Hank and Lank have experienced a little rough weather since we last saw them and the fact that they are disreputably clothed has not been overlooked by them. They need something new. But how? After some thought Hank's cheerful countenance lightens. He goes on to explain his little scheme in detail. Supposing they find an uncovered coal hole in a sidewalk and accidentally fall into it. Isn't there some law against coal holes left uncovered? Lank believes there is, but where will they find an uncovered coal hole? Hank tells him to leave the matter to his own little process of deduction or invention and advises the tall fellow to just watch him. Hank pauses in front of a swell apartment building, looks about to see that no one is in sight, then lifts the lid of the coal hole at their feet and lets himself drop down into the uncertain darkness within. A moment later there is heard a howling and wailing and Lank hurries up to the janitor of the building and tells him that someone has fallen into the coal hole. The janitor is easy prey to the scheme, and hurrying down into the basement sympathetically administers to the injured man's ailments. Hank is a sight! During the interim of lonely confinement in the coal hole he has managed to smear coal dust and dirt on his clothes and face and otherwise disfigure his appearance. The janitor is frightened and asks Hank not to take the matter to law, offering a neat roll as a pacifier. Hank is satisfied and pockets the money, much to the relief of the janitor. Some time later, after Hank is decked out in his new clothes, Lank concludes that it is his turn. The same performance works successfully to a certain point, but when Lank drops down into his manhole a grimy coal heaver grabs him by the seat of his trousers, carries him out of the house and kicks him on his way. The fellow had heard the conversation, had seen the coal hole lid removed and had waited for his victim.