Algiers

For the past two years, Parisian jewel thief Pepe le Moko has been hiding out in the Casbah, the historic native quarter of Algiers, he being there well known to both the local authorities and the French police. The Parisian police having just arrived on the scene to apprehend him and bring him to justice, they are told by the local authorities that the Casbah operates on its own unknown code free from authority in its general depravity, and even if they were able to apprehend him, it would be virtually impossible to extricate him from the Casbah in he having his known and unknown network. Inspector Slimane of the Algiers police has long known about him, and considers him a friend of sorts more in being a worthy adversary, which has not stopped him from trying to find ways to apprehend him which generally entail getting him out of the Casbah first. Pepe's associates, most who are of the Casbah and most also criminals like him, are fiercely loyal to him, arguably none more than Ines in her love for him. Things in this situation change with the arrival of Parisienne tourist Gaby into the Casbah. She is in an engagement of convenience to Giraux who she does not love: she is marrying him for his wealth, while he is marrying her as a trophy wife, they both aware and accepting of the other's motivations. While Pepe's associates are interested in Gaby's well-displayed jewels, Pepe is interested in her not only as a woman but as a remembrance of his beloved Paris, the notion of being with her in Paris which may override his safety in the Casbah.