Mahonville is a raw mining town controlled by the conniving Big Bill Ward. Ward has his hand in every pot and terrorizes anyone who questions his authority over the town and the mine.
Seeking refuge from the town, Tilman heads to the boarding house of the widow Catherine Stone. She is an attractive mother of one with a strength and sense of humor that makes even Tilman smile and threatens to soften his cold, hard heart. He moves into the same room his son Dan had occupied and begins his inquiry and plan for revenge.
Things seem to be going well until Tilman discovers that Bill Ward wants Catherine for himself, in order to add to his veneer of respectability.
Tilman rides the length of the high mountain valley searching for the sharpshooter who killed his son. Aided by Butter Pegram, Tilman discovers that the truth is not always what it seems, nor is it always what is expected.
