Taking place during the period between the occupation of Paris by the Germans in June 1940, and their invasion of Russia a year later. Nicholas Jenkins -now in his mid-thirties and still a second-lieutenant - is posted to a Divisional Headquarters as assistant to Widmerpool, a major on the staff. Jenkin's old friend Stringham finds himself in this particular Headquarters too, although under less favourable circumstances. A rather sinister side of Widmerpool appears as he surreptitiously meddles with the fate of others.