Betty's fiancé, a railroad detective, is called out of town on private business and leaves his handcuffs in the care of the girl telegrapher. Shortly after the detective's departure Betty receives a message to be on the lookout for Smoke-Up Smith, a notorious thief, a full description being given. Smith appears at the station, feeling assured that he will not be recognized and engages quarters at a nearby boarding house. Betty, fully convinced that Smith is the person described in the message, slips the handcuffs into her pocket and goes over to the boarding house, where the happy-go-lucky thief is playing "blind man's buff" with the young boarders. This gives Betty an opportunity to slip the irons on Smith and he immediately shows his true identity by the disturbance he causes, ere he is imprisoned in the station. Smith manages to escape and, entering a locomotive, speeds down the track and out of the yards. Betty, however, discovers the flight of the thief and hastens to another engine, prevailing upon the engineer to steam up and follow in pursuit. A thrilling chase takes place and the criminal is captured.
—Moving Picture World synopsis