 The night of life, the cloud of darkness and the high, the lonely rain. 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-feet of the great horse Silver. The lone ranger rides again. There was only one reason why young Doc Rand couldn't get along with Aunt Lucy Foreman. Aunt Lucy had liked the boy well enough when he first came back from medical school and started his practice in the town of Portage. Then one day... Why, hello Aunt Lucy. How are you? Oh, poorly, Doctor. Poorly. That's my heart again. Let me get you a chair. There you are. How's Marilyn? Oh, that girl. She'll be the death of me yet. Well, she's only a child, doesn't know her own mind, and all she talks about is... Well, I bet you know what she thinks about all the time. Getting married? To a young man of medicine? I hope. You hope? Why, that child ain't old enough to get... She's 20 years old, Aunt Lucy. Well, what's 20 years old? Why, for land things? Lots of women are raising families when they're 20 years of age. Is that so? Now you just listen to me, young man. I'll have you know that my niece is not... Your heart, Aunt Lucy. Oh, yes, yes. You better give me something for a doctor. It's awful bad. You want to test it with your stereoscope. No. This is the fourth time you've come to see me about your heart, Aunt Lucy. I don't think we'll need the stethoscope today. That's what I meant. Stethoscope. You're going to give me something for my heart? Yes, I'm going to give you some strong medicine. Strong? What are you going to give me? Some advice that will probably kill you if your heart's as bad as you seem to think it is. Well, what... There's nothing wrong with your heart, and you know it. The only thing that's bothering you is... Myself. Well, of all the... You've had Marilyn tied onto your apron strings for so long, you can't bear the thought of doing without her. Why, you... You've completely ignored Marilyn's right to happiness. To a life of her own. Whenever the girl even thinks about her own life, you carry on with your make-believe heart attacks and just about scare the daylight out of her. Young man, if you think for one minute, I'm going to... I think you'll do everything in your power to keep Marilyn and me from getting married. I wouldn't have that girl married to you if you were the last man on earth. Of course not. But if I were somebody like Jack Blair, with a lot of money and power... Jack Blair's a mighty fine young man. He's got a future ahead of him. Why, he could provide Marilyn with all the comforts of life. Yeah. And you too, huh? Well... Well, he comes from a fine old family. You mean a rich old family, don't you? His father owns a bank, which he got by stepping on people's faces. Now young Jack is running for sheriff. And he'll get elected too, now you wait to see. I don't doubt it. His father will see to that. So Jack can go around for closing mortgages for him. You just wait and see. But... Marilyn... How long have you been standing there? Long enough, Aunt Lucy. Don't you think we'd better go home now? Marilyn, I hope you don't think I meant what I said to your... It's all right, Carl. Aunt Lucy's upset. Oh, say then, I... Here I've worked my fingers to the bone, Zoya, and all the gratitude I get for... Well, let's go home now. And Carl... Yes? When I get there, I'll make up my own mind. Understand? I think I do. Goodbye, for now. Goodbye. That wicked young doctor wouldn't even give me anything for it. Then how, Lucy? Then how? You just take it easy, for a spell. Yes, here that young doctor. Him and Lucy had a terrible round. Practically kicked her right out of his office. On the day that Jack's player was elected the office of sheriff, he called the home of Aunt Lucy Foreman and her niece, Marilyn. Come in, Jack. Aunt Lucy will be down in a moment. Well, Jack's Marilyn. I guess you know I come to see you more than Aunt Lucy. You hadn't better let her hear you say that. I suppose you heard the news about me getting elected? Congratulations. Well, Jack's there. How nice he is to call on us today of all days. Marilyn, wasn't it nice of Jack to come over? Congratulations, Jack. I knew you'd win. Thanks, Aunt Lucy. Now you two just sit here and visit while I go to the kitchen and make some coffee. Well, I... Aunt Lucy. Yes? I'm sorry, but you'll have to entertain the sheriff. I'm going out. Some shops. But, but Marilyn, can't you shop in the way? I'm afraid not. You see, Carl and I are getting married. Married? Married. Tomorrow. Oh, you'd better make Aunt Lucy comfortable, Sheriff. I'll ask Dr. Rand to come over right away. Yeah. You'd better do that, Marilyn. Oh, oh, my heart. There isn't anything I can do for her. She hasn't got heart trouble any more than I have. Oh, please, Carl. Go over anyway. And if I do, does that mean you're going to change your mind about us? My mind is made up. If I can't marry the man I love, I'll never marry. All right, honey. She'll probably throw me out the door with her weak heart. I'll go over and give her some baking soda tablets or something. The next morning, in the wild, northern country, about 20 miles to the north of Portage, a very young horseman raced full speed toward his secluded camp in the hills and drew rain. This morning was the leap before his horse had stopped running. Hi, Kimo-san. Hello there. Hello, Tando. It was Dan Reed and his wedding friends, the lone ranger Tando, knew that something unusual had happened. I didn't expect you back from Portage until late afternoon, Dan. Something happened in town? There's been a murder committed in Portage. And right now, there's half a dozen posse searching the country. Any of them heading this way? Yes, sir. That's why I rode so fast getting back here. They might find this camp and... I don't know how to break camp immediately. Tell me what happened, Dan. They're after a young doctor. His name is Carl Rand. He's accused of murdering an old woman with poison. A woman? That's right. Any motive? Well, this woman, Miss Foreman, didn't want her niece, Marilyn, to marry the doctor. But they were to get married anyhow. Yesterday afternoon, Dr. Rand went over to talk to the old lady. And they had a terrible accident argument. Then what? Dr. Rand asked Old Miss Foreman. He gave her some kind of medicine for a nerve. At least that was what he said. About two hours later, the girl went back to the house and found Rand dead. Who said it was poison? The coroner proved it. Sheriff started out to arrest Dr. Rand. The girl warned him and he got away. The girl must believe that Rand is innocent. Most people in town think he's guilty. Why? Well, he's quarreled with the girl of Rand several times. Well, there's a big difference between a quarrel and a murder. Let's go. Got you hurried back here, Dan. But there's something else. What? I know where the murder is. I know where he's hiding. You know where? Let's not call any man a murderer without proof. How do you know where fella hide, Dan? Well, on my way to town this morning, I was just coming off that timbered slope, the other side of Red Mesa, and I saw a rider coming from town. Pretty fast. So? I noticed that he pulled off the trail and headed right into the St. Paul's. And that made me suspicious. So I left my horse and crawled down the slope to see why. It might have been dangerous if you'd been caught. Well, golly, I didn't think of that at the time. Anyway, there's a kind of a big cave there, about 100 yards back from the trail. It'd be almost impossible to find if you didn't know where to look. You see fella go in cave, Dan? Yes, and I was pretty puzzled about it. Until I got to town and heard what had happened, then I realized that the man I had seen couldn't have been anyone else but the doctor they were looking for. Golly, I sure made Victor step coming back here. Hold it. All of you. The first one moves, gets a taste of hot lads. Why are you... Very, very tall. Looks like someone followed you out here, Dan. Golly, I shouldn't have taken... Don't let Sharon get your hands up. Prado. Well, maybe you're gents are partners of that murder in the dark, huh? I have never seen the man in my life, Sheriff. No? And you've got some other reason I reckon for wearing a mask on your face. I have, it's a personal reason. What do you want with us? You'll find out when you land in jail. Unbuckle those guns, you and the red skin... Just a moment. Why are you taking us to jail? That's my business. And mine. You can't arrest a man for wearing a mask. Unless you have a better reason, we'll keep our guns. Then I'll arrest you for aiding and abetting and escaping murder. I heard that kid tell about the cave. Golly. And he's gonna show me where it is on our way into town. And I'm gonna drag that murderin' peel pusher back to Portage and watch him stretch a brand-new rope. Just a first-rate necktie party. No trial, no judge, no jury. Is that it? You bet that's it. You've got pretty swift ideas about justice in these... And I have my own ideas about justice. I also have my own ideas about a lawman who would hang a prisoner without a fair trial. Are you sidewinder? You better watch your step. Or you might get the same treatment. I might if you had your way about it. Oh, Dan. Yes, sir. Thanks for distracting his attention, Dan. Why, you... Your guns are damaged more than you are, Sheriff. You'll hang for this. You can't shoot the guns out of a lawman's hand to get away with it. I'd prefer to think I shot the guns out of a hangman's hand. You've got to leave me to that cave where Doc Ryan is hiding. We shall. You'd better. You know what's good for you? In just one hour. One hour? Why do we have to wait one hour? Then you ride to that cave and tell Dr. Ryan we're coming. You can't do that. You can't let that murderer escape like that. You can't hang any man without a trial by jury. Will you promise, Rand, a fair trial if we take you to him now? I won't promise you nothing. You're sneaking out, Flo. Go on, Dan. Well, the doctors at the sheriff is on his way. He's better make tracks. Tell him to travel far and fast. You'll hang for this. You're going to run out of rope with all these hangings, my friend. Dan, come over here. Keep the sheriff covered, Tutto. You watch him. He's well-relaxed, Sheriff. We've got exactly 60 minutes before we hit the trail. Tutto, settle up. I've got a job for you. The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger story. Before the next exciting scene, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. How to continue our story. It was nearly noon when the Lone Ranger, riding directly behind Sheriff Jack Blair, met Dan Reed on the trail. Where's Tutto? Tutto will be with us after a while then. Did you see Dr. Rand? Yes, and I told him what you said about the sheriff being on his way. He was suspicious at first, but then he decided to believe what I said. He sure cleared out in a hurry. Which way did he go? Well, I... Come on, Dan. We promised the sheriff we'd show him the cave. Blast the confounded cave. I ain't after no cave. I'm after Carl Rand. Then you'd better be on your way, Mr. I see here you. You're obstructing justice. That's what you're doing? I don't mind obstructing your kind of justice. Now, you'd better get along. You'll have to ride back to Portage lots of guns and lots of men to handle them. The next time I meet you... Adios. You can make that hostile of Easter. We'll meet again. Get up! Get up! Golly, he sure was fit to be tied. We couldn't let a man be hung without a fair trial, could we, Dan? Well, Golly, no. Of course not. Carl Rand is guilty. We can find him. But if he's innocent, the sheriff turned him over to a lynch mob. Well... That mistake could never be corrected, could it? No. A man's life, any man's life, is worth more than the kind of snap judgment our friend the sheriff could offer. Let's go. We're going to meet Tallow? No, Dan. We're going to that cave you mentioned. I hope we'll meet someone else that I have in mind. Move over! The late afternoon shadows were slanting down through the hills when Marilyn rained up on the ridge overlooking Red Mesa. For a long time, she sought motionless, studying the surrounding countryside. Then, apparently satisfied, the slender girl dismounted and led the horse into the thick brush. A moment later, she ran down the slope toward the hidden cave and pushed through the concealing bushes. Where are you? Carl isn't here, Miss Marilyn. I'm asking you. What have you done with it? Carl is safe enough for the present. For the present? But will you... He's gone and safe if he's innocent. Oh, but he is. I know he is. How do you know? Why, he just is, that's all. No matter what anybody says. Carl wouldn't have done that off... Ah, please. Can't think about it stuff now. But you and this boy... Please consider us your friends. We hope to prove Carl's innocence. How did you know about... This hiding place? This young man saw Dr. Rand come in here this morning while he was telling me about it. The sheriff slipped up on our camp. We, uh, well, detained the sheriff long enough for Carl to escape. I'm so glad. I know. I just know that Carl couldn't have points. But thank heaven he's free. They'll never catch you now. Thanks to you. Don't thank me too soon, Miss Marilyn. If we find out that Carl is guilty, he'll be apprehended and brought to justice. But you said he'd escape. I sent a warning to him. I suggested that he hit the trail. I also sent a man to follow him. And you mean... One of the best trackers in the west is following Carl Rand at this moment. He's an Indian named Pato. Oh, then you're... I wanted to help your friend to escape a hangman's rope. I didn't intend that he should escape justice. You see, there is a difference. But he couldn't have killed her. I'll never believe that. I'll do everything to prove his innocence. Good girl. Perhaps we can help you. Now will you tell me the whole story about you and Carl? Yes. I'll tell you. All that I can. Darkness had fallen when the girl returned to the town of Portage. Oh, hello, boy. Dan Reed was at her side. Hurry, Dan. Get your horse inside the stable out of Satcher. Here, let me take your horse to Miss Marilyn. All right. Then come to the house. By the way... Yes? You still haven't told me who your outlaw friend is? Well, just don't worry about it, Miss. And take my word for it. He's not an outlaw. I'm almost inclined to believe you, Dan. Marilyn Foreman and Dan were finishing a welcome supper when they heard a clatter of hook leaves in the yard outside. I don't know who it is, but it may be Sheriff Blair. However, you mustn't be seen here. The sheriff will remember. Look, into the next room. All right, Miss Marilyn. Just a minute. Good evening, Sheriff. Evening, Marilyn. Mind if I step in a minute? Why, uh, you see... Yeah. Yeah, I see. You've just been having company for a supper. Stop it! You can't come in here. Well, now we'll see. What do you want here? I don't reckon you've been eating two suppers all by yourself, Marilyn. Why are you... Marilyn. Listen. I ain't so all-fired anxious about this job of sheriff. Ain't so crazy about catching up with Carl Rand, either. What do you mean? I... You know how I've felt about you for a long time. Let's... Let's get out of here, honey. We'll go to San Antonio and get married and have a big honeymoon in the east. I'll tell my father... Now, wait a minute, Sheriff. When I told you I wouldn't marry you, I meant it. You did, huh? What are you going to do with that gun? I'm going to take a look for Carl Rand. Right in that next room. But he's not in there. I swear he isn't. Please. If he ain't in there, you've got nothing to worry about. He is. And I reckon I'd still make a better husband than no husband at all. No, you can't. I won't let you go in there. You've no right to search this house. Here, you let go. Let go of your plane. I was trying to stop him from going into that room. I didn't want to... What can I do? I shot him. Wait here. I'm going after the Lone Ranger. The Lone Ranger. The man you thought was an outlaw. Stay right here and do the best you can until we come back. The Lone Ranger. Arriving nearly exhausted at the Basque man's rendezvous. Dan Reed found the Lone Ranger and tunneled together. The boy lost no time in telling what had happened to the sheriff. You need a doctor. There's only one available within a hundred miles. You mean Carl Rand? Right, Dan. I don't know where he's hiding. And you're going after him? Yes. Your horses are nearly played out. It's over. I hadn't had a workout today. Here, boy. I'm here, big fella. I'll stay here and rest until I return. Good luck, sir. That'd be big fella. Take more than luck to me until the killer were after. I'm sorry, Jack. I shouldn't have struggled with you, but you had no business forcing your way in here without a warrant. I don't care about catching Rand. What about me? I'm shot, my head. You might have had a doctor here. You hadn't run him out of town ahead of a lynch mob. I know, I know. And I don't want you to die. Try to rest a little. I've already spent for hell's sake. Who'd you say it before? Who's coming? How was he, Marilyn? You shouldn't have come. You'll hang, you'll hang, you'll... I explained all that to Dr. Rand. He was willing to take the chance. Why, sure I was willing. He told me that you'd shot the sheriff, and they might put you in jail. Better get busy with your patient, doctor. A very nasty wound in his head. I, uh, hope you'll console him. Oh, don't let me die. I don't want to die. Shut up, no one wants to die, including me. But if I save your life, I suppose you'll hang me for it, huh? No, no, no, no, I won't. I won't let him touch you. Marilyn, clean towels, lots of hot water, hurry. You, Mr., help me hold him while I... I try to save his life. You're staring at me like that for a... I'm sorry, Jack. I did the best I could. I... there's nothing more I can do. You lie. You're letting me die. You're killing me. The doctor isn't lying to you, Blair. He's done all that's in his power. It's, uh, too bad. Marilyn. They're killing me. They're letting me die. Don't let him make him stop killing me. Go, my ass. Sheriff, at a time like this, you'd better clean up your conscience a little. Oh, I... We got nothing to lose, is that it? What makes you think my conscience ain't clean? There's only a suggestion, Jack. I killed him. Oh, sure. I figured, just like now, nothing to lose. But I thought it was a slick way to get rid of the dark here. When I heard you and him would get married right away, I killed him. I killed him. I spread the news around town about the argument between her and the dark. The argument between her and the dark. It's funny, Jack. What are you laughing at? I was just thinking of what the mask man said about about strong medicine. It was a chance and it worked. What on earth are you talking about? The Lord Ranger told me about meeting you and you telling him all about us, Marilyn. He figured out that Jack Blair was the one to gain the inheritance. Oh, no. Well, I wouldn't have married him. I know, but it looks as if the sheriff was willing to take his chances. Even up to murder. You said long range. Right. The boy Dan Reed told him he didn't think you were critically wounded. So the mask man put me up to making some, some strong medicine. Worked out all right, too. What do you mean? The bullet just grazed your scalp, Sheriff. You missed the pearly gates by a mile. But I'm going to live. But you'll have a mighty slim chance of missing the pearly gates when they swing that new rope of yours in the cottonwoods, my friend. No. I won't let them, I guess. No. They can't hate me. Strongest medicine I ever used. A man's guilty conscience. I'll still live. I've just heard it's a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.