England 1851; Queen Victoria is on the throne; the year of the ‘Great Exhibition’, and the building of Kings Cross Railway Station. ‘Big Ben’ hasn’t been constructed, and London is filled with poor, and destitute souls, living in the filth of the slums.John Pitt is a twenty-six-year-old single man, living in Oxford, England, with his mother, and two sisters. He has graduated from the University with a degree in Natural Sciences. After travelling through Africa, he sets out to write a book about how man has evolved into what he believes to be superior intelligence.When his grandfather’s pocket watch is discovered, it shows him a similarity between primitive man, and modern man, but John Pitt is searching for the truth, where ever it may lead him.He accepts a wager from his publisher who doesn’t agree with his findings, and makes a trip to London. Circumstances force him to leave London before he can return to Oxford, and he finds himself on an unplanned journey to Australia. On his arrival, he disembarks in Victoria, the main hub of the gold rush.He meets Piper Wilson, a merchant, who has made his fortune in the colony, and earns enough money to continue his research. Before leaving Melbourne, John Pitt tries to solve a murder; the mystery of the green button which he finds puzzling.After contacting his family in Oxford, John’s mother sends him his grandfather’s watch, and he discovers, ‘Tears from the Past’.Can he solve a riddle that’s plagued the colony for over 50 years? Can his intelligence and education ensure his survival? And will he eventually return to England, and his family.