The flames in the title are by no means merely symbolic: they are the
real flames of an Andean volcano in wild eruption. And it is in this
hot, insane world of ashes, lava and earthquake that the business
mission of Harold Dunnett, the young audit clerk, comes to sudden
disaster. Sent out by his firm to investigate the suspicious trading
affairs of Senior Muras, Mr. Dunnett, always very careful of his
professional reputation, finds himself being drawn into a human jungle
quite as impenetrable as the steamy jungle that lies outside Amricante.
For one thing, the Amricante politicians are all businessmen, and some
of the businessmen have politicians in their pockets: there is intrigue
and corruption in the air.
The books of the Compania Muras are mysteriously unobtainable:
confidential cables go astray: key witnesses are missing. Mr. Dunnett
himself is cajoled, offered bribes, warned and finally threatened.
Throughout it all, however, he remains the perfect audit clerk, aloof
and immaculate, vainly cabling his employers and writing affectionate
letters to the nice little fiancée whom he left at home in England. Then
Senior Muras himself disappears up country and Mr. Dunnett, faithful in
his purpose, goes in pursuit of him. At this point the local volcano
blows its head off: all communications with the outside world are
sundered. In his desperate pursuit Harold finds himself involved not
only in a local war, but with Carmel Muras, the beautiful daughter of
Senior Muras. Together they experience danger and disaster.
