During archaeological excavations in the crypt of Santo Tomé (Toledo, Spain), a sarcophagus is discovered containing the incorrupt body of Captain Contreras, a man in a state of suspended animation since 1650, due to a potion someone forced him to ingest to prevent further illness. The audacious journalist Cornejo intends to exploit this discovery, with the help of Paca Revilla, a careless woman, and an unscrupulous doctor. The controversy surrounding the authenticity of Contreras's body reaches the ears of several American universities, which purchase the Captain's remains.