The narrative opens as two German agents - von Bork and von Herling - stand talking outside an English country house. The two men discuss the positions of the United Kingdom and Germany relative to the impending First World War. Von Bork talks about an Irish-American man called Altamont whom he employs as an informer against the British. Altamont is supposed to be bringing an important dossier to von Bork that evening. Once von Bork receives it he intends to leave England.