The Honourable Richard Rollison (aka 'The Toff') is travelling on a train when the carriage is hit by bullets, and so starts a new adventure with many twists and turns. Behind the mystery is a new substitute for nylon, Silva-Sheen, which Bruce Drayton claims to have invented and the newspapers have splashed the story. However, there are rumours that it was in fact already being manufactured in America. Drayton then vanishes and his girlfriend, Susan Lancaster, seeks the aid of 'The Toff', demanding a quick result, but then ceases to co-operate as she becomes more and more under the influence of the dubious Colonel Horniman. Just where does this leave 'The Toff' and what danger lies in him pursuing the case?