The British spy, named Andy Osnard, quickly realizes that the tailor, Harry Pendel, is not who he appears to be. Pendel is a former convict who has reinvented himself as a skilled tailor with an impeccable reputation in Panama City. However, he is also deeply in debt and entangled in a web of lies and deception.
As Osnard pressures Pendel for information about the President's plans for the Panama Canal, Pendel begins to fabricate stories to please his new British handler. These fabricated stories quickly escalate out of control, sparking a series of events that put both men in danger.
Meanwhile, Pendel's wife, Louisa, becomes suspicious of her husband's sudden influx of money and secretive behavior. She begins to investigate his activities and uncovers his connections to Osnard and the British government.
As tensions rise and the truth threatens to come to light, Osnard and Pendel must navigate a dangerous game of espionage, betrayal, and deceit in order to uncover the President's intentions for the Panama Canal and save themselves from the consequences of their actions.