Edward Leithen is a young M.P., barrister, and rising man in London society. When one of his old friends goes missing, Leithen decides to investigate. He discovers that some element of danger was involved in his friend’s flight, and from that point events spiral beyond his control. Along with a couple friends whose help he has sought, Leithen finds himself facing the wrath of a powerful and sinister secret organization.

While this yarn carries the reader along with its fast-paced events, drama, and danger, it still allows for some measured reflections on the political nature of a technocratic society. One of John Buchan’s most celebrated quotes is uttered in a dialogue between Leithen and the leader of the Powerhouse: “You think that a wall as solid as the earth separates civilization from barbarism. I tell you the division is a thread, a sheet of glass.”