The Magistrado stages an incident in which a group of peaceful protesters are made to look like an angry mob, and then frames a peasant named Paco for inciting the rebellion. The Magistrado convinces Don Alejandro that wealthy landowners are in danger due to the lawlessness promoted by Paco and Zorro. Diego protests the slander of Paco and Zorro, but is ignored by everyone. The Magistrado names Don Alejandro the leader of a Committee of Vigilance to capture Paco and Zorro. Paco is captured, and the Committee announces they will execute him the following day. Diego argues with his father against the execution, and is told the execution will not be carried out because it is merely a trap to capture Zorro. Don Alejandro takes up guard at the jail and prepares to fight Zorro. Meanwhile, the Magistrado orders the soldiers to execute Paco at midnight so Zorro will be unable to save him, and Don Alejandro will be blamed for an innocent man's death. Diego (as Zorro) and Bernardo come up with a plan to rescue Paco without being captured in the trap. The plan works, but Zorro ultimately has to fight his own father in order to rescue Paco from the Magistrado.