Banco continues the adventure of Henri Charrière - nicknamed 'Papillon' - in Venezulea, where he has finally won his freedom after thirteen years of escape and imprisonment. Despite his resolve to become an honest man, Charrière is soon involved in hair-raising exploits with goldminers, gamblers, bank-robbers, and revolutionaries - robbing and being robbed, his lust for life as strong as ever. He also runs night clubs in Caracas until an earthquake ruins him in 1967 - when he decides to write a book that brings him international fame. .