Before leaving Pillkallen in East Prussia for Berlin, Schnirpel hides the money he is saving for his daughter Marie in the cushions of his sofa. In his absence, Marie and her fiancé Karl stumble upon the savings. Karl takes the money to keep it safe and is soon drafted into the military when World War I breaks out.

A pickpocket seduces and scams a wealthy married woman out of a large sum of money.

Two poor musicians rise from rags to riches. Money, fame and their love for the same woman begin to crumble their friendship, revealing the true natures of both men--one noble and kind, the other a greedy, ruthless beast.