This is an epic ballad, set against the background of "The Arabian Nights," at an unspecified time in the past. The themes are ones of young men's folly, greed, adventure, crime and punishment.

The story is told by an old man who arrives at a cottage somewhere in the British Isles and asks for a bed for the night. He brings the young host a leather pouch with a magnificent "ruby from Trinkamalee." He and three young friends set out some 35 years earlier to see the world and find riches to bring home to their brides.

Somewhere in the Middle East, they plotted to break into the palace of the Sultan of Trinkamalee, but are discovered and captured by the guards. Focus is placed on the 7 year-old son of the Sultan who becomes enchanted with stories he overhears of their wild and free earlier lives. He plots to release them and escape with them: he fails; they get away.

Before the young host has a chance to learn the identity of his visitor, the old man dies in the night. He suspects, however, that the old man is the father he never knew.

There are 32 pages in this book. This is a picture book. A picture book uses pictures and text to tell the story. The number of words varies from zero ('wordless') to around 1k over 32 pages. Picture books are typically aimed at young readers (age 3-6) but can also be aimed at older children (7+). This book was published 2000 by Annick Press Ltd .

Annouchka Galouchko's artwork has appeared in numerous books for children, magazines, and other publications. She lives in Montreal.