Naive Marianne Madison (Sidney Fox) is fed up with the dull routine in her life. Seeking an escape, she becomes smitten with brooding and handsome con artist Valentine Corliss (Humphrey Bogart), who lands in her small town looking for new opportunities to exploit. Valentine soon sweet-talks Marianne into gaining her wealthy father's endorsement for his latest money making scheme, and disappears with the profits. Heartbroken, Marianne returns home and begs her jilted fiance Dick (Conrad Nagel) for forgiveness. By now, though, he has turned his attention to Mariannes enchanting older sister, Laura (Bette Davis)...