The swordsman and the commissar crossed their swords over the treasure.

Spring 1918. After the Russian Revolution, Prince Meshchersky' collection of paintings and sculptures was to be nationalized. However, Tarakanov, the Prince's former land steward steals it, enlisting the help of a fencing master nicknamed Marquis and an orphaned boy Keshka. They join a traveling circus in an attempt to transfer the stolen masterpieces abroad. A shrewd Soviet detective Makar Ovchinnikov follows their tracks.