In Los Angeles, Perry Mason is hired by Professor Hans Ritter and his wife Emma. Recently they and his assistant Gerta tried unsuccessfully to smuggle their granddaughter Elke out of East Germany. The East Germans offer to release the girl if the Professor voluntarily returns to East Germany and he agrees, against everyone's wishes. Perry has Paul trail Hans to ensure his safety while Perry travels to Berlin to try to arrange a transfer. Perry makes a counter-offer of money for Elke's release but it's rejected. Unknown to him, Emma and Gerta have returned to East Berlin with a check for $50,000. Perry soon lands in an East German court defending Emma Ritter, who has been charged with murdering an East German middleman. Perry finds the court proceedings one-sided and must find the true murderer if Emma is to be released and if the Ritters have any hope of having their granddaughter join them in the West.
—garykmcd