Captain Handson, captain of the "Danae", learns that his wife, Danae, is the mistress of his owner, Pierre Ricardo. Leaving for a new crossing, he takes his wife and her lover by force, whom he makes work in the holds. After a stopover in Douala, the "Danae" sets off again for the French coast.

A crime is committed in a circus during the performance of a sketch between two clowns. One of them is killed. They accuse the other, Sylvia's fiancé, to whom the victim was courting. After many twists and turns, the murderer is discovered to be the troupe's dwarf.