Under the pangs of starvation, Joshua Stephens, the double of John Hinton, a charlatan of the stock market, agrees to serve a ten year sentence on the conditions that his widowed daughter and her child will receive $500 a month for every month he serves. Through his bravery, Joshua saves the life of Detective Clancy, and is pardoned. Searching for his daughter, he discovers that Hinton failed in his contract, and that she, owing to circumstances, was forced to place her child in an asylum. Hinton learning of the pardon, and wishing to return under his old business name, has his lawyer convince Joshua that he and his daughter should flee from the law to some unknown village, where they will be well provided for. Assured of happiness for his loved ones, he relents. Suspected of some crookedness, Hinton is visited by Detective Clancy, who warns him that, although he saved his life, if he is caught swindling he will take the measure of the law. Money crazed, Hinton continues, forgetting the heeding of Clancy. Swindling in a big deal, he decides to make a getaway. To make it successful, he writes Clancy a letter that the fugitive is hiding in the country. Arriving at the home of happiness, Clancy puts poor old Joshua under arrest. Disheartened, he tells Clancy he is innocent. His daughter begs assistance. Her earnest pleadings wins Clancy's confidence, and he determines to trap the real crook.