Murder had made Matt Allen and partner, Chance Hill, the owners of every stage and freighting line in the fabulously rich mining center of Goldcrest. Murder had enabled them to maintain their monopoly. In a boomtown where the people were dependent on the outside world for everything, their control of transportation gave them tyrannical power, and the rates they charged were the highest ever known in the west. But at long last a railroad connecting the transcontinental line at Salt Creek with Goldcrest was under construction. As citizens laid plans for a day of deliverance, the ruthless partners conferred in their office. Matt and Chance had done everything they could to stop the railroad, and were down to their final idea, by starting a rumor among the immigrant workers that the railroad company is bust, and doesn't intend to pay them, to incite a riot... To ensure the money to pay them doesn't show up though, the two men need to hijack the locomotive which has the payroll on board!