When Jessica Dale, a companion to wealthy Hortense Bates, is found dead and her valuable earrings missing at a masked ball being held at the Bates's home, the only clue is that of a crushed cigarette found beside her. Because the brand of cigarette matches that found in a similar crime being pursued by Tex, the famous criminologist is called in to investigate. The case is complicated by several of the suspects smoking the same brand of cigarettes. Edward Clive, Hortense's fiancé, smokes the brand, as does Henry Jevons, Clive's secretary. Tex finally unravels the mystery when he discovers that Jevons has shredded Jessica's picture, forcing the gentleman burglar to confess to the crime.