Dave Melford, the crooked boss of the Leadingham lumber interests, with the aid of Miles Barnes, an "oily bookkeeper," attempts to freeze out the smaller lumber camps. Baxter, one of Melford's victims, complains to Leadingham, but Melford shows up and an argument ensues. Later, Leadingham is killed, and Baxter flees when he is caught with the murder weapon by Leadingham's son, Frank. In the guise of a detective, Frank follows, accompanied by his college chum, Manning Duff. Frank falls in love with Baxter's daughter, Maxine. Melford, learning that Frank suspects Baxter, tries to scare Maxine into marriage. Baxter is arrested and jailed. Frank finds that the murder weapon really belongs to Melford, and after Frank and Manning defeat Melford and Barnes in a fight, Melford confesses. The elder Leadingham arrives, alive and well, and reveals that the murder was a ruse to trap Melford.