A French National Treasury van is assaulted and they steal the gold bullion it was carrying. According to confidences received by the Police Headquarters of Barcelona, it seems that part of the gold is clandestinely introduced into Spain through the Pyrenees. In order to discover and eradicate such smuggling infiltration, an agent pretends to be a day laborer at a farm located on the border and in a suspicious area.
Arnal, nicknamed 'Counselor' is the head of a family held in high esteem by the people of a Cevennes village. Now, the dignified man, who is the respected arbitrator of local disputes, has adopted Clémence, a deaf-mute girl. The day when Maurice, Arnal's son, starts a love affair with his stepsister, trouble begins...
