The story revolves around a wealthy French aristocrat, Monsieur de Vilonne, who is murdered in his mansion. The main suspect is his nephew, Henri de Vilonne, who stands to gain a large inheritance from his uncle's death. However, the investigation reveals that several people had motives to kill Monsieur de Vilonne, including his wife, his mistress, and his business partner. As the police dig deeper, they uncover a complex web of deceit, blackmail, and hidden relationships that lead them closer to the killer.
By Emile Gaboriau · First published 1874 · Genre: Detective Fiction, Mystery, Crime Fiction · 44 chapters