At the outbreak of World War I, American Ruth Sherwood is stranded in the Belgian village of Beaupre. After Olga Karnovitch, a Russian spy eager to leave because of the advancing Germans, steals Ruth's passport, Ruth is taken into custody by the Germans. Among them she recognizes Eugene, formerly a head waiter in New York, who intercedes on Ruth's behalf, saving her from a death sentence. Later, when Wilfred Ferrers, a fellow American staying at Ruth's hotel, is sentenced to death because the Germans believe him to be a Russian spy, Ruth intervenes by attesting that he is her fiancé. The sentimental German general then orders the burgomaster to marry the pair immediately. Soon after, Ruth's fiancé Jack Martin arrives and reproaches Ruth for her actions. His insensitivity forces Ruth to realize that her love for Martin has died. As Ferrers and Ruth make a thrilling escape from the occupied village, both discover that they really love each other.—Larry Smith
At the Hotel Tete d'Or in Beaupre, Belgium, Olga Karnovitch, a Russian spy, learns that the town will soon be taken by the Germans, but as she is to dine with Wilfred Ferrers, an American acquaintance, she decides to stay over. Before dinner Ruth Sherwood, an American, comes to the hotel, saying that she has been separated from her party and missed the train. Olga learns that in a nearby town Boris Ipanoff, the Russian consul, is sentenced to be shot. She borrows Ferrer's automobile and is whisked away to his aid. When the two Americans are eating a German officer appears and interrupts their dinner with lengthy questionings. Ruth discovers that the Russian girl spy exchanged their passports and when she acquaints Ferrer of this fact he makes her destroy the Russian passport, for there is great danger of her being shot as a spy or even for having aided a spy if it is discovered. Ferrer promises to get her another passport from the American Minister at Brussels, and they burst into gales of laughter over his attempts to write out a description of her for the Minister. In the midst of this fun the German officer reappears and orders Ferrer's arrest for having aided the Russian to escape by the loan of his car. Ruth comes to his assistance by stating that he is the fiancé for whom she has been waiting. The officer, skeptical, orders them to be married, and Ruth consents in order to save one who has been kind to her. The ceremony is performed, and the embarrassed young people are sent to the old garden of the inn, known as "the marriage garden." Ferrer thanks Ruth for saving his life for he would have been shot at sunrise, and promises to obtain a divorce or nullification of the marriage as soon as possible, adding that he will find Jack, the absent fiancé, and bring him to her immediately. A telegram from Jack arrives, and they are obliged to state that he is their chauffeur. They fear that when Jack comes he will "queer" their story, not being aware of the state of affairs. That night Ferrer makes good his escape from the inn where they are virtually held as prisoners, disguised in the uniform of a German soldier. Ruth is relieved for his sake, for she also is rapidly falling in love with her strange "husband." Jack, who has by this time arrived, is cross-questioned by the Germans, but before he has had time to answer shots are heard outside and a terrific bombarding sets in. Jack displays cowardice and commences to reveal his real character, weak and a cad. Ferrer, disguised as the German soldier, has been hurt, shot by a sentry, and brought back to the inn, where he is brought again to Ruth's room to be taken care of. Jack, learning that he is there, betrays his real nature and voices his base suspicions of Ruth. The girl realizes that Jack is impossible and that it is Ferrer whom she really cares for. She sends for him again and they learn that their love for each other, formed under the stress of the terrible ordeals they had undergone together, is mutual.
