In the winter of 1892, the gold-mining town of Bodie, California is in decline. Nell Doherty, an 18-year-old young woman with a wooden leg, dreams of leaving and becoming a Pinkerton detective. A tragic shooting presents her with an opportunity to prove she has the skills needed to work for the Pinkertons. Over the objections of most of the town's residents, Bodie's justice of the peace deputizes Nell. With the help of Rags, her half-Irish, half-Chinese best friend, Nell investigates the shooting. As they unearth the details of the mystery, Nell and Rags become the targets of ruthless desperadoes who won't let anyone get between them and a fortune.