"One death, and thousands of lives restored to existence. For some useless life a thousand lives saved from decay and death. Shall not one little crime be effaced and atoned by a million good deeds?" So ran Rodion Raskolnikoff's creed in the book which was responsible for his being expelled from the University, but which elected him the leader of a secret brotherhood which admired him. The law proving too hot for him, he is finally forced to flee to America, still preaching his same doctrine. Rodion's heart is touched by the poverty on the East Side and he determines to kill a pawnbroker who mercilessly squeezes the poor unfortunates to their last cent. He accomplishes the deed, takes money from the safe, uses it for the needy and manages to keep the guilt from himself. But the crime is fastened on an innocent man, who, to escape further torture of a relentless third degree confesses to a crime he had no hand in. Then comes Rodion's struggle between his conscience and his creed, and through the guidance of a "lost sister of the streets," he rejects the faith he founded and acknowledges his guilt.
—Moving Picture World synopsis