When a Wells Fargo agent is killed in a cave-in at the Walking Mountain mine, Jim Hardie is sent in undercover to investigate. The mine has been plagued with gold theft, known as high-grading, and the Wells Fargo drivers transporting the gold are possible suspects, along with every employee of the mine.
Although the cave-in was initially claimed to be an accident, Hardie uncovers the truth quickly. A support timber was sawed through, making the killing a murder. Although Hardie knows they thieves would be looking for another man investigating the situation, he isn't very discrete, likely in an attempt to draw out the crooks. It's a dangerous game. Later, when Hardie discovers all the powder removed from the bullets in his gun, he knows the high-graders are on to him.
I won't deny, I wondered about an item or two in relation to the plot, as one thread seems to be left hanging unresolved. To begin with, Hardie has his eye on a couple miners - Bill and Ed - who act totally suspicious, with furtive glances, dubious dialogue, and then an attempt on Hardie's life. Then a nugget is found in Bill's collar. It sure looks as if Bill and Ed are involved. Or does it? It's good use of misdirection, but once Hardie solves the case, he just leaves with their thread inconclusive. There was no mention of Bill and Ed at the end of the episode, which I found interesting.
The cast overall wasn't that well known, other than Claude Akins and Thomas B. Henry. Akins was very prolific, and could play the full range of comedic to villainous characters extremely well. Henry has his place in pop culture due to his appearances in multiple SciFi pictures. Russ Thorson appears again as the Wells Fargo manager. The remainder of the cast had hundreds of roles but are unknown today.
Not a bad episode at all, EWIBIG y'know.
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