In this political thriller, based on the novel by Morris West, Italian investigator Dante Matucci (Franco Nero) looks into a string of murders with one thing in common-a card with a picture of a salamander on it left at each crime scene. Joined by Bruno Manzini (Anthony Quinn), a wealthy industrialist who hunts down war criminals, Matucci uncovers a neo-fascist plot to topple Italy's government.