When his son Andy is kidnapped and held for ransom| David Stannard liquidates his assets to meet the half-million dollar demand. A casual remark by newspaperreporter Charlie Telfer makes him change his mind. Despite the pleas from his wife Edith and brother Al| and the resultant condemnation of the press and public|Stannard goes on a nation-wide television program| displays the money and warns the kidnapper that not one cent will be paid for ransom; instead the money will beused to track down the kidnapper if Andy isn't returned unharmed. The police then find the boy's blood-stained shirt.