A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty hi-oh silver, the Lone Ranger. In companion Tonto, the masked rider of the plains led the fight for law and order in the early western United States. The stories of his strength and courage, his daring and resourcefulness have come down to us through the generations. And 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 hoofbeats of the great horse Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again. Come on, Silver. Faster, boy. Faster. There was death in the air. It was in the circling sweep of a single buzzard that hovered high on the blue. It was in the throbbing heat of a glassy sun that beat down upon painted basin. But most of all, it was in the eyes of Sheriff Jim Barrett. There. Does that feel better? Ah, thanks. Tonto. Ah. Here. Here, this handkerchief in the strips. I'll manage your shoulder. Ah. I appreciate your help, stranger. It won't do any good. Got more slugs in my chest. Ah. Than my shoulder. At least I'll do all I can. Gather some wood, Dan. Build a fire. We'll need hot water. Sure, right away. I won't live long enough to see that water boil. You'll pull through. Lift up now. I'll cut that shirt away and fix it. Who are you? Another outlaw? No, I'm not an outlaw. Neither are my friends. Yes, that's right. You couldn't be in our route and be helping me. You're a sheriff, aren't you? A star in your vest. Barrett's my name. Jim Barrett. I've heard of you. Been sheriff of Carhoon County for the last ten years. Figured on serving another ten. If the folks wanted me to. But Santos changed all that with a bullet. You mean Buck Santos, the outlaw? Is that who shot you? He and his gang sneaking, murdering, cattle wrestling. When did it happen? About thirty minutes ago. Trailed them up here to the basin. Then they split up and a couple of them dry gulched me. Even Buck Santos can't get away with murder? Oh, yes, you can. You see, stranger, even if I was going to stick around, which I'm not, I couldn't prove that it was Buck and his hombres who nailed me. Why not? They were all wearing masks. Just like you. I see. But I think I could have proved a case against them in court. Proved with the real bosses behind the Santos gang with all the robbing and cattle steel. You can still prove it. Not from where I'm going. Your deputies, they can take the evidence. Only one deputy. George, my son. He, well, it's kind of hard to explain, but I'm afraid George... Of course he will. Folks don't understand George. He's not like me. What's the evidence you have against Santos and whoever it is who controls him? Nothing, really. Except a confession from one of Buck's gunslingers. Now by name's Slim Leonard. Slim named names. If I could have got he and Buck in court... Did he write and sign the confession? No. No, that's the trouble. I had him in jail, but Buck and the gang broke him out. That's when I trailed him up here. You said this Slim Leonard mentioned names. Who? There's only one that's important. That'll be hard to prove. Who is it? Oh. It's getting kind of chilly, ain't it? It's funny. The sun was shining real bright a few minutes ago. Hang on, Jim. Oh. George. I'm kind of worried about him. He'll be all alone. I'm sure you won't have to worry about George, Sheriff. I promise you that. You promise? I promise. I don't know why, stranger, but this is the first and I guess the last time in my life I ever believed a man who was wearing a mask. The water's ready. It's boiling. Never mind, Dan. We won't need it now. Laman. Dead? Yes, Tonto. He's dead. Oh, gee. There's no way of finding who killed him. Yes, there is. We trail out long? No, Tonto. First, we'll take Jim's body home, back to the town of Cahoon. Then I have a promise to keep. I, uh, I want to see George, old Jim's son. It was late that night when George Barrett walked into the Silver Queen Cafe. In general appearance, George looked exactly like his father. He had the same square shoulders and gray eyes, but there the resemblance ended. He pushed his way through the crowd and edged up to the bar. Evening, George. Evening. What are you drinking? Nothing. Nothing right now. Yeah, I heard about your pa getting killed. Tough luck, kid. I was sure sorry to hear it. So was I. How did it happen? I don't know exactly. He was ambushed this afternoon out by Painted Basin. Yeah? How'd you hear about it? Oh, an Indian and a young boy brought his body home. They found him out there. Yeah, it's too bad. Too bad. If you ask me, it's the worst luck the town of Cahoon ever had. Buck Santos and his crew will go hog wild now. Maybe they won't. I see you're wearing your pa's star. You the new sheriff? I guess I'll have to be until election time comes up again. It's no job for you, George, and you know it. Maybe not. But Dad left a message with this Indian who found him, and the least thing I can do is try to carry out his wishes. You're sitting on a keg of blasting powder. Here it comes right now. What do you mean? Buck Santos. He just spotted you. He's coming over. Well, well, if it isn't Georgie Barrett. You're up kind of late, ain't you? Little boys ought to be in bed. I came in here to see you, Santos. Is that so? What do you want to do, invite me to a tea party? My father was murdered this afternoon. I'm shot from ambush. Yeah. That's too bad. Leaves Cahoon without a sheriff. No, it doesn't. As Dad's the only deputy, I'm taking his place. You? That's the funniest thing I've ever heard. You killed him. Dad sent me that message, so I know it's true. What's that? I said you killed him. And you're under arrest for murder. Arrest? Did you hear that, boys? He's arresting me! Hand over your guns. Now, listen, you young whelp. Nobody arrests me. You're packing a gun. You'd better go for it. Because I'm shooting that tin store off your vest and making you dance while I do it. Draw, George. Draw. Cahoon's a pretty good-sized town, but it's too small to hold you and me. Now, dance! Now, wait! Wait, you can't do that! The sheriff can't handle a gun, but he sure does a fancy toe dance. You heard what I said, Barrett. I'm making a bunch quitter out of you. Now, get out of my sight. Put your yellow tail between your legs and get out of town. Well, I... Well, I... Now, get! Step up to the bar, boys. The drinks are on me! In a small grove of cottonwoods at the edge of town, the Lone Ranger waited impatiently for Tonto and Dan. Oh, oh, scout. Open up, oh, open up. What did you find out? He went to the Silver Queen Cafe. We followed him. Ah, cafe plenty crowded. We see Buck Santos there. Santos, huh? Yeah, they are. They bluffed, George. Shot bullets into the floor and made him dance. Uh-huh. Lawman, get scared. Leave cafe. Left? Which way did he go? He headed for home. Here, Silver. You and Tonto wait here, Dan. I'll be right back, city big fella. But can't we go with you? No, Dan. I want to reach his house before he does. I can ride faster alone. Come on, Silver! How did I leave that land? That's better. I don't like to sit in the dark. What the... Last, who are you? I did all I could to help your father, George. And I promised him I'd help you. Hey, you were the outlaw who killed him. No, I didn't kill him. I think it was Buck Santos who did that. Your father thought so, too. The Indian and the boy told me that when they brought him home. Yes, I know. What are you going to do now, George? Well, who are you to... Well, it doesn't make any difference anyway. Because I'm leaving town. When? Just as soon as I can get my clothes back. You're the sheriff of Cajun. Who'll take your place if you leave? I don't care. George, your father was killed this afternoon. Killed in the line of duty. He died defending the law. That's right. He was murdered just because he was unlucky enough to be sheriff. He was proud of it. I knew it had happened sometime. That's the only law this country knows. Kill or get killed. Well, I'm sick of it. So you're going to let a cheap tin horn outlaw like Buck Santos run you out of town? How'd you know? Tell me something, George. When Santos bluffed you in the Silver Queen tonight, why didn't you use your gun? Well, I... You must know how. You couldn't be Jim Barrett's son and not be able to shoot. Oh, I can shoot all right, but... Well, I... I guess I might as well tell you too. Everybody else knows it now. I'm afraid. Afraid of what? Being killed? No, it's not that really. It isn't. It's... It's just that whenever there's any gunplay, my hands start to shake and I want to run and hide. I've always been that way. Ever since I was a kid. I guess I'm just a natural-born coward. Afraid of something I can't describe. No, George. You're not a coward. And I think I know what it is you're afraid of. What? Nothing. Nothing? Well, that doesn't make sense. Yes, it does. There's no fear as great as the fear of the unknown. Something you can't name. You're right. I can't name it. But that doesn't stop me from being so scared. Wait a minute. Someone just wrote up. It's Buck Santos and that crew that rides with him. I can't take it yet. Come on out. There's ten or twelve of them out there. They'll start shooting the level... George, George. Turn down the lamp. The moonlight outside will be to our advantage. Better come out, Georgie. Before we riddle that shack with lead. If they shoot, I won't have a chance. All right, I'll turn down the lamp. If you're too scared to come out, we'll come in and carry out. What'll I do? I want you to do and say exactly what I tell you, George. Open the door and tell them to come and get you. But they're outlaws. We're outnumbered. I'll take care of that. Just open the door. I'm staying here, Sanders. Nobody can make me leave my own house. Listen to the little badge told her. Did you? No, but I can't... Come over here by me. Come on, boys. We'll give that yellow-legged lowman a lesson he won't forget. Watch out, Buck. He's holed up there in the dark. Now fan out and start riddling the place. He'll never come out alive. No, there's no way we can get out of here. I'll do the shooting. 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. Buck Santos and his gang poured round after round of gunfire into the house of George Barrett. Buck Santos approached the door. The outlaw leader was moving slowly with a blazing six-gun clutched in each hand. We haven't got a chance. Listen, George. We're in the dark. They don't know there's anyone here but you. Oh, what difference does that make? I want you to do and say exactly what I tell you. Understand? I'll do it. Good. Now, as soon as Santos comes a little closer, we'll try... Come on out of there, Parrot. You're still able to watch. I want him to drop his guns. Drop your guns, Sanders. Oy, you little... Oh! Oy, you... You knocked my shooting irons right out of my hands. Make him tell his men to stop firing. Tell your men to stop firing, Buck. You're covered. Hey, hey. Hold your fire, boys. Hold it. I'm going to let you go. Now take your men and leave. Trying to save your own hide, huh? All right, you've got the drop on me. I'll go. But remember this. The next time I see you, it's going to be different. Yeah. I'm going to arrest you for cattle rustling, robbery, and all the other crimes you've committed. Including the murder of my father. You can't prove a thing on me, and you know it. Slim Leonard confessed before he broke jail. He even told the name of the man you take orders from. That's a lie. Move along, Sanders. And remember what I said. You can't prove a thing. All right, boys. Mount up and follow. Get him. George, are you all right? Oh, man. I heard the shooting and saw them right away. Oh, that was Buck Sanders, wasn't it? Yes. Then, then you outshot him. Well, you must have. Oh, George. No. I didn't out-shoot Buck Sanders. I was too scared to draw my gun. Someone else did it. Who? A tall man wearing a black mask. He did the shooting, and he told me what to say. I was just like I always am. I was afraid. Well, who is he? What's his name? I don't know, Ann. The worst part of it is he coached me to tell Buck Sanders I'd arrest him on sight. He's gone. Now what'll I do? Who? Who's over? Who? You all right? We hear shots. Was it a gunfight? Steady, big fellow. Not much of a fight, Dan. Buck Sanders and his gang tried to put some lead back of their threat to run George Barrett out of town. Did George call their bluff? Yes. In a way, he did. Tonto. Uh-huh. I want you to ride to the county seat. As a United States Marshal's officer, bring a deputy back here with you. That plenty long ride. I know it. Start now and get back as soon as you can. Ah. Here, Scout. What time to tell deputy? Tell him about Jim Barrett being killed. That his son George wants to present proof identifying the men responsible for the murder. Up he go. Get him up, Scout. Does George really know who killed his father? Not definitely, Dan. He still has to prove it. We all know it was Buck Sanders. George is the sheriff now. Why doesn't he just arrest Buck and... There are two reasons why that can't be done, Dan. First, there can be no legal conviction without proof. Second, George Barrett can't arrest Santos because he's afraid. Yeah, I know. I saw him in a cafe tonight. It's hard to figure out. He doesn't look like a man who'd be afraid. George isn't a coward in the ordinary sense of the word. There's more to it than that. What do you mean? He's afraid of fear. Something he can't name the unknown. You mean like being scared of the dark when you don't know what you're afraid of? Yes, that's it. Fear of the unknown. It's a powerful force. Unless you can overcome it. Yeah, but what can George do? Quite a bit if we help him. How? And we'll use the same force to trap Buck Santus. I don't understand. We'll sleep now, Dan. Because Tonto won't be back until tomorrow afternoon. But the first thing in the morning, I want you to take a sealed envelope to the bank in Cahoon. The bank? Yes. George Barrett goes with the girl who works in the bank. I want you to give her the envelope and also deliver a message. Are you Ann? Miss Ann Russell? Yes. You don't know me. My Indian friend and I were the ones who found Sheriff Barrett yesterday. Out by Painted Basin. Oh, yes. George told me. I've got an envelope here that... Well, I haven't opened it because it's none of my business. But I figured it might be Slim Leonard's confession, all signed and sealed. Why, that would prove that... I'll put it in the safe and tell George about it when I see him tonight. Yes, ma'am. Well, what's this? New customer? Oh, Mr. Childress, I didn't see you. This is the boy who found Sheriff Barrett yesterday out by Painted Basin. Well, is that so? This is Mr. Childress, the man who owns the bank. Glad to know you, sir. So you're the boy who found Sheriff Barrett. Well, that's very interesting. He's just brought even better news. This envelope contains the confession of Slim Leonard, one of Santos' gang. A confession? Are you sure? The sheriff told this boy about it just before he died. They'll put it in the safe. As soon as some of these crooks around this county are brought to justice, the better... Oh, by the way, Mr. Childress, the payroll for the Western Cattle Company came in by express a few minutes ago. I'll put it in the safe, too. Of course. I'm going out for an early lunch, Miss Russell. Well, I'll, uh, uh, where's that boy who brought you the envelope? Why, I don't know. Well, he was standing there just by the door a moment ago. Well, that's strange. He should disappear. Oh, well, I'll see you after lunch. Hello, Red. Where's Slim? In the back room. What's the matter, Buck? Plenty. Come on. Slim, what's this I hear about a confession that you made and signed before we beefed old man Barrett? I never signed any confession. The old coot asked me some questions. You're lying. Everything you blabbed and signed is on a piece of paper in the safe over at the bank. Oh. It can't be. I didn't sign any... Well, Red and I are going to get that piece of paper tonight, along with the payroll for the Western Cattle Company. We're cracking the bank as soon as it gets dark. Why, sure, Buck. We can crack the... But you won't be with us, you sneaking lobo. What I'm going to do now is a boss's orders. And I agree with him. No, Buck. Please don't shoot. You double-crossing coyote. Don't shoot. Come in. What a mess, ma'am. Where have you been all this time? I've kept my eye on your house all day, George. You haven't been out. No, there was nothing I could do. Now there is something you can do. Come on. Where are you going? I've been waiting here for Ann. It's dark now. She'll be through work at the bank pretty soon. It's because of Ann that I'm asking you to come with me. Where? We'll wait in the doorway of that livery stable right across the street from the bank. Yeah, but why are we going... I'll explain it later. Come on, Ann. Don't forget your guns. You have to watch. You can see without being seen. But I don't understand. Look through the window of the bank. You can see Ann, can't you? There's only one lamp burning. And she's working at a ledger on the high desk. Of course I see her. She often works late like this. But I don't think she's ever worked when the safe that's behind her contain what it does tonight. What? There's a lot of money in the safe. That isn't as important as a white envelope that's in there with it. What kind of an envelope? Delivered to Ann this morning by a friend of mine. And she sure contains Slim Leonard's written confession. The one he made to your father. And he did confess? Why, with that evidence, I can... Put the Santos gang in prison for life. How did you get it? Wait a minute. Buck Santos knows about that envelope, too. He's afraid somebody will see what's in it. You try to hold up the bank. That's why I suggested we come down here. I may be wrong, but I think that... Look. There he is now. He and Red and one of his gunslingers. We're just in time. Oh, if only I wasn't afraid of gunfire. You're not afraid, George. For the first time in your life, you haven't got time for fear. Yeah, but I don't... The life of the girl you love is in danger. She's depending on you. You won't let her down because the thing you thought you were afraid of is just a couple of cheap outlaws. They're deathly afraid of the law. Afraid of you. Are you going to let them get away with it? Not in a thousand years. I'm going to arrest two outlaws. Put up your hands, Santos. You're under arrest. Sir, what are you... You asked for it, both of you. Drop that other gun, Santos, or I'll drill you. No, no, don't shoot. I give up. I give up. Buck, Santos, and young Barrett. Say, that boy really handles the shooting iron. Hey, hey, what's this? What's going on here? Oh, hello, Mr. Childress. I just nailed a couple of owl hoots who were going to hold up your bank. Good, good work. George. George, darling. Oh, Ann. Are you hurt? They'd take a straighter brand of shooting than those hombres used to hurt me. Oh, George, I have something for you. An envelope that was giving me the sorting bag. Who's this? Oh, oh, oh. Oh, there. There. That's Lombard. There, over there. Well, Sheriff, you seem to have everything pretty well in hand. I have two crooks and the evidence to convict him. Good. Excuse me. I'm going into the bank. No, you're not, Childress. Stop him. Red and I aren't going to take all the blame. He wants to get away so we can get that paper in the bank. Slim's confession. It's got his name on it, too. Childress is a boss. I've been taking orders from him for over two years. So that's it. Stand where you are, Sheriff. Hey, this is ridiculous. Get Slim's confession. That'll prove it. You can't do this, huh? Look out, Sheriff. He's got a gun. He hasn't got it now. He's the one who had me plug Slim Leonard. It seems to me, Sheriff, you've heard enough to convict all three of these men. I'll lock them up. All right. Get moving, all of you. Come on. You've done a good job, George. Your father'd be proud of you. Just as proud as I am. Oh, I didn't do anything, Ann. Let's get that envelope. Slim Leonard's confession. I have it right here. I didn't put it in the safe. I carried it with me all day. Here. Oh, with this confession, I can... Why, it's blank. There's nothing written on this paper. And all the time, I thought that... Oh, it doesn't make any difference. They've all admitted what they did. Oh, yes, but I... Say, Sheriff. Why, hello there, son. A friend of yours asked me to give you a message. What is it? Here you are. Easy, boy. Come on, Tyler. Get him up. Come on. Get there, boy. Oh, what's it say, George? Read it. Well, it's just one line. It says, fear of the unknown works better with the law than against it. Well, I don't understand it. I do. It means that Buck Santos, Childress, and all of that gang were afraid of a blank piece of paper. But who is it from? Who sent it to you? It's signed, The Lone Ranger. The story you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of The Lone Ranger, Incorporated.
