Mystery Range

Texas Cattlemen's Association agent Tom Wade and his partner, Jim, are put on alert upon learning that their old nemesis, Lupe Bardes, is returning to their area. They discover that Bardes has been hired by Jed Travis and his partner to help force his niece, Jennifer Travis, turn over her ranch to Jed before she comes of age. Jed's plan is to get her land by any means necessary and then sell it to the railroad for a huge profit. After Tom and Jim capture Bardes, Tom goes undercover posing as Bardes, whom Jed has never met, and is hired by Jed to keep tabs on Jenny and make sure she has no contact with the outside world. Jed's men wreak havoc on the ranch in an attempt to scare Jenny off, but she is suspicious of her uncle and Tom. Tom reveals his true identity to her, and she tells him that she does not know why her uncle is trying to force her out. The mystery is solved when Jim finds out about the railroad coming through, and the trio devise a plan. Jenny pretends to be made hysterical by Tom's threatening presence, and tells Jed that she will agree to sell the ranch if Tom leaves. Jed then tells Tom to lay low for a while, and Tom joins Jim and goes to look for Jed's co-conspirator. Tom and Jim find the man, Morgan, and tangle with his gang in the town saloon. They capture Morgan, but Bardes, who has escaped from jail, rescues him. Meanwhile, Jed tries to get Jenny to sign a quit claim, deeding her property over to Morgan for $2,500, but Jenny tells him that she is aware of his treachery, and pulls a gun on him when he threatens her. She also reveals Tom's true identity, but regrets her hasty act when Morgan and Bardes arrive and try to force her to sign the contract. Morgan then tells her that Jed will inherit the property anyway if Bardes causes her to have an "accident," and so she signs. Morgan orders Jed to take Jenny across the border until the deed is recorded, but Tom arrives before they leave. Tom meets Jenny upstairs and tells her that the railroad will pay $50,000 for her land, while downstairs Morgan tells Jed that it would be best if Jenny did not return from Mexico. Jenny tries to go to town to get the sheriff, but is captured by more of Morgan's gang. She yells a warning to Tom as he battles with Bardes and then helps Tom as he fights the gang. Jim arrives with reinforcements, and the gang is apprehended. Jenny asks Tom's advice about how to care for her ranch, and he tells her to sell it to the railroad and join the Protective Association to work with him. The pair then happily shake hands to cement their friendship.