The war is now underway and a famous group of German theatre players are trapped in Britain. Some of them claim to have no love for the Kaiser and are seeking political asylum. Among these is the mathematician that Euphemia's Mary has been corresponding with (see A Death Abroad). He joined the group with the express intention of making it out of the country to Britain and to Mary before the war started. Fitzroy tasks Euphemia with going under cover at a theatre that has agreed to let the company finish it's run, to discover what is really going on behind this troupe and if all are who they appear to be.