Basil Hood, a stoker, is a physical giant. At a dance he meets Sadie Fuller, the daughter of the man he has thrashed for shirking his work. By thrashing a half drunken character and protecting Sadie from insult, Hood gains her good will. He follows her to her home and tells her he likes her. Sadie’s father orders him away. In the furnace room, Hood finds it a hard job to keep his temper in check when Fuller continues to throw the burden of the work upon him. When Arch Thomas questions Hood’s privilege to force his presence on him when he is talking to Sadie, Hood again demonstrates his strength. Sadie objects to his domineering and animal-like ways, calling him a dog and a brute. He is hardly able to keep himself from mistreating Sadie. Three children have watched that affair and when playing show, mimic the actions of Hood. He sees himself as others see him, and realizes he is a brute. Fuller and several other stokers who are nursing grudges against Hood for beatings received at his hands plan to “gang” him. They hear of his latest work on Arch Thomas and set out to do the job. Sadie learns their plans and tries to warn him. Hood tries to hold his own with the heavers and stokers. Sadie rushes in and protects him. She tells him she loves him. The police get the gangsters.