The old executioner, nevertheless, feels a professional pride in his occupation, and designs that his son shall succeed him. Accordingly on the crown of his head is branded a cross such as his father wears. The young man, however, has a strong antipathy to this grim occupation, and he runs away to seek his fortune. However, no one will have anything to do with the man who bears the hated brand on his head, and the young man is at his wit’s end to know what to do until a witch, to whom he renders some service, gives him a magic sword, with which he performs many deeds of valor and rescues a princess who is beset by highwaymen. He is received at the palace and made much of. A devastating fire occurs there, accompanied by many thrilling scenes. The queen, deserted by her craven maids, is in danger of losing her life in the flames. The executioner’s son goes to the rescue, but as he emerges bearing his unconscious burden, his hat comes off and the hideous cross is revealed. There are immediately cries of execration at the thought that this “unclean” person has been in the confidence of the king, and the young man’s life is in danger until the queen and princess plead for him. The king gets over the difficulty of his ignoble origin by making him a knight and he weds the princess.