Aristide Valentin, head of the Paris Police, is on the trail of the world's most famous criminal, Flambeau, who is a master of disguise, and may appear to be anyone, except for the one fact he cannot conceal, he is six feet four inches tall. He has reason to suspect that the arch-criminal is going to London, to attend the international conference of clergymen, and possibly steal one of the precious religious articles on display there. On the train ride from Paris to London, where he believes Flambeau to be hiding, Valentin encounters a little country Catholic priest.
