 A merry 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 mask rider of the planes 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 hoofbeats of the Great Horse Silver! The Lone Ranger rides again! Come on, Silly! Let's go, big fellow! Are you still there? Three men lounged on the porch of the first call cafe just outside the limits of the Fort Wade military reservation. One was the barrel-chested proprietor, Card Wilkins. His companion's nondescript characters, generally known as spud and rip. The cafekeeper scowled at them as he said. Fellas, this cafe isn't worth the part it would take to blow it up. They used to trim the soldiers out of plenty of money on paydays. Yeah, they're getting suspicious of my poker games. A lot of them won't play anymore. Of course, I did slick ace Bill Evans and Hank Perish out of $100 last night. That don't happen, officer. Yeah, but even so, Card, this place makes good cover for us between stage holders. Well, we've overplayed our hands in a hold-up game, too. Wells Fargo Company says it isn't going to ship any more gold out of Valley City by stage. Then we'll try something else. When's the next payday at the Fort? Next Friday. A dispatch rider stopped you yesterday. He told me that Major Hayes the paymaster for this military district is at Fort Hobart now. He's due here late Thursday. Let's hold up the pay wagon. Take more than the three of us to pull that kind of a job. There's always a cavalry escort with a wagon. But I think... Yeah, I'm sure that we could get to the money after it reaches the Fort. There's a thousand men there. That's why the paymaster figures the money is perfectly safe. I've heard the soldiers say these stays overnight in a quartermaster's office, keeping a cash with them and checking the payroll. He only has one guard, a sentry who stands point duty outside the office. What about the other sentries? They walk posts outside the Fort. Up until 10 o'clock at night, they don't haul any soldiers because all the fellas at the Fort are off duty until taps. And we could slip in and out between darkened taps if we had soldier uniforms on. Right. And I've got some uniforms stored away. I bought them from discharged soldiers. I took them in on debts. Then we're all sad. Not so loud. Here comes Sergeant Art Carey. Looks like he's got his dander at him. Howdy, Sergeant. I'm not a Sergeant any longer. I was discharged today. What are you aiming to do now? Something I couldn't do before without blackening my army record. What do you mean? Cards you cheated two of my soldier friends out every cent they had last night. You can't prove I cheated them. I know your tricks. I've seen you deal cards in the bottom of the deck. So what? So I'm here to get their money back for them and knock your ears down. And I'll shell out or square off. Look here, fella, you can't... Refuge and spud stay out of this. I want the fun of lamb basting this smart alec alone. What's this? As he spoke, Card Wilkins swung a wild ride at Art Carey's head. The ex-argent ducked and the cafekeeper's fists slid over his shoulder. Then they grappled. I'll tear you apart. Fight with your fists, you coward. The two men swayed back and forth across the porch with a cafekeeper clawing, gouging and kicking. Rip was yelling. Kill him, Card! At that moment, the lone ranger and tottle turned their horses into the military road a short distance from the first called cafe. They had skirted Fort Wade and were headed for the neighborhood of Valley City intending to investigate the many recent stage hold-ups as they approached the cafe. Tottle pointed. Look, Kimasabi, two fellas fight. One soldier. Yes, pull up. What do we do? Nothing, unless there's an attempted gunplay. The soldier's winning in spite of the other man's foul way of fighting. Breaking away from the cafekeeper, Carey drove a hard upper cut to his jaw. Wilkins measured his length of the porch floor. The next sergeant stepped back, giving him a chance to get to his feet and renew the battle. But the crook only lifted himself on one hand. With the other, he jerked a six-gun from inside his shirt. Now you whole-cat die. Drop that gun, Hoselman! Easy, can't he be clever? Look, a mask man on an engine. Don't shoot, Card, they got us covered. Drop that gun, I said. There it goes. This is a whole- It isn't. My mask doesn't make me an outlaw. I simply wanted the sergeant to get fair play. Thanks, mister. You and the red skin got here just in the nick of time. You two bystanders, keep your hands frozen. Sergeant, you'd better take all of their guns and give them to me. Right. I'll leave them a hundred yards down the trail. I'll get them. What caused the trouble here? Art Carey tried to rob me. I only tried to recover some money to my friends lost to him in a crooked card game. Now that I have their guns, I'll take it. Hold on, Sergeant. Whether that fellow is a crook or not, you'll be arrested for robbery if you take any money from him. I reckon you're right, mister. Anyhow, I had the satisfaction of licking him. Yeah, and you'll pay for it. Keep still or I'll punch again. Here, mister. Take the guns. Right. I have them. Where are you going to the fort? No, I'm out of the army. I was headed for Valley City when I stopped here. I intended outfit in town and prospect on Caravan Creek. Caravan Creek? I reckon I shouldn't have told that in front of Card Wilkinson's cronies. I never mentioned my plans before. So if I get dragged, else you tell the sheriff who to look for. Easy, sir. If you want to ride double with me, I'll take you most of the way to Valley City. Well, thanks, mister. Being an old cavalryman, I'd rather ride any fashion than watch. All right, up you go. I'm ready. Come on, sir. Get him up to the count. As the long ranger dropped the guns on the trail and passed from sight with the ex-Sergeant and Toto, Card Wilkins got to his feet. Rubbing his jaw, he rasped. Don't you fellas help me? You told us to stay out of it. What's this thing I just picked up from the floor? That's one of those ribbon soldiers wearing their blouses. Let me have it. There you are. What does it stand for? This is the ribbon for a medal granted to Kerry by a special act of Congress. They say that no enlisted man except Kerry ever won that medal. Had he won it? I don't know, but I've thought of a way to make this ribbon hang, Art Kerry. Maybe the masked man in the engine, too. And you're thinking too fast for me. First off, we'll report to the provo marshal at the fort that Kerry and the other two hombres tried to rob us. Then when we go after the army payroll, this is what we'll do. Meanwhile, Art Kerry had fast become a friend of the lone ranger and Toto. As the horses trotted along toward town, he told of his adventurous military career. The masked man looked back at him and commented, Where are good many campaign ribbons? One farthest to the left is for the sewer. One next to it means that I was in the Napersay expedition. And this one, say I've lost the ribbon that shows I was decorated with a medal. Of course I still have the medal, so it doesn't matter much. Perhaps you lost it during your fight at the cafe. Likely I did. It was on my blouse when I was mustered out. But I'm not going back to look for it. What medal do you hold, Art? It's a special medal granted by Congress for my work in fighting against the sewer. I congratulate you. The army needs men like you. You should have remained in the service. Maybe you're right, Mr. But I can always re-enlist. Parting company with the lone ranger and Toto in a gulch outside Valley City, ex-Sergeant Kerry soon reached the town. He was unable to find satisfactory pack animals until the following Thursday. Then, having bought two mules and loaded them with mining gear and supplies, he returned to the gulch and found the masked man and Indian still there. At the lone ranger's invitation, Kerry camped with them. That night, as the three friends sat beside a fire, Card Wilkins and his fellow crooks slipped through the guard lines at Fort Wade, clad in cavalry uniforms. They catfooted to the corner of the quartermaster's building, pulling yellow-necker chiefs over their faces. Then, Card, who was in the lead and carried an iron stake used to picket horses, halted them. Here's the sentry. While I knock him out, I want to make sure the season hears us. I know what to say. The sentry's turned his head. Who goes there? It takes care of him. I'd you better stay back while I pull down my nekkerchief and call the paymaster at the door. Who's there? The sergeant of the guard. I have a message for you from Colonel Esterly. Let me have it. Colonel's compliments. Share those sacks of money from the table. I'll upset some of the furniture. Put Art Carey's honor ribbon in the paymaster's hand. I said I'd fix him. An hour later, Captain Hoyt, the probo marshal, reported the murder of the paymaster and theft of the payroll to Colonel Esterly at post headquarters. He was saying... After the sentry came to, he said that he'd been attacked by three men who wore masks and uniforms. He claimed that one of the killers called another one Carey. Yes, sir. I then investigated the quartermaster's office. It was in a state of disorder indicating that Major Hayes put up a hard fight for his life. In his right hand, he clutched the ribbon of the special service medal. No one holds that honor in this part of the west except Art Carey. Hard to believe that he would commit robbery and murder. He was a good soldier. Good soldiers often turn bad men as soon as they are discharged. I suppose the sudden release from discipline has something to do with it. What's Carey been doing since he was discharged? Howard Wilkins told me today that Carey and two other outlaws tried to hold up the first call café on Tuesday. He described one of the others as wearing a mask. The third bandit was an Indian, he said. Probably the same outlaws were with him tonight. I have no doubt of it. I told Wilkins that I could do nothing in the case of the attempted robbery because his café was outside the military reservation and Carey had been discharged. Boots and saddles are sounding. The men will be ready to ride in a few minutes. Issue rations for a week. A regiment of 50 patrols scour this district from end to end but bring in Carey, the mask man and the Indian. It was early the next morning when the Lone Ranger, Toto and Art Carey broke camp. The ex-argent left for Lonely Caravan Creek with his packed mules while Toto rode off to Valley City to buy supplies. Soon the Indian galloped back with news of the Army payroll murder which he had heard in town. He gave the Lone Ranger the details including the fact that a masked man and Indian were wanted as accomplices of Carey. That mean us, Kimusabi. Me hear the tellers at Café say Carey and us tried to rob place. Toto, he was with us last night so we know that he's as innocent as we are. An honor ribbon was planted in the murdered man's hand for all the victims of a frame-up. Did anyone question you in town? No plenty Indian around there. Nobody paid attention to me. Here's silver. Hard Wilkins has a grudge against Carey and us. It's likely that he tore off Carey's honor ribbon during the fight and built the frame-up around it. Go after him and his men and try to get the truth out of them. You ready? The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger adventure. Before the next exciting scenes we'll permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue. Suspected of taking part in the murder of an Army paymaster the Lone Ranger and Toto had headed their horses toward the first-call café near Fort Wade. As they near the café, Toto pointed. Look, Kimusabi. Plenty horses in front of place. Yes, Army horses. As the masked man and Indian grew rain several hundred yards from the café a corporal stepped from behind one of the horses and riders on the trail he shouted. Responding to the corporal's command the troopers rushed out of the café and some of the soldiers drew revolvers while others loosened their saddle rifles. The Lone Ranger shouted to Toto Turn back, they're going to shoot. It's ricocheted from rocks along the trail but the Lone Ranger and Toto had halted out of the accurate range of revolver fire. Before the soldiers could bring their carbines to bear both men headed their horses into a thicket. Riding hard the masked man and Indian slowly to see in the distance ahead the dust clouds raised by other cavalry patrols. They drew rain. In a desperate situation the boldest course is often the best. We'll put our case before the commanding officer if we can find him. A short time later Colonel Esterly paced the floor of his office. Alone at headquarters in an almost deserted fort he had been directing the widespread search for the suspected killers through dispatch riders. As his restless movements took him toward the orderly room the connecting door opened. The Colonel stopped and stiffened. The masked man and Indian. If you killers think you can hold me as hostage we're not killers. Art Kerry spent the night of the payroll murder with us at a camp near Valley City. Such an alibi is worthless coming from you. I realized it will carry no weight as long as we are suspects. We've been framed probably by Card Wilkins and his men before you waste any more words you'd better identify yourself. Here you are sir. This cartridge may identify me. It's loaded with a silver bullet. You're the lone ranger. I accept your word that you and your friends are innocent but a view of the evidence against you and the army's regulations I can be of little help. I don't expect you to call off the hunt for us and arrest the cafe gang. We'll have to clear ourselves. First let me ask whether the stolen money can be identified. My officers and I will know it. It amounts to $15,000 and consists entirely of 5 and $10 gold pieces. The coins are new. They bear this year's date. They're marked with a tiny letter P meaning they were minted in Philadelphia. Is it possible for you to offer a reward for the Hipero killers? Sorry mister but army rules don't provide for any rewards except the $5 bounties on deserters. If people were to offer a substantial reward would you have the notices printed and posted? Yeah certainly but why should such notices be necessary? Colonel, I have a plan. Most men become murderers because they want money or revenge. Card Wilkins is both money hungry and revengeful. Those qualities and his character can be used to establish his guilt if as I believe he and his men committed the crime. This is what I expect to do. By listening to the Lone Rangers plan Colonel Esterly directed him to an abandoned powder magazine at the edge of the military reservation. They are he and Topper remains for the rest of the day. That night they set out for caravan creek to hunt for art carry. It was several days later when the crook known as Rip hurried into the first fall cafe. Tellers look at this. What is it? It's a reward notice some soldier just gave me. A citizen who doesn't want his name used his offer on a heap of money to hide a masked man in the engine. Let me see. Says they wanted dead or alive. Boys, this is our chance to square accounts with carry and get paid for doing it. Pack some grub and settle up. Where are we going? Caravan Creek. We'll fix that has been sergeant. Collect Donnie's cockies. Meanwhile, the Lone Ranger and Totto had found the former non-commissioned officer at work on a worthless placer. They explained what had happened and advised him what to do in event that the cafe gang appeared. The ever-adventurous carry readily fell in with the plan. After several uneventful days, the masked man and Indian who had concealed themselves on the bolder covered creek bank while carry pan gravel below them sighted three riders a short distance downstream. They loosened their guns. Those men are civilians. And me think them fellas we want. They've stopped and dismantled. Now they're coming on Indian fashion. Art, be ready. This may be it. All right. A few minutes later, the crawling men were close enough for the Lone Ranger and Totto to identify them as Card Wilkins, Rip and Spud. Suddenly the crooks rose as one man, their guns drawn. Please carry. Wilkins. Come on fellas, jumped on the bank. I don't think his gun hold his eye. I got his gun. Hold still, fella. Hang on to him. I'm going to bust his job before I plug him. In their efforts to hold on to the ex-argent, Rip and Spud and prepare to slug the prisoner, the Lone Ranger and Totto leap from their hiding place. Wilkins, drop that gun. Drop your gun or I'll fire. Our hands are up. Don't shoot. I'll pick up Wilkins' gun and disarm the others, Mr. Keepin' covered. That takes care of them. You can't get away with this. They're not here. That's why we tricked you into hunting me on this creek. That's what I said. The mass man had that reward notice printed just as a come on. What are you going to do to us? You've tried twice to kill me. You've framed me so I'm liable to hang. What did you do in my boots? He's fixing to shoot us. Shooting is too good for farmers like you. I have another idea. It's something that'll make you fellas confess that you murdered the paymaster. Seeing the stark terror in the eyes of his fellow crooks and believing that they were ready to betray him, Card Wilkins was desperate. At that moment, the Lone Ranger who had been holding a gun on the cafekeeper killed Wilkins' world and ran. I'm getting out of here. Stop, Wilkins. He went top a bank. He ran for horse. He's out of sight among the rocks. You'll let him get away on purpose. You shot way over his head. Yes, you're right. I allowed him to escape. Just as soon as I saw that he was afraid you two men would confess. I know crooks. Wilkins will head straight for the place where you hid the payroll money. He probably hoped to get across the Mexican border with it. Save your statements for Colonel Esterly. You'd either lie to us or claim whether that we forced you to talk. Even if you led us to the money, you'd be in a position to say that we hid it. Wilkins has to be caught with the goods on him. It's our only way out of this frame-up. You've got big stock now. Yes, it should be big enough to make him think he's safe. I'll follow his trail while you and I take the prisoners to the fort. As the day drew to a close, the Lone Ranger and Colonel Esterly crouched in the chaparral on the side of the first-call café. The masked man was saying... I saw Wilkins dig something out of the hill over there. Then he took his saddlebags and went into the café. That was just before I reported to you at the fort. He must still be inside. His horse is at the hitch-rack. Colonel, I only need you as a witness. May I suggest that you stay here when he comes out? No all probability. He has armed himself again. This is my fight now as well as yours. You know I'll be court-martialed with a payroll money, and it becomes known that I helped and harbored you. There he is. Stooping under the weight of two bulging saddlebags which hung over his right shoulder, Card Wilkins crossed the café porch to his horse. As he turned his back into cold of the bags with both hands, the Lone Ranger nudged the Colonel. This is our chance. As the Lone Ranger and Army officer broke from cover, Card Wilkins whirled. At the same moment, he dropped his heavy saddlebags and dove behind a nearby rock. The masked man was shouting... The outlaw's response was a wild shot. The bullet missed the Lone Ranger who had reached the horse's head but creased the animal's neck. Squealing with pain and rage, the big stallion reared, breaking his tie strap and striking out with his front hooves. The Lone Ranger dodged, but one thrashing hoof found his head and hit his shoulder. Although the blow was glancing, it stretched the masked man on the ground, half stunned. Colonel Esterly ran to his aid. How the hell do you, mister? Hold it! Seizing the stallion's bridle, the Colonel attempted to quiet him before his deadly hooves again reached the Lone Ranger's body. In his struggle with the horse, the Colonel dropped his revolver. Then Wilkins rose from behind the rock. As Colonel Esterly groped on the ground for his fallen gun, the outlaw kicked it out of his reach. The spinning gun came to rest beside the Lone Ranger, who in the meantime had shaken off the effects of the blow he had received from the stallion's hoof. Grasping the weapon, he struggled to one knee as Wilkins yelled. This way, you'll get it, Colonel. Got that gun, Wilkins? You sure took care of that crook, mister? Another second he'd have murdered me. Are you badly hurt? No, Colonel. Neither is Wilkins. I'll take his gun while you examine those saddlebags. I'll look inside of them at once, sir. There I have one of the flaps open. Is it the Army payroll? Yes, it is beyond the doubt. Do something for me. My arm's broken. I'll take you to the post-hospital shortly. Meanwhile, you'd better make a clean breast of your part in the payroll robbery and the murder of Major Hayes. I haven't anything to say. I think your confederates may be persuaded to talk. So you figure I'm making a deal with Sput and Ripper? Few outlaws refused to talk. When it's a matter of saving their own necks. The first who tells the truth and agrees to testify for the government stands a little chance of getting off with his life. If you promise... I don't make promises to a crook. The decision is up to you. I'll talk. Sput and Ripper helped me on the job. We put Kerry's honor ribbon in the paymaster's hand and lied about the mask man and engine. Sput and Ripper, the kind of fellas who'd blab if I didn't, they were in with me on some stage hold-ups. That's all I want to know. Get me to a hospital, my arm. Colonel, here comes one of your patrols. That's the provo-margell's detachment, Captain Hoyt commanding. Captain! We heard firing, sir. You've caught the mask man. Did he shoot Cardwell? I'll ask the questions. What are you doing with Kerry and the Indian? We just captured them. They had two civilian hostages that I'm holding as witnesses. Colonel, those civilians are ripping Sput. Arrest them, Captain Hoyt. Release the other two men. The mask man and I have recovered the payroll money and obtained a confession from Cardwell. He and his henchmen, Rip and Spud, committed the crimes of the fort. Kerry. Front and center. Let me pin the ribbon of your special medal on your tunic again. I'm sorry that this proud emblem caused me to doubt your honor. And I'm sorry that I ever quit the army. I'd like to re-enlist, sir. Consider it done, sir. Yes, sir. Why, are you leaving this place? Yes, Colonel. Adios, sir. Adios, Sergeant. Adios, mister. You did a lot for me. You should be wearing this ribbon. No, there's only one place for it. That's a soldier's tunic. Are you ready, Tutto? You said to be flut me ready. Let's go! Men, give our friends a cheer. Hooray! Captain, have the bugler sound recall. I don't want any more mistakes made about the Lone Ranger. This is a feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated, created by George W. Trendle, produced by Trendle Campbell Enterprises, directed by Charles D. Livingston, and edited by Fran Stryker. The part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beemer.