Hopalong Cassidy 1950-02-19 0008 Hoppy Takes a Chance

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Hopalong Cassidy 1950-02-19 0008 – "Hoppy Takes a Chance"

Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Date: October 21, 2025

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Main Theme

This episode presents a gripping tale from the golden age of radio, centered around Hopalong Cassidy, the iconic cowboy hero. In the story "Hoppy Takes a Chance," themes of justice, redemption, and small-town suspicion weave through a tense plot about a stagecoach robbery that leaves two men dead and a young ex-convict fighting to clear his name. Listeners are transported back to a time when characters’ honor and integrity were tested under the vast skies of the Old West.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Highlights

1. Setting the Stage (01:00–02:34)

• The episode kicks off with Hopalong Cassidy (“Hoppy”) preparing for the end of the cattle season.
• Bob Cranston, a new hand (real name Johnny McIver, a recently released ex-con), requests the loner winter job, not wanting to settle in at the ranch house.
  • Quote:
    Hopalong Cassidy: “Well, brother, if you want it, you get it.” (03:14)

2. The Robbery and Accusation (03:41–07:06)

• The Sheriff brings dire news: a stagecoach carrying $12,000 has been robbed, with both the driver and guard gunned down.
• Shelby Salinger, who had just sold his cattle and shipped the money, is present. The townsfolk are convinced the culprit is Johnny McIver.
  • Quote:
    Sheriff: “We know who it is. His name’s Johnny McIver.” (04:35)

3. Hoppy’s Investigation & Bob’s Account (07:06–10:22)

• Hoppy interrogates Cranston/McIver, who adamantly denies involvement in the robbery and reveals his alias stems from his prison record stigma.
• McIver describes a fateful night:
  • He met Salinger’s two men, Sam Wellman and Red Conroy, around a campfire and, surprisingly, won $300 from them at poker (08:43). Hoppy and California (sidekick) sense something’s off and probe the alibi further.

4. The Evidence & Theories (10:22–14:23)

• Hoppy and California search for physical evidence. They find the usual signs are suspiciously erased at the campfire site, implying someone wants to frame McIver further by wiping away proof of his whereabouts.

  • Quote:
    Hopalong Cassidy: “It’s not what we found, it’s what we didn’t find.” (11:51)

• Hoppy finds a cigarette butt; neither McIver nor typical line riders are smokers, suggesting it belonged to one of the real perpetrators.

• Hoppy seeks out Mike Decico for background on Salinger’s financial troubles. Mike reveals that Salinger was desperate for money and had recently tried borrowing a large sum (13:56).

5. Breakthrough: Pressuring the Eye-Witness (18:08–21:44)

• The real witness, Ann Richards, is afraid to tell the truth due to threats from Conroy and Wellman. Hoppy challenges her to do the right thing.
  • Quote:
    Hopalong Cassidy: “If you want it in plain English, Ms. Richards, you’re yellow. You’re willing to let an innocent man hang to save your own skin.” (19:23)
• Ann confesses there were two masked bandits, not one, and the men forced her to stick to their story.

6. Confrontation and Capture (21:44–24:48)

• Red Conroy attempts to silence the witness but is outmaneuvered by Hoppy and California; he’s tied up after a scuffle.

  • Quote:
    California Carson: “My gun butt’ll never be the same, Mr. Cassidy.” (20:52)

• Ann’s testimony now gives Hoppy enough leverage to potentially implicate Salinger, depending on whether Red or Sam flips.

7. Jailhouse Escapades and Lynch Mob Threat (24:48–26:54)

• Hoppy is arrested for sheltering McIver. California Carson and Mike Decico, in a comedic and clever sequence, distract the jailer and spring Hoppy.

  • Memorable Moment:
    Hopalong Cassidy: “At the age of six, I was the second best pickpocket in Mexico City.” (23:29)
    California Carson: “Who was the best?”
    Hopalong Cassidy: “My papa.” (23:34)

• A lynch mob gathers outside the Bar 20 ranch, demanding McIver, but Hoppy and the sheriff devise a plan to escape out the back (26:17).

8. Final Justice and the Truth Revealed (28:08–30:18)

• In a dramatic showdown, Hoppy presents a written (forged) confession from Red Conroy, implicating Salinger and his men.

  • Quote:
    Hopalong Cassidy (reading): “The following is my true and complete confession on the hold up and murder at the blind turn at 8 o’clock on the night of September 12th.” (28:42)

• Under pressure, Sam Wellman cracks and reveals that Salinger was the mastermind who actually shot the stagecoach driver.

• Salinger and his men are arrested; McIver is cleared.

9. Denouement and a Secret Kept (30:18–30:42)

• Hoppy promises McIver a fresh start.
• It’s slyly revealed that the confession was expertly forged by Mike Decico, the “best forger west of the Mississippi.”
  • Quote:
    Hopalong Cassidy: “Maybe you didn’t know that Mike DeCicco, in his heyday, was the best forger west of the Mississippi.” (30:18)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments by Timestamp

• 03:05:
  Bob Cranston/Johnny McIver: “I ain’t much of a hand around the ranch house. Like to be off by myself. I don’t mind the cold. If you’d give me the job, I’d sure work at it, Hoppy.”
• 07:13:
  California Carson: “How come you change your handle, sonny? Seems to me we hired a hand named Bob Cranston.”
• 11:51:
  Hopalong Cassidy: “It’s not what we found. It’s what we didn’t find.”
• 19:23:
  Hopalong Cassidy (to Ann Richards): “If you want it in plain English, Ms. Richards, you’re yellow. You’re willing to let an innocent man hang to save your own skin.”
• 20:52:
  California Carson: “Hit him too hard. My gun butt’ll never be the same, Mr. Cassidy.”
• 23:29-23:34:
  Mike Decico/California Carson: (“Pickpocket” comedy bit about Mike’s papa.)
• 28:42:
  Hopalong Cassidy: (Reading Red Conroy’s “confession.”)
• 30:18:
  Hopalong Cassidy: “Maybe you didn’t know that Mike DeCicco, in his heyday, was the best forger west of the Mississippi.”

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Important Segment Timestamps

• 01:00–02:34: Season change and character introductions
• 03:41–07:06: Robbery discovered, suspicion cast
• 07:06–10:22: Bob McIver’s defense & alibi
• 10:22–14:23: Gathering evidence, suspecting Salinger
• 18:36–21:44: Breaking Ann Richards’ silence
• 21:44–24:48: Capture of Conroy and plan to flip the gang
• 24:48–26:54: Jailhouse break and lynch mob tension
• 28:08–30:18: Confessions, Sam flips; case closed

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Final Notes

This episode delivers classic radio drama with suspense, investigative twists, and cowboy honor prevailing against injustice. Hopalong Cassidy’s unwavering commitment to truth and loyalty to those he trusts remains central, while sidekick California and new friend Mike Decico provide deft comic relief and vital skills. The story’s action-packed pacing and moral message reflect the enduring spirit of Old Time Radio’s Western heroes.

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Transcript

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[Narrator]

It's Hopalong Cassidy with action and suspense. Out of the Old west comes the most famous hero of them all, Hopalong Cassidy starring William Boy. The ring of the Silver spurs heralds the most amazing man ever to ride the prairies of the early West. Hop along, Cassidy. This famous hero thrills his 60 million fans with action and dangerous adventure. In the role of Hopalong Cassidy is the popular star of the motion picture series William Boy. And appearing as that laughable old character, California, is Andy Clyde. Now to our story. Hoppy takes a chance. September at the Bar 20, like all cattle ranchers, is a happy month for the line riders, the lonely cowboys whose duty it is to patrol the boundaries of the ranch and see to it that the outfit stock stays on the reservation. It's a happy time because it marks the end of the season for them and the friendly atmosphere of the ranch house just around the corner. But Bob Cranston was different from the rest. There was a frown on his face as Hoppy rode up to him on the ridge south of the Bar 20 ranch house.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Hi there, Waddy. How's it going?

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Can't complain, Hopp.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Good. I figure on sending you out of sun up tomorrow. Make a circuit of the ranch boundaries, run down the strays and kick any of Salinger's cows back onto their own territory. Take you a week or so.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Okay, boss.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

How do you like the new job?

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Fine, I reckon. Wondered if I might keep right at it on through the winter after cutting out in Brandon.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You mean you want that winter job?

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Sure, why not?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Bucking the snow drift, running down weak dogies in a blizzard. Ah, most of my boys jammer like a stuck pig when I end them. An assignment like that? Oh, I don't know.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

I ain't much of a hand around the ranch house. Like to be off by myself. I don't mind the cold. If you'd give me the job, I'd sure work at it, Hoppy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Well, brother, if you want it, you get it. Come on, Topper, let's get back to headquarters.

[Sheriff]

Morning, Huffy. Sheriff.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

What are you doing here?

[Sheriff]

Oh, just dropping by on a friendly call, Huffy, you know Shelby Sellinger here.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Sure. Hello, Mr. Sellinger. Have a chair.

[Narrator]

Thanks.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

How are you, Cassidy?

[Narrator]

Great.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Just sent one of my line riders out to hustle your stock back on the reservation. Seems an awful lot of circle. Sea cows like Bar 20 grass better than they own. You save your rider a lot of work, Cassidy? I sold him off last week. I needed the money. I see.

[Sheriff]

Yeah. Mr. Sellinger got payment before delivery and shipped $12,000 out by stage day before yesterday. Hoppy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah?

[Sheriff]

Lay off alone on his ranch?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah.

[Sheriff]

It didn't get very far.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

What do you mean?

[Sheriff]

About as far as the blind turn on the stage. Road agent shot the driver outright.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Wait a minute. Clem Yates was guard on that stage.

[Sheriff]

Shot him down in cold blood.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Clem, how could anybody.

[Sheriff]

Yeah, that's the way we all feel. Happy folks in town are ready for a lynching.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You got any leads?

[Sheriff]

We know who it is.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

His name's Johnny McIver. Is that so?

[Sheriff]

Yeah.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

We talked to the only passenger on the stage, a girl named Levan Richards. She described him for us. Who is this MacGyver?

[Sheriff]

Young fellow, about 25 or so. Just got out of prison. Came through this part of the country a few days ago looking for a job. We wondered if he came by here.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I'll keep on the lookout for him, Sheriff.

[Sheriff]

The townspeople have put up a reward.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

If he shot Clem Yates. That's all the encouragement I need.

[Sheriff]

We can sure use your help, puppy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You'll get it, Sheriff.

[Sheriff]

Thanks.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Bye. Goodbye. California, huh?

[California Carson]

Oh, how ye, Hoppy? I was just frying up half a dozen eggs here to tide me over till dinner.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Forget your stomach for once, Hoppy.

[California Carson]

Eggs is brain.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I don't need your brain. I need the seat of your pants in a saddle. Right now, watch out. I want you to ride down the south ridge and pick Up. Bob Cranston.

[California Carson]

You mean the new hand you put on yesterday?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

That's right. I want to find out why he calls himself Cranston when his real name is Johnny Mac.

[Sam Wellman]

Sam.

[Narrator]

Now back to Hop Along Cassidy and our story, Hoppy Takes a Chance. Two men have been murdered, one of them the beloved Clem Yates. When the mail stage out of Baker's Crossing was held up and robbed by a masked bandit, the sheriff and the townspeople are sure the robber is Johnny McIver, a young ex convict. And while they scour the country for him, Hoppy is talking to him in the main room of the Bar 20 ranch house.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

You've got to believe me, Hoppy, I had nothing to do with this. I didn't.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Take it easy, Bob. I'm not accusing you.

[California Carson]

How come you change your handle, sonny? Seems to me we hired a hand named Bob Cranston.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

I told you, California people just can't deal an ex convict a straight hand.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I can understand that. You didn't need a new name. Around here we take a man for what he is, not what he used to be.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

I wish they were all like you, Mr. Sellinger. Didn't look at it that way.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Sellinger?

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

When I first got to town a few days ago, I hit him for a job.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

When was that?

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Let me see. Wednesday afternoon.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

And the stage was held up that night at 8. What did Sandy tell you?

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

He told me to come back about 10 o'.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Clock.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Said he'd let me know then.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

So you went back, huh?

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Yeah, I started back from town about 7. Didn't see anyone till I got to that place where the. It fords a creek. You know there's a grove of cottonwoods there.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yep, I know the place.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

There was a fire going and a couple of men boiling up some coffee. They said they were from Sellinger's ranch.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

What did they look like?

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

One of them was heavy set, wore a pair of side whiskers.

[California Carson]

Better be Sam Wellman.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Who? Sellinger's ranch foreman. What about the other one?

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

He was red headed, kind of short.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah, it's Red Conroy. What happened then?

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

They told me Sellinger wasn't back to the ranch yet. Asked me to have a cup of coffee with him. It was pretty chilly and I figured a cup of coffee would taste good, so.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

So you accepted the invitation?

[Sam Wellman]

Yeah.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

They said Mr. Sellinger had passed right by there on his way back. Well, we sat around a while. Then the redhead pulled out a pack of cards and suggested a game.

[California Carson]

Uh oh, them fellers are sure death at poker, huh?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Red and Sam are a couple of pretty slick poker players. How much did you lose?

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

I didn't lose. I won $300.

[California Carson]

Sonny, you're wasting your time as a cow. Poke anyone who can skin them coyotes that draw pokers.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Wait a minute, California. You pretty good at poker, Bob?

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Oh, just fair. They played pretty stupid. I took $100 pot with a pair of tens.

[Ann Richards]

Huh?

[California Carson]

Playing again, Red Conroy and Sam Wellman.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Oh, wait a minute. Maybe this makes sense. What did you do with the 300, Bob?

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

I saved it. They told me a lot of places I could blow it in town, but I didn't.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Ah, they did, huh?

[California Carson]

Now, what's that got to do with it, Harvey?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I'm not sure yet, but I got an idea. A coach was robbed at 8 o'. Clock. Where were you at that time, Bob?

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

That was about 30 minutes before I met the two men. I was at the trail quite a piece.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Alone. No alibi?

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

I guess not.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

About a half hour after the robbery, you run onto Red and Sam and win $300 from him. With poker, I figure, of course, you'll roll into town and blow it sky high. When did Salinger finally show up?

[Narrator]

I don't know.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

About 10, I guess.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

And he turned you down? Yeah.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

So he didn't want any truck with jailbirds.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I see. Bob, before we start out, I want you to know I'm gonna give you every break I can. If you're telling the truth, I'll stand up with you against the whole town if you're not.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

I'm not worrying about that, Hoppy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Okay, let's get going. Where the blind turn on the stage road where the coach was robbed, maybe we can find a few tracks, Bob. Yeah? You can check your gun here at the ranch house, California. And I'll take care of any shooting that has to be done.

[California Carson]

Any luck, Huffy?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

No, not a chance of finding the tracks on the road here. Someone came through here with a bunch of cattle after that happen.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

That was Sellinger. That bunch of steers he just sold.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Tell me something, California.

[California Carson]

Anything you want, Hoppy. My brain's at your service.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Well, harness it up for a minute. If you planned to hold up the mail coach here, where would you hide out?

[California Carson]

That's a cinch. Right behind the tree.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Under it? That's what I thought. Come on.

[California Carson]

Hey, sit over there behind the tree.

[Ann Richards]

Sure.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

So naturally a smart bandit would hide up on those rocks above the turn.

[California Carson]

Half a long Cassidy shall have.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Don't get insulted, California. You got a wonderful pair of feet.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Pretty hard to Find any tracks in these granite rocks, Hobby?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah, especially when the robber was careful not to make any. Getting pretty dark now, too. You got a match, Bob?

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

No, I don't carry him.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Oh, well. No use looking around here in the dark. May as well ride over to that cottonwood grove of the creek, see if there's anything left of that campfire that you sat around.

[California Carson]

No dice, Hoppy. There ain't a thing to show anyone's been here. Not a track, not a sign of a campfire.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

But I told you the truth, Hoppy. I was here. Someone's cleaned the place up.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I know it. Huh.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

You mean you believe me?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I think I believed you from the first, Bob. Now I got proof.

[California Carson]

We ain't found a thing, Harpy, how can you.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

That's just it. Not what we found. It's what we didn't find.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

What do you mean?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

One of our line riders uses this place regularly. Builds his fire right here in the clearing. The ashes would be here if someone didn't have a reason for cleaning them up. They knew Bob had come here with his story. They wanted to make a liar out of him.

[California Carson]

You mean Sam and Red?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah. And back there at the blind turn, we didn't find any tracks on that granite, but I found something else.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

What was that?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

That's why I asked you for that match. I never saw a cigarette smoker yet who didn't carry matches. One of the robbers left this behind.

[California Carson]

Well, I'll be a cigarette, but yeah.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

You think it was Salmon Red and someone else.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

The man who planned the job. I can't think of a single reason why a man to drive a herd of cattle six miles out of the way unless there were some embarrassing tracks he wanted to cover up.

[California Carson]

Lord, a mighty Salinger.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

That's right. Salinger.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Happy, amigo? You come here to my fiesta saloon once in the blue moon, the Sassafarilla. She is on me.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Ah, Afraid I haven't time for a drink, Mike. I got a lot of things on my mind right now.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Ah, you tell Mike Di sicko, huh? Maybe I help Kane Sabi.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

What do you know about Sellinger, Mike? Seems to me he was up against it for money for a while back.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Why do you ask?

[Narrator]

Copy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

It's pretty important right now to a kid named Johnny McIver.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

That kid, he make one big mistake when he killed Clem Yates.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You think he did it? The whole town thinks so.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

His life, she's worth 2 centavos, maybe less.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You know why, Mike? Because the kid has a prison record, see, he's the second man who came to Baker's Crossing with a record, Mike. See, and he feels like you did when you got out. He wants to go straight of the people here to let him alone.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

You have kept our secret well these 10 years. Okay, but why do you ask about Salinger?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Because I think you know how bad he needs money.

[Sheriff]

See, he.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

He tried to borrow 10,000 from me two weeks ago. His rancho. The Circle Siege is in one bad fix.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

That's what I thought. He got his money, Mike. Yeah. What do you mean? He figured by shipping that cattle money express and robbing the stage, he'd collect from Wells Fargo, too. A nice way to double your money. You got a young ex convict handy to take the blame.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Madre de Dios. You mean Salinger?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah, with Red Conroy and Sam Wellman to give him a hand.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Hubby, you. You can prove this?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

There was one passenger on the stage, a girl named Ann Richard. I think she knows more than she's telling.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Oh, but the word of a young senorita against Salinger. No, she's no good, Hoppy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

She's not enough, Mike. See, that's just why I came to see you.

[Narrator]

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[Sam Wellman]

Sam.

[Narrator]

Now back to Hop Along Cassidy and Hoppy takes a chance. Hoppy is sure now that Shelby Salinger and his two henchmen engineered the robbery of the mail stick, carrying his own money, knowing that Johnny McIver, a young ex convict, would be blamed. But it's quite another matter to prove it. That's why Hoppy has called on Ann Richards, the one passenger on the stage during the robbery and the only living witness.

[Ann Richards]

Please, Mr. Cassidy. That's all I know. It's just as I told the sheriff.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I tell you, I want to know the truth, Ms. Richards. I want to know exactly what happened on that stage from the minute the driver pulled up at that blind corner.

[Ann Richards]

But I've told you.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Tell me what? Someone's forcing you to say.

[Sam Wellman]

Hoppy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah?

[California Carson]

Fred Conroy standing across the street. I just seen him through the window.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I know.

[Sam Wellman]

Huh?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I made sure he saw me. Come here. Keep an eye on him.

[Sam Wellman]

Sure.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Hobby.

[California Carson]

Oh, I sure wish I knelt.

[Sam Wellman]

What was gone on?

[Ann Richards]

Do you know what you're doing, Mr. Cassidy? He's watching this house. He'll do anything. Kill me. Anything.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Wait a minute, Ms. Richards. I wonder if you know what you're doing.

[Ann Richards]

I tell you, he'll kill me. Do you understand that? He'll stop it.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Nothing. Listen to me. You're the only witness to that robbery.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Because you said so, they're out looking.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

For one man instead of three. Because you said so. They'll hang Johnny McIver because he happens to have a prison record and no alibi.

[Ann Richards]

I can't help it. I can't.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

If you want it in plain English, Ms. Richards, you're yellow. You're willing to let an innocent man hang to save your own skin.

[Ann Richards]

But it's too late to do anything now. The people are ready to lynch him. I can't stop them. What can I do?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You can tell me really what happened out there at that blind corner.

[Ann Richards]

You're right, Mr. Cassidy. I guess I am a coward. I don't know when they came here and threatened me.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Who?

[Ann Richards]

Conroy and Wellman. They said they'd kill me if I didn't tell the story the way they wanted it.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Well, let's have it now.

[Ann Richards]

There wasn't just one man, Mr. Cassidy. There were two.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Conroy and Wellman?

[Ann Richards]

I think so. I couldn't identify them. Out there on the road, they wore masks, and one kept calling the other McIver.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I see.

[Ann Richards]

I was inside the coach when they forced Clem Yates to get down. He was right next to the window. I heard him say, maciver, you're not Mac Ivor.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Then what?

[Ann Richards]

That's when the shot came.

[California Carson]

Hey, he's coming across the tree.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

There he is now. Get behind the door. When I open it, you know what to do. Stay right here, Ms. Richards.

[Sheriff]

Ready?

[Ann Richards]

Let her rip.

[California Carson]

Hello, Cassidy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Conroy. What can I do for you?

[California Carson]

I can talk better inside, especially with a gun in my hand.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Do you think that's gonna get you anywhere, Red?

[California Carson]

Put your hands up, Cassidy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

That's.

[California Carson]

You know, you got a bad habit, messing around in things that ain't your business. And I'm gonna break you with that right now before you get your nose caught in somebody's keyhole. Keep those hands up, Cassidy.

[Sam Wellman]

Did you hear what I.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Nice work, California.

[California Carson]

Hit him too hard. My gun butt'll never be the same, Mr. Cassidy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You see, Ms. Richards, these tough guys aren't so bad when you use the right kind of diplomacy. Get some rope out back, California. We're gonna truss this turkey up so he won't come undone till roasting time.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Right, Huffy?

[Ann Richards]

Why are you going through his pocket?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Ah, here we are.

[Ann Richards]

A letter.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah, it ought to be just what the doctor ordered. You see, Ms. Richard, we can hook Red and Sam on your testimony. There's no way we can touch Salinger. That is, unless either Red or Sam decide to talk.

[Ann Richards]

They'll never do that. You don't know them, mister. Mr. Cassidy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

And Ms. Richard, you don't know Mike Decico. So she's changed the story.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Hut.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah, but not good enough. I want Salinger, too. And if she tells her story now, we lose any chance of getting him. Wait. Huh? Don't turn around.

[Sheriff]

The sheriff's.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Just get in quick. Take this.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Yes?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

A letter Red Conroy wrote to a girl in Council City. Bo.

[Sheriff]

Morning, Hoppy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Oh, howdy, Sheriff. Anything new?

[Sheriff]

Been keeping mighty busy, Hoppy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Me, too. Got no business hanging around the fiesta here. Better get on back to the ranch.

[Sheriff]

Just a minute, Hoppy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Huh?

[Sheriff]

Don't run off. Thought you might like to know Johnny McIver was spotted by a Posyman an hour ago, riding line on the bar 20.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Which means what?

[Sheriff]

Which means you're under arrest, concealing and giving shelter to a public enemy. Sorry, Hoppy. But you're going to jail.

[Sam Wellman]

What can I do for you gents?

[California Carson]

Hurry. I'm California Carson. This Here is Mike DeCicco. I'd like to see Hopalong Cassidy, if you don't mind.

[Sam Wellman]

Well, I don't know. Sheriff said no. Wants to see him.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

What?

[California Carson]

Jack, that means why not in Mexico?

[Sam Wellman]

Already told you. Sheriff Edno wants to see him.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Well, nothing to do but wait until.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

The sheriff gets back in.

[California Carson]

Reckon so. Mind if we sit down?

[Sam Wellman]

The country jail, public property set anywhere you please.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Gracias.

[California Carson]

That means thanks. You sit in the chair there, Mike, and I'll sit in this here packing box.

[Sam Wellman]

Excuse me a minute, gents. I just want to check up on the business.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Mike, did you get a look at.

[California Carson]

Them cell keys hanging from his belt? Can you get them?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Can I get them?

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

At the age of six, I was the second best pickpocket in Mexico City.

[California Carson]

Who is the bear?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

My papa.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

We'll get him when he sits down. You pull the chair and grab his gun.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

No.

[Narrator]

Here he comes.

[Sam Wellman]

Hundreds of dollars. Stone walls do not the prison make. The feller says ain't never seed the baker's cross in jail, I reckon.

[California Carson]

Poor old hobby. Wonder if he's had his dinner.

[Sam Wellman]

Oh, don't worry. Sheriff will bring him something when he gets back. Hey, fellers, take odds. Thought we might have a little game while we're waiting. Gotta take a.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Ah, maybe a little fanny, Anthony.

[Sam Wellman]

No tenths of a cent, I always say.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Now.

[California Carson]

Suffering snake. Sir, you hurt yourself?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Let me help you.

[Sam Wellman]

Chair went right out from under me. Don't know what happened. Here.

[California Carson]

Here, I'll give you a hand.

[Sam Wellman]

Foot slipped under the D. Caught on something down there. What in Tom. Nathan.

[California Carson]

What's the matter here? You're stuck.

[Sam Wellman]

Got him up. Put them in the spitoon. Trapped. Trapped like a rattam.

[California Carson]

No dice? No dice. Oh, let me get a new holt here.

[Sam Wellman]

That won't work neither. Only making my leg longer. Gotta move the desk.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Yes.

[California Carson]

So there she goes.

[Sam Wellman]

Crazy splatoon. Get off it. Hey, this ain't had a world like that since I stepped in a bar trap one winter in Montana. Let's get the dust back under seating.

[California Carson]

Hey, what's the matter?

[Sam Wellman]

Where's the other feller?

[California Carson]

Oh, you mean Mike.

[Sam Wellman]

Well, dog gone.

[California Carson]

Looks like he wins.

[Sam Wellman]

Trying to pull the wool over my eyes, eh? He's back there at Cassidy cell. That's where he is. I'd show that feller rules and rules.

[California Carson]

Yeah, by golly, you show him.

[Sam Wellman]

Hey, you down there. That's the name of the law.

[California Carson]

What do you see?

[Sam Wellman]

Look at that door. Us open. Jag busted. He took my key.

[California Carson]

Well, I'll take a look inside. Maybe Hoppy's hiding under the bed or something.

[Sam Wellman]

I can't sound it. I can see, can't I? Jesus. Empty is the day she was made. Hey, wait. Open this door. Get me out of here. Get me out. Get me out of here.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

You got him?

[Sam Wellman]

Sure, I got him.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Come on, let's get going.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah, we haven't much time. Wait a minute.

[Sam Wellman]

You foreman, so help me. What does that mean?

[California Carson]

That's goodbye in Mexican.

[Sam Wellman]

Let's show you my pair. Now we'll show you what justice is.

[Sheriff]

Quiet. Quiet, everyone. It's my duty to see justice is done. That's why I've come out here to the Bar 20 after Johnny McIver. If he's found guilty by a jury after he's had a fair trial, he'll get the full punishment under the law, and not until.

[Sam Wellman]

We'll give you five minutes to turn him over, Sheriff. Yes, just five minutes.

[Sheriff]

Getting mighty rough out there, Sellinger. Don't think we can hold out much longer.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

He hasn't got a chance.

[California Carson]

He don't deserve a chance.

[Sheriff]

The law says he gets a fair trial. Sams that. That mob ain't gonna take him without a fight.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

12 men against that mob out there? You're out of your mind.

[Sheriff]

Sheriff. You got any idea, Sellinger?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah, you went out on the porch there and grabbed their attention. The Kid and I might be able to get away from the rear.

[California Carson]

Say, that might work, Sheriff.

[Sam Wellman]

If we could get him back to.

[California Carson]

The jailhouse, we might be able to hold him off.

[Sheriff]

And if the mob spotted you, well.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

That'S the chance we have to take.

[Sam Wellman]

Sam.

[Narrator]

Now, back to Hopalong Cassidy.

[Sheriff]

I don't know about that, Sellinger. If you take Johnny McIver out the back way and make a run for.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

It, don't you see it's the only chance?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

The men you got won't stand up against that mob for two minutes.

[Sheriff]

Well, I guess we'll have to try it. But an awful lot depends on you.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You just leave it to me, Sheriff, and things will turn out just fine.

[Sheriff]

Now, bring the Kid in. Come here, MacGyver. I want a. Cassidy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Hello, Sheriff.

[Sheriff]

What are you doing here?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Oh, I got kind of bored down at the jail. Hello, Songer. And Sam Wellman. Welcome to Bar 20. You're just in time for the payoff. What are you talking about, Cassidy? This.

[California Carson]

What's that?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

A little Billy Doo from your pal Red Conroy. Starts out the following is my true and complete confession on the hold up and murder at the blind turn at 8 o' clock on the night of September 12th.

[California Carson]

Let me see that.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Not so fast, Salinger. Want to take a look at it, Sheriff?

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Yeah, It's a trick.

[Sheriff]

Shut up, Salinger.

[Sam Wellman]

Hmm.

[Sheriff]

It's Red Conroy's handwriting, all right. I gotta tell it a mile away.

[California Carson]

What'd you do with him, Cassidy?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

He's taking it easy in town.

[Sheriff]

And while I stood guard at the bend, Sam Wellman walked up to Clem Yates.

[Ann Richards]

It's a lie.

[Sam Wellman]

Conroy killed. Shut up, Sam. That double crosser ain't gonna frame me.

[California Carson]

And you ain't either, Salinger.

[Sam Wellman]

I never pulled a trigger, Sam.

[Sheriff]

Get away from him, Salinger.

[Sam Wellman]

Salinger shot the driver, Sheriff. It's the truth.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Surreal.

[Sam Wellman]

I was keeping watch.

[Sheriff]

And it was Red who walked up to Clem Yates, huh?

[Ann Richards]

Yeah.

[Sam Wellman]

Yes. Stay where you are, Sellinger.

[Sheriff]

Keep your hands up.

[Sam Wellman]

I'll get you for this, woman, so help me out.

[Sheriff]

You ain't getting anyone. Now, Sellinger, you're gonna turn around while I march the two of you out on the porch and read this confession to the crowd. Come on now, get going.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Did it work, Huffy?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah, we're going out on the porch.

[California Carson]

It was a mite too close for me, Hoppy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Me too. California.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

How about me?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You got a clean slate now, Bob. From here on in, it's up to you. And you can thank Mike here for small favors.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

Oh, it was nothing, amigo.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

As they say in Mexico, la cuer.

[Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver]

De seron Puerto Mas Delgado. The rope she break at the weakest point. Is verdad, no?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah. And we all have another secret to keep, eh, Mike?

[Sheriff]

Huh?

[California Carson]

What's that, Hoppy?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

That confession of Red Conroys. Or maybe you didn't know that Mike DeCicco, in his heyday was the best forger west of the Mississippi.

[Narrator]

It's mighty peaceful at the bar 20 now that this Johnny McIver affair is over. But somehow things never stay that way for very long. Hoppy in California will be riding into more dangerous adventure real soon. Hop along. Cassidy, starring William Boyd, is transcribed and produced in the west by Walter White, Jr. Hoppy takes a Chance was written by Harold Swamp. All stories are based upon the characters created by Clarence E. Mulford. This is a Commodore production.

[Ann Richards]

Sam.