 for the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty hyal silver, the Lone Ranger. With his faithful Indian companion, Toto, the masked 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, from the thundering hoofbeats of the Great Horse Silver, the Lone Ranger rides again. Come on, Lone Silver! Faster, boy! Faster! Lone Silver! It came pounding across the flats with the stretch from the foot of Thunder Mountain to the small settlement of Buena Vistae. Johnny Murdock, the driver, was exchanging opinions with the guard who, from force of habit, watched both sides of the trail as a swaying concord neared the town. Lige Thomas, sole occupant of the stagecoach, sat up and regarded the familiar countryside with new and eager interest. Up front, the guard shifted his sawed-off shotgun to a more comfortable position and said, the kid's plum foolish. If he wants to make a fresh start, why didn't he go somewhere where nobody knows him? Well, at least you've got to admire his courage. If it was me just finished five years in territorial prison, you weren't if I'd want to come back and face the crowd that sent me there. Remember when they took Lige away? He swore then he'd come back and prove his innocence. Ah, it was just kid talk. Well, he came back, didn't he? The way do you see the reception he gets. Oh, ho, there, ho! Well, look at that crowd by the hotel. I bet you they all know that Lige Thomas is on this stage. Looks like the whole town's on hand. Ho, there, ho! All except the one Lige would want to see most. That Andrews girl, Molly. Yeah, ho, there, ho, ho! Ho, uh, ho, there, ho! On that suitcase there. Well, Lige, the old hometown. Ha, hasn't changed much in looks, hasn't, Mr. Murdock? Here's your suitcase, Lige. Well, thanks. Look, kid. Yeah? I ain't honing to stick my nose in your business, but the stage will be leaving in three hours if you decide to move on. Oh, yeah. Thanks, I'll remember. See you later, kid. And good luck. I'll need it, I guess. That's him. Looks kind of pale, doesn't he? He looks like an old man. What do you suppose he wants to come back here for? I'd like to get a room for a couple of days. Sorry? Oh, filled up. Filled up? Why, this hotel hasn't been filled up since the gold rush. It's full now. Airport, fix me up a room, will you? Oh, sure, Marty. Here you are, 223. Upstairs to the left. Thanks. So, uh, you're all filled up? That's right. You know what's a funny thing? Funny how many little tricks a fella can pick up in five years. Like this one. Hey, let go of my arm. Sure, friend. As soon as you tell me who you're taking orders from around here. Don't take orders from no one. Who told you not to get me a room? Nobody told me. Take it easy. You're breaking my arm. That's the general idea. Who? It was Mr. Bader. Well, Carl Brady, huh? Yeah. Bank, your solid citizen and prominent pole cat. Let go. Let go of my arm. Yeah, just one more thing. What room do I get? Anyone. There's lots of rooms upstairs. Thanks, friend. That's right, hospitable of you. Thanks ever so much. All I got to say is that jailbird better keep out of my way. There ain't room enough in this room but a town for him and me both. I don't know who you are, Mr. and I'm willing to agree with that last remark you made. What do you mean by that, Thomas? You were just saying that there ain't room enough in this town for you and me both. I reckon maybe you better leave because I'm figuring on staying for a spell. Yeah? Somebody might change your mind. That somebody won't be you, Andre. Now, get out. I'm losing my appetite. I'm just looking at you. Or you, Andre Little. Right ahead, my friend. Help yourself. The boys here will help you pick up your teeth. I'll see you again, jailbird. I'd say you just tamed a curly wolf, for sure. A hottie, Slim. Just who was that curly wolf? That guilless. He owns the Flying W now. Yeah, the Flying W. I heard about Dad losing the place. It might be a good idea if you was to grow a pair of eyes in the back of your noggin. You might need him with guilless on the prod. Thanks, Slim. I'll remember it. Hello, Lodge. Thanks, Molly. It's the first hello I've heard since I got back. I'm awfully glad to see you. Thanks again. Now I know I'm staying. That's great, Lodge, but please be careful, will you? Careful? What, of who? I don't know, but there's something wrong around here. Not anymore, Molly. Everything's gonna be all right from here on out. Well, Lodge, you don't waste much time, do you? Oh, hello, Sheriff. How do you mean? I mean you were fast working, Lodge. Look here, Sheriff. I reckon you know that Molly and I were fixing to be married just before I went away. I wasn't referring to you and Molly. I'm talking about you and Carl Brady. Me and... what about me and Carl Brady? You're a pretty cool customer, Lodge. It's been five years in prison. Answer me. What about Carl Brady? Hey, what are you pulling that gun for? Better come along, Lodge. I don't want no trouble. Now, wait a minute. I ain't moving till you answer my question. What about Brader? He just found him in his office with a bullet in his heart. What? Well, you're not getting me for that! Lodge, don't! Lodge! Oh, Lodge! Now, listen, Molly, I don't know what this is all about, but it smells like the same rotten play they cooked up five years ago. I believed in justice then and took my chance on a square deal. This time, I'm gonna fight back. Oh, no! No! Get up there, boy! Early that evening at a secluded camp high up in the Lost Hills, the Lone Ranger and Dan Reed, together with their stalwart friend, Tonto, were gathered around the campfire. The mask right at the plains had just told Dan that he had a surprise for him. Golly, I... I can't imagine what it would be. Here it is then. A little present from Tonto, myself. Oh, boy. A real, raw, hide lurid. Tonto cut and cured the thongs of leather, and I helped him to braid it. You take good care of that lariat. It'll last you for years. Oh, gosh, uh... Jesus, thanks, sir. Thanks, Tonto. You're welcome, Dan. Ah, you rub good with the bare fat. Make it soft. That's right, especially after it gets wet. Stretch it out and do as Tonto said. Rub it thoroughly with bare grease. He must have it. You not move over by big tree and man hide and brush. You see, Dan, bare grease makes your lariat soft and pliable. Understand? Yes, sir. You see him hide and watch our camp. Yes, Tonto. I see him now. Taking care of this lariat is well just like taking care of a gun. Here. Now, when you carry a gun, you must always be sure that it's properly loaded and always well oiled. Because you never know when you might need it. Like this. All right. Come out of there with your hands up in the air. Gee, was that fellow there all this time? Tonto just saw him a moment ago. Tonto, get his gun. I smashed his rifle. Um, he got him. Well, young fellow, looks like you've got some explaining to do. Well, I am back there watching you. I wasn't going to shoot. Why were you watching? Because, well, I wasn't able to make up my mind. About what? Just whether I really wanted to join you or not. Join? Well, go on. When I saw you wearing a mask, I knew that you must be on the dodge. And... I sort of have to ride the back trails, too. Oh, is that so? Yeah. You see them lights down there in the valley? Born and raised there. That's my home. What is welcome down there is the measles. Oh, so? Because I got blamed for a crime I never did. That's why I got sent to prison for five years. Tried to take it. Like a man. Just got back here today and wasn't in town two hours until the sheriff came after me on a murder charge. Murder? Carl Brater. As far as I'm concerned, he deserved it. But that don't mean I killed him. Did you? No, of course I didn't. No more than I held up that stagecoach five years ago. As long as they won't let me live a straight life, I might as well learn how to live a crooked one. What about your family? Is there anyone you care about in the valley? Yes, there's someone I care about. After what happened this afternoon, I doubt if she cares much about me. Your girl? My girl, Molly. I guess the only friend I've got in the world. I have no family. Mom died when I was pretty young. And Dad passed away a few months after I went to prison. I guess the shame was more than he could bear. Now, listen, Mr. Brater, I don't know if you've ever heard of him. I don't know. I don't know. I don't care. Now, listen, Mr. I'm tired talking about me. Can I join up with you? Yes, you can join us. On one condition. All right. I don't care what is it. If you ride with me, you'll have to take orders from me. You'll have to do exactly as I say. Well, sure. I expected that. Even a bunch of hotlaws have to have a leader, I guess. Well, let's get one thing straight. Yes. I ain't joining up because I get any use for you or your kind. It's just that a man can stand just so much and no more. I'd almost rather blow my brains out than start on the Alhu trail. I've never done a crooked thing in my life. You understand? Yes, I think I do. Now, I wouldn't do this now. It was only someone. Somewhere that I could talk to. Someone who would believe me. I believe you, Lodge. And I'd like to help you. Yeah. That's rich. All the people I know, the only one who believes my story is a masked outlaw hiding in the hills. You're wrong about us being outlaws, Lodge. But that... Here. You know what this means? Bullet. Silver bullet. What? You call this Indian Torno? Holy jumpin', Jupiter, mister. You're trying to tell me that you're the Lone Ranger? Yes. No, it just ain't possible. I want you to write a message to Molly. Tell her not to worry. You found some friends who will help you to prove your innocence. Then you can tell me your whole story from start to finish. Would you do that? I sure will. That covers just about everything that ever happened to me, I guess. All right, Lodge. Now, I think we're ready to ride. Oh, here's that note from Molly. Give it to Dan. He can deliver it to her in the morning. Well, everybody ready? Ready? Ready to ride, Lodge? Ready. I've been waiting for this chance for five years. And let's go. Get him up the town. Come on, picture. 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. Now to continue our story. The Lone Ranger heard the story of Lodge Thomas' life and believed that the boy was really innocent. Immediately, the mask rider decided to help Lodge clear his name and sent Dan riding to town with a message from Lodge to the girl Molly. I was desperate, Molly, but now that the Lone Ranger and his friends have promised to help me, I'm going to fight until I can prove my innocence. Oh, I'm so glad. What's your name? Dan Reed. Oh, Dan, you can't know how much this means to Lodge and me. I've always believed in you. Yes, I know, Molly. That's what gave him strength enough to believe in himself. All those years Lodge was away, I kept praying that someday he would come back and... Dan, be careful what you say in front of this man. Hello, Molly. How's my best girl today? What would you like, Mr. Gillis? Well, now I'd like to get a little better acquainted with you. Seeing as your boyfriend is left for parts unknown. Did you come over to talk about Lodge? Uh, yeah, Molly. The word ain't out yet, but... Seems like Lodge came back last night and cut it off a few souvenirs of the old home town. Lodge came back here? Yeah, now he really is on the dodge. Seeing as how he busted into the bank last night. What? Sure. Snuck back into town sometime early this morning. Broke into Carl Brady's private safe. I guess he, uh, needed traveling expenses. Oh, you... you fools! Everything that happens around here, you blame it on Lodge. I know he wasn't in town last night. Yeah, well, I know he was. I've seen him heading for the hills. Oh, Miss Molly, you know that isn't true. Of course it isn't true. They're just trying to pin something on Lodge again. Hey, who's this fresh kid here? Speak up, young fellow, what are you sticking your nose in this for? Because I can prove that Lodge Thomas wasn't anywhere near this town last night. Yeah, how can you prove that? Because he was with me and my friends miles away from here. You're telling a lie when you see you saw him riding away from town. Boy, you little squirt out of box your ears for talking to me like that. You hadn't better try it. You'd better stop telling lies about Lodge Thomas, too. Boy, you... here, let me get my hands on you. Slippery upstart. I'll teach you some manners. Run, Dan! Don't let him catch you! The Lone Ranger! Come on, Victor, get up, boy! I'd sure like to get my hands on that fresh kid. You'll never catch him now, Bat Gillis. Well, I almost had him, everybody. Hey, what was that he said about the Lone Ranger? The Lone Ranger is his friend. Yes, and Lodge's friend, too. No, the commotion. What's wrong, boss? Listen, everything's wrong. Come on, we've got to catch that kid before he gets to the Lone Ranger. Yeah, that's what I said. You know what that means to us. Come on, let's get that kid. Get him! A desperate fear clashed the heart of Bat Gillis when he learned that his attempted frame-up had gone wrong. Caught in a lie by young Dan Reid, Gillis knew that his only chance of escaping the Lone Ranger's wrath was in stopping Dan. Furiously, Gillis and his men followed Dan's trail to the foothills. Well, there ain't no chance of catching that kid now that White Horse is too fast. Hey, Bat, looky here. This is why they made their camp. Gillis, come here, quick. Come on, boy, get up there. Come on. So, no, press to the kid from the Lone Ranger. Hey, let me see that. Listen, it says, Dan, we'll be waiting for you at the deserted cabin near the Crick, and it's signed by the Lone Ranger. I know, listen, you armbraised. Here's our chance to get rid of that pesky kid in the Lone Ranger at the same time. I know where that cabin is. We'll catch him in there and fix him good and proper for keeps. Now, come on, here's where we knock off the Lone Ranger. The dream of every outlaw to trap the Lone Ranger and his companions. Riding at a furious pace, Black Gillis and his cronies race toward the abandoned cabin. Right up here. All right, everybody, spread out and surround the place. See James straight when you start shooting. We want both the Lone Ranger and that kid. Don't give him a chance to sneak out the back way. Don't worry, Gillis. That Lone Ranger's been on my trail for too long. All I want is one shot at that fella. Yeah, don't forget he's probably got that engine with him. Spread out there. Get that cabin surrounded and shoot the daylights out of the place. It's a darn lucky thing for me that kid tipped his hand. Didn't even know the Lone Ranger was in these parts. He might have spoiled everything. He might yet, Gillis. Got him. He got him. Here. Here, you take guns. I came over here behind these bushes. I thought you were... You thought we were in that cabin, I know. But as it turns out, the rat gets caught in his own trap. You and Hado keep an eye on those men over by the cabin. I sure will do that, sir. And they like snakes and grass. Wait for us to come out. Now, Gillis, you and I are going to change clothes. What are you fixing to do? Here, we'll change hats. I have another mask in my pocket you can wear. What are you driving at? Why, you promised your men a chance at the Lone Ranger. You're not going to disappoint them, are you? You mean I guess. Let's put on this hat and mask, Gillis. Very anxious to see how your men will receive you when you walk out of here. No, no, I won't do it. You can't make me. Tado, all right. We'll just push him over there in plain sight. You and Lides better take cover in a hurry when they spot him. The bullets will fly thick and fast. No, wait. Don't make me go out there. They'll kill me on sight. Yes, yes, I know. Come on, Tado, Lides. Let's shove this rat out on the firing line. No, no, wait. Perhaps you'd like to talk a little first. You might like to explain why you were so anxious to frame Lides' Thomas for killing a Carl Brady. Don't push me out there. I'll talk. Listen, somebody coming up at the trail fast. Yes, that should be Dan with a sheriff's pussy. Kid, we thought... Dan rode only as far as our camp, or I left that note for you to find. Dan cut across country and rode back to town for the sheriff. Hey, that's the sheriff. Let's get out of here. We got you, boys. Come on. Hey, who set back there for the cavity? Some of Gillis's men, Sheriff. You'll get him, boys. You'll let him get away. Now, Gillis, you'd better talk and talk fast. What? You got the wrong man. You get your poor kid before it turns Lides loose in your ill-ahide. How long were you taking orders from Carl Brady? Like ever since Lides went to jail. Brady, he made me hold up that stage and get the payroll. You planted the evidence, it convicted Lides. Yeah, I had to do it. Why did you kill Brady? My hands, I tell you. It was either him or me. He was trying to get me out of the way when the Thomas kid came back from jail, so I wouldn't spill anything. Then when Lides came back to town and had an argument with Brady, you saw a good chance to kill Brady and make it look as though Lides had done it. You said you saw Lides riding away from the bank last night. Well, I just made that up when I heard the bank had been busted into. Oh, and lately you broke in yourself. No. Gillis had no part in that. Well, you did or not, Gillis. Sure ain't got words enough to tell you what a low-down farmer you are. Lides. Yes, Sheriff? Reagan is going to take the folks in this town a mighty long while to make up for the way you've been treated when it comes to this sneaking crook. Well, I guess I'd better get back to town. Molly will be glad to know that everything's straightened out at last. Just a minute, Lides. You're forgetting your bargain. What bargain are you talking about? Remember last night at my camp? You said you wanted to join up with me. Sure, but I thought... You thought I was an outlaw and you promised to take orders from me. Remember? Sure. Now I do mean it. Mr. I'd do anything in the world for you. All right. I want you to come with Todd and me. Sheriff, take your prisoner into town. Then get Dan and the girl and meet us at the flying double. Sure. And, uh, you might even take time to do that. Yes. Ha, ha, ha! Say, that's all right. Good idea, best man. Sure, you bet I'll do it. You sure like to know what we're riding over here for? Well, you're country, isn't it, Lides? Of course it is. It's a flying double your ranch. I was born and raised on this place. But that's also... Oh, Sylvia, poor boy. Oh, she's gone over to her home. Look, I just come from town. The sheriff and Dan. Who's that riding with him? Hey, well, that looks like Molly on the black horse. Get up, get up, boy! Get up! Boy and girl, be plenty happy now, eh? He must have been. Yes, Todd, oh. After all the faith those two have placed in the outcome of justice, I'd say they're entitled to a great deal of happiness. Oh, oh, steady! Whoa, whoa, whoa! Molly! Lides! The sheriff told me all about it. Oh, Lides, it's the most wonderful thing that ever happened. Honey, it wouldn't have been possible if the lone ranger hadn't gone after that crook Gillis. Hey, man, I brought that fellow you told me to get. Hey, this is Judge Brady. Judge, I want you to meet the lone ranger. Oh, you're a ranger. I'm glad to know you. Well, come on. Let's get over the hang, innit? Uh, first, Sheriff, I have a confession to make. Who's that? I'm the man who broke into the bank last night. You did? I'll be jiggered. Why? Lides came to my camp and found out who I was. He told me the whole story of his life. Mm-hmm. Well, Lides sure got a raw deal. But we'll make it up to him some way. Lides told me how his dad died here on the flying W while he was in prison. Yep. The bank foreclosed old man Thomas' mortgage right after he died. Sold the place to bad Gillis. No, Sheriff. Carl Brady gave the place to Gillis and payment for his crook at work and to help him put up a big front as a respectable rancher. What's this? Yes, Gillis and Brady worked together for years. It sure beats all. All them two had everybody fooled. Oh, not everybody, Judge. From the story that Lides told me, I knew that his father was a hard-working man and not inclined to let his debts go unpaid. You're right there, Mace, man. Lides' dad was on the liver. And as far as that mortgage on the flying W was concerned, that was a fake mortuary. Mr. Thomas did sign a mortgage at the bank for $10,000. Here's the mortgage, which I found in Carl Brady's private office. And here are the receipts showing that Mr. Thomas paid the note in full before he died. What? Then that means that neither Carl Brady nor Bat Gillis ever did own the flying W. Not legally, anyway. You're right, Judge. The legal owner is Lides' Thomas here. Here. You better take care of these papers for him. Oh, them. You bet it will. So that's why you got us all out here on the flying W. Golly, I... I can't believe it's true. Oh, yours, Lides. I hope you'll both be very happy here for a long time to come. Let's go, Dan. Come on, Toddup. Goodbye, Lodge. Molly, good luck. How do you... Hey, you fellas can't leave now. We're just about to start the hanging. Goodbye, Sheriff. You're going to be the witness. Hey, what is this? What do you got to witness? Who's going to get hung? Harsh, young fella. I just think you are. Yeah. She lads a lone ranger and his friends just sort of give you back your flying W. Ranchers, eh, but... Well, sort of a wooden present, you might say. Yeah, but I... But I'm just leaving up to Molly here. Oh, and the name of the tongue you'd ever heard of getting a wooden present before you get married. What do you mean? Sure, you just got his book already. Molly, I... That is what you... Sure, she will, you young edgy. Come on, Judge, let's get the agony over with. What you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.