In 1886 London, a sex shop owner is paid by the Russian embassy to spy on a dangerous anarchist cell. Summoned to the Embassy, he is given a mission: orchestrate a bombing that will be blamed on the anarchists and provoke a crackdown by the British.

Verloc, unable to persuade his anarchist comrades to help, sets his sights on Winnie's younger brother Stevie as his accomplice in the bombing. The Professor makes his own move on Chief Inspector Heat.