 of the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty high, oh, silver, the Lone Ranger. In the pioneer days of the western United States, gunmen and soldiers, outlaws, cattlemen and Indians lived dangerously and knew the thrill of adventure. But the most daring figure of them all was the masked writer of justice. Stories of his deeds have been told and retold through the generations, and now return with us once more to the days when the Phantom of the Plains fought crime with justice. The Lone Ranger rides again. As the Lone Ranger rode by on silver, he said that he was heading for the town of Potston. When the masked man and his faithful Indian companion town wentered town, they found the streets deserted, although it was only mid-afternoon. The townspeople had left their work to attend the trial of young Bob McAllister, charged with murder. But old Len Purvis did not share their curiosity. He was content to sit on the steps of the courthouse, idly whittling, until the voice of the Lone Ranger demanded his attention. Say there, what's going on inside the court? Hey, great guns, your mask. No, not that scary. What's the trial for? They're fixin' to hang young Bob McAllister, and if ever there was a man framed, Bob's him. What's the accused of? Robbery and murders, all. Well, they can hang him for murder, but by dawn they can't get back what he said to of soul because he didn't steal nothing. Don't know who did, but Bob didn't. Well, why are you so sure of that? Stranger, when a man lives to be my age out here, it's because he's got blame-good judgment, and has a knack of picking out straight shooters from the ordinary run-up pole cats and buzzards. McAllister's a straight shooter, and all his has been. You yourself, for instance. What about me? You ain't what your mask can make you out to be. No, sir, read. I ain't talked with you five minutes, and I sized you up as a right thinking ombre. And in spite of your mask at that. I'd like to hear more about McAllister. Well, he'll be found guilty afore sundown, hang before sun-up, and then some skunk'll have peace of mind, nor when Bob's paid for the murder of Joe Findlay. You said Bob was not guilty. Sure as my name's lemper, if he ain't. It's a dirty shame the way things piled up against him. He didn't have no alibi for the night Joe was knifed. He was no too rowed with Joe a couple hours previous, so Sheriff Green called on Bob at the express office where he worked, found the murder knife in his desk, wore some rat-putting, and hailed him in a court for trial. Uh-uh. Well, we stay here for time. Exactly. You better not. Our sheriff's gosh-awful ambitious, and he'd likely jail you and hang you just because you wear a mask. I'll take that chance. But Sheriff Green ain't as slick as I am, sizing the man up. You better not take no chances. We'll go over to the side of the building. I see an open window there. We hear a trial there. Yes. That's again my good advice to you, stranger. Thanks for the advice, Lem. If you thank me, take it to Chavon. And let Bob McAllister hang for what he didn't do. Well, there ain't much you can do to stop it. I can talk to you again. Hang? And possibly you'll tell me which of the men in town you think might have framed McAllister. Come on, Tata. Maybe old men vice good. Adam, we're going to stay here. I don't know that. Did you keep on sabbing? Uh... We see trial now. There, window. I'll get as close as we dare. I know it looks as if the jury's coming in. And from their expressions, it looks as if the worst has happened. That's a hanging jury, if ever I've seen one. Well, I've ain't got no chance at all. I wonder if he's really guilty. Sheriff Sharp thought so, and he gave his testimony. Order! Order this here coin! Order! We'll, uh, form one of the jury in the case of, uh, state versus Robert McAllister, charged with the murder of Joe Finley, please rise. Yes, sir. And take that hat off. Ain't you no respect for the court? Not a heck of a lie. That'll do. Don't you get so flipp, as, uh, jury reached a verdict? We has. Then let's hear it. We find the prisoner guilty as charged. The prisoner will, uh, please to stand and face the judge. I don't suppose he's any use of me saying any more now, is there, Judge? No, McAllister, there ain't. You do, however, have a chance to speak before I pass sentence. If you got something worth saying. I have. I got something to say. Well? I know what the sentence will be. I'll hang. But there's just one thing I'd like to ask. Let me go to my mother for just a couple of hours. Where is she? Tain't far, Judge. Only a couple hours riding. She, she ain't able to get around much. And when I'm, I'm gone, I, I don't know who'll take care of her. She'll need cash and need it bad. And well, I've, I've got some cash hidden. The stolen cash? No, sir. It was Barnes that was stolen from Joe Fenway, not cash. The cash is my own. Ma don't know where it is. Handle our condemned man to leave here. Anything else to say? But, Judge, I've got to see Ma. Tell someone where the cash is and the message you'll be taken. Tell someone? With the way this trial's been handled, I wouldn't trust anyone. What trial? Someone in this town framed me for murder. Thought sooner or have more, not get the case and give some rat a chance to steal it. That's enough from you, McAllister. The court will now pass sentence. I sentence you to be hanged by the neck until dead. The time at sunrise tomorrow morning. The sheriff will take the prisoner in custody and put him under constant guard till morning. Come on, Bob. All you folks stay in your seats till the prisoner's removed. You needn't hold your gun on me, sheriff. I know there ain't no use trying to break loose. Serve you right, you murderer. Listen, I'm not going to stand. You know you should reply to the phone. Kell's open, eh? Well, you see him where he's gone right soon. You can go to the jail with you, sheriff. Take the other side of the prisoner, Larson. Go on, McAllister. Hi there, Bob. Tough luck. I was rooting for you, but I was afraid the card was stacked. Quiet, limb. Ain't allowed you to talk to the prisoner. There's the jail straight ahead, Bob. I ain't a killer, Larson. I don't want to be hanged. I know you don't, Bob, and I ain't so sure you're guilty. My dog gone at all. It was the evidence. I wish there was something I could have done to help. Shut your mouth, Larson. There ain't no way for a deputy to talk to a condemned man. I wouldn't mind the hanging half as much if only I could get to see my mother. Just long enough to give her the cash. I suppose you don't care to tell me where it is any more than you do anyone else in town. I ain't trusting no one. This real murder of Joe Finley is slick. He'd get that cash if anyone in town knew where it was. I'm not going to... You wait. Stay on the side, ancient. You wait. Me want to talk with the seller. Move along. Take it out. Where your mother lived. I ain't talking. You tell me. No. Get back there. Plus, you ain't laddering alongside us like that. We can't... Tell the Redskins, Bob. You can trust him. I ain't telling nobody. Let me talk with you, Indian. I got some IDs of my own. Late that night, Bob McAllister sat alone in his cell while Larson, the deputy sheriff, stood guard outside. As he watched, the masked man and Tonto were moving quietly toward the shadowed jail. We're justified, Tonto. I'm sure of it. That's right. I'm convinced that Bob told the truth. I'm afraid there's little chance to save him, though. There's too much evidence pile up against him. You know what Lemperl turned you. Yes. Lemperl does seem to be a good judge of men. Only we can get Bob to his mother. I'm sure he'll feel a lot better. That's right. He'll at least have some money to take care of her. As a jail. There. There and guard. Can you make out who the guard is? Looks like deputy. Which one? Larsonfeller. The only man in town outside of Lemperl's were the kind word to say to Bob. I'm sorry he's the guard, but it can't be helped. We're here to help Bob. Come on, Tonto. We'll move ahead slowly. We don't want him to have a chance to raise any alarm. There ain't no use of my trying to sleep anyhow. So you may as well talk of you. Don't mind, Larson. I don't mind, Bob. Anything I can do to make it a little easier, I'm glad to do it. Thanks. I wouldn't do, though, if I need to be seen confabbing through the bars like this. I suppose not. Don't you reckon it'd be a good idea to try and sleep? For what? I got about six hours left on earth. Why should I waste them sleeping? This is the last time I'll see them stars in the sky. The last time I'll be able to talk to anyone. And I didn't kill Joe Finlay. It ain't right, Larson. It ain't just. Hey, kid, easy, Bob. Getting head up won't help none. And mother, she don't even know I'm in trouble. She'll be looking for me to come home tonight. And I won't be able to. Then she'll learn what's happened. Then I can't stand thinking of it, Larson. Come on, look up, Bob. We all gotta go someday. But hang in, going as a murderer. He ain't guilty or get squared judgment later on. But what of the real killer? He goes free. Look here, Bob. I reckon I showed you I'm a friend, ain't I? Yeah, sure you have, Larson. Don't know all I could for you, huh? Yeah. I'd do more if you'd let me. I know how you feel about trust in anyone. But it's important that your mother get that money you got here. I'll take a message to her. Quiet. Wait. Huh? Quiet. Well, I heard something over the other. I didn't hear it. I did. I'd never get to an Indian. Let's keep him quiet. You didn't hit him too hard, did you, Taddo? Knock him up. I know. Well, be sure he isn't seriously hurt. Then gag him and tie him up. I don't savvy this. What does it mean? Who are you? Hey, Connister, if you have the chance to see your mother, will you be willing to come back here before daybreak? I'd do anything for that. If I could see him off for just a few minutes. That's why we're here. Climb the keys on the deputies, Taddo. Let me go. Here, Silver. Your mask. Yes. Why are you doing this for me? Because I think you deserve it. Yeah, come on out. Well, let's just see your mother. You'll have to travel on my horse with me. Taddo, you stay here and watch the deputies. Me watch him. Is he conscious yet? No. Well, keep an eye on him. Gosh, I'm sure sorry I had to clout Mike Larson so hard. Why? Well, he was right fine to me. Hope he ain't hurt bad. He isn't. He was willing to do most anything for me. He seemed very friendly. Yeah, but come on. Let's start riding if I got to be back here by sunup. Very well. Hope the guy should take good care of Larson, engine. Hunter of doom. I almost told him where the cash was hid. I reckon I might have took the chance if you hadn't come along. But wait. How do I know you won't steal the cash? I don't know where it is. You might watch Ma when she goes for it. How do you know about it in the first place? Well, answer me. Wait. I'm thinking. Well, I guess I'll have to take a chance on you. I ain't no choice. I know Larson would let me out of the jail. He's too honest to betray his job. Honest, is he? Sure. Very well, Bob. Back in jail with you. Oh, hold on. Wait a second. Can you go? Oh, what's up with that? I want to talk to you some more. Oh, let go of me. Get back there. Get some more and try to bring the deputy around as soon as possible. Oh. What did I do to make you change so suddenly? You said you'd trust that deputy. Well, trust him. The curtain falls on the first act of tonight's Lone Ranger drama. Before the next exciting scenes, please, for minutes to pause for just a few moments. And now to continue our story. Bob McAllister, sentenced to death for murder, wished to send his savings to his mother, but felt that no one could be trusted. The Lone Ranger, believing the young man innocent, planned to release Bob long enough to carry the money himself. But at the last moment, learning that deputy Sheriff Larson had proved friendly to his prisoner, the masked man returned Bob to his cell. Fifteen minutes later, the deputy recovered consciousness. Bob watched him from behind the bars. Oh, my head. You ain't hurt bad, are you, Larson? Who hit me? I... A red skinned. I remember now. Where'd he go? What'd he do? Don't know where he went, but he didn't do anything. I figure he might have planned to help me bust loose, but got scared away by something. Sure fits me a whack. How long was that knocked out? Not so very long. I don't have no way of keeping time. Oh, it's all right. I'll hunt for that angel tomorrow as soon as you... As soon as my hanging is over. Oh, it's a darn shame your... Your mom will never have that cash. Deputy, I've got to trust someone. You're foolish, aren't you? Ain't nothing to lose. I'd see that your mom got it. I'm going to trust you. Good. I'll do what I can, Bob. You ought to know that. Look here. There'll be another guard put on the job tonight, won't there? Sure. I wish you'd head for Ma's place as soon as she relieved. Tell her all that happened, and tell her that I ain't guilty. That'll make it easier for her to bear. She'll believe you. I'll tell her, Bob. When you've told her, then tell her where my savings are hid. Where is that? Inside a hollow tree stump, 50 yards in front of the house. That'll be easy to find. Sure it will. Uh, it's going to be hard telling your Ma about you. I know, but Ma'll take it with her chin up. She's that kind. I hope so. They're pretty late at night when I get there, though. Next guard has to relieve me first, and then it's a couple hours' ride. Ma'll be awake. She will? Yeah. She expected me to be coming home sometime before morning, and she'll likely be waiting up for me. Oh. There'll be lights in the house. Don't let me down, Larson. I'm trusting you. I won't let you down. Not on your life. I'll ride for your house as soon as the next guard comes to take my place. When the deputy was relieved, he immediately saddled and rode to the Macalester home as he'd promised. When he arrived, Bob's mother was half asleep in her favorite rocking chair, the lamp burning on the table beside her. When the deputy knocked, she opened her eyes. That must be Bob come home. Must be I barred the door, not thinking. Oh, the door ain't barred at that. I wonder... Is that you, Bob? No, ma'am. It's Deputy Sheriff Larson. What do you want at this time of night? I got news about your son, ma'am. Open the door. What about him? Has something happened? Where is Bob? What I got to tell ain't pleasant, ma'am. Mind if I step in? Oh, come in. Come in, Deputy Larson. I, uh... I don't know just how to start, ma'am. What's happened to my son? I believed in him all through. That was why he trusted me, where he wouldn't trust nobody else. Will you get to the point? Well, a while ago, there was a man killed. Name was Joe Findlay. Well, what about it? Bob was working in town, as you know. Yes. He had a little argument with Joe, but none of us thought it was as serious as it turned out to be. You don't mean Joe. Joe Findlay was... The Lord charged Bob with a knife. Oh, there's a mistake. My Bob wouldn't do no such thing. That's just how I felt, ma'am. Even when they searched his desk where he worked and found the knife he'd used, I wouldn't believe it. Bob didn't do it. The Lord found different. He's been found guilty, and I reckon you know what that means. It means Sheriff Green's made another mistake. Being his deputy, yeah, I should have thought just as he did. But I didn't think Bob was guilty. I was guarding him tonight, and he asked me to come here and tell you what happened. He wanted me to tell you that... Well, ma'am, they don't lose no time in carrying out the laws here. He's to hang it's son up. Yeah, now the worst is over. He said you'd be brave about it, ma'am. I will be, Mr. Larson. We... we gotta be prepared. Prepared all the time. We gotta see the West take those we love the most. I saw this country take my husband from me. I saw two of my children go. That was because of Indians. Now... now because the law, the justice of the East, ain't come this far. I... I see my boy Bob taken from me. I'm right. Sorry about it, ma'am. Bob ain't guilty, Mr. Larson. I'm afraid that I can't... He ain't guilty. A mother knows. I can't tell how, but if Bob ain't confess to the crime, he didn't do it. Unless he tells me with his own lips that he'd done it, I won't believe it. I'll get Michelle and Mabon at you. Where are you going? To see my boy, of course. But ma'am, you can't do it. There's a horse and wagon in the barn. If you take me, I'll go to see Bob. I got to get to hear from him if he'd done it or not. Well, he ain't allowed to talk to anyone. I'll find a way to talk to him. I'm sorry. You can't go. I gotta travel myself now. I... I just brought you the news like I promised Bob I'd do. But, Mr. Larson... Sorry, ma'am. By the way, Joe Findlay had some barn stolen from his place when he was killed. He ain't been found yet. If you happen to see them around anywhere, now or later, you'll know Bob took him. How would I find him? Bob, come here, didn't he? He might have hit him around the house someplace. I have to go now. I'm going with you. Sorry, not with me. I got orders about that. No, stop me from getting to my boy. That deputy might have waited for me to drag him. Now I'll have to hitch up the horse myself. There he goes, heading away as fast as he can. Who's that out there? Who are you? Better stay in the house, ma'am. What are you prowling around here for? Come close so I can see you or I'll fire. You better not try any shooting, Mr. McAllister. I'm sure of breathing. The sheriff. That's right, ma'am. Is it true? Is Bob gonna hang? Tell me that it ain't the case. Tell me my boy ain't gonna hang. I ain't nothing to say just yet, ma'am. Let me go inside your house where it's light. You haven't said he was gonna hang. Can't tell just yet. Well, what's that you got? Mrs. McAllister, I took this Tim box from the hollow stump where you just seen me. Oh. Do you recognize the box? Oh, yes, I... Oh, that is... Don't tell me anything that ain't true, ma'am. I'm trying to get the facts on something. Well, I... That's Bob's name scratched on the Tim there. Yes. Here's the box, ain't it? Yes, sir. Thanks for being honest. He never did tell me where he kept that box hid. He kept saying that if ever we was in awful trouble and had to have money, we'd have it saved up in there. My boy was always thinking of a rainy day. Oh, but I don't care about that now. I want to get to town and see Bob. Let's just have a look in this box first. Now then, it looks like bonds here, don't it? Yes. There ain't much cash here, not more than $15, $20 in silver. These bonds are worth something, though. I ain't interested, Sheriff. Let me go to Bob. Mrs. McAllister, these bonds are the one that was stole from the man Bob went to jail for killing. No. Yep, they sure are. Old Joe Findley owned these bonds, and the man that killed him stole them. Sheriff Green, yes? Hurry. Where? Come on. There's more to be seen. I brought your horse up to the house. Who's that masked man? Tell you later. Hurry before it's too late. I'm coming. Oh, Bob didn't steal him. He's been framed, Sheriff. Listen to me. See you later. Good way. Come. I'm with you. Oh, Sheriff, he ain't a thief. Wait right there, Mrs. McAllister. We'll be back. Wait for us, ma'am. And keep that lamp burning in the window. Keep the lamp burning. Get up there. Get up. Oh, Sheriff. The man in the sheriff left the McAllister home and rode swiftly to a point several hundred yards distant. There they found Lempervis standing beside a powerful chestnut mirror. What's the word, Lem? I got your signal when you left the fire. And I got the signal from that point over here. We all worked like you said. Where's the other signal? It's Tondo down there. See his fire? Come on, then. Hurry up! The masked man and the sheriff, with Lem following behind, urged their mounts toward the small signal fire where Tondo waited. The faithful Indian greeted them with a shout. Hey, there on the fire. I see a tunnel. Follow us. Get on point, follow us. Led by the Swiss strides of silver, the group made their way toward another signal fire. But ahead of them concealed, as he thought, by the darkness, Deputy Sheriff Larson was hastily scooping a hollow in the soft earth next to a limestone rock. We hear him as he speaks aloud. It's a town for the old woman. Get, Sam. I gotta do it. Given her talk to Bob and wouldn't do. Don't make a move. What? I got you. Cover Larson. Green. What's this mean? Means eye size are at upright. We got you cold. You dirty killer. I'll have a look at what you're planting there, Larson. Listen, Chef. Oh, that man get loose. I let him loose. Take a look at one of your hands, Sheriff. Keep him covered. And more Joe Finley's bombs, as well. Let me explain that to you. Here's Finley's watch. Larson, this puts a noose around your neck instead of Bob McAllister's. You went to the hollow tree, all right? You stole my cash. You'll have some bonds to frame me tighter than ever if they was ever found. I did not. The trouble with that lie, Larson, is that we was there and seen you. You're framing me. It's a put-up job. You're the put-up job, all right. From the time the masked man here believed in Bob and mistrusted you because of what Lamb Purvis told him. I didn't. I was right. I never misjudged a man in my life. You see, Larson, while you were knocked out, Bob McAllister told how you were so eager to do him a favor and tell his mother where his cash was hidden. You're not a man who does favors of that sort. You weren't satisfied with what you'd already stolen. You wanted Bob's cash, as well. You plotted to get it just as we thought you would. And you went further. You figured to solve my cash in the same hide-and-place with the rest of your loot. Yeah. And you done more than we hoped you would. What are you going to do about it? Ain't you anxious to know how we come on your hide-and-place? What's the odds? Bob went with Tonneau, Lamb Purvis, when you left the house. Each time you turned, one of them stayed to mark the turn. When you finally stopped, each lit some brushwood to fetch all the others. We got you red-handed. When you won't get me alive, I'll show you what. I got him by Dern. I'm still handy with a six-gounder. Rope this gun. My leg's broken. You don't need to stand, Larson. You're going to hang. You better get for home, Bob. Your mom's waiting up for you. I'm free. There'll be formalities in court, but I guess she can go home for what's left of the night. I'll see you get back your cash after court's over with. Now, where's the masked man that got me to try a scheme to find a killer? Oh, Chuck Sheriff Green. Him and his Indian friends moved off after this rat was shot. But I want to see him. Don't reckon you will. By cracky, he's just like me. The two of us shook in size of a straight shooter like Macalester, and a pole cat like Larson as well. I know you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.