 A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hardy high old silver, the Lone Ranger. And companion Tonto, the daring and resourceful masked rider 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 hoofbeast of the great horse Silver, the Lone Ranger rides again. Come on, Silver! Let's go, big fellow! I am Silver! People in Baker's Gap like the man who owned the bank. His name was Mac Follin, but everyone called him Mac. His red face was generally crinkled by a good-natured smile. He was a good citizen, a solid citizen. It was unusual for Mac Follin to be out after dark. It was even more unusual for him to have a furtive manner or a look of apprehension. Yet he had both as he made his way through the night toward a small shack that stood beyond the edge of town. The shack was dark, and Mac wondered if the men he planned to meet had changed their plans. But then, stop right there. Oh, I suppose you're unguarded. Just to make sure you came along, Mac Follin. What's that over your head? The sack with holes to look through. Hiding your face. You'll find it the same with the others. It'll be just as well if you don't know who you're dealing with. To think I'd be a party to this kind of a meeting. Any time you don't like how we do things, you just go right back home and call the whole deal off. What do I do now? Go inside the shack. And it's dark. The windows are covered. Step on the door three times and it'll be opened. How many are inside? Six. They've all got their heads covered. Go on, wrap three times. That's a signal. Come in, Mac Follin. Go on, do as he says. I'm staying outside. Look around, Mac Follin. Don't recognize any of us. Every one of you are afraid to show his face. That chair is for you. I'll stand. I came here because you said you had some information about Milady. We told you what it would cost. Did you bring the cash? I did. Put it right there on the table. Beneath the oil lamp so we can see it. Before you see Mac Follin, I'll see some proof that you know about my boy. We know all about him. Talk. He joined the army. He fought in a number of battles and wrote you about him. Eh? That much is true. In his letters stopped. You heard no more. Finally, he had word from the war department. He was told that he'd been killed. Eh? You tried to get more details, but failed. His mother and I felt that there was room to doubt that he'd been killed. There were many cases where men turned up after being reported as dead. Oh, tell me, man, what word have you for me? Don't push me, Mac Follin. Why do you do it like this? Why all the mystery about it? You'll understand that later on. Well, tell me, is Rodney living or dead? I'm ready to pay your price. Maybe you won't like the truth, eh? Your son didn't die on the field of honor. No. And then he's alive? He's not alive. He's dead, all right. But he was shot. Shot? What you said? He was executed by a firing squad. Oh, no, no, Mac. Shot because he was a traitor. It's a contemptible lie, and I don't believe it. Believe it or not, it's the truth, and we can prove it. The proofs for sale at our price. Oh, I can't believe it if Rodney a traitor. No, no. Wake up. You want the proof, don't you? Your wife might like to see it. No, no, that must never be. The news would kill Mary. There must be a mistake. More Rodney, more laddie could never be a traitor. You needn't believe me. There's sworn statements from men in his regiment. They're here in this envelope. I think I didn't want to see the statement. Now, just a minute, Mac Follin. We went to considerable trouble and expense to get him. No, I... Maybe Rodney's wife would like to see him. Oh, that pretty lass. No, no. She must not see them. How about your grandson? The wayward. It wouldn't be nice to show him what we got here when he gets a little older. Now, would it? Man, what are you getting at? The best thing for you to do, Mac, is to buy what we got and burn it up. That's one way to make sure your wife doesn't learn about her son's disgrace. Rodney's wife, her son. They must never know to crush them indeed. That's why we thought you'd like to deal with us. I would pay for what you have. Go ahead. A thousand dollars, you said. I have it here. On the table. Thanks. Now, give me the envelope. Oh, you don't get the envelope for the money you brought here. What is that? No, you paid a thousand for the information. That was the deal. I gave you the true facts. But you said that... If you want these statements, as well as the information you've already got, you'll have to pay some more. No, hold on, man. Don't try to skin me. Not at all. I kept my word. I brought the money. And you got the information. We didn't say we'd give you the signed statements for the price. If I pay no more, what will you do? Well, perhaps your wife would pay to keep the truth from Rodney's wife and son. Oh, no, no. You must not go to Mary. Listen, man. I'm a banker, but I'm not rich. I can take all the cash you need out of the bank. But that is other people's money. Banks get robbed every day. What? You're suggesting that I'll rob my own bank? Well, help. So it'll look like an outside job. I'll keep you in the clear. Oh, you swine. You filthy swine. Our price is $10,000. Isn't that right, boys? No. What? Who said that? Who said no? The price is too high. Who's speaking? I can't tell with your heads covered. Who's in here? There shouldn't be. I am. Where are you? Get him. Stop him. There he goes. The window. Come on. Stop him. Get that man. I see him. Open that door. Who was he? How did he get in? Must have taken the place of one of the boys. Get a candle lighted inside the shack. Hurry up. See if the cash is still on the table. I got a candle. I'll have it lighted in a second. What about the envelope, boss? You had it. He snatched it out of my hand when he hit me. He smashed the light, then came at me. Now we can see. Hey, the cash is gone. What's that? Well, there's a cartridge on the table. Let me see it. Silver. Silver bullet. That's it. He called that horse silver. He left the silver bullet. Boys, that man was the lone ranger. The lone ranger? McFarlandy hasn't helped you one bit. In fact, his cost you money. Now, what price has gone up? You will pay 15,000 to keep your folks from learning the truth about your son. 15,000? I'll get that lone ranger and get back that proof. And if I don't, I'll get the same statement signed all over again. You're going to pay and pay plenty. After his escape, the lone ranger removed the hood that covered his head, but there remained the familiar mask. He maintained a steady pace until he came to a small camp in the woods where Tonto was waiting. A man lay a rope both hand and foot on the ground nearby. He's a big fella. How's the prisoner, Bantullo? Well, him plenty quiet. I hope those ropes aren't too tight left. You'll pay for this. You just wait. I enjoyed the meeting. No one suspected I took your place until after I left. Oh, are you... Did you know what was planned for that meeting? What if I did? Well, I didn't until I got there. And I was glad, Tonto, and I found you trying on your hood. As lucky we read the message telling you to come to the meeting. What are you going to do about it? First of all, I'm going to see what's in this envelope. Your boss wanted to sell McFarland. So, look the fire a little, will you, Tonto? Ah, let me take this. How long do you aim to keep me tied up like this? I don't know. Lefty. Maybe for a long time. Ah, that better, right? Yes. Thanks, Kimisabi. It'll do. Yes, I can read these papers now. What go on with the meeting? Six men had these papers that are supposed to prove Rodney McFarland turned traitor and died before a firing squad. Oh. McFarland would pay a lot to keep the mother of the boy from running such a thing. Lefty, how did your gang know about Rodney? I'm not talking. Are these the affidavits true? I'm not talking. Oh, I doubt that. Who's your boss? Now, look here, mister. I know who you are, see? Eh? I know you're the lone ranger. Oh? I also know that no matter what I do or don't do, you won't kill me. But if I squeal, I know the rest of the gang will kill me. Very well. So what are you going to do? First, I'll throw these affidavits into the fire. There. That takes care of the evidence that might break a mother's heart. Give me your knife, Tonto. Ah. Here. Thanks. Lefty, I'm going to leave this knife where you can reach it. You'll manage some way to cut the robes. You mean... I've done what I wanted to do. The affidavits are destroyed. The time you get loose, we'll be gone. Come on, Tonto. Ah, you really? Stop right here. Adios, Lefty. You're the boss, my best regards. You be quiet there. Won't you lay on the scouts? The masked man and Tonto rode but a short distance before they slowed their horses to a walk. So conversation became possible. Then the lone ranger gave a detailed account of his visit to the shack. And in spite of those affidavits, I don't think Rod McFarlane died of Trader's death. Ah. If he had, I think the father would have heard about it. Tonto, I think the whole thing was planned so those crooks could rob McFarlane's bank. Maybe that's right. They'd take everything if they had the chance. They wouldn't stop the amount demanded. You think papers tell lie? Yes. And why you burn them? Crooks just get other papers? They do. We'll know the papers lie. Meanwhile, we'll try to learn the truth about Rod McFarlane. Me wonder. What's that, Tonto? Me wonder if banker let crook steal from bank. I think he'd do almost anything to protect the name of his son. Come on, Silver. Let's go. It was the following evening when the owner of a general store came to the home of banker McFarlane. Mark's in his room, Mr. Smith. He's been feeling a little under the weather all day. I hate to bother Mrs. McFarlane, but I wanted to talk to him on some business. Oh, I'm sure to be all right. Go right in. It's my door. Yes. Oh, it's you, Smith. Mind if I step in, Mr. McFarlane? After banking and business hours. My business is a little unusual. It's business that was started last night and left unfinished. I figured you might as well know who I am. What? So I didn't cover my head. You! Yeah. I'm the one that made a proposition to you about some sworn statement. Why, you... Steady, Mac. Those papers were taken away. Not the original ones. That's why I'm here. Which would you have us take, McFarlane? The happiness of your wife and the son and wife of your dead boy? Or some money from your bank? 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. A satisfied grin on his scheming face when he finished issuing the ultimatum to Banker McFarlane. You said the masked man got nothing but the copies of the statements. That's right. But when we get what we want, we'll give you the originals. What are your plans? I mean, suppose I agree to let you help yourself to the money in my bank. We'll see. You're kept out of it. We'll bust a lock and go in. Then we'll blow the safe and take the 15,000. And then? Then you get the letters. That's all there is to it. When would you take the money? We'll have to make our plans and let you know. And it's up to you to see if we don't get disturbed. Savvy? Yes, I see. Make up your mind. What's it to be? You'll have to take the money. I'll do what I can to make good on the loss. Good. You'll hear from me soon. Steve Smith left the house and for several minutes, McFarlane sat alone, head bowed. Then he heard a voice. Take it easy. I came through your window. Mask? I was at last night's meeting. And I left a silver bullet. What a lone ranger. I want to help you. No one can help me. Who was that man? You saw him? I heard most of the conversation. Who was he? Steve Smith. He's the storekeeper. That's what I thought. He has a post office in his store. That's right. That puts you in touch with people all over the country. Yes. I took some cash last night. I'll return it. Here. Oh, thanks, sir. Now, give me a chance to help, will you? But how? There's no way to help me. Give me one week. A week? Yes. Tell Smith you'll have to wait a week. Tell him you've got to get cash in the safe. Tell him anything that will postpone the robbery. Give me a chance to do what I can. I've heard about you. I've heard you've done things that seem impossible. But this... If you do anything to protect the people's money at the same time, protect my wife's happiness, you may have our late gods. Don't think about that, McFarland. That night, Steve Smith had a message that took him away from his living quarters in the rear of the general store. As soon as he left the building, a lone ranger and Tonto slipped in through a window. Now, Tonto, I've got to work fast. Smith won't be gone long. No matter how fast we work, it takes plenty long time to search everything. Let me start looking under carpet, huh? Just turn the carpet back and leave it that way. I'll open some of the drawers in this chest. That'll do. Now, this desk. Leave the rug that way, Kimosabi. Pull the mattress off the bed while I shuffle the papers in this desk. It needs to expand. That'll do. You'll not look at papers in this. No, we won't take the time to search. It won't be necessary. No. We want Steve Smith to think we've made a search. That's all that's necessary. Steve returned in half an hour. He saw the disorder in the room and jumped to a conclusion, just as the masked man had expected. Search. Tocor, I wonder if they found what they were after. I better find out. Where's the fireplace? I don't know. It's stuck beneath the window if he looks this way. Loose rock in the fireplace. So that's where he hides things he doesn't want anyone to find, huh? He's got plenty of paper in there. Those are the papers I want to see. We go now. Take them away. Not yet. He'll put them back in the hiding place. As soon as he goes to bed, we'll have a look at the things he's keeping so well hidden. I think we'll learn a lot. A couple of days later, when Steve Smith sent out word of another meeting of his hooded followers, they met as before in the isolated cabin. And as before, their heads were covered. I know who each one of you is. It'll be best if you don't know each other. So keep them bags over your heads, Sammy. I'm sure there's no spies among us, like the last time when a masked man came in my place. I'm sure. Seen any sign of that masked man, boss? My house was searched. I think he didn't do it. He didn't find anything. What about the bank plans? That's why I called you boys together. McFarlane has finally given me a date that'll work out all right. When? This week Saturday. How do you know for sure we won't be walking into a trap? I'm not worried about that. McFarlane's no fool. He knows that his folks will learn about Ronnie if we don't get the cash we're after. That's right. As soon as we're through cleaning out the bank, we'll take charge of McFarlane. People will think he stole the cash and lit out for parts unknown. Sammy? McFarlane will be in the bank on Saturday night. He'll be waiting for us there. We'll meet here as soon as it gets dark and go to the bank together. That's it. Saturday proved to be a moonless night. The group of hooded men that approached the bank was barely visible in the faint light of the stars. Each of you do this part? Yeah. I got a team hitched to the bunk board to go over amongst the trees. Good enough. We're all here? We're all here. No strangers among us. Is Mac inside there? Yeah. The door's unlocked. I've got the papers right here, so Mac can see him if he wants to. Come along. I'll leave. Rest here. Stay close behind me. He's in the office and back. He's picking us, ain't he? Yeah, sure thing. We've got to be careful. We don't make noise. We'll be heard by someone on the outside. You need to light it up? No. It's pretty dark in here. That's how we want it. We'll strike matches for any light we need. Do you unlock the safe like I told you? That's not necessary. I took out the cash you demanded. I told you to unlock the safe so we could help ourselves. If you didn't follow orders... The safe is unlocked! Try it. Right. He's telling the truth. We'll have to boot the envelope of papers, as you promised me. Being as the safe's open, being out the safe, boys. Oh, wait! Shut up, McFarland. You'll take that along with the rest. Take them over the shoulders, Mac. It's a gun in your bag. You need not go this far for real. Give me them hands, I'll tie them. That's it. You're going to take all there is. You're going to double cross me. Save your breath. I'll save it after I've made one more statement. You just remembered that it was you who broke faith. You didn't hold to what you promised. Hold your hand still. I don't know what comes to remember that. We'll take our chance on that. Then you've no cause for a complete. It's the law that's speaking. You're all covered. Shoot the first there is. Double cross. It's a double cross that backfired. Get your lamp going, boys. Hurry up with that light. You'll regret this, McFarland. We shall see. Turn that lamp high. You'll be sorry, McFarland. Take off the hoods. We'll see who we got. Jake and Lefty. And Steve Smith. Well, surprises, huh, boys? Sheriff, let me explain. Save it for court. We came here in a business deal. That's the truth, no matter what Mac told you. We came to sell him this envelope. I don't agree with the talk we heard when you were tying up the banker. Look in this envelope. You'll see why Mac wanted it. You can't charge us with robbery because we didn't steal anything. We didn't touch a cent of the bank's money. We didn't even break in. I know you didn't. But that isn't the charge against you, Steve. It's the robbing of the mail. That's right. You stole a letter that was sent to McFarland. The letter you kept hidden back of a stone in your fireplace. And the rest of yours, guilty as Steve. You were accessory. Hard to know about a letter. I went to see how you could prove that McFarland's son was shot as a traitor. I was surprised to find a letter from Captain Langdon. One that should have been delivered to McFarland. You must have known that McFarland was eager for a word from his son. Of course he did. I kept asking for a letter every time he went to the store. When you saw an official envelope, you stole it, opened it, then thought of a scheme to make the banker pay. Steve, why'd you get us mixed up in it? He was too darned. He had to do anything by himself. He had to have a half a dozen men to back him up. Just a minute. You say I stole that letter. Well, you found some statements that have been forged, didn't you? Yes, I did. All right then. You just prove I didn't forge that letter. Oh. Yeah. You just prove there really was a letter from Captain Langdon. You think I've been wasting time since I found the letter? What do you mean by that? That's where Norman's pass. Norman's pass? Yes. That's where Captain Langdon lives. Andy! Andy! Oh, Andy! What's this? And Steve Smith and the Sherry? Yes, all right, Mary. Mary, why did you come here? Come home at once. All the surprise I have for you. Surprise? It's your lady. It's Rodney. Come home. Rodney! Mary, you say he's home? Aye, Andy, and his army captain is with him. Between the eyes, sir, Steve. But that is... a letter from a boy alive. Rodney was wounded and bad. He needed care and attention. And that's the letter? What letter? Go on, Mary, go on. The captain wrote to tell us we should come and get our lad, and we didn't get the letter. So? The captain got no reply. He didn't know what to do. He wrote again, and again there was no reply. And then a masked man... It must have been you. You went to see the captain. You told him to bring a boy back home. Mary, tell me one thing. Just one thing. Was our lad in good reviews. You asked that of our Rodney? Andrew, for shame. Our lad was a hero. Oh, boy, a hero. Oh, Mary, this is a night to remember. Andrew, why should you be surprised? Rodney could be nothing else. Go on, Mike. Go home to your son. We'll take care of things here. But first, I must thank that bash man. He's gone. Mary, the Lone Ranger don't wait for thanks. There is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.