Detochkin, a modest insurance agent, becomes incensed at the thought of crooks going unpunished, and he begins a retribution campaign by stealing offenders' automobiles, selling them, and donating the profits to an orphanage. Maksim, the police detective assigned to investigate the mysterious thefts, coincidentally is performing with Detochkin in an amateur production of Hamlet. Detochkin steals the car of a black marketeer after several unsuccessful attempts. Maksim arrests him, but, upon hearing Detochkin's story, he lets off his friend with a warning. However, Detochkin cannot resist stealing still another car, and he is once more arrested, though he is permitted to go on with his performance as Hamlet. At the trial, Maksim speaks on his friend's behalf, and, although Detochkin is found guilty, he soon returns to his former life.