Janus Rechtsom, nicknamed De Mottige (The Pock-Marked), is an honest seaman with a heart of gold that belongs to Lena Doorn, the girl next-door. His rival Frans van Klarenberghe comes up with one scheme after another to seduce Lena.

After years of touring abroad with his "Cirque Hollandais", Hendrik van Dalen returns to Holland, hoping that his brother will lend him financial support. Since the death of his wife, things have gone from bad to worse with Hendrik, who drowns his sorrow in drink. Moreover, he has set his heart on the circus-equestrienne, who pretends to love him but is having an affair with the company's wrestler. By encouraging Hendrik to drink, they hope to get their hands on his possessions. Hendrik's daughter sees through their designs and, with the aid of the clown Louisot, tries to foil their plans.

When Jacques, the ladies' tailor of fashion house "The Four Seasons", wins 100,000 guilders in the lottery, his world is suddenly full of opportunity. Shop owner Madame Georgette, however, tries to trick him into signing a rather unfavourable contract.

Unaware of its contents, kind-hearted captain Beets delivers a package containing smuggled diamonds to Balthazar, the far from honest owner of an Amsterdam dance-hall. To double his profit, Balthazar shoots the innocent captain in cold blood and makes it appear as if Beets has committed suicide. The captain's daughter Eva and her sweetheart, young author Willy Vermeer, see through Balthazar's plans and will not rest until the criminal is punished for his deed.