Jeff Darwin of the Secret Service had disappeared while on his way to check details of highly secret plans for the fortification of the western frontier. His disappearance started the biggest manhunt the west had ever known. Scouts, lawmen, frontier men and special agents sought a man who answered Jeff Darwin's description. But of these, only a trusted few - including the Lone Ranger - knew why he was wanted. Darwin had survived an attack, but had lost the secret plans. Ashamed and grim, he hid his identity behind a beard and an assumed name. He was determined to recover the plans, or let the world forever think him dead...