On trial for the murder of Carl Hummel, Eddie Williams tells his story, which begins just before the World War: Eddie, a Broadway star, marries Helen and almost immediately goes to the front. Gassed while saving the life of a German soldier (Hummel), Eddie cannot find work when he returns. Helen finds a job, and Eddie grows more despondent. One day he finds Helen in Hummel's arms, and in his rage Eddie shoots the man. The trial proceeds with the revelation by Defense Attorney Burke, Eddie's wartime commander, of Helen's secret: she pretended to be single so as to get work; Hummel, who was searching for Eddie, really loved Helen and was ignorant of her relationship with Eddie. The jury finds Eddie not guilty.