The anarchists, led by Carole Cox and Abel Simmons, demand the release of five of their compatriots from prison, where they have been gaoled for detonating a bomb that killed two policemen.

Malone, accompanied by Detective Jefferson, goes to see Padua and forces him with threats to reveal who he is working for – Mafia leader Don Auguste Giuffre.

Giuffre, who is keen to see the Italian Forte win the election, gives Malone and Jefferson some valuable clues that help them figure out the identity of the head kidnapper.

"[2] The film rights were bought by Lewis Gilbert, who ultimately did not end up making a movie – according to Cleary, this was due in part to opposition from the office of John Lindsay, then Mayor of New York.

[3] Despite the success of the novel, Cleary did not want to be trapped into writing Scobie Malone adventures so there was a fourteen-year break before the character reappeared in Dragons at the Party.