Prohibition era policeman Captain James “Mac” McQuigg (Thomas Meighan) has plenty to keep him busy as rival bootlegging gangs battle for territory in his city. Mob boss Nick Scarsi (Louis Wolheim) flaunts his power openly, sending his men into rival gang territory, knowing that his political connections will keep him out of trouble with the law. While on the town with nightclub singer Helen Hayes (Marie Prevost) Nick’s little brother Joe (George Stone) runs over a pedestrian. Nick to go to extremes to get his brother out of jail, only to incur the wrath of Mac, who decides to take matters in his own hands to insure justice is done.