In the city of Tataiare, the city head Skvortsanskiy and his cook were murdered. They were poisoned with a toxin added to their pastries. Suspicion falls on the Italian confectioner, signor Giotto, but the new governor orders the head of the detective police to investigate the case personally. Baron von Spinne understands that the true reason for the murder may be hidden far deeper—and that the crime could have been committed for the personal gain of other people.