This story grips interest from the start by presenting a problem that has never, been satisfactorily solved, namely: "Would the sudden acquisition of great wealth make or unmake a man of average intelligence, unaccustomed to handling capital?" The question comes up for discussion at a millionaire's club and two members of the multi-millionaire class undertake to decide it by experiment, in spite of enormous difficulties in the way, not the least of which is uncertainty about the man to be selected for the trial. The one finally chosen is a sea captain unknown to any of the contending parties, who is out of work and has advertised for a position. Captain Palmer is lured into relations with a drunken sailor, none other than one of the parties to the wager in disguise, and is given honest labor before he is tempted by the drunken sailor's story of secreted gold. Palmer's cupidity is roused and he steals the gold planted where it was intended he should find it.