A scientist, Dr. True, has developed a process for extracting gold from seawater. He dies just as he is performing a demonstration for Solo and Kuryakin. His death has been arranged by Thrush. However, Dr. True has scattered his formula to "the four winds" -- stepdaughters he has around the world. Both UNCLE and Thrush pursue the formula. As part I ends, Solo, Kuryakin and Sandy, Dr. True's natural daughter, are left tied up in an UNCLE plane by Thrush operatives. The Thrushman parachute to safety as the UNCLE plane flies on with no one at the controls.