Robberies from a Melbourne judge's house point to the guilt of his dandy nephew recently arrived from England. Detective Sinclair's enquiries gradually uncover the kidnap of the nephew by disowned and dishonest cousins in Adelaide determined on revenge on the uncle they judged to have abandoned their father in his hour of need. A woman disguised as the male cousin on revenge and her escape together with her brother just as the kidnapped cousin, escaped from Adelaide, appears in Melbourne follows an attempt to disfigure the judge's daughter. A "Wicked and curious woman's letter" announces their intention. The cousins flee to South America, "the land in which is being founded a New Australia." (PB)