Arthur Graham is confidential clerk to Edmund Stewart, and he and his employer's daughter are very much in love with each other. He receives a letter from his brother, James, who has just finished serving a prison term, telling him that he intends to live a straight life hereafter. There is a happy reconciliation between the brothers and Arthur manages to secure a place for his brother in the same office in which he works. Edmund Stewart is in hard straits for money and realizes that some bonds that he holds in trust would tide him over his financial trouble. He is sorely tempted. Next day at the office he gets a note from a friend telling him that James Graham, who is now in his employ, is an ex-convict. Stewart calls James into his office and while he is questioning him strikes upon a scheme to overcome his monetary difficulties. He tells James that he has some bonds in his safe and that if "someone" were to steal them he could get ready money for them in Europe, and James reluctantly consents to do the deal. That night he makes his preparations and slips to the house. Edmund Stewart has fixed things so James will have an easy time getting in. Arthur and his sweetheart, Mabel, have selected this night to elope, and she is impatiently waiting for his arrival when she hears the noise of an explosion. She runs in with a gun in hand just as the burglar is dropping out of the window and shoots him. He drops to the ground. Stewart has been watching things from the garden and sees his daughter. He runs to them and arrives just as Arthur Graham comes up, having heard the noise of the shot. There is recognition and Mabel stands back in horror, thinking the man she was about to marry is the brother of a thief. James, believing he is mortally wounded, tells them of the agreement between Stewart and himself. Arthur corners Stewart and forces him to tell the truth of the matter. James is found to be only slightly wounded and some time later Arthur and Mabel come to visit him. Stewart pleads for forgiveness, which is freely granted, and the story ends happily for all concerned.