A man accused of killing an Army paymaster 12 years earlier gives a death-bed statement that he was truly innocent of the crime. The Army requests Matt to reinvestigate the case and turn up any new evidence, if he can find it. The citizens of Ridge Town refuse to cooperate with the investigation. He goes to see the ex-sheriff, an old friend of his now paralyzed and wheelchair bound from being shot at the same time the paymaster was killed. He seems to cooperate, but his son, the current sheriff, won't. Matt is beaten, accused of accosting a young girl, jailed, and nearly lynched before he solves the mystery.