Writing as 'Sapper', H. C. McNeile drew upon his experiences during World War I to craft gritty and realistic war stories. His writing, valued for its authenticity, quickly gained immense popularity in newspapers and later in book collections. Following the war, he transitioned to a full-time author, becoming best known for his series featuring Hugh 'Bulldog' Drummond. Through his works, which often featured thrilling plots and memorable characters, McNeile secured a significant place in the literature of his era.
Bulldog Drummond has slain his archenemy, Carl Peterson, but Peterson's mistress lives on and is intent on revenge. Drummond's wife vanishes, followed by a series of vicious traps set by a malicious adversary, which lead to a hair-raising chase across England, to a sinister house and a fantastic torture-chamber modelled on Stonehenge, with its legend of human sacrifice.
The death of Professor Goodman is officially recorded as a tragic accident, but at the inquest, no mention is made of his latest discovery – a miraculous new formula for manufacturing flawless diamonds at negligible cost, which strikes Captain Hugh 'Bulldog' Drummond as rather strange. His suspicions are further aroused when he spots a member of the Metropolitan Diamond Syndicate at the inquest. Gradually, he untangles a sinister plot of greed and murder, which climaxes in a dramatic motorboat chase at Cowes and brings him face to face with his archenemy.