Central Europe, late 19th, early 20th century. Serge Chekov (Stelvio Rosi) arrives in a remote village in the mountains to attend the reading of his uncle's will. Almost upon arrival, the deceased's daughter is found hanged on a tree in the local cemetery. But it was not a murder. Serge, in what is now his home, will meet his tenants, among whom are a scientist, his daughter, who acts as a maid, and the widow of the deceased, a woman of great beauty and dark knowledge of occult sciences.