 Dan Mathews and his officers discover the murder of a forest ranger who reported the possible crash landing of a small plane. They learn that the plane s owner is racketeer Harry Barlowe and that he is accompanied by his wife and pilot Steve Wasson. They confront Barlowe s group and learn that they are there to pay $100,000 in ransom for the return of the Barlowes  daughter Virginia. Dan knows that someone in the group is guilty of murder and suspects that the guilty party may be Wasson. His suspicions increase further when the kidnappers turn out to be two of Barlowe s employees and Wasson volunteers to be taken as a hostage. Dan permits the kidnappers and their "hostage" to leave the ransom scene, but the surprised felons soon find themselves in an armed confrontation with Dan and his officers.