Nevil Shute's second novel joins a romantic theme to a masterly story of adventure in the air during the uneasy peace between the wars.
Peter Moran, agent to Lord Arner, stops his car one rainswept night on the Sussex Downs to give an unwanted lift. His passenger turns out to be Maurice Lenden, an old war-time comrade, who has just crash landed a high speed french bomber.
Caught up in the ploys of espionage, Moran finds himself trapped between loyalties as treason and intrigue lead him to a desperate chase across Europe.

The whole thing was impossible, sheer madness to attempt. He must be sensible and put it from his mind. It would be damn good fun...

Already wealthy, Henry Warren would go on making more money, it was now his sole interest...but what was the use in working only for himself? Then he found a woman with faith in the future ... a town that needed to regain its self respect ... a new purpose in living. To try and make a dream come true, Henry risked his fortune ... his reputation ... and his freedom.