Superintendent Battle, whose police work involves investigating crimes with a subtle political background, is back in action! He will have to investigate a “purely English murder” committed with a rod from the fireplace grate... “... Sinking into a chair in front of the fireplace, Mr. Travis moved the tray of letters towards him. Mentally, he still continued to develop the topic he had briefly outlined at the club. “Perhaps it was precisely now, Mr. Travis thought, there is some drama... some murder in the making. If I were to write one of those entertaining stories about a bloody crime, I would certainly begin with the fact that an elderly gentleman was sitting in front of the fireplace and opening his mail ... approaching, unbeknownst to himself, that very zero point ... "Having cut the envelope, he took out the letter and absentmindedly looked at the scribbled piece of paper. Suddenly the expression on his face changed. It was as if he had returned from a fantasy world to the real world. “Oh God,” said Mr. Travis. - What a shame! What exceptionally unpleasant news! After so many years!.. Yes, I will have to change all my plans. ..."