Plot
Cliff Taylor is an ex-con who wants to go straight, but since being released from prison on parole, he finds it hard to find and hold a job due to his criminal past. Cliff's younger brother Tim is worried and increasingly disillusioned because he cannot afford to marry his girlfriend Peggy and fears he will not be able to honestly find a position for himself in the world. Afraid that Tim might end up leading a life of crime like himself, Cliff decides to help him find the money to settle down. He tells his family he has found a job as a salesman, but in reality he reunites with fellow ex-convict Charles Martin and Martin's gang.
They organize a number of robberies. With the money he gets from his criminal activities, Cliff is able to buy a garage for his brother, who is now able to get married. His mission completed, Cliff decides to quit the gang. After a failed robbery in which people are killed, a wounded Martin and his pals hide in Tim's garage and force the young man to help them by telling him Cliff was part of the botched robbery. The police get wind that the gang was in the garage and arrest Tim as an accomplice. Cliff manages to swing a deal for his brother that will see him free of all charges, but he must identify the robbers and testify against them. Ahead of the police, Cliff goes to see Martin and tells him he must escape to avoid arrest and likely execution. However, Martin's pals, who have been shadowing Cliff since he quit the gang, see the two men together and move to prevent their escape. A shoot-out ensues, the police eventually become involved. Cliff and Martin are both killed. Later, Tim and Peggy admire the new sign over the garage advertising it as the Taylor Bros. Garage, and reflect on Cliff's sacrifice and how he will be considered a "silent partner".
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