Piers Prideaux's promising career at an Oxford College is brought to an abrupt end following the intervention of a new master, one Sebastian Slope. It is not quite as simple as that, matters in Oxford never are. In defending himself Prideaux is directly responsible for Slope being sacked, arrested and jailed for fraud. Years later Slope returns to Oxford and it becomes clear that he is bent on revenge. Slope is the leader of a group of dangerous men who are members of a group descended from an ancient Cornish secret society known as the Spriggans. Prideaux is forced to go on the run with his...