When Sir Arthur Billington-Smith, an abusive wretch hated by everyone from his disinherited son to his wife's stoic would-be lover, is found stabbed to death, no one is particularly grieved and no one has an alibi. The unhappy guests find themselves under the scrutiny of Scotland Yard's coll-headed Inspector Harding, who has solved tough cases before but this time, the talented inspector discovers much more than he has bargained for.