A young priest, Georgy Velyaminov, was killed in the courtyard of his own country house. He did not conduct missionary activities and was known only to a narrow circle of parishioners. Who could Father George interfere with? Orest Volin tries to find the answer to this question and begins to investigate the crime. Meanwhile, General Vorontsov is deciphering a new portion of Nestor Zagorsky’s diaries. This time they are connected with the events of 1904–1905. The Russo-Japanese War is in full swing. Nestor Zagorsky uncovers a spy network in St. Petersburg, led by Japanese citizen Kenzo Kamakura. Kamakura is arrested. During further investigation, curious details emerge that indicate Kamakura's connection with a representative of the Polish Socialist Party, Captain Szymanski, who possesses secret information that could cause enormous damage to Russia. Shimansky flees St. Petersburg. Zagorsky and Ganzalin set off to search for him.