One Night Stand | Gunsmoke (05-19-57)

Summary

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Old Time Radio Westerns — "One Night Stand" | Gunsmoke (05-19-57)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Original Air Date: May 19, 1957
Podcast Release: April 11, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns features a digitally restored broadcast of the classic Gunsmoke episode “One Night Stand.” Set in Dodge City, the story dives into issues of trust, deception, and frontier justice as Marshal Matt Dillon navigates the arrival of a stranger with a suspicious past, a large sum of gold, and the shadow of would-be thieves. The episode explores how greed and suspicion can take root in the harsh realities of the Old West.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. A Stranger Arrives with Gold (03:09-08:53)

• Ben Argo Arrives: Ben Argo, arriving from the northern gold fields, brings $15,000 of gold to Dodge and requests Marshal Dillon's help safeguarding it overnight.
  • “They are heavy. I got a year's hard work up north to hear Gold Hill Diggins and them sacks worth near $15,000.” — Ben Argo (06:56)
• Suspicion in the Air: Argo hints at being followed from Gold Hill, raising immediate suspicions with Matt Dillon.
  • “You can rest easy, Argo. Things are different here in Dodge.” — Matt Dillon (07:36)
• Requesting a Safe Place: With the bank closed, the town's storekeeper, Mr. Jonas, is asked to guard the gold. Matt agrees but remains wary.
  • “He might have been followed.” — Matt Dillon (08:46)

2. The Dodge City Social Scene (09:15-13:15)

• Light Moments & Character Development: The camaraderie between Matt, Chester, and Doc provides comic relief—especially Doc’s repeated threats to leave Dodge for the comforts of the East.
  • “Beef steak? Oh, beef steak, he says. Matt, that is buffalo. Not when it’s a seven year old bull and tougher than a cavalry boot.” — Doc (10:54)
  • “Doc’s been threatening to leave town again.” — Matt Dillon (13:01)
• Kitty & the Bock Beer: Miss Kitty brings news of a coveted barrel of bock beer, again showing the small pleasures sought in a hard town. (13:37-14:53)

3. Two Strangers, More Danger (14:15-17:17)

• Two Men from Gold Hill: Two strangers—Pete Wells and Rocky Martin—arrive, claiming they don’t know Ben Argo, contradicting earlier information and deepening the town’s suspicions.
  • “Not even Ben Argo ever heard no Ben Argo, huh?” — Matt Dillon (15:50)
  • “If you boys just happen to meet anybody with ideas like that, you tell them to forget it, huh? Because we got laws here in Dodge City.” — Matt Dillon (16:12)
• A Heavier Load in the Safe: The storekeeper reveals the safe now includes an additional $25,000 from another gold buyer, further raising the stakes.

4. Violence Breaks Out (19:18-20:55)

• Street Attack: Ben Argo is assaulted in the street by the newcomers—his fears realized. Rocky Martin (one of the assailants) is killed in the struggle.
  • "They jumped me, the two of them right here in the street." — Ben Argo (19:25)
  • "Where'd the other one go, Argo?" — Matt Dillon (19:55)
• True Colors: Argo claims he recognized his attackers, accusing them of being “crooks” rather than prospectors.

5. The Real Scheme Unfolds (22:38-24:48)

• Back at the Safe: The Twist: Alongside Matt and Chester, Argo returns for his gold—but pulls a gun, revealing his true motive was to rob the safe of the gold buyer’s money.
  • “You, get your hands up, Marshall. You too. All three of you here.” — Ben Argo (23:14)
  • “This is what you were after all along, wasn’t it, Argo? To get your hands on that buyer’s money.” — Matt Dillon (23:20)
• Matt’s Observations: Dillon explains his suspicions—Argo’s soft hands betray him as a non-miner.
  • “I knew you were lying the minute I met you... Your hands were as soft as a baby's.” — Matt Dillon (24:03)
• Wells Returns: Pete Wells enters, forcing Argo to surrender at gunpoint.
  • “You’re covered, Argo. Drop that gun.” — Pete Wells (24:17)
  • "There wasn't nothing else to do, Marshall." — Pete Wells (24:29)

6. Justice Restored (24:48-25:27)

• Resolution: The confrontation ends with Argo's plan foiled and a reflection on the consequences of greed and violence in Dodge.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Doc's Classic Complaint (10:54):

  “Buffalo’s good meat.”
  “Not when it's a seven year old bull and tougher than a cavalry boot. Matt, you know something? I am pulling stakes. Yes, I am. I'm going back East.”
  — Doc to Matt Dillon and Chester

• Matt’s Canny Detective Work (24:03):

  “I knew you were lying the minute I met you. But I had to wait and find out what you were up to. Lying? Oh, you said you'd been working a placer claim all winter. But you made a big mistake by shaking hands with me. Your hands were as soft as a baby's. I suppose you stole the gold, huh?”
  — Matt Dillon

• Irony of the Frontier’s Trust (23:19):

  "You, get your hands up, Marshal. You too. All three of you here."
  — Ben Argo, revealing his betrayal

• Justice Delivered (24:17):

  “You’re covered, Argo. Drop that gun.” — Pete Wells

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Ben Argo's Arrival & Gold Worries: 03:09–08:53
• Doc’s Comic Scene & Bock Beer: 10:41–14:53
• Confrontation with Strangers: 14:15–17:17
• Street Attack: 19:18–20:55
• Twist & Showdown at Jonas' Store: 22:38–24:48
• Resolution & Aftermath: 24:48–25:27

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Final Thoughts

"One Night Stand" is a Gunsmoke tale thick with suspicion, frontier wit, and the shadow of double-cross in a town where trust is as scarce as gold. The episode’s clever reveal—Marshal Dillon spotting the physical telltales of deception—highlights how life in Dodge required not just a quick draw, but a keen sense for lies and danger. The restored audio brings clarity to both subtle sound cues and the sharp-edged dialogue that made radio westerns beloved for generations.

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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 Gunsmoke Original Air Dates May 19, 1957 and the title is One Night Stand

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This is the story of the 1. As a maintenance tech at a university, he knows ordering from multiple suppliers takes time away from keeping their arena up and running. That's why he counts on Grainger to get everything he needs, from lighting and H vac parts to plumbing supplies all in one place. And with fast, dependable delivery, he's stocked and ready for the next tip off, call 1-800-granger click granger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

[Narrator]

Around Dodge City and in the territory on west, there's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers, and that's with a U.S. marshal. And the smell of gun.

[Matt Dillon]

Smoke.

[Narrator]

Gun. Starring William Conrad. The story of the violence that moved west with young America. And the story of a man who moved with it.

[Matt Dillon]

I'm that man. Matt Dillon, United States Marshal. The first man they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chancy job, and it makes a man watchful and a little lone.

[Chester]

Mr. Dillon, you want me to keep

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

this fire built up,

[Chester]

Mr. Dillon?

[Matt Dillon]

What? Well, what'd you say, Chester?

[Chester]

I say, do you want me to keep this fire going on the fort?

[Matt Dillon]

No, no, let it go out. Well, I got this shoe shaped right now. I never. Now quench it and see how it fits

[Chester]

your own horse. Next thing, you'll be cutting your own hair.

[Matt Dillon]

Haircut's different. Chester. Hold him steady now. See how the shoe fits, huh?

[Chester]

Easy, boy, easy. Hoe on a hoe. Why is it different, Mr. Jones?

[Matt Dillon]

A bad haircut will never leave you stranded on the prairie 20 miles from Dodge. Reach me that hammer, will you?

[Chester]

Here you are.

[Matt Dillon]

Thanks.

[Chester]

Moss Grimmick ain't that bad a blacksmith.

[Matt Dillon]

Moss is all right, but I could still ride easier when I shot the horse myself.

[Chester]

You're finicky, that's all. Maybe Moss does all right on my horse. I ain't throwed but one shoe in the last six months.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, that's just one too many. There now. I'll trim the hoof now, and that'll stay on till it wears off.

[Chester]

Well, after all that trouble, it are too. I swear to goodness, Mr. Jones got

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

his horse put up here.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I guess so. It's a livery stable.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

I'll give him an extra half ration of grains. The road hard today.

[Narrator]

How's that?

[Matt Dillon]

So where'd you come in from?

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Man gotta tell his life history before he can leave a horse here.

[Matt Dillon]

No, no, all you gotta do is find the stable man.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Ain't you him?

[Matt Dillon]

He's up the street getting himself a cup of coffee. I'm the marshal.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Oh, I didn't mean no offense, Marshal.

[Matt Dillon]

There's none taken.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

My name is Argo. Ben Argo. Mighty proud to make your acquaintance, huh?

[Matt Dillon]

How do you do?

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

I was aiming to come looking for you as soon as I got my horse took care, huh? Now, why, you see these? These here saddle Bags?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, what about them? They look kindly heavy.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

They are heavy. I got a year's hard work up north to hear Gold Hill Diggins and them sacks worth near $15,000.

[Matt Dillon]

Plaster gold, hell, huh? I heard they had quite a strike up there.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Oh, it's bigger, all right. Few months of hard work, a man can quit rich. Providing he's lucky enough to keep what he makes.

[Matt Dillon]

What do you mean?

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Oh, Marshall, there's more crooks and outlaws up there than there is honest miners. The only way I hung onto this was take it out to the Diggins with me in the daytime and sleep on at nights with a gun in my hand.

[Matt Dillon]

You can rest easy, Argo. Things are different here in Dodge.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Maybe so. I'd still like to put these saddlebags up in a safe place for the night. Leaving tomorrow. Kind of like to be free to look the town over this evening. Never been here before.

[Matt Dillon]

The bank's already closed.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Yeah. A fellow down street tells me there's a storekeeper takes care of money for folks sometimes.

[Matt Dillon]

Now, that'd be Wilbur Jonas. But only in case of an emergency. Like when stage passengers hit Tom late. You know, something of that kind.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Well, Marshall, maybe you could tell him that this is an emergency. How is it I ain't a man to spook easy, but there's fellers up in Gold Hill knowed how much I left with. Know where I was headed. I might have been follered.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, Argo. I'll send Moss to take care of your horse, and you meet me over at Jonas's store. I'll wait for you there.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

I'm much obliged, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

It's no trouble. Come on, Chester.

[Chester]

Is she mighty grateful to both of you. You think somebody could have fired him? The dog, Mr. Jones?

[Matt Dillon]

I don't know, Justin. Just depends on what his reasons are for lying.

[Chester]

Lying?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Chester]

Well, what are you gonna do about him?

[Matt Dillon]

For the time being, nothing. Just gonna have to wait. Look, you better tag him around and keep an eye on him anyway, huh?

[Chester]

Yes, sir, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

Hello there. Aren't you that memory expert?

[Chester]

Yes, I guess I am at that. Ah.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

What are you committing to memory now?

[Chester]

I'm reminding myself to get my wife a new ID card. Yes, she needs it to get medical care under the dependent's medical care program.

[Matt Dillon]

And how do you remember that?

[Chester]

What?

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

To get your wife a new ID card so she can use Medicare. Oh.

[Chester]

By association. Association. What were we talking about?

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Making sure your dependents have an ID card.

[Chester]

Right. I associate cards with thinking, thinking with headaches, headaches with pain. And pain with doctors. And then just to be sure, I write it down in this little book here. Wait a minute. Oh, that's funny. I could have sworn I brought it with me.

[Matt Dillon]

For more about Medicare, get the pamphlet.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Dependents Medical Care Program.

[Chester]

Look at that. Look at that.

[Doc / Various Characters]

Does it.

[Chester]

That's the final straw. Look at that, Julian. Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Look at what, Doc?

[Chester]

The stuff they slap on a placing call. Food in this town. Just look at that.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, Doc, if you don't like beef steak.

[Chester]

Beef steak?

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Oh, beef steak, he says.

[Chester]

Matt, that is buffalo.

[Matt Dillon]

Buffalo's good meat.

[Chester]

Not when it's a seven year old bull and tougher than a cavalry boot. Matt, you know something? I am pulling stakes. Yes, I am. I'm going back East.

[Matt Dillon]

I see. Last time you said that was about a month ago.

[Doc / Various Characters]

I don't care.

[Chester]

I mean it. I'm through riding a herd on a bunch of shiftless, no good prairie rats that never pay their doctor bills. 90% of them, nothing but drifters, cutthroats, saddle.

[Matt Dillon]

I thought it was the food you objected to.

[Chester]

I could be living like a civilized human being back east, eating at all the finest restaurants in the world, like Bernheimer's.

[Matt Dillon]

Pass the sugar, will you?

[Doc / Various Characters]

Here.

[Chester]

Yes, I could go back tomorrow. Yes, I could. And by heaven, I think I'll do it, too. I'm gonna do it. I am not taking another case in this town. Not one.

[Matt Dillon]

You know, Doc, it's gonna be kind of hard to get used to shaving regular, talking polite, putting on clean shirts and keeping your collar button.

[Chester]

I haven't always lived like a roughneck. Sod, Buster. I know how to act like a gentleman. Why, when I came out of medical school, I was one of the most promising young. There you are, Doc.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Chester.

[Matt Dillon]

I thought you were over at the Long Branch keeping an eye on Ben Argo.

[Chester]

Yes, sir, I was. Till he snuck out, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

He what?

[Chester]

Snuck out. See, there was a couple of men come in and I heard him asking for them. When I looked around, he's gone. But we don't have to worry, Mr. Dillon. He ain't gonna leave town. Not while he's got all that gold in Mr. Jonas's safe now.

[Matt Dillon]

I guess you're right.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

It's that doc.

[Chester]

What I come for is you're wanted out at the Renssler place. What for? Because Ms. Rensselaer's about to have a baby. They sent word for you. By golly, isn't I? I forgot she was that close. Oh, hand me that bag, will you, Matt?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, sure, Doc.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Hi.

[Matt Dillon]

Where you Going?

[Chester]

Well, I'm going out today. I'll just. Where'd the tarnation think I'm going?

[Matt Dillon]

Back east, you said.

[Chester]

Well, I. I couldn't leave a woman. Doc's been threatening to leave town again.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Why?

[Chester]

Oh, shut up, the both of you.

[Matt Dillon]

Good night, Doc.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Good night.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, come on, Chester. Let's go over to the Long Branch and have a talk with those men.

[Doc / Various Characters]

Hu. I'm glad you dropped in, Matt. I'm just gonna send for you now.

[Matt Dillon]

What for?

[Doc / Various Characters]

I finally came. Month late, of course, and only one instead of six. But I guess it's better than none.

[Matt Dillon]

One what, Kitty?

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What?

[Matt Dillon]

What are you talking about?

[Doc / Various Characters]

Beer.

[Chester]

Bock beer.

[Doc / Various Characters]

Just one barrel. Came in on the Santa Fe today.

[Chester]

Oh, Bock beer. Doggone, Miss Kitty, my mouth's been watering for a month.

[Doc / Various Characters]

You and 500 other men. Chester, you better hurry. Not gonna last long. How about you, Matt?

[Chester]

Mr. Dillon, couldn't we just take time for one glass? Them fellows ain't going nowhere right away.

[Matt Dillon]

You go ahead, Chester. I'll join you in a few minutes.

[Chester]

Yes, sir. I'll be right down there next to the barrel.

[Matt Dillon]

Hey, Kitty, you know those two men down there at the end of the bar?

[Doc / Various Characters]

Are those two? Yeah, they came in about an hour ago. I've never seen them before. Prospectors, I think somebody said, from way up around Gold Hill.

[Matt Dillon]

Ah, I see.

[Doc / Various Characters]

They were asking for somebody named Ben Argo, but I'd never heard of him either. They don't look very much like prospectors, do they, Matt?

[Matt Dillon]

I'll see you a little later. Kelly, save a glass of that beer for me, will you?

[Doc / Various Characters]

Sure, but you better hurry, Matt.

[Chester]

Good evening, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Mr. Jonas.

[Chester]

Care to join me in a glance a little later? Very well.

[Matt Dillon]

How are you, gentlemen? Understand you just got in from Gold Hill.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Mister, if you're looking for talk, go find somebody else.

[Matt Dillon]

Does your partner feel the same way?

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

You heard him.

[Matt Dillon]

You boys are pretty edgy, aren't you? You got some reason for it?

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Suppose that badge you're wearing means you're the marshal around here.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, that's right. My name's Dillon. Matt Dillon.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Mine's Pete Wells. My friend here is Rocky Martin. Look, you ain't got any business with us, Marshall. We just hit the time and we don't know a soul here.

[Matt Dillon]

Not even Ben Igo ever heard no Ben Argo, huh? Not. I thought you might have followed him from Gold Hill.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

I said we never heard of him.

[Matt Dillon]

And you wouldn't know that he was carrying $15,000 in gold, huh? Look, Marshall, So naturally you Wouldn't be thinking of trying to take it away from him, would you?

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Why should we? What kind of men do you think we are?

[Matt Dillon]

If you boys just happen to meet anybody with ideas like that, you tell them to forget it, huh? Because we got laws here in Dodge City.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

It's been real nice talking to you, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Come on Rocky, don't leave on my account.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

I figure me and Rocky better turn in before we break one of them laws of yours. That fell up to something.

[Matt Dillon]

I don't know for sure, Jonas, but they're lying. Ben Argo was lying too. And I'm not just sure why.

[Chester]

Ben Argo, the fellow who put his gold in my safe?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. He told me he thought he might have been followed from Gold Hill.

[Chester]

That's better than 400 miles.

[Matt Dillon]

That's right. And then these men ride in and ask for Argo. And now they tell me that they don't even know him.

[Chester]

I'm going to stop letting people use my safe, Marshall. I got nearly $40,000 in it tonight and that's too much to be responsible for.

[Matt Dillon]

40? Where'd you get that much money?

[Chester]

Fell I'd accommodated before.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Gold buyer from east.

[Chester]

He got in on the late stage this evening. And heaven Marshall, he came down from Gold Hill too. Now that I think of it. Why? Maybe the two of

[Doc / Various Characters]

you on the street.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Another visit with Joe and Daphne Forsyth.

[Doc / Various Characters]

Johannie.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Uh huh.

[Doc / Various Characters]

Joe darling, put down the paper. I've got something important to ask you.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Okay, Joe. All right. All right what?

[Doc / Various Characters]

How many savings bonds do we have?

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

What kind of a question is that?

[Doc / Various Characters]

A good one. How many?

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

I'm not sure. I'd have to count and I'm reading the paper. What do you want to know for?

[Doc / Various Characters]

Have we got enough to make things comfortable for us?

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Very comfortable. That's why I buy in. A payroll savings plan upon the month

[Chester]

will give us quite a nest egg for the future.

[Doc / Various Characters]

Enough for a college education eventually.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

But who's going to college?

[Doc / Various Characters]

Our children, silly.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

We don't have any yet. Oh, what do you mean oh?

[Doc / Various Characters]

Better buy some more bonds, honey. Daphne, you mean we've got a new investment?

[Chester]

How about.

[Matt Dillon]

Let me through here, will you please? Will you let me through please?

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Told you somebody followed me, Marshall. They jumped me, the two of them right here in the street.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, Argo, let me have a look at it.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Must have figured I was packing that gold around with me.

[Chester]

Yeah, well that's one of them fellas who was in the Long Branch, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

His name's Martin.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

According to his partner.

[Matt Dillon]

Let's turn him over.

[Chester]

Chesup.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Yes, sir.

[Chester]

Come. Go see if doc's left yet. Mr. Dylan.

[Matt Dillon]

There's no hurry. Jessup.

[Chester]

You mean he's dead?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. Where'd the other one go, Argo?

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Dang if I know. Just lit out like a scared rabbit. He didn't have such easy mark as they thought, I reckon.

[Matt Dillon]

Have you ever seen him before?

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Why, sure. Up around Gold Hill. Other one's name is Pete Wells. Got a bad reputation up there.

[Matt Dillon]

Is that so?

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Huh. Well, they ain't prospectors. Never done a day's work in their life. Just rob off of them, it does.

[Matt Dillon]

How they miss this time, but it's luck is all.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

I just got a glimpse of them when they stepped out of those shadows over there. And that give me just enough edge to beat them.

[Matt Dillon]

I see.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Hadn't it been for that, I'd be the one laying dead right here in the street.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I had a hunch somebody was

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

going to make a try for that gold.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I guess the next thing to do is to round up Pete Wells. One killing a night is enough.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

You figure he's still hanging around somewhere?

[Matt Dillon]

I wouldn't be surprised.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Gonna try to get even. Marshall, I ain't safe here. I'm not gonna wait until morning. I'm gonna pull stakes and ride out of here tonight.

[Matt Dillon]

Maybe that's what he wants you to do.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

No, no, it ain't the last thing he'd be looking for. And when he does find out, he won't know which way I headed.

[Matt Dillon]

Now it's up to you.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

I'll be out of here in 10 minutes, Marshall. Provided you find that storekeeper for me so I get my gold out of his safe.

[Matt Dillon]

I'll have to look around for him. It may take a little time.

[Chester]

All right, Mr. Dillon. I thought he was back there.

[Matt Dillon]

Chester, suppose you stay with Argo in case Pete Wells has another try at him, huh?

[Chester]

All right.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Well, it won't take long, will it, Marshall? Sooner I get out of Dodge, the easier I'll feel.

[Matt Dillon]

No, I don't think it'll take very long. Suppose you and Chester meet me over at Jonas store in about 30 minutes.

[Chester]

I think you're there waiting for us, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, it looks that way.

[Chester]

That's you, Mr. Dillon?

[Matt Dillon]

That's right, Chester.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

You find that storekeeper, Marshall? Yes, he did, Argo. If you have a habit of bothering

[Chester]

folks in the middle of the night, I'll thank you to keep your valuables

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

elsewhere in the future. You Fred? Ain't likely I'll be coming through Here again. Let's see now. Is this the key? Come in, gentlemen. Yes, sir.

[Chester]

The only burglar proof safe between here and Kansas City.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Not counting bank vaults, of course.

[Chester]

I just hope I can remember the new combination.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

What do you mean?

[Chester]

And don't worry, Argo, he always says that when he opens it. Been saying it for six months. Ever since he got this new safe over here and back to here.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

And that ought to.

[Chester]

Well, let's see now. This bag in front belongs to someone else buyer. Those of yours right behind it. If I can reach you.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Take them all out. You, get your hands up, Marshall. You too. All three of you here.

[Chester]

What do you think you're up to?

[Matt Dillon]

Do what he says, Chester. Get your hands up, Chester. This is what you were after all along, wasn't it, Argo? To get your hands on that buyer's money.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

That's right, Marshall. I know he was on his way here from Gold Hill. Not he always leaves his cash overnight in this storekeeper safe.

[Matt Dillon]

So you put that gold of yours in the safe so you'd have a reason to get Jonas to open it later.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Figure things out just fine, Marshal. After it's too late to do any good.

[Matt Dillon]

I knew you were lying the minute I met you. But I had to wait and find out what you were up to. Lying? Oh, you said you'd been working a placer claim all winter. But you made a big mistake by shaking hands with me. Your hands were as soft as a baby's. I suppose you stole the gold, huh?

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Why, sure. From Wells and Martin. That's why they come after me. Of course. Wells don't trust the law. He'd have told you.

[Matt Dillon]

I think he trusts it now.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

You're covered, Argo. Drop that gun. Wells. You found him.

[Matt Dillon]

Marshall.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

You set me up on this. That's why you stalled me off.

[Matt Dillon]

Do what he says. Drop your gun. I ain't dropping nothing. Don't be a fool.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

I go. There wasn't nothing else to do, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

No, there wasn't.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

He didn't give Rocky no chance at all before he tried that kind of fool move. He oughta remembered Rocky.

[Matt Dillon]

He remembered all right. That's why he tried to kill you. You bet he remember.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Ram.

[Narrator]

Gun Smoke, produced and Directed by Norman McDonald. Stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. The script was specially written for Gunsmoke by Les Crutchfield with editorial supervision by John Meston. The music was composed and conducted by Rex Corey. Sound patterns were by Ray Kemper and Bill James. Featured in the cast were Parley Baer as Chester Howard McNear as Doc and George Ellis S Kitty.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

George Walsh speaking.

[Narrator]

Join us again next week for another specially transcribed story on gun smoke. This is the united states armed forces radio and television service.

[Ben Argo / Various Characters]

Sam,

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[Andrew Rines]

This has been a presentation of OTR Western stock 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 subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com YouTube and send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com you can call and leave us a voicemail 707-986-8739. 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 thanks for listening.

[Chester]

Foreign.

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