The story revolves around the Hadlow family, particularly Sir Robert Hadlow, a wealthy and scholarly baronet, and his wife, Lady Sarah. The narrative begins with Sir Robert saving a young woman, Rhoda Pembury, from a bicycle accident. Rhoda is taken into the Hadlow household to recover, and during her stay, she becomes infatuated with Sir Robert, who is engaged to Lady Sarah, a beautiful but frivolous woman. As the story unfolds, Rhoda becomes aware of the strained relationship between Sir Robert and Lady Sarah, who is more interested in the company of Jack Rotherfield, Sir Robert's ward. Rhoda observes a flirtation between Lady Sarah and Jack, which causes her concern for Sir Robert's happiness. The plot thickens with the mysterious death of the Hadlow's butler, Langton, which is initially attributed to a burglary gone wrong. Rhoda, who was present in the house on the night of the murder, harbors suspicions about Jack's involvement, especially after noticing a scar on his hand that matches a wound she saw on the night of the incident. Years later, Rhoda returns to the Hadlow household as a companion to Sir Robert's son, Caryl. She discovers that the tensions and secrets within the family have only deepened. Sir Robert remains oblivious to the true nature of his wife's relationship with Jack, while Lady Sarah continues her flirtation with him. The story reaches a climax when a valuable painting is stolen from Sir Robert's collection. Rhoda, suspecting Jack and Lady Sarah's involvement, manages to recover the painting but is torn about revealing the truth to Sir Robert, fearing the consequences for the family. Ultimately, Rhoda's presence and influence lead Sir Robert to realize the extent of his wife's betrayal. The narrative explores themes of loyalty, deception, and the complexities of human relationships, culminating in a resolution that sees Sir Robert confronting the truth about his wife and ward, while Rhoda's steadfastness and integrity shine through.
By Florence Warden · First published 1927 · Genre: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Historical Mystery · 20 chapters