An ocean liner is destroyed the ruins of an old church blown up and other parts of England are menaced by unknown 'terrorists'. The University of Oxford is threatened with a bomb and the Duke of Aylesbury--Tony Markham to his intimates--calls on Georges St. Cyr, formerly one of America's most ruthless intelligence agents for help. The Muslim Diaspora in London, higher-ups within the University itself, even the government are suspected and the two friends have seven days to avert disaster. It's immediately apparent that the British government. despite acquiescing in St Cyr's investigation, is engaged in a cover-up. Whitehall's hand-picked Chancellor at Oxford, John Cromwell, comes under suspicion. Other clues point to Ahmad Zhev, Chief of Pakistan's notorious Directorate of Inter-Services Intelligence. England is in turmoil, it's most venerable institution threatened and as time runs out the future is in the hands of a single man.