Three people were found unconscious at the table, under the influence of a non-lethal dose of a poisonous drug. The fourth was found here, but dead - stabbed to death with an umbrella. It is not clear how the poison was used - the victims swear that none of them had the opportunity to do this! Thus begins the next case of Sir Henry Merrivale, in which he will again compete with Chief Inspector Humphrey Masters. And no matter how much the latter doesn’t want to wipe G.M.’s nose, the last word will still remain with the great old man.