Frank Partridge and his wife plot to cheat their life insurance company by having her hide out for 7 years and declared legally dead, but an investigator believes Mr. Partridge has murdered her.

Heavily indebted Charlie Raymond is hired to accompany a British visitor on a trip across the USA, and looks for a way to take advantage of his employer.

Inventor Ralph Cowell murders his silent partner Alfred, only to be blackmailed by vagrant Peter Goodfellow, who witnessed the crime.

While investigating a murder in a theater, Detective Krovitch uncovers a strange web of tensions revolving around ventriloquist John Fabian and his female dummy.

Dishonest Frank and Lorna Bramwell visit the home of wealthy, eccentric Monica Laughton, with the intention of robbing her.

Paula Hudson has a stolen mink coat she tells police she purchased on a recommendation, and when they retrace her steps to find out how she obtained it, everyone denies they ever talked to her about it.

Moments before he's set to swing from the end of a Union rope, a Southern supporter reflects on the sabotage attempt that brought him there and sees a possibility for freedom.