Cathrine has been sentenced to the gas chamber but Police Lieutenant Sheridan does not believe she is guilty of the murder she has been accused of. He has twenty-four hours to prove her innocence.

The legendary John of the Black Bands begins a romantic relationship with a beautiful girl without revealing his identity. The girl unconsciously discovers the truth and retires to a convent. She thinks that John is guilty of the death of her family, and cannot continue to love him. He remains wounded in battle.