Gary Cooper is cast as a racketeer recognized only as The Kid. He has chosen a life of criminal activity out of love for Nan, the little girl of mob henchman Pop Cooley. Ultimately railroaded right into jail by her uneven mates, Nan implores The Youngster to give up the rackets, but he refuses. Things worsen very rapidly afterwards, finishing with The Child and also Nan being taken "for a ride".