When an epidemic of crime strikes, sheriff "Brick" Davidson has trouble handling the situation. The County Commissioners employ a professional investigator to deal with the problem. Spurred on by this move, Brick, with the assistance of his two closest friends, digs into the mystery, which soon grows to include the killing of a stage-driver and the disappearance of his little boy. "A very striking, effective romance." — The Scotsman . "A well-told story." — The New York Times .