- Jarrod agrees to defend a murder suspect, despite the fact that Heath witnessed the killing. The case involves the defense of a man from a reviled family and the death of a respected benefactor.
- Late one night, Heath delivers a package to be shipped by rail. He is barely in time, as the train is just coming into Stockton. In the light he sees two men struggling. One collapses and the other runs away. Heath discovers that the dead man is Colonel Ashby, a wealthy and respected citizen of Stockton. The other man is Korby Kyles, a shiftless neighbor of the Barkleys. Heath catches up with Korby, who protests that he himself was chasing Colonel Ashby's killer. But his story is not believed and he is placed under arrest.
At breakfast the next morning, Audra is full of plans for the new orphanage, which is to be built on land donated by Colonel Ashby's wife. Korby Kyles' father and brothers burst in and demand to speak with Jarrod. Mr. Kyles and the late Tom Barkley came to the valley at the same time, only Tom prospered and Mr. Kyles let his ranch run down. Nick angrily orders them to leave but Jarrod hears them out. Mr. Kyles wants him to defend Korby. There is no way Jarrod wants to defend the killer of such a beloved and respected man as Colonel Ashby. But later, he begins to have second thoughts.
There is no doubt in anyone's mind that Korby is guilty and will hang. But he has the right to a fair trial and Jarrod knows he won't get one in Stockton. He visits Korby and is shocked by what he learns. Korby says that Colonel Ashby wore two suits of clothes; one was clean and one was dirty. It seems that the Colonel was the head of an opium ring. Korby claims that he saw Ashby attacked by a Chinaman, who stabbed and killed him. Korby gave chase but lost him in the darkness. Then Heath showed up and captured Korby. Jarrod is sickened but realizes he must check out Korby's story.
Later Jarrod pays a visit to the Kyles home. Korby's brothers steal two silver ornaments on his saddlebags but Jarrod forces them to return the items. Reluctantly, Jarrod tells Mr. Kyles that he will defend Korby.
The Barkleys are upset when they learn of Jarrod's decision, especially since it means he will have to discredit Heath's testimony. Heath is ambushed and severely beaten by a gang that he suspects are the Korbys. He is warned that he had better change his testimony. Mrs. Ashby decides not to donate the land for the orphanage, which upsets Audra. Jarrod promises to do everything he can to find another parcel of land.
Korby is loud, rude, and disrespectful during the trial. After grilling Heath to the point that he isn't sure of what he saw, Jarrod calls a Mr. George Allison to the stand. Mr. Allison is a government investigator and reveals the truth about Colonel Ashby; shocking everyone in the courtroom. Had he not been murdered, the Colonel would have soon been under arrest.
Jarrod's last witness is a railroad engineer who was aboard the train as it approached the Stockton depot. He gives a positive identification of Korby Kyles as the man who stabbed Colonel Ashby. When asked why he didn't come forward sooner, he replies that he read of Kyles' arrest and didn't see a need. Korby tries to bolt out of the courtroom but is restrained.
That night Jarrod returns home very late. To his surprise, his family is waiting up so they can all have dinner as usual. Jarrod tries to apologize for his mistake in thinking Kyles was innocent, but no one knows what he is talking about. He realizes that no matter what, his family loves him.
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