"Your unquestioning obedience. You will be my man." Such is Manfred’s demand when he offers Rod Ironsides the general managership of the Sonder Ditch gold mine. For Rod, ambitious and hard-living, it is the chance of a lifetime. Manfred is neurotic and ruthless, already despising Rod. When Manfred discovers Rod’s passion for his wife, icy dislike turns to mortal hatred. 

          Neither Rod or Manfred understands that they are both involved in a more significant drama. They have become the unwitting tools of a group of powerful men who, for personal and political gain, plan to destroy the largest gold mine in the world.