On a riverboat in China, a pirate holds a young Englishman captive, Gregory Ballaston. He defiled an ancient temple, and stole two mysterious idols which may contain a hidden treasure. One of the idols represents the Body, and all of the corruption and evil of Mankind, the other represents the Soul, and all that is good. Ballaston has stolen the idols to bring back to England, where his noble fami...