 for the speed of light, the cloud of dust, and a hearty high old silver, the Lone Ranger. With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, 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 come the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse, Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again. Come on, Silver. There's trouble on the trail ahead. Oh, Silver! Oh, Silver! Night hug the valley and cast grotesque shadows behind the sage brush. Deep in the hollow, the tiny cluster of lights that was sage city lay like a jewel in a black palm. Then far in the distance along a wagon trail worn by countless wheels, a stagecoach approached. Concealed by a boulder, two men watched the faint flicker of its lanterns. One was the sheriff. The other was Todd Lang, gunman and thief. They'll drive the stage fast down Great Sheriff. They'll slow up when they reach the prayers. That worry reigns the stick up? Yeah. Knife is hiding in that brush by the bend. When they break the stage for the curve, he'll hit them off with a shawl of guns. That's the cue for your deputy, Vic Colton, to ride to the rescue, huh? Yeah. Vic knows the stage is freighting some of this trip. And I made sure he got one of the planned away later at the pass. But Knife won't have a chance. Vic's the fastest man with the six gun in the county. That's why I hired to bring you to come here. Too many of the gang are lying on boot hill from trying to out-shoot Vic. This time it'll be Vic's turn. They don't savvy. Well, Knife is a killer. His handle is a tip-off. You mean? After the breed surrenders his hardware, Vic will relax. Then Knife will slip a blade from his sleeve and let him have it. Yeah. Sure. The breed can pin the ace of spades with that blade at 20 feet. Poor Vic. Yeah. Then Knife will vanmose. And Vic will be reported killed while performing his duty. And Sage said he'll have a new deputy, huh, Sheriff? He'll get the job. Don't worry, Todd. Yeah. It was a mistake to give Vic the badge in the first place. He was so handy with a gun, I forget him for an outlaw. How'd I know I'd start cleaning town? Well, Vic came to prove you got a share of the loot for leaving the gang alone. Yes, it coyote. He's made things mighty uncomfortable for both me and the boys. Pretty near the whole town's behind him. Well, we won't have to worry after the night. What if Vic beats the breed of the kill? I didn't care that, too. Look. Stages at the pass. Yeah. And there's Knife right in the medium. All right, shoot. That's it, I'll say yours. Now, if you please. The silver. Brought them. I'll give it to them, Todd. I haven't figured a thing that'll look kind of nervous. You're covered. You've got silver where it is. Don't shoot. Go down those guns. You have the drop on me, Senor. I will do what you say. And a gun shy when the odds are even, aren't you, Reed? Ah, Senor. But they are not even. You see, I have heard of your speed with a pistol. Is that so? Now you see how quick I am at jail and stage thieves. These handcuffs will look mighty handsome on you. Keep your hands up. See, Senor. But first, a knife. No, you don't. Six of Knife. Vic shot the breed. Yeah, but the breed Knife fixed shoulder. You better keep that stage right where it is. Don't move on this year. First question about the shots. Because you're definitely the fired. You are, Vic. What's the matter with you? That breed tried to stick up the stage. Got the drop on him, but he threw a knife and got my shoulder. I shot him. I'm glad you're here. Kind of weak. How's the breed, Todd? He's done for it. All right, Todd. Put handcuffs on Vic. Right. Handcuffs on me. You're yours too, then, Vic. Even if you're a deputy, you can't rob the stage and murder the passengers. Are you local? I suspected you hadn't ironed that silver. That's why me and Todd was hanging around this trail. Chef, listen to me. I heard there was a scheme to rob the stage. I came here to prevent it. Who'd believe that? You're the only one who knew the stage was shipping the silver besides the crew and me, Vic. Well, that don't prove... When the passenger tried to stop you from stealing, you shot him. He isn't a passenger. He's the outlaw who will lay the stage. You're lying, Vic. I'm not lying. He even knifed me. Hey, look. Search the breed, Todd. Sure, Sheriff. Driver, let me see the manifesto. Yeah, here. Here it is, Sheriff. I reckon that proves it. Lifegoomers is listed here as a passenger. What? Here's a stage ticket of fun of the breed's party. Ah, you're framing me. Driver, guard. You know the breed wasn't aboard that stage. Tell him the truth. Well, if his name's on the manifest, he must have been aboard, Vic. Yeah. Ain't no sense in a man buying a ticket if he don't use it. You're lying, both of you. You saw Vic shoot the breed, didn't you, boys? Yeah. Plugged him like a lead nickel. It's like a shooting I ever saw. Oh, I had to. He threw a knife at me. Look to me like you're not your self-defense when he saw you were going to shoot him. Is that so, boys? Now, let's sure look that way. That's right. You're framing me, Sheriff. You paid these two pole cats alive for you. You're framing me for a hang-noose. That guard and driver are helping you. Now, why would I want to frame my own deputy? It don't make sense. Because I have tried to make Sage City a decent place to live. Instead of a refuge for every crooked coyote who'll pay you to leave him free to rob and murder. That's a mighty pretty speech, Vic. Yeah, yeah, it's a pretty a rope will strangle them fine words. I won't be taking a lie. Don't try to fight me. I will. Todd, I don't want to shoot him. Pull him off me. Hold on. Two horsemen riding down. Let go of me. Sheriff, two horsemen. Fight me, will you? I'll show you. I'll show you. Look out! I need section. You dropped gun. Vic, come up with me. What? Give me your hand. Give a saddle with me. Is that a silver? I'm on. Come on, big fella. Get the way, Todd. Shoot him. Shoot. I'll get him. Do not shoot. Oh! Leaving the driver and guard staring with amazement at the sheriff and Todd's sprawl on the ground, Tonto raised staff for the Lone Ranger and Vic. Get him up, scoundrel! Later, in the Lone Ranger's camp near Sage City, Vic sat with his back against a tree while Tonto bandaged his wound. I'm sorry, Vic, that we were too late. But you weren't here. You were just in town. I didn't think you'd resort to such a bold-faced frame-up. I, Gomez, was a notorious killer. A lot of good that does me. Stage driver and guard, it's where he was a passenger that I murdered him. The townspeople are your friends, Vic. They'd never believe such a trumped-up charge. What the people think wouldn't count in a murder trial? Sheriff had packed a jury with his crooked friends, and there'd be a noose around my neck before I could spell my name. The sheriff seems to run things to suit himself. He does. He and his thieving sidekick, Todd Lange, are mixed up in just about everything that's crooked in these parts. You could prove that. That's a trouble I can't. May Vic's wound. Thanks, engine. It's most as good as noon. Vic, when you're well enough, I want you to go back to Sage City. Go back? They hang me for sure. You don't want to spend your life being hunted? No. Doesn't look like I have any choice. Vic, that deputy's badge you're wearing. Huh? It's a badge of courage, Vic. Well, I never thought of it that way before. The West needs honest lawman, courageous lawman. But I... Return to Sage City. Finish what you've started. You mean... Clean up the arthlaws and make it a safe place for decent people to live. I'll need help. You'll have help. The next day, a curious group wants the Sheriff tack a reward notice on the porch outside his office. What's it say, Sheriff? That was a reward for the capture of Vic Colton. $1,000. God, your head, Sheriff. Vic's as honest as the day is long. What's he wanted for? Would he? Killing a passenger on the stage last night. Next thing we know, you'll tell us he tried to rob the stage, too. He did. Where's your proof, Sheriff? Stage-driven guide. We saw the whole thing. You sure you and them crooked coyotes you hang around with didn't pay him to imagine it? Yeah, you've been wanting to get rid of Vic for a long time. I saw Vic pull the job myself. What were you doing out in the train? Well, I suspect that Vic was up to something, so I followed him. It's more likely Vic suspected you was up to something, Sheriff. Well, Vic is guilty about the crime, Sergeant Smith. Let's call for proof. I can get it. I will get it. You don't leave nothing to chance, do you, Sheriff? What do you mean? Just what I said. There's been some funny goings on lately, and Vic was close to finding him out. Am I too close? So you framed him for murder? That's a lie. We don't care what you say about Vic, Sheriff. He's the only honest lawman in this town. And just in case you do catch him, paste this in your hat. We won't stand for no hanging without airtight proof. You'll sing a different tune when you see the evidence to get him. Now get away from here. Get away from the front of my office. Spam most you here. You too, Redskinned. What are you doing here anyway? Come on, boys. Sheriff's rile. But if there's any evidence, like he says, it's a frame on there. Yeah, I bet. You better shove on, Redskinned. Ah, me golf. Heck of fools. They're going to have to hit it fools. You and your gift! What's the matter with you, Sheriff? Yeah, there's no two ways about it, Todd. We can't get rid of Vic without first convincing folks around here that he ain't the honest deputy they think. He's still side with them, don't they? Yeah. And when Vic hears how they're standing up for him, he'll return for a showdown. Yeah, that'll be bad. Folks are pretty riled. They might help Vic clean up the town in earnest. We've got to make him believe that he's a murderer and a thief. I know one way. What's that? Saturday night, banker Laird will be in his office to go over the books. Whatever. Vic could know about that. Go on. If Vic was to murder the banker and rob the bank. You mean frame it to look like he did? That's it. Had we do that, we don't even know where Vic is. We don't need Vic. There's an extra shirt and shabbs belonging to him hanging in his closet. You mean? I'm about the same bill as Vic. And if I was to wear his clothes and a mask and a dark, nobody would know the difference. Hey, Savvy, make people think you were Vic making his getaway after killing and robbing the bank. Sure. Vic's in hiding, so there's no chance of a slip up. Then if Vic ever did return, we could string him up for murder and folks would approve. That's a ticket. Yeah, but what about witnesses? Yeah, you better range for Hank Larkin and Luke Mayberry to be around. You know, they're the ones who were so outspoken against you in that crowd? Sitted for 90 o'clock. Saddened about that time Main Street would be crowded with cowhands blowing their pay cash. They'll be plenty to see. You better take Hank and Luke with you when you chase me too. Yeah. Only I'll give you a good start so you can make your escape. Yeah, we'll not only have Vic where we want him, we'll have plenty of bank cash besides. Looks like you and me will represent the law here to good advantage, your turn. 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. Continue our story. Main Street on Saturday night falls as the sheriff had prophesied, crowded. Cowhands rode in from the neighboring ranches dressed in their best and ready with cash for a good time before their new work week began. In his office at the bank, Banker Laird was busy scanning the statements of the bank's books. Then one hour before the appointed time for Todd's mask raid and plan for murder, a soft footfall startled him at his desk. He glanced up quickly, adjusting his gaze to the shadows beyond the range of his light once the sound came. Who's there? I want to talk to you, Banker Laird. Masked. I'm not an outlaw. You came to hold up the bank. I came to ask you to help me. Help you? Your life's in danger, Banker Laird. What? At 9 o'clock an outlaw is coming to murder you and rob the bank. 9 o'clock? Yes. You'll be dressed like Vic Colton. Vic Colton? Has he turned murder? Oh, no. I don't believe it. You must understand. It won't be Vic. The purpose is to frame Vic for murder. Huh? Again? You seem to be on his side. I am. He was one man who fought for law and order in this town. With your help, you'll get it. Who are you? I'm a friend of Vic's. Prove it, and you're a friend of mine, too. The sheriff knows there are several men who aren't convinced that Vic is a murderer. Of course he isn't. That's why the sheriff has to frame Vic again. Is that Thieve and Polkette behind this, too? Yes. He plans to have Vic take the blame for killing and robbing you. If I could get my hands on him. With your help, we can not only trap the sheriff, but clear Vic's name. You mean? He wants to get rid of the outlaws and make Sage City a safe place. By thunder, I've been living to see that day. And we can count on you? Right up to the hill, stranger. Listen carefully. As the Lone Ranger reviewed with banker layer, his plan for exposing Todd Lang's masquerade and trapping the two schemers, the sheriff, in his office just off the jail, perfected with Todd the details of their own plan, a plan for murder. As the sheriff studied, Todd now dressed in the shirt and shaps which belonged to Vic Colton, a small BDI is gleamed with amusement, and his lips broke into a short laugh. You look enough like Vic and them clothes are his to be his brother, Todd. And a dark and sensed to be taken for him. I'll make sure you get the cash before you drill the bankie. He keeps you to the safe in his office. Don't worry. I'll make sure the safe's open before I drill him. When I hear your shot, I'll come run him with the witnesses. Yeah. I'll leave by the back door. That way, the crowd can see me wearing Vic's clothes as a write-off. And they see that I want to give chase. I'll leave one after you and make it look good. I'll be sure to hide it as fast as you can, so there won't be a chance of overtaking you. Yeah, I savvy. Vic will be tagged for an outlaw for life. Yeah, if we never see the stubborn cuss again, so much the better. And if we do, we'll entertain him with a hanging, with a town support. You better get going at some worse night o'clock. Yeah, the next time you see me, I'll be loaded with cash. I'll go to the cafe and look up Hank Larkin and look maybe I wouldn't want them to miss us. As Todd headed for the bank disguised in Vic's clothes, he noticed a white horse and the man dressed as a miner. I hope that the critter doesn't move fallen pretty. He'll want too many strangers around here right now. Just one's a share of brains. As Todd came abreast, the white horse suddenly lurched and sidestepped hard against Todd, knocking him sprawling. Hey there! Hey there, boy. What's the matter, big fella? Sorry, the horse became skittish. Here, let me help you up. Better break that critter. There. You all right? I guess so. Here's your gun. Oh, I must have fell out. Come on, boy. Todd watched for a moment, then grumbling. He continued on his way to the bank for the nine o'clock appointment. Appointment for murder. Looking to the shadows, he cautiously slipped through the unlocked door of the bank and crept stealthily through the outer offices to the private office of banker Laird in the rear of the building. Suddenly, a clock chimed the hour, an hour that now seemed foreboding sinister. Who is it? Don't make a move or I'll drill you. Are you? No. No, it can't be. Vic. Vic, you? Shut up. What do you want? I want the cash, and that's safe. I haven't any money in it now. Saturday is the time when... Good stalling. Now, open that safe. Don't get any more notions of stalling or I'll fill you full of holes. I'll open it. That's better. Give me the cash box. Here's all there is. You wouldn't lie to me, would you? Of course not. Now you're showing sense. Stand over there against the wall. What are you going to do? You'll find out. Stand over there. You have the money. You're not going to shoot, are you? No. Just watch. At the sound of the shot, an excited crowd hurried toward the bank with a sheriff, Hank Larkin and Luke Mayberry in the vanguard. Suddenly they saw what appeared to be the masked figure of Vic Colton right behind the building and head for the prairie. Hey, Vic, where are the masks? You sure? Looked enough like them, Hank. Of course it's Vic. I told you that hombre wasn't as white as he was painted. Stop him. He must have robbed the bank. Sure, I'll probably kill the banker, too. Shoot at him, boys. He's riding out of range. Get your horses, man. Fairly no use, Luke. Let's get too much of a skirt, that double-dealer pullcat. Suddenly the group saw lone horsemen racing toward them. A short time before this same tall figure had gone almost unnoticed in the drab disguise of a minor. But now he wore a white hat and a black mask and sat astride a powerful white stallion. Who's that coming? Mask, man. Right in the white horse. Who's that? I'll take those guns, sir. They'll be safe with me. Give me back those guns. Who in place do you think you are? We've met before. You're coming with me, Sheriff. I won't do nothing to the kid. Whether you like it or not. But where? You'll know soon enough. There are a few things I want you to clear up. Clear up? Start walking, Sheriff. That mask only may be enough, Luke. You'll make no difference to me who he is. I like his style. Come on, let's tag along. Meanwhile, on a trail not far from town, Todd Lang, still disguised as Vic, saw an Indian astride a paint flashing across the prairie to intercept him. The powerful strides of a sturdy scout lapped the distance between Tonto and his quarry with breath-taking speed. Get him up, scout! Do not hit a scout. We catch him. What happens now? Me take you to Sheriff's office. Sheriff's office? What for? You find out handy soon. Back in the sage city, Tonto prodded his prisoner through the shadowy streets to the Sheriff's office. Then half pushing Todd to the doorway, he suddenly disappeared. Vic Colton. Yeah. How does it feel to be wearing my clothes, a scheming polecat? Well, I... Thought you'd pay me for keeps, sir Todd. I don't know what you mean. Don't look so scared. I'm really thanking you for what you've done. Thanking me? Sure. You not only gave me the chance to come to town and clear myself, but put your own neck in a noose. I don't say that. You figured to pin the bank job on me, Todd. But while you stuck up the bank, I was in the cafe and I have plenty of friends to prove it. And you knew about my idea. Yeah. Now you're on the spot you planned for me. From where I said it looks plenty hot. Now they won't believe your story. Too many people saw me disguised as you riding away from the bank. They'll believe me when they see you masquerading in my clothes. And this six gun says they'll see you. No. No, they'll hang me. I shot Banker Lair and I framed myself for murder. Well, it's too bad. Wait. None of your tricks, Todd. You haven't forgotten I have a sensitive trigger finger. No. I'll make a deal with you. Name it. My freedom for half the cash in this bank box. No, that's quite a haul you made. How about it? Sorry, Todd. Well, take all the cash. Just give me a couple of hours' time. No. The sheriff. He won't let them hang me. He's in this too deep himself. Who'd take your word against his? So that's it. That's why you were sitting behind the sheriff's desk when I came in. He's fixing to cross me. You ain't no good doing with the news hanging over you, Todd. No, wait. We can work together, the three of us. There's plenty of loot for all of us. What the sense of splitting three ways when we only have to split two? The sheriff don't need you anymore. He's got me. So the sheriff's selling me out, huh? What do you think? Well, he won't get away with it. What do you mean? That double cross and coyote was behind every crooked deal that went on in Sage City. Can you prove it? Sure, I can. I got written proof right here. Receipt signed by the sheriff for stolen goods he took from Oslo's. I acted as a go-between. Thanks, Todd. That's what we wanted to hear. What? That's a lie. Todd was going to convicts the job as deputy. He skewed the whole thing himself. Sir, I can't warn one of this, chef. Todd's a witness to every double deal you made. And two was in cahoots all the time. I'll take that bank cash, Todd. She's awesome. Bank her leg. Yeah, surprise I'm alive, eh? You murderer and pole cat. I, I... If it hadn't been for the masked man, I might not be. The masked man? The bullets in your gun were blank. But how? I switched guns when I bumped into you tonight. You were that minor? This guy is, yes. Framed. We've been framed, Sheriff. You're a stupid fool. The masked man made us wait to hear you confess. Looks like the time's ripe for a new sheriff. Yeah, I've already called a meeting for tomorrow to pick one. And anyone who isn't in favor of Vic Colton for sheriff will be run out of town on a rail. That's a spirit matter. That's it, that's it. Well, thanks, but it wasn't me who corralled these crooks. It was... Well, he's gone. Gone? Who? The Lone Ranger. The Lone... Is that who that masked fellow was? I'll settle the... What you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.