 With his faithful Indian companion-tunnel, the masked rider of the planes led the fight for law and order in the early west in the United States. The stories of his strength and courage, his daring and resourcefulness have come down to us through the generations, and 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 hoof-feet of the great horse, Silver, the lone ranger rides again. Come on, Silver! The danger of a trail ahead! Years following the Gold Reich, many men in California rose to fabulous heights of wealth and power. One of these was Arnold Geerson, whose wealth reached out to develop the vast resources of the far west. Unlike the thousands of gold seekers, adventurers and parasites who sought to grab only what they could hold in their hands, Arnold Geerson was in the far west to stay. Geerson saw the growing influx of a disruputable element and knew that they could and would destroy what he and others like him had rested in this land of promise. He decided to strike at the heart the infamous Barbary Coast. In an effort to stamp out the viciousness, Geerson sought for and found the Lone Ranger. This mask rider of mystery, though reluctant to leave the plains and mountains of the cattle country, answered the call and soon found himself fighting a new type of criminal in the Barbary Coast. 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. Oh, Silver! Hustle, boy! Hustle! Lone Silver! Look out for that night! Your warning did no good, my friend, eh? Stingery, you gave a tomb in the back? Eh, he's true. It is because he tried to step on me. If my enemies, it is ever so. But for that they call me Stingery. You're the most ruthless critter I ever seen. No one knew where Stingery came from. In his veins he had oriental blood mixed with that of many other nationalities. His skill with a knife made him notorious throughout the Barbary Coast. It was generally known that his café was merely an entrance to the summer deads for users of drugs. Cheaply, opium. Stingery, I've got to see you. You are looking at me. I mean... Maples say what you mean. I was standing by a minute ago when you ran your blade into that rubber. Yes. He was disposed of, was he not? He was, but old Dipsy was standing there. Been down below hitting the opium. Not for very long. No, he didn't have much cash tonight. Then he had better find some Dipsy or anyone else to not patronize my place on credit. The point I was trying to make Stingery is just like this. He didn't like it when you gave the rubber the knife. Ah. Might you care what a worthless fool like Dipsy thinks? You might make trouble. You know how things are nowadays. Tell me, Maples. Sit down and tell me how things are nowadays. No, boss. Even red-dreg Raven's worried with the way that newcomer's been making trouble. The newcomer? Yeah, they call him the lone ranger. I know. He's already sent a few boys to jail. Jail. It never happened before. Jails are for the weak, the foolish. Jails are for those so infantile in their enterprise that they leave proof of all they do and witnesses. Before I arrive in that jail, I will just play upon myself. A lone ranger in that red skin that's been working with him? Well, I put some mighty smart men in jail and they've gotten proof against him, too. They brought in law officers that ain't on your payroll or Raven's payroll. Honest lawman. Please stay to point to which you are directing this conversation. Dipsy. He was a little sore when he couldn't get all of the stuff he wanted on credit. He saw you run the knife into that critter. Yeah. He's likely to squeal. Who would take a word of a man like... Ah, perhaps I misuse the term man. Yeah. Who would take a word of a creature like him? He could tell the lone ranger how to get to your cellar where all the opium's handled. Come. I will dispose of this man. I thought it'd be a good idea. His death will result in the loss of very little business. He has had no money for weeks. Where is he? He was at the end of the bar when I came in here. Yeah, I'm damn right worried about this lone ranger. So is Greg Raven. When Raven's worried, there's cause to worry. Bowling. Howdy, Stingery. Hey, Dipsy. Ah, that old worthless hunk of budget food. I threw him out the front door. I see. I do wrong. Stingery, what's the trouble? I'm there in ordinary conditions, you did right. But now he must chain the small details of our debt. Hey, Stingery, there he is over yonder. There's an old woman with him. An old woman. You going over? Yeah. The mud's up to your ankle. I have servants to clean my boots. Hey there, old woman, we'll take care of Dipsy. Thank you, Mables. You're the old woman at Goldpeace and send her away. There you are. No. No, don't let him get me again. Don't let him take me back in there. Stingery will get me. Must have mad at her. Doesn't she speak English? Yeah, I'll strike a match and see what she looks like under that shop. You're not bothered. Help me. Here, another one. Oh, yes. He might follow us like before. I told you. Yes, yes, yes. You know. You got him both down the mud. Get clear. Get away fast. Here, Scouts. He'll take you along. He ain't a woman at all. You're an idiot. You will. You pop here. Oh, mercy me. Get up, Scouts. Stingery, Stingery, get him. I threw him last night. You shall come. That's right. I got away. That was an Indian. Indian. That's what I thought. Dressed as a woman. No, he hit me an awful hard crack. Why did you not shoot sooner? I was out cold. Must have had a hooker iron in his fist. Me, Stingery. I tried a knife. It doesn't go there. Me, Stingery. Stingery, listen to me. My crows, look at them. Stingery, you got to calm down and listen. That red skin was a one, the friend of the Lone Ranger. And he took Dipsy with him. Lone Ranger will hear about your place from Dipsy. Maybe he can get proof of some sort now. Yeah. I will act. I will not wait for this Lone Ranger. I will act it once. Yeah. I will go and see Raven. Drag Raven will know what to do. Connell hurried from the muddy streets of the Barbary Coast to the small, well-concealed camp where the Lone Ranger was waiting. In a few words, the Indian explained how he'd rescued Dipsy and brought him to the camp. Come over here near the fire. What's your name? I... I got no name. They all called me Dipsy. You did have a name? I don't know. How old are you? Well, I think as old as a look. I ain't no good. But I was afraid. I know Stingery. He was sorry to let me out of his place. He should have killed me. You've been going there to use opium, haven't you? What's the difference? Who cares about me? Take it easy. Hello. Let him lie here in the blanket. Cover him and fix him warm broth. No, no, no. He'd fix him. Poor old fellow. I'd wreck up a man if I ever saw one. But maybe him'd help plenty that help us. Hello, I've heard of Stingery. But he's just one of the many who take orders from the boss of the Barbary Coast, Drag Raven. Not right. You stand in front of Stingery's place. Keep watch for long time. This guy's is a woman? Not right. What did you learn? Come from Raven Roos. Give bundle to fellow in Stingery's place. We hear him talk. Bundle holds plenty opium. Opium? Those fiends? So Raven supplies the opium? Not right. There are only some way we could get evidence against Stingery. The organization has been built it's almost impossible to get proof that we'll stand in court. We go there with plenty, ma'am? Too many lawmen are in the pay of the crooks. Our plans would be known ahead of time. We'd get no evidence. Not right. I'm going to call an obligation. You go there now. Yes. What you do there? I ain't got something about the laws in California. See, just what has to be found in the way of evidence. You go there now. Yes. What you do there? I ain't got something about the laws in California. See, just what has to be found in the way of evidence before the law can act with men who view and dope. Here's a little bit. You're adding a big color. Otto, you stay with this old man and take care of him. You might have some information we could use. Stingery went to the rear room of Greg Raven's café, the Raven's Roost. He found Greg and several others. Hard-faced men seated around a large table, but there was one man who looked far different from the others. He was tall, his face was white and clean-shaven. His hands were well-drawned and slender, and he wore a conservative black hat, black suit, and white shirt. Sit down, Stingery. I want, uh, about to send over to your place. Yes. And why? Why, Raven, were you about to send for me? I wanted to meet this gent who... I would have been here an hour ago, only I had some trouble with an Indian. An Indian, I said, Raven. You know what I mean? Friend of the Lone Ranger? Yes, he was dressed as an old woman. He disarmed me. Me, Stingery, could be disarmed by Indian. Stingery, that Indian and the masked men who with him have gone too far. That's why I've got Warden Waddles here. Who? Shake hands with him. Waddles? It's here, Stingery. And he is a man with a knife that ever lived. He came delighted to meet you, Chris. Who are you? Sit down, Stingery. Waddles just got in from Denver. He had to clear out of those parts because of a few tricks that he does with cards. Not a gamble, he's not sure. But an in-kind feat is dealt from the bottom of the deck. A fool in Denver who will interest me. Up my sleeve. Yeah, never mind why you had to light out a Denver. You're here now and we're going to make good use of you. You help us, Waddles, and you can have more cash than you would make in a year at dealing from the bottom of the deck. Stingery, where do you hear my scheme? Yes, I am interested, Waddles. Well, you can see for yourself that Waddles looks like a fine gentleman. His face and hands are as white as a girl's. His clothes ain't got a spot of dirt on them. Well, I'll explain him to him how he's to go and call on Arnold Geerson. He's to pose as a reformer that wants to help clean out the buffery coast. Yes, and not as Arnold Geerson to do it. Geerson's the one that got the lone ranger on us. And you see? There remains much to this to be explained. I'll give you all the details after the warden leaves. He's got to get going before it's too late for him to call on Geerson. Start out, Waddles. Remember the play as I outlined it. By the time the lone ranger had been from camp to the mansion on Nob Hill where Arnold Geerson lived, the warden Waddles had already been there with the millionaire for some time. There was a wrap on the window of Geerson's library. What did he say? Tell it to you, huh, Waddles? That's a friend of mine, of one you'll be glad to see here. In the way you jerked around and reached into your coat, I thought you'd come up with a gun. My friend, your man in my position? Oh, come in, I'm glad you're here. Mr. Geerson, I... Oh, it's all right. This is Warden Waddles. He's offered his help in smashing the Barbary Coast. I see. The masked man. What about whom I've heard so much? Your name is Waddles? Yes. It's through my work in trying to lift the falling creatures of the world of trial and tribulation. I knew the ins and outs of most places. He was explaining that he could get into the inner chambers and the cellars of almost every place in the Barbary Coast. Things have reached that point where it is necessary that a strong hand of righteousness wields the sword of justice and vengeance. I came here tonight to ask Mr. Geerson about the laws of the state. As one man who's a ringleader in the underworld. Greg Raven. I've heard of him. I want to smash him. I knew his place. I knew it well. There are no idea, Warden Waddles. How much your help will mean to me, I can understand. I knew from Mr. Geerson how you've had to fight practically single-handed. Well, my friend, now we can fight together side by side. And I'm sure you'll find that my help will lead to unexpected results. The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger story. Before the next exciting scene, please come as a pause for just a few moments. Let's continue our story. In Arnold Geerson's library, the Lone Ranger and Warden Waddles discussed plans for smashing some of the worst places in the Barbary Coast. Well, now where do we stand? Mr. Geerson. He's a deck of playing cards. Cards? Well, yes. I want to use them for a moment. There is some right here in the table. Curious, but somehow I never thought of human connection with playing cards. They can be used for a lot of things. Other than gambling, can't they waddle a stick? Well, I don't know why. You probably wouldn't. Oh, here are the cards. Well, at least do them, unless you have a new deck. At least we'll do very nicely. Shuffle them. Would you please, Waddles? Well, yes, of course. Then put them there on the table. We'll cut. You and I. What are we cutting for? What's when you're burned? You and I are going to attack. Greg Raven. Yes, I know. One of us will have to do an unpleasant piece of work. Highman does it. Well, you cut first. Barely. A three. A very high, isn't it? A ten. Well, it's up to me. But what is that assignment? What are you going to have to do? As long as I have to do it, there's no use wasting time on detail. Well, perhaps not. Wait. What is it? It's nothing, I guess. Probably a night bird. We let the window open. You startled me. And me? I declare you're acting rather unusual tonight. Unusual night, Mr. Gerson. Now, as to our plans, Wattles. Tomorrow night, we'll attack Raven's Roost. Yes. We can take him by surprise. I'm sure we can find enough evidence to put him in prison. Very late. You'll have to play your part, though. I explained to Mr. Gerson that I was in a position to be of help. I'll have a group of men who will attack Raven's Roost. And I? Can you be there with others to make sure no evidence is destroyed? Of course. And see that none of the secret doors are closed? We've been doing it. Now, look here. Are you sure you can get enough reliable men to make an attack of that sort? I think I'll have all the men we'll need, Mr. Gerson. Well, I hope so. But there'll be great risk. If we're successful, there will be great results. Warden Wattles left the Gerson mansion in high spirits and played to the Barbaric Coast, to Raven's Roost, and to the office where Raven and Stingery were waiting. Yes, you've been... Well, these those probably see my expectation. All right, Wattles. Never mind the prolific. Get to the point. Did you see Gerson? I did. How did he take your skin? I told him I was in a position to know the inside layout of certain places. But while we talked, the nice man came in. Yeah, the low ranger? Yes. Well, I didn't shoot, and I had no gun. Would it look well for me, a reformer, a man of refinement, and high principles to go about on with a lead of weapon? That's right. Tell us what worked out. Tomorrow night, the lone ranger, the group of men with him, planned to attack Raven's Roost, my place. Good. And we know all about it ahead of time. I am to be in Raven's place to be sure that no one shuts the doors to the cellars and make sure no evidence is hidden. Oh, good. All you have to do, Raven, is arrange to have a score of good gunmen on hand. And they will be. Just to be on the safe side, I better get rid of all the opium I got on hand. Yes. I'll send it to your place, Stingery. You can keep it with the stores. And better not let any customers around tomorrow night. Just the gunslingers. So they'll give you these low wages, the biggest charges of reception you ever got, and the last you ever get. During the next day, the lone ranger and tato, Pat and Mary's poor old Gypsy, and at nightfall brought him to the sheriff where he might tell his story. But the lawman was nothing too optimistic. No matter what he tells Mask Man, it would take more than his word to get a jury to put Stingery in jail. That was a trade, it might. The only way to get them is to find the ovum in their possession. And that would convince a jury? It might, if you could show that Stingery was selling it to the poor devils. A privilege like Dipsy here. Very well. And Dipsy, this is the first time I've seen you in months when you got your chin above your chest. I found a friend. There's nothing wrong with this man that can't be cured by decent living. Well, I always said the same. I'm sure that Stingery, I don't know who to say that. But as long as that dinner has exist, you'll find a way to lure you into it. You have any money to spend? You said... I said you were going to help us smash the thing that nearly smashed you. You still think I ain't done for for keeps? Of course you're not. Sheriff needs men like you. Sheriff needs everyone who's willing to oppose rats like Stingery. He would have killed me. Sheriff, I want this man's phone in as a deputy. Dipsy, deputy sheriff? For tonight. Well, if you say so. Mr. Gerson's told me about you. After leaving the sheriff's office, the Lone Ranger raced to meet Tutto. Then the two guided their horses to the shore where no lights through the streets and honky-tonks broke the other darkness. This would be a good place to leave the horses to lose hubby. I am told, don't come. Of course. We'd go on foot climbing. While the Lone Ranger and Tutto made their stealthy way toward the road barbary coast dives, Drogrevin sided Raven's Roast with the gambler who had posed as a reformer. Well, how'd it look to your warden? First to your treat and first to your tea. There ain't a man here who don't wear at least two guns and a knife. As long as they can use them, that's the mean thing. They can use them. How about the dope? Send it all over to Stingery's. Oh, here he comes now. Hello, Stingery. Yeah, looks like we're all set. Yeah, when the Lone Ranger is getting coming here, we'll see the room of the usual number of Peters, but they won't know that everyone has been told about his coming. There will be nothing until the signal. And then Trent begins. We speak as one. I should get him the knife for sure. I think it's your place, Stingery. I told the warden to keep out everyone that looked like he might make any trouble. Good idea. Did you get the opium I sent over? Yes, I put it with my foot. It makes me so that we got to worry about the law. I'll be glad when that Lone Ranger and all his notions are wiped out. He will all be glad. It's about time for that masked man and his gang to show up, ain't it? Just about to. Now, boys, don't open fire until I give the word. Let them get well inside this place so they can't get away. The Lone Ranger and Tutto made their way through the muddy streets. Ahead they saw the Ravens roost, and a few blocks further on the sign that proclaimed Stingery's. The Ravens roost, Tutto? The Ravens' place? I wonder how well the plan will work, uh... I mean, I don't know. Right here. Can you see inside? Ah, plenty of summer and ravens roost. Ravens, killers. Stingery, they had two. And I see waddles. Ah, come on. They're going on to Stingery's. Here we are, Tutto. Stay a few places in the back of me. Keep me covered. Keep your back against the wall at all times. Ah, and they know. Hello, dude. Keep your hand where they can be seen. The Masked Man, what's he doing here? He's not even going to Ravens. They're right where you are. The one is to leave here. Watch yourself. I ain't doing nothing. I'm only the barkeeper. Get back against the wall and stay there. Tutto, make their guns and line them up. Get over there next to the bartender. Quickly. The man in Stingery's place were hurted against the wall and searched by Tutto for weapons. Then, while the Indian held them, the low ranger dashed to the rear and opened the door. All right, Sheriff. Come in and bring your deputy. Come on, Debsy. I'll show you where the drugs are used. I know the way to that underground hand. Go ahead. If we can get evidence here. Here we got it tonight. Stingery and Raven and all their gunmen are waiting for us to show up somewhere else. Here's the place, Sheriff. Found these ladders. Chance, I've been waiting for. Meanwhile, Greg Raven was increasingly uneasy as he sat in his own cafe with Warden Waddles. Stingery in a score of murderous gunmen. Waddles, it's past the time when that masked man and his men should be here. So what's the delay? I don't know the evening. I thought you'd be here. But he is. Stingery, he's sitting here waiting for anyone. Now, shut up. If we've been... I said shut up, Stingery. I'm still giving orders. Waddles, if you had any double-cross and... No, no, no, no. Hey, Stingery, that's your bartender to just come in. Waddle here. Waddle here. Mask man in the law. Watch your mask. Well, I ran all the way here. They just left. The sheriff is taking him below the dipty. He went out with a whole load of drugs and a half of dozen critters of you that they've arrested the whole kitten caboodle. Well, that's someone who's paid. Waddles, you hear that? You and your big ideas. Stingery had done it at his place with his gunmen. The law would never have gotten in. They never would have found any evidence. I tell you, I don't know. You that had everyone here in my place waiting for a raise. I even attend to him. I'll take care of this personally. You Stingery. Get out of here. Get back to your own joint. But, Raven, I need help now. The law will arrest me. Yeah, and you'll squeal your head off. You'll tell who told you the opium. That'll involve me, won't it? I wouldn't squeal on you, Raven. Yeah, you liar. You'll squeal on your own mother to save her neck. Now, get this. The law has never got me because I never gave anyone a chance to squeal on me. Raven, you are my friend. You are my friend. Yes, sir. And so you, Waddles, still look at me like that. Why? Take these two out the back way. Show me, old man. No, no, no, no. My thanks in the morning, Deputy. I'll give you a steady job. Thanks. Thanks, Mr. Gerson. Thanks, knowing. No, you can thank that mask, man. The butler will show you what. Yes, sir. I'm the man again by Juniper. Now, won't you sit down? We can talk in this library. Thanks, Mr. Gerson, but I must leave. Potter's waiting. Is it good night's work? Stingray is smashed. He and Waddles are dead. There's no way to prove that Raven's a murderer. So the head man is still free? Yes. Away before you leave. How did you know that Waddles was an imposter? He was a gambler. Well, I was just outside this window before I tapped and he sat here with you. Yes, I remember. I tapped when the window startled him. His hand went for a gun beneath his coat where a gambler's carry theirs. It was a strange gesture for a man such as Waddles claimed to be. And I asked for cards. But when he handled them and shuffled them to trade him, and to make sure I frightened him again, and he went to the gun, it wasn't there. So you knew then that he was a gambler? Well, that's too simple. Raven said, What's that in? That we're using to our advantage. Close the window after me. Will you, Mr. Gibson? If you can only get Greg Raven. Please, make Raven know that he's in a war. The war is to the finish. I don't tell you that!