The story is of a young man, Danny Lee, imprisoned for six months after attacking a police officer. In prison he is talked into attacking a warden by two more experienced criminals so that they can come to the warden's rescue and obtain an early release. The warden dies, and the protagonist is sentenced to death by hanging. Three clear Sundays refers to the time that must elapse between a sentence to death and execution. The writer, James O'Connor, had previously been sentenced to death but was given a reprieve.
