Juan Ricardo, a soldier in the Spanish Army, is promised a promotion to the rank of sergeant if he will make love with Guerita, the wife of Pedro, a known smuggler, so that she will disclose the location of her husband's illicit booty. He genuinely falls in love with Guerita and, realizing that he will be dishonored if he fails to fulfill his mission, decides to run away with her. Pedro sees what is happening and kills Guerita, then himself dies of heart disease. Dolores, daughter of the comandante , saves Juan from a court-martial by pleading for him.