A military Captain is stripped of his rank, all because his only son deserted from the Army. That son, who deserted because he was afraid that he would die or be wounded, is on the run, heading toward a neutral country. Hiding in an animal cart, Helder Helk arrives at the Dark Chateau, the home of the mysterious Count de Flon, all the while being watched by The Heap.....and it's the Heap who discovers the strange goings-on inside that castle.