Phantom of Chinatown

An extensive archaeological expedition uncovers the long-sought tomb of a Ming emperor in the Mongolian desert. Inside, a scroll describes the Temple of Eternal Fire and hints at a hidden oil reserve that would be of enormous importance to China. The find sets the stage for a high-stakes pursuit back in civilization.

When the tomb is opened, a violent hurricane erupts and claims the life of Mason, the expedition's co-pilot. The storm is framed as the tomb's ancient curse guarding the temple's secrets. The death foreshadows the danger to follow as the scroll's existence becomes a target.

Dr. John Benton travels to San Francisco to present the expedition's findings to his colleagues. He aims to reveal the scroll's contents and the potential importance of the oil reserve. The presentation sets the stage for a critical confrontation over the artifact's secrecy.

As Benton is about to reveal the scroll's contents, he begins to choke and dies, apparently suffocated. In the chaos, the scroll is discovered missing from his safe, leaving colleagues puzzled about the true cause of death. The missing scroll deepens the mystery surrounding the tomb's discovery.

Benton's secretary Win Len claims she has no knowledge of the scroll's whereabouts, casting doubt on who might have stolen it. The absence of the scroll from the safe becomes the catalyst for James Wong's investigation. Suspicions about who could access Benton's private files begin to rise.

James Lee Wong conducts his own investigation and discovers traces of oriental vegetable poison in a pitcher and a glass. The evidence suggests that Benton might have been poisoned rather than suffocated. This finding shifts the case from an accident to deliberate murder.

Camera operator Charles Fraser is attacked in his home, leaving him injured. Win Len is found tied up and gagged after entering the house. The investigation reveals that Mason faked his own death at the tomb and is secretly plotting with Benton's butler Jonas to seize all tomb artifacts.

Street traces the attacker to a hideout near the waterfront, where Mason and Jonas are hiding. Mason escapes through a secret door, while James and Street uncover a tomb artifact. They also find Jonas' dead body in a coffin, poisoned and stabbed.

James and Street publish an article claiming Mason is ill with yellow fever to draw him to a hospital. James wears a wire and impersonates Mason at the hospital, where Mason and Fraser arrive. A confrontation ensues, but Street and the police intervene to break it up.

It emerges that Fraser had been collaborating with Mason to steal artifacts, and he killed Benton to keep the oil secret. He also killed Jonas, and the original scroll is destroyed by Fraser, leaving only a photo behind. The scandal reveals the true cost of the tomb's discovery.

With Fraser's treachery exposed, the remaining photo of the scroll is handed over to the Chinese government so they can pursue the oil reserve discovery. The government plans to use the image to locate the hidden resource.

Fraser is arrested and the case closes as investigators recover the evidence. The truth about the tomb, the scroll, and the motives behind the murders is finally established. The cascade of betrayals leaves the team with a complicated legacy.