 Henry Courtney, a wealthy importer is found murdered and the famous DeNormand necklace has been stolen. The false testimony of two witnesses, Rand and Hobbs, puts Jim O Brien in the shadow of the hangman s noose. Martha Courtney, widow of the murdered man and Jim s former sweetheart is convinced he isn t guilty, and promises crooked lawyer Roger Lanning the necklace - which Jim doesn t have - if he can arrange for Jim s escape. Rand and Lanning killed Courtney, but Lanning doesn t know that Rand has the necklace.