Ranchman Merrilies has fallen into the power of Madah Singh, a Hindu mystic. The Madah has induced him to discharge his ranch hands, replacing them with Hindu "ragheads" and is fast bleeding him of his wealth. Madge Merrilies appeals to her friend, Barbara Brent, to aid her. Barbara becomes a guest at the Merrilies home, while her father pays a visit to Congressman Wallace, owner of the adjoining ranch, who has engaged the discharged hands. Barbara learns that the Madah is keeping a Hindu girl prisoner in the attic of the Merrilies home and when she investigates finds that the girl is used as "the spirit maiden" to force large sums of money from Merrilies. Gungha, in love with the prisoner, plots to usurp Madah's position as leader of the Hindus. Barbara invades the attic at midnight and finds the chest in which the Hindu has stored the money forced from the ranchman. She takes the prisoner and the money to her room, but Madah. who was preparing for flight with his ill-gotten gains, overhears Barbara and Madge, and bursts into the room. Madge escapes and succeeds in phoning to Wallace and Brent for help, while Barbara struggles with Madah for the possession of the chest. Meanwhile Gungha has decided that the hour is ready for him to strike, and sets out for the house after telling his followers to attack if he does not return in fifteen minutes. Madah is overpowering Barbara when Gungha enters by the window and the mystic turns to confront this new opponent. In the struggle that follows a lamp is flung across the room and in a minute it is in flames. Madah escapes, and jumps into his waiting auto with the prisoner and the money chest. Gungha manages to climb on the rear of the auto as it starts, while Barbara mounts her horse and sets out after the Hindus. Gungha's followers, fearing for the safety of their leader after the expiration of the time limit, start to attack the house and Wallace and Brent arrive just in time to aid Merrilies and Madge in their defense of a burning fortress.