Ruth Fielding at Cameron Hall

Tom and Helen Cameron are suddenly called home to be at their father's bedside. Mr. Cameron is deathly ill and may not survive. As Ruth says goodbye to Tom at the train station, he seems to want to tell her something but holds back. After Tom's train has departed, Ruth wonders whether Tom could be worried about money.

Ruth soon wraps up filming of her scenario and heads home to Cheslow. Shortly after Ruth's arrival at the Red Mill, Jabez Potter enters the kitchen with the news that the bank has been robbed. The thieves got away with all of the bank's money, and the bank must close. Both Uncle Jabez and Ruth have lost everything! Ruth's loss totals $40,000, and she needs the money in order to keep her studio running. Ruth vows to find a way to recover the stolen money.

The driver's seat was empty. Ruth visits Cameron Hall and discovers that Tom and his roadster have disappeared! Even worse, the description of one of the bank robbers seems to match Tom, and he is under suspicion. Ruth knows that Tom is innocent, but she worries about what has happened to him. All clues indicate that Tom's path crossed with the thieves, and Tom must be in danger. Ruth and her friends, Helen and Chess, frantically search for Tom.