SEPTEMBER 1939. THE SECOND WORLD WAR HAS BEGUN. Even as the fighting rages in Poland, Stalins long time obsession with the missing treasure of Tsar Nicholas II is rekindled. An informant claims to have information about the whereabouts of the man entrusted by the Tsar with hiding his gold.As the news of the informant reaches Stalin, however, the man is knifed to death. Stalin summons Pekkala to the Kremlin and orders him to solve the murder.