Stuart Northcote, a London adventurer, slays the president of a mythical South American republic, and establishes himself at its head. Mercia Solano, daughter of the slain official, leads a conspiracy to avenge her father's death by killing Northcote. The adventurer escapes to London, however, after looting the republic's treasure chest. He is pursued by Mercia and a band. The adventurer, perceiving his deadly peril, employs Jack Burton, an impoverished young Englishman, to act as his double. The girl shoots at the double, and other fiendish plots are carried out to kill him. Burton frustrates them all.

A physician advises Helen Blair to seek a different climate. She is without money. Philip Cobb, her daughter's sweetheart, tells them his employer, Richard Standing, has refused him an increase. Thus Mrs. Blair discovers the whereabouts of Standing, whom she rejected years before to marry Blair. Standing treats her savagely when she appeals to him. His son, John, overhears the conversation and, seeing the girl, forces them to take the necessary funds to save the mother. The father discovers his love affair and sends him to Honolulu. The jealous Cobb gets a letter from a friend there and forges a new note telling that young Standing has become a drunkard. Ailene and Cobb are married. John Standing returns after months and he and Ailene learn of the deception. Cobb repents his deceit and drowns himself.