Randall Ridgeway. a lumber king, learns that one of his contracting companies in northern Maine is carrying on crooked transactions. His son, Burt, overhears his father discussing the matter and asks if he might go and investigate. His father refuses, thinking his son too young and not strong enough physically to deal with the woodsmen. Mac Heberton, who controls the camp in Maine, hears of Ridgeway's suspicions. He compels his bookkeeper to arrange a double set of books, under penalty of exposing him for a murder he saw him commit. Burt Ridgeway falls in with a fast crowd and meets a professional dancer named Lotus de Valois.