Paul Kendrick has a position in James Overton's antique shop. Mary Fulton, another serious-minded young person greatly interested in her work, has more than a feeling of friendship toward Paul, an attitude which is mutual. Paul's sister is terribly crippled and when a specialist tells him it will cost $1,000 to restore her to perfect health, he approaches his employer and asks the loan. Overton dismisses the idea as preposterous. Paul feels hurt, and when he sells a curio for $1,200 he merely makes out a sales slip for $200 and spends the $1,000 for his sister's operation, intending to ultimately repay. He is caught, however, and in the light of the circumstances gets only a six months' term. Frank Overton makes advances to Mary. He is a rather dissolute son of the owner, quite as dishonest as his father. Mary consents to go out with him in the hope of making him place Paul back at work on the expiration of his sentence to allow him to repay the money. When he becomes intoxicated he tells how the firm is evading customs duty and literally smuggling its goods from Europe. With this as a lever Mary forces old Overton to take back Paul. The bookkeeper, who knows of the Overton smuggling, tries to get a raise and fails. Therefore, he promptly juggles the books to add to his salary. Paul, "Once a thief, always a thief," is accused. But Mary comes to the rescue, having discovered the accountant's wrongdoing. Overton is compelled to pay all back duties to the government and keep Paul in his position until the boy can return the $1,000 he stole to help his sister. When the story ends it is natural to assume that Mary will resign her position when the thousand dollars is paid.