 When no word is received from the agents, Phillip Calvert (who narrates the story) and Hunslett are sent to investigate.They manage to track the latest hijacked ship – the "Nantesville", carrying £8 million in gold bullion – to the Scottish Highlands and the sleepy port town of Torbay on the Island of Torbay (patterned after Tobermory, on the Isle of Mull).Under cover of being marine biologists on a UNESCO project, they travel in the Firecrest, an outwardly normal but very specially equipped motor launch.