Michael Dawson, a gifted twelve year old, is recruited by an old woman neighbour, of Romany stock, to help her solve a family mystery. Aided by his friend, Maxie and Canis, Michael's strange dog, he follows a trail from a nearby wood to 17th century war-torn Europe, where the exploits of a mercenary soldier, from whom the old woman is descended, throws light on the affair. A connection is made between the mercenary and an ancient sect, which results in danger, abduction and death before the mystery is solved.