Charles Lenox, gentleman and former amateur detective, is now a prominent Member of the House of Commons. When selected to make the opening speech at the next session of Parliament, he takes up an offer to spend some time at his uncle’s estate in Somerset. Although Lenox expected to find a few quietweeks to prepare his speech, instead he finds a bizarre case of vandalism in the quietvillage, and the murder of a local constable. Lenox investigates and finds that the situation is far more complex and sinister than it first appeared.