not know. I'll tell you lady The first thing I'm going to do is to get out of the mighty headquarters and have a talk with sergeant Preston Sergeant Preston was seated at his desk and the great dog Yukon King lay stretched out beside his master's chair as Duke McClure entered the office Afternoon, sir, didn't he? Oh, hello McClure It's on your mind. Oh, I just dropped him to give you a little friendly tip. Oh You have ever hear of a gent called Solitaire Jackson. No, I can't say that I have Now he's a bad man from back in the States a real honorary customer earned himself quite a reputation as a gunslinger But he finally got sent up for armed robbery. Go on. He just got out of prison and now he showed up here in Dawson If you ask me you'd be smart to keep an eye on him Well, thanks for the tip. May I ask why you're going to all this trouble to warn me about him? Well, what do you suppose? There's a businessman and a public-spirited citizen Hey, that's anyone to see all law breakers kept under control. Mm-hmm. Now. What's the real reason? What's the real reason? I Thunder your suspicious cars Preston boys will have a habit of being that way All right Lay my cards on the table When Jackson got sent up it was me that helped put him behind bars. I testified at his trial Now that he's here in Dawson I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he might try to get even with me that makes it a lot clearer But mind you I still think you got reason to be on the lookout from your own point of view. I mean I see Well, just to be on the safe side. I'll check on him. You know where he's staying. No but If you want to look him up right away, you'll find him over at my place the silver dollar cafe All right, I'll get my Parker and go with him a Short time later the sergeant and Duke McClure arrived at the cafe. You're dead You're but a good little old sergeant. I'll go around the back way so they won't know it was me the broadgie And what's he look like? Oh, he's a good-looking dark hair jant sit at a table in the corner You can tell him by the ring he's wearing a Big diamond solitaire. All right, I'll go in and talk to him. Thanks for the information. Yeah Come along Solitaire Jackson was sitting alone at his table as the sergeant approached your name Jackson That's right. I'm sergeant Preston Northwest mother police I'd like a few words with you if you don't mind gladly sit down what I have to say as personal You want to talk here? Would you rather come down to headquarters? This will do well enough After all it must have been Duke McClure will put you on to me all right What would you like to talk about what's your business in this territory Jackson? I like to travel to come up here to get even with Duke McClure. Why should I want to do that McClure says he helps send you to prison? It's a polite way of putting it. How would you put it? I'd say he framed me. You mean you were innocent of the crime Yeah, that's what I mean Not that I expect you to believe me. There's no particular reason why I should believe McClure in preference to you He's not exactly a savory character himself not exactly a savory character He's as rotten and crooked as they come according to McClure You were a professional bad man even before you were sent up for robbering sure naturally. He'd say that you want to deny it I'm willing to listen All right Preston you seem like a square shooter. I'll come clean with you It's true. I used to be pretty wild and I've always been handy with a gun But I finally wound up in jail That made me do some serious thinking for the first time in my life meaning you decided to go straight. That's right And I did go straight. I Worked as a mindguard in a railway detective. That's how I ran into Duke McClure. What do you mean? McClure was head of a gang of hold-up men. I Got on his trail and started making things hot for him So to get me out of the way he framed me for bank robbery I Was innocent but I got set up for five years. I see So now you've followed him to the Yukon to pay him back. I Didn't say so. Well, is it true or isn't it? And if I say yes, you'll run me in Sorry president, but I'm not making any threats. All right solitaire. I guess that's the way we'll have to leave it But if you're smart, don't go gunning for McClure Remember you're on Canadian soil now and the Northwest mounted police will not tolerate sex gun justice If you shoot McClure, I promise you you'll hang from murder. Thanks for the advice. Where are you staying in town? The Victoria Hotel very well Report to the mounted police any time you leave town or change your address. Sure. Be glad to Bye come on King Before returning to headquarters sergeant Preston stopped off the express office to speak to the manager Jasper Hello Jasper Have you received those shipments of gold yet from the creeks? Yes, they've all come in the inspector is assigned constable Owen to help guard the office overnight He'll be here an hour so before closing time. Good. Good I reckon the goal would be safe enough for the two of us watching over it I'll drop around myself sometime later in the evening see if everything's all right. That's fine, Sergeant All right, King boy. Let's go back to headquarters. Bye Jasper Meanwhile Duke McClure was standing behind the bar at the Silver Dollar cafe keeping an eye on Solitaire Jackson Not long after the sergeant left the cafe Solitaire paid his bill and got up to leave Duke hastily went into the back room where his three henchmen were playing cards Hey, Skeeter yeah, what do you want Duke Solitaire Jackson just leave in the cafe follow him find out where you stand When Skeeter returned to the cafe about half an hour later. He found Duke seated at the table in the back room You just finished writing something on a piece of paper Beside him were the other two crooks pinky and squint. Oh, it's you Yeah, boss. I followed Solitaire like you told me to where's he stand at the Victoria Hotel. Good work, Skeeter Well boys, how do you like my fancy penmanship? Does it look like a dame might have written this message you sure does boss Read it to Skeeter. Yeah, let me say there mr. Jackson. You're in terrible danger Duke McClure is planning to do something to you Please meet me right away in front of the first company warehouse down by the steamboat landing and I shall tell you what I know Say declare my Say Duke you sure are a slick one Take this out and give it to one of the waiters tell them to deliver it to the desk clerk at the Victoria Hotel Sure thing. Thank you. You go on down to the warehouse and wait there for Jackson You know what to do when he shows that ride boys a Short-time later Solitaire Jackson was in his hotel room when he heard a knock at the door Yes, what is it message for you mr. Jackson where'd it come from waiter from the silver dollar company? Left at the desk and better wait a minute till I see what it says No reply I hear you Solitaire Jackson left the hotel and headed down to the waterfront Darkness had fallen the early darkness of a Yukon winter When he arrived in front of the fur company warehouse Clare Malvern was nowhere in sight But suddenly he heard a slight movement behind him and felt the muzzle of a gun jammed in his back Keep your hands right where they are Jackson So that's it That message was just a trick to get me here you figure things out fast Jackson But not quite fast enough All right start walking straight ahead. Don't try any false moves or I'll drill you With pinky giving the commands the two men arrived a short time later at a cabin on the edge of town all right inside Jackson the door is open Well evening Nice of you to pay some is it it was nice of you to send a man for me Duke I might not have gotten here all by myself. Yeah, that's what a friggin All right squint take his gun. He carries it in his shoulder holster. All right boss. I got it Yeah, then Solitaire take off that diamond ring your word and hand it over anything to oblige Thanks, I'll just try it on if you don't mind Well, what do you know about that a perfect fit and that's a real spark there ain't it? You know, I am part of your ring Solitaire. I can make a pretty good guess. I'll bet you can Well, I'll tell you anyway Tonight four men with bandanas over their faces are gonna rob the express office The leader will be wearing a big flashy diamond ring and the other three guys will call him solitaire Need I say more? Duke I take off my hat to you When it comes to framing people you're a real genius and believe me I speak from experience At six o'clock that night Jasper Greeley the express office manager and Constable Owen were alone at the express office The last customer had just left. Well, Constable, it's time to shut up shop. Yeah, it's six o'clock exactly Lock the door all right as Jasper Greeley walked to the front of the office to lock up The door was suddenly pushed open. It's your hands up. Missy you two customers Hey, you punked up money. Hey head to he went for his god All right, come on in you guys. He shut the door Now then mister keep your hands up high and walk over to the safe. Oh, wait a minute. You can't get moving All right, open up the safe. Hey, honey. You won't get away. Shut up or you'll get just what the Constable got Now hurry up and do like I say with nervous fingers Jasper Greeley worked the combination of the dial Finally the heavy door of the safe swung open Just take a look inside that safe boy. She's really loaded. That's the biggest haul we ever made Yeah, I reckon it will be all right One of you tightest jennip and gag him the other two unload the gold out of the safe Several hours later a sergeant Preston dropped around to the express office to see if everything was all right He knocked on the door, but no one answered Strange Let's see if the door is locked Yes, King you seem to think something's wrong and sit away. We'd better force our way in Putting his shoulder to the door sergeant Preston heaved hard against it again He heaved and this time the door splittered open The lamp had been left burning inside and the sergeant's eyes took in the scene at a single glance First he rushed over to the still figure of the Constable and examined his wound then he untied the manager Thanks sergeant. I was praying you show up soon. What happened four men come around just as I was locking up They shot the cost one got away with the gold. They locked the door on the outside. Do you recognize them? No, they was wearing bandanas over their faces But the leader had a big flashy diamond ring on his finger and the others called him solitaire solitaire That's right. How about the Constable is he dead? No, just wounded I'll take him to headquarters so the police surgeon can attend to him and King and I'll see if we can't run down the menu Rob you When sergeant Preston returned to headquarters, he was surprised to find Claire Malvern waiting for him After turning the wounded constable over to the care of the police surgeon. He returned to his office to speak to her Claire seemed nervous and frightened sergeant. I I don't know whether I should have come here or not something wrong I'm not sure. You see this afternoon at the cafe. I saw you questioning a man called solitaire Jackson Well, I suppose you know that there's bad blood between him and Duke McClure. Yes, I do Well sergeant a little while ago at the cafe. I went into Duke's office Duke was sitting at his desk and he had a big diamond solitaire on his finger. What's that? I'm sure it's the same ring that solitaire Jackson was wearing Duke was holding it up to the light and chuckling When I came into the office, he seemed quite startled right away dropped his hand below the desk So I wouldn't see the ring go on. There's really nothing more to tell. It's just that Well, I started thinking that that maybe Duke had done away with solitaire I do told me this may help me solve a crime. What do you mean? Has something happened to solitaire? I don't know about that Claire, but the express office was robbed this evening and the constable on duty was shot The leader of the holdup men was wearing a solitaire diamond ring. You mean that that may be Duke I don't mean anything yet before I start drawing conclusions I'm going to the hotel and check on solitaire Jackson. Would you would you mind if I came with you? Of course not if you're worried Come along King When they arrived at the hotel the desk clerk told sergeant Preston about the message which had been delivered by a waiter from the Cafe and how solitaire Jackson had left the hotel immediately afterward The sergeant borrowed a pass key and went up to Jackson's room on the off chance that he might have left the message behind Sure enough. He found a folded paper lying on the table. That's my bet Yes, it is what does it say sergeant dear mr. Jackson you are in terrible danger Duke McClure is planning to do something to you Please meet me right away in front of the fur company warehouse down by the steamboat landing And I shall tell you what I know and it signed Claire Malvin. What? Sergeant I never sent him that message. It's probably sent by Duke to lure Jackson into a trap What are you going to do going to put King on Jackson sent the meantime you'd better go back to the cafe and try to act as though Nothing had happened At that same moment the crook called Pinky was reporting to Duke McClure in the back room of the cafe Well, what'd you find out Pinky? I followed clear like you told me to Sure enough she went straight to Monty headquarters. Yeah, she did her then I was right She did spot that diamond on my finger when she came busting in there. Do you think she figured out we did something to Jackson? Yeah, that's exactly what I think If she ever tells her story on a witness stand, they'll be able to pin the express robbery on us Holy smoke. We got to get her out the way Duke. Wait till she gets back to the cafe Then I'll call her into the office and you can grab her then what we'll slip out the back way and take her to the cabin where we're holding Jackson When sergeant Preston left the hotel King followed Jackson sent down to the waterfront where he had been taken prisoner by Pinky From there the trail led to a small windowless cabin on the outskirts of town King I agree this danger ahead The solitaire is being held prisoner in that cabin is almost certain to be at least one man guarding him I'll have to move carefully. Come on boy Inside the cabin solitaire Jackson was gagged and tied to a chair While Skeeter and squint were seated at the table playing cards The crooks were taken completely by surprise as sergeant Preston kicked open the door I'm out of get him Don't shoot Marty. I'm reaching out the gun right out of my hand. You're lucky I didn't shoot the kill as it is you're under arrest in the name of the crown Sergeant Preston took the crooks guns and then forced squint one tie solitaire Jackson When he was free the latter grinned a bit sheepishly at the man who had saved him. Thanks sergeant I am beginning to think you Marty's a good man to have around what depends on which side of the law you're on solitaire How in places did you find me my dog trailed you here from your hotel? I suppose it was that express office robbery that made you go looking for me that and the fact that Claire Malvin Suspected something that happened to you What do you mean? She saw your ring in Duke's possession and became worried so she came to headquarters told me about it She was worried about me. She was afraid Duke might have killed you. I see Look sergeant about that robbery it was Duke who pulled the job wearing my ring. I thought as much There's the gold right over there stacked up against the wall your testimony We shouldn't have any trouble convicting the glory of the robberies this again Preston and don't go for your gun I guess you covered Duke right thunder. You sure showed up at the right time I heard Preston is solitaire talking before I opened the door So I figured I'd better make a surprise entrance All right, Piggy bring the daim inside. Come on get moving sister. Oh, right Claire. Oh, thank heaven. You're alive No, ain't that sweet If she hadn't started fretting about you Jackson, she never would have gotten into this mess. What are we gonna do with them, Duke? Looks like there's only one thing we can do Get rid of all three and sorry Duke, but I'm afraid you're not going to get rid of anybody What makes you think so Preston because you've forgotten Big dog suddenly caught Duke by surprise knocking him to the floor Pinkie turned into Smay at the sudden development and before he could recover Preston sprang at him I'll take that gun the other two crooks jump forward to help out their friends, but solitaire waited into them Meanwhile Preston it sees Pinkie's gun arm and a grip of steel And with his right fist was driving blow after blow to the crooks head Finally the crook went glassy-eyed and limp As Pinkie sagged to the floor Preston bent forward to take the gun from his hand, but at that instant squint leaped on his back His arm was crook tight around the Mountie's neck But Preston reached back over his shoulder and with a subtle movement hurled the crook clear over his head But slammed him down hard on the floor But squint could absorb punishment Rolling over quickly he sprang up at Preston with a murderous look at his eye The Mountie was ready for him Sergeant's fist caught him square in the jaw and sent him sprawling to the floor Unconscious meanwhile King had disarmed Duke and was pinning him down as solitaire finished off the remaining crook First I'll take your gun if you don't mind All right, King easy boy. He's had enough On your feet Duke you're too skater looks like you've got things pretty well under control Sergeant with your help solitaire. It was a pleasure The only wish I could have been paired off with Duke instead of skater Don't worry about that your testimony will help to put Duke right where he put you behind bars And he'll stay there before you go Duke suppose you hand over that diamond solitaire you took Right take it And I hope it brings you right and luck for the rest of your life. It's gonna bring me the best luck I ever had that is if If what solitaire I look Claire I know you're told took this afternoon that you don't like this kind of a ring I Suppose you think it's too flashing what I meant was that I wouldn't like to have Duke give me such a ring That kind or any other kind what if I were the one who gave it to you? I'd like that just fine Well King now that that's settled in this case is closed We now take you to northwest mounted police headquarters in Dawson you sent for me inspector Hey, yes sergeant when you came back from patrol I gave it the job of finding the Yukon King But I'm taking you off that assignment temporarily something new has come up, sir Yes, the old mine has been shot and robbed on venture Creek two young fellows named Lee Durham and Hank Bistrow Accused of the murder they headed for the border. I want you to bring them in. I'll start right away, sir. Let's go King It sounds like a comparatively simple job of trailing two fugitives But a desperate outlaw named the Yukon kid is it large? Can it be that he's mixed up in this murder case? If so the sergeant may be heading into unexpected danger Be sure to listen to this next exciting adventure stolen gold These radio dramas a feature of the challenge of the Yukon Incorporated are created by George W. Trendall Produced by Trendall Campbell Enterprises Directed by Fred flower day and edited by Fran striker the part of sergeant Preston is played by Paul Sutton They are brought to you once each week until September when we shall resume our regular Monday Wednesday and Friday broadcasts This is Jay Michael wishing you goodbye and good luck until our next broadcast This is the mutual broadcasting system