 a fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty hyo silver, the Lone Ranger. With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the masked rider of the planes fought crime and criminals throughout the early west. In time, hyo silver came to be the battle cry of justice. But the Lone Ranger always believed that a man was innocent until he was proven guilty. He brought about the conviction of numberless outlaws, cattle thieves, and gunmen, and saved many men who might have been condemned to prison or to death by the primitive law courts of the frontier. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear, when adventure lay at the end of every trail. The Lone Ranger rides again. Come along, hyo silver. Where on the loose, hyo silver? How are you? Young Jack Ross was sitting astride his horse in front of the general store at Willow City. When a girl came out, her arms were filled with parcels. She dropped one of them as she passed Jack, and he jumped from his saddle to pick it up and... Your package, miss. Oh, thank you. I didn't even know I'd lost it. There. I think I've got a word I'll say now. Uh-huh. I don't believe I've seen you in town before. Have I, Mr... Mr... Jack Ross is my handle, ma'am. Miss, uh, well, that is, uh... It's miss. I'm Gail Fisher. I was just on my way to my father's office. He's a sheriff here, you know. Oh. Uh, you... you're here on business, Mr. Ross? Miss Gail, this morning, the only reason I was heading my horse for Willow City was in hopes of getting work. I was hungry, plumb-busted, and right down in the mouth. Oh, I'm sorry. You needn't be. That was this morning. It's afternoon now, and things are some different. You found work? Well, not exactly. Then... Nope, miss Gail. I ain't found what you'd call a regular job. But I'd done almost as well. I found me a partner. Oh. I came to him this morning, found him camp just off the trail, feeding himself coffee and bacon. Oh, gosh, I'll never forget how good that grub smells. He was no friend of yours? Never seen him before. But he asked me to light in and eat, which I did pronto. We got to talking, and kind of took a fancy to each other, and now he's inside the store here, loading up with supplies. Oh, nice. Uh-huh. We're going into the hills and do some prospecting together. I've never tried my hand at looking for dust before, but he said it's how he'd learn me the ropes. Then your friend must be a stranger here, too. Yeah, that's what he said. I would say, how'd you guess it? Well, if he thinks there's gold in these hills, he must be a stranger. Well, everyone knows there isn't. Gosh, miss, is that right? Well, at least everyone says there isn't. But of course, gold is where you find it. That's what I've always heard. Uh, this partner of yours, he's no prospecting? Oh, miss, he ain't more than a couple years older than me. Oh. But a mighty liberal fellow, I can tell you. Why, it's his own cash he's putting out for the supplies we need. Me being broke, he said it's how he'd take care of that party's self. I see. Uh, I was just wondering something, miss Gale. Yes? If I was to take a quick trip into town sometime, do you think that maybe you'd, um, well, I mean... I think I know what you mean. But I, I believe I would. Gosh, that'd be fine. Shots! What the heck's going on? Get the shove! Come on, come on! Max, get on your horse! We're going to lie down in here. There's trouble, I tell you. The old fool, give me an argument. Come on, before the law shows up. I don't say it. You don't have to. Get going. Get up! Jack, wait! I'll be back, miss Gale. Get up! Where's Gale? Where's your pa? Here he comes. What's the problem? What's going on around here? There were shots in Hank's store, Elvis. Yes. He shot me. Come on inside. All right, double. All right, come on. That hurt, Hank! Mr. Dirty Crook, he got all the cash I had in the tail. Oh, hold on. Them fellas had just rode away. It must have been them. I've seen them. I've seen them. That's who it was, all right. Father, he didn't look like an outlaw. Who didn't? Well, Jack didn't. Jack? Well, that is... Gale, how come you know the name of one of them crooks? Oh, I tell you, Pa, he wasn't a crook. I'm sure of it. He was just telling me how he planned to go prospecting. There's just one fella inside here, Elvis. Uh-huh. But the other must have been waiting outside to keep watch. That's just what he was doing, Zeke. Oh, no. That was it, sure enough. And you stood right there talking to the lookout while he's partnered to shot and rob Hank. Doctor, I'm ashamed of you. But please... Gale, you keep still. Fathers, I want a poshie to take after them crooks. Who's willing to ride along? I don't think so. And somebody's got to see that Hank here gets fixed up. I'll take care of that, sure. Oh, thanks, stranger. The dark gate in town or we get him. Gale, you help the stranger. Yes, Father. All right, fellas, do your horses. All right. Anyone see which way they went? Oh, no, no. There now. I'll help you. Not so good, stranger. That Stephen Polkast bullet got me just above the knee. Yes. We'll fix that up. I can do it by myself, stranger, if you want to ride after the poshie. I'm going to. But I heard you say you believe one of those men innocent. He was. I'm sure he was. Very well. I'd like to hear your reasons while we're bandaging this wound when I'll ride. Stranger, if they were together, then them is both in on this sure as shooting. We'll see. Now hold still and we'll have you fixed up in no time. He started after Jack and his companion at once. But Jack's new partner seemed to know the country better than he had claimed. He led the way to a creek, which they entered and followed for several miles. Then out of the creek on to some shelving rock and finally into a small canyon whose mouth was almost hidden by a stand of trees. Here he rained up. Pull that. Pull that. Pull that. Well, we're safe enough here already. Look here. Yeah? I want some kind of an explanation. This looks mighty funny to me. I told you what happened, didn't I? Sure. I pulled out your gun just to show the storekeeper. He got excited, mistaken it for a hold-up. Well, what more do you want to know? The truth. Now didn't I just say that? Just hold up a second. I ain't no greenhorn. I strung along with you because you fed me an acted friendly. I thought you was on the square. But if you're up to something crooked, favor or no favors, I'm pulling my freight. Yeah? And right now. I reckon not. You think I won't? Well, then I'll show you. Rain up there, partner. Rain up. But I... Maybe you don't savvy just how things is. I savvy that I ain't having nothing to do without laws. I got a hunch that's just what you are. You ain't never asked me what my handle is, have you? I figured that was your business. Well, maybe I better tell you. Well? Folks call me the Panhandle Kid. What's that? You heard of me, huh? The Panhandle Kid? Who ain't heard that name? If you're him... Yeah? Then you're one of the lowest murder and side-winders in the whole West. You're calling me somebody in the rest of names. But I've heard a lot worse. Now I'm leaving. And get jailed for holding up the store? For being partner of the fellow that shot the storekeeper? For being a partner of the Panhandle Kid? You... You don't act like you got much sense. You framed me. I bet you done it on purpose. That's it. That's just what you're done. You knew when we rode to town what you planned to do. You had me wait outside the store just so as I'd look guilty too. I needed a partner, Jack. So you figured that by framing me, I'd have to throw in with you. Maybe you got more sense than I was giving you credit for it. Are you? I'll wait. Let me tell you what I got planned. I ain't listen to none of your crooked schemes. You doggone fool. I've got everything fixed. I've been looking over this part of the country for the past month without nobody knowing it. Just so as I'd know where to go after the cash is to be had. All I've been needing is somebody to help me. Now you throw in with me and in one month we'll both be rich. And you filled me up with your lion stories about prospect. Well, there's more in one way to prospect for gold, ain't there? Now take Zeke Munson, for instance. Who's he? And what about him? Who's Zeke? Well, he's one of the stingiest armories in these parts. What's that got to do with me? Jack, it just still got the first dollar he ever got his fist on. They say he's got somewhere between $10,000 and $15,000 hit away in that shack ahead. That don't interest me. Think of it, Jack. $10,000 or $15,000 in cash. How'd you like to spend half of that? For you. And I know just where that cash is hit. I won't have anything to do with it. Ah, don't be local. The law's already got your pegs to crook, ain't it? Yeah, but... And now he ain't got nothing more to lose by really turning crooked, have you? I'll clear myself somehow. I don't know how, but I will. And that ain't all. No. I'm gonna see that you get what you've got coming to you. Don't throw no threats my way. You wait and see. I'll fix you. And you ain't teaming up with me? Not now or any time. You won't think it over? I've done all the thinking that's needed. Of course, you savvy. I can't let nobody loose. It's liable to tell what I got schemed. You mean... I mean take your choice between back in my play or taking my lead. So that's it. Yeah. That's it. Then fill your hand, Blastrup. You can't outlaw me. Ow! My gun! A mask, man, and a red skin. You shot my gun away! I can move for your other gun and I'll do more. But how'd you find us? We got clear of the posse. I was in town right after the shooting. I gave first aid to the storekeeper, then followed the posse. I just said we give them the slip. But you didn't give tunnel the slip. You decided you must have followed the creek bed. You did. When you left the creek, you made one mistake. Mistake? What mistake was that? You left the creek where there were rocks to hide the prints of your horses. You forgot however to choose a place where the sun would dry the water you splashed. Then that's how you found us. Right. All right, mister, you've got us. Now, what are you going to do about it? You'll soon learn. Stranger, I don't expect you to believe me. But I ain't a crook. Honest, I ain't. It was just the scheme of this sidewinder here to make me look like one. Don't you believe it? He's in this just as bad as I am. I heard enough to know difference. You did. I did. How don't I? I'm keeping both of you prisoners. But we're not turning you over to the Lord, Jack, until we know you'll get justice. Now get mounted. We're going to camp. Then I'm calling on the sheriff. Jack Ross and the panhandled kid were taken to the well-hidden camp of the masked man then left in charge of Tonto while the Lone Ranger returned to town. It was after dark that evening when he saw the sheriff riding toward his home. Quiet, Silver. Here he comes. All right, old fellow. Hold up, Sheriff. Hold up. Hold up. Whoa, Silver. Hold up. I've got to talk to you, Sheriff. Don't slap, brother. A crook. Sheriff, your posse was hunting two men this afternoon. I didn't miss them, Blasted. I... What do you know about that? You ain't one of them, are you? If you are... I'm not, but I know where they are. What's that? They're in my camp. Thought I was keeping guard over them. Your camp? Where's it at? Come on, show it to me. I'll pick them fellas up right now. One moment. But I tell you... I happen to know that only one of those men is guilty. Before I turn him over to the Lone, I want your word, the other will go free. They're both crooks. No. One of them is the panhandled kid. He framed the other. The panhandled kid? Right. And you say he framed his partner? He didn't want a jack to throw in with him. They figured the jack would have to do that if the law believed him a crook. That ain't so. It's the truth. I savvied this now. There was three of you. Maybe more. But you had a quarrel and now you're trying to get the panhandled kid jailed while you and that other fella go loose. I've told you the truth about this. You mean to say this jack or whatever his name is can be innocent with all the evidence there is against him? Why, he was right outside keeping watch for his partner. He heard the shots and fam moved when his partner did. If that don't mean he's guilty, then I ain't no sheriff. Sometimes appearances can be made to tell a story contrary to the facts. Nonsense. You must have known of many such cases. Look here, mister. The only time anything like that could happen would be where there wasn't no witnesses. This time there was. And even if only one of them two fellas was inside the store, they're each as guilty as the other. You're convinced of that? I am. Now take me to them fellas or I'll put you under arrest too. I don't think you will. Now listen to me. You're going to pay for this. Perhaps. However, I'm keeping my prisoner. Do you? And you'll get neither one of them until you've changed your mind about evidence. If that's what your plan, you're going to hang on to them hombres for a long time, mister. Sheriff, I've got an idea. You're going to change your mind sooner than you expect. You're crazy. That remains to be seen. And remember what I said. Until you do, jack and the panhandle kids stay with me. Come on, old fellow. 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. The Lone Ranger left the sheriff after the law man had declared that Jack Ross was just as guilty as the panhandle kid. Now we see the masked man as he enters his camp at the same night. Oh, little fellow. He wouldn't believe me, Jack. That's bad. I told you he wouldn't. Well, thanks for trying anyhow. I reckon you better turn me in along with this crook here. Maybe if I stood trial, I could get the judge to see it my way somehow. And I don't hanker to be dodging the law all the time. I have a different plan, Jack. You have. I'll need your help, however. But what are you planning? As things stand, the sheriff believes you're guilty. He refuses to take my word for your innocence. I doubt that he'd even believe a confession from the panhandle kid. He'd probably think it part of a scheme to cheat the law. I figured on that. What? Jack, the only chance we have is to prove to the sheriff that it's easy to make an innocent man look guilty. We must prove that even witnesses can be mistaken. I don't see how. It can be done if you and Tonto will help me. Tonto, do what friends say. I knew you would, Kimosabe. And you, Jack? Of course I will. Good. Tonto and I will have to ride a town. That means someone must guard panhandle kid here. You can do it. He'll give me your word not to escape. Then what else do I do? That's all. It'll be enough, however. And it won't be easy. The panhandle kid is dangerous. I'll handle him. You ain't gonna leave me alone with him, are you? I am. And I won't be safe. I'll be twice to get even with me. Look, you can't leave me alone with him like this. Jack, that's another thing. The panhandle kid framed you. But it's up to the law to make him pay for that. You can't take the law into your own hands. Wish to heaven I could. You won't, however. No, I reckon not. If you say I hadn't better. You'll give me your word on that, too? You got it, mister. But what do you and Tonto plan on doing when you get to town? We won't go there together. Tonto will leave first. I'll get there tomorrow night after dark. I'm calling in the storekeeper and then on the sheriff again. And then what? What we do then depends on some information from the panhandle kid. From me? Yes. And you will talk or take the consequences. The following day, the sheriff let another search for Jack and the panhandle kid. At this time, the posse was given instructions to look for the masked man as well. However, the second search met with no more success than the first. The sheriff returned home that evening and... Hello, father. Good evening, honey. Is supper about ready? It won't be long. Here, you sit down. You look all tired out. I am, that. Thank you. Well, we hunted high and low. And we never seen a sign of them crooks. And I hope you don't. Still thinking that one fella never had nothing to do with a hold up, huh? I'm certain he didn't. If you'd talked to him like I did, father, you'd feel the same way. I reckon not. Did you just get into town? Oh, he was back an hour or more ago. Had some work to do in the office before coming home, though. Then there was some fool ninja come to see me. An Indian? What about? Don't ask me. That's something I never did find out. He just hemmed and hauled around, getting in the way, till I told him to clear out. That's funny. I wonder. Oh, father. Huh? Your badge. What's become of it? A badge. Well, it's right. Well, I'll be gone. You must have come loose. I don't know where. Blasted I do know where. Yes. That Indian. But what? He took it. I ain't no dog gone while he did. That's what he was fooling around for. I'm sure that's where my badge went as I am that I'm sitting right here. But how did he get it? And whatever would he want it for? He stumbled again me when he was leaving. That's how he got it. And if it wasn't for some crooked scheme, I'd eat my Stetson. But I... And I'm going right back downtown to see if I can put my hands on the thieve and red skin. I'll teach him. I'll show him what it means to steal a woman's badge. Don't move. That same mask far. Take your hand from that gun. What are you doing back here? Came for you. No, please. You can't harm my father. He won't be harmed again. I won't go. I don't know what you're up to, but you can't make me go along. I think I can. You're covered, Sheriff. You called me an outlaw. Very well. An outlaw wouldn't hesitate to shoot if necessary. He's a huge father. Do what he says. Don't give him an excuse to fire. Why do you think you're all taking me? You'll see. You'll tell me. No, no way. I've talked enough. Go on. Walk ahead of me. Don't harm him, stranger. Please, don't. You said you wouldn't. That depends on you. On me? If you report this, if you send for help, I won't answer for your father's safety. Keep quiet and he'll be returned unharmed. Oh, I will. I will. See what you do. Down the steps, Sheriff, and get to your saddle. I wish I savored what you was up to. Do you recall the conversation we had last night? You might understand. What do you mean the conversation we had last night? If you don't understand now, you will before I'm through. Now come. We're riding. Get up. Get up there. Come on, silver. It was much later that night when Zeke Munson, the man the Panhandled Kid had planned to rob of his savings, was awakened from a light sleep by noise in the adjoining room. What was that? I heard something. I'm blame sure I did. My cash. My savings. It's a thief. Where'd I put my gun belt? So doggone dark. There it is. Gone. The gun's gone. I don't dare to tackle a crook without no gun. I could just get a good look at who it is. Open the door a bit more. He's lit a match. White's. He's lit out. And the low down sneaking coyote of a thief was the sheriff. A hurried examination of his cash box revealed that Zeke's worst fears were true. Every dollar that he had saved over the years had been taken, hastily despite the lateness of the hour, Zeke dressed, saddled his horse, sent it racing toward the homes of his friends. Get up there, boy. We'll show the sheriff. When will I tell the fellas about this? Get up. Get up there. The words spread through the small town. Homes darkened for the night suddenly became bright with hurriedly lit lamps. Wives asked excited questions while their husbands made ready to join the men, gathering in front of the reopened cafe. At last, with more than a score of townsmen to accompany him, Zeke headed for the sheriff's home. There's still a light in his place, fellas. He's most likely just got back home. He died his horse out in front. Sure it is. And it's saddled. That proves what I said. Rean up, men. We'll go inside and find out about this. Move, move, move. Come on. Follow me. There he is. You can see him in there talking to Gale. Open up, Sheriff. Open up before we come in anyhow. What's the crowd for? Who is it, Father? Looks like near everybody in town. Is something happening? Stand aside. We're coming in. All right, fellas, come ahead. All right. Look here. What's this all about? I reckon you know. Yes, even coyote. But why do you come in here like this? Search the house. See if you can find Zeke's cash anywhere inside. That's right. Wait. Zeke's cash? It wouldn't be here. I'm doggone sorry, Gale. But I don't. I reckon it'll come mighty hard finding out your paws or crooks. A crook? Oh, no, no. You're wrong. I wish I was, but I ain't. Have you fellas gone, Roco? See if the sheriff's still wearing his badge, Zeke. My badge? I want to borrow it. Dance heels, Sheriff. I'll soon find out. Yep, there it is. Right there on your vest. I've seen it when you let that match. To see if it got all of my cash there was to get. But my badge was stolen. You're wearing it, ain't you? Listen to me. It was stolen, I tell you. I just now got it back. I found it right on the floor here. Well, mighty thing, the story. And now I suppose you claim you was home all evening, too. No, I wasn't there, fellas. You see? The sheriff's admitted he was gone. But he was away only because a masked man came here and took him away. He made Father go with him. A masked man? That's a good one. What else? What else did you expect this girl to say? I ain't seen no masked man around, of any of you. Where's this masked fella you're talking about taking here? Why, no place in particular. We just rode out of town away. Yeah? Then why? I saw all four horses and weeder dispels. After that, he brought me back. And I got here just ahead of you, fellas. I have heard some dull, gone toll stories, but that's got anything beat that I ever run across before. So the masked fella just rode away with you, and then after a while brought you back. He never tried to steal nothing from you or anything else. Is that it? Look here, man. I know it sounds funny, but that's just exactly the way it was. I give you my word. That's the truth. Ah. Why I seen you myself? You found it? Old places. He had it hid right under the rug by the door. Look at all them hundred-teller bills. That's mine, all right. That's it. It was in folding money. It can't be, Eurzeek. I mean, what would it be doing here if it was? I don't savvy this. Well, I told him. Wait, man, please. Listen to me, please. You know my father wouldn't steal anything. He's always been honest. While some of you men have known my father for years, how can you say he could be dishonest? There's always a first time for everything. Miss Gale, every bit of evidence is again your father. I've seen his badge. Well, look at it. Look where a bullet dented at one time. I'd know that badge anywhere. You might have been mistaken. But that ain't all. Your father was gone just during the time I was robbed. On top of that, here's the same cash he was stole. And he ain't got another but a tall story about a masked man to alibi himself with. And I'm the masked man. Well, 30 years, that's a fellow. That's him. Come in, fellow. Eurzeek, bring the prime handle kit along with you. All right. Get in there, you old stranger. Tell these folks the truth. You got to clear me. You know where I was. One moment, Cheryl. Every one of these men are convinced of your guilt. Because he is guilty. You see, Cheryl, they're convinced of your guilt just as you were convinced of the guilt of Jack here. Well, I... You said if he'd been framed, there couldn't be as much evidence against him. You know you've been framed. Yet there's even more evidence against you than there was against him. What's that about the sheriff being framed? I'll explain in a moment. First, I want the sheriff to admit he might have been wrong about Jack. I... Well, yes, I suppose I might have been. Plan the handle. Tell the sheriff the truth. I'll confess. But don't forget you told me it'd be easier for me if I did. I think the sheriff can arrange to keep you in jail here on a hold-up charge. If you deny the truth, however, you'll be sent to one of the counties that wants you for murder. And that means hanging. I'll tell the truth. I said I would. I don't want to hang. That's up to the sheriff. Then you did frame Jack here. That's the way it was, sheriff. But look here, stranger. How do we know you've been telling a straight story? If the sheriff was framed, who done it? And how'd the cash get here? You've done what I've told you. Check with Hank Jackson, the storekeeper. He knew my plans before they were carried out. I told him so that he could back up my word if you doubted me. But the cash and the badge. Tell the took the badge from the sheriff this evening. He disguised himself to look as much like the sheriff as possible. When he was in Zeke's place, he let a match on purpose so that Zeke could see the badge. Well, I'll be doggone. Then he put the cash under the rug there and threw the badge on the floor when I brought the sheriff back. Both the sheriff and Gale were too busy watching me to notice Tonto. Well, sheriff, what was the stranger's ID? He done it because I was a stubborn idiot. I wouldn't believe him when he told me Jack didn't have nothing to do with holding up Hank's store yesterday. But I've learned my lessons. Sheriff, anybody that comes close to being jailed for nothing as you did ought to have learned it. I sure got a scare when I thought my cash was stole. But you always was a bullheaded fellow, sheriff. And if the masked man fellow changed that, then I don't give a hoot. The story you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.