 horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty high old silver, the lone ranger. Pitiful Indian companion Tonto, the mask 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 hoofbeats of the great horse Silver. The lone ranger rides again. Come on, Silver! It's a territorial prison clang shut. For the first time in five years, two men stood outside the walls. One was Tommy Welch, young, red-headed with clear blue eyes that even prison life hadn't been able to dull. The other man was tall and slightly stooped. His face bore several scars, and his lips were set on a hard straight line. This was Digger Grant, whose name and guns were known to every sheriff in Texas. Hell, kid. This is it. We're out. Yeah, Digger. That sure seems good, doesn't it? Only thing good about it is a chance to make up for lost time. Guess that little ranch of mine over in Paiute Basin is all run to seed by now. Yeah, we'll head east back to Texas. I've got friends in Evelyn. We'll each have guns and a good horse under us inside of two days. No thanks, Digger. What do you mean? I'm not going your way. Oh, figure I'm playing the lone hand, eh? Until I get the place going again, then maybe I can buy some more stock. What are you talking about? A ranch. It's the only thing I own. You mean you're going back to Paiute Basin? Don't you want to get even? Well, I figure I'm playing the lone hand until I get my place going. I've done a lot of thinking, you know. Ah, you're a loco, that's what's the matter with you. During the five years we were in there. The only way I or anyone else can stay even is to play the card straight. I told you you're a loco. What are you talking about? I tried dealing from the bottom of the deck and it didn't work. From here on out, I'm going straight. Suit yourself. If you want to be crazy, it ain't no skin off my teeth. I hope there's no hard feelings, Digger. Nah, I just feel sorry for you, that's all. So long, Tommy. So long, Digger. In the two years that followed on Little One Man Ranch in Paiute Basin, Tommy Welsh discovered that being honest and straightforward wasn't as easy as he thought it would be. He'd paid his debt to the law, but he reckoned without the old proverb, give a dog a bad name and it sticks. No one in the nearby town of Blue Mesa would let him forget he'd once been the partner of Digger Grant. This fact was brought home with stinging force one day when he met Murray McNabb on the open range. Hi, Tommy. Hello, Murray. Oh, you look like you've been riding kind of hard. Yeah, but I was Sheriff Lowell's posse all through this part of the range. What for? Been some cattle rustled. Not my stock. No, none of yours. The Sheriff and Zach Lee figured them low hills back here. Place might be a good spot to hide some stolen cows. Well, what made them think that? I don't know. Zach Lee said Digger might. Digger? Why does Zach Lee bring Digger Grant into this? It's Granson that's part of the country. The Sheriff got word about it yesterday. Then last night the cows were rustled. All of you figured I was helping him hide out. Is that it? Well, how low has to hide some, please? Now listen, Murray, you'll go back and tell the Sheriff and Zach Lee that I haven't seen Digger Grant for two years. That I'll probably never see him. I hope I don't. Don't get riled up at me. That ain't my fault you spent five years with Digger Grant. Shut up. Start riding, Murray. Might be a good idea for you to drop in town and see the Sheriff. I intend to. I'll see him this afternoon. And I'll also see Mr. Zach Lee. I've got some business to talk over with him anyway. A few hours later, Tommy Welch rained up his horse in front of the Calamans Bank in the Blue Mesa. Oh, oh, I didn't know that. I want to see Zach Lee. Just a minute and I'll find out if he... Never mind. I know where his office is. Welch, how are you? Not so good, Mr. Lee. What's wrong? Sit down, Tommy. Sit down. I hear you were riding with Sheriff Lowell's posse this afternoon. Yes, it was. We were trying to get a line on some missing livestock. So Murray McNabb told me. Any particular reason why you were searching my end of the range? We were looking every place. Wherever stolen cattle could be corralled. I got the idea from Murray that you and the Sheriff had heard something about Digger Grant. That's right. We did hear that Grant is operating in this territory again. He held up a bank in West Creek a few days ago. Killed two men and stole $10,000. But you didn't think that I did. Of course not, Tommy. You're too sensitive about that subject. You'd be sensitive too if you had the same mistake thrown in your face every time you turned around. I'm sorry, Tommy. I'll speak to the Sheriff about it. Then shall we land? Oh, thanks. Oh, say, by the way, Mr. Lee, you haven't forgotten that I still hold an option to buy that piece of grazing land next to my spread. It's good land. I'd like to sell it to you. But you'll have to hurry. If I remember right, that option's up at midnight tonight. I know it. I've got a couple hundred ahead of stock around it up. I'll drive them into town this afternoon and sell them. And use that money to buy the land? Oh, I've been figuring that way. Good. I'm glad to hear it. You're showing good sense, Tommy. You can always buy cattle, but land will soon be scarce. I know it. Where is your stock now? Got them herded into a dead-end canyon right back in my place. There won't be any trouble to bring him in. Good. I'll be waiting for you. Have the deed of the land all made out. Oh, thanks, Mr. Lee. Not at all. What do you say we have a drink on that? Long horned cafes, when across the street? No, no, thanks. Just the same. I've got a lot of things to do here in town. And I want to get back to the ranch by Sunday. Work before pleasure, eh? Good. I'm glad to hear it. I always did say you weren't as bad as you were pitted. I'm glad somebody believes in me. Don't worry, son. You will make out all right. Thanks, Mr. Lee. Thanks a lot. Tommy's other errands in town consume more time than he expected. So it wasn't until after sundown that he guided his sorrel pony along a hillside trail that led to his ranch. As he skirted the deep-end canyon where his cattle were corralled, he noticed something that caused him to rain up sharply. Oh, oh, boy. Oh, there! The gate's down. Come on, boy! But it didn't fall down by accident. Somebody's rustle every cow I own. Well, there's only one thing to do. Try to round him up again. I haven't got one chance and a million of doing it. Come on, boy! Tommy realized only too well what his loss meant. Now, after two years of hard work, he'd fail. He spurred his pony in the frantic hope that maybe the corral gate had fallen down by accident. He could round up the stock before midnight. But in his heart, he knew the hope was false. Then, suddenly, as he rounded the turn, high on the mountain trail... Great stranger! Oh, oh, there, steady. What the... Hey! Not for that gun you're packing. Digger! Oh, prison, pardon me. Well, I didn't expect to see you. I surprised a lot of people. Get down off that horse. I hit the dirt. What are you doing here? Waiting for you. I had you spotted for the last ten minutes. I need a horse. Oh, so you're a foot. No, you are. Step over there and keep your hands up. Digger, as long as you're taking my horse, maybe you won't mind telling me where you put my cattle. Cattle? Why should I waste time on cattle when there's loose cash laying around? Well, mine have all been rustled. And I thought, sure... Listen, kid, dying interested in your cow-quitters or any of the rest of your troubles and taking your horse... Oh, sure, but you... And just so you won't get any ideas when I'm riding away, I think you'd better reach down and lift that smoke pole out of your holster. Oh, you're afraid I'd shoot you? That's what you're going to get if you don't get rid of that gun pronto. Lift it by the butt with two fingers. Throw it over the cliff into the river. All right, Digger. I suppose you were too weak to throw it over the cliff like I told you. Oh, I threw it as far as I could. Well, it's out of your reach anyhow. I'll walk to the other side of this bronc. I'm going to mount him. Sure. You're sneaking with the batteries. That gun now will plug you. I'll take the chance. Back, Digger. Step back, or I'll shot you. By some miracle, none of the bullets from Digger Grant's blazing gun had found their mark. And now Tommy Welch, tense and shaken by his brush with death, peered over the cliff and scanned the riverbank below. Although darkness had already set in, he could easily make out the crumpled body of Digger Grant lying by the water's edge. There was no doubt that the outlaw was dead. And, undoubtedly, he was still carrying the stolen money from the West Creek bank robbery. But suppose Digger hadn't ridden to this territory alone. Suppose there were other members of his gang in the vicinity. Holding his gun in readiness, Tommy moved cautiously down the trail. With a small clearing close by the riverbank, the Lone Ranger, Tonto, and Dan had been startled by the echoing sound of gunfire. The shots came from upstream somewhere. Ah, that'd be close. Sounded that way. We could walk along the edge of the creek here. I know, Dan. We'll wait a few minutes. Maybe that sheriff's possibly received this afternoon. I don't think so, Tonto. Well, you'd have heard of horses if there had been any number of men riding this way. Golly, I'm anxious to know why anyone's... I guess... Wait. Perfect targets for this campfire behind us. I don't move. That's good advice. As if any of you reached for a gun, you're asking for the same thing Digger got. 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. Continue our story. Silhouetted as they were by firelight, while an unknown gunman threatened them from the darkness, the Lone Ranger realized that Dan, Tonto, and he were in a dangerous position. And although his hands were raised, he played for time. What do you want? Just keep them that way till I let you over. Masked. Then you are part of Digger's gang. Who's Digger? You mean where is he? That's as good a question as the other. Digger's dead. I just killed him. Is that so? Say, I don't like the way you're reggin' toward that red skin. If you want to sneak at him... You can be tripped as easily as you can. You'd never try to hold a gun on three people at the same time. You got his gun, Tonto? No, no, no. Me got it. But I... How did you...? There are some minions who can move pretty fast. Tonto happens to be one of them. Gee, Tonto, I couldn't even... You've got my gun. Go ahead and shoot. Why? Why? Well, you're outlaws, aren't you? Part of Digger's gang, and I just told you that I... Oh, wait a minute. To start with, we're not outlaws. I don't know who Digger is. Well, we were in prison together. And that was two years ago. Since then, I've been trying to go straight. But today, somebody rustled my cattle, and then Digger showed up... I think we'll get along a lot better if you'll start from the beginning and tell me everything. Tell you? Or would you rather that I just turn you over to the sheriff of Blue Masons? No, no. Nobody around here trusts me anyway. Now, wait. Tell me about it. Well, it's... like I said. About seven years ago, when I was a kid, I got mixed up with Digger Grant. I was a lookout on a hold-up. We were caught and sent to territorial prison for five years. Then, two years ago, we were released. I came back here to go straight. Growing out in spite of himself with a strange masked man who seemed genuinely interested, Tommy Welch told the story of his life. He related all the events in detail, and when he'd finished, the Lone Ranger asked several pointed questions. Do you think Digger Grant is telling the truth when he said he hadn't stolen your cattle? I don't know. Digger was bad all through. He'd do anything. You're sure he's dead? Well, he has to be. It's a 60-foot drop from the top of that cliff to the riverbank. Now, I don't know what to do. Well, what do you mean? Well, tend to one, the sheriff's posse is still looking for Digger. If I tell him where he is, I'll think I had something to do with a hold-up and murder in West Creek. I won't believe I shot him in self-defense or that he fell. I understand how you feel, Tommy, but it's the only thing you can do. Call the horses, Dan. Sure. Here, Silver. Scott? But I just told him... I had the blue mason tell the sheriff the truth. No, he won't believe it. You don't understand how suspicious everybody is about me. Is that it, Silver? Easy. Yes, I do. Huh? And I'm going to try to help you. How? I don't know. You go to the sheriff and I promise I'll do everything possible. Come on, Silver. Come on, Silver. Come on, come on. Tommy Welch followed the Lone Ranger's advice and reported the location of Digger Grant's dead body to the sheriff. Sounds kind of fishy to me, Tommy. Or did you say all this happened? We're up on the river trail about a quarter of a mile from my place. We'll find out soon enough whether that story is true. Well, how about my cattle? They're gone. So is my chance to buy that grazing land. Not my hard luck. Come on, boys. We'll check on this story about Digger Grant. That's right. That's right. And Tommy? Yes. You stay right next to me. This tale isn't true. I want you to be around. In the meantime, Tonto and Dan Reed hid themselves in the underbrush near the river, not far from the spot where the dead body of Digger Grant was sprawled on the ground. Think anybody will show up here, Tonto? Well, me not no. Lone Ranger say, watch. We watch. Yeah, that's what I can't figure out. How does he know anyone will show up here? Dan, me no Lone Ranger long time. And he's smart. Yeah, sure. But how can he figure out what people do? Him figure out how people think and him know what they do. God, it's too tough for me to... Right. Somebody come. Well, there is somebody over there bending over that dead man. And look, he's taking off Digger Grant's clothes. Oh, what good, right? Wait. We watch. Then follow him, like Lone Ranger say. Man steal clothes to use him. Yeah, but what... Hey, look. He's pushing the dead man into the river. Lone Ranger say, him do that. Who is he? He may not know. Him go now. Come, we follow him. There's only a few minutes later the Sheriff's Crossy arrived at the exact spot where Dan and Tonto had been hiding. Is the place Tommy? This is it. The body of Digger Grant is right over... Why? It isn't here. It's gone. This whole thing is a stall, Sheriff. Welsh is lying. No, you've got to believe me. I shot Digger and he fell over this cliff. And where is he now? Well, I... Somebody must have found the body and thrown it in the river or something. You're stalling Welsh and you know it. You and your old partner Digger are probably still working together. It's a good scheme, but it won't get by. Sheriff, do you think that? I don't know, Tommy. Looks kind of funny. If Digger is alive, he'll turn up somewhere, proving I'm a liar. You all know how I've worked to get my ranch going here. I'd be loco to throw it away trying to protect Digger Grant. You used to be partners. You were in prison together. Yeah. Maybe you and Grant figure on joining up again after you give us a slip. I say you better be sold it away. That's what I say. No, please, Sheriff. Let's search both sides of the creek. I know we'll find Digger's body some place along here. How about the money from the bank robbery? Well, he must have it on him. Please, Sheriff. I guess I can't overlook any bets. Plenty of moonlight, so we can see well enough. Murray, you take half the posse and work downstream on this side of the creek. The rest of us will take the other side. Whatever you say, Sheriff. In the meantime, Tommy, you stay right alongside of me. All right, boys, spread out. We've spent three hours, Tommy, and haven't found a thing. Got any answer for that? I can't understand it, Sheriff. Well, I can. As soon as we string up this lying vomit, the better. Somebody coming. Hey, it's Mr. Lee, the banker. Something must have blown sky-high to ever prod him out of his swivel chair. Yeah, who's that with him? Bill Farr. He works the delivery station. Oh! Oh! All that. What's the trouble, Mr. Lee? If I have news, important news, can I see you alone for a minute? Sure thing. Come on, boy. Hit it there. Tommy Welch. What the... You're the kid who was with that masked man. Not so loud. He joined this posse about 10 minutes ago, and so far nobody's discovered me. What difference does it make? I'm in trouble worse than ever now. I can't figure out how Digger... Somebody saw your gunfight with Grant. Who is it? The same man who stole your cattle. He found Digger's body and stole the clothes. Oh, the clothes? Why would he... Who is it? I wouldn't do any good to tell you. Because you can't prove it yet. I'll be lynched if I don't. The man who promised to help you told me to give you this. What is it? A button. A white, pearl button that's been torn from a man's shirt. Pearl button? How can it? Listen, do you know where the little line shack is and the land you've been figuring out by him? Oh, sure. I know where that shack is, but... Well, get there as quick as you can. You'll find some clothes, Digger's clothes. Then you'll see what the pearl button means and how you can use it to prove you're innocent. You're the only one who can do it. I can't ride to that line shack. This posse would be on my heels in two minutes. You could run for it. Goodbye. Good luck. All right, Victor. Wait! Who's that kid you were talking to? Well, I... I don't know. He's with your posse, I guess. You've played out your string, Tommy. Might as well stop stalling. But, Sheriff, I know that Digger's... Stop lying! Digger Grant's dead. How come he held up the cattleman's bank not over an hour ago? What? No, it isn't posse. Anker Zach Lee just brought me the news. He was there. And so was I. And a dozen other people. We all saw Digger Grant. He was masked, but he was wearing that same brown shirt and pants he always wears. Is that true, Mr. Lee? It happened, Tommy. I'm sorry because I've always believed in you. I've never held you a prison record against you. Let's bring him up, sir. Hey, wish there was some way I could help, Tommy. Don't worry about it, Mr. Lee. I guess the only thing for me to do now is... Help myself! Get up there! Get away! After him, boys! Tommy knew he couldn't keep ahead of the posse for very long. They would surely run him down in less than a mile. In desperation, he spurred his horse toward the abandoned lion shack that the strange boy had told him about. Arriving there, he could hear the posse in hot pursuit, even as he dismodeled and hurried into the shack. Yes, these are Digger's clothes, all right. But how'd they get here? And why did that kid tell me... I hate, here's a note in the pocket of the shirt. Oh, now I think I understand why he gave me that white pearl button. That is welcome, Tommy. We'll rid that shack and you with it. I don't want to fight, Sheriff. Come in and get me. No tricks now. You're covered. I know. All I want to do is talk to you for a minute. Don't collab with that coyote, Sheriff. Let's string him up. No, please, Sheriff. Just come in here for a minute. Bring Mr. Lee and Murray McNabb with you. All right. Come on, Murray. Lee, rest of your stay back here. Keep your guns handy. Well, what's your story now? You better give up, Tommy. You can't win by stalling. We're wasting time, Sheriff. You see these clothes, Sheriff? They're wet. They've been in the river and they belong to Digger. Lies won't help you now, sir. Now, wait a minute. Let me tell you something that I can prove. Talk fast. Digger is really dead. It wasn't he who robbed the cattleman's bank this evening. Now, don't start all this. Now, let me finish. The man who robbed the bank was wearing these clothes. He got them from Digger's dead body. He's the same man who wrestled my cattle. He wanted to keep me from buying this land because he uses it in his stolen cattle business. His scheme has been almost perfect. He knew he could cast suspicion on me and my past reputation would convict me, especially if Murray McNabb yelled for a lynching. Who are you tired of? I said his scheme was almost perfect. Some friends of mine followed him here to the shack when he changed clothes. They told me what to look for. What? Look, this is Digger's shirt. All the buttons on it are brown. But right here, caught in the collar, is a white pearl button. Whoever wore this shirt took it off so fast he ripped off a button from the front of his own shirt. The man who did that is in this room, Sheriff. All you have to do is look for... That ain't me. I always wear leather jacket. Mr. Lee, there's a white pearl button missing from your shirt. You see what I mean, Sheriff? Maybe I do. No, you won't! Shoot the first one. That's what you think? Good work, Murray. Can you imagine that? The hombre who's been behind all the crooked work was Zach Lee, our banker. The town's leading citizen. He even held up his own bank. Well, Tommy, I don't know what to say. He sure clears you. Thanks, Sheriff. Tommy, you're sure smart. Yeah, lucky, too. You know, a thing like that button falling out of the shirt wouldn't happen once in a million years. It didn't happen. I put it there. Well, how'd you get it in the first place? A friend of mine sent it to me. Friend? I don't understand. Neither do I, exactly. But I do know he's the best friend I ever had. We've just heard as a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.