The story in one page
Exiled French nobleman the Duc de Souspennier abandons his estate and identity, re-emerging in New York as the cosmopolitan Mr. Sabin. Surrounded by ambitious politicians like Mr. Brott and volatile aristocrats like the Prince of Saxe Leinitzer, he finds his attempts at a fresh start repeatedly compromised by the machinations of a shadowy, aristocratic secret society known as the Order. When a loyal servant is murdered, police and government agents circle, forcing Sabin to navigate a web of social rivalries and high-stakes political maneuvering until the Emperor himself intervenes to crush the organization, leaving Sabin free at last.
Who's who
- Mr. Sabin
A dispossessed Duke navigating political exile under a new name.
- Prince of Saxe Leinitzer
A manipulative aristocrat and Sabin's primary political adversary.
- Lucille
A companion of Sabin caught in the web of intrigue.
- Mr. Brott
An ambitious statesman and future Prime Minister with secret motives.
- The Emperor
A sovereign who ultimately dismantles the Order to restore order.
What it's really about
- Identity
- Characters frequently discard names and roles for strategic advantage.
- Political Entanglement
- The boundaries between diplomacy and secret operations remain blurred.
Why it's memorable
- A man sits motionless for twenty-four hours in a darkened room.
- The burning of a letter that marks the end of a hidden cabal.
The ending, explained
Spoilers — show the ending
The Emperor confirms the Prince has fled the country and the Order has been officially dissolved. Sabin reunites with Lucille, finally free to decide his own future.
For your book club
- The narrative relies heavily on social status as a survival mechanism.
- Personal loyalties frequently clash with the requirements of secret political agendas.