 of the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty high old silver, the lone ranger. With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the masked rider of the planes led the fight for law and order in the early western United States. The stories of his strength and courage, his daring and resourcefulness have come down to us through the generations, and nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear, from out of the past come the thundering hoof beats of a great horse, the lone ranger rides again. The whole country celebrated the wedding of young Jerry Tolliver and Nancy Hayden. It was an occasion that everyone had looked forward to for weeks, and every member of every family spent the whole day at the Hayden ranch. The ceremony was in the morning. There was a barbecue in the afternoon and at night a dance. But shortly after the music started, the young couple stole away from their guests to the great veranda that circled the ranch house. Don't make any noise, Jerry. Some of the children are asleep out here. I see them. It's nice to be alone, though, isn't it? Yes. I swear, I've shook hands with so many people today that I'm going to have to wear more arms in a slant. I'm tired, too. What I'd like to do is climb on the buckboard right now and drive home. We promised we wouldn't leave before 12 o'clock. I know. Jerry. Yeah? Are you happy? What do you think? As happy as I am. Well, sure. You couldn't be. It seems too good to be true. There were plenty of times when I thought it never would come true. That's part of what I mean. It isn't just you and me. It's everybody. There won't be any more fighting between the Tollivers and the Hayden's now. Never again. There can't be. And when I think how hopeless we felt about it once. But still feel hopeless of a certain party I could mention hadn't gone away? I wonder where he is. In China, I hope. Well, naturally, you couldn't expect me to say that. No. He's your kin, but just the same. Let's not talk about it. Kiss me once, and then we'll have to go back to the... What's the matter? Nothing. Jerry, you go back to the party alone. I'll join you in a minute. You gone local? Please don't ask any questions. Just go along. What's the idea? You trust me, don't you, Jerry? That's got nothing to do with it. I can see in your face that you're afraid. I'm only afraid that you won't do as I ask. Believe me, this is important to both of us. Where are you going? Please, Jerry. All right, honey. Nancy! Nancy! I wonder if that's all there is to it. Is that you, Nancy? Yes, Jerry. Have I been gone along? Nearly half an hour. I'd like to go home now. Well, it's nowhere near 12 o'clock. That doesn't matter. I can't stay here any longer. Honey, you're... you're trembling. It's cold. Get me my shawl and we'll go. Aren't you going in to say goodbye to people? You know what it'll be like if we get together. They won't let us go. Even if we insist on it, there'll be a lot of horseplay. They'll try to stop us. I couldn't stand it. I couldn't face them. Nancy, you asked me if I trusted you. You've got to. Then what about you trusting me? I'm your husband. You've got to tell me what's wrong. Nothing. Nothing as long as you don't ask questions. I thought I heard a bird out there, but it must have been a whistle. You went out there to meet someone, didn't you? Yes. I did. Who? I can't answer that. But Nancy... No matter how many times you ask, my answer will be the same. I can't tell you. Shall we... Shall we go home? If you want to. I'll get your shawl. Two weeks passed, and then Jerry rode over to his father's ranch one day. He found Sam Toliver sitting on the fence of the corral mending a bridal. Oh, oh boy. Steady now. Hello there. Howdy, Paul. Howdy, son. You and Nancy had a fight? I know. What makes you ask that? Your face. Looks mighty black. Maybe so. We, uh, we haven't been fighting, though. Well, you're going to climb off that coyose and spend the time of day? Oh, I'm on my way to Birchville. Oh, that's so. What business you got in Birchville? That isn't my business exactly. The railroad goes through there, you know, and Nancy wants me to mail a letter at the post office. It's awful important, she says, and it's got to get to Chicago fast. Chicago? Uh-huh. What's Nancy writing to Chicago for? That's what I'd like to know. She didn't tell you? No. Did you ask her? Yeah. And she wouldn't tell you? Hmm. You, uh... You think maybe I should have insisted on it, Paul? Oh, shucks, no, son. Women like to be mysterious. And she wouldn't have given you the letter to mail if there was anything wrong with it. She didn't have the letter for the house and wants to surprise you. She gave me the letter because she couldn't mail it herself. What's that? It's a long trail to Birchville and a rough one. I don't figure she's buying anything. Of course you could tell something by the address. It's a man's name, that's all. Well, I wouldn't worry about it, son. Like I say, women got to have their secrets. Which way are you riding? Through two-bit canyon. That's shortest. Kind of dangerous. You watch out for engines and outlaws. Get up there, Paul. He'll be through the canyon in just a few minutes. Then there's nothing but open country all the way to Birchville. I sure don't like this. Why you come back to valley? I don't know, Tondo. Rancher not fight anymore. All quiet here. I just want to make sure of that. See, when Nancy and Jerry got married it should have put an end to all the trouble between the two families. Well, perhaps it has. I can't work out that way. Ah. A horse without a rider. There's someone lying at the side of the trail. That man is hurt. Get him off the couch. Who am I? Maybe that's him on the ground. That's Tondo. It is Jerry. Not yet. We'll do what we can for him. Tondo fixed wound. He was riding when he was hit. There's some footprints there. Jim came close enough to make sure the job was finished. Here's something. A broken spur. Did it belong to Jerry? No. He's still got both spurs and not broke. It must belong to the murderer. It's different enough so that we ought to be able to trace it. How are you coming, Totto? We can't move him far. We can't get him over to that spring and make him comfortable on some pine boughs. I'm going to leave you with him and right on into the valley. If we're going to find the man who shot him we'll have to move fast. The way it's been torn, I'd say it was broken open from his fall. Two envelopes and... That's a strange... There's nothing in them but blank paper. Later that morning, Nancy Tolliver was entertaining a visitor. I figured it was about time he had a visit from your new poor Nancy. You're always welcome, Sam. Sure got the place fixed up pretty. I'm glad you like it. Yep, the house and the horses and the cattle are in tip-top shape. You and Jerry are going to have one of the best ranches in the valley. Thanks to you and Pa. Well, it's natural for us to warn our youngings to get on in the world. There's only one thing about the place I don't like. What's that? A look on your face. Has Jerry said anything to you? I knew there was something wrong without that. Oh, Sam, I don't know what to do. Well, it's not my place to give you advice. No. No one can do that. Not even your own Ma and Pa? I promised. You promised what? It's no use, Sam. There's only one good thing about it. Jerry's taking a letter over to Birchfield, a mail. If I get the right kind of answer, then I won't have to keep any more secrets. Who's that just wrote up? You're awful jumpy. It can't be Jerry back so soon he couldn't get to town and back before nine. It can't be. What in thunder? A masked man. Don't be afraid. I'm not an outlaw. What do you want? I have some bad news for you, Mrs. Tulliver. Yes. Jerry's been hurt. Hurt? What's happened? Where is he? He's still alive and he's being cared for. Where? You've got to take me to him. I'll do that as soon as you answer a few questions. You tell me Jerry's hurt and you expect me to stand around here and answer questions. I know what way he wrote. I'll go after him myself. But there's nothing you can do for him at the moment. And you don't want the man who shot him to get away, do you? Shot? Who? Who did it? Mrs. Tulliver. We found these torn envelopes and this blank paper on the ground beside him. Better you gave him to mail. But blank paper? I don't understand. Did you give your husband this envelope? Yes. And there was more than blank paper inside when you gave it to him? Of course. There must have been. Must have been? Aren't you sure about it? That letter has nothing to do with the man who shot Jerry. Didn't you find anything else near him? This, Mrs. Tulliver. What is it? Looks like a broken row from a spur. You're right, Sam. Mrs. Tulliver's son burst. There's an engraving on it that should make it easy to trace. You recognize it? No. No, it couldn't be. There's only one hombre around here who's got spurs like that. But Sam. And you know who I mean, Nancy. That spur belongs to your pa. To Ben Hayden. No, wait. This man is wearing a mask. We're taking his word for it that he isn't an outlaw. Why couldn't he be the one who shot Jerry? Because there'd be no sense in his coming here if he had. Well, he's trying to put the blame on pa. For the bottom dollar, he calls him Silver. You're right. This is the Lone Ranger. The Lone Ranger? Oh, help me, please. I'll do anything I can. Not if you try to save her, Pa, you won't. The spur isn't proof. It will be if he can't produce a pair like it. I'm heading for the Bar-H Ranch. Then I'll go with you. Masked man, I know there must be a mistake somewhere. Don't let Sam go for his guns. Don't let him kill my pa. Are you going to stay here? What are you saying? Jerry's my husband. I'm just remembering that letter. That has nothing to do with it. The man who shot Jerry was waiting for him in the canyon. You're the one who sent Jerry through that canyon today. Oh, Sam. Easy there. Nancy and her pa fixed up the ambush between them. Don't make any accusations until you've had your talk with Hayden. Come on then. Mrs. Tolliver, you'll find your husband near the spring at the far end of the canyon. Come on. I'm ready. And if Ben can't produce a pair of spurs... There won't be any gunplay. But if Ben shot Jerry then the fuse is going to bust wide open again. And this time it won't stop till every Hayden the valley is wiped out. The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger story. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Here's our story. The Lone Ranger and Sam Tolliver raced across the level range land toward the bar each spread. When they rained up in front of the ranch house... I'll do the talking here, Sam. You want the truth, don't you? Sure I want the truth. I'm going to make Ben admit it. You'll never get it if Ben knows that you suspect him. Let me tell him what's happened. He knows already. Good heavens, a masked man. Ben, come here quick. This is the Lone Ranger, Emmie. I guess it's all right. Sam here says the masked hombre is a Lone Ranger. May we come in? Sure thing. You're welcome. What's up? What brings you here? Go on. Ask him. Do you want a pair of spurs with sunburst rals and made of silver? In grade with a circle of stars? Why, yeah. I got them down in Mexico. What about them? May I see them? Well, sure, if you want to. I know where they are. I'll get them. Hang it up by the window in my office. You don't have to tell me there's something wrong. I can see it in Sam's face. But would you mind explaining it? We're waiting to see those spurs. You're on the prod, mister. I'd like to know why. I'll bet you would. You must have put them someplace else. Well, look at the desk. I did. Gosh, I don't know. I haven't worn them for most two weeks. That ain't true, Ben Hayden. You know it. You wore them this morning when you rode into the canyon and ambushed my boy. What? Are you trying to tell us that Joey's been killed? I don't have to tell Ben anything. Are you accusing me? We get all the proof we need. What Samored was Nancy that helped you trap him. Ben's gone clinging out of his hair. I'll show you if I... Hand over your gun, Sam. You can't stop me from... I've got you covered. I'll hand it over. All right. Here it is. Remember what I told you, though? Well, that's better. Now, maybe you'll make some sense of this for us masked men. Jerry was shot this morning in two-bit canyon. We found this broken spur beside him. Has it belonged to you, Ben? Looks like mine. Was anyone with you? Don't let him fix up an alibi. You say some of his men were with him. Maybe they were, but they weren't near the south middle. I... I was alone. You can see this looks bad for you, don't you? Yeah, but I still... We'll have to turn our evidence over to the sheriff in Birchville. You'll have to arrest you. Don't shoot me. The Hayden's got too much influence with the law around here. And let Tolliverts take care of their own. Well, you aren't. I sure am. Mask Man hasn't told you about that fake letter she gave Jerry. But I'm not forgetting it. You've had your warning, Ben. Next time we meet, slap leather. Oh, Jerry. Jerry. Please. Speak to me. He'll not hear you. I know it doesn't do any good to cry, but it's been so long. It's getting dark, Donto. Isn't the lone ranger coming back here? Him come back when work's done. Listen. That's more than one horse. It's Sam and his men. They must be coming here to get Jerry. There he is, boys. Lift him up gently and put him in the wagon. What do you mean? Where are you going to take him? Home, where he'll be safe from the Hayden's. Oh, Sam. You can't believe that I'd hurt him. It's hard to say that we aren't taking any chances on it. I'd give my life to save you. He's going home. You move him, him not live. You've got to leave him here. Now you're working with the engine to put something else over on it. I'm not. I swear I'm not. But if it weren't for Donto, Jerry wouldn't be alive now. If you love him, let him alone. Come on, little man. You wait and speak to him. At least you can do that, Sam. You know that the lone ranger wouldn't tell you anything that wasn't true. For some reason, he's on your side. Easy, boy. Easy there. What's going on here? That fellow wanted to take the boy home. He'll be taken to his own home. That's my place. That girl's a Hayden. She's your son's wife. She and her pa tried to kill my boy once. They ain't getting a second chance. I can't blame you for thinking that. The only one who can change your mind is Nancy herself. But I know it isn't true. No. What was that? It was Jerry. Ah, him open eyes now. Oh, Jerry. I'm all right now. Did you hear what your pa said? Yeah. But what the lone ranger said was right. You've got to tell the truth. About... about what? I don't know. Whatever's been going on. Who is he? That doesn't have anything to do with it. Who are you talking about, Jerry? The man she met. Please. Please don't. Nancy, your father's in jail. What? I took him there myself and turned him over to the sheriff. But why? He couldn't have. I didn't think so, either. The main reason I took him to Birchville was to prevent a murder by Sam and his men. But that won't stop him from being tried, Nancy. Tried and convicted. You've got to tell us the whole truth if you want to save your father. I... I'll wait for his trial. Isn't that a murderer? Go free. He isn't. Speak up, Nancy. What are you holding back? I promised. You promised me to... honor... obey. Don't, Jerry. There was... there was someone the night of our wedding. He was hiding near the... the Bar-H ranch house. All right, Jerry. I'll tell you everything. But it doesn't have anything to do with the man who shot you. Just... just tell us. It was Nick. My brother Nick. Nick Hayden back in the valley? I thought so. He's my brother. I had to help him. He always hated me. No, Jerry. That's all changed. He's glad I married you and he wants us to be happy. After all the trouble he made before he left here? That was a long time ago. Nancy, Jerry said he was hiding. Why should he be doing that? Why shouldn't he be welcome at your wedding party? Can't you guess? Do I have to put it into words? He was staying clear of your poor, that's what... No, Sam. Like that, though. And he's innocent. But they've accused him of taking some money from a bank. And the only man who can clear him is in Chicago. Until he gets back here, Nick has to hide out. Where? You mean... Yes. Where's his camp? He wouldn't tell me that. I've been leaving food for him in the Cottonwood Grove. You've seen him more than once, haven't you? I... The truth, Nancy? Yes, I have. He gave you that letter. There was nothing wrong with the letter. It was only asking this man in Chicago to come back as fast as he could. Did you see it, the writing? You think that? Of course I do. Don't you? Well, it may have been that way. What he gave me was a sealed envelope. He told me to put it inside another one and address it in my own handwriting. I was to have Jerry mail it in Birchville. And that meant he'd read to the canyon this morning. Oh, no. What he gave you was an envelope filled with blank paper. You only wanted to set a trap for Jerry. Oh, no. I told you, he hated me. There's someone he hates more. Who do you mean? Your father. Just what happened before Nick left here? Well, I'm not sure. It all happened so fast and Paul wouldn't talk about it afterward. I know they must have had a fight. Only... Nick didn't care whether Jerry died or not. He walked over to him after he was wounded and he could have finished the job then. But he didn't. He was more interested in getting someone else. The spur. The broken spur. Evidence against Ben Hayden. He must have stolen the spurs in the ranch house. That was for your benefit, Sam. He wanted to start the feud again. And even if Ben didn't hang for the murder, you and the rest of the Tollivers would take care of him. And I fell for it. Nancy, why didn't you tell us that Nick was around? I can't believe it. His own father. I believe it. I know he hated him. He couldn't wait for Ben to die. Hello. We're riding to Birchville. Ah, how to get Scout saddle plenty quick. What are you going to town for? Why don't we start out in the Cottonwoods here? Ben's life is still in danger. He'd be safe in jail from you and your boys because you'd ride to town all together. The sheriff would have some warning. But just one man. No, don't, honey. It isn't your fault. He's such a yellow coyote. I'm coming with you, Masked Man. You'd better stay here. Silver! Get it up, Scout! Oh, and Shannon, fall on his face. He's gone from the window. He'll have to get right up there. He'll be lying on his bunk so I can't miss. Easy now. Before he sleeps so quick, I'll have to move fast. Oh, my hand! He had a gun. He shot my gun right out of my hand. I got to run faster, faster. Don't let him get away, Tutto. Use your rope. Get it up, Scout! No, no! Your son's in my office, Ben. I have no son. Yes, here I am. You were lucky. Well, the second time you've tried to kill me... I told you that'd be a second time. And you were just lucky. Couldn't make a shot like that again in a thousand years. I wasn't in the cell. It was a lone ranger who shot the gun out of your hand. A lone ranger? Yes, but it hadn't been for him I'd be dead. The tollevers would be blamed for the murder and a feud would never die out. And the ranch had belonged to me. Even now. You're going to jail, Nick? Yeah. Ben let you go free when you tried to kill him once before. But this time, it's out of his hands. Just an ordinary, low-down coyote that ain't fit to run at large. You can't prove a shot, Jerry. And I didn't even fire him a gun at Ben. You didn't have a chance. All the same, you haven't got any proof. And I'm not wanted anyplace else. You're told Nancy, you were. That was to make her do what I wanted. Little fool always was soft-hearted. This isn't proof. This is. Where have you been, Mass Man? Looking for Nick's horse. We found it and we found this in the saddlebag. What, that's the other half of the broken spur. You see, stole them from your office. And he hoped to put this back just to make the case complete against you. Yeah. Instead, we'll put him in jail for 20 years. That's all the evidence you need, Sheriff. You're right. Adios. So long. As for you, Nick, I'm putting you in the same cell for me. I'll get out of here. I'll tell you what's the latest. Well, I've lost a son. Had to be, though. Now Jerry and Nancy can be happy. The whole valley will live at peace. The Lone Ranger's done a fine job. The story you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.