Private Investigator Major Vince Hamilton is signed up by Fortiscues, Diamond Dealers to the Queen, to rescue their business from pending collapse. A rival dealership is selling diamonds at ridiculously low prices and the directors of Fortiscues need him to prove that the gems are being obtained illegally, and, preferably, stop the flow of cheap gems. Can he find out what is going on and who is responsible? Can an ex-army Major, who knows nothing about diamonds, solve the problem when the police can't? The investigation takes Vince to South Africa where he discovers that raw diamonds are being stolen from a mine in Limpopo province in the northern part of the country. He follows the 'chain' from Limpopo through Cape Town back to Europe and finally via Rotterdam to London. Murder and mayhem surrounds him as he moves from place to place. He is lucky to survive on a number of occasions as the smugglers attempt to terminate his investigation. Chief Inspector Baird of the London Metropolitan police also becomes heavily involved in helping Vince to solve this case when the youngest Fortiscue son is murdered. His men rescue Vince from the Thames when he is thrown in having been captured by the enemy. Follow Vince as he unravels the diamond chain and see whether he is able to save Fortiscues from disaster. Join Major Vince Hamilton as he solves his first case as a Private Investigator. The business of Fortiscues, Diamond Dealers to the Queen, is about to collapse. A rival dealership is selling diamonds at ridiculously low prices and the directors of Fortiscues contract him to prove that the gems are being obtained illegally, and, to stop the flow of the cheap gems. Murder and mayhem follow him.