A Question of Evidence | The Lone Ranger (10-18-39)

Summary

Old Time Radio Westerns Podcast: Episode Summary

Title: A Question of Evidence | The Lone Ranger (10-18-39)
Host: Andrew Rines
Release Date: February 8, 2025

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Introduction

In this captivating episode of the Old Time Radio Westerns, host Andrew Rines presents a digitally restored rendition of The Lone Ranger episode titled "A Question of Evidence." This episode transports listeners to the rugged terrains of the Wild West, weaving a tale of betrayal, justice, and redemption with enhanced audio quality that breathes new life into this classic radio drama.

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Plot Overview

1. The Ambush in Clearwater Canyon

The story unfolds with Asa Botts and his loyal horse, Silver, navigating through Clearwater Canyon. As they peacefully graze cattle, Asa becomes the target of a meticulously planned ambush. The sudden stampede, marked by gunfire and chaos, forces Asa to retreat hastily, only to fall into a gopher hole, fracturing his leg.

• Key Moment:
  [06:24]
  Asa Botts: "A stampede. And coming like they prom meant to get here. Boy, you and me better roll up our bridges and get for home."

2. The Unraveling Mystery

Rescued by the Lone Ranger and his companion, Tonto, Asa reveals his suspicions that Luke Smead, his former partner, orchestrated the stampede out of vengeance. Asa explains their strained partnership, stemming from Asa's decision to report Luke's rustling activities, leading to the vigilante execution of Luke's brother.

• Revelation:
  [09:19]
  Asa Botts: "Luke Smead."

3. Confrontation and Deception

As the plot thickens, Asa confronts his foreman, Curly Macklin, demanding the capture of Luke Smead. Tensions escalate when the sheriff accuses Asa of murdering his son, Bud, based on circumstantial evidence and a planted note. Asa vehemently denies the allegations, hinting at deeper corruption within the sheriff's ranks.

• Accusation:
  [14:23]
  Asa Botts: "Something happened to Buddha."

4. The Search for Truth

Determined to clear his name, Asa collaborates with Tonto to uncover the truth behind Bud's death and the orchestrated stampede. Their investigation leads them to expose Curly Macklin as the true antagonist, who manipulated evidence to frame Asa for the murder, motivated by personal vendettas and greed.

• Confrontation:
  [31:12]
  Asa Botts: "I knew what happened, and I'm gonna tell you my own way."

5. Justice Served

In a dramatic showdown, Asa and Tonto confront Curly and the corrupt sheriff. Through clever deduction and unwavering resolve, they unmask the deceit, ensuring that justice prevails. Curly's treachery is exposed, and Asa's innocence is vindicated, restoring peace to Clearwater Canyon.

• Resolution:
  [32:03]
  Tonto: "He won't be able to hide anymore."

---

Character Analysis

• Asa Botts: A principled rancher wrongfully accused of murder, whose quest for justice drives the narrative. His resilience and determination are central to unraveling the truth.

• Tonto: The Lone Ranger’s steadfast companion, whose wisdom and bravery aid Asa in overcoming adversity and confronting corruption.

• Curly Macklin: The cunning foreman whose jealousy and greed lead him to sabotage Asa, embodying the theme of betrayal.

• Sheriff: Initially portrayed as an upholder of the law, his complicity in Curly's schemes reveals the depths of corruption within the established order.

• Luke Smead: Asa’s former partner and the antagonist, whose vendetta against Asa sets the events of the episode into motion.

---

Key Themes and Insights

• Justice vs. Corruption: The episode delves into the struggle between honest lawmen and corrupt individuals seeking personal gain, highlighting the challenges of upholding justice in the Wild West.

• Betrayal and Loyalty: Asa's betrayal by Curly and the sheriff contrasts with the unwavering loyalty of Tonto, emphasizing the importance of true allies.

• Redemption and Vindication: Asa's journey from wrongful accusation to vindication underscores the transformative power of truth and perseverance.

---

Notable Quotes

1. Asa Botts on Trust and Betrayal:
   [08:23]
   Asa Botts: "If you hadn't got me out from underfoot just when you did."

2. Tonto on Justice:
   [10:21]
   Tonto: "That's easy to understand. The other hand, you had only done your duty."

3. Curly Macklin's Silence:
   [22:14]
   Curly Macklin: "And I killed Bud."

4. Asa Botts' Determination:
   [28:39]
   Asa Botts: "I said I'd tell you just what happened yesterday."

5. Tonto's Wisdom:
   [32:24]
   Tonto: "But I did see the note Bud was supposed to have written. Sheriff. It was written altogether too carefully and too clearly for a dying man."

---

Conclusion

The Lone Ranger’s episode "A Question of Evidence" masterfully blends suspense, intricate plotting, and rich character dynamics to deliver a timeless Western tale. Through its exploration of justice, betrayal, and redemption, the episode reinforces the enduring legacy of these classic radio dramas. The Old Time Radio Westerns podcast’s commitment to digital restoration ensures that such stories continue to resonate with modern audiences, preserving the golden age of radio for generations to come.

Transcript

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[Andrew Rines]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host Andrew Rines and and I'm excited to bring you another episode absolutely free. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment. Now let's get into this episode.

[Narrator]

A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and the hearty hi O Silver the Lone Ranger.

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[Narrator]

In the early days of the western United States. Criminals and confidence men, cattle rustlers and road agents made the new territory their headquarters. The local sheriffs were powerless against them. And it was not until the masked rider of the plains started his fight for law and order that peace and security were brought to the frontier. Nowhere in the pages of history could one find a greater champion of justice. Nowhere a man to match his courage or daring. Return with us now to those thrilling days when the west was young. From out of the pass come the thundering hoof beats of the great horse Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again.

[Asa Botts]

Come on, Silver. We're heading for Clearwater Canyon. Hey. O Silver.

[Tonto]

Hawaii.

[Narrator]

Peacefully grazing cattle in Clearwater Canyon were suddenly started out of their calm. A horseman rode among them. And while his mount reared and pranced, he shouted at the top of his voice and his six gun echoed from the canyon wall. The alarmed animals began first to press together, then nervously to circle. And finally, when the contagion of panic had swept through their ranks, to lunge in a body for the canyon's mouth. The horsemen had brought about a mad stampede. But a second horseman was between them and the open plain beyond. When the first faint thunder the approaching herd reached his ears, he rained his mount to a halt.

[Asa Botts]

A stampede. And coming like they prom meant to get here. Boy, you and me better roll up our bridges and get for home.

[Narrator]

Get up.

[Asa Botts]

Get along there. Get up. Get up there.

[Narrator]

But as swiftly as a man rode to the open plain in safety, the stampede gained more swiftly still.

[Asa Botts]

Get up there.

[Narrator]

And his goal was yet some distance ahead when he met disaster. His mount, urged to its greatest speed, was unable to avoid a gopher hole. I'm get up.

[Asa Botts]

My is like it's broke. They're coming fast. You all right, boy? You all right? Let's get going. Clear out. You hear me? Ain't no users both getting trapped. Go on, boy. Go on.

[Sheriff]

Go on.

[Asa Botts]

Clear out. A mask, man. Get up. Get off the ground. Cat legs busted. Better turn back. You'll never make it. You can't swing you up now.

[Narrator]

Get with you.

[Asa Botts]

Grab the saddle.

[Narrator]

Hold on. Come on, Silver.

[Asa Botts]

Come on out of the canyon, old boy. My heart.

[Tonto]

He'll make it alone.

[Asa Botts]

Hurry, Silver.

[Narrator]

Hurry.

[Asa Botts]

Hurry.

[Narrator]

The Lone Ranger's great white stallion raced ahead of the stampeding herd, drew slowly away and then, reaching the plain, broke into the clear. Last man did not draw rein until he joined the wedding figure of Tonto, his faithful Indian companion. Oh. Oh, Silver.

[Sheriff]

Oh, boy.

[Tonto]

Oh, there. Give me a hand with this fellow. Tallow.

[Narrator]

I think his Leg's broken. Me get him Easy.

[Tonto]

That tallow lifts you down. Friend gone.

[Asa Botts]

Leg aches like blazing.

[Narrator]

He got him now.

[Asa Botts]

Thanks. You exigen.

[Narrator]

You lay there, Tonto. Thick splint.

[Asa Botts]

Josh. I don't know what to say. You stranger. If you hadn't got me out from underfoot just when you did.

[Tonto]

Forget it. Tanto. See what you can find. That'll serve as a splint for now.

[Narrator]

Me?

[Tonto]

When we get you home, you can get fixed up all right.

[Asa Botts]

Sure. When I think of how you risk your life.

[Tonto]

I said forget it. Right now. There's something that interests me more. You like talking?

[Asa Botts]

It'd take more than a busted leg to stop me.

[Tonto]

Very well. And tell me, who might want to see you killed?

[Narrator]

Huh?

[Asa Botts]

Killed?

[Tonto]

That stampede wasn't an accident. It was started for a purpose.

[Asa Botts]

You're loco.

[Tonto]

You probably didn't hear the shots that set it off. Toto and I did. Those shots that attracted our attention in the first place.

[Asa Botts]

Oh, you. You mean someone in the canyon there tried to get me trampled?

[Tonto]

You almost were.

[Asa Botts]

I'll be switched.

[Tonto]

You can think of no one who wanted you out of the way.

[Asa Botts]

Didn't say that, did I? Strange. I'll tell you something. If them critters was roused to purpose, if somebody wanted me killed, I don't have to wonder who done it. I can give you his name.

[Tonto]

Which is exactly what I want to know.

[Asa Botts]

Luke Smead.

[Narrator]

Yes.

[Asa Botts]

He said he'd get me like a fool. I never thought he'd have the nerve to try.

[Tonto]

Who is Smead?

[Asa Botts]

My partner. Worse luck. See, all this range hereabouts belongs to us. Them critters had come close to doing me in. My own cows.

[Tonto]

I see. You can think of no one but Smead who would dislike you enough to be responsible for what just happened.

[Asa Botts]

Oh, I ain't on bad terms with any other fella in the county.

[Tonto]

But would Smeed benefit by your death? Why would your own partner dislike you?

[Asa Botts]

Sure, he'd benefit. We got a partnership agreement. Anything happens to either one of us, the other gets his share of the ranch. Mr. Luke hating me? Well, I caught a no good brother of his rustling. I'd give him fair warning, but he just kept it up. So I turned him over to the sheriff, but the vigilantes grabbed him from the law and hung him. There'd been too many rustlers going loose in the county. Luke never forgive me.

[Tonto]

That's easy to understand. The other hand, you had only done your duty.

[Asa Botts]

That's the way I'd figured it. Oh, that blasted leg.

[Tonto]

You haven't told me your name.

[Asa Botts]

Asa stranger. Aser Botts.

[Tonto]

Well, Azer, tata's coming now. We'll do what we can for you. See that you get home.

[Asa Botts]

Thank you, friend.

[Tonto]

And if Luke calls that stampede, perhaps we'll prove it.

[Narrator]

The Lone Ranger in Tonto bound Aza's broken leg to a splint, then carried him home, where they turned him over to his men. When Aze had been placed in bed, his foreman, Curly Macklin, stood beside him, awaiting orders.

[Curly Macklin]

I'm mighty Sorry about this, Mr. Botts.

[Asa Botts]

Likely you are. There's another army in this place that's sorry too. Only he's sorry I weren't killed. But who could? That's my business.

[Curly Macklin]

Where is Luke, Mr. Smead? Just a second. Yeah, there he is. Just turning his horse into the corral.

[Asa Botts]

Oh, he is, is he? Been away from the place, huh?

[Curly Macklin]

Reckon so, Mr. Butts. He said something this morning about having to look through the brush for scrubs. He thought come round up here.

[Asa Botts]

When'd he leave?

[Curly Macklin]

Right after you, as I recollect.

[Asa Botts]

Right after me, huh? Thought so. Quit asking questions. Attend your own affairs. You sent men up for that west line cabin yet? Bet you ain't no, and see to it. Dog gone it. Go on. Pick two fellers and get them on their way. Another thing. On your way out, tell Luke to come here. Tell him to get here Prono.

[Curly Macklin]

Go on, Mr. Bob.

[Asa Botts]

It'll be necessary.

[Narrator]

I'm here, all right. Curly cleared me about your leggies.

[Asa Botts]

Don't you pretend to be sorry.

[Narrator]

Me? Don't worry. I'd rather bend your neck.

[Asa Botts]

Glad to hear it. Yeah, it just makes it easier to come down to cases. Curly says you rode out just after me. That so? You my nursemaid, Ray Dancer?

[Narrator]

Sure, I rode out. Reckon it most likely was close after you left. What of it?

[Asa Botts]

I ain't told the boys yet, but that stampede was started a purpose. Started a purpose with me in front of it. With the chances 9 and 10 I wouldn't get away. And if it hadn't been for a masked crook, I wouldn't have added a purpose, eh?

[Narrator]

Too bad.

[Asa Botts]

Why should you ask?

[Narrator]

I get it. It was me started the stampede, eh? Why, you old fool. I said one day I'd even a score between me and you and a will. But when I do, it'll be in a way where you won't be doubting who done it. Jim hung on account of you.

[Asa Botts]

When I get in my licks, you'll.

[Narrator]

Know where they come from.

[Asa Botts]

I know Now.

[Narrator]

But you're alive. I won't miss.

[Asa Botts]

Luke, I'll make you a proposition.

[Narrator]

Yeah?

[Asa Botts]

I'll buy out your half of this outfit. Give you a fair price. On condition you start up again someplace outside this county.

[Tonto]

Give me cold feet?

[Asa Botts]

No such thing. It's this. As things can't go on this way. Who ever heard of two fellas hating each other and still being partners?

[Narrator]

I like it here. I ain't leaving. But I'll make you a proposition. I'll buy you one.

[Asa Botts]

I won't sell. We'll do it my way or not at all.

[Narrator]

It is not at all.

[Asa Botts]

I'm gonna change the agreement we drew up. I'm gonna see through it. You never get my half if something happens to me.

[Narrator]

Go right ahead. That suits me down to the ground.

[Asa Botts]

Then we know how we stand.

[Narrator]

Yes, sir.

[Asa Botts]

Good. And for your information, I got a gun here under the covers. Fly anything before my leg mends and you'll find a busted leg. Ain't interfering any with my aim.

[Narrator]

Which never was. Nothing to brag of.

[Asa Botts]

Come in. Come in. Oh, howdy, sheriff. Who told you about what happened? Never knew it till I got here.

[Narrator]

Then what are you doing here?

[Sheriff]

I got bad news for both of you.

[Narrator]

Huh?

[Sheriff]

Your boy, he said, bud.

[Asa Botts]

Something happened to Buddha.

[Sheriff]

I just come from his place.

[Asa Botts]

Why ain't he come here? Said he was going to drop in on me this week. Hey, sir.

[Sheriff]

He's dead.

[Asa Botts]

Is that you?

[Sheriff]

Say, hey, sir.

[Narrator]

Murdered, sheriff. Who done it?

[Sheriff]

You did, Luke. Hold out your hand.

[Narrator]

Luke was handcuffed and forced to leave the ranch house by a side door. The sheriff kept him covered as he walked toward his horse.

[Sheriff]

Steady, fella. Don't make no funny moves.

[Asa Botts]

Luke.

[Narrator]

No gun. At least I got a right to know why you're blaming this killing on me.

[Sheriff]

Luke. You're as good as hung.

[Narrator]

But I tell you, in the first.

[Sheriff]

Place, everybody knows how you've been promising to get even with Asa.

[Narrator]

I never had nothing again. Asa's boy.

[Sheriff]

You blamed Asa for the hanging of that worthless brother of yours. If he'd just snatch her for you to strike back through.

[Narrator]

Bud, if that's all you got on me, you can't hold me in jail an hour.

[Sheriff]

It ain't.

[Narrator]

What else is there?

[Sheriff]

You dropped your bandana when you made your getaway. Too excited to notice, I reckon. And like all you wear, it's got your initials and it was stolen.

[Narrator]

Planted there. I've been wearing the same one for the past two days.

[Sheriff]

You'd have a hard time proving it. But that's just the least of it.

[Narrator]

You can.

[Sheriff]

You didn't finish Bud off as clean as you must have figured. He lived on a spell. Lived on long enough to grab a pencil and paper and write who shot him.

[Narrator]

And he named me your soul.

[Sheriff]

Think it over. You murdered. And the man you murdered testifies agin you.

[Tonto]

Yeah.

[Sheriff]

Can't beat a thing like that.

[Narrator]

No.

[Sheriff]

We palaver long enough, I'm aboard. We'll ride double.

[Narrator]

Nope. I don't reckon we will.

[Sheriff]

You think I'm going to get a horse for you from the corrals and let everybody know?

[Narrator]

Hey, Curly.

[Asa Botts]

What?

[Sheriff]

What? There ain't nobody there. You busted my wrist.

[Asa Botts]

I said I wasn't riding double.

[Narrator]

I'm riding alone. Get up there.

[Asa Botts]

Hey.

[Sheriff]

Hold on. Come back here.

[Asa Botts]

Help.

[Sheriff]

Stop that fella.

[Asa Botts]

I go after him. What's the matter? Is that Luke riding off?

[Sheriff]

Get horses and bring him back. He's my prisoner. He knocked the gun from my hands.

[Curly Macklin]

Threw him a horse.

[Sheriff]

Don't just stand there. You hear me?

[Asa Botts]

Saddle up.

[Narrator]

It was an hour later. The Lone Ranger and Tonto had returned to Clearwater Canyon and were examining the ground.

[Tonto]

I'm afraid there's nothing here. The ground's too badly torn up by the stampede. Any trail made through here beforehand would be completely destroyed.

[Narrator]

Matt. Right. What we do now?

[Tonto]

We'll make camp somewhere and then see Asa again. Now I want to look at Luke smead.

[Narrator]

We. What's that sound like?

[Tonto]

Horse through the brush there.

[Curly Macklin]

Ah.

[Tonto]

Break into the clear in just a moment.

[Narrator]

There, there, Feller. Hi.

[Asa Botts]

Back, Back. Hold on. I'm scared.

[Tonto]

The moment he saw us, he changed direction. He wanted to get away. You notice his hands? Taylor?

[Narrator]

What matter?

[Tonto]

That fella wore handcuffs. We're going after him. Come on.

[Narrator]

Get him up.

[Asa Botts]

Scarlet, Silver, away.

[Narrator]

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

[Talkspace Marketing Team]

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[Narrator]

Now to continue our story. Luke Smead, handcuffed and riding a tired horse, had no hope of escaping from the masked man in Tonto. Get up, boy. Get up.

[Asa Botts]

Stay back. Stay back, blast you. I'll let you have it.

[Narrator]

I'm warning you. Come on, Silver him. Take it.

[Asa Botts]

You're not hurt, you dirt. Hold up. Hold up.

[Narrator]

Let me go.

[Asa Botts]

This ain't none of your Give me a chance.

[Tonto]

What's the many of those handcuffs? What are you running from?

[Narrator]

What dares it make to you?

[Asa Botts]

Just let me go. That's all I'm asking.

[Tonto]

They're running from the law. You've got funny to explain. I will before we're through. Right on that side of him, Tando. He's coming with us.

[Narrator]

Come on. The sheriff, giving up the pursuit of his escaped prisoner, returned to town, sending two of his deputies out to hunt for Luke's trail. That evening he sat in his office with a third deputy, Cal Munson.

[Sheriff]

I never had so much evidence agin a feller. And all the time I've been in office, short of catching him in the act. And then he gets away from me. I ought to turn in my badge. I must be getting too old for the job.

[Curly Macklin]

A man wearing handcuffs can't stay on the dodge for long. He'll be back.

[Sheriff]

And in the meantime, I'm the laughing stock of everybody in the county.

[Curly Macklin]

If it's lucky for you, you ain't worse.

[Sheriff]

Huh? What do you mean by that?

[Curly Macklin]

I was just thinking of what folks might have said if there hadn't been such a side of evidence against Luke. They might even suspicion that. Well, I reckon. You savvy?

[Tonto]

All right.

[Sheriff]

And I killed Bud.

[Curly Macklin]

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying anything. I'm only pointing out what others might have said. Yeah, well, how much use did you ever have for Aces, boy? None at all, and you know it. And others know it. And others might have recollected the fight you and Bud have had.

[Sheriff]

You ain't even making sense.

[Curly Macklin]

No, well, don't matter. I reckon Luke's guilty right enough, circumstances being what they are. Nobody's accusing you. I just mentioned it to show you how being laughed at for losing a prisoner ain't half so bad as being pointed to as maybe a killer.

[Sheriff]

Then forget that fool talk. You a masked man.

[Narrator]

Don't move.

[Asa Botts]

What the.

[Tonto]

Sheriff, this isn't a hold up. There's something here I wish to see.

[Curly Macklin]

What's here that a crooked want?

[Narrator]

I'm the law and you do as I say.

[Tonto]

Keep your hand from that gun, Sheriff.

[Sheriff]

Why, bless you.

[Tonto]

Good gosh, that's better. Next time don't try to outdraw me.

[Sheriff]

I never seen a draw like that in all my born days.

[Tonto]

Now maybe we can get down to business. Asaphat's son owned a small outfit not far from here. This morning, Sheriff, you stopped by his place and found him murdered.

[Sheriff]

Hey, where'd you find out all this?

[Tonto]

You know as well as I do, the news is all over the district by now. However, I got my information from another source.

[Narrator]

What do you mean?

[Tonto]

Never mind. That it'll do you no good to ask who told me. The point is this, Sheriff, you found a note in Bud's cabin naming who killed him.

[Narrator]

Though I've heard.

[Tonto]

I want to see that note when I've seen it for myself. You may have it back.

[Sheriff]

Well, you can read it, but. Mister, you do anything with it you shouldn't, and I'll make this county so hot for you, you wish you'd left well enough alone. Cal opened that drawer by your right hand. There. That's where the note is.

[Narrator]

That night, the shock following the news of his son's death, combined with the pain of his fractured leg, made sleep impossible for Asa Botts. He refused to be left alone and ordered his foreman, Curly Macklin, to keep him company.

[Curly Macklin]

Don't you think he could sleep a little if I was to turn down your lamp and leave you alone for a spell, Mr. Botts? Gosh, you gotta have some rest.

[Asa Botts]

He'll stay right there.

[Curly Macklin]

It ain't me I'm thinking of. It's you.

[Asa Botts]

It ain't me I'm thinking. My boy and Luke. That dirty sidewinder.

[Curly Macklin]

I never figured things would come to this.

[Asa Botts]

I should have known. Should have been on guard.

[Curly Macklin]

Now, don't go to blame on yourself, Curry.

[Asa Botts]

Yeah, I'm just laying here hoping for one thing. I'm just hoping Luke ain't caught. For now. I'm hoping he stays free till this here leg gets well.

[Narrator]

What first?

[Asa Botts]

So's I can go after myself? So it can be me that deals with him. You think I want him to go to trial with a chance of going free or breaking jail first?

[Curly Macklin]

Shucks, boss, there ain't a chance of it. He'll be caught, and he'll stay caught. When the judge passes sentence, he'll hang.

[Asa Botts]

With a sheriff hanging him, I want to pay him back myself. You savvy that? He killed my boy. I want to pay him back personal.

[Narrator]

Here.

[Curly Macklin]

Now, you get so head up you forget your leg. Now, try to take it easy.

[Asa Botts]

Me here with a busted leg and everything. Trouble. More trouble. Get outside. See who's doing that.

[Curly Macklin]

Right.

[Asa Botts]

And if it's one of the boys home from town and raising net. Give him his time. Send him packing. I'll handle it. Wait a minute. Close that door. Told you before, it's drafty in here. If it ain't one thing, it's another. When I see Luke hung, I'm gonna quit ranching. Tain't worth what?

[Tonto]

Quiet, Asa.

[Asa Botts]

It's you. It's the masked man.

[Tonto]

I want to talk with you in.

[Asa Botts]

Privacy, in trouble, the law get after you.

[Tonto]

Not that, Asa. I'm hoping to help you in your trouble.

[Narrator]

But why?

[Tonto]

First turn down that lamp. I don't want it possible for anyone to see me through the window.

[Asa Botts]

I don't savvy. When a gent saves my life like you done, I don't argue neither.

[Tonto]

Curly comes back, send him away. Don't let him enter. Tell him he wish to sleep.

[Sheriff]

Sure.

[Asa Botts]

He left to find out what crazy fool got the exercise and his shooting irons careless outside. You must have heard the shots.

[Tonto]

I did. I fired them.

[Narrator]

Huh? You fired them to get Curly away.

[Asa Botts]

Well, I'll be dork on, Asa.

[Tonto]

I want you to do something for me.

[Asa Botts]

Just name it.

[Tonto]

In reality, it's something for yourself.

[Asa Botts]

Yeah.

[Tonto]

Tomorrow night, I want three men besides yourself here in this room.

[Asa Botts]

What three men?

[Tonto]

Your foreman, the sheriff and Cal Munson.

[Asa Botts]

What for?

[Tonto]

Tell the sheriff to bring with him all the evidence he's holding against Luke Smead, including the note written by your son.

[Narrator]

Still ain't told me what fur do that.

[Tonto]

And before they leave, you'll know the identity not only of the man who started that stampede, but of the man who killed your son.

[Asa Botts]

That snowed already. Luke Smead done it.

[Tonto]

Perhaps.

[Asa Botts]

No perhaps about it. My boy's killer will never be in this house till Luke is. That's as plain as a mask you're wearing.

[Tonto]

Luke will be here. Asa.

[Narrator]

Huh?

[Tonto]

Will you do as I've asked?

[Asa Botts]

Sure, I'll do it. But that you just said about Luke. What do you mean? You know where he is? Has he been caught?

[Tonto]

I know where he is, Asa. I know because I caught him.

[Narrator]

Refusing to explain further, the masked man departed as he had come. And when daylight arrived, Asa carried out his promise, sending a man in town with a message to the sheriff and his deputy. Curly, too, was told to be present. And that evening, when the sheriff and Cal arrived, he joined them in front of the house.

[Sheriff]

Got any idea what Asa wanted us for, Curly? Is there anything to you?

[Curly Macklin]

Nothing, except when to be there. Likely just wants to talk over how to catch Luke. Come on inside here. He'll be waiting for us.

[Sheriff]

He ought to know we're doing the best we can.

[Curly Macklin]

Step in.

[Tonto]

Sure.

[Curly Macklin]

I reckon he knows it, but maybe he's got some ideas of his own. Here's his room. Over here. The sheriff's here with Cal, ready to see us.

[Sheriff]

Good morning.

[Curly Macklin]

Goin here, fellas.

[Sheriff]

Evening, Asa.

[Curly Macklin]

Feeling better?

[Asa Botts]

You're wondering why had you come here, huh?

[Tonto]

Shucks.

[Sheriff]

If you got any ideas, it'll help us, Asa. I'd be glad to hear Em.

[Asa Botts]

You've been looking for Luke, figuring he killed Bud. I've been laying here hating Luke for that same reason. And all the time that both of us have been wrong.

[Curly Macklin]

But all the evidence. The note Bud wrote before he died. Yeah, and all that.

[Asa Botts]

Just hold on a second, gents. Let me tell it to you my own way. Now, first of all, the evidence part of it was that Luke had it in for me, weren't it? Sure, but that alone wouldn't be hanging evidence, would it? I mean, if there weren't nothing else to back it up.

[Curly Macklin]

Of course not. But with the other things to back.

[Asa Botts]

It up, I was coming to him. That bandana. That's the one with Luke's initials. Nobody could prove that hadn't been stolen from him, could they?

[Curly Macklin]

Oh, now look here, Mr. Bob.

[Asa Botts]

I don't want an argument. Want an answer. Could it be proved? Could it? Sheriff, you ought to be able to tell me that you represent the law.

[Sheriff]

Well, if you come right down to it, maybe not.

[Asa Botts]

Curly could have stolen. He's around the place all the time.

[Curly Macklin]

I never hadn't get fussed.

[Asa Botts]

I guess supposing. Well, that holds for the sheriff and Cal too. Sheriff stops in on business every once in a while. Cal's got friends among the hands. And he rides out this way every so often.

[Sheriff]

You're talking nonsense. Them things don't matter so much. It's the note Bud wrote while he was dying that proves the killing.

[Asa Botts]

Old Luke, huh? That note. Now I'm gonna tell you just what happened yesterday. You see, gents, I know who really killed Bud.

[Curly Macklin]

Oh, you king.

[Sheriff]

Who was it?

[Asa Botts]

I said I'd tell it my own way. Curly there says I can't know who done it. Well, a fella to blame is here in this room right now.

[Curly Macklin]

Well, now we're carrying a fool joke too far.

[Sheriff]

If you're just trying to be funny.

[Asa Botts]

Funny? Funny about the murder of my son, I'll show you how funny it is. I said I'd tell you just what happened yesterday. Well, I will. And I reckon the one of you that killed Bud'll know I savvy what I'm saying.

[Sheriff]

All right, we're listening.

[Asa Botts]

Well, first of all, yesterday I got this here busted leg when my horse threw me when I was trying to get out from under his stampede. I figured at the time that that stampede was started to get me. I accused Luke of it, but that weren't so at all. The feller started it, done it to wipe out his trail. If that note he'd wrecked didn't work, if anybody set out to follow him, then the stampede would stop him. There wouldn't be no more trail to follow.

[Curly Macklin]

How come you're so doggone sure Bud was killed?

[Asa Botts]

That bandana was dropped where to be found. Then the killer wrote out that note making it look like Bud was accusing Luke.

[Sheriff]

Go on.

[Asa Botts]

The killer was seen. Seen by a fellow that couldn't afford to testify in court. But he wrote out the whole thing and put it in that there envelope with proof to back it up.

[Tonto]

What envelope?

[Asa Botts]

That one right there behind you on the table. See, I. Oh, doggone. The lamp.

[Narrator]

Quick.

[Asa Botts]

Catch it. Ah, shucks.

[Sheriff]

It's busted.

[Curly Macklin]

I can't see nothing.

[Asa Botts]

That was my own fool fault. Shouldn't have brushed it with my arm.

[Sheriff]

Where's another light?

[Asa Botts]

Reach under my bed. I had an extra one put there.

[Narrator]

Find it.

[Sheriff]

Here it is.

[Asa Botts]

Light it up.

[Sheriff]

Just a second. Now we can see again. And the first thing I aim to look at is that there envelope.

[Asa Botts]

It's gone. What happened to it? If it's gone, then the fellow that's guilty took it. He's. By golly, it's the fellow I was telling you about. It's the fellow. Give me that envelope now. It don't matter if at what store he can tell which one of you done it.

[Tonto]

There's the man he's pointing at Curly.

[Sheriff]

Stand back.

[Asa Botts]

I'll shoot the first pull of Fowler.

[Curly Macklin]

I'm going through the window.

[Asa Botts]

You stay here.

[Sheriff]

A redskin is at the window.

[Asa Botts]

Blast you, stranger.

[Curly Macklin]

You knocked the gun right from his hand.

[Tonto]

Arrest him, Sheriff.

[Sheriff]

I got him.

[Asa Botts]

Blast you.

[Narrator]

If you hadn't seen me guilty.

[Tonto]

Curly, there's nothing you can do to save yourself. So you might just as well tell us why you killed Asa's son.

[Curly Macklin]

Cuz he knew I'd help Luke's brother.

[Asa Botts]

Russell cows from Asa and was going to tell.

[Curly Macklin]

I had to kill him to shut his mouth.

[Narrator]

Then my brother was guilty of rustling.

[Sheriff]

He was the only one stubborn enough to figure he wasn't Luke NASA.

[Narrator]

I was blaming you when you was in the right.

[Asa Botts]

Shucks, forget it.

[Sheriff]

What I'm more interested in right now is how the Mask fella happened by Bud's place just when the killing happened. There to tell us.

[Tonto]

Mister, I wasn't there. I didn't see the killing. I never claimed that I did.

[Asa Botts]

What?

[Tonto]

But I did see the note Bud was supposed to have written. Sheriff. It was written altogether too carefully and too clearly for a dying man. Bud couldn't have written it and as it accused Luke, and it was clear Luke hadn't written it either.

[Curly Macklin]

You must have seen me.

[Narrator]

Asa told us what I'd done.

[Tonto]

I told you what obviously must have been done when we knew the note was a forgery. As for the stampede, when I found the place it started, I saw that Asa would have had to been out of sight. The man who started the stampede couldn't have known Asa was in the canyon. Therefore he must have had another reason no cattle were stolen. It must have been to destroy a trail.

[Curly Macklin]

But you stood right there and pointed.

[Asa Botts]

Out Curly, the masked man and me had that fixed up between us, Cal. I claimed there was evidence in that envelope and I knocked over the lamp, giving the guilty fellow a chance to hide it in the dark. But he didn't know there was chalk on the envelope. When the masked man stepped in, he just pointed at the fellow that had.

[Narrator]

Chalk on his hand.

[Sheriff]

Well, I'll be doing chalk.

[Curly Macklin]

I never noticed.

[Asa Botts]

So you'll hang. And Luke, I reckon you and me can forget our feuding, huh, Asa?

[Narrator]

It's clean for God already.

[Indeed Representative]

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[Asa Botts]

It.

[Narrator]

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

[Andrew Rines]

This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate this episode within your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com YouTube become one of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank the following ranch hand, Steve who joined us recently. You too can join by going to otrwesterns.com donate send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com and you can call and leave us a voicemail 707-986-8739 this episode is copyright under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com sl copyright. Have a great day and thanks for listening.

[Indeed Representative]

You just realized your business needed to hire someone yesterday? How can you find amazing candidates fast? Easy. Just use Indeed. Stop struggling to get your job post seen on other job sites with Indeed sponsored jobs. Your post jumps to the top of the page for your relevant candidates so you can reach the people you want faster. According to Indeed data, sponsored jobs posted directly on indeed have 45% more applications than non sponsored jobs. Don't wait any longer. Speed up your hiring right now with Indeed and listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility at indeed.comarts. just go to indeed.comarts right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Hiring Indeed is all you need. You just realized your business needed to hire someone yesterday. How can you find amazing candidates fast? Easy. Just use Indeed. Stop struggling to get your job post seen on other job sites with Indeed sponsored jobs. Your post jumps to the top of the page for your relevant candidates so you can reach the people you want faster. According to Indeed data, sponsored jobs posted directly on indeed have 45% more applications than non sponsored jobs. Don't wait any longer. Speed up your hiring right now with Indeed and listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility@ Indeed.com Arts. Just go to Indeed.com Arts right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Hiring Indeed is all you need.