 hope was that the Lone Ranger would hear of it. The masked rider of the planes put justice above the letter of the law, and his courage and resourcefulness saved many innocent men. Return with us now of those thrilling frontier days, what adventure lay at the end of every trail. From out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the Great Horse Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again. He stood side by side in a small camp a short distance from the town of Marshall. One, his face lathered, was shaving. His grinning companion held a cracked mirror and... Don't forget your chin. Can't say much for this old razor of yours. Getting it off all right? Fair to middlin'. You'll do, I reckon. Hand me that towel. Yeah. Here you are. Golly, how I hate to shave. I'd rather wrestle steers any day. Now let me have that glass, huh? See how we look together. Sure. Don't that beat all? Look, Eddys, I never seen you before this morning, and you never seen me. I come from Wyoming and you from Arizona. I never been in this part of the country, and from what you say, you ain't been here since you was knee and eye to a tadpole. That's right. But to look, Eddys, you think we was identical twin brothers. I knew it the second the late eyes on you. Told you to see it for yourself once you've got that crop of whiskery shaved off. Maybe I'd better tie a string around my finger. That way I'll be able to tell us apart. I'm likely to forget and think I'm you. No harm in that. That's just what I want you to do. Your folks ain't going to get mad. Oh, shucks. They'll just think it's a good joke on them once they learn the straight of it. Yeah. You just got your pa and a sister living, huh? Uh-huh. Pa's name is Lige. My sister is Jenny. She ought to be quite a girl by now. Pa, he's getting along in years. And they ain't seen you for how long? Hey, you ain't let slip on them things I told you, have you? No, I reckon not. I just wanted to check up and see that I had it all straight. It's been 15 years. I went up the trail with the trail heard, and I never come back. I rode to them once in a while, but that's all. You'll be able to fool them easy. I'm willing to give it a trial anyhow. How soon will you be along? Sometime tomorrow. You're willing to trust me with all this cash? I mean, brother, you kept it and gave it to them yourself. No, you give it to them. That'll make them think you're me for sure. I can trust you. If you wasn't straight, you'd be anxious to take the cash, not trying to get out of it. Shucks, you can trust me all right. The only thing is that I'd feel awful bad if I was held up first or something. Don't worry. I'll get your horse. I saddle him while you was eating. You're riding the ways with me? Yeah, well, the ways. Far enough so she won't take the wrong fork in the trail. There you are. Thanks. Well, here's for it. First, just one thing. Yeah? You say your handle is Dave Williams? Mm-hmm. Well, from now on, don't even think of yourself by that name. You're Rusty Baylor, savvy. Forget about Dave Williams, and keep in mind you're Rusty Baylor, and you won't be so likely to make mistakes. I'll try. Good enough. Let's go then. Get up, boy. Come on. Get up. That's another. I never in my life saw men who look so much alike. I wouldn't have believed it possible if I hadn't seen it for myself. It keeps strange. Well, they plan to play a joke on Rusty's folks, huh? Mm, that's what them say. I wonder. What matter? I wonder if it is just a joke. Dave Williams, masquerading as Rusty Baylor, made his way to the Baylor Ranch House, where he was received as a prodigal son. Lodge Baylor, old and ailing, was all smiles. His son's long absence forgiven. Jenny, a pretty young woman, could not do enough to make the man she thought her brother comfortable in. Rusty, do have some more of these dumplings. They turned out special good, while you're having hard to eat a thing. Guys, Jenny, my stomach wouldn't hold another bite. Too glad to be home again for an appetite, huh, Sam? Yeah. Yeah, that's it, I guess, Pa. Well, if he ain't changed too much since he's a young one, I'll allow you to be eaten healthy again or for long. My how you did stow it away in them days. Rusty. Huh? You haven't told us much yet about what you've been doing all these years. Oh, nothing very interesting. Speak up, boy. You don't have to be exciting to interest us. Hmm, well, I've been punching cows mostly. Just wandering around, working for a spell, and then moving on. And you saved all that money you brought us just out of wages? Well, it did help me a little spread for a while. Didn't amount to much, though. I wish you hadn't sold it, Rusty. You shouldn't have, son. I reckon the banker would have waited a might longer before asking for his loan. Great day. He's been waiting long enough. I was glad to be able to help. Sure, sure. I know it, son. I appreciate it, too. Me and Jenny both. Huh, Jenny? Of course, Pa. Only thing is, it all seems hard when old folks have to call on the young ones. That's all. Ain't fair to a young fella like you, Rusty, that's trying to get a start in the world. It was enough. Now tell us more about yourself. You said you were in the panhandle for a while? Yes. I'll get it. I knew that could be. Evening, Jenny. Howdy, Lyde. Come in, Sheriff. Come in. Here's Rusty back home. Come in and sit. Look, Aunt Lyde ain't got the time. Heard Rusty was here, though. Mind steppin' out here for a word, Rusty? What? Well, I guess not. Ain't jailin' him for stealin' them apples from the sky pilot back in the days he skipped school, are ya? No, Lyde. Reckon any charge 15 years old to be outbored by now? I won't keep the boy for long, Lyde. She's a jingo. What's the matter, Rusty? Gosh, I don't know. Come on outside, Rusty. Sure. What's this about, Sheriff? Shucks, Rusty. Ain't no you here pretending with me. Pretending? Well, what do you mean? This is far enough. Just didn't want your pa to hear what I had to say. You know, Rusty, your pa and me have been right good friends for near a score of years now. I'd sure hate like blazes to have to do anything that it hurt him. What are you gettin' at? Didn't think they'd send a reward notice clear up here, huh? Reward notice? You're local. Look, Rusty, if it had just been a holdup or something like that, why, I reckon we'd never have heard of it. But you should have had sense enough to know a killing is some ways different. Killing? You could make it a heap easier if you'd quit playing innocent. But I don't know what you're talking about. Honest to gosh, I don't. You can't get out of it. I got the reward notice on my desk right now. Never showed it to anybody, because I didn't want your pa to know you'd joined a wild bunch. Wait, Sheriff. No, you just listen to me for a second. Rusty, your pa ain't got long to live. He's hoped for a long time that he'd see you again before he died. Well, I'm willing for you to visit for a while. I ain't even going to tell what I know. But you'll be watched every second. And if you try to slip away, why, then, no matter where you are, who will know about it? I'll have to arrest you. Now, think it over. You can't get away, and maybe for your pa's sake, you'll kind of cooperate with me, huh? Sheriff, this is one of the dirtiest sneak and fix I ever heard tellin'. Now, don't blame me for doin' my duty. Blame yourself for turnin' bad. Oh, that being me, what I mean. No? I ain't Rusty Baylor. You, come on now, Rusty. You expect to crawl out that way? No, listen to me. I met up with Rusty this morning. He seen how much I like, we looked, and he said they wanted to play a joke on his folks. Gosh, I see it now. What a dog-gone fool I was. He knew he was wanted and scheme to get me, caught in his place. Well, that dirty. I ain't got the patience to listen to lies, but recollect what I told you. You're being watched, young fella. Now, that ain't foolin'. Get up. Get along there. Get along. Good Lord, no wonder I'd... Rusty. Huh? Oh, it's you, Jenny. I heard what the sheriff said, Rusty. I heard it all. You heard? Please don't be mad at me. I just knew something was wrong. I had to find out what. I didn't say anything to Paul. He won't know, Rusty. Jenny, you gotta believe me, even if nobody else does. Just tell me you didn't kill anyone, Rusty, and of course I'll believe you. I'll help you get away, too. I don't know anything about that. I hope like blazes, your brother wasn't mixed up in any such thing, but it's the truth that I ain't him. Rusty. My name's Dave Williams. If it really is... I'm not lyin'. If you are, I can tell. Huh? But please, if you are, Rusty, tell me the truth. Jenny, I couldn't lie to you. Rusty had a birthmark. He did? On his forearm. His left forearm, almost the shape of a clover leaf. That couldn't be changed. And if I haven't got it, you'll believe me? Oh, yes. Well, then look here. I swear to get my sleeve rolled up. Can you see? What? It isn't there. You're not Rusty. I wish I could prove it to the Sheriff, Justice, easy. Oh, but you can, don't you see? I'll tell him about the birthmark. You can show him you haven't got one. Then he'll have to admit you're not the man he wants. No, Jenny. It won't work. Just take it over. What do you figure he'd say if we went to him with any such story? He'd laugh in our faces. Figure just a poor trick to fool him. Oh, I suppose. I don't know what to do. Dave, I'm so sorry, truly, I am. It's kind of tough lines on you, too, Jenny. I mean, learn this about your brother and all. Rusty, but I was afraid. I guess I've always been afraid. We hardly ever heard from him, never saw him. Oh. What's the matter? That money. The money you brought us to pay off the loan. Was it yours? No. Rusty, give me that. Well, then it may have been stolen. Charlie, that's something I never thought of. Oh, what do we do, Dave? Right now, honey, I mean, Jenny. Right now, I don't know what we can do, except for two things. Yes? Keep all this from your father. Oh, of course. And hope that Rusty will show up tomorrow like he said he would. Only if I know. I'm afraid he won't. I'll see over a way. Who was that? Search me. Likely one of the fellows the sheriff must have set to watch me. Lone Ranger brought his mount to a rearing stop at the small, well-hidden camp where Tata waited for him. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. Tata, call scouts. Oh, what matter? Don't ask questions now. I'll explain as we ride. Here's scouts. Let me get saddle. No, this time you'll have to ride bareback. We have to whack fast. Where do we go? Back to the camper. We saw those two men today. We're going to try and follow a trail at night. Come on. Get out of stock. Carl Silver Howard. That night, the Jenny Baylor stole through the house toward the room where Dave slept. She knocked on the door cautiously and. Knock, knock, knock. Who's there? It's me, Dave. Jenny, I have to talk to you. Just a second, Jenny. Hurry. I'll be right there. Jenny, what is it? Hey, what have you got there? Dave, listen to me and don't argue. You've got to get away. You can't be hung or jail for something you didn't do. Michelle said he'd be watching. Surely he wouldn't watch very careful the very first night. Here, here's some food to take with you and an extra gun and money. But Jenny. Don't argue with me, Dave. Please don't. Go now. Go while you still have a chance. The longer you're here, the closer you'll be guarded. Jenny. Yes? Does it mean anything to you whether they catch me or not? Oh, it does. And if I should be able to come back some day with proof of who I really am, proof that they'll all have to accept, would you? With? Yes, Dave. Oh, then give me those things right now. But outside the Baylor Ranch house, the sheriff had hidden himself in the shadows. Beside him, stood a deputy. He ain't likely to try anything tonight, Sheriff. But maybe that's just the way he'll figure I figure things. And if he does, we'll grab him. What's that? Wait. Somebody coming down the porch and stand at the shadows. True by gravy. Is it him? I think it is. Why are the dirty sneaking killers? Let him get away from the house over to the corral where he's heading. Yeah. I give him his chance. I know you did, Sheriff. But he wouldn't take it. Well, when I say the word, throw down on him. And if he goes for his guns, don't wait to argue. Shoot. Come on. He's at the corral now. 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. Sheriff and the deputy watched Dave Williams as he stole towards the corral and his horse. Thinking of him, Rusty Baylor, against whom there was a charge of murder, the lawmen crept towards the fugitives. Watch out. He don't see us too soon. He's getting his rope ready to toss a loop on that mare of his. Better grab him. Yeah. All right, Rusty. What, Malyza? I didn't think you could get away with it, did you? Sheriff, give me a chance. I ain't Rusty, I tell you. You got to let me get word to Wyoming to prove it. What you mean is, give you a month's time to figure some way of getting loose. Nothing to do with it. We had your chance and threw it away. I tried to be easy on you for your poor sake. But I'm the law and I've got my duty. You're coming along. There ain't no use arguing, I suppose. And at all, tomorrow we take you into the county seat. There's a United States marshal waiting for you there. Put the cuffs on him, Jake. Right. Man will hold a skunk. It's sure a dog on shame that a fine fella like Lides has to have a no good son like you, Rusty. Just forget the talk and take me in the jail. Might as well get this over with. Come along. The horse is over there. You and Jake can ride double. Dave, Sheriff, wait. Jenny, why in blaze did you have to show up? Don't, Sheriff, you can't take Dad. You just can't. Dave! Did he take you in with that story of his? Sheriff, I know he isn't my brother. Rusty had a birthmark on his arm. Dave hasn't. Isn't that true? Jenny, you're a mighty fine girl. I don't say that if I was in your place with someone I thought a lot of about to be jailed, I wouldn't stretch the truth a little myself. But it just won't wash, Jenny. You can save your breath. Dave, Dave. Come there, Jenny. Don't take on so. I can't help it. You want to kill her? I know you aren't. Oh, they can't take you. You get a fair trial, Jenny. You'll get a chance to tell his case in court. Oh, it's so unfair. Look, Jenny, we don't want your father hurt. None of us do. You tell him when he wakes up in the morning that I've got a message saying I was needed real bad someplace. Anyplace will do you. You just tell him what you think best. You won't tell Pa any different, Sheriff. Oh, shucks, no. Of course I won't. And neither will Jake. These two ways, not if he aims to hang on to that deputy's badge he is, I won't say a blame word about nothing. Thank you. Goodbye, Jenny. Goodbye. I'm sorry, Jenny. All right, Rusty, start marching. In the meantime, the Lone Ranger and Tonto rode toward the spot where, earlier in the day, they'd seen Dave and Rusty. A campfire glowed on the trail ahead and the masked man drew rain. Pull up, Tudda. Pull up, Tudda. Pull up, Tudda. Someone's still there. Oh, that heap of honey. I'm sure the place would be deserted. Maybe the other fellow may camp there, perhaps. Who's there? Come on, speak up. I heard you. You heard a stop, Kimosabe. Come on, come on. Get him out of the couch. I got you both covered. We haven't drawn. Make him off your couch. I'll let you have it. Take it easy, fellow. There's one of you two doing here. Who's a wolf couch? Mask. Easy with that gun. Who are you? Step over here or I can see you better. All right, Rusty. What was that you called me? I happened to know. Get him, Tudda. Get him. Hey, you missed. You leave me alone. I'll take that gun. Oh, I see. Now, listen to me, Rusty. How did you know my name? That isn't all I know. I know that you deliberately took advantage of another man to get him arrested in your place. They arrested him? Whether they have yet, I don't know. I do know, however, the sheriff believes Dave to be you. He told Dave that for your father's sake, he wouldn't make an open arrest. But he also told Dave that he had no chance to escape. I was afraid of that. You mean you planned it. You knew he'd be arrested. And with the case closed, you were confident you could go free. That ain't true. No? No, it ain't. I figured he might be arrested, yeah, but if he was, I never intended for him to go to jail. What did you intend? To break him free. Well, look, stranger, can't you see the spot I was in? If I'd gone home and been arrested, there'd have been nobody to help me out. But if he was arrested, then I'd be on hand to see that he never went to trial. Well, then, story, Rusty. I don't expect you to believe me, stranger. I got where I don't expect anybody to believe me no more. I've been framed for a killing I never done. Nothing I said was believed. Since then, all I've done is ride the Owlhoop trails. But honest, stranger, Dave will never go to jail in my place. Why did you come here at all? Because Pa needed cash. I sold my place over in Arizona just before that killing come up. I was willing to risk being caught just to see that Pa and Jenny was to care of. But when I seen Dave, seen how much he looked like me, well, then I thought of the scheme. You say you were framed for a killing you didn't do? I was, but a fine chance I'd ever have a provenant with Rudd Mallory again, me. Rudd Mallory? Yeah, that's the fellow that bossed everything over my way. Biggest crook there ever was. Rusty. Yeah? I shouldn't believe a word of your story. Shucks, I know you wouldn't. But I'm not sure. There are certain things that are in your favor. Oh, what's that? You risk capture to bring money to your father. That part of your story, I know to be true. And you do believe me? Wait, another point is the fact that you stayed in the district. Frankly, I was surprised to find you still here. I doubt that a real crook would have remained. That also bears out what you've said. Stranger, you can't help me now. Nice to have you at that. But just your belief in what I've told you, well, that's something I'll be grateful for a long time. Perhaps I can help you. Yes? Will you give yourself up to the law willingly? It doesn't look as though I got much choice. No, I'll leave the choice to you. Will you give yourself up? Or will you let an innocent man be punished? It's that dog-going hard thing to say. I know it is. But, well, Stranger, I took a liking to Dave. He's a pretty regular hombre. Yeah, I'll give myself up. Good for you. Now, I'll give you my word. I'll help you if I can. You mean on that murder charge? I do. Well, how can you help me? If you've lied, if you're guilty, I can't. But if you're innocent, there must be a way to prove it. Tonto and I have helped others just as bad off as you. Oh, is that Tonto? Ah, me, Tonto. You called your horse Silver. Stranger, who are you? Here's a bullet. Look at it. Silver? Yes. And you must be the Lone Ranger. I am, Rusty. The Lone Ranger? Let's get going. I know I'm innocent. And with you on my side, by Gallagher, others are going to know it, too. The following morning, Jenny tried to explain the sudden disappearance of the young man Lies believed to be his son. Jenny? Jenny? Yes, Pa? Why didn't Rusty tell me he was going? Why couldn't he have let me know? Well, he was in a real big hurry, Pa. No such hurry that he couldn't have least said goodbye. But you were asleep. We didn't want to wake him. Seems mighty funny to me. What did you say took him away? Something about business. He didn't say just why. He had to go to Miles City. Miles City? That was Denver the first time you told him. I mean, he was going to Miles City and then to Denver. But he'll be back, Pa. There's no use being mad at him. Don't see him for 15 years. Shows up, spends the day, then leaves that very night without a how do you do? Funny way for a man to act. But Pa. See who it is. Yes, Pa. If it's word from Rusty, let me know what he's got to say for himself. Matt. Quick, step outside. I. Who is it, Jenny? This concerns your brother. I've got to talk to you alone. It's nothing, Pa. I'll be right in. Where's Dave? Don't waste time, it's important. He isn't here. The sheriff has him? How do you know? I said, don't waste time. Yes, he has. Listen to me. Yes? I've got to talk fast. I want to cut across Cuttrean cats the sheriff before he can reach the county seat. Jenny, Dave will be back. Back? He will. Rusty, your brother, is surrendering in Dave's place. But I've got an idea that Rusty isn't guilty of the murder charged against him. Now, his innocence can be proven. Well, that only could be. That's all for now. But wait. Don't worry. Everything will turn out all right. It has to. It just has to. Oh, silver, how are we? It was several hours later that Dave Williams, the sheriff, and his deputy were jogging down the trail toward the county seat. Dave was no longer handcuffed, but riding double with Jake. And with the sheriff always at his side, he had no chance to escape. Still stick to that crazy story about you not being Rusty Baylor, do you? And I always will. Oh, God, if you ain't a stubborn cuss, people good, it'll do him. You can sail me. Yeah, and from the way things look, you can get me hanged too. But the day'll come when you'll find out what a mistake you made. I've made mistakes, young fella. But I don't reckon this will go down as one of them. You intend to hold me till I can get word from my old man, like I said? No, I think none of my affair. That's up to the marshal when you're his prisoner. If he wants to delay your trial that long, why, that's his business. And knowing the marshal and how partially it's a sudden justice, I wouldn't plan on it if I was you, if I could just get my hands on that skunk that tricked me up. What? Oh, what's ailing you? Me, I reckon, sheriff. Oh, look. Whoa, whoa, whoa, there. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Well, a dog gone. Am I seeing double? Who's there? Queen Rusty. He's giving himself up, sheriff. But I'm not taking orders from a mask man, an outlaw. Never mind that. Rusty will explain what happened and why. Are you willing to take his word for his identity? Well, my gosh, how could I do anything else after looking at him and him confessing? I haven't confessed to no murder, sheriff. All I'm confessing is that I'm the real Rusty Baylor. I'm so dog-gone mixed up, I don't know what to think. Well, it ain't the first time. Well, here's where we change places again, Dave. I'll climb up where you are, and you're welcome to take my horse. Rusty, I thought a heap of things about you, things for which I'm apologizing right now. Forget it. You didn't think nothing you didn't have a warrant to. Don't mind the company, do you, Jake? If I didn't have evidence, it wasn't so. I think you was a fella that had been riding with me all along. No, Dave. We're returning to the better place. I hate to let Jenny's brother go to jail like this. Perhaps he won't. Rusty, I gave you my word, and I'll keep it. Friend, I ain't doubted it for a second. Come on, Silver. Get up there. What'd you say? What'd that masked fella mean by giving you his word? Don't you wish you knew? Couldn't you have jailed him for wearing a mask, Sheriff? That would have been good. I wish you'd tried it. Yeah. That would have been a sight to see. I've said all I aim to, Sheriff. If we're going somewhere, let's get on our way. Dave just mounted in front of the Baylor Ranch house and ran up the steps. Hey, quit hugging your sister and explain what you mean by running away like you did. Don't tell him the truth now, Dave. Perhaps you won't ever need to know. Sure. Oh, I found out I didn't have to leave after all. And I'm here to tell you I was never so glad to get out of going some ways in all my life. Oh, now, to Arizona, Kimosabe. That's where the law is taking Rusty. Him good color. And he won't hang for a crime he didn't commit if we can help it. How's he? Copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.