Eleanor must seek employment now that her parents and most of her siblings are killed by Scarlet Fever. Her new job takes her to New Zealand, and she meets a kindred spirit on the ship taking them to the new colony. Her hopes of a future with her new love are dashed when they must disembark at different ports 500 miles and a deep channel apart. The transport available in 1900 in the new country makes this an almost insurmountable challenge. When Eleanor's employer is elected to parliament, her hopes are revived as this takes her to Wellington, where John has joined the police force. A murder and misunderstandings intervene between them and it is not until Eleanor devises a risky trap and then takes part herself in the proceedings that all can be resolved.