The story concerns the difficulties of a clerk in the war department, betrothed to the daughter of an ambassador, who loses his position by the change of administration. His fiancée is not pleased with the dismissal of her lover and conspires to bring about the overthrow of his successor. She accomplishes this by purchasing some valuable documents from the new clerk, paying for them in marked money. Later the clerk is accused and the money is found in his possession; he is dismissed from the service and the girl's lover is restored to his old position.