Fiery horse with the speed of light, the cloud of dust, and a hearty hi-ho, Silver, the Lone Ranger. The Lone Ranger. The Lone Ranger and Tonto were trying to smash a gang that was known as the Tarantulas. They had the full support of Texas Jack, who ran the Border City Cafe. Those pole cats murdered Sheriff Martin, my best friend. I'll see every last one of them jailed, and my name's not Texas Jack. In running down one of the men, the masked man and Tonto recovered the Indian belt that glowed in the dark. The belt was the property of Chief Thundercloud, and had been stolen from him. It had been necessary for the Lone Ranger and Tonto to divide the belt to make a headband for the Indian and a hatband for the masked man. And we fix belt, and we take it back to Chief Thundercloud. Don't fix the belt just yet, Kimo Savvy. Not fix it? There won't be time. We're breaking camp right away. Texas Jack sent word that he had another clue to a member of the Tarantula gang. Where we go? I don't know yet. We've got to meet Texas Jack and find out. I'll settle up. Uh-huh. Yes, Scout. Waldy, if anyone comes in looking for me, tell them I'm busy in my office. Some special men there. I didn't see anyone go into your office, Texas Jack. Well, they came in the private door. Now, remember, I'm not to be disturbed. Yep. I'll remember. Yes, sir. There. Now we can talk without being disturbed. Where's the Tarantula you spoke of, Texas Jack? In the Gold Hills. You'll have a long trip. Now, where in the Gold Hills? You'll find a claim that's called The Last Chance. Yes? It used to be owned by Bart Billings. It was worked out. Now, where's Bart Billings now? I don't know. The Last Chance is still there. This Tarantula worked for Billings. He fired a blast that hit the mother load so Billings would think the claim was finished. But now the crook plans to take the gold for himself. I see. Here. This is a map showing just where the mine is. Well, it shouldn't be hard to find. How did you get this information, Texas? Well, I'll tell you. You knew that Dan Martin, the sheriff, was a good friend of mine. So you've said. I found a letter that was addressed to me. It was in the stuff he left. In that letter, he tells all about the tarantula at the last chance mine. Now, here. This is a letter. You can take it. Does Martin's son know about this? Well, no. The fact is Richard and Lolita left here this morning, just before I found the letter. They went to Mexico to get married there. Lolita had relatives there, you know. I see. You're the only man alive that can get these crooks. How many of them are there? Well, a tarantula's name is Larkspur. I don't know who's working for him. It's in the letter there. All right. You'll start right away? Yes, but, uh, by the way. Yeah? The last member of the tarantula gang was captured. There was a lot of stolen money that was never found. Yeah, I know it. Has he told where that money is? Well, not yet. The sheriff was working on him. I guess he'll break down and talk sooner or later. Oh? Now, if there's anything you need in going after Larkspur. There's nothing I'll need. You'll be taking Tana with you, of course. Hmm. He always go where Lone Ranger goes. Ah, that's the ticket. Now, I don't know how you're going to get the goods on Larkspur. Well, there's nothing against him except what this letter says. Nope. Are you convinced that the charges in the letter are true? Dan Martin wouldn't make a mistake. I'll stake my life on Larkspur being one of the tarantula gang. Have you or the sheriff spoken to the prisoners about Larkspur? Oh, sure. Do they know of him? Nope. It's like you've already been told. His tarantula outfit is different than any gang that ever existed. Each member works independent of everyone else. They all get orders from the head. And I'll let you in on what I suspect. Yes? I think Larkspur is the head. What makes you think, sir? Well, there never was more than a handful of tarantulas. You've already brought four of them to justice. And you think there were only five altogether? I think that's all. I know we'd better start for the gold hills. The sooner we learn more about Larkspur, the sooner we'll be finished. That's right. I wish there was something I could do to help you. There is. We'll call on you. Well, do it. You can count on me. You want to go out the private door? Yes. So long, then. And the best of luck to you. Goodbye. Bye, Lone Ranger. I'm silver! It was a long, hard trip to the gold hills, most of it over rock-strewn ground that made treacherous footing for silver and scout. The first night on the trail, the masked man and Tonto made camp beneath an overhanging ledge. By the light of a small fire, the Lone Ranger studied the map and the letter Texas Jack had given him. Tonto waited several minutes, then spoke. Uh, you like Texas Jack? Huh? Oh. Why do you ask, Tonto? Oh, me wonder. You will not treat him like a friend. He certainly has tried his best to help us. Uh-huh. We wouldn't have been able to jail those four crooks if it hadn't been for Texas Jack. Uh-huh. That's right. Now, let's see. According to this map... Uh, Kimo Sabe, you like Texas Jack? You asked me that before. And you'll not answer. I see. You're pinning me down, Kimo Sabe. Ah. Well, I don't like him. And that's how Tonto feel. I don't know why. He seems to have been square with us all through. He's certainly doing his best to avenge the death of Sheriff Martin. We never find who kills Sheriff. No, that seems to be a mystery without a clue. You think Lark Spur remember Tarantula gang? No doubt of it. You think him leader, gang? He isn't the leader, Tonto. The leader will prove to be too smart to catch easily. He'll be far in the background. And it'll be practically impossible to prove that he's a crook of any sort. Leader somebody in Border City? He might be. Let's study this drawing. I want to make sure we don't get off the trail before we reach the last chance mine. The last chance was being worked with feverish haste by Lark Spur and his men. All right, boys. Hold your ticket. And I'm all set to fire the blast. All set now, Lark Spur? I reckon so. Everyone in the clear. Fire away, Hank. Get back, boss. I'm lighting the fuse. Yeah, this one ought to clear away the worthless dirt. It's lighted. Run for it. That didn't look like a very long fuse. It wasn't very long. But it'll do. And we're all right here. Yep. That should have done something. Yeah, it's the fifth blast we set off. If that don't uncover the load, I'm going to blast a few of you men. As soon as the smoke clears out, we can find out. Like the lantern again. We'll find out. We can't spend much more time on this last chance claim. How's it look, Lark Spur? Did the last do the trick? Can't tell yet. We'll have a chance to look it over. Hey, you, Hank. Hurry up with that lantern. I'm coming. All the boys here, Pete? Oh? There's only five of us. You and Hank. Where's the other two? Hey, you two. Get over here. Here's the lantern. Now we'll... Boys, we got it. There's the gold. Look at that for the vein. Almost pure gold. And we're all rich. Yeah, that was worth working for. Now don't you forget what you told us, Lark Spur. You said if we helped you cover that vein while Billings owned the property, you'd split even with us. I don't forget. That's good. But remember this. I was put to some expense. I had to buy this claim after Billings gave it up. We know that. And we know just what you paid Billings for it. All right, then. I'd take you out what it cost me. Then we'd split everything five ways. Is that understood? Sure, it's all right. Here's someone coming. Shut up. Let me listen. Hey. Coming from the direction of the mouth of the cave. No use talking low, you men. Your voice is traveling this tunnel. It's Billings. You covered that vein of gold so you could get the mine for almost nothing. Billings? That you? Sure it is, you crook. Well, come here, then. We got something for you. Get him, boys. Get him. He's dead. Murdered. A tarantula. The Lone Ranger and Tonto arrived in the town nearest the last chance claim to find everyone discussing the murder of Bart Billings. A few inquiries brought information that Jane Billings was in the little house her father had built. The Lone Ranger went there in the evening. Mast. You're mast. Jane, I want to speak to you about the tarantula gang. But who are you? I came here to get the man who murdered your father. You know who they are? Does anyone? No. Well, might as well come in. I... I'm sorry, Jane. Pa was found in the Arroyo. No one knows a thing about who killed him. Oh, who'd do a thing like that? My father never hurt anyone. He didn't have an enemy in the world. So I heard. What do you know about the tarantula? Is this the kind of knife that... Where'd you get that? It was used in the southern part of the state. But it's exactly like the one... Jane, where was your father the last time you saw him? Here. Right here in this room. He'd sold out his claim. It wasn't worth much anyway. Yes? We were going to try somewhere else. We did start away from here, but after the first day, Pa realized that our wagon wouldn't stand much of a trip. So we came back. He... He said he thought he'd have a last look at the claim. He never got there. How do you know he never reached the claim? Well, he was found about halfway there. Mr. Larkspur, the man who bought the property found him. Larkspur? Yes. Thank you. Well, you didn't tell me who you are. Consider me a friend of your father, Jane. But that mask... I want to see Larkspur before morning. But perhaps we'll meet again. I'm camp beneath Overhang Rock if you need me. Yes, sir, but... Tell me one thing. You couldn't be... I know you couldn't be a member of this awful gang. No. I'm not one of the tarantulas, Jane. Good night, you big fella. Let's go, Tonto. Get him up. Come on, Silver. Larkspur and his friends conferred that night in the one-room shack near the mouth of the tunnel. The place was dirty and crude, but it served as a place to eat and sleep, and that was all these men required. Boys, you got to be patient. Leave everything up to me. That's all there is to it. How long is it going to take? Yeah, we're getting anxious to see hard cash. Shut up and don't talk so loud. You never know who'll be near. Ah, we got two of the boys posted as guards. No one can get inside of 50 feet without being seen. No use talking loud, though. Remember how Billings heard us in the tunnel. We ain't in the tunnel now. Are you going to argue with everything I say? No, but... Shut your mouth and listen to me. Now, I know you boys are anxious to get at the pay dirt. All right, so am I. We'll get at it real quick, but we got to be careful. If it's found that mine is paying, folks will figure that maybe Bart learned what a poor sale he made, and that we killed him to shut him up. What did he have to come back for? I don't know about that. I only know that we can't be seen taking the rich ore out of the last chance. I'm hanged if I leave it there. We won't leave it there. We'll work it by night in secret. Work all day bringing out the worthless ore, Savvy. Now you're talking. Then we'll get gold real soon. Sure we will. But you got to let me run things. If you galoots had your way, you'd have us suspected in no time. Now, you can't be seen with cash. You can't spend that... Hey, what the... There, on the wall. A knife. One of the knives. A tarantula knife. Hey, Locksburg, what come out that window? Nothing. But this knife came in. We didn't see anyone outside. Of course not. The knife was fired from a crossbow. That's how the tarantula boss works things. Same as the bow we used on building. Shut up. There's a note on the handle of the knife. Can you be still and let me see it? What's it say? I read it. This note's from the boss. We got to use this knife and my crossbow. The Lone Ranger's here. This knife's for him. 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. Larkspur, startled by the knife that was thrown into the room and the message from the leader of the tarantulas, called his men into a hurried council. You two go outside and stay and watch. All right, boss. Pete and Hank, you'll stay here with me. I didn't know the big boss was near here. No, neither did I. You don't even know who he is, do you, Larkspur? No, but he knows who I am and he don't let anything get past him. Wait, Pete. I got to make sure. Sure what? Sure that this note is really from the big boss. How do you tell? From the style of handwriting. I've got another note over here under a loose floorboard. Oh, yeah. You saved the notes from the boss? Well, some of them, so as I can be sure that they're the real thing. You don't write very many. I never knew there was anything under the floorboards of this shack. Yeah, there's a lot of things you don't know. Yeah. So it seems. So, that's it, huh? Yeah. Say, open that door, will you? I want to call to the boys outside. Sure. When you come back to this side of the room, bring me the hammer that's there on the shelf. Right. Hey, boys. Larkspur wants to speak to you, yeah? Any sign of anyone around the shack? Ah, and we walked all around it. Well, keep walking, then, and keep a sharp watch. Hey, well. Here's the hammer, Larkspur. Did you compare the writing? It's the same. And the note was on the level. All right, I'll put the floorboard back in place now. I'll hammer these nails in, and that'll be sound again. There. Larkspur, how are we going to get the Lone Ranger? Well, the first thing to do is to find where he is. As soon as we find him, we'll be able to get him. I'm going to town and have a look around. And maybe somebody will have a lead on him. Larkspur went to the cafe where he found several people who had seen the masked man. One of these said... Yeah, he was asking where Jane Billings lived. That was all that Larkspur needed. Oh, oh, oh, steady there. Steady. You know, trust me. She has a lot of confidence in me. Jane, it's your friend, Larkspur. Oh, one minute. My goodness, is there something else wrong? It's late. Jane, I just heard that there was a man around here that could help us find the murder. Oh, yes. He was here a little while ago. You mean the masked man. That's right. He's been here and gone, huh? Yes, I told him all I could, which wasn't much. What was that? Well, how Pa was knifed in the back and how you found him in the arroyo when he was on his way to take a last look at the claim? Jane, I've got to talk to this masked man. I've got to warn him that the tarantulas know he's here. Oh? Have you any idea where he is? Yes, yes, I have. He told me he'd camp beneath Overhang Rock. You know where that is? Sure I do. Thanks, Jane. I'll go and warn him. I only hope they don't get him before he's put on his guard. You and Hank, come with me. Where are we going? Overhang Rock. Call Hank and tell him to bring my crossbow. He knows where I keep it head. Three killers, tarantulas, rode through the night with the camp of the Lone Ranger as their destination. They reined up some distance from the camp and dismounted. Pete, you'll stay here with the horses. Oh, why can't I go along with you? It was your toad. All right, then. Come on, Hank. It's over this way. I know where Overhang Rock is. I've slept under it myself. It's a good place to camp. Now, listen. The boss told me something about these two. Oh, we'll have a perfect shot at them. Yeah? How's that? Well, it seems that there was a magic belt. At least that's what it was called and belonged to Redskins. The thing's been made into a headband that the Redskin wears. A Redskin? The Lone Ranger's partner. Now, the part of the belt is a headband and the other is a hatband. Both of them shine in the dark, Savvy. That's downright convenient. Well, it'll give us a shot without going close enough to make their horses give warning. You say, Savvy? Yeah. Yeah, that boss of ours knows everything. He said that white horse of the Lone Ranger would send an alarm if we got too close. There's Overhang Rock. Yeah, I see it. No campfire? No, of course not. They wouldn't give away their location by having a campfire. How much closer do you think we should go? No closer than we have to. You've got your rifle, ain't you? Sure. Then you take one of them, and I'll take the other with a crossbow. Well, which is which? It don't matter, just as long as the knife is in one of them. That'll make the job look like the work of the tarantula gang. Look. I see them. You see those headbands glowing there in the dark? The two are sitting up and talking. I'll go a little closer, eh? Yeah, but no more talk. Slow away. What? Take them, cut them. I want you, Larkspur. No, wait. Wait for what? No, no, let me go. Let go. You're busting my arm. Get over against that tree. Get your hands up. I thought those headbands would fool you. That's why we fastened them to the tree. How's the other one, Tato? Him sleep. Open before he comes to. You can't kill me. You'd be murdered. You can't do it. Who said anything about killing you? For murder? What about Billings? I don't know nothing about... Don't try to break loose, and you won't hurt yourself. Now stand there. Now drop a rope around you, so you won't be careless about reaching for a gun. What are you going to do with me? Listen to you. What? I was sent here to get you, Larkspur, and you were sent here to get me. You acted on the message that was shot through your window. Yes. Did that handwriting look familiar to you? I don't know. Talk. Give me the truth. Yes, yes. The handwriting was familiar. That's what I wanted to know. I wrote that note. You? You, the Lone Ranger? You're the boss? The leader of the Tarantula Gang? Did you think you were going to keep all the gold in that claim? No, but you said... You said we'd all take orders for a year and then whack up. Did you follow orders? Well, I was going to. Honest, I was. I had it all planned. To do what? Oh, what you said. Is, uh... Is Hank unconscious now? Yes. Well, then listen. It was all set. I was going to get as much gold as I could pack to move. Then what? Well, you know. Tell me. Well, then do away with the others. That was the way it was worked out. That's what I realized tonight. Huh? Get everyone to help accumulate a lot of stolen goods and wipe them out. Yeah, but I followed orders. I got Billings to sell the claim for almost nothing. Well, there's a fortune in gold there. Larkspur, do you really think I'm the boss? Well, that note... I said I wrote it. I did. But I copied the handwriting from another note. A note that was supposed to have been written by Dan Martin. But a note that was really written by the boss. Who is he then? He's known as Texas Jack. Texas Jack? The man who organized the whole Tarantula Gang. Then sent me to wipe out every member. So he wouldn't have to split the loot with him. Why, that ornery, that dirty... Now, come on. You're going to help with the showdown. Plans were carefully made for the final roundup of the last of the Tarantulas. Texas Jack received word from the Lone Ranger. He hurried from Border City, heading for the Gold Hills. The masked man had enlisted the aid of Jane Billings, who met Texas Jack. Then you're Texas Jack. I reckon I've proved it, haven't I? Yes, of course. Well, the Lone Ranger's waiting for you. He got Lock, Spur, and the whole gang, all four of them. I had a message from him, Miss Jane. I, uh, I was sure sorry to hear about your father. Maybe, maybe if Pa can see what's going on, and knows that his dying was a help in breaking this terrible gang, he'd feel it was worthwhile. Sure he would. Well, now where is the Lone Ranger? I'm downright anxious to see him. I owe him a lot. He's gone a long way in getting the men that killed my best friend. Oh, he's in Pa's claim, the last chance mine. It's right over there. You can see it from here. Oh, thanks. I'll go over there and meet him. Get up there. Texas Jack dismounted outside the tunnel, then moved softly toward the entrance. He went inside, turned a corner, then saw two belts that glowed in the darkness ahead. There they are. He hurried back outside, dashed for the shack, and came out carrying a keg of blasting powder. He placed this in a strategic point inside the tunnel, fixed a fuse, and was about to light it. That's enough, Texas. Huh? Oh, Sharon, it's you. What are you doing away up here? Hunting polecats. I found the biggest one of all. This is it, Texas Jack. Now, wait, you know me. We certainly do. Larkspur was misled by the magic headbands, too. Fixing to blow the tunnel up and kill the Lone Ranger, huh? No, no, no. How did I know you, Texas Jack? I happened to have seen a sample of Dan Martin's handwriting. The letter you showed me was not his. I suppose you sent his son away so he wouldn't see the letter. Oh, wait, let me talk. I'm talking. When I've finished, you may realize there's nothing you can say. But this is all a mistake. As soon as Larkspur recognized handwriting like yours as the handwriting of the boss, I knew our suspicions were right. So I checked with the sheriff. He then realized the truth of everything. You planted a clue to lead me to every one of the men with whom you were supposed to divide the loot. You yourself stole the loot from each of your partners as soon as I put the man in jail. You can't prove any of this. The sheriff found the money the Apaches had stolen. You'd taken it from the box where Dirk had left it. In this place, you left a clue that would send me after the smugglers. That saved you dividing the cash with them. Then you sent me here to get Larkspur. I've been your friend all through. I know what I helped you get all those crooks. He's tending to get me when I had captured the last of them. It's no use, Texas Jack. The evidence against you is piled too high. There isn't any evidence. What have I done? What if all these crooks did get help from me? You can't prove it. You can only hang once. You'll hang for the murder of the man you called your friend. Sheriff Dan Martin. The man who was killed in your own hotel. No, no. You can't pin that on me. It's pinned on you right now, Texas Jack. It isn't. It can't be. I tell you, Lone Ranger. Sheriff, I didn't do it. Then how do you account for the fact that your own busted spur was found in the tree right outside the window where you climbed to fire the knife from a crossbow? I wondered where that was. I won't be taken alive. Good shooting, Lone Ranger. He won't use that gun anymore. My hand. My hand. You'll forget your hand when the rope's around your neck. I'll take the crook over to town and jail him here. No use toting him all the way back to Border City. Very well, Sheriff. Come along, Toto. Uh-huh. You ready? Say, where are you going now? To the Indians and Chief Thundercloud. We're going to return his magic headbands. And they've done great work. Uh, Kemosabe. Maybe it's really magic after all. Toto, I wonder if Texas Jack Spur really is in that tree. Huh? You not know? I noticed it was broken when we started after the Tarantula gang and, uh, took a chance. His conscience betrayed him. Ha, ha, ha, ha. Not a Kemosabe, still you say. Ha, ha, ha. Me ready. Get him on this couch. I'll settle that. Ho, ha! The story you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated. Ha, ha, ha.
