Janus Rechtsom, nicknamed De Mottige (The Pock-Marked), is an honest seaman with a heart of gold that belongs to Lena Doorn, the girl next-door. His rival Frans van Klarenberghe comes up with one scheme after another to seduce Lena.

A street singer manages to work his way up to the position of an opera artist, only to be struck by fate, and return to his life on the street.