A lonely widower living in the Italian quarter of the city, whose only solace since the death of his wife is his little child, reluctantly becomes a member of a secret society existent among his countrymen. The active members of this society have observed the success of another Italian and feel that their they should share in his wealth. They send him a demand for $5,000, ostensibly to pay for the expenses of their society. The rich man is defiant of their demand, and consequently the society decides to kill him-- electing the newest member, the widower, to do the deed.