After fleeing his home in a small, politically dangerous Latin American country, Dr. Eduardo Plarr sets out for a new life. The British Consul Charley Fortnum, an agent in Latin America working to prevent a revolution, is one of several characters Harry meets along the route. In addition, he has a history of drinking with remorse. After meeting Clara, he falls in love with her, but there is a problem: Clara is married to Charley and he can't be with her.