the speed of light, the cloud of dust, and the hardy high old silver. The Lone Ranger. Up in the western United States, its members were to be found everywhere, defying the law, using the law for their own purposes, working toward the ultimate goal of revolt and the foundation of a despotic empire. It was the masked rider of the plains who led the fight against this band of outlaws and traitors, and for once his great strength and courage, his daring and resourcefulness were taxed to the utmost in the cause of democracy. Return with us now to those thrilling days when the west was young. From out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse, Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again. Come on, Silver! Run the trail of Black Carol! The rain of the past few weeks had changed the river into a raging torrent, and the Lone Ranger and Tonto rode along the east bank trying to find the best place to cross. Suddenly, a cry for help sounded above the roar of the flood, and as the moon broke through the clouds, they could see a girl struggling for her life in the middle of the stream. The Lone Ranger urged the great horse, Silver, downstream for a hundred yards, and then plunged into the water. That's it, Silver. Swim against the current until we get out in the middle. We only have one chance to catch her. All right. I think we'll make it. She's still managing to keep her head above the water. Steady there. A little farther, Silver. Come on, boy. Make any more. Keep your head up. Now then. Around, Silver. Back to the shore. Swimming with the current, the great white stallion struck out to the bank, and a few moments later, the danger was over. Tonto lit a fire and made coffee. The girl was wrapped in a blanket, and after she had drunk a cup of a steaming brew, her strength seemed to return rapidly. I can't stay here. We'll be glad to take you home. I live in New York City. I only wish you could take me there. It's not girl who's tender's note. What did he say? When we saw you in the river, we thought you might be someone else. How did you happen to fall in? I didn't fall in. I was trying to swim my horse across, and I slipped from the saddle. But why should you try to do such a thing? Because I wanted to get to the other side. You didn't mean it, did you? About the time. I've been trying to forget that mask ever since I noticed it. But you're an outlaw. The only reason you saved me was to keep me prisoner, hold me for ransom. Oh, Miss Girl, loco. I'm not loco. I've been out here long enough to know what the West is like. Cruel. Ruthless. There isn't a man out here who can be called a gentleman. Even when they don't wear a mask and carry guns like you, there's murder in their hearts. I saw a man shot down in cold blood in Abilene. Now they're trying to... Trying to what? You may be one of them. Of course you are. You never had any intention of taking me home. You said yourself that was impossible. I mean to... Oh, I... I didn't tell you where I was staying, did I? Not yet. My... My father and I were stopping at the Powers Ranch. Emily Powers Ranch? Yes. Well, the guests were some, Duncan. I thought he was in the East. He has been. Isn't he the president of the new Southern Railroad? Don't fool yourself. There'll never be a Southern Railroad. There's been a lot of talk about it. It doesn't matter to you, does it? Oh, not directly. This part of the country needs a railroad, though. It would mean a lot in its development. Please. It isn't a trick, is it? You will take me back, even if you are an outlaw. Oh, you make plenty of big mistakes. I have no money with me, but when we get to the ranch... There's no need for that. Here, Silver, Scout. It's only ten miles along the road. There's no need for you to come, Tonto. We think it may be better... Find us on the river, Charlie. There's where I tried to cross the river, by the big pine. Wasn't wise of you to be riding alone so late at night. If you must know, I followed my father. I think he'd tell you the same thing. No, Mrs. Powers would. Never mind, Mrs. Powers. The fire's off now. What fire? It was over there on the other side. I could see the men around it. Was your father one of them? I couldn't be sure. That's what I wanted to find out. There were men around? Why didn't they help you? Because I didn't call for help until I thought I was drowning. Did you think you could swim back to shore? At first. And afterwards, you were a long way from the campfire. I wouldn't have. If you want money, I'll pay you. I promise that you won't get into trouble through helping me. I'm grateful after all you did to save my life, but I have nothing more to say. I hear them. Who's these? Is it the Indian? No, it's someone riding toward us. Quick, can't we cut away from the trail? Why should we? You're wearing a mask, and I recognize that horse. He's leading another. That's mine. Please, I don't want to meet that man. Why are you stopping? Well, if he has your horse, why shouldn't you ride it yourself? Mel! Howdy knows you. It's too late now, anyway. Mel, are you all right? Yes, Mr. Powers, I'm fine. But haven't you forgotten something? I'm sorry, Miss Carthage. You're Johnny, aren't you? That's right. Well, I'll be told. Now, don't go for your guns. This man saved my life, and I promise he wouldn't get into trouble. Howdy, mass man. Hello, Johnny. I never was so glad to see anybody in my life. Oh, is there any chance you're sticking around for a few days? Of course. Well, we'd better talk that over alone. Howdy! Why, it's Tonto. Howdy! How? Could you make camp right here? I'll take Miss Carthage up to the ranch and come back. Fine. Will you help me down, mass man? Surely. If you don't mind, Mr. Powers, I'll take my horse and ride back to the ranch by myself. Then you can stay here with your friends. I should have guessed you ran around without loss. You watch your talk. What? When you came to stay with us, Ma made me promise to watch out for you every minute. I didn't like the job then, and I don't like it any better now. But you haven't got any more sense than a three-month-old care. Give me those rain. And tonight, you approved it. Trying to swim this river during the flood. Don't you know I did that? I got eyes. You saw me? Just the same as... You were with those men. Was my father there? I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know where your pa is, and I don't care. He shows just about as much sense as you do. All I know is this. You ain't to be trusted by yourself. If I don't ride home with you, Ma'll box my ears, and it'll serve me right, too. Do you remember what I said, mass man? There isn't a gentleman in the whole west. Get up there. I'll see you later, mass man. Get up there. Come on, Duncan on the porch. Neil, are you all right? Yes, thank you. Just decided to go for a swim, that's all. You were down by the river? Yes. How did you know she tried that? Now, wait a minute. Before you say anything more, Duncan, I think the girl should be told. I'd rather you did it. Should be told what? My dear, did you know that your father slipped away from the house after supper? Yes. I saw him go. I followed him. I wish you'd told us. I didn't tell you because I don't trust you. None of you. Please listen. When we realized the two of you were gone, Duncan and Johnny went to look for you. Johnny found you and Duncan found your father. Found him? He was lying on the bank. Someone had shot him. You don't mean it. No. I'm sorry, my dear. We warned him there were outlaws around. It was you who did it. You're the ones who killed him. What are you saying? Please. Come inside. Take care of them arguing this afternoon. Judd wouldn't give your precious son any money for his railroad and so he killed him. You killed him. But you'll hang for it. Do you hear? I guess that's over, may I ask me? This afternoon he refused to back the railroad. No, he couldn't have. He was shot in the bank. He said that he were telling the truth. Sure he did. Just not thinking. Well, Dunk found him and there's a turn on the river. It's wider, but even during flood season it don't get so awful deep. That's where we're riding. I'm with you to the finish. Here came a copy. Hope Quint. The other ones are clear. It's this side. That's it. He was shot from the far bank. He couldn't have been shot from this one. Is that they'll eliminate Dunk? One of the boys went. He ought to be here in a few more hours. Where are Judd's papers? Florida uses an office. Well, then your brother and Miss Carthy can ride to the ranch and see. That's our next move. Do not cross river. Not yet, Tonto. I want to look at those papers before the sheriff gets here. Even the horses at the car. The car has been opened. And these papers on the desk. Someone's been going through them. Yeah, it looks like it. Father's keys just as it was starting for your plan. The cow came with puppies. Open your hands. Nail. If anyone moves, I'll shoot. 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. Carthage stood in the doorway of the room her father had used as an office. She leveled a gun at the Lone Ranger, Tonto, and Johnny. What are you doing in here? Put down that gun, Nail. Answer me. We're trying to find out who killed your father. I know who killed him. It was Duncan Powers helped him. Put down that gun, Nail. No. No, Johnny. Stay where you are. I said I'd shoot and I made it. I'll just throw it over. Right about everything, aren't you? Take it easy, kid. Your own brother? What's going on down here? Is this your girl? What's that masked man doing in my house? I think you'd better explain, Johnny. Well, you've heard me talk about him more. He's a friend of yours? He's a Lone Ranger. A Lone Ranger? Remember how I told you about his saving my life in Dodge City? Oh. Oh, yes, Johnny. Have you told him what's happened here? He's told me all he can, Mrs. Powers. Now, I wonder if you'll all sit down. We might be able to get this straightened out. There's only one way to do that. Please. Believe me, my dear. If there's anyone who can help us, it's the masked man. We must listen to him. Sit here. What did Judd Carthage tell you this afternoon, Duncan? I heard him. He refused to put any money into the railroad. Did he? Not exactly. What is the model to that? He made a condition that was impossible. What was the condition? That he could give the controlling interest. I've already sold 60% of the stock. There's only 40% left. Couldn't you have bought back enough to give Carthage... That stock was subscribed by people out here in the West. And that's where the controlling interest belongs. When the Southern and Western is built, it isn't going to be kicked around the Wall Street. Did you know that your father was acting for someone else in this deal? Not until tonight. I saw a letter over there. This one? Yes. But what of it? Did you notice there wasn't any signature? There's an initial down at the bottom. Can you think of any letter of the alphabet that looks like that? Well, you know how some people write. It isn't a letter. It's an arrow. Black arrow. And we happen to know what it is. Did your father have a black arrow tattooed on his wrist? I know. You're sure? What are you talking about? Duncan, I take it you have a French. Work has to start by the first of next year. If you do start work, get control of your rights. That two months was up today. How do you know? Another paper I found. Here. Well, that's only a piece of wrapping paper. It has today's date on it. Read what's underneath. Well, it's hard to make out that the last day will be waiting across the river tonight. Do you remember those men you saw around the campfire? Yes. Your father went over and met them just as he was told. He had to admit that he'd let him get across the river again and then they shot him. Why did they do that? It was only something to do with business. He knew too much. These papers prove it. Please, Miss Carthage. You want them? Yes. I'm going to put them all back in this strong box. The box is going to Washington. To Washington? But not before it catches your father's killer. What's that? You'll try to gut them or destroy them. We're lucky he hasn't been here yet. Do you mean to say the murderer will come here tonight? He wouldn't take a chance on waiting longer than that. Duncan, it's hard to understand but somehow I know the masked man is telling the truth. Can you forgive me? That's all right, ma'am. Forget it. Hadn't I better call up some of the boys from the bunkhouse and put a guard around the place? We want to catch the killer. We don't want to scare him away. You're going to let him walk right in here? I wonder if he'll try that. He wouldn't dare. He might. After all, we don't know who he is. Gives me the creep. Well, what if he doesn't come for the papers? Are we going to let him get away? We'll wait until morning. At that time, the sheriff's and we'll pick up the trail of the killers across the river. Couldn't some of the boys do that now? I'm almost sure their latest trail is on this side. Kimotami, somebody ride up outside. Oh, my goodness. Just one horse. We'll see who it is. What time is it now? Four o'clock. It might be the sheriff. I doubt it. I've got an awful feeling when we open that door we'll see the killer. I never heard of such nerve. Listen to him knocking. Well, after all, I'm all you... Hello. Good morning. Oh, Maskman. It's all right. He's the Lone Ranger. Who are you? The Lone Ranger? Say, I've heard an awful lot about you, Maskman. Where's that horse you ride? It's silver. He's down at the corral. I see you're wearing a star. Oh, yeah, yeah. I'm Jim Truman. That doesn't mean anything to us. I'm one of Mike Sawyer's deputies. You mean to say that Mike didn't bother to come himself? Didn't Shorty tell him there'd been a murder? Oh, Mike will be here, ma'am. I don't want to take any responsibility for a murder case. You see, I just happened to meet Shorty on the trail. He told me what had happened, so I figured I'd ride on here and see if there's anything I could do. The sheriff's in town. You can't expect him for another hour or two. Not before it gets light. Well, I can't see where you're going to do us much good, but you might as well come in. Thanks, ma'am. The murdered man had some very valuable papers and we're expecting the killer to come and get them. Oh. What's the matter? He's an officer of the law, isn't he? Shouldn't he be told, masked man? I don't see why not. Don't be so nervous, Johnny. If you don't look out, you'll get me that way. Oh! What's the matter? We left the box all by itself in the other room. Wait, Mrs. Collins, I have the lamp. What, Hunter, make sure a window and room lock. I saw you, Kimosabe. Never mind. It's all right. It's right where we left it. So that's where the papers are, huh? Yes. Well, you folks look as if you needed some sleep. You want me to stay here and guard them? That's a suspicious remark. Is it? No. I guess it isn't. Was it, masked man? Not very. But you don't understand, Jim. I don't think any of us would be able to sleep tonight. We might just as well settle down here and take things easy. That's a good idea. Just sit down and put out the light. Do we have to do that? We want to give him a chance to get close, Mrs. Powers. Oh. Well, wait till I find the chair. Now you can blow it out, Nell. Just a second. Perhaps you two ladies had better go upstairs. Not me. I'd rather stay here, too. You might be safer. I'll feel a lot safer in the same room with you. Blow out the lamp, Nell. All right. As we can. Oh, Nell and I are going to get married. Be quiet. Didn't you hear the masked man? What was that you said? Yes, Mrs. Powers. All right. Oh, Nell, I'm... When did you decide to ask? Just now. He just asked me. Well, if Johnny's a rancher, I must tell you he'd never give it up and you don't like the West. I could learn to like it and I like Johnny. He's all right. Needs a little taming down, that's all. You can do it. Aren't you going to congratulate me, dunk? Here's me, Jim Truman. What are you doing? Just looking out the window here. Do you see anything? Nope. Is there any sign of light in the east? The darkest pitch. Oh, good to hear your voice, masked man. You've been so quiet, I didn't know whether you were here or not. He's been quiet like we all should be. Oh, dear. It's nothing, Mrs. Powers. Jim did a match. Did you have to do that, Jim? I was only lighting one of these new fangling cigarettes. Don't you realize they could see that match outside? Such a small light, it wouldn't be noticed unless someone were looking for it. What's that? I heard you. Light that lamp, Johnny. What? Hurry up. You better do as he says. Sure. You're all covered. Stay right where you are. Where's Tony? The killer did come for the papers. Yes, he did, and he'll get them, too. You admit you killed Judd Carthage? What if I do? That's not going to help you any. In just a second, the two boys who are with me will be arriving up outside. Are they members of the Black Arrow, too? Still trying to find out more of what's good for you, huh? There they are. Yeah, I'm taking this box and I'm handing out the window to them. You should have left the box here until you open the window. It's locked. Remember, you have to keep us covered. Simple enough to drop the box. That gives me a hand. I didn't think you were smart enough to figure that out, Jim. Oh, you didn't, huh? Think you got a corner of all the brains in the West? I just wanted to point out that you haven't noticed that... Well, your brains won't do any good now, see? Grab a hold, boys. Here comes the papers. All right. Got it? Yeah. I'll be with you in a minute. The last one is yours, mister. The finish of this game is going to be the best part of it. That's six. I'm not looking. I'm going to give it to you the last thing. That draw. Shot the gun right out of his hand. Get it, Johnny. Right. Would you go outside, Duncan, give Tonto a hand with those men out there? I sure will. Here's a rope that'll do for this one. Oh, my goodness. I almost told him Tonto was gone and I was afraid he'd notice it every second. Oh, I wasn't worried. Well, I was. With that draw the masked man's got, he could have caught him off guard when he first picked up the box. It was better to wait. Now we have a full confession. We'll turn him over to the sheriff as soon as he gets here. No, Johnny. Tonto and I are leaving at once. Tonto raced across until at last the walls of the old fort could be seen in the sunset glow. Tonto made camp outside while the masked man delivered Jim and his henchmen to the colonel. All right, Sergeant. To the guardhouse with him. The men they mention are all investigating. I sent a detail out on a hunting expedition over a week ago. We're badly in need of fresh meat. I've had no word from Latham and his whole scout here at the fort. You sent one with him? Yes, but there's no one else who could pick up their trail and find them. How many men there are with him? You can depend on Tonto to find the trail, colonel. Of my boys, you mean? Yes, the breed doesn't find it first. Hold, Silver. Adios. Copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.
