[1] After participating in an extensive archaeological expedition in the Mongolian desert, Dr. John Benton is in San Francisco to hold a presentation of the findings to his colleagues.

The film material shows how the archaeological team discovered the long sought ancient tomb of an Emperor of the Ming dynasty.

The temple is believed to be hiding a previously unknown oil reserve, and would be of great financial importance to the Chinese people were it to be discovered.

After the presentation, it turns out that the scroll is missing from Benton's safe in his office, and his secretary, Win Len, claims she has no knowledge of its whereabouts.

The two amateur sleuths manage to get an article published in the paper, saying Mason is sick with yellow fever in a hospital, to lure the killer there.