Priam Farll, a reclusive but celebrated British painter, returns home and to avoid public interest adopts the identity of his recently deceased valet.

Farll is able to establish a peaceful new life until, needing to raise money, he begins painting again.

The story has been adapted three times by Hollywood, firstly in a 1921 silent film version The Great Adventure starring Lionel Barrymore and Doris Rankin.

In 1933 the novel was turned into a sound film His Double Life, directed by Arthur Hopkins and starring Roland Young, Lillian Gish and Montagu Love; it was produced by Paramount Pictures.

A second adaptation, Holy Matrimony, was made by Twentieth Century Fox and starred Monty Woolley, Gracie Fields and Laird Cregar.