One by one they left London; their reasons various, their destination the same: Romney Marsh. First to leave was a Mr James Bone, better known as Gentleman James, Highwayman-and ally of the mysterious smuggler called the Scarecrow. Close behind: Lord Cullingford. Foolish, foppish Lord Cullingford, desperate with debt, determined to earn the reward due to the man who brought the Scarecrow to justice. On Dover Stage: Captain Bully' Foulkes who had boasted and wagered publicly that he was the man to catch the Scarecrow. And travelling with him by chance, Doctor Syn, Vicar of Dymchurch, much regarded as a clergyman-and with some most unclerical distinctions. Soon their paths would cross, and the meetings would be unhappy for some.