Judge Walcott sentences Bill Devins, a notorious crook, to ten years in Sing Sing. Past following the oration of this sentence, the judge returns home to find himself richer, as the father of an infant son. This news is noised about, and Devins, who is sore, swears to get even, no matter when or where. Time flies by; five years pass. The convict escapes from prison, and hikes back to his sodden consort, Mary. This precious pair connive to abduct the judge's child, now a boy of five. Having secured the possession of the child, they drop the judge an anonymous note: "You will never see your kid again." Then they quickly "grab a rattler" for Chicago. The boy. Tommy, is brought to a den of thieves, where Jim Morton teaches him to be a forger. Devins informs the judge what his son is being taught, which causes great anguish to his mind and that of his wife. Even though the Judge has had the best detective service obtainable, no clue as to the whereabouts of the young man can be found. The gang decide to rob a wealthy suburbanite and Tommy and three men are detailed to the job. When Tommy gets inside of the house, instead of plundering the place, he wakens the owner and tells him what is about to happen. The owner, Walton, fires and kills Devins. The two other gunmen hurry back to Chicago, take Devins' wife with them and then make a quick getaway to New York. Tommy is adopted by Walton. Fifteen years later he marries and goes to New York to secure a position in a big banking house. In going through Central Park one day he rescues the daughter of a Pinkerton detective from a runaway horse, but is dragged for some distance himself. He is knocked unconscious and falls motionless to the ground. One of the crooks who escaped from Chicago years ago recognizes him as the man who had "double crossed" the gang. He follows Tommy to his home and learns that he is employed in the Ashland Bank. The ingenious crook informs his confederates and together they plan to be revenged by making it appear that Tommy is forging checks. The crooks are successful in their plan and Tommy is arrested. His case is brought before his father (who does not recognize his son) and he is found guilty on circumstantial evidence. After Tommy has been placed in jail a letter informs the judge that he has sentenced his own son to the penitentiary. The father of the girl whom Tommy had saved ferrets out the truth of the matter. The wife of the crook Devins calls upon the judge and tells him of the scar on his son's chest; she also advises him to go to jail to see his boy. The judge and his wife do so and for the first time in many, many years father and mother embrace their son.