Chapter One Summary

TREASON'S HARBOUR opens as a group of British Navy officers gather off duty in the port city of Valletta. Great Britain and its allies were at war against Napoleon's French government and its territories. Much of the war was waged at sea; on land, espionage was a concern. The country of Malta was experiencing excellent weather, and the scenery was magnificent, yet the officers had difficulty enjoying the scenery. They were accustomed to life on the sea, but the war had left many ships damaged. As the ships were dragged onto land for repairs, the officers were similarly forced into unemployment. They were wasting time and money, in the local ale houses. Fortunately, Malta was a friendly harbor for British soldiers and Navy officers forced to stay awhile.

Captain Aubrey was a captain of the British Navy. He had not just...