The Whisper Market (1920)

Juliet and George Saltmarsh, ex-blackmailers and opium smugglers, have secured passports, but their co-worker Burke is prevented from leaving Brazil due to the suspicions of the American consul, Basil North. To circumvent North's interference, Juliet cultivates the friendship of the consul's wife, Erminie. Unknown to her husband, Erminie accepts the Saltmarshes' invitation to a party during which she is lured into a compromising position with Burke and photos are snapped of the pair. In her effort to regain the negatives, Erminie goes to Burke's hotel room and begs for the photos. At that moment, North, accompanied by the police, arrives to search the blackmailer's suite. Touched by Erminie's innocence, Burke hides her in a room and offers to confess to North if his visitor is allowed to remain anonymous. North consents, and after Burke's arrest, Erminie intercedes to gain permission for him to leave the country. She succeeds in her efforts, the Saltmarshes are convicted of smuggling, and Basil North remains forever ignorant of his wife's indiscretion.