The Lone Ranger - Missing Letter

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

The Lone Ranger - "Missing Letter"

Date: May 31, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

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Episode Overview

In this evocative broadcast from Harold's Old Time Radio, listeners are transported to the golden era of radio drama with a full episode of The Lone Ranger titled "Missing Letter." The narrative follows a high-stakes tale of greed, deception, and justice set against the backdrop of the Old West. At the core of the story is a missing letter that could change the fortunes of a struggling miner, Jim Flood, and the machinations of his cunning neighbor, Harv Riggs. The Lone Ranger and his faithful companion Tonto step in to bring justice and uncover the truth.

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Main Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. The Perilous Ride of the Pony Express (03:14–05:36)

• The episode opens with the legendary Pony Express ride, emphasizing the urgency and dangers of mail delivery in 1860.

• Key Characters:

  • Pony Express Rider: Carrying crucial papers to Silver Gulch.
  • Lone Ranger & Tonto: Encounter a riderless horse, suspect a crime.

• Quote:

  “The pony riders don’t fall off their horses, Tonto. That horse isn’t running away. Something’s happened.”
  — The Lone Ranger (05:07)

• The express rider is shot by an unknown assailant, and vital mail is stolen.

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2. Conflict Over Gold Claims in Silver Gulch (06:03–11:00)

• Jim Flood and his wife Ruth own a gold claim rendered useless due to legal maneuvering by neighbor Harv Riggs.

• Riggs exploits the law to keep Flood from digging, aiming to buy his claim for a pittance.

• Tensions rise as the community, including the bartender, pressures Flood due to his debts and inability to work.

• Notable moment:

  “You know just enough about the law to use it for your selfish ends.”
  — Jim Flood confronting Riggs (10:10)

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3. The Lone Ranger’s Intervention (13:11–15:35)

• Disguised as a stranger, the Lone Ranger offers Jim a meal and listens to his woes.

• He deduces Riggs has intercepted a critical letter from an Eastern mining syndicate—likely an offer to buy Flood’s claim.

• The Ranger and Tonto devise a plan to recover the letter and restore justice.

• Quote:

  “Suppose you call me friend.”
  — The Lone Ranger, offering aid to Jim Flood (13:31)

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4. Riggs Manipulates Jim Flood to Desperation (18:36–21:32)

• Riggs, sensing Flood’s desperation, pressures him further, offering to buy the claim and give Flood a job.

• Flood and Ruth scene at home illustrates their heartbreak over selling out.

• Quote:

  “I guess our dreams of being wealthy won’t never be more than dreams, Jim.”
  — Ruth Flood (19:41)

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5. The Lone Ranger’s Daring Plan & the Staged Landslide (21:32–24:28)

• The Lone Ranger "abducts" Jim to explain a scheme while Tonto searches Riggs’s house for the missing letter.

• Jim and Ruth flee their home amid warnings of a possible landslide orchestrated by the Lone Ranger to force Riggs' hand.

• Memorable exchange:

  “We’re going to put up for the night at the hotel in town.”
  — Jim Flood’s sudden urgency (22:54)

  “Some men can tell by a feeling in the wind when it’s going to rain. Some tell other things. But me, I could tell there’s a landslide due before morning.”
  — Jim Flood, convincing the townsfolk (24:03)

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6. Showdown and Revelation: Justice for Jim Flood (25:52–29:24)

• As the landslide ("staged" with rocks) traps Riggs in his home, the townspeople come to his rescue.

• The Lone Ranger interrupts, accusing Riggs of murder and mail theft, and calls to search him for the missing letter.

• The letter is found in Riggs’s possession—an offer from the Eastern syndicate for $5,000 and half interest in the gold claim.

• Riggs tries to protest innocence but is exposed in front of the community.

• Crucial moment:

  “The rider lived just long enough to describe the killer. He knew the letter was addressed to Jim Flood. And the killer he described was Harv Riggs.”
  — The Lone Ranger (27:38)

  “Boy, this offers me $5,000 cash and half interest in the mine for my claim. I’m gonna be rich!”
  — Jim Flood, realizing his fortune is saved (29:03)

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7. Resolution (29:09–31:08)

• The truth revealed, Riggs is discredited, and Jim Flood’s fortunes are restored.
• The Lone Ranger and Tonto, as always, slip quietly out of the spotlight.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “The only way to get a pony rider from his horse is to shoot him off.”
  — The Lone Ranger, on the crime’s gravity (05:48)

• “Your place ain’t worth $500!”
  — Riggs, minimizing Flood’s claim value (09:44)

• “Friend. Reckon that’s one thing I ain’t got right now.”
  — Jim Flood, reflecting on his plight (13:34)

• “Never mind, Ruth. We never had the gold, so we won’t miss it.”
  — Jim Flood, facing defeat (20:14)

• “The whole landslide was staged for your benefit. Rocks were piled against your house so you couldn’t get out.”
  — The Lone Ranger, revealing his ruse (28:34)

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Important Segments (Timestamps)

• 03:14–05:36: The Pony Express rider is ambushed.
• 06:03–11:00: Jim Flood’s legal and financial troubles in Silver Gulch.
• 13:11–15:35: The Lone Ranger befriends Flood, exposes the missing letter mystery.
• 21:32–24:28: The landslide ploy is set in motion.
• 25:52–29:24: Riggs accused, letter recovered, Flood’s fortunes restored.

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Overall Tone & Style

Rich with authentic 1930s radio drama style, the episode combines suspense, frontier justice, and moments of dry humor. The dialogue maintains the cadence and regional speech of the old west—simple, matter-of-fact, and laced with expressions of grit and neighborly sentiment. The Lone Ranger’s signature mix of mystery and moral clarity shines throughout.

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Final Thoughts

For listeners nostalgic for classic radio drama, “Missing Letter” is a compelling tale of justice triumphing over deceit, skillfully voiced and vividly narrated. The Lone Ranger’s timely intervention not only brings a criminal to justice but ensures a hardworking family is rewarded for their perseverance—a timeless message from the golden age of radio.

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Transcript

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[Narrator]

A fiery horse of the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty hyo.

[Tonto]

Silver the Lone Ranger.

[Jim Flood]

It's.

[Narrator]

All of the glamour of the old west is brought back to us today as the famous Lone Ranger, mystery rider of the plains urges the great horse Silver down the danger trails of long ago. Listen to the tattoo of those silver shot hoops. The Lone Ranger rides again.

[Tonto]

Come on, Silver, old boy. That's it, old fellow. Run as you've never run before. We meet it on the trail ahead. Coyote the.

[Narrator]

That thunder of cannons was the signal for the start of the first thrilling ride of the Pony Express. In the year 1860, the route extended from Missouri to California. For two years, the most highly skilled young horsemen and the fastest mounts carried the mail across the country in record time, 24 hours a day. The pony riders urged their fleet little horses along the trail at top speed stations were established every few miles to furnish fresh horses for the racing riders. Our story begins as we see a foam flecked horse pulled to a stop at the end of his run just on time.

[Tonto]

Slap that saddle on a fresh horse

[Jim Flood]

and let me be on my way.

[Tonto]

I'm out to make a record.

[Narrator]

Ill Cody just passed here in the eastbound run.

[Tonto]

Speed is time if I have to

[Jim Flood]

break my next grind.

[Tonto]

Want some hot coffee?

[Jim Flood]

Not this time.

[Tonto]

Hurry up with that saddle. Cinch it up tight.

[Jim Flood]

I got some important papers this trip.

[Narrator]

Yeah? What are they?

[Ruth Flood]

I don't know.

[Jim Flood]

Something for Silver Gulch. This particular load's just gotta get through fast.

[Narrator]

Sam takes the mail from you to the next station, don't he?

[Tonto]

Yeah.

[Jim Flood]

What's taking you so long about that horse?

[Tonto]

Hurry up there.

[Narrator]

Watch out for engines ahead.

[Jim Flood]

I'm watching all the time. Your horse is ready. That's the ticket, Earl.

[Narrator]

I'm on my way. The Pony Express rider was on his way again with important papers to be delivered to Silver Gulch. He gave his mom his head and urged him along at his greatest speed in an effort to break the record of another express rider, Bill Cody, later to be known as Buffalo Bill then from ambush, a shot rang across the plain. The pony express rider fell headlong from his horse while the animal continued down the trail alone. In the meantime, the Lone Ranger and his faithful Indian companion Tonto had made their camp along the route at a point several miles beyond the spot where the express rider had been ambushed. As the riderless horse flashed past them, they ran out on the trail looking for some explanation. That pony rider. Horse. But where's the rider? May not know. Maybe him fall off. The pony riders don't fall off their horses, Toddo. That's right. And that horse isn't running away. It's galloping right along the regular trail. Something's happened. Maybe that's right here, Silver. What you do?

[Jim Flood]

Huh?

[Narrator]

It's about eight miles to the station where the horses are changed. We're going back to Toddo and see what's happened to the pony rider. Good. When anyone interferes with a male, it's something serious. You think someone do something. The only way to get a pony rider from his horse is to shoot him off.

[Tonto]

Yep. Come with me. Tunnel Tonto. Ready? Come on, Silver.

[Narrator]

While the Lone Ranger and Tanto rode back to the spot where the express rider had been shot, our scene changes to the town of Silver Gulch. Like so many other towns of the surrounding country, Silver Gulch was situated at the bottom of a steep hill. On the hill itself were two homes crudely built of logs. In one of the places lived Jim Flood and his wife. Our story continues as Jim says.

[Jim Flood]

I can't tell what to do, Ruth. It's the dernest thing I ever seen. Here I am with a fortune in gold right outside a house and I can't get it.

[Ruth Flood]

Jim, we waited long enough for that eastern company to buy out your claim. I don't reckon they ever aimed to buy it.

[Jim Flood]

I sort of figured from what the examiners said that it wouldn't be no question but what they'd buy us out. Same as they've done with all the other good claims.

[Ruth Flood]

I'd say we'd better sell your land to Harb Riggs and get what we can out in it.

[Jim Flood]

Come out back and take a look at the claim.

[Narrator]

Ruth.

[Ruth Flood]

I've seen it a hundred times, but

[Jim Flood]

maybe we can figure out some way to get the ore out. Come on.

[Ruth Flood]

I guess a tired climbing this hill. I don't know whatever possessed us to build our house here.

[Jim Flood]

Good timber, a swift stream and being near my plane. That's what it was. Here, let me help you. Ruth. You'd like to turn your ankle on this loose rock?

[Ruth Flood]

I get along better alone. What's Harv Riggs last offer?

[Jim Flood]

Just $150.

[Ruth Flood]

Including the house.

[Jim Flood]

The whole works. House, land and gold claim.

[Ruth Flood]

Ain't much.

[Jim Flood]

Ain't nothing at all to what the claim is worth. The worst of it is these rocks are so doggone loose I send them sliding down on Riggs place every time I stick a spade into the ground.

[Ruth Flood]

You can't get the pay dirt without no. What's that? Paper Riggs has got from the law.

[Jim Flood]

Something called an injunction.

[Ruth Flood]

What's it do?

[Jim Flood]

Just about ruins me, that's what. It keeps me from doing any digging here. Every time I dig, I send the shale down on Riggs property. So he got this paper. Next time I dig, I go to jail.

[Ruth Flood]

There's Riggs coming up the hill now.

[Jim Flood]

Or Rat.

[Narrator]

Hello, Riggs.

[Tonto]

For the rock?

[Narrator]

Yeah, all over. My proposition. Buy your place, buy mine or sell me yours.

[Jim Flood]

Tain't no ways an even proposition. You offer 150 for mine and ask a thousand for yours.

[Narrator]

That's the deal.

[Jim Flood]

And mine has gold on it.

[Narrator]

Can't get at that gold though, can you?

[Jim Flood]

Thanks to you and your dog. On legal papers I can't.

[Ruth Flood]

Jim, why can't you build a fence and keep the rock from sliding down?

[Narrator]

Ay, ma', am, that won't do. You could build a dirzen fences and it wouldn't do.

[Ruth Flood]

Stop the sliding rock.

[Narrator]

Yep. Only that paper don't make no mention of fences. The guess is that you can't dig and it's all there is to it.

[Jim Flood]

Why you or Pole Cat. You're just trying to force me to accept your proposition.

[Narrator]

That's right.

[Jim Flood]

But look here re 150 for my land's nothing at all. Why them eastern mining men said it was worth at least $20,000.

[Narrator]

They ain't offered you that much, have they? Well, no, but they might.

[Ruth Flood]

It takes time for the mails to get here.

[Narrator]

You won't get no such offer. Like as not. That's fool's gold anyhow.

[Jim Flood]

Ain't neither.

[Narrator]

Well, buy me out for a thousand. That's a good bargain if your place is worth 20,000.

[Jim Flood]

All right, I will.

[Narrator]

Thousand dollars. Cash money.

[Jim Flood]

But now wait, Riggs. You know blame well I ain't no cash.

[Narrator]

Cash is what I'm after.

[Jim Flood]

I'd have it blamed soon if I could dig that land.

[Narrator]

The paper says you go to jail as soon as you start digging.

[Jim Flood]

Look here, Biggs. I'll make a deal with you.

[Narrator]

Listening. I'll pay $2,000.

[Jim Flood]

That sounds good, but not cash money. I'll give you 2000 if you let me dig my land to get it.

[Narrator]

It ain't no deal. The law says you can't dig.

[Jim Flood]

But I could if you was to let me. I'll sign a paper pledging $2,000 to you and you take. Have the judge take the paper back. Call that injunction.

[Narrator]

No.

[Jim Flood]

Your place ain't worth 500.

[Narrator]

What more do you want? Ain't no good when I see you, Jim. Reckon I'd be a blame fool to let this chance go by. Sooner or later you'll have to sell your land, won't you? Why? Sell it or starve? I don't reckon anyone would buy it with me holding this injunction. You better sell to me while you got the chance. Cause maybe when you want to sell, I won't be willing to go as high as a hundred and a half.

[Jim Flood]

Polecat, that's what you are. You know just enough about the law to use it for your selfish ends.

[Narrator]

You're misjudging me, Jim. You're the one that's being selfish. You're like the dog in the manger. You can't use the land yourself and you won't let no one else use it. Well, I can wait. I reckon you'll sell when you begin to get good and hungry. Several days went by. Jim Flood, unable to sell to the Eastern Syndicate and unwilling to sell to Riggs, began to feel the pinch of poverty. As our next scene opens, we see him in the Silver Glove Cafe and watch him as he approaches the bartender.

[Jim Flood]

If you'd just let me have a little more credit, Steve.

[Narrator]

I'd like to, Jim, but you already owe a sizable amount here.

[Jim Flood]

But it's grub I want. Vivos taint liquor. Don't you see?

[Narrator]

Food costs money. Jim, I'm afeared your credit here has come wore out.

[Jim Flood]

You won't give me none, Steve.

[Narrator]

Reckon not. You ain't heard from that Eastern company, have you?

[Jim Flood]

No, not yet.

[Narrator]

Well, I didn't figure you would. Riggs was talking about the fool's gold you thought was genuine.

[Jim Flood]

Riggs?

[Narrator]

That orn Riggs, he says that you never would hear from that company. Says we'd be foolish to let you have more credit. We never will get our money.

[Jim Flood]

Riggs is trying to make me sell out to him. That's why I say in them things.

[Narrator]

Well, maybe you better head sell out for $150.

[Jim Flood]

Oh, Steve, you know what my place is worth?

[Narrator]

Well, it ain't worth much if it's got fool's gold on it. Let me tell you something, Jim Plodd.

[Jim Flood]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

If you don't sell out pretty quick, me and Sam over in the general store is going to have to go to law.

[Jim Flood]

I suppose that's Riggs suggestion.

[Narrator]

Well, it's a good one. You owe us both considerable money. It's up to us to get it. We can force you to sell out if we have to. Pardon me.

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[Narrator]

Hey everyone.

[Jim Flood]

Check out this guy and his bird.

[Narrator]

What is this, your first date?

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[Jim Flood]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

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Anyways, get a'@libertymutual.com or with your local agent.

[Jim Flood]

Liberty.

[Tonto]

Liberty.

[Jim Flood]

Liberty. Liberty.

[Narrator]

Oh yeah. What did it be, stranger? I happen to overhear you two talking.

[Jim Flood]

I reckon we was talking a little too loud.

[Narrator]

Who is this man? Riggs? What do you want?

[Jim Flood]

No fer.

[Narrator]

Who is he?

[Jim Flood]

He lives up on the hillaways just below my house.

[Narrator]

I've heard something about the situation on that hill. Your name is Flood, isn't it?

[Jim Flood]

That's right. What's your handle, stranger?

[Narrator]

Suppose you call me friend. Friend.

[Jim Flood]

Reckon that's one thing I ain't got right now.

[Narrator]

Flood, you'll sit over here at the corner table with me. I'll stake you to a meal.

[Jim Flood]

Thanks, stranger. It ain't so much that I'm hungry. It's the missus. My wife.

[Narrator]

She's home. When you go home, you'll take food to her.

[Jim Flood]

Flood, I ain't taking charity from no stranger.

[Narrator]

You're looking for word from the east, aren't you? Yes. Yeah. Hey, stranger. You sort of talk like an easterner. Is that where you're from? Fix up some food for Flood to take home when he goes, you'll be paid for it.

[Jim Flood]

Are you from the Eastern miners? Indicate.

[Narrator]

Suppose we sit over here at this corner table and talk.

[Jim Flood]

I don't know when food ever tastes better. Stranger.

[Narrator]

Tell me more about this letter you've been looking for.

[Jim Flood]

Seeing as you ain't from the mining company, I reckon I ain't looking for no letter.

[Narrator]

Just what was it to be?

[Jim Flood]

Well, I reckon there ain't no use talking about it now. I sort of hoped I might get an offer for my land. I can't work it on account of its being on a hill. The stone falls down on Riggs land.

[Narrator]

I heard about that. He has an injunction that prevents you from working your land.

[Jim Flood]

Yeah, that's right.

[Narrator]

He wants to buy your place from you for $150.

[Jim Flood]

That ain't very much, but I expect I'll soon have to sell to him.

[Narrator]

Suppose the Eastern company did buy the land? Shucks.

[Jim Flood]

They'd be able to rake up the cash and pay Riggs what he wants for his place and work the claim.

[Narrator]

But you can't pay the cash, huh?

[Jim Flood]

Gosh no. I can't even raise the price of a square Neil no more how to ever get $1,000.

[Narrator]

I'd like to see Harv Riggs.

[Jim Flood]

Oh, he'll be coming in here real soon blowing off his mouth and bragging how he put a slick deal over on me. You just stick around stranger, and you'll see him.

[Narrator]

The Lone Ranger gave food to Jim Flood and loaned him money. Then covering his disguised face with his mask, he left town and rode to the small well concealed camp where Tono waited for him. You find T? I found Jim flooding the cafe.

[Jim Flood]

Oh. What him like?

[Narrator]

He's all right T. And he's up against hard luck. Mighty hard. I also saw Harv Riggs. I'm good. He came in before I left. Impeller. You want asked Hudder? He's the fellow the poy rider described to us. Impunner will shoot pony rider Tutta. Harv Riggs is our man. How you prove that? With the pony rider dead, I don't see how we can prove that Harv Riggs is the one who stole the mail. Unless we succeed in the plan. I haven't mind what that the pony rider told us. Riggs stole one letter from the mailbag. Then him leave pony rider. He left the rest of the mail as it was strapped to the back of the rider. It looked like Indians had done the killing. I think the paper Riggs stole was an offer from the east to buy Jim Flood's claim. What we do? Unless Flood has that paper, he'll sell out for practically nothing. Then Riggs will sell to the Eastern Corporation. I want to find that paper, Tono must be someplace in Harv Riggs house. You'll have to go there tonight and search the place. Me do? We'll watch you go in when Riggs leaves. And when we've got the paper, Tanto, we're going to stake a claim of our own. We'll stake it on that same hill higher up in Jigging Floods place. The curtain falls on the first act of tonight's Lone Ranger drama before the next victory. Exciting scene. Please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue our story. You will recall that in the first act of our Lone Ranger drama, Dim Flood found himself unable to work his mind or fell it because of the opposition of his neighbor. A letter to Flood from the Eastern syndicate was stolen by Riggs before it reached its true destination. Riggs had also won an injunction prohibiting Flood working the claim on the grounds that loose rock endangered his property. At this point, the Lone Ranger took a hand in the affair by giving financial help to Jim Flood, the famous masked rider determined to bring Riggs to justice. That night, Tonto entered Riggs home in search of the missing letter. In the meantime, Riggs had gone to call on Jim Flood. We hear him as he raps on the door of Jim's home. Evening, Jim. I figured you might want to talk to me tonight. Oh, you.

[Jim Flood]

Well, come in, Riggs. Come in.

[Narrator]

Heard you was having a hard look in town today.

[Jim Flood]

You knew I was going to have hard luck afore I went there, Riggs. It's your talk that's had them shut off.

[Narrator]

All my credit everywhere. Well, you can't blame a man for being a shrewd business dealer, can you, Flood?

[Jim Flood]

I'd almost sooner starve than sell out at your price.

[Ruth Flood]

And so would I. Jim, tell Riggs we ain't gonna sell.

[Narrator]

I. No.

[Jim Flood]

No, I can't do it, Ruthie. I reckon we ain't no choice but to sell out to this pole cat and try and find new digging somewhere. When them vittles that man from the east brought us.

[Narrator]

And there won't be no more no money to buy, none with and no credit. $150 is a lot of cash, Jim.

[Ruth Flood]

Don't you take it, Jim, What'll we do when the 150 is gone? We won't have nothing then. Not even this house in a claim.

[Jim Flood]

Ah, I reckon we can find something to do. We'll settle down in the valley.

[Ruth Flood]

Okay?

[Narrator]

Don't worry, Jim. I'll give you a job working for me. I'll make that part of the deal. I'll pay you 150, 50 cash and give you a job. All right. Fair enough, ain't it? I reckon so.

[Ruth Flood]

I guess our dreams of being wealthy won't never be more dreams, Jim. Some people just ain't cut out so.

[Narrator]

Well, that's the way to look at it, Mrs. Flood. Now, here I got a paper all made out. Bill of sale, it's called.

[Jim Flood]

Let me see it.

[Narrator]

All I gotta do is fill in the date.

[Jim Flood]

I'll need it for tomorrow.

[Narrator]

You just sign it, and I'll hand over the money to you.

[Jim Flood]

I sure hate to do this after

[Ruth Flood]

all your hard years of prospecting, Jim. To finally strike this gold claim and then have to sell out for $150.

[Jim Flood]

Never mind, Ruth. We never had the gold, so we won't miss it. What about that job, Riggs?

[Narrator]

I'll write it right here on this paper for you. I'll even specify just how much I'm to pay you. Don't be much. I'll vouch for that. It'll be a living wage. You needn't worry.

[Ruth Flood]

Jim. Look.

[Narrator]

What, Sir? Take it easy.

[Ruth Flood]

It's an outdoor. A masked man.

[Jim Flood]

Put down them guns, mister.

[Narrator]

I want you to come with me.

[Ruth Flood]

What are you coming here, sir? What do you want? Who are you?

[Narrator]

You stay back, Riggs. It's Jim's plot I want.

[Jim Flood]

You can't do this. You can't take me. I ain't got nothing to say.

[Narrator]

Hurry, Blood. I'm waiting. Don't try to draw that gun. All right, mister. Showing good sense, Jim, and coming without a struggle.

[Jim Flood]

Riggs.

[Tonto]

Riggs.

[Ruth Flood]

Don't let him take Jim. Stop him somehow. Stop him.

[Tonto]

I don't know anything I could have done.

[Ruth Flood]

He's captured Jim. He's run off with him. Is this more of your own risk, scheming?

[Tonto]

There they go.

[Ruth Flood]

No. The outlaw's carrying Jim. On that white horse man's face. They'll break their necks riding down the hill at that speed.

[Narrator]

Ain't no use me going after him.

[Ruth Flood]

But you can get to town, can't you? Hurry up and get the sheriff. There ain't no telling what'll happen to Jim.

[Narrator]

The Lone Ranger made Jim a captive. He took him only far enough from his home to explain a daring plan to the miner. He gave Blood careful instructions before releasing him then rejoined Tonto Tato if you find the letter Har Rigg stole Tonto look in house not fine letter. He wouldn't destroy the letter kimosabe because he'd want to sell the mind of the company. When he gets a from Jim must be hidden somewhere in his house. Until not find you search the house. May not have much time. Search only part of house. He may have the letter in his pocket. We'll go ahead with our plans anyway. I think he'll produce the letter when the time comes. That good. I told Jim Flood just what he's to do and he's agreed to do it. He's on his way to talk to his wife right now. And in a few minutes I think we'll see them leaving the house.

[Jim Flood]

Come on, Ruth, we gotta get.

[Ruth Flood]

Oh, I was that much offend. What did that madman want for?

[Jim Flood]

The rig's gone.

[Ruth Flood]

Yeah, a long time ago, but. You ready?

[Jim Flood]

Ain't no time for talking. I can't explain things now. We gotta travel downhill fast. Don't ask no questions. Just take things to wear and come on.

[Tonto]

Why?

[Jim Flood]

Landslide, that's why.

[Narrator]

I've been hearing rumblings on the hill.

[Ruth Flood]

I ain't heard nothing.

[Jim Flood]

Your ears ain't sharp enough then. Now, come on, Ruth, and get some things together. It's too risky to stay here tonight.

[Ruth Flood]

Have you took leave of your senses?

[Jim Flood]

No. Here. Here, take these things.

[Ruth Flood]

Where are we going?

[Jim Flood]

We're going to put up for the night at the hotel in town.

[Ruth Flood]

You have gone loco. First that math man runs off with you, then you come back shouting things about a landslide coming off tonight. And now without a cent of cash, money and no credit. You talk of going to the hotel?

[Jim Flood]

We got some money.

[Ruth Flood]

Where did it come from?

[Jim Flood]

It was lonely. Come on now, let's get going. The sooner we get to town, the better.

[Narrator]

The Lone Ranger and Tonto were outside Jim's home waiting in the darkness until the sound of falling stones told them of the departure of Flood and his wife. Then the masked man spoke. They're on their way downhill now, Tuba. Not good. I was afraid Jim wouldn't carry out

[Jim Flood]

his part of the plans.

[Narrator]

Him do it.

[Jim Flood]

All right. Yes. Here they come. Get back to the side of the trail.

[Narrator]

We don't want Mrs. Flood to see us and ask a lot of questions. Maybe now tundra's not uphill.

[Jim Flood]

No, not just yet. Wait until they pass by.

[Ruth Flood]

I still can't see what possesses you to leave the house tonight, Mrs.

[Tonto]

Blood.

[Narrator]

Ruth, some men can tell by a

[Jim Flood]

feeling in the when it's going to rain. Some Tell other things. But me I could tell as a landslide due before morning. And I'm going to stay on this hill and get catched in it.

[Ruth Flood]

Well, you can tell a bleed fight more than I can. That's all I got to say.

[Narrator]

Well, Tuttle? He's tied up the hill. Get everything ready now. Wait till Jim Flood gets to town before I ride in with the exciting news.

[Jim Flood]

Everyone will laugh at Flood when he

[Narrator]

tells them there's a landslide due. Maybe them laugh too soon.

[Jim Flood]

Yes, they'll be sorry that they laughed.

[Tonto]

Where do you feel the landslide? In your bones, Jim. All right, dad.

[Jim Flood]

That's a lot of you go on a laugh, boys.

[Tonto]

He invites us to laugh free of charge. Didn't have the dramatic take what rainers do. He gets a feeling when there'll be a landslide coming off. Hey, what last we'll tell her. Please hurry. Get out the ring, please. Oh, what did I tell you? What sort of trick is this? Come on, Sage. See for yourself. Excuse me. What's the matter? Who is he going here? But look. Any of it slide his bed? It might wreck the town. I tell you, boy, get a ruin

[Jim Flood]

a town of a bad one.

[Tonto]

There's a trouble with having a town where this one is. Wonder why Riggs don't know about it.

[Jim Flood]

He didn't have the feeling of it like I did.

[Tonto]

You might have warned him to laugh like the same.

[Jim Flood]

All you men did.

[Tonto]

That is this thing was right. Why he go there? Boys, we got to rescue Har Rig.

[Jim Flood]

We got to get to him somehow.

[Tonto]

Get your horses.

[Narrator]

The men of Silver Gulch learn to their alarm fight had actually started. Jim thought and his wife were safe. But it was feared that Riggs would be destroyed in his cabin. And so while rock and shale thundered into the valley, men fought their way upward to rescue him.

[Tonto]

His dark face is the top of the hill, boys.

[Narrator]

I'd miss him.

[Jim Flood]

Jab with rock so you can't get out.

[Tonto]

Come on, boys. Keep your footing. Rigs is in his house. Come on.

[Ruth Flood]

Help me.

[Tonto]

Is that me at. There he is. They're coming, stranger. We're coming. Is Riggs in there? Toss them rocks aside, boys.

[Narrator]

Help. Help.

[Tonto]

Let me out. Let me out of here. We're here, Riggs. We'll get you out. Hurry all the house away from the door. You're going to be all right, Rick. Keep them rocher time. It won't belong now.

[Jim Flood]

I guess the worst was slide and done with.

[Tonto]

Sounded to me like a blast that started. Hurry with those rocks. Hear me out, boys. Get me out of here.

[Narrator]

This is downright curious.

[Tonto]

These rocks don't look like shale that have been broken off. They look like they've been piled here by someone.

[Jim Flood]

Yeah, my sink are too much. Get them to the side. Now he can get out.

[Tonto]

Thank goodness you come.

[Narrator]

Boys.

[Tonto]

Couldn't get through the winters, eh? No.

[Jim Flood]

I guess the flight is over now anyhow.

[Tonto]

But your work, men, has just begun. You stand right where you are.

[Narrator]

I imagine when you thought you'd lose your house with a slide, you hid the most valuable of your possessions on your person. I hope so. Don't make a move.

[Tonto]

Hey, the stranger's holding the gun on Rick. What's the bigger idea, stranger?

[Narrator]

Listen to me, men. Someone killed the pony rider and stole a certain letter from him. The rider lived just long enough to describe the killer. He knew the letter was addressed to Jim Flood. And the killer he described was Harv Riggs.

[Tonto]

He lied. He ain't got no proof.

[Narrator]

The description of the murderer fits you, Riggs. Since I came here, I found out that you'd have reason to want that letter.

[Tonto]

I wouldn't. It's very true. Keep your hands where they are. See here, stranger, you can't talk.

[Narrator]

Listen to me till I finish. The letter to Jim Flood was one he was expecting from an Eastern mining syndicate.

[Jim Flood]

I thought I'd get an offer to buy my place. You see, gent, well, Riggs know that. He didn't want me to get that offer. He figured to force me to sell out to him and then he'd sell to the Eastern people.

[Tonto]

There's nothing but a pack of lies. That ain't true. Could easily be proved.

[Jim Flood]

Riggs.

[Narrator]

If you didn't steal that letter, you wouldn't have it. Now you're going to be searched.

[Tonto]

Well, I won't submit to this. It's an insult. Take you to court.

[Narrator]

We'll hold court right here. That whole landslide was staged for your benefit. Rocks were piled against your house or you couldn't get out.

[Tonto]

Take your hands off.

[Narrator]

Please.

[Jim Flood]

Let me see about that letter.

[Tonto]

Here. Here's something. Hold the lantern close. Here. I don't know nothing about that. I didn't put it there. I don't know how it got in my pocket. Here, Tim, this is yours.

[Jim Flood]

My letter.

[Narrator]

Fakes alive.

[Tonto]

How'd you get it rigged if you

[Jim Flood]

didn't do what the masked man said?

[Tonto]

Jim Flood must have stuck it in my pocket.

[Jim Flood]

Boy, this offers me 5,000 cash and half interest in the mind for my claim.

[Tonto]

I'm gonna be rich. You frame me. Shut up. Rich why should Jim Flood try to frame you by putting that letter in your clothes? That letter makes him a rich man.

[Narrator]

Stranger, we sure want to thank you.

[Tonto]

Did that mess with how do you know he ain't the killer? Maybe he's just trying to frame me for what he done. We don't want him, Riggs. We got you.

[Narrator]

The story you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.

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