 A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty hyo silver! The Lone Ranger! Before this exciting adventure, a word from our sponsor. General Mills, makers of Cheerios, the ready-to-eat oat cereal that gives you go-power, and Wheaties, the breakfast of champions, present by special recording, The Lone Ranger! Gee man, Jimmy is eight years old. He is strong and he is bold. He can capture outlaws because he knows. He's got go-power from Cheerios. Yes, he's got go-power. There he goes! He's feeling his Cheerios. Cheerios. Cheerios. That's Cheerios, all right. The nourishing oat cereal that's shaped like little letter O's. The ready-to-eat cereal with a wonderful toasted oat flavor. What's more, every delicious spoonful of Cheerios and milk is real muscle-building food. That's right. Each spoonful contains vitamins, minerals, and proteins your body needs. And these good things in a Cheerios breakfast do good things for your body. Help you have healthy nerves, good red blood, strong bones, and muscles. Yes, Cheerios is made to give you real go-power. So try Cheerios, the famous oat cereal that needs no cooking. And soon you'll hear people say... He's feeling his Cheerios. With his faithful Indian companion, Toto, the daring and resourceful mask writer of the plains led the fight for law and order in the early western United States. 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. Let's go, people. Are you Silver? The ranger and Toto stop to water their forces at the narrow stream that ran along the ridge where they had been riding. Toto. Here, give us coffee. Bring me my few glasses, will you please? Ah, glasses. Oh, thanks, Toto. See something? Yes, some men, Toto. Down there by Devil's Rock. Ah, me see three men. I recognize one of them. He must stocked in the lawyer. Him not good. He's never been honest, Toto. We know that. Why should he meet with those other two out here? Who are they? The younger of the two men was Rex Bacon. The other was Pete Roswell, half-owner of the R Cross T ranch. I don't know what's got into that old galuthed Thomas. When I bought half interest in his ranch, I paid him more than it was worth. You'd think he'd be glad to sell me the other half. Mr. Stockton, when Pete bought his interest, it was your money he used. Why'd you let him pay old man Thomas so much? Because I wanted Thomas to sell without quibbling. But now he won't sell me the other half. Stockton, do you think he knows about them oil prospectors being ready to pay all kinds of money for the property? No, I don't. I'm the only one who knows about them. We know, Mr. Stockton. Pete and I. Yes, you do, Rex. But don't let it put any ideas in your heads. Let's get this matter to the Thomas center. Yes, Stockton. Just what do you want me and Rex to do? Yes, he will let Thomas must sign. I've made it out. It leaves his half of the ranch to you when he dies. See that he signs it today. What good would I do if I'd get him to sign it? The oil people are going to buy the property next week. You'll own the ranch by then, because Ed Thomas will be dead. You and Rex are going to kill him. Oh, yes. That's easy. Now, Pete, here's what I want you to do. When you get back to the ranch, hide Thomas's eyeglasses. Take this will and tell him it's an agreement to purchase some new stock for the ranch. Tell him it's a bargain. As the men talk, the lone ranger removed his field glasses from his eyes and spoke to Toto. It's strange, those men meeting down there. Toto will camp south of here at the bend. We remain a few days. We're trying to protect the people in this territory for the good of the West. At sunset, the masked man and the Indian met once more at their campsite. Toto had followed Roswell into town, where the latter had gone to the sheriff's office. The lone ranger had trailed the other two men to a nearby ranch. He went to the old Ed Thomas ranch house. The ranch has gone to ruin since we saw it last year, Toto. You must learn what happened to it and why those men are there. Ed Thomas hobbled to a chair, placed his cane on the table, and peered up the paper which Roswell had been insisting that he sign all afternoon. Pete, I tell you, I can't read it. And I won't sign what I can't read. Where's my glasses? Ed, will you stop the fussing? This paper just says we get 200 head of beef from the Grand Circle Ranch at a private... Yeah, yeah, I told me all that before. We both have to sign this paper to make it legal. I'm your partner. Now here, I'll sign my name on this line. Pete Roswell wrote his name, then led Ed Thomas' protesting hand to the paper. Finally, the old man signed. Shortly after, he was seated on the front seat of a buckboard, heading for town. Rex Bacon had supposedly remained behind while Roswell drove. Come on, get along there. Where are you going? Well, but I know this isn't the road to town. We're up on the ridge road, aren't we? I'm taking the long way because... Hold there, hold there. Why are you stopping like that, Pete? Ed, there's a man right out of the bushes with a gun. He's masked. Ed, it's a hold up. Hold there, hold there. Get your hands, uh, the two of you. What do you have? Oh! Crazy hard. Pete Roswell jumped to the ground, and Rex Bacon to fire. But as the mounted man did, the buckboard turned over. Then as Ed Thomas pawed frantically at the air, the vehicle plunged over the side of the ridge. Fool horse. The way you reared and backed up, I jumped off that buckboard just in time. Yeah, you almost went with it. You see down there? Look, that wagon's busted all the pieces. And the horse... Yeah, I see it. That's sure. Yeah, and, uh, Thomas must be too. See? He's not moving. Oh, what do you say? Ready to take care of me now? Yeah, you mean I'm still supposed to shoot you? Sure, we gotta make this look good. The way Stockton said. Yeah, I suppose, but I... But nothing. All right, we'll not take off this bandana. Now, where do you want me to shoot you? Well, top of the left shoulder, that's the best spot. Only be sure you're making high. Stand in the moonlight so I can see you. Oh, wait, I'll empty my gun first. It's gotta look like I was firing at those bandits, too. Trying to protect poor old Ed Thomas. Go ahead, then. How many bullets you got left in your gun? I fired four, Thomas. There's two left. There's one on me. There he goes. Camp less than a quarter of a mile away, the loom ranger and Tonto heard the shots to the north on the ridge road. Easy, steady big shot. Right, fast, Tonto. Sounds like trouble. Come on, stop! Rex Bacon waited almost a minute before he took aim at Pete Roswell's left shoulder. Don't move, Pete. Get ready. Now. I'll get you in the right spot, Pete. Yeah, yeah. Bandage me quicker, then ride to town, get the sheriff and the doctor out here. Yeah, sure. Let me tell you, sure. Hey, Rex, wait. Hear that? Horses coming this way. Someone heard the shots. They'll think you did the shooting, if they see... Why should they? Why should they...? No, wait, wait. We'll make this real good. Give me your gun quick. Huh? You'll need an alibi, too. Give me your gun. You've got one shot left, quick. Give me your shoulder, too. This is crazy. No, it's not. Now lay back, Rex. I see them coming against the moon. There's two of them. Pete Roswell threw aside the second empty pistol and laid beside Rex Bacon, both of them grabbing at their superficial wound. Hold on, Pete. A lone ranger and Tonto leaped from their horses and ran to where the men lay on the ground. What happened to you? Who shot you? The bandits shot us. They got away. Look at Wound. Oh, let me see. That's not too bad. Only a shoulder wound. How's that man, Tonto? He's not hurt much. Look after these men, Tonto. Bandage them. I'm going after the bandits who held them up. Mr. Wishway, they go. They went north. North. Did you see the big fella? Move! Now, the lone ranger galloped off towards the north. Tonto tore cloth from Rex Bacon's shirt and began to treat the man's wounded shoulder. He didn't notice Pete Roswell behind him. Roswell had risen to his knees and grabbed the discarded revolver. Now he leaped to his feet and using his right hand brought the gun crashing down on Tonto's skull. Pete, you're not the engineer. What'd you do there for? Get up, Rex, and forget about that shoulder of yours. We're in the clear for sure now. We're taking this red skin to the sheriff ourselves. Huh? Oh, that shoulder hurts. So does mine. Forget about it and listen to me. Our story now is the masked man and this engine held us up, killed Ed Thomas and shot us. The masked man escaped, but we got the engine. We're turning him over to the law. We'll continue our lone ranger adventure in just a moment. All over the country in every direction How you do it means a question And here's what the happy, happy people have to say Pete, are we the same? Do, do, do an OK. OK. Right, that's something champions know everywhere, wherever you go. Take Parbust and Sammy Snead, born in Old Virginia. Slammin' Sam has been up on top for years and eaten his Wheaties regularly. And Al Rosen, born in sunny South Carolina, clutch-hitter with the Cleveland Indians. There's Al at the plate. Here's a pitch. Another solid sock for a solid champ and say Al Rosen's been eating Wheaties for 23 baseball seasons. That's the way it goes, South, North, East, West, Wheaties. Why there's a whole kernel of wheat in every Wheaties' flake. Keep on eating your Wheaties and you'll be do-do-do an OK. OK. Now to continue. Amos Stockton had planned to be in Sheriff Tom Niles' office that evening when Rex Bacon would make his appearance. He went there and pretended to seek certain involved information. Sheriff Niles was attempting to supply it when the door to his office burst open. Stockton was surprised to see Pete Boswell with Bacon, but he was more surprised when he saw that both their shirts were bloodstained and that they were holding them. Sheriff Niles rushed forward to relieve them of their burden. Here, let me take him. What happened? Sheriff, the Indians abandoned. He and a mask man held us up on the ridge. Yeah, they killed Ed Thomas. Ed Thomas? My friend? Sheriff, we've got to tell you what happened so you can go after that mask ombry and catch him. Tell me after I fix this Indian and get you over to Doc Briggs. The Long Ranger had written miles in pursuit of nonexistent bandits. When after a while he saw no sign or trail of the Phantom men, he galloped back to the spot where he left Toto treating the wounded Roswell and Rex Bacon, but he found this place deserted. Oh, easy, silly big fella. That's odd. The mask man dismounted, prepared to study the ground now bathed in moonlight. Then he heard a voice cry faintly from below. He ran to the edge of the road, peered downward, then turned and hurried back to silver. Easy, big fella. Someone needs help down there. Amos Scotton was riding with a posse that set out with a scene of a holdup and Ed Thomas' supposed death. He was riding next to Sheriff Niles and Deputy Dan Phillips, when Phillips suddenly pulled the reins on his horse. Oh, look, look, look! Tom, look, coming up from the ridge. Hey, it's a mask man. The Phantom had to kill Ed Thomas. He's carrying something or someone on his horse. Come on, man, get your guns ready. Get him. Niles was in front of the posse when he saw who it was the Lone Ranger bore on his horse. Hey, Dan, I said, Thomas, he's carrying. Go on the dish. Hold your fire, boys. He's got Ed Thomas. Hold it. It's a mask man with a d. Dr. Niles, don't use that gun. Thomas is alive. Hold it. Stop it. Don't kill him. Don't kill that bastard. Don't give me that gun. You're crazy, Sheriff. The man's a killer. Let go of my arm. You almost shot Thomas, you fool. Now give me that gun. The law will handle this. Ranger, what is this? We've been looking for you. Never mind me. Take Ed Thomas and get him to a doctor. Will you please, Sheriff? He's in bad shape. Members of the posse carried Ed Thomas and laced him carefully on a horse. As they started to take him to town, the Sheriff turned to the Lone Ranger. Right in front of me, stranger. You're a cool one. But I don't know what this means you carrying Ed Thomas up from that gully. But you're under arrest. We've got your engine partner in jail already. What for? I don't understand. Jeff, we ought to string up this man. For the last time, Stockton, keep out of this. All right, stranger, no tricks. Under the circumstances, I'll be glad to go with you, Sheriff. Very glad. Back in town at his office, Sheriff Tom Niles questioned the Lone Ranger and ended by admitting he was puzzled. You're right, stranger. No whole up man I ever met has come back to take his victim to a doctor like you started to do with Ed Thomas. I've been thinking the same thing, Tom. Sheriff, here's a silver bullet I carry. Look at it. I see it. Perhaps if you stop and think you'll find some significance in that bullet, this mask I wear and the white horse I ride. Dog, go on, Tom. That's it. The mask and all the rest. The engine said his name was Tonto, too. How that no longer... I know what it's supposed to mean, Dad. Stranger, you said you had a story to tell me. Now I'm listening. Go on, talk. The Lone Ranger told of what he and Tonto would see that afternoon. The meeting of Stockton and the two other men. Then he repeated the story Ed Thomas had told him before the posse had come upon them and before the old man had lost consciousness. It was the story of signing the paper and the hold up on the ridge. And Ed Thomas recalls everything clearly. As the buck board started over the ledge, the man wearing the bandana yell for Pete to jump clear. Then Pete called the man Rex and told him to shoot Thomas. Pete and Rex, they called each other by name. Gosh, Tom, it sure sounds like they were working together. But Pete Roswell and Rex Bacon were shot. How do you account for that? Only one way. They wanted an alibi for themselves. You'll notice their wounds are slightly worse, but as slight as their wounds are, Doc Briggs is keeping them in his place overnight. Sheriff, Ed Thomas is there, too. They want him dead. They'll kill him. No, they won't. We got men watching him. Tom? Right. Another question, Stranger. How does Stockton fit into this? That is, if there's a plot of some kind against Ed Thomas. I don't know, but I'll try to find out if you let me, Sheriff. I just thought of something. Yes, what is it? Perhaps it's a risky proposition, but we might find out the truth about Stockton and the two men. What ruins are Roswell and Ed Thomas in? Over at Doc Briggs' place? Yes. I don't know. Dad can find out? Sure can. You want Dad to go over to Doc Briggs while you're telling your plan to me? No, no, not yet. Because you'll plan the important part in this. Here's what I want him to do. Let Amos Stockton know that Tom and I are in jail and Ed Thomas... Deputy Sheriff Dad Phillips went into Doc Briggs' house a short time later. When he came out again minutes after, he passed Amos Stockton, who was standing in front of the building. Hi, Stockton. Waiting for word about Ed Thomas? Yes, I am. Is he conscious yet? No, not yet. Doc Briggs says he may come too late at tonight. Me, I'm all tuckered out. And I got to stay with him all night. Where, uh... Where do they have him? That big room up there in the corner of the south wing. Oh, man, am I tired. I'll probably fall asleep when I get back in the job and be out colder than Thomas. Oh, well, we'll see you, Mr. Stockton. I'll let you know if I get any good news about old Ed. Do that, will you? Yeah, so that's where Thomas is, eh? That big room in the corner of the south wing. There. Amos Stockton moved with a desperation born of avarice and fear of exposure. But yet he must have fallen asleep. If he has, uh... he's alone. So, Ed Thomas, you wouldn't die when you were supposed to, or now you will. Don't call me. Help! That's too late. I'll never hear you. Pete! Pete Roswell! It's you! I wrote Stockton way... Be quiet, quiet. Where's Ed Thomas? I was told I had him in this room. This is my room. This... What do you say? What's this about Thomas? They didn't tell you? He's still alive. He's here in this house and he may recover. You mean it? Stockton. Did he tell him about us? No, no, no, he wasn't conscious. That's why I must kill him before he recovers. You can't let him live, Stockton. He knows Rex and I did it. He must. Rex yelled at me. I don't care about that part. I care about the will you had him send. That's where I come in. It's where I come in too, Stockton. I'm his partner. That will says I get the ranch property, all of it. When Thomas dies, the oil people have to pay me for when they buy it. But the money goes to me. Now don't worry. I'll share it as we plan. But we can't waste time here arguing. Thomas signed the will, didn't he? Sure. They also wouldn't have killed him. Tried to kill him, I mean. The will's in my pocket. Then I'll get it. Then I'll find out what room Thomas actually is in. I wouldn't bother if I were you, Stockton. It's the mask, man. The doorway. Use your gun, Stockton. Use your gun, Stockton. Too slow, Stockton. You were a perfect target in the moonlight. All right, Sheriff. The sheriff, followed by deputies carrying lighted lanterns, came in with guns drawn. Don't move, Roswell. Stay right there in bed. Dad, put the handcuffs on him. Yep. And get that will they were talking about in Roswell's pocket. You heard it? Everything, Roswell. Oh, my God. You're here. You went home. You told me. When I was told to tell you. Well, you'd come here and do just what you did. The masked man called me right, didn't he, Tom? He certainly did. The stranger's gone. He just appeared like a ghost. Must have gone over to the jailhouse to meet his engine pal. What? You let the engine go? Yes. As soon as we saw you sneak into this hospital, Roswell. Then we knew the masked man was right. My army. You did that, too. Too bad you didn't name it your heart. Before you take me and Stockton away, Sheriff. We'll take Rex Bacon, too, after Doc Briggs says you may go. All right, but tell me anyway. Who was that masked comrade? You should have guessed by now, Roswell. That was the lone ranger. Here, a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated is produced by Trenville Campbell Muir Incorporated. A part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beamer, your announcer, Fred Foy. Listen to the Lone Ranger brought to you by special recording Mondays through Fridays at this same time.