Barber-surgeon Johan Gustav Dåådh returns to Stockholm from the war in Finland. He's taking a patient Simon Freund to chief constable Wahlstedt's home where Freund has been working as a tutor. But there Dåådh's life takes an unexpected turn. For one thing he falls head over heels in love... with the chief constable's wife Magdalena. And he also becomes involved in solving a murder case which he does so successfully that to his surprise he is offered the position of district commissioner i.e. police inspector. Dåådh's first reaction is to turn it down since he's a political radical and objects to the injustices in society. But when he realises that Magdalena believes in him he decides to accept the job with Simon Freund as his assistant. Johan Gustav Dåådh's intention is to use his new position of power to try and make a difference... in the name of justice.