Adapted from the short story by Prosper Mérimée.

Mateo Falcone is a respected Corsican patriarch known for his strict code of honor. One day, he leaves his young son, Fortunato, alone at home. While Mateo is away, a wounded fugitive begs Fortunato for shelter. Tempted by a bribe, the boy hides the man in the house.

Soon after, soldiers arrive searching for the fugitive. When they offer Fortunato an even larger bribe, he reveals the hiding place. The fugitive is captured—and Mateo returns home to learn what happened.

In a devastating climax, Mateo, bound by the unyielding Corsican code of honour, feels he must punish his son for betraying a guest, even if that guest was a criminal.