Alice and James Hawthorne have been orphaned following a tragic accident that took the lives of their parents. As a result they are forced to live with their very cruel aunt for two years. Not being able to take her abuse any further, the siblings decide to run away in hopes of starting a new life in the nearby town of Trentonville. The town folk however, don't seem to take kindly to two orphans. Hungry, tired, and dirty, the children continue to look for help when they happen to walk up to the Trentonville orphanage. Left with no choice and no place else to go, Alice and James decide to seek shelter in this building which holds its own mystery. Can the children solve it in time to save themselves from the cruel headmaster who is out to serve his own selfish ends?