 Richard Hannay is native South African, born in Britain, and returning on a short visit when his neighbor tells him of a plot to murder a visiting foreign minister. The setting is before the onset of World War I. Hannay meets some individuals with connections to the British government, and tells them of the plot, now quite credible to Richard since his neighbor has met his demise in his own quarters. The South African is on the lamb because he is the next to be the victim of the sinister forces that are attempting to destabilize the British government and the uneasy peace that exists in Europe. In the end, does Richard Hannay saves the western world?