When a leopard escapes during a publicity stunt, it triggers a series of murders.

The tarragon regiment moving to the small town charms the women of the locality. Only trade counsellor Ottilia Mähönen considers them brutal barbarians and is horrified when her daughter Irja gives her room to cavalry master Osmo Kyrö who needs accommodation.

Cavalryman Kalle Kollola makes a fool of himself in order to get by with less service during his time in the army. Aunt Loviisa, who has come to see him, urges her witty but lazy cousin to straighten up. Aunt Loviisa also helps Miss Hilja Aro settle her differences with the horse master Kalpa.

In 1916, Finland is still a part of Russian Empire. Eugen Schauman murders the governor of Finland, and his fellow activists take on smaller tasks in the fight for freedom.

A group of Finnish activists are waging an underground war against Russian oppression led by young idealistic aristocrat Robert Hedman.

Eastern Finland in 18th century. Farmer Juha has raised an orphan girl Marja and married her. Karelian trader Shemeikka visits the farm and starts to make advances to young and beautiful Marja, tempting her to run away with him.

Irmeli wants a certain job as a secretary but finds out that she would have to be married in order to get the vacancy. She lies that she has recently married and then gets a stranger from a nearby restaurant to pose as her husband. Complications arise when they have to continue their charade.