Three Scottish noblemen escape from Gripsholm Castle and break into the home of Lord Arne. They kill everyone except for Lord Arne's adopted daughter Elsalill.

Orvar is a vagabond, walking the country roads and living on sunshine and generosity. One day he decides to find work somewhere to get some money. He becomes a helping hand for seven lumberjack brothers. The big and strong brothers really enjoy themselves, joking with the small and meek Orvar. Orvar does not know that he has inherited a large fortune but the seven brothers do and they begin to treat him with the greatest courtesy. They convince him to write his last will, making them his heirs, and then begin to make plans on how to kill him.

The film takes place in the 1780s. The Russians plan to overthrow Gustav III from the Swedish throne and Lieutenant Rehusen tries to stop them, while fighting for his king, he also fights for his love.

August Strindberg's historical play about the king he called Sweden's traitor.