Sir Edward Leithen and his friends Lord Lamancha, Palliser-Yeates, and Archie Roylance are bored of life. After Leithen's doctor recommends a hearty adventure, they set out to Scotland for a season of shooting--on other people's grounds. Determined that being a gentleman poacher who gives notice to the one being poached from will be the adventure they need, Leithen and company embark on an adventure that has a bit more at stake than they realized. - Summary by AdeledePignerolles