Diamonds are stolen but before the thief can safely hide them aboard an ocean liner he is strangled by ex-conman Cueball (Dick Tracy villain). Cueball takes the diamonds and is given refuge by Filthy Flora, madam of the Dripping Dagger Bar, and then continues on murdering people that he believes are trying to double-cross him. Dick Tracy allows his girlfriend Tess to act as a buyer for the diamonds but is put in grave danger when Cueball vows to eliminate her.