Who in the world has not tried the famous “Riga Balsam” - a wonderful ancient drink that gives people vigor and health? But this balm is almost 270 years old! As legend has it, in 1789 the drink was offered as medicine to the Russian Empress Catherine II. Having appreciated the healing properties of the balm, Catherine II granted its author, the Riga pharmacist Kunze, the privilege of production. However, the history of the balm also had its share of dark pages. There have been attempts to steal, buy, and reproduce the recipe for its preparation more than once. Another attempt occurred at the very beginning of the 19th century, when quiet and decent Riga was disturbed by a series of strange and sinister deaths. And it was up to the young adviser to the Riga governor, the future famous fabulist Ivan Krylov, nicknamed Malikulmulk, to unravel this matter.