Dr. Cordelier, living in a suburb of Paris, withdraws from society to pursue research into the functioning of the human brain. His lifelong friend, Maître Joly, becomes concerned when Cordelier draws up a will that bequeaths his entire estate to a stranger, Monsieur Opale; he cannot understand why Cordelier defends him, considering Opale attacks women and children. After a colleague is killed, Joly confronts Cordelier and discovers the truth behind his friend's behavior.
Font-aux-cabres is the name of an Andalusian village, benefiting the Commander of the Order of Calatrava, who supports Juana Beltraneja, the pretender to the throne of Castile, against the Catholic Monarchs. The Commander's tyranny is felt throughout the country, subjecting village women and girls to his whims by threat or violence. Laurencia, who dares to refuse him, is kidnapped on her wedding day, and her fiancé Frondoso is imprisoned.
