A rare-book seller is also a detective and solves a complicated
mystery involving a Shakespeare manuscript.
Garda Sloane (Rosalind Russell) and Joe Sloane (Robert Montgomery)
have a rare book store that owes rent; but Garda does not want
Joe to take detective work, because he got shot in the behind.
Christopher Oates (Etienne Girardot) asks them to buy a Shakespeare
manuscript for him. Joe goes to Torrent's insurance agent Dave
Hilliard (Alan Dinehart), who sends him to Torrent's house to
find out what is wrong. Nick Torrent (Ralph Morgan) welcomes Joe
and Garda; but Wilkes (Ian Wolfe) is hostile to Joe. Dave brings
the manuscript to Torrent. Joe and Garda see Phil Sergeant (John
Hubbard) kissing Christina Torrent (Jo Ann Sayers). Vincent Charlton
(Reginald Owen) tells everyone someone knocked him down at the
open safe. Joe questions Gerald Torrent (Tom Collins) and takes
his gun from him. Nick accuses his son Gerald of striking Vincent
and orders him to leave; but Christina says Gerald didn't do it.
Gerald calls Bobby Neville (Joan Marsh), and Lucky Nolan (Sidney
Blackmer) tells her Gerald owes him $50,000 for gambling losses.
Joe goes to Bobby, and both are arrested for the murder of Nick
Torrent and theft. Inspector Forbes (Donald Douglas) questions
Christina. Gerald can't return the books because he sold them.
Garda sees Joe brought in with Bobby and is jealous. Joe tells
the Inspector the manuscript was forged by Wilkes, but the real
one was probably stolen. Phil is questioned about the books and
is arrested. Joe says Phil is protecting Gerald. Vincent asks
to hire Joe for the Torrent family, but Joe says he is working
for Phil. Joe and Garda go to gamble, and Nolan offers Joe $50,000
to get lost. Joe takes Nolan's gun and demands his wife back.
Two men in a car drive the car of Joe and Garda off the road.
At night Garda finds Wilkes dead in a suit of armor. Bobby sprays
perfume on Joe, who avoids Garda. Vincent calls to say he has
the Shakespeare, and Joe asks him to bring it. Phil returns to
Christina, who is questioned about Gerald by Joe. Owner of the
real manuscript is found dead. Nolan says Gerald stole the books
to pay his debt, and Forbes has Gerald arrested. Joe says the
fake was put in Gerald's room to frame him. Joe leaves Garda with
Oates, but they go to Nolan's after him. She sees Joe being abducted,
but Bobby turns off the lights. Bobby calls on Joe and says Vincent
paid Gerald's debt. Vincent comes, but Joe says his manuscript
is forged; then he realizes it is real. Vincent pulls a gun; but
Joe gets it, and Garda shoots him in the rear.
This mystery solved by a married couple provides escape
entertainment in a respectable way.