By fate, barrister Klim Ardashev ends up in Pyatigorsk, where he must not only unmask the gang of the treacherous Caucasian Zelimhan and find the “black gold,” but also uncover a mystical secret hidden in correspondence from the ancient fathers of the Church. This secret could prevent a world war! Ardashev, as usual, has in his hands information far too valuable. So valuable that the barrister’s life hangs by a thread…