The Word Of A Soldier

Originally Aired: May 25, 1938 The Lone Ranger #831, "The Word Of A Soldier," retired Colonel Marberry welcomes Lieutenant Bart Benson to his ranch as the son of an old army friend. The smooth-talking Benson quickly ingratiates himself with the aging, wounded Colonel, taking over ranch operations and systematically removing anyone who might stand in his way. When foreman Lem questions Benson's authority, the schemer plants seeds of doubt with the Colonel, falsely suggesting romantic entanglements and disloyalty. The Colonel, placing blind faith in "the word of a soldier," sides with Benson against both Lem and his own daughter Betty. As Benson consolidates power, he fires loyal ranch hands and replaces them with his own men. When Lem suddenly disappears, the household maid Chiquita reveals a dark truth to Betty: the foreman didn't simply quit but was murdered by Benson's henchmen. Now held prisoner in her own home by armed guards, Betty realizes the full extent of Benson's sinister plan to marry her, take control of the ranch, and possibly eliminate her father. The Lone Ranger and Tonto race toward the Marberry ranch as the danger escalates.