A dramatic account of the 1875 attempt to steal the 16th president's body describes how a counterfeiting ring plotted to ransom Lincoln's body to secure the release of their imprisoned ringleader and how a fledgling Secret Service and an undercover agent conducted a daring election-night sting operation.

Prologue : midnight escape -- The operative -- The pull -- Coney Men vs. the Secret Service -- Big Jim -- First try -- Boodle game -- Prince of ropers -- The trap -- Last details -- Overnight train -- Election Day -- Night at the monument -- Devilish work -- Search begins -- Back to the hub -- Gathering evidence -- Compromise verdict -- Epilogue : final resting place? -- Body snatcher bonus section.