Vienna shortly after World War II. A music professor, in whose house a young widow with three children is quartered by the housing office, changes under the influence of the charming lady.

District Inspector Pokorny was transferred some time ago from Vienna to the fictional Upper Austrian town of Mühlstadt after assaulting a suspect while on duty. There, as he says, he has to deal with "idiotic scoundrels who steal each other's chickens." Police officer Janisch was given a quick trial and sentenced to seven years in prison for robbing the post office in Litzelsdorf. His colleagues do not believe he is capable of such a crime and try to catch the real perpetrators. At the same time, they have to deal with a multitude of other cases.

Pavel is sent to Germany to spy.

Munich cab driver Herbert Sponer picks up American businessman Jack Mortimer at the train station. Suddenly Mortimer is shot while driving and Sponer has to try to avoid being suspected as the perpetrator.