 with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty, high old silver, the lone ranger. The Indian companion puddle, the daring and resourceful masked writer of the plains, led the fight for law and order in the early western United States. Nowhere in the pages of history can one find the greater champion of justice. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoofed beech of the great horse Silver. The lone ranger rides again. The territory surrounding the town of Ringstone had for some time been terrorized by an outlaw gang, led by a man who had become known as the Faceless Bandit. This name had been given the outlaw leader because his head and features were completely covered by a black skin-tight covering, seemingly improvised from a black cotton stocking in which two slits were cut for his eyes. The first appearance of the Faceless Bandit and the gang was when they held up a stage carrying a payroll in the Ringstone Bank to a mining settlement several miles away. Holy smoke, outlawers! Use your whip! I'm trying to use payroll and won't give up without a fight. Get a hand! I'll give him some land. Come on! That's your hand. All right, men. You know what the boss is pointing for? Get up there and get that payroll out of the stronghold. A short time later, the gang headed by the Faceless Bandit held up the Ringstone Express office just after night-time. Hey, what's up? What's up, mister? Well, get Humbury next to you. His head and face are all black. He's facing... Yeah, sure. And he's pointing at the safe. That means he wants you to open the prana. Oh, no. I'll get him out of here. Yeah, yeah, all right. And the boss is sitting there to make him hurry, dude. You better make it quicker. The boss will fly. Yeah, wait, uh, Humbury and... Now get busy, fellas, empty that safe prana. Hey, Humbury, you call Boss. Just signals with his hands. He don't talk. Shut up! Boss is waiting for us to clear our fans. Come on, let's go. And so it went. Ranchers who drew large sums from the bank in town were waylaid and robbed. A train that had left Ringstone with a gold shipment was robbed some miles away when it stopped at a water tower to take on water. A herd of prized horses disappeared soon after they arrived at a large spread outside of Ringstone. And always came the same report. It was the faceless bandit and his gang who did them. News of the gang had spread throughout the southwest and it reached the ears of the lone ranger and his Indian companion, Toto. Early one afternoon they rode the trail through the hills, a few miles from Ringstone, accompanied by the lone ranger's nephew, Dan Reed. The last man was saying, we'll make care as soon as we got a little closer to Ringstone, Toto. Then we'll see what we can find out about the so-called faceless bandit and his gang. Collie, how can anyone be faceless? Do you think he really hasn't got a... No, Dan. And what I've heard I understand the gang leader, whereas what seems to be part of a black stocking pulled tightly over his head and face. Is that right? And then say he never wear hat and have small holes and face covered to see through. Oh. Then say he never speak in direct gang by signal with hand. Yes, I know. Because of that, Toto, I'm almost convinced it's someone who's well known in Ringstone. You mean him not talk because he afraid someone no voice? That's right. But what about the rest of the gang? They might recognize one of them. That's true. But I feel sure they aren't in town. The leader could go to meet them at some hideout whenever he has a job he wants done. That's right. What I've heard they go after shipment or people who are known to have something valuable. But always after they leave Ringstone. And that's what me hear. I'd say that means there's a person in town who's in a position to know when someone's taking something of value out of Ringstone. I wonder why the sheriff in Ringstone hasn't thought of that? Maybe he has, Dan. But there are two or three hundred people in that town. I didn't think of that. After we pitch camp we make plans for getting a line on that gang. All right, let's move a little faster now. Come on, son of a... Come on, make that. Meantime in Ringstone, several men stood in a group around the sheriff. While two of them will gormon the banker and Dave Gridley the cafe owner, put turns prodding the Mormon with sharp words about his lack of success in finding the outlaws. Seems to me, sheriff, you should have been able to pick up the trail of that faceless bandit and his gang by now. That's right, sheriff. Getting so everybody around here is getting scared to move out of town with anything worth doing. It's very time to end doing the best it can. That's how brave everybody is calling the faceless bandit. He's very smart. Hey, could you stick most everyone in town? It's still the law. Well, maybe you could try to figure out how to get out of town about the time to hold up state planes. Will gormon for the banker you talk like a fool? Folks, you're gone in and out of town all day long. In fact, you were out of town the time that gold shipment was stolen from the trade. That's right. That's right I was. I rode over to Stockton on business. For that matter, I was out of town that day, too, remember? That's right, Gridley. I rode out to look over a spread I was thinking of buying. Well, for that matter, I'm going to tear up himself without a town on two occasions when that gang's stuck. Where'd you hide the stocking hood? Yeah, sir. Why don't you hold up? All right, go ahead and make fun of all your legs. But it proves my points. You can't see an arm raised a faceless bandit just because he's out of town when things happen somewhere in the territory. Hey, chef, you reckon me and my partner will be safe heading out of here for fake us in our prairie schooner? If we drag a good-looking wagon down in front of the blacksmith's shop, is the schooner you mean, mister? It wouldn't get a second look from that outlook, yeah? Well, it can't go by look, chef. We've come a mighty long way in that wagon. Left a wagon train 20 miles east of here. Is that true? Why didn't you stay with the trade? My partner and me sold out a good business in St. Louis. We got a nice nest egg of cash, and we want to buy a spread west of the takers to stock up with cattle. What's the best route to take from here? Head out the main trail at the west end of town. About three miles from here, there's a fork in the trail. You take the one to the right. You mean to the left, Sheriff? No, no, it's to the right. No? No, you're right, Will. He does take the left forward. Thanks a lot. I reckon we better get started so as to make some distance this afternoon. So long. Yes, so long, dear. Yes? I reckon that better get back to the office. I've wasted enough time in here myself. So am I. I have work to do back at my dad. There she is, lady. Bye. The Lone Ranger, Toto and Dan, found a campsite just off the main trail, a short distance toward town from where the trail divided. Some time later, the Lone Ranger and Toto left the camp. They rode across the main trail and headed for a distant hill to check the vicinity for a possible gang hideout. A little later, Dan mounted his horse Victor and rode leisurely out to the main trail. He turned toward town and had gone only a short distance when he saw a weather-beaten prairie schooner coming around to bend the head. One of the men on the driver's seat called out to him. Hey! Hey, there, sir! Hi. Oh, Victor. Oh, I hope... We're supposed to be coming to a split in the trail somewhere along here. Well, that's right, sir. It's just a short distance ahead. Oh, I wasn't worried about finding it exactly. Oh? What we really want to know is which brands do we take to head for Pegas? I asked in town, but they got me confused by saying first one way and then the other. I'm sure you take the left branch trail, sir. The left. Now that you mention it, they finally did decide it was left. Well, good night, boy. We'd have been sitting at that fork in the trail scratching our heads in puzzlement trying to guess which one. Great day. Look at coming over that rise off to the side. Several men with bandanas covering their face. They must have outlawed or brought guns, kid. At least the one in front. He's so faithless bandit. Uh-oh. I heard talk about him. Grant, you're right. Please, when I reach for your rival, we got your cover. I mean, you do, but I get busy. Some of you men forced a stiglin' to search the wagon. No, look it here. Put cash for a pioneer. Now, if we know you got plenty of cash with him. Hurry up, boys. Find that bag. While some of the outlaws were searching the wagon, Dan Reed sat silently on Victor and held his hands high. Disregarding the other man after a quick glance, he studied the leader whose head was entirely encased in the stocking-like covering. Careful training by the old Ranger and Tahoe had taught Dan to take into tales and the boy quickly made a mental picture of the sinister, faithless bandit and of his horse. Finally, the outlaws came from the back of the wagon with a tall canvas bag. Hey, it looks like they found it, kid. Get a watch, fellas. Throw your rivals down here, you two. Oh, wait a minute, mister. You got our cash, but without writing. I said, sure, sure. Here's mine. Here's mine, too. Grab those rifles. Let's hit live and get away from here. All right, come on. All right, let's go. Get off the trail back over that rise where they come from. It's time to return around and head in for the town to tell the sheriff. Better come along, son. No, you go ahead. I'm going to try and trail them. Come on, Victor. Hey, don't be local. Come back. For a short time, Dan managed to follow the outlawed trail. Then he came to a wide shallow creek where he pulled to a stop. Ho, ho, Victor. Ho, ho, ho. They got a good start on this, boss. They're sick of the water to cover that trail. That thing to do is go back to camp and wait for the lone ranger to come out. Come on, Victor. Dan rolled back to the camp and waited impatiently. It was over an hour later when the lone ranger and Tahoe returned. Dan quickly told them what had happened. The lone ranger listened intently, then spoke. You were wise to come back and wait for us, Dan. Other than I saw what seemed to be a posse from a distance riding up the main trail. I guess the sheriff and his men are trying to trail the gang now. Am I right? I took a good look at the faceless bandits. He and the others had ordinary-looking broncs without any special markings on them. But I did notice one thing. Oh, what was that, Dan? Well, in the crease of his boots where the soul joins the upper part, I noticed there was a fine dust sort of glittered in the sunlight, like gold dust. I noticed it on some of the others' boots, too. Hmm... What do you think of Kimazabi? I'm thinking that Dan's quick sense of observation may help us spot that outlaw. How to that? I'm certain he's someone from Remstone. If I'm right, that shiny dust Dan noticed on his boots will help us to capture the faceless bandit. The curtain falls on the first act of our lone ranger adventure. Before the next exciting scene, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. All to continue. A short time later, the lone ranger with Toto and Dan read, rain to a halt in a secluded grove of cottonwood near the edge of town. I'll wait here, Toto. You and Dan go on into town and look around. It will be dark in another hour or so. It's necessary for me to go into town. I can go then. Stop drawing attention to my mask. All right, better get going. And if we find boots with shiny dust, we can back quick. Come Dan, get him up to town. Eden Toto left their horses at the hitch-rack in front of the general store. Then they sauntered along the street, eyeing the boots on those who passed and also on those who rode by. Finally, after arranging to meet in front of the general store where the horses waited, they separated. Toto went to the cafe. He sat at the back and observed everyone who entered. After he'd been there a short time, Dave Gridley, the owner, came from his back office and went to talk to the barkeeper. Anyone been looking for me, Ted? No, not that I know of, Mr. Gridley. In fact, I didn't even know you were away from the cafe. I had something to attend to. Went out and came in the back way. I'll be back in the office if anyone wants to see me. Right. He had shiny gold-looking dust and crease of boots. You go meet Dan, tell him I'm arranging. Meantime, Dan Reed entered the general store and sat down, saying he was waiting for someone. His keen eyes looked over the boots of all who entered. Then banker Will Gorman came in. Howdy, Mr. Gorman. What can I do for you? I just came in from the tobacco hang. Sure thing. There you are. Thanks. Put it on my account. Been out of town? I noticed you just rode up to the hit track out front and just rode it. And I remember he wanted to get a loan on a claim he had, so I went out to look it over. Be seeing you again soon. Oh, hello. As soon as Will Gorman left the store, Dan Reed quickly left behind him and went to the hit track where Victor and Skalk were waiting. He watched as Gorman walked up the street and went into the bank. Then Dan saw Tuttle coming toward him. Tuttle, I'm glad you didn't keep me waiting. We leave now, Dan. Go meet Lone Ranger. Not talk here. Get him up, Skalk. Come on, Victor. While Dan and Tuttle were in town, the Lone Ranger sat on a stump in the cottonwood grove as the great horse Silver grazed close by. Suddenly, Silver raised his massive head, then Winnie to warning. Instantly, the masked man jumped to his feet and whirled, making a grab for his guns. But even as he whirled, the voice spoke out sharply. What the hell is this, Mr. Don't throw up? The Sheriff's voice came from behind him in a short distance away. Please, can't be quick about it. The Sheriff had stepped from behind a tree. And after he got the drop on the masked man, six members of his posse showed themselves. The Sheriff spoke again. We got tipped off by a fellow who saw you turn in here with two others. Where are they? In town. In town, man. Your name must be part of the gang we were hunting. These were, is that mask, Poonish, or not, Lone? I can explain my mask, Sheriff. As a matter of fact, in regard to the gang... Shut up. I am in no mood to listen to Poonish explanations. Now that I'm standing in front of them, the rest of you get to get them behind you. Oh, what, Sheriff? You'll find out what before we're through. Everyone in that faceless bandits gang will hang for the killings that took place. We're taking you into rimstone jail. You'll hang anyway, so you might as well talk and let the others hang with you. Sheriff, does a silver bullet mean anything to you? Maybe you'll have a silver bullet. Yes, I'll be. I reckon you have a silver bullet, all right. But if it was made of gold, it wouldn't mean any more than the fact that you stole it from someone who got it as a trophy for shooting or something. All right, boys, keep them covered carefully. I'm gonna host them in my gun and then take those fancy ones he's got. After that, we'll take off that mask. Watch out, Sheriff. Get it from the side so he can't grab you. Don't worry. The farther you burst together behind him with drawn guns, he won't dare flicker an eyelash. All right, Mr. I'll host them in my gun and take yours. One little move and you'll get a hail of bullets from behind you. As the Sheriff stepped cautiously to the side of it and then moved in toward the Lone Ranger, the masked man took a quick glance backward. He saw that the intelligent stallion Silver was tensed and ready for quick action. Even as the Lone Ranger spoke sharply, Silver sprang into action. Oh, Silver! Like a Silverie's streak of lightning, Silver rushed into the group of men holding guns, folding them over right and left. And as the Sheriff's attention was momentarily attracted by the commotion, the Lone Ranger threw one of his own guns and, reaching with the other hand, grabbed the Sheriff's gun from the toaster. What about fair play, Sheriff? Now you're covered. I drop my gun. You'll get it now. The Indian with two guns? Yeah, all of us knocked on the ground. The masked man has two guns, too. I'll keep them covered. You go pick up their guns and toss them into the bushes. Ah, he used one hand. Keep gun ready and other. Quickly, Tahoe got the guns from the men of the Posse and tossed each one into the thick bushes off to one side. Then the Lone Ranger plunged the Sheriff's gun. There's your gun, too, Sheriff. You and your men can hunt around with those bushes for them later. We'll get our horses and pick up you. We see horses and that's a grove. Know something wrong. The young tri-horses send them galloping along the trail, awaiting town. What's that? Holy smoke, we'll have to round up our horses. Please, all of you, don't decide to kill us down. We're not outlaws, so you're safe, Sheriff. Damn, waiting, that's a grove. Good. Here's over. I'm scouting. Oh, scouting. Come on. Hello, Sheriff. See you again sometime. Very stupid around. Long Ranger and Tutto met Dan on the edge of town and they cleverly covered their trail back to the camp. Tutto reported the cafe owner, Gridley, had glittering dust on his boots. Dan reported he had seen the same kind of dust on the boots of the banker, Gorman. The Long Ranger detailed the plan to bring the gang leader into the open. Then they ruled back toward town. Later, Dave Gridley sat at his desk in his office at the cafe. Hearing a knock at the back door, he got up and, with a gun in hand, went to open it. Then they're holding a kid by the arm. What's the idea? Oh, you'll not need guns. Me, bring no brand to care. You'll let me go. You'll go to jail. You'll not get away. I guess it's safe to hold to my gun while I read this. Dear boss, you can trust the red skin. The button was caught snooping at our place. I told the red skin you'd pay him more for bringing the button to you. Oh, sign Jeff. Hey, who printed this note? Who's Jeff? What kind of trick is this, anyway? Well, him say you'll remember, boy, and you'll pay plenty cash. Give me, bring him here. All right, Thunder, there's something funny here. Step aside, kid, and I'll show you when I go. Look out! Dan jumped the side of Tuttle, spying at Gridley, landing a hard blow to the chin. Quickly, Tuttle and Dan ran into the shadows nearby, followed by the Long Ranger, who had been standing to one side, just outside the door. They stopped and looked back at the open door. He's getting up. Look, he's coming out. He run between buildings toward Promp. Lady, don't put a horse at the hitch-rack. Come on. Look in the cubby. He run past horses. Go cross the sheriff's office. He's a man we want. He's clever. Let's finish our plan. A short time later, Will Gorman, the banker, was given a similar note. He read it, then said, Boy, snoopers like you always get hurt. Bring him over to my desk and hold on to him, and, you know, give me some cash. As Gorman opened the top drawer of the desk, Tuttle leaned forward and looked at his contents. He saw, among others, one item that was of great interest, a black stocking mask. Gorman looked up and saw him staring, just as Dan blurted out, Hey, there's the canvas bagstores from the pioneers today. He's the faceless bandit. As Dan spoke, Tuttle in a lightning-like move shoved the boy down in front of the desk. At the same time, pulling his gun. But a gun was already in Gorman's hand but he withdrew it from the drawer. I'll kill you and him too, Indian. Oh! I'm hit. Someone shot through the window. There they are, sir. Oh, I've reached Indian. You too, sir. You've got some explaining to do. Hey, sir. That's the same red standard of the Masked Man. Click us a while ago. Hey, so he is. Now we're getting somewhere. Oh, and you're waiting. So, prime nutweed. As you will, wait, sir. And listen, this fine. Masked Man again with two guns leveled out. Holding these guns, going to keep anyone from making a foolish move. Hello. What about this man, Gorman? If Sheriff look in desk drawer and find black hood of faceless bandit. Yes, and he'll find a canvas bag of money stolen from the pioneers today. It's just like they said. With Will Gorman, he can't be the faceless bandit. He can be and he is. Sheriff, here's a letter from the Pecos Marshall sent to a Padre friend of mine. Asking him to get my help in hunting this outlaw. Great day. This is... Will you get the Masked Man known as the... Holy catch. That's what you meant by speaking of a silver bullet. Yes, Sheriff. But what led you to Gorman? There's a glittering dust in the creed of his boot near the soul. This boy noticed it today when the pioneers were held up. Then you're the brave lad the pioneer told about. The one who went to tell them I'd lost. I guess so, sir. We spotted two men in town with that dust on their boots. Gridley and Gorman. Oh, that's why they came to me, huh? A shaky old prospect opened a pouch of golders today in a cafe and spilled some of it on my boot. You can't see me so on me. Anyone could have planted that hooding things in there. Oh, wait a minute. I recollect a couple of old prospectors who dug for months into the side of a hill thinking they'd distract him. They got a regular cave. And all they got was fools gold. They threw the dust all over that cave and discussed. That must be the gang's hideout then. It explains the glittering dust on Gorman's boots. How do I help you round up those outlaws after you? Well, you did your job grabbing the important one, Mr. We'll stick Gorman the faceless bandit in the jail. Then I'll take a big posse and grab the others without much trouble. They won't be expecting anything. We... Oh, you're an apology for what happened. Forget it, Sheriff. We'll be nearby until we hear you caught the gang. Let's get back to camp, fellow. Come, Dan. Well, then, free sure face down the faceless bandit there, boys. Get Gorman out of here along with the evidence. Then we'll grab the others. They'll squeal on one another like a litter of pee. Look, Sheriff, man. Why did you change toward that masked man like you did? Who is he, Annie? I wondered why he didn't gun some of us late this afternoon when he turned the tables on us. But now I know. You see, he's the Lone Ranger. This is a feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated, created by George W. Trendle, produced by Trendle Campbell Enterprises, directed by Charles D. Livingston, and edited by Fran Stryker. The part of the Lone Ranger...