The village tailor Witt has been burgled, and he himself has received a nasty blow to the head! The seriousness of the crime means that the gendarme in charge does not investigate the case alone - the new head of the district is eager to take over. The head of the parish, Kreyenborg, slyly supports the criminal investigation by getting help from his servant Willem, a man of "plietscher Dröhnbüdeligkeit (a charmingly clever annoyance)". The young vet Renken is also happy to help him, which his daughter Lena warmly welcomes. After confusing statements from Trina, the tailor's wife, the question arises: is there something to cover up?