Plot

Teresa and "Grip," her brother, are invited to go for a picnic to the beach. At the same time Thornton Van Sant invites Miriam, his sweetheart, and a party of friends to spend the day cruising in his yacht. The humble party have a splendid time. Teresa, who is in swimming, is in danger of sinking. Van Sant goes to her rescue. They struggle, and she scratches his face so deeply that it leaves a permanent scar. Grip and the others are impressed at Van Sant's bravery in saving Teresa. Years later, Van Sant has become the head of the Vice Commission, and is relentlessly on the track of the men higher up in the "Dope Trust." Unknown to him, the head is Jeffrey Deane, the father of his sweetheart, Miriam. Grip has become a paid gunman, and lives with his sister in constant fear of the police. Deane carries on his trade in drugs by means of a Chinaman, Chin Loo, who is also the medium through which Deane's orders reach the gunmen. Deane goes to see Chin Loo and tells him that Van Sant must be disposed of as he is on their trail. Chin Loo sends for Grip and gives him orders and money. Grip returns to Teresa with the address of Van Sant on a piece of paper. He goes to put his money in a safe place, leaving his gun on the table, and Teresa, who hates his mode of life, bites the bullets out of the cartridges and returns the empty shells to the gun. Grip drops the piece of paper and Teresa finds it. She follows him to the address. Van Sant is working at his desk, and Grip fires once, of course without effect as there is no bullet. Then he sees the scar which was made by Teresa when Van Sant saved her from drowning. Van Sant starts at the sound of the shot, and overpowers Grip. He calls the police. Teresa arrives and begs him to spare Grip as he has never had a chance. She recalls her rescue to Van Sant, who asks why Grip did not fire a second time. He says that he recognized the scar and could not. He shows them the way to Chin Loo's. Deane is there. The police break in, and there is a struggle. Chin Loo pulls a cord. A heavy ball falls from the ceiling and kills Deane. Later we see Miriam, still the happy wife of Van Sant in ignorance of her father's life, and Teresa and Grip as their near neighbors.