Learning of his son's death, a rich man hires Paladin to locate the daughter-in-law he's never met, but Paladin finds two women both claiming to be her.

Dr. Phyllis Thackeray diagnoses the cook at the Barton Ranch with smallpox. All the cowhands may be infected and need to be vaccinated. Dr. Thackeray sends for the one man she thinks can help.

Paladin is hired to help an Indian chief whose son is awaiting execution by the U.S. Army. The chief wants Paladin to bring his body back following the execution to ensure he has a proper burial. However, once Paladin makes contact with the chief's son, he begins to wonder if he's actually guilty.

Mrs. Kilmer is dying and asks Paladin to find her missing son, Martin Kilmer. Edwards, a detective, managed to trace Martin as far as Harper City, where Edwards was then killed. Fred Harper, a half crazy man who runs Harper City, doesn't want Paladin to succeed.