Turnabout | The Lone Ranger (10-26-42)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Old Time Radio Westerns

Episode: Turnabout | The Lone Ranger (10-26-42)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Release Date: June 23, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of “Old Time Radio Westerns” presents a digitally restored classic episode of The Lone Ranger titled "Turnabout," originally aired in 1942. The story features the masked hero and his faithful companion, Tonto, as they unravel a scheme involving a bank robbery, a rigged land deal, and an attempted swindle of an honest farming couple, Ben and Tess Hastings. The episode highlights values of justice, resourcefulness, and the spirit of the frontier, all dramatized with enhanced sound and vibrant performances.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Opening Context and Introduction

• The Lone Ranger, with his companion Tonto, rides the plains fighting for justice, bravery, and the rule of law.
• The narrative is set in the Western town of Blue Ridge, centering around a recent unsolved bank robbery and murder, with $10,000 in stolen cash still missing.

2. Trouble on the Trail – Identifying the Suspects

• The Lone Ranger and Tonto observe Hunk Masters and Wayne Cole panning for gold near a creek (04:13).
• Key Insight: Hunk is suspected of the Colby bank robbery, and the stolen cash includes a distinctive torn and taped $100 bill—a crucial clue (04:56, The Lone Ranger).

3. The Gold Scheme Unfolds

• Hunk and Cole plot to buy Ben Hastings' seemingly worthless land, concealing their knowledge of gold found on the property (05:35–06:22).
• Cole demands a larger share, leveraging his risk in passing the possibly stolen money, and the two agree on splitting any gold profits evenly (08:03).

“My brain did the planning. And if it weren’t for me, you’d be afraid to pass the money.”
– Wayne Cole (08:38)

4. The Land Deal Deception

• Hunk introduces Cole (posing as an eastern financier) to Ben and Tess, offering to buy their farm for $3,000, leaving $1,000 cash as good faith (12:05–13:12).
• The Hastings, desperate but honest, warn that the land is no good for farming, but Cole feigns interest for his “wife’s health.”
• Suddenly, the Lone Ranger and Tonto intervene, seizing the money at gunpoint for reasons unexplained to the Hastings (13:50–14:12).

“Sorry, Mrs. Hastings. You’ll understand later that it was done for the best.”
– The Lone Ranger (14:09)

5. Double-Crosses and Midnight Theft

• Cole devises a new trick after the cash is taken—he gives Ben and Tess an envelope purportedly containing another $1,000, but actually fills it with newspaper strips (15:08).
• Slim, an accomplice, is sent to steal the envelope from the Hastings during the night (19:46–20:24).

6. The Lone Ranger’s Pursuit

• Slim’s theft is thwarted by the Lone Ranger, who ropes him, reclaims the envelope, and extracts a confession tying Slim and Hunk to the Colby bank murder (22:18–23:45).

“Aren’t you forgetting a guard was killed on that bank job? Somebody must hang for that.”
– The Lone Ranger (23:36)

7. Unraveling the Swindle

• Next morning, Hunk and Cole return to the Hastings, claiming Cole's wife cannot live on the hill, and ask for their money back (26:00–27:02).
• Ben hands them the (now honest) envelope containing the $1,000, confounding the schemers.
• The Lone Ranger and Sheriff burst in, arresting Hunk, Cole, and Slim for fraud and attempted extortion (28:26–29:55).

“You planned to charge him with stealing $1,000 and demand the farm as forfeit when they couldn’t pay it.”
– Sheriff (29:55)

8. Justice, Gold, and a Silver Bullet

• The Lone Ranger reveals the presence of gold on the Hastings land (30:20), and ensures the couple will receive the $1,000 reward due for the capture of the criminals (30:35–31:06).
• He leaves behind his signature silver bullet as a symbol.

“Lone Ranger. And he’s given us a whole thousand dollars!”
– Tess Hastings (31:13)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If Hunk was responsible, he’s taken good care to conceal the $10,000 he stole.”
  – The Lone Ranger (04:41)
• “Head in a noose? A bank guard was killed, Hunk.”
  – Cole (08:33)
• “All his life, he was a hired man, helping other people make a success of their farms. Looks like I’m cut out for the same.”
  – Ben Hastings (11:04)
• “That masked man hauled his guns out before Hunk’s hands even got to his holsters.”
  – Sheriff (14:04)
• “Oh, Ben, they stole a whole thousand dollars!”
  – Tess Hastings (14:25)
• “Somebody must hang for that [murder].”
  – The Lone Ranger (23:36)
• “You sure you slept all right last night, Ben?”
  – Hunk Masters, hinting at the previous night’s theft (27:12)
• “You wanted the gold you found near the waterway, Cole.”
  – The Lone Ranger (30:20)
• “Lone Ranger. And he’s given us a whole thousand dollars!”
  – Tess Hastings (31:13)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Start of Plot: 03:30 (Narrator introduces Lone Ranger and setup)
• Suspects Identified: 04:31–05:56 (Lone Ranger and Tonto spot Hunk and Cole)
• The Scheme: 05:35–09:01 (Gold discovery and criminal plot)
• The Land Deal: 12:00–14:12 (Deception and Lone Ranger’s intervention)
• Cole’s Envelope Swindle: 15:02–15:45
• Midnight Theft: 19:46–20:24 (Slim sneaks into the Hastings home)
• Chase and Confession: 22:18–23:45 (Lone Ranger ropes Slim and gets confession)
• Arrest and Justice: 28:26–31:13 (Arrests, gold revealed, reward granted)

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Episode Tone & Style

The episode remains true to its original Western drama style, featuring suspenseful music, dramatic showdowns, and colorful frontier dialogue. The restoration brings out the vivid soundscape—the creak of doors, thundering hooves, and sharp crackles of gunfire—reinvigorating the classic wholesome thrill and moral clarity of the golden age of radio.

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In Summary

"Turnabout" is a classic Lone Ranger story of greed, deception, and the triumph of justice. What begins as an attempted swindle of hardworking farmers by slick outlaws is undone by the courage and cleverness of the Lone Ranger. The episode encapsulates themes of persistence, honesty, and the eventual reward for those who do right—delivered with wit, heart, and the timeless excitement of the old West.

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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 for your enjoyment. You can find more Western shows at our website by going to otrwesterns.com now let's get into this episode.

[Narrator]

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

[Hunk Masters]

What's up everybody?

[Bretzky]

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[Sheriff]

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[Narrator]

With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the masked rider of the Plains led the fight for law and order in the early western United States, the stories of his strength and courage, his daring and resourcefulness, have come down to us through the generations. And 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 on Silver.

[The Lone Ranger]

There's trouble on the trail ahead.

[Tess Hastings]

H. Silver.

[Narrator]

On a rocky mount overlooking a ravine, A masked man astride a white stallion and an Indian who sat a paint reigned in their horses. Abruptly below them, kneeling by a crude waterway carved in the nearby creek, they saw two men. One of the men held a pan which sparkled as he sifted it under the hot sun.

[The Lone Ranger]

One of those men is Hunk, Master Tuttle. The sheriff thinks Hunk may be the one who robbed the bank and killed the guard in Colby last month.

[Narrator]

Why him not rest?

[Spinquest Announcer]

Hunk? He.

[Hunk Masters]

He hasn't been able to prove it. Tono.

[The Lone Ranger]

If Hunk was responsible, he's taken good care to conceal the $10,000 he stole.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Plenty cash.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, and it's all paper money, which is scarce in the West. If Hunk tried to pass it in these parts, they'd nab him in a minute.

[Narrator]

He maybe take money out of state,

[Wayne Cole]

change it for silver?

[The Lone Ranger]

Perhaps there's one clue the thief can't escape. One of the notes, a hundred dollar bill, is torn and taped across the back. The bank teller remembers it.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Oh, doctor said he him get torn out, catch him crook, huh?

[The Lone Ranger]

Either that or they can trace it to the bank robber tunnel. I wish we could get closer without being seen. There isn't even a shrub for concealment.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Kimasabe. Yes. What them do with Pan?

[The Lone Ranger]

I'm not sure. But if I thought there was anything valuable in that ravine, Tanto, I'd say they were prospecting.

[Narrator]

Meanwhile, down by the waterway, Hunk Masters and a man called Cole examined intently the wet soil they'd sifted into the pan.

[Spinquest Announcer]

What'd that tell you, Cole? It's gold.

[Wayne Cole]

Are you sure?

[Spinquest Announcer]

Of course I'm sure. You Eastern dudes wouldn't savage gold dust if it sat in your lap.

[Wayne Cole]

How much would you say this vein was worth?

[Spinquest Announcer]

Well, I don't know, but I'm thinking once we start digging, it'll add up to a tidy sum.

[Wayne Cole]

Are you sure Ben Hastings doesn't know about this gold?

[Spinquest Announcer]

I tell you, Cole, nobody knows about it but me. If my horse hadn't stopped at this here waterway for a drink one day, I wouldn't have Known about it myself.

[Wayne Cole]

Seems funny, a man not knowing there's gold on his own property.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Must have washed some of the yellow dust up from the ground when he built this waterway.

[Wayne Cole]

Well, I'm satisfied if you are, Hunk.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Now you're showing sense. Let's get back to town and talk business.

[Wayne Cole]

Get up.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Get along there.

[Narrator]

From the rocky slope nearby, the Lone Ranger and Tonto watch the two men ride toward town.

[The Lone Ranger]

They seem to be in a hurry, Tono. If Hunk found anything worthwhile in that waterway, he won't rest till he gets it for himself.

[Narrator]

And what we do?

[The Lone Ranger]

We'll follow them, Kimosabi.

[Sheriff]

Come on, Silver, get him up. Scout.

[Narrator]

Riding into Blue Ridge, Punk Masters and Cole hitched their horses outside a cafe and went into a back room where they talked privately.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Hey, that's a mighty slick scheme you just proposed, Cole.

[Hunk Masters]

That'll be like taking candy from a baby.

[Wayne Cole]

Maybe. What makes you sure Ben Hastings will sell his land?

[Spinquest Announcer]

Sell it? Then I'd give it away even if he didn't need cash. Farming that land is like. Well, like trying to get milk out of a dried up cow.

[Wayne Cole]

When will you get the money?

[Spinquest Announcer]

I got it with me now. There.

[Wayne Cole]

$1,000 folding, my dear. It wouldn't be part of the cash stolen from the bank in Colby, would it?

[Hunk Masters]

Hung?

[Spinquest Announcer]

Maybe it is and maybe it ain't. Cold. It ain't for me to say or for you to get too curious.

[Wayne Cole]

Sure. Hungary. Say one of these newts is torn and taped across the back.

[Spinquest Announcer]

What if it is? It's still good, ain't it? Yes, but stop worrying. This job will be a pushover.

[Wayne Cole]

I hope so.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Now, if I was to pass this folding money myself, well, the sheriff be sure to suspect where it came from. But you're from the east, where this here paper's plentiful coal. Nobody'd wonder where you got it.

[Wayne Cole]

It seems to me I'm taking all the risk, Hunk.

[Spinquest Announcer]

What do you mean?

[Wayne Cole]

If this money is traced, they'll jail me for holding up the bank.

[Spinquest Announcer]

It won't be traced. Then Hastings won't have it that long.

[Wayne Cole]

And another thing, I'm not putting my head in a noose for anybody.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Head in a noose?

[Wayne Cole]

A bank? God was killed, Hunk.

[Spinquest Announcer]

What are you getting at, Cole?

[Wayne Cole]

One third share of the gold isn't enough.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Ain't enough? Like you lowed down Coyote. Ain't I the one who discovered the gold? Ain't it my money we're putting up to buy the land?

[Wayne Cole]

Sure, but my brain did the planning. And if it weren't for me, you'd be afraid to pass the money.

[Spinquest Announcer]

How much do you want? Half. It's a deal.

[Wayne Cole]

Good. Let's have a drink, Ollie.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Oh, you're talking. You have blasted. The bottle's empty. Two more liquors, bar keep, and make it fast.

[Wayne Cole]

Remember, Hunk, when you introduce me to Ben Hastings, mention that I'm a wealthy Easterner interested in buying land out here.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Yeah, don't worry, Cole. I know my part by heart. Come in. Set him on the table, bar keep and leave the bottle. Here's to you, Cole.

[Wayne Cole]

Here's to us, Hunk, and the pot of gold.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Yeah, the gold. Can you imagine the look on Ben Hastings face when he finds he's been cheated out of his land? The cash for it. And the fortune in yellow dust to boot.

[Narrator]

On his farm not far from Blue Ridge, Ben Hastings struggled vainly with his plow to harrow the rocky crusted earth into soil suitable for a crop.

[The Lone Ranger]

Come on.

[Sheriff]

Oh, pull up there.

[Hunk Masters]

That's no use, Tess. I just can't do it.

[Tess Hastings]

You mustn't give up, Ben.

[Hunk Masters]

What's the use of fooling ourselves? I've been trying to farm this land for a year now. I can't make it yield even a crop of tomatoes.

[Tess Hastings]

There must be something we can do.

[Hunk Masters]

Oh, Tess, is nothing. I thought when I built that waterway from the creek on Saul Lister's playstyles, it would freshen up the soil, make things different. But it hasn't.

[Tess Hastings]

Don't be so bitter, dear.

[Hunk Masters]

How can I help it, Tess? Bringing you all away from the east to this forsaken farm is my bride. I've failed you, Tess.

[Tess Hastings]

No, Ben, you haven't failed me. You're the best man a wife ever had.

[Hunk Masters]

I should have known when my folks died and left me in this place. It wouldn't do. It didn't make a farm out of my paw. It won't make one out of me. All his life he was a hired man, helping other people make a success of their farms. Looks like I'm cut out for the same.

[The Lone Ranger]

Now.

[Tess Hastings]

I won't let you talk like that. We'll have a farm of our own yet, you'll see.

[Hunk Masters]

We only had some money. A thousand dollars. Then we could buy a piece of that rich bottom land from Sol Lester and really make a farm.

[Tess Hastings]

I told everyone I know in town that we wanted to sell our land. Maybe we can get the money that way.

[Hunk Masters]

Who'd be fool enough to buy this old place?

[Tess Hastings]

Well, you never can tell. Folks from the east are coming To Blue Ridge? Every month, maybe.

[Hunk Masters]

What's the matter?

[Tess Hastings]

Nothing, Ben. But there are two men riding up to the house. One of them looks like Hunk Masters.

[Hunk Masters]

Hunk Masters? What's he want?

[Tess Hastings]

I don't know. They're stopping.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Howdy, Ben. I do, Mrs. Hastings.

[Hunk Masters]

What brings you here, then?

[Spinquest Announcer]

Shake hands with Wayne Cole. Mr. Cole just blew into town from the East. He's one of them rich brokers you're always hearing about. With nothing to do but spend cash.

[Wayne Cole]

Well, there's more to the brokerage business than that, Mr. Masters.

[Hunk Masters]

Aiming to settle in Blue Ridge, Mr. Cole?

[Wayne Cole]

Yes, I am.

[Spinquest Announcer]

He's hankering to buy your farm, Ben.

[Hunk Masters]

By the farm, Tess. Did you hear that?

[Tess Hastings]

Indeed I did.

[Hunk Masters]

I guess you haven't looked at the place yet, Mr. Cole.

[Wayne Cole]

On the contrary. I went over it with Mr. Masters the other day.

[Hunk Masters]

And you still want to buy it?

[Spinquest Announcer]

Of course he does, Ben.

[Hunk Masters]

Mr. Cole, I never cheated anybody in my life, and I don't aim to start now. This land's worthless for farming.

[Wayne Cole]

You misunderstand, Mr. Hastings. I'm not a farmer. I'm a retired businessman. I came west because of my wife's health.

[Hunk Masters]

You mean you'll buy it?

[Spinquest Announcer]

Of course he means it, Ben.

[Wayne Cole]

Here? Out here, miss. View from this hill will do my wife good. I'll pay you a fair price, Mr. Hastings.

[Spinquest Announcer]

He'll treat you right, Ben. I told him about how things was with you and the missus.

[Wayne Cole]

If the property is agreeable to Mrs. Cool, I'll pay you $3,000 for it.

[Hunk Masters]

3,000?

[Tess Hastings]

Oh, Ben, it's what we've prayed for.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Cash, too?

[Wayne Cole]

Yes, as a matter of fact. Half a thousand dollars with me now. Leave it with you as if it is a good faith. Yeah.

[Hunk Masters]

$1,000.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Cash.

[Tess Hastings]

That is necessary, Mr. Cole. Keep the money until you're ready to pay the entire amount.

[Wayne Cole]

I'll feel better if the money stayed in your hands, Mrs. Hastings.

[Spinquest Announcer]

He's scared you'll be tempted by some of them other dudes from the east to sell your farm to them.

[Wayne Cole]

Of course, you understand that the sale depends on my wife's approval of your farm. If she feels it won't do, you'll give the thousand dollars back to me.

[Hunk Masters]

I understand, Mr. Cole. And thanks.

[Wayne Cole]

I'll let you know tomorrow what our decision is.

[Tess Hastings]

I hope your wife approves, Mr. Cole.

[Wayne Cole]

I hope so, too.

[The Lone Ranger]

What's that?

[Spinquest Announcer]

It's a masked man and an Indian.

[The Lone Ranger]

Take that money, Tuttle. He get it?

[Wayne Cole]

What is this?

[Sheriff]

No, you don't. Hold up.

[The Lone Ranger]

Keep out of this, Ben.

[Wayne Cole]

Shoot Him. Don't let him get.

[The Lone Ranger]

Give your guns another Hunk if you don't want to get hurt.

[Sheriff]

My hand.

[The Lone Ranger]

I warned you, hunk.

[Hunk Masters]

The masked man hauled his guns out before Hunk's hands even got to his holsters.

[Sheriff]

And he got cash.

[Tess Hastings]

They've got the money.

[The Lone Ranger]

Sorry, Mrs. Hastings. You'll understand later that it was done for the best.

[Spinquest Announcer]

You won't get away with this.

[Wayne Cole]

We'll have the law on you.

[The Lone Ranger]

I don't think you will, Cole.

[Sheriff]

Come on, Toto.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Hey, they're getting away.

[Wayne Cole]

Don't let them shoot them, Hulk.

[Spinquest Announcer]

I'll show em. Missed.

[Tess Hastings]

Oh, Ben, they stole a whole thousand dollars.

[Hunk Masters]

You couldn't help it, honey.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Couldn't help.

[Wayne Cole]

Perhaps you'd better take your wife inside the house, Mr. Hastings. She seems upset.

[Andrew Rines]

Yeah.

[Hunk Masters]

Come on, honey. Come on.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Hey.

[The Lone Ranger]

What?

[Wayne Cole]

You want him to suspect something?

[Spinquest Announcer]

Well, it's spoiled already. That master hombre made away with a whole thousand.

[Wayne Cole]

You've got another thousand, haven't you?

[Spinquest Announcer]

Nothing doing, Cole. It's my money you're spending.

[Wayne Cole]

Never mind. I have another plan.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Yeah?

[Wayne Cole]

I'll give them a sealed envelope and tell them there's another thousand dollars in cash inside of it.

[Spinquest Announcer]

But you ain't got another thousand.

[Wayne Cole]

I know it. This envelope will contain a few strips from this newspaper I've got in my pocket here. Like this.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Say, that's a smart idea.

[Wayne Cole]

Yes, I thought you'd appreciate it.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Then we go ahead like we planned?

[Wayne Cole]

Yes. Are you sure you can depend on Slim?

[Spinquest Announcer]

Don't worry about Slim. He was with me on that bank job. He'll come through.

[Wayne Cole]

You'd better. There. Let's go up ours. I'll make the Hastings promise not to open this envelope. Yeah.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Now watch where they put it.

[Wayne Cole]

And if everything goes as planned, we are to own the land and the gold tomorrow.

[Spinquest Announcer]

And I'm starting a one man hunt for that mast hombre. When I catch him, I not only get my thousand back, but fill his hide with more holes than his spider has legs.

[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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This podcast is sponsored by Talkspace.

[Talkspace User Testimonial]

Last year, I went through many different life changes. I needed to take a pause and examine how I was feeling in the inside to better show up for the ones who need me to be my best version of myself.

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When you're navigating life's changes, Talkspace can help. Talkspace is the number one rated online therapy, bringing you professional support from licensed therapists and psychiatry providers. The that you can access anytime, anywhere.

[Talkspace User Testimonial]

Living a busy life, navigating a long distance relationship, becoming a first stepfather. Talkspace made all of those journeys possible. I could speak with my therapist in the office. I could speak with my therapist in the comfort of my home. I was never alone.

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[Wayne Cole]

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[Hunk Masters]

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[Tess Hastings]

Sam.

[Narrator]

Now to continue our story. That night, when Ben and Tess were asleep, a figure stole from the shadows of their house into a patch of moonlight and stealthily tried the door.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Just as I thought. It's unlocked. There now. Let me see. Unc said they put the envelope on the kitchen table drawer. Floorboards make more noise than a night bird. And there's the kitchen.

[Sheriff]

Darn drawer. Stuck.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Blast it. I pulled too hard. Where's that envelope?

[Tess Hastings]

Wake up, Ben. I thought I heard someone in the kitchen.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Oh, they'll find me here in a minute. Where's that envelope? Oh, here it is. Not high. Tail it out of here.

[Hunk Masters]

What is it, honey?

[Tess Hastings]

Ben, someone just ran past our door.

[Hunk Masters]

You stay where you are. I'll get my gun. Where's that light?

[Tess Hastings]

There he goes.

[Bretzky]

Ben.

[Hunk Masters]

I see him. Too late.

[Sheriff]

He got away.

[Tess Hastings]

I light the lamp. I wonder. Ben.

[Hunk Masters]

What?

[Tess Hastings]

The table drawer. It's been spilled on the floor.

[Hunk Masters]

Yeah. Tess, you don't think.

[Tess Hastings]

Ben, if that envelope's gone,

[Hunk Masters]

it's gone. Money's gone. Tess, we've been robbed.

[Tess Hastings]

$1,000. Ben, what'll we do?

[Hunk Masters]

I don't know, Tess. It was that masked man again.

[Tess Hastings]

I'll bet you Mr. Cole lost the money the first time, Ben. But this time we're the losers.

[Hunk Masters]

$1,000.

[Tess Hastings]

We gave Mr. Cole a paper. If he decides not to buy the farm, we agreed to pay back the thousand he left in our care.

[Hunk Masters]

I guess we were born under an unlucky star, honey.

[Tess Hastings]

Oh, Ben, don't talk like that. We'll get the money some way.

[Hunk Masters]

We were planning to buy a piece of bottomland from Song Lister.

[Tess Hastings]

It doesn't seem right, Ben. Folks like Mr. Cole haven't so much money. And you and I with so little.

[Hunk Masters]

I'm going gunning for that master army right now.

[Tess Hastings]

Oh, Ben, I won't let you. We've lost enough tonight. I won't lose you, too.

[Hunk Masters]

A Tess.

[Tess Hastings]

Please, Ben.

[Hunk Masters]

All right, honey. Come on. You need some sleep.

[Narrator]

Riding away from the house toward town, the outlaw called Slim patted the envelope he had taken from the Hastings kitchen table and congratulated himself on his night's work.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Poor Ben sure would like to see the look on that fellow's face when he finds his envelope missing. I guess, Hunkin, that fellow Cole will think mighty well of us after this nice work.

[The Lone Ranger]

Ehos.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Come on, get up there.

[The Lone Ranger]

Get up.

[Narrator]

Suddenly, from out of the night, he heard thundering hoofs and saw a masked man astride a white stallion streaking toward him across the prairie.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Master Silver Thunder. Get up, Cayos. Stop where you are.

[The Lone Ranger]

How are you, Slim?

[Spinquest Announcer]

Come on, horse.

[Sheriff]

Get up there.

[The Lone Ranger]

Colossus Silver. Straight up, Slim, or I'll rope you.

[Spinquest Announcer]

You'll have to catch me first. Very well.

[Tess Hastings]

There's the rope. Hey, wait.

[Sheriff]

I'll tell you.

[The Lone Ranger]

Silver's Teddy.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Why, you Mayor Coyote. You dragged me right out of the saddle.

[The Lone Ranger]

Your horse did that, Slim. You should have stopped when I roped you.

[Spinquest Announcer]

What's the idea anyway?

[The Lone Ranger]

You have something I want, Slim. An envelope.

[Spinquest Announcer]

An envelope? You're making a mistake, Misty.

[The Lone Ranger]

No, I'm not. I waited outside of Ben Hastings house while you took that envelope. Give it to me. Oh, but it.

[Spinquest Announcer]

It belongs to Hunk, master.

[The Lone Ranger]

I mean, I know it does, Slim. I'm going to see that Hunk gets it back. Glad you caught up with me, Toto. Our friend here is reluctant to part with the envelope.

[Spinquest Announcer]

An inch on he fixed. No, no, wait, wait. Here.

[The Lone Ranger]

Here's the emblem. That's better. Take care of him, Tado. I'm riding back to the Hastings farm to put their Minds at ease here, Silver.

[Spinquest Announcer]

What do you want with me?

[The Lone Ranger]

You helped Hunk Masters rob the bank in Colby, didn't you, Slim?

[Spinquest Announcer]

No, no, you can't pin that on me, mister.

[The Lone Ranger]

You. You're lying. Easy, big fella. Now, when I return, I'll show you something that'll change your mind.

[Spinquest Announcer]

You can't scam me.

[The Lone Ranger]

Have you forgotten the penalty for murder?

[Hunk Masters]

Murder?

[Spinquest Announcer]

What do you mean?

[The Lone Ranger]

Aren't you forgetting a guard was killed on that bank job? Somebody must hang for that.

[Spinquest Announcer]

But I didn't do it. I was only keeping watch outside. Hunk shot the guard, I mean.

[The Lone Ranger]

Thanks, Slim. That's what I wanted to know. Take him to the camp.

[Narrator]

Hello.

[Spinquest Announcer]

What are you going to do with me?

[The Lone Ranger]

Take that up when I return. You'll be safe as long as you're with us. When you don't report to Hunk with that envelope, he'll be gunning for you.

[Spinquest Announcer]

But I can explain to him.

[The Lone Ranger]

Knowing Hunk, he won't give you time. The only way you can protect yourself permanently is to see Hunk J.

[Sheriff]

But listen.

[The Lone Ranger]

All right, big fellow, let's go.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Say, who is that Master Humber anyway?

[Sheriff]

You find out plenty soon.

[The Lone Ranger]

Hello, Silver.

[Narrator]

Meanwhile, in a back room at the cafe Punk Masters and Cole waited impatiently for Slim's return.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Blast Slim. He's had enough time to pull 20 jobs.

[Wayne Cole]

What did you expect? Hunk hiring him to steal the envelope?

[Spinquest Announcer]

Lay off Slim until you can be trusted.

[Wayne Cole]

What's keeping him then? It looks to me like he's double crossed his.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Well, if he has, he's got a surprise coming to him. And he opens that envelope and finds there ain't money in it like I told him, but just newspaper.

[Wayne Cole]

Suppose he didn't steal the envelope at all?

[Spinquest Announcer]

Didn't say. I never thought of that. That'd mean.

[Wayne Cole]

Don't let it upset you. If the envelope is still there, we'll open it to find newspaper and accuse the Hastings of stealing the cash and substituting the paper.

[Spinquest Announcer]

You sure are a slick one, Cole.

[Wayne Cole]

Either way, we're sure to own the farm tomorrow.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Wait a minute. What if Ben opened that there envelope and saw that there weren't no cash in it?

[Wayne Cole]

What if he does? It's my word against his. I've got his signature on this paper whereby he agrees to pay me $1,000 in cash in the event I don't buy his farm.

[Spinquest Announcer]

You think of everything, don't you, Cole? Here, have another drink. Yeah, I can hardly wait to get my hands on that gold tomorrow.

[Narrator]

Early the next morning, Ben and Tess Hastings Heard a knock on their door.

[Tess Hastings]

I'll go, Ben.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Well, how do, Mrs. Hastings? Brought Mr. Kovac like he promised.

[Wayne Cole]

Good morning, Mrs. Hastings. Is your husband at home?

[Tess Hastings]

Why, yes. Won't you come in?

[Wayne Cole]

I'd be glad to.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Well, howdy, Ben. Here's Mr. Cole to see you.

[Hunk Masters]

Hello, Hunk. Morning, Mr. Cole.

[Wayne Cole]

Keen to tell you my decision on your farm.

[Sheriff]

Yeah, we.

[Hunk Masters]

We've been expecting you. Did you decide to buy it?

[Wayne Cole]

Well, no.

[Hunk Masters]

I see.

[Wayne Cole]

I regret I was forced to decide against it. You see, Mr. Hastings had described the farm to my wife's doctor. And when he learned it was located on a hill, he warned me that living here would aggravate my wife's heart condition.

[Tess Hastings]

Why, the Doctor's perfectly right, Mr. Cole.

[Hunk Masters]

Yeah. We wouldn't think of selling you the farm long as your wife has a bad heart, would we, Tess?

[Spinquest Announcer]

Well, now, that's a mighty nice way for them to take the news, ain't it, Mr. Cole?

[Wayne Cole]

Yes. I thought they'd be disappointed.

[Tess Hastings]

Well, you have to take the bitter with the sweet. Life can't be sugar all the time.

[Hunk Masters]

Sure. Besides, we didn't have any use for $3,000 anyway, did we, honey?

[Spinquest Announcer]

You sure you slept all right last night, Ben?

[Narrator]

Like a top?

[Wayne Cole]

Why, nothing, Mr. Hastings. Mr. Masters thought something might have disturbed you.

[Tess Hastings]

Oh, no. We never spent a quieter night in our lives.

[Wayne Cole]

Yes. Well, if you'll give me the money I left with you, we'll be on our way.

[The Lone Ranger]

Sure.

[Hunk Masters]

Got the envelope? Right here

[Spinquest Announcer]

it is the envelope.

[Hunk Masters]

Of course it is, Hunk. Did you expect it wouldn't be here?

[Spinquest Announcer]

Well, I.

[Wayne Cole]

Are you sure it's the right envelope, Mr. Hastings?

[Hunk Masters]

It's the one you gave me.

[Tess Hastings]

Why wouldn't it be the right envelope?

[Wayne Cole]

Well, I. You see here, sometimes these things get mixed up here. Do you mind if I open it and see if the money is still there?

[Tess Hastings]

If the money was in the envelope when you gave it to us, it'll be there now.

[Hunk Masters]

Yes, quite so. We haven't opened that envelope you gave us, Mr. Cole.

[Wayne Cole]

No, no, I'm sure you haven't, Mr. Hunk.

[Spinquest Announcer]

What is it, Cole?

[Narrator]

The money.

[Wayne Cole]

$1,000. The Masked man stool. It's in this envelope.

[Tess Hastings]

I don't understand, Mr. Cole. Didn't you expect to find $1,000 in the envelope you gave us to hold yo.

[Hunk Masters]

What's eating you to.

[Tess Hastings]

If you'll just give us the paper we signed agreeing to pay you this money if you didn't buy the farm, everything will be settled.

[Spinquest Announcer]

We ain't giving you no paper.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, you are Humphrey.

[Wayne Cole]

It's the management again, Sheriff.

[Sheriff]

You're under arrest, Hunk. You too, Cole. What for? We're trying to swindle Ben and Tess here out of their farm.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Oh, you're loco, Sheriff. That's the man you want. That masked hombre there, he stole a thousand dollars in cash from me yesterday.

[Sheriff]

Is this the money, Hunk?

[Spinquest Announcer]

Yeah, yeah, that's.

[Wayne Cole]

Shut up, you fool.

[The Lone Ranger]

Thanks, Hunk. That's what I wanted the Sheriff to hear.

[Spinquest Announcer]

What do you mean?

[The Lone Ranger]

This cash is all paper money, Hunk. The same as was stolen from the bank in Colby. More important, among the stolen notes was a hundred dollar bill which was torn and taped across the back here is that note.

[Sheriff]

Where's the rest of the money you took from the bank?

[Spinquest Announcer]

Oh, I. I lied when I said that was my money, Sheriff. It belongs to Cole.

[Sheriff]

Here.

[Spinquest Announcer]

See this here paper? The Hastings sign says it'll be paid back to him.

[Wayne Cole]

You dirty, double crushing. Don't believe him, Sheriff. The money belongs to him.

[The Lone Ranger]

You can't get out of it, Hunk. And you can't escape the noose that's hanging over your head.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Noose?

[The Lone Ranger]

For the murder of the bank guard.

[Spinquest Announcer]

No, that wasn't me who killed the guard. That was Slim.

[The Lone Ranger]

All right, Totto, turn your prisoner loose.

[Sheriff]

Slim?

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, Slim.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Thought you could hang that bank killing on me, did you?

[Sheriff]

Well, you're too late.

[Spinquest Announcer]

I already told the masked man everything. You yellow livered, low down polecat. If I could get my hands.

[Sheriff]

Shut up, Hunk.

[Wayne Cole]

You've no right to arrest me. I wasn't even in town when the bank robbery took place.

[Sheriff]

I ain't arresting you for that bank robbery, Cole. I'm arresting you for attempted extortion.

[Wayne Cole]

But I tell you that it was

[Sheriff]

Slim's already confessed how you and Hunk schemed to fleece these here folks out of their farm by hiring him to steal the envelope containing newspaper.

[Wayne Cole]

You can't do that.

[Sheriff]

You knew they didn't have no cash of their own. So you plan to charge him with stealing $1,000 and demand the farmers forfeit when they couldn't pay it. That's a lie. In the first place, if the masked man hadn't spoiled your chances of making away with the cash, and in the second place, switching envelopes so as to substitute the money for newspaper, you'd have got away with it.

[Wayne Cole]

That's a likely story, Sheriff. What would I want with a rocky, rundown old farm like this?

[The Lone Ranger]

You wanted the gold you found near the waterway, Cole.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Gold?

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, Ben. Hunk discovered a vein of it accidentally. I saw him washing some out on your property and went down to have a look.

[Sheriff]

Gold.

[Tess Hastings]

Oh, Ben, now our troubles are over.

[Hunk Masters]

Maybe there's enough to buy that piece of bottomland, honey.

[Sheriff]

All right, you three hunk. Cold, Slim, I'm locking you up. Let me help you. Thanks. Say, stranger, I almost forgot. Hey, where'd that masked hombre go? Oh, him right back to camp. Doggone it. I wanted to tell him there's a reward coming to him for the capture of the bank robbers and killer. $1,000. Oh, that's why him leave. Lone Ranger not want reward. You give cash to young folks, then maybe buy bottomland.

[Spinquest Announcer]

The Lone Ranger.

[Sheriff]

Well, so that's who that feller is.

[Tess Hastings]

Look, he left a silver bullet on the table.

[Hunk Masters]

Lone Ranger. And he's given us a whole thousand dollars.

[Tess Hastings]

Things can't go very far wrong with folks wherever he is. Ben.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Sam.

[Wayne Cole]

Foreign.

[Bretzky]

What's going on, everyone? It's bluff here. And we're driving through the states in the Bluff Mobile. And the best thing that we can do is play our favorite casino style games on Spin Quest. They have over a thousand games including live dealer blackjack and craps. With tons of slots and unlimited options, you can get a 30 coin pack for just $10. For new users sign up today. Go to spinquest.com right now.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Now Spinquest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Talkspace Announcer]

This podcast is sponsored by Talkspace.

[Talkspace User Testimonial]

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[Spinquest Announcer]

here on the job site with Dale, who's a framing contractor.

[Sheriff]

Hey, good Morning.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Dale traded up to Geico Commercial Auto Insurance for all his business vehicles. We're here where he needs us most.

[Sheriff]

Yep, they sure are.

[Spinquest Announcer]

We make it easy for him to save on all his insurance needs all in one place with coverage that fits his business and bottom line. Oh, I shouldn't have looked down.

[Sheriff]

It's all right.

[Spinquest Announcer]

We're so far up here.

[Sheriff]

Look at me. Take a deep breath.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Oh, I'm good. So good.

[Hunk Masters]

Get a commercial auto insurance quote [e-mail]

[Spinquest Announcer]

and see how much you could save. It feels good to Geico. Sam.

[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 our most recent ranch hands, 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 copyrighted under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Like Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.

[Bretzky]

Hey guys, Lady Luck here.

[Tess Hastings]

Are you going on any road trips this summer? I know I'm going to be going on a bunch of road trips and being that I'm going to be Passenger

[Bretzky]

Princess, I Love playing on Spinquest.com Spinquest

[Tess Hastings]

has all of my favorite slot games

[Spinquest Announcer]

Live Blackjack, Live Craps.

[Tess Hastings]

Head on over to Spinquest right now and get yourself a $30 coin pack for just 10 bucks.

[Spinquest Announcer]

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