In Renaissance Rome, the captain of Strozzi mercenary kills the banker Chigi that has refused the hand of his daughter Berta, girlfriend of Giuliano de 'Medici, brother of Cardinal Giovanni. Accused of the crime is instead the young Julian, who is arrested and locked up in jail while awaiting trial. Meanwhile the real murderess unashamedly confesses the crime to Cardinal Giovanni, who can not violate the secrecy of confession remain helpless before the judges who condemn him to the gallows. But shortly before the Cardinal with a ruse it shall enable the Strozzi to confess the crime in the presence of witnesses hidden. Giuliano is immediately released and can then marry his Berta.

Strozzi, the chief of a mercenary army, kills the banker Chigi, because the man refused to let him marry his daughter Berta, who is engaged to Giuliano de' Medici. Giuliano is accused of the murder, he is arrested and imprisoned to be tried. Strozzi, who feels very confident about Giuliano's trial, confesses to Giuliano's brother, the Cardinal Giovanni, he is the real killer. Giovanni cannot plead the innocence of his brother because he cannot reveal what he learned during the Holy Confession. Giuliano is sentenced to death. With a trick, on the day of the execution, Giovanni is able to make Strozzi reveal his crime, while witnesses are secretly listening to them. The truth is finally established and the guilty soldier finally faces his destiny.—manutwo