Our narrator begins this story by explaining how, in his opinion, spirituality has ruined many more promising careers than drink, gambling or the alluring smiles of women. He then goes on to tell the tale of Mo Lisky, who held an assured position for a long time but became handicapped through a private feud. One afternoon, Elle Raboots, an acquaintance of Mo's, informs him of a great heist, carried out by a group of thieves. The bounty in question is the emerald of Suliman, the most treasured possession in Morocco, and the plot of this classic crime story thickens and thickens.