Richard Stevens was president of a large mining company. While not controlling a majority of the stock, he possessed the confidence of the directors and stockholders, and in spite of efforts to depose him, he was the absolute ruler of the corporation. A new director was elected, William Gurley, a wealthy, unscrupulous man. He planned and schemed to gain control of the company, but his efforts proved hopeless. But finally his opportunity came. Stevens, while hunting, fired at and wounded a bird. He rushed out to seize it and was struck by a passing automobile. The driver, fearing that he killed the unconscious man, drove off at full speed, and there Gurley, passing in his automobile a short time afterwards, found him. He realized his opportunity and decided to profit by it. Stevens was lifted into the automobile and taken to a lonely hut in the mountains, where he was held a prisoner by two men in Gurley's pay. The disappearance of the millionaire created much attention. His daughter was grief-stricken, but all efforts to find her father proved hopeless. The annual election of officers of the mining company drew near, and Gurley felt certain of becoming the new president. But the keen mind which had made Stevens a leader in his profession did not desert him, even though he was a prisoner in the hands of desperate men. He learned from his guards that the lake which he could see from the mountain would flow into the aqueduct when the floodgates were opened at the aqueduct celebration. Watching his opportunity, he wrote an appeal for help and enclosed the missive in a bottle, which he flung far into the lake. The bottle was found by a young civil engineer, the flame of Stevens' daughter. He read the appeal for help and hurried to the millionaire's assistance. Stevens was freed and arrived at the offices of the mining company in time for the election. Gurley was defeated and the disclosure of his treachery resulted in his expulsion from the company.
—Moving Picture World synopsis