After Whip Wilson's brother, a bank teller, is killed in a holdup by Phil and Joe Rankin and their three henchmen, Whip goes after the gang, catching them one by one. He tracks gang member Lasser to outlaw Winks's cabin, just as Lasser informs Winks that the Rankin brothers want him to join them in California. After Winks sets off, Whip attacks Lasser, disarming him with his whip, and then shoots him. Whip then trails Winks as he rides to meet the Rankins in Graham City. On the way, Winks holds up rancher Tom Craig, taking his money and watch, but is chased by a sheriff and his deputy into the desert. Soon Winks is out of water and passes out, falling in front of a rattlesnake. Whip, who is still following him, kills the snake with his whip and gives Winks water, thereby earning his gratitude. Meanwhile, the Rankin brothers are conspiring with Gorman, manager of the Graham Bar-X Ranch, to introduce Winks as the brother of the late Colonel Graham and heir to the ranch. Once Winks inherits it, he is to sign the ranch over to Gorman, who is killing off any ranch hands who might be able to dispute Winks's claim. When the sheriff returns to town and discovers that Winks is wanted for horse stealing, he goes after him. Winks and Whip split up and Whip rides into the Graham Bar-X to hide in the barn, where he is found by rancher Marie Martel, who assumes he is the investigator she has requested from the Cattlemen's Association. When Winks meets up with the Rankin brothers and Gorman, they realize that they cannot cast him as the phony brother because he is already known to the sheriff. Joining Winks, Whip suggests that he could portray the colonel's son, Chris Graham, and inherit the ranch as only they are aware that the son is dead. Marie stands to inherit the ranch only if no Graham kin claims it. Later, Whip finds Joe after he has shot the last of the old ranch hands and tries to arrest him, but Joe draws his gun and Whip returns fire, killing him. After Whip, posing as Chris, presents his right to ownership to Marie and her aunt Libby, they prepare to leave, but Whip asks them to stay on, surprising Gorman, as Whip has already signed over the ranch. Winks reforms and helps Whip with a plan to foil Gorman, pretending to kill Whip in front of the gang members. Gorman and Phil then take Marie hostage, but Whip surprises them and, while Winks fools Gorman, Whip and Phil fight. Whip knocks Phil out and turns him over to the sheriff, thereby completing his mission. Marie inherits the ranch and offers the reformed Winks the foreman's job.