Summary
Wounded in the crucible of the Great War, the distinguished Member of Parliament, Simon De Gex, receives a terminal prognosis, casting a pall over his privileged existence. Confronting his mortality with a theatrical flourish, he orchestrates a macabre dinner party, toasting his impending demise before divesting himself of his parliamentary seat and the lion's share of his vast fortune. In a gesture both magnanimous and peculiar, he implores his friend, Dale Kynnersly, to marry a woman who had once captured Simon's own interest, a final, selfless act before his curtain call. However, fate, ever the jester, intervenes through the captivating allure of Lola Brandt, a spirited circus rider whose husband has mysteriously vanished. Dale, utterly infatuated, introduces Simon to Lola's world, where tragedy strikes: her magnificent horse, Sultan, is inexplicably shot dead. This act of senseless violence ignites a fervent quest for retribution, binding Lola and her loyal, diminutive clown companion, Midget, in a solemn vow of vengeance. Simon, drawn into this vibrant, perilous orbit, finds his existential detachment dissolving into a profound attraction for Lola. His journey takes an unexpected turn to the exotic labyrinth of Tangiers in pursuit of Lola's missing husband. There, in a violent altercation, Simon sustains an injury, leading to a serendipitous operation that reveals a misdiagnosis – he is, in fact, destined to live. As Lola arrives, the true villain, Brandt, emerges, confronting her with deadly intent. Simon intervenes, but it is Midget who, recognizing Brandt as Sultan's killer, exacts a swift, fatal justice. The ensuing chaos claims Midget's life at the hands of an enraged mob, leaving Simon and Lola to forge a new future, their lives irrevocably altered by a tapestry of sacrifice, revelation, and resurrected hope.
Rich young member of Parliament Simon De Gex, is wounded in the World War, has been told that he has only a few months to live. He gives a dinner party where he toasts death and gives up his seat and the larger part of his fortune to his friend, Dale Kynnersly, asking Dale to marry a girl in whom he is interested before he dies. Dale, however, is infatuated with Lola Brandt, a circus rider whose husband has disappeared. Dale takes Simon to watch her perform and sees her horse, Sultan, mysteriously shot dead. Lola and her friend, Midget, a clown, vow revenge. Simon becomes attracted to Lola and goes to Tangiers to find her husband. In a fight he is injured, and he is operated on and told that he will now live. Lola arrives, and Brandt confronts her and threatens to kill her when Simon interferes. Midget recognizes Brandt as the one who shot Sultan and kills him. A crowd attacks Midget, who dies from his wounds and Simon and Lola start life anew.