Plot Summary:Evariste Marny, a business rival of Andrew Vivanti, is threatened with ruin, and to eliminate competition hires a town vagabond, Tonio, to fire the factory of Vivanti. Changing his clothing after having fulfilled his part of the bargain, Tonio carefully preserves a card bearing Marny's handwriting, an agreement as to the time for the deed to be committed, etc., etc., believing that someday it might be of value. Several lives are lost, and suspicion of having set fire to his own establishment for the insurance benefit is cast upon Vivanti. He is tried, found guilty, and sentenced to prison for life. Marny prospers, and becoming conscious of the wrong he has done, adopts Vivanti's young daughter to make amends to his conscience. After thirteen years in prison, Vivanti makes his escape. Disguised as a rag picker, he begins a new life in search of his daughter and of information that will prove his innocence. He takes up his abode in an inn of low repute and begins his search. Amongst the...