 a fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty hi-yo silver, the lone ranger. Faithful Indian companion Tonto, the mashed rat of the plains fought crime and criminals throughout the western United States. It was his strength and courage, the daring with which he trailed and captured the worst outlaws on the frontier that brought peace and security to the honest settlers and finally made possible the winning of the west. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoofbeach of the great horse Silver, the lone ranger rides again. Clamps still glowed in the office of Sheriff Birch at San Pedro, the county seat of Seminole County. Two horsemen raced toward the office and drew their mouths to a clattering stop in the shadows, one side of the building. Move this over. The sheriff's inside had a deputy with him. I'll soon get to the bottom of this. Stay with the horses. You can watch what happens from here. Don't show yourself unless you see I need help. I'll do it. What's that? Don't reach for those guns. One move and I fire. Reach. That's the way you wanted Sheriff. You reach. What a draw. Golly. Just to be safe, deputy, you can reach too. No. Take that coat from your holster and put it here on this desk. Hurry. That's better. Now you can take the sheriff's two guns and put them beside it. Now listen, you better do it Fred. He's got the drop on us. Which I wouldn't have if you'd kept your hands from your guns as I ordered. There you are, talk on ya. That's better. Now we can talk. Now put these away. Just why did you tell Sheriff Johnson when he came here from Brown County that you would neither arrest Sweeney nor pick him up for questioning? What's that to you? I'll ask the question, Sheriff. But I still... Are you afraid of Sweeney, Sheriff? Is he paying you not to bother him here in San Pedro? Or is there another reason for it? No gun at all. Johnson never had no proof. And you refuse to help him get proof? We know our duties. We didn't need Johnson to tell us. No, and we don't need no mashed ombré to tell us either. Are you going to deny that you know Sweeney's a crook? Well, are you? That's something we don't call no, man. Listen, we've got the evidence to back it up. Sheriff, one moment. I still... Sweeney came to San Pedro about two years ago. And all that time, he's never lifted a hand to any kind of work. And yet, he has plenty of money to spend and lives in the finest house in town. That's no crime. And it didn't make you curious either, huh? We don't have to answer none of your questions. Sheriff, as certainly as I'm standing here, I believe that you know Sweeney's the head of a gang that's robbed and killed from one end of the state to the other. Oh, you know that, do you? I believe you know the strangers who come and go here in San Pedro visiting Sweeney, how the actual members of that gang. And I believe that if you would, you could jail the entire gang, including Sweeney, and rid this state once and for all of half the crimes committed in it. Well, leave a lot, don't you? Sheriff Johnson happens to be a friend of mine. He told me the way you treated him when he came here. The same way, you've treated every complaining lawman who's come to San Pedro asking your cooperation. He don't like the way we do things, eh? He doesn't? Then you kill him. Sheriff, I don't really think you're dishonest. Neither you nor your deputy. Would you like to hear what I do think? Go right ahead. We can't stop you. Sweeney is clever. He knows that he must have a base for operations where he can be free from interference in order to be successful. He knows that the cutthroats who do his bidding must have a place where they can come without danger of arrest when things get too hot for them. Mister, you hinted once before that maybe he was paying me. And I'm here to tell you right now that ain't so. No, but he hadn't had to pay you. He's done better than that. He's simply given his men orders never to commit a crime within the boundaries of your country. I think I know. Knowing that as long as he doesn't challenge you directly, you'll be afraid to go after him. You calling me a coward? No. If I didn't, you weren't. I'd be doing you an injustice. And if you are a coward, you know it without my telling you. Just what are you up to? I want the answer to just one question. Are you or aren't you going after Sweeney? Then I'll tell you just what I told Johnson when he was here. Any time there's a hold up robbery or killing in my county, I'll go after the fellow at Dunnett and bring him to justice. But what happens outside of my county, ain't none of my business. That's answer enough. In other words, you'll do nothing. I know my job. Very well, Sheriff. You think you're not going after Sweeney? No doubt you'll believe what you've said. But you're mistaken. Yeah? Before the week's out, you'll jail Sweeney whether you want to or not. Oh, I'm glad he's gone. When he looked at me through that mask of his, I felt like about two clogged cents. What do we do? Go after him, Sheriff? What for? Telling the truth? Huh? Oh, you know he did, Fred. What's the use of pretending? But, Dunnett, I don't know what we can do. Maybe if Sweeney hadn't made himself so blame-popular around town... We could take a chance. Yeah. I sure hate to try it now. Sweeney's a scope. And a side one. Dunnett, he spends money around town like it was water. Stands treat for everybody. Makes out to be everybody's pie. Uh-huh. If we was to get rough with him and couldn't get a conviction, folks would be so riled at us they'd sweep his right out of office. Cronto. You couldn't make a one of them believe he's crooked. It's never in a million years. I know. I've heard folks talking. But, Fred... Yeah, Sheriff? I'm kind of hoping that mask man keeps his word. I'll tell him where I'm going! Did you hear what the sheriff said after I left him Kimosavi? Uh-huh. It's exactly as I thought. He's not dishonest. He's just afraid of risk going after Sweeney and failed to pin anything on him. That's right. But we'll wake him up, Turner. You understand just what you to do? Um, he's savvy. I'll have to pretend I'm an outlaw. You'll have to pretend you're out to get me. As much will depend upon the way you play your part, Taddo. As upon the way I play mine. You will not worry. Me do all right, good. We both succeed. What do you think? Taddo, we'll turn this county upside down. Kimosavi! Get him up! Hurry, old fellow! Hurry! In spite of the late hour, San Pedro's café was still open. I hadn't seated at a table in one corner with a hard-faced companion, but Sweeney himself. The outlaw leaders seemed to be a carefree, happy-go-lucky sort of a person. His eyes at the moment were shrewd and calculating. And when he spoke, there was steel in his voice. Taddo, you did all right with that hold-up at Vincent's. But there should have been more money. You sure you're not holding out on me? You think I'd be that big a fool, boy? Here, I hope you're not. By this time anyhow, you should have learned what happens to anyone who tries to cross me. You bet I do. Very well. I'll overlook that detail this time. Now, you stay here in San Pedro's café. You'll have to go to San Pedro's café. I'll overlook that detail this time. Now, you stay here in San Pedro for a week. You'll not be bothered. Birch doesn't dare touch us. No other sheriff has authority in this county. The United States Marshal shows up. I'll see that you're warned in time to disappear. Right. And when you leave, I'll have orders for you to take the scar and blacken the others. There's a bank at Wheaton I think scar could handle. Good. Just when the Silver City trains carry bullion, that'll be a job for Blackie. Boss, you sure plan things, don't you? Naturally. I wish we'd met up ten years ago. If we had, Cuddy, you'd be a rich man by now. You stay with me and you'll be rich soon anyhow. But try to leave. Huh? And you'll be dead, like ticks or slick. No need to threaten me. I know when I'm well off. Yeah, no doubt. It doesn't hurt to mention these things occasionally. And you'll order another drink and then turn in. I'm leaving too. All right, I'll see you. What time? A man's man. Go right inside. This is a hold up. The first man to go for his gun gets blasted. Don't worry, boss. All right. Marky, open that safe. Here. Take that sack. Put the cash inside and hurry. Get that fellow, Cuddy. Yeah. No, you don't. Now! I'm glad you're trying that. Be a lesson for the next man who tries the metal. Faster, Marky. Get a move on. What? Come on over. Come on over. He isn't almost got him. He isn't. Thanks. You saved us a hold up. Better luck next time, Redskin. You should have drilled him dead center. Me trailed, fellow. Trailed him, you say? And one day, me get him. Kimusabe. Me do all right. You did splendidly. We've let them know we're on hand, Kimusabe. But we're just beginning. Come on. Get him up strong. Come on, Silver. Come on, Silver. All more. Mask. This is a hold up. Get back inside. Rain up there. Rain up. Hold it. Hold it. Hold it. Hold it. You'll carry money handed over. This is a hold up. The following day, in the office of the sheriff, the lawman was saying good-bye to one of the hold up victims. We're doing the best we can, Mr. Rupert. The bag tomorrow, me will have them for you. Ten in one day. more and I'll go clean. With a wild man loose making everybody else go wild than doing. But a saddle up get out of here if I can't find that I'm very I'll get away from some of these folks telling about how they got held up. I think you've been overlooking something. Yeah but it just looked kind of funny to you funny you call it funny sure now wait a second just think back first off there's been all these hold ups but there ain't been one fellow Rob who would you go on for it you're right things was happening so fast never had the chance to think of that something all the time spoiled it first that engine showed up at the cafe another time that mass fellas horse run away with another time he opened a drawer and closed it again without seeing over five hundred dollars and bills inside yeah I'm just wondering to put two and two together except at the cafe he told everybody he held up that there was no use setting the law on him get Sweeney on his side and couldn't nobody touch him yeah they all told us now we was visited by a masked man last night you mean he said he was going to get us after Sweeney whether we wanted to or not what why them I got a notion they're one and the same only I ain't gonna tell nobody that let's just sit tight here let's see what happens next 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 how to continue our story just before evening the lone ranger and Tonto who had rested during the day settled their powerful stallions once more hurry Tonto you can still scout there we are silver that should hold tell the first half of our campaign is finished not right and take more than my statement of those people last night to convince them that Sweeney's a crook but at least we've made them think whatever they believe they'll keep an eye on him and you'll not fool sheriff though I didn't expect to he saw me and he's heard the description of me from the men I held up you must realize but this time at the hold up man and the mask man who called on the same we also know he'd like to get Sweeney a bit we're safe so there's not much danger he'll interfere he's much more likely to suspect what we're up to and hope that it works not what me think the people of the district believe I'm an outlaw they heard you say you were on my trail they no doubt think I have a reward on my head then he ran things they're shaping as we want them now to put the rest of our plan into effect if they're ready to be ready and let's go you see inside the cafe from here Tonto that's Sweeney at the bar that him it's like quite a crowd around him and this is one time I doubt that he's enjoying their attentions and Tonto we're riding to his home what do there when he returns we'll give the fellow one last warning and after that then what do then Kimo Sabi if he refuses our warning nothing can save him huh come on silver get him up scouts honest Sweeney if that mask fella ain't a friend of yours why'd he say he was anyhow what would he have to gain by it don't you even know who the armory is Sweeney sure looks funny to me seems let me alone get you while I keep let that drink go I'm getting out of here I'll stand aside with me throw away the second well Sweeney it just don't stand a reason that you don't know who the mask man is I tell you making all them plain for just no reason at all if he's a friend of yours you ought to know him and if he's doing it to get you in bad then he's an enemy and you ought to know him just to see I told you all the time I'll let go out of my way what do you follow me outside fair didn't I tell you I haven't anything more to say just one more thing Sweeney I'm really sick and with what you were clamor anybody said I thought that you and I was all I care you can think what you want now get back or get trampled get up there get up what are you getting a high and mighty about all of a sudden you're free to answer questions well fellas I don't know looks mighty strange maybe Sweeney ain't got anything to do with that mask yet but if he ain't what's he getting so mad for early that evening Justice Cutter was lighting a lamp in the parlor of Sweeney's home the door burst open and what's the matter boss there just came in the cafe yes that mess man went local last night told everybody was getting protection from me from me can you figure that he must have been crazy and so is everybody in town huh boss you don't mean they actually believed him do it of course not the way they ask questions you'd think they did dare the fools had I ever seen them before who was he where'd he come from where'd he go how much money did he get last night who always robbed yeah I hadn't got away out of gone crazy to just the same boss just the same as lucky you took the trouble to stand in with folks around here as good as you do if you hadn't well there's no telling what might have come with it exactly and I'd like to know who that mass debris is myself you think I wouldn't you ever hear of any one of his description cutter you know any outlaw that rides a white horse like no within only father I can think of that rise that kind of a critic can't be him because he never held up anybody in his life who's that the long range that you're going to say something sensible it's not him he's no crook he did what I just said somebody trying to get me in bed how do you listen here yeah you'll have to get busy find our boys and tell them about this fella describe him he must be still somewhere in this district I want him found and I want him brought here to me sure I'll get him what an arrow here somebody shot it at me came through the window over there no way boss I don't think so but it is a piece of paper wrapped around the shaft got writing on it no you weren't being shot at boss somebody just aimed to send you a message and give that here what's it change the boss what's it say well I'll be got it listen to this confess you doubt a turner end up behind bars before morning you ever hear such nonsense I'll be doggone confessor get out of town here now do neither cut it and I make a little prophecy the man who sent this will find himself in jail long before I will the whole range in Tato reindeer just before they reached the edge of town here's where we separate Kimosami I'll strike in exactly 30 minutes that gives you plenty of time plan two of the men I held up last night they'll go with you they think you're trying to capture me how to do it then on your way you go in heat danger you take care don't worry it's out of town come to no harm now hurry get him up scout in the meantime Sheriff Bert you had intended to be appalled the masked man's trail he turned to his office and did it boy any luck sure no more to look for that's what I thought come on inside here he was right huh ain't no doubt of it that fella really wanted to steal anything last night he could have done it a dozen times over stage was carrying plenty of dust half the fellas he met up with had cash but he never took a pen which just goes to prove he never figured to write find out anything else nope I didn't pick up this trail maybe that was cuz I never looked for it I feel about this like you do he's got some scheme in mind it's a scheme that ain't gonna do Sweeney any good and if it works or power to him we never dare do anything but if he can well that's just fine you know and I've got a right good hunch it won't be long before we hear from that ombre again things are due to happen and if they do happen they're happy to hear that what the come on hey wait hey what's going on who's shooting what's the trouble about what's that I tell you he tried to hold up the cafe again but got run off the boys are after him they've got the trails cut off so he can't get out of town which way to go first we need place hey come on we've got around him up come on my way come on Fred forget your horse to make treks a few minutes later Swinney and Carter noticed the sound of the mob as it gradually drew closer you hear that cut what he's supposed it is well golly from the noise being made you think it was a lynching being let's have a look I'll open the window it's coming this way better look out front boss wasn't that a horse just stopped out there who cares I want to know who that mob's yelling for you hear that shooting maybe what a mask man you've got to give me protection there after me the scapes cut off find me a place to hide go out there and send them away do what you want let's see that they don't get me what do you think you'll give them protection to plenty of other outlaw Swinney now give it to me get out of here around you're afraid now Swinney you get protection only when you know it's safe I don't care if I don't care there's a between me and Swinney you hear them coming they'll be here any moment Swinney what are you going to do you don't get out of here up blow your head off listen you brought him here on purpose it was a trick to tie us in with him get back to get back before they open fire stop right where you are going to cover this whole thing you don't like it right it wasn't why would he come running here come on right now wait man he's no friend of mine he's not working for me don't give us that we need always figured you was a crook we need to prove the games up we need the mask but I wouldn't never come here if you hadn't had a good reason oh no wait you don't get me shut the lamp I can't see where's he gone to me don't nobody fire you might hit one of us there you go through the window he got away and watch out Swinney other gentle follow somebody like another lamp let's get some light in here here's the lamp they're getting lit friend for a cutter who fired them shot they came from outside and there goes the mask man you go after him show Reagan that Reagan we'll make out in the fellas we've got right here bring them over deputy hit along with you this is a frame up sure you've got nothing on me the mask man fix things fine whether he tried to or not I've wanted to jail you for a good long time never could afford his folks were so certain sure you was all right now they ain't now they suspicion you plenty maybe I ain't got anything on you yet but they ain't gonna kick any at all if I throw you no no way you're there I'm writing to every lawman in the state that come here for asking me questions I'm gonna tell them I'm holding you know you can't tell them they're welcome to come and bring any evidence they can't write along with you and if that don't turn up enough to get you put away long enough to spoil then here's my stits and I'll eat it you have just heard as a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated