by Lowell F. Volk (Author) The Colorado territory is in desperate need of brave men of good character to help bring law and order to the ever-increasing number of settlers in the region. After Milo Ryder is drawn out of retirement to capture a hardened criminal in Lowell F. Volk's previous book, Purgatoire Valley, he is recruited back into a permanent position as a US Marshal. Milo agrees, stipulating that he will be working his ranch in Purgatoire Valley and can only take on a limited number of cases. But it doesn't take long for this to change. First, a young woman is kidnapped. Then a gang of bandits stalks him with murderous intent. Then a local bank is robbed.