Drover Quince is arrested on the charge of shooting in the back the town's most prominent citizen (the Major), but Quince was drunk at the time and remembers nothing. With a trial set for the next day, Favor and Rowdy investigate. The Major was killed in the alleyway near the saloon and near the stable where Quince passed out drunk. Della, the saloon owner, who has her office right by that ally, is the only person in town who says Quince might be innocent and shouldn't be lynched, so Favor suspects she knows the truth and can give testimony freeing Quince. In a stunning conclusion, Della saves Quince by telling the assembled would-be lynchers that the Major had feet of clay and exploited the town, denouncing the townies, and revealing the name of the killer.
—chipe