Aching for an opportunity to get square with strong-willed Mrs. Drexel, boarding house mistress and mother of his sweetheart, Constance, Billy sees his opportunity when his uncle Battledore is suddenly called out of town. He hangs out a "Boarders Wanted" sign in front of his uncle's house, then with a big roll of bills the young man, just after Mrs. Drexel has given all the servants a raking over, lures them all away from her. When her boarders troop down to breakfast and find no breakfast awaiting them they all quit on the spot with feelings beyond description.

While stopping at the Bronzegilt Hotel, Slick and Slim, two high-class and well-dressed burglars, overhear Baroness Vodka tell the manager she wishes to place her million-dollar box of jewels in the hotel vault, which is set into the wall at the end of the hallway. The manager accordingly escorts her to the big safe, and she watches him place the little box inside. Next morning the manager goes to cash a check for the Baroness, and finds the whole vault has completely vanished.