John Stone becomes engaged to Margaret Houston much to the disapproval of Harry Gardner, his rival. Determined to ruin Stone in the eyes of society, one night at a party Gardner steals a pearl necklace and a diamond bar-pin. He hides the necklace in his own clothes but places the bar-pin in Stone's pocket when he is not looking. When the loss of the jewels is discovered the guests are searched. The bar-pin is found in Stone's pocket much to his own amazement. He is shown no mercy. He is given a speedy trial and sent to prison for a long term. Years later he emerges from prison an old and broken man. He goes to a house to beg for clothes. He is met at the door by his old sweetheart, who is now Mrs. Gardner. Failing to recognize him, she gives him her husband's old overcoat. In the pocket he finds a letter which points to Gardner as the thief for whom he has suffered. Swearing revenge, he returns to the house and is about to kill his old rival when he looks up into the eyes of Margaret. His heart is softened and throwing off the overcoat he again plunges into the cold.