South of Algiers

Doctor Burnet, a scholar at the British Museum, is obsessed with the legendary Golden Mask of Moloch and a buried tomb in the Algerian desert. He begins organizing an expedition, but funds are lacking to hire an archaeologist. He learns that Nicholas Chapman, a popular author on archaeology, is willing to join for free in exchange for publication rights.

Despite initial doubts about Chapman’s credentials, Burnet agrees to take him along. Chapman sees the trip as a chance to gather material for magazine articles and books. The collaboration promises a mix of scholarly rigor and sensational storytelling.

Petris and his loyal sidekick Kress are secretly aboard the same flight to Algiers, driven by greed to seize the mask. They intend to manipulate events to reach the treasure first. The expedition’s dynamics are suddenly veiled by danger.

In Algiers, Burnet reconnects with his daughter Anne and her boyfriend Jacques, whose father runs the local museum. The pair’s personal history adds tension to the mission. Chapman is attracted to Anne, but she initially resists his forwardness.

The group strolls around the ruins of Carthage, and Anne is moved by Chapman's kindness to local children. The excursion blends archaeology with human interest, highlighting the stakes behind the search. The budding rapport between Chapman and Anne deepens.

That evening, Chapman goes to a nightclub where Kress plies him with drink and introduces him to a sultry belly dancer. He returns to his hotel room to find his belongings ransacked and his maps missing. The incident foreshadows the danger closing in on the expedition.

The Burnet party transfers to camel caravan and traverses the Sahara, facing windstorms and assaults by hostile nomads. The journey tests their endurance and solidarity as they push toward the tombs. The desert’s vastness mirrors the peril surrounding the quest.

They locate the secret tombs and begin excavation, but a roof collapses, forcing a perilous escape. The collapse underscores the danger of disturbing ancient sites and heightens the sense of doom. The group narrowly survives the setback.

Petris and Kress reveal themselves at the tomb, force Chapman to disclose the tomb’s location, and plot to kill Burnet and the others to claim the mask. The villains’ conspiracy intensifies the stakes and tests the group’s trust. The atmosphere grows increasingly febrile.

Chapman proves to be more capable than expected, foiling the plan and protecting the expedition. Petris and Kress are dealt with, and the group regains its balance. Burnet begins to acknowledge Chapman's credentials and leadership.

With the danger gone, the Golden Mask is recovered and Burnet decides to transfer it safely to London. Anne finally admits she loves Chapman, while Jacques supports their pairing. The expedition ends with renewed purpose and a sense of moral responsibility over the artifact.

Burnet completes arrangements to move the mask securely to London, ensuring its preservation and scholarly study. The adventure ends on a note of cautious optimism, balancing scholarly duty with the thrill of discovery.