 A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty Pio Silver, the lone ranger. Whenever men gathered around the campfire in the early days of the western United States, stories were told of the masked rider of the plains, his strength and courage, his daring and resourcefulness, his devotion to the cause of right against might. All these made him the greatest champion of justice, the West ever knew. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse Silver, the lone ranger rides again. The lone ranger and Tonto, camped in an arroyo, stood beside their horses, watchful and waiting. At the sound of approaching hoofbeats reached their ears. The horses remain quiet, they may not be seen. It's pretty dark. Who come this way? I don't know who could have business in this part of the country. Get close now. Steady Silver. Quiet old boy. Remember this bed? Any time I want you can turn us over to the floor. Better take what he wants and give and keep still. I suppose you're right. But it still rides me. The first one I saw was this year, musty. Sooner or later, he'll get what's killin' him. You hear him? No wonder who they were. Two from out of that? Yes, just two of them. Who is this man Irwin they mentioned? Tonto, no. It seems that Irwin can send those two to jail. They must be crooks. In which case, they should be in jail. If Irwin, whoever he is, isn't sending them there. He must be as crooked as they are. You mean, I are crooked? What? There's a lot of food for thought in what those two men said, Kimusavi. Tomorrow when we go into town, we'll see if we can learn who Irwin is. Maybe our friends know him. If Missouri mustang mag don't know him, nobody will. The following morning, old Missouri, the sheriff, rode out to mustang mag's ranch and met with his usual reception. I don't care if you are the sheriff, Missouri. You needn't come cold and hear that official expression on your face. But I'm here on official business, ma'am. There's no difference to me. Say, what's that you said? I'm here on official business. Dog gone and all. I don't like it. What official business you're a coot. You wouldn't know official business if it stepped right up and bit you. Now, Kim, yourself, ma'am. At all, you just seem to want to make my job hard. Now, let me handle this my way, won't you? All right. Go ahead and make it fast. You've got bread in the oven. All right. Here I go. As sheriff of this year county, I'm serving you with this share of paper in accordance with the law. You're done now? Yep. I'm done. Now, as old Missouri, you were famous. Hold on. Let's see what this paper is. Well, I'll tell you what it is. And I'll also tell you that you're a natal head of a... What's that? I said that you shouldn't be trusted to go around signing your name to paper. What? Let me finish it. You're set and keep still. Let me look at this. What's it for now? Well, it should notice that if you don't pay John Irwin $2,000 by the first of the month... Hold on. Why in Tunkett should I pay John Irwin any $2,000? Because you borrowed it. Is that so right then? You're nothing of the sort. Now, Mag, you needn't try to hide your personal affairs from me. I ain't hiding nothing. I never borrowed no $2,000 and I lamb-based the man that says I did. Irwin says you did. And so is the mortgage he's got. And so is the signature you wrote on that mortgage. I seen it. Listen, you old goat. Where'd you get this paper? Jack Irwin. He'd come to the office and told me how you borrowed cash and how the mortgage was fallen due. And he wanted the cash. Well, this calls for some thinking. You shouldn't have got yourself in so deep, man. Be still. Let me think. There's times when women should seek out the judgment of men that they can trust. $2,000. I could have told you that it wasn't good sense to go into debts as deep as that. You ain't the cattle to carry? Well, you be still, Missouri. I ain't saying nothing. Besides, I always figured that me and you were sort of confiding in one another. And I was right her to... Ain't so, that's all. There's something mighty odd about this, Missouri. I don't owe Irwin any money like that. No, Meg. I said I don't. Now, do you want to argue? Well, gosh, no, Meg. I only... Well, that is... No, what? Well, the name of your sign says you do. You say you don't owe the cash, and that's a little confusing. Well, it needn't be. See here, how well do you know this owe, and critter? Well, gosh, Meg. You know what he's like. He never shows much of himself around town. He always keeps sort of... Who's there? Hello, Missouri. Stay alive. Am I hearing things, or is that our friend with a mask? How are you? Oh, my sexual life. There, there. Great Scott, mister. It's good to see you. Hello, Missouri. And Tano, too. Hiya, Tano. Oh. Oh, step in. Step in and sit. Missouri, get that kettle of stew over the fire, and heat it up. You bet I will. Heat a man alive with small welcome, mister. And you couldn't have come with a better time. I've been having a pack of trouble with Meg. She's got herself into trouble. $2,000 worth. You shush. I want no trouble at all, for you come here bringing this paper. What paper, Meg? Jack Irwin. He claims that I... Who? Who's paper? Jack Irwin. Oh, I came here to ask if you knew him. Sure I do, and I... Why? What do you know about Irwin? Nothing. I came here to find out what I could about him. Last night, Irwin's name was mentioned. Yeah? Who was talking about him? A couple of men whom I believe are crooks. Yes, Irwin himself is a crook. The idea of him trying to claim that I owe him $2,000. Well, if you don't owe him nothing... I didn't say that. I do owe him something. $200, and I'm ready to pay it to him. Then you did borrow from him. Sure I did. Same as lots of others have. But what I borrowed was $200, not $2,000. Then by juniper, I'm going to see him and get it straightened out. Wait a minute, Missouri. I've got to get moving and see Mr. Irwin. If he thinks he can make a fool out of me here and try and hoodwink Mustang Mag while I'm around, he's got more thinking to do. I'll see you later. Mustang Mag, perhaps you can give us some help. I sure like some help myself. I don't savvy this tool. Irwin seemed to have gotten together with some crooks. I gathered from what I heard that he was putting over a deal that would mean a lot of money to him. I can't save it. Mr. Irwin always seemed like a real good sort to me. I never knowed him very well, but then I did say he was first-rate. He's well thought of in town. Oh, yeah. He's got plenty of cash, and he's always been willing to lend a little here and there where he could tide folks over for a spell. He'd like him to try a little down-onery trick like he's doing. I see. Now, where does he live? In town. I know, but tell me... Oh, you can't miss his house. It's the most biggest in the town, so I'll paint it up with white. It's the first place to see a riding from here toward town at just this side of the church. Very well. Hey, are you leaving too? I'll see you later. I want to speak to Jack Irwin. Come on, Todd, we're heading for town. You're a plenty man, huh? We'll ride slowly enough to let him get to Irwin's first. Come on, Silver. Down with Mr. Jack Irwin, that's what I will. He ain't gonna do in Maggie while I'm around. Not on your tin type. Just my luck ain't a whole. This is Missouri. I come about that paper you give me. And he's gone somewhere, which seems mighty odd. Being he never leaves the house, I... chump and juniper Irwin. Irwin, speak to me. It's Missouri. It's the sheriff. Dead. Dead or in a doornail. What's going on here? Oh, my safe, Mr. Brady. Look, they're on the floor. Miss Ora, what'd you do? Now, hold on, Brady. I don't know what's happened here. You, Janet, you killed John Irwin. I've never done no such thing. Stand where you are, Miss Ora. Even if you are the sheriff, you can't get away with stabbing men dead. I didn't do it, Brady. Then why are you here? Who let you in? No one. He's killed Mr. Irwin. He's got a hand for it. You say no one let you in here? That's what I said. How'd you get in? The door was open. Oh, so you're snocking, huh? Snocking a knife to Irwin. Look here, Brady. What are you doing here? What business you got coming to Irwin's house? I've been calling frequent. Me and Jesse Irwin's cook are keeping company. That's right. Mr. Brady was in the kitchen. Oh, he was, huh? And I suppose you didn't hear me yelling to get in to see Irwin? We didn't hear nothing. You go get the deputy, Jesse. I'll hold Miss Ora here. I will. Brady, I tell you, I don't know a dog. Don't think about it. What the? Stop it. Make me. Get me out of here, mister. Get me out of here. I got work to do. Master, eh? So you're friends with the owl. I was saying, Miss Ora. Why are you looking? Like I'm Brady. Well, there. You come this way. Hunter got horse ready. Go on, Miss Ora. Take the hiding with your partners and we'll know yours guilty of sin. But I... Come on, Miss Ora. Yeah, go on, Miss Ora. Look, mister, if I take it on the run, the whole town will think I killed Irwin. They'll think so anyway and hang you before there's a chance to find the real killer. Now get out of here. Get going while you have the chance. Oh, my sakes. Why does everything have to happen to me? We'll find you, Miss Ora. We'll start a posse out and find you if it takes your doomsday. On your horse, Miss Ora, and ride with Tunnel. But you heard what it said. I'll be hunted down. So will you. Yeah, Tunnel. Take this hat and shirt and give me those old clothes out of that saddlebag. You're taking off the mask. Don't worry. My face is disguised. Oh. Everybody, what? I'm not going with you. Take Silver along, Tunnel. Meet me at last night's camp and get going. You come. I reckon there ain't no choice. Get him up scout. A short time later, the Lone Ranger re-entered the Irwin home and found Brady and Jesse still there. We'll get Miss Ora. Now there ain't a doubt about who killed Irwin. What's happening here? Who are you? As far as you're concerned, I'm a stranger. What's happened to this man? He's murdered. Can't you see? Missouri done it. We call him in the act. You saw the murder? Well, same as. We got here right after. We found the sheriff himself standing over the corpse with a knife in his hand. Sure. Where is he now? He had a couple of pals that come and took him to Hayden. Why would he murder this man? Jesse can tell you. Because Mr. Irwin held a mortgage on the ranch that must take Magones, and she's a friend of old Missouri, and Missouri notes she couldn't meet the mortgage. Good motive and everything, huh? I'm blown after the deputies inform a posse. Oh, wait just a minute. What? Aren't you being too hasty? We need no time to lose. But if Missouri didn't commit this murder, you'll chase him while the real killers escaped. Well, it was Missouri all right. It has to be. He's the killer, and as soon as he's found, he'll hang. Brady means what he says, stranger. Yes. I'm afraid he does. The curtain falls on the first act of our lone ranger's story. Before the next exciting scenes, permit us to pause for just a few moments. Hurry, you dog on, old fool. Why, it's time to rest. You're under arrest. Yep. I hear that you was wanting me. Oh, you heard, eh? As if you didn't know it when you ran off in the first place. Well, what are you just waiting for? You're taking me to jail, ain't you? That's what we are, and pronto with that. Then let's get going. Oh, Missouri. Missouri. You don't mean to tell me that you really did kill Irwin. Nope. Then why entire nation have you come here to surrender without a fight? I'll get tried in court, Mag. They won't set out to lynch me without no trial. You'll get your trial all right enough, and I'll turn back and start. I'm ready, boys. It ain't never to be said that Missouri didn't uphold the law. I'll go peaceful. Hold on. Eh? You're gone, Adderbrain. I won't stand by and see you act local. We're out as a lone ranger. Why didn't he keep you out of the hands of these half-brained critters that are so badly charged you with a murder? Now, Mag, you're just riling yourself over nothing. Come on, Missouri. Why as a lone ranger? Mag, it was a lone ranger that told me to hunt up Brady and the deputy and surrender myself to them. He done that? Yep. And he didn't do it, figure that I'd swing for a murder I didn't do. Then why? I ain't no more to say. Then move. Get up there. Get up. Get up. With Missouri in jail, the lone ranger in Tonto rode toward a cave some distance from town. There can be no mistake about it, Tonto. We followed the trail carefully the first time we came this way. Mm-hmm. They're not mistake. The cave is just a little further beyond the trees. Ah. One mount to crook. I saw them riding toward town a little while ago. You know fellas? When I saw them in the daylight, I recognized them. One was Sid Newman. The other, Bat Kester. Oh. And all wants both of them for a hold up in San Mateo County. Mm-hmm. That long way from here. Well, that's why they think they're fairly safe here. Mm-hmm. Well, there's the cave. Rain up. We'll list them out here. It's going to surprise a lot of people in town when we show them what we've learned. Keep big surprise. Keep your gun handy in case there are members of the gang that we don't know about. Come on. Aren't we ready? No. Step in. Ready? Now. Town was in a turmoil with news of the murder and the capture of Missouri. Then two men appeared with a claim that caused a new sensation. There's a copy of the world, chef. I reckon you'll agree the signature of Mr. Irwin is on the level. Mm-hmm. Seems to be. Take a look, Brady. You knew Irwin better than anyone else. She's right and all right. You will find the original of the wheel somewhere around the late Mr. Irwin's house according to what he said in the letter he sent us. How did you two errors know he was dead? We was just passing through here and heard the news. That's the way of it. Your name is Newman, huh? That's me. And this is Mr. Casper. I figure it won't take long to settle things up, will it? Well, I don't. You shouldn't. There ain't no doubt about Irwin being dead. You two figure on settling down here? I reckon we might as well. Irwin has a big place so we'll take a couple of men to run it. Well, we talked it over, you see, and figured we might as well keep it instead of selling it. Best ranch in this district. Run better. Gosh, what luck for the two of you. How do we come to leave you all the owns? We saved his life once. Where? It's empty. That is a long ways we're safe. Someone's stopping outside. Hey, she's to be plenty of excitement out there. Well, I'll have a look. What is it, Brady? Throw your hands up and drop them guns. Come here, Sheriff. Get the drop on them. You don't need guns on us. We came here to surrender. Just keep your friends from opening fire. Come here, Smith. It's a long wager. Come on, Sheriff. Get him. I'll help you. You bet she did. A long wager. Is that what they said? Yeah, I do like it here. Let's clear out. Yeah, we'd better. Go on. Where are you two going? Where's it to you? We'll settle on, Brady. Looks like you'll be busy. You'll stay right here for the time being. We will not be... Stay. Sit down there. You'll be interested in what we have to say. For a man that's under arrest, you've got a lot to say. These men don't have... You're the one that claims I'm under arrest, Brady. You'll change your story when you hear what I have to say. Those two men might be the ones you want and place a Missouri in Tato and me. Most who? Those fighting words. These colonist killers. He can't do that. Who are you two? Mr. Brady and the acting sheriff know who we are. That's all it counts. They're the ones that'll inherit the Irwin Ranch. Oh, they will, huh? Yes. How do they know it? So soon after Irwin's death. Irwin wrote him a letter and told him. He sent him a copy of his last will in Testament. I see. Sure, that's sad. Now we'll leave him. You've said... I'll behave if you say... You've said... All right, all right. You didn't stick a knife in me. You act like you had a plenty to say for yourself, Mr. If I didn't have, I wouldn't have written here to see you, knowing that you had a posse out hunting me. Well... Missouri wouldn't have surrendered either. If he hadn't felt certain that he'd be proved innocent of the murder of Jack Irwin. Start talking. First of all, how do you know Jack Irwin was murdered? How? Why, great guns, we saw him dead. How do you know it was Irwin you saw? How? What did... Why, gosh, how do I know it's Missouri that's in jail? I know that's all. Because a dead man looked like Irwin. Isn't that the truth? Sure, and Jesse worked for him. He knew what he looked like. Tell me this, Brady. How are Jesse's eyes? Well, they suit me. Quiet! But a right sight is not good, is it? Well, ain't what it might be. In other words, another man were to be dressed in the clothes of Jack Irwin and his hair and the stash fixed the same way. There might be room for doubt. You mean to say that? How to bring the man in. Oh, don't forget him. What are you getting at, mister? Jack Irwin is not dead. What's the trick? The trick to do us harm aren't here. You'll find out the sort of trick that's been played. Hello, Brady. Who in the Sam Hill are you? My name is John Irwin. That ain't so. You aren't John Irwin. Oh, yes I am. Those two men cut off my beard and clipped my hair short. I can prove I'm Irwin, though. I recall an every event in detail in my life. He talks like a girl when used to. This is a lot of trickery. You're going to stand for this? Sit down and keep still. Meanwhile, hand over your guns. The minute you decide to use them, you'll have guns. If you want my shooting, man, take it this way. My head! My head! Pick up his gun, Brady. Gosh, I've heard of the Lone Ranger shooting, but never seen it before. Now, sit still, Bat Kester. What was that name? Bat Kester. If you look over the reward notices from San Mateo County, you'll find both Kester and Newman are wanted. And if you're interested in what these crooks planned, I'll tell you. I don't know what should be done. Maybe Missouri should be here. Tell us your story, Irwin. Then we'll see if Missouri gets out of jail. These two crooks were working with another man who called himself Irwin. The three of them came to my house while I was making out a notice for Mustang Mag. They made me finish the notice, then captured me. That's the notice Missouri took to her, ain't it? Yeah. Then Kester and Newman took me to a cave and held me captive. I was shaved and my hair was cut. Why was that done? I didn't know at first. I was left in the cave. Then Bat and Sid went away. They came back well pleased with themselves. They double crossed their own leader, murdered him. And the sheriff, old Missouri, had arrived in time to take the blame. So that's how it was done. If you hadn't been so certain that Missouri was a killer, you'd have found the tracks that these two men made when they left the Irwin house. They went out a rear window. Go ahead, Irwin. The first plan had been for this imposter to take my place. These two thought of a better scheme, though. They made me make out a will, even everything to them. Then they killed the leader. He was going to kill me. But shaving you? Why was that? The plan was to kill me and let me be found as a stranger. Pretty slick. I told you I was making out a notice, just a matter of form, for the sheriff to take the Mustang Mag. Yes. Well, knowing Mustang Mag as I do, I made the mortgage 2,000 instead of 200. A reason that no matter what happened to me, Mustang Mag would make such a commotion about being overcharged that there would surely be an investigation. I hope that would bring the criminals to justice. Doggone good thinking. Mighty smart. If you want proof, you can follow the same tracks alone, Ranger Fowler, to the cave where I was held. I reckon the looks and the faces of those two crooks is all we need to go by. Hey there, you action shell! Mustang Mag! Who left that door open? The lone Ranger left it open when he went out. No matter who left it open, I'm here, and I make an outing out demands on you. Missouri is pining away in that caribou, so he ain't guilty. Now dad, write your skinny hides, you either let Missouri out pronto, or you'll give me the keys to do so. Give her the keys, deputy. Here they are, Mag. Oh, Bob, Ginger. I sure expected to have to fight for them. Good for you, Mag. Huh? Who are you? I'm the man Missouri is supposed to have killed. Huh? Sucker and sassopress. I've got to get Missouri out. Without him here, this office is promocal. All you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the lone Ranger Incorporated.