When Dr. Dennis Barrows's car breaks down, he goes to an unusual town where visitors are disliked and townspeople are terrified of lighthouse and where it might shine. The house where Barrows stays the night is shined upon by the lighthouse. It holds a sick child, one which he helps with his medicine. The child recovers, but when Barrows goes to the lighthouse, the townfolk confront him with the truth: the lighthouse keeper is long dead, but in return for ensuring the town's prosperity, it demands the occasional sacrifice. Since Barrows saved the girl and was in the house where the light shined, he becomes the townsfolks' next sacrifice.