Luther Drummond, owner of the Diamond-D ranch, the largest cattle spread around the Montana township of Bridger Butte, is buying up land vacated by settlers who have been forced out by a ruinous winter. Rumours abound, however, that many of the misfortunes suffered by the settlers are not the result of nature but are directly attributable to Luther's son, Dagg. Ethan Brodie, a Pinkerton detective, becomes embroiled in the affairs at Bridger Butte when he is accused of murder and stagecoach robbery. Teaming up with Claire Dumbril, the daughter of the dead stagecoach driver, Ethan vows to track down her father's killers. How will the brave duo fare and what perils await them along the way?