The story revolves around a man who is wrongly accused of murder and sentenced to death. He escapes from prison with the help of his friend, but they are pursued by the authorities. The man's friend is killed in the escape, and he is left alone to face the consequences of his actions. As he flees, he meets a woman who helps him evade capture. However, she turns out to be the wife of one of the men who was involved in the murder for which he was wrongly accused. The man eventually discovers that the woman's husband was indeed involved in the crime and had framed him for it. He also learns that his friend, who died during the escape, was actually innocent of any wrongdoing. In the end, the man is able to clear his name and bring justice to those responsible for framing him.
By O. Henry · First published 1899 · Genre: Short Story, Literary Fiction, Mystery