Michael O'Hara signs on as a crew member on lawyer Arthur Bannister's yacht, against his better judgement. On the way, they pick up George Grisby, Bannister's business partner. Meanwhile, Michael flirts with Bannister's wife Elsa and allows Grisby to persuade him to participate in his audacious plan: together they want to fake Grisby's death. With the promised 5,000 dollars, Michael intends to elope with Elsa.