The first in a thrilling new adventure series Berkely Townsend is undercover in Austria, researching the fortifications against Russia.

Berkely Townsend meets the beguiling Anna Slovitza and assists her escape from Austrian soldiers; not realising she is a member of the notorious Black Hand society. Ordered by the War Office to recapture her, he soon realises they have another, very special, mission in hand for him.

Travelling to Serbia on a mission he doesn't want to carry out, he meets and falls in love with Anna's daughter. There he becomes involved in Balkan politics, and finds himself under surveillance by the War Office.