John Stafford is unjustly arrested on the eve of his marriage for the murder of an old gentleman whose body was found in his guardian's library. The young man is taken to the penitentiary, but eludes his guards and escapes. His sweetheart engages a noted detective who finds a small Hindu image in the hand of the dead man. Following this clue the detective learns that the image is symbolical of a Hindu secret sect known as "The Black Adepts." He trails two Hindus and finally arrests them. He finds in their possession the other part of the image in which is secreted a valuable ruby. Young Stafford is recaptured, but is saved from execution when news of the arrest of the Hindus is telegraphed to the penitentiary.