The story centres around Jane Barnaby, her possible father Patrick Reilly, her friend Li Sung and Ruel and Ian MacClaren. Initally Jane has to convince Patrick to bring her and Li Sung with him away from her near certain life as a prostitute, like her recently deceased mother.
She becomes a railway engineer helping Patrick and eventually becoming the brains behind Patrick as he loses himself into drink. When they meet with Ruel and Ian in India they find themselves thrown together. Ruel and Jane are quite attracted to each other and find themselves helping each other.

The characters are quite interesting, the situations are occasionally a little far-fetched with some minor anachronisms. A fun read, light and diverting. ( )