The narrative follows a clergyman, Charles Meade, who seeks the help of a forensic expert, Dr. Thorndyke, regarding threats made against his fiancée, Millicent Fawcett. Millicent, a charitable woman, is the sole heir to her late father's estate, which has caused resentment in her step-brother, William Ponting. He has been demanding a larger share of her inheritance, leading to threats against her. Thorndyke and his assistant, Jervis, accompany Meade to Millicent's home, only to discover her dead, with evidence suggesting murder rather than suicide. The scene reveals a struggle, with a bloody carpet and a razor in her hand, raising immediate suspicions. Thorndyke deduces that the nature of the wounds and the positioning of the body indicate she was murdered, not that she took her own life. As they investigate, they find clues, including a footprint and strands of fabric caught on a fence, suggesting the involvement of more than one person. The investigation leads them to the Barnetts, Millicent's cousins, who have a motive to eliminate her due to their financial interests in her will. The Barnetts initially provide an alibi, claiming they were practicing music when the murder occurred. However, Thorndyke suspects their alibi is fabricated using a phonograph to create a false sound of music. He cleverly uses the phonograph to expose their deception, revealing that they were indeed involved in Millicent's murder. The climax occurs when Thorndyke confronts the Barnetts with the evidence, leading to their arrest. The narrative concludes with the Barnetts being tried for the crime, highlighting the consequences of their greed and the effectiveness of Thorndyke's investigative methods. The story emphasizes themes of justice, the complexity of human motives, and the importance of thorough forensic investigation.
By R. Austin Freeman · First published 1930 · Genre: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Crime