The title tells all, which isn't much: the Queen's private train is boarded in Scotland by a pair of Irish-Fenian fanatics who are prepared to explode a quarter of a ton of gunpowder if they're not allowed to abduct the Queen to Ireland. Also on board: Poet Laureate Tennyson (who's tossed off the train when his escape plan backfires)--and the fatuous Prince of Wales, with his disreputable cronies and crony-ettes. Racing to meet the seized train: Disraeli and cohorts in a train disguised as the ""Theatre Arts Society Special."" As in most such fanciful historical exercises, the suspense is nil, and the author's sleepily literate, admirably non-anachronistic, and very discreetly tongue-in-cheek manner seems thoroughly wasted. "" 'The Queen is in awful danger!' "" "" The poet recoiled."" For tolerant Victoriana veterans only.