 the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty high, oh, silver, the Lone Ranger. The boys gather around their campfires. They still tell stories of the most picturesque and colorful character ever to ride the planes. The masked writer of justice whose deeds have been handed down through the years by the people of seven western states. A thrilling adventure lies ahead as the Lone Ranger rides again. Caldwell and Lim Purdy had fought hard and worked hard throughout their years together. They had seen stampede and dusty drives over long trails. They'd known good times and bad. They'd quarreled, and each on more than one occasion had saved the other's life. But they'd never been parted, and as they grew old, they lived in a small two-room shack some distance from town, their lifetime savings hidden in their home. It is night as our story opens. Jake, disturbed by a noise, excitedly awakens his partner. Lim, Lim, wake up, and come on. Stop shakin' me. Wake up, Ritchie, and keep quiet. What's the matter? Take morning, is it? Take even light outside. I know it ain't, but wake up. I hear the door to the house squeakin'. Oh, wind blowin' it like it's not. Wind nothing, and breath the air stern. What's more, I barred that dormer's health before I come to bed. Jake, did you say someone was in the house? Dad, Ritchie, get this sleep rubbed out in your eyes, and get you shootin' iron. I'm awake now. Let go of me. I'm wide awake. Someone's in this here house, Lim. Someone's after our money. Well, then, let's get goin'. Stand ready. Get your gun steady, and I'll open the door, sudden. I'm ready. Call on him to stand still. If he don't, you've just opened fire. You sure there's someone there? I don't know. If he ain't, it's all right. Here goes. There we are. Shoot. Shoot back. He's gettin' out. Take a shot. I'm winged. There he goes. Shoot him, Jake. Shoot him. Missed. That's the dark. I missed it. Look at the lamp goin'. See if he's got our cash. How bad you hurt, Lim. Never mind me. I'm just winged. Get after that, Critter. How can I? Get a light. See if our cash is gone. Set yourself down. Take it easy, like if there's a lamp lit. I gotta see how bad you hurt. That's the first thing. Our cash. Your cash won't be no good day if you're dead. Maybe that wound's bad. It ain't bad. I'll have a lightly-jiffy now. There we are. I see about the money. If we lose that cash, we're cleaned. Every time we had in the world was in the box. Look. The box is gone. Oh, he got it, Jake. He's cleaned us out. It's the same skunk we've been hearing about. Rob. Flat. Broke. The dirty-horned polecat. The snake. Let me see that wound. Oh, but we'll get him. He can't get away. I was ready for him. Stop your noise and let me see your arm. What the heck with my arm? Take a look outside the door. I fixed it, so as a credit, it wouldn't rob us. Lam, don't excite yourself now. I'll wait. I'll tell you, Jake, I trapped him. I figured he'd come to rob us sooner or later. Sure, sure thing, Lam. I know all about it. You think I'm local. Sometimes a wound gives a man a fever. You don't know what he's saying. Now, just you wait till I get water heated up. Let me look outside the doors. Lam, won't you sit still? I had reasons for not wanting you to use the front door, Jake. I've been wondering how long it'd be before the sneak-and-thief come to get our cash. Come here. All right, Lam. All you may ask. Just fetch the lamp and take a look. A man couldn't come in the front door without walking on porch. No, I reckon not. Now fetch the lamp. I'm fetching it. Here it is. Come on. That wound is yours. Yeah, mind that wound. Look here. Look. A couple of days ago, you thought I was local, didn't you? It didn't make sense. You're claiming you wanted to feed the birds and throwing flour in the porch firm? Hey, you thought I was local? Oh, well, I thought... I was trying to feed flour to the birds. Well, all I wanted was to spread flour on the porch. Now, now look. Wait. Don't go in. Now, footprint. A clear one and a good one. Turned if it ain't. There's the mark of the sneak-thief. Jake, he's rewatched her. Yeah. He's been working all around here. Rubbed someone most every night. Yep, and takes care not to leave tracks. Well, there's his tracks. Sure enough, he is. And that track will hang the skunk. I told the sheriff what I'd done. Now, all we gotta do is to get him here, let him find the boot that matches that mark. That won't be hard, Lim. Well, I won't. Look at the size of them boots. They ain't but three men in the whole Blame Town wears boots that big. And it's patched. You see? Yes, sir. Jake, we're gonna get our money back and get that reward and all the honor of getting the thief on top of it. Lim, I thought at first that you was touched in the head. I knew it. Then I thought you was a little feverish. And then I thought for sure you was local. But I take it all back. You're smart. Early the next morning, the two excited old men reported the robbery to the sheriff. They also told him of the footprint and the law man returned to their shack to make an investigation. It's about the clearest footprint I've ever seen. And we've seen it last night, Sheriff. And then we put a box over so it wouldn't blow away. Mmm. You can trace a crook by, can't you, Sheriff? Now let me see. Many men wear that size boot, is he? Two, maybe three. That's what I figured. There's one of them who wouldn't stop at robbing you. Who? Big Wally Burke. Wally Burke. By turn, that sounds like the man. He never was good for much, was he? Drunk half the time and sleeping most of the rest. His wife's most crazy trying to make something of him. Then he's the one. He keeps telling it around that he's going to come in to some money, son. Yeah, well, he's come into it. But by turn, he won't keep it for long. Well, Em, last week when you told me about the scheme you had in mind, I thought you was local. Me, too. Well, it wasn't as things has proved. You give me the clue that'll make it so as I can get that snake thief that's been working around here in jailing. He wounded me. Well, maybe we can hang him for that. Wasn't his fault that you wasn't killed. He's shot to kill. You're going to call Ann Burke now? I sure as thunder am. And when I do, I'll take a look at his boots. And if they got a patch that matches this, we got the goods on him. Our scene changes to the home of Wally Burke. Wally was a typical character to be found in almost any small town. He was big but lazy. Good natured but shiftless. He was honest, but not clever. He seldom possessed anything more than small sums of cash. And it was with surprise that his wife watched him as he countered a large pile of money. Uh, I still can't believe it, Wally. All that money. Ours. Yep. Honest? It's as honest as any case that circulated out here, Mary. But where'd it come from? I told you, Mary, that someday it had come to me. It's reward money. For what? Well, I can't tell much without sort of boosting. What'd you ever do that got a reward? Helped to catch five killers over at Peacock's Way. They was masked men that done most of the work. But he promised me that I'd get the reward. And he gave it to you? Yep. Last night when I read out. I guess it kind of sneaked out the house on you. But I'd been going out to Flat Rock every night hoping sometime this man would be there with a cash. Last night he was there. No, Wally. Now, if you'd only straightened up and stopped drinking and do something worthwhile. I'm a-going to, Mary. I promise you that. I'm a changed man. Now, I'm a man of affairs. So only you'd prove that by your actions. I'm going to put this cash in the bank. If we've seen the last of the hard days, I'd be the happiest woman in the world. See who's there, will you, honey? Infects my boots when you come back from by the door. I will. I'll put the cash away till I go to the bank. Howdy, Mary. Sheriff. I want to speak to Wally. Come on in. Howdy, Sheriff. Come on in. Well, there's lemon-jake. Hey, you two old galutes. How in tarnation are you? Not as bad as might be. Where's that cash from? Take a look, Sheriff. My luck's changed. Yeah, changed for the worse. What's the matter? That's our cash. Yours? Looks like we got you by the goods, Burke. Huh? Why, no, Sheriff. See, here. That was a place last night, didn't you? O-R-K. Sotted lemon. Now, gents, I don't know what you... Wally, is that the truth? Why, no. Was this critter out of the house last night, Mary? Yes, he's been out most every night. Now, look here. So you're the critter that robbed lemon-jake. I never done no such a thing. Where'd that cash come from? Well, it's reward money. I got it for something I did in Bacall. When? I got the cash last night. That's likely. How long since Pekos been paying reward cash in the middle of the night? Well, it wasn't paid direct by Pekos. A man fetched it to me. What's his name? I don't know that. Where's he from? I don't know. Where's he now? I don't know nothing about him. He was mass. If that don't be wrong. Spread that sort of story, I'll be believed. Hold on, boys. Let me handle this. Oh, Wally. Wally, it can't sit your way out of this. Want to tell the truth about it? I ain't fibbing, Mary. I'm trying to tell the truth. Wally, you didn't need to go to Lemon-jake's place to meet this, this masked ombre that you didn't know nothing about, did you? I wasn't no way near Jake's place. Then tell me how your boot made a print on his front porch. Huh? Lemon had flowers spread there. He said it was a trap and it worked. This boot fits that mark on the porch. I don't see how that could be. I didn't wear them boots and I wasn't near the porch. I snuck out of the house last night so Mary couldn't stop me. I was wearing these markers and slippers I got on right now. You thief. I wasn't even near the house. I got this money honest from the mask man. Ain't no use trying to brazen it out, Wally. They got you. We'll take a cash bag if you don't mind, Sheriff. Take it. Now then, Bert, you're under arrest. But, Sheriff, I... Maybe you can save yourself from hanging by telling where you've hid all the rest of the stuff you stole. I ain't stole nothing. Mary, you tell them. I'm sorry, Wally. As much as I'd like to be on your side, I can't believe you anything but a sneak thief. There's been a lot of talk around here about the sneak and coyote that's robbed everyone. But to think it had to be you, you of all people... But, Mary... It's no use, Wally. I'd have stuck by you through almost anything. But stealing like that and shooting at a poor old man like Glenn well, you'll have to take what's coming to you. That's all I can say. Come on, Bert. But, guys... Sheriff... Jake... Ramsey... Rat... Come on there. Boys, let me get these slippers off and get my boots on. You won't need boots in jail. Honey, don't you believe what they say. I'm telling you the truth. Masked. Who... who are you? I'm the masked man who met your husband last night. Didn't he tell you about it? You? Yes. You gave him money that was for a reward? Yes, why? Where is he? And he... he told the truth. What? Mister, they took him to jail. He's charged with stealing. He... he couldn't even make me believe the truth. Whoever you are and the name of heaven, help, poor Wally. I'll be back. The curtain falls on the first act of tonight's Lone Ranger drama. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue our story. The savings of Jake Caldwell and Lem Ferdin were stolen by a thief who entered their shack at night. A footprint left by the thief made them suspect Wally Burke. Wally was discovered by the sheriff in possession of a large sum of money and thrown into prison. But the cash was reward money given him by the Lone Ranger. When the masked man learned what had happened, he rode to his camp where he met Tonto. So after I left Burke's home, Tonto, I inquired around the town and learned all about this sneak thief. Who him? I don't know who the real thief is, Tonto, but I do know it isn't Wally Burke. You with him last night? Yes, we were together at the time this prowler went to the home of those two old men. But you and I are the only ones who know that Burke is innocent. Long and not believe you. No, they're Burke in jail. The curious thing is, his boots do fit the print on Lem's front porch. The thief stole much less from those two than Burke got as his reward. The sheriff naturally supposed that other stolen money was with Lem's and Jake's. We get Burke free, huh? We're going to get him free, Kimosabe, but I don't know just how we'll do it. You sure boot fit print on porch? The sheriff said it did. Maybe him wrong. He might be, but it's hardly likely. However, we'll make sure for ourselves that the print is still there. Oh, put print still there? The sheriff has it covered to make sure the flower doesn't blow away. He plans to use it as evidence at Burke's trial. What law do them, Burke? As nearly as I can find out, they plan to hang him. Him not killer? I know it. Him not horse thief? The man who stole Lem's money wounded him. The sheriff claims that the shot was fired with the intention of killing. On the strength of that, they'll try to hang poor Wally Burke. Him or friend? We came all the way from Pecos to give him the reward he earned. We're going to do our best to give him the freedom to enjoy that money. Tutto, you stay in town and learn everything you can. Find out all there is to know about the sneak thief. Meanwhile, I'll learn what I can in another way. We'll meet here in two days' time and compare notes. Tutto, go to town. No. And I'm going back to Mary Burke's place. I want to hear more about her husband. Come on, sir. Get him a plate fuller. The sheriff locked Burke in the jail then made his way to another cell where Simon Boswell was imprisoned for cattle stealing. The sheriff, not wishing to be overheard, spoke to Boswell in guarded tones. It's worked slick as silk, Boswell. Burke's sure to be convicted, Amy. There never was anything more sure. Good. It's a good thing I was told about that flower on Lamb's front porch. It gives us a chance to leave them footprints there. Yeah. Prints are the biggest man in the town. When I saw Wally sneak out of the house last night, I went in and got his boots. His Mrs. was asleep. Let's say them boots must have come all the way to your hips when you wore them today. Well, they were dirt and inconvenient, but I managed them all right enough. I walked a little ways from the house to my horse, so I'd leave prints on the ground as well as on the porch. Good. Now, there's one thing that's got me a little worried, Simon. What's that? The Lamb and Jake seen you when you fired, didn't they? They seen someone who was in the room, that's all. Did they see how undersized you was? Don't think so. It was dark. I reckon if they had, they'd have said something about it. I'm sure they would have. I never figured on us getting all the luck we had. What's that? Burke was given some reward money the same night. Oh, yeah. I heard about that. It worked out perfect. I'd figured he'd be catched with no cash, and we'd have to make folks think he hid the money, but he had the cash right with him. Too bad we can't get that too. It's gone to Lamb and Jake. Yeah. Maybe if Wally could escape, you could slip out another night and go to Lamb's place again. Folks would think Burke went there and stole the cash, before he made his getaway. That might be worth a try. By thunder it could be done, Simon. I suppose it could. I can tell Wally that he's due to hang. I'll fix up a story and see how he takes it. I'll let you know by and by. I'll talk to him right now or I'd do that. Sheriff, I tell you he ain't giving me a fair chance. I want to speak to you, Burke. You talk with Boswell and the cell on the other side, but you won't come near to me. I'm here now, Burke. Listen, won't you just try and find that mask, man? He'd tell you the truth. Well, your story's too thin, Wally. No jury'd believe it. Well, go to Paker. Too far. But, granted, I'm innocent. Listen, Burke, will you listen a minute? Well... You're in a bad way. Maybe you don't realize what's ahead for you. Oh, I know. Jail for about five years. No. Worse. You wouldn't keep me here no more on that. No jury would give me more. You won't stay in jail long, Wally. You shot Lamb. I did not. The facts say you're the one that was there and the one that was there shot him. Attempt in a murder is the same as murder, as far as punishment's concerned. You savvy? No. You're slated to hang, Wally. What? But I'm innocent. Now, hold on. I don't believe your intention was to kill. That's where I'm different from the jury that'll try you. I don't want to see you hang. I don't want to hang. There ain't but one way for you to avoid it. That's to make your getaway from the jail. How? Don't talk so loud. How? How can I get away? I'll help you to. Late this afternoon, when folks eat around, I'll let you out. You get headin' for the North Country and keep movin'. I'll have a horse for you. Well then, then I'll be an outlaw. Take your choice, a livin' outlaw, or a new grave in Boothill. I won't be able to see Mary no more. You reckon she don't care much about seein' you, Wally? No, I reckon she don't. I'm just born to hard luck. It'd be bad enough if I was guilty, but bein' innocent, bein' on the verge of havin' things that cashed by, then to see it all gone? Oh, Chef, may as well head for the Badlands. Late that afternoon, the Lone Ranger and Wally Burke's wife closely examined the ground near the shack for further evidence. Caldwell and Purdy unable to understand what they were searching for, watched with open curiosity. What the same hell they're doin' anyways? I don't know them. They're comin' to the house now. May as well open the door and let them in. I'm sorry for Mary Burke. Yeah, so may. Hi there, Mary. What you doin'? I'd like to have a look at the print on your front porch, Len. If you don't mind. Them Wally's boots? Yes. Well, I'm too polite to inquire about the mask, man. It seems you might show better judgment, though, Mary. What do you mean, Jake? Well, bein' as your husband's in jail taint-wise for his associate with his outlaw, friends. I'm not an outlaw. Now take the cover off that footprint. I want to see it. Gersh, you talk like you was used to givin' orders, stranger. Let me see the print that sent Burke to jail. Well, lift the box up, Len. Yeah. There. Fits it all right, mister. Yes, but that doesn't prove that Wally Burke wore this boot. Huh? Unfortunately for the real criminal, he walked in the dirt here far enough for his stride to show. What do you mean? I don't serve him. Burke is about the same height as I am. Look how I'd have to walk to match this stride. Jumping juniper. Jake, you see that? Do I see it? Am I blind? No short steps. Burke never could walk like that, let alone run for his horse to make a getaway. I know Burke isn't guilty because I'm the man who brought the money to him. The money? The money he said was givin' him by a masked man. The money you claimed is your own. But we, me and Jake, we was wrong. Yes, and the thief still has what he took from you. Who is the smallest man in town? Gersh, I don't grow small around here, stranger. There's that cattle thief. Oh, but no, it couldn't be Simon Boswell. Why? He's already in jail. He is? I want to see him. Who knew about the flower you spilled here? Why'd you want to know that? Because the thief made it a point to step in it. Who knew it was here? No one but me and Lam. The sheriff, Jake. I told the sheriff. Look, there's Wally riding away. Yeah, husband. You sure of that, Mary? Yes, I know his style of riding. That's him, heading north from town. Yes, over. Where's he going? He must have got loose from the jail. I'm going after him. We're going to learn things now. I don't know. The Lone Ranger overtook Wally Burke, and together the two men rode out of sight. That night the jail was lighted only by the moon shining through the barred windows. The sheriff went silently to Simon Boswell's cell and unlocked the door. Move quiet till you're out of town, Boswell. Is everything all right? Sure, as long as you keep quiet. Careful not to leave no tracks tonight. I couldn't get them boots for you to wear again. Where are they? I don't know. I went to the house for them, but Mary wasn't home. And the boots was missing. No wonder where she put them. Never mind them. Get going now, and be sure you're back here so I can lock you up again before morning. I'll be back already. By the time you've finished your term in jail, we'll both be sitting pretty. We're sitting pretty already. I'll get going now. Maybe when I've got all I can out of him, he'll have an accident. Too bad for Wally Burke. But he should learn to take care of himself like I do. You stand still. What the? Now go back. Hey, what's the meaning of this? You find out by and by... Put on that gun. I'll have you hung for this. You're sticking up the law. That's right. You bad law. You cussed red skin. What do you expect to get out of this? You see, let me take guns. No, you... We've got guns. Now you go in jail. Now hold on. Listen, you can't do this. Here you go. Wait. Listen, Indian. I'll make a deal with you. I'll pay you cash money. The things you don't savvy. It's worth a lot for me to get out of here. I'll pay you more than you've ever seen before. Let me make a deal. Tonto disappeared and left the sheriff and the cell recently occupied by Simon Boswell. The sheriff, raging, shook the bars of his cell and called for help, but received no reply. The hours went by slowly until finally, at daybreak, Boswell returned and found the exhausted lawman locked in the jail. Very gosh. What's this mean? Let me out. Let me out. Before someone comes and sees me in here. How'd you get in there? Where's the key? I don't know where the key is. The engine's got it. Did you get the cash? Sure. It's right here in this package. Them two didn't even wake up this time. Who says so? Lynn. We was awake here, Rat. You. We was awake all the time, keeping quiet. No, maybe the truth will come out. Burke. You back? We all here. It's a frame up. It's a frame up. You can't do more than jail me. That, Boswell, is for a jury to decide. The sheriff said the man who shot Lynn will have to hang. No, no. I'll tell you everything if I don't hang. I'll tell you where the money's hidden. That's the thing we want to know. Engine, you got the key for that, their cell? Huh? Me? Got. Then open the door and let Simon Boswell in along with the sheriff. There's the mask, man. Now give me the reward money. Maybe now you'll believe me, sheriff. It don't matter if he believes you, Wally. I do. Mary. Oh, gosh, Mary. Maybe at last I'll lock this key. Well, listen here. I'll make a deal with all of you. The door's out of there. Door. Door open. In with you, Boswell. I reckon when the United States Marshal takes charge, he'll be downright pleased to have all the true facts of the robberies in these parts. And the sneak and lawman, the letter to the prisoner out in jail to rob folks. Mister, you fetched me that reward money. I've tried in Pakers to get you to take it. I'm offering it again right here now. Hey, wait a minute, mister. I'm talking to you. Come on, there's several, fellow. The story you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.