 a fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty hyo silver. The lone ranger. With his faithful Indian companion, Toto, the daring and resourceful masked 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 hoof beats of the great horse silver. The lone ranger rides again. When the westbound stage came into town, more than the usual number of people were on hand to meet it because David Farnham was returning after fifteen years in prison. David Farnham went away when his son Jim was only three. Now Jim was eighteen. He stood silently apart from the crowd that gathered, wondering what his father would look like. There's David Farnham. He's just getting off. He sure looks pale and all Jim. Let me have that bag. You? Your? I'm Jim. My son. You are Jim. You look like him. Howdy, Farnham. Is he going to be back? How are you? Let me get my bread. I've got a room down the street. The crowd flew back as Jim and David walked toward a boarding house. We'll go to my room where we can talk and sort of get acquainted. I'll let me down. Fine, Jim, fine. You hardly know me. I know more than you think. Mother told me how you'd been framed for that robbery. Your mother? I'd like to see where she's buried. I'll take you there after we've had a talk, huh? Then I want to call on Frank Tabor. No him? Tabor? Oh, sure, I know him. He's in the real estate business. He's the only true friend I have in Santa City. He kept in touch with me all the time I was in prison. That afternoon found David Farnham and his son in the office of Frank Tabor. They were warmly welcomed. Then after half an hour of talk, Tabor said... Now, Dave, I suppose you and Jim will pull out of town. Leave Santa City? Why? Well, to sort of start a new life. You know what I mean, Dave. People here know you as a... As a criminal. But I've paid in full, Frank. Dad wants to stay here and so do I. Mom is buried here, Mr. Tabor. Yes, of course. Dave, I have a thousand dollars here. I set it aside for you. It'll just be a loan so you can make a payment on a ranch or a piece of farmland. Frank, is there any particular reason why I should leave Santa City? Well, yes, Dave. Yes, there is. You see, there's been a government detective around here for the past two days. His name is Brackett. What of it? Him in connection with the robbery for which your father went to prison. Forty thousand dollars of the stolen cash was never found. So the detective is here to watch me. Expect him, I'll head for some secret hide-and-place and get that money. That's right. But Dad didn't steal any money. Even Frank Tabor thinks I'm guilty. Now, Dave... Oh, it's all right, Frank. It's all right. I can't blame you for thinking that. You've been a good friend. Now, Jim, we'd better be going. Take this cash, Dave. Go ahead. Take it. Just to show there's no hard feelings. You can repay me someday. Oh, very well, Frank. If you put it that way. I'll see that you get it back. And keep in touch with me, Dave. Let me know if there's anything I can do. Right. Goodbye for now. Bye, Mr. Tabor. Goodbye. As soon as his visitors had left, Frank Tabor pushed back from his desk, crossed the office, and opened a door to an adjoining room. Hey, the talk, Tabor. Couldn't get Fonim to leave town, could you? Oh, Randy, that poor fool. A fool is right. He sure thinks you're a pair. We've got to do something. I don't like that government agent snooping around here. He might turn up something. Something like the truth, huh? Well... I wonder what Dave Fonim would say if he knew that you were the one who framed him for that robbery. Randy, that's never going to happen. I'll make sure it doesn't happen, and you'll have to help me. We'll start by spreading the word that Fonim is sore because that detective came here to watch him. Get the whole town talking about how sore Fonim is. Then what? Racket gets shot and Fonim hangs from murder. Another frame up, huh? Yes. With Fonim dead, the government will probably give up all hope of getting back that $40,000 and now get out of here and start spreading the word. No one knew who started the rumors, but within two days, everyone in town was talking about Dave Fonim's rage and indignation. Detective Bracket probably heard some of the talk, but he said nothing. On the third day after his return to Center City, Dave Fonim received a message asking him to come to Bracket's first-floor room in the hotel. He rapped on the door. It wasn't the detective who called, come in. The detective lay on the floor, stunned by a blow. Tabor's crony named Randy stood outside with his head and shoulders through the window. He held a gun pointed at the unconscious detective. Good morning. Dave Fonim knew a frame up when he saw one. He turned and rushed from the hotel. A minute later, he was home. Jim, I got to get out of town fast. Dad, what's the matter? Did you see Bracket? I got to get a few things and clear out. I rapped on the door of Bracket's room. Someone told me to come in. As I opened the door, there was a shot. Gun was tossed into the room beside Bracket. He was flat on the floor. Didn't you see who fired the shot? I didn't get a good look. He fired and started away before the door was open wide. Someone tried to frame me for the detective's murder. Jim remained in town after his father disappeared. He paraded countless questions and became increasingly bitter when he heard everyone blaming David for the murder of the detective. It was four days after the killing when the Lone Ranger and Tonto were halted beside a spring in a valley near town. They tensed at the sound of approaching hoof beats. Over there, Tonto, the horse just came around the bend. Ah, map from a ride too fast. This broken ground. He seems to be riding for his life. He's looking back. Look, other horses come round bend. Score more. Then try shoot from her head. Still busy looking back. He hasn't seen us. Horse, might be tired. Tonto, I don't like those odds. I'm going to help that fellow. Maybe him crook. Maybe Lord Chase him. He's a crook. We can turn him in. If he's not, we'll be glad we helped him. Tonto, meet me in our last camp. Set a big foot. One, two, three. It was Jim Farnham who rode ahead of 20 townsmen. His horse was tiring fast. He knew it was a matter of minutes before they'd be overtaken. Then he suddenly became aware of a masked man who dashed toward him on a powerful white stallion. Yeah. That masked man turned fast and rode alongside, shouting, I'll help you. Take you on my horse. We'll outrun them. Jim decided that anything was better than capture. He leaned part of the side and slipped his feet from the stirrups. As the rider of the white horse gripped him around the waist. Now. An instant later, he was riding double with a lone ranger. Now we'll outrun them. One, two, three. Later, Jim found himself in a small camp where an Indian was waiting. Hold him, hold him. Long time. Get me here, Kimusami. We circled wide to be sure we'd shaken off those others, Tonto. Set a easy big foot. Now we'll find out why this young fellow was running away. Just who are you and where do you stand? I'll ask the questions. Who are you? My name is Jim Farnham. The law was chased me because I shot a man who needed shooting. Farnham? David Farnham's son? You know my dad? I did before he went away. Maybe you're the owl who framed him. Oh, no, Jim. And I'm not an owl who'd. Where's your father now? I'm not saying. He had to clear out because he was framed for the shooting of a detective. You said you had shot a man. I shot a sneak and pull cat who was trying to stir up a lynch mob to go hunting for dad. He called dad some ugly names. I called him a liar. He pulled a gun. We both shot. He missed, and I didn't. Then you had to run. I'm labeled a killer son. Tell me about your dad, Jim. Why should I? I saved you from those men. I've got to decide whether to keep you safe or turn you over to the law. You, a masked man, helping the law? Strange, Jim, but nonetheless true. Now, start talking. I guess I owe you that much. Dad's trouble started 15 years ago when there was a big robbery in the sentence. Jim told his story to the interested masked man. He finished with the escape from town and a jump ahead of angry horsemen. I knew I wouldn't have a chance if I went on trial for shooting Dolan, so I lit out. Did you kill Dolan? No, I just winged him. Jim, how did your father know that the detective bracket was in town? Frank Tabor told him. Tabor? He's in the real estate business. He's about the only friend we had in Center City. He staked debt to $1,000 so as he could make a fresh start. I see. You trust him? Oh, sure I do. He'd help me right now if I could get word to him. We'll get word to him. I'll write a note. Toto. Uh-huh. Ride into town and give this note to Frank Tabor. Be sure no one else sees it. Oh, me, Sally. When you deliver it, stay in town and learn what you can about public opinion. While you're at it, find out how badly a man named Dolan was injured. Here's a note. Wrap it around a silver bullet. A silver bullet? Yes, Jim. Well, you call the Indian Toto and silver your horse. Hey, now I get it. You're the lone ranger. Easy's gone easy. Get him up, scoundrel. Later that day, after Toto had delivered the note, Frank Tabor met with a group of hard-faced men in his office. Oh, you let the boy escape. Even with townsmen to help, you couldn't catch him. We told your boss. He met a man with a horse like that. And you haven't been able to find hide in her hair of Dave. J.L. made Farnham smart, boss. He smelled a frame up in Brackett's room. He didn't waste time calling him out. All right, friend. They never mind the excuses. I just had a piece of good luck to offset all your fear. Oh, yeah? I found out where the boy's hiding. He's up in the hills with a certain man who owns a white horse, a horse as fast as lightning. Here's the note I received, and here's the silver bullet that was wrapped in the notes. That means the lone ranger. There you go. How many of you men would like to take a shot at the lone ranger? I'd like to get him without it, boss. That's what I thought. Well, boys, this note tells you where to find both Jim Farnham and the lone ranger. 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 or to continue our story. After listening to Jim Farnham, the lone ranger sent Toto to deliver a message to Frank Tabor. Both Jim and his father counted Tabor as a friend. Neither suspected that Tabor was actually a deadly enemy. You and Frank Tabor helped me and Dad. I'm beginning to have some hope of getting the truth brought out. There's a lot to be done before that will happen, Jim. As I tighten this cinch, we're moving. We'll leave our camping gear right here. You say we're moving? Yes. But you sent Tony to tell Mr. Tabor to come here and meet us. Hear me this if he comes alone. Why shouldn't he come home? We'll hope that he does. But we're going to take no chances on an ambush. Where we go? We're going to take Silver and move back away from this camp. We're going to hide behind those rocks over there until we're sure that Tabor comes alone. What about Toto? Maybe he'll come with Tabor. No, Toto's going to stay in town and learn what he can. Now let's get back. Jim and the masked man waited in hiding for over an hour. Jim thought no one was coming, but the lone ranger had seen movement in the underbrush. Look, Jim, right over there where I'm pointing. Hey, someone is sneaking up on your camp. I'll look to the left. There's another man. Sure enough, two of them. There's another. That's Tabor. He didn't come alone. Most of the boys, the cabbages necessarily didn't come. That's a fine idea, dude. We spent all this time sneaking up to find there's no one here. What's the next move, Tabor? Now listen, boys, we've got to round up Jim and his father in some way, even if we don't get the lone ranger. Well, I've got an idea, but I can't go with you, fellas. Why not, Tabor? What are you afraid of? It's just that I can't take any chances round here. Remember, I'm supposed to be a friend of Farham's. Well, what's the idea? Let's get back to the horses and I'll tell you. All right. Why, that dirty double-crossing pole kit? I'd like to put a bullet in this bitch. You see, Jim. But that was Frank Tabor talking. Yes, I know. Forget him for the present. Our next move is to find your father. Yeah, the sooner, the better. I've got to tell Dad what we've learned before he tries to get in touch with Tabor. Do you know where your father's hiding? Yeah, I do. He's about a mile from here to Shack in the Hills. We can get there. Wait, wait. We've got to stay here until Tabor and his friends run away. And I wish they'd hurry. Tabor and the others stood next to the horses, ready to mount as soon as they had finished talking. You know where that check is, Randy. I can find it, boss. What makes you think old Farham will be there? It's just a chance. I remember him using that place a long time ago. He may use it again. Go and find out. We'll see you in town, huh, boss? Yeah. Get it, boy. Get it, boy. Get it, get it, get it. From their place of concealment, the lone ranger and Jim watched Tabor and the others ride away, then waited for a quarter of an hour before venturing into the open. Come on, silly! There's the check. That's where I was heading when you pulled me out of my saddle. You never made it, Jim. I guess I wouldn't. That posse was closing in fast. Well, here we are. Looks like I was wrong. Dad's not here. You weren't wrong, Jim. Look at the ceiling of this room. There's dust falling into the wide cracks between the boards. Oh, yeah. Your father must have gone up into the loft. For a moment, the lone ranger stood motionless. His eyes fixed on the wide planks that made a ceiling to the room and a floor to the loft. Then he looked toward a ladder that led to an opening about three feet square. He saw a shadowy form in the darkness of the loft. He thought he saw a gun up here, but for a moment he couldn't be sure. Dad? Daddy, up there? It's all right, Dad. Come on down. This man with me is the lone ranger. You up there. Throw down your gun and be quick about it. Come down that ladder. I can see you. Don't shoot. Don't shoot again. I'm coming. Jim, are you badly hurt? No, not much. I just got my side brushed. I'd be dead if you hadn't given me a push. Don't shoot me. You started the shooting. Who are you? As far as you're concerned, Jim Farnham, I represent the law. You and your mass friend can't get away with shooting me. You don't represent the law. You represent Frank Tabor. We saw you with him less than an hour ago. You saw me. You and the others were trying to sneak up and ambush Jim. What were you doing here? We came here to get your father. Much more, Jim Farnham. We got him. You killed him the way you tried to kill me. No! Let me go! My arm! What did you do to Dad? Answer me. He's not hurt. He's not hurt. I tell you, he was captured. Let me go. Take it easy, Jim. Let the man go and stand back. He tried to. How long ago did your pals leave here with Farnham? I tell you. Answer me. All right, all right. It was just 10 or 15 minutes ago. And I can catch them before they reach town. I'm in here with him. Three men. Thanks. Now we'll see about that wound and your wound as well, Jim. But what about Dad? Leave that to me. I want you to stay right here and see that this man doesn't get away. After dressing the wounds, the lone ranger rode along the trail towards Center City until he saw a group of horsemen far ahead. Drawing closer, he saw that one of the four men had his hands tied behind his back and reasoned that this must be Jim's father, David Farnham. Verging the great horse's silver to greater speed, the masked man cut to the left and headed to the higher ground in the hills where he could pass Frank Tabor's friends without being seen by them. When he had reached a place on the mountain side that overlooked the trail ahead of Farnham and his captors, he drew silver to a halt and dismounted. The men with Farnham rode on silently for several minutes, fully unaware that a masked man and his big white stallion were concealed behind huge rocks on the hillside just ahead. They were taken by surprise when a gun barked. You men down there, unbuckle your guns. Let them go up to the ground. Hey, pick up another rocks. Shoot closer if necessary. Farnham, you stand fast. The rest of you spur your horses toward town. Travel! Get it, get it! David Farnham remained in the saddle and held his horse on the trail. After the others moved away toward town, he saw a masked man appear from behind the rocks on a snow-white stallion. Oh, so easy. Who are you, mister? What does that mask mean? Farnham, your son knows I'm a friend. Frank Tabor sent you? No, Frank Tabor sent those others. I'm going to take you to your son. He's waiting at the cabin where you were found. I'll untie your hand before we start. That night, Frank Tabor remained in his office later than usual, listening to the unsatisfactory report of his men. He was disappointed and angry when he went home, entered his house, and lighted a lamp. One of these days, I'm going to find a couple of servants who'll see that the lamps are lighted, all right? Hey, who's here? It's me, Frank. David. Hey, Farnham, how on the name? You gave me quite a start. I've been worrying about you, David. I heard that you were captured and got away. Yes, some men learned about my hideout. I figured I'd better come here to your house where I could be safe and maybe get some food. Sure thing, David. You came to the right place. Yeah, you sure got a nice place, Frank. Yes, sir. Seems now I remember right after I went to prison, my wife wrote and told me how well you were doing, how you'd bought up a lot of land and property, including the hotel. Yes, sir, you sure have done all right. What are you driving at, David? Me? I was just thinking out loud, Frank. Thinking about how fast you got rich after I left town, charged with stealing government money. Before that, you didn't have a dime, did you? See you here, Farnham. You were getting at something? Maybe I am. Maybe I've finally put two and two together and realized that there's just one man in a position to frame me for that robbery. I never suspected that man because I thought he was too good a friend. But today, when those men found me in my hideout, a place that no one but you and Jim knew about. What about it? Hey, why are you pulling a gun on me? I don't mean to make any trouble. No, Farnham. You're not going to make any trouble, not for me or anyone else. You wouldn't shoot me. There's a nice reward for you. It'll be paid whether you're dead or alive. So that's it. I was right. You did steal that cash 15 years ago, and you did frame me. I suppose you killed that detective bracket, too. I had it done, Farnham. You wouldn't have had the nerve to shoot him yourself. I suppose it was your right-hand man, that fellow called Randy that did the shooting. That's right, David. That's right. But I won't have to call him in to deal with you. I'll do that myself here now. Fire that gun, Tabor, and I'll kill you. What the? You're through. Sheriff. The sheriff heard everything. You double-crossing crook. You trick me. Well, I'll show both of you. You see, I'm not here alone. Do you want some more guns, Clay Timmer? That mask. Sheriff, this man's an outlaw. He's a crook. He's a mask. He shot me. He broke my arm. He's identified himself as far as I'm concerned, Tabor. He came to my office a little while ago, bringing both David Farnham and his son and asking me to leave them out of jail long enough to see if we could get some true facts out of you. And we got them. Dave, you pick up Frank Tabor's guns. You, Jim, you can come in here now. Yes, Dad, it works. You want him? Jeff, he's one of a shooting Dolan. You've got to arrest him. Don't tell me what I've got to do, Tabor. Dolan asked for what he got. Besides, he wasn't hurt much. Jim, you can help me and your pa take care of Tabor. We'll have to take him to the doctor. All right, Sheriff. You can stay with him while we pick up Randy. Right. I reckon with Randy and Tabor held for the murder of that detective, one of the two will jump at the chance to turn state's evidence and tell where the rest of the stolen money is hidden. Hey, hey, wait a minute. What's that, Jim? But that mask, man, he's leaving. Oh, tunnel's waiting. You won't need me anymore, Jim. Adios. Adios, mister. That mask, man, if he hadn't shot me. You're not the only one who learned about gunplay from him. He outshot that man you left to ambush me in the shack today. That's right, Tabor. Well, the doc will be just about finishing Pat's and Jackson up in time to go to work on you. You see, it's downright foolish to match guns with the Lone Ranger. This is a feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated, created and produced by George W. Trendle and directed by Charles D. Livingston. Tonight's story was written by Fram Stryker. The part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beamer.