The Lone Ranger - Stolen Diamond

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Lone Ranger – Stolen Diamond

Harold’s Old Time Radio
Date: May 27, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Harold’s Old Time Radio presents a thrilling Lone Ranger adventure titled “Stolen Diamond.” Set in the lawless days of the Old West, a precious diamond is at the center of a murder in Baker City. The Lone Ranger and his loyal companion Tonto must unravel a web of suspicion, false accusations, and greed to ensure that justice prevails. The episode is rich with classic Western drama, quick-witted dialogue, and suspenseful investigative work.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Progression

1. Discovery at the Grove

[03:19 – 04:49]

• The Lone Ranger and Tonto discover mysterious signs near Baker City: a frightened horse, torn-up grass, blood, and horsehair at the base of a tree.
• They suspect a violent struggle took place and speculate about a possible shooting.

2. Tension Over the Diamond

[05:23 – 08:15]

• In Baker City’s cafe, Mort Prentice, Clem Sawyer, and Phil Tracy argue about purchasing a valuable diamond from Jason York, a well-known jeweler from San Francisco.
• Their rivalry and competitiveness are established, each man eager to outbid the other for the diamond.
• Notable Quote:

  "Talk all you want to, Phil, and you too, Clem. But if the both of you ain't here to try and outbid me for that diamond old man York brought from Frisco, then I'm a sheep herder." — Mort Prentice [06:54]

3. York Found Murdered – Immediate Suspicion

[08:18 – 14:10]

• The group goes to York’s room and finds him dead. The diamond is missing.
• A note is found under York’s hand, allegedly accusing his bodyguard, Dick Leonard, of the murder.
• Dick vehemently denies the accusation and insists the note is a forgery.
• The sheriff quickly arrests Dick, despite his protests and lack of evidence in the room.
• Notable Quote:

  "You better get the sheriff. This is something for the law to handle." — Phil Tracy [09:08]

4. The Lone Ranger Intervenes

[12:48 – 14:29]

• The masked Lone Ranger and Tonto make a dramatic entrance, challenging the authenticity of the note and questioning the evidence.
• They highlight that York could not have written the note after being shot through the heart, as claimed.
• Notable Exchange:

  "If the dead man is supposed to have written the note in this room, isn't it natural to suppose he would have been shot in this room?" — Lone Ranger [13:25]
  "What is there to prove he was shot in this room?" — Lone Ranger [13:37]

5. Dick Leonard in Jail & Further Suspicions

[16:28 – 17:47]

• Dick pleads his innocence to the sheriff, suggesting handwriting could be checked in Frisco.
• The townsmen speculate that Dick and the masked man may be working together, pushing the sheriff to assemble a posse.

6. The Investigation Deepens

[18:19 – 20:00]

• Over three days, Tonto and the Lone Ranger gather information.
• They deduce that Mort, Clem, and Phil (the only townsmen with black horses) all had motive and opportunity. Each faces financial difficulties that could drive them to crime.
• Tonto is confident that Dick Leonard is not the killer, as the true murderer would not incriminate himself.

7. The Trap is Set

[21:26 – 22:53]

• The Lone Ranger and Tonto send identical cryptic notes to Mort, Clem, and Phil, calling them individually to the scene of the crime under the pretense of “coming to terms.”
• The intention: the real killer will reveal himself by responding.

8. The Confession and Resolution

[25:02 – 28:23]

• At the grove, Mort Prentice arrives to confront the masked man.
• Through conversation, Mort reveals details that only the killer would know: luring York to the site, the manner of the shooting, staging the crime scene, and forging the accusatory note.
• The sheriff and others, secretly listening, apprehend Mort.
• The Lone Ranger’s ruse is revealed: the identical notes were a “trap” only the killer would understand.
• Notable Quote:

  "Three men received identical notes. But only the guilty man could have known he was to meet me at this grove of trees." — Lone Ranger [28:02]

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Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• On Accusations and Evidence:

  "You can jail me, if you're a mind to. You can hang me and I won't tell where that diamond is. I can't tell because I don't know. And that's the honest to God's truth." — Dick Leonard [11:47]

• The Lone Ranger’s Logic:

  "Anyone could write a note. What does that mean?" — Lone Ranger [13:14]

• Setting the Trap:

  "We need certain information. But when we have it, Tonto, we'll trap the killer." — Lone Ranger [14:49]

• Mort’s Confession:

  "I suppose you tricked Jason into coming here with you, then shot him and took him back to the hotel." — Lone Ranger [27:09]
  "That's just the way it happened. Cason thought I was the only one wanted to buy the stone he had. So I said if he'd ride out to my ranch, I'd give him the cash." — Mort Prentice [27:21]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening Investigation: [03:19 – 04:49]
• Diamond Rivalry Introduction: [05:23 – 08:15]
• Murder Discovered & Dick Leonard Accused: [08:18 – 14:10]
• The Lone Ranger Challenges the Evidence: [12:48 – 14:29]
• Dick Leonard Jailed: [16:28 – 17:47]
• Tonto & Lone Ranger’s Deductive Reasoning: [18:19 – 20:00]
• Setting & Springing the Trap: [21:26 – 22:53; 25:02 – 28:23]
• Mort’s Confession and Arrest: [27:02 – 28:23]

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Conclusion

This episode captures the thrill and moral clarity of classic Lone Ranger tales. It demonstrates keen detective work, shrewd psychological insight, and justice achieved through outsmarting greed and cunning rather than brute force. The Lone Ranger and Tonto’s partnership shines, as does the show’s love for dramatic tension and clever reveals.

Listeners are treated to a punchy, authentic old-time radio experience, true to the series’ tradition of suspenseful Western mystery.

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Transcript

[TikTok Narrator]

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[Mort Prentice]

Over.

[Narrator]

A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty high. Silver.

[Mort Prentice]

The Lone Ranger.

[Narrator]

The stories of the Lone Rangers adventures were told and retold around thousands of frontier campfires.

[Mort Prentice]

And.

[Narrator]

And many of those stories have come down to us through the generations. We know that the Masked rider of the Plains did more than any other man to bring law and order to the early western United States. And that, high O Silver came to be the battle cry of justice. Return with us now to those thrilling days when the west was young. From out of the past come the thundering hoof beats of the great horse.

[Sheriff]

Silver.

[Narrator]

The Lone Ranger rides again.

[Lone Ranger]

Come on, Silver. We're heading for Baker City, fellows. Waiting on the trail ahead. Hail Silver.

[Narrator]

The masked man and his faithful Indian companion, Tonto rode slowly toward Baker City. Less than a mile from town. As they were passing a grove of trees, Tonto's horse whinnied nervously and for no apparent reason came to a clattering halt.

[Dick Leonard]

What? What matter?

[Sheriff]

Paint Horse.

[Tonto]

Oh, silver folk.

[Sheriff]

Oh, that funny thing.

[Tonto]

Maybe there's a snake on the trail.

[Sheriff]

May not see him.

[Tonto]

But.

[Sheriff]

What? Look over there.

[Tonto]

Todo.

[Sheriff]

What you see

[Tonto]

may be wrong, but I want to have a look. Come. You see anything by the base of that tree?

[Phil Tracy]

Grass.

[Sheriff]

Plenty torn up.

[Tonto]

Well, there might have been a fight here, but that isn't all.

[Sheriff]

There.

[Phil Tracy]

Blood.

[Tonto]

That's what must have frightened your horse. Whoever was here tried to cover it up. But he was in too big of a hurry to do a good job.

[Sheriff]

That's right. You look there. On tree.

[Tonto]

What is it, Tano?

[Sheriff]

They're hair from horse.

[Tonto]

Yes. Black hares. Someone riding a black horse was here. The horse must have rubbed up against the tree. And these hares were caught in the bark.

[Sheriff]

That's right.

[Tonto]

Did you find anything else, Kimosabe? No, not all this may mean nothing. Or it may mean a lot.

[Sheriff]

Me think feller get killed. What we do?

[Tonto]

There's nothing we can do except go on to town.

[Sheriff]

What we do there?

[Tonto]

Perhaps I've had word there of a shooting.

[Sheriff]

Steady, old boy, huh?

[Tonto]

Most likely there's nothing to worry about. But it won't hurt to find out. Come on, get him out, Paint.

[Mort Prentice]

For.

[Narrator]

At the same time, the masked man and Tonto were examining the evidence beneath the grove of trees. Three men were standing before the bar of the cafe in Baker City. One was Mort Prentice, a rancher with an outfit 15 miles from town. The second was Clem Sawyer, the town's domineering banker. And the third was Phil Tracy, a gambler who spent most of his time at the cafe's gaming tables. The three men were engaged in what seemed to be a friendly argument.

[Mort Prentice]

Look here, Clem, what I aim to find out is how you and Phil knew I was figuring to buy that there diamond Jason York brought to this town.

[Phil Tracy]

You didn't have a notion you could put something over on us, did you, Mort?

[Clem Sawyer]

I ain't as easy as that. And from the looks of it, Clem ain't neither.

[Mort Prentice]

You two are always trying to go me one better.

[Phil Tracy]

What you mean, Mort, is that you and Phil are always trying to get the best of me.

[Clem Sawyer]

That ain't right neither, Clem. Clem, it's you and Mort that are staying awake nights to get ahead of me.

[Phil Tracy]

Well, I put it over on the two of you the time I bought

[Mort Prentice]

Blackie that horse of yours.

[Phil Tracy]

He's the best horse you ever seen.

[Clem Sawyer]

He ain't in the same class with that black horse I bought.

[Mort Prentice]

You're both loco. Compared to that horse of mine, yours are just a couple of stove in cayuses that ain't hardly got the strength to walk to the feed box for oats.

[Clem Sawyer]

Why you bragging?

[Phil Tracy]

Hold on, hold on, hold on. That just goes to prove what I was saying. Yeah, because I buy me a black horse. You two fellas think you've got to have black horses to beat Min.

[Clem Sawyer]

How about the time I bought me that fancy saddle? You two mavericks didn't waste no time having saddle just like it sent out from Denver.

[Mort Prentice]

Talk all you want to, Phil, and you too, Clem. But if the both of you ain't here to try and outbid me for that diamond old man York brought from Frisco, then I'm a sheep herder.

[Phil Tracy]

Well, you didn't figure on hogging it for yourself, did you?

[Clem Sawyer]

Say, just who is this fellow York?

[Mort Prentice]

Ain't you never heard of him? Why, he's the biggest jury in the hall of Frisco.

[Clem Sawyer]

Know him, do you?

[Mort Prentice]

Well, he's never been in these parts before, but I met him once when I was on the coast.

[Phil Tracy]

Why can't we go up and talk to him now, Mort? He's in his room, isn't he?

[Mort Prentice]

We're supposed to wait for the young fella that's his bodyguard.

[Clem Sawyer]

Ain't that him just coming in?

[Phil Tracy]

Well, sure it is. What's his name? Mort.

[Mort Prentice]

He calls Himself, Dick Leonard.

[Phil Tracy]

Dick.

[Sheriff]

Hey, Dick, you want me?

[Phil Tracy]

We're waiting to see your boss.

[Clem Sawyer]

We heard he's got one of the biggest diamonds ever seen in these parts. That's right.

[Dick Leonard]

Sure is a beauty. You fellas aim to buy it?

[Mort Prentice]

Well, one of us does.

[Dick Leonard]

Come along, then. His room's just at the head of the stairs.

[Mort Prentice]

Come along, fellers.

[Phil Tracy]

Why won't he come down?

[Dick Leonard]

Well, if his cash gonna change hands, it ought to be where it's private.

[Clem Sawyer]

But here's the stamps.

[Mort Prentice]

Well, I'm declaring myself right now. I'm gonna have that diamond. If I gotta get a mortgage on my ranch from claim to buya.

[Phil Tracy]

I ain't so sure I'd loan you any cash.

[Clem Sawyer]

I got cash aplenty. So I'm warning you fellas, if either one of you aims to get that stone away from me, you'll have to bid mighty high.

[Mort Prentice]

You're two of the most contrary cusses.

[Sheriff]

Quiet down.

[Phil Tracy]

Here's York's door.

[Dick Leonard]

I'll knock till, let him know we're here.

[Clem Sawyer]

Go ahead.

[Mort Prentice]

He don't answer.

[Phil Tracy]

Maybe he's napping.

[Narrator]

That's funny.

[Dick Leonard]

He don't often sleep during the day.

[Mort Prentice]

He'll rap again.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Phil Tracy]

He wouldn't have gone out, would he?

[Dick Leonard]

He said he'd be right here.

[Mort Prentice]

Maybe you better try the door.

[Dick Leonard]

I don't suppose there's anything wrong, but just.

[Clem Sawyer]

Well, anyhow, the door is unlocked. He can't be so very look at there.

[Phil Tracy]

Well, I'll be.

[Dick Leonard]

Come here.

[Mort Prentice]

He's been shot.

[Dick Leonard]

Mr. Yorks, can you hear me? This is Dick.

[Clem Sawyer]

That won't do no good. He's dead all right.

[Phil Tracy]

Really, Hunter.

[Mort Prentice]

But who?

[Narrator]

Diamond.

[Mort Prentice]

Where's the diamond?

[Dick Leonard]

Why, he kept it in a little shammy bag in a special pocket he had.

[Phil Tracy]

Take a look and see if it's there.

[Dick Leonard]

I'll soon find out.

[Mort Prentice]

I'll bet it's gone. What else would he have been shot for?

[Clem Sawyer]

Can you find a dick?

[Dick Leonard]

Just a minute, Mort.

[Phil Tracy]

You better get the sheriff. This is something for the law to handle.

[Mort Prentice]

I seen him downstairs. I'll have him right here.

[Clem Sawyer]

What'd you find out, Dick?

[Dick Leonard]

It's gone.

[Phil Tracy]

The diamond.

[Dick Leonard]

Ain't no sign of it. The bag's here, but it's empty.

[Clem Sawyer]

What's that under York's hand?

[Phil Tracy]

It's a piece of paper.

[Tonto]

I'll get it.

[Phil Tracy]

What's it say, Phil?

[Clem Sawyer]

Well, of all the low down tricks.

[Dick Leonard]

Put up your hands, you skunk.

[Sheriff]

Yeah.

[Dick Leonard]

You don't mean. Oh, look here. Don't you accuse me of it. I didn't do it.

[Clem Sawyer]

Reach Dick. Heist your hands and make it fast.

[Dick Leonard]

You're wrong. Look here, Phil. I didn't have Heist him.

[Clem Sawyer]

Dickie's gun, Clem.

[Phil Tracy]

I'll take his gun, Phil, but I'd sure like to know what you're accusing Dick for.

[Clem Sawyer]

Get the gun, then I'll tell you.

[Phil Tracy]

There.

[Dick Leonard]

Listen, boys, there's a mistake. There's a big mistake.

[Clem Sawyer]

Here, Clem, have a look at this note. It was written before York died.

[Phil Tracy]

Let me see it. Writin sort of scragglin, ain't it? Yeah, it's enough to put the blame on you. All right, Dick.

[Dick Leonard]

What's it say?

[Phil Tracy]

I was shot by my bodyguard. That's you, Dick.

[Dick Leonard]

It's a lie. Let me see that note.

[Clem Sawyer]

So as you can chew it up and destroy the evidence, huh? Not a chance. We told you what it says. Now you just keep your hands high till we get the sheriff here.

[Dick Leonard]

I know York's handwriting. Let me see if it's his.

[Clem Sawyer]

A man don't bother to write in his familiar style when he's dying. Writing don't mean anything.

[Dick Leonard]

You gotta listen to me now.

[Phil Tracy]

Better save your talk for the jury and the sheriff back.

[Sheriff]

What's all the commotion?

[Clem Sawyer]

Oh, here's the Sheriff Mort now. Come in here, Sheriff.

[Sheriff]

That's what I aim to do. What's going on? Hey, Phil, what are you holding your gun on Dick for?

[Clem Sawyer]

I reckon we already got the prisoner for you.

[Dick Leonard]

Sheriff, listen to me. It's a frame up. I didn't do it.

[Sheriff]

That's what about nine killers out of ten.

[Tonto]

Say, it's funny.

[Sheriff]

The number of men claim they was framed. So it's Jason York that's been shot, eh?

[Clem Sawyer]

There he is, poor critter.

[Phil Tracy]

Phil has a note.

[Tonto]

Let me see it.

[Clem Sawyer]

There you are. It tells just why I slapped leather and disarmed Dick Leonard.

[Dick Leonard]

Sheriff.

[Sheriff]

Shut up like you're done reading this.

[Clem Sawyer]

It's evidence, ain't it?

[Sheriff]

Reckon it is. Let me see his shooting iron.

[Phil Tracy]

Here it is.

[Tonto]

Thanks, Clem.

[Dick Leonard]

You can see, Sheriff, the gun ain't been fired. Smell of it, you can prove it

[Sheriff]

ain't no Catri just fired. Barrel looks clean. Don't smell a burnt powder.

[Mort Prentice]

Don't that prove a thing?

[Sheriff]

That don't prove a thing. The first thing a smart killer does is to clean his gun and replace the fired shells. We'll take the gun as evidence along with a note.

[Dick Leonard]

Sheriff, will you let me have a look at that note?

[Sheriff]

Sure. Keep your hands right where they are and look as much as you please. That's you that's mentioned here, ain't it?

[Dick Leonard]

Yeah, but that ain't York's handwriting.

[Tonto]

No.

[Dick Leonard]

No, it ain't.

[Sheriff]

The jury'll discuss that angle of it. Lennon.

[Dick Leonard]

All that dirty frame ups, you can't hang. In the strength of that note, you can't as well.

[Mort Prentice]

Fess up, Dick. Where's the diamond at?

[Dick Leonard]

How'd I know?

[Mort Prentice]

Don't know why you wouldn't, being as you killed York to get it.

[Clem Sawyer]

You do best to tell the truth, Dick.

[Phil Tracy]

Sure. Come clean. Tell us where the diamond's hid. The law might go a little easier with you.

[Dick Leonard]

I don't know where the diamond is. I didn't kill York. I didn't touch that diamond. You can jail me. If you're a minder, you can hang me and I won't tell where that diamond is. I can't tell because I don't know. And that's the honest of God's truth.

[Sheriff]

Well, you better come along, Dick. Reckon there's nothing to do but jail you.

[Tonto]

I wouldn't decide on that too quickly.

[Sheriff]

If you're into tech, you'll love this.

[Dick Leonard]

TikTok is a live lab where users

[Clem Sawyer]

post instant reviews of the latest trends. Download TikTok and check it out.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 1]

And Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 2]

Hey, everyone. Check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

[Liberty Mutual Agent 1]

Oh, no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 2]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 1]

Anyways, get a [e-mail] or with your local agent.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 2]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

[Dick Leonard]

What the earth he come from? Mask.

[Sheriff]

Well, I'll be. Stick your hands up, mister. You're not so fast.

[Tonto]

You're all covered.

[Clem Sawyer]

I got a gun on you.

[Tonto]

Looks as if we have each other covered.

[Sheriff]

Drop your gun.

[Mort Prentice]

I won't drop it.

[Tonto]

You can't squeeze that trigger fast enough.

[Narrator]

Drop it.

[Mort Prentice]

Quick.

[Tonto]

That's better. Now we can talk.

[Sheriff]

Who in turn?

[Tonto]

I can best explain my being here by saying I'm interested in seeing this murder solved.

[Sheriff]

Then why?

[Tonto]

Arresting that man won't solve it.

[Clem Sawyer]

Who says it won't solve it?

[Mort Prentice]

He read a note.

[Tonto]

Anyone could write a note. What does that mean?

[Clem Sawyer]

But it's signed.

[Tonto]

Is there anything to stop you from signing whatever name you want me for?

[Clem Sawyer]

Land sakes.

[Tonto]

You can write anything.

[Mort Prentice]

My sakes, mister, don't look at me. I. I don't know anything.

[Tonto]

If the dead man is supposed to have written the note in this room, isn't it natural to suppose he would have been shot in this room?

[Sheriff]

Who in blazes says he wasn't shot in this room?

[Dick Leonard]

Now, you get out of here and

[Sheriff]

mind your own business.

[Tonto]

What is there to prove he was shot in this room?

[Dick Leonard]

What's that?

[Tonto]

Look around here. Is there any sign of a man being wounded or shot? I don't see any stain.

[Clem Sawyer]

I don't prove it.

[Phil Tracy]

Hold on, mister. I don't know who you are. It seems you're aiming to find a murderer.

[Tonto]

How was the man shot?

[Phil Tracy]

Drilled clean through the heart.

[Clem Sawyer]

He was killed mighty sudden.

[Tonto]

Mighty sudden, eh?

[Clem Sawyer]

Well, it must have been.

[Tonto]

And yet you claim he was able to get to that table and write a note and sign his name to it.

[Dick Leonard]

He couldn't have. Don't you see, Sheriff? That lets me out. That shows the note is fake. It proves that the note don't mean anything. And without the note, there's nothing to accuse me. You know York's handwriting as well as I know my own. And that note weren't writ by him.

[Tonto]

That's about what I thought.

[Sheriff]

Well, you thought what, stranger? Perhaps.

[Tonto]

Perhaps I'd better keep my ideas to myself.

[Sheriff]

Now, see here. If you're gonna bust into this case, you gotta let me down.

[Tonto]

I have nothing to say right now, Sheriff. Suppose you go right ahead as you had planned.

[Dick Leonard]

Don't let me down. Wait, stranger. Don't leave.

[Tonto]

We'll meet again.

[Mort Prentice]

Dick, don't go.

[Dick Leonard]

You're the only friend I've got. You're the only one that believes.

[Tonto]

Keep your chin up.

[Sheriff]

Now you hold on.

[Tonto]

I want to talk to you. Don't try to follow me. Get the key out of the door.

[Mort Prentice]

Sheriff. Don't let him get away. Grab him.

[Dick Leonard]

I recovered.

[Lone Ranger]

Now, hold on.

[Sheriff]

There.

[Tonto]

The back way.

[Sheriff]

Why you not tell Law what you find?

[Tonto]

I nearly did, Kimasabe. Now, I have another plan.

[Narrator]

What?

[Tonto]

That we need certain information. But when we have it, Santo, we'll trap the killer.

[Narrator]

The curtain falls on the first act of our thrilling Lone Ranger drama. Before the next exciting scenes. Please permit us to pause for just a few moments.

[Mort Prentice]

Sam.

[Narrator]

Now to continue our story. On the strength of the note which accused young Dick Leonard of murder, the sheriff of Baker City, accompanied by Mort Prentice, Clem Sawyer and Phil Tracy, took Dick to jail and locked him up

[Sheriff]

there. I reckon that'll hold you all right.

[Dick Leonard]

You're making a bad mistake, Sheriff.

[Sheriff]

Maybe so, but I'LL take my chances on that, Sheriff.

[Mort Prentice]

What we want to know is where he put the diamond he stole.

[Sheriff]

He'll talk before I'm through with him.

[Dick Leonard]

You heard the things a masked man said. I'll bet Jason wasn't ever killed in that room.

[Sheriff]

You ought to know.

[Dick Leonard]

How in blazes could Jason have written anything after being shot through the heart the way he was?

[Sheriff]

That ain't for me to say.

[Dick Leonard]

What's more, I can prove that note wasn't in Jason's handwriting.

[Sheriff]

Yeah?

[Tonto]

How?

[Dick Leonard]

By sending to Frisco for other things he wrote. Then you could compare them.

[Sheriff]

Frisco's a mighty long ways off, but it's one way I reckon the judge will be sober enough to hold court long before you could get an answer.

[Dick Leonard]

I wish I could talk to that mask fella again.

[Sheriff]

Mm. There's some things I'd like to ask him myself, Sheriff.

[Clem Sawyer]

Maybe Dick and the masked fellow was in on the killing together.

[Sheriff]

They might have been.

[Phil Tracy]

It sure wouldn't surprise me for so, by golly, huh?

[Mort Prentice]

Maybe that explains it.

[Phil Tracy]

Explains what?

[Mort Prentice]

More where the diamond got to. Maybe Dick killed Jason, stole the diamond, then slipped it to the mask hombre. That's it, Sheriff. You gotta find that feller.

[Sheriff]

I'll get a posse together.

[Clem Sawyer]

I'll ride in the sheriff.

[Mort Prentice]

And so will I.

[Phil Tracy]

We'll all go.

[Dick Leonard]

You fellas are clean, loco. I'll bet the masked man didn't have the more to do with the killing than I did.

[Mort Prentice]

But that was a plenty.

[Clem Sawyer]

Let's get started, Sheriff. If we don't wait too long, maybe we can pick up the trail.

[Sheriff]

Yeah.

[Phil Tracy]

Come on.

[Sheriff]

What's that? Look.

[Clem Sawyer]

The masked man again.

[Mort Prentice]

He was listening to what we said then.

[Sheriff]

It's just too bad for him now. We'll get him for sure.

[Narrator]

The sheriff and his companions tried to follow the Lone Ranger. But the Great horse Silver soon outdistanced the pursuit. For the next three days, a posse led by the sheriff scoured the hills for some clue to the masked man's hiding place. They were unsuccessful, however. And in the meantime, neither the ranger nor Tonto had been idle. The faithful Indian had made careful inquiries in the surrounding district and brought the information he gathered to his friend.

[Tonto]

Then there are three men who might have killed Jason York. That is, if we're right in supposing he'll be shot near that grove of trees instead of in the hotel.

[Sheriff]

Tonto not think him shot in hotel.

[Tonto]

Doesn't seem likely. Only Mort Prentiss mentioned hearing a shot. He may have imagined it that bright Three men in town own black horses. Mort Prentice, Clem Sawyer and Phil Tracy.

[Sheriff]

And all.

[Tonto]

All three wanted to buy the diamond Jason brought with him. And not a one of them could really have afforded it.

[Sheriff]

That what me here.

[Tonto]

Mort has had a bad year with his rents. There's been talk that Clem's bank is shaky. He might have stolen the diamond knowing someplace where he could turn it into cash.

[Sheriff]

Plenty fellers say bank need cash.

[Tonto]

Phil Tracy has had an unlucky streak at gambling. I've heard he's lost thousands.

[Sheriff]

And him bad feller.

[Tonto]

The gambler would probably be able to dispose of a diamond easily.

[Sheriff]

What you think bout feller named Dick?

[Tonto]

I doubt that Dick killed Jason. The murderer wrote that note accusing Dick. He certainly wouldn't have accused himself.

[Sheriff]

That's right.

[Tonto]

No matter what the sheriff thinks, Jason couldn't have lived long enough to write that note.

[Sheriff]

What we do, huh, Tato?

[Tonto]

I think we can trap the killer tonight.

[Sheriff]

That'd be good thing.

[Tonto]

Here, Silver. It'll be dark by the time we reach town.

[Sheriff]

Here, Paint horse. Yep.

[Tonto]

You understand what you're to do, don't you?

[Sheriff]

Toddle, huh?

[Mort Prentice]

Me.

[Sheriff]

Me no good.

[Tonto]

Come on, Silver, give him a paint.

[Narrator]

That evening, Phil Tracy, the gambler, following his usual custom, went to the cafe where he joined in the game of poker already in session. His luck, however, was still against him. And at length he pushed back his chair impatiently and threw his cards on the table.

[Clem Sawyer]

Last of luck. Haven't had such bad cards in years.

[Dick Leonard]

Bill.

[Phil Tracy]

Hey, Bill.

[Mort Prentice]

Yeah?

[Clem Sawyer]

A fellow just pushed a gun in my back. Well, what's that to me?

[Mort Prentice]

And then he gave me this paper for you.

[Clem Sawyer]

What's that? He said to give it to you right away. What paper? Where is it?

[Narrator]

Here.

[Clem Sawyer]

Who was he?

[Mort Prentice]

I never got a look at him.

[Clem Sawyer]

He said if I tried to turn around, he'd shoot.

[Mort Prentice]

But maybe he.

[Tonto]

Well, I'll be.

[Clem Sawyer]

What's it say? None of your blame business. You needn't get mad.

[Tonto]

Was it bad news?

[Phil Tracy]

Phil?

[Clem Sawyer]

What are you looking so white about?

[Phil Tracy]

Can't you tell us what's in it?

[Mort Prentice]

Ain't the note signed?

[Clem Sawyer]

It ain't signed. And I just said it's nobody's business what's in it. But if I find the fellow that wrote it, I'll fill him full of lead.

[Narrator]

Clem Sawyer was alone in the office of his bank when suddenly the door burst open.

[Tonto]

Don't turn around.

[Phil Tracy]

Ain't no catch here.

[Tonto]

This isn't the hold up.

[Mort Prentice]

Careful.

[Tonto]

I said not to turn around.

[Phil Tracy]

Who are you? I've Heard that voice before.

[Tonto]

I've got a message for you.

[Phil Tracy]

A message?

[Sheriff]

There.

[Tonto]

But don't read it until I've gone.

[Phil Tracy]

Wait.

[Tonto]

You will understand when you've read the note.

[Phil Tracy]

But listen here.

[Tonto]

That's two of them, Silver, old fellow. Now to call on Mort Prentice. Come on, Silver.

[Narrator]

Mort Prentice had been talking with the sheriff about Dick Leonard's trial for more than an hour. Finally he said.

[Mort Prentice]

I guess we can leave everything up to you, Sheriff.

[Clem Sawyer]

Good night.

[Sheriff]

Night. Yeah.

[Mort Prentice]

Well, looks like that young fell is going to hang sure enough. But.

[Sheriff]

Stand where you are. Hey. What?

[Tonto]

Turn around.

[Mort Prentice]

I'll call the sheriff.

[Tonto]

Read this. Then I think you'll change your mind.

[Mort Prentice]

What is this?

[Tonto]

You'll soon know.

[Mort Prentice]

Wait. Come back here.

[Tonto]

We may meet again. Morse.

[Mort Prentice]

Come on, Silver. That's a blame funny thing. Who was that feller anyhow? And what in blazes is in this paper?

[Narrator]

After Mort left, the sheriff made ready to lock up his office for the night. But first he went to Dick Leonard's cell. The young man still protested his innocence in the face of the evidence against him.

[Dick Leonard]

Sheriff, if you hang me, you're hanging the wrong man.

[Sheriff]

The judge will decide that, Dick.

[Dick Leonard]

But you ain't even let me write to Frisco like I said to get samples of Jason's handwriting.

[Sheriff]

I did that myself, huh? Yep. I figured if you was bluffing, I'd

[Tonto]

just call your bluff and you'll get

[Dick Leonard]

an answer before the trial.

[Sheriff]

Can't say about that, but it ain't impossible.

[Dick Leonard]

I reckon maybe I ought to apologize to you, Sheriff. I had a notion you were just trying to frame me for the killing without caring whether I'd done it or not.

[Sheriff]

Well, I got to thinking over what

[Tonto]

the mask man said.

[Dick Leonard]

And he decided he was right?

[Tonto]

No, not exactly.

[Sheriff]

But he did mention one or two things that might need a little clearing up.

[Dick Leonard]

Well, a redskin, huh?

[Sheriff]

You stand still. But what do you. You do what Kanto tell you?

[Dick Leonard]

He's got you covered here, boy.

[Sheriff]

You or key. An open door. You can't make me, Eh? Open door. Careful of that gun engine. You hurry. Just when I was beginning to think that maybe you wasn't guilty, you try

[Tonto]

a stunt like this here.

[Dick Leonard]

If I had nothing to do with the redskin coming here, I never seen him before.

[Sheriff]

You expect me to believe that?

[Dick Leonard]

It's the truth.

[Sheriff]

You open door. I am. But you'll pay for this, Injun. And you too, Dick. You come. Me? Uh huh.

[Tonto]

Redskin.

[Sheriff]

This makes you just as guilty as him. You come too. But I tell you, I. We take ride Ride where, Tonto show you. All right, you got the drop on me now. But I am telling ye, Injun, I'll have you in jail or turn in my star.

[Narrator]

His work in town finished, the Lone Ranger raced toward the grove of trees where he and Tonto had stopped several days before. There he dismounted and stood beside Silver. The minutes passed slowly, but he made no move. Then, although he carefully concealed the fact, his ears caught the faint sound of a man's footsteps.

[Tonto]

Quiet, old boy.

[Mort Prentice]

Hold it.

[Sheriff]

So you came.

[Mort Prentice]

Sure I came. But you never figured I'd show up without you hearing me, did you?

[Sheriff]

Perhaps.

[Mort Prentice]

Let me have a look at you. Well, bless my heart, if it ain't the mask fella. I'm right glad to meet up with you again, stranger. Yes, and first I'm going to find out how you knew it was me to kill chasing. Then you're getting the same as he did.

[Sheriff]

You're sure of that?

[Mort Prentice]

I'm holding all the high cards in this game, stranger. I reckon you ain't got no choice but to follow my lead.

[Tonto]

Go on.

[Mort Prentice]

Well, speak up. How'd you get on to me?

[Tonto]

You read my note, didn't you?

[Mort Prentice]

Uh huh. It said for me to meet you where the killing took place. And if we could come to terms, maybe you wouldn't tell the sheriff what you knew.

[Tonto]

That's right.

[Mort Prentice]

But that ain't answer my question. You see it happen.

[Phil Tracy]

Maybe

[Mort Prentice]

don't feel like talking, huh? Well, I reckon I'll have a look at what's behind that mask of yours. Then we'll get down to business.

[Phil Tracy]

Careful now.

[Mort Prentice]

Just stand still. The shooting iron of mine is liable to go off. No, Silver. Stop it.

[Sheriff]

Up, boy.

[Mort Prentice]

Flash out key and drop your gun. I let loose back Silver. That horse is a devil.

[Tonto]

He knows how to handle murderers.

[Mort Prentice]

Don't shoot me. I. I was just fooling. When I said I was gonna kill you, I didn't mean it.

[Tonto]

Now we'll talk terms.

[Mort Prentice]

What do you want?

[Tonto]

Will you give me half of the value of the diamond you stole?

[Mort Prentice]

Now look here.

[Tonto]

Make up your mind.

[Mort Prentice]

Sure I will, stranger. I'll give you half. Just put them guns down.

[Tonto]

Where is the diamond?

[Mort Prentice]

Wait till I sell it.

[Tonto]

I'm not trusting you. Where's the diamond?

[Mort Prentice]

It's. It's out at the ranch. Good.

[Tonto]

I suppose you tricked Jason into coming here with you, then shot him and took him back to the hotel.

[Mort Prentice]

I thought you knew about that.

[Tonto]

I know most of it.

[Mort Prentice]

You and me are really going partners?

[Sheriff]

We are.

[Tonto]

If I take half the diamond, then

[Mort Prentice]

I guess it won't hurt to tell you sure? That's just the way it happened. Casen thought I was the only one wanted to buy the stone he had. So I said if he'd ride out to my ranch, I'd give him the cash.

[Tonto]

But you left the cafe by the back way.

[Mort Prentice]

You must have seen that too.

[Tonto]

No, but it was the only way that you could have left without being discovered.

[Mort Prentice]

Yeah, we went out the back. And after he was shot, I got him to his room the same way, wrote that note, then joined the fellows at the bar.

[Sheriff]

You need more evidence, Sheriff. What's that? We heard all that was needed, stranger. More apprentice is going to hang stranger.

[Dick Leonard]

You saved my neck.

[Mort Prentice]

You double crossed me.

[Tonto]

Why't you trapped yourself? Tahoe and I discovered where the shooting had really taken place. But we didn't know who the killer was.

[Mort Prentice]

But you gave me that note.

[Tonto]

And I gave notes just like it to Clem and Phil. All three of you own black horses. Three men received identical notes. But only the guilty man could have known he was to meet me at

[Phil Tracy]

this grove of trees.

[Mort Prentice]

I should have shot you when I first came up.

[Dick Leonard]

We was watching you, Mort. We'd have shot first if you'd have tried anything.

[Sheriff]

All we was waiting for was a mask man to get you to tell the whole story.

[Mort Prentice]

I'll get him for this, Mort.

[Sheriff]

You won't get anybody. Because just as soon as you've had your trial, you're gonna hang.

[Lone Ranger]

Come on, Silver, we are heading for Cedar Valley. There's going to be trouble.

[Sheriff]

Sam,

[Narrator]

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

[Liberty Mutual Agent 1]

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[Liberty Mutual Agent 2]

Hey, everyone. Check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

[Liberty Mutual Agent 1]

Oh, no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Together we're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 2]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 1]

Anyways, get a [e-mail] or with your local agent.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 2]

Liberty, Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

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