The Square Triangle | Gunsmoke (11-14-52)

Summary

Old Time Radio Westerns: "The Square Triangle" | Gunsmoke (11-14-52)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Original Air Date: November 14, 1952
Podcast Release: May 5, 2026
Series: Gunsmoke

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Episode Overview

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns features a digitally restored Gunsmoke classic, "The Square Triangle." Set in Dodge City, the story traces a love triangle that spirals into betrayal and murder. Marshal Matt Dillon investigates the suspicious death of Al Morley, uncovering tangled motives among a small circle of townsfolk. Central themes include temptation, guilt, the limits of justice, and the powerful influence of one enigmatic woman.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Introduction to the Love Triangle

• Setting: A quiet night in Dodge City with Marshal Matt Dillon and his loyal deputy, Chester, reflecting on life and longing.
  • “Anytime you find a man or animal out squalling around in the dark, it’s usually love.” – Chester (04:31)
• Characters Introduced:
  • Ava Morley: The captivating and restless wife.
  • Al Morley: Her dismissive husband.
  • Red Lawson: The new ranch hand, drawn into romantic intrigue.
  • Jesse Wells: The young bartender, also infatuated with Ava.
• Tension: Ava’s flirtations have already resulted in past violence, foreshadowing more trouble (05:28, 06:01).

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2. The Crime Unfolds

Incident at Buffalo Flats

• Jesse Wells wakes Marshal Dillon, claiming Al Morley has been murdered and that Red Lawson is to blame.
  • “Al’s dead, Marshal. He’s knifed in the back. Did you do it?” – Matt Dillon questioning Jesse (09:41)
• Circumstances:
  • The group was on a cattle-buying trip.
  • Jesse claims they were all asleep when Lawson killed Al for $10,000 in cash.
• Investigation Begins: Dillon and Chester examine the evidence, discuss alibis, and pursue Lawson (10:13-13:15).

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3. Confrontation and Pursuit

Lawson on the Run

• Dillon anticipates Lawson’s escape route, intercepts him at Sumac Creek water tank.
  • “He won’t be expecting us. Let’s get out and take him as soon as the train stops.” – Matt Dillon (15:01)
• Shootout Ensues: Lawson is fatally wounded after resisting arrest.
  • “Giving a man three chances before you draw down on him…” – Chester, commenting on Dillon’s sense of justice (15:56)

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4. The Truth Emerges

Lawson’s Dying Confession

• Key Revelation: Lawson admits stealing the money but denies killing Al.
  • “I swear I didn’t kill him. I only stole the money.” – Red Lawson (20:34)
• Impact: Dillon realizes the real murderer could still be among them, with evidence pointing toward Jesse Wells.
  • “I thought this was the end of it. Now it’s wide open again.” – Matt Dillon (20:57)

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5. The Trap is Set

Drawing Out the Real Killer

• Dillon sets a plan in motion: asks Kitty to send Jesse to visit Ava at a specific time, with Dillon waiting.
  • “I got a murder on my hands. I know who the killer is, and I can’t touch him… So I’m going to try to make him touch me.” – Matt Dillon (26:16)
• Climactic Confrontation:
  • Jesse confesses, feeling manipulated by Ava into killing Al.
  • Tense standoff results in Jesse’s death.
  • “You didn’t have to [ask to kill Al]. Just kept dropping hints, leading me on…” – Jesse (28:14)
  • Doc and Chester overhear confession, but Jesse never implicates Ava directly (29:28).

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6. Aftermath and Moral Reflection

• Ava Morley’s Fate: Remains untouched by the law, though her presence has contributed to three deaths.
  • “I think maybe it’s kind of all her fault. And you can’t pin a thing on her.” – Chester (30:05)
  • “There’s one lucky thing. There aren’t many women like her.” – Matt Dillon (30:13)
• Dillon’s Reflection: Justice can’t always be served when manipulation leaves no evidence.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Love and Loneliness:
  • “With a woman like that, love might be kind of mournful.” – Matt Dillon (06:01)
• Dillon’s Reluctant Authority:
  • “What Ms. Morley does is her own business, as long as it doesn’t cause any trouble.” – Matt Dillon (07:26)
• Jesse’s Motive Unraveled:
  • “You’re out of your mind. You woke up and saw Red steal the money and take off, and it gave you ideas. You slipped over and knifed Al in his sleep.” – Matt Dillon confronting Jesse (21:42)
• Ava’s Duality:
  • “He’s the one who changed me, made me feel different.” – Ava Morley (24:32)
• Final Moral:
  • “Three men have been killed since this same time last night... and you can’t pin a thing on her.” – Chester (30:05)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:08 – Gunsmoke introduction and scene setting in Dodge City.
• 04:17 – Main characters and triangle established (Dillon, Chester, Ava).
• 09:41 – Jesse reports Al Morley’s murder; investigation begins.
• 13:15 – Dillon and Chester pursue Lawson via the train.
• 15:01 – Lawson spotted at the water tank; confrontation leads to gunfight.
• 20:34 – Lawson’s dying confession clears him of murder.
• 21:42 – Dillon confronts Jesse; reveals suspicions.
• 26:16 – Dillon’s plan to provoke a confession from the real killer.
• 28:14–29:28 – Jesse confesses and is killed during standoff.
• 30:05–30:13 – Aftermath and philosophical reflection.

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Summary

In "The Square Triangle," Gunsmoke explores love, jealousy, manipulation, and the imperfect nature of frontier justice. Marshal Dillon finds himself up against the social laws of passion as much as the criminal code, in a case where the most dangerous weapon is not a gun or knife, but a woman’s influence. Despite the deaths and confessions, justice remains clouded, and Dillon is left to ponder the human cost of desire in the Old West.

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For fans and first-time listeners alike, this episode showcases classic Western storytelling, with deeply human dilemmas echoing through evocative soundscapes—now rendered in crisp, restored audio by host Andrew Rhynes and the Old Time Radio Westerns team.

Transcript

[Matt Dillon]

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[Chester]

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[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

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Anyways, get a [e-mail] or with your local agent.

[Andrew Rines (Host of Old Time Radio Westerns)]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines. And let's get into this episode. This episode's going to be Gunsmoke. Original Air date is November 14, 1952 and the title is the Square Triangle.

[Matt Dillon]

Hope you enjoy.

[Andrew Rines (Host of Old Time Radio Westerns)]

And again, thanks for listening.

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[VRBO Advertiser]

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[Chester]

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Oh, no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together.

[Chester]

We.

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Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Insurance Spokesperson]

Anyways, get a [e-mail] or with your local agent.

[Chester]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

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[Narrator (Gunsmoke Introduction)]

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 a smell of gun smoke. Gun Smoke. Starring William Conrad. The story of the violence that moved west with young America. The story of a man who moved with it. Matt Dillon, United States Marsh.

[Chester]

Quiet night, Mr. Dylan?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, except for that coyote. He's wailing his head off out there. Mad at the moon, I guess.

[Chester]

Or in love, maybe.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, yes, sir.

[Chester]

The way I've noticed it, anytime you find a man or animal out squalling around in the dark, it's usually love.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, but this one sounds kind of mournful, Chester.

[Chester]

Well, sir, love is mournful sometimes, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, so I've heard.

[Ava Morley]

Matt, is that you?

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, good evening, Ms. Morley.

[Ava Morley]

How have you been, Matt?

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, fine, fine, thank you. You down here on Front street this time of night alone?

[Ava Morley]

I'm looking for Red Lawson. He's a new man, works for Al's. Meeting him sometime after midnight, and they're going out on a cattle buying trip. I want to talk to him first. He satisfied?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, it's just that this is no place for a woman alone, Ms. Morley. Maybe you better go home.

[Ava Morley]

There are the women down here.

[Matt Dillon]

They belong here, Ms. Morley. They work here.

[Ava Morley]

Oh, don't be so stuffy, Matt, and call me Ava for once. Everybody else does.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, your husband might take exception to that, Ms. Morley.

[Ava Morley]

Now you're blaming me for what happened before, aren't you?

[Matt Dillon]

I'm not blaming you for anything, Ms. Morley.

[Ava Morley]

I didn't tell him to get into a gunfight over me. Wasn't my fault.

[Matt Dillon]

I didn't say it was. Chester, you better see that Ms. Morley gets home all right.

[Chester]

Yes, sir.

[Ava Morley]

I can get home by myself.

[Chester]

My, she's pretty as a picture. It makes you wonder.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, maybe you were right, Chester. With a woman like that, love might be kind of mournful.

[Chester]

So I just give my rope a couple turns around that juniper stump and I jerk back on.

[Matt Dillon]

Lawson.

[Chester]

Oh, hi, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

I wonder if I could see you for a minute, huh?

[Chester]

Yeah, sure. Be right back, boy. What's on your mind, Marshall Lawson.

[Matt Dillon]

I just ran into Miss Morley in the street. Outside.

[Chester]

You did?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I suggested she go home. She's got no business being down here this time of night. It might be a good idea if you tell her that, huh?

[Chester]

Seems to me that's up to her husband.

[Matt Dillon]

Look, you're new here, Lawson. I guess you didn't know Fred Curtis and the Santa Fe Kid.

[Chester]

I heard about it. A couple of fools as far as I can see.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I guess they were after they met Ms. Morley.

[Chester]

Hey, look, Marshall, what's your stake in this?

[Matt Dillon]

I got no stake. What Ms. Morley does is her own business, as long as it doesn't cause any trouble. I'm just trying to keep her peace, that's all.

[Chester]

I feel kind of sorry for her, that's all. Al treats her like a dog.

[Matt Dillon]

Uh huh. Fred and the kid used to talk the same way. Like I said, a couple of fools. I'm not. I hope not.

[Chester]

See you around, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, sure.

[Ava Morley]

Oh, I think so.

[Matt Dillon]

Hi, Kitty. Can I speak to you?

[Ava Morley]

Oh, sure, Matt. Excuse me, boys. I'll be back. Now

[Matt Dillon]

what, man, giddy as hell. Morley been in tonight?

[Ava Morley]

Oh, no, I haven't seen him, Matt. Should he have been around?

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, not necessarily. He and Lawson are riding out around midnight on a cattle buying trip. I. I just thought they might be meeting here.

[Ava Morley]

Oh, well, not yet anyway. Jesse Wells would know what the plans are, though.

[Matt Dillon]

Jesse Wells?

[Ava Morley]

Yeah, the bartender down there at the end, the young one. You know him?

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, oh, yeah, sure, sure. Why would he know?

[Ava Morley]

Well, he's going along. I'll ask him to help out. They're gonna follow the Lazy B roundup, try to get in ahead of the buyers from Chicago.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, yeah, he. He's a nice looking kid.

[Andrew Rines (Host of Old Time Radio Westerns)]

I wonder if.

[Ava Morley]

Yeah, yeah, he's another friend of Ava's.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, boy. Holy. Marshall. Marshall Dillon. Oh, come on, wake up, Marshall.

[Chester]

All right, all right, take it easy.

[Matt Dillon]

Who is it? Jesse Wells. Marshall, open the door. All right, just a second till I get it. What's the trouble? Wells? Al Morley. Marshall. Then you better get your horse because we gotta ride back out there. Out where? What happened? Buffalo Flats. We camped there to wait for the roundup crew. And Al's dead. Marshall, he's knifed in the back. Did you do it? No, it was Red Lawson. He knifed Al. He stole the money we're gonna use to buy cattle.

[Chester]

What in the world is going on? Mr. Dill?

[Matt Dillon]

You better saddle up, Chester. We got a ride.

[Chester]

What's the trouble?

[Matt Dillon]

Ah, the usual. Nothing new but the names. Seems Red Lawson turned out to be a fool in spite of Himself. Over this way.

[Chester]

Marshal

[Matt Dillon]

Camp is right there by that plumstick. Right.

[Chester]

Be daylight in another 20 minutes.

[Matt Dillon]

Hello, boy. He's laying over there by the bushes. Yeah, I see him. Whose knife is it, Jesse? It's Al's. We were all asleep. We built a fire, made some coffee, and then turned in wait for daylight. The Lazy B bunch planned to work their stock up this way. I see.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke Introduction)]

Here.

[Matt Dillon]

Chester, wrap the knife in something and hang onto it.

[Chester]

Yes, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

Now go on, Jesse. What happened?

[Chester]

Well.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, like I said, Marshal Dillon, we were all asleep. I guess it was the sound of the horse's hose woke me up. And Red Lawson, he was pulling out. I run over to Al, shook him to wake him up and tell him. Then I saw the knife. He was dead. Where were you sleeping, Jesse?

[Chester]

Well.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, right about here, I guess. Red was across the fire over there, and Al was where he's laying now. What about the money? How'd you know it was gone? Well, I thought about it right off and I figured that's why Red done it. Al was carrying about $10,000 in a little leather sack he'd stuck under the blanket before we'd gone to sleep. So I went and looked for was gone. You figure Red killed him for the money then? Well, sure. I doubt he meant it, though. I think Red was trying to ease the sack out from under the blanket when Al woke up and caught him. Yeah, it's possible.

[Chester]

Be light enough to start tracking him in a few minutes. Mr. Dillon. Yeah.

[Matt Dillon]

Sun's poking up over there now. Looks like it's gonna be a clear day. Which way did Lawson head out, Jesse?

[Chester]

East.

[Matt Dillon]

Seem to be following the wagon trikes.

[Chester]

Odds are bad, Mr. Dillon. He's got quite a start on us.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, too much of a start. Well, let's load the pack mulechester. I think we'll ride back into Dodge and then take the train from there to Abilene, then work back from the east.

[Chester]

Say, that's a good idea. Lawson probably won't be expecting anybody ahead of him.

[Matt Dillon]

I can't understand it. I just can't understand how anybody could do a thing like this. That sounds like a meadow ark, Chester.

[Chester]

Yes, sir. He just flew into those bushes.

[Matt Dillon]

Red seemed a pretty nice fellow as far as I could tell. It's a funny time of year for a meadow lark, isn't it? Guess $10,000 was just too much temptation.

[Chester]

Oh, some of them hangs around all winter, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

That sure sounds a lot better than that coyote howling. All right, Chester, get a hold of his feet. Let's load him.

[Chester]

Sumac Creek water tanks right around the bend up ahead of us there.

[Matt Dillon]

How long we stop here?

[Chester]

About five minutes. Just long enough take on water. Might as well relax, Marshall. It's long ways yet to Abilene. Why, we ain't but 24 miles from dark city. Feels more like a hundred. These seats are harder than a saddle.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Chester]

Say, this here feller you boy looking for, I guess he's a real mean enough, huh?

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, yeah, mean enough.

[Chester]

Well, it's just like I always say. This prairie country ain't never gonna be a law abiding place to live. Every time I pull out of Kansas City on the northwest, I'm expecting every minute to be shot or hung or scalped.

[Matt Dillon]

Chester.

[Chester]

What's the matter? Mr. Dillon?

[Matt Dillon]

Look out the window here. Around the bend there by the water tank.

[Chester]

Looks like we don't have to go to Abilene. Oh, yeah. Only there's some fella waiting to catch a train. I guess you boys recogn. Is he the one? Yeah, his horse is tied there by the tank. Must have decided on a quicker way of traveling.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, it looks that way all right, Chester. He won't be expecting us. Let's get out in the vestibule and then drop off and take him as soon as the train stops.

[Chester]

Yes.

[Matt Dillon]

Hey, Marshall, whatever you do, don't let him get on this train. Just keep the passengers away from the windows.

[Chester]

In a way, it's too bad, Mr. Dillon. Ms. Marley would have really enjoyed that. $10,000.

[Matt Dillon]

You're guessing, Chester. Al, he hasn't seen us yet. All right, let's go. Lawson. Get your hands up. No.

[Chester]

You're under arrest.

[Matt Dillon]

Get your hands up. No.

[Chester]

He's running for his horse, Mr. Dillon. Lawson, he's going to fight.

[Matt Dillon]

You can't get away on foot, Larson. Come on, Chester.

[Chester]

That's a cutting it awful thin, Mr. Dylan. Giving a man three chances before you haul down on him.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, we're still on our feet. He's not.

[Chester]

Yeah, but it's a push in the odds, though.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I guess. All right, pick up his gun there, will you?

[Chester]

Yes, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

Lawson.

[Chester]

You still alive, Mr. Dillon?

[Matt Dillon]

Can you hear me, Lawson?

[Chester]

Sure. Sure, I can hear you. There's a sack of money. Looks like it fell out of his coat.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I see it. Lawson, there's no doctor on the train. We're going to try to stop the bleeding and do the best we can for you. There'll be a train back toward Dodge City in about a half hour. We'll wait for it. Is that all right with you?

[Chester]

I don't. Don't have any choice, do I?

[Matt Dillon]

No, I guess you don't. You made your choice last night. Was she worth it?

[Narrator (Gunsmoke Introduction)]

We will return for the second act of Gunsmoke in just a moment. But first, every Saturday night, Gene Autry invites all his friends to visit him at Melody Ranch for a half hour of songs and stories about the Old West. Tune in the Gene Autry show tomorrow night over most of these same CBS radio stations. Now for the second act of Gun Smoke.

[Chester]

Let me see now. Oh, yeah. Oh, that's a bad one, Matt. Yes, I'd say the bullet's lying right in against his heart.

[Matt Dillon]

I just tried to wing him, Doc, but we were both moving. You can't always call him, you know.

[Chester]

I guess not. Well, I'm afraid that's about all I can do for him, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

It's not enough, Is that it?

[Chester]

You won't live an hour?

[Matt Dillon]

I wish he was conscious. I want to talk to him.

[Chester]

Well, the stimulant might take effect, and then again, might not. With this kind of a case, you never know. What is it you're after, Matt?

[Matt Dillon]

Ms. Morley.

[Chester]

Accessory before the fact.

[Matt Dillon]

She could have been.

[Chester]

Mm. Well, I'm a broken down old man, Matt, but if that woman rolled her eyes at me just once. Well, I don't. I do not know. I just might.

[Matt Dillon]

Matt. Yeah? Lawson. Lawson, can you talk? Can you hear me, Lawson? Yeah,

[Chester]

sure.

[Matt Dillon]

Was Miss Morley in on it?

[Chester]

Nobody was in on it.

[Matt Dillon]

Did she know you were gonna do it? She had.

[Chester]

She. She had nothing to do with it.

[Matt Dillon]

Was she gonna meet you somewhere later?

[Chester]

She had nothing to do with it. It was my I dear.

[Matt Dillon]

Nobody else. Lawson. Lawson, listen to me. You're dying. Do you know that?

[Chester]

Yeah. Yeah, I know. I can feel it. She wasn't in on it.

[Matt Dillon]

All right. That's the way you want it. At least Al won't treat her like a dog anymore.

[Chester]

What do you mean?

[Matt Dillon]

I mean a dead man can't bother anybody.

[Chester]

Al.

[Matt Dillon]

You ought to know. You killed him.

[Chester]

No. No. No what? He was asleep. I. I took the money and rode away. And they were both asleep. I didn't touch him.

[Matt Dillon]

You're telling the truth.

[Chester]

I swear I didn't kill him. I only stole the money. And I, I, I. I didn't get. Well. Guess I was wrong, Matt. The bullet was closer to his heart than I thought.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. And I was wrong about something myself, Doc. I thought this was the end of it. Now it's wide open again. Wide open. I don't See why you got me here? Just ask the same things all over again, Marshall. Cause I told you how it happened. Yeah, I know. You caught Red Lawson with the money on him. Now, what more proof do you need? It only proves he took the money, Jesse. It doesn't prove he killed Al. Well, what do you mean? Chester, you better punch that fire up over there a little, huh?

[Chester]

Does seem to be getting chilly in here.

[Matt Dillon]

What you mean by that, Marshall? You killed Al yourself, didn't you, Jesse? You're out of your mind. You woke up and saw Red steal the money and take off, and I gave you ideas. You slipped over and knifed Al in his sleep. You knew Lawson had got to blame for it. Well, sure. Sure. Because he did it. He said he didn't.

[Chester]

Dang Stowe.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, Marshall, did you expect him to tell the truth? He was dying. Jesse knew he was dying. I think he told the truth. I see. His word against mine. Word of a thief. I didn't say I could prove it, Jesse. But you did it, though. We both know that. And sooner or later, I'm gonna get you for it. Chester, I think it'll draw better if you'd open the dam.

[Chester]

Quiet night, Mr. Dylan.

[Matt Dillon]

It was a quiet night last night.

[Chester]

And two men who were alive last night are gone tonight. Sure makes you stop and wonder.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, at least one thing hasn't changed. That coyote's still there.

[Chester]

I guess there'll always be coyotes around, Mr. Dylan. What are you gonna do about Jesse Wells?

[Matt Dillon]

I don't know, Chester. He's. He's guilty. You could see it written all over him. But there'd be no use bringing him in. I haven't got one piece of evidence. I. I don't know.

[Chester]

You see, she's quite a woman, Mercy. Quite a woman.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, she is that all right.

[Ava Morley]

Matt, is that you?

[Matt Dillon]

Good evening, Ms. Morley. Who you looking for tonight? Can't be Red Lawson. He's dead.

[Ava Morley]

So is my husband.

[Matt Dillon]

You forgotten my deepest sympathy.

[Ava Morley]

Don't bother. You know better. I am sorry about Red, though. He was nice. You're the one who did it, aren't you, Matt?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. Yeah, I killed him for you. I couldn't do anything else.

[Ava Morley]

I don't know why you say for me wasn't my fault.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, sure, I know.

[Ava Morley]

You know, you don't know anything. You don't know how it feels to sit in the house alone with your husband dead. No. In town, coming near you like he was poisoned or something. Sure, I don't feel sorry about Al, but I would have once he's the one who changed me, made me feel different.

[Matt Dillon]

I know it wasn't your fault.

[Ava Morley]

And you didn't even come to tell me he was dead. Why not? It's part of your job, isn't it?

[Matt Dillon]

I didn't come and tell you, Ms. Morley, because I figured that you'd. Chester.

[Chester]

Yes, sir?

[Matt Dillon]

Would you mind walking on ahead? I'll meet you on the Texas Trail in a few minutes.

[Chester]

Well, I. All right, Mr. Dillon, if you say so.

[Ava Morley]

Why, just send him away?

[Matt Dillon]

Matt, I. I was just wondering if you were going to be home later tonight. I could be around 10 o'. Clock.

[Ava Morley]

Say, sure, man, I'll be there.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, how you.

[Ava Morley]

Kenny, Chester and I were trying to think of some way to rescue you from Ava's clutches.

[Chester]

Only one thing, though, Mr. Dylan. I wasn't sure you wanted to be rescued.

[Matt Dillon]

Kitty, has Doc been in tonight?

[Ava Morley]

I haven't seen him, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Chester, will you see if you can find him and have him meet me here?

[Chester]

Yes, sir. Right away, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

Kitty got.

[Ava Morley]

Yeah?

[Matt Dillon]

I wonder if you'd help me with something.

[Ava Morley]

Sure, ma'.

[Matt Dillon]

Am.

[Chester]

What?

[Matt Dillon]

Drop a hint to that bartender, Jesse Wells, that it might be smart to slip out of here and pay a visit to Ms. Morley's around. I'll say 9:45 tonight.

[Ava Morley]

All right. Is it anything you can talk about?

[Matt Dillon]

I don't exactly know how to talk about it, Kitty. I got a murder on my hands. I know who the killer is and I can't touch him.

[Ava Morley]

So?

[Matt Dillon]

So I'm gonna try to make him touch me.

[Ava Morley]

Oh, all right, Matt. I'll take care of it. Will you be around for a while?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, yeah, I'll be here till.

[Ava Morley]

Who is it?

[Matt Dillon]

It's Matt, Dylan. Who'd you think.

[Ava Morley]

Just a minute.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, hurry up. Let me in. All right, Dylan, come on in. Well, Jesse, I thought you were working. I was till just a few minutes ago. Well, what's on your mind?

[Ava Morley]

Well, I. I think Mr. Dillon probably wants to ask me some questions or something.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I do, as a matter of fact. Jesse Wells, for instance. He didn't tell me he was going to be here, Ava.

[Chester]

Well, I.

[Matt Dillon]

What do you mean, she didn't tell you? Wait, Ava, what about this? You were expecting him. You knew he was coming. Of course you knew I was coming. You and Matt Dill. For how long? And what kind of a fool does that make me? I'm afraid you were born a fool, Jesse. That's why she picked you. She's so wonderful. You said if only Al didn't stand in Our way.

[Ava Morley]

I didn't tell you to kill him. I didn't mention it once.

[Matt Dillon]

You didn't have to. Just kept dropping hints, leading me on. And all the time, you and Matt Dill. She's too smart for you, Jesse. You should have realized that. Yeah, and instead I played right into your hands. Both of you. How, Jesse? Killing Al, getting him out of your way, giving the two of you a clear field. You're under arrest for murder, Jesse. What? Oh, you'd like that, wouldn't you? Both of you would sit around and laugh about it while you're waiting for me to hang. I said you're under arrest. Now, hand over your gun. No, you don't, Dylan. You're not gonna carry it that far. You're not taking me in for something both of you wanted me to do. Hand over your gun, Jesse. You want my gun, you gotta take it away from me. Get away from the door. Oh, sure, I'll get away from.

[Chester]

Holy.

[Matt Dillon]

Mr. Warren. Are you all right, Chester?

[Chester]

Yes, sir. It was close, but he missed me. Well, you two didn't miss him. I don't know which one of you fired first, but either bullet would have done it. Well, you got his Confession all right, Mr. Dillon. Doc and I heard every word from the front porch there. We sure did. Only one thing, though, Matt.

[Ava Morley]

He.

[Chester]

He didn't implicate the woman in it.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I know. Will you take charge, Doc?

[Chester]

Oh, sure. Be glad to. Part of my job, you know.

[Ava Morley]

Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, Chester, let's go.

[Ava Morley]

Matt, could I see you for a minute before.

[Chester]

Mad. What's it add up to, Mr. Dylan? Three men have been killed since this same time last night.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Chester]

And you know, Mr. Dylan, I think maybe it's kind of all her fault. And you can't pin a thing on him.

[Matt Dillon]

My. Well, there's one lucky thing. There aren't many women like her.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke Introduction)]

Gun Smoke, under the direction of Norman MacDonald stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. Tonight's story was specially written for Gunsmoke by Les Crutchfield with music composed and conducted by Rex Corey. Featured in the cast were Lillian Byeff with Harry Bartel, Lawrence Dobkin and Jack Crucian. Parley Bear is Chester. Howard McNear is Doc. And Georgia Ellis is Kitty. Gunsmoke is heard by our troops overseas through the facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service. Join us again next week as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal, fights to bring law and order out of the wild violence of the West. In Gun Smoke, Strange island tells the remarkable story of a tropical paradise that sank into the sea. Hear all about it on Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle. Tomorrow night on most of these same stations, hear about the miracle that sand saves Tarzan from drowning and brings the island back from the sea. Remember, it's yours for thrills on tomorrow night's exciting adventure with Tarzan, created by Edgar Rice Burroughs and brought to you now by CBS Radio. Clancy Cassell speaking. And remember, Broadway's My Beat brings you startling mysteries Saturday nights on the CBS Radio Network.

[Ava Morley]

Sam.

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Q U E-S-T.com Spinquest is a free

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[Chester]

What is this, your first date?

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[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

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Anyways, get a [e-mail] or with your local agent.

[Chester]

Liberty, Liberty. Liberty, Liberty.

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[Chester]

Foreign.

[Andrew Rines (Host of Old Time Radio Westerns)]

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 subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com YouTube and send us an email podcastotrwesterns.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.

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[Chester]

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[Matt Dillon]

the products you need all in one

[Chester]

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[Liberty Mutual Insurance Spokesperson]

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