Dick Falkner, who comes from a broken home, sees his father under the influence of alcohol and his mother starving. After his parents' death, young Dick Falkner, a newcomer in Boyd City, lives among the poor until he lands a job and begins work at Udell's print shop. He joins a church, but offends the congregation by promoting ministry among the "lower classes." When a poor man is found dead on the church steps, and a mystery ensues.