The Count and Countess Bertrand are prominent in society. The Count is also a lieutenant. The throw a society circus and part of the entertainment is ring master and circus rider Alexander Ivanoff. But in reality Ivanoff is a spy, and with the aid of his wife he steals some documents from the Count which involve the mobilization of troops. When the papers turn up missing Bertrand is court martialed and sent to prison for a 12-year sentence.