19 year old Irena Gut is promoted to housekeeper in the home of a highly respected Nazi officer in Poland when she finds out that the Jewish ghetto is about to be liquidated. Determined to help twelve Jewish workers, she decides to shelter them in the safest place she can think of – the basement of the German Major's house. Over the next eight months, Irena uses her wit, humour and immense courage to hide her friends as long as possible.

A historical story about a young woman, Matilda, who in the politically difficult times of the partitions after the January Uprising becomes a pawn of landed gentry intrigues. Her past, which is also a mystery to herself, is overshadowed by the political decisions of both Polish patriots and traitors plotting with the Russian invaders. In addition to its educational and historical value, the series contains rich thriller and love plots.