Renfrew of the Royal Mounted

The counterfeiters hid the fake money inside frozen trout, which were then placed inside blocks of ice. This method allowed them to transport the illegal currency across the Canada-US border undetected, as the ice blocks appeared to be ordinary supplies. The scheme was discovered when Constable MacDonald spotted a suspicious Indian paddling a canoe and found an ice block containing counterfeit money hidden within frozen fish.

Earlier, RCMP cooperation with US Treasury officials signaled that cross-border criminal activity was expected.

MacDonald was killed because he discovered the counterfeiters' hiding spot. After spotting the Indian Pierre paddling suspiciously near Deer Lake, he investigated and found the ice block containing counterfeit money hidden in frozen trout. Pierre, who worked for the counterfeit ring, witnessed the discovery and killed MacDonald with a knife throw to prevent him from reporting the operation to his superiors.

The suspicious Indian paddling away when called out signaled he was involved in something illicit.

Engraver Bronson, who was coerced into creating new counterfeit plates for the gang, secretly slipped a tiny help message into the design. When Renfrew examined the seized bills with a magnifying glass, he discovered the hidden note indicating that Bronson was being held prisoner at the Totem Pole Lodge. This clue guided Renfrew to the gang's headquarters.

Bronson's background as a former counterfeiter who had just completed a prison sentence established his connection to the operation.

Virginia's father, James Bronson, was a former counterfeiter who had just completed a prison sentence. The gang lured him to the Totem Pole Lodge under false pretenses and coerced him into creating a new set of counterfeit printing plates. The criminals needed his expertise to expand their operation, using his skills to produce more fake currency.

Virginia received a note from her father asking her to meet him at the lodge, which turned out to be a trap.

Renfrew discovered the location by examining the counterfeit bills he seized from the criminals. Using a magnifying glass, he found a hidden message etched into the design by the engraver Bronson, who was being held prisoner at the Totem Pole Lodge. This clue led Renfrew directly to the gang's headquarters.

After seizing the bills, Renfrew studied them carefully, suggesting important evidence would be found within the currency design.

Pierre is an Indian who serves as a henchman for the counterfeit gang. He assists in their operations by performing tasks such as leading Constable MacDonald to the hidden ice block and delivering messages. Pierre kills MacDonald to protect the operation after the constable discovers the counterfeit money. He also helps escort Virginia Bronson toward the lodge when her father is coerced into making plates.

Pierre's initial disappearance into the woods when called out by MacDonald established his allegiance to the criminal operation.

George Poulis owns the Totem Pole Lodge, which serves as the headquarters for the counterfeit operation. He is the main villain running the scheme, managing the gang's activities from his lodge. When Renfrew parachutes onto the property, Poulis pretends to offer hospitality while secretly continuing his criminal enterprise. In the climactic gunfight, Poulis is shot and taken into custody, ending the operation.

Poulis was introduced at the Deer River Picnic competing against Renfrew in the barbecue sauce contest, masking his criminal identity with legitimate charm.

During a canoe pursuit, Renfrew spots Virginia and Pierre heading toward the lodge. When Virginia tries to grab a rifle from Pierre during a struggle, all three end up in the water. Renfrew dives in to rescue Virginia from drowning while Pierre escapes. Later, Renfrew rescues her again by parachuting onto the lodge property and confronting the criminals directly.

Virginia's silence about her father's presence at the lodge and her departure with Pierre at night hinted at her being drawn into the criminal operation.

In the climactic gunfight at the Totem Pole Lodge, Renfrew confronts George Poulis and his henchmen. Poulis is shot during the battle and taken into custody, bringing the counterfeit operation to an end. The villain is defeated, and the criminals are captured, allowing peace to return to the region.

Renfrew's earlier observation of suspicious figures loading ice into a car and his subsequent chase provided the evidence connecting Poulis to the crime.

Lightning is Renfrew's loyal German Shepherd companion who assists throughout the investigation. The dog aids Renfrew in capturing criminals, including helping overpower Poulis's henchmen who warned the gang that Renfrew was pursuing them. Lightning remains a steadfast presence throughout the adventure, watching over Renfrew and Virginia during their quiet moments together at Deer Lake.

Lightning's presence at the picnic and during the pursuit established him as Renfrew's reliable partner throughout the case.