Secret Patrol

When North West Mounted Police Constable Gene Barkley and his fiancée Ann tell his father, Superintendent Barkley, about their engagement, he asks how they think the news will affect their friend, and Ann's admirer, Corporal Alan Craig. Alan receives the news graciously and offers to let Gene have his next assignment, a secret patrol to investigate suspicious accidents occurring at the McCord and Arnold lumber camp. The assignment is a prestigious one that will lead to promotion, and Gene leaves immediately. Meanwhile, honest C. J. McCord learns from his new partner, Tim Arnold, that their men are threatening to walk out unless the source of the deadly accidents is discovered. When McCord reveals that he has sent for a Mountie, Arnold informs his secret boss, blacksmith Barstow, who promises to attend to the matter. Soon after, Gene's horse and blood-stained saddle are returned to the outpost. The bereaved Ann accuses Alan of deliberately sending Gene to his death out of jealousy, and, determined to avenge his friend, Alan sets out on his own secret patrol. When Alan arrives at the camp, he quickly deduces that there is a connection between Barstow, Arnold and the camp's foreman, Jordan, and finds evidence that Barstow is behind the sabotage. He leads Barstow to think that he is an escaped prisoner, and the blacksmith blackmails him into impersonating a Mountie to keep McCord pacified. Barstow gives Alan Gene's uniform, and Alan introduces himself to the relieved McCord. While Alan surreptitiously investigates, Barstow grows suspicious that he acts too much like a real Mountie. Jordan arranges another accident, for which Alan arrests two of his men. Barstow is enraged, but Alan explains that it is necessary to sustain McCord's faith in him. Alan learns that Barstow, who supplied Arnold with the money to become McCord's partner, is trying to drive McCord out of business so that he can buy the camp cheaply. Meanwhile, Ann arrives, and Alan learns that Gene is still alive. He visits the couple and Gene reveals that he was caught and tortured by the gang. Ashamed and terrified of facing his father, Gene now refuses to return to the outpost. Alan arranges for Gene to return with honor by suggesting that he take Jordan's men back to Barkley. Gene agrees but is apprehended by the gang again. Alan is at Barstow's house when Gene is brought in, and while Ann rides for help, Alan fights off the gang and takes Gene to the attic. There Gene reveals that Ann loves Alan and only agreed to marry him out of loyalty to Barkley, who has been her guardian since her parents' death. Barstow sneaks into the attic through an outside window, and when he attempts to shoot Alan, Gene bravely pushes him aside and takes the bullet himself. Alan shoots Barstow, and the loggers summoned by Ann round up the gang. As Gene dies, Alan assures him that Barkley will know that he died a hero, and later, Alan and Ann tearfully lead Gene's funeral procession.