Tom Jennings is a young man who gets started wrong and commits a burglary. Jennings is sentenced to a term in San Quentin prison. After a time he succeeds in escaping down the prison wall to the sea, and swims to freedom. He is discovered by a clergyman. He throws himself on the minister's mercy, who gives Jennings a change of clothes and throws the officers off his track. But John Lane sees the minister befriend the convict and informs the guards of what he saw. In the meantime Jennings has made good in the city, where he works for the railroad company. Posters offering reward for Jennings have been circulated, and both John Lane and Detective Stroud have laid one away in their pockets for future reference. Lane becomes a clerk under Jennings in the railroad offices, and recognizes the former convict. He gives him away to the detectives, who arrests him, Jennings is returned to the penitentiary and Lane feels very happy in the possession of the reward. While he is serving the remainder of his term Jennings' wife dies of a broken heart, and her baby goes with her. When Jennings is released he sets about locating Lane. On a certain night, while Lane is pouring over his accounts, Jennings enters the room, seats himself opposite Lane, then presents his pistol to Lane's breast and announces that his hour of vengeance has arrived. Just as the tragedy is about to be consummated, Mrs. Lane comes down the stairs beyond the portieres with her year-old baby. Jennings drops his gun and slips away into the night unobserved by the woman. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis

• Plot Summary

• Short
• Drama