 with the speed of light, the cloud of dust, and a hearty, high-o silver, the lone ranger. With his faithful Indian companion, Tato, the masked writer 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! Let's go, big fella! The storm began as a delirious fury so great there was an effort to stay in the saddle. The Lone Ranger, Tato, and Dan Reed were drenched to the skin in less than a minute. They leaned low over the necks of their horses, fighting against the driving rain. There's a house of some sort, just ahead. No other shelter near. Victor sure is a strong horse. He's keeping right with you. Victor will do his part, Dan. We can ask for shelter in that place again? Yes. Seems to be a barn on the back. We'll need it for the horses. You all right, Dan? Sure. I'm all right. He must hobby. They're a woman in winded. You see her? Yes. She's serious, Tato. Head directly for the barn. We'll take care of the horses. Ah! Come on, Silver, old boy. That's a little further. Come on, Victor. Push it before I move. I'll get the door open, steady. You go right inside. Come on, Dan. Come on, Tato. There. Get off your horse, Dan, unsaddle. I don't support the people at all. This place will find us coming in here like this. Of course not. The horse is plenty tired from the fight against storms. As soon as I've unsaddled Silver, I'll go and see the people who own this place. You know, Bobby, here come women on way here from town. Oh, I'm sorry. Golly, you'll be as soaking wet as we are. My sick's alive. I never thought such a storm in all my born days. I'm sorry you had to come out in it. I'm just going to your house and explain that we had to find shelter for our horses. Thunderation. You needn't explain. I saw you from the wind and hoped you wouldn't be foolish enough to keep going. Just a minute now. It's covering off my head and the rain out of my eyes. As soon as the storm lets up, you'll be... You're messed. Yes, I always... And I left my rifle inside. Well, I'm all the nerve. Why, you... That's it. Draw a gun on an old woman. No, no. Here. I drew my gun to give it to you. I don't want you frightened because you're unarmed. Take it. Sure as thunder will. Now get your hands up. Now that you have a gun, you needn't be afraid. I'm not an outlaw. There's a very good reason why I use a mask. Are you Mrs. Runyon? No. Quick eye, ain't ya? Saw my name on the wall there. Who are you anyway? I never used my name. It's called the Lone Ranger. The Lone Ranger? My six alive. Is that true? Yes, it is. And you? Who are you? Dan Reed. My friend. Now, you're too young. My boy'd be about 19 by this time. Your boy? But hold on. If you're the Lone Ranger, what am I doing holding the gun on ya? Here, put this back where it belongs. Then come on into the house where I can find some dry clothes for Dan Reed. I'm all right. All right, ma'ai. You're soaking wet. Come on now. You too. No, no. You stay here. Take care of horses. I'll stay here with Tom. I want to speak to you, Lone Ranger. You've traveled a lot. Yes, quite a lot. And maybe there's just a chance you might know something of my boy. Will you come to the house where I can talk to ya? That lad needs dry clothes and something warm for his stuff. Please come. All right, come, Dan. Things out in the next room. Go put them on, Dan. But I don't... Go ahead, Dan. All right, Dan. You've been very kind, Mrs. Runyon. I wanted to ask if you'd ever seen anything of my boy. He'd be around 19 by this time. I don't know. Oh, it ain't likely you have. But I never missed the chance to ask about him. It's been 16 years since he was taken from us. When he was just three? Yes. But he's alive. I'm sure he is. I've been hoping that some day, somehow, he'd find out where I am and come home. There's a fortune for him. A fortune, a gold mine. Oh? It's in the mountains north of here. The golden nugget is called... I've heard of it. It's a good mine. I didn't know you owned it. Oh, I'm not active. There's a man in town, Mr. Scanlon. He's been a fine friend ever since my husband died. He's handled things for me, you see. Run everything and brought me the profit and cash. Mrs. Runyon, would you like to tell me about your son? The way he disappeared? Yes, I would. My husband and I went out every day to dig where he thought there was a rich vein. We worked at the side of a mountain, took little Tim along with us. Then one day, Ben let out a yell. It could be heard a mile. I got it! Kate, I got it! I ran up to him as fast as I could. What is it I yelled? I found it and there's no question about it. It's the real thing. The mother log. Oh, Ben, you're sure? Look at this. Look at this nugget. We're rich! We didn't have long to feel glad because just then some men come riding from a gully. Adam, boys, close in! Claim jumpers! Tim! Tim! Get down behind the embankment, Kate. Quick! But Tim, you'll be careful. I'll hold them off. You haven't got me yet. They've taken Tim! Ben! Go to the sheriff, Kate. Show him the nugget. Make him witness your claim to the mine. And when he finds Tim, nothing can take it from you. It's yours now. Yours and the boys. Keep it for Tim to work when he's grown. That was 16 years ago. I haven't seen Tim since. Gosh. Didn't the men who ever kidnap him ever ask for ransom? No, I think they knew the sheriff was hunting them for Ben's murder and it scared him away. Would you recognize your son if you saw him, Mrs. Runyon? Oh, yes. I know I would. You see, when Tim was little, he burned himself on the wrist while playing near the stove, left a scar shaped like a crescent. Golly, that ought to be easy to recognize. You haven't seen a young man with a scar like that? No, I'm sorry. I thought because you've traveled so much. I want to do all I can to help you find your son. Oh, I hope you'd say that. I've got a feeling Tim is somewhere in these parts. Wait, I'll pay Hanson for your time and trouble finding him. That isn't necessary, Mrs. Runyon. Here, here, I've got all the cash you will need for expenses. It's paper money and easy to carry. I don't want money. That'll take care of your expenses to start. I, uh... Why did you get these bills? Well, hey, same place I get all the money from lawyer Scanlon. He handles my affairs at the mine and comes here once a week with my share of the profits. Oh? After Ben died, I needed money to work the mine, so I sold Scanlon one-third interest. But I am retained in control of the Golden Nugget for Tim. Oh, yeah. I see. Is anything wrong? Mrs. Runyon, I'd like to borrow these bills for a short time. Well, take all you want. But I... I'll explain later. Dan, help Tunnel rub down the horses. I'm going on an errand, but I'll be back soon. Yes, sir. Then trouble in town lately. This money may be a clue to the man behind me. That's right, Mr. Scanlon. What's your name? Kid Carlson. Hank Weaver sent me. What, so? Where did you meet him? In jail. I was there for something I didn't do. The law punished me for nothing. Well, now I'll be the man the law made me. What did Weaver tell you about me? He said you were a smart lawyer, Mr. Scanlon, and that you'd show me how to make money without being jailed. Do I get the job? Hold on, kid. If Hank Weaver did send you, like you say, he gave you something to show me. Give me something. Oh, yeah, that's right. I forgot. Have you got paper and pencil? Yes. Yeah. He told me to make a sign. A sign of the double cross. You're in, kid. Well, shake hands with Mr. Quirt. Hi, Ken. How do you do, Quirt? I guess Quirt's had no reason to complain about the way I've treated him. Have you, Quirt? Nope. I don't know what I'll have for you, but I'll think it over. You'll do anything, huh? Anything. You can drop in later in the day. Meanwhile, if I think of something, I'll get in touch with him. You'll be at the hotel, won't you? What if I had some cash? Here, take this. It'll take care of you for the time being. Thanks. Well, Quirt, what did you think of the kid? He's strong and he's bitter at the law. He'll do murder if he's paid for it and feel that he's got a right to anything he can grab. I can use him to trade some of these counterfeit bills for good-folding money. I'll send him on a trip with his plywood. Good idea. It's hard to get the stuff in circulation. Well, we didn't pay much for it. We've already made a nice profit on the deal. You sure old Mrs. Runyon doesn't bank her cash? I know she doesn't. If she did, the bank would spot the cash as counterfeit. She won't bank it. Or spend it. You know, I'm almost ready to break the news about the mind to her. She'll take it hard. What do I care? Well, Storm's all done. I reckon I better... Wait. I think someone's in the outer office. Maybe the kid again. Put these bills on the desk. Get them out of sight. Just a minute. You're Scanlon. I'm asked. I'm a friend of Mrs. Runyon. I don't understand. You gave her these banknotes. I want you to look at them. What's the matter with them? Don't you know? I don't know what you're talking about. Scanlon, you're either a thief or a fool. What do you mean? These bills are counterfeit. Counterfeit, why? I had no idea. That's what I intend to find out. No, see, here you can't come walking into my office and accuse me of being a crook. I'm not accusing you yet. Does, uh... Does Mrs. Runyon know the money is worthless? No. She will. Well, I'll... I'll rectify the mistake right away. I'll see that Mrs. Runyon doesn't lose a thing. I've got my eye on you, Scanlon. Don't try any more... mistakes. Nerve of that masked coyote. Nerve of something that Amberie's got plenty of. He's the lone ranger. Come on. Quit. We've got to move fast. If he tells the old lady the cash I gave her is counterfeit, we're hogged out. What do we do? Get your boys ambush her before he gets there. It won't work, Scanlon. That's all open country along the trail. He'll out-ride and out-shoot us and lay a finger on him. There must be some way to stop him. Well, there is. Kid Carlson. That kid? Hank Weaver was his jailmate and Hank recommended him. But how can one man stop it? There's a trap door in the roof of the old lady's house. Kid could make use of that to ambush the lone ranger inside. You mean... I mean the lone ranger would be off guard when he walks into the house. Kid can drill him for he says anything. All right. Go get the kid. You can show him the shortcut to the Runyon house so he can get there first. Tonto and Dan had finished their attentions to the horses and were with Mrs. Runyon before the fire when the lone ranger entered the house. Here he is now. Mrs. Runyon, they have something to tell you. No, wait. He has stepped some stairs. Great day. Out of my way. Got that gun. Come and get it. Oh, the wrist. Look, the wrist he's holding. It's branded with a crescent. No, no, it can't be. I'm not through yet. Mrs. Runyon, he's got another gun. Stand back. Tim. Stand back, I tell you. The curtain falls on the first act tonight's lone ranger story. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Continue our story. As Mrs. Runyon ran toward the outlaw who was her son, two shots ripped in quick succession across the room. He already stopped settling her tracks, then slumped to the floor. The lone ranger leaped across her prostrate figure to grapple with the hour. Take care of her, Tonto. Let me help. You bring water, Dan. Lift your hands. You got the drop on me. The water's cold. Fine. The old lady. Is she all right? I didn't mean to drill her. She stepped in my line of fire. She not hurt bad. Bullet only grazed for her. Oh, I'm sure glad to hear that. And you planted lucky. Lone ranger's bullet. Hit your gun when you fire. Make your shot go wild. She's opening her eyes. Where? Oh, what? Oh, Tim. Tim, you've come home. You sure she's all right? She keeps acting like she knows me. She does know you, Tim. Tim? I don't say I be. This is Mrs. Runyon. You are Tim Runyon. What? I'm your mother, son. Oh, you're local. All of you. My handle's Kidd Carlson. I have no mother. You were taken from me when you were too young to remember, son. Outlaws kidnapped you and killed your father. Outlaws? How, uh, how long have you been alone, Tim? As long as I can remember. I see. Here, Mrs. Runyon. I'll give you to a chair. Dan, bring me the box in the drawer. Yes, ma'am. How old are you, boy? What? I reckon I'm 19. That's just the age my Tim would be. I don't know what to say. Oh, don't say anything, son. You're home. That's all that matters. Tim, who sent you here to shoot me? Robert Morgan. Scanlon's friend. Seems I was right. What do you mean? These banknotes with Scanlon gave you a counterfeit, Mrs. Runyon. Counterfeit? Well, I don't understand. Scanlon denied any knowledge of it. But I thought if he was lying, he'd try to stop me from telling you. Garly, then you suspected from the first that you'd be ambushed. You mean all this cash, all the profits from the mine are worthless? Yes. Oh, Tim, it was your money. The mine belongs to you. It belongs to us. Mother? The low-down skunks. They'll return every cent of it in hard case to you. They don't know the doubt. That's not the way, Tim. We must prove that Scanlon and Quirt are passing the notes. Ah. Will you help? Help? Just tell me how. A cabin cunningly concealed in an awry or not far from Broken Spur, Quirt Morgan sat at a rough table, yielding himself a hand of solitaire. Now, then, his eyes flickered with amusement at Scanlon who stood staring impatiently at the trail below. Pull up a chair and cool your heels, Scanlon. Quirt'll come when he's finished and not before. What if he doesn't come at all? And we'll have to figure a new way to get the Lone Ranger. Not a good little do. If a lady will know all the money out, Peter is fake. What if she does? She can't prove you gave him to her. We floated a lot of phony cash around Broken Spur, and bills might have come to her from a dozen sources. Just the same, I'd feel easier with that mask on raised six feet under. You ain't the first to have said that. Someone coming to her. Ah, but who? The kid. No. Boys wouldn't have no reason to give him a personal escort all the way up from the trail. Surrounded by Quirt Morgan's renegades, a tall man dressed in rough, nondescript clothes strode toward the cabin. His face, too, was unfamiliar for it had been cleverly disguised to the outlaw and the lawyer as his approach from the cabin window. The features of the Lone Ranger were unrecognizable. Stranger to see you, Quirt. Mountain and prowler down on the trail. It's your handle, stranger. Names don't mean much. Waste of the pay-cos. Suppose you call me Slim. What's your business? Whatever comes my way. As long as it shows that dollar sign, you ain't particularly how you get it, huh? I have a message for you. Are you? I'm listening. And it's this. A double-cross. Yeah, came from Hank Weaver. And what do you know, Scanlon? Another one of Hank's mates from the territorial prison. Maybe he knows Kid Carlson. Yeah, I do. Well, Slim, there's only one ticket to a berth with me, and that's a quick trigger and a coulis. Like, uh, partin' that leaf in the middle. BAM! I think you can qualify as one of my gunwatties, mister. I think so. One of the stranger's guns cut that deck of cards, and the other drilled one of the cards from center while it was in the air. You're in, Slim. Quirt, it's him. It's a kid. Back to your post, boys. Did you get him? Did you throw the Lone Ranger? You wanna prove? Yeah. Quirt, Quirt, look. The Lone Ranger's mask. You really slugged that hombre for keeps? How else would I get his mask? Kid's right, Scanlon. The Lone Ranger'd have to be drilled permanent for each surrender that. What happened to your wrist? Oh, one of his bullets grazed me. Let me see. It... Crescent. What's the matter? That burn. The kid is Mrs. Runyon's son. What? She's been tryin' to locate a kid with that mark for years. But... Wait a minute. How do we know the kid is on the level about drilling the Lone Ranger, Quirt? You mean... He's supposed to have ambushed him in his ma's own house, ain't he? And the Lone Ranger and the old lady are friends. Ah. Maybe he didn't drill the quitter after all. Maybe that mask was given to him to bring back here to convince us the hombre was dead. Why? No, you don't, Quirt. Last year, you got that drop on me. It's what you hired me for. A quick trigger, man. He won't trouble you again. Nice shootin' sliver. Yes. Drilled the gun right out of his hand. Take him into the cabin. Time to that share. Yes. Well, this summer's a quit. What? And making that last trip of the mine, cash to Mrs. Runyon right now. Ah, you better wait till I see if I can make the kid talk. The Lone Ranger's still alive. I can't wait. Anyhow, I've thought of a way to take care of that masked coyote. Oh, yeah? I ought to go to the house alone with a count of hit cash as usual. If the Lone Ranger's dead, if he would have us believe, everything will go as planned. He will own complete control of the Golden Nugget. What if the Lone Ranger's there alive? You and the boys will follow a short distance behind me. If I don't come out in five minutes, come in and get me. Oh, I say, we'll give that hombre more than he bargains for. What about the kid? I'm giving him a warm reception of his own. He knows too much. You mean... Slam? Yeah? Scanlan and me have got business to attend to. Uh-huh. After we're gone, douse the cabin with coal oil. Put a match to it. But drill the kid first. Why don't you drill him and be done with it? Because I don't aim to leave any trace of that crescent brand. Slips like that are what put necks in a hang-noose. Some time later, the renegades led by Scanlan and Quirk guided their horses slowly through the sandy bottom of the narrow ravine. Meanwhile, in the cabin they had left, the man they knew as slim rapidly loosened the rope which bound Kid Carlson to his chair. Careful. We'll have to hurry. If Scanlan lays a hand on my mother, I'll kill him. Don't worry. Scanlan won't show his hand until Mrs. Runyon exposes him. Yeah. But when that happens, Quirk and his gang will rush the house. Steady. Easy. That's why we've got to hurry. The gang barricade themselves in the house. And I'll hear a mother, and others may be hurt. Steady. One minute. Steady. There. Now you're free. Let's go. Wait. It's the idea of shooting out the window. Quirk left orders for you to be shot. All right, Savvy. What about the fire? Just a minute. Help me sprinkle this cobalt. All right. Some more over there. I'll get it on this side. All right. Sprinkle. Some over the other side. I got most of this over here. Yeah. I got about all I can get for this. That's enough. They won't have any trouble getting this old shack to burn. The board's so dry and brittle they'll burn like kindling. Yeah, that's what we want. You see, Scanlon and Quirk will be sure to see the flame. Yeah. And when they do, they'll figure it's the end of Kid Carlson. Won't they be surprised? They sure will. Just a minute. Hand me that match. Yeah. Stand clear. Be careful. This cool oil will flame up. There she goes. Come on, we've worked to do. Well, Scanlon, what are you standing there gotting for her? Did you bring the money or didn't you? I... Of course, Mrs. Runyon. I have it right here. Is that genuine? Right. I don't know what you mean. Here, there's been a lot of worthless paper money passed in town. A body can't be too careful. Oh, you don't have to worry about these bills, Mrs. Runyon. They are the real thing. I made sure of it myself. Why, you ordinary low-down thieve and pole cat, this cash it as crooked as you are, and you know it. What? You've been passing that worthless paper money on me for more than a year. While you've been swinning me out of the real cash profits from the mine. All right. I bought control of the mine with the cash you had coming today. You bought control. You couldn't do it. You couldn't buy the mine unless I sold it to you. No? Don't forget the paper you signed, giving me the power of attorney to transact business in your name. Every time I sent you cash, you signed a receipt for it. I can show that those receipts were for payments made on the purchase of the mine. I reckon that's all I need to hear, Mrs. Runyon. Shut up. You've had me chasing circles, trying to figure who was behind them phony bills, Scanlon. But that loose tongue of yours has talked your way into a jail cell. Quit. Brilliant, Miss Sheriff. I've been waiting for you, Quirt. You and Scanlon are going to be seeing a lot of each other from now on. Behind bars. Why, you idle-headed old coot. I've got my boys with me. They'll riddle you before they'll see you. Quirt, I need your boys. Your dog on tooting it, ain't Scanlon. That's my posse. The whole taboodle of you is written right into a trap. Out of my way, Sheriff. Hang on with it, Quirt. You're staying put, Scanlon, unless you won't live through your dead, ratted hide. Quirt, I'm pulling snip. No you're not. Good hunting, Tim. Kid, I thought you... And I went up and smoked along with your care, weren't I, Scanlon? The Lone Ranger got me out of that. The Lone Ranger? Yeah. You know him better as slim. Oh, silly. Oh, silly. What you just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.