 A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust in the heart of Ohio Silver, the Lone Ranger. In the early days of the western United States, most of the traveling was done by stagecoach. And even in the more thickly populated districts, long trips were dangerous. The trails were rough and narrow. Hostile Indians and holdup men found it easy to rob the coaches. And it was not until the masked rider of the plane started his great fight for law and order that travel became safe. Return with us now of those thrilling days when the west was young. From out of the past, come the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again. Come on, Silver! Now it's waiting in the trail ahead! The stage from the east was arriving in the little western town of Frown Butte, but not in the usual way. The horses, wild-eyed and panic-stricken, thundered down the road while the stage careened from side to side, and the driver clutched to the sleeve stained red. He had lost the reins, and the panic animals paid no attention to his shouts. The townspeople stared at the sight of astonishment, then added their shells to those of the driver. The stage is running wild! Look! They've been wounded! Get clear! Get out of the way! Stay to the side or you get trampled! Somebody's got to stop them horses! Suddenly an Indian leaped to the back of a powerful paint and sent his mount toward the oncoming stage. Get them out, Silver! Get them out! Get them out, Silver! Get them out! Straight for the lead horses he rode. Then as he neared them, he wheeled his horse. Dressed forward a muscular arm and grabbed the bridle. Hold! Fast-forward! Hold! Hold! Go back, Silver! Don't let them get loose! Thanks a million. I was looking for this year's days to topple over most any time. All right. Get them out, Sheriff! Get them out! What happened, Dave? They're here wounded! Was it a hold-up? What made the horses go wild? Where's the Sheriff? Now talk to the rest here. Grab Zane Hill. Any around? Right here, Dave. Stand aside, folks. Let me through. Sheriff, for a spell there, I didn't know whether I was going to reach town alive or not. How'd you get shot? Who done it? That's something I'd admire for no one myself. The fellow that done it wore a hood. I got drilled for being a plain local agent. Reached for my shotgun while I was covered. What'd they steal? Nothing. Nothing? Then what was your held up for? They'll just tell these folks to stand clear of the stage, and I'll show you, Sheriff. What the... Go on, tell them to stand back. Get back, folks! Get back all of you! Now come here and I'll show you what's inside the stage. I thought them folks ought to get back so you could see what happened before anybody else. Here. Now look inside when I open the door. There. The banker. Done for. But... What? How? Don't ask me nothing. I'll tell you just what happened, but you'll have to figure it out for yourself. What did happen? Well, you see, I was just on the other side of the flats when this horseman rode out from behind some cover and made me pull up. Waiting for you, huh? Must have been. Well, I had to pull up, so I did. I figured first off it was a hold up. Then I thought that the polecat could see that I wasn't carrying anything worth a stealin' where he'd let us go. But he didn't even try to find out what was on the stage. All he'd done was ride up beside the banker and shoot point blank. That was when I reached for the shotgun. He snapped a shot my way, then emptied the rest of his bullets into a banker whipple. Well, I'll be switched. Just done for whipple, then. Right. Don't know who the skunk was, but he sure must have had it in for him. Then what happened? He was shot for a second shootin' and fired past Mahosa's ears. I'd lost the reins when he winged me, and with them shots buzzin' by so close, them critters just naturally went local. Your arm botherin' you much? Nothing but a flesh wound. Anything else you can tell me? Nothing. I can think of. Right off. Then you'd better go get that wound tended to. Well, thanks. Want me again, I'll be in the stage office in a little spell. Right. What was it, Sheriff? What was it, Sheriff? The stage he was pulled back. Anybody in there? Where's it stand back like I told ya? Deputy? Hi, Deputy. Uh-huh. You stand right here and keep everybody from the stage. Savvy? Sure. Clint, winners around? Right here, sir. Fine. Where's Pinky Samuel? You want me? Uh-huh. You and Clint and Bart Baker over there, come along to my office. What's up, Chief? You find out soon enough, Bart. Go right ahead in, fellas. Gosh, I got business down the street. Pinky, right now you've got more important business here with me. Step inside. Now, what's this all about, Sheriff? Well, seeing as you're so curious, Clint, where was you just about an hour ago? Oh, I... Well? I was just trying to think. Oh, yeah, I was right in the town. Went over to my south section, looking around, and then I came on in. Why? That'll wait. Why were you, Bart? Me? Hey, I was to home. Got anybody can swear to that? No. You see if a buddy was good. Oh, that'd be the way of it. Well, what about you, Pinky? Gosh, I don't know where I was. Not exactly. That is, I could... You mean to say you can't even recollect where you was just an hour ago? Well, let me think a second. I was in the cafe most of the morning, and then I... Oh, yeah, I got it now. I left the cafe to ride over to Wolf Larson's place. But he wasn't there, so it came on back. Good case, if you can't question this without seeing why. Bart, you headed in for Banker Whipple since he stopped you from marrying his daughter, ain't ya? Oh, I wouldn't put it just like that. I would. Clint, it was really the banker put on the guinea that beat you out when you ran again me for sheriff. Recollect? You just bet I do. Then maybe you recollect how you said someday you'd get even. Yeah, and I will. Or maybe you have. Pinky, didn't Whipple foreclose on you once? He did. The money grabbin' old miser. You fellas liked him, but speakin' by and large, Whipple was right well-liked. Was. Was. Right now, he's dead. Murdered. And out of the whole district, you're the only three I can think of might've done it. When the sheriff had finished interviewing his three suspects, he rode to the scene of the murder, but found no clue pointing to the killer. The following morning, however, as he was unlocking his office for the day, he heard someone call to him. Sheriff. How? Keep going. Inside. Don't snap, brother. Inside, I said. What blazes you want? I talk. I don't mistake me for an outlaw because I'm wearing a mask. I'm here to help you. Oh, help me. I don't survey this. The banker was murdered yesterday. You know somethin' about that, did you? Kill him? No, I didn't. I investigated the place where the killing occurred, however. So did I. And if you're trying to tell me you found a clue to the killer there, then it's cause you planted that clue. I combed that place and never found nothin'. No, did I. Then what do you mean you can help me? I found a trail near the stage road. The first trail? No. Tonto and I examined it. You possibly remember, Tonto. He's the Indian who hollered the stage yesterday. He your friend? Yes. Well, go ahead. I said we found a trail near the stage road. It could've been left by the killer because it didn't go all the way back to the road. It hollered about a quarter of a mile away, then turned back. What good is that? Just this. Every sign indicated the trail we found was made near the time of the murder. It's just possible the man who made that trail saw the killing. And I think you can tell me who he is. Yeah? Oh. We saw tracks that at first I thought were made by a wolf pack. Tonto told me they were made by dogs, however. Hey, wait. You telling me you seen the trail of a horse and some dogs? Exactly. Wolf horse? Who is he? He lives just outside of town. Makes his living hunting and trapping wolves for the bounty. How many dogs would you say was in that pack? Perhaps a half dozen. Then it was him and no doubt of it. He's got six of the fiercest dogs trained to hunt wolves he ever seen. And do you see what that means? He may have seen the killing. If he did, he had dogs with him to trail the killer. In that case, he could tell you the killer's name. If you could figure all that, why didn't you trail Arson? I don't know. I tried. And we know that he circled after turning back and cut over to the stage road. After that, we lost his trail when he struck Lava Country. You couldn't follow his trail. Then how could he follow the killer's? You're forgetting he had dogs with him that could follow by Santa Lone. Why? He's under you right. I've got a notion what you just told me explained something. Yes? Now I'll bet Wolf knows who shot the banker. What makes you so certain? Why, everything fits. Wolf never made nothing but a bear living in all his days. And yet last night, he was buying drinks for the boys in the cafe like he had cash to burn. Yes? I bet he trailed the killer, then blackmailed him. There's one sure way to find out where does Wolf live? In his shack, about a mile out of town. You want to come along? I'll show you. Why? I'll make Wolf talk all right. And when he does, I'm jailing a murderer. Covered by the masked man, the sheriff mounted and headed his horse toward the tumble-down shack where Wolf Larson made his home. They were still some distance away when they heard the howling of the dog pack. Come on, old fella. Right here. Yes? Now don't get me wrong. I ain't flying into your business or anything of the sort. Would you mind me asking me something? Certainly not. What is it? You said that ancient party, yours is named Tunnel. And I heard you call that horse their silver a couple of times. I wouldn't be that you got silver bullets in them guns or you would hold it. I have. Just what I suspicion. You think you know me? I reckon I do. And here I've been trying to figure what kind of a crooked is to go to all this trouble helping the law find a killer. The dogs always make that much noise. All of us. Never go them to fail. You see, Wolf don't feed them so good. Figures they work better on the trail for being a might hungry. I see. There's his place. You expect to find them in? The way he's carrying on in the cafe last night, it'd surprise me if he'd get up for noon. If he'll talk, this should solve your case. Oh, he'll dog all right. You just leave that to me. Here's where we turn in. Come on, Wolf. That's the way, Silver. Here. Right. Come on. There. Coming. Be right with you. Come on. This doesn't look like the home of a man with plenty of money to spend. I told you he just made a living and that was all. Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Open up. It's me, the sheriff. I've left the house after all. But he ain't. You, Wolf, you hear me all right? Open up this door. See if it's locked. Oh, no. Pink. Come on. We'll rouse you out. That his room? Sure. Go right ahead in. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Nothing here. The bed hasn't even been slept in. Better have a look in the kitchen. Maybe he never even got this far. Can I see anything? Look there. Beneath the table. Huh? Well, don't hold gone. Sound asleep. Not asleep, sheriff. No. Dead. Recurring falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger drama. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. After they discovered that Wolf Larson had been murdered, the Lone Ranger left the sheriff and returned to the camp he shared with Tonto. There he told the faithful Indian what he and the sheriff had discovered. I think I know what happened, Tyler. What that? You remember we were certain Wolf had trailed the killer? Uh-huh. Well, he found him, let him know it, and demanded money to keep silent. Hmm, him take he big chance. More of a chance than he could have realized. The man must have paid. That explains why Wolf had so much money to spend in the cafe last night. Ah. The killer realized, however, that if Wolf lived, either one of two things must happen. What then? Either he'd have to go on paying for Wolf's silence indefinitely, or one day Wolf would get careless and reveal what he knew. The killer couldn't afford to let either happen. That's why he'd kill him. Right. He paid Wolf, and last night went to Wolf's place and made sure he could never talk to the law. No, killer safe. It seems so. But we have to find some way to learn who he is. What we do? The sheriff is certain he must be one of three men. Ooh, them. Either Clint Whitters, Bart Baker, or Pinky Samuels. Pinky lives in town doing odd jobs. Bart is a cow puncher and Clint is a rancher. Each one of the three hated the banker. To the sheriff's best knowledge, they're the only men in the district who did. Mm. Now, Wolf, you know them? They overrun this district. That's why Wolf made his headquarters here with those dogs of his. Oh. And these wolves are clever, clever at bringing down calves. The cattle, well, they're glad to pay a bounty for them. Now, Wolf, now, see them? Yes. You can make them out against that ridge. He's a big fella. Tunnel. I've got an idea. What that? We wanted to find a way to learn the killer's identity. Uh-huh. Well, we shall. How do it? Wolves are murderers, Kimosabe. Not right. Well, we'll set a killer to catch a killer. The murder of Banker Whipple had stirred up more excitement in the town of Crown Butte than anything that had happened there during the past five years. The sheriff was aware that if he failed to find the killer, he would be severely criticized, and therefore have been every effort toward that end. As all other leads had failed, there was nothing left for him to do but try and break the alibi of one of his three suspects. Blast it. One of you three follows his line. He has to be. Now, which one is it? Sheriff, you ain't got nothing on any of us. Maybe not yet, Clint, but I will. Then what's delaying you? You're just bluffing, Sheriff, and you know it. Muddies will admit it. You ain't fooling anybody. Bluffin' her, huh? Well, I'll tell you this part. I've been looking into that story you told me. What story? About being the hum when the Banker was killed. There was. But you can't prove it. Ain't a soul seeing you there. Forgittin' some, Major Sheriff. Huh? All you got to give me is that I didn't have a speck of use for the Banker. Well, that being the case, taint up to me to prove I'm innocent except to you to prove I'm guilty. That's so, Sheriff. And the same goes for the rest of us. We don't have to prove nothin'. You gents figure you're right smart, don't ya? We'll make ya. Huh? That reminds me of somethin'. Pinky. Yeah? Didn't you tell me before you was over to Wolf's place the same day? What about it? Wasn't you givin' the cash he was spendin' so free the night he was killed, was it? What would I give Wolf cash? No, no, lesson was to keep him from tellin'. Tellin' what? Oh, somethin' to get you into a heap of trouble. Still guessin', ain't ya? Well, go right ahead. Have your fun. You ain't hurtin' none of us any outside of wastein' our time. Now, look, fellas, one of you is guilty, but by the same token, two of you are innocent. Now, why don't you two help me against the other instead of all of ya holdin' back? Oh, save that line of gear for them that believes it, Sheriff. I ain't... What's that? Who threw that rock in here? Oh, right through the window. What's that tied to it? Looks like red, huh? Hey, gimme that. Oh, I wasn't gonna read it. I said give it here. Sure, take it. What'd you say? Anything important? Why don't you go out and look for the fellow that tossed it? Because I don't have to. I know. Now, I'm goin' outside. If one of you tries to leave before I'm back, you'll find yourself jailed. It's just... You heard me. Hey, stranger, where are ya? Here, Sheriff. What's up? I had to get that note to you without being seen. I'm sorry about the window. Oh, the blazes with the window. The county'll pay for that. But don't I'll pay out of my own pocket. Now, what's your note? One moment. Had any luck with those fellas inside? Not none. But you're still positive one of them must be the killer? More so than ever. Then we'll learn which one. With the aid of Wolf Larson's dogs. You recall that when we found Wolf's body, the kitchen door was standing wide open. Whoever killed Wolf was in plain sight of his dogs chained up outside. What about it? Are the dogs still around? Still out to the shack. My deputy's been tender to him. Good. But I don't see... The dogs must have seen the killing and the killer. And the ruggedly vicious fellows, one-man dogs will always remain faithful to the first master. They was that all right? Though Guy Snows' wife figured who the master was. You know, you and I are going to attempt something. What? You're going to take Pinky, Clinton, Bart out of town a mile or two, a foot. So when those dogs are released, I wonder if they won't follow the set of the man they know killed their master. You mean they'd recognize the skunk, the dummy, and go after him? Well, the dogs have. My gosh, it's a chance worth taking. We'll try it. But why take them far as out of town? To make quite certain, nothing will confuse us sent the dogs' follow. I get it. And when do we start? As soon as possible. You might walk them towards that ridge west of town. I'll do that. And if they object, I'll drive them out there with a gun if I have to. Don't tell them your purpose until you left town. Then explain just what you're doing. Right. Very well. Get started. I'll allow you three-quarters of an hour. Then Tata will release the dogs. That'll be just about time enough. Adios, stranger. And luck. Three-quarters of an hour. What happened out there, Shiv? Anything to keep us from leaving now? I want to drop in at the cafe. I get some chores to do out of the house. You can put them off. You fellas are coming along with me for a walk. What? Out of town, a spell. What in places? We won't have no arguing. I said we're going for a walk, and we are. Either a piece of bullet or a pint of a gun. Take your choice. For me, it don't matter. Well, if you say we have to, I suppose we might. You learn that soon enough. There's the door. Now start marching. Be willed by the sheriff's command, but obeying because they had no choice, Clint Pinkie and Bart walked a lane to the town's main street and cut west toward a ridge that rose against the sky, two miles distant. In the meantime, the Lone Ranger and Tonto had gone to the shack, formerly occupied by Wolf Larson. The dogs, surly and suspicious, growled uneasily at them. Almost time, Kimmelsobby. A plan has to succeed. If what? Yes, I believe it will. These dogs certainly look fierce enough to do the trick. And fighters? Blind dogs just the same. That big black fella there must be half-wolf himself. All of them look as though they have at least part of the wolf's brain in them. That right. Well, we waited long enough. You understand your part? I'm not savvy. Give me a 50-yard head start. Then release the dogs. How to do it? I'll head directly for the ridge. You follow these fellows. Then I'm on my way. Come on, Sylvia. Come on. You wait. Wait a minute. You go now. Go. Here's the dogs. Unaccustomed to walking, the Sheriff's three companions grumbled a great deal. The Sheriff paid no attention to their complaints. Nor did he permit them to stop until they had reached the ridge. There, however, he called a halt. All right, champs. This will do fine. You said you'd tell us why you brought us here. It'd better be a plenty good reason or you're going to hear about this and we'd get back, Sheriff. You've gone beyond your rightful authority. Shucks. Don't you fellas want to know who killed Wolf Larson in the banker? Think of the wolf they could have till his living. Why, Shucks, Bart, it'll tell us everything. Yeah? How do you figure that? Well, you see, the same fella killed the banker, killed Wolf. How come? I ain't got reasons for saying that. Ain't going into them now, though. All right, even if it was. What then? Well, the killer made a mistake. If he'd have been satisfied just to kill the banker, maybe he'd have got away with it. All a suppose and Wolf didn't talk. Wolf? I said to want, no use explaining that part of it now. But you can bet the pole cat that done the killing savvy is what I mean. And if you other two don't, it don't matter. Well, get on with it if you've got more explaining to do. Well, like I said, maybe he could have killed the banker and got away with it. But when he killed Wolf, that was different. How? See, you just forgot all about Wolf's dogs. Huh? Sure. And where the law can't catch the pole cat, them dogs sure can. I've been a manhunter for a good many years, fellas. But I ain't yet reached the point where I can follow a trail as neat and certain as a hunting dog can. I do say this. Sure, it stayed hard. It's just like this. When Wolf was killed, it was where the dog seemed to done. Now, maybe you and me Wolfed him out too much. But to them dogs, he was quite some fella. And what they'll do to the gent that finished him is likely to be a caution. We're them dogs now. If you don't mean to... There comes a fella that'll tell you just what I mean. Come on, over there! Ain't that a mask, man? Who is it? Who dealt him in on this? You'll see, mighty soon. What's that? It just dropped. Huh? I thought I'd seen... Well, I guess it wasn't nothing. Hi there, friend! Hold this over! Hold this! Hold this! They're heading this way, sir. Sure enough? Back up the trail at once. I saw them start off. You should be able to see and hear them in a moment's time. Fine! Now look here. What do you fellas aimin' to do? Are them dogs coming this way? Hear them? Sure enough. When they get here, the man who killed their master is going to be made to regret it. Huh? There are three of you here besides the sheriff myself. One of you, new barter, you plinter, you pinky as a killer. Those dogs know which one of you was guilty, even if we don't. And they'll avenge their master. Oh, golly. Them critters are regular man-eaters. Well, they can easy do to a man what they're trained to do to Wolf. What's right about that? They're fast. They're getting here fast. There isn't much time. Listen to him howl. Just listen. One of you was guilty. The sheriff and I are giving that man his choice. His choice? If he confesses, he'll hang. And if he don't? Then the dogs will have to deal out justice in their own way. But I never killed anybody. I did not tell him. Then you've nothing to fear. You can't let them dogs get after a man. You just can't. I reckon we can, all right. When the story's told in town, I don't think anybody's gonna waste much sympathy on the fella. Quick before it's too late. Which one of you's a killer? Confess. Time's got me short. Keep him back. Make him turn back. Hurry. They won't get me. I'll shoot them. I'll kill them. No, you don't, Pinky. Let me shoot. Let go. Here they come. Hurry. I did it. I'll confess. Just don't let them farmers get a hold of me. I'll confess anything. Save me. Save me. Did you kill the banker? Yes, yes. And Wolf Larson? I did. I did. But stop them. I'll shoot them. Hold it, Sheriff. It isn't necessary. Don't you see they've stopped? They'll bother no one. But they was after me. That ragged wolf pelled all the way from town as I rode. They were on the set of the wolf. If you doubt it, look where the dogs have stopped. And the pelt's there now. Well, I'll be... Trekked. By your own conscience. You're the ones over. Hello, Silver! How are you? It's a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.