 a fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and the hearty Hio Silver, the lone ranger. With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the masked rider of the planes fought crime and criminals throughout the western United States. But he did more than bring law and order to a lawless frontier. He protected the property and savings of honest men and women from confidence men. He protected their lives from hostile Indians, and his name has come down to us as the greatest champion of justice the West ever knew. Return with us now those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoof beats of the great horse Silver, the lone ranger rides again. It was a ten o'clock on a bright summer morning that George Casey, foreman of the flying W, wrapped at the back door of the ranch house. Morning, ma'am. Oh, good morning, George. Mr. Walker about? He said something about talking over how many new hands we was going to hire. Just step in. Thanks, ma'am. I called about this morning, but he didn't answer, so I just let him sleep. Oh, I didn't mean to bother him. Sure, it's time he was getting up anyhow. Only reason I ain't rousing before is on account of him staying up late last night with a firefly in that new cold of hers. Mary? I'm in here, ma'am. Call your pa. Tell him George is in the kitchen waiting. All right. Don't take him long. Just have a chair. Thanks. Bacon, ma'am? Smells mighty good. Mary and her pa are two of a kind. My safety, they didn't have pie on the table at least once a day. There'd be no living with them. Well, but it's a chore standing over a hot stove tonight. I reckon you're just about the best cook there is around here, though, ma'am. I wish you'd tell that to Bart. He says... Ma, oh, good morning, George. Howdy, Miss Mary. Pa say he was getting up? Pa ain't there. He ain't. He's around the side of the house washing up. You tell him... But, ma, his bed wasn't even slept in. So, whatever are you talking about? It's so. You can just go look. Pa ain't been there. Well, now, that's a funny thing. But I heard him in there last night. And then when he came in from the barn, Mary, you must be joking. I'm not either joking, ma. You just go look. I guess that bed is... I'll go with you, ma'am. I don't understand it. That his room? Mm-hmm. And he make up his bed himself? He'd never do that. Oh, go on, if Miss Mary wasn't right. But, uh, he... George, could he have got to worryin' about firefly and gone back... I look in the barn before I come here. Look in the corral tune when I see none of the horses he rides as the rule had been settled, I... Well, I figured this is where I'd find him. Then where could he've got to, ma? Well, I declare, I don't know. Don't that beat all? I reckon I'm just a fool, George, but... that it's so strange for Bart to do a thing like this, I... I'm scared. Ah, ma'am, don't get upset. Likely nothing's happened that can't be easy explained. What's this, ma? Give it to me. But what is it? Oh, just the envelope. Let her come in for you, pa. Well, I left it while he was out, so I put it here. We'd be sure to see it. Then it proves you did hear him, ma'am. He was here and took the right one with him. George, what'll I do? Ma'am, you go back and tender your bacon for it burns. I'll tell the boys and have a look around. You think that... I think, ma'am, that when we find him, your husband's going to have the life of his life seen as scary gave it. I don't you worry none at all. It's all right, ma. The pa's all right. Yes, yes, child, of course. Of course. Nevertheless, Bart Walker was not found that day, or that week, nor in the years that followed. No one had seen his departure. No rumors of his existence in another part of the country drifted back to the flying W. No reason why he should have vanished ever came to life. Ten years passed, and while his daughter became a beautiful young woman, his wife, broken by sorrow, became embittered against the world, even George Casey, whose loyalty had preserved the ranch, was not safe from the lash of her tongue. George! George! Ma'am? Come here. Feeling uncomfortable, ma'am? I'm always feeling uncomfortable. My nail and body, and it's the one that I wasn't put away in my grave years ago. Not anybody around here'd care. Sharks now. But there ain't what I wanted to see you for. Were you calling me, mother? You were calling George, I thought. You come here, too. What I got to say is for both of you. Yes, ma'am. You're both together in this scheme, and I'm grateful that's what you are. Seems like I don't come for nothing no more. Oh, I suppose when a body gets my age, you ought to expect such things. Grace just knows that. Oh, mother, that's not so. Ain't you a little bit hard on us, ma'am? That's right. Call me a story. Tell it to my face. Face, mother. If we've done anything to hurt you, won't you tell us what it is? As if you don't know. Gosh, ma'am, you've got me stung for a fair. I... What about yesterday? Well, don't stand there like the cat that got your tongue. But you'd put something over on me, didn't you? Because I'm old and can't get around by myself. I wouldn't know what was going on. Now, don't deny it. I ain't no fool for all I'm old and feeble. I know what you mean, mother. And if it was anybody's fault, it was mine. It isn't fair for you to blame George. He stood right there when you ordered Mr. Richmond off this place, didn't he? But... And you, George, you'd have kept it secret from me. Drawn my wages, owing me for the food she ate, and the clothes you wear, and the home you got, and going behind my back to scheme again, ma'am. Mother, don't talk like that to George. You haven't the right. George has done more for us than we'll ever be able to repay him. No, no, not quite, Miss Mary. You need to stand up for me again, your ma'am. Besides, you'd come right down to it, I reckon I did do wrong. You admit it, do you? Yes, ma'am, I do. I guess I was exceeding my rights. But ma'am, I'm acquainted with this here Richmond gent, and you ain't. He's as crooked as a rattler, and as tricky as a night prowling lobo. He's not the fellow of you to do business with. Oh, but a fair price for the place, didn't he? Well... Didn't he? Yes, him you could call it that, I reckon. But that's why I mistrust him. It ain't his style to do business fair and square. If he'd offered you $30,000, then you could be doggone sure the place is worth a heap more. He never made an honest trade in all his life. Thinker Barnes is honest, ain't he? Yes, sir. Would he give us $30,000? Likely wouldn't. Well, then. I got to hold to what I said. I'd want to know what's behind Richmond's offer before I give him a yes or a no. It ain't up to you to do either. I own the Ply and W. You're just the foreman. Yes. Mother, you'll have to listen to me. I don't care what you think. You've got to listen. You aren't planning to sell because of the money. You'd sell for half as much. The only reason you're selling is to move away from here. Oh, it is, is it? Yes, it is. You're afraid I'll marry Tom Craig. You want to take me where I can't see him again. Tom Craig, Tom Craig. That's all I'd be hearing from you anymore. Have I ever seen a worthless, natural-born loafer in all my days? Why, ma'am, Tom's right well thought of around here. He's real up and coming. Hard worker too. Shuck, someday he's going to... That's enough. Oh, what's the use of trying to talk to you, mother? It isn't calm. If I were interested in anyone else, you'd say the same of him. Just because father... Don't mention your father's name in this house. I'm sorry, mother. I didn't mean to... You're both against me, both of you. I'll try to save my daughter all the misery and disappointment I've gone through and what thanks do I get for it? None. None at all. Please. Get out! Leave me alone! I'm sick of you. Sick of the sight of both of you. You scheme again me, talk again me. You both hate me. Everybody hates me. All I try to do what is right... Mother, mother, please! Get out! Get out! Get out! Mother, please! Come in, Miss Mary. Can't you see your ma'am's tired? We'll have a rest for a bit. I'll close the door, ma'am. Then nothing will be disturbing you. Then we're going. Enough, Mr. Richmond. Come back. You sell him in to me or get off this place and don't never come back. Oh, George. Oh, George, I... I don't know what to do. What to do? Ever since father... Now, Miss Mary, you listen to me. Your ma'am's a might unreasonable, sure. It's awful hard for a girl your age to put up with it. But always recollect this. Your ma'am's had a hard time of it. She thinks so much of you. She wants to save you from going through the same. But... No, you listen. Maybe she's wrong. Offhand, I'd allow she was, but she's your ma. She's my boss. And ain't up to us to criticize. We keep still and... You know what, I bet you? A month from now you'll be wondering what all of fuss was about. You just wait and see. In the cafe at San Pedro, Richmond sat at an isolated table with a dark, stockily-built easter-man. As they carried on a low-tron conversation, Richmond failed to notice a tall, broad-shouldered stranger who stood with his back to the bar watching them. It was the famous Lone Ranger in disguise. Richmond was tense as he spoke, and every now and then he pounded the table to emphasize his words. I tell you, Gorman is there. I seen it, seen it, I tell you. You've seen the mine, Richmond, or the map? Don't think me a fool because I'm from the East. I know very well for the last 50 years this district's been full of swindling prospectors willing to tell how to find a lost finanza. For a prize? If you know it, don't you think I know it even better? You should. I've seen the mine itself. You think I'm lying? No, Richmond. If you put it that way, I am perfectly willing to agree that you've probably seen a mine. But how do you know that it's a... That is to lose finanza? Yes. Another whole story. I was found in the first place. Who found it and how it was lost again? I've heard a little, not much. Well, it don't take long to tell. Found by a fellow named Prindle. The way he found it was by accident. His burrows slipped on some loose shale and fell into a canyon. Prindle didn't know whether it had been killed or not. So he climbed down and put it out of its misery in case it hadn't. When he looked around for a way to climb up again, he found these nuggets. Nuggets as big as his fist. They still fell as alive as seen them and consuared to it. And then... Then Prindle couldn't never go back there again because he'd shown the goal and there was 100 fellas waiting to follow him. He took them to the place most any one of them had been willing to kill to get it for himself. As I recall, Prindle died keeping his secret. Is that right? Yes, sir. What makes you so certain of it? Gorman, I've seen that burrow skeleton. I've seen what's left of Prindle's peck saddle with his name on it. And what's more, I've seen the gold. Nuggets like they tell of. Where? Oh, now you don't. That's my secret. Then why have you told me any part of it? Because I need you. I know what the gold is. I get cash and have to buy the property it's on. It's included in the land belonging to a certain ranch. And I'll have to buy the whole outfit to keep from being suspicion. But after I've done that, I won't have cash left to develop the mine. So that's where you come in. Just how? You've got good connections back east. You can raise what cash is needed in such a way that it won't cost us control to borrow. Oh, it's sure. You and me will float this thing together. And you didn't raise a penny until the land is mine and I've shown you the gold. Now you tell me where you can lose on a proposition like this. It sounds all right, but we'll both lose if you want more careful. Huh? That old fella behind you looks to me as though he's blind. His face is badly scarred. He's mad edging over there. Ah, he has, has he? As for sticking your ugly face on what ain't your business, I had to take you... You want to get killed for hitting a tent that old? Craig, who asked you to put in? Step on a snake like you. I don't need an invite. What? Blast you? Look out, Tommy's gone. No! No! String yourself the gun right from his hands. Now, please put that on the gun if you will get worse. Craig, take that blind man and get him out of here. Right. Stop him! Take snakes! Get that fella! Keep going, Tom. I'll cover for you. We're going, Richmond, and I've got you covered. Call off your men. The second they fire, I'll let you have it. Don't pay no attention to him. He's bluffing! Fill him! Cut him down! You fool! That fella means business. They're calling anyhow, boss. You want we should call him? Get out from him! Get out from him! They can't stand up to me like that and get away with it. Richmond, get a hold of yourself. Nothing was overheard there, sir. What's that to me? I run this town and I run it my own way. Get those fellas! You hear me? Get them! 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. Now to continue our story. Leaving young Tom Craig with a trail split just outside town, the Lone Ranger took the old man he had rescued in the cafe to his camp. Later, when he had removed his disguise and again wore his mask, you haven't told me your name. You can call me Dan. That'll do as well as another. In other words, you'd rather not tell me your real name, is that it? I lost my name a good long time ago, just like you did, Lone Ranger. You know me? I do. But your sight? Friend, blind folk like me don't need eyes to see with. We learn other ways. I ain't so sure, but there ain't better ways. The things you can see with your eyes sometimes foolier and besides, yes. Well, once a good spell back, I heard your voice. I never forgot it. We met? We did. I don't remember you. Look at my face. I am. I know what it's like. Folks who told me. You've been badly burned. That's how I got scared and lost the use of my eyes. Who that knew me before would recognize me after? There's no call for you to be surprised that you can't recollect me. You look as though you've been doing without food. For so long, it just don't seem to matter no more. Which all goes to show a fellow can get used to most anything. Have your money? Money. What's that? Have you a family? I... No. No, I reckon not. What are you doing in San Pedro? Why were you so interested in that fellow Richmond? Richmond? Was that his name? I never heard of him before. And as for being in San Pedro, well, it could have been Dodd City or Denver or Frisco. To a hobo like me, they're all the same. But you're not a stranger here. But may just say that. Oh, I just had that impression. Well, there's no call for you to think a thing like that. I was never in San Pedro 4 in all my life. You hear me? I never was. I never was here before. Hold on. What's there to get excited about? But you're... I take your pardon, friend. My nerves there are jumpy. Sometimes for no reason at all. Of course. I should have realized. I've been asking you too many questions. But you needed some sleep and in the morning another good meal. You're right kind. Before you sleep, however, there's something I want to know if you care to answer it. Forget what I said. Ask what you want. I'll tell you plain enough if you're speaking out of turn. Very well. You were in the cafe. You were close to the table where Richmond sat with that fellow from the east. You must have overheard their conversation. Then, what was it they said? And what is your story? That'll settle Silver again. Now then, what have you lost by telling us the truth? You could have told it in the first place. I guess you said it why I didn't want to. I see your point of view, but I don't agree with you. Now listen, I... No way. The main thing now is to get Richmond to reveal the location of the lost bonanza. It would be easy enough to step in and spoil the sale of the Flying W, but that doesn't solve the problem. For 50 years, prospectors and speculators have been searching for that mine. It's always been known it was somewhere in those hills to the west. Now we know it's on the Flying W property, but that doesn't narrow it down enough. We might hunt for it for the next 10 years with the odds still 1,000 to one against your finding it. You're right. Richmond knows the location of the mine. He's the one who'll have to tell us how to reach it. Which he won't do unless and he's got title to it. That's exactly it. The sale is spoiled. Richmond won't talk. Yes, sir. The sale goes through. He'll talk. But too late to do is any good. And no way to get around it. I'm not so sure. Perhaps there is. Here, so not. I'm ready. Thanks, Kimosabi. You going summers? I am. It got something to do with Richmond and the lost bonanza. I'm calling on Tom Craig. He'll agree to a suggestion. We'll have a way to trick Richmond. What do you got in mine? You'll learn that later. Come on, Silver. High on Silver. How are they? It was the following day that Tom Craig rode up to the Flying W Ranch House. George Casey called to him. Whoa, whoa, boy. Whoa, whoa. Hi, Tom. Yeah. Howdy, George. Hi, Sean. Headlock, Tom. What are you doing here? Don't you know the first cable to make if she sees you? Still don't like me, huh? Shucks, young fella. She ain't got no more use for you than she's got for so much pison. You know you ought to be... Where's Mary? Huh? Oh. Oh, she's somewhere in the house, I reckon. But Tom, you listen to me. Tom? Sorry, George. Haven't the time to listen. Hello, Mary. Surprised to see me? I think your maw had me too scared to show up again. You said you wouldn't come here unless I told you it was all right. Look, Mary, I got more than one reason for showing up this time. One I can't tell you about just yet. But the others are most important anyhow. We're going to settle this right now. No, Tom. Oh, I know how you feel. I know you don't like to go again, your maw. But you got to see that she ain't being fair to us. You'll grow up enough to know your own mind, and she ought to be willing to admit it. I... I know. We are going to get hitched, aren't we? I've given you my promise, Tom. Then what do you say we march into your maw and tell her right out? What's the use of putting off something that has to be done sometime anyway? It would upset her. Is she likely to get any more upset now than later? No, but... Well, then come on. Where is she? We'll see her together. She's in the parlor. Then that's where we're going. Mary? Yes, Mother? Who's there? Who are you talking to? Oh, it's George. Come on, what do you say? Well, I suppose we might just as well. That's better. You going to answer me, Mary? Oh, it's Tom, Mother. Howdy, Mrs. Walker. Where? Yeah, I did. Mother, we're still... Keep still. Young man, you turned right round, found your way out of here. You ain't welcome in this house. I think Mary's got something to say to you first. Then she can say it later. Well, it's now. You clear out. Mother. You tell him. No, I've got something to say to you. And I'm going to say it while Tom's here. Mary, have you gone? Tom and I are getting married. And we're going to get married just as soon as we can. Why? I'm tired of being bullied. Sell the ranch. I don't care. It isn't going to make any difference. I've got my own life to live, and no one has a right to live it for me. Quiet! I've never heard such nonsense in all my life. You're my daughter, and you'll do like I say. I am going to sell the ranch. That's the town for Mr. Richmond to come out here, and I'm expecting him now. And just as soon as the place is sold, I'm taking you where this... this scheme and loafer can see you. Ma'am, you've got me sized up all wrong. Don't you dare open your mouth in this house, you... Mr. Richmond's here, ma'am. There. Now I'll show you. Send him in. Good afternoon, Mrs. Walker. Good afternoon. I'm glad you showed up on time. Bring the cash with you. That sure did, ma'am. Got it right here. Good. Now we'll see whose boss's around here. Deeds all ready. Came in the cash and got the papers signed over, and the place is yours. That'll be just fine, ma'am. Mrs. Walker, won't you listen to me just a second? Well... Don't sell, ma'am. Ain't they told you that this fellow won't never give you the best of a deal? George, your advice ain't wanted. What's more, you'll witness the papers. Here they are. Move that table closer to the chair here. Your pen and ink. We'll get this over with. Doggone, ma'am. I wish you'd listened to Sam's. Give me that pen. Yes, ma'am. Mother. And you keep still. Why, who are you, Dad? You're all obliged to know about it. No. Can't you see he's blind? Leave him alone. Tom, help him. Find out what he wants. Oh, sure. There, here you are, mister. Here's the place where you sit. You got business here? Which, uh, which one of you is Ms. Walker? Here. What do you want? Ma'am, don't sell your ranch. Well, that's a fine thing. Strange you're telling me what to do? And just why are you making it your business? Ma'am, that's all I can say. Don't sell. But I... And my gosh, stranger, no, he's right. Ms. Walker, you can fire me after, if you'd be mine to. But I ain't gonna let you do this. That's flat. This deal ain't going through. It is. Who's that, man? Go and stand back. Richmond, pay Ms. Walker the money and get your deed. Right. Why, you... I warned you, stand back. The fine state of affairs when a masked man has to force everybody to do what I tell him. Hurry, I'll finish this sale. Richmond, give her the money. Sure thing. Here you are, ma'am. It's all there right to the penny. And just hand me that pen that I'll sign. Yeah, thanks. Here you are, ma'am. You're next, George. Sign that as a witness. You can mark it off, my place. I can get somebody else to sign, if you won't. Oh, you'll need another witness. Tom? I might as well, I reckon. There. Can I finish it? It does. Ma'am, I'm congratulating you on a mighty fine sale. I'll take this here deed and have it entered the county seat. And then I'll... Then you might as well tell them why you bought the ranch, Richmond. Eh? What have you got to lose now? What's a masked man mean? Tell them. Tell them about the mine. Once the place was yours, you planned to tell Gorman anyway. How do you know so much about my business? Well, that doesn't matter. Tell them what a good deal you made for yourself. Well, it was just business. We're nothing illegal about it. No, Zy, why not? Go on. What is it? Well, folks, Ms. Walker just signed away a fortune. For $30,000, she traded what was worth a hundred times as much. A fortune? Sure, the lost bonanza. It's on our place? On my place, now, miss. And if you don't believe me, the mine's right below the trail to Cedar Point. Between that big oak was blasted by lightning and the curve just beyond. Down below in the canyon there. Why? You see, ma'am, I told you. I told you what he was up to. You did no such thing. You never even mentioned the mine once. Well, how could I when I didn't know what he was after? When I warned you, he'd be getting the best of you. He didn't. No, well, thanks. You, stranger, I did. If you look at that deed again, you'll see that it's not a description of the flying W, but of Tom Craig's place. You've just paid $30,000 for Tom's ranch. Crap. It ain't so. It can't be. Don't worry. Tom will give you back that money. All we wanted to know was the location of the mine. Well, I'll be doggone. You fooled me. You can't do this to me, are we? How he strict you is you would have tricked Mrs. Walker. Now, get out. All right, get out. All right, get out. No, I'm kidding you. You can't do this to me. And don't slam the door on your way out. But the deed, how did you? Tom prepared a deed to his place and substituted it when this man here entered. Everyone was looking at him, and Tom wasn't being watched. But who is he? Why did he do this for us? Shall I tell them, Bart? No, don't. I think I'd better. Mrs. Walker, this is your husband. Mr. Walker? Well, wait. Ten years ago, he disappeared. On the day he left, he received an anonymous letter telling him that if he would go to a certain part of his range, he'd find the men stealing his cattle. He did. He was shot and lost his memory. His memory didn't come back to him until he was caught in the fire in which he lost his sight. He came back not to tell who he was, but to learn how his family had gotten on. If I'd let him have his way, he'd have disappeared again. He felt that after his absence, after the accident that caused him his sight, he wouldn't be wanted here. I knew he was wrong. Father. Mary, Mary, my little girl, my little girl. Yes, Bart. It's his voice that I knew had heard it. Oh, Bart, in such an old school, never think in it. Forget it for me. I've been gone, but now I'm back again. And thanks to the mask man, we can start all over like before. Just think of that and nothing else. Before you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.