 Ranger Bill, warrior of the woodland, struggling against extreme odds, traveling dangerous trails, fighting the many enemies of nature. This is the job of the guardian of the forest, Ranger Bill. Pouring rain, freezing cold, blistering heat, snow, floods, bears, rattlesnakes, mountain lions. Yes, all this in exchange for the satisfaction and pride of a job well done. You know, this story really tickles my funny bone. But on the other hand, it has a very serious side to it. It's a mysterious and frustrating story involving Stumpy. We'll call it The Cat in the Wall. The big Tom catch you're hearing on the prowl is called Blackie. He's the fond pet of Mrs. Bula Lindstrom. Now, Bula and Blackie live next door to Stumpy Jenkins. Stumpy's just coming home after a hard day on the trail. Grey Wolf is with him. He lives two blocks from the old timer. You know something, young fella? Oh, what that old timer? I'm tired as an old rug. I'm plenty tired, too. We spend hard day on trail. I'm not used to riding horseback all day. Oh, then it's not your feet that tired. You can say that again. It's the back of my lap. That saddle is as hard as a board. How do you think horse feel? Every once in a while, old Matilda would look around at me and say, get off her. Well, hello, Blackie. How does the world treat you? How are you and Bula get along these days? No, so-so. She hasn't found anything to complain about lately. She had a nice cat. He friendly fell off. She ought to let some of the cats friendliness rub off on her. You're a pretty harsh about neighbor. No, I'm just running off at the mouth. She isn't such a bad sort. I could have worse neighbor. It's just that she's so persnickety. Everything got to be perfect. Now, come on in for a cup of coffee, Grey Wolf. I'll give Blackie some milk. Ah, a cup of coffee and go plenty good now. Blackie sure finished off milk like nothing. Yep. He comes over most every night and has his milk. Bula doesn't think much of it, since I'm trying to take the cat away from her. I showed some common courtesy and opened the door. Foolish questioner course he is here. Come on, Blackie, time to go. I told you a hundred times I don't. You're trying to take him away from me. Why don't you get your own cat? I don't want your old friends. He's not an old likesy you for a friend. You're trying to kidnap him. You mean don't you, Bula? I see what you mean now. Right, senses. Why should I want a stealer cat? Do you think all the ice is out of the river, Bill? Oh, sure, Henry. Lumberjacks will be starting their loggrass downstream the first of the week. You've got to get these navigation markers up, or their logs won't stay in raft for him very long. Ah, then there'll be plenty trouble. You all set to shove off? Yep. I'll cast off the lines. Is the old timer with us, or did he fall over the side? Oh, he's with us, but he's kind of glum about something. I think old timer have woman trouble. Well, as I live and breathe, I guess love can bloom at any age. You keep talking like that. You won't be right side up in this boat very much longer. You really got a crap on that. What's the matter, old friend? What's eating anyway? I was only teasing before. Oh, Chad, will my next door to me? Oh, you and Mrs. Lindstrom having a round by round again? Not exactly, but you think I'm trying to steal a cat? Well, you not let him in house, and then you not have trouble. If I don't let him in, give him his milk, then he sits out there and bellies his head off. All the fire all shoes and foam out of him. I'm not mad at the cat, young fella. Never should have started that late snack business with him, and we'd be all right. Sometimes kindness to animal make master jealous. Yeah, that's true. Come on now, snap out of it, stuffy. Bill, they'll get over it. I hope so, because I hate to come home every night and have a fight with... That's exactly right, Mabel. If Stumpy Jenkins doesn't leave Blackie alone, I'm going to get the sheriff after him. Yes, that's right. He's getting bolder and bolder. And I know Blackie's going to disappear one of these days if I don't nip it in the bud right now. Yes, imagine the nerve of that man trying to steal my rhinos. And if he thinks he can get away with it, he's got another thing coming. Well, it's lunchtime now, so goodbye, Mabel. I'll put those in a bag for you, Mrs. Lindstrom. What do you think I should do about my cat, Mr. Barnes? Oh, keep him in the house. That's what I do. Well, now you know that'd be cruel. Cats like to have their nightly prowl. It sort of makes them feel like lions on the hunt. Yes, but you really think Stumpy's trying to steal Blackie, honestly? Hmm, I most certainly do. I don't make things up out of my imagination, Mr. Barnes. Well, I didn't say you did, but why would he want your cat? Because Blackie's a fine cat. The old man's lonesome and liked to have him for company when he comes home at night. I should think he'd buy his own cat if he once won that badly. Oh, I'd think so too, and you know, he's supposed to be such a religious man. A person that never know it by the way he takes on. Good day, Mr. Barnes. Good day. Call again. Now, your shoes are ready, Mrs. Lindstrom. Yeah, they are. Oh, thank you. You did a fine job, too. Say, what did you do if somebody was trying to steal your pet? Why, I'm punching right in the nose. Len, thanks. I can't very well do that. Besides, the man's a forest ranger and able to take care of himself, even if I could. A forest ranger's trying to steal your pet? Yes, Stumpy Jenkins. He's after my big Tomcat, Blackie. Boy, that's a new one. Well, I'm sorry I have to rush him, but a customer's calling back in 20 minutes for his shoes, and I've got to have him ready. It's too bad I'm not a man, or I would punch Stumpy Jenkins right in the nose. Good morning, Reverend Smith. Good morning, Mrs. Lindstrom. How are you? Not too well, thank you. Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you feel better soon. I will when Stumpy Jenkins stops trying to steal my cat. Stumpy's trying to steal your cat? Surprised, aren't you? I have to say the least. Perhaps you better keep a closer watch on your congregation. Good day. Ranger headquarters, Bill Dapperson speaking. What? Well, thank you for calling. Goodbye. Stumpy, it's about... Ranger headquarters, Bill Dapperson speaking. Yes? Yes, I've already been told. Well, thank you. Goodbye. You wanted to say something to me, sonny. Yeah, if I ever get around to it. Bill Dapperson speaking. Oh, hello, pastor. How are you? What? You too? Yes, I'll look into it. Thanks for calling. Goodbye. Hey, what's up? Something strange is going on around here. You're right there, young fella. Maybe that talking machine will shut up long enough for Bill Tellis. What wrong? I not like looking your face. Old timer, Bill Lindstrom's fixed your wagon but good. Huh? What do you mean? She's spreading the word around that you're trying to steal her cat. To put an end to this stuff? How far has she spread the word? All over the countryside, it sounds like. We have to do something about this. Bula should not tell a wild story like this. I'll say she shouldn't, because it ain't true. Who'd steal her cat? I weren't a Christian, I'd sue her for slander, that's what. We've got to do something about this. I know what I'm going to do. I'm going to stay at your house tonight, Bill. I won't go home to a fight. That'll only help prove she's right. It'll look like you run away. Grey Wolf's right. I think I'll go over now and talk with her. Huh? God bless. I don't know, but it's worth a try. She's talking to a brick wall, but it don't do any good. So the old buzzard sent you over here to talk to me, eh? Well, that's about what I expected. He can't fight his own battles. On the contrary, Mrs. Lindstrom, I came of my own free will and it was my idea. Did you know Stumpy's seriously considering moving because of the trouble you're making for him? He's making trouble only for himself, and I think he's got the right idea. He should move and then there'd be peace and quiet around here and Blackie could live without fear of being taken away. Have you proof that Stumpy wants to steal your cat? Yes, plenty of it. Being friendly to the animal and giving him milk every night isn't proof. That's what you think. He's trying to take the animal from me by braving it. Mrs. Lindstrom, Stumpy has a warm spot in his heart for animals. He doesn't want your cat. Is that so? I've watched him and I know. You know nothing but a lot of loose talk. It's going to get you into serious trouble if you don't stop it. Well, so now you're threatening me. Well, you can't scare me. Not for one minute. I'm not trying to scare you. Just caution you. If Stumpy weren't a Christian, he'd sue you for slander right now. A fine religious man he is. Trying to steal my pet. Don't push him too far, Mrs. Lindstrom. If this continues, I'd say he'd be justified to take you to court. You just don't go around spreading lies about people. They're not lies. They're facts, and I can prove it. You haven't proven it to me. And I'd be the first man to arrest him if you could prove that your lies are facts. Good day, Mrs. Lindstrom. You tell Stumpy Jenkins that he'd better not start any more trouble or I'll have him arrested. That's what I'll do. There's still a thing I should pack up and move. It'll be the easiest way out for everybody. It is just all right, Stumpy, but not best. Oh, Gray Wolf, when you get old like me, you'll be ready to accept the easy way out of a fight. It's all right for a young fellow to say, go in there, both hands flying, but when you get old, you get tired of that. I'd like to come home to peace and quiet. Ah, and they're a fellow that cause all trouble. Not him, Gray Wolf, it's mistress. Don't blame the cat. I'm not right. Blackie, you go out home now. No milk tonight. I'm sorry, pal, but I'm in the doghouse bad enough. No use pouring oil on the fire. Go out now! Poor fellow, probably things have turned against him. Good night. Don't lose sleep over this. You're not one who tell lies. I'm sure cooked a real meal tonight. It's no different than any other night. You must be unusually hungry. He's right, Mom. This is really delicious. Extra plus. Thank you. I'll get it, since it's probably for me anyway. I'll be joking. Oh, no, I'll be right over. Henry, grab your hat. Let's go. And leave these tender morsels? Stumpy's been arrested. I told you, Bill Jefferson, I'd have him arrested, and I did. And if he doesn't give me my cat this instant, he's going to jail. Terrible man. He probably killed Blacky. He tortured him just to get even with me. Well, I'll show him. You can't steal it. Cal, Cal, get this woman out of here and have a doctor give her a setting. You try and throw me out of this house. This is your house? No, but my cat's here. Is that factor of fiction? Bad. Prove it. Cal, let me see your search warrant. Well, I haven't got one, Bill. Then get this lady out of here. I'll get Blacky back. Dead or alive. I haven't got your confounded cat. Stumpy, I'm going to have to take you in and come back with a search warrant. Unless you want to give Mrs. Lindstrom her cat, no. I'm telling you. Met me at the front gate, just like always does. Then I shoot him home. Trouble. That's a likely story. Sheriff, do your duty. Can you, uh, prove your story, old timer? Henry called Wave Wolf and asked him to come over your way. Cal, you're acting on circumstantial evidence. I know that, but what can I do? Bueller signed a warrant. I know what I can do. What? It wouldn't make us more involved than it is. I can't promise that, but I can sign a warrant against Bueller for a suspicion of false arrest. You wouldn't dare! I'll do it without being dared. Sometimes I'm sorry I'm the sheriff. Bill, we've been friends a long time, but... Well, it appears to me that you're trying to wiggle Stumpy out of something. Not in the least. If Stumpy's guilty of stealing Black King, then he'll answer to the law just like anyone else. But I know he's not guilty. Sheriff, if you don't do your duty and arrest this man and get my cat back, I'll call the district marshal and have him do it. No, just a minute, Mrs. Lindstrom. I've known these men for a long time. And I know they're men, not liars. If Bill says that the old timer didn't take your cat, well, that's good enough for me. And I believe the old timer, too. Here's Grey Wolf. Grey Wolf, were you with Stumpy tonight when he chased Blackie home? Ah, I was there. Stumpy sent Cat home to avoid trouble. I saw Cat walk away. Listen, fellas, instead of standing here glowering at each other, we'd better get the cat out from between the walls. Yes. I can tell by the muffled sound of his voice that he's got himself down inside the wall. Please get him out. Oh, please, he far as too late. What about the wall, Mrs. Lindstrom? Put it in your pocket for now. I want my cat out from inside that wall alive. Sure wish Stumpy would wash his attic floor once in a while. Boy, but the dust is thick up here. Are you serious? Stumpy never used this skinny space. I'm only joking. A little more. We should be right over the bathroom wall. Do you see the cat? All I see are fire blocks in between the walls. A cat couldn't possibly get down inside the wall from here. No joking. How do you suppose it got there? Well, let's have a look from the basement. But isn't Blackie pretty big to climb up inside the wall? Who said it's Blackie? All right, any cat. I can see where a cat might fall down inside the wall and climb up. I don't know about that. Well, there's one way to find out. Let's look down in the basement. How in the name of common sense did the cat get out there? Well, there are fire blocks here too. Yeah, that's a good question. A very good question. This thing is going to put me in the insane asylum before it's over. Maybe there are holes behind bathtub. Oh, there's an idea. And a good possibility. Let's find out. Can you see anything, Bill? No. The wall is solid as the broader. This is getting plenty strange now. Cat in bathroom wall, sure as we stand here. But how animal get there? If you can tell me I'll be forever grateful to you, young fella. What are we going to do now? Where's Bill and the sheriff? Well, she invited him over for a cup of coffee while they're waiting for us to get that cat out. Praise the Lord for small blessings. I'd say the cat is right here in between the wall. All agreed? That sounds all right. All right, let's get some hammers and break the wall down if it's all right with you, Stumpy. See the cat? No cat. Mess we're making. I wish that cat would stay at one spot. The cat's voice may be deflected and carried from some remote part of the house by a freak acoustical setup. Then Stumpy's right. We'll have to turn around the rest of the house. Oh, not necessarily. I'm going to get Ted Thorpe out of bed and have him bring his electronic gear over here. How will that help? He can track the sound and pinpoint it right to the spot where the cat is. You think the cat's down here in the basement, Ted? Well, that's what the machine says. Please be quiet now while I track the sound a little further. Stumpy! Don in the basement, Cal. You can stop looking. Blacky just came home. What? Well, just came home. Yeah, I've got it, fellas. Where's the cat? Right here. I'm standing under it. That's your cat. The water meter's leaking and makes a meowing sound just like a cat. That's what it is, all right? I don't know what to say. Is there anything I can say to try and repair the damage I've done with my terrible mouth? I've done you a serious and a grave injustice and I'm terrified, Stumpy. You've got every right to sue me for every penny of God. I'm not going to sue you, Mrs. Lindstrom. You're not? Nope. I'm a Christian and I want you to know that the Lord's given me love in place of hate. Jesus did all that he promised to do when I accepted him as my savior. I can't hate you or be mean to you for this. I'm glad it happened this way. Maybe this will be a testimony to you that the Lord has taken away sin and made a new man out of me. I don't suppose there's any way I can repay you for the damage to your house. Nope. All I want is peace and quiet. And if I want to give Blackie some milk in an evening, not to be accused of stealing. You can give Blackie as much milk as you want any time you want, Stumpy. And I'm going to tell the whole town what a liar I was and how I wronged you. I think Blackie wants some milk now. And now you and me... Well, boys and girls, it's hard to believe, but the incident around which this story is built is true. Some time ago the walls of a house were torn apart to try and find a cat believed to be trapped inside. Sound engineers were brought in and the water meter was found to be the culprit. Well, see you next week for more adventure with... Range! This is Stumpy Jenkins, speaking for Ranger Bill. And say, and don't forget to hit the trail with us every week at this time for lots of exciting adventure with all the Ranger gang. Henry Scott and Gray Wolf and Bill, of course, and me, the old timer, are all on hand from time to time to bring you the best stories we can find. So you tune in to Naughty Pine and learn the latest that's happening around the Ranger Station, or in the mountains and forests nearby, or maybe even someplace further away. Because that young fellow, Bill, gets into all kinds of situations and troubles and complications when he's trying to help somebody else. So you'll be sure to join up with us next week for this half hour of storytelling, and then you won't lose out on anything that's going on. I'll be looking for you, so don't disappoint me.