A journalist desperate to escape his profession finds himself entangled in a dangerous scoop when an escaped convict takes refuge in his office. Hildy Johnson, a seasoned newspaper reporter, yearns to leave the chaotic newsroom for a quiet honeymoon. His plans are abruptly derailed by a daring jailbreak, and he inadvertently becomes the keeper of the escapee, hiding him within a rolltop desk. Hildy and his managing editor must now race against time and the pursuing sheriff to protect their explosive story and the man hidden within the desk.

This narrative is characterized by its blend of comedic situations and suspenseful action, a hallmark of Hecht's writing. The premise sets up a classic race against time, where the protagonist's personal desires clash with professional obligations and immediate danger. The story's focus on the frantic efforts to conceal a secret within a confined space suggests a tightly plotted and engaging experience for the reader. The interplay between Hildy and his editor, as they navigate the escalating crisis, likely provides much of the story's dramatic and humorous tension.