When a rash of jewel thefts strikes London, magistrate Patrick Colquhoun resolves to deploy his Bow Street Runners to put a stop to the thefts. The Russian Princess Olga Fyodorovna is to attend a production of Handel’s "Esther" at Drury Lane Theatre, where she will wear a magnificent diamond necklace. The entire Bow Street force will be stationed at various locations around the theatre, including John Pickett, who will occupy a box directly across the theatre from the princess. In order to preserve his incognito, Pickett must appear to be nothing more than a private gentleman attending the theatre. Mr. Colquhoun recommends that he have a female companion, a lady, in fact, who might prevent him from making any glaring faux pas. But the only lady of Pickett's acquaintance is Julia, Lady Fieldhurst, to whom he is accidentally married and with whom he is hopelessly in love. Then the theatre catches fire, and Pickett and Julia must escape their box via a harrowing descent down a makeshift rope. When Pickett is struck in the head and rendered unconscious, it is up to Julia to nurse him back to health and discover his attacker and the jewel thief as well.
