The Leander pearls were stolen nineteen years ago, and the perpetrator was caught, but the pearls have never been recovered. A $25,000 reward remains for whoever finds them. A person tells private investigator Carmady about someone who knows where the pearls are hidden. Carmady agrees to speak with this person, but he is found dead in his bed, his feet burned. It seems many people in Los Angeles have heard the story and are searching for the Leander pearls.