On his death-bed, Per Henrik Pistolekors must promise his father two things: first of all to kill king Gustav III, which his father hates. Second, to take his half-sister Annarella to Stockholm to find her a rich and noble husband.
Per Henrik Pistolekors fungerar själv som filmens berättare. Per Henrik har vuxit upp hos majoren Swedenhielm tillsammans med dennes dotter Annarella. Swedenhielm har landsförvisats till Finland efter att ha hamnat i onåd hos Gustav III...