Captain Jan Henderson master of the cargo ship Henrietta Anne trading between London and Holland is working with mysterious conspirators (Sir Gregory Fawsitt and Lady Judith Martellon) to smuggle goods from Holland to London. His deck boy, David, falls in love with Judy, a pretty dancer.
When Anthony Loman, an haggard traveler, staggers up the stairs of the tenement house at Bunters Buildings, Judy listens while he is flung to his death. The Magnificent Hoax is a novel of drug-smuggling with yacht cruises to the Orient, Scotland Yard, aristocratic beauties and Londons waterfront.
