 with the speed of light, the claw of dust, and the hearty high of silver, the lone ranger. For this faithful Indian companion total, the daring and resourceful masquerider of the planes 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 War Silver. The lone ranger rides again. Come on, Silver. Let's go, big fellow. The lone ranger and total had spent several days in a little Spanish mission visiting their good friend, the Padre. Rested and refreshed, they were ready to leave. Scout and Silver were saddled and waiting, and so was Victor, the son of Silver. This was the horse that belonged to Dan Reed, the teenage nephew of the lone ranger. You are to meet Dan Reed? Yes, Padre. That's why Victor is with us. When Dan has a school vacation, he's as eager to see his horse as he is taught with me. We meet, Dan, at Roaring River. You say Roaring River? Yes, Padre. Dan is to travel by stagecoach as far as Roaring River. Have you heard anything about the town? What I hear, amigo, is not good. Last time we were there, it was played. Yes, taught when I liked the town. There were good homes, stores, newspapers, a church, and a school. How long ago, say no? Oh, three years. That was before Lance Desmond came there. Lance Desmond? I've never heard of him. He came from the east to Roaring River. He hopes to gain control of the town, and he is making progress. Many people stand in fear of him. If he gains control of the town, he might expand his power to control the state. Then, with the power to levy taxes, he could reward his friends and break those to try to oppose him. Lance Desmond must be stopped before he gets too big. Glad you told me about him. You ready, Taro? You ready? Me, me, Victor. Good luck to you. Well, thanks, Padre. We'll be back. Adios. Hasta mañana. In due time, the lone ranger and topple reached the vicinity of Roaring River and made camp in a woods. The masked man waited there while the Indian went into town to inquire about the expected arrival of the stagecoach. Meanwhile, Sheriff Becker stormed into the office of Cal Collins, publisher of the newspaper. When a man slams a door like that, he's out of sorts, I always say. Then you can say it again, Collins. Is it something I wrote to or something you ate? You'll know, blame well what it is, Collins. This is the newspaper you just circulated. What about it, Sheriff Becker? You tell about my son Dave coming back from the east. Is that offensive to you? Then you're going to tell how he's been studying law and studying police work. And you say when he returns to Roaring River, he'll help me jail some crooks. Isn't that true? Dave's been away to school for about four years, hasn't he? Yes, but that's... Dave will surely know some modern methods of dealing with criminals. Besides the point, you say there's plenty of work for Dave to do in Roaring River. You say crooks stay out of jail because they're too smart for me. Show me a crook that's not in jail. Just name one. Then the biggest crook in this part of the country is Rantz Desmond. What law has he broken? Well, it's not a case of actually breaking the law. There you see. Oh, Rantz Desmond's a double-dealing pole cat. He's a conniving sidewinder, I admit that. But he hasn't broken the law. And until he does, he can't be jailed. Desmond Swindle, Jake Peterson. Jake went to Desmond with the cash to pay off the mortgage on his property. It was just an hour before the deadline. Yes, I heard about that. Desmond refused to take the paper money because it specified in the mortgage it was to be paid in gold. I know. That was a shady deal. But it was legal. Jake lost some of the most valuable property in town because he couldn't raise the cash in gold coin before the mortgage expired. Desmond secured that property for a tenth of its value. Now, that means only one deal. There were others, many others. I know all about Rantz Desmond's tricks. You must have told your son about this. Sure I did. I wrote lots of letters today telling how Desmond was getting a stranglehold on people here in town. But I said, and still say, Desmond has stayed within the letter of the law. And you've no right to say I neglected my duties as sheriff. I didn't say that. You said Dave would do what I had failed to do. You said he'd bring the means to jail, Rantz Desmond. That article doesn't mention Desmond. Oh, now you're splitting hairs. Maybe you didn't mention him by name, but everyone in town knows who you meant when you said the man from Mississippi who... Who? What incarnation was the rest of it? Let me find it here in the paper. Who since becoming a member of our community? The youth of Rantz Desmond. Why didn't hear you open the door? Has methodically spread his power and influence like the tentacles of a slimy octopus? Shall I go on? I'll finish it for you, Desmond. No trick of cutting me is too long. Human rights, moral principles, business ethics, and fair play are empty words. This man and his bootlicking followers have but one rule to govern their operations. They stay with him in his written law. You, of course, had me in mind when you wrote that. You must think the description fits you. Don't let him call you a slimy octopus, Desmond. Smash his nose for it. Must his teeth. And then, Sheriff, he could arrest me for assault and batter. You're a dog going right, I could. And I would. I didn't come here to resent the article. I'm not interested in Colin's literary bills. You shouldn't state your business, didn't you? This. Yes, that's it. I can't inspect this newspaper equipment. Buy a new print and test it. How do you fix for tax, Colin? None of your business. It will be my business unless you repay the money you borrowed. What? What money? The money you borrowed from the bank to pay for new equipment. You gave the banker your notes and you used the equipment as security. They paid off part of that note. The bank had promised to renew the loan for the village. In the morning, the bankers had nothing to say about it. He sold enough to renew. You? Yeah. So now you're indebted to me, Colin. And I expect payment in full when the note comes due on the first of the month. Otherwise, I'll have to take possession of your print and press and other equipment. All the underhanded scant-honored banker. I'm sure you understand my position, Colin. You can hardly expect me to use my own cash to finance the publication of a paper that is antagonistic. Good day. By the way, Colin, that new equipment I may decide to publish a paper of my own. So I might hire you as office clerk. I never figured banker Kent would do that to me. Well, only last week he told me not to worry. I did extend the note as long as I wanted if I just paid the interest. Desmond probably offered a high price for the note. You could well afford to. There's money talks for the bankers' concern. Maybe you can borrow cash somewhere else and pay off that note. No, no, no, nothing changed. I have nothing to offer security besides who has cashed and me. John, I wish I could help you. Maybe Dave will know the legal angle when he gets here. Sure, baby. I better tell you about your son. Huh? What about him? Dave is here. Here? In town? Here in this building. What? In my living quarters in the bank. Dave. Dave, come on, my love. Well, I never hurt if this don't be gone. Hello, man. Dave, come here, son. Oh, God, you look good, son of you, dad. How long have you been in town? Three days. Three days. My friend of mine came this way with a freight cargo, so I traveled with him instead of my state coach. Dave, you didn't let me know? I came to Cal Collins late one night. We made some plans. And since then, I've been in his living quarters. Oh, fine thing. My own son and my best friend conspired to keep me in the dark. Why'd you hide out from me? What's the idea of spending three days in a stove in shack instead of coming home where you belong? Now, hold on, dad. I'll tell you why. I'm gonna have a mighty good reason. I declare I never hurt you such a thing. I understood from your letters that you wanted a jail ranch, Desmond. Oh, I do. He's used all kinds of tricks to get men under his thumb. Getting too powerful. Paper said you had evidence to jail him. I haven't, dad. I asked Cal to print that because I wanted Desmond to think I had evidence to jail him. I stayed undercover because I had a plan that wouldn't work if Desmond knew I was in town. No plan will work if Desmond's never broken the law. Maybe he has broken the law. We don't know what he did before he came to Roaring River. What's your plan? We'll ride east to meet the stage. I'll go on board. You ride nearby, but stay out of sight. Lance Desmond may rob the stage to get the evidence he thinks I carry. He wouldn't do it himself. He'd send someone to do it for him. Even so, you could capture the crooks. And maybe they'd talk and involve Desmond to save their own necks. It might work. If Desmond doesn't make a move, there's no harm done. And if he does... I'll jail him. Tonto learned that the stage was expected to arrive from the east that evening. He secured a copy of the newspaper and glanced through it until he saw the item about the sheriff's son. He read it twice, then abandoned his plans to learn more about Lance Desmond. He leaped through the saddle and hurried out a town to the camp of the Lone Ranger. Old scoundrel, how about that? Easy scoundrel, easy fellow. Back earlier than I expected, Tonto. If you read this... The item in the paper? Not this part. No. And while you read, me saddle silver. You maybe want to ride away quick. Stagecoach to do in town tonight. Then read on stagecoach. And so is the sheriff's son. That's right. And son and sheriff bring evidence to jail. Crook. The name of the crook isn't mentioned. It must mean Lance Desmond. That is over. Tonto or Desmond may send men to stop that stage and get the sheriff's son. Or at least the evidence he carries. That's right. There may be gunplay. And then read on that stagecoach. There's the silver. I'll saddle down for you. The ride east and meet the stage. In town at that moment, Lance Desmond talked to one of his followers, a cruel-faced man who wore two guns. I see. I want you to start at once and ride east along the stage trail. Take Spike with you. Meet the stage, down below. Yes, the sheriff's son will be on board. He's bringing some sort of evidence against me. You suppose he has proof you embezzled cash from the bank where you work in Biloxi? All I know is what I saw in the paper. Maybe he's learned you're the one who used Ford's credential. Or work as a tax collector in Natchez. I'll tell you, I don't know. I wish me more time. Find Spike and ride east to meet the stage. Make sure Dave Becker doesn't reach here with the evidence. The curtain falls on the first act of our lone ranger adventure. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. To continue, the sheriff and Dave were riding east from Roaring River following a winding stagecoach trail as it snaked through the mountains. Miles behind these two, Grant Desmond's men rode over the same devious route. Meanwhile, the lone ranger and tanto had ridden in an almost straight line from their camp. By taking shortcuts over the mountains, they reached the stagecoach trail far to the east of the sheriff and his son. Presently, they rounded the bend and saw the stage approaching. Stop here, fellow. Hold it there. Hold it there. Hold me. May Hope damn read, unborn. I'm sure he will be. I'll signal for the driver to stop. MC Mask, let me think this hold up. It doesn't matter what he thinks as long as he stops. You look sorry, Dave. Guard on stage. Only driver. Hold that! Give this a hold up. You've made a poor choice. Got neither cash nor mail. It's no hold up, driver. Come on, Dan, bring your bag out of there. Will you? Yes, sir. Golly, this is a surprise. Driver, did you have another passenger? No. All right. Get going. Hey, but that's boy. He's traveling with us. Get going. Right. He didn't wave a gun. I'm going. Eat it, man. Eat it. It's good to see you. And you turn off. I'm glad to see you, Dan. Hey, Victor. Golly, you remember me, don't you, fellow? Dan, I thought there'd be another passenger. No, no. I'm the only one. Did anyone stop the stage coach and ask questions about Dave Becker? No, sir. No one stopped the stage. All right, then. Get your bag behind the saddle and we'll take you to our camp. The driver of the stage continued along the road toward Roaring River. But he had traveled only a few miles when he saw the sheriff and Dave approaching. They grew rain. Then the sheriff signaled for the stage to halt. Hello, hello there. Hello. Hello, the sheriff. Glad to see you. You remember my son, Dave, don't you, Slim? Hello, Slim. Dave! Safe and alive. I'd hardly know you. Been a long time since you went east. I didn't know you a bag. I don't see any passengers inside the stage. Not now, sheriff. Not now. You mean you did have? I had one passenger, boy. A few years younger than your son. Where is he? Well, a couple of men stopped me on the train. You hear that, Dave? Yeah. Go on, go on, Slim. What happened with those men? One was masked. They had an extra horse with them. And they told the boy to ride with them. And you let him go? Well, then, sheriff, they acted like they were friends. Friendly, my eye. Well, they seemed to know each other. Besides, the masked man weighed me on with a gun. No, he's a gun slinger. I haven't found it, Dave. You see what your ideas have led to? Those crooks think they've captured you. Dad, we want an evidence to jail him. Well, if they abducted that boy, they've broken the law. It's the same as if they robbed me. No, it isn't the same. I just figured on catching them red-handed. Now, we've got to find them. Then prove a case against them. Just let me get my hands on them. I'll make them admit the truth. And I'll make them admit that Rance Desmond hired them. What's that about Rance Desmond? You, Slim, listen to me. Yes, Sheriff? You're to forget we mentioned Rance Desmond. In fact, you're to forget everything that happened. Don't say a word about a masked man stopped on the stage. Oh, right, Sheriff. Where did it happen? Just a few months back. Yes, you said it right there. That's all I want to know. Come on, Dave. Get back, get back. When the sheriff and his son reached the place where the Lone Ranger and Tahoe had stopped the stage, they found sharply-defined imprints of hoops in the soft ground beside the trail. At first, the tracks were easy to follow. But when the sheriff and his son reached the rocky hills, there were many places where hoop marks were not noticeable. Finally, Dave and the sheriff entered a wood south of the town of Roaring River. The veteran lawman called a halt. Dismounted, threw a gun and moved ahead alone, and silently. In a clearing, he saw the masked man, Tahoe, and Dan Reed. Get your hands up, you're covered. Who's that? I'm showing myself. Dan frozen all of you. Sure. You're all going right. Come on, Dave. Bring the horses and hold the gun ready. All right. If one of you makes a move, I'll shoot. Good work, Dad. Sure. A few more reasons to hold the gun on us. You and the Indian are under arrest for abducting that boy from a stagecoach. Is that what you think? Yes. And Rynce Desmond hired you to do it. You made a mistake. You're the one who made the mistake to grab that boy, thinking he was my son, coming from the east with evidence to jail Desmond. I'll keep him covered, Dave. Take their guns and unmask that man. One minute. Sheriff, Rynce Desmond did not hire me, and we didn't abduct that boy. These are my friends. I'll prove it, Sheriff. Dan Reed stepped forward, placing himself directly between the sheriff and the masked man. A lone ranger tensed, ready to leave. Hold on, boy. You're in my line of fire. Look out. I'll take the gun. And the lone ranger rushed forward. The sheriff couldn't fire without danger of hitting Dan Reed. Dan advanced close to the sheriff, and suddenly grabbed the lawman's gun arm. In that instant, the masked man leaped and seized the sheriff's gun. Dave tried to draw his own weapon, but father was upon him. I'll take that sheriff's gun. Here we go. Let's go, dad. Ready? Get hands up. There. Now I'll take charge. Dad, right it, lad. You fool, boy. Ready. If you hadn't stepped in my line of fire, I'd have just printed out a drop on it. Sheriff, calm down and listen for a minute. I tried to tell you, Sheriff, these are my friends. I was planning to meet them in roaring river. You... You really mean the masked man? The Indian? Your friend? That's what I'm trying to tell you. We went to meet the stage because we saw an item in the paper. About your son and evidence. Oh. I thought Dad would try to capture your son. So would we. He might have been gunplay. I didn't want down in the midst of it. Well, now you have the drop or not. I'll return your gun. Here, yours, Dave. Thank you. Thank you. So gone, I thought, sure we'd have evidence against Lance Desmond when we persuaded you to talk? I'm not sure, son. We'll have the evidence. If he had, there'd have been no need for that item in the paper. What's more, I wouldn't be wasting time here I'd be throwing Desmond behind bars. That's where I'd like to see him. Sheriff, we're both on the same side. Maybe there's still a way to trap Lance Desmond. Desmond was at the station when the stage arrived. He grinned inwardly when they saw no passenger. He thought it odd that the driver said nothing of an incident on the trail, but made no comment. He went to his office and waited. Sometime later, Lacey and the other gunmen entered. Boss, we drew a blank. Dave wasn't on the stage. You sure? Wasn't any passenger. We figured there was no point in stopping the stage unless we were sure of getting what we wanted, so we hid alongside the trail and watched. You let the stage go by. Sure. We could have caught it if we'd have seen our man. Well, we didn't, so we let it go. I wonder where the Sheriff's son is. Maybe he missed the stage. Maybe he'll come on the next one. Maybe. We'll have to watch for him. Someone at the door. Come in. Boy, what do you want, boy? I'm looking for the Sheriff. His office is across the street. Oh, yes, sir, I know that. I went there, but no one was around. I thought you might know where I can find him. We don't know anything about it. Why do you want the Sheriff? I have an envelope. Dave Becker handed it to me. Dave Becker, Sheriff's son? Yes, sir. Mike, close that door. Now then, son, you say Dave Becker handed you an envelope. That's right. He was supposed to be on the stagecoach today. Well, he wasn't on the stagecoach. I met him east of here. He handed me this large envelope and asked me to give it to his father, the Sheriff. How did you get here? I rode my horses up front. Well, just leave that envelope with me. I'll see that the Sheriff gets it. Dave, well, he told me to give it to the Sheriff, no one else. Did he tell you what's in it? No, sir. But he said it was important. It has something to do with putting a man in jail. Hey, boss, you hear that? You're a reliable young man. What's your name? Dan Reed. Know anyone in Roaring River? No, sir. Reed, I'll take that envelope. Well, Dave told me that... You heard Mr. Desmond. Hey, give me that. It's for the Sheriff. Give it here. Shut up and move a five. Holy spike. Let me go. Here you are, boss. Yes, sir. No use. We'll do the Sheriff here for this. Keep him quiet. Don't let him yell. I got my hand over his mouth. Gag him, then tie his hands and feet. Hold his hands. Spike, I'll shove a gang into his face. If you can't hold him, slug him on the head. I'll hold him. Hurry with that gang. Yeah, I'm just gonna keep him quiet. What do we do with him, boss? We can't let him go. We'll hold him here until after dark and find a way to get rid of him. Now lock this door. How about the back door? I'll lock that one, too. Hold his hands closer together so I can tie him. What's going on in here? Hey, sir. Get him up, Sheriff. Hey. What's the idea of sneaking in through the back room? I didn't sleep in. I heard a commotion while I was behind the building. Well, keep your hands up. Take his gun, Lacey. Yeah, one second, boss. Soon as I finish tying the kid. Aren't you getting careless, Desmond? I never saw you handling the gun. There's a lot you never saw. And capture that boy. Desmond, I'm ordering you to lower your gun and release that boy. It's jail, if you don't. You'll never have the chance to jail me. Yeah, that'll hold the kid. Now decide on the Sheriff. And fasten his wrist with his own handcuffs. Hey, boss, we're getting into deep water. That's right, Lacey. I don't know what that boy will have to say, but it looks like you three will go to jail. You better settle for that. Capture me, and you'll have to kill me. For that, you'll hang. Oh, sir, that doesn't figure on anything like this. Get up, Spike. We can't back out now. If this lawman gets his hands on that envelope, I'll be sent to face charges in Biloxi. So that's where you're warned, eh? Boss, the law in Biloxi isn't looking for Spike and me. You're asking us to face hanging charges. Do two rats turn on me, and I'll tell it up to jail both of you for life. Well, what's the odds they will... Lacey, come here. No one will ever know what became of the Sheriff or that boy. Guess again, Rance. I didn't come through the back door alone. That boy's friends came with me. Get my son. We'll take over. Desmond's gun was shot from his hand by the masked man who leaped through the door. Lacey reached for a gun, but the Sheriff beat him to the draw. Oh, my son! Now freeze or I'll bust your other arm. You're covered, Spike. Don't shoot. I'm erasing my head. There's a frame up. It's a trick. Yeah, that's right, Rance. Oh, no, take Spike's gun. I'll untie it, Dad. Uh-huh. Be good. I'll help you cover him, Dad. The Sheriff hem cuffed Rance Desmond while Totu collected the weapons. Then Spike and Lacey were tied. Meanwhile, the Lone Ranger freed Dan real good. Oh, you did fine, Dan. Oh, he sure did. Dan, you played a dangerous part. Oh, it wasn't dangerous, Sheriff. With you and Dave and my friends right in the back room, ready to have... You were back there all the time. We came in the back door while Dan came in the front. We're witnesses to the fact that you stole that envelope, Rance. I'll open and take back the cash I put inside. What? Well, that's nothing but money. Not money, Desmond. And you stole it. Well, that will arrest you and your pals. Oh, there'll be a lot more charges to come. Then the charges in Biloxi? Well, I reckon you were through. I'm sure you might say the same for Totu, Dan, and me. Yes, I think we're through as far as Desmond is concerned. Oh, don't leave. Stick around. Let the folks of Roaring River show the gratitude. Thanks. Thanks, but Rance is through each camp. Well... Well, thanks. Thanks for everything. Adios. Adios. Adios. Well, Desmond, you thought you were getting mighty big and powerful, didn't you? Men like you were cut down mighty sudden when you meet a really big man like the Lone Ranger. This is a feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated, created by George W. Trenble, produced by Trenble Campbell Muir Incorporated, and directed by Charles D. Livingston. Tonight's drama was written by Fram Stryker. A part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beemer.