Two ardent men arrange a sophisticated duel for the love of the beautiful Shizuko Hatayanagi. Both duelists manage to avoid death, but the mature gentleman Michihiko Okada, who survived only thanks to the mercy of young Fusao Mitani, cannot stand the shame and takes his own life. This tragic incident begins a chain of heinous crimes that will place a painful burden on Shizuko's once prosperous family. But who is behind all the atrocities? A mysterious ill-wisher who harbors a grudge against Lady Hatayanagi? Or is the Vampire an ugly monster without lips who inexplicably entered Shizuko's house?.. Edogawa Rampo is the first Japanese writer who devoted his entire work to the detective genre. In his homeland, he is known not only as an author, but also as a literary critic, the founder of the Detective Writers Association and the founder of an award for authors of detective works. Edogawa Rampo was also awarded the Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon and other government awards.