Sharper Wade rides into Virginia City more by chance than intent. He'd heard about the Comstock Lode and the vast wealth in gold and silver that was being mined there, but Sharper's needs are limited to having enough money to eat, feed his horse and buy ammunition. He is in town no more than an hour when he witnesses a brutal attack on a defenceless girl and her grandfather, by three cowboys and steps in to help, landing himself in jail, accused of murder. But he had a witness who can exonerate him and Sharper needs to find the men responsible, or lose his life...