On board ship, setting out for Europe, Jack Demly, with his pretty young bride, Lucy, discovers in a newspaper that his father, believing that he is eloping and is not yet married, has sent a detective after him to bring him back and prevent the wedding from taking place. The article states that the detective is on the steamer. In order to offset suspicions, Jack conspires with an older friend, who agrees to pretend to be Lucy's father. As neither Jack's nor his wife's real name is known on board, their ruse proves effective. The detective overhears Lucy calling Mr. Markins "father" and does not suspect that Jack, who does not seem to be acquainted with the girl, is her husband. The bridegroom's troubles begin when Mr. Markins mischievously makes love to Lucy in order to have a joke on Jack, who cannot interfere; afraid to be seen talking to Lucy. His perplexity is doubled when the detective makes Lucy's acquaintance and tries to flirt with her. She encourages him, much to poor Jack's dislike and discomfort. The detective becomes very friendly. He tells her why he is on the ship and shows her a warrant which he is carrying for the immediate arrest of Jack and herself. She asks him to let her see the warrant more closely. She takes it in her hand and pretends to be very much interested in it as she leans far out over the rail which separates her from the sea. She lets go of the paper and it is carried away by a friendly breeze onto the tossing waves. She turns with a little gasp of fright and tells the detective what she has done. Just then Jack, who has been watching from a distance, comes up. Lucy takes him to one side and tells him of her trick. He laughs boisterously and when the detective approaches, demanding to know the cause of their merriment. Jack tells him. The detective good-naturedly admits his defeat and gladly accepts the proffered hand of friendship from Jack and his pretty wife.