In the third book of the Adventures of Jonathan Moore series, mysterious spy networks freely roam Europe's great cities. The ships and armies of all nations remain on the edge of war. Jonathan is aboard HMS Paladin, now commanded by his friend and mentor, Lieutenant Thomas Harrison. Their mission: deliver an important treaty to a clandestine location. Remaining in London, Delain encounters a shadowy black rider sneaking about London. Suspecting foul play, she enters a web of secret meetings, coded messages and kidnapping. The plot turns deadly as she finds all clues lead to the Paladin's mission and her friends, thousands of miles away and in grave danger. At sea, the boys are pursued by HMS Echo, though she avoids all contact. A sabotaged gun, a mistrusted crew, and a vicious assault on their ship by a band of assailants has the crew and officers of the Paladin anxious. Led to waters far from home, the boys now fight for their ship and their lives against a rogue naval commodore with a war plan of his own.