Wealthy William and Margareta Krespie are being blackmailed by George Masters Sherman. Sherman knows that, years ago, Krespie killed one of his employees when he threatened to expose Krespie's illegal business practices. The Krespies hire a suave, cold-blooded hit man, Carl Bannister, to get rid of their blackmailer. Bannister becomes attracted to the Krespies' shy daughter Dorcas, much to the alarm of Rosa, the Krespies' cook, who is a devoted protector of Dorcas.

A narcotics addict, desperately in need of a fix, holds a young woman hostage while he vainly tries to steal enough money to buy drugs.