The book relates the misadventures of Dirk Marquette, . As the story begins, Marquette and his friend, Major Hynd, are in Boulogne to visit Marquette's aunt, who is dying. While there, Marquette attends a card game, where he has an argument with a corrupt card sharp, the General, who challenges him to a duel. However, the general doesn't turn up himself but nominates his son, an accurate shot, who should win the duel. Marquette absolutely does not want to fight but is goaded into doing so. Against the odds, he accidentally kills his opponent, and the screams of the man's brother after the death come to haunt Marquette for the rest of his life. The Time: 1956 The Place: England Do you know that a half truth is the paramour of a whole lie? Isaac Massey Haldeman - 1917 - Millennium (Eschatology)