Dusk. A high bluff, a swank section of the city, overlooking the snarl of Yokohama spelling
home to the less fortunate. Perched high is the mansion of one Mr. Kingo Gondo,
executive in a shoe manufacturing concern--a vantage point affording a view below,
which, can be observed, like a tower, by looking up from the flats of those residing on the 
less fortunate plane.

On this steaming evening in late summer Gondo is having trouble with some of the
tradition-saddled executives comprising the board in the shoe firm. A change in
manufacturing policy; a cheaper line of shoes. Gondo opposes and is opposed. Things, it
would seem, could go much more smoothly if Gondo were removed. But Gondo,
determined to get his way, elects to muster his total personal assets some 50 million yen 
and buy another 19% of the company's stock, which will give him majority control. An 
argument, and the men walk out.

Gondo, alone with his wife and little boy, broods about the trouble. As the last of gray 
disappears in the west, Gondo gets at a telephone call. Gondo answers, listens and is 
horrified as a mysterious man informs him his little boy, who was in the house not ten 
minutes earlier, has been kidnapped. If he is ever to be seen alive again, Gondo will 
provide 50 million yen ransom. End of call.

"For heaven's sake, call the police!" exclaims Gondo's wife "No!" bellows Gondo. Call the 
police, and the kidnapper might kill the boy.

Then, unexpectedly, Gondo's boy wanders into the house ! But the Gondo's relief is 
short-lived, however, when a second telephone call from the kidnapper discloses a slight 
mistake: Not Gondo's boy but the son of his chauffeur Mr. Aoki was taken. But a boy's a 
boy, and the ransom price is set. End of call.

"Now what'll we do?" asks Gondo's wife. "What'll we do?" echoes Gondo. "Why, call the 
the police, of course!"

The police thus arrive, and the investigation begins--tape recorder, maps of the area, 
binoculars and police intelligence. Mr Aoki beseeches, grovels at his employer's feet in 
the desperate hope Gondo will be moved to the point where he will forfeit his money for 
the return of the boy.

Gondo ponders. Is the life of a mere chauffeur's son worth so much money? He tells 
himself it isn't. But, at last, he decides to pay.

Another telephone call from the kidnapper makes known the method in which the money 
will be delivered. A given express train. Gondo, aboard, will shove a brief case filled with 
cash out of the window at a certain point along the right-of-way where the boy will be 
shown.

The police prepare with marked bills and a special brief case. They are also with Gondo 
on the train. The boy and two adults are seen, and, as the train flashes past, detectives 
are busy with movie cameras.

The boy is returned as promised, but Gondo is out 50 million yen.

The police, however, are far from through: A drawing the child made while held captive, 
the recovery of the stolen car used to transport the boy lead detectives to a house where 
the kidnapper's accomplices kept the boy They also find the accomplices, a couple, dead. 
Cause of death: injection of a strange narcotic.

Using the narcotic as a springboard, the police locate the kidnapper-murderer, an intern in 
a second-class hospital. Of course, they could arrest him on the spot, but they want 
further, damning proof of guilt.

The police trail the intern through the filth of dope dens and watch, as he picks up a 
degenerate, drug-addicted tart and promises her a dose of junk. He administers the 
injection himself. The reaction is not what he had expected, and he gets to thinking maybe 
the couple didn't die. If alive, they could talk.

He returns to the scene of the murder, and there he is arrested.

Sentenced to execution, the ex-intern calls Gondo At a final meeting in the visiting room of 
the jail, Gondo inquires why he did it. "Because," he says caustically, " I was sick and 
tired of looking up at you."

Gondo's money is returned, but not before he loses his position in the compnay. But he'll 
survive and live in another house not so near the top of the bluff.