This Is Your FBI: The Desert Dictator 11/02/1945

Summary

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Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio

Episode: This Is Your FBI: The Desert Dictator (November 2, 1945)
Release Date: September 21, 2025
Podcast Host: Choice Classic Radio
Episode Theme:
A gripping tale set in the Arizona desert, where a group of archaeologists finds themselves taken hostage by a desperate bank robber on the run. The case—"The Desert Dictator"—focuses on the cat-and-mouse game between the fugitive and both his captives and the pursuing FBI, ultimately exploring morality, desperation, and the inevitability of justice.

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Episode Summary

Main Theme and Purpose

This episode dramatizes a real case from the FBI’s files. It tells the story of Matt Ricker, an escaped convict and recent bank robber wounded during his getaway, who stumbles upon a trio of archaeologists and takes them hostage in the remote Arizona desert. As the FBI intensifies its search, the story unfolds as a tense standoff in the wilderness, with themes of human endurance, cunning, and the ultimate victory of justice over lawlessness.

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Key Discussion Points and Storyline Breakdown

1. Prologue and Setting the Scene

• [02:50] The episode opens with a proverb:
  “The sword of the wicked shall break against the wisdom of the righteous.”
  The narrative situates us in the Arizona desert. Dr. Endicott, his niece Larry, and their guide Mesa are at a campfire, discussing archaeology and the lessons history offers modern society.

2. Arrival of the Bandit, Matt Ricker

• [06:07] Matt Ricker, wounded, confronts the group at gunpoint:

  • Ricker reveals himself as a fugitive who recently robbed the Canyon National Bank in Flagstaff, stealing $20,000.
  • He demands help, believing the archaeologists have a getaway car.
  • He quickly realizes his predicament might be worse, as they have only horses, not a car.

  Notable Quote:
  Matt Ricker: “I didn’t waltz two miles across this desert to your campfire just to get a little first aid. My car burned out of bearing. I’d trade it in for yours, except that I pushed it over a cliff.” [10:08]

3. Tensions Rise: Hostage Dynamics

• [09:44] Ricker is manipulative and ruthless. He forces Larry to bandage his wound, flirts and threatens, and makes it clear he will control the group until his escape is secured.

• The group tries, cautiously, to communicate and outwit Ricker, with Dr. Endicott and Larry subtly passing information.

  Notable Quote:
  Dr. Endicott: “Apparently, it didn’t teach you much.”
  Matt Ricker: “I taught myself, Doc. I taught myself how to stay up three days and nights without sleeping. So go ahead with the sleeping act, but don’t count on me passing out.” [11:39–11:50]

4. FBI and Sheriff’s Investigative Efforts

• [08:00–12:28] The FBI, led by Special Agents Blake and Tanner, coordinate with local law enforcement to track Ricker.

  • They discover the bandit’s identity and follow clues about his whereabouts into the Painted Desert.
  • Eventually, they find Ricker’s abandoned car at the bottom of a canyon, linking it to Dr. Endicott’s archaeology camp through footprints and blood spots.

  Notable Quote:
  Sheriff Hickman: “If he gets off in that desert country, gonna be hard to find.”
  Agent Blake: “Well, he can’t stay in there forever.” [08:56–09:05]

5. The Situation Escalates

• [13:39] Morning brings more threats and tension, as Ricker catches Dr. Endicott trying to signal rescuers with smoke from the fire.

• Supplies arrive with Mr. Marshall (the trader), whom Ricker threatens and ultimately shoots, adding murder to his crimes.

  Notable Moment:
  (Marshall recognizes Ricker and names him aloud, sealing his fate. [15:07])

6. The Fugitive’s Downfall

• [16:38–17:06] When Ricker attempts to use the supply truck to escape, he discovers he has shot and destroyed the gas tank, losing his escape route.

  Notable Quote:
  Dr. Endicott: “Instead of shooting your way to freedom, you’ve destroyed your only avenue of escape.” [16:44]

• The narrative notes the irony—like quicksand, Ricker’s struggle only makes his situation worse.

7. Desert Chase and Hostages

• [19:57] Ricker, increasingly desperate, forces the group to lead him to a supposed mountain hideout.

• Dr. Endicott cleverly leaves Indian symbols in the sand as a trail for the FBI.

  Notable Moment:
  Discussion of the meaning of the Indian symbols:
  “The stair step pyramid represents a mountain. The sun going down behind it means west... That’s the symbol for a trail or a road.” [24:45]

8. Final Confrontation and Justice

• [27:02] At a mountain camp, Ricker is finally caught off-guard as the FBI, following Endicott’s symbolic trail, arrives and arrests him.

  Notable Exchange:
  Dr. Endicott: “There’s one you neglected to draw, sir. The electric chair.” [27:21]

• The closing narration states Ricker was tried and executed for first-degree murder and emphasizes the inevitability of the law catching up to those who break it.

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote / Moment | |-----------|----------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:50 | Narrator | “The sword of the wicked shall break against the wisdom of the righteous.” | | 04:41 | Larry | “The past can be a guide to the present. It's important to know what made one period of civilization die...” | | 10:08 | Matt Ricker | “I didn’t waltz two miles across this desert to your campfire just to get a little first aid...” | | 11:39–11:50| Matt Ricker & Dr. Endicott | “I taught myself, Doc. I taught myself how to stay up three days and nights without sleeping...” | | 16:44 | Dr. Endicott | “Instead of shooting your way to freedom, you’ve destroyed your only avenue of escape.” | | 24:45 | Special Agent | “The stair step pyramid represents a mountain. The sun going down… a road…” | | 27:21 | Dr. Endicott | “There’s one you neglected to draw, sir. The electric chair.” | | 28:25 | Narrator | “As the ancient proverb says. The sword of the wicked shall break against the wisdom of the righteous.” |

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:50] - Opening proverb and desert campfire setup
• [06:07] - Matt Ricker appears, takes hostages
• [08:00–12:28] - FBI and local law enforcement coordinate and begin search
• [13:39] - Morning after the robbery, tension in camp
• [15:07] - Trader Marshall recognizes Ricker—moment of truth and violence
• [16:44] - Ricker accidentally destroys his own escape route
• [19:57] - Symbolic sand trail; FBI deciphers and follows
• [27:02–27:21] - Final confrontation and arrest
• [28:25] - Closing moral and epilogue

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Overall Tone and Style

• Taut and suspenseful, with philosophical narration echoing the moral clarity of 1940s radio drama.
• Frequent use of wry dialogue, especially from Dr. Endicott and the hardened criminal, Matt Ricker.
• Underlying message: Law, order, and wisdom will always outmatch violence and criminal cunning.

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For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode delivers a classic hostage drama set against a stark desert backdrop, enriched with moral reflections and compelling performances. The interplay between captor and captives, the methods of outwitting a desperate criminal, and the symbolic cat-and-mouse chase by law enforcement make for gripping listening. The episode closes with the sobering reminder: crime as a life choice is, ultimately, a losing game—underscored by a final recitation of the ancient proverb that frames the story.

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End of Summary

Transcript

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

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[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

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[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

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[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

To us on YouTube, and thank you.

[Podbean / Advertiser]

For [e-mail].

[Equitable Society Announcer / Marshall]

The Equitable Society presents this is your FBI, this is your FBI, an official broadcast from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, presented as a public service by the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. To your FBI, you look for national security and to the Equitable Society for financial security. These two great institutions are dedicated to the protection of you, your home and your country. Tonight's file, the Desert Dictator.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

There is an ancient proverb which says, the sword of the wicked shall break against the wisdom of the righteous. History bears witness to the inexorable truth of that proverb and likewise does tonight's case from the files of your FBI, in which a ruthless criminal, a killer, is defeated by On a desert in Arizona, two elderly men and a girl are seated before a campfire, watching the red sun poise for a moment over the peak of a distant mountain. Gradually the red turns to pink, then to purple, then indigo. Now it is night. Doc, I Freshen up that fire. You could see a little better. See Betty?

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Yeah.

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

He didn't hear a word you said, Maza.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

No. Now, Larry, Uncle Harold.

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

You know that when you're making notes, you get so engrossed you could do it in the dark.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

You exaggerate my talent. You got company, Wolf? Yeah. Well, he won't bother us. I don't imagine wolves are particularly interested in archaeology. Doc. Yes? I'd like to ask you something.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Go ahead.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

I like you. And I like your niece here. You're paying me good money to guide you around the desert. Well, just what satisfaction do you get out of digging stuff out the ground that's been there for hundreds, thousands of years?

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Well, now, that's a fair question.

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

Let me answer it, Uncle Harold, surely. You see, Mesa, the past can be a guide to the present. It's important to know what made one period of civilization die in order that this one shall survive.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

In other words, Mason, what Larry means is if Hitler had used archaeology instead of mythology, he would have known better. Well, that makes sense, all right. We came out here, Mesa, to compile data on the three ancient Indian cultures that followed each other in this country. The first period was called Basket Maker number one. At that point, the Indians were nomads, hunters. Then Basket maker number two.

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

What's wrong?

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

It's just the horses, Larry. That wolf may be flirting around with them. I better take a look. Now, what's the matter with you critters? What you got your noses in the wind about? Settle down, now. Settle down.

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

Are they all right, Mather?

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

They are now. Ms. Larry.

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

Has that wolf upset them?

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

I don't know. But something has.

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

What do you mean?

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

I got a feeling that we ain't by ourselves out here.

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

What?

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

What's that? I think I'll just get the old carbine ready and check.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

You hear me? I said drop it. Look, I'm in the dark and you're in the light. That makes you a real easy target.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

I ain't dropping no gun.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Leave it lay there. The next one slams into you.

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

Hi. You all right, Mesa?

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Yes, ma'.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Am. You Wild west boys ain't the only ones that can shoot, you know.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Who are you?

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

His company.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Well, you're not exactly welcome.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

That ain't what I'm after.

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

His arm is bleeding.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

He's been bleeding all day. Does it worry you?

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

No.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Thanks. What's the setup here? Well, speak up. One of you talk.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

I'm an archaeologist, if you know what that means.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

I know what it means. Mummies.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Well, that would be the common Egyptologist.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Never mind that. Where do you fit in the picture, sweetheart?

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

Me?

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Yeah. Is this old guy your husband?

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

He is my uncle.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Bet you couldn't help. Who's Buffalo Bill here?

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

Our guide.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

I thought maybe you dug him out of the ground.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

No, just a minute.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Any bandage, sweetheart? Bandage for my arm. Go get it. When I'm fixed up, I'll tell all of you what you got to do to be able to see the next sunrise. Okay.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

A few minutes before closing time that afternoon, a lone bandit had held up the Canyon national bank in Flagstaff, Arizona, and escaped with $20,000 after a running gun battle. The FBI office in Phoenix was notified, and shortly after sundown, Special Agent Blake drove into Flagstaff where he conferred at once with Sheriff Hickman. Two of my boys, Mr. Blake, saw the bandit when he dashed out of the bank and jumped into his car. And they opened fire on him? Well, they yelled at him to stop first, but he had his car started by then. When turned off, boys fired a couple of shots, commandeered a car and took after him. How did he make his getaway, Sheriff? Well, he managed to shoot out a tire. Was he hit at all, do you know? Boys weren't sure about that. But once after they fired, they saw his car swerve a little. Which way was he heading? He was east on the road leading through the Painted Desert. Sheriff, did you get a description of him at all? Yes. Yeah, I got it written down here for you. Thanks. I've already phoned all sheriffs between here and New Mexico. Oh, good. He was driving a black Buick sedan. Here's the license number. California? No, probably stolen. Well, we'll put out a three state alarm right away. And after we check with California, we'll start fanning out men all over the state. All right, but if he gets off in that desert country, gonna be hard to find. Well, he can't stay in there forever. Sheriff, hand me the phone, will you? We'll get that alarm out.

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

Well, there you are.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Thanks, sweetheart. It's a real good bandage. You put it on with love and care.

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

I put it on because I had.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

To stop being a female.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

He's evidently evolved a theory, Larry, that you're really fascinated with.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Never mind the book talk, Doc. Let me give you the real fill in on me.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Please do.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

I suppose you've all guessed by now that I didn't get shot cleaning a pistol. I borrowed the 20,000 bucks that's in this bag from a bank today. I'm gonna have to borrow your car to get it out of this country.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Our car?

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

That's right. I didn't waltz two miles across this desert to your campfire just to get a little first aid. My car burned out of bearing. I'd trade it in for yours, except that I pushed it over a cliff. What's so funny?

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

You're in a bad way, unless you can use a horse.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

What do you mean?

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

We haven't got a car.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

You're lying. You got a car on this camp somewhere.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

You're at liberty to look for yourself.

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

Of course, if you care to wait until tomorrow.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Larry.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

What did you start to say about tomorrow?

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

I was going to say the sheriff or whoever's after you would probably be here by then and be very glad to give you a living.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

You were talking about something else, or he wouldn't have stopped. What was it?

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

I just told you what was it?

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Sweetheart, come on, let it be. Wait, Mesa. I'll tell him.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Okay. There's somebody else in your party, right?

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

There's not anybody else in our party.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Okay. But somebody's gonna be here with a car tomorrow.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Yes, we're expecting supplies.

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

I'm sorry, Uncle Harold.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Don't be sorry, sweetheart. That helped. I was beginning to figure I was in a pretty bad spot.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Well, since you think you see your way out of this now, perhaps you won't mind if we all retire.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Sure, go ahead. But you'll have to hit the ground right here by the fire.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Oh, yes, of course.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

And, Doc.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Yes?

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

In case you think you got an edge because you went to college. I just got out of San Quentin University last week.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Apparently, it didn't teach you much.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

I taught myself, Doc. I taught myself how to stay up three days and nights without sleeping. Oh, yeah. So go ahead with the sleeping act, but don't count on me passing out. I'll be sitting right here waiting to say good morning to all of you. And a very special good morning to whoever's coming with that car.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Morning, Sheriff. Good morning, Mr. Blake. Sheriff, this is Special Agent Tanner. Hello, Sheriff. How you doing, Mr. Tanner? I just talked on the phone to the Los Angeles police. That black Buick sedan the Bandit used was stolen there three days ago. We know who the Bandit is now, Sheriff. Oh, yes. Tanner here checked your description of him with our Washington office. His name is Matt Ricker. He just got out of San Quentin last week. Well, gone back to work again already, huh? Here's his full description. 5ft 10, 165 pounds, black hair, dark skin, has a knife scar on his right cheek. Want me to put that out? We've already sent it out as a follow up on your first alarm. Sheriff, have you had any reports from any of your men? No, sir, but by now they're pretty well spread out over this part of the state. Oh, good. Tanner and I are just getting ready to take a run across the Painted Desert road to Gallop. Now, if you get anything, communicate with the sheriff there. We'll be in touch with him. Then we'll double back here to Flagstaff. All right, Good. Come on, Tanner, let's get started.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Well, how did everybody sleep?

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

How do you think?

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

You should have knocked it off real good, knowing somebody was standing by watching over you.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

That was very comforting.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Thanks. Hey, Pop, pour me another cup of that. What are you doing, Anne?

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Just fixing the fire. Why? You're lying.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

You're doing tricks with the smoke, trying.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

To make a signal. Get away from there before I slam lead into you.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Pour me a cup of that jabber.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

I ain't waiting on you.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

I said pour me a cup of that jabber.

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

I'll get it for you.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Pop's gonna get it for me.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

I ain't getting you nothing.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Okay, Pop, you asked me.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Wait a minute. Listen.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Well, this is what I've been waiting for. All right, Just stay put. If anybody lets out a crack before I get that guy under control, there'll be some blood on his sand.

[Equitable Society Announcer / Marshall]

Well, howdy, folks. Howdy.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Morning, Marshall.

[Equitable Society Announcer / Marshall]

How's everything going?

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

Just fine, Mr. Marshall.

[Equitable Society Announcer / Marshall]

I got a good mess of supplies for you.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Is that so? Yeah.

[Equitable Society Announcer / Marshall]

Well, looks like you took on a new member since I was out here last. Doctor?

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

That's right. Who is he? He just joined us last night. That's funny.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

What's funny?

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

You look quite a bit like a man I heard about yesterday. A man they're looking for back in Flagstaff. And if I'm not mistaken, his name.

[Equitable Society Announcer / Marshall]

Is Matt R.

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[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

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[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

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[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Well, that's didn't help you, Ricker.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

What do you mean?

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Look at the car, huh? Your bullet pierced the gas tank. Instead of shooting your way to freedom, you've destroyed your only avenue of escape.

[Equitable Society Announcer / Marshall]

We momentarily close the Equitable Society's presentation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation file on the Desert Dictator. We will return to this case in just a moment. Tonight I'd like to tell you a tale of two cities and twelve letters. One city is New York, where the home office of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States is located. The other city, we'll call your town a prosperous manufacturing community somewhere in the United States. Now, on a certain day, 12 letters were exchanged between your town and the Equitable Society. Nine came from Equitable members living in your town enclosing payments on their Equitable life insurance policies. On the same day, three letters from the Equitable Society also enclosing checks arrived in your town. One check was for a very large sum of money, an investment of Equitable Society funds in your town's most important industry. A second check went to a respected doctor who is retired under the Equitable Old Age Security Plan. The third check went to a young man in your state university, a payment on the educational insurance his father provided for him years ago. Well, that's one way that life insurance works. Money comes from your town to the Equitable Society. Money goes back to your town from the Equitable Society. Now, in place of your town, substitute any town, city or village in the United States in which some of The Equitable Society's three and a quarter million members live and then multiply those 12 letters into several million a year and it becomes very clear why we say that by Serving its members, the equitable society serves America. And now back to the file on the desert dictator.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

The cynical irony of Quicksand is that the more desperately one struggles to escape from it, the deeper one sinks into it. Matt Ricker feels the grim touch of this same irony as he watches the gasoline flow from a bullet hole in the tank of the automobile in which he had hoped to escape from the desert and the vicinity of his crew of bank robbery.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

All right, so I blew that chance for getting out of here. Don't waste any breath laughing at me because I'm not worried a bit.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

We'd hardly laugh with the body of an innocent man lying there. You got a lot more to answer for. Now, mister, you don't think I'm gonna.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Sit here and wait for the law to come and get me, do you?

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Ricker, I wasn't very interested in you before, but now I am. What do you mean? Up to this point, you've just been a petty annoyance which we've been helpless to remove.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

From where I stand, you're still helpless, Doug.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

That remains to be seen.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

What do you think you're gonna do?

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

That depends entirely on what you do.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

No matter what I do, the odds are all in my favor. As far as you're concerned, they're all.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

In favor of the rabbit too. But he didn't win the race.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Look, Dad, I got two more days and nights before I even have to think about sleeping. Let's get moving.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Any particular direction?

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

I'm gonna put that up to Buffalo Bill here.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Put what up to me?

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

You know this country like the doc knows a book.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

What if I do?

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

You're gonna take us out of this desert to a good hideout over in the mountains somewhere. I'll figure out the rest when we get there.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

I ain't taking you nowhere. Hey, sir, his time is running out. I'd like for us to be there when it does.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Whatever you say, doctor. We'll pack up and let's get moving. Or maybe this will get a word out of you, sweetheart. Well, I'll have to ride double with somebody. Guess who I've picked.

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

Thanks. That way I won't have to look at you.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Stop playing hard to get. Okay. Let's get out of here.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Failing to pick up any trace of liquor on their run to gallop across the desert, Special Agents Blake and Tanner of the FBI started back to Flagstaff. And late that afternoon, as they drove along the desert road, Blake saw something to the left of the road where ground broke sharply off into a shallow canyon. Uh, oh, what's that? What do you see, Bob? I didn't notice that when we passed you this morning. What? Yeah, look back there where the ground drops are. Well, looks like car tracks. Yeah. Come on, let's take a look. A car turned off the road here.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

All right.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

The tire marks go right out to the edge there too.

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

Yeah.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Hey, Bob, look down below. It's Ricker's car. All that. Let's get down there. Oh, wait a minute. Ricker won't be in it. Hey, these heavy footprints in the middle of the tire tracks, he must have pushed it over the side himself. Yeah, I guess it either broke down or he decided it was time to make other arrangements. Look, these footprints go across the road toward the desert. Yeah. Yeah, there they go. If I'm not mistaken, Ricker was wounded. Look, see those little dark spots here? And some more hair. Uh huh. Hey, I just happened to think. You remember that archaeologist we met in town a couple weeks ago? Dr. Endicott? Yeah, that's him. Well, from what he told us, I believe his camp is right out in this direction. Hey, that's right. And if Ricker were here last night, he probably saw Indicate's campfire and made for it. He could have seen the fire for miles. We better get out to that camp. Where's that trail start? A few miles up the road. Come on. Isn't that car Marshall's car there? Yes. Indicate seems to have broken camp. There's something wrong about this, Bob. What do you. Hold it? It's Marshall. This must be Ricker's work. He's evidently taken Endicott's party with him. There are no supplies here. Well then he's trying to get somewhere to hide for a while. Come on. It's getting dark fast. Look around for any sign of what direction they took. Here are some hoof prints, a lot of them leading north. Well, there's nothing but open country to the north. Well, maybe the trail turns later and. Hey, wait. Find something? Yeah. Give me a flashlight. Here you are. Now look at that. Looks like somebody's been drawing pictures in the sand. Well, those are Indian symbols. Well, that's your dish, Bob. What do you make of it? Well, I'd say Dr. Endicott left him. That first sign is a snake wrecker. The stair step pyramid represents a mountain. The sun going down behind it means west. Yeah, but what's that twisting line across the mountain? That's the symbol for a trail or a road. Come on, let's get Marshall's body back to the trading post. And call Flagstaff. I want to get a map of this region.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

You know, this is real nice. I like mountains. Smells good, don't it?

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

With you around, Mr. Ricker, it's difficult to tell.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

I get it, Doc. Very funny. How about you, sweetheart? Don't that moon kinda hit you?

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

I have to agree with my uncle.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Thanks. Hey, wait a minute, Pop. I told you not to fool around with that fire.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

I'm just putting on some more wood.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

None of that signal stuff.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

I said I'm just putting on wood, okay?

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

You know something? These mountains really get me. A guy I knew in San Quentin. Used to make big talk about country like this. He'd talk about a row of trees like they were beautiful Folly's dames or something. Now I know what he means.

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

How did he feel about killing people?

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

What do you mean?

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

How did he feel? About shooting someone in cold blood, as you did today.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

That's why he was in San Quentin.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Let's turn in. Larry, hold it.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

You guys can turn in. She's gonna stay up.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

What?

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

I want someone to help me. Look at that moon. Come on, sweetheart. Let's take a little walk with you.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Yeah.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

You're gonna be sorry you've done that. All of you are gonna be sorry.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

I'm just about fed up with all this fooling around.

[Larry / Uncle Harold's niece]

The car.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

The car. A car way up here. I forgot to tell you. There's a Road runs 50ft west of here. Put out that fire. You're a little too late, Mr. Ricker. Oh, no. Hey, give me that gun. Let go of me. All right, Ricker, drop that gun. Drop it.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Okay.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Thank you, Mr. Blake. I gather you found the symbols. Yes, Dr. Endicott. There's one you neglected to draw, sir. The electric chair. Matt Ricker was tried and convicted on the charge of first degree murder. He was put to death in the state penitentiary. The career of crime is a losing game. And neither the criminal's wit, nor his cunning, nor his guns can overcome it. For they are no match for the thing which inevitably defeats him. The collective skill and intelligence of those who enforce the law. He is but one, they are many. He is fallible. They are sure footed. He is wrong.

[Equitable Society Announcer / Marshall]

They are right.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

And as the ancient proverb says. The sword of the wicked shall break against the wisdom of the righteous.

[Equitable Society Announcer / Marshall]

You'll hear about next week's case in just a minute. This week at the Equitable Society, Thomas I. Parkinson, president of the society, showed me a letter he'd received from an American mother who was mighty proud of her son. He's just been released from the army air Corps, holds two decorations and is a veteran of 47 bombing missions. In her letter to President Parkinson, this mother said, I think the members of the Equitable Society can be proud of my son too, because the Equitable Society helped his father and me plan his education. The Equitable Society helped me keep my home after his father died and bring my son up as his father wanted me to. Well, you can imagine how happy that letter made us all. For no matter how often it happens, we're always glad to see what a warm, friendly feeling Equitable members have for their society. Also, that letter reminded us that years ago, when that mother's son was still a baby, the Equitable Society's management was just as alert to the needs of the future as the Equitable Management is today. It made us happy to know that as we work hard today to keep the Equitable Society progressive and forward looking, we're following a great tradition. Yes, this week and every week for over 86 years, the equitable Society has been building security for you, your home and your country.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Next week we will bring you another colorful story from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The the bogus bankruptcy.

[Equitable Society Announcer / Marshall]

The incidents used in tonight's Equitable Societies broadcast are taken from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. However, all names used are fictitious and any similarity thereof to the names of persons living or dead is accidental. Programs in this series of particular interest to servicemen and women are broadcast overseas through the worldwide facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service. Tonight. The music was under the direction of Frederick Steiner. The author was Frank Ferries and your narrator was Dean Carlton. This is your FBI is a Jerry Devine production. And now this is Carl Frank speaking for the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States and inviting you to tune in again next week at this same time for this is your FBI.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

This is the American Broadcasting Company.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

From the Cascades to PDX to your kitchen.

[Podbean / Advertiser]

We recycle like we live here.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

That's why governments, brands and recycling companies are all joining together to bring change to make recycling better.

[Podbean / Advertiser]

As in trusting that your recyclables end.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Up in the right places to be.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Made into new things and having brands.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Help fund the cost of recycling.

[Podbean / Advertiser]

You can find the Latest updates at.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Recycleon.Org Oregon From Mount Hood to the.

[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Bin under your desk.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

Together we can do this.

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[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

And bring the boom.

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[Narrator / Dr. Endicott]

Bring the boom.

[Matt Ricker / Bandit]

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