The Third Hour

A reckless Spanish adventurer and a British workingman join forces in a dangerous hunt for hidden treasure

By the age of twenty-seven, Manuel Vargas has already lived more than most men. A restless adventurer and world traveler, he has journeyed far from his home in Spain, and now fate and tragedy have deposited him into the ranks of the Mexican revolutionary army. But when he discovers that a passenger train he and his fellow rebel confederates have blown off the tracks is carrying a fortune in gold, his life takes yet another strange turn.

Meanwhile, in London, a traveling salesman named Toby plies his ordinary trade, unaware of what destiny has in store for him. When Vargas and Toby cross paths, two very different men will be united by their wild desires and dreams as they set off together on a perilous quest for treasure that could be their salvation—or their doom.

In the decade preceding the Second World War, the remarkable Geoffrey Household
had already won praise far and wide for his ability to add rare depth and intelligence to the classic thriller. Thoughtful and unforgettable, filled with unexpected turns and richly drawn characters, The Third Hour is a masterful demonstration of everything that a suspenseful and deeply human adventure novel can be.