The Power-house

In a London gathering of veterans and politicians, Leithen begins an astonishing tale of intrigue that never leaves the city, yet quickly ranges to Russia and Central Asia. What starts as Tommy Deloraine's impulsive concern for the missing Charles Pitt-Heron becomes a maze of secret laboratories, diplomatic hints, and dangerous loyalties, all filtered through Leithen's sharp, skeptical mind. Pitt-Heron, once a reckless adventurer, has settled into domestic life only to grow secretive, wealthy, and obsessed with strange scientific work, while his wife Ethel watches anxiously. As Leithen investigates, he uncovers a web linking Pitt-Heron to the formidable Julius Pavia, the secretive Andrew Lumley, a treasure-filled house at Blackheath, a German spy case, and a shadowy figure called Tuke. Clues from courts, brokers, and society circles suggest blackmail, hidden identities, and a journey toward Bokhara through perilous territory. With Tommy already following Pitt-Heron abroad, Leithen presses on alone, increasingly certain that he is being watched as the conspiracy tightens around him. This brisk political adventure blends wit, suspense, and espionage with the thrill of pursuit. This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.