Richard Gordon's lack of religious conviction prompts him to live a life of crime. When he demands to be included in a scheme to corner the food market, the conspirators agree to accept him as a partner provided that he contribute $100,000 to the operation. In order to obtain the money, Richard blackmails Harry Palmer with the aid of his girl, Rose Ashton, and a former sweetheart, Ann Holden. Through Ann, Harry learns that he has been duped and confronts Richard, who murders him. Next Richard kills Ann, but the crime is witnessed by a neighbor. After several years, Richard, who has abandoned Rose for society woman Ethel Mason, is elected governor of the state, whereupon the neighbor, who is also a crook, demands money in exchange for his silence. Richard is about to fire at him when a confederate, whom the crook has hidden outside, shoots. As he lies dying, Richard realizes that there is indeed a God and begs for forgiveness.