Peter Willems, befriended by Captain Lingard, occupies a position of trust with merchant Hudig in a Far East port. When he is discovered stealing he is sacked, but he pretends to commit suicide and Captain Lingard agrees to take him to a secret trading post, run by a man called Almayer. But Willems is soon bored, and hates Almayer who will not give him a share in the running of the post.
