In the early 19th century, the dreaded Emperor Napoleon was at large, posing a threat to all of his neighbors. In this swashbuckling comedy, the court jester to the Emperor Francis of the Austro-Hungarian Empire manages to save his life and become a royal favorite. This puts him in conflict with an ambitious courtier, who arranges for him to be imprisoned on charges that he secretly prefers Napoleon to his own monarch. He is cleared of those charges, but then must deal with the many romantic tribulations arising from the fact that he has been given a beautiful young woman to protect and take care of. In addition to fending off various noblemen who have dishonorably lustful designs on the girl, he must cope with the fact that she is hopelessly in love with him.