- Mining engineer Martin Becker sets off an explosion at a diamond mine in Angola, and in the confusion escapes with a number of diamonds. He is soon traced to Johannesburg, with diamonds for sale, but claims to own them legally. The State Police are powerless to act, but learning that examination of the diamonds would confirm their origin, Duval approaches respected dealer Meyer to buy them. Having done so, it is a race to obtain proof of Becker's guilt before he is able to board a plane: he is caught with the help of airport staff deliberately stalling him.
- At a diamond mine in Angola, Martin Becker (Alfred Burke) remains at the top of a shaft after the start of a new shift; once alone, he tapes 4 uncut diamonds to his body, and detonates an explosion in the shaft. Feigning injury, he is stretchered out.
Inspector Duval (Charles Korvin) at Interpol then receives a report that Becker is being sought after the explosion, suspected of sabotage and theft, after disappearing from the hospital. Telephoning de Silva (Julian Sherrier) at the mine, Duval learns the explosion was no accident, and Becker the only suspect. Originally from Amsterdam, Becker was believed to be heading for Europe until Mornay (Edwin Richfield) brings in the available records on him: after working in the family firm, he had left 8 months ago due to a scandal, making him unlikely to return there.
A report then comes in that Becker has crossed into South Africa, as Mornay points out, not a member of Interpol leaving them powerless to act. Duval reminds him that the Diamond Security Police are members, even if only able to act on company property.
Duval flies to Johannesburg and is met by Captain Coetzee (Rupert Davies) of the Diamond Police, and learns from him that Becker has been found in a hotel. Recalling that the mere possession of uncut diamonds is an offence, Duval suggests asking the State Police to check Becker.
Accompanying a policeman checking his passport, Coetzee and Duval enter Beckers hotel room. When Coetzee suggests Becker has rough diamonds, the policeman takes an interest and starts to search; Becker tells him not to bother, and calmly produces four diamonds: cut and polished, quite legal to own.
Coetzee, back in his office with Duval, now thinks Becker is beyond their reach. Having made prior arrangements for the diamonds to be polished, he also has proof of ownership, probably faked but too time-consuming to check. He does, though, remark that the diamonds themselves could tell them more, if they could get hold of them.
Shown the laboratory where examination of a diamond can prove its origin, Duval suggests simply buying the diamonds, and asks Coetzee for a reputable dealer to act as their agent: he suggests Franklin Meyer (Philip Ray).
Becker, in his hotel room, receives a telephone call from Meyer, enquiring about the diamonds and making an appointment to see them. Coetzee learns that Becker has already seen three other dealers, but rather than warn them off completely, Duval suggests merely telling them to keep their bids low.
Meyer returns later after agreeing to buy the diamonds, the actual deal to take place at nine oclock that evening, paying in cash at the gates of his house. Duval observes that Becker is in a hurry, anxious to leave the country; checking the airport, he is booked on a flight to Iraq, another non-Interpol country, at 9.20.
Becker meets Meyer as arranged at the gates of his house, and the deal is concluded. Meyer attempts to engage Becker in conversation, but he leaves in a hurry for the airport; Meyer leaves for the laboratory. While the analysis is being carried out, Becker arrives at the airport. As arranged by Duval, with the boarding gate closed he is diverted through a Diamond Corporation warehouse. Coetzee now has the authority to hold him, long enough for Duval to arrive with confirmation of the diamonds origin, proof of Beckers guilt.
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