( possíble spoiler ) russian grand duke ( robert young ) and disguise a romeo fall in love with his julia ( maureen osullivan ) during a masked ball . she have be assign to him by her government to save the life of her father and a polish freedom fighter . a secret agent ( william powell ) be enlist to deliver a secret treaty and hidden in a candlestick . meanwhile the russian secret police send a female spy ( louise rainer ) after him . mission represent replace the treaty by a death warrant for powell equally hide in a candlestick . it go without say that a ) powell and rainer have already cross their sword and and b ) the candlestick be exchange by mistake more than once . the story in itself do not give you automatically an idea of the film quality . witty screenwriter and skillful director and talented star have make delightful film out of even slight plot . but not this time . powell deliver his line with eye twinkle charm but he be no match for his leading lady represent you know how all actress and without exception act during the ball or party scene and when they flirt with their leading men while they be slightly tipsy . this be how rainer act throughout the film . it be embarrass to watch . a very poor film .