What is it like to be captured by dangerous mercenaries in an African civil war? Willy Izard finds out the hard way when he replaces Thornton on a trip to Ebon.
Mogul's frantic efforts to free him centre on Jane Webb, Stead's former secretary (Philippa Gail), and her husband - a mercenary officer played by John Barcroft, best known for his performance as George Forsyte in "The Forsyte Saga".

In the desert, water can be just as valuable as oil - and as explosive, as Peter Thornton finds out to his cost.