 A fiery horse for the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty high old silver, the Lone Ranger. Most of the soldiers who manned the forts on the western frontier of the United States were trained in the Civil War. They knew very little about fighting Indians, and time and time again, they turned to the masked rider of the planes for help. It was he, more than any other man, who brought law and order, peace and security to the new territory. And I'll return with us to those thrilling days when the West was young and adventure lay at the end of every trail. The Lone Ranger rides again. Fort Gardner was little more than the blockhouse and the barracks. There was no stockade surrounding the buildings, or they were open to attack from only one direction. Our story opens late one night as Private Keating is doing sentry duty. He mutters to himself as he paces back and forth. He sure is lonesome, Stanton Guard. I wish I was in the barracks with Carr. What's that? Was a man made that noise? Who goes there? Stan! Hey, Stan! Huh? Who's there? It's me, Carl. Who talks a lot? Carl? Keep your voice down, Stan. What places are you doing here anyhow? I thought you were sleeping. I- Well, I got something else planned. Yeah? Stan, look here. You'd do me a favor, wouldn't you? Shucks. Ain't you the best friend I got? And you're my best friend. Stan, I gotta go to town tonight. To Redwood City? Uh-huh. But you can't. Major Brandon, give orders. No one was to be allowed to leave or enter camp without his permission. Sure, I know that, but... Well, this is something special. Now, wait. I- I promised Amy I'd be in town for sure tonight. It's her birthday. But, Arshka, you could ask me anything else and I'd be glad to do it. But if I let you through the lines and it's found out, I could be court-martialed. It won't be found out. I don't know about that. The Major's been very strict since has been so much arms and ammunition stolen late. But I'll be back before a revelry. Honest, I would. I can't do it. I just can't. I didn't tell you all the reason for my wanting to get to town. But now I reckon I'll have to. What's that? It ain't only Amy's birthday. Her and me have got it fixed to be married tonight. I got the ring and the preacher's waiting for us. Well, I'll be dogged, Garnt. You never told me nothing about that before? We was keeping it secret. Amy's a mighty nice girl, Carl. You blame right she is. And I want to marry her so she won't have to work in a cafe for Mike anymore. I... Well, I wanted to have things a little easier for a change. You're making it awful hard to say no. And there's another thing. Yeah. I think I'm going to find out who's been stealing guns and things. Huh? Yep. Amy wrote she had a line on who the low down skunk is. But she wouldn't put it in a letter for fear somebody else might see it. Then by gosh, it must be some fellow in town. That's the way I got it figured. Oh, come on, Stan. Let me through, won't you? I'd do the same for you. You? You promised to be back at four morning? I'll give you my word. But where's your horse? You can't walk to town? I got him tethered over by the trees. I shouldn't be doing that. You're a real part, Stan. But go ahead. I'll take the chance. It ain't as though you was a crook. Thanks, Stan. I won't forget this. Well, I gotta hurry. Amy, you figure on hell up some way. I don't need that problem. This is a dirt local thing for me to do. But Shucks, if you can't do a friend a favor once in a while, what's a friend for? Get out. Get out of there. Come on. There he goes. He sure isn't a hurry to get hitched up for a riding. Say, who are them two fellows coming this way? Halt! Who goes there? Brandon. Halt, I tell ya. Oh, that's the Lord's count. Your mask. We want to go inside the lines. I wish to speak to Major Brandon. You can't get by. No? Them's orders. Nobody gets in or out without the Major says so. Did the rider who just left have the Major's permission? Uh-huh. What's that? We just now saw a man riding away. You didn't. You deny it? You must have been seeing things. There weren't nobody left camp. Well, I might have been mistaken. You sure you were. But I still say we want to enter camp. And I still say you can't. Very well. So you might just as well turn around and head back where you came from. Come tell him. All right, old fellow. Get him up. Then don't try to sneak in camp either, because it won't work. It won't work, huh? I could have shown that sentry the papers we carry from Colonel Hughes. But I don't want our air unknown unless it's necessary. Oh. When the Colonel asked me to investigate the theft from the fort here, he said it'd be best to act secretly. And him, right? But I had another reason for not insisting. What? That? The sentry lied to us. Huh. How do I know that? We did see a man leaving camp. And if the sentry wanted to hide the fact, it looked suspicious. Maybe the rider was only a soldier wishing to spend a night in town. And that's what you think? I don't know. But he may have some connection with the thefts. We soon find out, yes. We'll follow that rider and see where he goes. The following morning after Roland had been called, he was discovered that Private Jordan was missing. Major Brandon made a hurried investigation, then sent an orderly to summon Stan Keating to his quarters. We see Stan as he enters the room. You sent for me, sir? Yes. Come in and close the door. Yes, sir? Private Keating, you were on guard duty last night? Sure, I was, sir. You know that Private Carl Jordan is missing? I... I heard some talk, sir. I'm going to ask you a question. I want an honest answer. Did you let Carl Jordan through the lines last night? I... I... Speak up. I did, sir. Ah, just as I thought. You're both in now. He promised he'd be back. I couldn't see the harm in it, sir. If that were all, there'd still be no excuse. But I think that this proves you two, with the men getting the arms and ammunition out of the fort. You... you don't mean that. Last night, 20 rifles and a case of ammunition were taken from the fort. No. Men that would sell arms to be used against their own comrades are... they're worse than murderers. But it ain't so. I'm no crook and neither is Carl. Don't lie out of it. Carl just went to see his girl. I'll stake my life on it. Of course you'd have some such story. You... you mean you really believe what you just said? I have no direct evidence. But by heavens, I'll see that you pay for what you've done, if it's the last thing I do. It ain't right. You forget yourself. I don't care who or what you are. You can't say me and Carl are rotten yellow traitors that have steel guns. Shut up. I won't shut up. You can't make that. I'll teach you. Stay away from me. I'll take care of you. I won't you. And I'd do it again for the things you said. That's... that's enough. Perhaps I couldn't convict you for running guns, but you struck your superior officer. You'll get no less than a dishonorable discharge. I couldn't help it. You call me them things anybody else has done the same. You'll be confined to the guardhouse. Orderly, come here. Yes, sir. Private Keating is under arrest. At the court martial that followed, it could not be proved that Stan was involved in the plot to steal arms for sale to hostile Indians. But for striking his superior officer, he was dismissed from the army with a dishonorable discharge. We see him now two days later. At the... enters the cafe in Redwood City. Howdy, soldier. Coming for you? Where's Amy, Mike? What do you want to see her for? I wanted to see if I could find out if you... Do you want to speak to you, Stan? Huh? Who are you? Come, I'll explain that later. How'd you know my name? There's a table over here where we can talk. But I got... I'm alone. Well, all right, but I ain't got much time. The last law goes for the best day of the week. Sit down. Now, see here, just what do you want with me? I met once before. Do you remember a mask man when you were on a sentry duty? Sure I do, but I got... I'm not a man. And I want to ask you some questions. You're him? You did let a man through the lines that night. I reckon everybody knows about it now, since I got kicked out of the army. What do you know about him? I can't see is how you got the right to interfere. You're under suspicion, Stan. I advise you to tell me what you know. Well, that's what I'm here for tonight. The name was Carl Jordan. It was my pardon, I want to find out what happened to him. Why did he leave camp that night? Shucks, he was stuck on a dancer they got here. Amy Martner name is. Is? He's going to marry you that night. You're sure of that? I told you Carl was my part, didn't I? You wouldn't tell me nothing that weren't so. I see. The major claimed him and me had something to do with the arms being stowed. But I happen to know he was going to find out about that too, that night. He was? Uh-huh. Amy admitted him she knew who was in it. She said she'd tell him when he'd come to town. Well, that explains it. Huh? Explains what? Why Amy isn't here? She's gone? She disappeared yesterday. It was her I wanted to ask about Carl. Stan, then first I believe you might be one of the thieves. But I asked questions about you and everybody spoke well of you. Yeah? There are several things I can't tell you yet. But I want you to remain in town until I see you again. But what have you got to do with all this, stranger? That's one of the things you'll learn later. I don't know just what to think. But I am free to say I like the way you talk. I'm leaving now. But I expect you to keep still about what's been said. And wait to hear from me. Stranger, I'll do that. Hello. Ah. Now's the time to talk to Mike. Ah, I don't know. Do that. I think Stan Keating can be trusted. We'll find out soon. Him look like plenty good fellow. It's Mike standing alone now. Go over there. I'll be watching. It's like you're fifteen hundred. Here, there. Best day comes here. Fine. Me won't make talk with you. Ah! What do you got to say to me, Redskim? We talk in there. My office? Ah. Well, come along. But if you want to borrow some cash or something, it ain't going to do you no good. No, that's not it. Ah, here we are. Morning. Ah. No. You close door. You sure act as though you got something hefty on your mind, engine. Me see bad things. Yeah? Me see you kill fellow. Kill fellow. Are you? Kill fellow named Carl. Norroko. Me see you. That's what you are, game, Redskim. You pay me cash. Me keep still. Ha, ha, ha. I get you. Trying to hold me up, huh? Me tell law. You not pay me. And if I give you cash, you'll keep your mouth shut? Huh. Me not talk. My cash is out to the bar. I'll have to go and get it. But all right. You stay here. I won't be for the minute. Me wait. You ain't looked around the room any heavier. What do you mean? I'll tell you Redskim. I don't savvy how come you see me get that soldier. And I ain't sure just how much more you know. But the only windows in that room has got bars on them. And I'm leaving the in-metal. I get ready to come back and finish you off. You click on those, now try and get out. Now that's going to try to get me to pay him off in cash, would he? Well, you'll be darn sorry you tried to stunk like that after I'm stew with him. 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. The Lone Ranger sent Tonto to Mike, the owner of the cafe, to accuse him of murder. Mike locked the Indian in the back room. Late that same evening we see the Lone Ranger, unmasked but disguised as he approaches Mike. Mike, I see you're staying close to your office. What's that to you? I was wondering why. Well, you can just stop wondering and start moving along. I ain't got no hangar for talk right now. Take that key out of your pocket. What key? The key to your office. What do you think? Sorry, I just locked the door on the Indian that went in your office. All I got to do is yell and you're done for, stranger. Perhaps when I've got you covered, you'll go before me. Now open that door. I ought to hurry. I am doing it, but I'll remember you. When I find you again, you'll be taken care of. Don't talk. Do as I tell you. Blast ya. Careful what you do, Mike. It means your life. Come out, Tonto. Tonto, no, you come. We're getting out of here, Kimosabe. You're a bastard. What's good for you? Mike, if you come after us, it'll be the last thing you'll ever do. You talk awful big. Come, Tonto. Don't forget what I said, stranger. You're going to be too careful. Don't forget our forces, Tonto. We'll go back to camp for the night. Tomorrow I want to talk to Stan again. Got plan? I have now. What happened tonight proves things we only suspected before. We play good tricks. He's watching us. He'd shoot if he dares. Here, door. One thing, Tonto, this proves Mike was the man who shot Carl. That's right. So far we're the only ones who know Carl is dead. That's right. Stan told me Carl had received a letter from Amy saying she knew the thieves. That's why Mike killed Carl. That must have been the trick we played, proves Mike was the killer. The man we saw right away after Carl was shot the other night, looked a lot like him. The man we saw right away after Carl was shot the other night, looked like Mike, but we'd never be able to prove it. Me tell Mike, me know him killer. He believed you, or I wouldn't have made you a prisoner. Steady, Silver. There's plenty more work to do. There's a lot to do. Find Amy, learn Mike's connection with the missing guns, and who in the fort is selling them. But we'll know all that before we're through. Come on, Tonto. The following night when Stan left the cafe, Tonto stepped from the shadows and touched his arm. What do you want with me, engine? You come, Tonto's horse, wait outside town. Did you say your name with Tonto? Not right. Well, what do you want with me? Mask man, send me. The mask man? Where's he at? You come. Has he found Carl yet? No, Carl, dead. Dead? Mike, tell her, kill him. You know what you're talking about, engine? You mean Mike in the cafe? Not right. Why that low-down, ornary polketta? No. Let go of my arm, engine. I'm going back then. No. Let go of me, I say. No, you listen. Tonto's friend tells you many things. You hear his plan. Mike isn't going to get away with killing my pal. No. You wait. You kill Mike now. You hang. You listen, Tonto's friend, Mike hang. Where is he? Not far. All right. I'll go with you and I'll listen. When I'm coming back here, engine, nothing's going to stop me from getting even. Tonto brought Stan to the masked man's camp where the lone ranger explained his plan. Then, for several days, all three of them watched the movements of the cafe owner. One night, Stan reigned in his horse before Mike's home, dismounted and entered the house without knocking. You rotten killer. What on that gun? You murdered my pardon. You killed Carl without giving him a chance. Who told you that? I was talking to the Redskinned that's seen it. That bastard, engine. I'm going to drill you for what you've done. Maybe the law would let you go. The word of a Redskinned don't count for much, but I'm taking things into my own hands. Waiter, isn't I? I needn't try to beg off. I'll give you cash. I'll do anything. You're finished, you polecat. Don't wait. Here's six guns I had to teach you. Stop. You can't stop me from killing them. I'm going to... You won't do anything. Now drop that gun. You can't stop me. I told you to drop that gun. There it is. But I don't see why anybody would want to say the life of an ordinary coyote like this fella here. That's my business. I don't know who you are myself, but you sure got here just in time. You kept me from shooting him now, but there'll be another time. I'll have something to say about that. You're thinking... On your way. And when you get out, you'd better keep right on going. There ain't the arm real life slick enough to get a second chance to shoot me. We'll see about that. Don't stay around the house. We'll be watching for you. Yeah. That's the last we'll ever see of him. I say be them kids all right. They get the nerve up once, but if something happens, it's gone for good. Some of that way? Not me curious, stranger. How do you happen to show up just when you did? I was coming to talk to you. Then I heard that man threatening to shoot. Uh-huh. Say... There's something about you. Ain't we met up before? It's possible. I just don't seem able to place you, though. Mike, I want to make a deal with you. A deal? I happen to know you've been buying guns. Who told you that? I have guns to sell. I can make you a good price. There seems to me you know an awful lot. I've heard things. Man ask, huh? Well, I reckon I'm outlaw like you might have ways of finding things out of that. Are you interested? I might be. I ain't just saying. But I got a notion you saved my life because you figured it would be worth cash to you. Ain't that itch? Right now, I want to talk business. That's what I meant. Well, what have you got to sell? I can get you 20 long-time spring fields in a case of ammunition. What's that you said? I said 20 rifles and ammunition. Where'd you get them? I don't have to tell that. I want to know, do you hear me? Where'd you get them? I got my information from the fourth. You did, huh? Will you buy them? You can name your own price. I want to get rid of them. I just bet you do. I'll not make this offer again. Well, you've got to give me time to think it over. How much time? Can you come back tomorrow? Yes, I can do that. Make it tomorrow night. Well, I'll be here at the same time. You decide not to deal. I'll find another buyer. I'll let you know. Good. Show me my own guns, Willie. 20 rifles and ammunition. They're just what I got. My colleague, I'm going to look into this. And if somebody's been double-crossing me, they're sure going to be sorry. It was the next day that four horsemen took cover behind a great boulder that concealed them from anyone passing by on the trail. Two of the horsemen were the Lone Ranger and Tonto. The others were Stan Keating and Colonel Hughes. You'll have to come this way, Colonel. We can't afford to let him escape us. You can take my word. He won't. We get him all right. We've got to. He killed my pardon, fixed it so the two of us was branded thieves. I've got to clear my name. You will, Stan. And I think you can promise to be back in the army with a promotion if this plan succeeds. Thank you, sir. That's what I want more than anything else in the world. Wait. You here? That must be him now. Good. Quiet. You'll soon be to the rise. He's topping it now. Then it's safe to follow him. An hour later, Major Brandon was busy at his desk in his quarters at the fort when he heard noisy footsteps coming down the corridor. The door burst open and Mike stood facing him. What are you doing here? You know what, Brungby. I told you we shouldn't be seen together. I gave you that pass with the lines only for an emergency. You're a mighty smooth talker, ain't ya? If there's trouble, I'll... You sold me guns, didn't ya? Then you told that masked fellow where there was hid so he could steal them and sell them again. You're crazy. But not so darn crazy I'm going to stand for being cheated. Now look here. You needn't try to lie out of it. I want nobody but you and me knew where them guns was hid. But when I went to see if they were still there after talking to the masked fellow there was no one. Come on. Impossible. I've been playing square with you. But I should have known you're the kindest scum that had tried a snuck like this. But I didn't have any. I've been taking all the risk. It's me that's been getting the guns to the Indians. You've taken no more risk than I have? Yeah. How about that soldier I had to shoot? That was safe enough. And how about the girl that wrote that letter to him? Ain't it a risk keeping her tied up over the old sunrise mind? I should have got rid of her. Not me. She and me are going to get hitched just as soon as I can talk some sense into her head. But you can't stay here. If someone should see us together. I ain't leaving until I get back the case I gave you for them guns. And once more I want enough cash to make up for the profit I lost on them too. I tell you I don't know anything about them. You won't pay me? I'll not be responsible for something that's not my fault. Why bless you. You fool. Put down that gun. I'll get you. The game is up. Ah yes. I only hit your gun. All right Colonel. I have them coming. Why you. Your honor rest major. I've heard enough to convict both of you. It was a trap. And you were caught in it. That's the same mask well I've seen before. I sent him here to find out about these thefts. You trapped him into admitting he killed Carl Jordan. The mask well I did that. He and the Indians saw Carl shot. But you joined the crowd in town too soon for them to make sure of your identity. And the Indian didn't really know nothing at all. You got me into this white. Mask man trailed you until he found where the guns were hidden. Then he took them away and offered to sell them to you. He knew as soon as you found they were gone you'd suspect your partner here in the fort. So that's how you knew I was in it. We followed Mike here. Is everything cleared up now sir? It is. And you'll soon be a soldier again. Thanks to the mask fella. But first you'll go to the sunrise mine with the detachment of men to rescue that girl. Yes sir. And then we'll attend to these fellows. But who in tarnation is that mask hombre? Him. Why he's the lone ranger. Hello. The story you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the lone ranger incorporated.