Dr. Andrew Cleze is a history professor at Ilium College in Delaware. He's pedantic, dull and set in his ways. handsome Leo Manes and lovely Barbara Thorne are thieves. They all meet by accident. Andrew Cleze agrees to help Leo Manes by removing Barbara Thorne from sight: hiding her. Complication ensue, on of which is: they're all arrested. Only Leo manes can save Andrew Cleze from the fate awaiting to befall him. Their trial is the most amazing set-piece ever committed to paper.