Special Investigator

Bill Fenwick is a top criminal defense attorney known for defending gangsters and securing their freedom. Despite his outward confidence, he is troubled internally and has just split up with his gold-digging girlfriend Judy. His career has brought him wealth and notoriety, placing him on the wrong side of the law’s moral line.

Bill’s brother George, an agent for the Justice Department, visits him to warn about criminal activities and the murder of George during an attempted mob hit. The visit highlights the tension between Bill’s legal success and his brother’s law enforcement work, setting the stage for Bill’s moral conflict.

Bill learns from Inspector Perkett that George was killed while trying to prevent a mob attack on a witness connected to stolen gold bullion worth half a million dollars. This revelation prompts Bill to abandon his practice and seek justice.

Using the alias Richard Galt, Bill opens a law office in Quartzburg, Nevada, to investigate the local gold strike at the Gold Bar Ranch. He suspects the mine is a front for hiding stolen bullion among newly mined ore, a common mob tactic.

Virginia, sister of the wounded gang leader Selton, arrives to care for him. The gang members are suspicious of her, and Bill secretly follows her to Reno, suspecting her connection to the gold theft and mob activities.

Bill intercepts Virginia and a shady doctor, Vic Reynolds, at the airport in Reno. He forces Virginia to stop for gas on the way back to Quartzburg. Bill secretly offers them a ride, and begins to gather intelligence on the gang's operations.

Back at the ranch, the gang's leader Selton orders Plummer to do nothing to attract attention, but Dutch attempts to kill Bill during a horseback ride, injuring Virginia. The gang becomes increasingly suspicious of Bill’s true motives.

With the authorities planning a midnight raid, Bill tries to keep Virginia safe by taking her out dancing. Meanwhile, two gang members follow them, sensing the tension and potential undercover activity, increasing the risk of discovery.

Bill’s true identity as Bill Fenwick is exposed when Judy and Bennie Grey recognize him. The gang forces them at gunpoint to reveal the truth, making Bill’s undercover mission more dangerous as the law closing in on the gang.

Virginia, sensing the danger, smashes her way out of the garage where Bill had locked her for her safety and heads back to the ranch. Bill then joins the Justice Department agents in preparing for the gang’s final showdown.

The gang, led by Selton and Plummer, attempts to escape with the stolen gold and Virginia as a hostage. Selton betrays the gang, calling them 'rats,' when he realizes Virginia is in love with Bill. A violent melee ensues as the authorities arrive.

Selton, wounded in the fight, confronts Bill and Virginia. He shoots wildly, calling her a traitor, before succumbing to his wounds. His death marks the end of the gang’s criminal activities and the climax of the story.

With Selton dead, Bill is free to be with Virginia. Selton’s offer to surrender and his plea for legal defense are rejected, reaffirming that justice has been served as the authorities clear the gang and the stolen gold is recovered.