In a London club known for its genial atmosphere, a group of men share curious and eerie stories. Among them is a guest, Varden, a former athlete turned actor, who recounts a strange encounter from his past involving a sculptor named Eric P. Loder. Varden had visited Loder in New York, where he was captivated by the sculptor's talent and his beautiful mistress, Maria Morano. Loder, however, was possessive and eccentric, often fixating on his art and the women in his life. During Varden's stay, he becomes increasingly uncomfortable with Loder's behavior, particularly his obsession with Maria and his unsettling artistic practices. One night, Varden encounters a mysterious young man who warns him that Loder harbors a grudge against him, believing Varden was involved with Maria. The young man reveals that Loder has created a life-sized silver figure of Maria, but with a sinister twist: it contains a hollow arm with a human bone inside. Frightened, Varden escapes Loder's house, leaving behind his belongings. He later learns that Loder died under mysterious circumstances, with reports suggesting he fell into a vat of cyanide and copper while working on his electroplating. The story unfolds further as Lord Peter Wimsey, a member of the club, reveals his own investigation into Loder's death. He had suspected foul play and discovered that Loder intended to replace Varden with a counterfeit version of himself to escape to Australia. Wimsey's investigation leads him to uncover Loder's dark intentions, including the use of Varden's identity for his own escape. In a dramatic confrontation, Loder dies in his workshop, electrocuted while attempting to destroy evidence of his crimes. Wimsey and his assistant Bunter cover up the incident, ensuring that Loder's death appears accidental. The narrative explores themes of obsession, identity, and the macabre intersection of art and death, culminating in a chilling revelation about the lengths to which Loder would go to preserve his twisted vision of beauty. The story concludes with Wimsey's decision to bury the silver figure, symbolizing the end of Loder's dark legacy.
By Dorothy L Sayers · First published 1937 · Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Crime