The Incriminating Letter

Originally Aired: August 10, 1938The Lone Ranger #864, "The Incriminating Letter,"When Civil War veterans Boliver Bates and Hacksaw Hastings arrive hungry and broke at the Lazy End Ranch, foreman Steve Manners welcomes them warmly and shares his hope of marrying Jane Colfax, the ranch owner's daughter. Their pleasant visit takes a dark turn when a stranger named Morgan rides up, causing Steve to react with visible fear. The two veterans secretly listen at the window and overhear Morgan blackmailing Steve with an incriminating letter from his outlaw past. Morgan demands that Steve help him rustle a thousand head of cattle from the Lazy End, threatening to expose Steve's criminal history and destroy his new life if he refuses.Determined to help their generous friend, Boliver and Hacksaw set out to find the Lone Ranger and Tonto, hoping the masked man can save Steve from Morgan's scheme. As they search desperately across the territory with time running out, Steve faces an impossible choice between losing everything he's built or betraying the rancher who gave him a second chance.