A loose adaptation of the novel "The Adventures of Hiram Holliday" (1939), lacking the political themes of the novel. Hiram Holliday is initially depicted in the series as a newspaper proofreader. His minor correction of a news story unwittingly protected the newspaper publisher from paying a fortune in reparations, so the grateful publisher agrees to finance Hiram's trip around the world. Hiram had spend years practicing physical combat, shooting, rock climbing, scuba diving and other survival skills in his private time. He decides to put his skills in use as a crime-fighter and spy-catcher while visiting a series of exotic locations.