Daisy Linden and her sister Frederica arrive by airship in Santa Fe, capital of the Texican Territories, determined to search for their missing father. But two surprises await them-the authorities' baffling refusal to help, and a not-so-chance meeting with snake-oil salesman William Barnicott. To their joy, the Lindens find that their father has indeed been seen in Santa Fe. To their horror, it was an assignation with a cancan dancer in the dead of night. Now the dancer is missing-and their father seems to be the only suspect. There is nothing for it-Daisy and Freddie must find the girl, for only she can clear his name, and tell them where he might be now. But there are forces arrayed against them in Santa Fe . . . men in the shadows who have bet too much on a dancer's disappearance to let two young ladies interfere and raise the stakes . . .