Ambrose Stanton, a millionaire, is found murdered in his home. In the midst of the inquest John Allen, a weather-beaten fisherman, enters the house and confesses that he did the killing. At his trial he is defended by a young lawyer by the name of Allen. The prisoner tells the story of his life, how he and Stanton had worked together in a small town bank. They were rivals for the hand of Shirley Harwood. Allen won her, and Stanton, in revenge, stole the bank's funds, shifting the blame of Allen. When Allen was sent to prison Stanton stole his wife and boy. Years later Allen was pardoned and became a fisherman. By chance he rescued a woman from drowning who proves to be his wife. After hearing her story he goes to Stanton's home and kills him. Allen is acquitted by the jury, and the young lawyer who defended him proves to be his own son. There is a happy reunion in the courtroom.
—Moving Picture World synopsis