The action takes place during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1879. Varia Suvorova, a young Russian, intrepid and a feminist ahead of her time, has decided to join the Russian front to find her fiancé Petya, an officer. Her escort having stolen her luggage and money, she finds herself destitute in an unwelcoming Bulgarian inn. There she meets Erast Petrovich Fandorin, a detective advisor in the service of the Russian State. Together they join the camp where Petya is. We then learn that a telegram from the General Staff has been modified to allow the enemy to gain time. Petya is accused of this maneuver and arrested. Fandorin is not convinced of his responsibility…
