A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty hell silver, the Lone Ranger. His faithful Indian 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 in the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse Silver, the Lone Ranger rides again. Come on, Silver! Let's go, big fellow! I'm Silver! No one paid any attention. The nondescript old desert rat, he spent most of the evening sitting near the stove in a corner of the cafe. Once, in the course of the evening, the sheriff glanced in the old man's direction, then turned back to his friends. Little did the lawman suspect that murder waited near the cafe. The old unknown individual strolled through the swinging doors, past the hitch rack, and down the road. He looked neither to the right nor left. He didn't hear the killer who crept up behind him, raised a knife, then stabbed. The desert rat was dead, without uttering a sound. Dead. Knife in the back. Sheriff, he's got something clutched in his hand. Open the hand and see what it is. Right. Hold that light closer. Yeah, yeah. Now, here you are. What is it? A bullet. Bullet. Let me see it. Curious-looking bullet, too, Sheriff. Put that light over here. Yeah. This here bullet looks like, uh... Yeah, by thunder, it's silver. Silver? Hey, uh, Sheriff. There was a man around town last week. He used silver bullets. I remember seeing one of them. Me, too. Who was he? Does anyone know that man? No. I'll wager that old Missouri knows him. Missouri? You mean Mustang Maggs hired men? Yeah, Sheriff. Missouri came into my jewelry store with a silver bullet. He wanted drilled so he could wear it in his watch chain. Then we'll question Missouri. Send word that I want to see him as fast as he can get to town. Mustang Magg and her hired man, known as Missouri, were friends of the Lone Ranger. It was a few days after one of the masked man's unexpected visits when Sheriff Conway sent word that he wanted to see Missouri in his office. The old man left the ranch as soon as possible and headed for town. Mustang Magg went with him. Tagging along with me like I was a six-year-old. Six alive, Magg, or you appeared to trust me in town by myself. Yes. Well, I bet... What'd you say? The last time you came to town, it was a week before you got back to the ranch. Well, that wasn't my fault, Magg. I was in jail. That's just the point. Sheriff asked you a few questions about some cattle stealing, and you got so all fired and mixed up that he thought you was the thief. Well, he learned his mistake. Doggone it, Magg. I was a sheriff myself at one time. I can take care of myself without... Missouri, you've grumbled all the way from the ranch, and I've heard about all I want to hear. Now, shut up. But, Magg... I'm going into the sheriff's office with you. That's settled. But, Magg, there's another thing. The lone ranger left Dan Reed at the ranch. We promised to take care of the boy until the masked man came back for him. Well, what about it? He's all alone at the ranch. I'd sooner trust him alone at the ranch than you alone in town. Oh, doggone it. I ought to resent that. And you just try resenting anything I say. I don't know why you tolerate such insult and remark. Are you going to stop at the sheriff's office, Missouri, or keep right on going into the next county? Huh? Oh, golly. Whoa there. Whoa, boy. Whoa up there. Whoa. Oh, it's always hard for you to stop short of the cafe, ain't it, Missouri? Magg, why don't you wait right here on the wagon? I won't be going long. Step down, Missouri. Oh, hang it all up. The horses ain't likely to need me. You are. Now, get out of the way so as I can get down. One dog gone insult after another. And now remember this, Missouri. If the sheriff asks questions, just answer them straight. I know. Don't go sidewinding on a lot of personal opinions. Now open the door. Well, glad to see you, Missouri. Howdy, Sheriff. And Mustang Magg. Hiya, Sheriff. I guess you know Mr. Marsden, the jeweler, don't you? Oh, sure thing. How are you, Mr. Marsden? How do you do? Howdy, Marsden. How's Henry Granger doing these days? Quite well. Are you and Granger still partners in the jewelry store? Why, yes, of course. Here's the chair, Magg. Sit down there, Missouri. This better be important, Sheriff. Missouri had to leave a lot of work to come here. It is important, Magg. Missouri may be able to help me. Well, I'm glad to do what I can, Sheriff. Take a look at this bullet, Missouri. Huh? Cracky. Mr. Marsden has examined it. He says it's solid silver. Yeah, let me see that. A silver bullet, Magg. Mr. Marsden said you had one just like it, Missouri. I sure did. Got it back at the ranch. Took it in the jewelry store some time ago to have a hole drilled in it, so as I could wear it on my watch chain. Yes, that's what I told the Sheriff. Well, what about it, Sheriff? Tell me about the man who gave you the bullet, Missouri. What does he look like? Well, he's tall, broad-shouldered. And he always wears a mask, doesn't he? I ain't never seen him without one. And two guns? Sheriff, he's got two of the fastest shooting irons in the world. Mm-hmm. Now tell me this, Missouri. Does he use a knife as well as guns? A knife? Well... Now hold on a minute. What's back of these questions, Sheriff Conway? It's official, Magg. Official or not, why are you asking questions? Where'd you get this silver bullet? Now, Magg, the sheriff's the one to ask questions. I'm asking the questions now. Well, Magg... Shut up, Missouri. Give out, Conway. Missouri won't open his face again unless we know why you're asking questions about the mask man. All right, Magg, I'll let you have it. This silver bullet was found in the hand of an old desert rat. Go on. He was found at the edge of town. He'd been stabbed to death sometime last night. Stabbed to death? Great day. The silver bullet's our only clue. I'd say it's a very good clue. Unless this mask man has an alibi, he... He didn't do it. He didn't kill anyone. Why, he's... He's a friend of yours, isn't he, Missouri? Sure, he is. Then you must know where we can find him. Will he... Now, wait a minute. Missouri don't know. I do, too. Shut up. Magg, you keep out of this. Like thunder, I will. Missouri, you keep still. You've got nothing more to say. Are you telling Missouri to obstruct justice? I'm telling Missouri to keep his trap shut. But, Magg, if we was just to tell the sheriff who the mask man is... That's it, Missouri. Missouri don't know who the mask man is. Magg, you confounded over... Missouri couldn't give you the name if he wanted to. Could you, Missouri? Well, I... No, Magg, but... But you do know something and you're holding it back. Missouri, you'll talk now or cool off in jail until you're ready to talk. Sheriff, you wouldn't jail me. Missouri, Mr. Marsden knows the law. He'll tell you that you can be jailed for obstructing justice. Yes, you might be charged with murder. Murder? That's right, Missouri. An accessory after the fact. You see, Missouri, Mr. Marsden knows the law. Well, he may know the law, but he don't know Missouri. Magg, if you don't keep still... Let him jail you, Missouri, but you keep still. If you so much as open your face, I'll make you the sorriest critter that ever drawed breath. Mustang Magg lashed her team at breakneck speed when she left Missouri in the sheriff's hands. As she approached her ranch, Dan Reed knew that something was wrong. He was the barn to meet her. Whoa, whoa there, whoa, you critter. Golly, you drove that team hard. What's wrong? All kinds of trouble, including murder. Murder? They think our friend is a killer, Dan, not the Lone Ranger. Oh, they don't know who he is. All they know is that he's Missouri's friend, and he wears a mask and uses silver bullets. There was a silver bullet in the dead man's hand. Oh, golly. Here it is. The sheriff forgot I had it, so I brought it with me. What about Missouri? Oh, he's in jail. Jail? Oh, for why? Oh, because I wouldn't let him talk about the mask man. Dan, can you locate the Lone Ranger? Oh, he went to visit a ranch in the next county. He expects to be back here in a day or two. Oh, he's got to get back before that. Conway's an ambitious sheriff. He wants to solve the murder quick. Why, why, you're pinning on Missouri if he can't find the real murderer in a hurry. I'll go after the Lone Ranger. Come on, I'll help you sadly. While Dan prepared for the long, hard ride, Mustang Mag told what she knew of the murder. And Dan, tell the Lone Ranger that he's got to be careful. He's likely to be shot on sight. I'll tell him. He's still here, Victor. And tell him that Mr. Marsden, the jeweler, was the one that got Missouri involved. He remembered that Missouri had a silver bullet. Now, now, can you remember all I've told you? You bet I can. Then get going, lad. Get the Lone Ranger. All right. Steady, boy. Come on, Victor. The Lone Ranger and Tonto had made their camp on a former site, the location of which was known to Dan Reed. It was late afternoon when the thunder of approaching hoofbeats brought the masked man and his Indian companion to their feet. If Dan came up to me... Hold, hold, Victor. Hold, hold. What's the matter, Dan? Mustang Mag sent me. Missouri's in jail. The horse is ready, Tonto. All right. Me, get him. Tell me about it, Dan. Some time ago, you gave Missouri a silver bullet as a souvenir. Yes, what about it? He took it to the jewelers, Marsden and Granger, and had a hole drilled in it so as he could wear it on his watch. That's how he happened to get involved. Involved in what? A murder. A man was killed. There was a silver bullet in his hand. Mr. Marsden remembered that Missouri had a friend who used silver bullets. So the sheriff questioned Missouri. Why is Missouri in jail? Because he wouldn't tell anything about you. Mustang Mag says that the sheriff will pin the murder on Missouri unless we do something. Dan, you've ridden hard. Don't try to keep pace with us. It'll be too much for Victor. All right. Scout Silver, all ready. Just a minute. There's something else. Yes? Here. This is the bullet they found in the dead man's hand. How did you get this? Mustang Mag got it. This bullet is a... What about it? Right up, Tonto. Uh-huh. Dan, I'll meet you later. Wait for us at Mustang Mag City, big fella. Right. Come on, Silver. Get him up, Scout. It was long after dark when the Lone Ranger and Tom, Tonto reached town and ground hitched their horses in the darkness behind the jail. While Tonto moved silently toward the entrance to make sure the guard didn't interfere, the masked man crept to the barred window. Missouri. Missouri. Come to the window. Oh, my sake's alive. Why'd you come here? I want to know more about the murder. Does anyone know the dead man? Nope. He looked like a desert rat. No one ever saw him before. But you've got to clear out. You'll be shot on sight. They'll find a whole belt full of silver cartridges to prove he killed the critter. What about you? Well, never mind me. You just clear out and save yourself. Sheriff Conway's bound and he... Oh, wait. Wait a minute. Tonto's coming. Team of Sully. Yes? You come this way. See guard at the door of jail. What about the guard? Him dead. Oh, my sake's alive. And silver bullet in his hand. Another one. I'll see you soon, Missouri. How was he killed, Tonto? Knife. He didn't get knifed. Wait. You're trying to come this way. Wait right here at the corner of the jail. One of those men is Sheriff Conway. I know his walk. We'll see what he says when he discovers the dead guard near the door. You're a good lawyer, Turnbull. Maybe you can convince Missouri that he'll be smart to tell what he knows. That's convincing, the old fool. Now, show him he's likely to get his neck stretched if he doesn't talk. He'll listen to you. I thought you said you had a guard at the door. Oh, he's around somewhere. Yeah, it looks like someone's on the ground. Maybe your guard's sleeping. If he is, uh, Pete. Is that your guard? Yes, a lazy good for nothing. Pete, wake up, you. Wake. Wake up. Turnbull. Oh, what's the matter, Sheriff? Pete's dead. Dead. Are you sure? See for yourself. Should I light a match? The moon's bright enough. He's been knifed. Killed the same way as the desert rat was. Yes, Sheriff. There's something in his hand. I'll get it. A bullet. I wonder if it's like the first. Now Missouri's got to talk. That masked friend of his must be right here in town. You're right, Sheriff. What a masked man. I'm the one who gave Missouri a silver bullet. Then you're the man I want. You're under arrest for murder. 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. To continue our story, when death struck the second time, the guard at the jail was the victim. The Sheriff and lawyer Turnbull had just discovered a silver bullet in the dead guard's hand when the Lone Ranger stepped forward. The Sheriff, recovering from his surprise, said, You're under arrest for murder. Sheriff, you don't arrest a man who has a drop on you. You... Open that door and go inside where there's more light. You too, Turnbull. You... You know me? Sheriff, use your name. Oh, Sheriff, did you hear me? The door. All right, all right, but you won't get far. Take the dead man inside, Turnbull. Quickly. You didn't even ram that gun through my side. I'm taking them in. I suppose Turnbull and I are to be number three and four on your murder list, huh? I've never started a list. Close the door. Hey, how about getting me out of this stall? Just a minute, Missouri. You've got the drop on us now. Sheriff, you suspected me of murder because of a silver bullet. Well, it's evidence. You found another bullet in the guard's hand. I did. I got it right here. Put it on that table. There. Here. Here's the cartridge from my belt. Try the silver bullet from that cartridge and you'll find it's just like the one I gave Missouri. On the other hand, you'll find it's quite different than the bullet you took from the dead men. You see, Sheriff? I tried to tell you my friend had nothing to do with the killing. You keep still. I looked them over. You can easily see the difference. They are different, Sheriff Conway. They came from different moles. You might have two different moles. The silver in one of those bullets is of the finest grade. The kind that jewelers use. Jewelers? Sheriff. Did you get that? Missouri, you keep still. I'll be hanged if I'll keep still. Marston's a jeweler. He could have made them silver bullets. Who else is there around here that handles silver? Missouri, I... You can't shush me up. I'll have my say. Marston's a guilty one. Marston's tried to put the blame on my friend. Conway, I wonder if Marston did kill that desert rat. He'd have to have a motive. Do you know of anyone Marston wants out of the way? Yes, I do. We don't want your opinion, Missouri. Oh, yes, we do, Sheriff. Speak up, Missouri. Sir, if you think you're going to run... While I hold the guns, I'll give the orders. What do you know, Missouri? I'll tell you what I know. I know that Marston and old Henry Granger don't get along none too well. I know that Marston liked to get Granger out of the jewelry business so he could own it alone. You old fool, you don't talk sense. We're looking for a motive for the murder of an unknown desert rat in the prison guard. Not Henry Granger. He ain't dead. Sheriff, is Missouri right? About what? Marston and Granger. Well, I guess so. And I can testify that he is. If Granger had been killed, there'd be ample reason to suspect Marston of the murder. The partners have an agreement. If one dies, the other gets the business. Marston wouldn't kill Granger. How do you know, Sheriff? Why should he? Granger's an old man. He's only got a few more years. Marston will soon be the owner without resorting to murder. Well, don't you forget that Marston made a slick deal to get half interest in that store. He'll pull another slick deal to get the other half. If he can get away with it. Sheriff, do you still think I'm the murderer? Well, I guess not. I'm sure you're not. But you did think so. I had reason to until you showed me the bullets. You'd still think so if I hadn't come here. Yes, I... And if Granger was murdered, you'd suspect me. Granger? You wouldn't suspect Marston. Now, isn't it possible that Marston killed two men to cover the murder of the third? Sheriff, he's right. But Granger wasn't killed. How do we know? We'd better get over to his place right away. How about watching Marston? We'll watch Granger. His place is nearest. Come on, Turnbull. Now, wait a minute. Put those guns down. Leave the keys to the cell. The keys? You've no reason to hold Missouri now. Give him the keys, Conway. Hurry. We've got to see about old Henry. Here, take the keys. Thanks. Come on, Turnbull. I'm with you. Let me out of this kind of sign jail. One minute, Missouri. Doggone it all. I'll lay 10 to 1. You're right about Marston. There you are. Now, where does Marston live? Way to the other end of town. Big stone house. You can't miss it. Come on outside. Hutto will be nearby. There he comes. Bring up your horse. Hutto. Yes, Turnbull. Thanks. Now, you stay with Missouri. I'm going to call on Marston. Hey, wait a minute. I was once a sheriff. How about me going to Marston's place with you? No, no, Missouri. As long as the sheriff chose to go to Granger's house, I want to call on Marston alone. I want to talk to him unofficially, said the big fella. Home, Silver. After leaving the jail, the sheriff and Turnbull mounted their horses and rode the short distance to Granger's place. In a few minutes, they rode up and dismounted at his door. Ho, ho, ho. Well, here we are, Turnbull. Hope the masked man, Missouri, are wrong in suspecting Marston. Well, I'm hoping old Henry Granger hasn't been murdered already. We'll soon find out. Come on. If he is there, he's taking his time about coming to the door. Maybe we better force our way in, see if he's all right. Well, there he comes now. Well, who is it? What do you want? It's me and Mr. Turnbull, Henry. We want to have a talk with you. Oh. Oh, it's you, Sheriff. Come right on in. Both of you. Now have a chair. Make yourselves comfortable. Thanks, Henry. Yeah, we're glad to see you're all right, Henry. All right? What do you mean by that? Turnbull's talking about those killings we... You see, we, uh... Well, we came over to guard you, sort of, Henry. Guard me? Why should you... Now listen a minute, Henry. You probably know we've been suspecting the masked men of those murders. What do you mean, killings and murders? I thought there was only one man killed. We found the guard, Pete, murdered down at the jail a while ago. He had a silver bullet in his hand, too. Just like that old desert rat. That masked man gives out silver bullets. He must be doing the killing. Henry, he isn't the one. We have reason to believe that Martson had something to do with him. That's why we came to guard you. Martson, huh? You think he might try to kill me? Now, don't go to worrying, Henry Granger. We ain't gonna let anything happen to you. We're staying right here on guard. Well, I guess then I'll go along to bed. No one you're here watching will be a mighty big help. You go right along, Henry. We'll sit out here and see that you have nothing to worry about. Yeah. Thank you, Sheriff. Thank you. Good night to you both. Good night, Henry. Well, Sheriff, with us here, at least Henry Granger will be safe tonight. That's right, Turnbull. Well, that killer ain't going to get near old Henry Granger if I can help it. And what's more, if he does show his hand, I'll be right on the spot to grab him once and for all. Marsden's home was a great stone mansion at the edge of town. The Lone Ranger reined up in the shroud of darkness behind the building and approached a low, lighted window on foot. He saw Marsden in the library. The jeweler paced the floor nervously. He glanced at a small object on his desk. He sat down, then drew a gun from the drawer. The masked man opened the window silently and stepped inside. Hello, Marsden. What? Don't move. Mask? Just leave the gun on the desk. What? Who are you? A Missouri friend. The one who uses silver bullets. You mean you... No. No, don't kill me. I'm not here to kill you. I'm here for a showdown. A showdown? Marsden, I don't like murder under any circumstances. Least of all when I'm framed for it. You... You framed? Yes. It happens that I'm sometimes identified by silver bullets. Silver bullets were left in the hands of two murdered men. But they weren't mine. They were just like the one on your desk here. I don't... I'm not quite sure those bullets were made in your shop. No. No, they couldn't have been. Where did you get that bullet? Why, I found it in my coat pocket. It... Hey, look here. Do you mean to say you're not the murderer? Marsden, you know better than that. Well, then how? Who is... I don't understand. I can help. Granger. What is this? Steady. This is a scattergun. It does a lot of damage when I fire it. So you're Henry Granger. I am. Granger, put that gun down. Not on your life, Marsden. I've been watching you. I've been watching you for years. I know how you worked a deal to get half interest in my business. Granger, you don't know what you... I knew that when I died, you'd have all of the business. That was more than I could stand thinking about. I'm an old man and my days are numbers. But I won't mind going if I know you don't reap the harvest of my years of work. Then you're the one who made the silver bullets? I am. The sheriff must have missed you, Granger. He'll probably come here and then... No, no, he won't. The sheriff won't come here and he didn't miss me. He told me all about you and your theory. He's sitting in my home right now, thinking I've gone to bed. That's very funny. The sheriff thinks he's guarding me. I see. He'll find both of you dead. Marsden shot with your gun and you shot with the scattergun. He'll think you killed each other. He'll think his first idea was right. The jaw of the killer. Granger, wait a minute. You can't do this. Who can't? You won't get away with it, Granger. The sheriff is no fool and I know... I don't care whether I do or not. I won't mind what happens to me as long as Marsden is gone. Listen to me, Granger. You're wrong. All wrong. The store is worthless. Marsden. Oh, it's true. We owe more than we can ever hope to pay. We've been losing money for a long time. Lies, Marsden. Oh, it's the truth. The bank will verify what I say. We've kept the truth from you so your last years wouldn't be spent in poverty. I haven't drawn a cent from the store for the past year. I don't believe you. I've even put the money my father left me into the store so you could draw a salary. I don't believe a word of it. Oh, Granger, wait. I've waited long enough. But you don't know what you're... Goodbye, Marsden. Who's that? Missouri. You shooting, slinging old catamount. Smash my scattergun, you. You're doggone right, I did. Missouri made a good shot. Tonto. Missouri take him from you and me come to. You spoiled everything. If you hadn't been at that there window, I'd have had these two. I'd have... Granger. I have him. What's happened to him? Did the bullet hit him? Me get water. There's a couch over here. Lay him down. Tonto. Water here. We don't need it. What's the matter with Granger? Henry. Henry, can you speak? He can't speak, Marsden. Well, did the bullet that hit his gun glance off him? No. I think the emotional strain was more than his heart could stand. Oh. Doggone. I think that old Henry Granger was the one. Well, I never would have believed it. Well, it's better this way. He's paid for what he did. Just a poor, misguided old man. We'll leave him here for the present. And I'll tell the sheriff to come here. Very well. Marsden. Marsden, I'm sorry. I suspected you. I was wrong. We were both wrong. I suspected you, too. I'll... I'll see you again. Well, Missouri. It would have been a shame if Granger had killed a man like that. A shame? Well, doggone it, Marsden. You don't know the half of it. That's the Lone Ranger. The story you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger, Incorporated. The Lone Ranger.
