In the twilight of his career, investigator Nikolai Sergeyevich Myachikov faces forced retirement to make way for the politically favored Yuri Proskudin.

Around the same time, Myachikov’s close friend, engineer Valentin Petrovich Vorobyov, also prepares to retire but decides to stay after a heartfelt farewell from his colleagues.

However, when Vorobyov falls ill, Myachikov attempts the heist solo, only to encounter a real thief and lose the stolen money.

In an effort to recover the lost cash and avoid suspicion, Myachikov sells off his belongings but remains short of the total amount.

Anna Pavlovna, growing suspicious, accuses him of embezzlement, though only Vorobyov understands his friend's intentions and offers him his life savings with the plea, "Let’s live and die honestly."