A cashier in a bank in a small German town is alerted to the power of money by the visit of a rich Italian lady. He embezzles 60,000 Marks and leaves for the capital city, where he attempts to find satisfaction in politics, sport, love and religion.

Attorney General Trevor's second wife is found stabbed to death in his safe. Due to a ring with the initials DG, which is also found in the safe, the suspicion initially falls on Donald Gordon, the fiancé of Trevor's daughter.