William McNulty

Sur une île loin de la civilisation vit le Comte de Sade, dans un sinistre château laissé à l'abandon. Il partage sa solitude avec trois personnes : Cassandra, son infirmière et gouvernante ; Ann, la domestique ; et Mantis, son âme damnée chargée des sales besognes. Le châtelain a sombré dans la folie depuis que sa femme a attrapé la lèpre et qu'il s'est cru obligé de l'enfermer vivante dans une pièce des catacombes. Peu de navires ont l'occasion de passer dans les environs, et quand c'est le cas, le Comte fait exécuter par Mantis les curieux venant sur ses terres car il pense avoir affaire à des pirates désireux de s'emparer de ses biens. Un beau jour, un bateau est victime d'un naufrage. Seules deux personnes en réchappent, le capitaine de celui-ci, ainsi qu'Aaron Fallen. Ce dernier est recueilli par Cassandra, tandis que le capitaine est emprisonné et torturé dans une aile du château...

Tom Ingraham, who has been rescued from the clutches of Lina, a siren, meets Ruth. Knowing the marriage would please his wealthy uncle Macy, Tom makes the girl his wife. Ruth soon discovers the marriage to be a loveless one. Tom's hopes of inheriting a fortune are blasted when Macy is ruined.

Unable to purchase the formula of the explosive about to be sold to the government by Mallott, the representative of a foreign power orders Le Farge and Gabrielle to obtain it. Gabrielle, posing as Le Farge's sister, easily fascinates Fanshell, Mallott's secretary. The adventuress also meets David, a fisherman, and engages him in a violent flirtation.

Basil, sent to a West Indian island to look after his brother's interests, so antagonizes the planters that they form a secret organization for the purpose of throwing off the Harcourt yoke. Irene, who has just inherited her father's plantation, refuses to join. Basil is later slain under circumstances which cause Irene to believe herself the murderess.

On the day of their marriage, Ruth discovers that her sweetheart, Jasper King, is the proprietor of a gambling establishment. Denouncing the man, Ruth declares that she will not become Jasper's wife until he has given all his ill-gotten wealth to charity. Jasper obeys Ruth's demands.

An English professor helps three men come to terms with themselves in Kentucky.