Aforewordwarnsagainsttheperilofyellowjournalism,andthestoryillustratesitbyfollowingeventsintheupstateNewYorktownofCornwallafterprominantfinancierGeorgeFergusoniskilled.TwotypesofNewYorkCityjournalistsdescendonCornwall,oneinterestedinfacts,theotheringettingsensational"news".Mrs.Fergusonisknowntohavebeenfriendlywithalocalbanker.TheFergusonsquarreltheeveningheiskilled(by"burglers",hiswifetellsthepolicelater),andsheisarrested,spurredonbythe"bad"journalists,whoalsomanagetobadgerthebanker'swifeintothehospital.Meanwhile,youngBruceFosterrunstheCornwallCourier,andshowsthebigcityreportershowtodigoutrealnewswhiletheyattempttosubvertjusticefortheirownends.