 Recently-paroled holdup man Seth Roberts returns to his old trade and initially pulls several successful jobs due to his mannerly demeanor and his nondescript appearance. Young Jimmy James (who aspires to become a police officer) spots him switching getaway cars after a robbery and is able to provide Dan Mathews with accurate descriptions of Roberts, his car, and even his out-of-state license plate and plate number. After two holdup victims corroborate Jimmy s description of Roberts, Dan and Sergeant Corey track him to a motel owned by his cousin, Carl Simmons. Notes found at the motel enable them to set a trap for Roberts, who has already arranged for a ride back to Dallas with an unsuspecting traveler.