Richard Stanhope, an actor, visits the criminal courts in search of “types.” One day he witnesses the sentencing of Harry Edwards to five years imprisonment for embezzlement. While being led away, Edwards denounces Ethel Stephens, an unscrupulous adventuress, whom he charges is the cause of his downfall. He threatens her with violence upon his liberation. This scene impresses Stanhope. Five years later Stanhope has become a star at the head of his own company. Tom Daly, a boyhood friend, comes to the city from Wyoming where he owns a cattle ranch. Daly falls into the net of crooks, among whom is Ethel Stephens, who infatuates him and makes him her slave. Stanhope recognizes Ethel and recalls the incidents in the court room when she was denounced by Edwards. Wishing to break off this evil connection between his friend Daly and the adventuress, he cleverly disguises himself as the convict Edwards, whereupon he exacts a confession from the girl and thereby disillusions Daly. It so happens that Edwards has been released from prison on the same day. He has obtained Ethel’s address and as Stanhope and Daly leave her house. Edwards enters prepared for vengeance. They tell him the story and he forgets his revenge to enter upon a new life on a western ranch with Daly.