Late in the evening while on duty, the constable discovers the body of a local rich man, Vereker, stabbed to death with a knife. But who could have committed a brutal crime in the patriarchal village of Ashley Greene? The eccentric socialite is Vereker's sister? Or is the brother an artist in dire need of money? Or his sister's fiancé, who was afraid that Vereker would find out about his embezzlement? The police superintendent in charge of the investigation suspects them all... The owner of the estate, Gregory Matthews, is found dead. The investigation is leaning toward the version of natural death, but the deceased’s sister insists: a murder occurred! And the autopsy confirms her suspicions - Matthews was indeed poisoned with a huge dose of nicotine. Who was prevented by a respectable middle-aged gentleman who seemed to have no enemies? Superintendent Hannaside joins the investigation and comes to shocking conclusions...