When Tom Wade and Jerry MacLaine help a man who has been robbed, the man tells Tom that the head of the gang that ambushed him is a grubby double for him. Tom and Jerry then go after the gang and kill the leader, but before he dies, he reveals that his name is Jack Granger and begs Tom not to let his family know that he got mixed up with outlaws. To catch the rest of the gang, Tom assumes Jack's identity, then reveals himself as a member of the "Protectors," a cattlemen's protective association. Soon after, Tom learns that Jack was the only one who knew about a gold mine on his land. It happens that John Granger, Jack's father, has written to Tom's boss to ask for protection against the Holcomb family, who have been menacing him and his daughter Sheila during the two years that his son has been gone. Tom is then sent to investigate. Before Tom arrives, Granger finally relents and sells his land for $5,000 to the Holcombs, but on the way to the bank, they shoot and rob him. Tom arrives during the robbery and wounds one of the Holcombs, then helps Granger, who thinks that Tom is actually Jack. Despite Tom's protests that he isn't Jack, Granger won't be dissuaded, and when they reach Granger's house and Sheila also believes that he is her brother, Tom decides to play along to help them. They know that there is gold on their land, but apparently Jack was the only one who knew exactly where. Meanwhile, Ma Holcomb decides that "Jack" is fair game because she knews that he has been an outlaw, and when he comes to their ranch, her boys shoot at him. Jerry arrives just in time, however, and pretends to arrest his friend. Worried about the Grangers' safety, Tom goes to their cabin and finally convinces them of his real identity, then tells them to stay in town while he settles things with the Holcombs. Jack trails the Holcombs to a secret mine in Yellow Horse Canyon. The Grangers then meet Jerry and tell him about Tom. Just as Tom gets the drop on the Holcombs and reveals his true identity, they start to disarm him, but Jerry arrives with some men and a gun battle ensues. A stray bullet causes an explosion, thus enabling Tom to find the mine and arrest the Holcombs. Ma is about to get away, but Jerry arrests her as well. Finally, Tom and Jerry take the Holcombs to town, and Tom promises Sheila that he will come back.