 Publisher Martin Jamison (Paul Maxey) sends for Philo Vance (Alan Curtis) as he wants to hire him as a technical advisor on the crime stories he publishes. Paul Morgan (Frank Fenton), Morgan s partner, regards the plan as foolish. Jamison tells his secretary Mona Bannister (Sheila Ryan) to bring Vance to his home that night and he will reveal the solution to the seven-year mystery of the killing of Sam Philips, former partner in the firm. Philips ex-wife (Tala Birell), now a receptionist for the company, is alarmed when she overhears. As Vance and Mona drive up, two shots are heard and Jamison s body is later found in the trunk of Vance s car.