The year is 1909. Vernon Kell, head of counter-intelligence at the War Office, is out to create what would later be called MI5 but he needs proof of the need for such a bureau. He needs someone he can trust with experience at investigation and deduction and he chooses Wiggins, a veteran of the Irregulars, to be that man. Wiggins is not so willing, though, until a friend is killed by Russians anarchists. Now Wiggins has a reason.