The year is 1892 and Daniel Quinn is a young man with a dark secret who suddenly decides he needs to move on. Times are hard in the silver mines of southwest Colorado and the rumors of even worse to come are flying thick and fast. The answer seems to be to join the miners heading for Denver, the largest city in Colorado, sure to have more opportunities for those out of work and nearly out of luck. Daniel buys a one-way ticket to what he hopes will be a better life in the capital city. It will be a chance to start over-a new person with a new identity. But some surprises await, and not all of them are good. Railroads are going broke, businesses are failing, and Daniel soon finds that even with a new name and the lifestyle of his dreams, a disastrous economy and forces beyond his control may change everything.