In the year 1913, a young man visits the cathedral in Mainz during
carnival in order to confess. But before he can speak, he is stabbed in
the back with a dagger and dies on the spot. At the same time, Adelbert
Panezza prepares for his role as the carnival prince, much to the
delight of his children Jeanmarie and Bettine. Unexpectedly, Viola
Toralto, a beautiful girl from the Italian part of the extended family,
comes to visit. Jeanmarie falls in love with her, but also recognizes
that Viola has a bracelet bearing the same insignia as the weapon used
in the unsolved murder at the cathedral. Once it is revealed that the
victim was Panezza′s illegitimate son, things take an even more
dramatic turn.