When nefarious highgrading activity threatens to ruin his gold mine, wealthy Warren Headley sends William Bane, the fiancé of his daughter Aline, to find out who is behind the theft. Headley's son Bob, an artist who has shown no interest in his father's business, agrees to accompany William. Bob falls in love with a canteen girl, Ruth Wine, though his family is upset that her past is a mystery. A deformed individual known as "Smiling Hate" helps Bob in his investigations.