 Ranger Bill, warrior of the woodland, struggling against extreme odds, traveling dangerous trails, showing rare courage in the face of disaster, in the air, on horseback, or in a screaming squad car. Ranger Bill, his mind alert, a ready smile, unswerving, loyal to his mission, and all this in exchange for the satisfaction and pride of a job well done. Oh, you're here, so it's no good trying to hide. Walterson! Who's calling? I'm all hearing bad. You know right well who it is that's calling. Can I do for you? What can you do for me? Now isn't that a kindly question coming from you, especially after the underhanded blow you've dealt me? You've settled down a bit, old manly. I'm not sure I like the insinuation. I haven't pulled anything underhanded. What do you call stealing one of my biggest customers right out from behind me back? Oh, so that's it. That's it, all right. Oh, manly, there wasn't a thing crooked about my convincing downwell contractors to buy their lumber from me. I was able to give them a better deal than you, that's all. You wouldn't have been able to if I'd known you were going to try. Sometimes it just isn't good business to let your competitor in on what you're planning. You want to know that, old manly? You're a business man. There was a time when I didn't have to worry about fancy deals and the like. There was a time when Nutty Pine was too small to keep two lumber yards in business. Well, times have changed. And so have the business tactics. Now listen, old manly. I'm a busy man, and I haven't got time to listen to your wounded pride. If you want to make any formal accusations, take them over to the sheriff's office. If not, well, I suggest you get back to your own lumber yard. All right, I'll go. But you listen to me, Waltison. I'm tired of listening to you. That does it. Waltison, I'm warning you. If you so much as look at even one other customer of mine, you'll regret the day you ever started here in Nutty Pine. Is that a threat, old manly? That's a threat, sure enough. Your up-to-date methods of swiping what belongs to me... Now you listen to me and listen good. I'm not looking for any trouble with you or anyone else. If you keep on spouting off about my being a crook, I'll have to take steps. Truth hurts, does it? Get moving, old manly. Go back to your own lumber yard and whittle. I'll go. But don't forget what I said, Waltison. If you go near even one more of my customers with your better deals, you will be sorry you ever started in Nutty Pine. That's a threat and a promise. I'm glad that you said that again, old manly. Good and loud like that. What? I think it might help for me to have a witness to that threat. And you just made sure I did. A very good witness. What are you talking about? He's talking about me, old manly. And I am sorry to say I heard the whole thing. I hope you remember what you heard, officer. I may need your word one of these days. Tim, old manly, what's the meaning of words like I heard you speaking just now? You don't understand the whole circumstance, Pat. I have a good reason for the noise I'm making. A good legal reason, Tim? That's a good question. Well, I gotta get back to work. Maybe old manly here can afford to leave his yard once in a while, but I can't. I'll top of the morning, then. That man is the most excess- Oh, Tim, what kind of talk is that? Well, he is. Well, everyone feels like that about a competitor once in a while, to me friend. I'm sure whatever he did was more than enough to rail you in a professional sort of way. But I don't think that threat was very professional. I was just trying to scare him, that's all. He knows better than that. The most you've done is amuse him. Hey, I suppose so. Oh, Pat, my old friend, whatever happened to the old nutty pine? The nice, small town that I moved into and started up my lumberyard in years ago. Come on, Tim, let's have a cup of tea down at the Conor restaurant. Life was so simple, then. These three Irish men were riding along through town, and one said it's windy. Uh-huh. And the second one said, no, it ain't. It's Thursday. And what did the third one say, Stumpy? Well, he said, I'm Thursday too. Let's stop for a cup of tea. Oh, Rourke, I didn't see you come in. You were too busy telling that joke, Stumpy. Afternoon, gentlemen. How are you, Pat? Oh, fine, really, thank you. Stumpy, it's funny you should be telling that story when I came in. Oh, why is that? Well, it just so happens that this morning, at least two Irish men had tea together. That's oh! I am your old friend Tim O'Malley and myself. Well, we haven't seen Tim for some time, Pat. Nor have I, before the Smarlin. It's nice that two old friends like yourselves can get together once in a while for some hot tea and warm conversation. Warm, it was, Bill. As a matter of fact, O'Malley was closer to Steaman than the tea. Oh, what was wrong? It seems that that new lumberyard in town is giving him a bit of competition. Carl Walterson's yard? That's the one. Oh, you were just going by there this morning, O'Malley Beach, when Tim comes roaring out of Walterson's office, breathing fire. I guess this sort of thing is bound to happen. The bigger naughty pine gets, the bigger its problems get. Up until Carl opened his yard, Tim had it pretty easy. He sure is having trouble making the adjustment to competition. You do it, though! I've known Tim as long as anyone. He may be a little quick tempered, but he's all right. I hope you're all right, Stoneman. Oh, hey, now! We didn't hear you come in, Carl. That's what comes of leaving your front door open. Just about anyone can walk right into this ranger station. Well, what can we do for you? Pull up a chair. Well, I can't stay that long. Actually, I just wanted to talk to you about that incident this morning, but I see Pad here has already filled you in on the whole thing. I don't think there's anything to worry about, Carl. You don't think he meant anything by the threat? Threat? Oh, I was just getting to that part. He told me that if I even smiled at any of his accounts, I'd regret the day I ever opened in competition with him. Perhaps I should add that later on in the morning, he told me he was ashamed of making himself such a disgraceful statement. Oh, he said it twice. You heard it one of the times. That sure doesn't sound like old Tim. He did seem a little more put out than usual, but I still don't think there's anything to worry about. What do you say, Bill? I think we'd just better let the whole thing drop, Carl. If Tim was sorry for the way he acted so soon after it happened, we can be pretty sure that it was a flare of the moment and nothing more. I hate to seem like the villain here. Oh, you don't, Carl. If you say it's all right, I guess I'll take your word. Oh, Tim's all right, Mr. Wallace. He just got a hot temper. That's Irish in him. Hey, that's what's in him all right. But he's got something else in him that's just as Irish. And that's why I wouldn't worry. What's that? A warm heart. Seems to me if the Rangers think Mr. O'Malley's all right, he's all right. Well, that's what they said, anyhow. Oh, I think you're all making too much of this whole thing. Obviously, Mr. O'Malley was upset when you took over the Bromwell account. Who wouldn't be? And naturally, being a hot tempered Irishman, he had to come over and shout about it. Oh, he did that all right. Well, dear, it's all over now. Officer O'Rourke and Bill Jefferson and Stumpy Jenkins, I'll say there isn't any more to it. So I don't think we even ought to mention it again. Yeah, I say let's forget the whole thing. I play with Timmy O'Malley, Mr. O'Malley's his grandfather. I play with him at school and he always says how swell his grandpa is. You're all right, of course. I shouldn't carry this any farther. It's just that I've worked too hard to get started around here to be called a crook and threatened. Oh, it's all over now, Carl. Mr. O'Malley will no doubt come by tomorrow to apologize. More coffee, dear? I believe I will. Here, I have an excuse from the table, please. Are you all through? Yes, I'm... All right. Thank you. There you are, dear. Thanks. Dad? Yes, son? I haven't completely finished making that doghouse for Skipper yet, and I was wondering if... No, sorry, son, not tonight. It's been a pretty rugged day, and I just couldn't face that lumberyard again tonight. Oh, is all your homework done, Tommy? Well, sure, Mom. I finished it this afternoon because I thought that tonight maybe we could... Never mind. Oh, that's a shame. Maybe I'll go over to Ronnie's house. See what he's doing. Tommy? Yeah, Dad? I don't know why I never thought of this before. How'd you like to go over to the yard yourself and work on the doghouse? You mean it? Carl, do you think it's all right? Sure. It's all well-lighted streets between here and there. There won't be any trouble, I'm sure. But just be sure to lock the place after you're through. Uh-huh. Well, I think you ought to call us when to get there, Tommy. And again just before you leave to come home. Oh, Mom. Well, that's a good idea, son. Just to be on the safe side. Okay. Boy, it would be great to go there all by myself. Here are the keys, Tommy. Now take care. Uh-huh. Uh, which one is the key for the front door? The golden one with the round head. Be good now. Come home early. I will. Boy, thanks. Oh, Patrick. Oh, yes, a little better. I'm not at all happy with myself the way I acted this morning. Oh, what's that? Well, no, that's a nice, it's nice of you to ask, but well, I'm afraid I don't feel much like it tonight. I know, I know. Yes, it has been a long time since we sat down to a good game of checkers. But not tonight, my old friend. Oh, I was thinking about taking a little walk later. Sometimes that can pick a man's spirits up a bit. Well, thanks again, Pat. Yeah, yes, yes, do call again. Good night. Boy, it sure is swell, Dad. Let me come over to the lumber yard along. I guess he knows I can take care of myself. Oh, almost didn't see him. Maybe I'd better pay attention to what I'm doing. Hey, look at all those sparks coming from that new factory over there. They must be burning something big for them to be coming over the chimney like that. Well, can't stand here all night. I got to find Dad's key and get into the lumber yard. I got a dog-hosted bill. It is too bad, Tim. Couldn't join us tonight, Pat. Would have been good to see him again. Oh, well, I guess the day was a bit too hard on the poor fella. He said something about going for a walk this evening. Well, I hope he's all right. Oops. Sounds like someone's been playing with matches. That sure does. Where do you suppose it is? I don't know, but we'd better find out. I am on call to run apart those things this month for the traffic in the lake, you know. May I use the phone, Bill? Sure, Pat. Go right in. Thanks. Oh, Sam? Oh, this is a rook. Where's the fire? What? You sure? Of course you are. Of course you are. Uh-huh. No. No. It's nothing. I'll be there in a double. I can't believe it. I'm sure you wouldn't do a thing like that. That's the trouble, Pat. Is there anything wrong? I don't know. That fire has burned up Carl Waterston's laundry yard. And you think? I don't know what to think. Come on, fellas. Let's get over there. You can say that again, old timer. Look, there's Carl and his wife over there. Yep, there she is. Derived, why? My boy, Tom. He came here tonight by himself to work on a house dog for his dog Skipper. Sorry, Mrs. Waterston, I haven't. Hey, look over there, quick, Carl. It's not a boy up there. He's on the second floor. What's he doing up there? Probably ran up there to get away from the flames. Oh, Sam, somebody get him out of there. It's possible to get there now, ladies. The whole place is going up. Bill, what are you doing? I'm going over there to those hoses that soaked myself in this handkerchief with water. Then I'll cover my face with it and go in after Tommy. Bill, isn't there any other way? That burning porch below the window stops the possibility of a net or a ladder. The only way to get him is for someone to go in after him. But you might be killed. That's the town's art of the church. See you later. Hey! In forest fires, the world hotter than this. Hope I don't dry out too much before I can... Ah, there's the staircase. I can just get across this blazing room and up those stairs. I might be in business. That whole staircase collapsed. Them and swing over onto the floor. Don't think so, Tommy. Here. Put this wet handkerchief over your face. It'll protect you from the smoke and heat. But what do you use? Never mind. Just do as I say. Okay, but... Now, climb on my back. We're getting out of here just as fast as we can. As in we're leaving in a hurry. If we don't go right now, there won't be any floor left to stand on. Okay, Ranger Bill. I'm up on your back. Plenty scary. That makes two of us, Tommy. Do you think we'll make it, Ranger Bill? How can I answer that? Braveest things I've ever seen. Wait till I tell you how I... I know someone else who things don't look so good for. Who's that? The man who set this fire. Tim O'Malley. It looks even worse by daylight. The whole place, a lot of time and effort. Gone up in smoke. I know, dear, but it could be worse. Tommy and Bill are okay. And while the firemen were able to save a lot of the lumber, and the insurance will pay for the greater part of the law. I know you're trying to be cheerful, Irma. I appreciate it. But the insurance can't build a new building as fast as the fire destroyed it. Not even with the lumber they were able to save. I know what you mean. Is it happened to me? You! What are you doing here? Why? Why, I... Come back to see your handwork, eh, O'Malley? What are you talking about? I won't even bother explaining. There's some practical rorg. And if he does what I think he'll do, no explanation will be necessary. Pat, what's he talking about? I can't tell you how much this hurts me, Tim, but I have a warrant for your arrest. What? And what charge? Arson, the burden of Mr. Watterson's yard, and a great deal of his lumber stock. Come on, let's go. See you in court, O'Malley. Mr. Waltherson, if you persist in disturbing this hearing, I shall have to ask you to leave. I am to keep this on a quiet basis. Sorry, Judge, but you can understand how I feel. My boy was almost killed. I'm well aware of the circumstances. I'm also well aware of the facts. Then so far we have no more than circumstantial evidence that Tim O'Malley was even involved. Lots of men argue and threaten each other. Lots of men go for walks alone when they've had an upsetting day. But how many of these men do things with such good timing? The fire on the same day is a threat, and it started at the same time he was on this so-called walk. That's exactly why we're here to decide. Just whether or not Tim O'Malley actually started the fire. Well, I think it's obvious. Your Honor, may I make a suggestion? Well, of course, Bill. How are you feeling? Better, thanks. Your Honor, as far as we know, the only person who actually was at the fire when it began was Tommy Walterson. Yes, that's right. But I think we've pretty well established that he didn't start the fire. That's right. But I think he might be even more helped than we've thought thus far. You want to ask him a few questions? Is that it? Yes, with your permission. Go right ahead. I don't know what good any of this is. I'm just trying to find out how that fire started. I know how that fire started. If you want to ask someone who was there when it started and can tell you all about it, why not ask Tim O'Malley? Now, Mr. Walterson, I'm not going to ask you again. I really don't need you at this hearing, and I'm beginning to think we'd get along much better without you. I'm sorry, Your Honor. I'll sit down. That's better. Now, Bill, you are going to ask Tommy a few more questions. Thank you, Your Honor. Tommy, you can help us out a lot by trying to remember a few things. Anything you say, Ranger Bill. Boy, after the way you came raining for me and almost burned your hands off. I want you to try to remember everything that happened when you arrived at your father's lumberyard the other night. Will you do that? I'll try. Good boy. Now, just what happened? Well, boy, it's hard to remember. But you know that new factory down the street a little ways from the lumberyard? Yes. Well, they must have been burning something awful big, because sparks were flying out of the chimney and going all over. I know that factory, Bill. The fire inspector requested, oh, must have been about a week ago, court order demanding certain safety precautions having to do with fire. I think one of them was a screen attachment for the chimney. Your Honor, I have to check a couple of things right away concerning this business. May I request a recess while I make a few calls? Longer than that, if you want. Why don't we all get some lunch? This hearing will reconvene at two o'clock. This hearing will resume. Bill, what did you find out? Enough to safely state that Tim O'Malley had nothing to do with the fire. Is that so? I suppose you're going to tell me that a little spark from that factory came all the way down the street and burned that whole big building. That's exactly what I'm going to tell you, Carl. I found out that the screen extension has not as yet been placed on the factory's chimney. I also found out that the wind on the night of the fire was from the northeast. The direction it would have to come from to blow the sparks to your lumber yard. Circumstantial, just as circumstantial as the evidence we have that O'Malley did it. That's right. But the inspector sent for the insurance company and they've completed their report. They have found ashes that are not from your fire in the ruins. Now how could they tell that? They have the technical know-how, Carl. They've also placed the origin of the fire at a spot on the roof of your building. I'm afraid no one could have climbed up there and down again as quickly as needed and not been seen by Tom. He didn't do it, huh? I'm afraid not. I guess I owe him an apology. I think you both might have learned a lesson from all of this. Maybe so. We both called each other crooks. And neither one of you were. A judge, I... I guess you'd better let Tim O'Malley go. You want to be there when we release him? Maybe I'd better. Thanks, Bill. Well, boys and girls, as today's story showed, a little spark, whether it be a real fire or a hot temper, can cause a blaze that can get out of control. And a lot of hot arguments, as well as fires, might never happen if the right safety measures are taken ahead of time. Well, see you next week for more adventure with... RANGER!