A radio play in twelve parts by Peter Cresswell founded on the novel 'Romance' by Joseph Conrad and F. M. Hueffer
with Ronald Sidney. Frank Atkinson, Jack Shaw, Arthur Gross, Bryan Powley, and Ella Milne
Production by Frederick Bradnum

Young John Kemp has his first glimpse of the great world beyond the small estate in Kent where he was born. when his neighbour and cousin Sir Ralph Rooksby, engaged to marry John's sister Veronica, is visited by their Spanish kinsman Don Carlos Riego. The latter has a mysterious servant, Tomas Castro, who, when serving with Napoleon's Spanish Contingent in the Peninsular War, had had his right arm amputated and replaced by a blade. The time comes when these two ride to Liverpool where Carlos is to take ship, having been sent for by his aged uncle Don Balthasar Riego, a very great nobleman. A chance encounter on the dockside leads to an accusation of theft against Castro and with the Bow Street Runners in hot pursuit Carlos and Castro are forced to return and hide in Rooksby's barn. Rooksby arranges for them to be smuggled aboard the Thamar bound for Jamaica, but in helping them to escape John Kemp himself becomes embroiled and is forced to go with them.