Ted Bunpole proposes, and Betty Haverhill says no. But Ted won't take "no" for an answer, and the situation gets tiresome. Betty books passage to Europe by freighter.
The Garda departs San Francisco for Italy, via the Panama Canal. Passengers include the intellectual Alex Cato and his wife Ora; Nello di Prieri, whose father is a Marquis; plump Harry Mayberry, owner of a dry-cleaning plant in Oakland-and the formidable, cigar-smoking Mik Finsch, a Dutchman recently from El Salvador.
And who but the dogged Ted Bunpole-following Betty despite her clear wishes? In desperation, Betty flirts with Mik Finsch; Ted loses his head, and sinister events follow.
In San Salvador, Betty witnesses a killing. With the Garda back at sea, the killer is on the ship-and her life is in danger...
But Betty is no pushover.
