Murder on the Trail | Hopalong Cassidy (02-12-50)

Summary

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Old Time Radio Westerns

Episode: Murder on the Trail | Hopalong Cassidy (02-12-50)

Released: May 15, 2026

Host: Andrew Rhynes

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Episode Overview

In "Murder on the Trail," Hopalong Cassidy and his loyal sidekick, California, divert from a quiet return home to investigate a string of murders in the frontier town of Rapid River. The killings are tied to a mysterious map that leads to a secret passage in Lost Canyon, a place shrouded in superstition and rumored to be protected by religious fanatics. Tasked with unraveling the truth, Hopalong exposes layers of greed and deception hiding behind the town’s respectable façade.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Arrival in Rapid River & The First Murder

• [02:52] Hopalong and California arrive at the Rapid River Hotel, only to be drawn into local turmoil after learning that Mr. Mills, owner of the stage line, has been murdered.
• They’re summoned to the town museum by the anxious curator Mr. Muncie, who claims responsibility for Mills’ death after revealing a deciphered map to Lost Canyon.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Mr. Muncie (04:23): "I'm responsible for it... I deciphered a map... showed it to Mr. Mills. He started for there as sun up. And by noon, a rider found him dead."

2. The Legend of Lost Canyon and a Second Death

• [04:55] A haunting legend surrounds Lost Canyon: anyone who enters is struck by disaster.
• Mr. Muncie, trembling with fear, pleads with Hopalong to take the dangerous map off his hands.
• As Mr. Muncie goes to fetch the map, he’s abruptly killed in a suspicious “accident” involving a sharp axe.
  • Notable Exchange:
    • California (06:10): "You head for danger like Chopper does to a field of wild oak."
    • Sound of struggle and realization of Muncie's murder.

3. Mob Justice, Tensions, and Proving Hoppy’s Identity

• [08:27] Rapid River’s citizens, enraged, clamor for vigilante justice, threatening Hopalong and California.
• Sheriff Richards steps in, calms the mob, and demands lawful procedure.
• A blind old cowboy, Jake Peters, uniquely identifies Hopalong by the sound of his spurs, diffusing tensions momentarily.
  • Notable Moment:
    • Jake (10:44): "It's him, Sheriff. Let's hop along. I'd know the ring of his spurs anywhere."

4. Early Sleuthing and Clues in the Museum

• [12:13] Hopalong inspects the murder scene, observing that the axe which killed Mr. Muncie was much sharper than the other display axes—a clear sign of foul play.

  • Insight:
    • Hopalong (12:56): "Every ax in here so dull you couldn't cut summer butter with it. But the one that fell was sharp enough to slash a human skull."

• They are approached by Brick, a local hustler who attempts to blackmail them over the missing map.

5. A Night of Waiting and Another Murder

• [18:33] With suspicions and danger mounting, Hopalong and California camp on the edge of town, anticipating that the killer may strike again.

  • California’s stomach and humor repeatedly bring levity:
    • (20:00): "I just don't want to die on an empty stomach, that's all. If I'd had supper, I wouldn't have minded laying out here to be shot."

• [21:28] Jake Peters arrives, mortally wounded, to warn Hopalong of imminent danger. He is unable to reveal the murderer before dying.

6. Visiting Mrs. Mills and Unraveling Motives

• [22:39] Hopalong consults Mrs. Mills, widow of the first victim. She doubts the "fanatics" story and agrees to act as his guide into Lost Canyon.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Mrs. Mills (23:15): "There's no man in my family now, Mr. Cassidy. I've got to be father and mother both to my children. And their father would ride up and gain what Lost Canyon has to give us."

7. The Confrontation and True Villain Revealed

• [24:49] Hopalong, Mrs. Mills, and the Sheriff head up the canyon, the Sheriff now openly hostile.

• The Sheriff's deputy (actually “Brick,” the blackmailer) reveals himself as an accomplice.

• [26:07] The Sheriff confesses to all the murders, motivated by his secret wealth and fear of losing a business monopoly:

  • Sheriff (26:13): "I killed Mr. Muncie... and I killed your husband... I can't let anybody living know the passage, Mrs. Mills."
  • Sheriff (26:48): "I'm a rich man, Mrs. Mills. I ain't just a tin horn sheriff like folks think. I got a barrel full of money. But I'd lose it all if this here secret passage is found."

• The Sheriff tries to kill Mrs. Mills to protect his secret but is stopped in a dramatic confrontation led by Hopalong and California.

8. Resolution and Aftermath

• [30:21] Hopalong’s quick thinking and a daring rescue save Mrs. Mills.
• It's revealed that the Sheriff owned the competing railroad and orchestrated the murders to keep the lucrative passage—and its business—out of the stagecoach company's hands.
  • Hopalong (31:05): "He owned controlling interest in a railroad that runs from Rapid river to Dodge City... A railroad had almost run your stage line out of business."
• Mrs. Mills is now free to use Lost Canyon and save her business, while Hopalong and California head back to the Bar 20 Ranch, ready for their next adventure.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Muncie’s Guilt (04:23): “I'm responsible for it... I deciphered a map... showed it to Mr. Mills. He started for there as sun up. And by noon, a rider found him dead.”
• Sheriff’s Stand on Mob Justice (08:37): “I'm drawing my gun and the first man that interferes with me is going to get it. You understand? It's mobs like you that hang innocent men. And there'll be none of that in Rapid River.”
• Jake’s Recognition (10:44): “It's him, Sheriff. Let's hop along. I'd know the ring of his spurs anywhere.”
• California’s Humor (20:00): “I just don't want to die on an empty stomach, that's all.”
• Sheriff’s Confession (26:13): “I killed Mr. Muncie... and I killed your husband... I can't let anybody living know the passage, Mrs. Mills.”
• Hopalong on Motive (31:05): “He owned controlling interest in a railroad that runs from Rapid river to Dodge City... A railroad had almost run your stage line out of business.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:12] - Introduction and setup of the mystery (Andrew Rhynes)
• [02:52 – 06:25] - Arrival at the hotel/museum; murder of Mr. Muncie
• [08:27 – 11:18] - Mob confrontation and Hopalong’s identity confirmed
• [12:19 – 14:09] - Investigating museum axes and blackmail by Brick
• [18:33 – 22:26] - Nighttime camp, Jake Peters’ murder, breakfast banter
• [22:39 – 24:00] - Visit with Mrs. Mills and journey toward Lost Canyon
• [24:49 – 28:16] - Sheriff’s confession, confrontation, and attempted murder
• [30:18 – 31:18] - Resolution, motives revealed, and restoration of justice

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Episode Tone and Style

Rich classic Western atmosphere, heavy on action, suspense, and humor (especially via California’s remarks). Authentic period banter and dramatized sound design immerse listeners in the golden age of audio storytelling.

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Summary

“Murder on the Trail” delivers a taut Western mystery where greed—not superstition—lies at the root of murder. Hopalong Cassidy and California navigate suspicion, mob justice, and hidden motives, ultimately exposing the town sheriff as the murderer desperate to protect his railway interests. With the passage to Lost Canyon now open, justice—and the stagecoach line—are restored. The blend of suspense, humor, and frontier justice makes this a standout of classic radio adventure.

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Transcript

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[Andrew Rines]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines. And let's get into this episode. This episode is going to be Hopalong Cassidy Original air date is February 12, 1950. In this episode, a map of a secret passage in quote, Lost Canyon leads to a murder. Title of this episode, murder on the Trail. Hope you enjoy and again, thanks for listening.

[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 Hop Along Cassidy is the popular star of the motion picture series, William Boyd. And appearing as that laughable old character, California, is Andy Clyde. Now to our story, Murder on the Trail. Some folks always seem to be right in the center of excitement. And that may be because some folks look for it. Of course, you'd never get Hopalong Cassidy to admit that, but his pal California strongly suspects it. And especially now that they interrupted a peaceful ride back to the par 20 to hitch over to Rapid river for the night.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Now there's the Rapid River Hotel up ahead on the right. Let's see if they have a couple of empty sacks.

[California]

I'd sooner be out under the stars. And so would you. Hopping. You can't fool me. Why we come here? You decided awful sudden after you heard there was a little trouble?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Me walk into trouble? Why California? You hurt my feelings.

[California]

Well, you're gonna hurt my stomach. We don't get some drug pretty soon.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Soon as we get a room lined up, old friend. The lobby seemed pretty excited.

[California]

I guess they're talking about the. Who was it?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Mr. Mills. He owns a stage post line. Robbery or spoo? No, he was not.

[Sam]

Hey, you.

[Mr. Muncie]

Hey.

[California]

You're hopal on Cassidy, ain't you?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

That's right.

[California]

You wanted at the museum.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Really? Well, I hadn't figured on being put onto glass quite so early in life.

[Mr. Muncie]

You tell him, hubby.

[California]

Go on over, pal. You'll enjoy yourself in a museum.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

What makes you think so?

[California]

Well, you seem to like keeping an old relic around.

[Sheriff]

Huh? What do you say?

[California]

Why, if that ain't they did I

[Mr. Muncie]

oughta of all new world. Come in, Mr. Cassidy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I had a message for somebody here at the museum.

[Mr. Muncie]

Yes, yes, I sent the message. I saw you ride into town a

[Hopalong Cassidy]

little while ago and I thought perhaps

[Mr. Muncie]

you could help me.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Well, this is my partner, California. Charleston.

[Mr. Muncie]

Oh, yes. I'm sorry. My name is Muncie.

[California]

Harry.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I judge you're upset because of the murder, Mr. Muncie.

[Mr. Muncie]

Oh, yes, indeed.

[California]

I'm.

[Mr. Muncie]

I'm responsible for it.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Your what?

[Mr. Muncie]

Just what I said. Mr. Mills would be alive now if it weren't for me. I deciphered a map showing the secret passage into Lost Canyon. And I showed it to Mr. Mills. He had always been so interested in the canyon. He started for there as sun up. And by noon a rider found him dead.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Well, that doesn't make you responsible.

[Mr. Muncie]

No, but I knew it would happen to anyone who tried to go up into the canyon. I knew it when I showed him that map.

[California]

This is getting kind of complicated. And why is an old Ross Canyon so dangerous?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Ah, there's a legend about that Canyon.

[Mr. Muncie]

True legend, Mr. Cassidy. Of the vow taken by the Jetson followers never to let anyone invade their canyon. It has been sealed up for 20 years. Disaster will overtake anyone who tries to enter Lost Canyon.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

But it doesn't seem like religious folk would take the murder.

[Mr. Muncie]

Don't you understand, Mr. Cassidy? They're fanatics. They will stop at nothing. Look. Look here in this cabinet. Now these are Dum Dum bullets. They have a hollow nose, rip a man to pieces when they strike. The British develop them.

[California]

And you know why?

[Mr. Muncie]

To stop fanatics who couldn't be downed by an ordinary bullet.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

But you're speaking of savage frontiersmen, Mr. Munsey.

[Mr. Muncie]

Then you aren't Afraid of these people in Lost Canyon?

[California]

You don't know Hoplong Cassidy very well. Or you know he ain't afraid of nothing.

[Mr. Muncie]

Then will you take the map?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

What?

[Mr. Muncie]

The map to Lost Canyon. I'm not a brave man, Mr. Cassidy. And now I'm terrified. I just want to live here among my treasures. I don't want any violence to befall me.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I don't suppose any of us really wants violence.

[Mr. Muncie]

But you can cope with it. Please, will you take the nap?

[California]

Well, go ahead, Hoppy. You're just itching to get into more adventures.

[Mr. Muncie]

Good.

[California]

Good.

[Mr. Muncie]

I have it hidden in this room. I'll be right back.

[California]

I know something like this should happen, Hoppy. You head for danger like Chopper does to a field of wild oak.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

All there's no danger in this. Mr. Muny is just an excitable little man.

[California]

Blazes.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Mr. Mun.

[California]

Poppy.

[Deputy]

Puppy.

[California]

Look. This axe is splitty Skull. It's all from the waller.

[Deputy]

Maybe I know what you mean. Go get a doctor.

[California]

Quick.

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[California]

SA.

[Narrator]

Now back to Hop Along Cassidy. Poppy rode into Rapid river because he was curious about one murder. And now he's mixed up in another. The town is in a nasty mood. They want somebody to pay for the killing. All of which puts Hoppy and California in a pretty tough spot. The Darth Little museum is now bristling with outraged townsfolk. And the sheriff is not having much success keeping order.

[Sheriff]

Get the two men. Go get it. Enough of this. Kill em. Yeah. String em up before somebody else gets it. Me were the only ones in the museum. Men. Get back. I'm the law around here. This is my business.

[Sam]

And our friends.

[Sheriff]

Friends go getting killed. It's pretty much our business. I figure. Bring them two men out of the other room and let us 10 to us. We'll give them. Shut. Quiet. Quiet all of you. I'm drawing my gun and the first man that interferes with me is going to get it. You understand? It's mobs like you that hang innocent men. And there'll be none of that in Rapid River. Stop this Murder. I will stop it. I will. In the right way.

[Deputy]

All right, Deputy, bring them two men out.

[California]

Yeah.

[Sheriff]

Shut up. Shut up. This gun's cocked, and I mean business.

[Deputy]

Stay back if you want to keep

[California]

your head on straight.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Thanks, Sheriff. They don't seem very friendly.

[Sheriff]

I'm here to keep the law. And if you're guilty, you'll hang just as they want. Now look at you, Sheriff.

[California]

You don't know who you're talking to.

[Sheriff]

Oh, am I supposed to bow when I meet you? No, but by jolly, you'll take off

[California]

in your hat when you meet my pardner here. This is Hopalong Cassidy, huh?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

How do you do, Sheriff?

[California]

You're.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You're Hopalong.

[Sheriff]

Don't let it click you, Sheriff. Turn up.

[California]

Nobody tricks Sheriff Richard. So you're supposed to be Hopalong Cassidy, huh?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Oh, Sheriff, I'm not supposed to be. I am.

[California]

Ain't you never seen these pictures?

[Sheriff]

The only pictures I ever see are

[Deputy]

the ones with wanted on them.

[Sheriff]

Ain't nobody here ever seen Hopalong, huh? Oh, shut up, Jake.

[Deputy]

A lot of good you'll do it.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Well, if the fella knows me. Bring him out, Sheriff.

[Sheriff]

Nah, that's old Jake Peters, blind as a bat.

[California]

I don't need eyes to know how belongs here today.

[Deputy]

Let me through here.

[Sheriff]

How in tarnation you gonna tell Jake I got Wayne?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Where.

[California]

Where is this fella?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Here I am. You must be the Jake Peters that used to ride range in Cheyenne.

[California]

Now, don't confuse me with talk. There's one sure way I can kill Halfalon. No matter now. If I don't have eyes to see him.

[Deputy]

I'll still know him if I can

[Hopalong Cassidy]

just hear him walk.

[California]

Huh? Oh, God, if this ain't shut. Go ahead.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You walk like this, Jake?

[California]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, a little more.

[Mr. Muncie]

It's him, Sheriff.

[California]

Let's hop along. I'd know the ring of his spurs anywhere.

[Sheriff]

You sure, Jake?

[California]

Of course I am.

[Sheriff]

Well, that's good enough for me. You're welcome to Rapid river, hubby.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Thanks, Jake. Your friends were hard to convince.

[Deputy]

Well, I. I'm right sor, Mr. Cassidy. But you know, a fellow can't be too careful, especially when he's the law.

[California]

Hoppy ain't used to treatment like this.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I understand, Sheriff. And I'll be obliged. Now if I can help in any way to clean up this murder.

[Sheriff]

Thanks, but we don't need no help.

[Deputy]

We're used to handling our own affairs in Rapid River.

[Sheriff]

Come on, men, stay out of this museum. We ain't getting nothing done. Hanging around here.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Oh, Sheriff, you mind if my friends and I stayed here for a while and looked over the displays? Seems to be quite a fine collection.

[Sheriff]

Well, I don't know.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

We rode quite a ways to see this museum. We'd be grateful if we could stay

[Narrator]

and look at older.

[Sheriff]

Well, just because you're Hopalong Cassidy, don't

[Deputy]

think you're privileged character around here.

[Sheriff]

I'd do the same for any citizen. You can stay for 10 minutes.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Thanks, Sheriff, That'll be fine.

[California]

Why that insulting tin horn, Sheriff. No idea him talking to you the way he did. Oh, forget it.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

He was just trying to impress us.

[California]

I don't know why you went to all that trouble to stay in this here museum anyway.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Don't you know California really well?

[California]

All right. Of course you know. You think you can find something that the Terror didn't in his investigation?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I'm sure of it. Mr. Monkey was a nice little fellow and I'd pretty put out that somebody would go to the trouble to murder him.

[California]

But there ain't nothing to prove it was a killing. The taxes all for the room he was in. It could have been an accident.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Do you think it was?

[California]

Well, I don't know. Come on in here.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I know there's something that may help you decide.

[California]

Oh, there's blood all over the floor is giving me indigestion.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

That's impossible. California, you haven't eaten anything.

[California]

Dog gone. That's right. That's what I'm feeling. No supper.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Now look here. See these axes? Go on, take one off the wall.

[California]

I'd rather just as well look at them from here.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Don't you see something pretty obvious? Look at this one.

[California]

This row over here.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

See?

[California]

I don't see nothing except a bunch of axes.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

But don't you realize that there's not one of them in here that is like the one that fell and killed Mr. Munson?

[California]

Well, sure there is. It was just like these red handled ones. I don't mean the handle.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I mean the other end, the blade. That's right. Every ax in here so dull you couldn't cut summer butter with it. But the one that fell was sharp enough to slash a human skull.

[California]

You're right, Hoppy. Gee, Willikens, what do you think of that? Mind if I go along on this little tour? My education has been kind of neglected.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Come on in, mister. But don't hide behind doors. You might get into trouble.

[California]

Oh, I never get in trouble. But you might. Especially if I was to tell the sheriff that about an hour ago I Delivered a message to you from Mr. Munster.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

And how is that going to cause trouble?

[California]

Well, it depends on what the message was. If I was to say that Mr. Munfy wanted you to please leave him alone, and he couldn't possibly make the payoff that you demanded.

[Sheriff]

Why are you telling me?

[California]

Fighting ain't the answer, cowpoke.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

No, I can see that. California. How much do you have with you?

[California]

What?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Get out your pouch, California.

[California]

We understand each other, eh, Mr. Jackson?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah, we certainly do. I don't believe I know your name, though.

[California]

Oh, the folks just call me Brick. Gold Brick, maybe.

[Deputy]

Listen, you old gold crackle.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah, Something to make you feel better. And don't go causing any trouble, will you? You just want to stay out of this. You know, I was watching through the

[California]

window all the time.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Oh, you were? Well, don't say anything about our taking the map, will you? We're just collecting curios for our ranch. Yeah,

[California]

yeah. Thanks, sucker. Thanks. Now I think Fun. You start raving mad. What do you mean by peeing off that little chiseler? And sply, did you tell him about finding the map?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

But I didn't find it, California. I just thought it might be interesting to see what he would do if he thought I did. Come on now, let's have our dinner and see what we can figure out.

[California]

Oh, now you're talking. I can just taste a big hunk of Steve cake. I. I just order, sir.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

What?

[California]

We can't buy no dinner. You gave that chiseler all the money we had.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

What do you think of that? Well, the bank will be open in the morning, so let's go dream of a hearty breakfast.

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[California]

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[Narrator]

Now back to Hop Along Cassidy and our story, Murder on the Trail. One of the leading citizens of Rapid river has been murdered because he started up into lost Canyon. Then Mr. Munsey, curator of the museum, was killed by a fallen axe as he was about to give Hop Along Cassidy the map showing the secret passage into Lost Canyon. So now Hoppy and California are camped out on the edge of town and they're trying to figure out two things. Who was doing the killings and why.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

It doesn't add up. California. There's two men have been killed for no apparent reason.

[California]

But the little third of the museum told you the reason. They're religious groups.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

No, California, I don't think that's the answer. It's very seldom that wars are fought or murders are committed because of religion. People generally kill for a very earthly possession.

[California]

Yeah, you mean money.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

But in this instance, I can't figure out who will gain and who will lose because of this map showing the secret passage into Lost Canyon.

[California]

I sure wish you hadn't told that Brick fella that we have the map

[Hopalong Cassidy]

that may bring the murderer out into the open. We may even have business before the night's over.

[California]

Did it? You think so? Shame. Maybe we should have gotten a hotel room after all.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Why California? You said you didn't want to ask for a room without having the money to pay in advance. You were afraid of being embarrassed.

[California]

Well, I'd rather be embarrassed than dead.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Do I detect a note of fear someplace?

[California]

I just don't want to die on an empty stomach, that's all. If I hadn't. If I'd had supper, I wouldn't have mind laying out here to be shot.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

But think how much you have to look forward to. As soon as the bank is open in the morning, I'll buy you the biggest breakfast in Rapid River.

[California]

You will, Huffy?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You bet. But sweet cake. Stack a foot high. You dream about that

[California]

swimming and Sharp and Gulf.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

That's right. And brown little sausages to spice them up. And a pile of scrambled egg. California. I better shut up and get to sleep myself. All this talk of food is killing me. California, wake up.

[California]

Yeah. Breakfast time already. Suffering snakes.

[Sheriff]

What's that?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Let's find out. No time to saddle up. Come on.

[California]

Tell them a comer, Hobby. Come on, Copper.

[Deputy]

Over towards these bushes.

[California]

Hey, maybe it's a crack hop. You'll have to risk it. Look over here.

[Sheriff]

Yeah, that's his horse.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Easy.

[California]

Easy, boy. Who is it? Is that you, Harper? Why, Jake.

[Sheriff]

Jake.

[California]

Peter. He's hurt bad, Har.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Take it easy, Jake. We'll get you to a doctor.

[California]

It ain't no use.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

He rolled up behind me and put

[California]

these slugs into me. Who did?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Jake. The murderer. He knowed I was riding out here to warn you.

[California]

He's there for you now.

[Deputy]

Harpy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

If I'd had eyes, I. I could have found you.

[California]

The fella at the forge told me

[Hopalong Cassidy]

you camped out on this road.

[California]

Jake.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Who put the slugs in here?

[California]

Who was it? No, you shabby. He ain't hearing you now. Poor old Jake.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

California. We're dealing with someone who will shoot a blind man in the back.

[California]

I'd sure like to get my hands in the barman, Dudge.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I've got a hunch Mrs. Mills may know something about these murders. You meet me there later.

[California]

Where are you going now?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

To the bank as soon as it opens.

[California]

If it's for breakfast money, hobby, forget it. I ain't hungry now.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

No, I'm going to try to find out who is the wealthiest man in this town.

[Mrs. Mills]

Why should you be taking second interest? Mr. Cassidy? You didn't know my husband.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

No, Mrs. Mills. And I didn't know the man at the museum. I'd only met Jake Peters. But it still winds me up inside to see cold blooded murder.

[Mrs. Mills]

The whole town knows that there are religious fanatics up in Lost Canyon.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

The whole town may know that. But what about you? Do you know it?

[Mrs. Mills]

I.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You don't believe that story any more than I do. Mrs. Mills. There's someone right here in this town that's doing the killings. I only want to know the route in the Lost Canyon so that I might be able to bring the murderer out into the open.

[Mrs. Mills]

Yes, I want that too. I'll tell you what I'll do. I won't give you the route, but I will act as your guide and lead you up there.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Oh, but that's too dangerous.

[Mrs. Mills]

There's no man in my family now, Mr. Cassidy, I've got to be father and mother both to my children. And their father would ride up and gain what Lost Canyon has to give us.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

All right, Mrs. Mills. The spirit like that, come along with me and we'll clean up this whole dirty mess. Ah, this is bad business. I'm sorry I agreed to let you come with me.

[Mrs. Mills]

Living is bad business, Mr. Cassidy. You have to have courage to take chances.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Now, you trust me, and we may both come out of this alive.

[Sam]

What's the matter? Did you hear something?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yes, someone's coming up the trail, overtaking us.

[California]

Why, it's the sheriff.

[Sam]

Hello, Mr. Richards.

[Sheriff]

Hello, Mrs. Mills.

[California]

And it's you, Cassidy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

That's right, Sheriff. Who did you expect?

[Deputy]

I expected you to have better sense, I'll tell you that.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Or maybe you mean I shouldn't have had such good sense.

[Deputy]

You saw what I did with that mob back in the museum, Cassidy. I cocked my gun like this and I threatened to use it on the first man that tried to take the law into his own hands.

[Mrs. Mills]

But, Sheriff, you don't understand, Mr. Cassidy.

[Deputy]

This is Mr. Cassidy. The only man in Rapid river that vouched for him was Blind Jake Peters.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You mean dead Jake Peters?

[Deputy]

If he's dead, you're the only one that knows about it, Cassidy. Well, there's been enough talk. My deputies right down the trail, waiting for my whistle. So now I'm sending you back to town for safekeeping.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

And you, Mrs. Mills, and I are

[Deputy]

going right on up this trail.

[Mrs. Mills]

Yes, Jerry.

[Sam]

I'm glad you came when you did,

[Mrs. Mills]

for we're approaching the passage now.

[Deputy]

You ride on, Mrs. Mills. I'll catch up with you.

[Sam]

Oh, Sherry.

[California]

Howdy, Sheriff. Looks like I rode up just in time.

[Deputy]

Brick, you take Cassidy back to town and watch him.

[California]

Okay, Sheriff.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Well, so Brick here is your newly appointed deputy. Seems like only last night that he was a cheap blackmailer.

[California]

Shut up, Cassidy. I got me a badge now. And if the sheriff don't get out of Lost Canyon alive, I'll be head man. Don't say a thing like that.

[Sheriff]

I'm coming back.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

What's the matter, Sheriff? You kind of superstitious?

[Deputy]

I'll tend to you later, Cassidy. Right now, I'm going with Mrs. Mills after the murderer.

[California]

Of course, it's mighty dangerous for a

[Deputy]

woman to be riding up into the canyon. No telling what might happen.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You know, Sheriff, you sound just like a man who's trying to establish an alibi, huh? Yeah, an alibi. The event Mrs. Mills doesn't come back alive.

[Deputy]

You know, Mrs. Mills, it was a sad day that your husband found that map. Showing the secret passage into Los Canyon.

[Mrs. Mills]

Oh, it was a horrible day.

[Sam]

But how did he know it would

[Mrs. Mills]

cost him his life?

[California]

Yeah, well, I guess he didn't.

[Deputy]

That Mr. Munsey at the museum knew the danger. He wanted to get rid of the map.

[Mrs. Mills]

You want to give the map to Mr. Cassidy?

[California]

Yeah.

[Deputy]

But he never did. Because I killed him and took the map myself.

[Sam]

What?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yes, Mrs. Mills.

[Deputy]

I killed Mr. Muncie.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

And I killed your husband.

[Deputy]

I thought they was the only two that knew the passage.

[Mrs. Mills]

Derek, what are you saying?

[Deputy]

That I can't let anybody living know the passage, Mrs. Mills.

[Sam]

But I know it.

[Narrator]

That's right.

[Deputy]

I don't like doing this. In fact, I never enjoy killing.

[Mrs. Mills]

Take Peter.

[Sam]

You can owe him to.

[Deputy]

Oh, he was a worthless old toot. But he was nosy and got disrespecting things. He was on his way to blabs to Cassidy.

[California]

So I had to get rid of him.

[Sam]

Jared, this is incredible. How can you go on killing and killing?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You're the last.

[California]

Then I'll be safe.

[Deputy]

Everything I've got will be saved.

[Sam]

What do you mean?

[Deputy]

I'm a rich man, Mrs. Mills. I ain't just a tin horn sheriff like folks think. I got a barrel full of money. But I'd lose it all if this here secret passage is found.

[Sheriff]

You.

[Sam]

You're really going to kill me?

[Deputy]

Get off your hearts, Mrs. Mills.

[Sam]

No. No.

[Sheriff]

Come on, Marcy.

[Sam]

That's hurt.

[Sheriff]

Let's get this over quick.

[Sam]

No, Sheriff, I have children. You can't.

[Sheriff]

Maybe I'll adopt them, Mrs. Mills.

[Sam]

Oh, yes. The patty don't. I'll leave Rapid River.

[Sheriff]

Let me live in your prayers, Mrs. Mills. This is it.

[California]

What's that? Who's over there? Get up here, you.

[Sam]

Take your hand on me.

[California]

Stay right here. There's a visitors out in the bushes.

[Sam]

Let me go.

[California]

You stay right in front of me.

[Deputy]

I come back after you, Sheriff.

[Sheriff]

I thought it was you, Cassidy, hiding behind them bushes.

[Deputy]

You're wasting your bullets, Sheriff. I got you covered.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Your little game is up.

[Sheriff]

If you shoot me, Cassidy. You shoot Mrs. Mills first.

[California]

Come on behind these rocks.

[Sam]

Be careful. You're too cold to the ed.

[Sheriff]

Yeah, I see you sneaking for the trail, Sheriff. But I'm sitting up here to see you don't make it. Why, you snivelings don't stink. He can trap me. Do you? You, Mr. Mile.

[Sam]

Let me go. You're hurting me.

[Sheriff]

Why, I oughta I see your hat, Cassidy.

[California]

You're out on the ledge, Sheriff, we

[Deputy]

got you covered both ways. You might as well drop your gun.

[Sheriff]

Ah, you think I'll give up, do you? I'm used to living hard.

[Deputy]

And I'll die the same way.

[Sheriff]

You're not gonna take me alive. And I'll die laughing.

[California]

Cause I'm taking Mrs. Mills with me. Me. Stop it, Shar. You're pulling her over the lamp.

[Sheriff]

Stop it.

[Sam]

Oh, we're falling. Let me go.

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[Sam]

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[Narrator]

Now back to Hop Along Cassidy.

[California]

Oh, God. That was the fanciest roping I ever seen.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Did I hurt your arm? As Mills?

[Mrs. Mills]

Oh, I. I don't think so. I don't know. I'm just so thankful to be alive.

[California]

It was a mighty close call. If it hadn't been for Hoppy's rotten,

[Deputy]

you'd be at the bottom of the

[California]

ravine where the sheriff's hand.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

And if you hadn't ridden up the trail, California, and helped me disarmed Brick.

[Narrator]

Well.

[Sam]

Oh, it's so horrible. This sheriff must have been insane, wanting to kill me for no reason.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Oh, he had a reason, all right.

[Sam]

But why did it matter to him

[Mrs. Mills]

that I knew the secret passage?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Well, didn't you want to use it to build up your stagecoach business, Mrs. Mills?

[Mrs. Mills]

Well, yes, but no one knew that.

[California]

Don't see how that mattered to the sheriff. Hockey.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

He was a very wealthy man cow California.

[Mrs. Mills]

Yes, he told me that, but I just thought he was raving.

[California]

Oh, no.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I managed to find that out at the bank. He owned controlling interest in a railroad that runs from Rapid river to Dodge City.

[Sam]

What?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

That's right. A railroad had almost run your stage line out of business. Now if you were to route your stages through Lost Canyon, you could beat train time and get the business back again.

[California]

Well, if that ain't the dag busted this dog garnished.

[Mrs. Mills]

Why, it's incredible. He did all that killing to protect his railroad.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yes, but now you're free to root your stages through the canyon.

[Mrs. Mills]

Yes, I must do that. I've got to support the children. I guess the first thing is to find a good driver and try the canyon road.

[California]

Poppy, do you suppose there really is a fanatical religious cult up here in this canyon? I get her feeling weird kind of being watched.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Well, I know one sure way of finding out.

[California]

How's that?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You drive Mrs. Mills Sage through this canyon and if there are any religious folks up here, you'll probably scale them right up into the hills.

[Narrator]

Hoppy in California are heading back bar 20 way. Got a lot of things to take care of at the ranch, but it won't be long till Hoppy gets that feeling and they'll be heading out again for more excitement and adventure. We'd like mighty well to have you along.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Hop Along.

[Narrator]

Cassidy starring William Boyd is transcribed and produced in the west by Walter White, Jr. Murder on the Trail was written by John Barkley. All stories are based upon the characters created by Clarence E. Mulford. This is a Commodore production.

[Sam]

Sam.

[California]

Foreign.

[Andrew Rines]

This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate our shows in your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook join in the conversation by going to otrwesterns.Com Discord and don't forget to send us an email. Please podcast trwesterns.com this episode is copyright under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Like Copyright for more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day. And again, thanks for listening.

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