No Defense, Complete

The narrative follows Dyck Calhoun, an impulsive young man whose association with Erris Boyne leads to a violent quarrel and the latter’s death, leaving Dyck arrested and facing trial. It traces his imprisonment, the strain on his family ties and a romantic connection with a woman named Sheila, and the interventions of influential figures who seek to shape his fate. Political unrest and a threatened mutiny propel voyages to the West Indies and bring clashes of allegiance and race to the fore. Through letters, legal maneuvers, and shifting loyalties, the plot explores honor, reputation, and the consequences of rash conduct before reaching its resolution.