This is the story of Hans, whose life was ruined by five women.

His mother forces him to continue his high school education, forbidding him to learn an honest trade, which he always wanted. He joins the Foreign Legion, returns, becomes a policeman. His career in the force is ruined when a prostitute seduces him. He becomes a pedlar of apples, and loses his great love who refuses to marry a man of such lowly occupation, whom she can't introduce to her father.

He marries another, but the woman doesn't love him-all she wants is for him to devote himself entirely to business.

Finally, his sister who does love him, fails to give the help he needs in the most critical moment of his life.