Plot Summary

Wellington is preparing for his push into France from Spain. A Spanish partisan leader offers to exchange 52 British deserters he has captured for 50 rifles, a deal Wellington agrees to. Sharpe is given command of the party that will make the exchange. With him is a contingent of provosts, lead by an officer that Sharpe detests. A cousin of Wellington, with her daughter, is looking for her husband who went missing in the vicinity, searching for Aztec treasure.