Young Matt Batchelor is ambitious but penniless. He is learning so much from his employer, Doctor Erasmus Darwin, but will it be enough? The Doctor's friends in the Lunar Society have made their way to positions of power and influence yet some of them began life as poor men. Matt is determined to follow their example. Just as Matt's fortunes seem to be looking up his African friend Scipio mysteriously disappears. Matt is determined to find him whatever it takes and he and Will Ward from the local newspaper set off on a search that leads them into unexpected danger.