In England, school choirmaster John Jasper (Claude Rains), a secret opium addict, develops a passion for Rosa Bud (Heather Angel), the fiancée of his nephew, Edwin Drood (David Manners). When the Landless twins -- the volatile Neville (Douglass Montgomery) and Helena (Valerie Hobson) -- arrive at the school from Ceylon, Neville takes an interest in Rosa as well. After John invites Edwin and Neville to dinner to reconcile them over Rosa, Edwin disappears, and John accuses Neville of foul play.