 A fiery horse for the speed of light, a cloud of dust in a hearty high old silver, the lone ranger. With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the daring and resourceful masked rider of the planes led the fight for law and order in the early western United States. Nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering who feeds the great horse, Silver. The lone ranger rides again. Are you silver? Let's go big fellow. Are you silver? Old Judge Carter's word was law to the people of the town of Gold Creek. He took his legal authority very seriously. But for a livelihood, he depended upon his general store, which in time of need served as the courtroom. The judge believed a less in procedure than he did in getting to the point when some question came before him for settlement. One day a curious crowd gathered in the barn-like general store to hear Judge Carter decide what to them was the most unusual case in the town's history. The judge sitting behind his old battered desk at one end of the store started things off without bothering about formalities. All right now everybody, let's have some quiet in here so a boy can get a word in each way. Well, that's better. Now as I said, we've got a peculiar sort of case here to decide. We all know that Zeke Peters and Ned Connors own the gold claim together. We all know that each one of them will hear shared or the other, so that if one of them died first, the other would own the whole mine. That right? All right then. About a week ago, them two old prospectors, Zeke and Ned, both got hurt bad trying to blast with dynamite when they didn't know nothing about how to use it. They both died. Now before we go any farther, I want to have Bill Miller tell them what happened the day they was found. Bill Miller, come up here and tell them what you know about it. Well, it was this way, Judge. I was hitting the trail of the town that day. I hope it took Doc Jenkins-Rig coming along the hill trail. Hi there, Doc. It seemed to be in a hurry to get back to town. Oh boy, oh boy. Yeah, look Bill, if you're heading for town, you can do me a favor. Well sure. What do you want me to do, Doc? Get to the sheriff in the corner. Tell them Zeke Peters and Ned Connors are both dead. Ned and Zeke dead? Yep. I have a case back on the trail, and if you give them the news, it'll save me a trip. I'll take them the news all right, but tell me, what happened to Zeke and Ned? Well, I was driving along in my rig when I heard an explosion over in the direction of their shack at the claim. I got over there in a hurry, found both of them hurt bad. They tried to use dynamite. They were still alive when they got there, but they both died soon after. There was nothing I could do. Well, Carly, Moses, that's sure bad. I'll get right to town and spread the news, Doc. Thanks a lot, Bill. It'll save me a trip. Now I'll turn around and make that call. I'll start to do it. Come on, boy. Get up there. Come on into town, and everybody here knows the rest. Well, now, quiet down, quiet down all of it. Stop that infernal ruckus so as I can get on with the case. Now, Tom Willis is here representing the widow Brown, who is Zeke Peters' closest kin. Slick Carver is here to represent Emily Connors, Ned's closest kin. Is that right? That's right, Judge. Zeke's here. The widow Brown is a cleaner, that mind. Your honor, on behalf of my client, Miss Emily Connors, I propose to present a brief in this case, which will show that... Now, see here, Slick Carver, just because you did a bit of law-reading in the city, you don't have to put on with big terms that'll confuse the folks here. Miss Emily is putting in a claim for that mind, too. Now, as I see it, if Zeke died first, even if it was only a few minutes ahead of Ned, mind you, then Ned legally inherited that mind. Then with him dying, it would legally go to his closest kin. This case, Miss Emily. If it was the other way around, then the mind legally goes to the widow Brown. Yeah, but who knows which died first? How are you gonna tell, Judge? They all agree to divide that. Judge Carter, I got something to say. Quiet, everybody, and let Tom Willis have his say. If there wasn't any way to prove which died first, well, I reckon the widow Brown would agree to divide the mind with Miss Connors. But Doc Jenkins ought to be able to tell us which one did die first. He was there when they died. That's right. He told me so that day. Judge Mike Clyde, Miss Connors, would never agree to dividing the mind, because we know it's rightfully heard. What makes you so sure? Oh, we should have had Doc Jenkins here to testify so that we could... Doc Jenkins went a long distance on a case, Judge. You all know Miss Connors' housekeeper for Doc Jenkins. Before he left last night, Doc gave Miss Connors this note, signed by him saying Zeke Peters died first. Oh, let me see that note. All right, Jim. Well, this is in the Doc's handwriting, all right? And if Zeke died first, then the mind went to Ned, according to Zeke's will. That's right. And then Ned died. So it goes to his nearest of kin, Miss Emily Connors. Now, wait a minute, Judge. I object to accepting that notice final. We ought to hear Doc Jenkins' testimony from him in person. Well, I guess you've got a good objection there, Willis. We'll put off this court till day after tomorrow. Get Doc Jenkins in the court then. If he don't show up, we'll accept the notice proof. Now clear out everybody. I wasted enough time. Got to wait on some customers to make up for it. A short time later, Tonto, Indian companion of the Lone Ranger, rode into the camp which they shared together with Dan Reed, young nephew of the Lone Ranger. Oh, scoundrel, oh, fellow, oh, fellow. Well, Tonto, you're back early. Where's Dan? Well, Dan, he'll go to Blacksmith's shop. Victor have loose shoe. He'll come to camp later. Well, there's lots of time before dark sets in, so he'll be all right. What's the news in Gold Creek? Well, people talk plenty about who get goldmine. Goldmine? What goldmine? Well, me here and say to old prospector, who die, leave goldmine. Some say it belong to Witte Browns. Others say it belong to Lady with Sour Face, who live at Doctor's house. That must be Miss Emily Connors. She's not very well liked around town, I hear. It might be a little confusing to you, Tonto. But actually, it's a question of which old prospector lived a longer. Dr. Jenkins can tell that. I understand he arrived on the scene before either of them actually died. Me here men say that. His testimony will decide which of the two women is entitled to the goldmine. Me here, Doctor Way, woman who keep house, have note. Note? It's say, old Connors live longer. She want mine. Judge, him say, wait two day for Doctor. If him not come, she get mine. I see. The Witte Brown needs it a great deal more. But the law has to take its course. Let's start preparing supper. Soon as Dan arrives, we'll eat. Almost an hour later, Dan Reed rained up at the camp. Oh, Victor, oh boy, easy fellas. Did you get Victor's shoe fixed, Dan? Yes, sir. You stayed longer than we thought you would. Oh, I had to wait my turn at the blacksmith. I see. Why did he charge you? Well, nothing at all. You see, I did something for him while I waited. Yes, I've been noticing your clothes. Must have been a dirty job from the looks of that reddish stuff on your clothes and boots. I tried to brush that off, but it's some sort of funny dirt. Sort of sticky like. Let me see. A reddish clay. I've never seen anything like that around this territory. How did you guys find it? Miss Connors, you know Dr. Jenkins' housekeeper, left the doctor's rig to have a spoke fixed and to have it washed. I washed it while the blacksmith tightened Victor's shoe. But you told me you washed the doctor's rig for him yesterday. Isn't that right? Yes, sir. It was pretty dusty yesterday, and Dr. Jenkins asked me if I'd do him the favor of washing it. He offered me money, but I didn't take it. He must have made a long trip last night to get that red clay all over it. There wasn't any of it on the rig yesterday. Well, I guess now that Dr. Jenkins is back in town, the question of the goldmine will be settled. Father was telling me about it. I heard about that, too. But you see, the doctor's still away. Still away? How do you know that? Well, after he finished with Victor, the blacksmith asked me to drive the rig to Dr. Jenkins' house. I tied Victor behind the rig and drove it over. Oh, ho, ho, ho, ho! All right, ma'am. I guess the doctor had a long trip last night. The rig was mighty dirty. Oh, but he must have used this rig since yesterday. It was so dirty and... Easy, Victor. Steady boy. Hey! Come on, Victor. Looked Dr. Jenkins' rig standing in front of his house and came on out here. Maybe Ms. Connors used the rig last night. Somebody did. I'm sure there's no red clay like you found on the rig anywhere near here, Dan. And, uh, Ms. Connors certainly wouldn't go driving that rig at night. It would be too dangerous for her. All right. If doctor not get back soon, me here and say her get gold mine. I heard that, too. They see a man named Slick Carver gave Judge Carter a note from Dr. Jenkins. And if the doctor isn't back day after tomorrow, she gets the gold mine. I know that Slick Carver. And he's well-named. You know, I'm beginning to think that he's... not a... We're leaving at dawn to search for a place where there might be red clay. Me not savvy, Kimusabi. Things don't quite tie in, Tato. Dan washed Dr. Jenkins' rig yesterday after the doctor came in from his rounds. That housekeeper says the rig hasn't been used. Yet Dan found it covered with red clay today. That's right. It sure was hard to wash off, too. Yes, I know. Why we hunt for a place where there are red clay, Kimusabi? Because, Tato, I feel that if we find that place, we'll find the answer to a lot of things, including the whereabouts of Dr. Jenkins. Oh, but if Dr. Jenkins didn't go in that rig, well, then how do you... Then a lot depends upon Dr. Jenkins' absence. It's occurred to me that he didn't go away on a case at all. Kimusabi. Then you think maybe... I think Dr. Jenkins is in danger, Tato. That's why we have to find out where there's red clay, such as that found on a doctor's rig. The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger story. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue our story. The following morning at dawn, the Lone Ranger and Tato left camp and started a methodical search for a location showing signs of the unusual red clay. The search was extended throughout the day without success. Finally, they returned to camp for the night. The following morning, early, Dan and Tato went to town to find out if there were any further news. They reigned up in front of the general's store and dismounted. I see the judge has a sign on the door saying there's a court session this afternoon. Ah, this day, then tell who gets goldmine. Tell them we go down the street. There seems to be a lot of people around this morning. Ah, them come for court, maybe. Yes, I hadn't thought of that. Look, coming out of Mr. Connors' office. That's Miss Connors. Isn't that right? Morning, Miss Connors. Good morning, young man. Has Dr. Jenkins come back yet? No, he has not. And I don't know when he will be back. Why do you ask? Oh, well, I was just wondering. And it seems to me that you ask a lot of questions for a boy. What the doctor does is his own business. Good morning to you. Hmm. Woman not like answer questions, Dan. Ah, I know. She glared at me plenty hard, too. Look, there's a single prairie schooner coming to town. Ah. I'm going to stop for supplies, maybe. Hoorah, hoorah, hoorah. Hi, ladies and gentlemen. Why, you stand, watch wagon, Dan. Tunnel, I was thinking. The wagon's so awfully dirty, it's covered with ready-stirred sort of. That's right. Come, we go look close. It's red clay, just like what was on the doctor's rig. That's right. What are you staring at, kid? Oh, I, uh, I was noticing that funny-looking red dirt on your wagon wheels. Yeah? It, uh, looks like red clay. It is red clay. Because of that there stuff, we got mired and lost the rest of the wagon drain last evening. Funny, I, I don't, uh, I don't remember ever seeing clay like that around. Uh, where did you get mired? Very far from here? Oh, about nine to ten miles east of here where a creek runs through a little valley. Good place to stay away from, especially with a wagon. Which way is the cafe, kid? Well, back that way, sir. Oh, thanks. See you again, baby. Come down. We go get lone ranger. He can backtrack on that wagon and find the place where the red clay is, Tonto. Steady boy! Hurry now! Get him up, scout! Come on, Victor. Oh, scout, hope for us. Hope for us, Steady Boy. Hope for us. What did you find out? A prairie schooner came into town. It was covered with the same kind of red clay. Yeah, that right came a subby. Which way did it come from, Tonto? Well, man say, him come from east. About nine to ten miles. Get mired in red clay. See, here's a little bit. Man, you stay here in camp. When we come back, they might run into trouble. Yes, sir. Steady boy. There's some hard riding to do, Tonto. Well, we hurry now. Yes, come on, scout! After skirting the town, the lone ranger and Tonto picked up the trail of the heavy wagon and backtracked its trail eastward. They rode in silence for a long time. Then the lone ranger spoke. Look, Tonto, those ruts show the red clay coming to the place at last. Man, tell Dan, wagon comes through small valley near Crick. We're riding into a small valley now, look. Let me see Crick ahead, Kimosabi. Yes. Keep your eyes open for any sign of a shack or cabin. No, let me do it. Wagon tracks plain, plenty deep here. Yes. The doctor's rig was driven along here. Those wagon tracks would cover up the signs. That's right. We think maybe... Wait, Kimosabi, wait. Oh, scout! Oh, fellow, oh, fellow. Let it be, oh, fellow. Tracks and narrow wheels go off trail to hill. Yes. That must be where the rig turned off. Now we're getting someplace. We'll follow those tracks. Come on, son, let's get them up scout. Keeping on the alert, the lone ranger and Tonto rode slowly along the trail left by the wheels of the doctor's rig. After a short distance, they came to a turn in the trail where it rounded the side of a small hill. Then Tonto pointed ahead. Look, Kimosabi. Yes. There's a small shack and clump of trees over there. That's what we're looking for, Tonto. We'll have to approach cautiously, telling what'll happen. The bullet comes from behind. Some one trail is from town. Tonto, they shoot again right on. No matter what you might think has happened, don't hesitate. But what you do, Kimosabi, get them up scout, get them up. Sleep was right. The last comrade was out sleeping. He won't snoop any longer. He knew that horse. Better see that comrade's really done for it. Then guns. Hope you'd come close enough. Hey, I thought you were not wrong. Well, this time I'll make sure you get a bullet. No, you won't. Oh, scout, oh, fella, oh, fella. You all right, Kimosabi? Yes, Tonto. My trick worked. Steady big fella. We'll leave that yellow killer there for the moment. Let's go. Come on, Tonto. Get them up scout. We'll separate, then approach the shack from two sides, Tonto. Right in shooting. Ah, me go this way. Get them up scout. Come on, Tonto. Hello. Hello, Hamlet. Oh, Silver, Steady. He's a big fella. Fun move out of you and you'll get what you deserve. Oh, scout, oh, fella, oh, fella. Hello. Keep this crook covered while I go inside. Get out of my way. Who are you? What's happening? I came to find you, Dr. Jenkins. They kept me tied up here. Yes, and you're lucky to be alive. They would have had to kill you later here. I'll untie you. They made me write a note. My housekeeper and that man Carvey. Their cousins. Yes, I know. There. They'll be all right now. They're going back to town as quickly as we can after we tie up Carver's two men and leave them here for the sheriff. Early that afternoon, Judge Carter again set up his court in the general store. Now we'll get right to the point in this case and get it settled once and for all. Judge, he will give me a little more time. I'm sure when Dr. Jenkins returns, he'll be able to... Miss Carter tells me that Dr. may not return for some time, Judge. Now, I again offer the note signed by Dr. Jenkins as evidence that my client, Miss Carter, is the legal heir to the gold mine. Now, look here, folks. You can't keep quiet. You'll have to get out. I still object to having this case decided just on the strength of that note, Judge. The decision is too serious for that. There's no reason why the case can't be held over till Dr. Jenkins comes back to town to testify in person. Your Honor, I've already stated that Dr. won't be available for some time. Now, on behalf of my client, I feel that the decision should be made here and now. As you said, we're at the last court session. I overrule your objection, Tom Willis. Like Carver says, the court, meaning me, stated at the last meeting that the note would be accepted as evidence today if Dr. Jenkins didn't show up. Now, we know for certain that's the Doc's handwriting. So there's no reason to delay deciding who gets the legacy. All right. Bad case? Bad case, Judge. I'll give you the note. So you can enter it as evidence. Settle the case right now. I'd like to know, Slick Carver, how you can be so sure that Doc Jenkins won't be back soon. Maybe even today sometime. I know because I took the word of Miss Connors. She works for the doctor. She ought to know when he might be expected to return to town. I'm not saying Miss Connors' word isn't good. But in a law court, it takes more than a minute. Wait a minute. I've had enough of listening to you two spouting at each other. I am the judge here. I don't aim to make a debate in society out of this courtroom. But your honor, maybe Doc Jenkins is back in town right now. Or maybe he's here. If he isn't here in this courtroom right now, I say get on with the case. Is Dr. Jenkins in the courtroom? You know, Dern Welley ain't. Judge, why ask foolish questions? I'm going about this legal. That's what. Now, since Dr. Jenkins isn't in the courtroom to give testimony, I hereby allow that the note he wrote is good enough evidence to show that... Tell him everything, Judge. Well, what do you know? Here's the doc now. We got that note you wrote, but Tom Willis won't be satisfied. That note doesn't mean a thing. Carver and his crooked friends forced me to write it. Jeet Peter's died last. And the mind goes to Witte Brown by rights, Judge. You mean that slick carver? And my housekeeper are in cahoots, Judge. Are you all right? Oh, hey, someone shot through the open window. We can slip right in the arse. Somebody get the sheriff. He puts slick in his crooked friends where they belong. Meantime, I declare that Witte Brown is the legal heir to the gold mine. Oh, you can't do that, Judge. Now, Doc, it looks like you had a friend or two on your side. That shot saved your life just now. The one who fired that shot proved to be a real friend in need, Judge. He found me, brought me up here, and erased his own life to do it. Where'd you find a friend like that, Doc? The man I'm talking about is everybody's friend. Except, of course, anyone who fights the law. You see, he's known as the lone ranger. What you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.