The One Peso Bill | The Lone Ranger (01-14-53)

Summary

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Old Time Radio Westerns — "The One Peso Bill"

Series: The Lone Ranger
Episode Air Date: January 14, 1953
Podcast Release: January 20, 2026
Host: Andrew Rhynes

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Episode Overview

“The One Peso Bill” immerses listeners in a classic Western tale of intrigue, subterfuge, and justice. The Lone Ranger and his loyal companion Tonto become entangled in a plot involving a gang leader named Mucho, a mysterious letter with half a one peso Mexican bill, and plans for a lucrative Wells Fargo heist. Through savvy disguise, careful investigation, and brave action, the Lone Ranger and Tonto work with Sheriff Wade to foil the outlaws' plans and bring justice to the frontier.

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Key Plot Points and Insights

1. Mysterious Letter and the One Peso Bill

• [04:42–06:34] The Lone Ranger and Tonto help Postmaster Hank retrieve spilled mail, uncovering a cut envelope containing half of a Mexican one peso bill, apparently intended as a pass for a safecracker.
  • The letter is meant for Pete Perry, owner of the Clarksville café, known for associating with dubious characters.
  • The letter, partially destroyed, requests Perry send an “expert safecracker” to a man named Mucho in Circle City, who will identify the crook via the matching banknote.
  • Tonto (05:55): “That looked like paper money. An envelope.”
  • The Lone Ranger (06:12): “The cracksman is to identify himself... by presenting the enclosed banknote.”

2. Infiltration and Disguise

• [06:34–09:05]
  • The Lone Ranger decides not to inform Marshal Blake right away, instead heading directly to Circle City to investigate.
  • He disguises himself as “Tex,” a safecracker, and uses the half peso bill to gain Mucho’s trust at his remote ranch.
  • Mucho (09:14): “Pete Perry sent this man from Clarksville. He’s the safecracker we’ve been waiting for.”
  • The Lone Ranger (09:16): “Why do you need a safecracker?”
  • Mucho reveals plans to rob the Wells Fargo vault and promises Tex a cut.

3. Testing ‘Tex’ and Impersonation

• [10:09–11:07]
  • Shad, a ruthless gunslinger, suggests testing “Tex’s” loyalty and nerve by staging an ambush, with Shad himself posing as the famous Lone Ranger.
  • Plan: Shad will intercept Tex and Mucho on the trail, disguised with a mask and riding a white horse.
  • Mucho (10:43): “You dress as the Lone Ranger. Put a mask over your face... I have a white horse in the corral.”

4. Tonto Captured

• [12:07–14:46]
  • As Tonto follows Tex and Mucho to keep an eye out, he is spotted and captured by Mucho’s henchmen, who realize he is the Lone Ranger’s famous companion.
  • Jawbone (12:19): “Hey, Slim, it’s a redskin.”
  • Mucho (14:41): “He’s Tonto, the Injun who travels with the Lone Ranger... I’ll go after the boss and warn him.”

5. Ambush Goes Awry

• [15:13–17:02]
  • On the trail, the fake Lone Ranger (Shad) stops Tex for questioning, casting doubt on Tex’s story.
  • The plan backfires when Slim, another gang member, arrives unexpectedly and, mistaking the situation, shoots Shad (believing he’s the real Lone Ranger).
  • Slim (16:24): “I got him, Tex. I killed the Lone Ranger!”
  • The Lone Ranger (16:36): “He’s not the Lone Ranger. Shad was posing as the Lone Ranger.”

6. Framing & Lawman's Dilemma

• [17:07–19:18]
  • Sheriff Wade and his deputies arrive, find the disguised Lone Ranger near Shad’s body, and arrest him, suspecting him of murder.
  • The Lone Ranger convinces them to examine the guns, proving they haven’t been fired.
  • He reveals the truth, presenting a letter of introduction from the governor and detailing Mucho’s plot.
  • The Lone Ranger (17:25): “No, a man named Slim shot him. Slim rode away as soon as he saw you and your deputies.”
  • The sheriff is convinced and agrees to move against Mucho’s gang.

7. The Final Showdown

• [20:15–23:22]
  • The Lone Ranger discovers Tonto’s gear left behind, deduces his friend was captured, and immediately heads to the ranch, now donning his famous mask.
  • He infiltrates the ranch house, rescues Tonto, and holds Mucho and his henchman at gunpoint.
  • A posse led by Sheriff Wade arrives just in time; Mucho makes a desperate bid for a gun but is shot and disarmed.
  • The remaining gang, seeing they are surrounded, surrenders.
  • The Lone Ranger (22:32): “That’s Sheriff Wade and his posse.”
  • Mucho (22:19): “Boss, what’ll we do?”
  • The Lone Ranger (22:27): “Guess again, Mucho. You and your gang are through.”

8. Resolution and Departure

• [23:23–24:03]

  • With Mucho and his gang handcuffed and ready for trial, Sheriff Wade remarks on the Lone Ranger’s daring and the trickery involving the Tex persona.
  • Sheriff Ben Wade (23:59): “Joe, Tex and that masked man are one in the same person.”
  • Sheriff Ben Wade (24:03): “Yeah, and the masked man’s the Lone Ranger.”

• The Lone Ranger and Tonto prepare to ride on to handle unfinished business with Pete Perry, closing the case on Mucho’s gang.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• The Use of the Peso Bill As a Criminal Calling Card
  • The Lone Ranger (06:12): “The cracksman is to identify himself... by presenting the enclosed banknote.”
• Shad’s Fatal Mistaken Identity
  • Slim (16:34): “I got him, Tex. I killed the Lone Ranger!”
  • The Lone Ranger (16:36): “He’s not the Lone Ranger. Shad was posing as the Lone Ranger.”
• Classic Lone Ranger Ingenuity
  • The Lone Ranger (19:59): “I’m going to show you a letter and I’m going to talk. And you three are going to listen.”
• The Host’s Acknowledgement of the Episode’s Themes
  • Andrew Rynes (01:15): “Step into the past with the Old Time Radio Westerns... immerse yourself in the golden age of radio, now reborn with a richness and clarity that surpasses the vintage versions.”
• Sheriff’s Realization
  • Sheriff Ben Wade (23:59): “Joe, Tex and that masked man are one in the same person.”

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Important Timestamps

• [04:42] — Discovery of mutilated letter and one peso bill
• [09:14] — Lone Ranger (as Tex) recruited by Mucho
• [10:43] — Plan to impersonate the Lone Ranger as a trap
• [12:19] — Tonto is captured
• [16:34] — Shad (posing as Lone Ranger) is shot dead
• [17:25] — The Lone Ranger explains the truth to Sheriff Wade
• [20:34] — Lone Ranger discovers Tonto’s capture
• [22:32] — Possession and rescue as Sheriff’s posse arrives
• [23:59] — Sheriff realizes Tex and Lone Ranger are the same person

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Tone & Style

The episode is filled with tension, clever plotting, and the iconic upright heroism associated with "The Lone Ranger." Its dialogue is crisp, the action moves quickly, and classic Western tropes—sudden ambushes, kind but cunning lawmen, and daring last-minute rescues—abound. The interplay between the Lone Ranger and Tonto is characterized by mutual respect and strategic thinking.

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For New Listeners

If you haven’t heard “The One Peso Bill,” this episode exemplifies the best of Old Time Radio Westerns: suspense, undercover investigation, and ultimately, the triumph of justice. The restored audio amplifies the atmosphere, from the distant whistle of trains to the charging hooves of Silver, bringing this slice of Western legend vividly to life.

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Transcript

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[Andrew Rines]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host Andrew Rines and I'm excited to bring you another episode. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly. From your enjoyment, you can find more Western shows at our website by going to otrwesterns.com now let's get into this episode.

[Narrator]

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

[The Lone Ranger]

Silver the Lone Ranger.

[Narrator]

With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the daring and resourceful mask rider of the plains, led the fight for law and order in the early western United States. Nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoof beats of the great horse. Silver the Lone Ranger rides again. The Lone Ranger and Tonto were riding through the hills overlooking the tracks at a leisurely pace when the train passed. A short time later, they rounded a turn on the hillside trail and saw a man in the valley picking up scattered mail. The masked man recognized the postmaster.

[The Lone Ranger]

Tada. That's Hank Brogan. What him doing picking up the mail? And I mean that literally. Hank goes to that place beside the track to wait for the mail for Clarksville. The mail bags are tossed to him from the train.

[Tonto]

Train stopped to give him mail?

[The Lone Ranger]

No, Tonto. Apparently when the mail was thrown from the train, one of the bags opened.

[Tonto]

Oh, then mail will fall out.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, Hank's picking it up. We'll give him a hand.

[Tonto]

Montal come for them.

[Narrator]

But before they reached the bottom of the slope, Hank climbed into his wagon and drove away. The two men were about to pursue him when Toto's keen eyes rested on a mutilated letter. Hank had Overlooked the Lone Ranger and his Indian friend Drew Rain and dismal, the masked man picked up the torn envelope.

[Tonto]

Not only party envelope.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, Tutto. It's been cut almost in two.

[Tonto]

How'd that happen?

[The Lone Ranger]

It looks as if it had been run over by the wheels of the train. This was addressed to Pete Perry in Clarksville.

[Tonto]

Oh, Pete Perry. Him owned cafe in Clarksville?

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, that's right. Marshall Blake in Clarksville suspects that Perry is acquainted with a number of men who should be behind bars who send letters. It's postmarked Circle City.

[Tonto]

That looked like paper money. An envelope.

[The Lone Ranger]

It's half of a 1 peso Mexican bill. Here's part of a letter.

[Tonto]

What letter?

[The Lone Ranger]

Say part of it's missing. But what's left indicates that someone named Mucho wants Pete Perry to send him an expert safecracker.

[Tonto]

Safecracker?

[The Lone Ranger]

The cracksman is to identify himself to Mucho by presenting the enclosed banknote.

[Tonto]

That mean Marshal Blake was right about Pete Perry.

[The Lone Ranger]

It also means that a man named Mucho is planning a robbery.

[Tonto]

We ride to Clarkville, tell Marshal Blake.

[The Lone Ranger]

No, Toto. We ride to Circle City. Easy. Set the big fellow easy.

[Tonto]

What we do there?

[The Lone Ranger]

Mucho is expecting a safecracker.

[Tonto]

But Pete Perry not get letter. Him not send crook to Circle City.

[The Lone Ranger]

Mucho doesn't know that. As far as he's concerned, the man who holds the banknote is the cracksman he sent for. Well, not keep him waiting. Monseller.

[Narrator]

After two days of hard travel, the masked man and Tonto drew rein in the vicinity of Circle City. The Lone Ranger removed his mask, guns and clothing. He disguised his face and donned old clothes and an old gun belt with ordinary weapons and ammunition. As a precaution in case of questioning by the sheriff, he carried a letter from the governor. He went into town alone and rejoined Tato two hours later.

[The Lone Ranger]

Oh, easy. Steady, big fella. I've learned where to find Mucho, Toto. He has a ranch five miles east of Circle City.

[Tonto]

Maybe headquarters the gang.

[The Lone Ranger]

We'll find out. We're going there right now.

[Narrator]

A short time later, the disguised Lone Ranger and Toto drew rein on a thickly wooded slope. In the rock studded valley below, they saw Mucho's ranch.

[The Lone Ranger]

This is as far as you go, Tanu.

[Tonto]

Oh, what you mean?

[The Lone Ranger]

I'm going to the ranch house alone to try to learn Mucho's plans.

[Tonto]

But that plenty dangerous kimasabi it might.

[The Lone Ranger]

Be if I didn't have this banknote to identify me. As soon as he sees it, Mucho will think I'm the safe cracker he's expecting. I'll join you here later.

[Narrator]

Toto's face was grim as he watched his friend ride away. The Indian dismounted and took a pair of field glasses from his saddlebag. He adjusted them and studied the buildings in the valley. Tonto was even more concerned when he saw two armed guards stop and challenge his friend. Through the field glasses, he saw the Lone Ranger raise his hands and surrender his guns.

[The Lone Ranger]

Bad.

[Tonto]

Plenty bad. Him go into outlaw hideout without guns. Me think Lone Ranger head for trou.

[Narrator]

One of the guards who had disarmed the disguised Lone Ranger took him to the ranch house. They entered the living room where a tall, heavily bearded man sat cleaning a rifle.

[The Lone Ranger]

The guard said, mucho.

[Mucho]

His critter claims you sent for him.

[Tonto]

Who are you, mister?

[The Lone Ranger]

Those torn bank notes. You'll identify me, huh? You have the other half. You're the man I'm looking for. Let's see that bill. Here.

[Tonto]

I put it beside my half. With his peso note?

[Andrew Rines]

Yeah.

[The Lone Ranger]

Are you satisfied?

[Tonto]

They match perfectly.

[Mucho]

What's this all about, boss?

[Tonto]

Pete Perry sent this man from Clarksville. He's the safe cracker we've been waiting for. Slim. Oh, yeah? What's your name, Homie?

[The Lone Ranger]

Tex. Why do you need a safecracker?

[Tonto]

To get the $60,000 in the wells Fargo vault in Circle City. I cut you in for a tenth of the loot and give you a permanent place in my gang if you do the job right.

[The Lone Ranger]

What about the law in Circle City?

[Tonto]

I've been outsmarting Sheriff Wade for a long time. I'm not worried about him now. Slim, take Tex out to the bunkhouse and see that he meets the gang.

[Mucho]

Right, Mucho.

[The Lone Ranger]

Come on, Tex, lead the way.

[Tonto]

See you later, Tex.

[Narrator]

Mucho moved to a window and watched as Slim and the newcomer named Tex walked toward the bunkhouse. As he looked after the two men, the door opened softly behind him and a gunslinger named Shad entered the room. Though Shadd was unknown to the authorities, he had committed a number of crimes, including murder. As a practiced law dodger, he was also interested in the newcomer. He pointed toward the bunkhouse and said, so that's the safe cracker Perry sent us.

[Tonto]

Too bad you weren't here to meet him, Shad, but he'll be back.

[The Lone Ranger]

I'm wondering about his nerve.

[Tonto]

Nerve? Yeah.

[The Lone Ranger]

How well he'll keep his mouth shut under pressure.

[Tonto]

He wouldn't talk.

[The Lone Ranger]

Well, to be on a safe side, we better test that hombre before we turn him loose.

[Tonto]

Oh, he hasn't seen me yet.

[The Lone Ranger]

I'll pose a Sheriff Ben Wade from.

[Narrator]

Circle City and arrest him.

[Tonto]

He might know Sheriff Wade, but there's one man we can be sure he doesn't know who. This fellow serve our purpose better than a lawman.

[The Lone Ranger]

Who is he?

[Tonto]

A Lone Ranger.

[The Lone Ranger]

A Lone Ranger?

[Tonto]

That's right. We've all heard of him. Chances are Texas heard of him, too. Yeah, but you dress as the Lone Ranger. Put a mask over your face. I have a white horse in the corral. Mount him nice, heavy Mucho.

[The Lone Ranger]

That's a good idea.

[Tonto]

I'd take Tex to town to look over the Wells Fargo building. You wait for us along the trail. I hightail and leave you alone with him.

[The Lone Ranger]

That'll give me a chance to ask a lot of questions.

[Narrator]

I'll soon know whether or not he's to be trusted. In town, Sheriff Ben Wade learned that a suspicious looking stranger named Texas had been looking for Mucho. The lawman called his two deputies together.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

And asked, do either of you know where that Tex gent is now?

[Mucho]

He left town a couple hours ago, Sheriff.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

Where'd he go?

[Mucho]

Said he was going to Mucho's place.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

Why, boys, we've been trying to get something on Mucho for a long time.

[The Lone Ranger]

We sure have.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

That stranger might be able to give us some information. We're gonna ask him some questions.

[Mucho]

We might have to go all the way to Mucho's ranch to see him.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

That's all right with me.

[Narrator]

Meanwhile, Shad left the valley astride a white horse with a mask in his pocket. He felt sure he would have no difficulty convincing the newcomer that he was the Lone Ranger. He rode hard to reach the appointed meeting place before Tex and Mucho. Half an hour later, Mucho and the Lone Ranger came out of the ranch house. Tonto saw them head for town. He mounted, intending to follow them.

[Tonto]

Easy, scout. Easy, fellow. Get a much scout.

[Narrator]

As he rode from the shelter of trees toward the trail his friend had taken, Slim and another lookout named Jawbone saw him. Jawbone exclaimed, hey, Slim, it's a redskin.

[Mucho]

What's he doing around here?

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

Looks like he's following Tex and the boss.

[Mucho]

Get the saddle, Jawbone. We'll follow that engine.

[Narrator]

The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger adventure before the next exciting scenes. Please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue.

[Mucho]

There he is, Jawbone.

[Tonto]

Hey, you.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

Draw rein.

[Narrator]

Looking over his shoulder, Tonto saw the pursuing outlaws closing in on him. Their guns were drawn.

[Mucho]

Stop or we'll blow your head off.

[Tonto]

Who's got hope? I Laugh.

[Mucho]

Ho, ho. Ho.

[Tonto]

Ho, ho.

[Mucho]

Hold on, boy. H your hands and keep them high.

[Tonto]

Why you stop me?

[Mucho]

You'll answer the questions, Injun.

[The Lone Ranger]

Who are you?

[Tonto]

Me not talk.

[Mucho]

What's the idea of following our pals? Speak up. Hey, I know who this redskin is. I've seen him before. What?

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

He's Tano the Engine who travels with a Lone Ranger.

[Mucho]

A Lone Ranger?

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

Yeah.

[The Lone Ranger]

He and his masked pal must be wise to us. Right.

[Mucho]

I'll disarm the redskin. You take him to the ranch and keep him there. What about you? I'll go after the boss and warn him to be on the lookout for the Lone Ranger.

[Narrator]

Mucho and the disguised Lone Ranger were traveling toward town at a leisurely pace. Nearing the place where he knew Shad would be waiting, Mucho studied the heavy underbrush bordering the trail.

[The Lone Ranger]

Looking for someone, Mucho?

[Tonto]

Well, I'm always a little uneasy when I hit this stretch of trail.

[The Lone Ranger]

Why?

[Tonto]

The rocks and underbrush around here be a good place for an ambusher to lie in wait.

[Narrator]

Shad, astride the white horse and wearing a mask, emerged from a place of concealment on the trail ahead. As soon as he saw the disguised outlaw, Mucho wheeled his horse.

[Tonto]

That masked man looks like the Lone Ranger.

[Mucho]

I am the Lone Ranger.

[Tonto]

I'm getting out of here.

[Narrator]

As Mucho spurred his horse, the animal raced from the trail to the shelter of protecting trees and brush. The Lone Ranger studied the masked man.

[The Lone Ranger]

No use you trying to run away, mister. You didn't stop Mucho.

[Narrator]

You're the one I want to talk to.

[The Lone Ranger]

So you're the Lone Ranger. That's right. What's your business with me? I want to ask you some questions.

[Narrator]

About that Mucho gent.

[The Lone Ranger]

Why?

[Mucho]

Because I figure he's a crook. If you've heard anything about me, you know I put a lot of fellows.

[The Lone Ranger]

Like him behind bars. I've heard of the Lone Ranger, but I've never heard of you. Watch your game.

[Narrator]

At that moment, Slim raced into view. By using several shortcuts, he hoped to overtake Mucho and warn him about the Lone Ranger. When he saw the masked man on the trail ahead, his worst fears were realized. The Lone Ranger had captured Tex. Grabbing his gun, Slim shouted, I'm getting Tex.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

No, no.

[Tonto]

Don't shoot.

[Narrator]

Shad cried out to identify himself to Slim, but it was too late. The outlaw's bullet struck him.

[Mucho]

Ho.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

Ho, there.

[The Lone Ranger]

Ho, Slim. Hosea. You got him.

[Mucho]

I got him, Tex. I killed the Lone Ranger.

[The Lone Ranger]

He's not the Lone Ranger.

[Mucho]

I met his Injun pal And he.

[The Lone Ranger]

Hey, look. Three riders coming this way.

[Mucho]

The sheriff and his deputies. I'm clear.

[The Lone Ranger]

Naughty. Stay where you are.

[Mucho]

Hey, what's the idea of the gun?

[The Lone Ranger]

You stay and take your medicine for shooting this man.

[Mucho]

You're loco if you think you'll stop me with that gun.

[The Lone Ranger]

What?

[Mucho]

Jawbone and I took the bullets out of it before we gave it back to you. You can take the blame for shooting that masked men. I'm clearing out for those lawmen. Get within shooting range.

[Tonto]

Get up there. Come on.

[Narrator]

As Slim raced from the scene of the ambush, the Lone Ranger broke open his guns.

[The Lone Ranger]

Empty. Easy. Steady, big fellow.

[Narrator]

He was examining Shad when the sheriff and his deputies drew rein.

[Mucho]

Ho. Ho.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

Ho, there. Get your hands, sir. Mister, you're covered.

[Mucho]

Sheriff, that's the gent who was asking for Mucho. He's Tech.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

Take his gun.

[The Lone Ranger]

They're empty, Sheriff.

[Mucho]

Easy, boy. I'll take them anyway.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

I'll keep him covered. Joe, see about the critter on the ground.

[Mucho]

Right, Sheriff. Steady. Looks like he's hurt bad.

[The Lone Ranger]

He's dead.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

So you killed him, huh?

[The Lone Ranger]

No. A man named Slim shot him. Slim rode away as soon as he saw you and your deputies.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

Who's Slim?

[The Lone Ranger]

He works for Mucho.

[Narrator]

I've got this gent's gun, Sheriff.

[Tonto]

He was telling the truth.

[Narrator]

They're both empty.

[The Lone Ranger]

Examine them and you'll see they haven't been fired.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

Never mind giving the orders, mister. We know our jobs. Joe, take the mask off that dead man.

[Tonto]

Yeah.

[Mucho]

Hey, this is Shad Martin.

[The Lone Ranger]

Shad Martin.

[Mucho]

He's top hand on Mujo's ranch. I see you claim Mucho's man Slim shot him.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, he did. Shad was posing as a Lone Ranger.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

What?

[The Lone Ranger]

Sheriff, if you'll listen to me, I'll give you information enough to put Mucho and his whole gang behind bars.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

I'll listen in town, at the jail. Now, you hit the saddle and come along peaceable. Zeb put Shad's body on his horse. We'll take it to the coroner's right.

[Narrator]

As the deputy named Zeb moved toward the dead man. The Lone Ranger noticed that the great horse Silver stood between him and the other two lawmen. The gun Shad dropped when he fell from the saddle were on the ground near the disguised Lone Ranger.

[The Lone Ranger]

He shouted, take them, Silver.

[Narrator]

The mighty Silver understood the command. The sheriff's horse reared to escape the stallion's charge. As the sheriff spilled from the saddle, Joe jumped to the side to escape being trampled. Zeb had been so startled by the unexpected attack that he turned his attention from the prisoner toward his friends. By the time he realized what had happened, the Lone Ranger had Shad's guns.

[The Lone Ranger]

Get your hands up, Zeb. I have no time to argue. All right, all right. Silver. Steady, big fellow.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

You'll pay for this.

[Mucho]

You think you'll get away by roughing us up?

[The Lone Ranger]

I'm sorry that was necessary. Are you all right, Sheriff?

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

Well, I reckon I didn't break any bones in that fall.

[The Lone Ranger]

Good. What about you, Deputy? I'm not hurt.

[Mucho]

But what are you going to do now?

[The Lone Ranger]

I'm going to show you a letter and I'm going to talk. And you three are going to listen. A couple of days ago, my Indian friend and I found a letter Mucho sent to a man named Pete Perry in Clarksville. Mucho wanted Perry to send him a safe cracker.

[Narrator]

After the sheriff read the governor's letter, the disguised Lone Ranger told the sheriff about the letter that brought him to Circle City. When he told what he had learned from Mucho, the surprised lawman exclaimed.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

You mean the loot from a couple of their robbers is hidden in the ranch house?

[The Lone Ranger]

That's what Mucho told me.

[Mucho]

And the poor cat's planning to add the Wells Fargo cash to it.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

Zeb, head for town. Get a parson together and take him to Mucho's place. Joe and Tex and I'll be waiting for you at the fork and the trail. It's about a quarter of a mile from that polecat's ranch. I'll be there, Sheriff, and don't waste any time.

[Mucho]

Get up. Get up there.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

It'll be dark in half an hour. Move in in that place and take the gang by surprise.

[The Lone Ranger]

I'll join you at the fork in the trail, Sheriff. Easy said it, big fellow.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

Well, where are you going?

[The Lone Ranger]

To meet my Indian friend, Tono. He'll want to take part in this fight.

[Narrator]

Darkness was falling by the time the Lone Ranger reached the hillside where he had left Tonto. He saw his friend's gear and the saddlebag containing his own clothing and guns. But Tonto was nowhere in sight. As he donned his familiar riding clothes and buckled on his gun belt, the Lone Ranger realized that Tonto must have been captured.

[The Lone Ranger]

Mucho and his men captured Tonto. We'll have to move without the sheriff.

[Narrator]

Placing his mask across his eyes, the Lone Ranger swung to the saddle. Darkness was complete when he drew rain at the corral a short distance from the ranch buildings. Leaving Silver Ground Hitch nearby, he went to the corral gate. He whistled softly. A moment later, Scout Trotted to the Lone Ranger's side.

[The Lone Ranger]

Scout, old fella.

[Narrator]

Leaving the corral, the masked man hurried toward the lamplit ranch house. He entered the house and met Slim in the hallway.

[Mucho]

Mask, I. I thought I killed you.

[The Lone Ranger]

Sorry, Slim, but I haven't time for talk.

[Mucho]

You sound like Tex.

[The Lone Ranger]

Walk ahead of me to the living room. Remember, this.45 is at your back.

[Narrator]

Wide eyed at the sight of the Lone Ranger's mask, Slim stumbled obediently toward the living room. As he approached the doorway, Mucho called, who is it?

[The Lone Ranger]

Answer him.

[Tonto]

It's Slim.

[Mucho]

Mucho.

[Tonto]

I told you to round up the boys. Ride to the place where you left Shaq.

[The Lone Ranger]

Don't reach for your gun, Mucho.

[Tonto]

Slim, what's the idea? Who is this masked man? Kimosabe.

[The Lone Ranger]

I knew you were here, Tano, when I saw Scout in the corral. You're covered, Mucho. You better keep your hands up. How do I cut those ropes? You too. Don't move.

[Tonto]

Thanks, Kimasabi.

[Mucho]

Hey, boss. Now, I savvy this setup. When Jawbone and I captured Kato, we figured the Lone Ranger was nearby.

[Tonto]

You mean this gent, he is the Lone Ranger?

[The Lone Ranger]

Yeah, that's right, Mucho.

[Tonto]

But you sound like Tex.

[Mucho]

Boss, what'll we do?

[Tonto]

I call the boys. They kill you in this, redskin, Monsieur?

[The Lone Ranger]

Guess again, Mucho. You and your gang are through.

[Mucho]

You're loco.

[The Lone Ranger]

Hey, boss.

[Mucho]

A lot of riders heading this way.

[The Lone Ranger]

That Sheriff Wade and his pussy.

[Narrator]

Mucho ran to the window. The rising moon gave light enough to see the riders drawing rain outside. Mucho counted more than a dozen men. Then he saw the glint of moonlight on the sheriff's badge. He turned from the window in a desperate effort to escape the justice that was coming. He grabbed for a gun on a nearby table, but the masked man saw the gesture. A silver bullet creased the outlaw leader's hand. At the sound of the shot, the gang rushed from the bunkhouse. But the sheriff's posse was waiting for them. Fifteen minutes later, Sheriff Ben Wade and his deputy Joe were in the ranch house living room with the Lone Ranger and Tonto. Mucho and his gang were outside all.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

Handcuffed and ready for the ride to town. Mister.

[The Lone Ranger]

You and your men made good time getting here, Sheriff.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

Well, we'd have been here sooner if we hadn't waited a while for a gent named Tex. Tex never showed up.

[The Lone Ranger]

Well, he had other business to attend to.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

Such as coming here and freeing Tarno.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, Sheriff.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

I thought so.

[The Lone Ranger]

Tyler and I will be on our way now.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

Where are you heading?

[The Lone Ranger]

To Clarksville we have some unfinished business with a man named Pete Perry. Adios.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

Adios.

[Mucho]

Adios.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

Thanks. Thanks a lot.

[The Lone Ranger]

Glad we could help you. Scouts in the corral.

[Tonto]

He'd be glad to see him.

[Mucho]

Sheriff, are you thinking the same thing I am?

[Tonto]

I might be.

[Mucho]

Joe Tex and that masked man are one in the same person.

[Sheriff Ben Wade]

Yeah, and the masked man's the Lone Ranger.

[Narrator]

This is a feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated, created by George W. Trendle, produced by Trendall Campbell, Muir Incorporated, directed by Charles D. Livingston and edited by Fran Striker. The part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beame.

[Tonto]

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 OTR westerns.com YouTube 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.

[Tonto]

Sam.