 In Quebec City, Father Michael Logan (Montgomery Clift) is accused of killing a well-known lawyer. The priest knows the murderer, but he can t reveal his identity because the man confessed the crime to him in the confessional. The guilty person is Otto Keller (O.E. Hasse), the church sexton, who wore a priest s cassock to commit a robbery that led to the murder. Police inspector Larrue (Karl Malden) narrows his investigation to Logan, who had a motive for committing the crime. The lawyer was blackmailing Ruth Grandfort (Anne Baxter), wife of a prominent politician. He had threatened to make public a suspected liaison she had with Logan after he became a priest. Logan is arrested and tried for murder. The jury acquits him, but doubts remain as to his innocence. Following the trial, a crowd on the street threatens Logan and Ruth. When Logan is physically attacked, Keller s wife Alma (Dolly Haas), tells the crowd that her husband is the real murderer.