Ronald Wilford, cub reporter on the Cleveland Star, is asked by his editor to find a missing colleague and friend, Barry Knight, and discover why he disappeared. Knight, who pulls no punches when he writes, has many enemies among the local racketeers and shady politicians he has exposed. Ronald, with the help of his younger brother Ted (hero of The Locked Safe Mystery), uncovers a strange and fascinating puzzle.
An unusual ending to this absorbing mystery is provided when Ronald is faced with an interesting ethical problem, both as a reporter and a friend, which he must solve in order to wind up the case.