Alex Thorne, formerly of the U.S. Secret Service, has been enjoying his retirement by seeing the world. Aboard the 'City of Perking', he saves the life of a fellow passenger by the name of Rudyard Kipling. Thorne is immediately suspicious that the incident that nearly cost Kipling his life was far from accidental. A high regard between the two men leads to friendship. After another attempt on Kipling's life, Thorne proposes to act as guardian for the British author as he tours the American West writing his impressions for the 'Allahabad Pioneer', a popular Indian newspaper. Incidents continue to plague Kipling as he traverses the West. Tension and suspense increase as the attempts at harassment take a sudden turn for the worse when the plan changes: Kipling is to be killed.