The grizzled prospector asked Madame Nell for something no man had ever wanted in her pleasure house before - a quiet room, and a few peaceful days, alone. And when he died, the old coot left Nell a strange payment - a set of toy soldiers.

Nell figured her soft heart had swindled her again. Until a red-hot stick of dynamite smashed through her bedroom window - if those soldiers were worth killing for, her life was worth running for.

With Faro Blake along for protection - and some between-blanket comfort - Nell hightailed it. But she couldn't outride her curiosity. She and Faro paused long enough to build a fire, and try to figure why the little toy men were so valuable - and long enough for a bushwhacker to aim his Colt at Faro's head... and his greed at all of Nell's treasures - hard and soft!