October's browning leaves in New York City do not bode well for Patrolman Kip Burland. While on his nightly beat, Burland comes upon a skeleton robbing a mansion. Before the officer can react, the costumed robber named (aptly enough) the Skull, slugs him into unconsciousness and places some of the jewelry in the downed policeman's hand. The Skull blows Burland's whistle before running off. Burland is arrested for the crime and is stripped of his badge. As soon as he is released on bail, provided by his girlfriend Babs Walsh, he goes after the real thief. Unfortunately, he finds him, and this time he gets shot and tossed from a car by the Skull. Discovered by a hermit, Burland is nursed back to health over a period of several months, during which time Kip learns that the hermit was once a local sheriff who was also framed by the Skull. Together the two men plot and plan as Kip Burland builds his body to the peak of perfection. They also make Burland a costumed identity as the Black Hood, avenger of evil.

    Eventually the Black Hood captures the Skull, and he is forced to exonerate Kip Burland. Kip resumes his duties as a police officer until he quits to open up his own detective agency with his girlfriend Babs Walsh. Not long afterwards, Kip abandons his Black Hood disguise and fights crime as a plainclothes civilian. But the Black Hood has a long a distinguished career as a fighter for justice.