John Briggs, an Englishman employed as a chauffeur to a member of the Russian nobility, is forced to escape Russia during the Bolshevik revolution. He comes across the dead body of a Russian officer identified as Alexis Triona, and finds a diary on the body that details his exciting adventures among the Bolsheviks. Upon his return to England, Briggs continues to work as a chauffeur while trying to become a writer, but his manuscripts are rejected by every publisher he sends them to. He decides to use some of the stories he found in Triona’s diary. This time publishers are much more receptive, and “his” stories become best-sellers. In order to keep up the charade, he passes himself off as the real Triona. Complications ensue.