- Dan Mathews has reason to suspect the worst when a courier with a criminal record disappears with $31,000 after an automobile accident.
- Frank McCauley has an automobile accident while delivering a $31,000 deposit for the Grantwood Farmers' Co-Operative. As a former criminal with an old charge still outstanding, everyone assumes he has absconded with the money and the Highway Patrol launches an intensive search. McCauley starts out on foot to return the money, but radio broadcasts about his disappearance and his past make him a marked man. When Ed Hutchins tries to capture McCauley at gunpoint, a scuffle ensues and McCauley looks even guiltier when he escapes with Hutchins' shotgun. Reverend Martin (the local pastor) still has faith in McCauley's reformation and he is able to convince Dan Mathews to give him the opportunity to do the right thing.—Sam Spear
- Frank Wood is carrying a satchel of currency for his employer of five years; the Highway Patrol is tracking his movement because he was reported missing while transporting the money from one town to the other for the Farmer's Cooperative. The report comes back to Chief Mathews with matching fingerprints, an alias is used by Frank Wood, real name is Frank Bacawley, wanted on a criminal charge, an outstanding warrant from elsewhere in the state. The missing persons is cancelled, roadblocks are set up to attempt an intercept, a search for Bacawley is placed due to the warrant. Mathews drives over to the office of the employer where Frank Wood has worked for five years. The old warrant is for attempted robbery, his boss, Mr. Hastings, said he has lived in town for seven years. Dan says he disappeared seven years ago. Hastings shows Frank's desk to Mathews, saying this is the first time he has been a courier, responsible for transporting money, which is a standard occurrence for the employer. Hastings turns on Frank even before he is apprehended and can speak for himself. Hastings declares, once a thief, always a thief, Mr. Mathews, I want him convicted. Dan stares at Mr. Hastings, realizing Frank Wood has not been captured and his boss wants him put away before the court decides.
Frank's car blows a tire sending his vehicle careening over into a ravine, turned upside down, with Frank Wood unconscious, the bag of currency opened nearby. Frank awakens sometime after the crash, the satchel to be delivered has opened with money on the ground. Frank gathers the cash, puts it into the carrying-case, and climbs out of the ravine, onto the highway. He walks to a gas station, asking the proprietor if he can use the phone. His suit coat has been torn from the wreck, his face is dirty for the same reason. The proprietor stares at him and points inside to the phone. The radio-broadcast is heard by Frank and the gas station owner while he tries to contact his office. The radio announces there is a search out for the man and thirty-thousand-dollars he is the courier for the Farmer's Cooperative. The old owner has a pipe in his hand ready to strike Frank after his attempted phone call is interrupted; Frank pushes the owner away as he makes his exit, he reminds the owner of his intentions to harm him. The station owner calls in the encounter, a bulletin goes out to all Highway Patrol, it says he was last seen at the gas station.
Frank hides among the brush hearing sirens as the Highway Patrol searches for him. He later uses a drainage tunnel to escape, as opposed to being seen crossing the highway. The Highway Patrol discovers his route through the tunnel, using the information to understand which direction he might travel.
Chief Mathews stops by the Frank's residence hotel to learn more information on Frank Wood or Frank Bacawley. Mathews encounters Pastor Martin Rock, going through Frank's belongings, putting things back after the Sergeant made a mess going through the room. Mathews and the Pastor discuss Frank's character, the pastor believes an explanation from Frank is deserving. Mathews' experience tends to lean toward guilty, at least doubtful, because of the missing money with the outstanding warrant under a different name. There is little reason not to be suspicious of Frank according to Dan. Pastor Rock travels with Dan to visit a family Frank has befriended to reassure Dan that Frank can be trusted.
Frank walks for a time until he meets Ed Hutchins, a farmer he knows, explaining the charges are not true. He had an accident; the car blew a tire somewhere on highway fourteen. The cash-bag remains with Frank, Ed invites him into his home, offers him sustenance and a seat on the sofa. The farmer returns with a shotgun in hand, telling Frank he heard about him on the radio, a former convict with charges still pending. Frank pleads his case to Ed, he was trying to return the money. Ed says a leopard doesn't change his spots, he calls the Highway Patrol, while holding the shotgun on Frank. Frank overpowers Ed by hitting him with the bag, the rifle discharges, Frank takes the shotgun, leaving Ed on the floor.
Dan Mathews and a Highway Patrolman both arrive at Ed Hutchins' home, the pastor tends to Ed's injured head, an APB goes out on Frank, armed and dangerous, because Dan learns Frank took the shotgun. Ed Hutchins declares he wants Frank to get what he deserves, a stretch in prison. The pastor says Frank will never see prison, with the armed and dangerous call out on him, they will cut him down when they find him. Pastor Rock says to Ed, you will get your share of the reward, they pay for dead men. Mathews is explaining to the patrolmen, Frank Bacawley cannot get out without crossing the highway; we will see him when he moves. Dan has the roadblocks close in on where Frank was last seen. A patrolmen spots Bacawley walk across the highway, calls it in to Dan. The pastor tries to get in touch with Mathews, has a car sent for him, it arrives and they are on their way to catch Frank.
The state-line sign shows where the patrol is positioned, hoping to trap Frank before he crosses into the adjoining state, and without any shooting. Dan meets Pastor Rock, explaining his duties and obligations to his patrolmen and the pastor. Dan adds, say a prayer for both of us, as he intends to trap Frank, waiting for his move. Frank is moving along, toting bag and shotgun, Dan awaits to intercept him, while the Sergeant and another patrolman wait it out in the opposing direction, all shielded from Frank's view. Frank looks at the state line arrow-sign, Dan watches him from behind bushes, Frank hesitates crossing the road toward the state line, he turns around, he sets the shotgun in a bush, he walks with the courier bag towards town. Pastor Rock notices Frank leaving the rifle, saying that's the right road; Frank is making the proper choice.
Frank walks into the Farmer's Cooperative office, Mr. Hastings greets him as he hands over the bag of currency stating here it is, you can count it. Hastings says I don't have to count it, I know it's all there, Pastor and Mr. Mathews told me. Dan and the pastor come from another room, with Frank saying I am willing to take what is coming on that old charge. Dan responds, the judge will decide that, I would say you had some pretty good character witnesses. The three men walk to Dan's awaiting car, all get in, and Dan Mathews drives off with Frank and Pastor Rock.
Broderick Crawford signs off until next time with it isn't the car that kills, it's the driver.
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