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Small-town newspaper reporter Mike Perrivale (Keefe Brasselle) learns that elderly history teacher Hugo Trimble (Lionel Barrymore) is on his deathbed. Hugo tells Mike he regrets not having motivated the townsfolk to stand up to local crime boss Frankie Scarbine (J. Carrol Naish). Mike concocts a phony front-page article for Hugo, hoping to convince the dying man that Frankie is finally facing charges. Unfortunately for Mike, Frankie reads the phony article too, and doesn't like it.