Abilene Horse Thieves

Originally Aired: January 28, 1938 The Lone Ranger #781, "Abilene Horse Thieves," a sophisticated gang of horse thieves has been plaguing the ranches around Abilene, stealing valuable high-bred horses without leaving a trace. When prominent rancher Cal Cummings directs the sheriff to request help from the Texas Rangers, the Lone Ranger and Tonto intercept the letter after overhearing the drunken Zeke Skinner talking carelessly in a cafe. Suspecting something is amiss, the masked man rides into Abilene to investigate, but soon finds himself caught in an elaborate trap. When thieves steal Silver from the hitching rack and the Lone Ranger attempts to recover his magnificent horse, men claiming to be Texas Rangers arrive on the scene and arrest him and Tonto as the very horse thieves they're hunting. The situation grows desperate as the real mastermind behind the thefts remains hidden, manipulating events to frame the masked man and his faithful companion. After a dramatic scuffle, the Lone Ranger manages to escape on Scout, but Tonto remains imprisoned and faces hanging. With the town convinced they've caught the criminals and his partner's life hanging in the balance, the Lone Ranger must find a way to expose the true thieves and clear their names before it's too late.