While smuggling aristocrats out of France, Andrew and Richard are pursued by Chauvelin's agents. Andrew is shot and wounded, and Richard is forced to leave him behind. Sir Percy must return to Paris to find Andrew and get him out of the country, a task complicated by the fact that Percy doesn't know where Andrew is and Chauvelin has his agents out looking for Andrew, too.

The Abbey of Nanterre has been plundered by Chauvelin, and many of its monks lie dead. Sir Percy decides to rescue the remaining monks, including the Father Guardian, who Percy discovers to be quite a handful.