Black McCarty, a desperado, visits a bank and makes away with a package of money. The frightened cashier rushes to the office of the sheriff of Stone Gulch and tells a rather incoherent story because of his excitement. On the highway McCarty meets Dick, a young westerner who is in love with the sheriff's daughter, Helen. McCarthy forces Dick to alight and when the young man's back is turned the outlaw hides the mask and empty money sack under his saddle. Dick is thereupon ordered to turn about and proceed to the village, while McCarthy makes his escape. Dick reaches the sheriff's office while the cashier is endeavoring to explain how the robbery took place. As they are talking the cashier discovers the mask and sack under Dick's saddle and drawing them out he declares that Dick is the robber. Dick's protests are unavailing and, overpowering the sheriff, he bids Helen to bring him a revolver that he may capture the real robber and speeds away. Helen soon follows and delivers a gun to Dick who is on a fair way to capture McCarty when the sheriff appears. Fearing the sheriff will hinder his plans, Dick makes him a prisoner through a clever subterfuge and follows in pursuit of the outlaw. McCarty in his cabin is gloating over his success when Dick arrives and captures him. Dick orders the outlaw to release the sheriff who is tied nearby and when the astonished official takes possession of the desperado he realizes that Dick has taken his unusual course to further the ends of justice.