The Banos has exploded and sunk at sea, but another freighter, also called the Banos, is now loading at a South American port, under the command of a man known as 'Captain Scarface'. On shore at the Los Rios Hotel, a number of passengers are waiting to board the ship. Sam Wilton is in trouble, and needs to get back to the USA quickly. Ilse Yeager is waiting to be reunited with her father, who arrives with Mr. Kroll, an associate of Captain Scarface. A man named Clegg, who has just completed some work for the captain, also arrives and demands money from Kroll. Meanwhile, the captain is expecting Dr. Yeager, whom he plans to force into helping him on a mission of destruction.