A visit to the Bar 20 ranch is usually a very ordinary happening, but when the visitor turns out to be the new school teacher, well that's a different thing. Hopalong is trying to hurry California a little as they repair a broken step on the back porch, when they spot a rider galloping towards the ranch. Suddenly a gunshot rings out and the rider falls to the ground. It's too late to save the man's life, but when they get there, they find the man has a list of four names on a piece of paper - and one of them is Hoppy's...