An itinerary from Washington, London, Paris to a small island takes Latham rew in search of a missing biochemist, who may or may not be the bearded old man and at-killer found in a London rooming house. There is a hook-up with a Russian agent and another murder; one with an international chess club; and finally the link with crackpot fraternity which has found the secret of youth at a price.... Full of life, as well as its prolongation, but to be read more in the hope of entertainment than credibility.