Ned Gillett's father, head of a big trust company, kills himself when it is discovered that be has embezzled, and Ned, convinced that Francis Hardor, his sweetheart, would not marry the son of an embezzler, goes West without telling her. In the mountains he rescues, Larence, an old miner, from Billows Jones, a desperado. In revenge, Jones dislodges the old man's shack from its perch on the hillside. Ned escapes, but the miner is fatally Injured. He tells Ned of the Mainspring, a mine in Calvert City which he had abandoned, intending to return when he could work It. On Ned's arrival in Calvert City he finds Jones selling abandoned mines to Easterners. Jones has a sucker in tow who proves to be the brother of his old sweetheart, Frances, who is with him. She meets Ned but ignores him, and embarrassed at his presence, returns home. Ned files his claim, and saves young Hardor from being swindled by Jones. They then become partners in the "Mainspring," which turns out well, but they have trouble with the miners, instigated by Jones. Frances and Peggy, Hardor's sweetheart, visit the mine and are caught in a fire started by tools of Jones. They are all rescued by Ned. The miners attack the office building. Ned is wounded during the fight, but Jones is killed. After his recovery Ned awakens to find Frances at his side. Mutual explanations heal the old estrangement, and both are happy.