Jim Hardie has been sent by Wells Fargo to Fort Chaplin to confer with Colonel Howard Meston about the area. With the signing of a peace treaty with the Mescalero Apache the fort is being shuttered and the men dispersed to other locations. They are concerned with a rash of robberies in the area that rumor has being performed by a gang led by Army officer William Rath who deserted. Meston cannot confirm Rath is leading the gang but believes he stole the Fort's Army payroll from the safe as only he and the Colonel had the combination to the safe. Rath's wife of three years is also there looking for him after hearing the rumors. Mrs. Rath, Hardie and the sutler, George Pierce, are on the last stage out of the fort before the soldiers leave. The stage is held up confirming that Rath is the leader as he opens the door to the stage.
—Anonymous