Little did Anthony Cade suspect that a simple errand to deliver a manuscript on behalf of a friend would drop him right in the middle of an international conspiracy. Why were Count Stylptich's memoirs so important? And what was "King Victor" really after? Murder, blackmail, stolen letters, and a fabulous missing jewel - all threads lead to Chimneys, one of England's historic country house estates, and a startling denouement under the not always co-operative eyes of Scotland Yard and the Surete. This marks the first appearance of Superintendent Battle of Scotland Yard.