Worried that his nephew Willi (Ramon Novarro) lives beyond his means, General von Hartz (C. Aubrey Smith) urges the young guardsman to marry wealthy Emily Kessner (Karen Morley), so that when he can't pay a debt he won't have to take his own life, as demanded by the guards code of honor. Ignoring his uncles wishes, Willi meets and falls in love with Laura Taub (Helen Chandler), a schoolteacher who, offended by his behavior, becomes mistress to the gambler Herr Schnabel (Jean Hersholt). Hoping to win Laura back by becoming rich, Willi loses a fortune at cards to his rival, who gives him a day to settle the debt, even if it kills him.