Written by Robert L McCullough & Philip John Taylor
Directed by Ray Austin

First US Airdate 19 Dec 1992   Episode 4.9

[Exterior wide night shot of the de la Vega hacienda as piano music is heard off camera.]

[Interior shot of the de la Vega hacienda where Victoria sits in a chair while piano music is still being played.  The camera pans the room to show a man and woman sitting on a settee and a woman sitting in a chair as a man stands behind her.  Mendoza is sitting in a chair to Victoria's right.  Diego and Don Alejandro are both playing the piano.  They finish their piece and everyone claps.]

Voices
Bravo.

Mendoza [leaning to his left toward Victoria, in a low voice]
I thought you said Don Diego was a good piano player?

Victoria [leaning toward Mendoza, also in a low voice]
And so he is.

Mendoza
Well, he had his father help him.

Victoria
It was a sonata for four hands.

[She puts her right index finger to her lips as Diego walks near them.]

Mendoza [a bit indignantly]
I knew that.

Diego [as he limps up to them, leaning on a cane]
So, Sergeant, what did you think?

Mendoza [standing up]
A little dull for me, Don Diego.  I prefer music you can sing along with or perhaps even whistle.

[He chuckles.]

Diego [wryly]
I'll keep that in mind.

[Victoria shakes her head and sighs.]

Mendoza
Thank you, Don Diego.  How is your leg?

Diego [looking down at his right leg]
Improving daily.  Thank you.

Victoria [looking up at him]
You were very brave, Diego.  That bull would have wrecked the entire plaza if you hadn't distracted it.

Diego
Well, facing a bull with a broomstick might be more like stupidity than bravery.

[Victoria is about to say something but a horse whinnying loudly off camera draws everyone's attention.]

Don Alejandro [standing with the other guests]
What in the name of heaven?

[He turns and walks toward the front door.  The other guests follow him, including Victoria and Mendoza.  Diego limps along behind them.]

[Exterior night shot of the de la Vega hacienda courtyard as hoof beats are heard off camera.  Don Alejandro, Victoria, Mendoza, and the other guests come out a door and into the courtyard.]

Don Alejandro
Miguel?  What happened?

[Miguel comes up to Don Alejandro and collapses against Don Alejandro and Mendoza, who hold him up.]

Miguel
Bandits, Patrón.  They took your best horses. [Diego limps outside and joins the crowd.] I tried to stop them.

Don Alejandro
Get him inside, Sergeant.

[Don Alejandro and Mendoza lead Miguel toward the hacienda.  Victoria and the other guests follow behind them. Diego limps away from the hacienda then stops and sighs.]

Diego [to himself]
Of all things.  Just when Zorro is needed the most.

[He turns and limps back toward the hacienda.]

[Exterior day shot of the countryside as Don Alejandro rides his horse across a dirt road.]

[Exterior shot of the plaza as people mill about.]

de Soto [off camera]
Mendoza, stop idling.  We march at once.  Lancers!

[Don Alejandro rides into the plaza as the lancers come out of the cuartel.  Don Alejandro brings his horse to a halt.]

Don Alejandro
Alcalde, did Sergeant Mendoza tell you about our unwelcome visitors last night?

de Soto [on horseback]
Yes, the sergeant made a full report.

Don Alejandro
A full report?  I'm impressed to see such prompt action.

de Soto
Well, you see. . .  This morning we awoke to find several of our best horses missing as well.

Don Alejandro
Ah!  I should have known.

de Soto
Now, if you'll please excuse us, we have business to which we must attend.

Don Alejandro
Well, if that business includes chasing those bandidos, I volunteer my services.

de Soto [chuckling derisively]
Excellent.  And where's your son?

Don Alejandro
He's at home, nursing a broken leg.

de Soto [chuckling]
Well, that's probably the best place for him.  Lancers!  Vamanos!

[He rides forward and the lancers follow him on foot.  Don Alejandro rides after them.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as de Soto and Don Alejandro ride side by side followed by two columns of lancers on foot.]

Mendoza
Alcalde, this is a waste of time.  This is Jose Macias's place!  It's impossible!

Don Alejandro
Sergeant Mendoza is absolutely right.  Jose and Julieta Macias are the most honest couple in Los Angeles.

de Soto [sarcastically]
Is that so?

Don Alejandro
Absolutely so.

[Exterior shot of a farmyard where a man stands holding a rake in front of an enclosed corn field.  A boy and girl play in the dirt in front of him.]

de Soto [off camera]
Lancers, search the area.

Don Alejandro [off camera at first]
Ah, Alcalde. [He rides into the farmyard.] Hola, Jose.  Good to see you.

Jose
Don Alejandro

Don Alejandro
I don't believe it, look how my godchildren have grown!

[A very pregnant woman walks up to them, carrying a basket.]

Mendoza [off camera]
Sepulveda, check the corral.

[Lancers are running about the farmyard.]

Don Alejandro [as he ties his horse to the corn field fence]
Ah, Señora Macias.  As always, a pleasure to see you again.

Julieta [smiling]
Gracias, Don Alejandro.

Jose [as he and Don Alejandro shake hands]
Don Alejandro, I don't understand.  Is something wrong?

Don Alejandro
Unfortunately, yes.  There are horse thieves in the area.  The Alcalde is being his usual difficult self. [De Soto glares at Don Alejandro.] Ah, Rosita, Alejandrito.

[He goes over to where the children are playing.]

Jose
I don't think they recognize you, Don Alejandro.

[Sepulveda comes running out from behind a building.]

Sepulveda
Alcalde, over here!  I found them!  Over here!

[He turns and runs back the way he came.  Mendoza, de Soto, and the rest of the lancers run after him.  Don Alejandro, Jose, and Julieta follow after them.]

[Exterior shot of a corral where several horses are running around.  Everyone comes up to the corral fence.]

Don Alejandro [incredulously]
Jose. . .  My horses. . .

de Soto
And mine.

Mendoza [incredulously]
Can't be. [He turns and walks over to Jose.] Jose. . .

Jose
But I don't understand.  I don't know how these horses got here.

de Soto
Well, that the question I'm going to asking you at your trial, Señor.

Jose
My trial?  But I have no idea.  I've never seen these horses and I'm certainly no thief.  Don Alejandro, tell them.  You know me.

Don Alejandro
Of course I know you.  How did they get in your corral?

de Soto
Precisely the question.  Lancers, seize the prisoner.

[Two lancers come up behind Jose then each of them grabs one of his arms.]

de Soto
Take him away!

[The lancers start dragging Jose away.]

Julieta [moving toward Jose]
No!

[De Soto grabs her left arm and holds her back.]

Jose [off camera]
Julieta!

[Don Alejandro pulls Julieta away from de Soto and leads her in the direction the lancers are dragging Jose.]

Jose [off camera]
Julieta!  Julieta!

[De Soto turns and looks at the horses then turns and follows the others.]

*****COMMERCIAL BREAK*****

[Exterior shot of the tavern as Victoria stands on the front porch with a grim expression.]

[Exterior shot of the plaza as the lancers and Jose ride into the pueblo.]

Victoria [incredulously]
Jose Macias?

[Jose rides past her, his hands tied together.  Don Alejandro and de Soto ride up to de Soto's office.  The lancers dismount then pull Jose down off the horse he was riding.  Victoria shakes her head then goes inside the tavern.]

Jose [as a lancers drags him over to de Soto]
Alcalde, you know I'm no horse thief.

de Soto
Yes, well. . .  You'll have plenty of time to explain that to the territorial magistrate.

Jose
But why won't you believe me?

de Soto
Let's just say I have a doubtful nature, hmm?  And besides, if you're so blessed innocent, why are you afraid to appear in a fair and open courtroom?

Don Alejandro
Why are you afraid to let him get out on bail, sir?

Jose
Alcalde, you know my wife is expecting a child soon.  Without me, my whole family is lost.

de Soto
Well, you should have thought of that before you stole my horses.

[He waves at the lancer who starts to take Jose away.]

Don Alejandro
That's not fair. [The lancer and Jose stop.] Don't presume he is guilty.  Give him his day in court.  Please.

de Soto
All right, all right, all right.  I'm a compassionate man and since the entire pueblo seems willing to vouch for this man, I'll set bail.

Jose
Gracias, Señor.  Mil gracias.

de Soto
Bail is set at two thousand pesos.

Don Alejandro [indignantly]
What?

Jose
Two thousand pesos?  You can't be serious.  Where am I going to get that kind of money?

Don Alejandro
Jose, don't worry, we'll bail you out.

[De Soto looks over at Don Alejandro disgustedly then turns his horse and rides away.]

Jose
Don Alejandro, please tell Julieta everything will be all right.

Don Alejandro
Your family will stay with us.  Take care, my son.

[The lancers leads Jose toward the cuartel.  Don Alejandro waves then rides away.  The rest of the lancers follow Jose and the first lancers into the cuartel.]

[Exterior shot of de Soto's office as a lancer stands outside.]

de Soto [off camera]
One thousand three hundred fifty-two. . .

[Interior shot of de Soto's office as de Soto sits at his desk counting gold coins.  Victoria, Don Alejandro, and Mendoza stand around the desk and watch.]

de Soto
One thousand three hundred fifty three. . . [He looks up at Victoria.] This is a great deal of money, Señorita.  How did you come by this?

Victoria
Those are my life's savings, Alcalde, and that's how much I trust Jose Macias.  Don't worry, it's all there, every peso.  Although, [She looks over at Don Alejandro and smiles.] I will need a receipt.

de Soto [grumbling]
Mm-hmm, mm-hmm. [He picks up a coin.] One thousand three hundred and. . .   Ugh!

[He pushes the piles of coins to his right and then sets one down on the desk.]

de Soto [as Victoria, Don Alejandro, and Mendoza groan]
One. . .  Two. . .  Three. . .  Four. . .

[Exterior shot of de Soto's office as three men stand out front.  Victoria and Don Alejandro emerge from the front door.]

Don Alejandro [turning as Jose walks out the door]
Jose Macias!

[People start to gather outside the office and murmur excitedly.]

Jose [as he, Victoria, and Don Alejandro walk away from the office]
Señorita Escalante, Don Alejandro, you don't know what this means to me.  How will I ever repay you?

Victoria
Well, you don't have to repay me.

Don Alejandro
All you have to do is show up for your trial.

Jose
Of course, of course.  This whole thing is crazy.  But whatever it takes, I'm going to prove my innocence.

Don Alejandro
Ah!  I have an idea.  I'm going to send Diego over to your ranch in the morning.  He's got a good legal mind.

Jose
But I can't really afford legal help.

Victoria
He will enjoy going up against the Alcalde in open court.  Besides, at least it will give him something to so while that leg of his mends.

Jose.
Wonderful.  Shall I ride to your hacienda, Don Alejandro?

Don Alejandro
No, no.  I'll send Diego out first thing in the morning.

Jose [putting his hand on Don Alejandro's right shoulder]
First thing in the morning.  Perfect. [Mendoza comes up behind Victoria, leading a horse.] I'll have some fresh coffee waiting.

Victoria
Now, you get back to that family of yours.

Jose
Gracias, Señorita Escalante.  Muchas gracias to you all.

[Exterior shot of the Macias ranch as Diego drives a carriage up to the front yard.  He brings the horse to a halt then reaches for his cane.]

Diego
Jose!

[He uses his cane to get out of the carriage but lands on his bad leg.  He grimaces in pain.]

Diego [as he limps into the farmyard]
Jose!  Julieta?

[He stops in front of the house then turns around.]

Diego
That's strange.

[He limps back toward the carriage.]

[Exterior shot of the pueblo as people mill about.]

Mendoza [off camera at first]
Alcalde!  Alcalde!

[He runs across the plaza to where de Soto is sitting at one of the tables on the tavern porch.  Victoria stands to de Soto's right.]

Mendoza [coming up onto the porch]
The horses, they are missing again!

de Soto
What?

Victoria
Are you sure, Sergeant?

Mendoza
Just came from the stables. [He points to his right.] They're gone.

[De Soto turns and looks over his left shoulder.]

de Soto [turning back around]
Oh, no.

[Don Alejandro rides into the pueblo and over to the tavern.]

de Soto
Let me guess, Don Alejandro. [Don Alejandro brings his horse to a halt.] Your horses have been stolen again?

Don Alejandro
Exactly.  And there's more.  Diego went out to the Macias ranch.  Jose, his wife and the family have all vanished.

de Soto [pulling off his napkin and standing up]
Ah, Sergeant, form a search party immediately.

Mendoza
Si, mi Alcalde!

[He turns and runs off to his right.]

de Soto
You people are really fools.

[He steps off the porch and walks off to his left.]

Victoria [worriedly to Don Alejandro]
But there must be some explanation.

Don Alejandro
Think I'd better go with the Alcalde.  He might just shoot Jose on sight.

[He rides off to his left.  Victoria runs over to her right to where one of her serving girls stands with a tray and puts her right hand on the woman's shoulder.]

Victoria
Don Alejandro's right.  I must find Jose before the Alcalde does.

[She goes inside the tavern.  The woman follows.]

[Exterior shot of the de la Vega courtyard as Diego and Felipe sit at a table with a pitcher of orange juice.]

Diego
She's determined to find Jose and bring him back herself.

[Felipe sets down his glass of juice then runs his hands down the sides of his face then puts his hands in front of his chest then points at Diego.]

Diego
No, I don't suppose Victoria is afraid of Jose.  But there is something. . .

[A horse whinnies loudly off camera.  Diego turns and looks over his right shoulder]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Victoria gallops past the de la Vega hacienda.]

Diego [off camera]
Victoria!

[Exterior shot of the de la Vega courtyard as Diego stands up then limps over to the hacienda gate.]

Diego
Victoria! [She keeps on riding as Felipe comes up behind Diego.] Victoria may not be afraid of Jose but there is something she's overlooked.  If Jose is innocent as we all believe, what if she runs into the real thief?

[Felipe taps Diego's left arm then points at Diego's right leg.]

Diego
A stolen horse or two is one thing.  But for the woman I love. [He hands Felipe his cane.] Zorro rides, broken leg or not.

[He turns and limps back toward the hacienda.]

*****COMMERCIAL BREAK*****

[Interior shot of the secret cave as Zorro climbs onto Toronado's back while Felipe holds the reins.]

Zorro
My leg should be alright as long as I stay in the saddle.  Victoria's life may be in danger, that's all that matters.

[Zorro turns Toronado around and leaves the cave as Felipe watches.  Toronado hits his hoof onto the board on the cave floor that activates the pulley system.]

[Exterior shot of the cave exit as it opens then Zorro and Toronado ride out of it.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as de Soto and Don Alejandro ride up to the top of a hill as Mendoza and the other lancers follow on foot.]

Don Alejandro [as they then ride down the hill]
Alcalde, they can't have gone south.  The April rains have made the creek impassible.

de Soto
Well, they didn't go west into the ocean.

Don Alejandro
I'm telling you, Alcalde, they went east, to San Bernardino.

[Closeup shot of water rushing over rocks.]

Don Alejandro [off camera]
What did I tell you?

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Don Alejandro and de Soto bring their horses to a halt.  The lancers stop as well.]

de Soto
North.  They went north.

Don Alejandro
No one in their right mind would take that many horses across the bridge at Diablo Canyon.  I say they went inland.  San Bernardino.

de Soto
San Bernardino. [He chuckles.] Well, I hope you have a pleasant ride, Don Alejandro.  If you're not killed by the desert heat.  As for us, we go north.  Vamanos, muchachos.

Mendoza [waving his hand]
Si, mi Alcalde.

[De Soto turns his horse and rides off to his left.  The lancers follow on foot.]

Don Alejandro [watching them leave]
North is certainly a much cooler ride.  But they can't have gone that way.

de Soto
And I say they did.

Don Alejandro [shaking his head]
Alcalde, as stubborn as a mule. . .as always.

[He rides off after the others.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Victoria stops her horse at the top of a ridge and looks downward.]

[Closeup shot of hoof prints on the ground.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Victoria rides behind a large rock.  In the canyon below, Jose leads several horses toward a watering hole.]

Victoria [to herself]
Jose Macias. . .  A horse thief.  Well I would never have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.

[Jose leads the horses to the water as Victoria turns and rides back across the ridge.]

[Closeup shot of a creek.  The camera pans over to the creek bank as Zorro and Toronado ride up to it.]

[Closeup shot of ‘D' shaped hoof prints in the mud.  (Scene first used in the episode "Honor Thy Father" 1.13)]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Zorro rides Toronado through the water.]

[Exterior shot of a wooden bridge that attached to only one side of a canyon.]

Don Alejandro [off camera]
Now San Bernardino, Alcalde?

[Exterior shot of the countryside as de Soto, Don Alejandro, Mendoza, and the other lancers look down into the canyon.]

de Soto [reluctantly]
Yes.

[He turns his horse around and rides off.]

Don Alejandro
Sergeant, we've wasted the whole day.

Mendoza
Si, Don Alejandro.  But as the Alcalde is always fond of saying: ‘ soldier can do no wrong if he follows orders.'

[He waves his hand as does Sepulveda.]

Sepulveda
Vamanos!

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Zorro rides Toronado through a meadow full of pink-purple flowers.]

[Exterior shot of a narrow steep canyon.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Zorro and Toronado gallop forward.]

[Exterior shot of the narrow canyon as Zorro and Toronado jump across it, landing on the other side.  Toronado whinnies as they keep riding.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Victoria ties her horse to a tree then crouches as she walks down the hillside.]

Victoria [to herself as she looks down at Jose and some other men]
Jose, how could you?

Jose [to one of the men]
Okay, Lozero. (Closed captioning says ‘speaking Spanish'.  I heard ‘Okay, Lozero'.)  I got the horses you wanted.  I lived up to my part of the deal.  Now it's your turn.

[Victoria listens while peeking over a large rock.]

Lozero
Our agreement was for all of the garrison horses.

Jose
I got all I could.  The other end of the stables was too heavily guarded.  It was unsafe.

[Lozero laughs.]

Victoria [to herself]
You're coming in if I have to bring you in myself.

Lozero
How do you expect to become a famous horse thief if you don't take a few chances, amigo?

[Exterior shot of the top of the ridge as a man with a pistol sneaks off to his right.]

[Closeup shot of Victoria as she peeks over the top of a rock with a grim expression on her face.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Zorro rides Toronado while he looks down to his right.]

Zorro [bringing Toronado to a halt]
Whoa.  Easy, boy.

[Closeup shot of Victoria crouching behind her rock as the man with the pistol climbs up onto the rock.  Victoria points a pistol at him and fires, knocking the pistol out of his right hand.  Victoria whips out another pistol and aims it at the man who stumbles backward, raising his hands.]

[Closeup shot of Lozero as he turns around.]

Lozero
What was that?

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Victoria points her pistol at the man.]

Victoria [nodding her head to her left]
After you, Señor.

[The man slowly starts backing away then turns his back to Victoria.  She come out from behind the rock.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Zorro rides Toronado then brings him to a halt.  He watches as Victoria pushes the man in the back as they walk down the hillside, still pointing the pistol at him.  Zorro turns Toronado around then rides up the hillside to his right.  Victoria keeps urging the man forward.]

[Exterior shot of the bandits's camp as Lozero and Jose watch as Victoria pushes the man into the clearing.]

Jose
Señorita Escalante. . .

Victoria [aiming her pistol at the three men]
I have nothing to say to you, Jose Macias.  I trusted you with my life's savings.

Jose
Let me explain.

Victoria
There's nothing to explain.  Now I know what you're all about.  And I'm taking you all in for horse stealing.

Lozero [chuckling]
You've got a lot of spirit, little lady.  I like you.  But tell me. .   How are you going to get us all back to Los Angeles?  We outnumber you.

Jose
He's right.

Victoria [a bit nervously]
Yeah, well. . . [She tightens her hand on her pistol.] If anyone tries to make a move, they'll get a pistol ball right between the eyes.

Lozero
You haven't got the nerve.

[A horse whinnies off camera.  Victoria turns to look over her left shoulder.]

Zorro [sitting astride Toronado, his saber unsheathed]
Trust me, Señor.  She has the nerve.

[Lozero draws out his sword and steps toward Zorro.]

Zorro
I'd be delighted to cross swords with you.  However. . .

[He rides Toronado at Lozero.  Toronado rears and uses one of his front hooves to knock the sword from Lozero's hand.]

Lozero
Aah!

[He then throws himself at Zorro, knocking him off Toronado's back.  Zorro's sword goes flying.  Lozero and Zorro land on the ground.]

Zorro [grimacing with pain as he rolls over onto his back]
Aah!

[Lozero rolls on the ground near Victoria's feet.  He picks up Zorro's saber as he stands up then brandishes it at Zorro.]

Victoria [aiming her pistol at Lozero]
Don't move!

Jose
Please, Señorita, you don't understand.

[Victoria looks confused.]

Lozero
The fight is over, Señor.

[A woman whimpers off camera.  Zorro, who is now standing up, turns to his left as does Victoria.]

Victoria [incredulously]
Julieta?

[One of the bandits holds a knife to Julieta's throat.]

Jose [pointing to his right]
I was trying to protect my wife and children.  The stolen horses were making their getaway difficult.  So they hid them in my corral.  After you posted bail for me, I went home and discovered they had taken Julieta and the children.  They left a note saying if I didn't bring the stolen horses to their secret hideaway, I would never see my family again.

Zorro [struggling to hide his pain]
Once again, we learn to presume a man's innocence until he is proven guilty.

Victoria
I'm sorry, Jose.  It's just that all the evidence pointed towards you.

Lozero
This is a waste of time.  Throw down your weapons or the Macias woman dies, muy pronto!

Zorro
Señor, you've picked the wrong day to try my patience.

[He lashes out with his whip and hits the bandit holding the knife on Julieta.  The bandit falls backward to the ground.  Zorro flicks his whip again and takes his saber out of Lozero's right hand, catching it with his left hand.  Lozero turns around and finds his own sword, then lunges at Zorro who spins around on his left leg, putting his saber into his right hand.  The two men duel as Jose goes over to his wife and children.  Zorro finally punches Lozero in the face with his left hand.]

Victoria [as Zorro slashes at Lozero three times]
Zorro, look out!

[A third bandit comes at Zorro with a sword.  Zorro turns and parries the thrust then slashes at the bandit three times then punches him in the face.  Another bandit pulls out a pistol and aims it at Zorro.  Victoria fires her pistol and the bullet hits the bandit's arm, causing him to drop his pistol.  Zorro punches him in the face, knocking him to the ground.]

Victoria [shrugging as she smiles]
A woman's work is never done.

[One of the bandits stands back up in front of her.  Victoria hits him on the head with her pistol.  The bandit falls down again.  Zorro smiles and salutes her.]

Victoria [pointing forward]
Behind you!

[Lozero throws a knife at Zorro's back.  Zorro spins around and knocks it down with his saber.  Lozero tries to run away.  Zorro limps after him.  Victoria looks to her left.]

Victoria
Are you all right, Julieta?

Julieta [as she hugs her children]
Yes, yes.

Jose [as Zorro climbs up on Toronado's back]
Gracias, Señorita Escalante.

Victoria [turning around to look up at Zorro]
I was right.  He was innocent.

Zorro
And you saved my life.  How can I ever repay you?

Victoria [coyly]
You could start with a kiss.

Zorro
That would be my utmost pleasure. [He starts to dismount but flinches in pain.] Uh. . .  On second thought, um, I'd better chase that bandit before he gets too far away.

[He turns Toronado around and rides away.]

Victoria [surprisingly not too upset]
Isn't that typical?  He'd rather be out chasing bandits.

[Zorro rides up the hillside as Victoria shakes her head.  She then goes over to Jose, Julieta and the children.  Zorro disappears over the top of the hill.]

*****COMMERCIAL BREAK*****

[Exterior shot of the plaza as Diego limps across it.  He stops by the fountain as Don Alejandro and de Soto ride into the plaza, followed by the lancers on foot.]

Diego [raising his left arm]
Buenos dias, Father, Señores.  What happened?

Don Alejandro
What didn't happen to us, Diego? [He brings his horse to a halt then dismounts.] Just came back from San Bernardino.

Mendoza [as he and the other lancers gather around the fountain]
In the scorching desert heat.  It was terrible, Don Diego, terrible.

Don Alejandro
When we got there, the people there hadn't heard or seen of bandidos for months.

Mendoza
Flies, sandstorms, rattlesnakes. . .

de Soto [also dismounted]
Oh, stop your whining, Sergeant.

Mendoza [holding out his hands]
Big, fat locusts too.

Don Alejandro
Diego, I think we can say goodbye to our horses.

de Soto
And you can say the same for Jose Macias.

Diego [looking over Don Alejandro's shoulder]
Let's not be so quick to jump to conclusions.

[He looks to his left as Victoria drives a wagon carrying Julieta and the children into the plaza.  Several horses are tied to the back of the wagon.  Jose rides behind the three bandits who are also on horseback.]

de Soto
Who on earth are those men?

Diego
Victoria, we were worried about you.

Victoria [as she brings the wagon to a halt]
Oh, there was no need to worry, Don Diego.  And by the way, Don Alejandro, your horses are back safely in your corral.

Don Alejandro
Well, that marvelous, Victoria.  But how?

Victoria
Alcalde, there are the men who are responsible for the robberies.

[Several lancers go over and lead the bandits's horses away.]

Victoria
And, uh, Jose Macias helped me to apprehend them and bring them back to you.

de Soto
He did what?

Diego
Apparently, you arrested the wrong man, Alcalde.  Again.  It really is a habit you should try to break.

Victoria
And now I would like my bail money back if you please.

de Soto
Bail. . .?

Mendoza
Señorita, it's impossible.  You and Jose captured all these horses?

[Victoria and Jose look at each other and smile.]

Victoria
Well. . .

Diego
I think she may have had a little help, Sergeant. . .

[Mendoza turns and sees the ‘Zs' slashed into the back of the bandits's jackets.]

Diego
. . .from a friend.  So, Jose, apparently you won't be needing, uh, my legal expertise.

Jose
No, amigo.  Zorro already came to my defense.

[He chuckles.]

Don Alejandro
Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I feel like a long cool lemonade.

Diego
Splendid idea.  Have one on me, Father. [He starts to turn to his right.] Ow!

[He then limps toward the tavern.]

Victoria [to Julieta]
Now, if that were Zorro, he wouldn't be such a baby about a broken leg.

Don Alejandro
And if Zorro had a broken leg, the pueblo of Los Angeles would be the one to suffer.

[Victoria looks thoughtfully in Diego's direction.]

*****END OF EPISODE*****