Jim, the owner of a dilapidated ranch, loves June Marlin, who is also courted by Ramsey Kane, a geologist. Ramsey discovers oil on Jim's ranch and schemes to buy the property at a low rate. When Jim resists, Ramsey enlists the aid of a confederate who poses as a count but also fails to persuade Jim to sell. In revenge, Ramsey has Jim's ranchhouse burned; and in saving two children for whom he is caring, Jim captures the culprits and turns them over to the sheriff. Discouraged, Jim accepts the "count's" offer, but when he learns that oil has been found on his land, he destroys the unrecorded contract of sale and turns the culprits over to the law.
