The narrative follows a private investigator who becomes embroiled in a complex case involving stolen pearls, a dead ex-convict, and a series of dangerous characters. The protagonist, while initially enjoying a quiet day in his office, is approached by Kathy Home, a former policewoman, who presents a lead on the Leander pearls, stolen years ago during a mail heist. She reveals that a man named Wally Sype, who served time for the crime, may have hidden the pearls before his release. Kathy's information leads the investigator to Peeler Mardo, Sype's former cellmate, who is now a drug addict. The investigator learns that Peeler has been talking in his sleep about the pearls, but before he can gather more information, Peeler is found dead in his room, tortured for information about the pearls. The investigator suspects foul play and begins to dig deeper into the case. As he navigates through a web of deceit, he encounters various characters, including Rush Madder, a shyster lawyer, and Carol Donovan, a dangerous woman who is also after the pearls. The investigator realizes that the stakes are higher than he initially thought, as he uncovers a conspiracy involving multiple parties who are willing to kill for the pearls. The investigation leads him to Westport, where he finds Sype living a quiet life with his wife, Hattie. The investigator confronts Sype, who insists he no longer possesses the pearls, claiming they were lost. However, the investigator's suspicions grow, especially after discovering that Sype has been hiding something in his fish tanks. In a tense climax, the investigator uncovers the truth about the pearls, which Sype had hidden inside the fish he cared for. The story culminates in a violent confrontation involving Madder, Donovan, and Sype, leading to multiple deaths and the eventual recovery of the pearls. Ultimately, the investigator is left to navigate the moral complexities of his findings, as he must decide what to do with the pearls and how to handle the aftermath of the violence that has unfolded. The narrative explores themes of greed, betrayal, and the consequences of past actions, all set against a backdrop of noir-style intrigue and danger.
By Raymond Chandler · First published 1936 · Genre: Crime Fiction, Noir, Mystery · 12 chapters