 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 Boyd The ring of the Silver Spurs heralds the most amazing man ever to ride the prairies of the early West Hopalong Cassidy This famous hero thrills his 60 million fans with action and dangerous adventure In the role of Hopalong Cassidy is the popular star of the motion picture series William Boyd and Appear in as that laughable old character, California is Andy Clyde Not to our story the letter from the grave The week's mail had lain on the table next to the cook stove all day a couple of harness catalogs a few bills a fancy Printed card announcing the arrival of a new horse doctor in Baker's Crossen and the letter an ordinary Looking letter and a plain envelope postmarked a week or so before in Gold Run Montana territory It was addressed to Hopi and there was something familiar in the handwriting Something that dug deep into his memory as he slit the envelope took out the letter and began to read I'm only writing you now because there's no one else I can turn to I Remember once down at Dodd you told me to get word to you at the bar 20 if I ever found myself in a tight place I'm in it now so deep. I don't think I'll get out of Gold Run alive. I Can't say any more here But if you meant what you said that day and died you get up here on the gallop because partner I need you now your pound Jack Panic Concerned Pinter Kios is worse than a jack rabbit and a hot stove if you want that trigger broke Hopalong Cassidy You can damn well topping yourself. I ain't Uh, what's the matter Hopi tell Johnny to round up her bed rolls and get a pack horse ready pack hearts Where we go Montana place called Gold Run friend of mine's in trouble up there. Yeah, who's that? Jack Panic. I knew him when I was a kid, California down in Dodd City one of the best friends. I ever had Funny here and from him now after all How long ago did he write postmark says a week ago date on the letters What's your matter letter was written October 10th 1873 15 years ago Now back to Hopalong Cassidy and the letter from the grave The letter written 15 years ago has at least settled one thing in Hopi's mind Jack Panic is dead But why did he die, California? What was he afraid of? Yes, can me and the letter we've had some pretty slow mail service around here about 15 years. Yeah Well, you might drop a line to the postmaster up there. Yeah That's the sensible thing to do. We silly to go up there now five-day ride awful rough trail and there's plenty of work to be done around here sure No time for us to be running off in the wild goose chase. That's right And we probably wouldn't find out anything when we did get there now you're being sensible Well, where are you going? Oh, I thought I'd walk out for the barn. Wait a minute. Yeah Saddle up that pack horse. Haha jets. Just what it was about to do Don't say any more heel But if you meant what you said that day in Dodge get up here on the gallop because partner I need you now You're pal Jack Banach Never heard of him look at the date October 10 1873 15 years ago. How long have you been postmaster here in Goldrod, Mr. Riley? About five years Come up from Cheyenne. Oh You got any idea why I took that letter 15 years to get to me. Yeah I reckon I'm partly responsible myself That betters my sack of mail. I uncovered a couple of weeks back uncovered. That's what I said No much about Montana. Mr. Sam They will her to the Creed gang. No cancer have Well, there was a bunch of outlaws who took over this country in late 72 and when I say outlaws I mean the real article Well, how are they so different and the creeds was organized He had spies in the mines spies in Virginia City that alder Man never knew but what the gross man and the kid who script out the saloon was a creed For the time there wasn't one minor to get out of the whole section with his folk alive. That is Some say the creeds killed a hundred some say two. What's this got to do with the letter? Yeah, I was coming to that You see we just knocked down the old Webster house where the creed used to hold the meetings When we tore it down we found the soccer may have jammed in a hollow wall So I just gathered her up and sent her on I see what happened to the Creed. Oh, you know how it goes Folks who stand for that kind of thing for just so long in the first thing You know, they start toiling up their guns and the woods is suddenly full of vigilantes Tell you what you do look up old Charlie Gordon. Well, who's he was from mr.. Hutchison hurchison Yeah, that is the hardware business in this section lives in the big house on the top of the hill then the main street Charlie's kind of a handyman around the place. You think he might know something about Jack Bannock. I don't know But there's a chance he might He ain't never admitted it you understand But there was a time when the odds was eight to five down at Mulrooney's pool parlor that Charlie was One of the Cree's he was there look out. It's called run. Hmm Dang it. Why didn't they think a Charlie before for what? In here yesterday asking questions about Jack Bannock She had a letter the same as you Bannock the ANN OCK John Michael. They called him Jack Bannock, huh? You say hello to I understand he had a claim not far from here I thought perhaps you might have a record of it. Mr. Gillis. Well, of course, this is a law office miss Lookin some of our businesses in the mining field. We naturally have records of that And I can't recollect the name Bannock. Have you checked the claim office? Yes, I've checked the claim office They had a fire ten years ago lost all their records. Oh, yeah, of course And this claim was filed before the fire in in 1873. I see Hey, you knew this Bannock. I'm his niece Now you're trying to locate mr. Bannock. No, you see it. I'm pretty sure he's dead It's about his claim this man. Kennedy wants his money right now. Jeff. Oh, oh, I'm sorry. I Jeff This is miss Sarah Newcombe my my partner Jeff Larson. How do you do mr. Larson? Howdy, ma'am? Miss Newcombe is the niece of a man who had a claim here 15 years ago Name a John Michael Bannock. Bannock. You mean she knows I Just explained to miss Newcombe. We had no records of any Bannock in our files. Oh What was I thinking of Braddock That's it miles miles Braddock had a claim over in all the girls here Well, what can we do for you miss Bannock? Newcombe? No, it's sorry. I'm having name trouble today I think perhaps we might be able to help miss Newcombe locate our uncle's claim. It's not a claim actually It's what he got out of it. Yeah, I'm afraid I don't understand. Were you here in 73 mr. Gillis? Yes, but then you remember the creeds Yeah Yeah, I remember the creeds my uncle must have known he couldn't get out of here with his gold so So what? So he put it away in a good safe place and of course you'd like to find it. That's right. Hey, Miss Newcombe Perhaps now if we saw this letter, I couldn't do that. Why not? It's rather personal the moment anyway I want to have a look around for myself. I don't have any luck. I'll come back to you Thanks anyway, it's been a pleasure miss newcombe if you run into anyone who might have heard of my uncle I'd appreciate it if you send him to you. Yeah, yeah, of course. Good day. Yeah. Good day, ma'am Why are you infernal idiots you stupid blabbing then come I gotta I didn't know Matt. How was I? I was leading her by the nose when you opened your big mouth. I Probably get that file out of here here, man. Now, let's see Bannock yeah, Bannock John Michael Bannock morning star mine west slope of beaver ridge above junction of all the gulch and little creek Get it there. Here it is All right, let's see it Here we are operated six months and 72 seven months and 73 Estimated net take $80,000 Blind pocket streak panned out september 73 Yeah, last note here says Bannock preparing to leave october 5th creeds get bannock I don't know. What do you mean? You don't know you was a member wasn't you? Listen larson one of these days. You're gonna talk yourself right into a hole in the ground. I'm sorry Hey Little lady told us one thing though The creeds never got that dust Bannock buried it somewhere She'll be nosing around town asking questions and sooner or later Someone will steer into the little man Yeah, I think we'd better have a talk with it first Charlie. Yeah charlie borden Cassidy you say your name is? That's right charlie mr. Hutchison said I'd find you here in the tool shed Trying to put an edge on this here concern size Looks like someone was trying to cut bob wire with it. Look at that mix there. Yeah Yeah What's eating you Cassidy? I know you ain't coming to call just to be sociable I just wanted to test your memory charlie You have been living around here for some time, haven't you most 30 years. Why ever hear of a kid named jack bannock Yeah What happened to him? He worked the claim round here over on be rid somewhere Think Long about uh About 73 That's right Then what? Took off somewhere just like that Yeah You sure that ain't sure nothing in his life He was around one day in the next day you want you don't suppose the creeds might have had something to do with that, do you? What's your game mr. Jack bannock was one of the best friends I ever had I think he was killed. I'd like to know who did it Yeah She's got credit for a lot of killings Some of them they did and some of them was done by folks who figured the creed gang was right handed to take the blame Yeah, yeah, what's up mr. Hutchison you tangled up with the law again charlie law There's a lawyer over at the house waiting to see you matt gillis Now what in tarnation he be after you better go see Oh god never talk to a lawyer yet without costing me money Charlie's quite a character been with me a long time now Must be let's see 10 years How long have you been here mr. Hutchison quite a while when I first hit the gold run country This town was five shacks in a saloon. I'll bet I know just what happened I'm listening You slung your pan on your back took off into the hills and stubbed your toe on a stack of nuggets as big as goose eggs Wrong Yeah Here's my little nugget A jack knife. That's right a little wonder Press the button and it's open Snap and it's closed That's what started me up in business. Well Yeah, there are two ways to strike it at rich under gold rush Cassidy You get yourself a pick go out and dig for it Or you let the other fella do it and sell something to him I thought the second way was the easiest the little wonder, right? Yeah All I had was a couple of knives and a lot of nerve I took orders for it collected money in advance until the spring of 74 They were ready to run me out of town when I finally made delivery 74 a And you might have heard of jack bannock Why'd he ask that friend of mine? He was my friend too Any idea what happened to him? Yeah He was murdered. Why? They had too much money Any idea who? I think we'd better leave it there mr. Cassidy 15 years ago on by They couldn't get evidence then we certainly can't get it now. What about the body? Creed you're pretty careful about things like that No one ever found it Well, maybe I'm crazy big in around here 15 years after it'll happen I'd like to have a trial of anyway. Well, I'll give you all the help I can Thanks You can begin by answering that question. I asked a minute ago Who do you think killed him? You know, this can get us into trouble if it gets around and we can't back it up It won't get around All right He was a member of the creeds I suspect they kept all their records for them there. Is he still here? Sure Running what he likes to call a legitimate business Matter of fact, he's over at the house right now. You mean that's right The lawyer Matt Gillis Now back to hop along Cassidy and the letter from the grave It's after 11 o'clock and hoppy in California have returned to their room at the gold run hotel This is the craziest thing I've ever done. Oh, I ain't so sure about that hoppy. You've done some awful crazy things I mean trying to run down a murder 15 years old We've got about as much chance as I feather in our hurricane. What about that lawyer fellow? That's a good guess, but that's all it is I don't know. Maybe we ought to Yes That's right and you must be the young lady who Will you come in miss newton? This is my partner california carlson. How do you do? I'll come right to the point mr. Cassidy. I'd like to know what you're after. What do you mean? You've been all over town today asking questions about jack bannock. Well, I understand you've been doing the same thing I have a right to so have I have you sure take a look at this letter. I have here. Let's see Oh, here it is Dear hoppy, I'm only writing you now because Oh You you just got this. That's right Now do you mind if I ask what you're up to? I'm jack bannock's niece. He wrote my mother a letter too Here Dear hella knife struck at rich over 50,000 in dust to date from our little morning star I suppose we ought to feel like celebrating but we don't Finding an ore pocket and go run these days is like signing your own death warrant I won't say more, but if I'm not back by spring, you'll know it happened Our dust is cached away Come here when the trouble's over You'll find the key in the green gallows love jack The green gallows. I've asked everyone nobody knows what it is Well, this was written to your mother. She passed away over five years ago. Oh, I see And she and jack were in this together. I know Why do you say that he says we here we don't feel like celebrating our dust is cached away Why I never thought of it. Did he have a partner? I don't know What you make of it hoppy? I think I was a little too pessimistic a while back, california We might run this down yet the money. Yes and the murderer. I think if we find one we've got the other All right, hold the land and hire charlie. We can't see what we're doing here. All right, come on lison dig dig That's useless mech. There's nothing here, but it's gotta be here charlie. Yeah What did you do it? Are you sure she said green gallows? Yeah green gallows. All right. It's got to be here then Push that shovel jeff. We've only got a couple of hours until dawn You say this is it mr. Riley. Yeah This is her the official gallows are gold run right here behind the jailhouse. Hmm. Was it ever painted green? No, none of our customers today. It has been particular about color. So we just left her natural Maybe we ought to see the sheriff about this. You're seeing him right now. Uh, you yep Host master sheriff also assistant coroner deputy united states marshal and half owner of the blue bell drug store That's quite a mouth Man's got to make a living these days Prices is awful. They can just went up to 10 cents a pound. Hmm How long have these gallows been here as long as they've been around more than five years Have there ever been any others? Nope Hmm Well, this is mill lumber. They didn't get a sawmill around here until 10 years ago They must have been another gala somewhere that they weren't I tell you what about the creed gang You told me yourself. They were strung up in 73 Not on no gallows. Well, well for the lover mike Tree a tree Green green gallows Wait a minute. What tree big oak Out on the virginia stage cultural. That's it. That's what he meant. Come on. Let's get a hold of miss nukem I want to take a look at that tree She must be in there said she'd be here at the hotel on afternoon Never can tell about a woman. She might be cleaned back to learn me by now Miss nukem What's unlocked Gosh My miss nukem. What's happened? She's been hit on the head get some water california. Yeah Miss nukem It's me hop along cassidy. What happened here here take this Thanks Tell me what happened. I don't know I opened the door someone was waiting for me Someone hit me. I see. Well, what were they after look at her purse on the floor there. That's it Where's the letter letter did you take it out of your purse miss nukem? No That's what they came for and that's what they got. I'll send the manager's wife up to look after you Come on california. Let's go. We haven't got much time Well, this is her cassidy They tell me they used to sling a rope over that big limb there and yeah looks like we're a little light hoppy Yeah However, it was sure did pull up the ground. That doesn't mean they found it. Why not Jack never would have buried his dust here with stage coaches passing by every day along with writers new teams And who knows what else Somebody spot that new turned earth in a minute. Well, you know what the letter said the key. It said not the gold itself What did he mean by the key the keys on the green gallows? That's what it said the key is on the wait a minute He said it was on the green gallows not under it I'm afraid my poor old brains won't cut out for puzzle games boys. I'll have to What are you looking up to there? Cassidy look up there next to the crotch. Huh? Look where I'm pointing Oh lord, I can see a rat's nest in a sleepy jayboard. What's it? Oh, yeah Something nailed to the limb up there. Give me a boost. I'm going up Can you get to a toppy? Yeah, just a second now Ah What is it? What is it an old rusty six gun nailed to the trunk here? What do you reckon that means throw your rope over that branch california. What fire pull it aside? I want to try something. All right. Here she comes That's it now pull on it Enough that's good. What's in center you want to I want to line up the site on this thing Wait a minute now What's pointing across the canyon there at the base of that big boulder? It's uh-oh. What is it stand back on dropping down What's the matter hoppy the site points to the other side of the ravine There's a rock face with a black streak through it. It's cool. Wait a minute We better circle around and come in from the other ridge. There's someone over there digging right now The key to jack bannock's gold cache a rusty six gun nailed high on a tree He called the green gallows has led hoppy california and sheriff riley to the crest of a ridge on the other side of the canyon They lie there Listen He stopped digging you must have got down to a rally. Yeah circle around the other side of the boulder We'll get down this way. All right. Stick with me california. You betcha Down the hole. Come on. All right. Pull them up. Cassidy. Well, mr. Hutchison look out Good thing we split up. Come on Now you got him. All right. Looks like hutchison has done for hoppy. Look what's in the hole? Yeah Who'd you reckon remains of my old friend jack bannock? I know now why he said we in that letter to his sister. He did have a partner hutchison. Yeah Pretty clear now what happened 15 years ago Jack came out here to bury his money He didn't know he was digging his own grave hutchison must have done it, huh? Sure. No one had to be blamed on the creed. Why did hutchison come now and dig the body? Well, I can make a pretty good guess. He stole the letter from miss nukem Found that it contained the key that had located this spot. He knew sooner or later. We'd figure it out So he tried to get here first move the body But how could we prove he was the one who killed look here? This is your answer I guess hutchison remembered that he'd been a little careless and left his trademark and jack's back See One of these little wonder push button knives And so an exciting adventure ends for hoppy in california They'll get back to the bar 20 just about round uptime and settle down to a peaceful ranch life But we've a hankering it won't last for very long Somewhere there'll be trouble and that's when hoppy will ride out into another dangerous escapade Hop along cassidy star and william boyd is transcribed and produced in the west by walter white jr The letter from the grave was written by harrell swanton All stories are based upon the characters created by clarence e mofer. This is a commodore production