 with a speed of light, a crown of dust, and a hearty high of silver, the lone ranger. With his faithful Indian companion-tuttle, the daring and resourceful mass-quiter 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 War Silver! The lone ranger rides again! Come, come there! Come, come! Come, come there! Len Decker nervously opened and closed the cylinder of his six-gun. Across the room, the sheriff sat quietly, and a third man, a bald-headed individual, spoke nervously from the clock to the door of the adjoining bedroom. It's taken Doc a long time. Too long, Baldi. He don't get that bullet out of my cousin pretty quick. I'm going into that bedroom and see what's the delay. Take it easy, Lam. Mind your own business, Sheriff. Put the gun away and give Doc Stevens a chance. Your cousin was kept mighty close to the heart. Doc said he didn't have more than a one-to-ten chance of pulling through. Doc Stevens had better pulling through. Lam, you've had it in for the doc ever since he found out that some of your livestock was diseased. No one ever shot good livestock before Doc Stevens came here. You should be well out of town now, Lam. Baldi, you know that I'm not the only one who says that. Ask Hank Fristy. Doc made him fill in as well. Hank should be grateful for that. Doc found the water wasn't fit to drink. Full fever germ. So wonder his family hadn't been safe. Yeah. He better pull my cousin through. That's all I got to say. Hey, then, any words yet? Not yet, Sam. I'll let you know. Ma'am Decker, what's going on? Did you see what those boys had with them? I saw a fence rail. Yeah. If my cousin dies, Stevens is going for a ride on that rail. Ma'am, you can't leave your breath, Sheriff. I'm holding this gun on you. Shut up! Five more minutes, I'm going into that room and see why Doc's taken so long. Doc's coming out. Well, Stevens, Decker, you said you found your cousin in the back room of the cafe. And I know why. He was shot because he found out who robbed the bank where he worked. He was there to meet me and the sheriff and tell us what he knew. But he didn't tell you at all. He was shot by someone outside the window before we got there. I wish he'd had a chance to talk to me. Is he still unconscious? The bullet was very close to the heart. Is he going to get well? He's dead. What? He's dead? I didn't mind that. That's a lie! You could have saved him. You're likely in with those crooks. Anyway, I'll use it on you. You'll pay for this, Stevens, and you'll pay a place. What am I to do? Boys and stuff won't let my cousin die. No, no, I didn't mean to. Wait, sing it over. Come on in and get him. Don't. He'll shoot taking boys. Write him on the road to the edge of town and stab him on his way. And if he comes back, it'll be time to... The long ranger and toho had just arrived at a campsite at the bottom of a gully near the edge of town. They dismounted and untied some of the camp gear that had been carried behind the saddle. As soon as we've made camp tollo, they're going to town and see how Doc Stevens is making out. Hard to say he came up with any trouble. Who has new ideas? Ideas that are good for the West. He believes that water and food should be tested and sewage properly disposed of. He believes in testing cattle and culling off the disease stock. Now, rancher not like to shoot cattle. Oh, sir, no. Dr. Stevens has a lot of prejudice to overcome. But his kind of man is good for the West. He's kind of needed here. Not as silver, but the saddle off, too. Do you say we go to town? Yes. Eh? But the weather won't survive. Hello. Hear the crud? Ah. Sound like lynch mob. I'll run to the top of the gully. Might be able to see something. I'll take over with you. Hello. Look. Over there. That plenty man. They're riding somewhere on the rail. Me see him. Hands tied behind his back. Doc Stevens. Call your horse. Here's a little bit. Come on, count. That'll be for the easy. That'll be for the easy, fella. Come on, come on, come on. Scouting silver dashed across the level stretch called the angry men who were carrying the doctor or a slide offence rail. Below Ranger and Tahoe were quite close when they were discovered by the mob. There were shouts and yells of surprise at the sight of the Indian and a man who wore a mask. Several of the men who were not holding the fence rail went for their guns. As the charging horses came to a rearing halt. Hold still. Hold still. Hold still. Cut the ropes around the doctor's wrist. Oh, no, you don't. We're doing it. We don't aim to be in the beard. We better keep out of this, missus. Now you're fast. You're up against all other guns. Hey, you're not killers. You're townmen. You don't want murder on your hands. We're keeping this man a lesson. And it's our own business. Put your guns away. Leave the doctor alone and go on back to your home. We don't want no gunplay, missus. But I don't mind gunplay if it's needed. Especially when it's a masked man on the receiving end. Now clear out bamboo just before I shoot. Slim Decker means what he says, missus. You better hide from him. Slim Decker, huh? Are you going for your gun? Yes, I am. No! Why don't you shut the gun right out of the stand, boys? The gun's all on. Cut the ropes. We're taking Doc back to his home. We want no interference. You're sick of living, galook! Why'd you draw an open fire? The masked man's asked for it. Now you're lucky you didn't get your hand blown off, flam. I'm not taking a change. I'm not imagined gunplay with that mask on, bray. Move over here, doctor. I don't know who you are, stranger. Give me your hand. I'll pull you up behind my saddle. Our town's too small for that small boy. You don't want no fire on it. Nevertheless, you've settled in your town. You're going to stay there. Now go home and tell your wives and children how brave you are. Tell how you run a defenseless unarmed doctor on a rail. Keep an eye on them while we ride away, tonneau. Anyone draws? You know what to do. I don't need to fix them. Move over there! Get a rough scope! Following the doctor's instructions, the Lone Ranger guided Silver to a small white cottage where Stevens and his wife had settled with high hopes of a great career in the new country, hopes that had become increasingly dim during the past weeks. Stevens told his wife of the fence rail incident and his rescue. Oh, Jonathan, you poor thing. I'm all right now, Jane. This masked man and the Indian saved my life. Why did you do it? Men like the doctor are making the West a better place. Well, I tried to, but was Lemdecker against me? Why? Why is he against you? Well, first I found that some of his cattle was diseased. I reported it to the sheriff. The sheriff made him shoot the livestock. Yes, I heard about that. Then Lem's cousin was wounded, critically wounded. I did my best, but the man died. Lem thought I should have saved him. He had a crowd ready to take me from town while you saw him. My husband has tried to do what's best for the people, but they resented, even though it's for their own welfare. My usefulness here has ended. We'll have to leave this town. Leave? No one will have anything to do with me now. You're going to quit? What else can I do? They can fight it out. Jonathan can't fight men like Lemdecker? He thought the world of his cousin. If he feels the doctor might have saved him, he'll not rest until he's had revenge. I'm going to call on Decker. Perhaps I can change his mind. You can't change his mind. There's another reason why he's bitter about the death of his cousin. What is it? Sam worked in the bank. With a robbery and Sam found out who'd committed it. He was going to meet Lem and the sheriff in the cafe and tell them. Before they got there, someone fired through the window and got Sam. I see. If Sam had lived, he could have named the murderer and the thief. Well, the sheriff and Lem will probably accuse me of aiding the crook. Doctor, you're needed here. You've got to stay. I'll be back as soon as I've talked to Lemdecker. It was shortly after darkness had fallen. Lemdecker was in his home when a rap sounded on the door. It was the bald-headed waiter from the cafe. Oh, you bought me. I want to see you for a minute, Decker. Want to step inside? What I got to say can be said right here on the porch. How much did your cousin tell you? Why? What do you mean? Didn't you name the man who shot him? Now, why didn't you add? He was the first one to get to him after the shot. He was conscious for a few minutes. Right? Yeah. He told you who shot him, didn't he? Maybe he did, Baldi. And maybe he mentioned a certain party that wears a wide apron when he works in the cafe. That's what I thought. I'll get this Decker. Don't make any statements, you can't prove. Listen, Baldi, when I make a statement, I'll have proof to back it up. If you're smart, you'll have things the rest as they are. If I find you going out of your way to make trouble for me, there'll be more gunplay. Next time, it might be you that the doc can't save. Or your wife. Don't forget that. The same goes if you get that lone ranger snooping around for evidence against me. A lone ranger? Yeah. I'm not likely to see that man. You've already seen him. What? You mean to say you didn't know who snatched the doc out of your hands this afternoon? Great day. You knew that maybe I shouldn't have told you. But now that you know he's around here, you better keep away from him. If I see you two together, I'll figure that maybe you're telling him things about me. You got any more to say? Just watch yourself, that's all. It'd be a shame if there was to be another killer. Good night, Decker. Oh, just someone on the business, that's all right. Well, if it's any more of that shameful sort of business deal with Dr. Stevens, you'd better forget it. Oh, don't start that again, Martha. I did. You don't know what Stevens had done to me. He made you shoot some cow. Not only that. He just pulled my cousin through this afternoon. I wouldn't be in the... You what? Never mind. What were you gonna say? Forget it, Martha. I just... In the name of mercy, Lim, what's ailing you? Martha, I gotta think things out. Go into the room I use for an office. I want to be alone for a little while. Do it yourself. There's a lot of the land here, there. The window's open. Better warn Martha not to leave the land. That is Decker. What you, you keep voice down. You came through that window? Yes. Well, get out of here. Get out of here. You can't be seen here. Keep your voice down. But you don't understand. I want to talk to you. No, I can't talk to you. Not you, please. I get out of here before it's too late. No! No! Shot comes from out there. Decker, you... You did this. Come and run. I'll go after him. Martha! He's an Indian. You shot him. There we are. I can use this gun. Me not, you... Don't lie to me. I heard what was said. Keep your hands up or I'll pull a trigger. The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger adventure. Before the next exciting scene, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. All to continue. The Lone Ranger didn't know that Lem Decker's wife was holding a gun on Toto. He rolled hard trying to catch a glimpse of the man who had fired through the window. But without success, the sky was overcast. There was neither moon nor stars to break the darkness that had engulfed the gunman. Easy! Look over this way, son of a... Oh, boy! One time, Paulie walked into the room where Martha held Toto at gunpoint. Paulie... Oh, thank goodness you're here. I heard a shotin'. Great day. That's Lem on the floor. Yeah, see if he's still alive. Or better still, hold the gun in that evening. Oh, I'd never carry a gun, Martha. Well, take this one. I mean not shoot him. Don't give us that you lying polecat. Where's your partner? Lem's still breathing. We've got to get a doctor for him. You'd better do what you can without a doctor, Mrs. Decker. Whatever it is, it'd be better than Stevens could do. Well, there's water here. I'll be the wound. I asked you a question, Indian. Where's your partner? I hear you. Someone rode away as I came in the room. Yeah? Well, that's a man's critter. Man? Did you see him? No, no, but Lem told me about a man who broke up the... who saved Dr. Stevens this afternoon. That's the one. He's been out to get Lem ever since he got a hunt that Lem knew who killed his cousin. You better cut shirt away from Lem. I can do without your help. Better use hot water. You shut up. You already done enough. That's Lem. Plenty bad. Plenty close to heart. You need doctor. I reckon you'd like to see that no account saw bones operate, huh? Then you know Lem wouldn't have a chance to get conscious. Oh, boy. It is a bad wound. I'll take this murdered red skin to the sheriff and tell him to get men out hunting that mask man. Oh, boy. Maybe it was sure to have Dr. Stevens coming here. Martha, it's the same as putting another bullet in the Lem. Wouldn't surprise me to learn that Stevens got a share of that cash that was stolen from the bank. That's why he's so friendly with a murder in thieves. Holy... He's breathing awful things. Now hurry with the red skin. Maybe the sheriff can help with Lem. He's had some gunshot experience. Now go on red skin, get started. It's jailed for you. So I brought him right here to your office here. What's your name, ending? Me, Tondo. What you got to say? Me, not shoot, brother. I didn't expect you to admit it. Is that mask man your partner? Well, suit yourself. I'll lock you up and we'll go see if there's anything we can do for Lem. Him hit plenty bad. Him need doctor. Baldy, maybe we should get Dr. Stevens. He'll let him do the same for Lem as he did for Lem's cousin? Well... I don't know. I'd tell you, Sheriff Stevens has hand and glove with the crooks and robbed the bank. Oh, Garner. Looks like I was all wrong. Wrong about what? I was downright sore at Lem for the way he started a regular lynch mob against the dog. That wasn't a lynch mob. It might as well have been. When I heard that the mask man in the Indian broke it up, I was all for him. Get in there, Tondo. Now you see why they rescued Stevens. We better go to the deco place and see what we can do. You'd better take some of the boys along with us in case that mask comes back to finish his job. I wish I knew how to figure, Doc Stevens. I've been backing him up all along. There's a lot of men outside waiting here about the prisoner. They saw me bring him here. Hey, boys. Come with me and the chef. We got a chance to get to Red King's barter. Baldy. It's all right, Sheriff. The more we get, the better. Hey, Baldy. Do you see the same one as Chef Lem's cousin? Sure he is. Hold on, Baldy. We're not sure. What's more, Doc Stevens is in guardswood. Hell he is. Listen, boys. Baldy's not sure what he says. It's just a guess. Boys, he's masked. He's the one who saved the Doc. You remember him from the factory? Are you going mad on what I don't know? We're not the only ones who headed for the ranch house just beyond the limits of the town. A low ranger rode with Dr. Stevens and his wife. I may have done all that can be done, Doctor. You can check on his work. But you don't even know that Decker lived. No, I didn't go back to find out after I lost track of the gunman. Shall we walk, Baldy? Yes, of course. A lot bigger house than Decker's cousin. The room's over this way. Steady, Mrs. Decker. It's all right, Margaret. The mask may involve a human. I'm going to cook you. You'll kill us. Just a minute. Mrs. Decker. You'll kill her. You weren't terrified with one murder. You had to kill my husband as well. Is he dead? Yes. He has to doubt where things are. Margaret. Put that gun down. Do you think I killed your husband? You or your Indian friend. Where is Toto? He's gone. You shot him? No. No, but I wish I had. Mrs. Decker. Toto and I were in the room with your husband when the shot came to the window. I went to try to catch the killer, but I lost him in the darkness. I brought the doctor to me. David, I'm not in. You'd better let me take that gun. Stay where you are. Be careful. Mrs. Decker has no murder. She won't shoot. Don't you come any nearer. See you there, I'll kill you. Let me put that gun away. He opened it. That's better. Thank goodness. Thank you, Mrs. Stevens. You'll feel better for crying. There, Martha. Come on over here with me. Sit down and tell me everything. We'll go to the next room, doctor. I'd like to know where Toto went. Martha's a local mission to talk. No, I can't question it for some time. There's Decker. Poor devil. If Martha thinks Toto and I killed him, it may have a hard time proving otherwise. Someone tried to dress the wound. For some Toto. Shot in almost the same place as his cousin. Well, at least they won't say I'm responsible. I can't... Stevens, did you see that? What? His eyelid moved. Wait. This man's not dead. He's alive. My bag. Here, I'll open it for you. He's too far gone. Probably internal hemorrhage. Do what you can. There's nothing I can do. Look where the bullet ended. You said the cousin was shot in the same place. Yes, and when I did my best to save him, I was accused of killing him. Well, I won't touch this man. Maybe when I see that he dies without me... Stevens, I took you away from that mob so you could carry on your practice. I know, but I... I thought you'd stand by and watch a man die. The operation calls for working very close to the heart. There's been a chance in a hundred... What chance is there if you don't operate? None. But at least there'll be no mark of my scalpel. Oh, Jonathan. Oh, Jonathan, Martha just told me. What? Boddy the bot hander heard the shooting. He came here and took the Indian to jail. He's in jail now? Yes. Charged with murder if Decker dies. Doctor, he can't die. He's got to live. To say that neither Tottenham or I fired that shot. Is he already dead? No, get hot water, lots of it. But I tell you, I'll bring every lamp and candle in the house to this room. Here, this table will do. Oh, I'm sorry. Well, think about it, he's alive. Lamy's in jail. He's very low. You're going to save him. You've got what few people get. You've got a second chance. A dozen lamps and there's many candles like at the room where Dr. Stevens prepared to operate. Lamy's pulse was feeble. It seemed as though his life was measured in minutes. Well, if you've got to save him, he's the only one who's in clear total. The doctors hand trembled as he chose a scalpel and prepared to make an incision. Steady, Doctor. What's that? I'll look out the window and see. The mob. I hear it again the same as the other time. You can't stop now. For me. Go on. Your work's more important than a mob. I'll see if you'll not be disturbed. Don't just down the floor in there. Quiet. Listen to me. Dr. Stevens is in there. We want him, too. He's in cahoots. Hey! Quiet! Do, Sheriff. You want a glimpse, Bob? No, but... And listen to me. The doctor's trying to save Lamy's life. Don't listen to him. Why? What if you're waiting for the first to rush? Oh, who'll it be? Now listen to me. Not a man will lift Decker when he was shot. Neither of us fired the shot. It was fired by someone outside the house. That truth will come out as soon as Lamy's able to speak. Same situation as Lamy's cousin. Yeah, same situation. Dara, will you go inside? For what? Lamy Decker may speak. You must hear what he says. Boys, we got to get the doc away with Lamy. I have a chance. That's all we'll do. Finish him if the boys get back. Come on! Come on! Fuck all you want. But don't try to rush this door. Are you coming, Sheriff? Yes. I'm coming. In the hour that followed, the mob made several threats. But each time the menacing guns of the Lone Ranger caused the men to fall back. In the meantime, Dr. Stevens worked with fierce concentration. He heard nothing but the labored grieving of the man on the table. Saw nothing but the small area in which he worked. He extracted the bullet. Outside the house, the Lone Ranger remained alert for any move toward violence. But the townspeople had relaxed to an attitude of watchful waiting. Presently the door opened and the sheriff appears. Sheriff, everything's all right. I know the killer hood. The doctor wants to see you. Now you're inside. They're now going to the jail and tell Toddly you'll be over to release him. Hey, where about Lemdecker? Boys, I have seen a lot of things in my day, but nothing to tie to what Doc Stevens just done. He brought a man back to life. Lemdecker's going to live. What more? The masked man that stood here a minute ago was no more of a crook than I am. He was the man we've all heard about but never expected to see in these parts. The Lone Ranger. How you know? I'll tell you how I know, Baldi. Lemdecker told me. How'd Lem know? He heard it from one of you men. It's strange to say it's the one who killed Lem's cousin, the one who robbed the baby. Lem named the killer. I want you, Baldi. I'll kill you! They'll hold you. Bring him in here. Let Doc fix his leg before he goes to jail. It feels like it's been busted. I can just get my hands on the masked man. You outsmarted yourself when you tried to outsmart him? You should have known better when you knew that he's the Lone Ranger. This is a feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated, created by George W. Trenville, produced by Trenville Campbell Enterprises, and directed by Charles D. Livingston. Tonight's drama was written by Fran Stryker.