A counterfeiter in prison, Tris Stewart, agrees to be released on early parole in a pretend jail break, remaining under supervision, in order that he may assist in locating the persons currently doing the forging and the plates which years ago belonged to him.

In addition, undercover agent John Downey alias Johnny Hackett has become a regular in the restaurant where Fredericks works, pretending to be a moderately wealthy shady character romantically pursuing her.

Stewart arrives to move in with Fredericks and soon learns that his counterfeiting plates had been sold by his old partner, now a bankrupt drunk, to Jack Sylvester.

Stewart visits Sylvester and asks to buy $250,000 worth of counterfeit $20 bills, which he figures would go a long way in Mexico.

Upon finding out Hackett is a "cop", Stewart attempts to kill him but fails and lands back in custody.

Inside, Sylvester shoots Fredericks, remarking that if her boyfriend Stewart co-operated with the authorities, however briefly, so might she.