The Madonna’s Secret

In a gallery, drama critic John Earl is captivated by a portrait and asks who the model is. The gallery owner says it was the artist's only model and not for sale. This encounter kicks off Earl's obsessive hunt to learn the model's identity.

Back at his office, Earl realizes the face is familiar but cannot remember the name. He calls James Corbin with an offer to buy the painting, but Corbin refuses. Earl's pursuit to uncover the model's identity intensifies.

Earl discovers the model is Helen North, yet the living woman bears little resemblance to the image. He visits Helen to learn Corbin's location, but she won't help and mentions she will sing at a nightclub Corbin frequents.

Earl confronts Corbin while the artist sketches a stabbing. Corbin asserts his exoneration and dismisses Earl's suspicions. He invites the singer to join him on his yacht for the night.

Helen North's disappearance leads to the discovery of her body washed ashore. The painting and the case around Corbin become linked to the murders of several women. The tension tightens around Corbin's involvement.

Hunt Mason, Helen's suitor, implicates Corbin as the last person who saw Helen. Lt. Roberts questions Mason and weighs the accusation against Corbin. The investigation narrows toward the artist as a prime suspect.

John Earl coordinates with the police to have Helen's sister, Linda North, apply for modeling to get close to Corbin. Linda's modeling application is approved, and she positions herself to spy on the artist.

Linda and Earl return to the Corbin boathouse, where she notices Corbin's moodiness, odd piano playing, and the discarded revolver. She calls Earl and warns that she is in danger, asking for police to be alerted.

Linda becomes convinced Corbin isn't scheming against her after he drinks her drink rather than letting it go to waste. She remains cautious but starts to believe the murderer is someone else, while still watching the artist closely.

Ella Randolph tries twice to buy Corbin's art and to marry him, but he rejects her. She leaves in tears, and Corbin hints that she will end up with Linda. He later lets Ella go after her car ride alone.

Ella is invited back to Corbin's boathouse; when she arrives, the curtains are abruptly drawn, suggesting danger. The scene marks the escalation of the deadly scheme surrounding Corbin.

In his apartment, Corbin dreams of kissing Helen and Madeleine who scream and fall into water. Linda consoles him, saying it's only a dream. The police arrive to question him about Mrs. Ella Randolph's disappearance.

The police hold Corbin for questioning as the District Attorney suspects he won't confess. A fur torn from Mrs. Ella Randolph's dress is found in Corbin's boathouse, tying him to the case. Corbin remains confused, while Linda pledges to stand by him.

Linda, aided by Corbin’s mother, visits the D.A. and asks to avoid a forced confession. Linda insists on defending Corbin and keeping faith in his innocence as the case tightens around the truth.

At the Corbin residence, Mrs. Corbin injects Linda with a lethal substance in a bid to silence her. The police burst in and shoot Mrs. Corbin, saving Linda. Mrs. Corbin dies in her son James Corbin's arms as the danger ends.