A satirical look at authority misdirecting its zeal while real criminals go unpunished.
Story Structure — 3 Plot Phases
The Misguided Authority
Baron von Wehrhahn's misguided attempts to maintain order in the principality.
Key Events
District in Chaos — District faces disorder despite Baron's efforts Characters: Amtsvorsteher Baron von Wehrhahn, Fürst August SigismundLocation: German principality
The Wolff family's criminal activities continue while Baron focuses on innocent citizens.
Key Events
Wolves' Criminal Activities — Auguste steals while husband poaches Characters: Auguste Wolff, Leontine Wolff, Adelheid WolffLocation: District
Baron's Suspicion — Baron suspects Frau Krüger of revolutionary activities Characters: Amtsvorsteher Baron von Wehrhahn, Frau Krüger, Konstrukteur Dr. FleischerLocation: Baron's office
The Unmasking
The consequences of Baron's misdirected zeal come to light as real criminals evade capture.
Key Events
False Accusations — Baron wrongly accuses innocent citizens Characters: Amtsvorsteher Baron von Wehrhahn, Auguste Wolff, Schreiber GlasenappLocation: Town square
Real Criminals Escape — Actual criminals continue activities unnoticed Characters: Auguste Wolff, Her Husband, Leontine Wolff, Adelheid WolffLocation: Forest
Prince's Displeasure — Prince expresses dissatisfaction with Baron's performance Characters: Fürst August Sigismund, Amtsvorsteher Baron von WehrhahnLocation: Palace
Story Breakdown
The Principality in Chaos — The district faces disorder despite Baron's efforts to maintain order
Baron's Misdirected Zeal — Baron targets innocent citizens while ignoring real criminals
The Wolff Family — Auguste steals goods while her husband poaches
The Conflict — Baron's misguided authority versus the Wolff family's criminal activities
Real Criminals Escape — The Wolff family continues their activities unnoticed
The Consequences — The Prince expresses dissatisfaction with Baron's performance
Authority Questioned — Baron's methods are called into question
In a district of a small, German principality, things are going haywire. And this, even though Baron von Wehrhahn, who is loyal to the prince, does everything possible to make “his Highness” popular. The only problem is, he’s always using his zeal on the wrong crowd. He always seems to see free-thinkers or revolutionaries in the harmless of citizens; but the really bad ones get to go on their way unmolested! For example, the old woman Wolff: she steals everything that isn’t nailed down, while her husband pursues unhampered poaching.
