Nick and Nora visit Nick's parents (Lucile Watson and Harry Davenport) in Nick's hometown, Sycamore Springs, in New England. The residents are convinced that Nick is in town on an investigation, despite Nick's repeated denials. However, when aircraft factory employee Peter Berton (Ralph Brooks) seeks out Nick and is shot dead before he can reveal anything, Nick is on the case.An old childhood friend, Dr. Bruce Clayworth (Lloyd Corrigan), performs the autopsy and extracts a pistol bullet. Then, when Nick searches Berton's room for clues, he is knocked unconscious by Crazy Mary (Anne Revere), a local eccentric.Nora's innocent purchase of a painting for Nick's birthday present turns out to be the key to the mystery. When she shows it to her husband, it brings back unpleasant memories for him, so she donates it to a charity bazaar. When Edgar Draque (Leon Ames) offers Nora a large sum for the painting, Nick wonders why it is so valuable. Nick learns that Draque's wife Helena (Helen Vinson) bought the artwork, but she is knocked out and the painting disappears. Nick discovers that Crazy Mary is Berton's mother and goes to see her, only to come across her lifeless body. Nick and Nora's dog Asta finds the painting in her shack.Nick puts the pieces together and has the police bring all the suspects to his father's house. (Early on, it is revealed that Nick's father, Dr. Bertram Charles, has never been overly impressed with his son's unusual career choice, so this gives Nick an opportunity to change his father's mind.) Using Dr. Charles's fluoroscope, Nick shows that there is a blueprint hidden underneath the paint. Several people identify it as part of the specifications for a new aircraft propeller worth a great deal to a "foreign power". Berton had copied the blueprints and concealed the copies under five paintings. He had a change of heart and was going to confess all to Nick, but was killed by the spies he was dealing with. Nick has a souvenir World War II Japanese sniper rifle belonging to Dr. Clayworth's brother brought in, and claims it was the murder weapon. Then, after proving that the Draques are members of the spy ring, Nick reveals the identity of its leader: Dr. Bruce Clayworth. Clayworth's first slip was the bullet he showed Nick. Nick knew a handgun bullet would not have the power to penetrate as far into Berton's body as the real one went. Clayworth grabs the rifle. He confesses to the murder, and also to a deep hatred for Nick for always being better than him in their youth. He tries to shoot his nemesis, only to find that Nick had taken the precaution of removing the firing pin. Nick's father is very impressed.
Question: What did Berton copy?, Answer: Blueprints Question: Where does Nick have police bring the suspects?, Answer: His father's house Question: What does the painting turn out to be?, Answer: a key to the mystery Question: To what does Nora donate the painting?, Answer: a charity bazaar Question: What souvenir did Nick have?, Answer: A World War II Japanese sniper rifle. Question: Where did Berton conceal the blueprints?, Answer: Berton concealed the blueprints under five paintings. Question: Who does Nick reveal as the spy ring's leader?, Answer: Dr. Bruce Clayworth Question: Why did Dr. Bruce Clayworth has such a deep hartred for Nick?, Answer: Because Nick was always better than him in their youth. Question: For whom did Nora buy a birthday present?, Answer: Nick Question: Who do Nick and Nora visit ?, Answer: Nick's parents. Question: Who was the leader of the Draques?, Answer: Dr. Bruce Clayworth. Question: WHERE DOES SHE DONATE THE PAINTING?, Answer: CHARITY BAZAAR. Question: Is Nora married?, Answer: yes Question: What did Nora buy Nick for his birthday?, Answer: a painting Question: Who plays the roles of Nick's parents ?, Answer: Lucile Watson and Harry Davenport. Question: Who offers Nora a large sum for the painting?, Answer: Edgar Draque Question: WHERE DOES THE DOG FIND THE PAINTING?, Answer: IN CRAZY MARY'S SHACK. Question: What pre-caution did Nick take?, Answer: Removing the firing pin Question: What is Nicks' father's name?, Answer: Dr. Bertram Charles Question: WHAT DOES NICK DISCOVER?, Answer: CRAZY MARY IS BERTON'S MOTHER. Question: What precaution did Nick take to prevent being shot?, Answer: He removed the firing pin from the rifle. Question: Who knocks Nick unconscious?, Answer: Crazy Mary