The Portorican prime minister asks British detective Sherlock Holmes to find a twin for King Fernando XXIII, a weak and frightened man who fears anarchists and does not want to show himself in public. Holmes finds in the Czech newspapers a photo of the perfect double, František Lelíček, a daring bon vivant drowned in debt, so when Holmes offers him money, Lelíček decides to travel to Portorico and play the role.

Military doctor Katz loses to his servant Josef Švejk at cards. Švejk steals a dog for his new superior, Lieutenant Lukáš. While walking his dog, Lukáš meets Colonel Kraus, who is displeased to discover that Lukáš is taking his dog with him. As punishment, he sends Lukáš to a marching company in Budějovice. Lukáš is accompanied by Švejk, who first insults a general who is travelling in civilian clothes in the same compartment. Then Švejk unexpectedly stops the train by pulling the emergency brake. For this act, he is brought to Tábor for questioning. Before the questioning is over, Švejk's train leaves and he has to walk to Budějovice...

E. A. Longen's return to the director's chair after 20 years: The story is about reservists on a military exercise. Non-soldier Kohout has to pose as an officer because he is representing his "busy" employer.

In his search for the Philosophers' Stone which would enable him to understand the mysteries of the production of gold, Professor Dobner goes in search of the notes of alchemist Melchiad Koloman who, according to legend, had uncovered the mystery and produced gold. Dobner becomes acquainted with the Japanese Nakahito and the Indian Fakír Arkaj and inducts them into his plan. The Fakír wants to demonstrate that he can bring a dead person back to life and suggests to his companions that he could attempt to bring Koloman back to life enabling them to ask him directly for the formula. In order to do this he needs a young, healthy male. Nakahito finds a young rake, Marcel, who has squandered away his fortune and now contemplates suicide. At the promise of an easy life for the duration of one year he agrees to commit himself to the experiment.

Finnicky efficiency expert is sent to straighten out business management problems at a jazz club, and finds self being drawn into the swingin' scene.