A man is publicly hanged for murdering a woman because the local school teacher refuses to alibi him. A mysterious man comes to town, signs on to work as a Shiloh Ranch hand and begins romancing the teacher. However, his odd behavior begins to raise the suspicions of Judge Garth and the local Sheriff who wonder about the motives of the stranger.

A homesteader accused of rustling narrowly escapes hanging by local ranchers led by Major Cass, an event that is observed by Shiloh hands including the Virginian. However, the homesteader is severely injured, and the Virginian helps him work his farm during off hours. After some investigation into the rash of cattle rustling, the Virginian decides to defend the man against the Major and the other ranchers including Judge Garth.