Summary
In an ornate, if somewhat stagnant, world, two brothers, Wilson and Mortimer Travers, exist in a peculiar state of insulated contentment. Their lives are meticulously ordered around their esoteric passions: Wilson, a connoisseur of rare gems, and Mortimer, an enthusiast of exotic fish. This serene, almost monastic, existence is abruptly threatened not just by the whispered specter of jewel thieves, but by the dramatic, unannounced arrival of Marie Duquesne. Clad in a wedding gown, Marie presents a desperate plea for sanctuary, claiming to flee an abhorrent arranged marriage. Her sudden presence fractures the brothers' quietude, sparking immediate suspicion in Mortimer but an undeniable, burgeoning fascination in Wilson. The subsequent morning unravels a deeper intrigue, as the household butler, having observed Marie's mysterious nocturnal wanderings, summons the authorities, leading to her swift apprehension. Yet, the night brings another twist: Marie, now revealed as an undercover detective, foils the butler's own attempt to pilfer the very safe she was ostensibly guarding, before turning her attention, and her considerable charm, back towards the enamored Wilson.
Synopsis
Wilson Travers and his brother, Mortimer, live singular lives, interested only in their respective hobbies of collecting rare gems and even rarer tropical fish. The police learn that jewel thieves are planning to knock over the Wilson gem collection, and the brothers take precautions. One evening, Marie Duquesne, dressed as a bride, appeals to the brothers to help her avoid a distasteful marriage to an old man. The brothers let her stay the night; Mortimer resents her presence, but Wilson falls in love with her. The following morning, the butler tells Wilson that, suspicious of Marie's nocturnal prowling, he has called the police; and a policeman soon arrives and takes her into custody. That night the butler is prevented from looting the safe by Marie, who has returned to the house. Marie, who is a detective, sees to the arrest of the butler and then turns her attentions to Wilson.