Here's the plot:
The story follows Jimmy Valentine, a skilled safecracker recently released from prison. He has resolved to go straight and open a shoe store in a small town. He falls in love with Annabel, a banker's daughter, and wants to marry her.
However, his past catches up with him. A safe is robbed in a neighboring town, and suspicion falls on Jimmy. The police are suspicious, especially the tough detective Ben Price who knows Jimmy well from his criminal past.
Jimmy is confronted with a moral dilemma. He has a chance to escape with the stolen money, but he knows this would mean losing Annabel and his newfound life. He also knows that if he stays, he might be caught and go back to prison.
In a climactic moment, Jimmy chooses to stay and confront his past. He opens the safe with his expert skills but doesn't take any money. Instead, he uses his knowledge of the safe to guide Ben Price, who is trying to open the safe, to a hidden compartment where the real thieves have hidden the money.
In the end, Ben Price is impressed by Jimmy's transformation. He lets Jimmy go, understanding that the man has truly reformed himself. Jimmy returns to Annabel, his love, and his new life.
The story highlights the theme of redemption and the power of second chances. While Jimmy's past is a significant part of his life, he chooses to overcome it and build a better future for himself. The ending is hopeful, suggesting that anyone can change their life and make amends for past mistakes.