J. Dabney Barron, a college youth, regularly fails in his examinations. His father, in disgust, deprives him of money, and tells him to go to work, betting him $6,000 that he cannot hold a $60 a month position for that period of time. J. Dabney takes him up, and, with Perkins, his valet, goes to look for a job. In a park he meets Betty Arden, an heiress, whose car has broken down. Her guest, Lord Lawrence, is incapable of helping her. Dabney hastens to her assistance. She hurries away as soon as her car is repaired. Installing himself and his valet in a room in a lodging house, Dabney reads the want ads. Answering an advertisement for a bookkeeper, he stands in a long line of applicants until he grows tired. His valet, who has taken his place, gets the job. Finally Dabney obtains work through his friend Jim Foley of a detective agency. John Arden, millionaire gem collector, has a priceless emerald called "The Lady of the Sea.