A puppeteer gives Paladin a wagon ride to an Army fort commanded by a general with presidential aspirations.

A lawman for 23 years, Jim Buell has always done what he believed was right. Taking in Davy Walsh for shooting at his jail while drunk seemed just that.

$20,000 in gold bullion is stolen and dropped into a lake. Paladin decides to try to retrieve it but Jonah, a fisherman, has the spot staked out. He's after a huge trout and doesn't want anyone getting in his way. There's also the three thieves watching and waiting to ambush Paladin once he gets the gold.

Carl Soddenberg committed a heinous, murderous act. Paladin is hired to get him to an asylum and keep the family's survivors at bay who are out for revenge.