The Countess Simone, whose jewels are famous, is selected for the first victim of the band. Vantine, a noted connoisseur, has purchased in Paris a wonderfully perfect Bouie cabinet. It is brought to his home in New York carrying with it Death, for Vantine, while examining it, is mysteriously slain, the only marks upon him being two livid stains on the back of his left hand. One after another investigators of the cabinet are slain in an equally unfathomable way. There appears to be no solution of the puzzle till Jack Godfrey, a "cub" reporter tackles the circumstances. Godfrey, armed with steel gloves, undertakes to discover the secret of the murderous cabinet. In the meantime, Crochard, the international crook, who has used the cabinet as a hiding place for part of his booty, pursues it to America, together with Mimi, his accomplice, and others of his retinue.