The Novel Begins With Jack Knox A Young And Ambitious Lawyer Who Is Hired By The Wealthy And Eccentric Businessman Horace Armstrong To Investigate A Mysterious Break-In At His Home Known As The White Cat. The Break-In Involves The Theft Of Some Valuable Papers From Armstrong'S Safe. Jack'S Investigations Lead Him To The Beautiful And Enigmatic Miss Jane Ogden Who Lives Nearby And Is Rumored To Be Involved In The Case. As Jack Delves Deeper Into The Mystery He Discovers That Miss Ogden Is Not Who She Appears To Be. She Is Actually Madame Alta A Notorious Criminal Mastermind Who Is Using Her Beauty And Charm To Manipulate Those Around Her. Jack Finds Himself Falling Under Her Spell Even As He Becomes Increasingly Suspicious Of Her Involvement In The Theft. Meanwhile Jack'S Friend And Fellow Lawyer Billy Becomes Romantically Involved With A Young Woman Named Rachel Who Is Also Connected To The Case. Together Jack And Billy Uncover A Complex Conspiracy Involving Blackmail Betrayal And Murder.