Silk Baits a Trap | The Lone Ranger (10-30-40)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Old Time Radio Westerns — The Lone Ranger: “Silk Baits a Trap” (10-30-40)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Date: October 11, 2025
Episode: Silk Baits a Trap | The Lone Ranger (10-30-40)
Main Theme:
A classic Lone Ranger radio adventure where a mysterious silk shipment, an elaborate insurance scam, and old west justice converge. The episode offers suspense, wit, and iconic Western characters, as the masked hero unravels a cunning criminal plot while giving listeners a taste of frontier life in the age of stagecoaches.

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Main Storyline Overview

This episode follows a suspicious stagecoach robbery involving a valuable shipment of silk, recently insured—a new-fangled concept for the frontier town of Osage. When the shipment is stolen by the notorious Sagebrush Gang, townsfolk, lawmen, and the Lone Ranger work to uncover just how the crime was perpetrated and what’s really at stake. The Lone Ranger, with the help of his trusted companion Tonto, must think fast to prevent a second robbery, outwit the real culprit, and restore justice.

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Key Discussion Points and Plot Progression

1. The Arrival of Silk and the “Marvel of Insurance”

[05:11 - 08:39]

• Cassie and Maggie, two townsfolk, marvel at the news that a valuable shipment of silk is being sent west, covered by an exotic new concept—insurance from England (Lloyd’s).
• They struggle to understand how insurance works, humorously comparing it to a six-shooter or a scheme:
  • “I always thought somebody had to lose. I can't figure yet no other way.” – Cassie (08:00)
  • Jim, the stage manager, tries to explain it’s “big business” and not a “losing proposition.”
  • Memorable, lighthearted exchange about the baffling nature of insurance and “big business.”

2. The Robbery and the Sagebrush Gang

[09:14 - 11:25]

• News arrives: the silk is stolen en route, despite being insured.
• The stagecoach driver recounts a masked man holding them up, aided by “at least a dozen others.”
• The theft seems oddly theatrical: after the robbery, the masked thief makes them replace a fallen tree to delay the next stage, hinting at an ongoing threat.
  • “Looks like he aims to stop the next stage in the same way, don't it?” – Jim (10:33)
• Sheriff and townsfolk organize a posse to catch the outlaws.

3. The Lone Ranger and Tonto’s Investigation

[11:51 - 14:27]

• Tonto, having observed everything, reports to the Lone Ranger.
  • They deduce the robbers’ apparent plan is a red herring to mislead pursuers.
• The Lone Ranger surmises the real second robbery will be staged elsewhere.
  • “But they let the driver and guard live to get to town and tell about it. That was the plan of the outlaws. They’d never let the driver tell if that was their real plan…” – Lone Ranger (12:48)
• They ride ahead to intercept the real scheme.

4. Twists and The Real Scheme Revealed

[18:09 - 24:13]

• The Lone Ranger confronts Henry Smith, the stage line’s eastern manager, who is evasive—he assumes the masked man is out for blackmail.
  • “Only outlaws wear masks.” – Smith (19:17)
  • “There are exceptions to that rule.” – Lone Ranger (19:19)
• Tonto lures the posse away from the real action, per the Lone Ranger’s plan, while the masked man brings Smith to confront the posse. The tension builds as suspicions swirl about who really committed the crime.

5. The Final Reveal—Justice Rides In

[24:51 - 29:25]

• The Lone Ranger reveals the actual plot: the first silk shipment was stolen by Smith and replaced with cheap cloth; both drivers and guards were in on it.
  • The “second” shipment was the original first silk, moved covertly to a new coach while everyone’s attention was elsewhere.
  • The supposed “gang” was fabricated with sticks, hats, and staged gunmen.
  • “Did you see men or did you see sticks poked through the bushes to look like rifles with hats set by them?” – Lone Ranger (28:32)
• The insurance was a scam: Smith aimed to collect the claim while still profiting from selling the stolen silk.
  • “Name the schemer in these.” – Jim
  • “Just name him Henry Smith.” – Lone Ranger (28:02)

6. Resolution—The Lone Ranger Rides Again

[29:25 - End]

• The scheme unraveled, townsfolk and lawmen express their admiration and sheepishness over ever doubting the Lone Ranger.
  • “Us suspecting him. Us suspecting the Lone Ranger. I'll sell my it's…” – Jim (29:30)
• Justice is done, the silk recovered, and the Lone Ranger remains a step ahead, his true identity protected.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It was not until the masked rider of the plain started his great fight for law and order that travel became safe on the frontier.”
  — Narrator [04:13]

• “It just ain't saying…You women. I should know better than to try to tell you.”
  — Jim on trying to explain insurance and commerce [08:39]

• “There are exceptions to that rule.”
  — Lone Ranger, rebuffing Smith’s “only outlaws wear masks” [19:19]

• “Did you see men or did you see sticks poked through the bushes to look like rifles with hats set by them?”
  — Lone Ranger, breaking down the clever ruse [28:32]

• “You're right, Jim. That isn’t silk…The cheapest kind of cloth is in those bales.”
  — Lone Ranger, proving the switch [26:47]

• “Name the schemer in these.” — Jim
  “Just name him Henry Smith.” — Lone Ranger [28:02]

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Key Segment Timestamps

• [05:11]: Cassie and Maggie discuss the marvels of telegraphs, silk, and insurance
• [09:14]: Stage driver reports the robbery in excited, breathless detail
• [11:51]: Tonto reports to Lone Ranger; deduction begins
• [14:53]: Posse plans to ambush “the gang” at the expected robbery spot
• [18:09]: Lone Ranger’s tense encounter with Henry Smith
• [24:00]: The Lone Ranger accused—reveals the scam and sets the record straight
• [26:47]: Discovery of the decoy cloth, not silk
• [28:02]: Smith is named as the true culprit
• [29:25]: Case closed and homage paid to the Lone Ranger

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Tone and Authentic Language

The episode is rich in playful, frontier banter—lighthearted, sometimes exasperated as the townsfolk try to grasp the modern concept of insurance. The Lone Ranger speaks calmly and with authority, methodically leading the group to the truth. The dialogue is brisk, colored with period slang (“by ginger!”, “catfish!”, “I'll be roped and throwed for a doggie!”), enhancing the authenticity and charm of the production.

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Final Takeaway

This classic Lone Ranger radio drama blends intricate plotting with glimpses of frontier society encountering modernity. With its cleareyed masked hero, clever criminal enterprise, and hearty western humor, it delivers both entertainment and an unexpected lesson in insurance fraud Wild West style. The thrilling “return to those thrilling days of yesteryear” is both nostalgic and invigorating, with the now-digitally restored sound bringing the action to vivid life.

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Transcript

[Jim]

Limu Game Oo and Doug Limu and I always tell you to customize your car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. But now we want you to feel it. Cue the emu music. Limu.

[Liberty Mutual Announcer]

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[Jim]

That may have been too much feeling. Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty Savings Very unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts.

[Narrator]

And Doug.

[Jim]

Here we have the Limu Emu in its natural habitat helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug. Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us. Cut the camera. They see us. Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty Savings Fairy Underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts Foreign.

[Andrew Rines]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host Andrew Rines 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 a hearty hi O. Silver the Lone Ranger.

[Jim]

There's Limu. And I always tell you to customize your car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. But now we want you to feel it. Cue the emu music. Limu.

[Liberty Mutual Announcer]

Save yourself money today. Increase your wealth. Customize and save. We save.

[Jim]

That may have been too much feeling. Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty Liberty. Liberty. Liberty Savings Very underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts.

[Narrator]

In the early days of the western United States, the stagecoach drivers faced many dangers from storms and landslides, hostile Indians and worst of all, the bands of outlaws that roam the new territory. It was not until the masked rider of the plain started his great fight for law and order that travel became safe on the frontier. It was only his strength and courage, his daring and resourcefulness that made possible the winning of the West. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoof beats of the great horse. Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again.

[Jim]

Come on, Silver. We're on the trail of the Sagebrush Gang. Oh, Silver. Hooray.

[Narrator]

Two middle aged women were sitting on the front porch of one of the weather beaten houses that line the main street of Osage.

[Cassie]

You know Cassie, I'll never get over the marvel of these modern times. Well, don't tell Me, there's something else that's new. I thought the grandest thing I ever heard of was a telegraph they got over to Abilene. Well, my man Jim, being branch manager of the stage line, gets to hear all the latest. I spect he does. Them stage drivers are just plumb filled a bottom over with news from the east. That and the Pony Express. Just so my sakes, what's coming next? Wait till you hear. Now, Maggie, don't keep me on Tenter Oaks. Tell me. Well, Jim had a letter by the pony rider no later than yesterday about the next shipman coming through on the stage line. It's silk. Silk? My word of honor. That ain't the news, though. Who round here could afford to buy silk? Tain't fur around here. Tain't? No, no. Tisn't it's for the Gold Coast. Folks out there are fairly rolling and reeking with cash. I spec they pay as high as 5, $600 for a silk dress just to put on airs with. I spec. So anyways, what do you think's special about that silk? Well, any kind of silk out this fur west. Something special? No, there's more than that. This silk can't be stole by Injuns or highwaymen. Can't be stole? These critters out here can steal anything up to and including their house and property. Well, what I mean to say is the man that sent that silk can't lose nothing. And neither can the stage line.

[Jim]

How's that?

[Cassie]

They want, oh, some newfangled thing that's called insurance. Called in what? Insurance. It keeps folks from losing money when there's something stolen. I don't know much about it. My land wherever thun theater. Oh, I hear it. It's come from all the ways across the ocean from England someplace. It's known as Lloyd's. Oh, here's Jim now.

[Jim]

Morning, Cassie.

[Cassie]

Good morning, Jim.

[Jim]

You're looking right pert this morning.

[Cassie]

Oh, you, Jim. I was just telling Cassie about that insurance that's coming with the silk. Well, I was sure hankered to get a peek at this insurance thing. What's it like? Something like a six shooter?

[Jim]

Well, no. What you been telling Cassie about it, Maggie?

[Cassie]

Oh, just what I knowed. If the silk on the stage is stole, nobody loses nothing. How's it work? Sounds most like magic to me. Just don't make sense if something stole. I always thought somebody had to lose. I can't figure yet no other way.

[Jim]

You women sakes alive, don't go trying the savvy Big business taint ladylike.

[Cassie]

Well, ladylike or not, I crave to see an insurance working.

[Jim]

All is to it's this. The men that own the silk pay some cash to men that sell insurance.

[Cassie]

Cash money?

[Jim]

Yeah. Then if the silk gets through safe, all well and good, the insurance people keep the cash. But if the silk gets stole, then the insurance people pay for it.

[Cassie]

Well, the owners of the silk have to pay the insurance folks. Why don't they just keep the cash to pay for the silk? If it gets stole then if it ain't stole, they're that much in. For sakes alive, they might just as well have the cash as the insurance for only schemes these men dream of.

[Jim]

But listen. They don't pay as much for the insurance as silk's worth.

[Cassie]

Then where's the insurance men getting off if they pay out more than they got coming in?

[Jim]

But maybe they don't. They insure things everywhere, all kinds of things. And they keep on.

[Cassie]

It sounds like a losing proposition to me.

[Jim]

The dead bread of Cassie.

[Cassie]

At any rate, it sounds a heap like gimp.

[Jim]

Cassie. It's big business, that's what tis big business.

[Cassie]

I don't sav it neither, Cassie. It just ain't saying.

[Jim]

You women. I should know better than to try to tell you.

[Cassie]

Here comes the stage. And you better hurry over to the station.

[Jim]

Well, she's right on time. Look at it.

[Narrator]

Bowling along.

[Jim]

Land sex. I guess I better get over there. All right, I see it. I'm coming over.

[Cassie]

Come on, Cassie. Maybe we can see that seal. I'd sure like to see that insurance thing if they got it aboard.

[Jim]

Cassie, I told you insurance was big business.

[Cassie]

Insects, Maggie. It's mostly we couldn't smooth bringing silk out here in the sea. You suppose we could touch it.

[Jim]

Right there? You folks. Where's Jim? I got something to tell him. Here I am. You're right on time. Driver.

[Narrator]

What do you want?

[Jim]

That load of silk we was bringing in.

[Cassie]

Well, is it? It appears to me you're loaded. Mighty light. Where's that silk?

[Jim]

I don't know. You don't know? What do you mean? That silk's plenty of valuable property. And I stole.

[Cassie]

Jim, it's a lie. Stole?

[Jim]

That's what I said. We were stuck up.

[Cassie]

You mean you was robbed? You hear that, Maggie?

[Jim]

How could the two of you be robbed? Who done it? Where did it happen? Where's that silk now? Who'd want a lot of square anyhow? What good's it around here? Come on, driver. Talk fast. What are the true facts? Give me A chance to talk, will you? And make sure you tell the true facts. Let me get down from here now. The guard will back up when I tell you. We stop for a fallen tree in the roadway and then a man steps up with a mask. A mask covering his face and sticks us up. There was at least a dozen others with him. The Sagebrush gang? Yeah, like it's not. The rest was hit on both sides of the trail, squitting at us, moving their rifles. Weren't no use trying to put up a fight. We didn't have a chance. Did the masked critter look like Sagebrush Charlie? I couldn't tell what he looked like, but he spoke with an Eastern style of talk. Made us throw the silk off the stage, then made us move the tree aside and go past it. Then he made us stop again and put the tree back across the trail again. Them's true facts, Jim. Every word of it. They made you put the tree back, you say? Looks like he aims to stop the next stage in the same way, don't it?

[Cassie]

Looks a rule the next day. For what? What's on that?

[Jim]

You women will stop gabbing at me. I'll tell you. Talk. There was so much silk to get on the first stage coach that it couldn't be done. So they had to hold some back to go on the next one. And that one's due to get stuck up too. Yeah, like as not. Probably in the same place and same way. Hey, Jake. Aunt Jim. Get for Sheriff Brandon. Get him here to get fast. We need the posse. Tell him that. A big one too. Let him eat. Siege best Chinese gang of robbers, Jake. Never mind. Hank, you take care of the horses. I'll go see the sheriff my own self. We've got to get after these highwaymen. They're ornery, croaked. They steal just for the sake of stealing, that's what. That's the truth. What good would a lot of silk be to them? Can't sell it around here. Of course they can't. What's more, they wouldn't have no way of taking to the coast without being seen and catched. Well, never mind standing there making guesses. Come on with me. We gotta get set to ride and hunt them crooks.

[Cassie]

Oh, my sakes alive, Cassie, ain't it?

[Jim]

Excitement.

[Cassie]

I don't see where this year Insurance things worked out. The silk was stole in spite of it.

[Jim]

Strong.

[Narrator]

Ponto, the faithful Indian companion of the Lone Ranger was in the crowd that watched the arrival of the. Jim started for the sheriff's office. He rode away to join the masked man in a small camp a few miles to the east. There he reported what he had seen and heard. Tell her. Let me make sure of a couple of points. There was too much silk to send on one stage. So the next stagecoach will also carry a load, is that it? Not right. The outlaws made the garden driver put the tree back on the trail so the next stage would have to stop. That right. But they let the driver and guard live to get to town and tell about it. That white fellow from town ride out. They'll be laying in wait to catch the Sagebrush gang when they stop the next stage. Come on, Tuttle, there's no time to lose. Here, Sylvia, and get my saddle cinched while I pack our things. There are plenty of pillars there already. But the stage won't be held up where those fellows think it will.

[Jim]

Not be held up there?

[Narrator]

No. That was the plan of the outlaws. They'd never let the driver tell about it. But by making everyone think that was their plan and go there, the robbers will have no trouble stopping the stage somewhere else along the trail. Steady, Silver feller, steady. Strap those things behind the saddle.

[Jim]

Time to fix it.

[Narrator]

They won't rob the stage between the scene of the last robbery and town. So we must get beyond the scene of the last robbery. Half right. Tada. You said the only hold up man that showed himself spoke like an easterner. That's what drivers say. All right. T. Get your saddle ready. Come on then. Riding like the wind, the Lone Ranger headed east hoping to prevent a second hold up.

[Jim]

Right ahead is where the tree was put across the road. Hunter see it? That's when the posse is waiting for the robbers. That's right. There they are now, that posse. We don't want them to see us. T. We'll cut south this way. Come, scout. Come on, Silver. T. You said there were about a dozen men in the Sagebrush gang and that's what drivers say.

[Narrator]

But only one of them spoke that right.

[Jim]

And he spoke like an easterner. That right? Not some like you. Well, well. Come on. Silver. Notice where those men are waiting. T may have to ride back there with a message. What message? I'm not sure yet, Kimasabi.

[Narrator]

But I have an idea that may.

[Jim]

Sound this robbery we'll see later on, huh? We find out when we find stage, huh? Yes. T. Get him up. Sc.

[Narrator]

Jim. The sheriff, the guard and driver of the robbed stage. A dozen other men took cover near the spot where the first hold up had taken place. As they waited for the Bandits to return. The afternoon slipped by and they grew more and more impatient.

[Jim]

I don't know what's delayin it ain't much past you boys. Maybe it'll be getting inside any minute now. Yeah, and there's so many things that could slow it up.

[Narrator]

Ain't nothing to worry about.

[Jim]

It's a few hours late. They thought we'd see some of the outlaws. That's the point. If Sage, Bryce, Charlie and his gang plan to stick up the next stage here, they should be getting on the job, shouldn't they? Sounds like good sense. I wonder if they could have known we come here and got scared away. Dreaded. I bet that's exactly what happened. Well, in that case. What if that's the case, Driver? If they found out that we was to be here, they'd have had a man in town when we left. Some man in town would have to be a member of the Sagebrush Gang. Hey, there's a man riding down here.

[Narrator]

Coming fast too. Hey.

[Jim]

That their engine was in town. So he was. I seen him there. Maybe he's one of the gang. Get your guns on him. Stand where you are. Ice your hands. Pick him up. We got you covered. Put guns down. Who are you? Speak up and speak fast. Me come tell about outlaw, sir. Me find out plenty. What'd you learn? Stage you get robbed tonight. You come ride plenty fast. Get him up. Come on, fellas. Let's follow that red scare. Let's get to our horses. Get to the saddle. You heard what.

[Narrator]

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

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[Narrator]

Now to continue our story. As Tahoe led the posse away from the spot where the first stage had been held up, the Lone Ranger was waiting at the side of the trail, a few miles farther to the east. Quiet, Silver. This looks like a man coming now. Yes, It's Smith, all right. Come on, boy.

[Jim]

Rain up there. No.

[Narrator]

Reach for your gun. You're covered.

[Jim]

Masked.

[Narrator]

Your name is Henry Smith, isn't it?

[Jim]

Well, I haven't any money.

[Narrator]

Just answer my question. You're Henry Smith, the manager of the eastern office of the stagecoach line. That's true, isn't it?

[Jim]

Yes, it's true. What do you want?

[Narrator]

Where are you heading, Mr. Smith?

[Jim]

That's my business.

[Narrator]

Does it have anything to do with the stagecoach robbery?

[Jim]

What do you mean?

[Narrator]

Don't you know?

[Jim]

I don't know what you're talking about.

[Narrator]

One of your coaches was held up about five miles from here.

[Jim]

You're sure what was taken?

[Narrator]

You should be able to tell me what was carried.

[Jim]

I see. The silk. You stole the silk. But now that you've found out what's in the bales, you realize you can't dispose of it. I suppose you want me to buy it back.

[Narrator]

I had nothing to do with the robbery.

[Jim]

Only outlaws wear masks.

[Narrator]

There are exceptions to that rule.

[Jim]

If you're not an outlaw, why have you stopped me?

[Narrator]

I want you to follow me. Where? In the direction of town. Posse's been formed and they're heading this way.

[Jim]

Then I'd advise you to make tracks.

[Narrator]

No, Mr. Smith. You and I are going to meet that posse. If you refuse.

[Jim]

Why should I refuse?

[Narrator]

Just remember that you're still covered.

[Jim]

Of course. Perhaps I've made a mistake about you, stranger.

[Narrator]

Perhaps you have.

[Jim]

If you're not afraid to meet that posse, you must be on the side of the law.

[Narrator]

I am.

[Jim]

Then I'll be glad to ride with you. Let's go.

[Narrator]

Come on, Silver. Meanwhile, the posse was following Toto in close pursuit.

[Jim]

Maybe that engine does know something. Just keep after him, but don't shoot him. I don't aim to shoot him. He's keeping a dog on fast pace. That's some horse he's riding. What do you mean by saying the stage will be robbed tonight? The only way to find out what he meant is to keep after him. It'll soon be dark, too. Drat it all. Ain't nothing to lose by keeping on the trail. We'll meet the stage sooner or later. If the stage is on the trail, we'll meet it. Hey, the redskin stopped. There's the stagecoach. That's the one. It's coming this way. Pull up your horses by the engines. Thank goodness the garden driver ain't been killed. If the silk's still aboard, we'll ride alongside it till it's out in the danger zone. What you mean by saying the stage was to be robbed tonight?

[Narrator]

Injun? Bye bye.

[Jim]

You find out, but I'll hold my hand up. Stop the stage. Good idea. Hi there, boys. Have any trouble? No, there ain't no trouble.

[Narrator]

Who are you?

[Jim]

Pete is the division boss. Howdy there. What you doing way out here? The stage ahead of you was robbed. Robbed? Say, that one had a pile of silk in it the same as we got it did. And that same silk was stolen. Ain't that the driver and guard of it with you? Just so. Ain't you had no trouble? Not a bit. There was some mighty heavy going where the roads is a might bad, but that's all. And the silks inside the coach all safe and sound? Sure. What you worried about it for anyhow, boss, this year silk's covered with that new thing they call insurance, ain't us?

[Andrew Rines]

Yeah.

[Jim]

Then the stage line ain't out nothing even if the silk is stolen. We get a black mark in the books every time we lose a cargo. You know that. Yeah, but that there company in England is the one to lose out when the stuff is stolen. Shucks, what difference does it make to us anyhow, boss? The load's safe and there ain't nothing to worry about. Now. Should we get on into town? Not yet. But this year silk's got to get all the way to Frisco. I'll have a look to make sure it's still there. You're the boss. Take your hook and then let's get going. We had a long trip and a bit of grub was sure of good.

[Narrator]

Let me see.

[Jim]

Yep, it's in here all right.

[Narrator]

Enough.

[Jim]

Why, of course. Tis we'd know if it was. Where's that Injun? Me?

[Narrator]

Here.

[Jim]

Look here, you doggone trouble making redskin. What'd you tell us the stage was to be robbed tonight for? Me not know. What's that? He says he didn't know. He's loco, folks, without knowing what he's talking about. You mean to say you don't know why you told us the stage was going to be robbed? Me?

[Narrator]

Won't you feller come here Pine stage For what?

[Jim]

That what friend tell Tonto do. His friend told him to do it. Who's your friend? You wait here.

[Narrator]

Him come plenty soon.

[Jim]

There's a couple of men coming down the Tree of Knees right now.

[Narrator]

Sure enough.

[Jim]

Two men coming. Hey, Jim. One of them is wearing a mask.

[Narrator]

Over his face.

[Jim]

You see it? Yeah, I see it all right enough.

[Narrator]

That fellow tell you why Tonto bring you here?

[Jim]

Who is he? Say, maybe this is the robbery. Stand ready with your guns, boys. Don't take no chances. What are you all doing here? What's the meeting for? Main thing we're here for is to ask you two a few questions.

[Narrator]

Which of you is the division boss?

[Jim]

I'm him.

[Narrator]

Who are you? That needn't concern you. This man with me is named Henry Smith.

[Jim]

Who are you, Smith? I mean, what are you doing here? You should know I'm one of the owners of the line you work for, Keeping Catfish. You're the Henry Smith that's head of the eastern office of the line?

[Narrator]

I am. I told Smith that the first stage loaded with silk had been robbed.

[Jim]

Yeah, and so it was. And it's true. True as can be. So the load of silk was stolen, eh? Well, it was a pretty smart idea of mine to have it insured. The company will get the money back. Then, of course, there's more silk on this stage, Mr. Smith. And we had a notion of the Sagebrush Gang had tried to steal that too. So we come out to protect it.

[Narrator]

Yes, yes.

[Jim]

But who's the masked man? Get him, boys. He's the man you're looking for. That's just what I told him. H, your hand, stranger.

[Narrator]

Don't be too quick to accuse me.

[Jim]

He's a thief, my Ginger. He must be. I got a gun on you, stranger. Don't move. I kidded him along until I got help. I had an idea that he was an outlaw. Good work, Mr. Smith. Maybe you're a Sagebrush Charlie, stranger. Take off that mask.

[Narrator]

You notice that the garden driver of this stage here are among the first to hold guns on me.

[Jim]

Never mind your talk. Take off that mask.

[Narrator]

You'll first hear what I have to say.

[Jim]

I says for yourself.

[Narrator]

I say, listen. This man Smith thought he was being clever and not trying to pull a gun on me. He thought he was persuading me to ride to town so he could have me captured and blamed for the stage robbery.

[Jim]

Don't waste time listening to him. Time. And make him tell where the stolen silk has been hidden. If he won't tell, shoot him. That's the ticket. Speak up, mister. Where's that stolen silk? Talk fast or I'll plug you.

[Narrator]

That stage you've been driving has already been robbed. But you and the guard won't admit it.

[Jim]

Already been robbed? What do you mean?

[Narrator]

Exactly what I said. And if you want to capture me.

[Jim]

You'Ll have to catch me.

[Narrator]

Hey there.

[Jim]

Stop him. Shoot him. Drop him. Get him. Take after him. He's got away. Come on on, boys. Can't hit him. He's riding too fast. Look at that horse trap. We'll lose him in the dark. Come on, boys, get moving. Come on.

[Narrator]

Most of the members of the posse took after the masked rider. The guard and driver of the second stage remained with their coach. Henry Smith also stayed behind. And Tonto, after riding a short distance with the others, doubled back to the trail.

[Jim]

Teddy. A scout. Teddy. We go back, boy. Get him up. Scout.

[Narrator]

Posse was unable to gain on the Lone Ranger until he had covered several miles. Then.

[Jim]

We'Re gaining on him now. Suppose it slowed down a little. Let's try another shot to get him. Don't nobody kill that man. I hangered to know some more about this thing. He's not the. Are you going to end the rob, Jen it? No. He's bigger than that fella. All right then, Captain, make him talk. Pull up your horse and we'll fire. All right, keep him covered. Circle him so he can't get away again. Watch him. He's full of tricks. Got away last time like nothing. Now we got you, stranger. Just don't try nothing, that's all.

[Narrator]

I wanted you to catch me.

[Jim]

You would. You wanted us to get you. You mean to say that I thought it was mighty funny that horse of yours slowed up so sudden. What's behind all this?

[Narrator]

This, Jim, is where you'll find the evidence you'll need to learn the truth of the two stage robberies.

[Jim]

Two stage robberies? There was only one robbery.

[Narrator]

There were two.

[Jim]

Where's this proof you're talking about?

[Narrator]

Right here. The last time I was here, a few hours ago, there was a fire. There were some things burning right there on the ground. You light another fire, you can see what I managed to rescue from the flames.

[Jim]

It's getting terrible dark. Wait a minute here. I'll get a fire going with this brush. Hurry up with that fire. What I can see about them bundles in the ground there looks mighty familiar. There she is. Not big, but big enough to have a look. See, Jim, let me have a look at them bundles. Go ahead. You take a look, too. Guard. Guard. Looky here what that masked man's found. I'm looking and I'll be going to. Jim. These here, the bills of silk that were stolen from our stage. Almost all burnt up.

[Narrator]

Come on, Jim, and take a look at that cloth. Feel it.

[Jim]

Yeah. Let me see that guard. Look at this. This be right here. Why, this ain't.

[Narrator]

You're right, Jim. That isn't silk.

[Jim]

That's you. No.

[Narrator]

The cheapest kind of cloth is in those bales.

[Jim]

He's right. Anybody can tell that stuff ain't silk.

[Narrator]

Let me explain everything to you. The first stage was loaded in the east bales of silk. It was inspected as it was loaded. It was insured against robbery.

[Jim]

I know about that. What are you getting at?

[Narrator]

Then a certain man concocted a scheme with the garden driver. The second coach, the first garden driver were told that the other bales of silk would follow the first load.

[Jim]

That's what we were told, all right.

[Narrator]

The first load was stolen by the same man that arranged the plot. He mounted a horse and came on ahead of the stage. Held you up, made you throw out the bales of silk.

[Jim]

After he let us go ahead, he made us put the tree back across.

[Narrator]

The road so all the folks in town would think another robbery might take place there. He didn't want folks hunting for the robber this side of that place. Go on. After the silk was stolen, the stage line would be paid for by the insurance company. Yeah. The man's problem then was to get the silk west where it could be sold. That's why he said there was a second load of silk to come.

[Jim]

Oh, there was silk and lose what we seen?

[Narrator]

No, it's back there in the trail right now. The silk in that stage is the silk that was stolen from the first one. The second stage didn't hold silk at all. It was filled with these bales of cheap cloth which were unloaded here and burned to make room for the silk that was in the first stage.

[Jim]

I get it now. I get it. The money for the silk will be paid over and this schemer would still have the silk to sell in the west at a big profit.

[Narrator]

That's right.

[Jim]

Name the schemer in these.

[Narrator]

Just name him Henry Smith.

[Jim]

That's what I thought. Dad rat it all. That's just what I thought. When you started to talk with a driver. The girl did know about it.

[Narrator]

They did know about it. I saw them helping Smith bring the stuff back here. They left the stage and used the horses to do it. That's why I knew they were involved.

[Jim]

By Ginger Smith, a crook. The greater many. That story don't hold water, stranger. Why, we've seen the holdup. We're the ones that was held up. Yes, and there was at least a dozen men with rifles.

[Narrator]

How many men spoke to you?

[Jim]

Just one.

[Narrator]

But they were how many men did you see?

[Jim]

I seen at least a dozen in the shrubs alongside the trail.

[Narrator]

Did you see men or did you see sticks poked through the bushes to look like rifles with hats set by them?

[Jim]

What? Hush now. I come to think what it is.

[Narrator]

Did you check the footprints in the underbrush? If you did, you'll find that all the prints are made by one man and Henry Smith that man.

[Jim]

That's easy to prove.

[Narrator]

You can see the burned remnants of all the hats and sticks he used in the ashes of the fire.

[Jim]

And right off the bat, we started thinking it was all done by the stage bus gang. That Stewie rings likely's truth in it. Hey, we left that guard and the driver back on the trail. And Smith's there with them.

[Narrator]

They'll be there when you get there. Men.

[Jim]

I fun they will. They'll be gone.

[Narrator]

Oh, my Indian friend went back to guard them for you.

[Jim]

Well, I'll be roped and throwed for a doggie. See here, mister, you sure enough thought this thing through and took care of everything.

[Narrator]

You can go back down the trail and get the prisoners in the silk. I think the garden driver will confess and throw the blame on Smith.

[Jim]

I got the same idea. But listen here. There ain't but one man that's got the brains and forethought to do all you done. There ain't but one man alive could have cleared this all up.

[Narrator]

Is it all cleared up?

[Jim]

Yes siree. I'm satisfied. And I'm a mighty hard man to convince. And we all suspected you, stranger. That's a good one, guard. Us suspecting him. Us suspecting the Lone Ranger. I'll sell my it's.

[Narrator]

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

[Jim]

Foreign.

[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 Become one of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank our most recent ranch hands, Steve and Ron W. 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 copyrighted under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Copyright. For more information, go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.

[Jim]

Sam.