The story of Nathan Hale, an American soldier and spy from his days as a teacher to his eventual capture and execution.

When the Revolutionary War begins, Nathan Hale joins the militia and quickly rises through the ranks. Then, Nathan volunteers for an important spy mission even though his sweetheart, Alice Adams, begs him not to go. Guy Fitzroy, loves Alice and supports the British, learns of the mission and uses Alice herself to betray Nathan. He invites her to an inn where Nathan, posing as a British loyalist, is staying along with a group of British soldiers. When Alice, a known revolutionary sympathizer, embraces Nathan, it is a sign that he himself is fighting for the Americans. The British immediately arrest Nathan and then hang him, but not before he gives the results of his espionage to Alice, so she can take them to the American high command.—Pamela Short

During the trying days for the Colonists just before the declaration of war with England, Nathan Hale, a splendid young man, conducts a small school in New London, Conn. In the midst of his school duties he finds time to fall in love with one of his pupils, Alice Adams. His affections are reciprocated. Hale is distinctly revolutionary in his sentiments and urges his pupils on to enthusiasm for the Colonies and love of George Washington. Guy Fitzroy, a cousin of Alice and an unwelcome suitor for her hand, is an officer in the British army, and is hated and feared for his cruelty. Alice joins in the general dislike for him and spurns his proposal of marriage. Hale's schoolhouse is seized by the Revolutionists for a meeting place, and Hale devotes his time to organizing a company from among the volunteers and instructing them in the art of war. After twelve months of privation and hard fighting, Hale and his companions are almost exhausted, but they struggle on. For his splendid work, Hale is honored with a captain's commission, and Alice is prouder than ever of her soldier lover. The crucial point in the war is reached and the fate of the American nation depends upon their obtaining intelligence of the methods of the British. To do this, it is necessary for some man to act as a spy, and at the risk of his life go into the enemy's quarters and learn their secrets. Despite the plea of Colonel Knowlton, Alice's guardian, for volunteers, none of the soldiers respond, until Nathan Hale's voice rings out, "I will go." Alice rushes to her lover and begs him for her sake to desist, but Hale is obdurate and he leaves for the British camp. In the British quarters, Hale's identity is unsuspected, until in defending a woman against a soldier's insult, he attracts to himself the attention of Fitzroy. Fitzroy has a vague recollection of having seen Beacon (as Hale now calls himself) at some previous date and he finally remembers that this is the schoolmaster who had won his cousin's love and had spoken harshly against the king. He feels sure that Hale is a spy and endeavors to get him drunk, believing that then he would reveal his identity. This plan fails, so he sends one of his lieutenants to Alice's home with a note that Nathan Hate is wounded and wishes to see her before he dies. He then accuses Hale of being a spy and tells him that his sweetheart has been sent for and that her recognition and surprise when she faces him will convict him. Hale thinks quickly and by a ruse manages to get word to Alice to be on her guard. Alice pretends she does not know Hale. Fitzroy is taken somewhat aback but watches the couple from behind a closed shutter. For a few moments Hale and Alice talk guardedly, feeling themselves watched, but at last unable to resist his love, he seizes her in his arms. Fitzroy calls "spy," and soldiers rush on the scene. Overcoming those nearest, Hale seizes Alice and dashes off on his horse. They are, however, overtaken by the pursuing soldiers and Hale is brought back a prisoner while Alice continues on to headquarters with the valuable notes he had made. Hale is condemned as a spy and sentenced to be hanged. Through all his imprisonment he bears himself with a manly nobility that wins for him even the enemy's love. On the eve before the execution Alice bids her beloved a last good-bye. At sunrise Nathan Hale is led to the scene of the hanging. When asked if he has anything to say for himself, he answers, "I only regret that I have but one life to give to my country," and nobly ascends to his death.—Moving Picture World synopsis