As Napoleon rampages his way across Europe and into Russia, the Church is assisted in its quest to rid the world of unclean things by a mysterious assassin known only as the Hound. By careful maneuvering, bribery, and bon chance, he is able to capture and confine the Prince of Darkness in a hidden fortress where the accused dutifully commits his confessions to a journal which he hopes will find its way into his brother's hands to aid in his rescue. But then matters become worse when it is reported his brother has already been captured and murdered. Who is left to right the wrong? Will anyone be spared so that vengeance can apply its full weight to justice? Or, is anything really as it seems?