Colonel Charles Russell was in a dilemma. He'd retired from the Security Executive but still kept his ear very much to the ground. And he's discovered that Sir Fenton Omerod was planning to bring out his memoirs. Sir Fenton had been ambassador to a certain European country and had been party to its secret negotiations with the West, which if made known to the East would lead to disastrous recriminations. Charles Russell knew better than most what the tanks and troops had already done. How could the ex-ambassador be persuaded not to publish?

By the long arm of coincidence, Russell was the guest of Sir Fenton the night his host was attacked by an intruder seeking access to his papers. Going to his rescue, Russell found a pistol rammed into his back...