 A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty hi-yo silver! The Lone Ranger! In the early days of the Western United States, when the Lone Ranger led the fight for law and order on the frontier, he did more than drive criminals from the country. His fight was for justice. And time after time he matched wits with confidence men who worked within the law. His resourcefulness was equal to his strength and courage. And time after time he protected the savings and property of honest men and women. Return with us now to 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! Garrick has been jailed for the still work! The sheriff led Mustang Mag at her foreman, Old Missouri, to the cell occupied by Garrick, an elderly rancher. Well, here he is, Mag. You can talk to him if you want to. Don't hope for much from it. Thanks, sir. If you need me for anything, just yell. Sure! What are you two doing here? Can't you leave me alone? Listen here, you! Shut that big mouth of yours and leave this to me, Missouri. I'm real diplomatic. You ain't. Dippit! Dippit! What's that you said? Ah, an old ignoramus like you wouldn't say if it was told to him. Garrick. Well? Now, uh, let you and me act friendly like, huh? Me friends with you? After what you've done to me? Me act like friends when I'm facing trial on account of you? Why you? No, no, we could just let bygones be bygones. What do you want? Well, um, that option that's coming up. The one I'm holding on that government grazing land that you didn't want me to take up. Now, what about it? Well, you wanted that grazing land for yourself. Sure I did. Now I ain't got no real use for it, even though I got twice the cattle you got. I've been sort of wondering just why you want to lease all that rain. So now that I can't lease it, you figure I'll tell you, huh? Well, after all, you're gonna hang, you know. I thought just as a favor to me. Hey, all the eternal. I'm gonna hang. It's your fault I'm gonna hang. It was you done the kidnapping. And now you got the infernal gumption to say I should just sort of overlook it and do you a favor. Trump, I wouldn't do you a favor to keep from hanging. I'd hang twice over if it had cost you. I'd hang. No, no, no. And if something comes up to set me free, I'd do things to you. And that lapier did you besides. That'd make you hang me a next time for sure. Now clear out. Just looking at the two years worse than a year in jail. And I don't have to stand for it. Sheriff. Sheriff, come here, dog. Blast ya. And throw these scarecrow nightmares out of here. Sheriff. Hey, Sheriff. I tried to be diplomatic. I tried to be a lady, all friendly. You ain't used to it, Meg. You just ain't used to it. But now you're crooked, Barmint. I'll get you. Meg, hey, what's going on here? Unlock this door and let me out here. Stop it, Meg. I'll save the county the expense of it. Go ahead and eat. Stop it. Get her out of here. I demand my rights. Get her out. Come on, Meg. You get any matter and you'll lose your temper. And what satisfaction you expect to get out of that? If Garrick won't tell us what we want to know, we'll just have to find it out some other way. Missouri's right, Meg. You'd better run along. All right. I'll go. But you listen to me, Garrick. Get out. I'll find out what's valuable about that graze and landspot of you or high water. And don't think I won't. At the same time, two horsemen satisfied their mounts in the midst of a great expense of rich rolling prairie. There's no clue to the answer here, teller. See those hills in the distance? Yeah, me too. And those hills all the way to Rainbow Valley is government land. This is a grazing land leased by Mustang Mag. Last year, when she leased it from the government, she hoped the natural increase of her herd would justify the cost of the lease. It didn't. Under ordinary circumstances, she wouldn't exercise her option to lease this land again. But as long as Garrick was willing to go to such lengths to get the lease for himself, when he had even less use for it, it must possess some value we can't see. Maybe gold here. Mustang Mag would have no right to it, even if there were. The lease only allows grazing privileges. It wouldn't worry me if only she had more time. But she has only until the first of the month to make up her mind. Not right. If she passes the option, she may be overlooking a chance to make good money. Otherwise, why would Garrick have wanted it? Me not know. On the other hand, it'll cost her money to take up the option. Money she can't afford to spend without any return on it. What you do? I won't give up, Kimosabe. Mustang Mag deserves all the good fortune she can get. If we can help her, we will. Come on, Tana. Back to camp. Get him up, Scout! Come on, children! Come on! For the remainder of the day, the loan ranger considered the problem. At each hour passed, he knew that the narrowing margin of time made the solution more urgent, and at the same time, more difficult. Dusk arrived. Then night, the masked man looked into the bright blaze of the campfire Tonto had built, as though seeking an answer. Finally, Tana. What? What matter? I believe I have it. Why, Tana, want land? No, not that, Kimosabe. No? For the way to find out. How you do that? Garrick hates Mustang Mag. He blames her for the fix he's in, although it's his own greed that's put him where he is. Isn't that right? Because he hates her. He won't tell why he wanted to lease that land. Even though now it can't be of any use to him. No. But hate is a dangerous weapon, Kimosabe. No. Perhaps, perhaps that hate will help us. Here, Silver. You'll ride. Get me my saddle. Tonto. I've got a theory, Tonto. I'm going to see if it'll work. Here. Here, Tonto. Thanks. Steady, Silver. Steady. You know what the saddle means, don't you, old fella? Silver, old boy, we're riding. It was an hour later that the masked man, after leaving Silver in the shadows behind the jail, approached the sheriff's office without being observed. A glance through a window revealed the sheriff was alone, and the masked man climbed the steps to the front door. Sheriff. What the... Whoa, it's you, stranger. Guys, for a second, seeing that mask, you gave me a start. I'm here to ask you a favor. A favor? Well, I reckon after the way you helped us catch Garek, ain't much of a fear to outturn you down, are you? I want to speak to Garek. Tonight? It's not too late, is it? Well, I ain't supposed to allow no visitors this time, am I? Well, that's why I referred to it as a favor, Sheriff. Oh, sure. Sure. Don't do no harm anyhow, I reckon. Come along. One moment. Yeah? Come back there. I wanted to understand that I'm speaking to Garek alone. Alone? Right. Well, he ain't got no notion of breaking him out or anything like that, have you? I haven't. Then I figure it can be arranged. Just follow this way. What's up? Anything special? I want to speak to Garek alone. But before I leave, I promise you'll know what we spoke about. Well, that's fair enough. Let's just sell there the second one. Go on ahead. Thanks. I'll be seen here before you leave. Garek. All right. You. I see you remember me. Blast it all. First, it's Maga, Missouri, and now it's you. Ain't a fellow no right to any privacy at all? Sheriff, you come here. I'm not going to hate you. Oh, wait. Wait till you've heard what I have to say. Then call the sheriff, if you wish. It won't be necessary, however. If you're not interested, I'll leave. What you got to say to me? I have an idea. You and I can do business together. Ha! You've been trying to get the government land Maga's least. You wanted her to decide against taking up a option so that you could lease the land instead. How much would it be worth to you if I arrange for Mustang Magna to use her option? Where are you up to? I asked you a question. You're up to something. In the first place, even if you wasn't. You and me couldn't make no deal. That land is as good as gone as far as I'm concerned. I'm sitting in jail and there's nothing I can do about it. Suppose I guarantee that the sheriff will release you under guard for a period long enough to sign a lease with the land agent. And what good will the land do me when I'm going on trial? You're not convicted yet. I'm just as good as thanks to you and Mag. The testimony against you will be given by known outlaws. And don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying you won't be convicted. I'm saying only that your conviction isn't as certain under the circumstances as it would be if the testimony were to be given by men with good reputations. Just where do you get that? This. From your point of view, it should be worth the chance. If you're released or get a short sentence, then you'll have that land for whatever purpose you had in mind. And what if Mag gets stubborn and takes up her option just to spike me? She trusts me. Ha! You can depend upon it. You'll have the first chance at that land. Selling Mag out, huh? Perhaps. I thought you and her were such great friends. That doesn't enter into this. Uh-huh. And if I agree, what do you figure to gain by it? If you get the lease, you pay me $500. It must be worth far more than that to you. Or you wouldn't have run the risk you have. And if I don't get it? You'll pay me nothing. And what's funny? Just laughing that you're taking me for a fool, stranger. That's all. For a fool? You think I don't see through your scheme? You think I don't have you what you're up to? A young fella, I ain't no such idiot. And what's my scheme? To get me to tell why I want that land source you can run back and tell Mag. Well, I'll be dark on it. Don't you listen to me. You tell me nothing until the lease is signed and in your hand. What's that? You heard me. You tell me nothing until it suits your purpose. You mean that? I do. Well, by thunder, yours lowers, they come. Compared to you, a sidewinder'd make a real good friend. You sell out the folks that trust you for a measly $500. Your opinion doesn't matter to me. And it don't matter to me when there's cash to be made. What's your answer? You don't ask me nothing. You get me out of jail long enough to sign that lease. Your guarantee, Mag, lets me. And you don't ask for no cash till a deal goes through. Zaddy, are them the terms the way you want them? Right. Then it's a bargain. Good. Sheriff. Are you calling me? Come here, Sheriff. Gary and I have come to an agreement. I want you as a witness to its terms. The sheriff lost no time in spreading the news. The loan rangers treachery throughout the town. And there he stood as bold as you please. Making a deal with that skunk in jail and never even looking ashamed. Wait'll must hang may he cares about this. She'll be fit to be tied. The jury will be worse than her. And him all the time pretending to be her friend. You better not show his face around here. Well, folks, just go to show you. You can't cause nobody. And if you do, you deserve what you get. The curtain falls on the first act of our loan rangers' story. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue our story. The news that the loan ranger had made a deal with Gary spread through town and countryside. Until... Wow! Wow! You listen to what I hear in town. Well, I'll spit it out. You won't believe it. Likely I won't, but get it off your chest anyhow. The masked man thrown in with Gary. Huh? He's promised to get that government land for you. You're right. I don't believe you. I told you you wouldn't, but that's so when I can prove it. Yeah. By the sheriff. He was right there and witnessed the deal. I still don't believe it. When even the sheriff can testify to it? Well, why are you stubborn? You want to know something, Missouri? Huh? What? I wouldn't believe it if the masked fellow was to stand right here in front of me and say the same thing yourself. Oh! You wouldn't, wouldn't you? Are you a thief? Didn't you hear me the first time? Then here's your chance to ask him. He's coming in right now. I just heard him stop outside. Come in. Howdy, friend. Hello, Meg. Hello, there, Missouri. Ask him. Ask him right in front of me. I wouldn't do no such thing. Be the same as an insult. When somebody's my friend, I don't credit the first loose talk I hear about him. You don't dare! I tell you, I... What are you doing? Oh, just some foolishness Missouri picked up in town. Don't you pay no attention to it. Missouri's kind of childish at times, just to believe in everything he shouldn't. I believe I know what you mean. Ah, we won't even talk about it. It ain't worth discussing. Missouri has told you that I made a bargain with Gary. Don't hold it again. He ain't just right in the head. Now, you look here, Meg. There's one more word out of you, and I'll let him base it until you can't stand up for falling down. Now, aren't you... Meg, you're not being fair to Missouri. Huh? He told you the truth. You mean that? I do. Friend, you know what I told Missouri just before you came in? When he said he got his information straight from the sheriff himself? I could probably guess. I said if you stood right there and told me the same thing, I still wouldn't believe it. And I don't. How long will this stay? And you'll keep still. Meg, I knew I could depend upon you. I knew that whatever I did, you'd realize that I couldn't break your trust. Of course you couldn't. I don't say that. Missouri, you won't for a while. Meg. Yeah? You told me you haven't till noon on the first of the month to renew your lease. Is that correct? Just so. The first is the day after tomorrow. I want your promise. I gave Garrick my word. He'd be released from jail under guard and given an opportunity to sign the lease. He can't, however. You exercise your option. What do you want me to do? Let Garrick sign the lease. And trust me that you won't suffer for it. You really want me to do that? Yes. Then I will. Friend, you've helped me out a dozen times. Well, even this ranch of mine old to you, I ain't even thinking for one second that you're scheming anything to harm me. I'm not. But if you were, you could. And I'd never complain. You'd have to do a heap of harm to make up for all the good you've done. And if so be it you did, I'd still figure it was me old you. That night, the Lone Ranger again rode to town. But this time he was accompanied by his faithful Indian companion, Tonto. The hour was late and the streets of the town were deserted. Be careful, be home at this time of night, kind of. You're not to go in with me. I may have trouble with him. He's a good friend of Mags. And he's certain that I've thrown in with a garrick. And what me do? Remain outside on guard. You see that you need to step in. Me do that. Well, there's his place. Well, he's got light. Which means he's still awake. Pull over to the side here, Kimosabe. This way, Silver. Come on, Teller. And this will do. Oh, Scarlet. Oh, Silver. That won't be long. Close the door. Then wash your hands. What's the gun for, Sheriff? I heard you're stopping and seeing you from the window. That's the reason for this year's gun. Now get your hands up like I said. Get them up! I think not. Hey! I'll keep this. Blast you! It'll be safer in my head. Now sit down. Who do you think you are? What right you got to tell me what to do? You sit down. Yeah? Now then, you'll stay there and listen to what I have to say. Agree with me or not as you choose. But I don't want one sound out of you until I've finished. All right, Teller. One more errand and we finish for the night. What's Sheriff saying? He didn't want to talk to me at first, Kimosabe. When he heard what I had in mind, he forgot that he'd been angry. Now where we go, huh? To the office of Clay Coleman. Oh, him. The land agent, Kimosabe. He's a fellow who leases that grazing land for the government. You're not in office now. I know, Teller. That's why we're going there. Come on, Silver. Get him up, Stone. Oh, Silver! Late in the morning on the following day, the last morning on which Mustang Mag could exercise the option, the sheriff and two heavily armed deputies approached Garrick's cell. All right, Garrick. Get ready to come with us. Yeah, what's that? Didn't you want to make a call at the land agent's office? You mean the masked man's keeping his promise? You're going to let me lease that grazing land of Mustang Mag Dooms? You want to, don't you? Of course I do. Man, I don't seem no harm in it. Man's got the right to do business even if he is going on trial. If you hang after, that's your hard luck. Don't mean to say he ain't to be allowed to do nothing before then. Keep your eye on him, boys. If he makes a break for it, don't argue. Shoot. Sure. We'll be watching him every second. All right? Step out here. Sheriff. Well? Have them. Have you heard whether or not the masked man kept the rest of his word? Did he get Mustang Mag Dooms not to take up that option? I don't know a thing about that. You won't have long to wait before you find out, though, I reckon. Hold out your hand. I'm handcuffing you. If you have to sign your name to anything, I'll take them off you again. Now get going. The land agent's office was empty when they arrived. The hands of the grandfather clock standing against one wall were close to the hour of 12. Garrick, watch them closely. Almost 12. He comes Coleman now. About time he was getting here. Oh, good morning. Hello there. Well, it's you, eh, Garrick? Sheriff, I don't understand what he's doing here. It's all right. Garrick, I figured he's got business with you. I couldn't see no reason why I couldn't get it over with as long as he was guarded. Business with me? What business, Garrick? I reckon you don't need to be told. I'm afraid I don't know of anything unless it's the lease on that grazing land. You spoke of that. But, of course, I'm the Mustang mag decides what she'll do. She's only got the 12 o'clock, ain't she? Yes. Then look at the time. Just take a look. Why? Why, it's later than I thought. Just a second that their clock says it's noon. You've got to give me the chance to lease that land. I don't know just what to say. Don't, Sheriff. Now, don't, eh? I don't see why not. But I can't take it, ain't you? It's no matter to you, does it, Coleman? Who gets that lease, just so the government gets the rent for it? No, of course not. But just the same, I reckon. Then I reckon there ain't no more to be said about it one way or the other. Mag's got till noon to take the option she holds. When it's past 12, it'll be too late. Then, Garrick, here, we'll have as much a ride as anybody else to lease the land. I know my right. She's got to lease it. I... I don't understand why Mag hasn't come into town. She never intended to, that's why. And if she did, and she's too late, that's just her hard lock. Well, uh... And there, it's noon. Ha-ha-ha! The masked man kept his word, dog gone if he didn't. Coleman, you get out them papers while I make out a check, and we'll settle this right now. There. That should settle everything. You went the necessary payment, Garrick. Sheriff and Frosty have signed his... And now, uh, tell me. The Grayson writes her mind. Does this do it? Must Tang Mag can't get him back now, can she? I don't see how. Ha-ha-ha-ha! I've done it. I got the best of her. Just wait till she finds out the cash she's missed. It'll be worth it. We'll have to wait. We'll have to wait. We'll have to wait. We'll have to wait. We'll have to wait. We'll have to wait. We'll have to wait. Next, it'll be worse than and try I just say the look on her face. The look on whom Spanish? Not a man! ж HA-HA-HA! Didn't I tell you he's going to be late? Didn't I tell you not to pull around so long before getting started? You ain't least that land of this honorary pole cat, have you? Well, have you? Ma' get couldn't be helped. I had no right to wait in in longer. Then, Garrick got what he was after all the time, that least. Thanks to that fellow there. You double-crossing you! Well, Gary, are you satisfied that I kept my share of our bargain? Sure you did. You'll get what I promised, too. I'll pay you the five hundred. You know why? Costs for every dollar I pay you. I'll be making a hundred. You hear that, man? You hear it? I hear it. You didn't know there'd been a drought over Colorado, did you? You didn't know that right this minute, half the cattlemen in Colorado have got their herds on the trail, heading this way. And they're looking for land at least to save their critters from dying. They're coming here with a thousand and thousands. They'll be glad to pay me anything I ask. They'll give me twice what I'm paying. Twice? They'll pay me five times over and be glad of the chance. And you could've got that cash, Meg. You could've got it. You're as good as what you're saying, Gary. Ain't I noted for more in a week? Ain't I? This'll teach you to cross me, Meg. I don't care if I do have to go back to jail. Anyhow, I've got the satisfaction of being here. That's enough, Gary. You've told me exactly what I want to know. Huh? Meg, take up your option before it expires. When those herds reach here, you can rent that land as Gary planned to do. Okay. If you can't, it's too late. Right here's my lease of that land, all signed and witnessed. I'll tell you all you got to do. Meg hadn't till noon today. But it's past noon, dog-brasted. So Coleman's clock says, after left the sheriff last night, I came to this office and set the clock an hour ahead. But what? Made out my word, step outside. At noon, the sun is directly overhead. You'll find, however, that if you stand where the sun strikes you, your figure will still cast a shadow toward the west. No, it can't be. If you still doubt the truth of what I say, check with the other clocks in town. You'll soon see I'm telling you the truth. The mask man's right. It ain't noon yet. Then Meg can take up that option. Of course she can. I've been tricked. It ain't right. You wait now. Gary, you've been tricked to plenty. When I witnessed that bargain between you and the mask man, I thought he would double-cross and Meg here. But I found out later all he was after was to get you to talk. And after all the crooked trick you pulled, Gary, you got just what you had coming. He's just done himself out of $500. Which, same, he never wanted in the first place. Oh, golly. You heard all this, Miss Ory? You heard it, did you? I... I heard it, Meg. Then let her teach you a lesson. And the next time you get the notion in that full head of yours that the mask man's gone back on his friends, you think back to this. And thank heavens the whole world ain't made up of idiots like you. Oh, Meg. I've just heard of the copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.