The night before Christmas the child of well-to-do parents, Harry Bewell, received from his rich uncle a miniature safe that contained $5,000, which was to apply toward his education. The cogging butler learns the combination of the safe, and at once tells some of his “yeggmen” friends. They in turn prevail upon Bill, out of work and the head of a starving family, to assist them and do the actual robbery. Over the door of his poor home is tacked a little sign, “In God We Trust,” and as he goes forth with malice flaming in his heart, it catches his attention and continues to impress him. When he eventually faces the little safe as an expert steel worker, he observes the same inscription, which checks him in his nefarious task. The child hears the noise, gets out of bed to investigate and discovers the burglar. The father is aroused, phones the police and covers the gang with his automatic gun. They are caught “hands-up,” but the father becomes interested in poor Bill, and stands sponsor for him. He hears his sad story, and remembering the time, sends him home with money in his pocket, a load of toys and a Christmas dinner.