Vladimir Dubrouvsky a lieutenant in the Russian army catches the eye of Czarina Catherine II He spurns her advances and flees and she puts out a warrant for his arrest dead or alive Vladimir learns that his fathers lands have been taken by the evil Kyrilla Troekouroff and his father dies He dons a black mask and becomes the outlaw The Black Eagle He enters the Troekouroff household disguised as a French instructor for Kyrillas daughter Mascha He is after vengeance but instead falls in love with Mascha