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Bookkeeper Joe Brooks (Robert Cain) frequently steals money from his boss, ship owner Captain Williams (Frank Losee). Soon, the total amount runs into thousands of dollars. Brooks' wife, Emma (Pauline Frederick), is completely unaware of her husband's dirty deeds and naively believes that his bookkeeper's salary is paying for their expensive apartment and clothes. An admirer of Emma's, Jimsy Smith (Wyndham Standing), discovers the truth, as does Williams. The womanizing captain has always had his eye on Emma, so Brooks, caught in a hard spot, begs her to go to his boss' room and beg for mercy. Emma complies, but Smith is already there. He offers to pay Brooks' debt, but Williams refuses to take the money. When Emma shows up, Williams offers to release the debt if she will give up her honor to him. She refuses and her vehemence convinces Williams that she was innocent of her husband's thefts. He relents and gives her a receipt that erases the debt. Emma returns home to Brooks who, convinced that she compromised herself, tries to choke her. Smith arrives and stops him. Emma leaves with Smith and as they shut the door, they hear a gun shot -- Brooks has killed himself.