London, the decadent 1890s: a mysterious meeting is called in a private room of the sumptuous Imperial Hotel. The sinister Dr Nikola is presiding, but what masterpiece of crime is he planning? Meanwhile, in Sydney, Australia, a rugged young man rescues a girl from attack by ruffians. These two events are skilfully woven together in one of the classics of late Victorian crime fiction.

Before his tragically early death, Boothby lived his life equally in the Northern and Southern hemispheres, and in this novel he creates a narrative that moves breathtakingly from the West and East Ends of London to a thrilling climax in the South Seas via Egypt and Australia.