The Mayor and the Chief of Police have offices in the same building, and are both enamored of the chief's stenographer. She has entangled their middle-aged hearts in her curls, and both are determined to win her. Dolly, in the meantime, gives most of her attention to young Sammy, secretary to the Mayor. The two old chaps each wager ten thousand dollars on the winner of fair Dolly's hand. Each is sure that he is betting on a cinch. They place their money with Sammy, telling him to take it to the bank for them. The temptation is too great. Sammy calls Dolly and tells her that he has just made $20,000 easy money, and invites her to go to Mexico with him. She agrees, and they start in his car. It is a dull day for Ignatz Tamale and his bandits, for no one has been either killed or tortured so far, since sunrise. When Sammy and Dolly appeal in their car, they fall an easy prey to the bandit chief, who decides to hold them for ransom. He sends a wire to the Mayor, telling him that he is holding the secretary and the stenographer. The Mayor and the chief remember their ten thousand dollars simultaneously. They call out the police, the railroad cops and the aerial patrol and all set out for Mexico. Dolly and Sammy are in a room made of steel, the walls of which are gradually closing in on them. The only open wall leads to a pit of flame. They are pushed nearer and nearer the terrible death, as the hours go on, and the ransom money does not arrive. At last, just as they are about to skid over the edge, the advance guard of police arrives. The bride is saved from a fiery death, but Sammy is heartlessly left to be pushed over the edge, twenty thousand and all.