 to the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and the hearty high old silver, the Lone Ranger. In the early days of the western United States, many outlaws defied the local sheriffs. But the Lone Ranger was more than a match for them. He found their hideouts, brought them to justice, and made everyone realize that open defiance of the law would not be tolerated. Then came a new breed of criminals, men who used brains instead of force. But once again, the masked rider was equal to the emergency. Return with us now those thrilling days when the West was young, and eventually at the end of every trail, the Lone Ranger rides again. Come on, sailor, we're heading for the range country. Tell those waiting on the trail ahead, high old sail. One day when Sheriff Dan Lansing walked into his office, he found Red Whipple, the newest of his deputies, waiting for him. The younger man was smiling, and... Everything going all right while I was out red? I... what in blazes are you grinning about? You was looking all over the county for the fellow that robbed him store. He was a slickin', never left no trace at all. No? Well, right this here second, he's sittin' behind bars. Oh, planned? It's so. Well, who is he? How can you get him? Got him back here? I'd like to have a look at the bar mit. He's in the second cell there. I don't know how you done it, Red, but it was a good piece of work. Why this year's fish eye foster? You blasted it yet? If you wasn't new in this town, I'd take your badge away. Give me your keys. Oh, Stan, what'd I do wrong? Fish eye, I'm just about plumb out of patience with you. Oh, sir. Come out of there. Go on, Sheriff. You're the most suspicious and mistrustin' fellow I ever seen. Can't you leave me alone? You're gettin' me. Now, let go of my arm. I'll teach ya. Hey, Dan, he said he robbed Lim's store. Wait, hold on. He confessed to it. Just like he's confessed to every other crime around these parts. Said he wrestled Bowen's cow. Said he held up the stage. Said he was the one that shot the widow Stephen's goats. You don't kid me. I'll heist the seat of your britches up to your shoulders. No. If you ever pull another stunt like this, I'll... Put me in jail, huh? Beat it. Aren't you makin' a mistake, Dan? He said he... Sure, he said he robbed Lim. That's all that critter does is try to get in jail. He won't work, and he's too blame-blazy to beg. So he lets the county feed him. It's maddening. Anybody else do anything wrong, you can throw him in jail. But fish eye, there ain't a blast of thing you can do to him. Jail is what he wants. I'll bet everybody in town will laugh at me for this. Let him laugh. You ain't bad off. First year I was sheriff. I jailed that pesky critter 20 times. Before I found out he wasn't a natural-born war-breaker, but just a natural loafer. Here comes Bud. Send him over three forks away looking for that robber. Didn't catch him, though, from the looks of it. Boss. Didn't find nothin', huh? I found a plenty. Don't tell me you was took in by fish eye, too. I ain't talkin' about the robber, huh? Jake Ray, he's been killed. Who's he? Just about one of the biggest ranchers in this county. Who done it? Couldn't get no clue to the fella at all. Wasn't a gunfight, then, huh? Nope. Fact is, I reckon I'm still the only fella to know about it. I stopped in his place, and there he was, laying on the floor with a gun beside him. Maybe he shot himself. No, don't figure it that way. The only shooting iron I ever seen Jake use was that fancy one he got from that dude Pilgrim come through here a couple years back. And that was in Jake's holster. Hadn't even been drawn. I heard what you said, Bud. And you gotta figure it right. Jake didn't kill himself. Flashed you, fish eye. Stay away from here. What do you know about the killin'? Everything. Well, what? I done that. You...you... Fish eye, you try gettin' jail just once more, and...and...and I'll kill you for tryin' it. Y'all gone, will you, Sheriff? Yippee! Don't you forget now, that's our promise. The sheriff, accompanied by Red and Bud, rode to Jake's ranch to investigate the killing. In a hollow not far from the ranch, the Lone Ranger and Tonto were seated near a small campfire. Dusk gave way to night, and Tonto was cooking the evening meal. When he said, We eat soon now. Good. We've had a long ride today. Uh-huh. We might as well stay here for the night and push all in early in the morning. That's right. And then... What's that? Tell her to come this way. Let the bacon go. Uh-huh. Stand ready. Who's there? Don't shoot, chances. It's just me. It's fish eye foster. Get here in the light. Keep your hands from your holster. I ain't up to nothin'. I just come to warn you, Don. I don't shoot. Over here. Doctor. It's all gone winded. I can't hardly get in the breath. What are you doing here? Not just a second. I'm able to talk in a second. You say your name's Fish Eye Foster? Yeah. You look as though you've had a hard run. All the way from Jake Rape's place by a ginger. You got your breath back? I'm all right now, Rick. Now, what's this about a warning? What's the trouble? The law knows you're here. Yes? Sheriff Lansing and his two deputies. They're becoming this way pretty quick. That's why I run first so I could get here first. Shut up. Get ready to leave. We may have to pull out in a hurry. Don't do that. How did you know where to find our camp? Yeah. You're down on the holler here. Jake's place is up above on the hill. You can see the glow from there. And why should the law bother Todd and me? Does the sheriff question every stranger that enters his county? You don't have to pretend with me, Spanger. Pretend? Shucks, I know it was you that killed Jake. These clays, I suppose it was you. So that's it. I'm suspected of a killing, eh? Gosh, didn't you kill him? I didn't. Todd and I... Wait. Haven't I seen you before? I don't know, have you? Been through this section before? I don't mean here. I mean in another district. I ain't been here but a couple of years. I used to live over a... Well, that's something I don't talk about much. Just let it go. Why did the law think I killed his fellow? Well, you're masked, and one of Jake's men told the sheriff he's seen a mask on Rainer Redskin near Jake's place this afternoon, riding his way. So, putting two and two together... Rather thin evidence. Come to think of it, I reckon it ain't none too good. Why did you trouble to warn us? Because I don't want no suspects buttoned in. No? I've confessed to that killing and I'll be blasted if I let anybody else be jailed for it. Did you kill him? Well, I... Oh, what's that got to do with it? I'm trying to understand why you would confess to a murder you didn't commit. Shucks, I don't hanker to work for a living. It'd suit me just fine if the county had feed me first spell. And you think if you confess, the county will support you, huh? Well, a sheriff got a jail somebody. He suspects what I'm up to all right. But in the case of murder, it'd be better to jail even me than nobody. I'm afraid you're forgetting something. You'd be more likely to hang than to get a jail sentence. Did you say hang? I did. Gosh, I'm the biggest digit ever was born. I've been trying so long to get jail just raising a toll that I clean-forgot that killing calls for hanging. Say, stranger, you better clear out. Them fellows will be along most any time. Ready, Tunnel? Already. Bring the horses. Clear them out, huh? No. We get better. The law is coming here. I believe I'll circle around and have a look for myself at the place where that fellow was shot. Yeah. No more contrails. Saddle them. Thanks, Kimosabe. Help with your fish eye. We'll take you along. Well, I sure wouldn't want the sheriff find me here. Yep. Let's go, Tunnel. Get him up, Scout. Come on, Silver. Come on. Fish eye rode with the masked man as far as the ranch, then made his way back to town on foot. Later that evening, he was in the cafe, leaning against the bar and... Just one more shot, Barkey. I'll pay you some time. You can take my word, can't you? Fish eye. Don't look at me so hard. I'll do more and look at you. If you don't quit pestering me, you ain't catching no more drinks from me. And if I hear you even ask for another, I'll ambace you good. Guys, ain't I a good customer? Ain't I in here most every day? Sure. Well, then what's the matter with you? You ain't never spent a nickel in here. And it wasn't as sometimes you bring me cash, cause there's agents full enough to buy you liquor. I just throwed you out long ago. You're getting as hard-hearted as a sheriff. What's that about me, fish eye? Howdy, sheriff. I was just saying the bar keeps getting as bad as you. He won't give me no liquor, and you won't let me stay in your jail. A fine waiter treat a fellow like me that ain't never done no harm to nobody. Fish eye, you're the limit. Oh, it's a bad... That reminds me, out to Jake's place. Where'd you disappear to in such a hurry? I left for town. That's funny. Somebody said they seen you heading in the direction of the holler. Well, I didn't. And when I got there with my deputies, that mask ombre and the engine I heard about was gone. Yeah, don't say. You wouldn't give them more than would you? What for? I don't know. It didn't occur to me that anybody as low-core as you would be needing a sensible reason. Seems to me you're the fellow that ain't acting sensible, sheriff. When I confess to something, you won't believe me. When I claim I didn't do something, then you get as downright suspicious as a hound dog sent in game. Well, with you, I never know. Well, hop, you boy, all that's holy. What in blazes you doing in this country? Well, goodbye, sheriff. I got to go down. Carol, what's he doing here? Don't you recognize me? I'm Luke Mullin. I've never seen you before. Fish eye? What, sheriff? Come back here. Sheriff, I got business to tend to. And that same is right here. Mister, you know fish eye? I know Carol Hopkins. Uh-huh. And you called fish eye by that handle. I won't see us all about it. Yes, let me go, sheriff. You stay here. No, stranger. Is this fellow Carol Hopkins or is he a fish eye foster like he's been done on us? I'm doggone sorry, Carol. If I got you into any trouble, I never meant to... You ain't done it, Luke. Ain't no use crying about what can't be helped. Where do you know fish eye? Why, we was friends over to Placer City up Montana way. Shucks, I've known Carol ever since him and Jake Raib was partners in that goldmine of theirs. What was that you said? What was that about him and Jake being partners? Well, I didn't mean to say they were still partners, Sheriff. I reckon they busted up when Jake tricked Cal out of his share. Luke, now you're done for sure. Done what? Jake Raib was just killed. Golly, I didn't know Cal. Never even knew Jake came to this part of the country when he sold the mine. He come here and went to Ransom. Fish eye? Yeah. Is it a fact you real handles Cal Hopkins? Ain't no use denying it now, I reckon. Wouldn't take you long to find out the truth. And you and Jake was once partners in a goldmine? Yeah. And Jake was supposed to have cheated you? Oh, now look, Sheriff. Shut up. Just why did you come here and give folks a different name to call you by? Well, I was... And just why wasn't it ever known that you and Jake was a queen of the four? I never knew he was here when I first hit town, Sheriff. Honest to never. No. Well, there's some things beginning to clear up now. I never did figure a fella could be as loco as you made out. Oh, Sheriff, now... You was mad at Jake. You followed him here. Okay, so... Keep still. My son, to the more I think about it, the more I'm beginning to savage just how slick you was. Yeah, if you're getting things all wrong. You kept confessing to everything crooked that happened around here. Got to be a stand and joke. Got so finally, you could own up to anything at all, and you wouldn't be believed. Listen, now... Get it all planned out. Waited your time. Then you killed Jake to get even. Rushed to my office to confess, and no blame well had threw he out, figuring it was just another dodgy. You were to get free lodging. Things look bad, Sheriff, but you just don't savvy as all. Now you've been begging me to jail, yeah? I've changed my mind. You're too late. This time I'm jailing you whether you like it or not. And only charge a murder. No, Sheriff. Honest now, I don't want to go to jail. Just let me stay loose, that's all. I'll be content. I won't pest you to jail me no more. You were slick, fish eye. Ain't fair. But this fella showing up queered your game. Now turn yourself around and march. You're under arrest. The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger drama. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue our story. When the Sheriff learned that fish eye was really Cal Hopton from Montana with a long standing grudge against a murdered rancher, he was taken to jail and locked up. Ah, never figured to see the day that I'd be willing to deal, you fish eye. But there you are, and there you stay. Now look here, Sheriff. Well? You want to know the honest the guy's truth about things. Ready to make a confession, is that it? Now you listen to me, you got to. Go ahead, talk. You don't savvy. Sure, Jake swindled me. I couldn't never prove it, but it's so. And when he got through, it didn't have a cent left to my name. So you swore to get him? Maybe I would have done it at first, Sheriff. But later on, it just didn't seem worthwhile. Then at the beginning of the day, wandering around the country, trying to make a living here and there, and all the time luck going worse again, man. So finally, it just made up my mind I wasn't going to even try to pay my way no more. I didn't know Jake was in this district when I come here, and he never did find out I was here. I used a different name, and all is kept out of his way. Except once. Huh? Once. The time you shot him. Ain't it no use at all trying to make you see the straight facts, Sheriff? You see him all right. Who you got there, Sheriff? Well, I'll be. Dan, you was calling me every kind of name because I was fooling up the jail fish eye. And here you've done just what you told me not to. I got my reason. Yeah? What's he done, boss? He's been using a name don't belong to him. He once was Jake Rape's partner, and Jake was known to cheat him. Oh. Is him the facts? Found him out from on a pilgrim by the name of Luke Mullins from Fish Eye's hometown. Spill the words. Well then, then you must be arresting him for Jake's killing. Ain't that one? No. You must be arresting him for Jake's killing. Ain't that one I've been saying, Rape? I've never done it, fellas. Honest to me. Are you? But, Sheriff, he's right. He didn't. I don't care how good a case you think you got again. He just couldn't have done the shooting. I'd like to know why not. But you found Jake, didn't you? Sure did, Rape. How long had he been dead when you run across him? About more than an hour. And you came right here and reported? Of course. There. You see, Dan? No, by Ginger, I don't see. But I jailed Fish Eye for Robin Lev's store when he fooled me with that fake confession he has. At the time Jake was killed, Fish Eye was sitting here behind bars with me watching him. There. Consonant dog blaster. Well, it's so. Then I thought I had Jake's killing all cleaned up. Well, Fish Eye, looks like you get out all right. That's just fine. But, Sheriff, if you could just see your way clear to get me jailed for the Robin L.M. store, then... You ordinary, long-eared maverick. But unlock that cell and kick that fella out of here. You're right. And if he ever... Leave that cell locked. Don't do as I tell you. Careful, man. Don't slap leather. You... I warned you. Leave that catfish. Had them guns out of four, but even dropped his hand as host. Stranger, you can't. Come on. We're taking a trip. Just who do you think you are to give orders to the law? We'll discuss that later. Right now, you and I are riding, Sheriff. You men. Well? Don't let Fish Eye out. You and Bud keep an eye on him red until the Sheriff gets back. What's your game? Sheriff, I'm going to show you how a man could be miles away when he's victim was killed and still be a murderer. Now, come along. Forcing the Sheriff to accompany him, the Lone Ranger headed for Jake's ranch house. On the way, the Sheriff learned several things that convinced him he had misjudged his man. And when they arrived at the ranch... Oh, so... Oh, boy. Oh, boy. Oh, I won't. I never took you to be the Lone Ranger. You're convinced that I am? The sight of that horse would be enough. Good. And perhaps you believe the things I have to show you. Come. Where's your partner? I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. Come. Where's your part? He's here on the porch in the shadows. Taddo! Uh... Where are the cowhands? They're in Bunkow. They've not come here. Then we won't be disturbed. Inside, Sheriff. What's up? There are several things I want to show you. Jake was found dead in this room. Yeah, he was laying right over there. Miss the place here? That's right. Notice where he was found. Right in front of this cupboard against the wall. Yeah. When you were here before, did you notice a short length of cord on the floor just beneath the cupboard? I can't say that I... Yeah, come to think of it, I do. It was a piece of twine. Now, look inside this cupboard. Oh, what about it? See these nails? Uh... Yeah. There's three of them. One driven into the inside of the door itself, another at the rear of the cupboard, and a third at the side of the cupboard. Oh, go on if I can savvy what you're driving at. This nail in the door still has a ragged piece of twine sticking to it. Uh-huh. Here, now I'll take one of my guns and show you something. I'll put it on the end of the shelf, so this nail driven into the side is under the barrel. There. Now the barrel is held in position, pointing outwards. In other words, pointing directly at anyone opening the cupboard. Uh-huh. You see what was done? A piece of cord was fastened to the nail inside the door, drawn across his second nail at the rear, and from that attached to the hammer of a six gun. In that position, anyone opening the cupboard door would release the hammer. The cartridge would be exploded. With any luck at all, he'd be killed. My golly stranger, that's so. It wasn't difficult to see what had happened when once you noticed all these things. I missed him entirely. A piece of twine, the nails, the position of the body told the story. Wait. The gun was found on the floor. A .45 sheriff has a strong recoil. The recoil tumbled the gun from the shelf to the floor. And a fella could have fixed all this up, cleared out, and been miles away with an alibi when the killer naturally happened. Right. Which same means that no alibi at all. He hasn't. And that's why you told my deputy not to let him out. Stranger, I'm going back to town and tell Fish-Eye just how worthless that blamed alibi as he is. You still have no proof. But motive aplenty. Fish-Eye was ruined by Jake. It would be better to get clear proof. Sure, but I don't know how it could be done. Release Fish-Eye. Tell him you no longer believe him guilty because you have clear proof against another man. Aye, you loco. Do as I say and you'll catch a murderer. But, wait, I got it. Now I, Savvy. Yes? Let him go free to give him rope enough to hang himself. Is that it? Do as I've told you and the killer will be caught. Then, mister, he's just as good as caught right now. Sheriff Lansing obeyed the Lone Ranger's orders. It was late at night when he returned from Jake's ranch. But first thing in the morning Fish-Eye was released with the assurance that all the evidence pointed to another man. Nothing happened during the day. In the evening, Bud entered the cafe. Howdy, fellas. Howdy, Jeff. Hi. Oh, there, Matt. Hi. Hi, there, Bud. Fish-Eye. Hi, there, Fish-Eye. Hi, Bud. Hi, Bud. Howdy, Red. The sheriff sent me after you, fellas. He weren't foolin'. He said he wanted you fellas to come down to the house. He said you was to come if I had to drag your personal. I don't know. Maybe I ought to stand on my rights. Figure you'd jail me if I did, Bud. Most likely, come along, Red. Grab a hold of Fish-Eye's other arm there if he's got a notion to put up any argument. He'll come. Now, let me loose. Well, then, come peaceable. I'm coming. I'm coming. Blast it all. I never did see law to compare with such as this town, Scott. Can't get jailed when you want to or can't be left alone, either. It's enough to make a man get plum disgusted with law and order. The three men, Bud, Red and Fish-Eye, made their way to the sheriff's home. As they walked up the steps and crossed the porch, they used to test themselves from the shadows then. Here we are, fellas. We'll find out. We'll walk right in. What's the matter now? Keep going. Want some time to do that. Inside. Look here, what's the idea? Come here, boys. Come right in. Put this mask, fella, here. Someone just like him and me agreed on. Now, just help yourself to chair his boys and make yourself to hold them. But, Sheriff, what's this for? What do you want us for? Well, Fish-Eye, I thought maybe if we got together and talked things over, we'd get to the bottom of Jake's killing and find the fella and have done it. I never. Your own deputy give me an alibi. I recollect you. See, you hand me my debaki, will you? It's there in that cupboard, I reckon. Sure. This cupboard here. Uh-huh. No, doggone it. Excuse me, Fish-Eye. Must be getting absent-minded. Sit down. Here it is, right here. I never did think you had your wits about, Sheriff. You, uh, ain't got nothing new on the killing lab, you boss. No, but I expect to have soon. Thought you told Fish-Eye you had evidence again the fella killed Jake. There's some. I'm just waiting for the rest. What's this mask fell and the red skin got to do with it? You'll learn that soon enough, bud. Sure. Don't get restless, Rhett. Huh? I don't want to trouble Fish-Eye again, but I just noticed this is the pipe I've been smoking all day. Yeah? I got a fresh one in the cupboard there. Get it for me, will you? Feeling sort of lazy, myself. Well, I... It's just over there. I'll get it, boss. You stay where you are. Rhett, did you hear what the sheriff said? But, uh... The pipe, Rhett. Well, I ain't no servant. Shucks, Rhett. He just asked you cause he's tired. Ain't nothing to get offended about. But I'll be glad to get... You won't. Rhett, get out of that chair. Look here. Do I have to drag you out? Uh... I'll get up. But I don't see why I should have to... Now walk to that cupboard. Walk. Chef, this fella ain't got no right to order me around. Strikes me, you're acting mighty touchy, Rhett. Wouldn't be nothing behind it, would there? Well, I just ain't feeling good, that's all. When you open that cupboard door, you may feel worse. Open it, you see? No. Hurry. No. No, you can't make me. I don't have to take the orders from nobody. You take my orders. Open that door or I draw. Say, there's something mighty queer about this. All right. I'll open it. Duck-fellers! Hey, what's that red move that gun was in there? You ain't gonna get me. Grab him. Stop him. He's having for the window. Stay where you are. Ow! The next shot will be closer. Why are you... Come here. Keep your hands up. Don't make a false move. I'll put the cuffs on him. Right. There. I don't say that. What's this all about? We gave each one of you an opportunity to open that cupboard door. Only red was unwilling, because he knew a gun was set to fire when the door opened. He also, I'm stooped to one side when he turned the handle. He knew what to expect. And that was just the way Jake was killed. Well, I'll be switched. Then red killed Jake. When you were released for shy, you were told the sheriff had clear evidence against another man. Red didn't know. The sheriff really had evidence that would kill him. He couldn't take a chance, however. So he rigged up the identical murder trap to catch the sheriff and he'd use successfully on Jake. And I was thinking red was such a swell fella because he was so willing to give me an alibi. He wasn't thinking of your alibi, Fisheye. When he gave you one, he was also providing one for himself. Well, that's right. I never thought I'd look at it from that way. But what did red have it in for Jake for? Red, you willing to tell? You might as well. If you don't, there's a fella in town that'll do it for you. Because the dirty snake had me sent to jail on a deal where he was to blame. I told him I'd get even and I did. Hi, Masked Man, wait! Give me the gun, Sheriff. Was it that masked fella figured this out? Or you, Sheriff? It wasn't me, Fisheye. If it was, you might have hung. Who's this hombre you said to tell about me? You were sentenced to jail, Red, but broke loose. Follow Jake here where you wasn't known and I give you a job because you seem to be a handy fellow with your shooting irons. But the law was on your trail all the time. The government. A U.S. Marshal showed up in town this afternoon. When he described you, I know who it was right away. That Marshal a stranger here, Sheriff? Uh-huh. I gotta see him. Look here! You bastard! Now don't you go and spoil it for me, Sheriff. I can't get you felt to jail me no more, but a stranger in town, Sheriff, shucks. I'll bet I can get him to give me a year in the calaboose at least. I don't care. You have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.