1919. Major Arthur Winslow of the Norfolk Regiment travels to Turkey to investigate the mysterious disappearance of an English battalion. His appointment is no coincidence—the Order of the Ruby Rose and Golden Cross gives the major the opportunity to return to the British Lodge of the Guardians. From the other side of the world, Chicago gangster Handsome makes his way to Constantinople, hired by the American Hunters. He is to set off in pursuit of strange objects. Chance brings the gangster and the soldier together on the Orient Express, and from that point on they will hunt for animal figurines together. Bustling Istanbul, a Crimea ablaze with Civil War, a Moscow gripped by famine, bullets from Turkish nationalists, and of course love await them.