A pair of precious loafers in a mining town learn from one of their "kidney" that Dick Mackey's partner, Bill Bryson, has died and that his gold dust is cached in Dick's cabin. They get sober and conclude to rob Mackey, but find that he is too quick on "the draw," and give it up. They then pat their experience from a correspondence school in operation and write to Bill Bryson's wife, telling her that Dick has killed her husband, stolen his gold and jumped his claim, offering to help her if she will come to Black Butte and abide by their advice. She comes soon, bringing her infant. They plan to have her feign illness at Mackey's cabin door, and when he goes for the doctor, to let them in and they will share the gold concealed in the cabin. She demurs, but they emphasize the enormity of Mackey's offense in murdering her husband, so she finally consents. She goes to his cabin and when taken in, she finds that her own baby is seriously ill. Her feigned illness is forgotten; her great desire is for her own child. Mackey recognizes her predicament, and goes for a doctor. With his departure, a new change comes into her life. She recognizes that he is a better man than his accusers have led her to believe, and prepares to fortify herself against the villains' coming, which she knows will be soon. She has hardly had time to attend to the little one and barred the door, before the ruffians are assaulting the cabin and demanding that she find the gold. She parleys with them through the closed door and finally puts up a defense so stubborn it lasts until Mackey returns from a neighboring ranch with a doctor and help. The rascals are foiled. Happily, the baby's life is saved and the mother is so grateful that a month later she becomes Mrs. Dick Mackey, and he takes up all the responsibilities of his late partner.