A private detective receives a letter from a man named Fred Lacey, requesting urgent and confidential assistance in Puma Point, California. Upon arrival, the detective finds Lacey's cabin and discovers a dead body, identified as Frederick Shield Lacey, with a gun nearby. Shortly after, he is confronted by a small man with a gun who attempts to rob him. The detective is knocked unconscious, and when he regains consciousness, he finds that the body has been moved. The detective learns that Lacey's wife, Mrs. Lacey, is waiting for her husband to return. She reveals that Lacey had been involved in a counterfeit money scheme, having received a report about counterfeit ten-dollar bills. The detective suspects that Lacey's disappearance is linked to this scheme and that he may have been murdered to cover it up. As the investigation unfolds, the detective encounters various characters, including a cashier named Weber, who is later found dead in the detective's hotel room. The detective suspects that Weber was involved in the counterfeit operation and that he was killed to silence him. The plot thickens as the detective discovers that Lacey's wife may have been aware of her husband's dealings and that she is being watched by dangerous individuals. The story culminates in a confrontation with Frank Luders, a key player in the counterfeit operation, who is revealed to have orchestrated the events leading to Lacey's death. The detective and the sheriff confront Luders in a cabin where they find evidence of the counterfeit operation. In a tense standoff, Luders ultimately takes his own life, leaving the detective and the sheriff to deal with the aftermath. Throughout the narrative, themes of deception, betrayal, and the consequences of crime are explored, as the detective navigates a web of lies and danger in the pursuit of justice. The story concludes with the detective reflecting on the violence and moral ambiguity surrounding the case, highlighting the complexities of human nature and the impact of crime on individuals and communities.
By Raymond Chandler · First published 1941 · Genre: Mystery, Crime Fiction, Thriller · 14 chapters