A mortise lock mechanism that includes a lock housing adapted for secure positioning within a mortise, first and second locking members positioned within the housing, each having a first end and a hooked second end, an actuator mounted for rotational movement within the housing and adapted for user directed rotational movement, and a motion translating linkage having a first end pivotally interconnected to the first end of the first locking member, a second end pivotally interconnected to the first end of the second locking member. The motion translating linkage is interconnected to the actuating member and adapted for corresponding movement when the actuator is moved. A first bias member interconnects the translating linkage to the housing, whereby the bias member retains the actuator and the translating linkage in a first position absent user force directed to the actuator.