' Peter Thornton not interested in oil? That's like Laurence Olivier saying the theatre's a bore.' That's the reaction when Thornton, exhausted after being frozen in Alaska and fried in Australia, resigns from Mogul and turns his back on the world of oil.
Can Stead get his number one troubleshooter to change his mind? Thornton, lying peacefully on a beach in Fiji, says no. Willy Izard , lecturing hippies in California, has his doubts but agrees to try.
Exotic Fiji, peace, and a beautiful girl (of course) are powerful influences on a disillusioned Thornton. But Stead has a few tricks to pull before he will admit defeat.

An important contract can be won in Ceylon. But Mogul's manager there, Henry Burton, does not seem to be trying. Thornton is on his own. He must not only find out why but also take the decisions needed to put things right. Including, if necessary, sacking Burton. His investigations give him an insight into the ways of the country and plenty of surprises-including a powerful astrologer.