When Cash Darwin is released from prison after serving five years for racketeering, he vows revenge on Charles Putnam, the crusading owner of the Clarion , the newspaper that obtained the evidence to convict him. While Cash is traveling to the Clarion building, Putnam is visited by reporter Jim Parker, who is working undercover as a member of Mike Reardon's gang in order to expose Reardon's deals with corrupt city officials. Reardon, who is infuriated by Putnam's campaign against him, orders his men to rough up the Clarion 's street vendors. Cash arrives at the Clarion building as one such raid is occurring and he aides a young boy, Tommy Blake, who is being attacked. Tommy is impressed with Cash's quick fists and thanks him. Cash then goes to Putnam's office and threatens him with a gun, after which Putnam advises him to turn on the radio so that no one will hear the fatal shot