Simon Tregarth, a disgraced American army officer whose black market dealings have unwittingly driven him outside the law and made him into a hunted man, is saved by a mysterious stranger who offers him an escape to a world where his "spirit would be at home." Passing through an ancient gate between worlds, he finds himself in a landscape of moor and heather, belonging to a universe quite different from his own. The idea of time travel, interdimensional gates, and parallel worlds is a favorite device of Andre Norton, and allows her the juxtaposition of the hero's cultural background with an alien civilization. The confrontation adds mystery as well as room for social commentary to her science fiction novels.

At the time of Simon's arrival, a hunt is going on, and the quarry is a young woman. Saving her by using the gun he has carried...