A ten-year-old German immigrant comes of age in the town of La Porte, Indiana, in the early years of the 20th century. In his youth, Carl develops his talents as a blacksmith. His ability to visualize solutions leads him to become part of key development teams at the Rumely Company and, later, at Allis-Chalmers. Regrettably, his expertise at work is weighed against alcoholism and some bad choices. Looming over his weakness for drink is a German spy ring specifically targeting Carl to obtain plans for a secret project under development for the impending war. Unfortunately, Carl becomes embroiled in a situation which makes him appear to be a Nazi spy to his co-workers. In the events that follow, Carl is placed in grave danger while his past comes flashing back to him. The setting in La Porte treats the reader to some historical background of the town, including the Rumely Company and the Allis-Chalmers Corporation. With the backdrop of the imminent outbreak of World War II, the reader is given a glimpse into the actual German Duquense Spy Ring that infiltrated the United States at that time.