When a major in Air Force Intelligence disappears from New York's Beaumont Hotel, his 11-year-old son comes to hotel-manager Chambrun for help. The boy knows only that his father had knowledge of and "Star Wars and " plans. It soon becomes plain that the major was kidnapped by enemy spies, who try to get young Guy Willis in their clutches as a way to make the major talk. Chambrun guards Guy, resisting even Air Force officials who want to use him as a decoy. Then Chambrun's assistant Betsy Ruysdale also vanishes, there's a bomb scare in the hotel and Chambrun must use some extraordinary outside help in solving the case. As usual the plot is mildly complicated, the pace is stately and readers may spot the villain early, but they won't be disappointed.