A naive reporter takes payoffs for keeping a prominent gangster out of the papers.

One of Breckenridge Lee's first assignments as a reporter is to expose a newly opened gambling house. He refuses bribes to keep the story quiet and is severely beaten as a result. When he leaves the hospital, he plans to marry fellow reporter Marcia Collins, but his hospital and doctor bills combined with his low salary, make him think longingly of the bribes he turned down. Lee sets up an arrangement with gangster Louis Blanco, to inform his organization of city hall's plans. Blanco pays Lee well for his services and also provides him with tips for his column. Marcia grows suspicious of Lee's wealth and they quarrel over his refusal to explain the source of his money. Confident of his power, Lee decides to break away from Blanco to obtain a larger share of the graft. Learning that Number One, the head of the underworld, is planning to open a new gambling house, he tells Blanco that he will print the information because he believes the gang will not kill a reporter. He succeeds in obtaining a larger cut, but he is warned that if the story breaks he will be in trouble. Losing faith in Lee, Marcia reluctantly agrees to marry Charles "Breezy" Russell, another reporter, if he will stop drinking. Meanwhile, Lee decides to leave the city and go straight if Marcia will marry him immediately. She agrees and as Lee is getting ready, Breezy breaks the gambling story, hoping to impress Marcia and his editor. The next morning Breezy shows Marcia the newspaper with his story. When Lee sees it, he knows he is doomed. Despite Marcia's pleas, he leaves for the bank but is followed and killed. At his funeral, Lee is called a hero. Marcia, who knows the truth, keeps silent.