When Robert Avery was sent out to Singapore to trace Andrew, a lost cousin, who may or may not be living -- and who is heir to a fortune which goes to his cousins if he is dead, he did not expect successive attacks on his life; he didn't expect the dark cloak of mystery and violence to descend so swiftly; and certainly he didn't expect the mystery girl, Nona, whom he had met in England, to reappear. Intrigue, blackmail, taut, narrow escapes make an exciting spellbinder -- one of Derby's best.