Mrs Peggott, a lady apparently of the superior housekeeper type, aged about forty, has rented a small country cottage. It was once the home of a famous artist and is frequently visited by ardent admirers of his work. Two such visitors arrive, Peter Elliott and his Lina. They are somewhat estranged. Peter is in love with a girl called Jane, and desires a divorce, which Lina refuses. Mrs Peggott, who reveals she is psychic, and regards Peter as a potential murderer. She confirms this by the use of a crystal in her possession. Lina, dreading that she may be Peter's victim, offers him a divorce when he calls back for her, and then departs. Mirs Peggott it then transpires, the "Jane" with whom he is in love. The "psychic" performance was a deception arranged between them to secure Peter's freedom.