Engineer Fred Born wishes to end his relationship with Marie Orlová before he goes off on a protracted business trip. He visits her when she is at home alone. In the meantime, Marie's betrothed, the passionate gambler Egon, is caught up in a scuffle over money with the prosecutor whom he mortally wounds. Egon flees the house unseen but Marie's father sees Fred leaving; On the basis of this testimony, Fred is arrested. Furthermore, an unknown man plants some documents belonging to an experienced swindler on Fred and the latter is condemned to fifteen years' imprisonment. He shares his cell with the wealthy Jiří Richell who has money stashed away in a bank which can only be withdrawn with a secret password. Richell is seriously ill and he tells Fred the bank password. He also thinks up a plan whereby Fred is set free instead of himself. Fred finds his almost blind mother at home, nursed by his friend from his childhood days, Elly. Egon again finds himself in financial difficulties, he falsifies a bill of exchange and commits suicide. Just before he dies he admits to his guilt in the prosecutor's murder and Fred is cleared. Marie asks Fred for forgiveness but he rejects her and hurries home to his mother and Elly.
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