 A fiery horse the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty high old silver, the lone ranger. When the early pioneers settled in the western United States, outlaws and hostile Indians made it impossible for them to maintain law and order. Cattle was stolen, banks were looted, and no one's life or property was safe. It was then that the masked rider of the planes first rode in the cause of justice. No man did more in the fight against crime and criminals, and the memory of his deeds will remain as long as the memory of the early west itself. Let us return now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hooffeets of the Great Horse Silver. The lone ranger rides again. The Texas sun blazed down on the range country, not far from the small town of Megs Crossing. A trail wand across the prairie, a trail overlooked on one side by a cluster of rocks. And behind these rocks, a young man crouched. His face was lean and hard. His eyes were intent on the sights of his rifle, pointed toward the trail. A rider approached. The young man's finger slowly tightened on the trigger. There. That'll hold him. Here, boy. Come on, fella. We've got a high tiller out of here. Set it there, boy. We're right over there to make sure, fella. But I don't reckon there's much need. I was aiming dead center. Get up there! Come on! Get up! Get up! Two men were attracted by the shot. One was Al Cook, the United States Marshal for the district. The second was the lone ranger who was camped in the territory with his faithful Indian companion, Tonto. The masked man, urging his Great Horse Silver forward, saw the Marshal standing beside a figure on the trail. Come on, Silver! Hurry on, fella! What's happened? There's plenty happening. Oh, who's Silver? Oh, fella, who? Is he dead, Marshal? He sure is. Just one shot, but he got him plumbed through the heart. Wait. Isn't that Eric Wagner? It's Eric right enough, and I'd sure like to get my hands on the dirty sneaking coyote that shot him. He was killed with a rifle bullet? Yeah. I thought it sounded like a rifle, then when I got here, I seen it was. The man who shot him has had plenty of time to get away. He's most likely in town by now. What's that over there? You can see where somebody rode a horse this way. The grass is just beginning to spring up again with a horse passed. By golly, I want to look at that. Those tracks must have been made by the killer. Come here. Did you find something? Look here at this bare patch of ground. You can see the hoof prints like somebody draw a picture. Let's see. Here, Marshal. You see where a part of the shoe had been broken from the hoof? Yeah. You could recognize that print again anywhere. Oh, it ain't proof, though. Blasted. No. It could have been possible for these prints to have been made before the killing. And I doubt it. Doubt and won't help none. You're well acquainted here, aren't you? I ought to be. I was raised in these parts. Did Eric have any enemies? That's what's got me buffaloed. I weren't a better like fellow than Eric anywhere. He owned the biggest spread around here. But he was always willing to help out anybody that needed help. And he was a dog-gone good neighbor. He didn't have a family, did he? The only kid Eric had was a niece of Arizona way. A niece? His brother's girl. Helen, I think her name was. Eric paid her visit about a year ago. She's an orphan now. Seems strange. He didn't bring her to live with him. He tried too hard enough, but she wanted to stay and make a go over Pa's ranch. But from what I hear, she ain't had much luck. I see. She'll get Eric's spread, though. Eric always said he'd be leaving it to her. There's one thing, Marshal. Yeah? I've been wondering why you didn't mention my mask. I heard you call that horse your silver. Other horses might be called the same. But not horses like that one. I reckon I ain't fool enough to mistake you for an outlaw. Thanks. Well, I don't see much of you staying here any longer. I better be getting back to town reporting this killing. Wait. Don't report it, Marshal. But I've got to. You and I and the killer are the only ones that know of Eric's death. If we keep it a secret, we'll have a better chance to learn who did this. But I've got to let his niece know anyhow. She's a long way from here. Yeah, and she's blamed hard up. She'll be feeling mighty bad about this, but at least she'll know she ain't in danger of starving no longer. Then I'll make a bargain with you. Yeah? If you'll keep this a secret here until I get back, I'll ride to Arizona. You see Eric's niece? Yes. But what did you want to make a trip like that for? You say Eric had no enemies here. His niece inherits his fortune. Probably she had nothing to do with his death, but I'd like to judge for myself. Oh, shucks. She wouldn't have had nothing to do with a thing like this. Is it a bargain? Well, does anybody but you that ask me out? Yes. I'll do it. Good. Here, Silver. Say, where are you going? To Arizona. Right now? Right now. I'm depending upon you to keep your word with me. Are you still? Well, I'll be blasted. A ranch owned by Helen Wagner was barely making expenses. A disastrous winter had reduced the herd to almost nothing. And only young Tom Forbes, out of what had once been a large crew, remained loyal to his worried employer. We see Helen and Tom as they return to the ranch house after a ride across the range. I'm afraid I can't hold on much longer, Tom. You ain't figured on selling out, are you, Helen? I've been thinking of it. We'll scarcely clear enough this year for taxes. All we need is to start the range again. And that takes money. I got some cash saved. Please, Tom. Shucks, I know you told me not to mention it again. And that cash is only set in the bank. There ain't nothing I'd rather do than give you the lend of it. I couldn't take money from you, Tom. There's one way you could. Yes. If I was married to you, I'd... Tom, I think a lot of you, but... But you're still thinking of that no-good Greg Spencer. That's so, ain't it? Please. We won't talk about that. Here's the house. I think I'll go right in. You'll unsaddle the horses, won't you? Sure. Whoa. Who there? It's time to start dinner. Howdy, Helen. Greg! Ain't you glad to see me? Oh, but... But we quarreled. Oh, shucks. I got to thinking it over, and I seen where I was wrong. I reckon I was just jealous of Tom, then. Now, hold on. You weren't jealous of me. The only reason you picked that fight with Helen was to get out of Marioner after she lost most of her cash. Why are you... Tom, Greg, stop it. He can't talk to me like that. You don't blame, well, I ain't told you nothing but the truth. Tom! You never worked there, did you, Greg? And you ain't never been nothing but blind where he was concerned. Honey, how are things on the ranch now? Pretty bad. Then I'm asking you to forget that fight we had and marry me. I reckon that'll prove I ain't after cash. There's something mighty funny about you getting so almighty big hearted this sudden. I ain't talking to you. Honey, what do you say? All right. I don't know what to say. You've been guns along? I've been prospecting. I was hoping I'd strike it rich so as I could give you all the things I'd like to. Oh, Greg. Prospecting. That takes hard work. And if you ever done something like that, it'd be the first time. That's what I've been doing. Anybody see you at it? I ain't seen anybody for months. I was way back in the hills. Yeah. Tom, you shouldn't... Don't pay no mind to him, Helen. What do you say? If you really mean it this time... By golly, I won't stand for it. Tom! You keep your nose out of it. I won't. I ain't gonna stand here and see Helen took in by a rat like you. If I can't stop her no other way, I'll gun with you. You what? You hurt me and I meant it. Stop it! In fact, I don't need no gun for your kind. That's just about enough. And take this! Oh! You're not Greg down. Then when he gets up, I'll knock him down again. You brute! I ain't no sneak like him. Oh, Greg, honey, are you hurt? Not too much to fix him. Greg, don't shoot! I'll... A rope. A mask man. Oh, there's a tunnel. The engine rope, Greg. There we go. Let me look... You're not getting loose until we leave. Come on, Tom. You want me? We are riding. But what? Are you coming willingly or do we have to rope you too? You've got the drop on me. Get mounted. If you didn't have the drop on me, you... My damn. You're Madeline Croc. Let me alone. I'll let you go when we start. Here's over. Please, don't hurt Tom. He'll be back. But please... Get started. Get up, man. Get up. Come on, Tom. Come on, Tom. Guarded by the Lone Ranger in Tonto, young Tom Forbes was taken to the small camp near Helen Wagner's ranch. There, at a signal from the mask man, they rained in their horses. Come on, Tom. Get down, Tom. What's the idea there? You and I are going to talk. But why did you... I haven't been here long. But Tonto and I have asked questions. From what we've learned, you can be trusted. That sounds good, coming from a mask, comrade. I'm not an outlaw. And why can't you show your face? That's something I won't explain. But I think I can prove I'm your friend. Yeah? You think a lot of Helen Wagner, don't you? Enough to give my life for her, for to do any good. I've heard as much. What do you know about Greg Spencer? Him? He's the biggest crook ever came out of these parts. You can prove that? No, but I bet on it. Say, what are you so interested in him for? Tonto and I arrived here from Meg's Crossing in Texas yesterday. What are you aiming to do? Helen had an uncle there. Oh, Eric Wagner. He was here last summer. You met him? No, I was way driving a trail herd to Mark when he was here. I remember the letter he wrote saying he was coming. Eric was murdered. And near his body, we found the principal horse with a broken shoe. Well, I'll be... And that print was identical with a print made by Greg Spencer's horse. How'd you know that? I was waiting to speak to Helen when Greg wrote up. I stayed out of sight while I saw the trail he made. Well, he said he'd been prospecting in the hills. You didn't believe that story yourself. It would serve as a good excuse for his absence all this time. It'd take quite a while to ride the Meg's Crossing from here and back. Then that explains it. Yes? If Greg shot Eric, he'd know darn well she'd come into what Eric owned. That's true. Greg made up a fight with Helen when she lost most of her own critters. And most likely got the idea of shooting Eric so as Helen would get his ranch. That sounds probable. That dirty scum. Pretending to want to marry her when she's broke and know her all the time. She's the owner of one of the biggest spreads in Texas. Will you help me trap him? Help her. We'll go back there right now and pick him up. No. The most prints in his absence aren't evidence. We turned him over to the law now. He'd be tried and freed. And a man can't be tried a second time for the same killing. But we've got to do something. And we will. But if you ain't got no more evidence than that... I haven't, Tom. But something you said suggested a plan. Yeah. Listen to me. There are some things I want to know. And if you can give me the answers I hope for, I think Greg will go to jail for Eric's murder. The Creighton falls on the first act of our thrilling Lone Ranger drama. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue our story. Eric Wagner, a wealthy Texas rancher, was shot from ambush. And his body was discovered by the United States Marshal and the Lone Ranger. The Marshal promised to keep Eric's death a secret. And the masked man rode to Arizona to inform Helen Wagner of her uncle's death. On his arrival, he found that the hoof prints of Greg Spencer's horse corresponded to prints found near the scene of the murder. The Ranger took Tom Forbes to his camp in order to question him. And now as our second act opens, we see Tom back at the ranch house once more talking to Helen. And the masked man didn't try to rob you, Tom? He ain't no outlaw, Helen. But what did he want? That's something he made me promise not to tell right now. But I reckon you'll know all about it in time. No, I'm curious. Well, I'll give him a word. Tom, there's something... Yeah? The last couple of days, there's been things missing. I don't know who could have taken them. You mean somebody stealing things? I had some rings in my room. They're gone. And some gold spurs that were given to Paul one. Oh, God. Who could have taken them things? I can't think. Say, how better was that sneaking... Don't. I know what you're going to say and I won't listen to you. Well, maybe you'll learn better someday. I... I forgave you for the fight you had with Greg the other day, but you can't say things about him to me. Oh, it's this big now. Don't he ever stay away from here. Don't you fight with him again. Fight with him. I'll do more than that before I'm through. They're outside talking. I'd better see what's in that desk while I still get the chance. Here it is. Oh, it ain't locked. It ain't what I got. Now, I'm going to see. I've got to find it. No, that ain't it. Oh, where? Tarnation? My gosh, this is it. I'll just... Honey, I just had to see you. Tell him. What on earth are you doing? He just now took something out of that desk. I seen him slip it into his pocket. Tom, is that true? Well, I... Look at him. You can't even say anything. What did you take? I didn't take anything you'd want. What is it? I can't tell you. You're a blasted thief. You're the fellow that took them things Helen was telling me about. That ain't so. Then what are you doing taking things from that desk like that? We caught you and you can't lie out of it. Tom, I never would have believed you a thief. I always said he weren't no good. Maybe I can explain later, but... I can't tell you nothing now. I just can't. You could explain if you were innocent. You've got to trust me. We ain't trusting nobody. Give back what you took. Not by a dirt inside. Do as Greg says, and... and perhaps we can forget about the other things that have been told him. Oh, I couldn't bear to let folks know you were dishonest. Folks can think what they want. I ain't putting nothing back. You just think you ain't. I'll be going now. Feeling the way you do, Helen. I reckon you won't want me around here anymore. Hold on. Yeah? Come back here. I'm going. No, you ain't. Go on. Me, will you? You missed. Greg, let him go. Don't go after him. I'll get that sneak peek. Please, let him go. I'll drill him. I... Where's that Helen? You shoved my arm. I did it on purpose. I don't care what Tom's done, but I don't want him shot. Yeah? Well, I'm getting a sheriff. And when the law catches up with him, he'll be sitting in jail where he belongs. Greg Spencer mounted and rode to town for the sheriff, in spite of Helen's pleas. Then he accompanied the sheriff and his deputies on the search for Tom. But the young man seemed to have disappeared completely. When the sheriff and Greg were finally convinced that the manhunt was a failure, they returned to the ranch house. I sure never figured Tom Forbes to be a thief. Well, he is. We've seen him taking something for death ourselves. Did you find out what it was? No, but... Well, maybe Miss Helen has gone through the desk and found out what's missing by this time. And if you ever find that old cat, you throw him in jail. I reckon I know my duty without being told. Here we are. Oh, oh, oh, there. Oh, oh, oh. Did you find him? No. But he ain't going to be able to hide out forever. Well, I'm glad you didn't. I thought it was you he stole from Miss Helen. Yes. You ain't feeling sorry for that hombre, are you? You know I'm not. He's always been a good friend to me until now. Then forget about him. What was missing? I don't know. Huh? I went through the desk carefully and I had some money there, but that isn't gone. That's most likely what he was after, but we come too soon. But you told me he took something. He did. He must have. Of course, there's a lot of papers that keep in the desk, too. Some of those could be gone, but I can't think of anything of value. Well, anyhow, he must have taken that other stuff. Oh, I don't know what to think. Well, I'll be getting back to town. I'll keep an eye out for Tom. If I find him, I'll hold him in jail till he brings charges against him. Steady there. You ought to find him before he skips out of this part of the country, Sheriff. Uh-huh. Maybe. Well, good day to you, Miss Helen. Goodbye, Sheriff. Get up there. Come on. Get up there, boy. Get up there. Get up there. I wish you hadn't told the Sheriff about this, Greg. I reckon it's about time you and me got hitched, Helen. You're too darn soft-hearted. What you need is a man to look after things for you. You still want to marry me? Of course I do. Well, perhaps... And the sooner, the better. Not too soon, Greg. We ought to have more time to think it over. I don't need to think it over. I care a heap for you, and I reckon you know it. Do you really? Well, you're blame right. How about getting hitched right now? But... I can get the parson, and he can do the job tomorrow. Not tomorrow. And why not? I couldn't get married that soon. Well, I want a day set for sure. Give me two weeks. And then you'll marry me? Yes. Then two weeks it is. And then, honey, we'll have the biggest wedding that was ever seen around these parts. Two weeks passed while preparations for the wedding were being made. Every one for miles around was invited to the ceremony, and nothing was spared to make the occasion festive. Meanwhile, in the Lone Rangers camp, young Tom Forbes was close to despair. Honest friend. Every time I think of Helen getting hitched to that skunk, I see red. You'll have to be patient, Tom. Patient. What I'd like to do is go gunning for Greg and shoot it out with one of his drops. That would solve nothing. Maybe not, but it'd make me feel a heap better. Do you think Helen loves Greg? No, I don't. She might have once, but I figure she got over it without knowing it herself. Only she's a darn straight-sheet feel guilty about changing her mind. Yes, I can understand that. The wedding's set for tomorrow. A lot can happen between now and then. But why can't we go through with our scheme now? We've got to wait for Tata to return. We should get here. It's a long journey to Meg's crossing and back. But you ought to have been here by now. I expect him today. Well, if anything goes wrong tomorrow... It won't, Tom. There's one thing you can depend upon that a man coward enough to shoot without giving warning will still be a coward when it comes to the test. Yeah, I reckon. But I'm hoping the wedding will go through anyhow. Huh? Perhaps you'll understand what I mean later. You want Helen to marry that skunk? Well, look here. Our waiting is almost ended, Tom. There's Tata. And he's brought the man we want. Now, Tom, we have only to wait until tomorrow and see what happens. The next day, guests for the wedding arrived at the Wagner Ranch. Some came in the saddle, others by buck board or wagons. Great sores of food had been cooked. And inside the ranch house, there was singing and gary. Helen, of all the crowd, seemed unable to smile. Her lips were set. And her eyes betrayed the evidence of recent tears. She tried to face the crowd and hired her true feelings. Well, honey, what's hailing you anyhow? It's nothing. Well, I always heard that girls take the cryin' before they got hitched. And I guess you ain't no different from the rest that way. Howdy, Miss Helen. You don't mind if I introduce a friend of mine to you? Of course not. Step up here, Helen. Miss Helen, this is Al Cook. He's a lawman, too. Pleased to make your acquaintance to Miss Wagner. How do you do? You're a lawman? Sure he is. He's a U.S. Marshal down Texas way. This is Greg Spencer, Al. Uh-huh. I think I've seen him somewhere before. You couldn't have. I've never been to Texas. Yeah? What's going on over there? Right. Why, that's a miss, Nin. And Tom's with him. Arrest him, Sheriff. Miss Helen. What do you want with me? What's Tom doing here? We came to ask you to put off the wedding for a short while. What are you buttoning for? Don't you think Helen should wait for her uncle to get here for the marriage? I wrote him, but he didn't answer. He did write you a letter. You're wearing a mask. You're an outlaw. Ask the Marshal. You know this fella, Al? I do, and you can take my word for it that he ain't a crook, Sheriff. Then what's he lying for? Lying? Helen's uncle never wrote her. Suppose you look at this. Well, give it here. What's the matter? What's that? Quiet, Helen. But I... Don't you say nothing. You leave the mask for the hand list. Well? Helen's uncle couldn't have written this. He says he's on his way here, doesn't he? But he's dead. Sheriff, arrest the masked fella, too. He must have wrote this letter himself. Helen, is this your uncle's handwriting? Well, of course, but... Didn't I tell you to hush up? I think that proves it isn't a forgery. But it's gotta be. Helen's uncle was shot and killed. Blake, you never told me that. Well, I... I just heard it the other day. That's right, Miss Wagner. I'm sorry you had to learn it this way, but it's so... Uncle... Dad, oh... And I'm arresting Greg here for the being killer. No, no. How'd you know where Wagner had been killed? Well, a fella from Texas, well, he rode through here and told me. That's a lie. Only two people besides the murderer knew of his death, the masked man and myself. But I tell you... When you said he was dead, that proved you must have been the killer. Greg, I'm mad at him. Helen, can't you see what he did? He left you when you lost your cattle, and he'd kill off your uncle and come back here to marry you, nor you'd get your uncle's rent. That ain't so, I tell you. What's more, you said you'd never been in Texas. But I've seen you there. Well, I... I was prospecting when Helen's uncle was killed. That was your alibi. I've looked at the prints left by your horse, and they're just the same as some fella left where Eric was shot. You won't never get me. Watch out! The first man lays a hand on me gets grilled. Oh, my hand! The last man's shot him. I only hit his gun. This is your territory, Sheriff. Arrest Greg. That's what I'm doing. And I'll take him back to Texas with me. Blast you when I get out of here. You won't. We hang folks for murder. Come on, Greg. Come on. Come on. They did what you took from my dad. Sure it was, Helen. That's the letter your uncle wrote last year when he was coming here. But I couldn't have let you know what I took or it would have spoiled it all. It was the mask man's scheme. He knew the sight of that letter tricked Greg into admitting he knew Eric's death. I'll bet we'll find it was Greg yourself that stole them things from Helen. Oh, Helen. Look here, Helen. Yeah? You've got everything here set for a wedding. What's the use of wasting it? What do you mean? I've got a ring here I'd sure like to put on your finger. And I didn't steal it, either. Do you think we should? You'll blame right we should. The mask fellow planted anything he wants he's going to have. But then I... I'll say yes. What you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.