On the eve of World War II, the Saint is in Vienna, where his attentions are divided between a sensuous countess and some legendary diamonds - both of which he is trying to keep out of Nazi hands. Leslie Charteris was born in Singapore and moved to England in 1919. He left Cambridge University early when his first novel was accepted for publication. He wrote novels about the Saint throughout his life, becoming one of the 20th century's most prolific and popular authors.