In the Gold Nugget cafe, favorite rendezvous of the miners and prospectors of Dawson City, Steve Carlton sat alone at a table in the corner. Steve was dark, clean shaven and rather handsome - except for a surly expression and cruel mouth. He looked up and smiled as Rose Dupree came to his table and sat down. Rose is upset. Her and Steve are married, but nobody knows they are. Rose wants to know why he wants to keep their marriage a secret.